Edgar Allan Poe and the Jewel of Peru

A Poe and Dupin Mystery #2

by Karen Lee Street

Philadelphia, 1844.  

As violent tensions escalate between nativists and recent Irish immigrants, Edgar Allan Poe’s fears for the safety of his wife, Virginia, and mother-in-law, Muddy, are compounded when he receives a parcel of mummified bird parts. Has his nemesis returned to settle an old score? Just as odd is the arrival of Helena Loddiges, a young heiress who demands Poe’s help to discover why her lover died at the city’s docks on his return from an expedition to Peru. 

Poe is skeptical of her claims of having received messages from birds—and visitations from her lover’s ghost—but when Miss Loddiges is kidnapped, he and his friend C. Auguste Dupin must unravel a mystery involving old enemies, lost soul-mates, ornithomancy, and the legendary jewel of Peru.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Historical Mystery, 19th Century

368 pages, Hardcover

First published April 3, 2018

About the author

Karen Lee Street is a long time Londoner, now living in Australia. She spent her earliest years in an old Pennsylvania farmhouse with far too many things that went bump in the night, memories of which bring a touch of the Gothic to her writing.

Her critically acclaimed historical mysteries follow the adventures of Edgar Allan Poe and C. Auguste Dupin. In Edgar Allan Poe & the London Monster, set in London 1840, the sleuthing duo investigate a true 18th century crime and its aftermath. Edgar Allan Poe & the Jewel of Peru sees the duo reunite in Philadelphia, 1844 to unravel a mystery involving old enemies, lost soul-mates, ornithomancy, and the legendary jewel of Peru. Edgar Allan Poe and the Empire of the Dead takes place in Paris, 1849 and is a tale of alchemy, mesmerism and magic, the shadows of the past and the endurance of love. It will be published in October 2019.

Other books by Karen include Writing and Selling Crime Film Screenplays a 'how to' book based on her experience working in the feature film industry and Tattoos and Motorcycles, a collection of interconnected short stories set in small town America.

Represented by Oliver Munson, A.M. Heath Literary Agents (London).

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Lee Street channels Poe's writing style with panache in this piece of historical fiction, a horror mystery that is stitched with birds in a mutiplicity of forms, both macabre and wondrous. Set in Philadephia in 1844, the city is struggling to live up to its famous spirit of brotherly love with murder, violence and riots targeting recent immigrants, the Irish Catholics in particular, with Protestant nativists taking against them and their papist beliefs. Poe lives with his fragile wife, Virgina/Sissy, who is suffering from serious health issues, and his hardworking, helpful mother-in-law, Muddy. Out of the blue, Poe begins to receive a string of packages with contents that inspire horror and fear. He is convinced his old foe, George Rhynwick Williams, poses a clear and present danger. In a story that features Grip, Charles Dicken's Raven, ornithomancy, kidnapping, the stealing of valuable texts, ghosts, murder, a legendary Peruvian tribe, lost love, old enemies, greed, and a fabulous jewel, Poe endeavours to get to the bottom of a mystery with his friend, Chevalier C. Auguste Dupin, that brings a chilling menace and threats to his life and those close to him.

Poe receives a visit from an old friend, the eccentric Helena Loddiges from England, with her original form of dress, an accomplished taxidermist with an obsession for hummingbirds. She wants him to look into the deaths deemed accidental that she is convinced were anything but. Bird collectors, Andrew Mathews and his son, Jeremiah, were working for Helena's father prior to their deaths. Helena claims to have been visited by ghosts and receiving messages from birds that point to the Mathews being murdered. Poe is sceptical, but Helena is a friend so he begins to look into the bird collectors, and Andrew Mathews strange journal with the series of errors contained within it. He is helped by Father Keane from the St Augustine's Academy prior to his untimely demise. Encountering actress, Mrs Reynolds, married to George Rhynwick Williams writing inferior plays for her, the pair have shed their old names in the US, Poe is assured her husband's feud with him has come to an end. Joined by Dupin, Poe comes across a professor looking to fund a trip to Peru for treasures and more, whilst trying to get to the truth of what happened to the Mathews.

This is an eerie and creepy read at times, with the author using bird motifs throughout with great success as she creates a compelling historical mystery. She deploys rich descriptions to portray a Philelphia of that time, and her stylish prose mirrors that of Edgar Allan Poe's writings so well. I love the way Sissy, despite her ill health, insists on playing such a pivotal part to help her husband and her dear friend, Helena. Even Dupin is forced to acknowledge the importance of her role. My particular highlights are the skill with which Karen Lee Street integrates birds in such a diversity of ways in the narrative and the character of Helena. A wonderful read that harks backs to murder mysteries from a long gone past that I recommend highly! Many thanks to Oneworld Publications for an ARC.

[Magdalena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nowadays I listen to more books than I read. That's why I'm always thrilled when I can combine books I have (whether it be arcs or books I have bought). This gives me the opportunity to listen to books at work and then read when I get home. Like with this book that I've been looking forward to reading. First, I want to say that my knowledge of Edgar Allan Poe is very basic, I know some of what he has written and of course details of his life (and quite puzzling death). But, I was ignorant enough that it took me some googling to realize (or remember) that Dupin is his own creations. Adding those books to my want to read list btw.

As for this book. I was charmed. I know that Virginia (Sissy) was only 13 when she married Edgar Poe (27 at the time). And, that may seem, especially nowadays a bit off-putting. However, Sissy is a truly great character, and so is her mother and of course Edgar himself. Not to mention C. Auguste Dupin. I quite enjoy the mystery that Helena Loddiges brought to the family Poe's house. And, Helena is such a wonderfully eccentric character with her love for birds. I love historical mysteries and I especially love those with real people staring. Well, and of course as with books like this one, characters that are the creation of the real person that happens to have become a fictional character. LOL, yes that line felt a bit odd writing.

This is a great book and I can't wait to read/or listen to the first book in the series!

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!

[J. Griff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me longer than I had planned to finish, but I want to empathise that it had nothing to do with the pace of the book or quality of the story. I enjoyed this story more than I did its predecessor, the pace was quicker & things felt smoother in its telling. Street’s idea of having Poe & Dupin working together is a brilliant idea & love how Sissy Poe was so much more involved in the story. I also enjoyed the way Dupin & Sissy’s interactions we done. I thought I knew where the story was going, but was a very nice twist.

If you’re a Poe fan & enjoy a good mystery I encourage you to check out Edgar Allan Poe & the London Monster & this book.

[Thebooktrail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh I did like this one! It’s as if Edgar is back! The writing is very reminiscent of his and the time in which he lived. The setting is as authentic as they come and the stuffed birds! Oh the macabre things you will see in this novel. Never has the phrase “murder of crows” seemed so apt.

Do NOT read at night or in the dark! Full review later and nearer the time. Once I've warmed up ;)

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book to review for Library Journal. Read my review there.

[Roseann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow going at first but then wow, the writing is excellent and the details are perfect. Very reminiscent of Poe! Lovely.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusual packages containing dead birds portend trouble!


My thanks to my contacts at Pegasus Books, Iris Blasi, Katie McGuire, and Maia Larson, for my advance reading copy of this book. You ladies rock!


SPOILERS POSSIBLE BUT NOT ON PURPOSE

Poe receives mysterious packages that seem to be threats. One contains stuffed and mounted ravens which have then been dismembered; one seems to indicate a grave, and one even seems to be an effigy of Poe’s wife Virginia!


Poe then discovers that his enemy, George Rhynwick Williams, and his wife are now in Philadelphia passing under the names of George Reynolds and wife. Mrs. Reynolds is an actress of some renown, though Poe feels the plays in which she acts, written by George, are very inferior.


Poe’s friend, Miss Helena Loddiges, daughter of a collector of rare birds and a skilled taxidermist, arrives at the Poe home. Men who worked for her father, Andrew and Jeremiah Matthews, have died under suspicious circumstances. They were recently collecting birds in Peru, and there are whispers of a lost tribe and a hidden jewel…


When reading the prose of Karen Lee Street one would think of Edgar Allan Poe even if the hero of the book went under another name. Street has managed to channel the spirit of Poe in this narrative, and packs the novel with Easter eggs and actual lines and names from the writings of Poe himself! Readers of Poe’s works will recognize the name Valdemar, the lines “again there came a rapping,” etc.


Set amid the quarreling of Protestants and Irish Catholics, the mystery is a multipronged staff—a mysterious journal left by Matthews Sr., the death of a priest at nearby St. Augustine Academy, the theft of rare books from the same Academy, a learned professor who was recently in Peru, and more. Each point could be a mystery in and of itself. Yet there is a method in the madness of the points, building to a crescendo as the plot is finally revealed and the villain exposed! This is a book you won’t want to put down!


I give the book five stars…


Quoth the Raven…

[nikkia neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Pegasus Books and netgalley for this ARC.

This is one of my favorite series ever. Love the drama, suspense, and chemistry between Poe, Dupin, and Poe's wife. They make a excellent and exciting story even richer with their histories.

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book. set in Philadelphia in 1844, Edgar Allan Poe and his friend C. Auguste Dupin unravel a mystery involving ornithomancy and the legendary jewel of Peru. Excellent writing.

[Sezgi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry to say that after the storm of admiration and love for the first book I've felt, this one has been a major disappointment. I didn't feel like I was reading a mystery book any second, or even a novel in that matter. I was reading an ornithology book. There were pages and pages of detailed information about ornithology that was unnecessary for the plot and it made me feel like I was merely reading pages the author scrambled to fill the book.

Dupin's character in this one was nothing more than a decoration plant. I swear even the cat had more to offer then how Dupin was portrayed. I LOVED the addition of Sissy, so much so that I wished she was present in all 3 of the books. But then again, Sissy was the only thing that kept me reading this book.

I simply only read it because I already bought both the 2nd and 3rd books and didn't wanna waste my money, and I was still curious about the 3rd book. It looked way more promising then this nonsense for sure. I adore Street's writing and respect her deeply for the education she got on her profession, but this one really made me feel like I was reading a copy cat wanna be of Street rather than she.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that the 3rd book is even half the success of the first, I will be pleased if it is after this one.

[April Robertson-Ring · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an impulse selection from my library. I was looking for something "spooky" for Halloween and thought to give this a try. While its not spooky, there is a compelling mystery involving a kidnapping. What I really enjoyed about this book is the surprises. I'm pretty good at figuring out the plot and solving the mystery before the end of most books. This one had me in suspense! I enjoyed all the characters (especially the Mermaid Bar madam!).
I would say the author's prose can be a little long winded. Sometimes it felt like she was channelling a victorian story teller. Which in someways makes sense given the main character, but I found a little clunky.
Overall, I immensely enjoyed this novel. It is a sequel and I haven't read the first book. I think reading them in order would make more sense because this book heavily relates to the first one, given some of the characters references. But I was able to easily read this one without knowing about the first and still enjoyed it.
I will be reading the first as soon as I can!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A follow up to Edgar Allan Poe and the London Monster, this novel finds Mr. Poe paired again with his created detective, Mr. Auguste Dupin set to solve another, perhaps even more compelling mystery. Who is after Poe? Who is it sending mysterious, macabre packages that seem to threaten Poe and those he loves most?

The tale is set in Philadelphia this time but has the same energy and urgency of the first book. Again, I could not put it down unless forced to by necessity. Karen Street evokes 1840s Philadelphia with the same deft hand she used to paint 1840s London. Her words are the next best thing to time travel. I hope very much we will be seeing more from the author, I will try to be patient. Highly recommended.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read anything by Edgar Allen Poe for over 20 years. I appreciated his influence but found him a bit too dark. I was intrigued by the premise of this book when I found it at the library and decided to give it a try. I am glad I did. Although the first 50 or so pages did not draw me in, once the story got going, I had trouble putting it down. Although a mystery set in the 1840's, some of the issues in the background felt way too modern. Tensions between citizens and immigrants, distrust based on religion, and families separated. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Bernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining. The book captures the mannerism, speech and conventions of the times. I would have preferred a more literate Poe. Dupin did not seem fleshed out enough. His rational and arguments lacked the clarity of logic of ratiocination. The wife, Virginia, appears to be on equal terms with Poe and Dupin, in contributing the the resolution of the crime. I do not have a problem with this. It is just that the period was predominantly chauvinistic and portraying the wife in this way seems to take away from the conventionality of the time.

[Oismiffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely adored the way this was written. The turn of phrase and sentence style was a pleasure to read and like someone was massaging my inner voice. Completely transported me to the period and into a mystery novel.

But unfortunately the story itself was a little on the dull side. For page upon page nothing really happens and the story just crawls along. Took me ages to read, as I kept dozing off.

[Rosann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the book well written and the story line interesting, with the twist being the protagonists, Edgar Allan Poe and his detective Dupin. I enjoyed this fictional version of Edgar Allan Poe, with his personal life, his work, and hints of his back story. The insertion of his own creation (pre dating Sherlock Holmes)- master detective Auguste Dupin was a nice touch.

[Susan Amper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in 1844 Philadelphia, Poe fears for his wife Virginia and mother-in-law as tensions rise between Irish immigrants and Nativists. Poe receives some mummified bird parts and a woman who claims to be able to hear what they say. Poe is skeptical until she is kidnapped and he and Auguste Dupin must solve the case.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable book. It's a very interesting mix of historical and fiction characters, very well written and with a fascinating and entertaining plot.
I really liked it.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Oneworld Publications and Netgalley for this ARC

[Annette Susanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like Edgar Allan Poe but getting into this book (not actually written by Poe, which I knew) was just too much of a stretch. I didn't want to pass judgement too soon; tried to stick with it but just couldn't!

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful read! Well, delightful with murder and mayhem, of course. Street gives us a mystery in which Poe works with his own creation (in this book, his friend) Dupin to resolve a series of murders tied to Poe's nemesis and the plundering of ancient graves in Peru.

[Bitten5010 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am first of all a big fan of Edgar Poe and a mystery story based on this character was a lot of fun and the side characters were great. The mystery was also very interesting wish I knew this book was the second book of the series because I missed a lot of stuff by not reading the books in order.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly fun pastiche blend of Poe, ornithology, Peruvian archaeology, and early American immigration riots.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author definitely captured Poe’s voice and times! Very entertaining!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now I need to go back and read book one in the series. Interesting on a couple of levels, especially if you are a birdwatcher.

[Shirrapop · Rating 1 out of 5]

bored and left

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poe and his fictional detective team up to investigate a murder and rescue an abductee in 1844 Philadelphia.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like these. Fun mysteries and ...it's POE! It's like hanging out with Edgar for a week while you're reading it, and he's an interesting cat!

[James F · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written mystery

[Kalpana · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

Not having read the 1st book, Poe seemed like a nervous wreck. Didnt really like his personality but like the wife and mil’s characters
Tedious to read. Not a really good mystery

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the writing style, but the story itself was not terribly compelling.