What do you think?
Rate this book
Crowther and Westerman #4
Circle of Shadows
A locked room. A dark threat. A place of poisonous lies. Germany, 1784. Daniel Clode cannot say whether or not he killed the woman. They were found together in a locked room, dressed for the Carnival. But what of the strange madness he feels, and how did she drown on dry land? Harriet Westerman knows Daniel is not a murderer; her sister would not have married such a man. She and the reclusive anatomist Gabriel Crowther must travel to the Duke of Maulberg's Court to save him from the silken, venal plotting of the castle, and from the axeman's steel. But their journey across Europe brings them to an alien and capricious land, full of lies and shadows, where no one can be trusted.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2012
32 people are currently reading
1212 people want to read
About the author
Imogen Robertson
21 books456 followersImogen Robertson grew up in Darlington, studied Russian and German at Cambridge and now lives in London. She directed for film, TV and radio before becoming a full-time author and won the Telegraph’s ‘First thousand words of a novel’ competition in 2007 with the opening of Instruments of Darkness, her first novel. Her other novels also featuring the detective duo of Harriet Westerman and Gabriel Crowther are Anatomy of Murder, Island of Bones and Circle of Shadows. The Paris Winter, a story of betrayal and darkness set during the Belle Époque, will be published in the US by St Martin's Press in November 2014. She has been short-listed for the CWA Ellis Peters Historical Dagger twice and is married to a freelance cheesemonger.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
June 30, 2013
The blurb gives a good idea of the basics of the story--
This book so easily could have been subtitles 'A Tale of Love and Madness'. Those two themes are the ideas are the foundation of the story.
There is physical love, romantic loves, love of country counter-balanced with physical madness and political madness. The mood and setting are very Gothic and appropriately creepy. Oh yeah, we also have alchemy in the background mix.
Daniel Clode and his wife Rachel are in Germany, combining a wedding journey with a business trip. Matters go really bad when Daniel is arrested. He is first believed to have murdered Lady Martensen while insane--he is found babbling incoherently over her corpse. His wife and friends believe him innocent, of course. The local 'policeman', Krall, has his doubts as well--but that doesn't keep Daniel out of prison. Harriet Westerman and Gabriel Crowther race from England to Germany to clear his name by finding the real killer.
The intricately intertwined second plot involves political conspiracy--complete with a secret society (the Minervals), hidden members, and almost incomprehensible rhetoric. They want to run Europe their way--are they deluded? and how far are they willing to go to achieve their ends? The time is 1784--the American Revolution is concluded and the French Revolution is just a few years away; change is in the air.
Once Mrs. Westerman and Crowther arrive at the court, the action really picks up--more murders! Even if Daniel killed Lady Martensen, he's now in prison and could not have killed the more recent victims. Is the connection between the victims personal or political or both? How many different people could want them dead? And how will their deaths affect the balance of power at the court?
One of the many things I love about the author is that she assumes that her readers are bright enough to follow the intricate storyline. If she mentions something, then it will play a part in the resolution of the mystery--so the reader needs to pay attention!
The secondary characters are marvelous and well developed--especially Krall and Michaels (nominally Mrs. Westerman's coachman). We also meet up with an old foe--Manzerotti (spy and opera singer extrordinaire!). His presence adds another twist to the story, as he and Harriet have a very bad history between them. Even the bit players are fleshed out.
Although this book is the 4th to feature Westerman and Crowther, it can stand on its own. The author does a very good job of interweaving enough back story (without info dumping!)so that a new reader should not feel lost.
The epilogue of the book is wonderful and very settled. While I would miss more books featuring these characters, if this one is the last one, then I am well satisfied.
ps--I am unwilling to admit how long it took me to figure out why the the Minervals all carried/wore something with an owl on it.
This book so easily could have been subtitles 'A Tale of Love and Madness'. Those two themes are the ideas are the foundation of the story.
There is physical love, romantic loves, love of country counter-balanced with physical madness and political madness. The mood and setting are very Gothic and appropriately creepy. Oh yeah, we also have alchemy in the background mix.
Daniel Clode and his wife Rachel are in Germany, combining a wedding journey with a business trip. Matters go really bad when Daniel is arrested. He is first believed to have murdered Lady Martensen while insane--he is found babbling incoherently over her corpse. His wife and friends believe him innocent, of course. The local 'policeman', Krall, has his doubts as well--but that doesn't keep Daniel out of prison. Harriet Westerman and Gabriel Crowther race from England to Germany to clear his name by finding the real killer.
The intricately intertwined second plot involves political conspiracy--complete with a secret society (the Minervals), hidden members, and almost incomprehensible rhetoric. They want to run Europe their way--are they deluded? and how far are they willing to go to achieve their ends? The time is 1784--the American Revolution is concluded and the French Revolution is just a few years away; change is in the air.
Once Mrs. Westerman and Crowther arrive at the court, the action really picks up--more murders! Even if Daniel killed Lady Martensen, he's now in prison and could not have killed the more recent victims. Is the connection between the victims personal or political or both? How many different people could want them dead? And how will their deaths affect the balance of power at the court?
One of the many things I love about the author is that she assumes that her readers are bright enough to follow the intricate storyline. If she mentions something, then it will play a part in the resolution of the mystery--so the reader needs to pay attention!
The secondary characters are marvelous and well developed--especially Krall and Michaels (nominally Mrs. Westerman's coachman). We also meet up with an old foe--Manzerotti (spy and opera singer extrordinaire!). His presence adds another twist to the story, as he and Harriet have a very bad history between them. Even the bit players are fleshed out.
Although this book is the 4th to feature Westerman and Crowther, it can stand on its own. The author does a very good job of interweaving enough back story (without info dumping!)so that a new reader should not feel lost.
The epilogue of the book is wonderful and very settled. While I would miss more books featuring these characters, if this one is the last one, then I am well satisfied.
ps--I am unwilling to admit how long it took me to figure out why the the Minervals all carried/wore something with an owl on it.
December 17, 2015
I cannot believe how disappointing this Crowther & Westerman was. C&W has been a pretty reliable series – solid historical fiction, an appealing detective duo, and interesting mysteries. But this one was awful – if it wasn’t for my lingering C&W fondness, it would have received an even lower grade.
There was very little of either Crowther or Westerman – and especially both of them together! – in this book. I think C&W are the best parts – they are individually bright and fierce and together they have real sparks (I’m still waiting for any romantic subplot though…). I think Robertson actually wanted to write about young mathematician/spy Pegel, since he’s really the focus here. It’s not clear at all for a long time what purpose his subplot serves. And then by the end it’s clear that he has an entirely unnecessary subplot, showing the uncovering of this Minerval conspiracy parallel to C&W’s investigation. He could’ve been cut! Seriously! He was not needed. And yet there he was.
Manzerotti, who had a hand in the murder of Westerman’s husband in an earlier book, shows up. Robertson also seems much more interested in him than C&W. Manzerotti is a charming, manipulative snake. He’s a eunuch and a famous opera singer and a spy. Robertson, I think, REALLY wants a series around Manzerotti and his protegee Pegel. But she had to throw C&W in for name recognition. Even though it feels like they’re barely in it.
Also, I can’t remember if this was the case in the previous books, but what’s up with the random mini-POV from random characters? Like some murder victim’s servant gets a couple pages. I DON’T CARE. Give me more C&W. Not more randoms!
The mystery itself was also subpar. In this small German kingdom (duchy?), a group of noble folk are part of the Minervals, an Illuminati-esque society. There’s seven of them, and they claim some kind of socialist message but seem to actually just want more power and influence for themselves. And then there’s a wider range of sympathizers, but it’s unclear what their roles are. I don’t feel like any part of this was well-defined.
The mystery is basically solved for C&W. Seriously, Manzerotti and his protégé did all the heavy lifting. I want to mutiny. Bring back full use of C&W! Downsize Manerotti, Pegel, and the other minor characters! C&W are truly the heart of this series and it's painful to have their use be so limited.
There was very little of either Crowther or Westerman – and especially both of them together! – in this book. I think C&W are the best parts – they are individually bright and fierce and together they have real sparks (I’m still waiting for any romantic subplot though…). I think Robertson actually wanted to write about young mathematician/spy Pegel, since he’s really the focus here. It’s not clear at all for a long time what purpose his subplot serves. And then by the end it’s clear that he has an entirely unnecessary subplot, showing the uncovering of this Minerval conspiracy parallel to C&W’s investigation. He could’ve been cut! Seriously! He was not needed. And yet there he was.
Manzerotti, who had a hand in the murder of Westerman’s husband in an earlier book, shows up. Robertson also seems much more interested in him than C&W. Manzerotti is a charming, manipulative snake. He’s a eunuch and a famous opera singer and a spy. Robertson, I think, REALLY wants a series around Manzerotti and his protegee Pegel. But she had to throw C&W in for name recognition. Even though it feels like they’re barely in it.
Also, I can’t remember if this was the case in the previous books, but what’s up with the random mini-POV from random characters? Like some murder victim’s servant gets a couple pages. I DON’T CARE. Give me more C&W. Not more randoms!
The mystery itself was also subpar. In this small German kingdom (duchy?), a group of noble folk are part of the Minervals, an Illuminati-esque society. There’s seven of them, and they claim some kind of socialist message but seem to actually just want more power and influence for themselves. And then there’s a wider range of sympathizers, but it’s unclear what their roles are. I don’t feel like any part of this was well-defined.
The mystery is basically solved for C&W. Seriously, Manzerotti and his protégé did all the heavy lifting. I want to mutiny. Bring back full use of C&W! Downsize Manerotti, Pegel, and the other minor characters! C&W are truly the heart of this series and it's painful to have their use be so limited.
December 6, 2015
First Sentence: The room is dark, lit by only a single candle on the surface of a rough wooden table.
Widow Harriet Westerman receives a letter from her newly married sister, Rachel. In Germany, where they are touring, Rachel's husband, Daniel Clode, was found in a locked room with the body of Lady Martesen. Although very confused, seeming to have attempted suicide and having no memory, Daniel is imprisoned and awaiting execution for murder. Harriet, with her friends; anatomist Gabriel Crowther, Daniel's employer Owen Graves and Michaels, landlord of the local inn who insists on overseeing their travels, travels to the Duchy of Maulbery. There they find a Duke preparing for his wedding, an enemy, intrigue and several more deaths.
Robertson has a very intriguing style. The prologue both compels and slightly baffles us. The wonderfully evocative descriptions of the story's first chapter informs us that a crime has occurred so that the intrigue is presented, possible ramifications established, and many of the characters introduced with an overview of their backgrounds established. It is a very satisfying beginning.
The characters drive the story, and they are characters about who we very much care. For those of us who are Jane Austen fans, one sees shades of Mrs. Croft (Persuasion) and Colonel Brandon (Sense and Sensibility) and the characters of Harriet and Crowther. Harriet is very much a person one would like to be. She has strength, but not false courage. She is intelligent, traveled and capable. ..."Harriet tilted her head to one side. "I was going to stab him with one of Mr. Al-Said's files, but he provided a pistol so I almost shot him instead. I hate to say it, but I think having the opportunity to do so, and not killing him, has done me a great deal of good." Each of the characters is memorable and significant to the story and it's hard to say enough about them without this review becoming as long as the book itself. There isn't a cameo player among them, even if their role is small.
Robertson's voice and style are very special. There is elegance to her writing. Her descriptions are evocative; her ability to convey emotion is visceral. Her voice is neither modern yet doesn't focus on being of the period. It is conveyed through scenes and narrative, such as Harriet her musing on the comparison of her beginning an intimate with her late husband, as opposed to what may possibly have been her sister's experience. Her dialogue is always to be appreciated ..."Are you encouraging me to speculate, Crowther?" ..."I suppose I am to a degree. I will try not to do so again."
The plot is not a simple one. Beginning from the first page, we are uncertain as to the road on which we travel. One must pay attention to the details, and it is very well worth so doing. As with the characters, every aspect is significant. This isn't a story to skim, but neither is one tempted so to do as each page is engrossing.
"Circle of Shadows" is an excellent read. For me, it is the best book, so far, in the series. That is saying quite a lot as this is a series I truly love.
CIRCLE OF SHADOWS (Hist Mys-Harriet Westerman/Gabriel Crowther-Germany-1784) – Ex
Robertson, Imogen
Pamela Dorman Books/Viking, 2013
Widow Harriet Westerman receives a letter from her newly married sister, Rachel. In Germany, where they are touring, Rachel's husband, Daniel Clode, was found in a locked room with the body of Lady Martesen. Although very confused, seeming to have attempted suicide and having no memory, Daniel is imprisoned and awaiting execution for murder. Harriet, with her friends; anatomist Gabriel Crowther, Daniel's employer Owen Graves and Michaels, landlord of the local inn who insists on overseeing their travels, travels to the Duchy of Maulbery. There they find a Duke preparing for his wedding, an enemy, intrigue and several more deaths.
Robertson has a very intriguing style. The prologue both compels and slightly baffles us. The wonderfully evocative descriptions of the story's first chapter informs us that a crime has occurred so that the intrigue is presented, possible ramifications established, and many of the characters introduced with an overview of their backgrounds established. It is a very satisfying beginning.
The characters drive the story, and they are characters about who we very much care. For those of us who are Jane Austen fans, one sees shades of Mrs. Croft (Persuasion) and Colonel Brandon (Sense and Sensibility) and the characters of Harriet and Crowther. Harriet is very much a person one would like to be. She has strength, but not false courage. She is intelligent, traveled and capable. ..."Harriet tilted her head to one side. "I was going to stab him with one of Mr. Al-Said's files, but he provided a pistol so I almost shot him instead. I hate to say it, but I think having the opportunity to do so, and not killing him, has done me a great deal of good." Each of the characters is memorable and significant to the story and it's hard to say enough about them without this review becoming as long as the book itself. There isn't a cameo player among them, even if their role is small.
Robertson's voice and style are very special. There is elegance to her writing. Her descriptions are evocative; her ability to convey emotion is visceral. Her voice is neither modern yet doesn't focus on being of the period. It is conveyed through scenes and narrative, such as Harriet her musing on the comparison of her beginning an intimate with her late husband, as opposed to what may possibly have been her sister's experience. Her dialogue is always to be appreciated ..."Are you encouraging me to speculate, Crowther?" ..."I suppose I am to a degree. I will try not to do so again."
The plot is not a simple one. Beginning from the first page, we are uncertain as to the road on which we travel. One must pay attention to the details, and it is very well worth so doing. As with the characters, every aspect is significant. This isn't a story to skim, but neither is one tempted so to do as each page is engrossing.
"Circle of Shadows" is an excellent read. For me, it is the best book, so far, in the series. That is saying quite a lot as this is a series I truly love.
CIRCLE OF SHADOWS (Hist Mys-Harriet Westerman/Gabriel Crowther-Germany-1784) – Ex
Robertson, Imogen
Pamela Dorman Books/Viking, 2013
November 14, 2021
This was tough for me to get through. I love this series, but this installment is a low point. For most of the book, Harriet and Crowther are separated…by choice. They are investigating the same murder(s), but don’t stick together. The magic is when they are together.
I also think there were some missed opportunities for developing Harriet and Crowther’s relationship. Even if they never get together /in that way/, it would have been nice if Crowther comforted Harriet instead of standing there as she weeps. Something, anything would have been appreciated. Even Manzioetti (sp?) can see that he loves her and comments on it.
The murders were intriguing and it was so hard to keep the large cast straight, but there are actions in the final third of the book where the “why” isn’t clear. It all got wrapped up at the end, but it wasn’t exactly satisfying.
I also think there were some missed opportunities for developing Harriet and Crowther’s relationship. Even if they never get together /in that way/, it would have been nice if Crowther comforted Harriet instead of standing there as she weeps. Something, anything would have been appreciated. Even Manzioetti (sp?) can see that he loves her and comments on it.
The murders were intriguing and it was so hard to keep the large cast straight, but there are actions in the final third of the book where the “why” isn’t clear. It all got wrapped up at the end, but it wasn’t exactly satisfying.
February 27, 2016
I really enjoyed the first three books in the series, but this one just didn't work for me.
July 18, 2025
(2.5) I thoroughly enjoyed the first 3 books in this series many years ago and was delighted to come across another one. Unfortunately it did not live up to my expectations. Was it just me and was I expecting too much? Perhaps not as other readers seem to have found this weaker than its predecessors.
The first part was particularly slow as the backstory of the previous books was revealed in a rather cumbersome way. It took until the last 100 pages for the story to really gather any momentum. The dynamic between Harriet and Crowther has always been one of the most interesting aspects of these books but even that didn’t seem to have its earlier sparkle.
The first part was particularly slow as the backstory of the previous books was revealed in a rather cumbersome way. It took until the last 100 pages for the story to really gather any momentum. The dynamic between Harriet and Crowther has always been one of the most interesting aspects of these books but even that didn’t seem to have its earlier sparkle.
November 1, 2013
A must-read for lovers of intelligent historical mysteries
Imogen Robertson’s historical mystery series featuring Harriet Westerman and anatomist Gabriel Crowther constitutes one of the most intelligent examples of the genre out there. Circle of Shadows contains all of the features that make this series so rich and rewarding: a complicated plot; a well-researched, detailed 18th century setting; and a well-drawn cast of characters that feel true to the period.
In this fourth installment of the series, Harriet and Crowther travel outside of England for the first time, when they are called to one of the German states to investigate a murder. Harriet’s sister Rachel and her new husband, Daniel, had been touring Europe for their honeymoon when Daniel was arrested for killing a woman. Harriet and Crowther have to identify the murderer in order to free Daniel, but what they discover during their investigation is political intrigue and the handiwork of a madman.
One of the things that I love about Robertson’s novels as a whole is how detailed her 18th century world is. She’s obviously researched the period deeply. It pays off in the realistic feel of her descriptions of the physical setting of the story, as well as her descriptions of the manners and mores of the characters. The 18th century is not a period that is used often in historical mysteries, so it has benefit of novelty, too.
Another plus for me is the deep cast of characters. Harriet and Crowther show up in every novel, of course, as do their friends and family, but so do other people that they meet during their investigations. Individuals that other authors might treat as minor characters come to life in Robertson’s novels. For example, an important character in the second book in the series is Jocasta Bligh, who plays a key role in the mystery of that book; her background then gets explored in Robertson’s third novel. Manzerotti, the spymaster who drove the plot of Book 2, makes a return appearance in this book and becomes a more fully rounded character. For me, the net effect of these recurring characters is to enhance the feeling that this is a completely realized world where characters have an existence that lives on beyond the pages of any particular novel. I hope that Pegel, who appears in this book as a young recruit into Manzarotti’s spy ring, will show up again in another book in the series. He’s just too potentially rich a character not to make a return!
The one drawback of this approach is that Robertson’s novels have to be read as a series to most fully appreciate them. I wouldn’t recommend starting with this book for readers who are new to Robertson’s work. They should start at the beginning and enjoy the series as it develops.
Really, anyone who enjoys a well-written historical mystery should read Circle of Shadows and the other books in the series. I’m pretty sure you’ll be glad you did!
An ARC of Circle of Shadows was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Imogen Robertson’s historical mystery series featuring Harriet Westerman and anatomist Gabriel Crowther constitutes one of the most intelligent examples of the genre out there. Circle of Shadows contains all of the features that make this series so rich and rewarding: a complicated plot; a well-researched, detailed 18th century setting; and a well-drawn cast of characters that feel true to the period.
In this fourth installment of the series, Harriet and Crowther travel outside of England for the first time, when they are called to one of the German states to investigate a murder. Harriet’s sister Rachel and her new husband, Daniel, had been touring Europe for their honeymoon when Daniel was arrested for killing a woman. Harriet and Crowther have to identify the murderer in order to free Daniel, but what they discover during their investigation is political intrigue and the handiwork of a madman.
One of the things that I love about Robertson’s novels as a whole is how detailed her 18th century world is. She’s obviously researched the period deeply. It pays off in the realistic feel of her descriptions of the physical setting of the story, as well as her descriptions of the manners and mores of the characters. The 18th century is not a period that is used often in historical mysteries, so it has benefit of novelty, too.
Another plus for me is the deep cast of characters. Harriet and Crowther show up in every novel, of course, as do their friends and family, but so do other people that they meet during their investigations. Individuals that other authors might treat as minor characters come to life in Robertson’s novels. For example, an important character in the second book in the series is Jocasta Bligh, who plays a key role in the mystery of that book; her background then gets explored in Robertson’s third novel. Manzerotti, the spymaster who drove the plot of Book 2, makes a return appearance in this book and becomes a more fully rounded character. For me, the net effect of these recurring characters is to enhance the feeling that this is a completely realized world where characters have an existence that lives on beyond the pages of any particular novel. I hope that Pegel, who appears in this book as a young recruit into Manzarotti’s spy ring, will show up again in another book in the series. He’s just too potentially rich a character not to make a return!
The one drawback of this approach is that Robertson’s novels have to be read as a series to most fully appreciate them. I wouldn’t recommend starting with this book for readers who are new to Robertson’s work. They should start at the beginning and enjoy the series as it develops.
Really, anyone who enjoys a well-written historical mystery should read Circle of Shadows and the other books in the series. I’m pretty sure you’ll be glad you did!
An ARC of Circle of Shadows was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2013
This is the fourth in a series of historical suspense novels by this author and it’s quite unusual. It involves two sleuths who are British and here attempt to solve their first criminal mystery outside of England, in Germany in 1782. Harriet Westerman is an intelligent, fearless gal whose past history with murder has left some pain and a bit of shadow about her public image. Gabriel Crowther is a bit of a recluse who speaks his mind at all times, no matter how offensively it is taken, but he is also bright and an anatomist, fascinated with the scientific properties of the body for criminal analysis and healing as well. Now they learn that a good friend, Daniel Clode, is accused of murdering Lady Martesen. They immediately leave for the Duchy of Maulberg in German!
First, they discovered that Daniel Clode has been acting like someone who is insane and then they are shocked to find that Lady Martesen was probably killed not by smothering, as originally thought, but by drowning. But how can someone be drowned and have no sign of water anywhere on the clothing or body? Westerman and Crowther are surprised by the fairness of the investigation in Maulberg, a place that is rather an enigma since it is ruled by an absolute dictator who allows them room for investigation perhaps with a slightly hidden financial motive.
Meanwhile other characters such as the brilliant mathematician Pegel appear on the scene and discover the presence of a secret group that is equated with the Free Masons but is not anything like them in reality. in fact, the plot that begins to unfold turns out to be one that could change the face of European governments, one country at a time and not in a healthy productive way!
As the murder took place during the annual Shrove Tuesday celebrations, Daniel Clode was like all other celebrants wearing a mask, one that is part of the plot to undo him as he will be executed if found guilty. But there’s much more to this mystery and the above summary is only a tad of all the clues that are gradually revealed with just the right amount of tension and intrigue, including a notable amount of period description and detail that is very interesting as well as the investigation.
Imogen Robertson is a talented writer who has penned a mystery others have compared to Anne Perry for detail and Tess Gerritsen for forensic evidence. This reviewer couldn’t agree more! Mystery fans and historical fiction fans will love this novel for sure! Very well done and highly recommended!
First, they discovered that Daniel Clode has been acting like someone who is insane and then they are shocked to find that Lady Martesen was probably killed not by smothering, as originally thought, but by drowning. But how can someone be drowned and have no sign of water anywhere on the clothing or body? Westerman and Crowther are surprised by the fairness of the investigation in Maulberg, a place that is rather an enigma since it is ruled by an absolute dictator who allows them room for investigation perhaps with a slightly hidden financial motive.
Meanwhile other characters such as the brilliant mathematician Pegel appear on the scene and discover the presence of a secret group that is equated with the Free Masons but is not anything like them in reality. in fact, the plot that begins to unfold turns out to be one that could change the face of European governments, one country at a time and not in a healthy productive way!
As the murder took place during the annual Shrove Tuesday celebrations, Daniel Clode was like all other celebrants wearing a mask, one that is part of the plot to undo him as he will be executed if found guilty. But there’s much more to this mystery and the above summary is only a tad of all the clues that are gradually revealed with just the right amount of tension and intrigue, including a notable amount of period description and detail that is very interesting as well as the investigation.
Imogen Robertson is a talented writer who has penned a mystery others have compared to Anne Perry for detail and Tess Gerritsen for forensic evidence. This reviewer couldn’t agree more! Mystery fans and historical fiction fans will love this novel for sure! Very well done and highly recommended!
December 29, 2012
I had written a long (for me) review of this but it seems to have vanished, so I briefly add a comment! I really enjoyed this one (having also enjoyed the other books in the Crowther and Westerman series). This felt slightly more "detached" than the others with the lead characters taking more of a back seat and other characters coming to the fore. The setting was also interesting - letting the characters experience life on the continent. Will continue to look forward to additions to this series.
September 9, 2014
I never get tired of Crowther and Westerman and their band of friends and family. It wasn't until I finished this book that I looked back and thought, hmmmm, I wouldn't have minded a little more focus on the main characters. But Robertson's supporting cast never disappoints, and in this volume we learn more about diamond-in-the-rough Michaels and sinister songbird/spy Manzerotti. I also really enjoyed a new character, the youthful codebreaker/math genius Jacob Pegel, and I hope we see a bit more of him in the future. In short: brilliant, as usual.
September 1, 2013
She should have stopped at three.
This book was disappointing. Harriet is in a major funk, Crowther's role was seriously reduced, too many other characters to keep track of, and the whole murder mystery was too convoluted for me. I just wasn't interested. :-( Loved the first three books, but don't bother with the fourth.
This book was disappointing. Harriet is in a major funk, Crowther's role was seriously reduced, too many other characters to keep track of, and the whole murder mystery was too convoluted for me. I just wasn't interested. :-( Loved the first three books, but don't bother with the fourth.
May 16, 2021
Well-written and intriguing mystery set in a small German duchy where Harriet Westerman and her friend and fellow amateur detective, Gabriel Crowther, are called to clear the name of Mrs. Westerman's brother-in-law, accused of an extremely bizarre murder. The characters are, as usual, very well-drawn and interesting, and the setting is fascinating. The plot gets pretty wild, but the author brings it all together in the end, and I do enjoy the relationship between Mrs. Westerman and Mr. Crowther. Looking forward to reading the next one.
January 1, 2021
This one was a little harder to get into for me, there was a lot of jumping around, a LOT of new characters and mysteries introduced all at once. I felt a little flooded with information. But then it settles and starts moving forward and picks up the pace. I think I read the last third or so all in one setting because it got too hard to stop, there was great momentum going.
October 28, 2013
This review originally appeared on my blog, Leeanna.me.
==
CIRCLE OF SHADOWS is a rich meal of a book, full of historical details, unique characters, and an intriguing mystery.
I was initially attracted to the book because of the main character, Harriet Westerman. I was quite curious as to how a woman in the late 1700s could be a detective. But to my surprise, I liked every single character in the book, good and bad, even the minor ones. The author has a real talent for fleshing out characters. I cared about all of them in some way, from Harriet to the daughter of the ballet dancer. I wanted to know more about everyone, too, and I think the author did a good job of integrating interesting and relevant backstories into the plot. Harriet, though, was probably my favorite. I adored her dry humor and quick mind.
And the plot! I admit, I don’t usually read mysteries. They just aren’t my favorite. But I liked CIRCLE OF SHADOWS so much I want to read the rest of the Crowther and Westerman series. The author wove a compelling story, bringing in everything from forensics to lost family members to secret societies to court politics. I think there’s something for everyone here -- there are even automatons, which I so did not expect to see. I had no idea how the murder mystery would tie up, and I admit to being quite surprised by the ending. It was a fantastical mystery for sure, but one that I believed because of the way the author wrote it.
I read CIRCLE OF SHADOWS over a few weeks. Usually I speed through books, but the writing style -- heavy on detail and scene setting, and almost formal -- made me slow down. This was a plus for me, because it was refreshing to spend longer than a day or two reading a book. I do advise taking an hour or so to get into the book when you begin it, so you can get a good footing with the characters and start of the big mystery.
Although CIRCLE OF SHADOWS is book four in a series, you don’t have to have read the other books to understand this one. That was one of the other big pluses for me, because who likes to try and recall details from books they read years ago? Not me! The author does a very nice job of filling you in on what you need to know, if you’re new to Harriet and Crowther and their world. But if you aren’t, you won’t be bogged down by information dumps. There’s a good balance.
I would have liked a dramatis personae to help me keep track of the large cast of characters. I sometimes had to flip back to remember who someone was, but that’s a small quibble.
I’d recommend this book if you like mysteries, because its superbly done. I really liked that the author didn’t “write down,” but expected the reader to solve things right along with Harriet and the rest of the characters. It’s always cool when you remember a detail you initially thought was insignificant, and then later see that it’s a big clue if you paid attention! I’d also recommend CIRCLE OF SHADOWS if you like historical fiction, because although Maulberg wasn’t a real duchy, the author drew inspiration and information from real German states during the appropriate time period.
==
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews:
==
CIRCLE OF SHADOWS is a rich meal of a book, full of historical details, unique characters, and an intriguing mystery.
I was initially attracted to the book because of the main character, Harriet Westerman. I was quite curious as to how a woman in the late 1700s could be a detective. But to my surprise, I liked every single character in the book, good and bad, even the minor ones. The author has a real talent for fleshing out characters. I cared about all of them in some way, from Harriet to the daughter of the ballet dancer. I wanted to know more about everyone, too, and I think the author did a good job of integrating interesting and relevant backstories into the plot. Harriet, though, was probably my favorite. I adored her dry humor and quick mind.
And the plot! I admit, I don’t usually read mysteries. They just aren’t my favorite. But I liked CIRCLE OF SHADOWS so much I want to read the rest of the Crowther and Westerman series. The author wove a compelling story, bringing in everything from forensics to lost family members to secret societies to court politics. I think there’s something for everyone here -- there are even automatons, which I so did not expect to see. I had no idea how the murder mystery would tie up, and I admit to being quite surprised by the ending. It was a fantastical mystery for sure, but one that I believed because of the way the author wrote it.
I read CIRCLE OF SHADOWS over a few weeks. Usually I speed through books, but the writing style -- heavy on detail and scene setting, and almost formal -- made me slow down. This was a plus for me, because it was refreshing to spend longer than a day or two reading a book. I do advise taking an hour or so to get into the book when you begin it, so you can get a good footing with the characters and start of the big mystery.
Although CIRCLE OF SHADOWS is book four in a series, you don’t have to have read the other books to understand this one. That was one of the other big pluses for me, because who likes to try and recall details from books they read years ago? Not me! The author does a very nice job of filling you in on what you need to know, if you’re new to Harriet and Crowther and their world. But if you aren’t, you won’t be bogged down by information dumps. There’s a good balance.
I would have liked a dramatis personae to help me keep track of the large cast of characters. I sometimes had to flip back to remember who someone was, but that’s a small quibble.
I’d recommend this book if you like mysteries, because its superbly done. I really liked that the author didn’t “write down,” but expected the reader to solve things right along with Harriet and the rest of the characters. It’s always cool when you remember a detail you initially thought was insignificant, and then later see that it’s a big clue if you paid attention! I’d also recommend CIRCLE OF SHADOWS if you like historical fiction, because although Maulberg wasn’t a real duchy, the author drew inspiration and information from real German states during the appropriate time period.
==
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews:
June 1, 2014
This series just gets better with each outing by Crowther and Westerman - I hope the books will keep coming! Robertson's puzzles are intricate and compelling, her characters are multi-faceted and interesting, and she draws the reader in with fascinating settings, as in this case which takes place in a German duchy.
In February of 1784 Gabriel Crowther and Harriet Westerman rush to the aid of Harriet's younger sister Rachel and her new husband Daniel; while on their wedding trip to Europe they've been caught up in a murder in the duchy of Maulburg and Daniel has been arrested. Upon arrival they find an autocratic duke in his overdecorated Gothic castle surrounded by an intrigue-ridden, sycophantic court; they also find themselves face-to-face with an old nemesis, Manzerotti, the castrato opera singer/spy Harriet holds responsible for the murder of her husband. Through dogged questioning and with the help of the German investigator Krall (and even hints from Manzerotti) they begin to see a pattern of questionable "accidental" deaths surrounding the court. Meanwhile, in a parallel plot line, a quirky, brilliant young spy masquerading as a university student is hunting down a revolutionary secret society seeking to overthrow established governments and install members of their cabal to create their version of utopia...
Phew! As always, the plot is very involved and full of intrigue and questionable loyalties, but as another reviewer pointed out here, one of the pleasures of reading this author is she expects her readers to be intelligent enough to follow along; I admit when I would pick the book up again after an interval I sometimes had to wonder, now who's this guy again? But then I was drawn in again and the chase was on! I highly recommend this excellent series to historical mystery and fiction fans who can appreciate the wonderful, fully realized characters (even the minor players), the atmosphere of claustrophobic opulence, and the exciting mystery that works on so many levels.
In February of 1784 Gabriel Crowther and Harriet Westerman rush to the aid of Harriet's younger sister Rachel and her new husband Daniel; while on their wedding trip to Europe they've been caught up in a murder in the duchy of Maulburg and Daniel has been arrested. Upon arrival they find an autocratic duke in his overdecorated Gothic castle surrounded by an intrigue-ridden, sycophantic court; they also find themselves face-to-face with an old nemesis, Manzerotti, the castrato opera singer/spy Harriet holds responsible for the murder of her husband. Through dogged questioning and with the help of the German investigator Krall (and even hints from Manzerotti) they begin to see a pattern of questionable "accidental" deaths surrounding the court. Meanwhile, in a parallel plot line, a quirky, brilliant young spy masquerading as a university student is hunting down a revolutionary secret society seeking to overthrow established governments and install members of their cabal to create their version of utopia...
Phew! As always, the plot is very involved and full of intrigue and questionable loyalties, but as another reviewer pointed out here, one of the pleasures of reading this author is she expects her readers to be intelligent enough to follow along; I admit when I would pick the book up again after an interval I sometimes had to wonder, now who's this guy again? But then I was drawn in again and the chase was on! I highly recommend this excellent series to historical mystery and fiction fans who can appreciate the wonderful, fully realized characters (even the minor players), the atmosphere of claustrophobic opulence, and the exciting mystery that works on so many levels.
June 11, 2013
Another interesting escapade featuring Harriet Westerman and her friend Gabriel Crowther the anatomist. Circle of Shadows is set in Maulberg, a fictitious dukedom in Germany, in 1784. When a strange and apparently senseless murder occurs in Maulberg, Daniel Clode, Harriet's brother-in-law is arrested, as Daniel was found with the body, incoherent and bleeding. Given the circumstances, few doubt his guilt, and unless the guilty party can be found, Daniel will be executed. Fortunately, connections in England that affect Maulberg's finances allow for delay, and the English contingent rushes to Maulberg to see if they can discover the real murderer and save Daniel's life.
I like Harriet and Crowther a great deal, but in this novel other characters play larger roles as well. The infamous castrato Manzerotti appears at court, causing Harriet much personal distress, but his character is fascinating. I liked District Officer Krall, Jacob Pegel (the young man employed and mentored by Manzerotti in his spy operation), and the brothers who produce the marvelous automata for the Duke and other wealthy clients. A series featuring Manzerotti and Pegel would be interesting.
The plot is a little fantastic, but the characters carry the show. This is the 4th novel in this series, but I missed the second one and will be looking at the library in hopes of finding it. It is not necessary to begin this series with the first novel; each novel can stand on its own. That said, my favorite is Instruments of Darkness, the first novel, that establishes the relationship between Harriet and the reserved and antisocial Gabriel Crowther.
The Westerman/Crowther Series in Order:
Instruments of Darkness
Anatomy of a Murder (TBR)
Island of Bones
Circle of Shadows
NetGalley/Penguin Group, Viking.
Mystery/Historical fiction. June 13, 2013. Print version: 384 pages.
ISBN-10: 0143120409
I like Harriet and Crowther a great deal, but in this novel other characters play larger roles as well. The infamous castrato Manzerotti appears at court, causing Harriet much personal distress, but his character is fascinating. I liked District Officer Krall, Jacob Pegel (the young man employed and mentored by Manzerotti in his spy operation), and the brothers who produce the marvelous automata for the Duke and other wealthy clients. A series featuring Manzerotti and Pegel would be interesting.
The plot is a little fantastic, but the characters carry the show. This is the 4th novel in this series, but I missed the second one and will be looking at the library in hopes of finding it. It is not necessary to begin this series with the first novel; each novel can stand on its own. That said, my favorite is Instruments of Darkness, the first novel, that establishes the relationship between Harriet and the reserved and antisocial Gabriel Crowther.
The Westerman/Crowther Series in Order:
Instruments of Darkness
Anatomy of a Murder (TBR)
Island of Bones
Circle of Shadows
NetGalley/Penguin Group, Viking.
Mystery/Historical fiction. June 13, 2013. Print version: 384 pages.
ISBN-10: 0143120409
May 14, 2023
Mrs. Westerman and Crowther must travel to Germany to save their friend, Mr. Clode, from being executed for a murder he did not commit. Inside the palace of the Duke, they find a plot so twisted it will keep you guessing until the very end. We are even reintroduced to some old friends and villains from her the previous books, which will challenge what you thought you knew. I was almost disappointed to finish this novel, because the fifth book hasn't been released in the United States yet. This series is brilliant, and I look forward to many more novels from this author in the future.
I will warn there are a few swear words scattered throughout the novel. They always seem a little out of place in a novel written for this era.
I will warn there are a few swear words scattered throughout the novel. They always seem a little out of place in a novel written for this era.
July 17, 2012
From the start, this novel has a more menacing, darker tone than Robertson's previous works - and the setting of some distant duchy in Europe is perfect for the tone. Westerman and Crowther have a lot of help in this one (it's great to see characters from previous books pop-up, especially Manzerotti), and the mystery is pretty solid. Robertson ties automata, royal politics, science, alchemy, and secret societies altogether in a rather ingenious way. Enjoyed their romp, but I will be happy to see them return to form in England (I'm hoping there will be a #5).
June 19, 2013
The first three books in the Westerman/Crowther series were very good and this one carries on in that tradition. The writing is solid and the plot doesn't depend on terror and gore. I enjoyed the sense of time and place and the steady but not overwhelming pace of the narrative. I look forward to the next book from Ms. Robertson.
September 23, 2013
If I could give this a 3.5, I would. The research into this historical novel is a great hook. I've read others in the series and there is progression, sometimes at great cost. I admire the risk the author takes in letting this happen when a reader seeking comfort from a familiar cast might resent losing one of the known characters.
October 20, 2013
I keep thinking these books should be more interesting than they are. the characters seem promising and the settings seem interesting. But I cannot keep going after a point. I think there is too much slogging through detail. Until someone really makes a compelling case, I'm done with this author.
November 10, 2013
A cracking historical who-done-it. I haven't read the previous three books but found this wasn't needed to enjoy this story, I quickly got to know the main characters and found them very human. I shall definitely look out for more from this author.
February 22, 2013
I love this series with Harriet Westerman and Gabriel Crowther solving intricate murders.. i have read every single one in the series and look forward to more in the future.
June 29, 2013
Absolutely superb continuation of the series. Great characters, well developed and leaves you wanting more.
October 31, 2021
Duchy of Maulberg 1784 ~ a fictional principality set between Austria and Prussia, part of the Holy Roman Empire in truth neither holy nor Roman nor Empire. This place was part of the honeymoon itinerary of the Clodes given that Daniel was the young Earl of Sussex's financial adviser as well as manager of the Earl's investments (foreign and domestic). At a masked carnival, an advance celebration for the Duke of Maulberg's coming political marriage... Maulberg's discarded mistress was found dead and a disoriented incoherently raving Daniel Clode was with her body. He was arrested for Lady Martesen's unexplained death... so Rachel asked for Harriet's help and naturally Crowther's. Their arrival at Maulberg preceded by half a day the arrival of Manzerotti, the castrato master spy whom Harriet blamed for James' murder. Despite her thirst for revenge and the opportunity accorded her by the singer, she could not shoot him... eventually enemies were forced to make an alliance as apparently they were all after the same thing. Also, Harriet must face a few home truths in the concept of Justice as well as in meting out the same... for she did not know all the facts that led to her husband's murder... and that Manzerotti above all was a pragmatist and did not see the point or profit in James Westerman's death. Again so many red herrings as well as wonders (re~ automata, their beauty and marvel) were virtually layered and woven into the fabric of this enthralling story.
November 16, 2023
4.5/5⭐️
Fourth in this series, the location switches to a small duchy in Germany (1784) where Crowther and Harriet are called to solve a murder for which her brother-in-law has been imprisoned.
Daniel Clode, on his honeymoon with Harriet’s sister Rachel, has no recollection of the horrific crime of which he is accused and was considered insane due to his babbling at the scene of the crime.
Bodies begin stacking up, and our sleuths are faced with learning more about and unearthing a power-hungry, elitist political cult bent on royal takeover.
I enjoyed this. While true our leads did not have as much screen time together here as in past books, there were some added insights/spotlights turned on some secondary and new characters that brought additional interest for me.
There’s one more book in the series that I’m aware of (although I’d love to see more), and I’m anxious to see how Robertson wraps everything up.
Fourth in this series, the location switches to a small duchy in Germany (1784) where Crowther and Harriet are called to solve a murder for which her brother-in-law has been imprisoned.
Daniel Clode, on his honeymoon with Harriet’s sister Rachel, has no recollection of the horrific crime of which he is accused and was considered insane due to his babbling at the scene of the crime.
Bodies begin stacking up, and our sleuths are faced with learning more about and unearthing a power-hungry, elitist political cult bent on royal takeover.
I enjoyed this. While true our leads did not have as much screen time together here as in past books, there were some added insights/spotlights turned on some secondary and new characters that brought additional interest for me.
There’s one more book in the series that I’m aware of (although I’d love to see more), and I’m anxious to see how Robertson wraps everything up.
December 16, 2022
Once again Imogen Robertson has created a plot that keeps you guessing all the way to the very end. With her usual deftness, she intricately weaves together the parallel story threads, so the reader is following multiple characters along different narratives.
As with the other books in this series, there are a multitude of characters to enjoy, including a few returning ones from the cast we already know from the earlier novels. One slight difficulty can be the sheer volume of characters, so to try and keep up with who's who needs concentration.
The murder mystery throws up plenty of twists, turns and red herrings. It's very well written and the challenge of setting the story in Germany has not taken away any of Robertson's ability to bring to life the atmosphere of the 18th Century.
As with the other books in this series, there are a multitude of characters to enjoy, including a few returning ones from the cast we already know from the earlier novels. One slight difficulty can be the sheer volume of characters, so to try and keep up with who's who needs concentration.
The murder mystery throws up plenty of twists, turns and red herrings. It's very well written and the challenge of setting the story in Germany has not taken away any of Robertson's ability to bring to life the atmosphere of the 18th Century.
August 3, 2017
(3.5 stars) This is the 4th book in the Crowther and Westerman series. The pair travel abroad to the Duchy of Maulbery in Germany. in order to help Harriet’s new brother-in-law who has been accused of a gruesome murder but he cannot remember anything except strange hallucinations, indicating that he may have been drugged. Crowther finds that the body has been drowned on dry land and this is just the beginning of a bizarre plot that threatens to take down the German elite. Secret societies, alchemy, automatons and mechanical creatures, and exotic poisons round out a twisted plot that will keep you guessing.
August 30, 2017
I wish more people would discover the Crowther and Westerman series. No library in the North-suburban district of Chicago has the 5th installment in the series, which is a shame. A series set in the 1780s is a refreshing change from the plethora of Victorian mysteries out there as well as the Regency era. Mrs. Westerman is a fantastic leading lady with feelings and courage. She just can't sit still and fit into the role that her society deems appropriate for her sex. Crowther is also perfect as her partner. His ever increasing humanity and desire to interact with people other than during autopsies has been fascinating to see develop.
March 16, 2018
1784 Germany's elite dance at a masked ball leaves the beautiful Lady Martesen murdered and Daniel Clode is found at the site of the body and taken into custody. Daniel is confused and proclaims his innocence and his wife Rachel summons her sister Mrs Westerman and her companion Crowther to help prove Daniels innocence. Harrient and Gabriel travel across the continent from Sussex England and arrive to find that there have been other murders. A secret society is uncovered and mire murders occur.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews