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A Lady in the Smoke
Karen Odden’s enthralling debut historical mystery transports readers to Victorian England, where a terrifying railway disaster plunges a headstrong young noblewoman into a conspiracy that reaches to the highest corridors of power.
Following a humiliating fourth Season in London, Lady Elizabeth Fraser is on her way back to her ancestral country estate when her train careens off the rails and bursts into flames. Though she is injured, she manages to drag herself and her unconscious mother out of the wreckage, and amid the chaos that ensues, a brilliant young railway surgeon saves her mother’s life. Elizabeth feels an immediate connection with Paul Wilcox—though society would never deem a medical man eligible for the daughter of an earl.
After Paul reveals that the train wreck was no accident, and the inspector who tried to prevent it dies under mysterious circumstances, Elizabeth undertakes a dangerous investigation of her own that leads back to her family’s buried secrets. The more she learns, the more she must risk. Not only are her dowry and her reputation at stake; Paul’s very life hangs in the balance when he is arrested for manslaughter. As the trial draws near, and Parliament prepares for a vote that will change the course of the nation, Elizabeth uncovers a conspiracy that has been years in the making. But time is running out for her to see justice done.
Following a humiliating fourth Season in London, Lady Elizabeth Fraser is on her way back to her ancestral country estate when her train careens off the rails and bursts into flames. Though she is injured, she manages to drag herself and her unconscious mother out of the wreckage, and amid the chaos that ensues, a brilliant young railway surgeon saves her mother’s life. Elizabeth feels an immediate connection with Paul Wilcox—though society would never deem a medical man eligible for the daughter of an earl.
After Paul reveals that the train wreck was no accident, and the inspector who tried to prevent it dies under mysterious circumstances, Elizabeth undertakes a dangerous investigation of her own that leads back to her family’s buried secrets. The more she learns, the more she must risk. Not only are her dowry and her reputation at stake; Paul’s very life hangs in the balance when he is arrested for manslaughter. As the trial draws near, and Parliament prepares for a vote that will change the course of the nation, Elizabeth uncovers a conspiracy that has been years in the making. But time is running out for her to see justice done.
411 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2016
338 people are currently reading
2179 people want to read
About the author
Karen Odden
10 books429 followersKaren received her Ph.D. in English literature from New York University and subsequently taught at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her first novel, A Lady in the Smoke, was a USA Today bestseller, and A Dangerous Duet and A Trace of Deceit have won awards for historical mystery and historical fiction. Her fourth mystery, Down a Dark River, introduces readers to Michael Corravan, a former thief and bare-knuckles boxer from Whitechapel who has become a Scotland Yard inspector in 1878 London. The sequel, Under a Veiled Moon, is available now in hardback, e-book, and audiobook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 322 reviews
March 10, 2016
My ARC courtesy of Alibi/Random House and Net Galley - much thanks! My opinions are my own.
This seems to be a first novel, but doesn't read like it. The people have the prejudices of 1874, and are not merely modern people in costumes. I caught no historical errors. (I'd love for my stepfather, the train freak, to read this, but historical mysteries are not his thing.) The mystery is good, the historical fiction is well done, and if it becomes a series, I'd happily read a sequel.
This seems to be a first novel, but doesn't read like it. The people have the prejudices of 1874, and are not merely modern people in costumes. I caught no historical errors. (I'd love for my stepfather, the train freak, to read this, but historical mysteries are not his thing.) The mystery is good, the historical fiction is well done, and if it becomes a series, I'd happily read a sequel.
Read
May 3, 2016Pretty much everything I want in a historical novel: trains, historical detail, secrets, family drama, two lovers separated by society, conspiracy, crusading journalists, women sneaking out of the house, lawyering, and a pickpocket who could give Artful Dodger a run for his money. When Lady Elizabeth Fraser and her mother are involved in a terrible train crash, Lady Elizabeth helps the railway surgeon tend to the wounded while keeping her aristocratic roots a secret. But everything hits the fan when the surgeon and his BFF, an investigative journalist, uncover a greedy plot that may have caused the crash. While this book has some problems–for example, long conversations that are pretty much nothing but exposition–at its core it’s a great story with tons of Victorian atmosphere, sympathetic leads, and an awesome romance. I was a very satisfied reader by the time I finished this book. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for Odden’s next novel!
– Tasha Brandstatter
from The Best Books We Read In April: http://bookriot.com/2016/04/29/riot-r...
– Tasha Brandstatter
from The Best Books We Read In April: http://bookriot.com/2016/04/29/riot-r...
February 26, 2017
A train goes off the rails in 1874, and the aftermath brings together people who ordinarily would never have crossed paths. I think I expected this to be much of a muchness with other Victorian-set novels, but very quickly learned how wrong I was. From the very beginning, as the horrors of the accident are detailed, it was pretty clear that this would be blazing its own trail.
Elizabeth Fraser, fresh from her fourth disappointing London Season, has her hands full and more than full with her addicted mother, and there's another point of difference for this book. Partly to escape the oppression of looking after the woman, partly because her assistance is genuinely needed, Elizabeth lends her aid to the doctor (Paul Wilcox) who follows the casualties placed, along with her and her mother, in a boardinghouse, and then goes with him on his other calls.
That actually annoyed me a little. Whether or not Wilcox has any idea that Elizabeth is a capital-L Lady, or just a young lower-case-L lady, it seemed like a remarkably bad idea for him to allow her to go with him to the much more desperate neighborhoods he has to enter. She gets an education that night.
And, of course,she begins to fall in love with one of the more inappropriate men to cross her path.
I liked her; I liked him. I did not much care for the fact that Paul joins the ranks of Regency, Edwardian, and Victorian novel characters to have as a sidekick a young street urchin who once tried to pick his pocket. There seem to be a lot of them out there. It would be kind of nice to think that in the 1870's a young man's first impulse would be to put such a boy, caught in the act, to work – but I don't have much faith in the vision.
I'm not entirely sure the whole motivation behind the mystery – this train crash not being the first of its kind of late – is entirely logical – it seemed to me that the plot would end up costing more money than it saved or earned – but then, major conspiracies (either in theory or practice) aren't always logical. But the investigation – in which Elizabeth only takes part in ways that actually make sense, which is refreshing – is logical, and ties together quite nicely.
Though there were some hiccups in the writing – a bit of a tendency toward Recapitis (Yes. I know. You just told me that a few pages ago), a little bit of ponderousness at times – on the whole I enjoyed the plotting and the writing. The acid test for a book in a series that is new to me, by an author new to me, is whether I'll look for more – and in this case I believe I will.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
Elizabeth Fraser, fresh from her fourth disappointing London Season, has her hands full and more than full with her addicted mother, and there's another point of difference for this book. Partly to escape the oppression of looking after the woman, partly because her assistance is genuinely needed, Elizabeth lends her aid to the doctor (Paul Wilcox) who follows the casualties placed, along with her and her mother, in a boardinghouse, and then goes with him on his other calls.
That actually annoyed me a little. Whether or not Wilcox has any idea that Elizabeth is a capital-L Lady, or just a young lower-case-L lady, it seemed like a remarkably bad idea for him to allow her to go with him to the much more desperate neighborhoods he has to enter. She gets an education that night.
And, of course,she begins to fall in love with one of the more inappropriate men to cross her path.
I liked her; I liked him. I did not much care for the fact that Paul joins the ranks of Regency, Edwardian, and Victorian novel characters to have as a sidekick a young street urchin who once tried to pick his pocket. There seem to be a lot of them out there. It would be kind of nice to think that in the 1870's a young man's first impulse would be to put such a boy, caught in the act, to work – but I don't have much faith in the vision.
I'm not entirely sure the whole motivation behind the mystery – this train crash not being the first of its kind of late – is entirely logical – it seemed to me that the plot would end up costing more money than it saved or earned – but then, major conspiracies (either in theory or practice) aren't always logical. But the investigation – in which Elizabeth only takes part in ways that actually make sense, which is refreshing – is logical, and ties together quite nicely.
Though there were some hiccups in the writing – a bit of a tendency toward Recapitis (Yes. I know. You just told me that a few pages ago), a little bit of ponderousness at times – on the whole I enjoyed the plotting and the writing. The acid test for a book in a series that is new to me, by an author new to me, is whether I'll look for more – and in this case I believe I will.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
June 17, 2016
Really interesting concept, but I just could not get into it. I prefer more adventure and less wordiness in my historical fiction novels. It was clear that research had been done, but author failed to communicate any meaningful emotional connection for the reader to grasp. The plot seems more like an M.A. Thesis on British railway history than a novel. The dialogue is wooden, the characters have no depth, and nothing in the narrative grabs you.
The book also had a very slow start and the ending fell short for me. I would recommend this novel to an audience that appreciates historical information more than character development.
The book also had a very slow start and the ending fell short for me. I would recommend this novel to an audience that appreciates historical information more than character development.
May 20, 2022
This is another one of those books I am torn about. Enjoyed the writing, the mystery and the class difference but.... I was never gripped by the plot. I found it to be a bit too convoluted. Too many characters with old grudges and not always likable secondary characters (family members). Maybe a bit too much insta love. I rate this a 3.5*
I have read Down a Dark River and enjoyed it more
I have read Down a Dark River and enjoyed it more
May 2, 2016
Victorian era romantic suspense sounded all sorts of goodness to me so I snatched this one up and settled in. The new to me author did a fantastic job of establishing historical backdrop and an engaging plot from the beginning. It slows down in the middle and comes rushing through at the end. I was left wishing that it wasn't over and wistfully hoping this is not the last of the author's efforts at mysteries set in that world and with those characters.
The story opens with Lady Elizabeth Fraser journeying home with her disappointed mother. Elizabeth has been through three London social seasons and didn't snag a husband and now rumors are rife that her dowry has diminished and even her title and looks won't be enough. Always impossible to make happy, Elizabeth's mother makes her feel that it is all Elizabeth's fault and Elizabeth is careful not to respond to the verbal barbs because her mother's laudanum habit and her frail emotional state.
But then all thought of her blighted future is pushed aside when a horrendous wreck of their train causes her to first fight to get them out of danger, take care of their injuries and then on impulse, assist the young railroad surgeon with the mounting wounded. Elizabeth's station in life should prevent her from stepping in, but she wants to be of assistance so she neglects to tell Mr. Wilcox, the surgeon, her title. Helping Paul Wilcox is fulfilling and she enjoys his company, but soon the inevitable happens and he discovers her lie and the great chasm between their social classes pushes them apart.
Not before Elizabeth learns through overhearing Paul's newspaper friend, Tom Flynn, discuss that the train wreck was no accident, just like the death of the man who was prepared to report on the safety of another line owned by that same railroad. Elizabeth is intrigued and wants to help with the investigation Paul and Tom are involved in particularly when she discovers that her family might have a tie to the situation and Elizabeth is poised in a unique position to help. She has to be circumspect in her assistance because there is not only danger to her reputation, but also to her life if she is discovered. Elizabeth sets all that aside when the stakes grow more dire because Paul is taken up for murder.
The story captured my interest from the beginning. It starts off like a typical Victorian era historical romance and then boom, the train catastrophe and the plot thickens to a juicy mystery. The heroine, Elizabeth, is the first person narrator. She is a product of her times, but there is a spirit of restlessness and adventure in her, too. This helps her draw close to a working class man and engage in detecting with him and his newsman friend, but she never goes too far so that I felt she was an anachronism.
The pace was slow as it built up each part of the background and plot so that when it did move forward everything had it's reason and made sense. This was something of a cozy mystery as Elizabeth played detective on her end, but it also blended some courtroom drama and political intrigue in for good measure. All the surrounding cast of characters had backstories of their own and significant roles to play.
I liked the many layers to the plot. Elizabeth's growing attraction and budding relationship with Paul was there, but was also backburner stuff due to everything going on. There was also the sad and bitter relationship with her mother. Her family's history that shadowed the present. Her best friend and her family's sad situation that also played a part. Then there was the sometimes humorous, but most action part of the story with Elizabeth's unorthodox and wary partnering with a newspaperman to solve the railroad mystery and conspiracy.
The attention to the historical setting was well done. I liked learning about the railroad building, companies, laws, railroad medical staff and injuries, and how it fit into the other components of Victorian times. It was fascinating and was a huge part of the story, but didn't dissolve into a dry history lesson the way it was naturally woven into the story.
So, all in all, this was a fantastic read and I most definitely recommend it to those who enjoy a historically accurate story, cunning mystery, mild romance, and engaging characters in their historical romantic suspense.
My thanks to Penguin-Random House for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story opens with Lady Elizabeth Fraser journeying home with her disappointed mother. Elizabeth has been through three London social seasons and didn't snag a husband and now rumors are rife that her dowry has diminished and even her title and looks won't be enough. Always impossible to make happy, Elizabeth's mother makes her feel that it is all Elizabeth's fault and Elizabeth is careful not to respond to the verbal barbs because her mother's laudanum habit and her frail emotional state.
But then all thought of her blighted future is pushed aside when a horrendous wreck of their train causes her to first fight to get them out of danger, take care of their injuries and then on impulse, assist the young railroad surgeon with the mounting wounded. Elizabeth's station in life should prevent her from stepping in, but she wants to be of assistance so she neglects to tell Mr. Wilcox, the surgeon, her title. Helping Paul Wilcox is fulfilling and she enjoys his company, but soon the inevitable happens and he discovers her lie and the great chasm between their social classes pushes them apart.
Not before Elizabeth learns through overhearing Paul's newspaper friend, Tom Flynn, discuss that the train wreck was no accident, just like the death of the man who was prepared to report on the safety of another line owned by that same railroad. Elizabeth is intrigued and wants to help with the investigation Paul and Tom are involved in particularly when she discovers that her family might have a tie to the situation and Elizabeth is poised in a unique position to help. She has to be circumspect in her assistance because there is not only danger to her reputation, but also to her life if she is discovered. Elizabeth sets all that aside when the stakes grow more dire because Paul is taken up for murder.
The story captured my interest from the beginning. It starts off like a typical Victorian era historical romance and then boom, the train catastrophe and the plot thickens to a juicy mystery. The heroine, Elizabeth, is the first person narrator. She is a product of her times, but there is a spirit of restlessness and adventure in her, too. This helps her draw close to a working class man and engage in detecting with him and his newsman friend, but she never goes too far so that I felt she was an anachronism.
The pace was slow as it built up each part of the background and plot so that when it did move forward everything had it's reason and made sense. This was something of a cozy mystery as Elizabeth played detective on her end, but it also blended some courtroom drama and political intrigue in for good measure. All the surrounding cast of characters had backstories of their own and significant roles to play.
I liked the many layers to the plot. Elizabeth's growing attraction and budding relationship with Paul was there, but was also backburner stuff due to everything going on. There was also the sad and bitter relationship with her mother. Her family's history that shadowed the present. Her best friend and her family's sad situation that also played a part. Then there was the sometimes humorous, but most action part of the story with Elizabeth's unorthodox and wary partnering with a newspaperman to solve the railroad mystery and conspiracy.
The attention to the historical setting was well done. I liked learning about the railroad building, companies, laws, railroad medical staff and injuries, and how it fit into the other components of Victorian times. It was fascinating and was a huge part of the story, but didn't dissolve into a dry history lesson the way it was naturally woven into the story.
So, all in all, this was a fantastic read and I most definitely recommend it to those who enjoy a historically accurate story, cunning mystery, mild romance, and engaging characters in their historical romantic suspense.
My thanks to Penguin-Random House for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2016
I'd like to first thank Random House, Alibi, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read A Lady in the Smoke: A Victorian Mystery by Karen Odden as an uncorrected proof. I'm relatively new to ARCs and Uncorrected Proofs but NetGalley makes it very easy to request books and to find out about upcoming releases. I look forward to writing an honest review about this book.
Lady Elizabeth Fraser is the well-read, well-mannered 20 year old daughter of an earl from Levlinshire. As the reader is first introduced to her, Elizabeth is puzzling over the poisonous barbs of society gossip recently lobbed at her during a ball. Whispers concerning her family's fortune and her diminished or even disappearing dowry have made an emboldened entrance on her fourth season and have spotlighted the shaky ground she walks on as an unmarried young lady in Victorian England. While Lady Elizabeth travels home with her distant and ailing mother, disaster strikes as their train derails and catches fire. The complexity of Odden's central character burgeons as we see her strength of will in the aftermath of the accident as, though injured, she gets her mother to safety and witnesses the horrors of the scene before them. It is in this field, whilst in shock, that Elizabeth first meets the talented Mr. Wilcox, a dedicated railway surgeon. Little does Elizabeth know the connections that will be drawn from the derailment to her own past or what track her life will begin to take as the smoke clears.
Admittedly, I know next to nothing about the history of trains. Most of my knowledge comes from an avid love of Dickens and all things Victorian. While I was more well-versed in the time period prejudices against doctors and surgeons as well as the widespread contention one group had for the other, I wasn't aware that railway specific surgeons existed or of their purpose. After a little bit of research once I finished the book I would say that Odden painted a realistic portrait of both. Historical aspect aside, what I really loved about A Lady in the Smoke was the strength of integrity possessed by her main characters and how Odden layered each character's present with their past experiences. While it is a first novel, it doesn't read like one. It's easy to connect with the characters and the action at hand; if this plot line was developed into a series I think it would be successful simply because Odden does such a great job of drawing you into her characters.
I enjoyed the plot but I'm not sure I would classify it as a mystery. It felt like the emotions and relationships of the characters were the feature of the book while the reader was pretty far removed from any real action or build up of suspense. This is definitely not a Penny dreadful and Lady Elizabeth is not Miss Marple. The mystery feels more like a subtle counterpart worked into the thick of the story that simply lends itself to the forward motion of the characters.
As a whole, Odden's book is an enjoyable read. It's a solid piece of Victorian/historical fiction and I look forward to seeing more from Odden.
NetGalley Review| Leafmarks| LibraryThing
Lady Elizabeth Fraser is the well-read, well-mannered 20 year old daughter of an earl from Levlinshire. As the reader is first introduced to her, Elizabeth is puzzling over the poisonous barbs of society gossip recently lobbed at her during a ball. Whispers concerning her family's fortune and her diminished or even disappearing dowry have made an emboldened entrance on her fourth season and have spotlighted the shaky ground she walks on as an unmarried young lady in Victorian England. While Lady Elizabeth travels home with her distant and ailing mother, disaster strikes as their train derails and catches fire. The complexity of Odden's central character burgeons as we see her strength of will in the aftermath of the accident as, though injured, she gets her mother to safety and witnesses the horrors of the scene before them. It is in this field, whilst in shock, that Elizabeth first meets the talented Mr. Wilcox, a dedicated railway surgeon. Little does Elizabeth know the connections that will be drawn from the derailment to her own past or what track her life will begin to take as the smoke clears.
Admittedly, I know next to nothing about the history of trains. Most of my knowledge comes from an avid love of Dickens and all things Victorian. While I was more well-versed in the time period prejudices against doctors and surgeons as well as the widespread contention one group had for the other, I wasn't aware that railway specific surgeons existed or of their purpose. After a little bit of research once I finished the book I would say that Odden painted a realistic portrait of both. Historical aspect aside, what I really loved about A Lady in the Smoke was the strength of integrity possessed by her main characters and how Odden layered each character's present with their past experiences. While it is a first novel, it doesn't read like one. It's easy to connect with the characters and the action at hand; if this plot line was developed into a series I think it would be successful simply because Odden does such a great job of drawing you into her characters.
I enjoyed the plot but I'm not sure I would classify it as a mystery. It felt like the emotions and relationships of the characters were the feature of the book while the reader was pretty far removed from any real action or build up of suspense. This is definitely not a Penny dreadful and Lady Elizabeth is not Miss Marple. The mystery feels more like a subtle counterpart worked into the thick of the story that simply lends itself to the forward motion of the characters.
As a whole, Odden's book is an enjoyable read. It's a solid piece of Victorian/historical fiction and I look forward to seeing more from Odden.
NetGalley Review| Leafmarks| LibraryThing
March 30, 2016
This is an interesting mystery combined with a quite unconventional romance set in the Victorian era in England. One of the things that made this book interesting to me was that it was well researched and worked a large amount of historical detail about the railroads in Victorian England. The historical facts were integrated into the story is such a way that they provided a good foundation for the story but did not make it dull or dry.
The main character in this book, Elizabeth, was a strong female character who became more and more aware of the unfairness of constraints imposed upon females in Victorian England as the story progresses. After leaving a ball where much of the gossip is about the reduced circumstances that Elizabeth faces, she becomes involved in a tragic railroad accident with her mother. She make the choice to help other victims of the tragedy despite convention and at the risk of her reputation. She becomes involved with a railroad surgeon, Mr. Wilcox, and comes to respect and admire him. She defies convention to assist Mr. Wilcox when he is made into a scapegoat for the railroad and discovers that they both have feelings for each other despite their class differences. In the end, she chooses to go with Mr. Wilcox to America to be free even though it costs her most of her fortune.
Laudanum addiction was also explored in this book and its use in the story was historically accurate. It was interesting how acceptable it was for women to use during the Victorian era.
This would be a good book for anyone who enjoys historical novels. I do think that anyone interested in railroads would enjoy this novel and that the romance should not deter male readers since it is not overdone.
I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review by NetGalley.
The main character in this book, Elizabeth, was a strong female character who became more and more aware of the unfairness of constraints imposed upon females in Victorian England as the story progresses. After leaving a ball where much of the gossip is about the reduced circumstances that Elizabeth faces, she becomes involved in a tragic railroad accident with her mother. She make the choice to help other victims of the tragedy despite convention and at the risk of her reputation. She becomes involved with a railroad surgeon, Mr. Wilcox, and comes to respect and admire him. She defies convention to assist Mr. Wilcox when he is made into a scapegoat for the railroad and discovers that they both have feelings for each other despite their class differences. In the end, she chooses to go with Mr. Wilcox to America to be free even though it costs her most of her fortune.
Laudanum addiction was also explored in this book and its use in the story was historically accurate. It was interesting how acceptable it was for women to use during the Victorian era.
This would be a good book for anyone who enjoys historical novels. I do think that anyone interested in railroads would enjoy this novel and that the romance should not deter male readers since it is not overdone.
I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review by NetGalley.
March 29, 2016
Gripping!
This is a totally engaging historical Victorian mystery. Lady Elizabeth Fraser is returning from her failed London season to her home. The train she is travelling in is involved in an horrific accident. Elizabeth is freed from the wreck but cannot escape the carnage she is part of. Once safe in a guest house she discovers the handsome surgeon, Paul Wilcox, who had attended her at the disaster site, is operating on the kitchen table with no-one to assist him. Elizabeth steps up, even though if anyone knew her true status she would be a figure of scandal, despite the extenuating circumstances.
What she doesn't know is that their lives will become even more entwined when Paul is arrested and charged with having caused the death of one of his patients.
As Elizabeth tries to sort out the truth she finds herself embroiled in a conspiracy to do with the railway development, that government knowledge is being used to defraud and undercut shareholders, and that murder and the deliberate wrecking of trains are all a part and parcel of a bigger picture. The shocks continue as she realizes that beyond this even, is retribution and vengeance involving her family.
The scenes of Newgate and of Paul's trial are convincing, as is the part Elizabeth plays.
A virtuoso beginning novel, with I hope more to come!
A NetGalley ARC
This is a totally engaging historical Victorian mystery. Lady Elizabeth Fraser is returning from her failed London season to her home. The train she is travelling in is involved in an horrific accident. Elizabeth is freed from the wreck but cannot escape the carnage she is part of. Once safe in a guest house she discovers the handsome surgeon, Paul Wilcox, who had attended her at the disaster site, is operating on the kitchen table with no-one to assist him. Elizabeth steps up, even though if anyone knew her true status she would be a figure of scandal, despite the extenuating circumstances.
What she doesn't know is that their lives will become even more entwined when Paul is arrested and charged with having caused the death of one of his patients.
As Elizabeth tries to sort out the truth she finds herself embroiled in a conspiracy to do with the railway development, that government knowledge is being used to defraud and undercut shareholders, and that murder and the deliberate wrecking of trains are all a part and parcel of a bigger picture. The shocks continue as she realizes that beyond this even, is retribution and vengeance involving her family.
The scenes of Newgate and of Paul's trial are convincing, as is the part Elizabeth plays.
A virtuoso beginning novel, with I hope more to come!
A NetGalley ARC
April 11, 2016
Highly recommended!
The story's not what you expect from a mystery book. I would even classify it as a mystery thriller; it's very character-driven, and I honestly didn't think Odden would be able to tie all the strings together. But she did, and I was very pleased with the results.
I find that I really like stories set around a calamity, because it brings all sorts of people, professions, mindsets, and life experiences to piece it together. I enjoyed the fact that Odden was able to weave her story through the rules and norms of a Victorian society. The personalities, of both men and women, their mindsets and their expectations were believable, and I'm glad that she was able to write a very nice story without being terribly unrealistic.
In fact, the more I think about it, the more I realize how much was accomplished throughout the book. In addition to the main plot regarding the railway disaster conspiracy, there were many sub-plots relating to Elizabeth and others that were just as detailed and given full attention.
Overall, I'm very pleased with my find and looking forward to Odden's future works.
December 10, 2017
This has just about everything I look for in a historical mystery: 1) Excellent use of the historical setting; 2) Lots of intrigue, both political and financial, with murder and sabotage involved; 3) Secrets and lies within family relationships; 4) Courtroom drama; 5) Even a sweet romance.
Although this is a debut work, Odden is not new to the writing business, frequently contributing essays, chapters and introductions to books and journals. This mystery appears to be a labor of love which she began 10 years ago and is finally sharing with us. And, more good news, she's presently at work on another novel, about a Scotland Yard Inspector in 1880.
This story takes place in 1874 Britain. As it begins Lady Elizabeth Fraser and her mother are returning to their home in Scotland after an unsuccessful season in London. Lady Elizabeth remains single and they discover that a vicious rumor has been circulating that her dowry no longer exists after a financial setback. The train they are traveling on derails, killing or injuring several passengers, among the moderately injured Elizabeth and her mother. It's important to note that this is only the most recent in a series of such serious railway accidents.
In the aftermath of the accident, Lady Elizabeth becomes acquainted with railway surgeon Paul Wilcox, who stitches up her forehead and looks after her mother and tirelessly takes care of the seriously injured almost single-handed (with a little help from Elizabeth, who tries to do so as anonymously as possible).
The rest of the story deals with suspicions about all these railway accidents, financial problems of the railways, possible manipulation of the stock market, wheeling and dealing both political and financial, murder, sabotage, investigation into all this by Wilcox and his newpaperman friend (and it must be noted that Lady Elizabeth inserts herself into all this as much as she can and perhaps more than she should, given the constraints upon women in society, but she does have a personal stake in this). At the same time Lady Elizabeth is finding out some secrets about her mother and father that had been kept from her for years.
All this makes for interesting and even challenging reading, with lots of information about Victorian railways and financial scandal and also about medicine and conflicting opinions about treatment for patients, especially those with railway accident injuries. It appears that the author has done some in-depth research on the subjects and also adds her author's notes at the end, which is something I always appreciate in a historical novel. (I only have one minor nit to pick and it will probably seem a silly one: There is a character in the book named Sir Lewis Solmes. He is frequently referred to as Sir Solmes. That should actually be Sir Lewis, since the title Sir is used with first names. Since he plays an important part in one important section of the story, the references to "Sir Solmes" began to grate on me. If it had been just a one time thing I would have ignored it and forgotten all about it. --- ETA: According to the author, she has now corrected this error. I am assuming that anyone who now downloads the book will read about Sir Lewis, not Sir Solmes.--- )
I enjoyed reading this. It's a fairly complete mystery, with personal relationship secrets entwined with the railway mystery elements of the story. And, for those who enjoy a bit of romance too, we have that for Lady Elizabeth, even with a bit of a romantic triangle. I'll be on the lookout for her next book about Scotland Yard.
Although this is a debut work, Odden is not new to the writing business, frequently contributing essays, chapters and introductions to books and journals. This mystery appears to be a labor of love which she began 10 years ago and is finally sharing with us. And, more good news, she's presently at work on another novel, about a Scotland Yard Inspector in 1880.
This story takes place in 1874 Britain. As it begins Lady Elizabeth Fraser and her mother are returning to their home in Scotland after an unsuccessful season in London. Lady Elizabeth remains single and they discover that a vicious rumor has been circulating that her dowry no longer exists after a financial setback. The train they are traveling on derails, killing or injuring several passengers, among the moderately injured Elizabeth and her mother. It's important to note that this is only the most recent in a series of such serious railway accidents.
In the aftermath of the accident, Lady Elizabeth becomes acquainted with railway surgeon Paul Wilcox, who stitches up her forehead and looks after her mother and tirelessly takes care of the seriously injured almost single-handed (with a little help from Elizabeth, who tries to do so as anonymously as possible).
The rest of the story deals with suspicions about all these railway accidents, financial problems of the railways, possible manipulation of the stock market, wheeling and dealing both political and financial, murder, sabotage, investigation into all this by Wilcox and his newpaperman friend (and it must be noted that Lady Elizabeth inserts herself into all this as much as she can and perhaps more than she should, given the constraints upon women in society, but she does have a personal stake in this). At the same time Lady Elizabeth is finding out some secrets about her mother and father that had been kept from her for years.
All this makes for interesting and even challenging reading, with lots of information about Victorian railways and financial scandal and also about medicine and conflicting opinions about treatment for patients, especially those with railway accident injuries. It appears that the author has done some in-depth research on the subjects and also adds her author's notes at the end, which is something I always appreciate in a historical novel. (I only have one minor nit to pick and it will probably seem a silly one: There is a character in the book named Sir Lewis Solmes. He is frequently referred to as Sir Solmes. That should actually be Sir Lewis, since the title Sir is used with first names. Since he plays an important part in one important section of the story, the references to "Sir Solmes" began to grate on me. If it had been just a one time thing I would have ignored it and forgotten all about it. --- ETA: According to the author, she has now corrected this error. I am assuming that anyone who now downloads the book will read about Sir Lewis, not Sir Solmes.--- )
I enjoyed reading this. It's a fairly complete mystery, with personal relationship secrets entwined with the railway mystery elements of the story. And, for those who enjoy a bit of romance too, we have that for Lady Elizabeth, even with a bit of a romantic triangle. I'll be on the lookout for her next book about Scotland Yard.
July 12, 2018
I received a ARC copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
My overall response to this novel is a resounding, “Whatever.” It had a well-thought-out plot structure and an extremely well researched historical backdrop. But the characters had no color to them, and the experience of reading their story was pretty joyless.
The first third of the novel is isolated and boring, the middle section becomes a lesson in economics and the stock market, and the final act is devoted to trial drama. The trial scenes were probably the most gripping parts of the novel. However, the mystery, while carefully plotted, doesn’t blow me away in the big reveal. And most importantly, I don’t care about any of the characters. I don’t feel connected to them, I don’t much understand them, and I’m not emotionally invested in their happiness.
The romance is conceived rather quickly, before we get to know the characters and understand why they might be attracted to each other. Indeed, we never really get that character development, and we have to conclude that they love each other because they are mutually pragmatic and serious and humorless. What can be said of Odden’s treatment of romance is that her characters’ declarations of love are very touching. They are simple but they feel very sincere. The moments when Paul expresses his love are some of the only moments that make me feel like I’m dealing with real and feeling characters. Otherwise, they all have zero personality, zero endearments, and I don’t really care what happens to them.
IvyCirca | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram
My overall response to this novel is a resounding, “Whatever.” It had a well-thought-out plot structure and an extremely well researched historical backdrop. But the characters had no color to them, and the experience of reading their story was pretty joyless.
The first third of the novel is isolated and boring, the middle section becomes a lesson in economics and the stock market, and the final act is devoted to trial drama. The trial scenes were probably the most gripping parts of the novel. However, the mystery, while carefully plotted, doesn’t blow me away in the big reveal. And most importantly, I don’t care about any of the characters. I don’t feel connected to them, I don’t much understand them, and I’m not emotionally invested in their happiness.
The romance is conceived rather quickly, before we get to know the characters and understand why they might be attracted to each other. Indeed, we never really get that character development, and we have to conclude that they love each other because they are mutually pragmatic and serious and humorless. What can be said of Odden’s treatment of romance is that her characters’ declarations of love are very touching. They are simple but they feel very sincere. The moments when Paul expresses his love are some of the only moments that make me feel like I’m dealing with real and feeling characters. Otherwise, they all have zero personality, zero endearments, and I don’t really care what happens to them.
IvyCirca | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram
February 27, 2016
I liked the mystery and the historical detail of the railroads in England.. The corruption etc. it kinda felt like reading an Jane Austen because of the headstrong female main character, who goes against what is normal in her social class.
I gave four stars because I felt at times the story kinda slowed and made you question what was happening.
I gave four stars because I felt at times the story kinda slowed and made you question what was happening.
March 24, 2016
I really enjoyed this novel. The story is compelling and grabs you from page one. The main characters are very sympathetic and well fleshed-out--they feel like real people. I loved the setting and learned a lot about Victorian era railroads. The romance is very sweet with the emphasis mainly on the mystery and family secrets which are slowly revealed. Well done and highly recommended!
December 7, 2017
For this author's 1st novel, this was such a great story! I do hope very much that it becomes a series because I would definitely read it. The characters were wonderful and so human. You couldn't help but get invested in their happiness. The story itself was so engrossing and interesting. Well done indeed.
July 19, 2019
RATING: 3.5 STARS
2016; Random House Publishing Group - Alibi
(Review Not on Blog)
This is Karen Odden's first novel, and my first novel by her. I really liked the way Odden describes the setting - you really get a sense of the time as much as the place. Her characterization was pretty good, although at times minor characters seemed a bit overly cliched. I liked that this historical mystery was gritty and realistic. The novel starts with a bang but is a slow burn overall. While it appears that it took me a long time to read that was more during to time and other commitments. I am looking forward to my next Odden read, which is another historical mystery set in Victorian times but is a series.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
2016; Random House Publishing Group - Alibi
(Review Not on Blog)
This is Karen Odden's first novel, and my first novel by her. I really liked the way Odden describes the setting - you really get a sense of the time as much as the place. Her characterization was pretty good, although at times minor characters seemed a bit overly cliched. I liked that this historical mystery was gritty and realistic. The novel starts with a bang but is a slow burn overall. While it appears that it took me a long time to read that was more during to time and other commitments. I am looking forward to my next Odden read, which is another historical mystery set in Victorian times but is a series.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
December 30, 2017
For the most part this was an excellent read although I didn't so much think it was a mystery. There was a mystery of a sort, I suppose, but mainly it was a lovely historical romance set in the late 1800s. There was a lot of very interesting information about the history of early railroading in England and both the settings and characters were extremely well drawn.
I would definitely want to read more by this new author, so I hope she has a new book out soon. Can highly recommend this one.
I would definitely want to read more by this new author, so I hope she has a new book out soon. Can highly recommend this one.
February 4, 2025
I've recently heard that Karen Odden is putting the finishing touches on her latest novel...which reminded me that I had yet to read her very fist book, "A Lady in Smoke". Having read all of her other published novels, I decided the time was ripe to go back and engage on that first one.
Happily, this one doesn't read like a first novel at all. I found it to be thoroughly engaging with Odden's usual eye for detail and exceptional characterization. I really came to care for these characters and was fully vested in their outcomes. And I learned a thing or two along the way, as Odden does her usual masterful job of adding historical facts in interesting ways. The whole mystery plot revolves around a massive train disaster (of which there were quite a few during Victorian times) and the possibility that the wreck wasn't an accident at all. There is also a nicely done sweet romance as well as an awesome courtoom drama.
I'm already looking forward to her next book.
Happily, this one doesn't read like a first novel at all. I found it to be thoroughly engaging with Odden's usual eye for detail and exceptional characterization. I really came to care for these characters and was fully vested in their outcomes. And I learned a thing or two along the way, as Odden does her usual masterful job of adding historical facts in interesting ways. The whole mystery plot revolves around a massive train disaster (of which there were quite a few during Victorian times) and the possibility that the wreck wasn't an accident at all. There is also a nicely done sweet romance as well as an awesome courtoom drama.
I'm already looking forward to her next book.
February 18, 2020
I enjoyed this book very much. I began listening to the audio version, and it seemed to go awfully slowly. When I had opportunity, I switched to reading it, and was much more impressed. I enjoyed the romance, the mystery, the various characters, the setting ... just about everything. I loved the "happy outcomes" in various situations ... and won't spoil it by revealing anything of the ending.
January 24, 2019
Lady Elizabeth and her mother are traveling by train back to their estate from London when the train careens off its tracks. Elizabeth wakes up to her mother unconscious with a broken ankle and Elizabeth herself has a gash on her forehead. They somehow make it off the train and a gentleman doctor helps them by the name of Paul Wilcox.
Over the next few days, while her mother is recovering, she helps the young doctor who saved her and her mother’s life. There’s an immediate attraction between the two even though they come from different social circles. Elizabeth doesn’t tell Paul her title because she enjoys being treated like a normal woman and she knows Paul will withdraw if he found out. But like everything in Victorian England, the truth eventually comes out.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth discovers the train accident she endured was on purpose. In fact, there’s quite a few train derailments and it’s politically driven. The more Elizabeth and her new-found acquaintance reporter (a friend of Paul’s) unearth, the more long-buried family secrets emerge. When Paul is arrested for manslaughter, Elizabeth must risk her reputation and life as she knows it to save the man she loves.
A Lady in the Smoke is filled with suspense, twists and turns, not to mention a sweet romance between Paul and Elizabeth. Karen Odden draws you into Elizabeth’s world. The supporting cast of characters add such richness to this story and the mystery held my mind captive. Who is behind the railroad sabotage and murders? The courtroom scenes left me breathless and the ending was satisfying. Totally fed my love of trains and the Victorian era.
If you like historical fiction, especially Victorian, with dashes of mystery and romance, this book is for you! I look forward to more from Karen Odden.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from Penguin Random House Publishing Group – Alibi via Netgalley in the hopes I’d review it.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
Over the next few days, while her mother is recovering, she helps the young doctor who saved her and her mother’s life. There’s an immediate attraction between the two even though they come from different social circles. Elizabeth doesn’t tell Paul her title because she enjoys being treated like a normal woman and she knows Paul will withdraw if he found out. But like everything in Victorian England, the truth eventually comes out.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth discovers the train accident she endured was on purpose. In fact, there’s quite a few train derailments and it’s politically driven. The more Elizabeth and her new-found acquaintance reporter (a friend of Paul’s) unearth, the more long-buried family secrets emerge. When Paul is arrested for manslaughter, Elizabeth must risk her reputation and life as she knows it to save the man she loves.
A Lady in the Smoke is filled with suspense, twists and turns, not to mention a sweet romance between Paul and Elizabeth. Karen Odden draws you into Elizabeth’s world. The supporting cast of characters add such richness to this story and the mystery held my mind captive. Who is behind the railroad sabotage and murders? The courtroom scenes left me breathless and the ending was satisfying. Totally fed my love of trains and the Victorian era.
If you like historical fiction, especially Victorian, with dashes of mystery and romance, this book is for you! I look forward to more from Karen Odden.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from Penguin Random House Publishing Group – Alibi via Netgalley in the hopes I’d review it.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
March 9, 2016
4.5 Stars!! This is one of my favorite historical periods to read about. And, I loved that it was part of this book. I loved the story, the characters and the writing. I was not ready for the book to end. I had really grown to like these characters and was sad to see the hours and minutes counting down and seeing the time I had left with growing smaller and smaller.
There was a little bit of everything in this book. Drama, secrets, suspense, mystery, romance, bribery, falsehoods, blackmail, murder, sabotage, you name it, this book had it. The list of suspects and crimes were so long. There was hardly a person without fault in the whole book. Excluding the main characters, of course. I know I loved this book and would definitely recommend it. I hadn't heard of it and received an email from the publisher asking if I would like to read it. I'm so glad I said yes!!!
Thanks Random House Alibi for bringing this great story to my attention and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
There was a little bit of everything in this book. Drama, secrets, suspense, mystery, romance, bribery, falsehoods, blackmail, murder, sabotage, you name it, this book had it. The list of suspects and crimes were so long. There was hardly a person without fault in the whole book. Excluding the main characters, of course. I know I loved this book and would definitely recommend it. I hadn't heard of it and received an email from the publisher asking if I would like to read it. I'm so glad I said yes!!!
Thanks Random House Alibi for bringing this great story to my attention and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2020
This is Karen Odden's first published book, but what a book! Stories within stories all intricately and skillfully intertwined. A cunning plot, an exciting court case, an unhappy marriage, infidelity and murder all add to the intrigue and excitement of the book. The book starts with a bang: a young, aristocratic lady and her mother are travelling back to the country by train when the train runs off its tracks. The reader then finds out that the accident may not have been an accident at all, but sabotage. Furthermore, it turns out that there is a plot to undercut the value of the railway company's stocks to profit from it. The main character, Lady Elizabeth Fraser, uncovers dark secrets involving her mother, father, uncle and grandmother. There is also a hopeless romance as Lady Elizabeth falls in love with the railway surgeon who treats her and her mother for injuries from the train derailment. I really enjoyed this one. This is really a very good book.
May 10, 2018
I listened to the audiobook and thought about giving up on it because the beginning was rather slow. I'm really glad I didn't, the mystery was suspenseful and the romantic thread of the story was well done. The protagonist was sweet and tough, I really enjoyed her. Overall a satisfying read.
January 11, 2018
I can't believe this is a first novel by the author. It grabbed me from the first and it was hard to put down. I'm looking forward to her next novel.
April 24, 2019
This is my first book by Karen Odden and I think her debut, and I thought it was well faceted. Lady Elizabeth and her mother Lady Fraser are leaving London after having heard rumors circulating that Elizabeth's dowry has decreased. Lady Elizabeth is confused by this and approaches her Mother and asks what is going on. She is given the cold shoulder to this question.
Elizabeth is glad to be leaving London to return home.
But a tragic train accident is to completely derail the well thought out life of someone who is titled and expected to marry within her realm, not some commoner who hasn't even gone to university.
Paul Wilcox is a surgeon, in particular, a surgeon who specializes in treating rail accidents. And thus begins, a tender relationship between Elizabeth and Paul, who withholds her title, so not to complicate things between them, at least this is what she believes.
Things (and people) are not always what they seem, at least in this story. Elizabeth has lived a very sheltered life but she wants to know the truth, of her parents, of the murders ( or are they?) of men who hold ties to the decision of railroads.
By learning these covered truths, Elizabeth is able to see why her Mother has always been cold towards her and has an understanding of why she never saw her fathers brother.
Even though I wouldn't classify this as a romance, it is easy to see Elizabeth is falling in love with Paul. She wants to be with him, but because of their different classes, they don't think they will be able to be together. Especially after Paul is tried for Manslaughter of a young man who supposedly succumbed to his injuries that he sustained on the same train accident that Elizabeth was on.
Elizabeth along with Paul's friend journalist Tom, and her cousin and lawyer James work together to find out a way to free Paul from wrongful suit.
I really enjoyed this Victorian mystery, though I would say it had a different atmosphere than the usual fair of the Victorian mystery genre. I am currently waiting for the second book by Karen Odden at my library.
Elizabeth is glad to be leaving London to return home.
But a tragic train accident is to completely derail the well thought out life of someone who is titled and expected to marry within her realm, not some commoner who hasn't even gone to university.
Paul Wilcox is a surgeon, in particular, a surgeon who specializes in treating rail accidents. And thus begins, a tender relationship between Elizabeth and Paul, who withholds her title, so not to complicate things between them, at least this is what she believes.
Things (and people) are not always what they seem, at least in this story. Elizabeth has lived a very sheltered life but she wants to know the truth, of her parents, of the murders ( or are they?) of men who hold ties to the decision of railroads.
By learning these covered truths, Elizabeth is able to see why her Mother has always been cold towards her and has an understanding of why she never saw her fathers brother.
Even though I wouldn't classify this as a romance, it is easy to see Elizabeth is falling in love with Paul. She wants to be with him, but because of their different classes, they don't think they will be able to be together. Especially after Paul is tried for Manslaughter of a young man who supposedly succumbed to his injuries that he sustained on the same train accident that Elizabeth was on.
Elizabeth along with Paul's friend journalist Tom, and her cousin and lawyer James work together to find out a way to free Paul from wrongful suit.
I really enjoyed this Victorian mystery, though I would say it had a different atmosphere than the usual fair of the Victorian mystery genre. I am currently waiting for the second book by Karen Odden at my library.
May 29, 2017
Very enjoyable---admirable, forthright heroine caught up in an absorbing mystery that ends up challenging her perceptions of who she is & where she comes from. Kind, noble love interest. Great dialogue & inner voice of the heroine. Interesting period details about trains, train crashes & surgeons who specialize in injuries related to such trauma. So glad I gave this author a try. I'd definitely pick up her next book! (Clean read)
**Right now 4/17 the Kindle e-book is $.99 & the Audible book is $2.99
**Right now 4/17 the Kindle e-book is $.99 & the Audible book is $2.99
January 8, 2019
I discovered this author after seeing her scheduled appearance at our local bookstore. I found the storyline engaging, especially the railroad aspect. This is perfectly fine as a SA, but I hope to see a continuation of the story. I will definitely read more from Odden in the future.
February 19, 2020
WHAT a hideous narrator. All whispery and "seductive" and just ew. This book went way faster [not that it was truly fast enough] when actually reading it.
I read a lot of GOOD historical mysteries. This is not one of those. Not even remotely. And that ending? R E A L L Y?
Sigh.
I read a lot of GOOD historical mysteries. This is not one of those. Not even remotely. And that ending? R E A L L Y?
Sigh.
July 15, 2017
Good mystery. Well written. I enjoyed it, but the pace felt a little slow. I've been reading thrillers, maybe that's why. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an historical romance with a suspenseful plot.
June 17, 2020
I loved the writing, but did not like the plot. I found the "mystery" quite boring. Maybe the next book in the series will be better.
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