Dangerous

by Essie Fox

When fiction is fatal…

Living in exile in Venice, the disgraced Lord Byron revels in the freedoms of the city

But when he is associated with the deaths of local women, found with wounds to their throats, and then a novel called The Vampyre is published under his name, rumours begin to spread that Byron may be the murderer…

As events escalate and tensions rise – and his own life is endangered, as well as those he holds most dear – Byron is forced to play detective, to discover who is really behind these heinous crimes. Meanwhile, the scandals of his own infamous past come back to haunt him…

Rich in gothic atmosphere and drawing on real events and characters from Byron's life, Dangerous is a riveting, dazzling historical thriller, as decadent, dark and seductive as the poet himself…

Genres: Historical Fiction, Horror, Historical, Fiction, Gothic, Vampires, Adult

349 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2025

About the author

My latest novel is called Dangerous, and it will be published by Orenda Books in April 2025. It's a slight change from my normal style of novels in that it's a historical crime mystery - but still very gothic. It's the story of Lord Byron in Venice, when a novel called The Vampyre is fraudulently published under his name, and he is then suspected of murder when several women of his acquaintance are found dead with wounds to their throats.

The Fascination which was published in HB in 2023 is set in the world of Victorian rural fairgrounds, the glamour of the London theatres and an anatomy museum in a shop on Oxford Street - based on one that really did exist! It's a book about deception, obsession, and what it is to be ''different'.


The Last Days of Leda Grey is about an Edwardian silent film actress who has lived in a crumbling cliff top house for more than half a century, until she confides her story to the journalist, Ed Peters ... who rapidly finds himself immersed inside her dark and eerie world.

I've also written three Victorian novels, the first of which - The Somnambulist - was shortlisted for the UK National Book Awards, featured on Channel 4's TV Book Club, and has been optioned for TV/film.

Elijah's Mermaid, features the hypocrisy in Victorian art and literature. It has brothels, asylums, and freak shows...not forgetting the mermaids!

The Goddess and the Thief is an 'oriental gothic', with Indian Maharajahs, Hindu gods and sacred diamonds ... including candlelit seances which are held in English drawing rooms.


My website is: www.essiefox.com

I blog as The Virtual Victorian. www.virturalvictorian.blogspot.com

Reviews

[Magdalena (magdal21) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. A well-written and engaging novel. Lord Byron’s fascinating life is used really effectively as a base for blending real events with fiction. The crime story set in Venice works surprisingly well, and the historical details add depth without overwhelming the plot. Recommended for fans of Gothic fiction and literary history.

[Dan Bassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living in exile within the glamour of Venice where one can look in one direction to take in the beauty of a world teeming with ideas, creativity, and industry yet adjust your eyes correctly to see the corruption bubbling away just under the surface, ready to spread like a miasma sure to turn what was once a shining gold, to nothing but rust, the disgraced Lord Byron revels in the duality of freedom and selective oppression….
However his bliss between two such places does not last long when he is associated with the deaths of local women, where upon closer inspection seeming to have wounds to their throats, and within a rather strangely mysterious short amount of time, the novel The Vampyre is published under his own name, rumours soon start to circulate that perhaps Byron is taking things a step too far and acting out what happens within the pages of The Vampyre…
As events unfold and escalate, tensions swiftly rising - and to a certain extend his own life becomes endangered, along with those closest to him - Byron has little choice but to play detective to discover just what is happening and who is responsible for such heinous crimes, yet he must watch out for the ghosts of his past that are stumbling out of the shadows and ready to push him to the very edge of what he perceives to be his reality.
Will Byron be able to act in time to save not only his reputation, but his very life? Or will his past be his ultimate undoing?
Richly gothic, dazzlingly witty, and delightfully charming, Dangerous sizzles with intrigue and thrills from start to end!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get to know Lord Byron and Dr. Polidori in Venice surrounded by swooning women where everywhere they go women seem to end up dead.

Dangerous is beautifully written by Essie Fox who cleverly and humorously uses Byron’s poems almost as travel markers along this page turning mystery.

[Julie]

Yeah, so the second someone drops the fact that "their carnal desires might be considered as perverse" while simultaneously being incredibly skilled at throwing sexist comments around like they are carnival confetti, I am out.

[Emily Pankhurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing was as described, rich and gothic. It drew me in right from the beginning and was interesting to read about. The story was really brought to life by all the intricate details. Added to the wonderful descriptions were quotes taken from Byron's works at the beginning of each chapter. There were also (fictional) letters written by Byron throughout the story, which gave the story a more personal feel to it. I liked the Prologue and Epilogue, they started and ended the story well. There were some emotional parts to the story all cleverly woven together to keep it interesting.

The chapters were generally short and titled with a decorative number and a quote from Byron himself. The length of the chapters made sure that you moved through the story well. As there was a lot of detail, the length of the chapters kept the story on track with the detail adding to the main storyline rather than distracting too much from it. As I mentioned before, the chapters were made up of the narrative and letters from Byron which was interesting.

There was a good flow between the chapters despite the different storytelling techniques used. The pace of the story was good. There were a lot of different things being added in and together with the rich details, slowed the story down (in a good way).

The characters were excellent. At the end of the book you got to see which characters were based on real life and which ones were fictional. I enjoyed reading about Byron and would happily read more about him.

Each side character had their own reasons for wanting to get revenge on Byron so it was interesting to see how it all worked out in the end.

Lastly the settings. I loved being in Venice. The rich descriptions really breathed life into the surroundings and added to the texture of the story.

Overall an excellent story, full of rich descriptions and interesting events.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic gothic fiction with a lot of facts.
When two women are found dead with wounds to the neck, Lord Byron is accused of this heinous act and must act to prove his innocence.
I thoroughly enjoyed this.
If you like a good gothic thriller, then read this.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Oh, the power found in words! How the smallest drop of ink may fall like few upon a thought, which may reach the minds of thousands."

Lord Byron is living in exile in Venice and enjoying all the delights the city has to offer. But his Venetian refuge is threatened when he becomes embroiled in a scandal, associated with the brutal deaths of two local women who had wounds to their throats. When a novel called The Vampyre is then published under his name, rumours quickly spread that Byron is the killer. Determined to clear his name, Byron begins his own investigation which soon puts his own life at risk. Can he find and expose the killer before they get to him?

Darkly atmospheric, decadent, eerie, and alluring, Dangerous is a seductive slice of gothic Victoriana. Seamlessly weaving a rich tapestry of meticulously researched historical detail with evocative imagery and lyrical prose, Essie Fox has created a labyrinthine mystery that is drenched with horror yet so compelling that you can’t turn away. A story of dark deeds, depravity and murder, Fox explores the dark underbelly of Victorian Venice and its literary scene, exposing the horrors lurking beneath the glamorous facade.

Many of the story’s characters are real people from history, including Lord Byron himself, though Ms. Fox has fictionalised aspects of their lives and characters. Complicated, unreliable, unlikeable and libertine, but also charismatic, beguiling and magnetic, Byron is a fascinating protagonist. It’s easy to understand his charm yet also easy to believe he could be the murderer. I loved how that ambiguity ramped up the tension and kept me guessing. There is also a large cast of richly drawn background characters, many of whom are also possible suspects.

Haunting, sinister and tantalising, I highly recommend this mesmerising gothic masterpiece.

[Vanessa Wild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 19th century Venice, disgraced Lord Byron is in exile and finds himself accused of the murders of two young women who are found with strange wounds on their necks. And then a book entitled ‘The Vampyre’ is published indicating Byron as the author, leaving him no option but to play detective and fight to clear his name.

This is a very atmospheric and dark story, eerily gothic in its telling as indicated by the synopsis. I loved the setting! Venice is an extraordinary city and it’s so well described within this book. It was easy to visualise for me as I’m sure not a lot has changed over the years! Fiction is combined with fact to treat the reader to a fantastic tale of intrigue and adventure. Cleverly written to include certain poems and writings by Byron and presenting some fascinating real life as well as fictional characters, ‘Dangerous’ is an exciting and engaging historical mystery which is sure to enthrall. Byron was quite the Lothario but, nevertheless, I can understand his charm! Essie Fox certainly brought him wonderfully to life. Highly recommended.

[Matt Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very well written snooze fest

[James Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed the latest thriller from esteemed author Essie Fox. The depth of historical research shines through, but what really lifts the novel is the vivid rendering of Lord Byron himself (warts and all) and the lush surroundings of early 19th century Venice. The scandalous poet finds himself accused of murder and embarks on a mission to clear his name...

Venice makes such a rich setting for a clever "detective" mystery that threads in heady dollops of debauch, poetry and vampiric lore in equal measure. The prose is crisp and exquisite throughout, lending a cinematic air to proceedings.

At times my personal tastes longed to see the actual undead stumble from their graves and bite the odd aristocratic neck, but as a misty, moody work of dark historical gothique, "Dangerous" is a gem.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dangerous is a richly detailed and beautifully researched novel by Essie Fox, which opens in 1818, where Byron has decamped to Venice in disgrace following his disastrous marriage. Thanks due to his wild and dissolute reputation, probably more so than his poetic prowess, he finds himself a cause celebre in the literary salons of Venice, and due to his not inconsiderable sexual appetites a frequenter of the more upmarket brothels. Having stumbled on the body of a woman gasping her last in a back alley, and then waking up next to a dead prostitute, Byron finds himself implicated in both murders that each exhibit vampiric wounds. As Byron sets out to clear his name of wrongdoing, will his ‘mad, bad and dangerous’ reputation, and the machinations of others seeking their revenge for perceived slights by him, be his ultimate undoing?
I will be the first to admit, that as much as Essie Fox herself questioned her ability to write a crime novel, and my slight avoidance of historical crime fiction, she has absolutely knocked ye olde ball out of ye olde park with this one. What makes this novel so positively delicious, is the sheer depth and breadth of research that the author brings to this beautifully atmospheric novel. Starting with Byron himself, whose exploits are widely known, but where Fox so adeptly fills in the gaps, retaining a real sense of authenticity. Referencing his difficult childhood, his writing, his sexual shenanigans, his personal finances and relationships and tales of his derring-do, Fox captures the prismatic and complicated character of Byron. His peacockery and bluster is tempered beautifully with moments of introspection and doubt, particularly in affairs of the heart and the welfare of his daughter, so that this book does not simply regurgitate his more infamous exploits so beloved in other fictional and factual accounts of his life. There’s a real sense of George the actual man, with human foibles, and the bold and extroverted Byron- the personality- throughout. You get a sense of his unswerving loyalty to some, and his apathetic attitude to others, and how quick to temper he his when crossed. If men contain multitudes, Byron seems to be the most multitudinous of all…
Fox intricately interweaves the life and work of Byron into a gripping tale of professional and personal jealousy and revenge, referencing his connections with both real and imagined figures. She incorporates the most famous work of John Polidori- The Vampyre– to transform this book into a real slice of dark and emotive gothic fiction, with bloody murder and skulduggery lurking around every beautifully appointed corner of Venice. In both her social media posts and the author’s notes, Fox delineates her writing of the book, between the real and the the imagined, once again bringing to the fore her talent for incorporating the factual and the fictional throughout into a seamless narrative. In lieu of this, there were certain things that caught my attention which then led me into a rabbit-hole of my own curiosity, which further enriched my reading experience, and the extracts of Byron’s verse is well placed and always relevant throughout.
As with her characterisation of those persons real and imagined, the city of Venice itself, is absolutely integral to the building of atmosphere and dramatic backdrop for this tale to unfold. The splendour and the grandeur of this antiquated, and architecturally inspiring city, is beautifully balanced with the less salubrious underbelly of squalor and poverty. Venice becomes a living, breathing, and absolutely essential element of the book, and Fox draws us into this world with her richly detailed and atmospheric depiction of this unique city, and the differing human experience that dwells within its watery surrounds.
Perhaps because of my general affection for both the Romantic poets and for gothic fiction, I absolutely loved Dangerous, appreciating not only the dark brooding atmosphere of the tale itself, but the intricacy and depth of research that Fox has undertaken to bring a vivid and authentic feel to the whole affair, without losing the balance of research vs storytelling. The factual and fictional life of Byron is seamlessly blended, and with the evocative backdrop of the equally pulsating, sleazy, beautiful and iconic Venice, this is a wonderfully enjoyable gothic tale. Highly recommended.

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I majored in English literature, it is no surprise that I enjoy novels which use English writers as main characters. In Dangerous, a gothic thriller, Lord Byron, one of the major figures of the Romantic movement, is the protagonist.

Lord Byron, famous poet and infamous philanderer, has taken refuge in Venice. When two women with wounds on their throats are found dead, rumours spread that Byron may be the killer. The recent publication of a novel entitled The Vampyre, written in a style similar to Byron’s, has people speculating that the book is autobiographical. When his own life and that of his daughter are threatened, he has to play detective to find out who is behind the crimes.

The novel employs many of the common plot elements of gothic fiction. There’s violent death, vengeful persecution, and imprisonment. Gothic literature often uses a framing device, a story within a story to create mystery and suspense; in Dangerous, manuscripts are discovered in a crypt.

The novel is so rich in gothic atmosphere. Byron lives in an old, decaying palazzo where some rooms smell of rot and damp. Byron’s valet is convinced there are ghosts in the palazzo. When it is hot, the canals stink. Rats from the canals are known to invade buildings. And “So many villains with stilettos crept through Venice, sleek as rats. The sort of men who’d stab a man then push him into a canal without the slightest pang of guilt.” Byron spends some time in a prison where he becomes inured to his surroundings, “barely noticing the tickle of [rats’] whiskers, or the needle sting of pain when, now and then, one tried nibbling his toes. The same with the bats roosting in rafters overhead, or the swarming buzz of flies hatched from maggots in the buckets full of slops and excrement.”

And then many of the events take place at night or in the shadows. I love these descriptions: “Now holding the lamp, the woman’s trembling hands caused its light to throw black shadows juddering around the walls. The dizzying effect left Byron feeling nauseous” and “Here, their shadows were distorted, two elongated silhouettes taking the form of freakish monsters, one of them more erect, his movements swift and elegant, whereas the other lagged behind, his sliding gait as sinister as some predatory beast” and “their shadows looked like phantoms trapped by the bars of cage.”

Byron was a flamboyant figure famous for his unconventional lifestyle. He was handsome but moody and irritable but also possessed a magnetic and affable personality. The author of this novel captures his many-faceted nature, portraying both his positive and negative traits. A friend tells him, “’you have always been a slave to your passions. I’ve often found your hedonistic tendencies to be offensive. But, deep down, inside your soul, I know you are an honest man.’” Byron is self-aware, acknowledging his life of dissipation, self-indulgence, and fitful passions. He has a sense of humour: he dismisses killing himself when he thinks of the resulting gore staining the boat’s upholstery and “Worse still, to imagine the pleasure it would bring to his mother-in-law.” He treats his servants well, admitting he has been fortunate to be born not just a man but a man of wealth: “As a man of wealth and fame, the rules were always in his favour with little consequence or danger, whereas for her – one careless night, and a young woman was abandoned to a world of pain and sorrow.” His personal life was full of scandal but there is a possible explanation for his behaviour because of what happened to him as a young boy.

Gothic fiction is not my usual genre, but I loved Essie Fox’s The Fascination (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/...) and this novel does not disappoint either. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) or substack (https://doreenyakabuski.substack.com/) for over 1,100 of my book reviews.

[Mary Picken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve long been drawn to the darker edges of historical fiction—especially when a real-life figure is pulled from the past and draped in fresh mystery. In Dangerous, Essie Fox doesn’t just re-imagine Lord Byron—she resurrects him in a hauntingly beautiful Venice, drenched in both decadence and dread. As a crime fiction lover, I come for the mystery but with Dangerous the added draws are the richness of the prose, the beautifully drawn characters, and the exquisite melancholy that lingers long after the last page. Dangerous is a rare and precious read, though if I’m absolutely honest, Essie Fox had me at the mere mention of Byron.

Set during Byron’s self-imposed exile in Venice, the novel casts the poet not just as a scandal-wreathed artist, but as a reluctant sleuth, implicated in a series of brutal murders of local women. Their throats are savagely torn, their bodies left in a manner more vampiric than human—an accusation made more damning when a novel called The Vampyre is doing the rounds of Venetian society under Byron’s name (a delicious nod to the real-life work by Polidori, who famously based his creature on Byron himself).

What I found utterly gripping was Fox’s portrayal of Byron—not just as the notorious “mad, bad, and dangerous to know” figure we’ve inherited from Lady Caroline Lamb, but as something far more human. Her Byron is wry, deeply flawed, and self-aware, bristling with charm even as he’s suffocated by the weight of his reputation. He is arrogant, yes, but there’s a raw vulnerability beneath his bravado. Part licentious man, part man-child, Fox allows him to be both the victim and, possibly, the monster. You feel his loneliness, his deep need for connection—even as his past continues to devour him. This Byron is a man who loves his animals, rather more than he cares for his child if truth be told, and he suffers the odd twinge of guilt about that before passing on to greater things. He beds prostitutes, but falls in love with married women at the drop of a handkerchief and believes himself wholly consumed with passion.

The plot twists through layers of gothic atmosphere, with Fox weaving real historical references into her fictional tapestry. The murders themselves are gruesome without being gratuitous, and the investigation unfurls at a pace that’s both elegant and suspenseful. There’s a heady sensuality to the writing, but it’s never overwrought. Fox’s prose is lyrical yet sharp, mirroring the contradictions of her lead. Venice, too, is exquisitely drawn—its canals, shadows, and decaying grandeur serving as the perfect backdrop for this darkly romantic tale.

What truly elevates the reading experience are the stunning illustrations that frame each chapter—an almost theatrical touch that makes the book feel like a gothic artefact in itself. The result is immersive, transportive, like a modern-day illuminated manuscript.

Is Fox’s Byron likeable? Perhaps not in the traditional sense. But he’s magnetic. His wit, insight, and tortured soul make him compelling—even when he’s at his most despicable. His weaknesses are plentiful: vanity, pride, and a tendency to manipulate. But his strengths—a fierce intellect, a dogged sense of justice, and surprising tenderness—make him unforgettable.

Verdict: In Dangerous, Essie Fox gives us Byron not as legend, but as man, and places him at the centre of a mystery as intoxicating as absinthe and as sharp as a blade in the dark. This is literary crime fiction at its finest—sensuous, sinister, and utterly sublime. I urge you to read it and drown in the sheer fabulousness of the prose.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this is a most excellent book. Blending fact and fiction, Essie Fox transports us to early nineteenth century Venice and the somewhat flamboyant and somewhat lascivious life and times of Lord Byron. Living in exile having been forced to flee from England, it is fair to say that he was not a man to live an unassuming life, something that plays so very well into the hands of Essie Fox. Known for his voracious lust for life, his menagerie of animals, and more than the occasional lover, in Dangerous, Byron finds himself accused of some very brutal murders. He also stands accused of having written a very sub-par novel about Vampyres, a tome that gives rise to people's belief in Byron's sudden unstoppable blood lust.

Now this is a gothic novel of the most exquisite nature. Beautifully written, as you would expect from this particular author, it is dripping with atmosphere and pulses with a constant sense of tension and danger, a stark contrast to the way in which Byron chooses to live his life. Essie Fox paints such a clear picture of life in Venice, of the contrast between the decadence of fine society, and the harsh life of the underclasses, using a real mastery of language to place us front and centre in the action, so much so it felt at times as though I could reach out and touch the scenes before me, or smell the pungent aromas of the watery cityscape. Add into the mix the wide array of characters who inhabit and inform Byron's fate and, despite not really knowing much about this period of italian history, I was still able to gain a real feel for time and place.

I'll be honest, I am not really a follower of the works of Lord Byron, or even of his past, but I certainly feel as though I know him far better now. Essie Fox gives such a brilliant rendition of his life in Venice that is was very hard for me to determine which parts of the story were true and which were fiction, aside from the obvious elements of the story which I am fairly certain would have been mentioned at some point during my literary studies. But with so many of the characters drawn from real life, and the many indiscretions committed by Byron, at least in the context of the period in which he lived, it lends an air of authenticity to the story. Combine this with the language used which, whilst certainly more accessible for the modern reader, conjures feels of the period, and there is such plausibility to parts of the story that is was often the bits that were actually true that felt out of place.

There is a real mystery at the heart of this book, grizzly murders for which there appears to be only one suspect - Lord Byron. Given his personality and lifestyle choices, there appear to be no end of people with a grudge to bear against him, assuming of course that he was being set up. And this is what I liked about this book. Although I was predisposed to believe in Byron's innocence, and certainly everything appears as though he is, there is enough about the excesses of his lifestyle that still delivered an element of doubt. And whilst the author signposts perhaps on suspect above all others, it left me wondering if this was too perfect a patsy, or whether this was indeed some elaborate double bluff. I was most definitely kept guessing, often on the edge of my seat. And whilst I had half a mind on who might be behind everything that Byron endured, and some might assume this to be quite evident, the why of the case caught me completely unaware. There are characters in the story that will surprise you, in good ways and bad, and Essie Fox plays this perfectly, keeping me entirely engrossed and delighted, if not also a little disturbed, right to the very last page.

If you love a beautifully narrated gothic novel, rich in atmosphere, and packed with pulsing, brooding tension, that draws on both the decadent and the depraved elements of Venetian society, and that is underpinned by a mystery that lends itself towards vampiric mythicism and legend that could have come from the pen of one of Byron's peers, then this book is so heartily recommended. It's historic crime fiction with a difference, a reimagining of a life already built and lived on notoriety that almost feels impossibly real. Loved it.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exiled from London society, Lord Byron has relocated to Venice, where he continues to indulge his passions and engage in every vice that has made him infamous. But his freedoms are reined in when he becomes a person of interest in the deaths of local women associated with him - each body discovered with mysterious wounds to the neck.

With the recent publication of a novel called The Vampyre, which has erroneously been issued under his name, gossip is rife about Byron's guilt. If he wants to prove his innocence, he must turn detective to establish who means him, and his loved ones, harm...

Mad, bad, and dangerous Lord Byron is a seductive character to conjure with, and this glorious retelling by Essie Fox makes the most of the mystique and romance associated with his disreputable antics. Beginning with an eerie opening of Byron's tomb, during which secret manuscripts are discovered, Fox proceeds to blend fact and fiction to create a very clever Gothic murder mystery that embroiders what we know of the man with supernatural whispers.

Quite brilliantly, Fox takes the very real furore about the publication of The Vampyre under his name (a book which was actually penned by his former associate, Dr John Polidori), and speculates which might have happened had Byron been connected to suspiciously vampiric murders during his residence in Venice. Given his tendency to make his own writings semi-autobiographical, a story about vampires from his pen provides rich fodder for gossip, insinuation, and the destruction of the last vestiges of his reputation - not to mention the risk of physical harm for himself and his household.

Of course, the Byron of this tale is not the guilty party, or a vampire (or is he?), and he becomes a delightfully quirky detective, straying off the path in his debauched way as he ferrets out the truth behind the murders. In the telling, Fox litters his progress with obstacles put in his way by the manipulations of those out for revenge, as well of those of his own making - mostly when it comes to the psychological effects the ghosts that haunt him.

Venice is a fabulous backdrop for the story, standing as a character in its own right, as the action oozes unsettlingly through its moody, mysterious back alleys, palazzos, and sinuous waterways. It is so atmospheric that you can feel menace round every corner, and find yourself doubting the intentions of the entire vivid cast - with good cause. The twists and turns are drop dead gorgeous, inextricably tied to luscious themes of obsession and dark deeds (inevitable given Byron's lifestyle and innumerable affairs). There are lovely links to the fateful summer Byron spent at Lake Geneva with the Shelleys, Claire Clairmont, and Polidari too. I even applaud Fox's best attempts to show different sides to Byron, particularly around his daughters, and his menagerie, which is far from easy given the fact that his propensity for degeneracy still lives so large in our minds some two hundred years after his death.

Fox's talent for immersing you up to the gills in all things Gothic is a thing of dark beauty, and I enjoyed this immensely. I am intrigued that this is sub-titled 'A Lord Byron Mystery' - will there be more? I sincerely hope so!

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord Byron may be long dead, but he still attracts much attention. I recently read Clairmont by Lesley McDowell, which tells of Claire Clairmont, step-sister of Mary Shelley and another of Byron's lovers, and shows the poet in unflattering light: selfish, manipulative and cruel. After McDowell's carefully researched novel-cum-biography, it was interesting to pick up Dangerous by Essie Fox, a novel that was equally carefully researched (check out the lengthy Author's Note) and uses facts as a jumping-off point for a tale of the titled poet who was lauded and shunned in equal measure.
Byron fled England after one too many scandals, and lived in Venice for three years in the early 19th century where he enjoyed all the pleasures the city had to offer. We meet the poet in the Italian city at the end of Carnival, a period of hedonistic indulgence even by his standards. But there is worse for him to deal with than a mighty hangover as the novel progresses, as he is accused of murdering two women found with strange wounds to the neck, and of being involved in the supernatural when a novel entitled The Vampyre is published under his name, it being known that he used autobiographical elements in his work.
There is a mix of menace and mayhem early on, followed by a more contemplative section before we hit the final part which takes him from his lowest ebb to a resurgence of those powers of manipulation and ruthless cunning to finally answer the question about who is behind the murders and why.
Fox does a good job of showing us Byron the private person v Byron the famous poet - diary extracts reveal his inner thoughts, and his vulnerabilities, beginning with a strange childhood, give us a context and invite sympathy; quotes from his poems at the head of each chapter give us the face he presented to the world. But there is no getting away from the fact he is frequently more concerned for his menagerie and human strays on the streets than for his daughter Allegra, and his respect for marriage and fidelity is non-existent, his appetites given free rein. Fox shows the warts and all and lets the reader decide what they think of him.
The tale within a tale motif, plus the diary extracts and letters scattered through the novel, are also lovely nods to the gothic fiction tradition, as is Fox's evocative writing about Venice as a city as well as the specific spaces Byron frequents - the idea of a place being a character in its own right is a cornerstone of classic Gothic fiction. And among the real people in the pages, I love the appearance of John Polidori, formerly a close friend and personal physician, who fell out of favour with Byron when the doctor decided to become a writer and tried to emulate the lauded poet in style both literary and physical. Dressed and coiffed in Byron's style while a guest at a literary soiree, he is not greeted warmly by his hero when they meet.
It's a tale as sumptuous as the finest velvets and brocades that frequently gets its skirts dirty in the sleaze and mud of a city of huge contrasts, perfect for fans of historical fiction and for crime fans alike. And of course in the centre there is that magnetic figure of Lord Byron, who so few can resist...

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voto 4,5
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Andaboutsonia - per RFS
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1819, Venezia. In esilio più o meno volontario in laguna, dopo che una serie di scandali lo ha costretto a lasciare l’Inghilterra, dal suo palazzo sul Canal Grande il poeta Lord Byron si gode la città, l’amore e il Carnevale con slancio febbrile. Si ritrova però accusato degli omicidi di alcune donne trovate con strane ferite alla gola, proprio mentre viene pubblicato il romanzo gotico The Vampyre, a lui attribuito, cosa che ai detrattori rende più facile credere alla sua improvvisa sete di sangue.

Le voci si diffondono sempre più insistenti, e lui e i suoi affetti più cari sono ormai in pericolo. Braccato dai fantasmi e dagli scandali del suo passato che non lo hanno mai abbandonato, passato in breve dalla fama all’infamia, Byron si ritrova a essere al tempo stesso l’indiziato numero uno per quegli strani omicidi e il detective dilettante che cerca di far luce sul mistero sperando di salvarsi la vita e l’onore (o quel che ne resta).

Venezia è da sempre una delle tante città che porto nel cuore. Amo i romanzi gotici e le storie di vampiri, e George Gordon Lord Byron, con la sua folle vita avventurosa, le sue poesie meravigliose e la grande fedeltà a se stesso, è un po’ il mio eroe. Potevo quindi resistere a un romanzo che promette di fondere nella sua trama di decadente velluto Venezia, il mito del vampiro e Lord Byron? Naturalmente no.

L’autrice Essie Fox intreccia magistralmente realtà e finzione, e confesso che il divertimento più grande – da appassionata di Byron che ben conosce la sua vita e ne ha divorato molte biografie – è stato riconoscere, nelle situazioni e nei dialoghi, molti elementi presi dalla vita vera del poeta, comprese citazioni dalle sue splendide lettere, sapientemente rielaborati ai fini della trama. Lo stesso dicasi dei comprimari: il bisbetico ma devotissimo valletto Fletcher, Hobby l’amico di una vita, la figlioletta Allegra, il fascinoso dottor Polidori, le numerose amate e amanti dell’uomo e perfino l’incredibile zoo che si trascinava dietro per l’Europa intera, tutto attinto con cura dalla realtà storica. Anche la citazione delle poesie di Byron all’inizio di ogni capitolo, con prevalenza del vampiresco Giaour e del sensuale Don Juan, aiuta a immergersi nell’atmosfera romantica dell’epoca, oltre a rendere il layout del libro più fascinoso e pregevole.

La trama si snoda con molti colpi di scena che dosano bene il senso di tensione e paura, quasi palpabile nelle descrizioni di Venezia: fin troppo facile, in quel dedalo di calli e canali, immaginare di essere spiati e seguiti, e provare il bisogno di guardarsi costantemente alle spalle.

Un libro ben scritto, dalla prosa fluida e godibile, che mi sento di consigliare – magari confidando anche in una traduzione italiana nel futuro – a tutte le persone che amano le atmosfere gotiche in cui perdersi e i thriller storici con un’ambientazione ben (ri)costruita e riccamente dettagliata, tra salotti aristocratici, bordelli, antichi monasteri. Una storia che affascina come Venezia e seduce come Lord Byron, un romanzo ‘pericoloso’ (dangerous, appunto) come lo era lui.

[Shaylah · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Dangerous: A Lord Byron Mystery" by Essie Fox offers a moody, atmospheric reimagining of the famous poet’s life, blending fact and fiction in a story that’s as seductive as its subject. With echoes of Gothic tradition, secret societies, and a trail of mysterious deaths, Fox crafts a world full of brooding tension, shadowy intrigue, and a relatively accurate reflection of the man we know Byron to be - a philanderer, a scandalous flirt, not the best father, not the greatest friend to others, but admired by many, and died a hero.

The book’s greatest strength lies in its rich prose and historical texture. Fox clearly revels in the language of the Romantic era, conjuring candlelit, moody mansions, whispered rumors, and the ever-present specter of scandal. Lord Byron is portrayed as both charismatic, volatile, and unkind. He is a dark muse surrounded by danger and desire. I found myself not caring for this character, especially during some of the brothel scenes (his desire for young girls). I couldn't identify any redeeming qualities or character traits about him to encourage me to root for him throughout the story, except for his fondness for young Nicolo. And even then, there were times Byron contemplated leaving him behind. This is how the novel faltered for me. I struggled to get through to the end because it was difficult to care. The mystery element, though, while promising, is at times convoluted and slow to unfold, with character motivations that feel underdeveloped, murky, and a little silly.

I appreciated the "Author's Notes" and "Characters" notes at the back of the book (all very detailed and informative); however, one item in the Characters section caught my attention, prompting a change in my rating from 3 to 2. One sentence states, "A nursemaid, May Gray, introduced the child (Lord Byron) to sex at a very early age, and then quoted from the Bible about hell and damnation. Little wonder Byron grew to be distrustful of women and often scorned the Christian faith."

It is well documented that May Gray sexually abused Byron as a young child. It should be identified as such and not described as a softened, less horrific event by saying "the child was introduced to sex at a very early age."

Overall, the novel itself is ambitious and offers an intriguing concept using different fragments and people from Lord Byron's life, but it just didn't fully deliver for me. I do love that it had me digging into his life history again and rereading some of his best verses. Worth a read for lovers of Gothic fiction and literary mysteries, just temper expectations for a fully cohesive narrative and an edge-of-your-seat mystery.

#DangerousLordByronMystery #EssieFox #Goldsboro #goodreads #netgalley

[Annamaria Totagiancaspro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hello there everyone and welcome back for another review here at the Library of Babel. Grab a coffee and start reading :)

The book I just finished today is called "Dangerous" by the author Essie Fox. It's the first time I read something published by her and I'm still undecided if I truly like it or not.

“The dreadful torments of our passions. We are rarely in control of the cards Fate has to play.”

As shown in the plot, the story develops around the years Byron spent in Venice between 1816 and 1819, in exile from England. Lord Byron has always led a scandalous life and of course, it couldn't be different in Italy. While he enjoys his life there between saloons in old and elegant palazzi, the Venetian canals, the Carnevale and his endless lovers...a murder in a brothel threatens to ruin his reputation once again. The signora Lombardo will drag him to trial for the death of one of her whores, if he doesn't pay back a good amount of mine. At the same time, Contessa Alfieri is spreading the rumour that he is the infamous Vampyre of Polidori's novel, sucking out blood from his victims. A very mischievous and entwined conspiracy worthy of the 19th century Venice.

As for the writing style, I appreciated a lot the accuracy and attention to details she put in the novel. For example, every chapter opens with a line of one of Byron's works. During the dialogues, she often uses Italian words in them to refer to the Venetian buildings (palazzo) or the political figure (doge) present back in the day and so on. I might not have enjoyed too much some stereotypes about Italians but it's still well integrated in the novel.
I loved the beginning and the ending so much, the idea of starting the story as if it was Byron's memoir was brilliant.
Not to mention, I appreciated all the explanations in the ending and how the plan to frame Byron as the murderer was put in place. Even though, I found everything a tiny bit too cheesy for my taste.

“Beauty should be admired, never hidden in darkness. Otherwise, what is it for?”

Speaking about the characters, I found them quite well-developed. Lord Byron, in particular, sounded and acted truthful to his real life. Of course, I can't say this accurately but it is written as I always imagined him. A dramatic, lustful, adventurous and sometimes petty hero. Not to forget, Fletcher, his butler. I loved his irony and how he answered back to his master every time he was having a crazy idea.
And as Mutz, Byron's dog, I didn't like too much any of his lovers to be honest.

Overall, I think it's an easy read for readers who like history, Italy, and have a like to Lord Byron.

RATE: 3.5 stars

[Linda Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The poet Byron finds himself accused of murder.

Dangerous is not a novel. It’s a complete work of art written by an author at the top of their game. I loved it.

With both real and created characters, I can’t begin to imagine the time and effort that has gone into researching Dangerous. As well as being thoroughly entertained by the story, I discovered so much about which I had previously been ignorant so that this is a story that takes the reader back in time on a journey just as vividly as any time machine might manage .

Of course Byron is the star. He is depicted as a multi-faceted, complex man who feels as dynamic and charismatic on paper as he obviously was alive. The aspects of the novel in the first person – letters, diary entries – give a fascinating insight into his personality. I found Essie Fox’s Byron completely mesmerising. Arrogant, a flawed womaniser, careless with the needs of others such as his sexual partners and his daughters, he is also shown to be vulnerable, sensitive and deserving of pity as well as admiration. With the narrative structure bookended by Reverend Barber, I confess I finished Dangerous shedding a brief tear over Byron.

Byron aside, however, all the minor characters feel just as convincing. The reader will, of course, recognise some names, but fabricated others are woven in so skilfully that it’s impossible to separate fact and fiction. They all add depth and richness to the historical setting to this wonderful tapestry of a book.

Speaking of setting, Dangerous is a sublime feast for the senses. Venice is a pulsating, living creature. The miasmas, the filth, the grandeur – think of any aspect of Venice and Essie Fox has illustrated it to perfection. There’s an opulence to the writing in a style that fits the era and yet it is completely accessible. I thought this was incredibly skilful writing.

The plot is so clever. With smatterings from Byron’s poetry framing the fast paced chapters, in Dangerous there is intrigue and drama so that I found myself swept up in the story.

If you are looking for beautifully wrought literary fiction, read Dangerous. Read Dangerous too if you love historical fiction, or gothic fiction, or murder mysteries or if you want to travel vicariously. If you want to be steeped in a sense of time and place through meticulous research and imaginative storytelling, Dangerous is equally the book for you. I thought it was astonishingly good and simply not to be missed.

[Jacob Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dangerous is a magnificent historical thriller by Essie Fox that takes us into the heart of Venice. We meet the disgraced Lord Byron, who has been forced to flee England, and who’s character Essie Fox brings to life on the page. He is a man no stranger to the cities brothels, which might make him appear to be an unlikeable character, but I thought there was something strange and mysterious about him. He also has a certain vulnerability that helped me connect to his character, particularly when it comes to his daughter, which Essie draws on really well.

Lord Byron certainly does go on a journey in this book. One night, upon leaving a brothel, he stumbles across the body of a dead woman, and, upon attempting to revive her, someone witnesses this situation and immediately suspects he killed her. It isn’t long before rumours start spreading around the city and this puts Lord Byron in a very tricky and dangerous situation, particularly when the police get involved. It appears as though they would take great pleasure in arresting him for these crimes and locking him up, but Lord Byron is not guilty of murder.

Lord Byron sets out to clear his name and I was rooting for him to get to the bottom of things and I wanted to know why he was being targeted in this way. Essie Fox does an excellent job of bringing Venice to life as Lord Byron goes about his investigations, particularly when he visits the morgue, the palazzos and the theatre. Venice is a place I’ve always wanted to visit and Essie Fox really made me feel as though I was there. She paints the grand structures of the city really well, and the way how most people live in the city, in a really vivid way.

I had no idea Lord Byron was a real person until I picked up this book and the way how Essie Fox brought him to life made me want to find out more about him. There are some really intense moments as the novel draws to its conclusion and we begin to understand why these events have been happening. Things definitely get worse for Lord Byron as the book progresses and Essie Fox kept me hooked on every word as I waited to find out what would happen next.

I thoroughly enjoyed Dangerous and I highly recommend it. I’m sure it’ll be one of the most talked about books of this year.

[Lynsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Dangerous’ by Essie Fox is a brilliant and theatrical novel that blends fact with fiction, a combination that results in an accomplished and exciting book! I confess I don't know a great deal about Lord Byron, his life or his poetry, but I feel that this book changed that. We get to know the man behind the facade of flamboyance and Cassonvian tendencies. We all know that Essie Fox can write brilliant historical fiction but this is her best yet. It is packed full of rich historical detail but it also combines this with a thriller that manages to keep you on the edge of your seat!

Lord Byron has decamped to Venice, leaving behind a wife and child in London. He frequents the saloons of the intelligentsia but also the brothels and the underbelly of Venice. He lives his life to procure adventure and excitement and has a string of lovers behind him. However, he finds himself accused of a series of brutal murders and when a book titled ‘Vampyres’ is released under his name, society starts to think he may have been involved.

This is an exquisite gothic novel that instantly weaves its magic as it transports the reader to the early 1800’s. The writing flows effortlessly across the page and exposes a world of class disparity and a Venice that has ingrained criminality in it. There is a great sense of location throughout the narrative and at times you feel as if you are watching from inside the action, a part of this remarkable world.

Mystery lovers will also adore this story as it keeps you on your toes. As much as you want to believe in Lord Byron there is always the element of doubt present. As you question and integrate the clues you begin to wonder if Byron is an unreliable narrator… There are other credible antagonists and Essie manages to tease and flaunt these without spoiling the big reveal!

This is a fantastic novel that I devoured in one day. It luscious writing leaps off the page and I am already looking forward to seeing what she does next!

[Juliet Bookliterati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord Byron, described by an ex-lover as ‘mad, bad and dangerous to know, makes for the perfect literary hero whose life doesn’t really fictionalisation. I love the fact that Essie Fox has him as the central character in this book and that she has chosen to set it during his time in Venice. Byron was infamous for his life of excess, he was a womaniser with a long list of paramours, he was charming, good looking, and of course a wonderful poet. All of these traits are captured brilliantly by Essie Fox, her writing bringing to life the essence of who he was.

Dangerous is very much a murder mystery with a touch of romance. Byron is accused and arrested for the murder of two prostitutes, and he has to try and work out who has framed him;he has ammased several enemies over the years. Essie Fox works many threads into this mystery, and even though I tried to work out who and why I didn’t. The writing was evoctive and captured the reality of Venice in the summer; the smell of the canals, the stench on the streets, the heat and the awful conditions in The Leads prison all set against the luxury of the many Palazzo’s, the literaty salons, and the opulent dress and jewels. With Byron there has to be a romance, and after deciding to stay away from women after a vengeful paramour he falls in love straight away with a Countess.

I loved reading Dangerous, it ticked so many boxes of my favourite things in a book. I have always had a fascination with Byron, the man and his beautiful poetry, probably one of the first celebrities, and certianly the most scandalous in his lifetime. The detail in the writing paints a colorful picture of Venice as well as the charming and charismatic Byron and the other characters. The inclusion of quotes from Byron’s poetry were the icing on the cake for me. I have loved Essie Fox’s previous books and this is my favourite so far, as captivating and mesmerising as its’s central character; a sensational and seductive read.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking back on my reading log, I find that I've been reading Essie Fox's novels since 2011 when I read her debut; The Somnambulist. I've always been entranced by her stylish writing. I would never claim that historical fiction is my go-to genre choice, but there is something about her ability to weave an intoxicating story with amazing characters that makes me return to her books.

Dangerous is something a little different for this author. Whilst it is still firmly a historical fiction book, it is also most certainly and crime story; a novel filled with mystery and ill doings where Lord Bryon himself is both the suspect and the investigator.

'Mad, bad and dangerous to know' .... a phrase that has been used as the title of novels, on a music album and was originally said about Lord Bryon by one of his many lovers. Essie Fox has recreated this well known historical figure as he is banished to Venice and conjured up a wonderfully gothic and mysterious story about him and his life.

From the dirt and filth of Venice, to the glitz and the glamour of the wealthy parts, the reader travels through it all. We enter brothels alongside Bryron as he cannot ignore his desires and we witness him discover the body of a woman in an alley. This is his downfall. Immediately Bryon becomes the suspect, not helped in the least by the publication of a book that details wounds to the neck - vampire-like, just like those on the real life victims.

This is an extraordinary novel that totally swept me away to Venice. I can't say that I like Bryon, he's a rogue for sure, but I totally enjoyed his story and the author's treatment of him. It is impeccably researched with Venice taking a leading role of its own, alongside the charismatic and decadent Bryon himself.

Fans of historical fiction will adore this one. Highly recommended.

[Angi Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts
This novel has me gripped from the off. Not only because of its clever opening and close telling.
I love books that have real characters in them and this has a few. All of whom have interesting personalities, not least of all, Byron, who has always fascinated me. His real life history seems to be the key to his adult life.
I loved the way the book shows him as being very empathetic, while also showing his well known womanising, and selfishness. This book shows a kind and tender man, but someone determined to have unjust treatment righted.
I loved his kindness towards Nicolo. And the things it makes him realise about himself and what he needs to change in the future.
I really hope there are more stories to come as I was lost in this book. Its sumptuous setting in Venice that directly opposes the existence of the people around Byron are cleverly written and brought brutally and beautifully to life by the pen of Essie Fox. While Byron and his friends live in a world of slick opulence with no expense spared, we’re forced to look at the seedy side of the Venetian culture at that time. I already love Essie Fox’s historical tales, as they show the world as it was when she wrote whichever story. You can tell how much research she has undertaken in every single book. This only enthralls the reader more as it shows how well she writes crime fiction, too, as Byron becomes a detective in his own world. Knowing there is a great deal of fact really binds me more to a good historical fiction book.
I read this way into the small hours, because I simply needed to know how things turned out. It was a book that really touched me in many ways and such a beautiful, beguiling and engaging book should be read widely.
With thanks to Anne Cater, the publisher and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.

[Kelly Van Damme · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Essie Fox’s The Fascination, so I was thrilled to get my mitts on Dangerous nice and early! I didn’t quite know what to expect going in but I think I had hoped for a slightly more bloody story, given the vampire thing.

I’ll admit I knew little about Lord Byron before reading Dangerous. His reputation did proceed him, I knew him to be a bit of a philanderer, and I knew about a connection to Mary Shelley, but that’s about it. It was fantastic to learn more about him through reading Dangerous. Not only about his life, his friends, his loves and his daughter, but also about his work, as each chapter is introduced by means of a few lines of one of his poems.

I never quite knew what was real and what was fiction, but the author makes that abundantly clear in her afterword, which is truly appreciated! I don’t mind wondering as I’m reading but I do like to get my facts straight at the end. Knowing what I do now, I feel that Essie Fox did an amazing job weaving fact and fiction together, and I believe readers who are more familiar with Lord Byron than I was will have an absolute ball with this story.

The setting, in a word, is fabulous. What could possibly be more atmospheric and gothic than Venice in the 1800s?! Especially in the capable hands of Essie Fox. Even though I read Dangerous on a gloriously sunny spring weekend, the dankness and darkness of some of the scenes seeped right into my bones. In a good way!

Dangerous is a clever blend of historical fact and murder mystery that I enjoyed very much and would be happy to recommend to readers of gothic literature and/or historical crime and/or Lord Byron.

Massive thanks to Orenda Books for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

[Ben Bergonzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Private Life of Lord Byron as revealed in secret manuscripts discovered in his tomb in the 193os, includes incidents from his life in Venice in 1819. He is repeatedly propositioned by a curvaceous lady, a baker's wife, runs into an old sparring partner, John Polidori, who has written a book called The Vampyre which some people believe was written by Byron himself (annoying to both of them), discovers prostitutes lying dead and bloody, has his daughter Allegra abducted from his home... ultimately a conspiracy to blacken his name by accusing him of vampiric murders is exposed and he is able to live to fight another day. This intricately plotted tale is enlivened by the charismatic, but definitely fallible character of Byron himself, a man with a notorious reputation but who is still rather bemused by the twists and turns his life is taking - a romantic sex addict. I have no pretensions to any knowledge of poetry, but I suspect Byron the man is better known today than Byron the poet. Fox ably combines the two, bringing the poetry into focus, by quotations at the beginning of each chapter. She also injects sly humour at times. My only reservations are to do with matters of logic - for example some uneducated characters whom we must assume are monoglot English or Italian speakers are shown comfortably conversing; a spell in prison, ended by an escape, is not followed by any fear of the authorities managing a recapture. Some very gripping plot lines and action (eg the disappearance of little Allegra) are resolved 'off stage'. Still these are minor reservations, for the leading man in this story effortlessly commands our attention in every scene. A wintry Venice is very well described. Grotesque supporting characters come vividly to life. Recommended.

[Monika Armet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Venice, 1819.

Lord Byron, the infamous English poet, has left England in disgrace. Rumours of his affairs and potential incestual relationship with his half-sister, left him with no options, but to leave the country.

He now resides in Venice and tries to lead a quiet life, away from the women. That, however, doesn’t stop him from visiting brothels.

Outside Countessa Alfieri’s bordello, he stumbles upon a body of a dead prostitute. Thinking he can revive her, he attempts CPR, however, the women’s blood transfers all over his body and face. To an onlooker, it looks as if he was drinking her blood like a vampire.

Trying to forget that experience, he visits another brothel, a classier one, and he falls asleep with the young woman. When he wakes up, he believes her to be asleep. What he doesn’t know is that she’s dead and on her neck are two teeth marks…

Rumours around Venice spread that Lord Byron is the killer of the young prostitutes around the city. The Vampyre, a novel written by Doctor Polidori, is published around that time, but Byron is believed to be the actual author.

Byron is adamant he’s innocent and that he hasn’t written the novella, but can he prove it?

I loved this book from start to finish. It portrays Byron’s life in Venice, before he went to Greece.

Byron was quite a complex character, he didn’t have an easy childhood and that probably accounted for his behaviour towards women. I think modern psychiatrists would have a field day if he was around!

Essie Fox portrays Byron’s love for Allegra, his illegitimate daughter. I think people were outraged that he kept sending Allegra away to live with various people, but he probably did it to protect her.

Overall, it’s an exquisite piece of historical fiction.

I definitely recommend it.

[The Victorian Bookseller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dangerous is a well-researched and darkly intriguing historical fiction, based in the period of time in which John Polidori released The Vampyre in 1819, effectively inventing the modern vampire, supposedly in the image of Lord Byron. The Vampyre was mistakenly published under Byron's name (much to his horror, he absolutely detested Polidori!), and Essie Fox has expanded on that historical fact to create a vampiric murder mystery of mistaken identity, that Byron himself is forced to solve in order to clear his name.

Dangerous, thankfully does not stray too far away from the real persona of Lord Byron, who could not be described historically as an entirely moral man. There are many references to his own life that those familiar with the mythos of Lord Byron will be delighted to pick up over the course of the story. Given Byron's, perhaps unreliable narration, it did pain me slightly that John Polidori did come across as less impressive than I would have loved him to be, but I put that down to Byron's own dislike of the man that is accurately portrayed in his own point of view. I am also sure that those unfamiliar with the events Dangerous is based on will not be disappointed by its compelling plot and protagonist, and will only be inspired to further research the events themselves.

Purposely or not, the book had an interesting anachronism between referencing vampiric imagery common to modern audiences (fang marks on a neck, a vampire invisble in a mirror), vs the vague concept of a modern vampire that Polidori had created in its infancy in 1819. Nonetheless, it was a treat reading this unique take on a vampire adjacent novel, especially given the difficulty of it as a genre to find untread ground in.

[J Fearnley · Rating 4 out of 5]

When reading Dangerous I was fascinated by the true historical content and admiring of the amount of research that had been undertaken to include those facts but also to spark the imagination of Essie Fox and form the idea that became this wonderful story.
A with a claustrophobic feel, a setting mainly in 19th century Venice a beautiful city that nevertheless easily lends itself to being a dark and dangerous place we follow Byron’s fate as a vengeful being carries out a plan to discredit him. Spreading rumours inferring he is guilty of horrendous crimes which along with his reputation for being a womaniser and worse having come to Venice under exile makes for a wonderfully gothic story.
This is a book that sweeps you away in a historical mystery that feels as true as anything you read in Dangerous with its real life characters and places but, of course, this the genius of the author who has conjured up a wonderfully atmospheric and compelling narrative weaving a fascinating and fantastic tale that has Lord Byron caught up in an accusation of being a murderer and quite possibly a vampire!
This is a dark, intriguing story of scandal, mystery and revenge with a dazzling historical setting and characters both real and imagined bringing the reader a tale of dread that is both compelling and engrossing. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would certainly recommend reading Dangerous.
Janet - LoveBooks, ReadBooks logo
4.5*
Many thanks to Anne at RandomThingsTours for the invitation to join the BlogTour for Dangerous and to the incredible Orenda Books for providing an eARC for the purpose of reading and sharing my thoughts on Dangerous by Essie Fox.