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May Keaps #2
Found Drowned
Smuggling. Prostitution. Murder.
London. 1920 and coroner’s officer May Keaps is tasked with solving the mystery that surrounds the death of a young boy, found drowned in The Thames.
But was it murder or an accident?
May knows that when children go missing, the reason is often linked to money but she is in danger of underestimating the corrupting influence of power . . .
On streets where poverty and exploitation walk hand-in-hand everyone has a price. And some are more valuable dead than alive. But who is pulling the strings?
May must journey into the dark underbelly of London to find the answers.
London. 1920 and coroner’s officer May Keaps is tasked with solving the mystery that surrounds the death of a young boy, found drowned in The Thames.
But was it murder or an accident?
May knows that when children go missing, the reason is often linked to money but she is in danger of underestimating the corrupting influence of power . . .
On streets where poverty and exploitation walk hand-in-hand everyone has a price. And some are more valuable dead than alive. But who is pulling the strings?
May must journey into the dark underbelly of London to find the answers.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2018
55 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
B.K. Duncan
5 books12 followersBorn on a steam railway and brought up on the South Coast of England, such beginnings were destined to leave BK Duncan with a love of vintage transport, crashing seas, and Art Deco architecture.
Following a career encompassing developmental learning and management consultancy, specialising in personal and organisational change, she made the switch to full time writer, combining producing her own work with lecturing in creative writing in colleges and academies in Hertfordshire and Cambridge. Her summers are spent on two never-ending tasks – re-pointing the walls of her flint cottage and reclaiming the wilderness of her meadow garden.
For relaxation she reads, goes to the theatre, and explores the local countryside but her two great passions are longbow archery and the Argentine Tango. Sadly, she is not nearly as accomplished at either as she’d like.
Her proudest moment was when she overcame her fear of deep water to go potholing in the Yorkshire Pennines.
To find out more about BK Duncan, go to http://www.bkduncan.com
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 28, 2018
Found Drowned is the second book in the May Keaps series. I wouldn’t say it was essential to have read Foul Trade, the first book in the series, though some readers may prefer to read them in order.
The story line really brings home what life was like in London back in the 1920’s. I don’t mean the pleasant side, but the darker side of London. The treatment of children and especially what could happen to the homeless ones. Like May, my heart really went out to them and it makes her even more determined to get to the bottom of some very unsavoury going ons.
I like that there was a bit of a romance going on in the story with May and Jack. Don’t worry as it is very much in the back ground but you can see the like and respect for each other growing through out. Jack is a journalist and proves to be helpful to May.
As I have come to expect from May, she always seems to be in the right place at the right time, though you could always look at it that it’s the wrong time as she manages to put herself into quite a bit of danger. I wanted to hide my face behind my hands as some of the situations she finds herself in, I couldn’t possibly see how she was going to get out of them. She certainly has a certain amount of luck on her side.
May Keaps is a great character as she is a woman in a man’s world and is up against the snobbery of men thinking she is less than adequate to be doing her job. I think this works in her favour as she is definitely more clued up than they give her credit for and she is good at out smarting them.
Found Drowned is a dark and compelling read that is perfect for readers who want to be transported back in time. This isn’t some fast paced crime thriller, this is an historical mystery to be savoured and enjoyed.
The story line really brings home what life was like in London back in the 1920’s. I don’t mean the pleasant side, but the darker side of London. The treatment of children and especially what could happen to the homeless ones. Like May, my heart really went out to them and it makes her even more determined to get to the bottom of some very unsavoury going ons.
I like that there was a bit of a romance going on in the story with May and Jack. Don’t worry as it is very much in the back ground but you can see the like and respect for each other growing through out. Jack is a journalist and proves to be helpful to May.
As I have come to expect from May, she always seems to be in the right place at the right time, though you could always look at it that it’s the wrong time as she manages to put herself into quite a bit of danger. I wanted to hide my face behind my hands as some of the situations she finds herself in, I couldn’t possibly see how she was going to get out of them. She certainly has a certain amount of luck on her side.
May Keaps is a great character as she is a woman in a man’s world and is up against the snobbery of men thinking she is less than adequate to be doing her job. I think this works in her favour as she is definitely more clued up than they give her credit for and she is good at out smarting them.
Found Drowned is a dark and compelling read that is perfect for readers who want to be transported back in time. This isn’t some fast paced crime thriller, this is an historical mystery to be savoured and enjoyed.
April 26, 2018
May Keeps experienced the hardships of World War I as an ambulance driver. Now she brings tenacity, intelligence and ability to cope with the tragic rigors of poverty to her posting as an Coroner Officer in London. As she investigates the small, crippled lad was who was found drowned, she is led down an unseemly and seedy path. Before she finds answers, she will put herself into peril. The dialog is particularly striking as the author uses the vernacular and slang of the place and time to build her characters.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2018
This is becoming a must read series for me as I am more than taken with May Keaps, my heroine of the past. May is a gutsy young woman who has seen tragedies first hand during the first World War and now works as a Coroner’s Officer, in 1920’s London. The thing is, May isn’t a pen pusher, May is a hands on get her sleeves rolled up type of woman, that gives every dead person, that comes her way, as much peace and dignity as she can.
When the body of a young body is dragged out of the river Thames and signs of abuse become apparent, May is determined to find out who this child was and how he died in such terrible circumstances. It isn’t long before May is up to her neck asking questions in places that she is in danger of going to. She is like a kid poking a hornets nest with a stick and you just know that before long she is going to be running for her life.
I just love not just the stories that BK Duncan creates but the whole package. The dialogue is just superb with phrases and accents flowing of the pages surrounding me and dragging me back in time. There are some hard pages to read of how things use to be back then, when a child could be turned out because the family just couldn’t afford to feed them. There wasn’t a lot to protect the vulnerable members in society.
The more that May does in her job, the more she is becoming accepted for the talents she brings to her role, not her gender. It is lovely to see her get the respect that is due to her and demanded by her boss. Lovely bloke and the police are softening too. So looking forward to the next book in this series to see where May barges in next.
When the body of a young body is dragged out of the river Thames and signs of abuse become apparent, May is determined to find out who this child was and how he died in such terrible circumstances. It isn’t long before May is up to her neck asking questions in places that she is in danger of going to. She is like a kid poking a hornets nest with a stick and you just know that before long she is going to be running for her life.
I just love not just the stories that BK Duncan creates but the whole package. The dialogue is just superb with phrases and accents flowing of the pages surrounding me and dragging me back in time. There are some hard pages to read of how things use to be back then, when a child could be turned out because the family just couldn’t afford to feed them. There wasn’t a lot to protect the vulnerable members in society.
The more that May does in her job, the more she is becoming accepted for the talents she brings to her role, not her gender. It is lovely to see her get the respect that is due to her and demanded by her boss. Lovely bloke and the police are softening too. So looking forward to the next book in this series to see where May barges in next.
March 1, 2018
4.5 star review.
May Keaps works for Poplar Coroners Office and finds herself in a whole heap of trouble. The body of a young boy turns up in the Thames in 1920’s London. May is desperate to find out the identity of the boy, what she finds is far more than what she bargained for.
As I said this is my favourite May Keaps story to date, it is grittier, puts her in more danger and catches her off guard a little more. May is a very dependant and strong character and she does have a more feminine side that makes an appearance on occasion. In this story she finds herself in the dark and murky world of prostitution and from the synopsis you get a good idea of what sort of thing you are going to come across. Duncan gives a very good description of various activities without getting too graphic, enough to give a picture without going for show. She has created a very dark and wonderfully described sense of time and setting. The setting of 1920’s London is based around the wharves, docks and back alleys, along with smuggling, poverty, workhouses and Poor Law. She has included a lot of detail relevant for the time and that gives the story a real believable feel to it.
Familiar faces from previous books make a welcome return and we learn a little more about some of them and more about May and her family. This is a book that could be read as a stand alone, but as with all series it is better to read earlier books to get a sense of the characters and their stories. May for me seems to be getting a little more bolder as the series has continued and also a little more reckless. She is a wonderful character and I look forward to seeing what her future in fiction holds.
This is a book I would definitely recommend to readers of historical fiction, crime, mystery and murder. It is a great read with really good atmospheric historical content and a great story line.
May Keaps works for Poplar Coroners Office and finds herself in a whole heap of trouble. The body of a young boy turns up in the Thames in 1920’s London. May is desperate to find out the identity of the boy, what she finds is far more than what she bargained for.
As I said this is my favourite May Keaps story to date, it is grittier, puts her in more danger and catches her off guard a little more. May is a very dependant and strong character and she does have a more feminine side that makes an appearance on occasion. In this story she finds herself in the dark and murky world of prostitution and from the synopsis you get a good idea of what sort of thing you are going to come across. Duncan gives a very good description of various activities without getting too graphic, enough to give a picture without going for show. She has created a very dark and wonderfully described sense of time and setting. The setting of 1920’s London is based around the wharves, docks and back alleys, along with smuggling, poverty, workhouses and Poor Law. She has included a lot of detail relevant for the time and that gives the story a real believable feel to it.
Familiar faces from previous books make a welcome return and we learn a little more about some of them and more about May and her family. This is a book that could be read as a stand alone, but as with all series it is better to read earlier books to get a sense of the characters and their stories. May for me seems to be getting a little more bolder as the series has continued and also a little more reckless. She is a wonderful character and I look forward to seeing what her future in fiction holds.
This is a book I would definitely recommend to readers of historical fiction, crime, mystery and murder. It is a great read with really good atmospheric historical content and a great story line.
March 16, 2018
I loved this book and even though I hadn't read the 1st in the series I didn't find it mattered.
May Keaps works for the coroners office and when a young boy is pulled from the river she tries to find out who he was before the inquest. It was not an easy task as his face was damaged and London in 1920's is a dark place where there are lots of homeless children. You can't help but feel compassion for the waifs and strays even though they are not all honest kids. May seems to get herself a little bit too far into the investigating and at times it looks like she will have run out of luck.
I will definatily look out for the first book in this series as I would love to know more about May Keaps.
Thank you to Bloodhound for my copy of the book.
May Keaps works for the coroners office and when a young boy is pulled from the river she tries to find out who he was before the inquest. It was not an easy task as his face was damaged and London in 1920's is a dark place where there are lots of homeless children. You can't help but feel compassion for the waifs and strays even though they are not all honest kids. May seems to get herself a little bit too far into the investigating and at times it looks like she will have run out of luck.
I will definatily look out for the first book in this series as I would love to know more about May Keaps.
Thank you to Bloodhound for my copy of the book.
February 27, 2018
London, 1920. The unrecognizable body of a young boy is found in the river. Accidents happen a lot around this impoverished part of the town, but can it actually have been one? Might it have been a suicide instead? Or might his death have been a result of something much more sinister?
London in the 1920s is a difficult place to live in. Being both a woman and a Coroner's Officer makes it even more so. May Keaps, however, is not intimidated easily, and she certainly doesn't give up on the first difficulty. Having been tasked with the difficult job of finding the identity of the drowned child, she finds herself in the middle of dark secrets, politics, and dangerous people. Among those who will reach for her, who can she actually trust? Might there be a wolf in disguise among the people who claim to be helping her?
This is a fast paced and certainly well written story. As a reader, I had a hard time finding out the culprit, which speaks in volumes as far as the success of a mystery book is concerned. An elaborate plot leads the reader through ups and downs, and you can expect something new in every turn of the page. Lacking any boring or long drawn intervals, Fund Drowned is the mystery book you want to read when you need a fast, strong plot, and well built characters. A very sad, but very beautiful story nonetheless.
May Keaps is a strong, confident heroine who knows what she wants and has a very acute sense of justice. She strives for what is right, longing to protect not only the people she considers her own, but also the weak ones that she meets along the way. An admirable character, she is unique in both her passion and her courage.
She is not, however, the only admirable character. Along the story, you will meet some interestingly unique people. Smart, cunning, dangerous, vulnerable, each of them has a part to play in a plot woven elaborately, and some of them may keep more secrets than you would expect.
Found Drowned is the second book in a mystery series by author B.K. Duncan, with the first one being Foul Trade.
London in the 1920s is a difficult place to live in. Being both a woman and a Coroner's Officer makes it even more so. May Keaps, however, is not intimidated easily, and she certainly doesn't give up on the first difficulty. Having been tasked with the difficult job of finding the identity of the drowned child, she finds herself in the middle of dark secrets, politics, and dangerous people. Among those who will reach for her, who can she actually trust? Might there be a wolf in disguise among the people who claim to be helping her?
This is a fast paced and certainly well written story. As a reader, I had a hard time finding out the culprit, which speaks in volumes as far as the success of a mystery book is concerned. An elaborate plot leads the reader through ups and downs, and you can expect something new in every turn of the page. Lacking any boring or long drawn intervals, Fund Drowned is the mystery book you want to read when you need a fast, strong plot, and well built characters. A very sad, but very beautiful story nonetheless.
May Keaps is a strong, confident heroine who knows what she wants and has a very acute sense of justice. She strives for what is right, longing to protect not only the people she considers her own, but also the weak ones that she meets along the way. An admirable character, she is unique in both her passion and her courage.
She is not, however, the only admirable character. Along the story, you will meet some interestingly unique people. Smart, cunning, dangerous, vulnerable, each of them has a part to play in a plot woven elaborately, and some of them may keep more secrets than you would expect.
Found Drowned is the second book in a mystery series by author B.K. Duncan, with the first one being Foul Trade.
May 15, 2018
May is a Coroner’s Assistant in London’s East End during the 1920s. She worked as an ambulance driver in the First World War and this experience stands her in good stead when she’s faced with the victims of violence.
The first book in the series is Foul Trade, which I enjoyed, despite there being far too much description of its setting. May notices things that someone who really lived in that place at that time would not notice because they saw it, heard it or smelled it every day. Found Drowned is better on that score. The detail is rich, but is not inappropriate.
The plot concerns the death of a young boy taken out of the river. May’s efforts to find out who he was and how he died take her to the workhouse, a birthday party in the West End, fireworks in Greenwich Park (and in the Greenwich Foot Tunnel) and Scotland Yard. She’s helped and hindered by the men in her life and her on-off romance with reporter Jack Cahill reaches a turning point, for her at least.
For someone whose work involves tracking down criminals and questioning them, May shows a surprising, and annoying, tendency to trust people more or less on sight. She was given reason enough not to in the first book, Foul Trade, but here she is doing it again. You don’t have to be a genius to see that it’s not going to work out well.
May seems happy to tell the world and his wife everything she knows about the case. It doesn’t matter if she’s known them for a long time or just met them. Conversely, she doesn’t say enough to the people most able to help her, which threatens the lives of all concerned.
Whilst Found Drowned is a good piece of historical fiction, it’s not such a good crime novel. To explain why would be to give the plot away, but suffice it to say that the ending is unsatisfactory. The best way to read it is to enjoy the period detail and forget about the plot.
The first book in the series is Foul Trade, which I enjoyed, despite there being far too much description of its setting. May notices things that someone who really lived in that place at that time would not notice because they saw it, heard it or smelled it every day. Found Drowned is better on that score. The detail is rich, but is not inappropriate.
The plot concerns the death of a young boy taken out of the river. May’s efforts to find out who he was and how he died take her to the workhouse, a birthday party in the West End, fireworks in Greenwich Park (and in the Greenwich Foot Tunnel) and Scotland Yard. She’s helped and hindered by the men in her life and her on-off romance with reporter Jack Cahill reaches a turning point, for her at least.
For someone whose work involves tracking down criminals and questioning them, May shows a surprising, and annoying, tendency to trust people more or less on sight. She was given reason enough not to in the first book, Foul Trade, but here she is doing it again. You don’t have to be a genius to see that it’s not going to work out well.
May seems happy to tell the world and his wife everything she knows about the case. It doesn’t matter if she’s known them for a long time or just met them. Conversely, she doesn’t say enough to the people most able to help her, which threatens the lives of all concerned.
Whilst Found Drowned is a good piece of historical fiction, it’s not such a good crime novel. To explain why would be to give the plot away, but suffice it to say that the ending is unsatisfactory. The best way to read it is to enjoy the period detail and forget about the plot.
February 28, 2018
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I love this series and for me it just keeps getting better and better!
I loved the plot in this one and I was intrigued straight from the off and I thought the whole book was addictive, I didn't want to put it down at all and read as much as I could in one sitting.
The characters are great as always and I do love the writing style in this series, it is such an easy read, well paced and well researched.
4.5 stars from me for this one rounded up to 5 stars for Amazon and Goodreads - another great addition to what is turning out to be an excellent series in one of my favourite genres - I loved it!
I love this series and for me it just keeps getting better and better!
I loved the plot in this one and I was intrigued straight from the off and I thought the whole book was addictive, I didn't want to put it down at all and read as much as I could in one sitting.
The characters are great as always and I do love the writing style in this series, it is such an easy read, well paced and well researched.
4.5 stars from me for this one rounded up to 5 stars for Amazon and Goodreads - another great addition to what is turning out to be an excellent series in one of my favourite genres - I loved it!
March 9, 2018
This is first of the two full length books in the series featuring May Keaps, the Poplar Coroner's Officer. set in 1920s East London that I have read. I enjoyed reading the book it has a well written story line and is hard to put down but I think you need to read the first book to get know the characters better because there are references made to the events in the first book which had me feeling a bit lost at times . So I will definitely reading the first one and then coming back to this one with a clearer picture.
February 26, 2018
“Are you looking for an unmissable historical mystery? Then you'll love BK Duncan's Found Drowned.
Smuggling. Prostitution. Murder.
London. 1920 and coroner’s officer May Keaps is tasked with solving the mystery that surrounds the death of a young boy, found drowned in The Thames.
But was it murder or an accident?”
This is a well written story based in the 1920s.
If you like historical crime fiction then you’ll definitely enjoy this book.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this book.
Smuggling. Prostitution. Murder.
London. 1920 and coroner’s officer May Keaps is tasked with solving the mystery that surrounds the death of a young boy, found drowned in The Thames.
But was it murder or an accident?”
This is a well written story based in the 1920s.
If you like historical crime fiction then you’ll definitely enjoy this book.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this book.
March 30, 2018
This is the first book that I've read and I will try to read the first to have complete story about lives in London back in 1920' and May's "adventures" as an Officer in the Coroners Court of Popular.
Story line is great,gripping, well researched and I liked the characters too
Story line is great,gripping, well researched and I liked the characters too
February 27, 2018
Wow. Very impressed with the second book in this series, I would personally say this story is miles better than the first and had me hooked throughout. A series that just gets better and better! A brilliant historical crime investigation full of suspense, set in the 1920’s. It is one of those books that makes you go THAT’S WHY ITS CALLED THAT!
Found drowned highlights how determined and strong May Keaps character really is within her job which she takes very seriously, sometimes too seriously. I would highly recommend this series to you all so far but you must read them in order as this story does make references to book number one (Foul Trade) which could ruin the first story for you.
I enjoyed reading this one. A well written story and well earned four stars. I look forward to reading more in this series and by this author.
Found drowned highlights how determined and strong May Keaps character really is within her job which she takes very seriously, sometimes too seriously. I would highly recommend this series to you all so far but you must read them in order as this story does make references to book number one (Foul Trade) which could ruin the first story for you.
I enjoyed reading this one. A well written story and well earned four stars. I look forward to reading more in this series and by this author.
March 10, 2018
Found Drowned is the second of B. K. Duncan's novels featuring May Keaps, a young Coroner's Officer working in the East End of London shortly after the Great War.
Set in 1920, the novel opens with a young boy's body being pulled from the Thames. Was it an accident or foul play? Tasked with trying to learn the boy's identity, May gets drawn into a far more sinister case than she could've possibly imagined; one that involves child abuse, child/slave labour and prostitution, smuggling, corruption and deadly secrets. The more May uncovers, the more intriguing her investigation becomes. Who is the man bearing a yellow and blue nautical star tattoo that keeps turning up unexpectedly and what, if any, is his connection to the drowned boy? It isn't long before May's own life is threatened and she finds herself in need of rescuing from the murky depths of the River Thames.
I thoroughly enjoyed B. K. Duncan's writing; she's done a wonderful job of researching and describing London's East End post-war, conveying the intense poverty and deprivation in a way that gives both her novel and her characters a truly authentic feel.
Determined, independent and with a strong sense of justice, May makes for a likeable heroine. Reunited with journalist Jack Cahill, the duo bounce off one another brilliantly. Jack's clearly infatuated with May but so far something always prevents their relationship from developing beyond friendship. May's boss, Braxton Clarke, plays a fatherly-figure, her own father having died not too long ago. And the fascinating Brilliant Chang is also back. Some of the scenes between these characters are heart-warming, a few depart wisdom, others are just outright amusing.
That said, the novel has a dark undercurrent running through it involving the children who appear as secondary characters. Almost all of them have had it rough: some have been orphaned and make their living on the streets, others have found themselves in the workhouse or working in a sweatshop; a few have been abused by wealthy men whose position and power have often enabled them to get away with almost anything. In each instance the author has approached the topic in such a sensitive manner that while being terribly sad, I didn't find it difficult or uncomfortable to read about. The matter-of-fact, down-to-earth character of Smudger, one of the boys May and Jack meet during the investigation, also went a long way to making each taboo topic that little bit easier for the reader to bear.
While Found Drowned is the second book in the 'May Keaps' series, it isn't essential to've read the previous book (Foul Trade) as it can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Fast-paced and with a complex plot, if you're a fan of historical mysteries I wouldn't hesitate in recommending you add this book to your 'to-read' list.
Note: Thanks to the author, Bloodhound Books and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Set in 1920, the novel opens with a young boy's body being pulled from the Thames. Was it an accident or foul play? Tasked with trying to learn the boy's identity, May gets drawn into a far more sinister case than she could've possibly imagined; one that involves child abuse, child/slave labour and prostitution, smuggling, corruption and deadly secrets. The more May uncovers, the more intriguing her investigation becomes. Who is the man bearing a yellow and blue nautical star tattoo that keeps turning up unexpectedly and what, if any, is his connection to the drowned boy? It isn't long before May's own life is threatened and she finds herself in need of rescuing from the murky depths of the River Thames.
I thoroughly enjoyed B. K. Duncan's writing; she's done a wonderful job of researching and describing London's East End post-war, conveying the intense poverty and deprivation in a way that gives both her novel and her characters a truly authentic feel.
Determined, independent and with a strong sense of justice, May makes for a likeable heroine. Reunited with journalist Jack Cahill, the duo bounce off one another brilliantly. Jack's clearly infatuated with May but so far something always prevents their relationship from developing beyond friendship. May's boss, Braxton Clarke, plays a fatherly-figure, her own father having died not too long ago. And the fascinating Brilliant Chang is also back. Some of the scenes between these characters are heart-warming, a few depart wisdom, others are just outright amusing.
That said, the novel has a dark undercurrent running through it involving the children who appear as secondary characters. Almost all of them have had it rough: some have been orphaned and make their living on the streets, others have found themselves in the workhouse or working in a sweatshop; a few have been abused by wealthy men whose position and power have often enabled them to get away with almost anything. In each instance the author has approached the topic in such a sensitive manner that while being terribly sad, I didn't find it difficult or uncomfortable to read about. The matter-of-fact, down-to-earth character of Smudger, one of the boys May and Jack meet during the investigation, also went a long way to making each taboo topic that little bit easier for the reader to bear.
While Found Drowned is the second book in the 'May Keaps' series, it isn't essential to've read the previous book (Foul Trade) as it can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Fast-paced and with a complex plot, if you're a fan of historical mysteries I wouldn't hesitate in recommending you add this book to your 'to-read' list.
Note: Thanks to the author, Bloodhound Books and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2018
Firstly my thanks go to the author, Publisher Bloodhound Books and blog tour organiser Sarah Hardy for the ARC of Found Drowned in return for an honest review.
I am a massive fan of this series of historical adventures involving the delightful May Keeps. From the first moving and atmospheric novella, to this the second full length novel, the series has gone from strength to strength.
The main character, May Keeps, is brave, determined and most importantly of all, a very believable character. Her bravery makes you admire her, her sometimes ill judged actions, make you love her, because she believes in justice and is willing to pursue it wherever it leads her. This in particularly apparent in Found Drowned, where her determination to seek justice for a drowned boy, leads her to risk her life over and over. As a character she leaps from the pages and lodges herself in your heart and imagination.
It is without doubt an entertaining and reverting read. Character development is important to me as a reader and this is never swamped by the action. You get to know more about May and the death of her beloved father, while she battles against the seedier elements of London society.
It is endearing, classy, exciting read, with a killer plot that made putting the book down virtually impossible. The tension builds up as the story progresses and kept me entertained to the very last page. To me this would make a first class TV drama, that I could imagine settling down to on a Sunday evening!
I look forward to more thrilling adventures with May Keeps.
I am a massive fan of this series of historical adventures involving the delightful May Keeps. From the first moving and atmospheric novella, to this the second full length novel, the series has gone from strength to strength.
The main character, May Keeps, is brave, determined and most importantly of all, a very believable character. Her bravery makes you admire her, her sometimes ill judged actions, make you love her, because she believes in justice and is willing to pursue it wherever it leads her. This in particularly apparent in Found Drowned, where her determination to seek justice for a drowned boy, leads her to risk her life over and over. As a character she leaps from the pages and lodges herself in your heart and imagination.
It is without doubt an entertaining and reverting read. Character development is important to me as a reader and this is never swamped by the action. You get to know more about May and the death of her beloved father, while she battles against the seedier elements of London society.
It is endearing, classy, exciting read, with a killer plot that made putting the book down virtually impossible. The tension builds up as the story progresses and kept me entertained to the very last page. To me this would make a first class TV drama, that I could imagine settling down to on a Sunday evening!
I look forward to more thrilling adventures with May Keeps.
March 1, 2018
Please read book 1 = Foul Trade, before reading this book, it is such a dark wonderful tale of May’s life and how she is linked with the underbelly of London in the 1920’s. Her job being in the Officer in the Coroners Court of Popular, really does take her on journeys that she should not be exposed to.
Her character is so determined, strong, but likeable. You really do get a sense of her justness, wanting to make everything right for those that have died in extreme or unfortunate instances.
Yet again, she wanders out of her comfort zone and in to dangerous territory.
The writing is sublime, and effective. Giving a truly eerie sense of realism and what the streets of London near the docks where like in the 1920’s.
I Shall quote my previous review from Foul Trade “ You need to read, digest, breathe as it is a stunningly impressive novel, that is thought provoking, and plenty of mystery that gripped me and I enjoyed seeing the world through May’s eyes.”
In this novel, I found it slightly more daunting and in particular one storyline, which was haunting, sad, but so well placed. B K Duncan really does bring alive the grit and grimness of life in London within the settings of these books, such atmospheric reads that are doused in darkness and mystery.
I do look forward to reading more and seeing where May is taken next.
Her character is so determined, strong, but likeable. You really do get a sense of her justness, wanting to make everything right for those that have died in extreme or unfortunate instances.
Yet again, she wanders out of her comfort zone and in to dangerous territory.
The writing is sublime, and effective. Giving a truly eerie sense of realism and what the streets of London near the docks where like in the 1920’s.
I Shall quote my previous review from Foul Trade “ You need to read, digest, breathe as it is a stunningly impressive novel, that is thought provoking, and plenty of mystery that gripped me and I enjoyed seeing the world through May’s eyes.”
In this novel, I found it slightly more daunting and in particular one storyline, which was haunting, sad, but so well placed. B K Duncan really does bring alive the grit and grimness of life in London within the settings of these books, such atmospheric reads that are doused in darkness and mystery.
I do look forward to reading more and seeing where May is taken next.
March 8, 2018
It is 1920 in Poplar, London. The first world war is over but life is difficult for the majority of people who have survived it. A young Coroner Office, May Keaps, is tasked with establishing the story behind the death of a young boy found in the Thames. Children go missing regularly in this area and at this time but she needs to establish whether it was an accidental death or murder.
This is the second book in the series but the first I that have read. I will read the first one now, but I don't think it detracted from this story. May is a feisty young woman, obviously intelligent and making her way in an era where women were very much in the minority when confronting a man's world.
Her flirtations with a journalist Jack is in the background but does make her appear as she is. Even though the author explores the times of corruption and power you cannot but feel sad at how this pans out. I do like the characters in this gentle book and would recommend it as a 4*** read.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to Bloodhound Books for this opportunity.
This is the second book in the series but the first I that have read. I will read the first one now, but I don't think it detracted from this story. May is a feisty young woman, obviously intelligent and making her way in an era where women were very much in the minority when confronting a man's world.
Her flirtations with a journalist Jack is in the background but does make her appear as she is. Even though the author explores the times of corruption and power you cannot but feel sad at how this pans out. I do like the characters in this gentle book and would recommend it as a 4*** read.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to Bloodhound Books for this opportunity.
March 4, 2018
May Keaps is gutsy, strong and fiesty...a living legend from the 1920s
After working in the front line in world war one..May Keaps is now working for the coroners office..When a young boy is pulled from the Thames it is up to May to find out if the boy drowned or if foul play was involved..This is Dark Victorian London..Where children can be bought,sold or completely dissapear..With Jack a journalist on hand to help her..May has to venture into the seedy underworld..and things are about to get darker..With danger always not far behind..May will not stop until she finds the truth..Then when the ugly truths begin to emerge..Evil gets up close and someone who she is close to gets badly hurt..its up to May now to search for the truth...May Keaps is a strong sturdy character still in her early twenties..I feel there are many more adventures ahead for this brave strong lady...I hope Jack is included in her future stories..A fast riveting story that wills May on..Our Victorian legend in the making .Thoroughly enjoyed this ..
After working in the front line in world war one..May Keaps is now working for the coroners office..When a young boy is pulled from the Thames it is up to May to find out if the boy drowned or if foul play was involved..This is Dark Victorian London..Where children can be bought,sold or completely dissapear..With Jack a journalist on hand to help her..May has to venture into the seedy underworld..and things are about to get darker..With danger always not far behind..May will not stop until she finds the truth..Then when the ugly truths begin to emerge..Evil gets up close and someone who she is close to gets badly hurt..its up to May now to search for the truth...May Keaps is a strong sturdy character still in her early twenties..I feel there are many more adventures ahead for this brave strong lady...I hope Jack is included in her future stories..A fast riveting story that wills May on..Our Victorian legend in the making .Thoroughly enjoyed this ..
March 9, 2018
This is the first May Keaps book that I have had the pleasure to read, although the third in the series. Safe to say I enjoyed it very much, and have already purchased the first novella and second book in order to catch up with her previous adventures! Having a 1920's Coroner's Officer and a female one at that is a new take on a main character/investigator and a good idea. The descriptions of the places and the characters were rich and evocative, and the story flowed seamlessly. Definitely recommended!
June 29, 2025
I found the early parts of the book to be quite gruesome with the fairly graphic descriptions of the dead bodies. There was obviously a lot of research into the lifestyle of the destitute, which I found interesting, however overall I found the book to be hard going and rather prolonged with the interchanges between the two main characters.
September 29, 2018
A fun who done it
Historical mystery at its best! Thoroughly enjoyed watching May track down the leads and find the truth. I highly recommend this book.
Historical mystery at its best! Thoroughly enjoyed watching May track down the leads and find the truth. I highly recommend this book.
April 1, 2018
This is the third May Keaps story I have read, the second full length novel, and I have to say, the more I read, the more I grow to like our intrepid heroine. She is a strong woman in a predominantly mans world and in spite of all the challenges, and threats, which fall upon her, she never backs down. She has some real guts that's for sure.
This time May is faced with trying to find the identity of a young boy whose body is found floating in the Thames. His body is badly injured, a result of his time in the water and potential clash with one of the many boats, but worst of all, no one seems to miss him. As May tries hard to learn his story, sh finds herself drawn into a whole world of deception involving slave labour, workhouses, prostitution and corruption, a world in which her very life is one more under threat.
What I like about these books is the way that author BK Duncan has captured a real feeling of the old post-war East End of London. There is a real feeling of authenticity to the writing, the spirit of the residents of the worlds that May inhabits, the restrained and yet wholesome relationships she has with her friends and yet the gritty and sometimes heart-breaking honesty of the portrayal of the workhouses and those people who are down on their luck.
This story in particular has a really dark edge, examining some very taboo subjects but in a rather clear and yet sanitized way. We are talking about the abuse of children here, not y family, but by men who are able to buy everything they wish. None of it is explained in a gratuitous way but there is no ambiguity about how some of these children make their living. If they are not on the streets then they are forced into working in a sweatshop, their futures still to be determined but with only one likely outcome. It is extremely sad, but the matter of fact way in which the children deal with their lot makes it somehow easier to deal with.
May Keaps is a brilliant character, full of life, confidence, bravado and insecurity all at once. I love to see the way her relationship with journalist Jack Cahill is developing. They play off each other perfectly, the chemistry clear to see and yet something, quite often their investigations, keeps coming between them. May is independent, infuriatingly so at times. Jack is patient and clearly infatuated. I am interested to see where this takes them. As for May's boss, Braxton Clarke, there is also something there, hard to put a finger on what, but certainly something more than simply a boss/employee relationship.
The nature of the story means that this is not always the fastest paced read. Don;t let that fool you though. There are some moments of real tension, times when you feel that May might have taken one chance too many, her life at great risk as is that of those around her. Those are the heart in your throat moments, captured perfectly and still in keeping with the time and setting. And it is nice to see Brilliant Chang back. There is something about the man who I like and he is a truly fascinating character. Skirting on just the right side of the law, he is influential and enigmatic and yet clearly dangerous too. Love him.
This is a brilliant book and if you like your thrillers and mysteries with a more historical setting then I urge you to give this a go. Try out Foul Trade first to get a flavour for the key characters, but make sure you pick up Found Drowned too. Great characters, great story. What's not to enjoy?
This time May is faced with trying to find the identity of a young boy whose body is found floating in the Thames. His body is badly injured, a result of his time in the water and potential clash with one of the many boats, but worst of all, no one seems to miss him. As May tries hard to learn his story, sh finds herself drawn into a whole world of deception involving slave labour, workhouses, prostitution and corruption, a world in which her very life is one more under threat.
What I like about these books is the way that author BK Duncan has captured a real feeling of the old post-war East End of London. There is a real feeling of authenticity to the writing, the spirit of the residents of the worlds that May inhabits, the restrained and yet wholesome relationships she has with her friends and yet the gritty and sometimes heart-breaking honesty of the portrayal of the workhouses and those people who are down on their luck.
This story in particular has a really dark edge, examining some very taboo subjects but in a rather clear and yet sanitized way. We are talking about the abuse of children here, not y family, but by men who are able to buy everything they wish. None of it is explained in a gratuitous way but there is no ambiguity about how some of these children make their living. If they are not on the streets then they are forced into working in a sweatshop, their futures still to be determined but with only one likely outcome. It is extremely sad, but the matter of fact way in which the children deal with their lot makes it somehow easier to deal with.
May Keaps is a brilliant character, full of life, confidence, bravado and insecurity all at once. I love to see the way her relationship with journalist Jack Cahill is developing. They play off each other perfectly, the chemistry clear to see and yet something, quite often their investigations, keeps coming between them. May is independent, infuriatingly so at times. Jack is patient and clearly infatuated. I am interested to see where this takes them. As for May's boss, Braxton Clarke, there is also something there, hard to put a finger on what, but certainly something more than simply a boss/employee relationship.
The nature of the story means that this is not always the fastest paced read. Don;t let that fool you though. There are some moments of real tension, times when you feel that May might have taken one chance too many, her life at great risk as is that of those around her. Those are the heart in your throat moments, captured perfectly and still in keeping with the time and setting. And it is nice to see Brilliant Chang back. There is something about the man who I like and he is a truly fascinating character. Skirting on just the right side of the law, he is influential and enigmatic and yet clearly dangerous too. Love him.
This is a brilliant book and if you like your thrillers and mysteries with a more historical setting then I urge you to give this a go. Try out Foul Trade first to get a flavour for the key characters, but make sure you pick up Found Drowned too. Great characters, great story. What's not to enjoy?
February 19, 2018
London 1920 and May Keaps, the Poplar Coroner's Officer is called out to a suspected drowning. It will be her remit to determine his name. Unfortunately this can lead to danger but she does have the help of reporter Jack Cahill.
Certanly a well-written story with a good plot but for some reason didn't capture my imagination as I had hoped.
A NetGalley Book
Certanly a well-written story with a good plot but for some reason didn't capture my imagination as I had hoped.
A NetGalley Book
March 14, 2018
A very good book, well researched and entertaining. It's well written and well researched, with interesting characters and a very good plot.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bloodhound Books
Recommended.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bloodhound Books
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