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Matthew Corbett #2
The Queen of Bedlam
His epic masterwork Speaks the Nightbird, a tour de force of witch hunt terror in a colonial town, was hailed by Sandra Brown as "deeply satisfying...told with matchless insight into the human soul." Now, Robert McCammon brings the hero of that spellbinding novel, Matthew Corbett, to eighteenth-century New York, where a killer wields a bloody and terrifying power over a bustling city carving out its identity -- and over Matthew's own uncertain destiny.
The unsolved murder of a respected doctor has sent ripples of fear throughout a city teeming with life and noise and commerce. Who snuffed out the good man's life with the slash of a blade on a midnight street? The local printmaster has labeled the fiend "the Masker," adding fuel to a volatile mystery...and when the Masker claims a new victim, hardworking young law clerk Matthew Corbett is lured into a maze of forensic clues and heart-pounding investigation that will both test his natural penchant for detection and inflame his hunger for justice.
In the strangest twist of all, the key to unmasking the Masker may await in an asylum where the Queen of Bedlam reigns -- and only a man of Matthew's reason and empathy can unlock her secrets. From the seaport to Wall Street, from society mansions to gutters glimmering with blood spilled by a deviant, Matthew's quest will tauntingly reveal the answers he seeks -- and the chilling truths he cannot escape.
The unsolved murder of a respected doctor has sent ripples of fear throughout a city teeming with life and noise and commerce. Who snuffed out the good man's life with the slash of a blade on a midnight street? The local printmaster has labeled the fiend "the Masker," adding fuel to a volatile mystery...and when the Masker claims a new victim, hardworking young law clerk Matthew Corbett is lured into a maze of forensic clues and heart-pounding investigation that will both test his natural penchant for detection and inflame his hunger for justice.
In the strangest twist of all, the key to unmasking the Masker may await in an asylum where the Queen of Bedlam reigns -- and only a man of Matthew's reason and empathy can unlock her secrets. From the seaport to Wall Street, from society mansions to gutters glimmering with blood spilled by a deviant, Matthew's quest will tauntingly reveal the answers he seeks -- and the chilling truths he cannot escape.
656 pages, Paperback
First published October 23, 2007
291 people are currently reading
4375 people want to read
About the author
Robert McCammon
167 books5,739 followersPseudonyms: Robert R. McCammon; Robert Rick McCammon
Robert McCammon was a full-time horror writer for many years. Among his many popular novels were the classics Boy's Life and Swan Song. After taking a hiatus for his family, he returned to writing with an interest in historical fiction.
His newest book, Leviathan, is the tenth and final book in the Matthew Corbett series. It was published in trade hardcover (Lividian Publications), ebook (Open Road), and audiobook (Audible) formats on December 3, 2024.
McCammon resides in Birmingham, Alabama.
Robert McCammon was a full-time horror writer for many years. Among his many popular novels were the classics Boy's Life and Swan Song. After taking a hiatus for his family, he returned to writing with an interest in historical fiction.
His newest book, Leviathan, is the tenth and final book in the Matthew Corbett series. It was published in trade hardcover (Lividian Publications), ebook (Open Road), and audiobook (Audible) formats on December 3, 2024.
McCammon resides in Birmingham, Alabama.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 662 reviews
July 4, 2019
Reread June 2019
‘In this town of soon to be more than five thousand persons there was a governor who wore a dress, a reverend who loved a prostitute, a printmaster who could crack walnuts on his forehead, a high constable who had killed a boy, a magistrate who was once a tennis champion, a laundress who collected secrets, and a coroner who collected bones. There was a barber who owned a squirrel named Sassafras, a tailor who could identify a dead man from a suit’s watch pocket, and a black giantess who would put aside her gittern just long enough to kill you.
If a town, like a ship, could be given feminine attributes, then this Queen of Bedlam sat regal on her throne and kept her secrets in a golden cup. This Queen of Bedlam might smile at tears, or weep at laughter. This Queen of Bedlam saw all the swirl of humanity, all its joys and tragedies, its wisdom and madness. This Queen of Bedlam threw dice, and drank hearty, and sometimes played rough. But here she was, in her gown of night with the lamps ashine like yellow diamonds. Here she was, silent in her thoughts and loud in her desires. Here she was, on the new world’s edge.’
What a wonderful Ode to New York. This book is so intricately plotted and full to bursting with historical facts- so well written and phrased. A complete treat.
First time round 2016
Absolutely amazing! Talk about quality historical fiction. I can't even..! Blown away by Speaks the Nightbird. Now blown away again by its sequel, set in New York at the beginning of the eighteenth century, when it was just becoming established.
It saddens me that it is so difficult to procure copies of this series. Everyone should be able to access these wonderful books. It seems to be virtually out of print. They are available on audio but I do like to have the book as well especially with long complex novels..
‘In this town of soon to be more than five thousand persons there was a governor who wore a dress, a reverend who loved a prostitute, a printmaster who could crack walnuts on his forehead, a high constable who had killed a boy, a magistrate who was once a tennis champion, a laundress who collected secrets, and a coroner who collected bones. There was a barber who owned a squirrel named Sassafras, a tailor who could identify a dead man from a suit’s watch pocket, and a black giantess who would put aside her gittern just long enough to kill you.
If a town, like a ship, could be given feminine attributes, then this Queen of Bedlam sat regal on her throne and kept her secrets in a golden cup. This Queen of Bedlam might smile at tears, or weep at laughter. This Queen of Bedlam saw all the swirl of humanity, all its joys and tragedies, its wisdom and madness. This Queen of Bedlam threw dice, and drank hearty, and sometimes played rough. But here she was, in her gown of night with the lamps ashine like yellow diamonds. Here she was, silent in her thoughts and loud in her desires. Here she was, on the new world’s edge.’
What a wonderful Ode to New York. This book is so intricately plotted and full to bursting with historical facts- so well written and phrased. A complete treat.
First time round 2016
Absolutely amazing! Talk about quality historical fiction. I can't even..! Blown away by Speaks the Nightbird. Now blown away again by its sequel, set in New York at the beginning of the eighteenth century, when it was just becoming established.
It saddens me that it is so difficult to procure copies of this series. Everyone should be able to access these wonderful books. It seems to be virtually out of print. They are available on audio but I do like to have the book as well especially with long complex novels..
January 10, 2020
Full review up!
Absolutely amazing!! All the stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hot damn, I love this series. It’s the perfect formula of historical fiction, mystery, horror and humor that's all thrown together in an amazing book.
I am itching to start the next book in the series because the books are just that good!
Matthew Corbett is becoming one of my favorite characters.
He’s complex, smart, level headed, not full of himself, understands his shortcomings, etc.
I could go on and on. I’m totally fangirling on Corbett y'all. 😏🤣
The Queen of Bedlam starts off with Matthew living in New York before America was a country. England still owns the colonies and New York is trying to become a big city. They’ve got some growing pains going on while Philadelphia and Boston are in their element.
Maybe New York needs to become it’s own identity?
Matthew is working for Magistrate Powers as a clerk. Matthew is at a crossroads on whether he can become a lawyer or if he needs to look at a new profession. He doesn’t have the funds or support to become a lawyer. He’s an orphan after-all.
Speaking of orphans, he’s also focused on trying to figure out how to avenge all the abused, orphaned boys that grew up with him when he was at the Sainted John Home for Boys.
At this time, New York is being terrorized by The Masker. The Masker is killing influential people while leaving a strange and twisted calling card with the kills.
The Masker is not on Matthew’s radar until one night he is pulled into the investigation and his course of life and profession is completely changed.
Robert McCammon is just an amazing writer. His characters are fantastic and the plot never lags or gets caught up in pointless details. This book was over 600 pages but it never felt like I was reading 600+ pages.
I was invested from the beginning all the way until the end.
And. What. An. End!!
All of the plot mysteries of The Queen of Bedlam gets tied up beautifully and it’s an epic finish!! Wow!!
We’re also shown a glimpse into where the storyline will continue for Matthew, The Herrald Agency and the rest of the characters in the book. I'm so excited to continue this series!
Kudos to McCammon for writing such a great character and a new series to love!
Absolutely amazing!! All the stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hot damn, I love this series. It’s the perfect formula of historical fiction, mystery, horror and humor that's all thrown together in an amazing book.
I am itching to start the next book in the series because the books are just that good!
Matthew Corbett is becoming one of my favorite characters.
He’s complex, smart, level headed, not full of himself, understands his shortcomings, etc.
I could go on and on. I’m totally fangirling on Corbett y'all. 😏🤣
The Queen of Bedlam starts off with Matthew living in New York before America was a country. England still owns the colonies and New York is trying to become a big city. They’ve got some growing pains going on while Philadelphia and Boston are in their element.
Maybe New York needs to become it’s own identity?
Matthew is working for Magistrate Powers as a clerk. Matthew is at a crossroads on whether he can become a lawyer or if he needs to look at a new profession. He doesn’t have the funds or support to become a lawyer. He’s an orphan after-all.
Speaking of orphans, he’s also focused on trying to figure out how to avenge all the abused, orphaned boys that grew up with him when he was at the Sainted John Home for Boys.
At this time, New York is being terrorized by The Masker. The Masker is killing influential people while leaving a strange and twisted calling card with the kills.
The Masker is not on Matthew’s radar until one night he is pulled into the investigation and his course of life and profession is completely changed.
Robert McCammon is just an amazing writer. His characters are fantastic and the plot never lags or gets caught up in pointless details. This book was over 600 pages but it never felt like I was reading 600+ pages.
I was invested from the beginning all the way until the end.
And. What. An. End!!
All of the plot mysteries of The Queen of Bedlam gets tied up beautifully and it’s an epic finish!! Wow!!
We’re also shown a glimpse into where the storyline will continue for Matthew, The Herrald Agency and the rest of the characters in the book. I'm so excited to continue this series!
Kudos to McCammon for writing such a great character and a new series to love!
February 4, 2022
This one is four and a half stars. Could've been five but the wrap up at the end, though satisfying went on a little too long throwing off the story ARC. And a good chunk of the wrap up was "told" instead of being shown. This next part is rewrite but the crisis really ended with the battle at the farm. It was wonderfully depicted and realistic. Mathew fought the way he had been motivated (MAR, motivation action reaction). In so many books now days the character is flawed enough and when the crisis comes he or she steps into a phone booth and steps back out with a big S on their chests. I have been in many violent confrontations and this one was so real it was chilling. Some authors might want to pick up this book just to read the battle at the farm scene. Truly an outstanding piece of writing. This is why when the book was wrapped up quickly afterward the story arc had a slight droning-on effect.
Absolutely loved the first one in this series and loved this book a great deal I would definitely. recommend it.
I mostly dwell in the mystery genre but all of my favorite books of all time are historicals. This book spans both, mystery and historical. It's a serial killer loose in the fledgling city of New York in the early 1700's. The setting carries equal weight to a main character which I absolutely love and require in my historicals. The language and syntax has just enough flavor of the time period to really make it work well.
I also like a book that leads me one way with motivation and then does a hard shift to keep to knock me off the track I had been on. That happened in the farm battle. The person I thought that would come to the rescue did not factor in at all. Yet it was motivated that he would. Another character who had been motivated in a different direction saved Mathew. I know this might sound like I'm talking in circles but I don't want to give away any spoilers.
After writing this I have talked myself into five stars. Maybe I was being unfair by comparing this one to the first one in the series. I will definitely continue on with the series and continue to highly recommend these books.
David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson series.
Absolutely loved the first one in this series and loved this book a great deal I would definitely. recommend it.
I mostly dwell in the mystery genre but all of my favorite books of all time are historicals. This book spans both, mystery and historical. It's a serial killer loose in the fledgling city of New York in the early 1700's. The setting carries equal weight to a main character which I absolutely love and require in my historicals. The language and syntax has just enough flavor of the time period to really make it work well.
I also like a book that leads me one way with motivation and then does a hard shift to keep to knock me off the track I had been on. That happened in the farm battle. The person I thought that would come to the rescue did not factor in at all. Yet it was motivated that he would. Another character who had been motivated in a different direction saved Mathew. I know this might sound like I'm talking in circles but I don't want to give away any spoilers.
After writing this I have talked myself into five stars. Maybe I was being unfair by comparing this one to the first one in the series. I will definitely continue on with the series and continue to highly recommend these books.
David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson series.
January 7, 2020
”’Twas said better to light a candle than to curse the dark, but in the town of New York in the summer of 1702 one might do both, for the candles were small and the dark large, True, there were the town-appointed constables and watchmen, Yet often between Dock Street and the Broad Way these heroes of the nocturne lost their courage to a flask of John Barleycorn and the other temptations that beckoned so flagrantly on the midsummer breeze, be it the sound of merriment from the harbor taverns or the intoxicating scent of perfume from the rose-colored house of Polly Blossom.”
Matthew Corbett’s World
Matthew Corbett our erstwhile hero from Speaks the Nightbird returns for another adventure. He is back in New York doing copy work for a lawyer by day, setting print for The Earwig in the evenings, and chasing after his nemesis Eben Ausley by night. Ausley was the overseer of the orphanage in which Matthew stayed until he was selected to be a clerk for a local lawyer. Ausley had a taste for young lads and what better place to find ready made victims than an orphanage.
Corbett is intelligent, doggedly diligent, and wants justice at any cost. He is certainly a serious lad not given to frivolities. His idea of having fun is to sit down and read Increase Mather’s Kometographia, Or a Discourse Concerning Comets.
In his youthful exuberance he sometimes forgets about the victims in his search for a conviction. Robert McCammon explores the idea of the cost of justice as Corbett chases down the victims of Ausley’s lust and tries to leverage them into testifying. They have moved on with their lives and are now grown men. The castigation from society they will experience by revealing what happened, even if Ausley is convicted in the process, will far outweigh any satisfaction they might feel from putting a monster behind bars. The only one with vengeance in his heart is Corbett who was not a victim of Ausley’s attentions. I understand the desire to put an animal like Ausley out of circulation, but creating victims again out of those he already hurt is not a good option. The flip side of the coin is that Ausley will keep hurting people if someone doesn't find a way to take him off the board.
Matthew Corbett wants to be a lawyer, but in 1702 the only way for an American to become a lawyer was to travel to England to school, a very expensive proposition. This is long before a police force has been formed, constables and watchmen were basically volunteers, untrained, and generally drunk. Corbett is a natural bloodhound who only needs a smattering of clues to keep pursuing the truth. As it happens a serial killer is loose on New York, killing prominent members of society. Soon Corbett has put aside his investigation into Ausley and focuses on unmasking “The Masker”.
He is lead into temptation:
”Polly leaned in so close her eyes, startlingly blue and clear, became the world. ‘We don’t wish to frighten you away, your very first visit,’ she all but whispered in his ear.
In spite of the rigid design of his mission, Matthew had begun to sweat both at temples and under his arms. His stomach felt crawly. Polly Blossom was a handsome woman, no doubt. Her thick blond ringlets had no need of a whore’s wig, and she wore only a modicum of blue shadow-paint above his eyes. Her full, pouting lips--so close to his own mouth!--were daubed with pink. Her color was healthy, her body with its full swell of breasts and hips clothed in a rich indigo gown embroidered with lighter blue silk flowers...and perfume that smelled like peaches.”
A Place of ILL Repute
Matthew escapes Polly Blossom’s bordello with his virtue intact...barely. He is not so lucky when he is drugged on the estate of a notorious villain and thrown, as punishment, to a nymphomaniac. His only other sexual congress was with an accused witch in Speaks the Nightbird. He can barely remember this momentous occasion because he was under a spell which made his memories disjointed and hazy. There seems to be a pattern with Young Corbett. He has to be intoxicated in order to have sex.
”He had been thrown to Charity LeClaire and was serving as a scratch for the nymph’s itch. All he could do was be battered and beaten, tossed and trumpled, rowdied and rompled and rigidified. Up was down, and down was up, and at some point the bed broke and the whole heaving world slid sideways. A mouth sucked his mouth, a hand grasped his hair, a second hand caught his beans, and eager thighs slammed down in a spine-bending maneuver both frenzied and frantic....
Then after a respite that seemed as long as eight seconds, Matthew felt himself seized by the ankles and dragged along with the bedsheets upon the chamber’s floor, where Miss LeClaire continued her demonstration of the lusty art. Matthew swore he felt his soul trying to float free of his body. After so many explosions of energy, probably helped along by the wicked drug, he was now only shooting forth blue air.”
I left out the more saucier elements mostly for the sake of space. I think you all get the idea. I really thought that McCammon might use this moment for more than just a bit of titillation by tying it back to the sexual assaults endured by the orphan boys. Matthew did not report this assault probably because in that day and age who would believe a man could be raped by a woman. Just lay back and enjoy it, old boy. *Wink Wink*
Matthew is recruited to work for the first ever detective agency in the United States. It is a London based firm managed by the widow of the originator. In the course of his investigations he digs up a roach infested body. His house is imploded and knocked down by a crazed bull. His “girlfriend,” granddaughter of the printer that Matthew helps, seems to be a curse to those around her. The case also takes him to an insane asylum to interview The Queen of Bedlam, a woman waiting for a ship, The King’s Reply, long past it’s scheduled arrival date. Somehow she is tied into the whole Masker business. Matthew has a few words with an inmate named Mister Slaughter. Since the third book bears his name I have to feel that McCammon has given us a preview of the villain for the next installment. The book is a bit bloated, but it is a rollicking fun adventure that delivers plenty of pleasures. I will certainly sign on for adventure #3.
If you wish to see more of my most recent book and movie reviews, visit http://www.jeffreykeeten.com
I also have a Facebook blogger page at:https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyKeeten
Matthew Corbett’s World
Matthew Corbett our erstwhile hero from Speaks the Nightbird returns for another adventure. He is back in New York doing copy work for a lawyer by day, setting print for The Earwig in the evenings, and chasing after his nemesis Eben Ausley by night. Ausley was the overseer of the orphanage in which Matthew stayed until he was selected to be a clerk for a local lawyer. Ausley had a taste for young lads and what better place to find ready made victims than an orphanage.
Corbett is intelligent, doggedly diligent, and wants justice at any cost. He is certainly a serious lad not given to frivolities. His idea of having fun is to sit down and read Increase Mather’s Kometographia, Or a Discourse Concerning Comets.
In his youthful exuberance he sometimes forgets about the victims in his search for a conviction. Robert McCammon explores the idea of the cost of justice as Corbett chases down the victims of Ausley’s lust and tries to leverage them into testifying. They have moved on with their lives and are now grown men. The castigation from society they will experience by revealing what happened, even if Ausley is convicted in the process, will far outweigh any satisfaction they might feel from putting a monster behind bars. The only one with vengeance in his heart is Corbett who was not a victim of Ausley’s attentions. I understand the desire to put an animal like Ausley out of circulation, but creating victims again out of those he already hurt is not a good option. The flip side of the coin is that Ausley will keep hurting people if someone doesn't find a way to take him off the board.
Matthew Corbett wants to be a lawyer, but in 1702 the only way for an American to become a lawyer was to travel to England to school, a very expensive proposition. This is long before a police force has been formed, constables and watchmen were basically volunteers, untrained, and generally drunk. Corbett is a natural bloodhound who only needs a smattering of clues to keep pursuing the truth. As it happens a serial killer is loose on New York, killing prominent members of society. Soon Corbett has put aside his investigation into Ausley and focuses on unmasking “The Masker”.
He is lead into temptation:
”Polly leaned in so close her eyes, startlingly blue and clear, became the world. ‘We don’t wish to frighten you away, your very first visit,’ she all but whispered in his ear.
In spite of the rigid design of his mission, Matthew had begun to sweat both at temples and under his arms. His stomach felt crawly. Polly Blossom was a handsome woman, no doubt. Her thick blond ringlets had no need of a whore’s wig, and she wore only a modicum of blue shadow-paint above his eyes. Her full, pouting lips--so close to his own mouth!--were daubed with pink. Her color was healthy, her body with its full swell of breasts and hips clothed in a rich indigo gown embroidered with lighter blue silk flowers...and perfume that smelled like peaches.”
A Place of ILL Repute
Matthew escapes Polly Blossom’s bordello with his virtue intact...barely. He is not so lucky when he is drugged on the estate of a notorious villain and thrown, as punishment, to a nymphomaniac. His only other sexual congress was with an accused witch in Speaks the Nightbird. He can barely remember this momentous occasion because he was under a spell which made his memories disjointed and hazy. There seems to be a pattern with Young Corbett. He has to be intoxicated in order to have sex.
”He had been thrown to Charity LeClaire and was serving as a scratch for the nymph’s itch. All he could do was be battered and beaten, tossed and trumpled, rowdied and rompled and rigidified. Up was down, and down was up, and at some point the bed broke and the whole heaving world slid sideways. A mouth sucked his mouth, a hand grasped his hair, a second hand caught his beans, and eager thighs slammed down in a spine-bending maneuver both frenzied and frantic....
Then after a respite that seemed as long as eight seconds, Matthew felt himself seized by the ankles and dragged along with the bedsheets upon the chamber’s floor, where Miss LeClaire continued her demonstration of the lusty art. Matthew swore he felt his soul trying to float free of his body. After so many explosions of energy, probably helped along by the wicked drug, he was now only shooting forth blue air.”
I left out the more saucier elements mostly for the sake of space. I think you all get the idea. I really thought that McCammon might use this moment for more than just a bit of titillation by tying it back to the sexual assaults endured by the orphan boys. Matthew did not report this assault probably because in that day and age who would believe a man could be raped by a woman. Just lay back and enjoy it, old boy. *Wink Wink*
Matthew is recruited to work for the first ever detective agency in the United States. It is a London based firm managed by the widow of the originator. In the course of his investigations he digs up a roach infested body. His house is imploded and knocked down by a crazed bull. His “girlfriend,” granddaughter of the printer that Matthew helps, seems to be a curse to those around her. The case also takes him to an insane asylum to interview The Queen of Bedlam, a woman waiting for a ship, The King’s Reply, long past it’s scheduled arrival date. Somehow she is tied into the whole Masker business. Matthew has a few words with an inmate named Mister Slaughter. Since the third book bears his name I have to feel that McCammon has given us a preview of the villain for the next installment. The book is a bit bloated, but it is a rollicking fun adventure that delivers plenty of pleasures. I will certainly sign on for adventure #3.
If you wish to see more of my most recent book and movie reviews, visit http://www.jeffreykeeten.com
I also have a Facebook blogger page at:https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyKeeten
September 23, 2021
"...that in this town prostitutes may give sewing lessons to ladies of the church, pirates my be consulted for their opinions on seaworth by shipbuilders, Christians and Jews may stroll together on a Sunday, and Indians my play dice games with leatherstockings, but let one silver piece fall in a crack between two members of the same profession and it's bloody war."
The Queen of Bedlam, the second in the Matthew Corbett series and sequel to the brilliant Speaks the Nightbird. My favourite book of 2021 so far, absolutely amazing!
Ok, so it's my first novel of the year, but quite frankly I can see it being right up there at the end. A number of associates of mine have finished the series as it stands and put this at the bottom of their ranking. I'm absolutely not having that! In no way can a book this good be at the bottom of any list. In fact, I personally enjoyed it more than the first installment.
"Twas said better to light a candle than curse the dark...but in the town of New York in the summer of 1702 one might do both, for the candles were small and the dark was large."
Maybe it's getting to know the chief protagonist and debener Matthew Corbett more fully and learning the story of his character. Maybe it's the setting of New York, standing on the verge of greatness with sinister dark vibes mixing in it's under current. Maybe it's the introduction of (again in my opinion) a slightly better set of characters. Then again, its probably the inclusion of two of the most exciting back to back chapters I've read in a book so far. I'm talking gripping the book with white knuckles and leaving a mess in your pants. It really is that good!
This book is full on mystery and suspense with a good amount of humour and heart thrown in to the mix. McCammon knows exactly how to do this this, he's an absolute master, and always manages to add spice when fleshing a novel out and giving you the full range of emotions. Honestly, there's a moment with the good Reverend Wade that almost...almost brought a tear to my eye. That never normally happens, so after reading this I now feel even less of a man.
So all I can say is, if you have read Speaks the Nightbird, then you absolutely, positively have to read this. And if you haven't read Speaks the Nightbird what are you seriously doing with your life? I'm off for some self flagellation for feeling emotion while reading a book. What the hell is wrong with me? Peace out!
Robert R McCammon
June 5, 2024
Five stars because as good as Speaks the Nightbird was, The Queen of Bedlam fills any minuscule gap Nightbird may have left open, becoming more than worthy follow-up. It's another big book that doesn't feel long. McCammon brings the burgeoning New York City (not yet a city) of the early 18th century to life through Matthew's eyes – ripe in its beginnings of rapidly growing businesses, livelihoods, and the criminal world that will come with it. It's the right setting for this kind of book. At every corner there is a new possible direction.
Corbett could easily be seen as pretentious by other characters, but he's just smart kid often a step ahead in thought. In the times that he isn't, the book becomes only more fun, and with Corbett's difficult upbringing pretentiousness is hardly possible. Long story short, I don't know how McCammon puts a book like this together: such good depth; the mystery is multi-faceted; and I totally care about Matthew as a character. Doesn't matter how he does it. I take it as it comes.
Corbett could easily be seen as pretentious by other characters, but he's just smart kid often a step ahead in thought. In the times that he isn't, the book becomes only more fun, and with Corbett's difficult upbringing pretentiousness is hardly possible. Long story short, I don't know how McCammon puts a book like this together: such good depth; the mystery is multi-faceted; and I totally care about Matthew as a character. Doesn't matter how he does it. I take it as it comes.
January 27, 2016
[9/10]
- “You’re a lawyer?”
- “Not exactly a lawyer, no.”
- “What, then? Exactly.”
- “I’m ...” What would be the right word? he wondered. Deducer? No, that wasn’t it. Deductive? No, also wrong and hideous to boot. His role was to solve problems. Solvant? No. He might be considered, he thought, a sifter of clues. A weighter of evidence. A detector of truth and lies... That would do. “I’m a detector,” he said.
- “A what?”
Not good, Matthew thought. One should at least sound professional, if one was to be taken professionally.
He made a word on the spot and spoke it with forceful assurance: “I mean to say, sir, that I am a detective.”
- “As I said before ... a what?”
Somebody must have been the first to come up with the new words needed to describe new professions. Robert McCammon nominates the hero of his historical mystery adventure series as the prototype of the private gumshoe. In the first novel (“Speaks the Nightbird”) Matthew Corbett knows that his job description is ‘magistrate’s clerk’. In the sequel, he gets the chance to put his talents to better use than the transcriptions of depositions and the recording of judicial decisions. His compatriots are reasonably baffled, since there hasn’t been one of these new-fangled detectives in town before. The location and the time are important to give context to the dialogue above:
‘Twas said better to light a candle than to curse the dark, but in the town of New York in the summer of 1702 one might do both, for the candles were small and the dark was large.
The whole world is accustomed to the iconic skyline of the Big Apple, but it wasn’t always a jagged ridge of skyscapers. At the time of the events described here New York was a small community of farmers and artisans that were struggling to bring shipping away from Boston or Philadelphia. The streets were mud mixed with animal droppings and the nights were black as ink, too scary even for the voluntary group of constables who were supposed to patrol them and who preferred to hide and get drunk in one of the numerous taverns. Also responsible for the scaryness are a couple of copy-cat murders that left respectable citizens with their throats cut:
It was the Thing That No One Spoke Of. The Incident. The Unfortunate Happenstance.
It was the Masker, is what it was.
So drink up wine from those fresh casks and blow your smoke to the moon, Matthew thought. Howl like wolves and grin like thieves. We’ve all got to walk a dark street home tonight.
Young Matthew has his own private quest to pursue, an act of justice for crimes commited against children by the warden of the orphanage were he spent part of his childhood. In chasing Eben Ausley, Matthew also stumbles on yet another victim of the Masker, and before the novel is over the plot will visit, beside the Edmond Dantes and Jack the Ripper themes, several other avenues of investigation: the identity of an old lady hidden in a mental hospital, a case of smuggling and unethical business practices, the disappearance of more orphans from the same institution run by Eben Ausley, the secret that drives a fiery pastor to the steps of a bawdy house, the dark deeds of a mysterious super-villain based in London.
I have already given the first book in the series a five star, and I have exclaimed enthusiastically about the rigurous research into the early years of the American colonies, about the control of voice and plot, of humour and drama, about the adrenaline rush of the action set pieces. The sequel is just as good, if a little less focused in terms of plot due to the numerous side characters introduced and the multiple investigation structure. There’s a lot to say about how alive and convincing are the numerous supporting characters, but I would rather pick up the next book in the series than over-analyze this one. I’ll limit myself to repeating the main attractions that will make me continue reading these adventure novels: the evolution of Matthew Corbett and the further exploration of the Early American historical setting.
Matthew was an insecure but determinate young man in the first book, with a talent for asking the right questions. His self-confidence and his ‘deducer’ powers are developing nicely in the sequel:
... sometimes the questions easily answered are not the right questions. Sometimes the questions easily answered are meant to lead one into darkness. Therefore, to get my light – as it were – I look to the questions that no one else might ask. The unpopular questions. The uncivil, impolite questions. I harp on them and I pound on them, and often my strategy is to drive into the ground those who refuse to asnwer what I wish to know.
I have to hide my favorite passage with spoiler brackets, since it explains the title and reveals some of the best moments of the journey , part of the historical enchantment of looking at New York in its inception years:
- “You’re a lawyer?”
- “Not exactly a lawyer, no.”
- “What, then? Exactly.”
- “I’m ...” What would be the right word? he wondered. Deducer? No, that wasn’t it. Deductive? No, also wrong and hideous to boot. His role was to solve problems. Solvant? No. He might be considered, he thought, a sifter of clues. A weighter of evidence. A detector of truth and lies... That would do. “I’m a detector,” he said.
- “A what?”
Not good, Matthew thought. One should at least sound professional, if one was to be taken professionally.
He made a word on the spot and spoke it with forceful assurance: “I mean to say, sir, that I am a detective.”
- “As I said before ... a what?”
Somebody must have been the first to come up with the new words needed to describe new professions. Robert McCammon nominates the hero of his historical mystery adventure series as the prototype of the private gumshoe. In the first novel (“Speaks the Nightbird”) Matthew Corbett knows that his job description is ‘magistrate’s clerk’. In the sequel, he gets the chance to put his talents to better use than the transcriptions of depositions and the recording of judicial decisions. His compatriots are reasonably baffled, since there hasn’t been one of these new-fangled detectives in town before. The location and the time are important to give context to the dialogue above:
‘Twas said better to light a candle than to curse the dark, but in the town of New York in the summer of 1702 one might do both, for the candles were small and the dark was large.
The whole world is accustomed to the iconic skyline of the Big Apple, but it wasn’t always a jagged ridge of skyscapers. At the time of the events described here New York was a small community of farmers and artisans that were struggling to bring shipping away from Boston or Philadelphia. The streets were mud mixed with animal droppings and the nights were black as ink, too scary even for the voluntary group of constables who were supposed to patrol them and who preferred to hide and get drunk in one of the numerous taverns. Also responsible for the scaryness are a couple of copy-cat murders that left respectable citizens with their throats cut:
It was the Thing That No One Spoke Of. The Incident. The Unfortunate Happenstance.
It was the Masker, is what it was.
So drink up wine from those fresh casks and blow your smoke to the moon, Matthew thought. Howl like wolves and grin like thieves. We’ve all got to walk a dark street home tonight.
Young Matthew has his own private quest to pursue, an act of justice for crimes commited against children by the warden of the orphanage were he spent part of his childhood. In chasing Eben Ausley, Matthew also stumbles on yet another victim of the Masker, and before the novel is over the plot will visit, beside the Edmond Dantes and Jack the Ripper themes, several other avenues of investigation: the identity of an old lady hidden in a mental hospital, a case of smuggling and unethical business practices, the disappearance of more orphans from the same institution run by Eben Ausley, the secret that drives a fiery pastor to the steps of a bawdy house, the dark deeds of a mysterious super-villain based in London.
I have already given the first book in the series a five star, and I have exclaimed enthusiastically about the rigurous research into the early years of the American colonies, about the control of voice and plot, of humour and drama, about the adrenaline rush of the action set pieces. The sequel is just as good, if a little less focused in terms of plot due to the numerous side characters introduced and the multiple investigation structure. There’s a lot to say about how alive and convincing are the numerous supporting characters, but I would rather pick up the next book in the series than over-analyze this one. I’ll limit myself to repeating the main attractions that will make me continue reading these adventure novels: the evolution of Matthew Corbett and the further exploration of the Early American historical setting.
Matthew was an insecure but determinate young man in the first book, with a talent for asking the right questions. His self-confidence and his ‘deducer’ powers are developing nicely in the sequel:
... sometimes the questions easily answered are not the right questions. Sometimes the questions easily answered are meant to lead one into darkness. Therefore, to get my light – as it were – I look to the questions that no one else might ask. The unpopular questions. The uncivil, impolite questions. I harp on them and I pound on them, and often my strategy is to drive into the ground those who refuse to asnwer what I wish to know.
I have to hide my favorite passage with spoiler brackets, since it explains the title and reveals some of the best moments of the journey , part of the historical enchantment of looking at New York in its inception years:
June 27, 2015
This is honestly one of the best series I've read / listened to. Can't recommend it enough!
February 14, 2015
Although The Queen of Bedlam is the 2nd book in the terrific Matthew Corbett series, this is the novel where the series truly kicks off! The first one, Speaks the Nightbird is a great book, but might have possibly been written as a stand-alone novel and can be read that way. But not only is this the tale that really introduces Matthew and his world the way we know it now, but this is where author McCammon also ratchets up the excitement and doesn't let up all the way through the latest installment, The River of Souls. Don't get me wrong, it's hard to have a plot more interesting than Speaks The Nightbird's witch hunts, but this novel is a faster-paced adventure!
In this installment, it's 1702, three years after the events in the first novel, and Matthew has settled in the growing colony of New York City working as a clerk. A serial killer is terrorizing the city and no one can figure out how to catch the guy. Soon, Matthew gets the opportunity of a lifetime when he's recruited to join the famous London-based Herrald Agency in it's newly-formed New York team as a professional "problem solver," and must travel to a creepy mental asylum where he might find the clues he needs to solve the killings.
McCammon is a playful, energized writer that makes reading these novels irresistible! The historical details of the world in early 18th century NYC is fascinating. We also get introduced to what will become Matthew's circle of allies and friends, including the spunky Berry Grisby and Matthew's resourceful new partner Hudson Greathouse, while you also get hints of the evil that will plague Matthew in the future in the form of an arch-nemesis! While long and detailed like the first novel, I found the book fast-paced, never boring, and filled with great moments (the heart-pounding hawk sequence is still one of the best scenes in the series). The book also sets the stage beautifully for the action packed 3rd installment, Mister Slaughter. You will want to read it immediately after finishing this one, trust me!
In this installment, it's 1702, three years after the events in the first novel, and Matthew has settled in the growing colony of New York City working as a clerk. A serial killer is terrorizing the city and no one can figure out how to catch the guy. Soon, Matthew gets the opportunity of a lifetime when he's recruited to join the famous London-based Herrald Agency in it's newly-formed New York team as a professional "problem solver," and must travel to a creepy mental asylum where he might find the clues he needs to solve the killings.
McCammon is a playful, energized writer that makes reading these novels irresistible! The historical details of the world in early 18th century NYC is fascinating. We also get introduced to what will become Matthew's circle of allies and friends, including the spunky Berry Grisby and Matthew's resourceful new partner Hudson Greathouse, while you also get hints of the evil that will plague Matthew in the future in the form of an arch-nemesis! While long and detailed like the first novel, I found the book fast-paced, never boring, and filled with great moments (the heart-pounding hawk sequence is still one of the best scenes in the series). The book also sets the stage beautifully for the action packed 3rd installment, Mister Slaughter. You will want to read it immediately after finishing this one, trust me!
April 19, 2018
Holy amazing characters, Batman. Corbett is no longer an aide, no longer someone's assistant, he is now his own man living in New York (a city of almost 5000 people!?!?), and by the end of this he is heading his own investigations. This was a spectacular read, I liked the setting of the first book more so than this, but it barely took away from my overall enjoyment. Hours would go by with scenes unfolding in my head and McCammon's writing is so cinematic, I would forget I was reading. Of course I know there are more books in the series and I gotta point out how McCammon sets up these narratives and drops hints and clues as to what these might be elegantly, it never feels heavy-handed or gratuitous. Well worth the price of admission and good for hours of fun!!!
January 19, 2015
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2017
I listened to this one on audio and loved everything about it. This is shaping up to be an epic series.
Matthew Corbett. Robert McCammon. That's all you need to know.
Matthew Corbett. Robert McCammon. That's all you need to know.
January 6, 2023
A fantastic historical fiction!!! Matthew
Corbett series continues to delight
Corbett series continues to delight
July 27, 2014
This is the second book of a very interesting historical fiction (mystery) set in the English Colonies of North America at the turn of th 17th century. This book, more than the first reminds me of Sherlock Holmes though Matthew Corbett's 18th century world proceeds Holmes by over 100 years. He even tried to use the label "I'm a detective." but it fell flat.
I liked this book more than the first one. The first book was very good and very dark with McCammon's signature grittiness. This series tends to come across like "Steampunk" sometimes, but then so did Swan Song. More humor in the second and I loved the addition of Berry Grigsby (Formerly known as Berryl). McCamon's introduction of Berryl was fabulous, funny and well done. Berry took several chapters of hints and tidbits here and there before she came in and when she did I had to laugh. It's pretty complicated humor which I tend to like the complicated, and very well executed. Then his first really "walk" with Berry made me pull my car over because I was laughing too hard.
We get other new characters in this to help set up the Harold Agency and since it looks like he's settling down in New York, we were introduced to some likely regular fixtures that will be part of the background setting and characters for the growing, bustling city of 5,000. The Governor's a Hoot too. Corbett, for his part delivers his lines with dry and sometimes caustic wit that worked very well given his almost arrogant thinking. Of course, Berry and his esteemed colleague are always around to chop him down to size when he gets too big for his britches.
I love the way the plot unfolded a piece at a time, always enough to keep us from seeing the full picture and to know we didn't have the full picture. The clues were honestly given and hard. I even predicted the villain wrongly (that rarely happens with me).
Readers should remember that this is a "mystery" series, first. It's not a dystopian magic show or sci-fi or anything else. It's also not action/adventure, though there is plenty of both. The history is rich and well incorporated and even though the cast around Corbett sometimes comes across as a freak show, it's a very good freak show. This series reminds me a lot of Marc Frost's strange Sherlock Holmes tale of mystery and mayhem, "The List of Seven." If you liked that, you'll love this and vice versa.
Now if Corbett can actually get laid without being so stoned off his gourd...
Overall good read 4.5 stars (and the series is getting better)
Warnings
Violence - well managed, not overdone or over present, but there is some violence. I would also say that even though, once you break it down, it's actually mild compared to violence I've dealt with in other books, McCammon's gritty, slap in the face realism makes it "pop" like bright coloured chalk on a sidewalk. It's just how it is and it is still good
Sex - not for kids. Probably manageable by the adult Amish though they might have to burn it over sins of the flesh. It's not all over the book just in a few places and there is more a theme of relationships than sexual stuff. There's just enough of it you don't want your 12 year old reading it.
Weird and unusual descriptions. I love the descriptions. That said, they are unusual like those movies where they use close and awkward camera angles to make the characters look strange. You get used to it and, if you are like me, you'll appreciate the artistic nature of each description of even the most mundane thing. Very creative, but, a little weird. Just be prepared for the artistic and you'll be okay.
Great Audiobook. Balentini does a great job with the audio book. I can see a Johnny Depp type playing Corbett.
I liked this book more than the first one. The first book was very good and very dark with McCammon's signature grittiness. This series tends to come across like "Steampunk" sometimes, but then so did Swan Song. More humor in the second and I loved the addition of Berry Grigsby (Formerly known as Berryl). McCamon's introduction of Berryl was fabulous, funny and well done. Berry took several chapters of hints and tidbits here and there before she came in and when she did I had to laugh. It's pretty complicated humor which I tend to like the complicated, and very well executed. Then his first really "walk" with Berry made me pull my car over because I was laughing too hard.
We get other new characters in this to help set up the Harold Agency and since it looks like he's settling down in New York, we were introduced to some likely regular fixtures that will be part of the background setting and characters for the growing, bustling city of 5,000. The Governor's a Hoot too. Corbett, for his part delivers his lines with dry and sometimes caustic wit that worked very well given his almost arrogant thinking. Of course, Berry and his esteemed colleague are always around to chop him down to size when he gets too big for his britches.
I love the way the plot unfolded a piece at a time, always enough to keep us from seeing the full picture and to know we didn't have the full picture. The clues were honestly given and hard. I even predicted the villain wrongly (that rarely happens with me).
Readers should remember that this is a "mystery" series, first. It's not a dystopian magic show or sci-fi or anything else. It's also not action/adventure, though there is plenty of both. The history is rich and well incorporated and even though the cast around Corbett sometimes comes across as a freak show, it's a very good freak show. This series reminds me a lot of Marc Frost's strange Sherlock Holmes tale of mystery and mayhem, "The List of Seven." If you liked that, you'll love this and vice versa.
Now if Corbett can actually get laid without being so stoned off his gourd...
Overall good read 4.5 stars (and the series is getting better)
Warnings
Violence - well managed, not overdone or over present, but there is some violence. I would also say that even though, once you break it down, it's actually mild compared to violence I've dealt with in other books, McCammon's gritty, slap in the face realism makes it "pop" like bright coloured chalk on a sidewalk. It's just how it is and it is still good
Sex - not for kids. Probably manageable by the adult Amish though they might have to burn it over sins of the flesh. It's not all over the book just in a few places and there is more a theme of relationships than sexual stuff. There's just enough of it you don't want your 12 year old reading it.
Weird and unusual descriptions. I love the descriptions. That said, they are unusual like those movies where they use close and awkward camera angles to make the characters look strange. You get used to it and, if you are like me, you'll appreciate the artistic nature of each description of even the most mundane thing. Very creative, but, a little weird. Just be prepared for the artistic and you'll be okay.
Great Audiobook. Balentini does a great job with the audio book. I can see a Johnny Depp type playing Corbett.
March 22, 2024
“
The Hands and Eyes of the Law
”
I became an instant fan of R McCammon when I read Swan Song. Even though a lot of folks thought of that story as a 'not quite as good' version of 'The Stand' I really enjoyed it. (I did poke fun at some of the comparisons in my review of Swan Song though 😜 ). My next McCammon was Boy's Life... wow – was that one good (review). I bought a copy for my son to read for his birthday. Fast forward a few months and I thought I would try some of McCammon's historical fiction with Speaks the Nightbird. Again... WOW! This one I bought two additional copies – one each for my son and daughter.
So Speaks the Nightbird represents the first of the Matthew Corbett series. As I write this review I see there are 9 books in this series... with Nightbird rating the lowest... at a 4.14. I'm always leery about glowing reviews in later books in established series. I suspect a lot of folks that didn't like the earlier books rate them lower and see no need to continue so they don't weigh in on the later books. Fans of the early books are a bit biased and rate them higher... so I'm usually a bit suspicious. Also, sequels to things that are very popular are often let downs (sure... there are exceptions like The Godfather Part II and Empire Strikes Back – I've mentioned this in some other of my reviews) but usually I set a high standard for myself that is hard to reach.
So what was I expecting in this one? Other than expecting to be let down... I wasn't really sure. The first book took place in the small town of Fount Royal and took me though many twists and turns I fully did not expect. Book II takes Matthew three years later to the booming metropolis of New York City. (the 'booming' part is a tongue-in-cheek... NYC in 1702 only had a population between 5,000 and 6,000. I didn't realize it was still that small at this point in history). There was a revenge element that was carry-over from Nightbird. I did figure that McCammon would explore that thread further and he did. That by itself – had it been the main premise of the story... I think would made for an average story.
But... as I noted above – I've read McCammon before.. I should have known better. Even the part with 'The Masker' was kind of straighfforward... but then we got to Mrs. Herrald and Greathouse. That I did not expect and was very very cool. I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks this, but the Herrald Agency
For reasons I don't want to get into (without riddling the review with even more spoiler tags..) I really liked Greathouse as a new character. I also enjoyed Beryl (Berry) Grigsby. She is smart, feisty, and is great at putting Matthew in uncomfortable situations... as he seems very awkward around women in general... and adds a lot of fun to the series. I hope many of the other new characters will continue on in later books (Lillehorne, Lord Cornbury, Marmaduke Grigsby, Ashton McCaggers, the Widow Sherwyn, John Five [which at the mention of his name will always make think of one of my favorite guitarists – John 5 ]. There is even a cameo with Mr. Slaughter - who I see has his own book (the next in the series)
The story's villains are quite ruthless and remind me a bit of Bond Villians even There is also the mysterious who will most certainly be back.
Another New York thing... There is mention that Manhatten got its name from from native Americans as “The place where everybody got drunk” (Manahacktentenk). I looked that up – and got conflicting information, but that was pretty funny. There were lot's of funny things in this really. Matthew's interactions with Berry, Matthew's inner monologue when interacting with others, funny situational things. It was very enjoyable.
Highly recommended and absolutely brilliant. You definitely see some new sides to Matthew as he is not just “chess boy” - as Greathouse teases him with. As for my fears of being let down... being a big fan of McCammon’s I probably should have known not to worry. 📖
I became an instant fan of R McCammon when I read Swan Song. Even though a lot of folks thought of that story as a 'not quite as good' version of 'The Stand' I really enjoyed it. (I did poke fun at some of the comparisons in my review of Swan Song though 😜 ). My next McCammon was Boy's Life... wow – was that one good (review). I bought a copy for my son to read for his birthday. Fast forward a few months and I thought I would try some of McCammon's historical fiction with Speaks the Nightbird. Again... WOW! This one I bought two additional copies – one each for my son and daughter.
So Speaks the Nightbird represents the first of the Matthew Corbett series. As I write this review I see there are 9 books in this series... with Nightbird rating the lowest... at a 4.14. I'm always leery about glowing reviews in later books in established series. I suspect a lot of folks that didn't like the earlier books rate them lower and see no need to continue so they don't weigh in on the later books. Fans of the early books are a bit biased and rate them higher... so I'm usually a bit suspicious. Also, sequels to things that are very popular are often let downs (sure... there are exceptions like The Godfather Part II and Empire Strikes Back – I've mentioned this in some other of my reviews) but usually I set a high standard for myself that is hard to reach.
So what was I expecting in this one? Other than expecting to be let down... I wasn't really sure. The first book took place in the small town of Fount Royal and took me though many twists and turns I fully did not expect. Book II takes Matthew three years later to the booming metropolis of New York City. (the 'booming' part is a tongue-in-cheek... NYC in 1702 only had a population between 5,000 and 6,000. I didn't realize it was still that small at this point in history). There was a revenge element that was carry-over from Nightbird. I did figure that McCammon would explore that thread further and he did. That by itself – had it been the main premise of the story... I think would made for an average story.
But... as I noted above – I've read McCammon before.. I should have known better. Even the part with 'The Masker' was kind of straighfforward... but then we got to Mrs. Herrald and Greathouse. That I did not expect and was very very cool. I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks this, but the Herrald Agency
For reasons I don't want to get into (without riddling the review with even more spoiler tags..) I really liked Greathouse as a new character. I also enjoyed Beryl (Berry) Grigsby. She is smart, feisty, and is great at putting Matthew in uncomfortable situations... as he seems very awkward around women in general... and adds a lot of fun to the series. I hope many of the other new characters will continue on in later books (Lillehorne, Lord Cornbury, Marmaduke Grigsby, Ashton McCaggers, the Widow Sherwyn, John Five [which at the mention of his name will always make think of one of my favorite guitarists – John 5 ]. There is even a cameo with Mr. Slaughter - who I see has his own book (the next in the series)
The story's villains are quite ruthless and remind me a bit of Bond Villians even There is also the mysterious who will most certainly be back.
Another New York thing... There is mention that Manhatten got its name from from native Americans as “The place where everybody got drunk” (Manahacktentenk). I looked that up – and got conflicting information, but that was pretty funny. There were lot's of funny things in this really. Matthew's interactions with Berry, Matthew's inner monologue when interacting with others, funny situational things. It was very enjoyable.
Highly recommended and absolutely brilliant. You definitely see some new sides to Matthew as he is not just “chess boy” - as Greathouse teases him with. As for my fears of being let down... being a big fan of McCammon’s I probably should have known not to worry. 📖
August 10, 2014
Robert McCammon follows up his atmospheric, hard to beat Speaks the Nightbird with a story that catches up with Matthew Corbett 2-3 years down the track in 1702 New York. Oh yes, this is where it all began for Matthew. This is where he ran with the stomper boys before being taken in at the orphanage to meet his arch nemesis, the child molesting Eban Ausley.
This book starts off with Matthew working as a clerk for Magistrate Powers in a New York whose streets have become the hunting ground for the serial killer dubbed "The Masker." Off course, our inquisitive clerk applies his analytical mind to hunt the hunter and in the process exposes an underbelly of conspiracy and corruption that threatens to destroy everything Matthew holds dear.
So does The Queen of Bedlam live up to McCammon's first book in the series? Hard to say. It is in a sense a different sort of book. Book one built dramatic tension through atmosphere and suspense, bordering on horror, while this book relies more on the plot and more closely resembles a private detective story.
In any case I found this book as immersive as it's predecessor, and again found as much pleasure in the story telling as in the story itself. All this was aided no doubt by Edoardo Ballerini's divine audio narration and superb voice acting. I can't imagine experiencing these books any other way. I'm giving it...
5 stars.
My review of Speaks the Nightbird
This book starts off with Matthew working as a clerk for Magistrate Powers in a New York whose streets have become the hunting ground for the serial killer dubbed "The Masker." Off course, our inquisitive clerk applies his analytical mind to hunt the hunter and in the process exposes an underbelly of conspiracy and corruption that threatens to destroy everything Matthew holds dear.
So does The Queen of Bedlam live up to McCammon's first book in the series? Hard to say. It is in a sense a different sort of book. Book one built dramatic tension through atmosphere and suspense, bordering on horror, while this book relies more on the plot and more closely resembles a private detective story.
In any case I found this book as immersive as it's predecessor, and again found as much pleasure in the story telling as in the story itself. All this was aided no doubt by Edoardo Ballerini's divine audio narration and superb voice acting. I can't imagine experiencing these books any other way. I'm giving it...
5 stars.
My review of Speaks the Nightbird
January 10, 2020
Probably one of the best endings to a story I've ever read, and Corbett is such a detailed and intriguing character.
All the stars!!
All the stars!!
January 10, 2022
McCammon continues the chronicles of Matthew Corbett in the second installment of his historical fiction saga of early America. After Matthew and his mentor dealt with the 'witch trial' in South Carolina, Corbett finds himself back in NYC; this picks up a few years after the first installment. Corbett is working as a clerk for another magistrate and after two years, is still frustrated that he cannot prove the guy who took over the orphanage where he grew up is buggering the young lads-- i.e., his charges.
New York is a prosperous town now of about 5000 souls but growing rapidly. It has been three decades or so since the former Dutch colony became an English colony. The aspect of this novel I liked the best concerns the portrayal of the colonies-- this is really masterfully done here. You really feel like you are walking the streets (horse 'figs' and all)! Corbett is still considering becoming a lawyer, although that would mean further education in England and sponsor, which is quite beyond his reach. On the urging of his boss, he is put in contact with a new 'firm' if you will that deals with 'problem solving'-- the precursor of a detective agency. It seems like a match made in heaven for the curious Corbett! About this time, however, it seems a murderer is stalking the streets of New York and Corbett is drawn into the mystery...
Overall, I can definitely see why this series is so highly rated here on GR. First, we have McCammon's stellar prose vividly bringing to life the early 18th century, warts and all. Second, Corbett is a very likable protagonist-- deeply curious, smart, and willing to put his life on the line for his beliefs, yet also flawed in somewhat endearing ways. Third, McCammon builds a remarkable cast of characters here, from the fledgling printer of the town's only 'broadsheet', the gossipy laundress, the cross-dressing new governor, the smart and capable lady who runs the detective agency and so forth. Fourth, he adds to the mix an intriguing mystery involving murder and the criminal underground.
Although this may sound petty, my reason for not giving this five stars concerns the 'smugness' of the character's beliefs that some day New York will be a major, if not the major, hub of commerce in the colonies. Will someday there be New Yorkers born and breed in the colonies with their own culture rather than offcasts from England and Holland? Yes, we know what will happen in the future, but having so many characters see that future? A bit too much. Also .
I recommend this for fans of historical fiction and mystery, and also for anyone who likes McCammon in general. Unfortunately, McCammon switched publishers for the rest of the series, leaving Pocket Books for a small press that only issued the rest of the books in limited edition hardcovers. I really like the series, but I am not willing to pay 50 dollars each for the next 5 books. 4.5 stars!!
New York is a prosperous town now of about 5000 souls but growing rapidly. It has been three decades or so since the former Dutch colony became an English colony. The aspect of this novel I liked the best concerns the portrayal of the colonies-- this is really masterfully done here. You really feel like you are walking the streets (horse 'figs' and all)! Corbett is still considering becoming a lawyer, although that would mean further education in England and sponsor, which is quite beyond his reach. On the urging of his boss, he is put in contact with a new 'firm' if you will that deals with 'problem solving'-- the precursor of a detective agency. It seems like a match made in heaven for the curious Corbett! About this time, however, it seems a murderer is stalking the streets of New York and Corbett is drawn into the mystery...
Overall, I can definitely see why this series is so highly rated here on GR. First, we have McCammon's stellar prose vividly bringing to life the early 18th century, warts and all. Second, Corbett is a very likable protagonist-- deeply curious, smart, and willing to put his life on the line for his beliefs, yet also flawed in somewhat endearing ways. Third, McCammon builds a remarkable cast of characters here, from the fledgling printer of the town's only 'broadsheet', the gossipy laundress, the cross-dressing new governor, the smart and capable lady who runs the detective agency and so forth. Fourth, he adds to the mix an intriguing mystery involving murder and the criminal underground.
Although this may sound petty, my reason for not giving this five stars concerns the 'smugness' of the character's beliefs that some day New York will be a major, if not the major, hub of commerce in the colonies. Will someday there be New Yorkers born and breed in the colonies with their own culture rather than offcasts from England and Holland? Yes, we know what will happen in the future, but having so many characters see that future? A bit too much. Also .
I recommend this for fans of historical fiction and mystery, and also for anyone who likes McCammon in general. Unfortunately, McCammon switched publishers for the rest of the series, leaving Pocket Books for a small press that only issued the rest of the books in limited edition hardcovers. I really like the series, but I am not willing to pay 50 dollars each for the next 5 books. 4.5 stars!!
August 31, 2022
I read book 1 of Robert McCammon's Matthew Corbett mystery series, Speaks The Nightbird, last month and it was a fantastic book and start to a series. When I picked up the sequel, Queen of Bedlam, this month I had expected it to be good but this exceeded expectations.
First of all I just have to say McCammon's writing is just magnificent. When I read a mystery novel I don't really expect the prose to catch my attention, but with McCammon you get the well plotted mystery AND the wonderful turns of phrase. It's really the icing on the cake that elevates these books in my opinion. That being said, if you're a reader that doesn't care about that there is still so much here to enjoy. In Nightbird McCammon laid the foundation for the Corbett character, but it could have easily been a standalone book while also laying a foundation. In Queen he builds on that foundation and sets in motion events that can have a lasting impact on the series. I won't spoil what he chooses to do with the characters, but I felt it gave Matthew more agency and really intrigued me to see what is coming next.
Even if this book sets up the rest of the series well the best part is that on its own its just a fantastic piece of mystery writing. The book starts in early 18th century New York with descriptions of the setting that make you feel like you're there. What follows is a series of murders that wraps up our protagonist and kicks off a plot that goes well beyond just what appears to be happening on the surface. The mystery in this one really hooked me, and the sign of any good mystery is if it has you invested enough to try to put the pieces together along with the protagonist and this certainly did. What I really appreciated though is something Michael Connelly also does in his more recent books. Corbett isn't just solving the murders. There are multiple (or possibly not) interconnected cases here that McCammon deftly weaves throughout the narrative. It serves to keep things fresh.
Where McCammon really shines though is that this just isn't a plot focused book or series. All of the characters are fleshed out and have distinct personalities, including a new favorite who is introduced in this book. That's hard to do when a series is told through a single POV.
This series is an absolute hidden gem and I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of the books.
First of all I just have to say McCammon's writing is just magnificent. When I read a mystery novel I don't really expect the prose to catch my attention, but with McCammon you get the well plotted mystery AND the wonderful turns of phrase. It's really the icing on the cake that elevates these books in my opinion. That being said, if you're a reader that doesn't care about that there is still so much here to enjoy. In Nightbird McCammon laid the foundation for the Corbett character, but it could have easily been a standalone book while also laying a foundation. In Queen he builds on that foundation and sets in motion events that can have a lasting impact on the series. I won't spoil what he chooses to do with the characters, but I felt it gave Matthew more agency and really intrigued me to see what is coming next.
Even if this book sets up the rest of the series well the best part is that on its own its just a fantastic piece of mystery writing. The book starts in early 18th century New York with descriptions of the setting that make you feel like you're there. What follows is a series of murders that wraps up our protagonist and kicks off a plot that goes well beyond just what appears to be happening on the surface. The mystery in this one really hooked me, and the sign of any good mystery is if it has you invested enough to try to put the pieces together along with the protagonist and this certainly did. What I really appreciated though is something Michael Connelly also does in his more recent books. Corbett isn't just solving the murders. There are multiple (or possibly not) interconnected cases here that McCammon deftly weaves throughout the narrative. It serves to keep things fresh.
Where McCammon really shines though is that this just isn't a plot focused book or series. All of the characters are fleshed out and have distinct personalities, including a new favorite who is introduced in this book. That's hard to do when a series is told through a single POV.
This series is an absolute hidden gem and I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of the books.
December 21, 2024
The Queen of Bedlam is a five 🌟 read. McCammon’s Matthew Corbett series gets better with every addition. The cleverness of the writing keeps me enthralled in the story. The humor is presented in such of a way you stop read it again and giggle or guffaw. The secondary characters are given enough of development so that one can believe they’ve always been present in Matthew’s circle. I have to actually lay aside the next McCammon book to read because of the 100 books in my current to- read stack. ⭐️No kidding- there’s at least 100.
September 21, 2025
Absolutely Magnificent! Robert McCammon is such an amazing storyteller and I cannot wait to continue the series.
I will be giving a more detailed review on my channel.
I will be giving a more detailed review on my channel.
May 7, 2017
McCammon is simply amazing. The man takes a decade off from writing in the prime years of his life when many authors hit their stride. You'd think when he came back there would be some rust he'd have to knock off the wheels. Nah, he comes out of the gate with a fury and a vengeance and the first slab of goodness he throws on the table is Speaks the Nightbird. Speaks is so unique in that it provides us with such a wonderful story and characters in a setting that isn't typically done by the masters of horror. The setting is late 17th century in the Carolina colonies and we're introduced to a young lad with a penchant for questioning everything. A curious teenage colonial Sherlock Holmes, if you will. I won't get into the details of Speaks. By now, you should've already read it. If not, get your butt off this review and go read it...immediately!
Now, for the rest of you. If you loved Speaks the Nightbird, as much as I did, then you will not be disappointed with Queen of Bedlam. We find Matthew a little bit older, a little bit wiser, and in a new setting. New York City circa 1690s. A town with 5000 inhabitant, all with dreams and aspirations for wealth and prosperity in the new world. But, not all is well in the fledgling colony. A murderer is loose and carving up his victims, one by one, while leaving his calling card, the shape of a diamond carved around the eyes of the murdered. The constables are clueless, but what would you expect from the unqualified blow hards that were appointed by their friends in high places? Matthew, now a clerk for a local magistrate, stumbles across one of the victims moments after he was butchered by The Masker, the name the killer has received from the local start up news sheet. He is plunged head long into the mystery of identifying the unseen murderer. Matthew's "problem solving" skills are also noticed by Katherine Herrald, the head of a newly started detective agency that has come from London to NYC. Matthew accepts the invitation to join the agency and must pass certain tests to show that he is worthy of the position. What he finds is that there are many mysteries floating around, including the identity of the Queen of Bedlam, an unknown woman who was dropped off at a progressive asylum with the instructions to never try and discover who she really is. For Matthew, all paths seem to lead back to this mysterious woman who is locked up in her own mind. Who is the Masker and is she connected to the murders somehow? Will our young detective get to the bottom of this or will he find himself on the business end of a blade?
The Queen of Bedlam is a wonderful roller coaster ride through the historical world McCammon has created. Matthew is such an engaging character. You constantly root for him around every twist and turn. You cringe and hide your eyes when he's thrust in harm's way. I can't express how good McCammon is at building this colonial world of mystery. One of the questions I do get is "but is it horror?" If you've ever read McCammon's earlier works that put him on the horror map during the 1980s, you know that his "horror stories" all had horrific elements in them, yet they were so much more. The same is true with the Matthew Corbett series. Don't get caught up in being able to pigeonhole the tales into a nice, neat category. Simply read it. I can't make it any more plain than that!
5 Carving Knives out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
Now, for the rest of you. If you loved Speaks the Nightbird, as much as I did, then you will not be disappointed with Queen of Bedlam. We find Matthew a little bit older, a little bit wiser, and in a new setting. New York City circa 1690s. A town with 5000 inhabitant, all with dreams and aspirations for wealth and prosperity in the new world. But, not all is well in the fledgling colony. A murderer is loose and carving up his victims, one by one, while leaving his calling card, the shape of a diamond carved around the eyes of the murdered. The constables are clueless, but what would you expect from the unqualified blow hards that were appointed by their friends in high places? Matthew, now a clerk for a local magistrate, stumbles across one of the victims moments after he was butchered by The Masker, the name the killer has received from the local start up news sheet. He is plunged head long into the mystery of identifying the unseen murderer. Matthew's "problem solving" skills are also noticed by Katherine Herrald, the head of a newly started detective agency that has come from London to NYC. Matthew accepts the invitation to join the agency and must pass certain tests to show that he is worthy of the position. What he finds is that there are many mysteries floating around, including the identity of the Queen of Bedlam, an unknown woman who was dropped off at a progressive asylum with the instructions to never try and discover who she really is. For Matthew, all paths seem to lead back to this mysterious woman who is locked up in her own mind. Who is the Masker and is she connected to the murders somehow? Will our young detective get to the bottom of this or will he find himself on the business end of a blade?
The Queen of Bedlam is a wonderful roller coaster ride through the historical world McCammon has created. Matthew is such an engaging character. You constantly root for him around every twist and turn. You cringe and hide your eyes when he's thrust in harm's way. I can't express how good McCammon is at building this colonial world of mystery. One of the questions I do get is "but is it horror?" If you've ever read McCammon's earlier works that put him on the horror map during the 1980s, you know that his "horror stories" all had horrific elements in them, yet they were so much more. The same is true with the Matthew Corbett series. Don't get caught up in being able to pigeonhole the tales into a nice, neat category. Simply read it. I can't make it any more plain than that!
5 Carving Knives out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
April 9, 2020
Another masterpiece by Robert McCammon, after having enjoyed 'Speaks the Nightbird' so much I had high expectations for this one, and it did not disappoint. Such a great read.
There is a serial killer on the loose in New York, 1702, and so our nosy magistrate's clerk Matthew Corbett takes it upon himself to look into this matter. I think Corbett is a great character, he investigates, sticks his nose in where it doesnt belong, he aggravates people, he is very smart and once he sinks his teeth into a case he won’t let go. A parade of colorful characters populate this book and the backdrop, New York in 1702, is beautiful, described minutely as it was back then. I simply love McCammon's writing style and the story is really good as well.
The Matthew Corbett series (luckily there are 5 more to look forward to) is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorites.
There is a serial killer on the loose in New York, 1702, and so our nosy magistrate's clerk Matthew Corbett takes it upon himself to look into this matter. I think Corbett is a great character, he investigates, sticks his nose in where it doesnt belong, he aggravates people, he is very smart and once he sinks his teeth into a case he won’t let go. A parade of colorful characters populate this book and the backdrop, New York in 1702, is beautiful, described minutely as it was back then. I simply love McCammon's writing style and the story is really good as well.
The Matthew Corbett series (luckily there are 5 more to look forward to) is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorites.
August 6, 2012
I never though Mr. Corbett would be my saving grace during a real shitty time in my life but this one character, and this series, has been just that. I haven't been able to read really BUT I have been able to listen to audiobooks. Listening to an audiobook where I know the characters makes it easy, and it makes it something that can distract me from everything else.
Better review coming later.
Better review coming later.
July 10, 2018
It's now 1702, three years after young Matthew Corbett solved the mystery of the first novel. He's now 23 years old and clerking for a magistrate in New York, still a burgeoning little town of only a few thousand residents travelling mostly dirt roads. Matthew soon finds himself embroiled in a new mystery - and possibly facing a different future than the one he'd always envisioned for himself - when a couple of prominent men are found murdered in similar fashion.
While I like the setting of the story and the author does a commendable job of portraying life in colonial America, I'm still not sure I entirely like Matthew. A lot of the time I find him arrogant, irritating, and a bit hypocritical. He will hound people with questions, even if it's about something personal and thus none of his business, demanding that they answer him but when someone asks him questions he bristles or else decides it's not necessary to answer. He feels entitled to everyone else's secrets but no one is entitled to his. He also thinks he's smarter than anyone else, a belief that he uses to elevate himself above those around him, the "weak minded" (as he internally refers to another character who is not book smart but who has a lot of real world experience in the profession to which Matthew aspires). And yet, upon his first meeting with a new character he openly informs that character that she perhaps uses her "curse" as a way to place herself above the mundane events and people around her. That's the pot calling the kettle black. I actually only really like Matthew when he's just going about normal life and isn't doing anything necessarily connected to the mystery.
That said, now that Matthew seems to be permanently based in New York, the story introduces several new characters that I hope stick around and become fixtures in Matthew's life. I feel strongly that they may be a means to making Matthew less insufferable. In any event, I liked them all more than I do Matthew.
As for the mystery angle, there are actually a few mysteries going on...some more connected to the central murders while others are just a side plot. The cases were interesting, though the side plot mystery was pretty transparent. I was actually a bit sad about how the murder mystery played out. I was hoping for a different ending, I guess.
I'll move on to the next book in the series because I do like the writing style, the time period, and the introduction of some colorful, secondary characters. Those all help to compensate for an irritating ( to me) main character. It's also of note that the author intended the first book to be a stand-alone story. It was only a few years after its publication that the author decided to re-visit Matthew Corbett and make a series out of it. It's therefore evident in this installment that elements of a long arc have been put in place and I'm curious to see that play out.
P.S. And if, like me, you've been wondering about the fate of Fount Royal, the setting of the first book, you get the answer here.
While I like the setting of the story and the author does a commendable job of portraying life in colonial America, I'm still not sure I entirely like Matthew. A lot of the time I find him arrogant, irritating, and a bit hypocritical. He will hound people with questions, even if it's about something personal and thus none of his business, demanding that they answer him but when someone asks him questions he bristles or else decides it's not necessary to answer. He feels entitled to everyone else's secrets but no one is entitled to his. He also thinks he's smarter than anyone else, a belief that he uses to elevate himself above those around him, the "weak minded" (as he internally refers to another character who is not book smart but who has a lot of real world experience in the profession to which Matthew aspires). And yet, upon his first meeting with a new character he openly informs that character that she perhaps uses her "curse" as a way to place herself above the mundane events and people around her. That's the pot calling the kettle black. I actually only really like Matthew when he's just going about normal life and isn't doing anything necessarily connected to the mystery.
That said, now that Matthew seems to be permanently based in New York, the story introduces several new characters that I hope stick around and become fixtures in Matthew's life. I feel strongly that they may be a means to making Matthew less insufferable. In any event, I liked them all more than I do Matthew.
As for the mystery angle, there are actually a few mysteries going on...some more connected to the central murders while others are just a side plot. The cases were interesting, though the side plot mystery was pretty transparent. I was actually a bit sad about how the murder mystery played out. I was hoping for a different ending, I guess.
I'll move on to the next book in the series because I do like the writing style, the time period, and the introduction of some colorful, secondary characters. Those all help to compensate for an irritating ( to me) main character. It's also of note that the author intended the first book to be a stand-alone story. It was only a few years after its publication that the author decided to re-visit Matthew Corbett and make a series out of it. It's therefore evident in this installment that elements of a long arc have been put in place and I'm curious to see that play out.
P.S. And if, like me, you've been wondering about the fate of Fount Royal, the setting of the first book, you get the answer here.
March 19, 2023
A great fun propulsive audio narrated by Edoardo Ballerini. The only thing negative about this audio book is that is it an Audible Exclusive meaning it is not available from any of the library resources or other audio outlets but Audible. I did read the first in this series several years ago and remembered only a few details of the first book but that did not interfere with my enjoyment of this mystery. It can be enjoyed as a stand alone.
The story enfolds in the late 1600's in the territory of New York City. A serial killer roams known as the Masker. Matthew Corbett a young clerk becomes involved in trying to unmask this man and figuring out what is the connection between the men who have been murdered and left with a signature mutilation around their eyes resembling a mask and is the unknown lady in Bedlam somehow connected? As Matthew struggles to put all the pieces together the reader is taken on quite a wild ride that frequently veers off but always circles back.
Even when I should have been reading other books for the BookTube prize and my own book club I was drawn back again and again to this great audio adventure, oh and Ballerini's romantic, warm voice. Several nights I just propped myself up and keep the book going to see how McCammon would weave all the various threads together. Highly recommend. 5 star fun all the way
The story enfolds in the late 1600's in the territory of New York City. A serial killer roams known as the Masker. Matthew Corbett a young clerk becomes involved in trying to unmask this man and figuring out what is the connection between the men who have been murdered and left with a signature mutilation around their eyes resembling a mask and is the unknown lady in Bedlam somehow connected? As Matthew struggles to put all the pieces together the reader is taken on quite a wild ride that frequently veers off but always circles back.
Even when I should have been reading other books for the BookTube prize and my own book club I was drawn back again and again to this great audio adventure, oh and Ballerini's romantic, warm voice. Several nights I just propped myself up and keep the book going to see how McCammon would weave all the various threads together. Highly recommend. 5 star fun all the way
January 30, 2019
Review of the audiobook narrated by Edoardo Ballerini.
Another great cast of colorful characters in a dark and gritty turn of the 18th century setting. I love the way that McCammon writes these books, with well fleshed out characters and a real sense of the time they are based in. The colonial period doesn't seem get enough attention from fiction writers.
I do have to say that I found this book to be a step down from the first book in the series. Whereas Speaks the Nightbird had a distinctly unique storyline, I started to notice some oft used detective tropes creep into the plot in The Queen of Bedlam. I still enjoyed the book and am excited to read the rest of the series though.
Edoardo Ballerini is an absolute pleasure to listen to. He has a great voice and is spot on with the voices and cadences of the many characters.
Final verdict: 4 star story, 5 star narration, 4 stars overall
Another great cast of colorful characters in a dark and gritty turn of the 18th century setting. I love the way that McCammon writes these books, with well fleshed out characters and a real sense of the time they are based in. The colonial period doesn't seem get enough attention from fiction writers.
I do have to say that I found this book to be a step down from the first book in the series. Whereas Speaks the Nightbird had a distinctly unique storyline, I started to notice some oft used detective tropes creep into the plot in The Queen of Bedlam. I still enjoyed the book and am excited to read the rest of the series though.
Edoardo Ballerini is an absolute pleasure to listen to. He has a great voice and is spot on with the voices and cadences of the many characters.
Final verdict: 4 star story, 5 star narration, 4 stars overall
December 4, 2021
4.5/5
Matthew Corbett's series continues to impress. Three years after the events of Speaks The Nightbird, Matthew works in New York. A vicious killer targets respected citizens with no apparent links to one another. Matthew can't resist the mystery and starts to investigate the murders.
His particular skills and obsession for getting all the answers get him in trouble but also allow him to gain powerful allies.
The novel draws the reader into the life and times of early New York City. McCammon is obsessed with historical details and includes lots of them in the story. Fortunately, he also has the skills to make everything work and make detailed descriptions fascinating, not tiring.
Matthew Corbett's series continues to impress. Three years after the events of Speaks The Nightbird, Matthew works in New York. A vicious killer targets respected citizens with no apparent links to one another. Matthew can't resist the mystery and starts to investigate the murders.
His particular skills and obsession for getting all the answers get him in trouble but also allow him to gain powerful allies.
The novel draws the reader into the life and times of early New York City. McCammon is obsessed with historical details and includes lots of them in the story. Fortunately, he also has the skills to make everything work and make detailed descriptions fascinating, not tiring.
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