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The Canary Keeper
"In the grey mist of the early morning a body is dumped on the shore of the Thames by a boatman in a metal canoe. The city is soon alive with talk of the savage Esquimaux stalking Victorian London and an eye witness who claims the killer had an accomplice: a tall woman dressed in widow's weeds, with the telltale look of the degenerate Irish.
Branna 'Birdie' Quinn had no good reason to be by the river that morning, but she did not kill the man. She'd seen him first the day before, desperate to give her a message she refused to hear. And now the Filth will see her hang for his murder, just like her father.
To save her life, Birdie must trace the dead man's footsteps. Back onto the ship that carried him to his death, back to cold isles of Orkney that sheltered him, and up to the far north, a harsh and lawless land which holds more answers than she looks to find...
The Canary Keeper is a must-read historical epic, weaving suspense, adventure and romance into an exhilarating thriller."
Branna 'Birdie' Quinn had no good reason to be by the river that morning, but she did not kill the man. She'd seen him first the day before, desperate to give her a message she refused to hear. And now the Filth will see her hang for his murder, just like her father.
To save her life, Birdie must trace the dead man's footsteps. Back onto the ship that carried him to his death, back to cold isles of Orkney that sheltered him, and up to the far north, a harsh and lawless land which holds more answers than she looks to find...
The Canary Keeper is a must-read historical epic, weaving suspense, adventure and romance into an exhilarating thriller."
416 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2019
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288 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
March 27, 2020
4☆ An Atmospheric Historical Mystery!
The Canary Keeper is a wonderfully captivating and intriguing historical mystery set in the 19th century.
Birdie finds herself involved in a murder mystery when she discovers a body on the bank of the River Thames.
Unfortunately for her in finding the body implicates her as the prime suspect.
In order to clear her good name, Birdie has no other option but to investigate the murder herself. So she sets out to Orkney in Scotland to follow up her only lead.
But can her travels to Orkney help her to clear her name? Can she discover the truth and find out who the murderer is?
This is a book you really need to take your time with, it's not a Pacy read as such but there is many threads to the story that takes time to uncover. But don't let this stop you from picking it up, as taking the extra time and concentration will most definitely pay off!
The Canary Keeper is such an endearing and captivating read, it's full of Intrigue, mystery, rich in history, a dash of romance and a sprinkling of magic.
The settings were superbly written, atmospheric and drew me in perfectly.
I really liked the characters, they were authentic, strong female leads and very well written.
Oh and the book cover is one of my favourite covers this year! It's pretty special!
So if you love books that are rich in historical fiction and mystery then you will absolutely love The Canary Keeper !
Thank you to Head Of Zeus for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...
The Canary Keeper is a wonderfully captivating and intriguing historical mystery set in the 19th century.
Birdie finds herself involved in a murder mystery when she discovers a body on the bank of the River Thames.
Unfortunately for her in finding the body implicates her as the prime suspect.
In order to clear her good name, Birdie has no other option but to investigate the murder herself. So she sets out to Orkney in Scotland to follow up her only lead.
But can her travels to Orkney help her to clear her name? Can she discover the truth and find out who the murderer is?
This is a book you really need to take your time with, it's not a Pacy read as such but there is many threads to the story that takes time to uncover. But don't let this stop you from picking it up, as taking the extra time and concentration will most definitely pay off!
The Canary Keeper is such an endearing and captivating read, it's full of Intrigue, mystery, rich in history, a dash of romance and a sprinkling of magic.
The settings were superbly written, atmospheric and drew me in perfectly.
I really liked the characters, they were authentic, strong female leads and very well written.
Oh and the book cover is one of my favourite covers this year! It's pretty special!
So if you love books that are rich in historical fiction and mystery then you will absolutely love The Canary Keeper !
Thank you to Head Of Zeus for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...
March 23, 2020
Moving between London and the Scottish island of Orkney, and opening with a dramatic prologue, The Canary Keeper cleverly incorporates real life events of the time, notably the disappearance of explorer Sir John Franklin, along with his two ships and their crew, while on his last expedition to the Arctic in 1845. The fate of the crew was the subject of much public speculation and debate at the time, including by notable figures of the day. In her author’s note, Clare Carson also reveals that Orkney’s history provided the inspiration for many of the female characters in the book such as wise woman, Morag, and Stromness shipping merchant, Margaret Skaill.
The crowded streets and dingy alleyways of foggy London – where the ‘wealthy and powerful exist cheek by jowl with the rotten and squalid‘ – and the wild, stormy landscape of Orkney are equally vividly depicted. I liked the way the author gives the reader Birdie’s perspective on the contrast between the two places. ‘In London the weather feels man-made, the thick fogs dense with soot. Here the elements seem untamed and unpredictable. The air is alive with strange, sharp smells – seaweed and salt. And there is no clanking of cranes or pounding of factory hammers, instead she hears the haunting calls of curlews and the cries of the gulls.’ On the other hand, there are sights on Orkney that evoke for her memories of romantic encounters in London.
There are gothic elements in the book such as ghostly apparitions and rumours of witchcraft and flesh-eating monsters. As Birdie observes, ‘While Orkney folk tell tales of witches and Finmen, we Londoners entertain ourselves with tales of murderers like Spring Heeled Jack who has horns and blazing eyes and vaults across rooftops in pursuit of his victims.’
Not only does Birdie feel compelled to search for the person responsible for the murder in order to clear her own name but also because she feels some strange, almost otherworldly, link to the victim. It’s as if “some inescapable pattern here, some force of fate [is] drawing her together with the murdered man”. It certainly explains some of the coincidences that allow Birdie to confirm the victim’s identity and come up with a theory as to a possible motive.
The tension builds as Birdie gets closer to finding out what has really been taking place on ‘the dark side of the river’ – corruption, cruelty and much worse. A shadowy figure emerges as the possible mastermind behind a conspiracy involving those with power and wealth. But is the culprit closer to home than Birdie imagines or has she been wrong all along about who she can trust? Finally, an unexpected revelation presents Birdie with a moral dilemma and a difficult personal choice. (Birdie, I think you made the right one!)
The Canary Keeper is an absorbing mystery with a great sense of period atmosphere and enough twists and turns to keep any historical crime fan satisfied.
The crowded streets and dingy alleyways of foggy London – where the ‘wealthy and powerful exist cheek by jowl with the rotten and squalid‘ – and the wild, stormy landscape of Orkney are equally vividly depicted. I liked the way the author gives the reader Birdie’s perspective on the contrast between the two places. ‘In London the weather feels man-made, the thick fogs dense with soot. Here the elements seem untamed and unpredictable. The air is alive with strange, sharp smells – seaweed and salt. And there is no clanking of cranes or pounding of factory hammers, instead she hears the haunting calls of curlews and the cries of the gulls.’ On the other hand, there are sights on Orkney that evoke for her memories of romantic encounters in London.
There are gothic elements in the book such as ghostly apparitions and rumours of witchcraft and flesh-eating monsters. As Birdie observes, ‘While Orkney folk tell tales of witches and Finmen, we Londoners entertain ourselves with tales of murderers like Spring Heeled Jack who has horns and blazing eyes and vaults across rooftops in pursuit of his victims.’
Not only does Birdie feel compelled to search for the person responsible for the murder in order to clear her own name but also because she feels some strange, almost otherworldly, link to the victim. It’s as if “some inescapable pattern here, some force of fate [is] drawing her together with the murdered man”. It certainly explains some of the coincidences that allow Birdie to confirm the victim’s identity and come up with a theory as to a possible motive.
The tension builds as Birdie gets closer to finding out what has really been taking place on ‘the dark side of the river’ – corruption, cruelty and much worse. A shadowy figure emerges as the possible mastermind behind a conspiracy involving those with power and wealth. But is the culprit closer to home than Birdie imagines or has she been wrong all along about who she can trust? Finally, an unexpected revelation presents Birdie with a moral dilemma and a difficult personal choice. (Birdie, I think you made the right one!)
The Canary Keeper is an absorbing mystery with a great sense of period atmosphere and enough twists and turns to keep any historical crime fan satisfied.
July 20, 2019
The Canary keeper is a superbly written historical mystery, which shows just how the genre should be done.
Set in 2 very different locations, the alleys and docks surrounding the River Thames in Victorian London and a remote small fishing village in Orkney.
The main protagonist is Birdie, whose name gives a nod to her love of Canaries which her father used to keep. She is an accomplished bookkeeper who has fallen on rather hard times, widowed and alone she discovers a corpse on the bank of the Thames and inadvertently becomes implicated, finding herself the main suspect in a murder investigation.
Knowing she is unlikely to be able to clear her name without evidence she seeks the support of Solly, a policeman in the Met with whom she has had a budding relationship which she brought to an end yet still remains very fond of him.
Panicking she follows the only lead available which leads her to travel alone to Scotland where in a small village she secures employment whilst she tries to investigate the life of the murder victim.
There is a lot about shipping and the book has some really great strong female characters which I must admit is a big draw to me as a reader. There is Birdie herself, her new employer Margaret, also a determined woman making her way in a male-dominated world, there is also Morag with her eerie mystical qualities and the enigmatic old Feldam,
The story flows superbly and kept me gripped throughout.
I feel it will appeal to readers of The Essex Serpent as it has a similar feel despite being a very different story. I loved it from start to finish and couldn't put it down.
Set in 2 very different locations, the alleys and docks surrounding the River Thames in Victorian London and a remote small fishing village in Orkney.
The main protagonist is Birdie, whose name gives a nod to her love of Canaries which her father used to keep. She is an accomplished bookkeeper who has fallen on rather hard times, widowed and alone she discovers a corpse on the bank of the Thames and inadvertently becomes implicated, finding herself the main suspect in a murder investigation.
Knowing she is unlikely to be able to clear her name without evidence she seeks the support of Solly, a policeman in the Met with whom she has had a budding relationship which she brought to an end yet still remains very fond of him.
Panicking she follows the only lead available which leads her to travel alone to Scotland where in a small village she secures employment whilst she tries to investigate the life of the murder victim.
There is a lot about shipping and the book has some really great strong female characters which I must admit is a big draw to me as a reader. There is Birdie herself, her new employer Margaret, also a determined woman making her way in a male-dominated world, there is also Morag with her eerie mystical qualities and the enigmatic old Feldam,
The story flows superbly and kept me gripped throughout.
I feel it will appeal to readers of The Essex Serpent as it has a similar feel despite being a very different story. I loved it from start to finish and couldn't put it down.
June 28, 2019
The big draw of The Canary Keeper for me was the dual setting of Victorian London and Orkney. In particular, it was the Orkney connection that really got my attention as I'm a big fan of island novels, particularly Scottish islands.
Birdie Quinn is our heroine. She has suffered in her past but she's a good, steady person, working as a bookkeeper. One evening she is walking by the river when she spots a corpse, which is not that unusual in Victorian London, but this is a man who had earlier accosted her in a drunken manner in the street. Unfortunately for Birdie, she is spotted and named as an accomplice in his murder.
Birdie is a widow. She has had a gentleman friend fairly recently, a policeman called Solomon, but they parted ways. However, Solomon is now called upon to help her to clear her name. As the dead man had links to Orkney, Birdie decides to travel there by boat to find out what she can about him and what led to his murder.
This is a fascinating story. Birdie is a likeable character, measured and thoughtful in her ways. I found her time on Orkney to be so interesting as she becomes close to certain members of the community there and discovers so much about why the man ended up dead. I don't know what Orkney was like in Victorian times but I felt like the setting was very authentic and very atmospheric. There are dark forces at work and some very unpleasant goings on, linked to the Esquimaux, Arctic expeditions and more. This book has got so much going on, so many links and threads running through it.
If I'm honest, I sometimes felt my concentration waning a little and having to pull it back to take in all the information I was being given, and all the strands in the story. It is absolutely rich with detail: the dirty streets, the stench of the river, the sounds of the ships. It's very much a novel about voyages on the water actually, from the one that Birdie takes from London to Orkney, to the ill-fated Franklin expedition. Also, Birdie works for shipping companies so there's a solid link to seas and rivers running all the way through.
I liked how the island people were portrayed, particularly Margaret who is a strong woman looking after herself, and Morag, called a witch by some, and clearly someone with great spiritual powers. And in London, I enjoyed Birdie's relationship with Solomon which wasn't what it once was but there was still a spark there between them as they get into some rather hairy situations in their quest for the truth.
The Canary Keeper is a relatively large book (398 pages) which required some investment on my part in terms of attention but which I found very satisfying. The story is so intriguing, so full of depth and the writing is beautifully descriptive. If you're a historical fiction/mystery fan then this is the perfect blend for you.
Birdie Quinn is our heroine. She has suffered in her past but she's a good, steady person, working as a bookkeeper. One evening she is walking by the river when she spots a corpse, which is not that unusual in Victorian London, but this is a man who had earlier accosted her in a drunken manner in the street. Unfortunately for Birdie, she is spotted and named as an accomplice in his murder.
Birdie is a widow. She has had a gentleman friend fairly recently, a policeman called Solomon, but they parted ways. However, Solomon is now called upon to help her to clear her name. As the dead man had links to Orkney, Birdie decides to travel there by boat to find out what she can about him and what led to his murder.
This is a fascinating story. Birdie is a likeable character, measured and thoughtful in her ways. I found her time on Orkney to be so interesting as she becomes close to certain members of the community there and discovers so much about why the man ended up dead. I don't know what Orkney was like in Victorian times but I felt like the setting was very authentic and very atmospheric. There are dark forces at work and some very unpleasant goings on, linked to the Esquimaux, Arctic expeditions and more. This book has got so much going on, so many links and threads running through it.
If I'm honest, I sometimes felt my concentration waning a little and having to pull it back to take in all the information I was being given, and all the strands in the story. It is absolutely rich with detail: the dirty streets, the stench of the river, the sounds of the ships. It's very much a novel about voyages on the water actually, from the one that Birdie takes from London to Orkney, to the ill-fated Franklin expedition. Also, Birdie works for shipping companies so there's a solid link to seas and rivers running all the way through.
I liked how the island people were portrayed, particularly Margaret who is a strong woman looking after herself, and Morag, called a witch by some, and clearly someone with great spiritual powers. And in London, I enjoyed Birdie's relationship with Solomon which wasn't what it once was but there was still a spark there between them as they get into some rather hairy situations in their quest for the truth.
The Canary Keeper is a relatively large book (398 pages) which required some investment on my part in terms of attention but which I found very satisfying. The story is so intriguing, so full of depth and the writing is beautifully descriptive. If you're a historical fiction/mystery fan then this is the perfect blend for you.
June 17, 2020
3-1/2*
London 1855 - a gothic murder mystery. No need to explain the plot further, the book description does that well enough.
It started out brilliantly with the engaging character of Birdie who must flee London when she is thought to be an accomplice in a heinous murder.
Descriptive passages perfectly crafted to conjure optimum atmosphere.
Three quarter of the way through, just as I was getting a sense of who the villain might be, the story waned, took a different tack, and left me with an unsatisfactory ending which seemed to have little to do with the first part of the story.
London 1855 - a gothic murder mystery. No need to explain the plot further, the book description does that well enough.
It started out brilliantly with the engaging character of Birdie who must flee London when she is thought to be an accomplice in a heinous murder.
Descriptive passages perfectly crafted to conjure optimum atmosphere.
Three quarter of the way through, just as I was getting a sense of who the villain might be, the story waned, took a different tack, and left me with an unsatisfactory ending which seemed to have little to do with the first part of the story.
September 24, 2019
A definite change of direction and style from one of my favourite authors, and despite not being a massive reader of historical crime fiction, I enjoyed this book very much indeed. The story traverses between 19th century London and Orkney, and opening with the discovery of a dead man on the fetid shore of the River Thames, Carson immediately places us firmly in the feel and atmosphere of this burgeoning city.
As with her previous series, Carson once again demonstrates her intuitive and precise approach to scene setting, and as we journey with Birdie to the remote reaches of Scotland, as she flees a trumped up murder charge, Carson cleverly draws comparisons between the claustrophobic intensity of le in a teeming city, and that of a small coastal community. Carson also expands the story significantly to draw on the story of the ill-fated journey of William Franklin to Canada and beyond, and having recently read Michael Palin’s book Erebus, about Franklin and his exploration, it was really satisfying to have an overlap in the realms of fiction and fact, demonstrating again Carson’s attention to detail and her skilful interweaving of the plain facts into incredibly readable fiction. Aside from the historical accuracy and sense of time and place, Carson creates in Birdie a truly empathetic and brave protagonist. From the familiar surroundings of her life in London, this determined and feisty girl embarks on a journey of discovery, not only to a completely alien community, but on her own mission to unmask a murderer and clear her name. Again, Carson adroitly mixes a commentary on the patriarchal nature of the time and how women’s lives are defined and shaped by their correlation to such an ardently male society, but cleverly pushes a subtext of how women can escape from, or manipulate this overarching definition of 19th century society. Indeed, the female characters within the book all demonstrate this inner will to defy and challenge the patriarchal norm, and exhibit a strength of character that is to be admired, despite the perilous situation that Birdie amongst others find themselves in.
There is always a slight flicker of tension, but also anticipation when an author you admire decides to travel a different path with their writing. However, my fears were quickly assuaged and Carson has only succeeded further in endearing myself to her writing, her superlative plotting, characterisation, and her innate ability to thoroughly immerse her reader in the world she presents. Highly recommended.
As with her previous series, Carson once again demonstrates her intuitive and precise approach to scene setting, and as we journey with Birdie to the remote reaches of Scotland, as she flees a trumped up murder charge, Carson cleverly draws comparisons between the claustrophobic intensity of le in a teeming city, and that of a small coastal community. Carson also expands the story significantly to draw on the story of the ill-fated journey of William Franklin to Canada and beyond, and having recently read Michael Palin’s book Erebus, about Franklin and his exploration, it was really satisfying to have an overlap in the realms of fiction and fact, demonstrating again Carson’s attention to detail and her skilful interweaving of the plain facts into incredibly readable fiction. Aside from the historical accuracy and sense of time and place, Carson creates in Birdie a truly empathetic and brave protagonist. From the familiar surroundings of her life in London, this determined and feisty girl embarks on a journey of discovery, not only to a completely alien community, but on her own mission to unmask a murderer and clear her name. Again, Carson adroitly mixes a commentary on the patriarchal nature of the time and how women’s lives are defined and shaped by their correlation to such an ardently male society, but cleverly pushes a subtext of how women can escape from, or manipulate this overarching definition of 19th century society. Indeed, the female characters within the book all demonstrate this inner will to defy and challenge the patriarchal norm, and exhibit a strength of character that is to be admired, despite the perilous situation that Birdie amongst others find themselves in.
There is always a slight flicker of tension, but also anticipation when an author you admire decides to travel a different path with their writing. However, my fears were quickly assuaged and Carson has only succeeded further in endearing myself to her writing, her superlative plotting, characterisation, and her innate ability to thoroughly immerse her reader in the world she presents. Highly recommended.
February 4, 2022
3,5 stars.
August 21, 2019
An atmospheric thriller set in Victorian London and the Orkney Isles. It's beautifully written with strong female characters.
Fabulous!
Fabulous!
March 18, 2021
I thought I was onto a winner when I started the book! The story quite different and I enjoyed the settings; Victorian London with a gothic feel. And far away Orkney. I also liked the Franklyn touch, the mystery of his doomed expedition in the background of the story. BUT, there were far too many completely unnecessary descriptive details, the same type of descriptive details over and over again which really got quite boring. Also Birdie, the main character kept coming into contact with 'wise women' again of the same type which I found boring. So only 3 *
March 27, 2020
The Canary Keeper had me gripped from the first page, opening as to does with a hanging. Clare Carson sets the book in both London and Stromness, two places that couldn’t be more different. London is a mass of people, socially and ethnically very different, with a foggy or sooty atmosphere that lingers. Stromness is the polar opposite, barely one street, everyone knows everyone else and the air is clear. Being a town where ships dock before heading to the far north for the fur trade it is a place where women seem to be more prominent and run their own businesses, and how this opens some of them up to accusations of witchcraft. Clare Carson’s writing adds colour, or lack of it, and life to these places with her descriptive prose, especially in her descriptions of those who live there; the Esquimax, those of Jewish decent, and the Irish.
Birdie Quinn is the eponymous Canary Keeper in the title of this book, or should I say was. As a child her father had a collection of canaries that she loved, but after his death she set them free rather than let them be taken to a new home. Birdie is one of the lucky women in that she had a good education and job before the events of this book. She has been widowed for four years, but continues to wear mourning so she doesn’t solicit undue attention. Considering all she has been through, she is a strong and independent women, her only weakness is Met Policeman Solomon Finkle. Her courage and determination to clear her name shines through, especially in her journey to Orkney, which only gives her more questions than answers. Along the way she meets some wonderful characters including Margaret Skaill who runs her own business even though she can’t read, and Morag Forth who travelled to the Artic dressed as a man. These strong women, because of their success, are often linked with myths and witchcraft.
As well as the main plot, Clare Carson weaves in the story of Sir John Franklin whose two ships disappeared on their voyage to the Artic. This mystery captures the imagination of many, and stories of what happened kept on being reported, but all were just rumours. This story shows how dangerous these voyages could be and adds to the underlying malice of the plot that builds throughout the book.
The Canary Keeper is a wonderful historian thriller, with a feel of the gothic. The underlying menace simmers throughout, whilst the fear gradually builds towards a brilliant ending. There are some amazing and memorable characters, not all nice, that grab your attention and add to the brilliance of this book. Beautifully written with wonderful depictions of place and people, this is an atmospheric and suspenseful read, of one young woman’s adventure.
Birdie Quinn is the eponymous Canary Keeper in the title of this book, or should I say was. As a child her father had a collection of canaries that she loved, but after his death she set them free rather than let them be taken to a new home. Birdie is one of the lucky women in that she had a good education and job before the events of this book. She has been widowed for four years, but continues to wear mourning so she doesn’t solicit undue attention. Considering all she has been through, she is a strong and independent women, her only weakness is Met Policeman Solomon Finkle. Her courage and determination to clear her name shines through, especially in her journey to Orkney, which only gives her more questions than answers. Along the way she meets some wonderful characters including Margaret Skaill who runs her own business even though she can’t read, and Morag Forth who travelled to the Artic dressed as a man. These strong women, because of their success, are often linked with myths and witchcraft.
As well as the main plot, Clare Carson weaves in the story of Sir John Franklin whose two ships disappeared on their voyage to the Artic. This mystery captures the imagination of many, and stories of what happened kept on being reported, but all were just rumours. This story shows how dangerous these voyages could be and adds to the underlying malice of the plot that builds throughout the book.
The Canary Keeper is a wonderful historian thriller, with a feel of the gothic. The underlying menace simmers throughout, whilst the fear gradually builds towards a brilliant ending. There are some amazing and memorable characters, not all nice, that grab your attention and add to the brilliance of this book. Beautifully written with wonderful depictions of place and people, this is an atmospheric and suspenseful read, of one young woman’s adventure.
June 1, 2020
I have previously come across Clare Carson as a mystery and thriller writer of the Sam Coyle trilogy set in Orkney so I was very excited to hear that she had written an historical fiction novel. We return to Orkney, albeit figuratively, in The Canary Keeper but through Clare Carson's vivid and atmospheric writing it does almost feel as if you are there and I half expected the cold sea wind to whip up my hair whilst I was reading.
The book starts in London with a prologue that sets out events in Birdie's childhood that will go on to change the course of her life. We then meet Birdie 14 years later as Widow Quinn when she discovers the body of Orkneyman Tobias Skaill on the shore of the Thames which makes her the prime suspect in his murder. The only way to clear her name is to discover more about Tobias' past so, on the run from the police, Birdie bravely sets sail for Orkney.
As I already knew from her previous writing, Clare Carson can evoke a keen sense of place in her novels but she goes one better in The Canary Keeper; not only transporting her reader to a different place but also to a different time. I experienced the whole book in three dimensions and had vivid scenes in my mind comprising sights, sounds and smells of the era.
Birdie is such a strong female character in a time when men ruled the world. When her father died, Birdie was taken under the wing of a benefactor who made sure she had a good education and was given a job as a bookkeeper in a shipping company; all very unusual for a woman of the 19th Century. Now a young widow, I loved reading about Birdie's burgeoning relationship with policeman, Solly, and loved how she named her creepy parrot after him. Although slightly unfair to the parrot, I say 'creepy' because all the parrot can say at first is 'skin for a skin' which gave me the chills.
There is so much going on in this book that it really does have everything; crime, thriller, romance, family secrets as well as historical interest. Clare Carson actually based the book on real historical records but, in adding some amazingly strong female characters, she weaves an intricate and intelligent story filled with treachery and danger. I was completely riveted from start to finish and loved everything about it. I do hope Clare Carson writes more historical fiction as The Canary Keeper is nothing short of exceptional.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
The book starts in London with a prologue that sets out events in Birdie's childhood that will go on to change the course of her life. We then meet Birdie 14 years later as Widow Quinn when she discovers the body of Orkneyman Tobias Skaill on the shore of the Thames which makes her the prime suspect in his murder. The only way to clear her name is to discover more about Tobias' past so, on the run from the police, Birdie bravely sets sail for Orkney.
As I already knew from her previous writing, Clare Carson can evoke a keen sense of place in her novels but she goes one better in The Canary Keeper; not only transporting her reader to a different place but also to a different time. I experienced the whole book in three dimensions and had vivid scenes in my mind comprising sights, sounds and smells of the era.
Birdie is such a strong female character in a time when men ruled the world. When her father died, Birdie was taken under the wing of a benefactor who made sure she had a good education and was given a job as a bookkeeper in a shipping company; all very unusual for a woman of the 19th Century. Now a young widow, I loved reading about Birdie's burgeoning relationship with policeman, Solly, and loved how she named her creepy parrot after him. Although slightly unfair to the parrot, I say 'creepy' because all the parrot can say at first is 'skin for a skin' which gave me the chills.
There is so much going on in this book that it really does have everything; crime, thriller, romance, family secrets as well as historical interest. Clare Carson actually based the book on real historical records but, in adding some amazingly strong female characters, she weaves an intricate and intelligent story filled with treachery and danger. I was completely riveted from start to finish and loved everything about it. I do hope Clare Carson writes more historical fiction as The Canary Keeper is nothing short of exceptional.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
August 18, 2019
A wonderfully atmospheric historical mystery that pulls you in and refuses to let go. From the grim claustrophobic London docks, to the freah salty air of Orkney, the story is intricately plotted and a pure pleasure to read.
March 23, 2020
There are many elements and layers to this story, and the author imbues Birdie with "the sight" which is particularly useful when linking past events (to which the reader has not been privy) with those events unfolding. It took me a little while to get into this story, and early on I was tempted to put it aside, but I am glad I persevered as the tale that unfolds is well-told (and well- researched), and gradually draws you ever deeper, from the gloomy narrow streets of London to the wilds of the Orkney Islands.
May 27, 2019
Thank you to netgalley.co.uk for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have said this before, I know we are not supposed to 'judge the book by its cover', But this cover caught my attention and just made me want to read this novel. Long story short, I'm glad I did, this is an exciting storyline which sucked me in, and I could not stop reading this. There are a lot of Victorian mysteries out there, so many that I don't think I could read them all in my lifetime but this one really stood out for me. I strongly recommend this one.
I have said this before, I know we are not supposed to 'judge the book by its cover', But this cover caught my attention and just made me want to read this novel. Long story short, I'm glad I did, this is an exciting storyline which sucked me in, and I could not stop reading this. There are a lot of Victorian mysteries out there, so many that I don't think I could read them all in my lifetime but this one really stood out for me. I strongly recommend this one.
March 7, 2020
The cover drew me in, made me curious...The locations of London and Orkney sealed the deal for me. I've spent summers in Orkney so could really imagine how this may have been back in the mid 19th century - and it would have been a harsh, dreary place. And London with the Fog and grime and smells... She illustrates so well you can almost touch it, be there, and you really wouldn't want to.
The Canary Keeper is a really well written dark atmospheric Victorian mystery about the fur trade and other shady goings on in the shipping trade with an undercurrent of family betrayal. The strong lead female characters Birdie and Margaret were likable and I would've like to have gone into more depth with her other relationships as I think this may have tied the ending in tighter for me.
Something I found interesting was lots of different types of birds popping up throughout the book and made use of the dictionary function so I got an idea of what they were!
Clare has spent time researching Orkney and London's shipping trades and it shows. I really enjoyed this book. It took me a wee while to get used to the style as it's the first time I've read anything like this but I'd definitely read this genre again. Thanks Clare ;)
The Canary Keeper is a really well written dark atmospheric Victorian mystery about the fur trade and other shady goings on in the shipping trade with an undercurrent of family betrayal. The strong lead female characters Birdie and Margaret were likable and I would've like to have gone into more depth with her other relationships as I think this may have tied the ending in tighter for me.
Something I found interesting was lots of different types of birds popping up throughout the book and made use of the dictionary function so I got an idea of what they were!
Clare has spent time researching Orkney and London's shipping trades and it shows. I really enjoyed this book. It took me a wee while to get used to the style as it's the first time I've read anything like this but I'd definitely read this genre again. Thanks Clare ;)
December 1, 2020
Review originally posted on The Bibliophile Chronicles.
The Canary Keeper is the dark and compelling story of set in Victorian London. When a body is discovered on the banks of the the Thames an eye witness claims that the killer’s accomplice is a young Irish woman living London. Her father was hanged for murder and soon she becomes caught up in the murder, with the police accusing her of being the killer’s accomplice. In order to clear her name Birdie has to flee for her life and to trace the footsteps of the man she is accused of killing. Her search takes her to the remote town of Orkney where she begins to find that there is more to this murder than she could possibly have realised.
The Canary Keeper was a really interesting story, with plenty of twists I didn’t guess. It kept me guessing right till the very end – I didn’t figure out who was behind the mysteries until they were revealed. Carson creates a really strong sense of atmosphere and I really loved the two contrasting settings – the murky, dark banks of the Thames and the wild harsh landscape of Orkney.
While I enjoyed the mystery I did find the book quite slow paced and particularly around the middle I found the story dragging a little. I wanted to know who was behind the mystery and unravelled a bit slowly for my liking. Despite this I still found the book a really fascinating one and really liked the strong female characters that Carson brought to life in this story.
The Canary Keeper is an atmospheric and enjoyable read, particularly for a dark winter evening. If you’re a fan of historical mystery/thrillers this would definitely be one to pick up.
The Canary Keeper is the dark and compelling story of set in Victorian London. When a body is discovered on the banks of the the Thames an eye witness claims that the killer’s accomplice is a young Irish woman living London. Her father was hanged for murder and soon she becomes caught up in the murder, with the police accusing her of being the killer’s accomplice. In order to clear her name Birdie has to flee for her life and to trace the footsteps of the man she is accused of killing. Her search takes her to the remote town of Orkney where she begins to find that there is more to this murder than she could possibly have realised.
The Canary Keeper was a really interesting story, with plenty of twists I didn’t guess. It kept me guessing right till the very end – I didn’t figure out who was behind the mysteries until they were revealed. Carson creates a really strong sense of atmosphere and I really loved the two contrasting settings – the murky, dark banks of the Thames and the wild harsh landscape of Orkney.
While I enjoyed the mystery I did find the book quite slow paced and particularly around the middle I found the story dragging a little. I wanted to know who was behind the mystery and unravelled a bit slowly for my liking. Despite this I still found the book a really fascinating one and really liked the strong female characters that Carson brought to life in this story.
The Canary Keeper is an atmospheric and enjoyable read, particularly for a dark winter evening. If you’re a fan of historical mystery/thrillers this would definitely be one to pick up.
January 26, 2020
A classy historical literary thriller with great characters, gripping plot and vivid realisation of historical time and place (in London and Orkney). A lot of fascinating detail - from Inuit in Orkney in the mid-19thC to the Franklin expedition to the Arctic. I loved the characters - particularly the strong Stromness women Margaret and Morag. Great read.
November 21, 2019
A thrilling journey
Once I began reading I couldn't stop,in fact I didn't want to stop.
I love historical fiction especially when it involves facts and facts that I previously had not known.
The characters,the descriptions of the settings are so real you could almost touch them.
Once I began reading I couldn't stop,in fact I didn't want to stop.
I love historical fiction especially when it involves facts and facts that I previously had not known.
The characters,the descriptions of the settings are so real you could almost touch them.
July 4, 2025
I picked this book up in the library, because I had a feeling I had already read Orkney Twilight but the synopsis of that book does not ring any bells. I have an idea I took it out a couple of years ago but didn't get round to reading it because Mark read it first and then it was due back. He remembers it from the synopsis.
However glancing at the back cover and the author's notes on the inside back of the cover, I imagined that this book was not about Orkney. It was only when I read the front inside cover, at home later, that I realised its action also is partially in Orkney, as well as the dockyards of London.
Clare Carson weaves a lot of historical fact into her writing, as well as Orcadian folklore. Set in the dockyards of London and in Stromness in Orkney the writing also takes one to the icy regions of the Hudson Bay company and Russia in the baffling mystery that Birdie has to solve with a little help from perhaps the only honest policeman of the Met. at the time.
The picture it paints of the contrast between the poverty of the majority and the decadent life of luxury of many of the wealthy rings too many bells with the situation in many places still today.
Carson is a master of the story. I hope there will be more from her to read.
However glancing at the back cover and the author's notes on the inside back of the cover, I imagined that this book was not about Orkney. It was only when I read the front inside cover, at home later, that I realised its action also is partially in Orkney, as well as the dockyards of London.
Clare Carson weaves a lot of historical fact into her writing, as well as Orcadian folklore. Set in the dockyards of London and in Stromness in Orkney the writing also takes one to the icy regions of the Hudson Bay company and Russia in the baffling mystery that Birdie has to solve with a little help from perhaps the only honest policeman of the Met. at the time.
The picture it paints of the contrast between the poverty of the majority and the decadent life of luxury of many of the wealthy rings too many bells with the situation in many places still today.
Carson is a master of the story. I hope there will be more from her to read.
July 15, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with a kindle version of this book!
Set in Victorian London, Birdie is wrongly implicated in the murder of a man found dumped on the shores of the Thames. To clear her name, Birdie must travel to Orkney in the far north and attempt to retrace the dead man's footsteps.
This is a very atmospheric book and really transports you to some dark, damp and cold places! I have been reading this during the southern hemisphere winter and can really picture the scenes in this book.
The storyline is interesting and moves along at a good pace, however I do admit to getting a little lost in the storyline at times, as there is a lot going on! Not too much that you can't figure it out though.
I loved the female characters in this - Birdie, Margaret and Morag. All three are strong characters in their own unique way and I enjoyed what each character brought to the story.
Overall this is a great ambient story that is perfect for winter reading.
Set in Victorian London, Birdie is wrongly implicated in the murder of a man found dumped on the shores of the Thames. To clear her name, Birdie must travel to Orkney in the far north and attempt to retrace the dead man's footsteps.
This is a very atmospheric book and really transports you to some dark, damp and cold places! I have been reading this during the southern hemisphere winter and can really picture the scenes in this book.
The storyline is interesting and moves along at a good pace, however I do admit to getting a little lost in the storyline at times, as there is a lot going on! Not too much that you can't figure it out though.
I loved the female characters in this - Birdie, Margaret and Morag. All three are strong characters in their own unique way and I enjoyed what each character brought to the story.
Overall this is a great ambient story that is perfect for winter reading.
November 5, 2020
I was instantly absorbed into this piece of historic fiction. Carson writes with such suspense and adventure perfectly portraying 1850's Britain.
A body is dumped on the shore of the Thames and in the city there are Esquimaux stalking the streets of London. Birdie Quinn is eye witness to these events but she had no reason to be by the river that morning. To save her life she traces the dead man's footsteps to the Isles of Orkney but she stumbles across more answers than she bargained for. (which by the way was an absolute bombshell). A true classic mystery with a dark gothic presence. I must say historical fiction is not my normal go to but I'm so glad I got the chance to give this one a go. There are two settings in this book the dark eerie docks at the Thames and the fresh salty air of the Orkney Isles which are both perfectly set, with a strong lead female character and a bucket load of history this book is one to be devoured.
A body is dumped on the shore of the Thames and in the city there are Esquimaux stalking the streets of London. Birdie Quinn is eye witness to these events but she had no reason to be by the river that morning. To save her life she traces the dead man's footsteps to the Isles of Orkney but she stumbles across more answers than she bargained for. (which by the way was an absolute bombshell). A true classic mystery with a dark gothic presence. I must say historical fiction is not my normal go to but I'm so glad I got the chance to give this one a go. There are two settings in this book the dark eerie docks at the Thames and the fresh salty air of the Orkney Isles which are both perfectly set, with a strong lead female character and a bucket load of history this book is one to be devoured.
December 9, 2020
Thanks to the publishers, author and Netgalley for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is an intricately woven historical gem centering around a young woman who witnesses the dumping of a corpse on the banks of the Thames and is caught in the hunt for the killer. She embarks on a journey to the Orkney Islands where legends of the Finfolk are part of the tapestry of life. Using her incredible intelligence ad special gift of sight she is able to untangle the threads of this murder, finding her own past history and life is more closely associated with this mystery than she could have imagined.
The harsh, arctic landscape of the Orkney Islands contrasts beautifully with the pungent reality of London in this beautifully told story. The author treats each character with respect and insight. This was a true delight to read and exciting until the very last page.
This is an intricately woven historical gem centering around a young woman who witnesses the dumping of a corpse on the banks of the Thames and is caught in the hunt for the killer. She embarks on a journey to the Orkney Islands where legends of the Finfolk are part of the tapestry of life. Using her incredible intelligence ad special gift of sight she is able to untangle the threads of this murder, finding her own past history and life is more closely associated with this mystery than she could have imagined.
The harsh, arctic landscape of the Orkney Islands contrasts beautifully with the pungent reality of London in this beautifully told story. The author treats each character with respect and insight. This was a true delight to read and exciting until the very last page.
December 9, 2020
Thanks to the publishers, author and Netgalley for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is an intricately woven historical gem centering around a young woman who witnesses the dumping of a corpse on the banks of the Thames and is caught in the hunt for the killer. She embarks on a journey to the Orkney Islands where legends of the Finfolk are part of the tapestry of life. Using her incredible intelligence ad special gift of sight she is able to untangle the threads of this murder, finding her own past history and life is more closely associated with this mystery than she could have imagined.
The harsh, arctic landscape of the Orkney Islands contrasts beautifully with the pungent reality of London in this beautifully told story. The author treats each character with respect and insight. This was a true delight to read and exciting until the very last page.
This is an intricately woven historical gem centering around a young woman who witnesses the dumping of a corpse on the banks of the Thames and is caught in the hunt for the killer. She embarks on a journey to the Orkney Islands where legends of the Finfolk are part of the tapestry of life. Using her incredible intelligence ad special gift of sight she is able to untangle the threads of this murder, finding her own past history and life is more closely associated with this mystery than she could have imagined.
The harsh, arctic landscape of the Orkney Islands contrasts beautifully with the pungent reality of London in this beautifully told story. The author treats each character with respect and insight. This was a true delight to read and exciting until the very last page.
April 9, 2020
It was the dual setting of London and Orkney that drew my attention to Clare Carson’s The Canary Keeper. A historical murder mystery with a hint to the Gothic that finds young widow, Birdie Quinn trading the squalid docklands on the banks of the river Thames for the raw open wildness of life of Orkney, in search of answers to clear her name.
Loosely based around the real life disappearance of Artic explorer, Sir John Franklin and his crew in 1845, this is a period I knew very little about, so found the links between the fur trade in the North Atlantic, Stromness and the Hudson Bay Trading Co, fascinating. Enlightening as well as entertaining, The Canary Keeper is one I’ll remember for some time to come.
Loosely based around the real life disappearance of Artic explorer, Sir John Franklin and his crew in 1845, this is a period I knew very little about, so found the links between the fur trade in the North Atlantic, Stromness and the Hudson Bay Trading Co, fascinating. Enlightening as well as entertaining, The Canary Keeper is one I’ll remember for some time to come.
August 2, 2020
Another brilliant novel by Clare Carson. Set in Orkney and London in the 19th century, a brilliantly woven tale of murder and intrigue. The protagonist Birdie, is a strong competent women as are many of the other female characters in this book. Clare’s writing style ensures you understand the emotions of the characters and her brilliant descriptive powers ensure you could be there on the banks of the Thames or on the island of Orkney. Clare is able to pull together very complex plots in all of her novels and this is no exception. There are no week elements, or unnecessary meanderings; just a brilliant storyline from beginning to end. I hope Clare will be publishing more novels maintaining the Orkney/London theme. I would highly recommend all of her novels.
March 7, 2020
The Canary Keeper by Clare Carson is a historical mystery set in the mid-1800s, full of atmospheric descriptions and historic detail. I was particularly interested in the connections to the Franklin Expedition because I had a reading itinerary several years ago that focused on books connected directly and indirectly to the Franklin Expedition and Arctic exploration. There was also a look at the fur trade, the abuses and prejudices against indigenous peoples.
A murder, a false accusation, and an escape to Stromness in the Orkney Islands of Scotland.
Kindle Unlimited
Historic Mystery. 2019. Print length: 416 pages.
A murder, a false accusation, and an escape to Stromness in the Orkney Islands of Scotland.
Kindle Unlimited
Historic Mystery. 2019. Print length: 416 pages.
April 10, 2020
Widowed Birdie is walking along the Thames when she spies a body on the bank. On closer investigation it appears to be the man who drunkenly accosted her the previous evening. Her policeman friend later informs her that the police are looking for her as an accomplice in the murder so she flees to Orkney to find out more about the dead man and hopefully clear her name. I came across this book by accident, having seen nothing online about it and I'm glad I picked it up as it was excellent. Great storyline with some twists and just enough action to be believable. Definitely worth reading if you like your crime with a historical bent.
September 18, 2024
The start is strong but then it startes to slow down. And then slow down some more. While I appreciate the contribution by the author to create this London atmosphere as well as the atmosphere of the remote island, it starts to lose its charm if nothing keeps happening.
Dfed at about 30%. I do not know what's up with the pace with all this new neo-Victorian books but I would much rather read a compact but short book which keeps the pace up, instead of go around the 10th time about a few Inuit toys, whispering children, and scraps about what the dead man could have been up to before he died. And the birds and weird dreams.
Dfed at about 30%. I do not know what's up with the pace with all this new neo-Victorian books but I would much rather read a compact but short book which keeps the pace up, instead of go around the 10th time about a few Inuit toys, whispering children, and scraps about what the dead man could have been up to before he died. And the birds and weird dreams.
November 12, 2019
A great historical mystery read set in London and Orkney in the 1850s. Birdie unwittingly becomes a suspect in a murder and to clear her name she travels to Orkney to investigate. Clare brings to life the locations beautifully, both in the descriptions of the locations and society. How is the dead man connected to Birdie? Is any of her family involved? Atmospheric with lots of history, mystery, and a touch of magic and romance - once involved with the story I just had to keep reading to discover the ending.
December 10, 2023
I have read quite a few books actually written in the 18th and 19th centuries and they (for female characters) they are very different to this. A woman who has a relatively decent position in society walking around on her own in the early hours of the morning and then travelling alone up and down the length of the UK - it just would not happen. This thing could have been set in the post WWII era and it would not have made much difference to the story.
As for the story it was an OKish "triller".
As for the story it was an OKish "triller".
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