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Beatrice Scarlet #2
The Coven
London, 1758. Beatrice Scarlet has returned to London and found work at St. Mary Magdalene's Refuse for fallen women. Beatrice enjoys the work and her apothecary skills are much needed. The home cooperates with a network of wealthy factory owners across London, finding their charges steady work and hopes of rehabilitation. But when 12 girls sent to a factory in Clerkenwell disappear, Beatrice is uneasy. Their would-be benefactor claims they were witches, sacrificed by Satan for his demonic misdeeds. But Beatrice is sure something much darker than witchcraft is at play.
410 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2017
68 people are currently reading
448 people want to read
About the author
Graham Masterton
422 books1,966 followersGraham Masterton was born in Edinburgh in 1946. His grandfather was Thomas Thorne Baker, the eminent scientist who invented DayGlo and was the first man to transmit news photographs by wireless. After training as a newspaper reporter, Graham went on to edit the new British men's magazine Mayfair, where he encouraged William Burroughs to develop a series of scientific and philosophical articles which eventually became Burroughs' novel The Wild Boys.
At the age of 24, Graham was appointed executive editor of both Penthouse and Penthouse Forum magazines. At this time he started to write a bestselling series of sex 'how-to' books including How To Drive Your Man Wild In Bed which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide. His latest, Wild Sex For New Lovers is published by Penguin Putnam in January, 2001. He is a regular contributor to Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, Woman, Woman's Own and other mass-market self-improvement magazines.
Graham Masterton's debut as a horror author began with The Manitou in 1976, a chilling tale of a Native American medicine man reborn in the present day to exact his revenge on the white man. It became an instant bestseller and was filmed with Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Burgess Meredith, Michael Ansara, Stella Stevens and Ann Sothern.
Altogether Graham has written more than a hundred novels ranging from thrillers (The Sweetman Curve, Ikon) to disaster novels (Plague, Famine) to historical sagas (Rich and Maiden Voyage - both appeared in the New York Times bestseller list). He has published four collections of short stories, Fortnight of Fear, Flights of Fear, Faces of Fear and Feelings of Fear.
He has also written horror novels for children (House of Bones, Hair-Raiser) and has just finished the fifth volume in a very popular series for young adults, Rook, based on the adventures of an idiosyncratic remedial English teacher in a Los Angeles community college who has the facility to see ghosts.
Since then Graham has published more than 35 horror novels, including Charnel House, which was awarded a Special Edgar by Mystery Writers of America; Mirror, which was awarded a Silver Medal by West Coast Review of Books; and Family Portrait, an update of Oscar Wilde's tale, The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was the only non-French winner of the prestigious Prix Julia Verlanger in France.
He and his wife Wiescka live in a Gothic Victorian mansion high above the River Lee in Cork, Ireland.
At the age of 24, Graham was appointed executive editor of both Penthouse and Penthouse Forum magazines. At this time he started to write a bestselling series of sex 'how-to' books including How To Drive Your Man Wild In Bed which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide. His latest, Wild Sex For New Lovers is published by Penguin Putnam in January, 2001. He is a regular contributor to Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, Woman, Woman's Own and other mass-market self-improvement magazines.
Graham Masterton's debut as a horror author began with The Manitou in 1976, a chilling tale of a Native American medicine man reborn in the present day to exact his revenge on the white man. It became an instant bestseller and was filmed with Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Burgess Meredith, Michael Ansara, Stella Stevens and Ann Sothern.
Altogether Graham has written more than a hundred novels ranging from thrillers (The Sweetman Curve, Ikon) to disaster novels (Plague, Famine) to historical sagas (Rich and Maiden Voyage - both appeared in the New York Times bestseller list). He has published four collections of short stories, Fortnight of Fear, Flights of Fear, Faces of Fear and Feelings of Fear.
He has also written horror novels for children (House of Bones, Hair-Raiser) and has just finished the fifth volume in a very popular series for young adults, Rook, based on the adventures of an idiosyncratic remedial English teacher in a Los Angeles community college who has the facility to see ghosts.
Since then Graham has published more than 35 horror novels, including Charnel House, which was awarded a Special Edgar by Mystery Writers of America; Mirror, which was awarded a Silver Medal by West Coast Review of Books; and Family Portrait, an update of Oscar Wilde's tale, The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was the only non-French winner of the prestigious Prix Julia Verlanger in France.
He and his wife Wiescka live in a Gothic Victorian mansion high above the River Lee in Cork, Ireland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
October 4, 2017
EXCERPT: 'Some of these girls are veritable savages when we first take them in. They are used to drinking gin and smoking and their everyday language would make Satan shrivel. They have been used by men ever since they can remember, sometimes by their own fathers and brothers, so they think nothing of virtue or virginity. In some cases, their own mothers have sold their maidenheads to the highest bidder to make ends meet.....A fair number learn to be thankful, I'll grant you. But some regard us as pious busy bodies and cannot wait to return to their life on the streets. They relish the flattery they are given by licentious men, and the money. They enjoy the orgies, and the drink. They have never been used to discipline or decorum, and they cannot understand that they are not only destroying themselves here on earth but abnegating any chance they might have had of going to heaven. '
THE BLURB: London, 1758. Beatrice Scarlet has returned to London and found work at St. Mary Magdalene's Refuse for fallen women. Beatrice enjoys the work and her apothecary skills are much needed. The home cooperates with a network of wealthy factory owners across London, finding their charges steady work and hopes of rehabilitation. But when 12 girls sent to a factory in Clerkenwell disappear, Beatrice is uneasy. Their would-be benefactor claims they were witches, sacrificed by Satan for his demonic misdeeds. But Beatrice is sure something much darker than witchcraft is at play.
MY THOUGHTS: I have to admit that I almost dnf'd this a couple of times in the earlier part of the book. I really only kept reading because I wanted to know if Noah was ever going to be found. I got the answer to my question, but if you want to know you can read the book for yourself.
The Coven is definitely not my favourite Masterton book. It is the second book in a series of, so far, two. I had not read the first, but The Coven can stand on its own. There is enough background information given so that the relevant events of the first in the series are explained.
My first quibble is with the title, The Coven. If you read this book you will see the relevance, which I still feel is rather tenuous anyway. The Coven gives the impression that the book is about witchcraft. It isn't. Not even remotely. Which is not why I chose to read it anyway, but people with reading interests which lie in that field would be disappointed. This book could definitely have been better titled.
Masterton's writing does get, somewhat uncharacteristically, laborious in parts. Although just occasionally his quirky sense of humour shines through, and again,occasionally, there are passages of his trademark beautiful prose.
Overall, I am glad I read The Coven. I liked it more than not, but only just. But probably not enough to bother with reading any more of the series, although Beatrice's future does look rather more interesting. I will leave the jury out on that decision.
WARNING: The Coven contains graphic violence and sexual content.
Thank you to Head of Zeus via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of The Coven for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
THE BLURB: London, 1758. Beatrice Scarlet has returned to London and found work at St. Mary Magdalene's Refuse for fallen women. Beatrice enjoys the work and her apothecary skills are much needed. The home cooperates with a network of wealthy factory owners across London, finding their charges steady work and hopes of rehabilitation. But when 12 girls sent to a factory in Clerkenwell disappear, Beatrice is uneasy. Their would-be benefactor claims they were witches, sacrificed by Satan for his demonic misdeeds. But Beatrice is sure something much darker than witchcraft is at play.
MY THOUGHTS: I have to admit that I almost dnf'd this a couple of times in the earlier part of the book. I really only kept reading because I wanted to know if Noah was ever going to be found. I got the answer to my question, but if you want to know you can read the book for yourself.
The Coven is definitely not my favourite Masterton book. It is the second book in a series of, so far, two. I had not read the first, but The Coven can stand on its own. There is enough background information given so that the relevant events of the first in the series are explained.
My first quibble is with the title, The Coven. If you read this book you will see the relevance, which I still feel is rather tenuous anyway. The Coven gives the impression that the book is about witchcraft. It isn't. Not even remotely. Which is not why I chose to read it anyway, but people with reading interests which lie in that field would be disappointed. This book could definitely have been better titled.
Masterton's writing does get, somewhat uncharacteristically, laborious in parts. Although just occasionally his quirky sense of humour shines through, and again,occasionally, there are passages of his trademark beautiful prose.
Overall, I am glad I read The Coven. I liked it more than not, but only just. But probably not enough to bother with reading any more of the series, although Beatrice's future does look rather more interesting. I will leave the jury out on that decision.
WARNING: The Coven contains graphic violence and sexual content.
Thank you to Head of Zeus via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of The Coven for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
October 3, 2022
Nie serce i wiara silniej mówią do niej, a mędrca szkiełko i oko… Poznajcie niezwykłą serię thrillerów historycznych z elementami grozy o niejakiej Beatrice Scarlet, XVIII-wiecznej alchemiczce i aptekarce, która zmierzy się ze zbrodnią i z zabobonem.
Nasza bohaterka stawia czoła temu, co niewyjaśnione, co dziwne i nienaturalne. W „Szkarłatnej wdowie” niepokojące wydarzenia niszczą spokój niewielkiej osady. Przybywa tam ktoś, kto zna wszystkie odpowiedzi, kto wmawia mieszkańcom szatańskie sztuczki i czarowne spojrzenia. W jednej chwili zaczyna się wytykanie palcami, padają oskarżenia, ludzie z przyjaznych stają się podejrzliwi. Tak i w „Sabacie czarownic”, dla niektórych zniknięcie dziewcząt z londyńskiego przytułku może oznaczać tylko jedno – oddały się w łaski samego diabła, przepadły ich ciała i dusze. Kiedy sztuczki i triki odwracają wzrok gawiedzi, tak w oparach ogólnej histerii rodzi się najgorszy wymiar zła. I Beatrice Scarlet potrafi je dostrzec.
Masterton umiejętnie balansuje tu między tym, co zwyczajne a tym, co potworne, okrutne, bezlitosne. Tak w „Szkarłatnej wdowie”, jak i w „Sabacie czarownic” znajdziemy sceny zatrważające, obrzydliwe i makabryczne. To w tym scenach thriller płynnie przenika groza, horror, to tutaj wybrzmiewa kunszt Grahama Mastertona i jego mistrzostwo operowania gatunkiem.
I nic tylko się cieszyć, że „Szkarłatna wdowa” i „Sabat czarownic” to dopiero początek opowieści o Beatrice Scarlet – autor zapowiada kolejne tomy, a biorąc pod uwagę ogrom mastertonowej wyobraźni, można oczekiwać, że najpotworniejsze wciąż jeszcze przed naszą bohaterką i nami czytelnikami. Nie mogę się doczekać!
Nasza bohaterka stawia czoła temu, co niewyjaśnione, co dziwne i nienaturalne. W „Szkarłatnej wdowie” niepokojące wydarzenia niszczą spokój niewielkiej osady. Przybywa tam ktoś, kto zna wszystkie odpowiedzi, kto wmawia mieszkańcom szatańskie sztuczki i czarowne spojrzenia. W jednej chwili zaczyna się wytykanie palcami, padają oskarżenia, ludzie z przyjaznych stają się podejrzliwi. Tak i w „Sabacie czarownic”, dla niektórych zniknięcie dziewcząt z londyńskiego przytułku może oznaczać tylko jedno – oddały się w łaski samego diabła, przepadły ich ciała i dusze. Kiedy sztuczki i triki odwracają wzrok gawiedzi, tak w oparach ogólnej histerii rodzi się najgorszy wymiar zła. I Beatrice Scarlet potrafi je dostrzec.
Masterton umiejętnie balansuje tu między tym, co zwyczajne a tym, co potworne, okrutne, bezlitosne. Tak w „Szkarłatnej wdowie”, jak i w „Sabacie czarownic” znajdziemy sceny zatrważające, obrzydliwe i makabryczne. To w tym scenach thriller płynnie przenika groza, horror, to tutaj wybrzmiewa kunszt Grahama Mastertona i jego mistrzostwo operowania gatunkiem.
I nic tylko się cieszyć, że „Szkarłatna wdowa” i „Sabat czarownic” to dopiero początek opowieści o Beatrice Scarlet – autor zapowiada kolejne tomy, a biorąc pod uwagę ogrom mastertonowej wyobraźni, można oczekiwać, że najpotworniejsze wciąż jeszcze przed naszą bohaterką i nami czytelnikami. Nie mogę się doczekać!
October 5, 2017
The Coven by Graham Masterton is the second in the Beatrice Scarlett series. I enjoyed reading this novel and would have scored it higher had it not had so many rape scenes. However, as with the first, the book contains great characters, description and use of words. When Widow Scarlet is offered a new start in London following the death of her husband 2 years earlier, she jumps at the chance, although reluctant due to her son recently going missing. Captivating, but less rape next time please. 3 stars
May 20, 2021
Despite going into this with the hope of a great read all I got was a slow burning fizzle....not happy about that
December 29, 2017
I listened to the audiobook version of this book and I was very impressed.
The narration was absolutely superb and the storyline had me listening to the end.
This is the first time I have listened to anything by this author and it will not be the last.
Recommended.
The narration was absolutely superb and the storyline had me listening to the end.
This is the first time I have listened to anything by this author and it will not be the last.
Recommended.
May 12, 2018
The Coven, book #2 in the Beatrice Scarlet series by Graham Masterton sees our herione return to England after the events in the New World that resulted in her rape and death of her husband. Her first born child is captured by a tribe of Indians and kidnapped and now Beatrice must return to England with her youngest child (who may or may not have resulted from her rape) without a husband or a son.
"...I know you're frightened, Beatrice,' she said. 'And I also understand how much you're grieving, not only for Noah, but for Francis, too. Grief is a kind of illness form which we never completely recover..."
It is London, 1758 and Beatrice Scarlet returns to London. The city she fled from. The city that claimed the life of her father. But her time in the New World ended in tragedy in grief. A dead husband and a lost son. She accepts a position at St. Mary Magdalene's Refuge for fallen women. Here she develops a bond with the young girls who try to reclaim their lives.
The refuge is supported by a wealthy tobacco merchant who offers the girls steady work in his factory so that they no longer have to work on the streets and back alleys of London as prostitutes. But when seven of her charges go missing after accepting work in his factory, Beatrice grows weary.
"...When you came here on Saturday I told you only half the truth, The girls had indeed been stricken by a fever. But it was not a common contagion. It was fever that they had conjured up themselves.'
'I don't understand what you mean.'
'On their very first night here in Hackney, at the very stroke of midnight, they started chanting and wailing and uttering the most extraordinary screams. When our housekeeper Margaret Lidiard went to their dormitory to investigate, she found all the girls naked and dancing around their beds. Not only that, they had daubed a huge symbol on the wall, a pentagram, in what appears to be blood..."
The missing girls are written off by everyone as a Coven of witches, but Beatrice fears something more human and more sinister is happening to the girls. But as she investigates the disappearance she realizes that she is putting herself and her daughter in danger and that there may be no one she can trust.
Graham Masterton is a terrific writer and the Beatrice Scarlet series got off to a terrific start with Scarlet Widow. He is also the author of the gritty and violent Irish police thrillers that feature Katie Maguire. So it is with some amazement that I find, once again, in this series as well as the Katie Maguire series, violent rape scenes. Not only rape but murder during rape. Seriously, I have yet to read a Masterton book that does not feature violence toward women of the most brutal kind.
Masterton is a very good writer. In fact too good of a writer to need to resort to shock to sell his books. There is a really good story here and yes it does revolve around the use of women (actually very young girls) as prostitutes and in some very real cases human trafficking. But this is only book two in the Beatrice Scarlet and she has been raped in each book?
I will continue to read Masterton but if this is a trend and staple in his novels I will be turned off. Good storytelling only makes up for so much and I have never been a fan of snuff films.
"...I know you're frightened, Beatrice,' she said. 'And I also understand how much you're grieving, not only for Noah, but for Francis, too. Grief is a kind of illness form which we never completely recover..."
It is London, 1758 and Beatrice Scarlet returns to London. The city she fled from. The city that claimed the life of her father. But her time in the New World ended in tragedy in grief. A dead husband and a lost son. She accepts a position at St. Mary Magdalene's Refuge for fallen women. Here she develops a bond with the young girls who try to reclaim their lives.
The refuge is supported by a wealthy tobacco merchant who offers the girls steady work in his factory so that they no longer have to work on the streets and back alleys of London as prostitutes. But when seven of her charges go missing after accepting work in his factory, Beatrice grows weary.
"...When you came here on Saturday I told you only half the truth, The girls had indeed been stricken by a fever. But it was not a common contagion. It was fever that they had conjured up themselves.'
'I don't understand what you mean.'
'On their very first night here in Hackney, at the very stroke of midnight, they started chanting and wailing and uttering the most extraordinary screams. When our housekeeper Margaret Lidiard went to their dormitory to investigate, she found all the girls naked and dancing around their beds. Not only that, they had daubed a huge symbol on the wall, a pentagram, in what appears to be blood..."
The missing girls are written off by everyone as a Coven of witches, but Beatrice fears something more human and more sinister is happening to the girls. But as she investigates the disappearance she realizes that she is putting herself and her daughter in danger and that there may be no one she can trust.
Graham Masterton is a terrific writer and the Beatrice Scarlet series got off to a terrific start with Scarlet Widow. He is also the author of the gritty and violent Irish police thrillers that feature Katie Maguire. So it is with some amazement that I find, once again, in this series as well as the Katie Maguire series, violent rape scenes. Not only rape but murder during rape. Seriously, I have yet to read a Masterton book that does not feature violence toward women of the most brutal kind.
Masterton is a very good writer. In fact too good of a writer to need to resort to shock to sell his books. There is a really good story here and yes it does revolve around the use of women (actually very young girls) as prostitutes and in some very real cases human trafficking. But this is only book two in the Beatrice Scarlet and she has been raped in each book?
I will continue to read Masterton but if this is a trend and staple in his novels I will be turned off. Good storytelling only makes up for so much and I have never been a fan of snuff films.
December 17, 2021
A huge drop in quality from the first volume. While there is still the "superstition vs science" angle, it's barely there. The previous book had you saying "I know it's not really demons doing these crimes, but how are they being pulled off?", while this one has you immediately saying "oh yeah, that guy is doing these things and he's barely hiding how or why". The title makes you think that witches are going to play a big part in this, but it's an angle that is barely explored. It's little more than "those missing girls? They ran off to be witches" and then not really brought up much after that (because the mystery is so stupid that even the detective instantly knows that's bullshit). In fact, the mystery is so dumb that the book drags on looooong after it's solved.
Also, I don't know if Masterton maybe didn't intend to write a second one of these, but he drops a huge retcon at the beginning of the book in order to get our heroine where she needs to be in order to get embroiled in the mystery. He has people acting in ways that, judging from the last book, they never would as well as lots of barely explained nonsense taking place. And, speaking of people acting strange, there is a weird side-plot about the main character being upset at how much she lies that doesn't really tie in to anything. It's like Masterton had the skeleton of a plot and had to cram nonsense in here to pad it out.
Finally, Masterton is starting to weird me out with all of the brutal (and I mean BRUTAL), out-of-nowhere graphic rape scenes that he throws into these books. Between the one in the first book and the two (and at least two more attempted) in this one, I'm starting to think that Masterton is typing these books out one-handed and needs some serious therapy. The main character gets raped so much between these two books that it's almost like Masterton has some strange inside joke going on that only he's aware of.
Also, I don't know if Masterton maybe didn't intend to write a second one of these, but he drops a huge retcon at the beginning of the book in order to get our heroine where she needs to be in order to get embroiled in the mystery. He has people acting in ways that, judging from the last book, they never would as well as lots of barely explained nonsense taking place. And, speaking of people acting strange, there is a weird side-plot about the main character being upset at how much she lies that doesn't really tie in to anything. It's like Masterton had the skeleton of a plot and had to cram nonsense in here to pad it out.
Finally, Masterton is starting to weird me out with all of the brutal (and I mean BRUTAL), out-of-nowhere graphic rape scenes that he throws into these books. Between the one in the first book and the two (and at least two more attempted) in this one, I'm starting to think that Masterton is typing these books out one-handed and needs some serious therapy. The main character gets raped so much between these two books that it's almost like Masterton has some strange inside joke going on that only he's aware of.
May 29, 2018
Time taken to read - 2 days
Pages - 368
Publisher - Head of Zeus
Source - The Works
Blurb from Goodreads
They say the girls were witches. But Beatrice Scarlet, the apothecary's daughter, is sure they were innocent victims...
London, 1758:
Beatrice Scarlet, the apothecary's daughter, has found a position at St Mary Magdalene's Refuge for fallen women. She enjoys the work and soon forms a close bond with her charges.
The refuge is supported by a wealthy tobacco merchant, who regularly offers the girls steady work to aid their rehabilitation. But when seven girls sent to his factory disappear, Beatrice is uneasy.
Their would-be benefactor claims they were a coven of witches, beholden only to Satan and his demonic misdeeds. But Beatrice is convinced something much darker than witchcraft is at play...
My Review
This is book two with the character Beatrice Scarlet, I hadn't read book one and don't feel I have missed out on anything by not having read it. Beatrice and her little girl have to move to St Mary Magdalene's Refuge for fallen women where she is promised a job and lodgings. Beatrice is drawn to helping the girls from their previous lives and has faith they can turn it around. A wealthy gentleman who supports the refuge takes the girls to work in his factory. When his latest batch flee after apparently conjuring up Satan and devil worshipping Beatrice feels something is horribly wrong and it isn't the devil!
Ooft this is not a book for the faint hearted, there is murder, sexual deviancy, sexual abuse, prostitution, faith, lies, love, relationships, family and that isn't covering it all! Beatrice is a fantastic character, remember this is set in the 1700s and here we have a very vocal woman, educated, loyal, intelligent and fearless. It is fantastic to have any book with a strong female character, Beatrice has already lost so much and now she is putting her life on the line for these fallen girls.
The healing part is really interesting too , she is an apothecary's daughter and finds more folk coming to her for remedies than the doctors. I loved her knowledge and the alternative healing options, I need to google to see how popular that kind of thing really was back then, I think it is really interesting. Some of the scenes are very graphic, sexual and disturbing so be warned if you are going to pick the book up, there is reference to animal cruelty also. If you can get past this or don't mind some very dark passages I think you will fully engage with this tale. Graphic, stomach turning, fierce, dark and a fantastic female character it has to be 4/5 for me this time. I do have another one or two of Masterton's books on my TBRM I do need to bump them up!
Pages - 368
Publisher - Head of Zeus
Source - The Works
Blurb from Goodreads
They say the girls were witches. But Beatrice Scarlet, the apothecary's daughter, is sure they were innocent victims...
London, 1758:
Beatrice Scarlet, the apothecary's daughter, has found a position at St Mary Magdalene's Refuge for fallen women. She enjoys the work and soon forms a close bond with her charges.
The refuge is supported by a wealthy tobacco merchant, who regularly offers the girls steady work to aid their rehabilitation. But when seven girls sent to his factory disappear, Beatrice is uneasy.
Their would-be benefactor claims they were a coven of witches, beholden only to Satan and his demonic misdeeds. But Beatrice is convinced something much darker than witchcraft is at play...
My Review
This is book two with the character Beatrice Scarlet, I hadn't read book one and don't feel I have missed out on anything by not having read it. Beatrice and her little girl have to move to St Mary Magdalene's Refuge for fallen women where she is promised a job and lodgings. Beatrice is drawn to helping the girls from their previous lives and has faith they can turn it around. A wealthy gentleman who supports the refuge takes the girls to work in his factory. When his latest batch flee after apparently conjuring up Satan and devil worshipping Beatrice feels something is horribly wrong and it isn't the devil!
Ooft this is not a book for the faint hearted, there is murder, sexual deviancy, sexual abuse, prostitution, faith, lies, love, relationships, family and that isn't covering it all! Beatrice is a fantastic character, remember this is set in the 1700s and here we have a very vocal woman, educated, loyal, intelligent and fearless. It is fantastic to have any book with a strong female character, Beatrice has already lost so much and now she is putting her life on the line for these fallen girls.
The healing part is really interesting too , she is an apothecary's daughter and finds more folk coming to her for remedies than the doctors. I loved her knowledge and the alternative healing options, I need to google to see how popular that kind of thing really was back then, I think it is really interesting. Some of the scenes are very graphic, sexual and disturbing so be warned if you are going to pick the book up, there is reference to animal cruelty also. If you can get past this or don't mind some very dark passages I think you will fully engage with this tale. Graphic, stomach turning, fierce, dark and a fantastic female character it has to be 4/5 for me this time. I do have another one or two of Masterton's books on my TBRM I do need to bump them up!
November 14, 2017
Apothecary Beatrice Scarlet moves to London with her young daughter Florence after her son Noah is stolen by Native Americans. She begins work in a refuge for fallen women whose main benefactor takes on the girls in his factory. Supposedly. The more Beatrice learns, the more she worries something bad is happening to the girls. This got pretty horrific in parts, especially some of the descriptions. I like Beatrice though and I liked how Masterton ended this story setting our heroine up for her next adventure.
October 23, 2022
Kiedy zobaczyłam, że Graham Masterton napisał drugą część "Szkarłatnej wdowy", aż zatarłam ręce z niecierpliwości 😊
❓ Ale czy faktycznie było AŻ tak niesamowicie? Dowiesz się poniżej ⤵️
Spakowałam rzeczy, zawołałam Florence i złapałam ją za rączkę. Już niedługo będziemy w Londynie, mieście, w którym mieszkałam w czasie mojego dzieciństwa. Spojrzałam jeszcze na dom, który opuszczałam - wiele dla mnie znaczył. Mimo wszystko pora była się rozstać. Zacząć nowe życie wśród kobiet w przytułku, którymi miałam się odtąd opiekować. Jeszcze nie wiedziałam, że choć początek będzie obiecujący, wkrótce dziewczyny zaczną znikać w tajemniczych okolicznościach... I zostaną uznane za wiedźmy...
🧹 Książka miała w sobie coś mrocznego, czułam bowiem ciarki na plecach ale jednocześnie wciągała mnie coraz bardziej i bardziej.
🧹 Muszę zaznaczyć, że są tu sceny "mocniejsze", które zdecydowanie nie są dla każdego. Jednak nie jest ich aż tak dużo.
🧹 Przez historię się płynie - nasza główna bohaterka, Beatrice. jest postacią, którą po prostu się uwielbia i chętnie towarzyszyłam w jej historii 😊
🧹 Całego klimatu dodaje pewien mrok, który gdzieś tam, cały czas jest i obserwuje każdy ruch.
🧹 Zakończenie? Pozostawiło mi pewien niedosyt, dlatego mam nadzieję, że seria o Beatrice będzie kontynuowana, bo chętnie poznam jej dalsze losy!
Podsumowując tę bardzo krótką recenzję - książka była naprawdę intrygująca, momentami miała w sobie chwile przerażające i wręcz odrażające. Jeśli jednak lubisz się trochę "pobać" to zdecydowanie będzie dobra pozycja dla Ciebie.
❓ Ale czy faktycznie było AŻ tak niesamowicie? Dowiesz się poniżej ⤵️
Spakowałam rzeczy, zawołałam Florence i złapałam ją za rączkę. Już niedługo będziemy w Londynie, mieście, w którym mieszkałam w czasie mojego dzieciństwa. Spojrzałam jeszcze na dom, który opuszczałam - wiele dla mnie znaczył. Mimo wszystko pora była się rozstać. Zacząć nowe życie wśród kobiet w przytułku, którymi miałam się odtąd opiekować. Jeszcze nie wiedziałam, że choć początek będzie obiecujący, wkrótce dziewczyny zaczną znikać w tajemniczych okolicznościach... I zostaną uznane za wiedźmy...
🧹 Książka miała w sobie coś mrocznego, czułam bowiem ciarki na plecach ale jednocześnie wciągała mnie coraz bardziej i bardziej.
🧹 Muszę zaznaczyć, że są tu sceny "mocniejsze", które zdecydowanie nie są dla każdego. Jednak nie jest ich aż tak dużo.
🧹 Przez historię się płynie - nasza główna bohaterka, Beatrice. jest postacią, którą po prostu się uwielbia i chętnie towarzyszyłam w jej historii 😊
🧹 Całego klimatu dodaje pewien mrok, który gdzieś tam, cały czas jest i obserwuje każdy ruch.
🧹 Zakończenie? Pozostawiło mi pewien niedosyt, dlatego mam nadzieję, że seria o Beatrice będzie kontynuowana, bo chętnie poznam jej dalsze losy!
Podsumowując tę bardzo krótką recenzję - książka była naprawdę intrygująca, momentami miała w sobie chwile przerażające i wręcz odrażające. Jeśli jednak lubisz się trochę "pobać" to zdecydowanie będzie dobra pozycja dla Ciebie.
October 4, 2022
„Sabat czarownic” czyli kontynuacja „Szkarłatnej wdowy”. Jest to bezpośrednia kontynuacja pierwszej części, jeżeli chodzi o losy Wdowy Scarlet, jednakże zagadka detektywistyczna w osiemnastym wieku jest zupełnie nowa. Miejsce wydarzeń też jest nowe, bo kobieta po wielu nieszczęściach jakie ją spotkały dostaje propozycje pracy oraz dach nad głową w Anglii. Scarlet ponownie znajdzie się w centrum dziwnych wydarzeń i za pomocą swoich alchemicznych oraz aptekarskich umiejętności będzie chciała odnaleźć prawdę.
Giną dziewczęta w fabryce tytoniu. Dziewczęta z przytułku, które dostały tam prace od bogatego kupca oraz handlarza wspierającego finansowo przytułek. Mówią, że były wiedźmami. Wiedźmami, które odprawiły rytuał i umarły. Jednak Scarlet w to nie wierzy. Podejrzewa drugie dno całej sprawy i na kartach tej powieści będzie próbowała dowieść swojej prawdy.
Pierwszym tomem byłam zachwycona dlatego do lektury kontynuacji zasiadłam praktycznie od razu. I cóż… Ciężko mi się określić względem „Sabatu czarownic”. Z jednej strony nie mogę jej odmówić genialnego klimatu, który zachwycił mnie już przy pierwszym spotkaniu. Tutaj też ten klimat jest. Cała otoczka tajemniczego morderstwa jest po prostu świetna.
Jak przy „Szkarłatnej wdowie” w ogóle nie potrafiłam połączyć wątków i rozkminić wcześniej zagadkowych śmierci, tak tutaj już w momencie zaginięcia dziewczyn rozszyfrowałam dalsze wydarzenia. Fakt autor mnie trochę zaskoczył. Cała sprawa okazała brutalniejsza niż się tego spodziewałam, ale kurczę… Domyśliłam się jak to się potoczy. I z jednej strony rozwiązywanie zagadkowych śmierci przez Scarlet było szalenie ciekawe i skomplikowane, a z drugiej sama zagadka taka nie była. Autor powtórzył wiele schematów z poprzedniego tomu, które tutaj już nie wywołały na mnie takiego efektu WOW.
I sama nie do końca wiem jak ją podsumować. Bo z jednej strony jest to dobra lektura, z genialnym klimatem i świetnym pomysłem, a z drugiej poczułam lekki zawód i rozczarowanie tak mocną schematycznością względem poprzedniego tomu. Może postawiłam autorowi trochę za wysoko poprzeczkę? 🤔
Ale tak czy siak - uważam, że są to książki (pierwszy jak i drugi tom) warte uwagi.
Giną dziewczęta w fabryce tytoniu. Dziewczęta z przytułku, które dostały tam prace od bogatego kupca oraz handlarza wspierającego finansowo przytułek. Mówią, że były wiedźmami. Wiedźmami, które odprawiły rytuał i umarły. Jednak Scarlet w to nie wierzy. Podejrzewa drugie dno całej sprawy i na kartach tej powieści będzie próbowała dowieść swojej prawdy.
Pierwszym tomem byłam zachwycona dlatego do lektury kontynuacji zasiadłam praktycznie od razu. I cóż… Ciężko mi się określić względem „Sabatu czarownic”. Z jednej strony nie mogę jej odmówić genialnego klimatu, który zachwycił mnie już przy pierwszym spotkaniu. Tutaj też ten klimat jest. Cała otoczka tajemniczego morderstwa jest po prostu świetna.
Jak przy „Szkarłatnej wdowie” w ogóle nie potrafiłam połączyć wątków i rozkminić wcześniej zagadkowych śmierci, tak tutaj już w momencie zaginięcia dziewczyn rozszyfrowałam dalsze wydarzenia. Fakt autor mnie trochę zaskoczył. Cała sprawa okazała brutalniejsza niż się tego spodziewałam, ale kurczę… Domyśliłam się jak to się potoczy. I z jednej strony rozwiązywanie zagadkowych śmierci przez Scarlet było szalenie ciekawe i skomplikowane, a z drugiej sama zagadka taka nie była. Autor powtórzył wiele schematów z poprzedniego tomu, które tutaj już nie wywołały na mnie takiego efektu WOW.
I sama nie do końca wiem jak ją podsumować. Bo z jednej strony jest to dobra lektura, z genialnym klimatem i świetnym pomysłem, a z drugiej poczułam lekki zawód i rozczarowanie tak mocną schematycznością względem poprzedniego tomu. Może postawiłam autorowi trochę za wysoko poprzeczkę? 🤔
Ale tak czy siak - uważam, że są to książki (pierwszy jak i drugi tom) warte uwagi.
November 23, 2019
I found this so difficult to read, to be fair to the book I had no idea this was the second in a series so that may have been a major factor but by reading other reviews I’m not so sure. I was also so surprised to find this book is by a prolific and reliable author, to me it appeared to be by a first time writer.
The writing in this book is cold and flat, devoid of any emotion or passion from the author. There are so many instances of pointless words and unnecessary descriptions that I started skimming by the third chapter.
Characters actions and motivations seem so strange and unrealistic, some conversations were unbearable at times and often the language was completely out of place for the era. There is such a thing as an economy of words, plus the misuse of the exclamation mark ran into double digits! some characters were yelling every sentence they said!
I just found the writing jarring, childish, it had no flow, while the story and subject matter could have been really engaging the writing took away any opportunity to really get to know these characters and care about their plight.
Also a word of caution, this is not a book for the squeamish, while 98% of the book is tame and unremarkable there are two scenes that are so graphic and unnecessarily so. They seem to come from nowhere and in no way add to the story, the information could have easily been supplied in another more fitting way, which is another example of the writers laziness and lack of care.
This book needs a serious edit to research the era more closely, create an atmosphere, while losing at least 100 pages.
The writing in this book is cold and flat, devoid of any emotion or passion from the author. There are so many instances of pointless words and unnecessary descriptions that I started skimming by the third chapter.
Characters actions and motivations seem so strange and unrealistic, some conversations were unbearable at times and often the language was completely out of place for the era. There is such a thing as an economy of words, plus the misuse of the exclamation mark ran into double digits! some characters were yelling every sentence they said!
I just found the writing jarring, childish, it had no flow, while the story and subject matter could have been really engaging the writing took away any opportunity to really get to know these characters and care about their plight.
Also a word of caution, this is not a book for the squeamish, while 98% of the book is tame and unremarkable there are two scenes that are so graphic and unnecessarily so. They seem to come from nowhere and in no way add to the story, the information could have easily been supplied in another more fitting way, which is another example of the writers laziness and lack of care.
This book needs a serious edit to research the era more closely, create an atmosphere, while losing at least 100 pages.
April 25, 2019
Hmmmmm🤔
This is difficult.
Loved the story and I really like the main character, Beatrice, but there is an awful lot of sexual assault on this book that just felt unjustified.
I also have the same problem with this book as I did the first - the writing is quite simplistic at times and the narrative jumps with little linkage. For instance, whilst in America Beatrice's son, Noah, goes missing, she's sad and then she and her daughter are in England.
Despite the quibbles this is a good story with interesting characters though the execution is less than perfect at times. It would have been a better and more comfortable read if it had been a bit less rapey.
3.95 🌟for story & characters
1.🌟 for all the other stuff
Average of 2.5🌟 but rounded up to 3🌟 for the parts of the book that I did like.
This is difficult.
Loved the story and I really like the main character, Beatrice, but there is an awful lot of sexual assault on this book that just felt unjustified.
I also have the same problem with this book as I did the first - the writing is quite simplistic at times and the narrative jumps with little linkage. For instance, whilst in America Beatrice's son, Noah, goes missing, she's sad and then she and her daughter are in England.
Despite the quibbles this is a good story with interesting characters though the execution is less than perfect at times. It would have been a better and more comfortable read if it had been a bit less rapey.
3.95 🌟for story & characters
1.🌟 for all the other stuff
Average of 2.5🌟 but rounded up to 3🌟 for the parts of the book that I did like.
October 1, 2017
I have read quite a few Graham Masterton books in my time, mostly the horror titles and a few of his detective series set in Ireland. This was the first time I have read any historicals by this author and I was glad I took a chance on it.
This is the second Beatrice Scarlet book, but even if you haven't read the first one, this one is easy to follow and things that happened in the past were referenced in the back story so you don't get too lost.
Beatrice has to return to London after the death of her husband, a parson who had died in New Hampshire and the church there wanted their house for the new parson and his wife, so Beatrice and he daughter are left homeless. Her young son, Noah has disappeared too, suspected to have been abducted by Indians Beatrice.
Alone and grief-stricken agrees to help out in a London refuge for fallen women. Beatrice is expected to help the former prostitutes reform of their previous life by helping to teach them to read, to sew, to cook and anything else Mrs Smollett asks of her. As daughter to an apothecary, Beatrice too knows a lot of medicines and treatments and soon all the girls in the house are much healthier and happier because of her.
But when girls from the refuge get taken on for work at a local tobacco factory, run by Mr. George Hazzard, one of the main benefactors of the home, the girls keep disappearing.
Accusations of witchcraft abound, that the girls have conjured up the devil and he helped them escape. Escape from what though? Beatrice is convinced that it is something more man-made at play rather than witchcraft, but by voicing that opinion, it puts her and her daughter in danger too. There are more suspects than you can shake a stick at, but it does keep you guessing.
The writing took a little bit of getting into, to find the right rhythm, as it is quit old-fashioned and uses a lot of words that would have been used at the time, but we might not have heard of today. But I do love learning new words that I've never heard before.
The story itself and the pacing is good and I loved Beatrice. She reminded me a bit of a female Sherlock Holmes. It was rather unusual for a women then to be so learned as her, and other characters do reference this and think she is unusual. Quite a few of the supporting characters come across as very moral, judgemental and holier than thou, but that was probably how a lot of people thought in those days.
I don't know how accurate the history is in this book, but it seemed to suit the story and nothing jarred me as being incongruous with the time. The only jarring note is in relation to Beatrice's toddler daughter, Florence. She seemed very advanced for her age.
Despite the title, the book is not really about witchcraft or things of that ilk. But if you like historicals with a bit of mystery, then give it a go.
The plot grabs you and doesn't let go until the last page and I would certainly like to read more of Beatrice's adventures in crime-solving.
Review copy via Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher.
This is the second Beatrice Scarlet book, but even if you haven't read the first one, this one is easy to follow and things that happened in the past were referenced in the back story so you don't get too lost.
Beatrice has to return to London after the death of her husband, a parson who had died in New Hampshire and the church there wanted their house for the new parson and his wife, so Beatrice and he daughter are left homeless. Her young son, Noah has disappeared too, suspected to have been abducted by Indians Beatrice.
Alone and grief-stricken agrees to help out in a London refuge for fallen women. Beatrice is expected to help the former prostitutes reform of their previous life by helping to teach them to read, to sew, to cook and anything else Mrs Smollett asks of her. As daughter to an apothecary, Beatrice too knows a lot of medicines and treatments and soon all the girls in the house are much healthier and happier because of her.
But when girls from the refuge get taken on for work at a local tobacco factory, run by Mr. George Hazzard, one of the main benefactors of the home, the girls keep disappearing.
Accusations of witchcraft abound, that the girls have conjured up the devil and he helped them escape. Escape from what though? Beatrice is convinced that it is something more man-made at play rather than witchcraft, but by voicing that opinion, it puts her and her daughter in danger too. There are more suspects than you can shake a stick at, but it does keep you guessing.
The writing took a little bit of getting into, to find the right rhythm, as it is quit old-fashioned and uses a lot of words that would have been used at the time, but we might not have heard of today. But I do love learning new words that I've never heard before.
The story itself and the pacing is good and I loved Beatrice. She reminded me a bit of a female Sherlock Holmes. It was rather unusual for a women then to be so learned as her, and other characters do reference this and think she is unusual. Quite a few of the supporting characters come across as very moral, judgemental and holier than thou, but that was probably how a lot of people thought in those days.
I don't know how accurate the history is in this book, but it seemed to suit the story and nothing jarred me as being incongruous with the time. The only jarring note is in relation to Beatrice's toddler daughter, Florence. She seemed very advanced for her age.
Despite the title, the book is not really about witchcraft or things of that ilk. But if you like historicals with a bit of mystery, then give it a go.
The plot grabs you and doesn't let go until the last page and I would certainly like to read more of Beatrice's adventures in crime-solving.
Review copy via Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher.
September 20, 2017
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book follows on from the first one nicely, and is well written. Some of the scenes are quite graphic and work well in the context of the book. The pace is good, although a little slow / detailed at a couple of points.
I think reading the first book first is very beneficial as it does help set the scene, the period language, pace.
The church vs science angle is a debate that rages to this day.
I would definitely read any further in the series, should any be written. Very enjoyable.
This book follows on from the first one nicely, and is well written. Some of the scenes are quite graphic and work well in the context of the book. The pace is good, although a little slow / detailed at a couple of points.
I think reading the first book first is very beneficial as it does help set the scene, the period language, pace.
The church vs science angle is a debate that rages to this day.
I would definitely read any further in the series, should any be written. Very enjoyable.
December 29, 2020
The second in the Beatrice Scarlet series & another really good read from this master of horror. As well as being an apothecary, Beatrice is a sort of latter day amateur sleuth & using her intuition/detective skills/common sense she tries to get to the bottom of the disappearance of seven girls, a group that is accused of being a coven of devil worshipping witches. It's a mystery with hints of witchcraft & superstition & there's plenty of evil going ons but the vile deeds are man made rather than supernatural.
For me the story has echoes of the Katie Maguire series but sadly not in a positive way (huge Masterton fan I may be but I find Maguire intensely irritating!) Like Katie, Beatrice seems to "lose" potential partners & get into some rather nasty situations. Rape & sexual assault seems to have become a standard part of Masterton's books & while I acknowledge that this can be a vital part of a plot line, however objectional it may be, more or often than not I'm finding them both unnecessary & distasteful.
I'm looking forward to reading more about Beatrice - but have my fingers firmly crossed that she won't turn into an 18th century copy of KM.
4.5 stars from me (half a star off for the similarity to Katie)
For me the story has echoes of the Katie Maguire series but sadly not in a positive way (huge Masterton fan I may be but I find Maguire intensely irritating!) Like Katie, Beatrice seems to "lose" potential partners & get into some rather nasty situations. Rape & sexual assault seems to have become a standard part of Masterton's books & while I acknowledge that this can be a vital part of a plot line, however objectional it may be, more or often than not I'm finding them both unnecessary & distasteful.
I'm looking forward to reading more about Beatrice - but have my fingers firmly crossed that she won't turn into an 18th century copy of KM.
4.5 stars from me (half a star off for the similarity to Katie)
April 4, 2019
I probably should have read the opening book first. Tut.
I thoroughly enjoyed the period language and the superstitious nature of everyone; fascinated by people's belief in the devil popping up every now and then to teach individuals a lesson!
Some of the scenes were incredibly graphic but I didn't consider them gratuitous - they fit well within the story.
I enjoyed the writing style, and I found the lead character a joy to be with.
I thoroughly enjoyed the period language and the superstitious nature of everyone; fascinated by people's belief in the devil popping up every now and then to teach individuals a lesson!
Some of the scenes were incredibly graphic but I didn't consider them gratuitous - they fit well within the story.
I enjoyed the writing style, and I found the lead character a joy to be with.
February 16, 2018
The ending didn’t live up to the rest of the book in my opinion. Noah is conveniently found and brought home just as Beatrice has solved the mystery of the girls disappearances. I was entertained by the story, but definitely not a favorite book of mine.
October 6, 2022
Jak dla mnie dużo gorsza część, pierwsza miała w sobie jakąś zagadkę, fajny klimacik, tu dostajemy odpowiedzi praktycznie na tacy...
Nie jest to zła książka, ale nie porywa.
TW jeśli chodzi o napaści seksualne, dużo jest tu tego i są obrazowo opisane sceny.
Nie jest to zła książka, ale nie porywa.
TW jeśli chodzi o napaści seksualne, dużo jest tu tego i są obrazowo opisane sceny.
May 11, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this. I hop they'll be another book in the Beatrice Scarlet series. It's also 410 pages long.
April 26, 2022
3.5✪'s
March 26, 2025
4.5 gwiazdki bo połączenie thrillera i powieści historycznej z silną i oświeconą główną bohaterką to dla mnie książka idealna
November 20, 2017
Graham Masterton Has Done It Again! I Loved The First Instalment In The Beatrice Scarlet Saga & “The Coven” Didn’t Disappoint Either. Beatrice Is A Fantastic Character, With So Many Dimensions That I Just Love Finding Out Where Her Life Will Take Her. This Book Was Just As Dark As The First, If Not Darker & Definitely Wouldn’t Appeal To Everyone. There Were Times I Wanted To Put This Book Down At The Dark Points But There Was An Urge To Find Out How The Situations Would Be Handled. I Hope This Isn’t The Last Of Beatrice Scarlet
September 26, 2017
This book wasn't what I was expecting. From the title, cover and synopsis I was expecting witches and witchcraft however this just didn't happen and I found it rather misleading. It was a good story, quite graphic at times and I'm sure people will like it however I just didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my advance copy in return for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my advance copy in return for an honest review.
October 31, 2017
I have been a great fan of Graham Masterton for a long time.
His novels are dark and they really draw you in to the last page.
The character of Beatrice Scarlet is strong and determined.
Plus it is set in the dark times of the persecution and execution of women who were no more than amateur herbalists most of the time.
A great beginning to a fascinating series and I hope to read more.
Very highly recommended.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Head of Zeus via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
His novels are dark and they really draw you in to the last page.
The character of Beatrice Scarlet is strong and determined.
Plus it is set in the dark times of the persecution and execution of women who were no more than amateur herbalists most of the time.
A great beginning to a fascinating series and I hope to read more.
Very highly recommended.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Head of Zeus via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
December 31, 2017
This book was just as wonderful as the first book in this spectacular series. I hope that Graham Masterton continues writing more books in the amazing series. It is one of the best books that I have read for 2017. I was mesmerized by the story line and the character.
A Brilliant series and a very talented writer!
A Brilliant series and a very talented writer!
March 4, 2019
This is the second instalment in the Beatrice Scarlet series and I hope it isn’t the last. It is truly gripping and definitely not for the faint of heart. There were A LOT of rape scenes which were disturbing and hard to read but you cannot help but carry on just to find out what happens. Definitely one of my top 10 books
April 3, 2018
I loved this book as I loved the first one, this is centered back in London and the settings and the language, characters and level of detail is so great this book draws you in, grips you until you realise you are just a page away from the end. Definitely a good read.
April 13, 2021
Trigger warning: talk of rape in this book and actual rape scene.
Also beware character does black face.
Overall, wasn't impressed by this.
Also beware character does black face.
Overall, wasn't impressed by this.
February 2, 2024
Grahama Mastertona poznaję od kilku lat i zdaję sobie sprawę, że jeszcze wiele przede mną. Jedno jest pewne, za każdym razem jest inny. Nic nie jest sztampowe i wydaje się świeży. Ma coś, czym zaskoczy i tak dokładnie wygląda sprawa w przypadku cyklu o Beatrice Scarlet. W jego skład wchodzi na razie Szkarłatna wdowa i Sabat czarownic.
Beatrice wychowywała się w kochającej się rodzinie. Ojciec aptekarz, fascynat ziół i alchemii przekazał jej całą potrzebną wiedzę do naukowego postrzegania świata i nie poddawania się panującej modzie na zabobony. Kiedy umiera matka, a niedługo ojciec dziewczyny zostaje zamordowany, Beatrice trafia pod opiekę kuzynki. Mijają lata i zakochuje się w pastorze anglikańskim, Francisie. Wraz z nim opuszcza Londyn i trafia do Sutton w Ameryce. Kiedy dochodzi do tajemniczych zdarzeń i wszyscy zrzucają winę na działania diabła, szukają czarownic, to za każdym razem Beatrice korzystając z posiadanej wiedzy, dąży do wytłumaczenia tego w sposób racjonalny i nie ulega panice.
Graham Masterton zabiera się za horror rozgrywający się w scenerii XVIII wiecznego Londynu i Ameryki Północnej i wychodzi mu to wyśmienicie. Robi to całkowicie po swojemu i niezauważalnie przeplata powieść historyczną, kryminał i horror. Nie straszy, lecz intryguje snutą przez siebie opowieścią. Wykorzystuje galerię charakterystycznych postaci, które to zapadają w pamięć. Każda z nich zabiera głos, który współbrzmi w powszechnym osądem, a jedynie krytycznym okiem spogląda Beatrice. Nie ma co ukrywać, że nawet przez moment nie ma się wrażenia, że mamy do czynienia z diabłem, który za pomocą demonów i czarownic nęka społeczność. W Szkarłatnej wdowie przez śmierć zwierząt hodowlanych i choroby ludzi, na które potem giną, a w Sabacie czarownic poprzez zniknięcie bez śladu siedmiu upadłych kobiet. Za każdym razem u Grahamka pojawia się jegomość przy którym nasze zmysły wyostrzają się przez podejrzliwość Scarlet. Raz przybiera postać tajemniczego mężczyzny pojawiającego się znikąd i siejącego zamęt, wodzącego mieszkańców za nos i straszącego potworną wizją przyszłości, jaka to czeka każdego z nich, a jedynie on może ich uchronić przed katastrofą. Innym razem jawi się jako szanowany fabrykant i filantrop. Konstrukcja ta pozwala Mastertonowi na kolejne pole do popisu. Skrupulatnie oddaje panującą w XVIII wieku mentalność, pruderyjną obyczajowość, panikę przed diabłem i związane z nią polowanie na czarownice. Nie tak trudno było oskarżyć kobietę, zwłaszcza taką pozbawioną opieki o czary, szkodzenie bliźnim i bratanie się z szatanem. Co pewien czas przeplata się wzmianka o napadach Indian, którzy porywają dzieci. Wszystko to nadaje niepowtarzalny klimat.
Cykl o Beatrice Scarlet to całkowicie inny Graham Masterton, od tego jaki był w horrorach sensu stricto. Zarówno Szkarłatna wdowa jak i Sabat czarownic to groza z przymrużeniem oka. Leciutka i pozbawiona ciężkości czarnych kart z historii jaka chociaż była w Terrorze Dana Simmonsa, gdzie atakowani byliśmy nie tylko rozgrywanym dramatem, ale również działał na zmysły. Wymagał maksymalnego skupienia i miało się nieustannie przed oczami dramat i bezradność ludzi. U Mastertona wygląda to inaczej. Nie tylko mamy zupełnie inny rodzaj problemu z którym to borykają się bohaterowie, ale przede wszystkim obserwujemy ich w codziennym życiu na tle świata i rzeczywistości, w której to doskonale potrafią się poruszać. Zło ma charakter namacalny, widoczny na pierwszy rzut oka i od samego początku mamy świadomość, że ma ono człowieka, który zgrabnie ukrywa się pośród napotykanych ludzi. Kieruje się chęcią zysku kosztem innych, tych, co ulegną panice, albo nie mogą się bronić.
Szkarłatna wdowa i Sabat czarownic stanowi nie tylko idealną pozycję do rozpoczęcia przygody z Grahamem Mastertonem, ale także dla tych, którzy nie koniecznie lubią się bać. Z pewnością ci, co bardziej są z Brytyjczykiem za pan brat odnajdą to, w czym zdecydowanie on bryluje, między innymi klaustrofobiczny klimat małego miasteczka. Z drugiej strony o ile lubi, co pewien czas puścić do czytelnika oko, to w serii o Beatrice Scarlet jest bardzo konkretny i sztywno trzyma się z góry ustalonych ram. Z pewnością powieści te mogą wpisać się do moich ulubionych Grahamek i mam nadzieję, że Beatrice Scarlet jeszcze powróci.
Beatrice wychowywała się w kochającej się rodzinie. Ojciec aptekarz, fascynat ziół i alchemii przekazał jej całą potrzebną wiedzę do naukowego postrzegania świata i nie poddawania się panującej modzie na zabobony. Kiedy umiera matka, a niedługo ojciec dziewczyny zostaje zamordowany, Beatrice trafia pod opiekę kuzynki. Mijają lata i zakochuje się w pastorze anglikańskim, Francisie. Wraz z nim opuszcza Londyn i trafia do Sutton w Ameryce. Kiedy dochodzi do tajemniczych zdarzeń i wszyscy zrzucają winę na działania diabła, szukają czarownic, to za każdym razem Beatrice korzystając z posiadanej wiedzy, dąży do wytłumaczenia tego w sposób racjonalny i nie ulega panice.
Graham Masterton zabiera się za horror rozgrywający się w scenerii XVIII wiecznego Londynu i Ameryki Północnej i wychodzi mu to wyśmienicie. Robi to całkowicie po swojemu i niezauważalnie przeplata powieść historyczną, kryminał i horror. Nie straszy, lecz intryguje snutą przez siebie opowieścią. Wykorzystuje galerię charakterystycznych postaci, które to zapadają w pamięć. Każda z nich zabiera głos, który współbrzmi w powszechnym osądem, a jedynie krytycznym okiem spogląda Beatrice. Nie ma co ukrywać, że nawet przez moment nie ma się wrażenia, że mamy do czynienia z diabłem, który za pomocą demonów i czarownic nęka społeczność. W Szkarłatnej wdowie przez śmierć zwierząt hodowlanych i choroby ludzi, na które potem giną, a w Sabacie czarownic poprzez zniknięcie bez śladu siedmiu upadłych kobiet. Za każdym razem u Grahamka pojawia się jegomość przy którym nasze zmysły wyostrzają się przez podejrzliwość Scarlet. Raz przybiera postać tajemniczego mężczyzny pojawiającego się znikąd i siejącego zamęt, wodzącego mieszkańców za nos i straszącego potworną wizją przyszłości, jaka to czeka każdego z nich, a jedynie on może ich uchronić przed katastrofą. Innym razem jawi się jako szanowany fabrykant i filantrop. Konstrukcja ta pozwala Mastertonowi na kolejne pole do popisu. Skrupulatnie oddaje panującą w XVIII wieku mentalność, pruderyjną obyczajowość, panikę przed diabłem i związane z nią polowanie na czarownice. Nie tak trudno było oskarżyć kobietę, zwłaszcza taką pozbawioną opieki o czary, szkodzenie bliźnim i bratanie się z szatanem. Co pewien czas przeplata się wzmianka o napadach Indian, którzy porywają dzieci. Wszystko to nadaje niepowtarzalny klimat.
Cykl o Beatrice Scarlet to całkowicie inny Graham Masterton, od tego jaki był w horrorach sensu stricto. Zarówno Szkarłatna wdowa jak i Sabat czarownic to groza z przymrużeniem oka. Leciutka i pozbawiona ciężkości czarnych kart z historii jaka chociaż była w Terrorze Dana Simmonsa, gdzie atakowani byliśmy nie tylko rozgrywanym dramatem, ale również działał na zmysły. Wymagał maksymalnego skupienia i miało się nieustannie przed oczami dramat i bezradność ludzi. U Mastertona wygląda to inaczej. Nie tylko mamy zupełnie inny rodzaj problemu z którym to borykają się bohaterowie, ale przede wszystkim obserwujemy ich w codziennym życiu na tle świata i rzeczywistości, w której to doskonale potrafią się poruszać. Zło ma charakter namacalny, widoczny na pierwszy rzut oka i od samego początku mamy świadomość, że ma ono człowieka, który zgrabnie ukrywa się pośród napotykanych ludzi. Kieruje się chęcią zysku kosztem innych, tych, co ulegną panice, albo nie mogą się bronić.
Szkarłatna wdowa i Sabat czarownic stanowi nie tylko idealną pozycję do rozpoczęcia przygody z Grahamem Mastertonem, ale także dla tych, którzy nie koniecznie lubią się bać. Z pewnością ci, co bardziej są z Brytyjczykiem za pan brat odnajdą to, w czym zdecydowanie on bryluje, między innymi klaustrofobiczny klimat małego miasteczka. Z drugiej strony o ile lubi, co pewien czas puścić do czytelnika oko, to w serii o Beatrice Scarlet jest bardzo konkretny i sztywno trzyma się z góry ustalonych ram. Z pewnością powieści te mogą wpisać się do moich ulubionych Grahamek i mam nadzieję, że Beatrice Scarlet jeszcze powróci.
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