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The Violet Thorn Mysteries #2
The Montford Maniac
A crazed killer. A town in terror. A mystery ten years in the making… Lady Violet Thorn’s awful Aunt Igitha arrives uninvited to stay, wreaking havoc in the household. When Violet plucks up courage to ask her to leave, Igitha’s chilling threats are soon realised with deadly effect.
In a devastating series of events, a woman is impaled, another is hanged outside Violet’s window, and a wild beast is delivered to her house.
Violet is soon struck by the similarities between these events, and the unsolved murders committed ten years earlier by the sadistic serial killer known as the Montford Maniac.
Could he have returned? Is Igitha behind the crimes? Or could there be someone even more terrifying on the prowl? The horrors have only just begun.
A rollicking, unputdownable Victorian mystery perfect for fans of Janice Hallett and Anthony Horowitz.
In a devastating series of events, a woman is impaled, another is hanged outside Violet’s window, and a wild beast is delivered to her house.
Violet is soon struck by the similarities between these events, and the unsolved murders committed ten years earlier by the sadistic serial killer known as the Montford Maniac.
Could he have returned? Is Igitha behind the crimes? Or could there be someone even more terrifying on the prowl? The horrors have only just begun.
A rollicking, unputdownable Victorian mystery perfect for fans of Janice Hallett and Anthony Horowitz.
322 pages, Paperback
Published April 18, 2024
22 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
M.R.C. Kasasian
30 books519 followersMartin Kasasian was raised in Lancashire. He has had careers as varied as factory hand, wine waiter, veterinary assistant, fairground worker and dentist. He lives with his wife in Suffolk in the summer and in a village in Malta in the winter.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 29, 2024
The Montford Maniac is the second book in the author’s Violet Thorn historical mystery series. I haven’t read the first book, The Horror of Haglin House, but I can safely say The Montford Maniac can be read as a standalone.
Those who’ve read any of the author’s previous books will be familiar with his love of quirky character names – I give you Pertinance Quail and Petunia Bottle – humorous chapter headings, puns and wordplay. His representation of the Suffolk accent, as exemplified by Lady Violet’s maid, Agnust (and no I haven’t misspelt that), you’ll find either comical or slightly irritating. Those who’ve read any of the books in the Betty Church series will know what I mean.
If, like me, this is the first Violet Thorn book you’ve read what will be new to you is that Violet has a persistent internal dialogue with two of the fictional characters from her novels: ‘lady adventuress’, Ruby Gibson and Scotland Yard detective, Inspector Havelock Hefty. They have no compunction about interrupting Violet’s thoughts, passing judgment on her actions, making what they think are helpful suggestions or even pleading with her for a different ending to the novels in which they feature. One, for instance, that doesn’t involve Hefty getting fatally stabbed with a poisoned dagger. There is little love lost between Ruby and Hefty meaning the pair engage in plenty of verbal sparring. You may find their constant interventions amusing or distracting. If the latter, follow Violet’s example and try to zone them out.
As The Montford Maniac opens Lady Violet has been unexpectedly jilted by her childhood friend and fiance, Jack Raven. There follow a number of rather grisly murders and some lucky escapes for Lady Violet, including narrowly avoiding being savaged by a panther and being chucked from the top of a lighthouse. In the process of trying to identify the culprit she discovers some useful allies but also that things are not exactly what they seem. In fact, they never were as they seemed. All rather fishy… Given the twists and turns, remarkable revelations and unexpected unmaskings [Ed: that’s enough alliterations now], if you guess what’s been going on you’ll have done better than me!
The Montford Maniac is described by the publishers as a ‘rollicking, unputdownable Victorian mystery’ and, although slightly silly at times, it’s an awful lot of fun.
Those who’ve read any of the author’s previous books will be familiar with his love of quirky character names – I give you Pertinance Quail and Petunia Bottle – humorous chapter headings, puns and wordplay. His representation of the Suffolk accent, as exemplified by Lady Violet’s maid, Agnust (and no I haven’t misspelt that), you’ll find either comical or slightly irritating. Those who’ve read any of the books in the Betty Church series will know what I mean.
If, like me, this is the first Violet Thorn book you’ve read what will be new to you is that Violet has a persistent internal dialogue with two of the fictional characters from her novels: ‘lady adventuress’, Ruby Gibson and Scotland Yard detective, Inspector Havelock Hefty. They have no compunction about interrupting Violet’s thoughts, passing judgment on her actions, making what they think are helpful suggestions or even pleading with her for a different ending to the novels in which they feature. One, for instance, that doesn’t involve Hefty getting fatally stabbed with a poisoned dagger. There is little love lost between Ruby and Hefty meaning the pair engage in plenty of verbal sparring. You may find their constant interventions amusing or distracting. If the latter, follow Violet’s example and try to zone them out.
As The Montford Maniac opens Lady Violet has been unexpectedly jilted by her childhood friend and fiance, Jack Raven. There follow a number of rather grisly murders and some lucky escapes for Lady Violet, including narrowly avoiding being savaged by a panther and being chucked from the top of a lighthouse. In the process of trying to identify the culprit she discovers some useful allies but also that things are not exactly what they seem. In fact, they never were as they seemed. All rather fishy… Given the twists and turns, remarkable revelations and unexpected unmaskings [Ed: that’s enough alliterations now], if you guess what’s been going on you’ll have done better than me!
The Montford Maniac is described by the publishers as a ‘rollicking, unputdownable Victorian mystery’ and, although slightly silly at times, it’s an awful lot of fun.
May 15, 2024
Another please.
Fab yarn. The Agnust, Gerrund and friendless are just the best I hope he writes another Violet Thorn mystery soon.
Fab yarn. The Agnust, Gerrund and friendless are just the best I hope he writes another Violet Thorn mystery soon.
March 29, 2025
Superb second book in the Violet Thorn series. I have enjoyed both books immensely, and really hope there will be a third. As with Kasasian's previous novels, they are a wonderful combination of humor and mystery. No-one else is writing books like this, more's the pity.
October 28, 2024
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
The Montford Maniac is the second light historical mystery by M.R.C. Kasasian to feature Lady Violet Thorn. Released 18th April 2024 by Canelo, it's 304 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
This is -not- a serious series, it's full of whimsy and silliness (which occasionally creep very close to the "too much" side of the equation). There are constant unending asides and internal dialogues on every page. The main character is a mystery author who has continual long dialogue with her fictional characters inside her own head and often talks to them out loud in public. They don't even confine themselves to the inside of her head, and are often seen stealing her baked goods and dribbling cookie crumbs down the back of her neck. All the inexplicable occurrences are vaguely waved away and not directly addressed. Readers should bring a hefty suspension of disbelief to the read and keep hold of it throughout.
It's ostensibly set in the Victorian era, but her behavior and language would've got Violet carted off and locked up under the "guardianship" of any convenient male post-haste. Her Aunt Igitha is a loathsome beast, truly unlikable and without any redeeming features whatever, and the scenes featuring her were tiresome to read.
The central mystery itself is well plotted and constructed, and there's a nice twisty ending. With two books extant in the series, it would potentiall be a good choice for a short binge/buddy read.
Three and a half stars. It's not exactly derivative, but fans of Horowitz and Hallett will possibly find something here.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Montford Maniac is the second light historical mystery by M.R.C. Kasasian to feature Lady Violet Thorn. Released 18th April 2024 by Canelo, it's 304 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
This is -not- a serious series, it's full of whimsy and silliness (which occasionally creep very close to the "too much" side of the equation). There are constant unending asides and internal dialogues on every page. The main character is a mystery author who has continual long dialogue with her fictional characters inside her own head and often talks to them out loud in public. They don't even confine themselves to the inside of her head, and are often seen stealing her baked goods and dribbling cookie crumbs down the back of her neck. All the inexplicable occurrences are vaguely waved away and not directly addressed. Readers should bring a hefty suspension of disbelief to the read and keep hold of it throughout.
It's ostensibly set in the Victorian era, but her behavior and language would've got Violet carted off and locked up under the "guardianship" of any convenient male post-haste. Her Aunt Igitha is a loathsome beast, truly unlikable and without any redeeming features whatever, and the scenes featuring her were tiresome to read.
The central mystery itself is well plotted and constructed, and there's a nice twisty ending. With two books extant in the series, it would potentiall be a good choice for a short binge/buddy read.
Three and a half stars. It's not exactly derivative, but fans of Horowitz and Hallett will possibly find something here.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
April 16, 2025
I really enjoyed the first book, The Horror of Haglin House, and I loved this second one even more, even though the main character Violet seems to be getting more and more eccentric (and possibly suffering from absinthe-induced hallucinations or increasing schizophrenic symptoms). You will definitely want to read that first book first, as this story continues and concludes the very personal backstory that was teased behind that previous adventure.
Violet and her fictional friends Ruby Gibson and Inspector Hefty return here, plus my personal favourites Agnust, Gerrund, Friendless and Old Queeny as comic relief, and Albert, Anthony and Romulus to provide a touch of procedure, romance and sense respectively. And yet again, they all bicker, bluster and snark their way through another unique investigation, this time involving numerous impalements (both minor and major), threatening letters, and a rampaging serial killer with a flair for the overdramatic.
While the plot is well-constructed and bizarre, I mainly just adore Violet and all of her companions – real and imaginary – and their dialogues and inner monologues here made me smile and smile, and read (out-of-context) snippets aloud to my long-suffering and bewildered husband.
On finishing this book, I immediately added it, plus its predecessor and the upcoming sequel, to my keep-copy buy list, as I already know I will want to re-read this series again and again. It may not be your typical mystery story, but its all the better for its many eccentricities, in my opinion.
Violet and her fictional friends Ruby Gibson and Inspector Hefty return here, plus my personal favourites Agnust, Gerrund, Friendless and Old Queeny as comic relief, and Albert, Anthony and Romulus to provide a touch of procedure, romance and sense respectively. And yet again, they all bicker, bluster and snark their way through another unique investigation, this time involving numerous impalements (both minor and major), threatening letters, and a rampaging serial killer with a flair for the overdramatic.
While the plot is well-constructed and bizarre, I mainly just adore Violet and all of her companions – real and imaginary – and their dialogues and inner monologues here made me smile and smile, and read (out-of-context) snippets aloud to my long-suffering and bewildered husband.
On finishing this book, I immediately added it, plus its predecessor and the upcoming sequel, to my keep-copy buy list, as I already know I will want to re-read this series again and again. It may not be your typical mystery story, but its all the better for its many eccentricities, in my opinion.
April 5, 2024
I thank NetGalley and Canelo for an advance reader copy of The Montford Maniac. All opinions and comments are my own.
The fictional characters that live in novelist Lady Violet Thorn’s very fertile imagination have a lot to say as they “assist” her in overcoming a missing fiancé, poison pen letters and personal attacks in The Montford Maniac, newest book in the Victorian-era series from historical mystery author M.R.C. Kasasian. The characters roam through the narrative and “talk” to her and thus the readers. It is a clever device -- and eventually, annoying. As is maid Agnust, whose difficult dialog I also got weary of after a few pages.
This variation on a “Jack the Ripper” theme has its high points. But I wasn’t invested in Lady Violet, and the use of her “helpers” threw me out of the story every time. I enjoyed the humor, and the twist at the ending was an especially nice touch. But not enough to want to put up with too much more of Agnust and her equally fictional fellow hangers-on, in The Montford Maniac.
The fictional characters that live in novelist Lady Violet Thorn’s very fertile imagination have a lot to say as they “assist” her in overcoming a missing fiancé, poison pen letters and personal attacks in The Montford Maniac, newest book in the Victorian-era series from historical mystery author M.R.C. Kasasian. The characters roam through the narrative and “talk” to her and thus the readers. It is a clever device -- and eventually, annoying. As is maid Agnust, whose difficult dialog I also got weary of after a few pages.
This variation on a “Jack the Ripper” theme has its high points. But I wasn’t invested in Lady Violet, and the use of her “helpers” threw me out of the story every time. I enjoyed the humor, and the twist at the ending was an especially nice touch. But not enough to want to put up with too much more of Agnust and her equally fictional fellow hangers-on, in The Montford Maniac.
March 9, 2024
Book 3, but easily a standalone and recommended to anyone who wants sharp humor with their mysteries
While Lady Violet Thorn expels her truly awful Aunt Igitha from her home a series of accidents and deaths surround her and seem to be part of the threat Igitha has made. The events though also remind her of a series of murders 10 years earlier and the killer known as the Monford Maniac.
Lady Violet tries to make sense of the actions while dealing with inner voices that she uses to populate her novels. It's dark and gothic and victorian and absolutely wonderful!
#canelo #themontfordmaniac #mrckasasian
While Lady Violet Thorn expels her truly awful Aunt Igitha from her home a series of accidents and deaths surround her and seem to be part of the threat Igitha has made. The events though also remind her of a series of murders 10 years earlier and the killer known as the Monford Maniac.
Lady Violet tries to make sense of the actions while dealing with inner voices that she uses to populate her novels. It's dark and gothic and victorian and absolutely wonderful!
#canelo #themontfordmaniac #mrckasasian
April 14, 2024
Is The Montford Maniac on the loose again after a ten-year absence? Lady Violet, author and amateur detective, is on the case. With the help of her fictional characters, can she solve the crime?
Hmmm, I so wanted to like this book. While I found the fictional characters in Lady Violet’s head original at first, they quickly became a somewhat comedic but ultimately annoying distraction from the mystery’s plot. However, there was a nice twist at the end. 3 stars for The Montford Maniac, a historical cozy mystery.
Thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.
Hmmm, I so wanted to like this book. While I found the fictional characters in Lady Violet’s head original at first, they quickly became a somewhat comedic but ultimately annoying distraction from the mystery’s plot. However, there was a nice twist at the end. 3 stars for The Montford Maniac, a historical cozy mystery.
Thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.
April 16, 2024
I was so looking forward to this as it sounded like just my Cup of Tea. The idea of detectives from a writers imagination was a new and different concept that just didn't work out very well for me in the end. They somewhat comedic at times but ultimately an annoying and irritating distraction from the mystery’s plot. On a plus the surprise at the end did truly surprise me. As this is a first book I would hope for some improvement in any following one's. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 29, 2024
MRC Kasasian does it again!
I’ve been a fan of this writer through all his Gower Street Detective series and Betty Church books and now Lady Violet Thorn. He just gets better every time.
His plots are intricate and the endings unguessable. A terrific mix of action, mystery, horror and his sense of humour is hilarious.
The Montford Maniac is a wonderful read.
Strongly recommend.
I’ve been a fan of this writer through all his Gower Street Detective series and Betty Church books and now Lady Violet Thorn. He just gets better every time.
His plots are intricate and the endings unguessable. A terrific mix of action, mystery, horror and his sense of humour is hilarious.
The Montford Maniac is a wonderful read.
Strongly recommend.
April 25, 2024
Thank you Netgalley; Canelo (the publishers and to the author M. R, C Kasasian for The Montford Maniac. This is the second in the Violet Thorn mystery series of books and although I have not read the first one I absolutely loved this book. I now have to go and read the first one.
September 23, 2024
I loved all the series by M R C Kasasian but I'm not a huge fan of this series. It's a good homage to classic mystery and a lot of fun because the author always writes witty and original story.
Have fun, read it
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Have fun, read it
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
May 8, 2024
Highly enjoyable .... going to recommend to other readers!
Ferħan li xi ħadd mill-klabb tal-kotba lokali ta’ rakkomandazzjoni. Storja mill-isbaħ u b'intriċċi. Għażla tajba din waħda.
Ferħan li xi ħadd mill-klabb tal-kotba lokali ta’ rakkomandazzjoni. Storja mill-isbaħ u b'intriċċi. Għażla tajba din waħda.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews