The Crimes of Alice

The Underground #5

by Erin Bedford

Every story has a beginning. This one started with a girl named Alice.

Lewis was everything my mother wanted for me. Respectable. Wealthy. Not too handsome. Utterly perfect in every way. Then why did I run on our wedding day?

Returning to Wonderland wasn’t my intention, but now I’m finding out those things I thought were a dream are real. And they are so much more dangerous and delicious than I remembered.

Lost in Wonderland with the queen out for my head the last thing I’m worried about is getting back to my liar fiancé and the inhabitants are doing their best to tempt me to stay.

Alice's story is a whychoose reverse harem story where the main female lead does not have to choose between the men.

Genres: Fantasy, Fae, Romance, Magic, Why Choose, Paranormal, Ebooks

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2018

About the author

Erin Bedford is an otaku, recovering coffee addict, and Legend of Zelda fanatic. Her brain is so full of stories that need to be told that she must get them out or explode into a million screaming chibis. Obsessed with fairy tales and bad boys, she hasn’t found a story she can’t twist to match her deviant mind full of innuendos, snarky humor, and dream guys.

On the outside, she’s a work from home mom and bookbinger. One the inside, she’s a thirteen-year-old boy screaming to get out and tell you the pervy joke they found online. As an ex-computer programmer, she dreams of one day combining her love for writing and college credits to make the ultimate video game!

Until then, when she’s not writing, Erin is devouring as many books as possible on her quest to have the biggest book gut of all time. She’s written over thirty books, ranging from paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and even scifi romance.

Also, third person is really weird when writing about yourself. Just putting that out there.

Come chat me up!
www.erinbedford.com
Facebook.com/erinrbedford
twitter.com/erin_bedford

Don’t forget to follow me on Goodreads, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This morning I started with Shakespeare. It was a Children’s version of his stories and yet, my mind just refused to focus on his amazing stories. So, I decided to just put the book aside and read on another time and to pick up something lighter, shorter and less challenging for my mind. And just like I hoped, this book was the perfect read for my current state of mind.

I have to admit, that I wasn’t entirely sure about the plot, but I actually sort of assume that this book was more the introduction to the world, the characters and the mythology and that in the next books in this series the plot will get a little thicker. Normally I would mind a thin plot, but right now I was kinda happy with it. It was perfect for my mood and needs.

And everything else was quite amazing. Firstly there are the characters. I really enjoyed these versions of the various Wonderland friends I’m so attached to. The Tweedles, Chessie, Mad Hatter and Alice were all amazingly well done. They had some resemblance to their original counterparts and yet they were also fully themselves and fully unique.

I also really liked the start of the story and how Lewis Caroll played a huge part in Alice’s life and her visit to Wonderland. Of course, the Caroll version in this story wasn’t the nicest version I’ve ever met and read about, but it really fitted this book and this world.

Because I might have fallen in love with that part the most: the world. Mixing Wonderland with the Fae world was a brilliant idea and it works amazingly well. Not only does it explain the weirdness and the dangers. It also helps with the sexual tension and not making this too much of a slow read. I’m really curious what other adventures are waiting for Alice and her men in this version of Wonderland! So, I hope the wait for the second book won’t be too long!

[Maria Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin Bedford definitely has the magic. How she creates the world for her characters. She definitely knows how to draw us in!

The Crimes of Alice is a prequel to the Underground series. Alice was engaged to Lewis, everything a mother should want; handsome and wealthy, perfect or so her mother thinks, but Alice runs away on her wedding day.

She wasn't planning on returning to Wonderland, but there she is. The land as dangerous as her dream portrays. With the Queen out for her head, Alice must find the way to return to her fiance, but Wonderland is tempting her to stay.

I absolutely love this book and can't wait to see what else Erin brings!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this series.. and The Crimes of Alice fills in more of the missing pieces that happen before Chasing Rabbits.. in this story you will find love, a few surprises and a twist or 2...
If you're wondering what happens in The Crimes of Alice... You will need to read this book..
I Loved reading the Crimes of Alice
I can't wait to see what happens next

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so glad to be back in this world; the Underground series starter Chasing Rabbits was one of the first books I had read by this author. Alice is a side character in that part of the series, and of course she is *the* Alice of Wonderland fame…but she is so very different than the other one. You’ll see what I mean by this when you read the books. This book was fun and well-written, and reading it made me want to go back and reread the others. However, you don’t need to have read any of the others to really enjoy this one. If you are looking for a fun, sexy way to while away an afternoon, I do recommend this as well as the whole series!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/18/2019)! 🎁

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A return to the Underground! To Wonderland! This time Erin Bedford takes us back to the beginning. Back to when the Underground was beginning to fray and the Shadows were spreading their mischief to bring about the downfall of all. This time its Alice’s turn. This is Alice’s story and how she came to be what she now is and how she came to be where she was when we met her in Chasing Rabbits.
The Crimes of Alice is the perfect prequel to the Underground series. I appreciate how the author takes us back to the beginning. The familiar story of Alice being to “Wonderland” as a child has already happened and now she is about to return unexpectedly. The reintroductions of many of the characters in this book are both fun and heated. Alice certainly has a whirlwind of things going on and soon is quite enjoying herself as she enjoys the ups and runs from the downs. I like how the author allows the reader to essentially experience all of this almost seems like it’s the first time for the reader as well. I’ve read the Underground series to completion, but I loved feeling like I was experiencing all of this like it was brand new.
There is nothing that I didn’t like about this story. The storyline is engaging from beginning to end and I appreciate the twists that the author writes in. The humans in the regular world are shown to be exactly what that time period demanded that they be. The characters are unique and engaging and then, of course, the Underground is just as fascinating as in book one.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. This author has brought a fresh taste to her series that is sure to delight readers of the Underground and those who are new to the series as well. Be warned though this book does end on a cliffhanger. I squealed with frustration, but with the promise of more to come, I’m more than happy to wait. This is a must read for those who like retellings, steamy romance, and just the right amount of darkness.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole Normand · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy from BookSprout; this is my honest review.
-First off, the reader needs to know that there are bisexual and reverse-harem style open door scenes. And Alice, who's supposed to be a sexually suppressed Victorian lady, is kissing every male in sight.
-This is a serials, not a series; there is no HEA and no HFN either; it finishes with a cliffhanger.
-We've seen the Twindles and the Hatter in the other books and it was great to see them again. We're still not sure (another unanswered question) why the twins were seen in the reaper's realm with Morgana (AUQ).
-This is Alice's POV, told on the first person. We see how Lewis and Alice meet, her family, what they think of her, etc. It's tame compared to the rest of the book. Her dreams are memories but she doesn't remember going to Wonderland. I have to say that she's so much smarter than Kat concerning growls and other scary sounds.
-So Alice meets a lot of people but we don't really know what's the purpose of that and what they are supposed to be doing - the wedding for example (they never got there BTW).
-When Lynne sees Dorian and Alice together in Lynne's book, I thought Alice was flippant, but actually she's just trying to downsize what she doesn't understand.
-Editing: I'm not sure why the author doesn't invest in an editor... Wrong words: maybe vs. might be, daughters vs. sisters, suite vs. suit... Missing words "of words just (being) said", "a grimace (on) his face", "his mouth (to) mine... Caps where they don't belong "so You should"... Commas everywhere (in the other books it was apostrophes - is this an upgrade?) "and down, my form", "come, this way"... And a whole lot of other different mistakes.

[OldBird · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was told about this series in terms of it being a young adult/new adult Alice in Wonderland where Wonderland is actually the world of the Fae. For that part, I loved it. The fantasy writing read really easily, and I loved the idea of these strange character dreamed up in Alice's past actually being those tricksy Fae guys we get quite a lot of in the YA/NA market. I did raise an eyebrow every now and then at some modernisms that crept in (considering Alice is supposed to be a British Victorian lady) and a couple of typos, but I didn't mind shrugging them off because for the first third of the book I was quite enjoying the strange reimagining that's both familiar and fantastical.

However, you discover pretty quickly this isn't YA-appropriate.

By about 50% I started to get uncomfortable about the amount and abruptness of the erotica content. It's much steamier than I'd anticipated, and there's so much thigh-clenching going on Alice must have leg muscles of steel by the end. I know: irresistible Fae, reverse harem, whychoose... But the erotica (and swearing) just seemed so hardcore at odds with the light tones of the rest of the writing where Alice explored the Underground in all it's non-sexual glory. I guess I just didn't get why the sexy tiemz happened as suddenly as they did without build up. It felt a bit more adult TV than Sarah J. Maas.

The reimagining was great frisky Fae fun (I loved the idea of the Hatter and the Tweedles), and the writing was easy to get through, but the severity of the adult content led me to only skim the second half of the book out of curiosity about the story.

[KittyGrimm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crimes of Alice by Erin Beford

What would you do if you were Alice, who returns to Wonderland, fantastical land that she had thought since she was a child was just something that her imagination had made up?

The story starts following our fmc, Alice Liddell, who is now 20 years old and is arranged to get married with Lewis Carroll, the only man who seems to enjoy her stories of her adventures in Wonderland. Just before she should get married, she hears him talking with his friend, that he is just using her to get the stories of Wonderland, which he plans to write his books of. In her anger and confusion, she sees a white rabbit, which she follows and ends up falling into a hole, arriving back to the world she had named in her mind as Wonderland, which is actually called Underground. In her time away from this land, she has forgotten a lot of different people and places, so in her journey to get back to her world, she is also trying the get her forgotten memories back.

The plot narrative is well written and it is easy to follow things that are happening in the book, without revealing too much what would happen next and keep you guessing until the very end. There were many spicy scenes between Alice and four of the residents (Hatter, Twins and Cheshire) without going too overboard. Their connection to each other was natural, even though it was moving fast.

I would recommend this book to all of them who enjoy their fairytale retellings with more adult tones, like darker topics and steamy scenes.

I will happily give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

[Aimee Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice meets a man that her mother wants her sister to marry. He pays such attention to her and her stories of her dreams. Alice and Lewis get closer, that they plan to marry. On her wedding day, she hears the dreadful truth about her husband. While trying to deal with what she overheard, she sees a large white rabbit. She is at the alter in front of her husband, she runs away towards the rabbit. He leads her to a tree and tells her she is late. She decides to follow him. This leads her on adventure like her dreams that she doesn't fully remember.
She meets Coby and Carban when they save her from the Queen's guard, they dress her in new clothes. But she is feeling an attraction to both of them that she never felt for her fiancé. When the Queen's cards come calling, they act like she is there for other reasons. The guards want the twins and her to go to the see what the Queen wants from them. She sends them all on a quest that takes them to the court. This where she meets Hatter and Chestshire Cat.
She is very attracted to all of them, and gets very close to the Hatter. She is given a choice of being able to stay or leaving to go back to her world. Alice will make a choice and has to live with actions.

I really enjoyed this book, can't wait to read more of this world. There are a few steamy moments with her different men.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janet Bethuy · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Spoilers contained in this review*

Ok, so this is the first out of the entire series that I've read (the series being the "Chasing ___" books) and I'm not exactly sure what to think at this point. The first quarter of the book was kind of hum-drum to me. It had more of a flavor of the original Alice in Wonderland. The book isn't boring, by any means, but the first 25% or so gives the feeling that Alice's life isn't overly thrilling. The only things that she feels are interesting are her dreams, of this wondrous place called "Wonderland." Later, we realize those dreams aren't just imaginings of her mind, after all, but memories.

The middle section of the book doesn't explore the memories well, as it seems she has forgotten most everything about the land she is now visiting. There are some good steamy scenes that are abruptly interrupted and I swear it made me want to figuratively strangle Erin Bedford for that... Don't worry, though. Alice gets her fun before the end of the book. And a very lovely steamy sexy fun, it is. Is it bad to be jealous of a character?

Hopefully, the next book in this portion of the series isn't so much of a tease.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lene Blackthorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is a dream, and what is the strangest reality?
Alice grew up in a very uptight family, considered a weirdo and without big chances for marriage. However, now she is getting married to Mr. Carroll. Eavesdropping on his conversation on the wedding day makes her flee, bringing her to the Underground - a literal Wonderland, meeting all the magical creatures and places she may or may not have dreamed of. Yet is it only a dream, or has the improbable come to life? Loosening up, Alice lets her emotions to run freely. However, one bad decision may change it all..
A twist of Alice in Wonderland, the story has a good base from which it can take inspiration, yet provides enough space for experimenting and creativity. Magic is unlimited source for fantasy fan, and each piece can have a unique strike. I liked this RH spin, particularly enjoying the banter between the male characters, reveling in getting to know them better. The opening at the end, the cliffhanger, sets up a hook that wants me to read the next book soon. Although I did not particularly find a connection to Alice herself, the other characters compensate for this more than enough.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I received an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review.

If you haven’t read any of the Underground series yet by Erin Bedford, this is a great start. While it begins before that series it in itself is a glimpse to a story a lost of us have been wondering.

It’s great to revisit the Underground again. This time with a different focus which helps us find out what led to the chaos of the initial series and it gives us a much deeper look at some side characters.

This has me excited all over again. While short obviously compared to other underground novels, it was really good and I enjoyed ever moment of my read-through.

I am trying so hard to not spoil anything (or any Underground info for those who haven’t read any other books). If you are looking to dive back in get reading now and if you’re new to this amazing world of Erin Bedford, this is a fantastic start to a great series of books!

[Reena · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've read the classic "Alice in Wonderland", forget it. This is a new approach to Alice's adventures, an adult version and a reverse harem. Alice, an adult now, returns to Wonderland thinking she's dreaming, only to discover that not only she's not dreaming but that things were not as she thought. Finding out and understanding what this place means to her, Alice has to make a choice. Whether it's the right one... I think the title says it all. Read on to find out!

I loved the way Erin Bedford depicted the characters of Alice and Wonderland. They make more sense, and yet the craziness of the place is still there. Wonderfully written, Ms. Bedford has a way with words that makes them flow like a calm river and the plot keeps you rooted to the pages till the last page. I haven't read the rest of the series, but I'll definitely do!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderland is real and the real world is no fun. No wonder Alice chooses to go back and see an alternate path for herself.

This is book five of the series, but also both prequel and the start of a new story arc. So this is actually an excellent place to start.

This is a fantasy story which revisits the classic Wonderland setting, and actually is more of a retelling of the original story. And yet, while the setting and characters are familiar, this is not the same story. The story is well written, easy to read and very engaging. If you have read the original series, this story helps sets things up, and yet it does not spoil anything for new readers. I really enjoyed this new take on the story as it felt like discovering it all over again.
Overall, an excellent new start to the series.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 4 out of 5]

A prequel, but not always consistent to the rest of the books. I’d recommend reading it last, rather than first.


Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Catknipnd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book start when Alice is 20 and getting ready to marry Lewi Carroll. She overhears a conversation that indicates he is marrying her only to get access to her “stories” about Wonderland. As she is walking down the aisle, she sees her old friend, the white rabbit, and off she goes on her new adventure.

This is a very grownup Alice. She meets many old friends and makes some new ones. Don’t expect the clean cut Alice of the books or Disney. If you are offended by explicit sex, skip this book. The characters are well-rounded and fleshed out. Each has their own distinct personality. The Underground, as it’s now called, is well-defined and much more menacing than Wonderland.

Definitely recommended but be aware that this ends on a cliffhanger. I can hardly wait for the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[The Mysterious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin Bedford’s The Crimes of Alice is s fantastic sequel to the classic Alice in Wonderland story with an adult Aluce fleeing from her liar of a fiancé back to Wonderland and to real adventure, thrills and romance. Welcome back to the Underground for fans of that series. You’ll be happy to be back. For newcomers, though, don’t worry as this stands alone perfectly - even if I strongly suspect you’ll be intrigued enough to want more stories set here (and you’ll be happy to find them). But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend.

[Jan Niblock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and if I had not already read the rest of the series (which I want to read again now), I would have rushed out to get them.

This one gives you a very different view of Alice and it is tied into the “Alice of Wonderland” books so well. Love the Needle Twins, so unlike Tweedledee and Tweedledum, but I like the Twins much better. Even though this is the prequel, if you read the series, you will have some of your questions answered. If you have not read the series, this book will not have spoiled anything and will probably make you enjoying them even more.

This is new and different Wonderland is definitely an adult Wonderland and not the children’s version we knew and loved. But it is even more fun reading the adult version.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Spoiler Alert*
This book is a different take on the Alice in Wonderland book. In this version Alice (FMC) finds out some not so flattering truths about her fiance on the day shes planning on marrying him. When a certain white rabbit pops up she follows him back to Wonderland (yes shes been there before) but she has no memory of being there before. Yes all the usual characters are in this book. The tweedle twins - Coby & Carban, Hatter (Mercury) and Cheshire (the cat). As well as Queen of Hearts....etc. Im just not sure the kids would like this version of Alice with all the sex in it but i do. Oh and damn you Ms Bedford for that ending. It killed me! Looking forward to the full length series because i need to find out what happens next? A flaming good read though

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having not read the "Chasing" series that this book is a prequel it was a great glimpse into the world to which this Alice enters, the spin on names, the places and how there are plenty of hot guys us great. I will never think of the tweedle brothers the same! The way the book starts and what happens to Alice right before the wedding makes you you really feel for her and to be fair I think I would go down the rabbit hole as well!! I can not wait to read the rest of the series now to find out more about Alice and the wonderful world she visits.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shana Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this but book. Erin is a newer author to me. one thing I noticed over the few books I've read of hers is that she loves a good cliff hanger. Which makes me happy because it keeps you wanting more and think of all the what ifs! With Alice In WonderLand type stories the author must give great detail as to make the scenes clear in your mind. I believe Erin does that here! Also the development between the characters and their past selves is great. I'm excited to see where this cliff hanger goes! The banter between the main characters is also fantastic !!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a prequel to the Underground series and shows us how Alice came to be how she was in Chasing Rabbits. Alice finds out her fiancé has been less than honest with her on the day of their wedding. So when she spies a white rabbit, she chases it and ends up back in Wonderland. This book is easy to read and enjoyable but be warned there is lots of sexual content so *adults only*. The story was interesting and kept me reading and the cliffhanger at the end is a killer! I really want to read the next book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great grown-up version of Alice and Wonderland retelling with all the classic characters there either horrifying to behold or drop dead gorgeous. From reading the first books in the Series I wasn't a fan of Alice i thought she was hearless and imature but now I see she was a child of her time period over indulged and constantly told how a young lady should be and Wonderland was her escape from all that her Playland to be something more and she went a bit crazy and was just as much a victim as and instigator. So I was glad I read this book about Alice.


I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review.

[Jennifer Layne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great and interesting take on Alice In Wonderland; well written with interesting characters and a well built world.

The Crimes of Alice is a prequel to the Underground series. Alice was engaged to Lewis, everything a mother should want; handsome and wealthy, perfect or so her mother thinks, but Alice runs away on her wedding day. The Crimes of Alice fills in more of the missing pieces that happen before Chasing Rabbits.. in this story you will find love, a few surprises and a twist or 2...


Looking forward to the next book ❣

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tera Comer · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG YES !!!! Back in the same world that the Underground series is in and this time we focus on Alice and her side of the story!!! While you do not need to read the Underground series to understand what is going on, why would you want to miss a great series. Since the focus of this book is based on Alice we get to see exactly what kind of chaos she deals with. It is so hard to give praise to this book without giving spoilers, so just go get it and read it for yourself to see just how good it is.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vivian Chrisman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return to Wonderland...

As the Cheshire Cat in "Alice in Wonderland said: "Every adventure requires a first step". This is the first step in Ms. Bedford's "Underground" series. Anyone who has read that series knows Alice caused some trouble but we didn't know the full story. Now we are getting the opportunity to find out what really happened. I'm so happy and excited!! I absolutely loved the "Underground" series and can't wait to return to Wonderland....

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Erin Bedford's unique, twisted, and steamy take on the Alice in Wonderland story. Although derived from the original, the author puts her own creative spin on the tale. Her story drew me in and kept me turning pages until the end wanting to know what would happen next. I definitely loved the sexy times in this very adult retelling, and I am looking forward to Chasing Rabbits (the next book in the Underground series).

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a retelling of Alice in Wonderland, and a prequel to the author's Chasing Rabbits series (and a series about Alice herself, which she will release soon). I really enjoyed it, and would definitely recommend it to fans of Alice and fairytale retellings, though it does have adult, reverse harem content, so would only be suitable for an audience comfortable with that. I'm looking forward to reading more books about Alice in future!
NB I received a complimentary copy of the book but I always give an HONEST review, based wholly on my own opinions

[Marie Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was well written and the majority of the story was well developed. However, I felt that the beginning of the book was slow and I struggled to keep my interest. I liked the character personalities and their dynamics. The story had action, suspense, intrigue, emotion, romance and hot chemistry. I liked this book and it’s definitely worth a read!! I will be reading the next book in the series!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.