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The Angel of Bishopsgate
A terrifying villain. A young woman desperate for answers. A thrilling adventure in 19th Century London.
The Angel of Bishopsgate is the first instalment in this exhilarating historical series, drawing you across the world in a fight for survival, love and freedom.
London, 1848.
Struggling each day in the Old Nichol slums, Tessie and Finn dream of life in the New World.
When Tessie is attacked by an underworld figure known only as the Angel of Bishopsgate, that dream all but disappears along with her beloved Finn.
Desperate to find him, and oblivious to why the Angel wants her dead, Tessie's only clue points home to Dublin and a past long left behind.
As the layers of Victorian London unfold around her, how far will Tessie go to challenge the city's most powerful villain and be reunited with Finn?
Content Advisory: Adult concepts, some violence, some course language.
The Angel of Bishopsgate is the first instalment in this exhilarating historical series, drawing you across the world in a fight for survival, love and freedom.
London, 1848.
Struggling each day in the Old Nichol slums, Tessie and Finn dream of life in the New World.
When Tessie is attacked by an underworld figure known only as the Angel of Bishopsgate, that dream all but disappears along with her beloved Finn.
Desperate to find him, and oblivious to why the Angel wants her dead, Tessie's only clue points home to Dublin and a past long left behind.
As the layers of Victorian London unfold around her, how far will Tessie go to challenge the city's most powerful villain and be reunited with Finn?
Content Advisory: Adult concepts, some violence, some course language.
69 pages, ebook
Published February 19, 2019
69 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Eloise Reuben
2 books3 followersEloise is an Australian living in the United States with her husband, young daughter and 3 mischeivious puppies. She is a lover of old cities and all things travel. She writes historical thrillers bursting with adventure, suspense and plenty of heart.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 28, 2020
Book Reviewed oon www.whisperingstories.com
Awarded 3.5 stars.
‘The Angel of Bishopsgate’ is a historical thriller by Australian-born, American-based author, Eloise Reuben. The story is written in the third person and the past tense. Our main player is 23-year-old Tessie O’Shea, who lives in a slum in Old Nichol Street, London in 1848, with her partner of eight years, Finn.
Tessie’s feckless mother has got into strife back in their native Ireland and the sinister Angel of Bishopsgate wants recompense. His henchman seeks out Tessie and gives her a task. This turns out to be no straightforward errand and so the story unfolds. Tessie and Finn become separated and we then follow their individual threads as they try to reconnect. They can only do so if they find a way to get out of the grasp of the ruthless ‘Angel’.
There is a good balance between dialogue and description but a few things bothered me. Firstly, lexicon; Tessie says ‘yer’ instead of ‘you’ but, in general, her diction is free from the vernacular. Some of the dialogue is awkward and there are numerous examples of conversations which the average UK reader might find incongruous. For example; ‘a shilling and a half’ would be one-and-six and ‘two shilling’ would be two bob.
Secondly, context; this streetwise couple were struggling for money, yet paid well above the odds for their pies. They also managed to afford lodgings with a dedicated stove; not many slums in the early part of the 19th Century would have boasted such a luxury.
Finally, and most importantly, Victorian England was a time of great change with a huge chasm between rich and poor. I wanted to fully immerse myself in those filthy dangerous streets with their dark passages filled with hidden menace but I found it difficult to do so, when I wasn’t convinced by the setting and lacked sympathy for the main characters and their foils.
On the plus side, the author has made a valiant attempt to use descriptive prose to add colour to her tale and some of the literary techniques she employed worked nicely. Although a couple of the anatomical analogies bothered me; ‘the questions danced along her spine,’ and ‘something rumbling in her spine.’
The theme was good versus evil, with elements of love, loyalty and hope, contrasting with hate, fear and betrayal. There are a couple of interesting twists but overall, I found the plot rather too stereotypical.
This might not be for devotees of accurate historical backdrops but, nonetheless, it’s a neat and tidy story with a competent structure. It certainly never flagged and what it lacked in depth, it made up for in drama; I particularly liked Tessie’s time in Ireland and the build up to the climax, so I award a very respectable three-and-a-half stars. To elevate the star rating to a four or five, the subsequent adventures in the series will need to break new ground in terms of thorough research of social setting and interplay between the cast.
Awarded 3.5 stars.
‘The Angel of Bishopsgate’ is a historical thriller by Australian-born, American-based author, Eloise Reuben. The story is written in the third person and the past tense. Our main player is 23-year-old Tessie O’Shea, who lives in a slum in Old Nichol Street, London in 1848, with her partner of eight years, Finn.
Tessie’s feckless mother has got into strife back in their native Ireland and the sinister Angel of Bishopsgate wants recompense. His henchman seeks out Tessie and gives her a task. This turns out to be no straightforward errand and so the story unfolds. Tessie and Finn become separated and we then follow their individual threads as they try to reconnect. They can only do so if they find a way to get out of the grasp of the ruthless ‘Angel’.
There is a good balance between dialogue and description but a few things bothered me. Firstly, lexicon; Tessie says ‘yer’ instead of ‘you’ but, in general, her diction is free from the vernacular. Some of the dialogue is awkward and there are numerous examples of conversations which the average UK reader might find incongruous. For example; ‘a shilling and a half’ would be one-and-six and ‘two shilling’ would be two bob.
Secondly, context; this streetwise couple were struggling for money, yet paid well above the odds for their pies. They also managed to afford lodgings with a dedicated stove; not many slums in the early part of the 19th Century would have boasted such a luxury.
Finally, and most importantly, Victorian England was a time of great change with a huge chasm between rich and poor. I wanted to fully immerse myself in those filthy dangerous streets with their dark passages filled with hidden menace but I found it difficult to do so, when I wasn’t convinced by the setting and lacked sympathy for the main characters and their foils.
On the plus side, the author has made a valiant attempt to use descriptive prose to add colour to her tale and some of the literary techniques she employed worked nicely. Although a couple of the anatomical analogies bothered me; ‘the questions danced along her spine,’ and ‘something rumbling in her spine.’
The theme was good versus evil, with elements of love, loyalty and hope, contrasting with hate, fear and betrayal. There are a couple of interesting twists but overall, I found the plot rather too stereotypical.
This might not be for devotees of accurate historical backdrops but, nonetheless, it’s a neat and tidy story with a competent structure. It certainly never flagged and what it lacked in depth, it made up for in drama; I particularly liked Tessie’s time in Ireland and the build up to the climax, so I award a very respectable three-and-a-half stars. To elevate the star rating to a four or five, the subsequent adventures in the series will need to break new ground in terms of thorough research of social setting and interplay between the cast.
September 10, 2020
When Tessie is targeted by the villainous Angel of Bishopsgate because of the mother she is estranged from, and torn away from her husband Finn, the young couple will do everything in their power to be reunited, and stay alive.
I’m not a big fan of historical fiction, but something about this one drew me in. It sounded really interesting and the excerpt Amazon provides really drew me in. I was really interested in how things would turn out knowing Tessie and Finn would be torn apart. I hoped they would do everything in their power to be reunited, and I absolutely was not disappointed. This is a beautiful novel centered around the strength of one young couple and the lengths they’ll go to not just stay alive, but to be together. Of course, the mystery and thriller part of it was exceptional and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
The Plot: Centered on Family
In 1848, The Angel of Bishopsgate looms over everyone in certain parts of London. His men are everywhere, and it’s either follow his orders or die. Tessie, a runaway from Dublin just managing to scrape by with Finn in the Old Nichol slums, has no idea why he wants her, or what it has to do with the mother she left behind in Dublin 8 years ago, but she just wants to stay alive and Finn just wants to protect her.
It all starts when Moses, one of the Angel’s men, forces Tessie to meet a man and retrieve a necklace. It doesn’t go well and Tessie ends up seriously injured, separated from Finn, and in the company of an enigma of a man called Kyran. She rushes back home despite being in no physical shape for it, only to find Finn missing. Desperate to be reunited and to have the Angel’s death order for her cancelled, she sails back to Dublin with Kyran and his friend Ruby, only to find a more complex and dangerous web that will bring her face to face with the Angel, and the truth of her mother.
Meanwhile, Finn is on the run from the Angel’s men. A fellow Irishman named Mickey comes to his rescue, but they find themselves working for a man they hope will help them rise against the Angel, though he seems just a little too overeager. With the help of a little girl named Madochee, they navigate the twists and turns of the lowest of slums in London and beyond, fighting for their lives and freedom.
This wasn’t exactly fast-paced, but felt fast-paced. Each step was measured and each plot point was smoothly reached, but I’m also positive the e-pages of my Kindle flew under my hands. There were so many secrets, so many twists, so many webs, so many machinations. Yet it wasn’t overwhelming. This story was exceptionally well-told, felt very lifelike, and told a complete story while also leading smoothly into the next book in the trilogy. It’s a story of family and a story of friendship and love. There’s mystery and thrills, and I’m pretty sure my heart was thumping all over the place in my chest.
The most fascinating part, though, was the family angle. The whole story is really something of a family affair. Secrets and identities are slowly, tantalizingly, revealed throughout the novel. It was breathtaking to read.
The Characters: Absolute Perfection and Believable
The characters were so spot on. From the way they spoke, behaved, and dressed, it was absolute perfection. They helped transport me to 1800s London, made me think I was hearing their accents in my head. They felt so lifelike I started to wonder if they were actually real at one point.
I loved that they made mistakes, that they had consequences they had to live with. Nothing was easy, nothing was freely given. They all led hard lives, complicated lives, and it spun them into the people they were.
The relationship between Tessie and Finn was so achingly perfect. They were so beautiful together and apart. I love how their love can overcome anything, how they’re so sure of each other that it makes it possible for them to do anything. Their devotion was incredible, even in the face of certain death. I don’t think I’ve ever loved a couple as much as I love them.
But the one that really melted my heart was the one between Finn and Madochee. Their meeting was by chance, but was exactly what they needed. The trust Madochee places in Finn’s hands was scary and heartwarming, and the fact that they formed such a strong, unlikely bond speaks volumes about Finn. I wouldn’t mind reaching in and plucking him out for myself.
The Setting: 1800s London and Dublin
The book is split between London and Dublin. As it’s historical fiction, which isn’t my forte, I couldn’t say if it’s accurate, but Reuben’s writing certainly brought it to life to me. Whenever I picked it up again, I was just transported back into 1800s London and Dublin. It was gritty and harsh, full of pain that made my heart hurt, but I know enough to know that was reality back then. I didn’t feel Reuben skimped on anything, likely making it as true to reality as possible.
From glittery upper crust halls to the mud and dirt of slums, The Angel of Bishopsgate is in part a tour of 1848 London and Dublin, showcasing the differences in wealth and the stranglehold power has. I felt like I was walking all the different streets with Tessie and Finn. But it all fit perfectly into the story like that one puzzle piece needed to complete the picture.
Overall: A Fantastic Historical Thriller
As historical fiction, The Angel of Bishopsgate absolutely delivered on the historical and fiction. As a mystery and thriller, it definitely had a strong mystery component that was absolutely thrilling. Put together, it made for a breathtaking novel full of atmosphere and danger. The characters were either endearing or felt like people I wouldn’t mind taking down, too. At the same time, they were understandable and had their own weaknesses. This is a complex novel with pieces that work brilliantly together, from the amazing characters to the breathtaking story to the wild adventures across Dublin and London. Definitely an historical fiction novel I’m glad to have read!
Thank you to the author, Eloise Reuben, for a free e-copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
I’m not a big fan of historical fiction, but something about this one drew me in. It sounded really interesting and the excerpt Amazon provides really drew me in. I was really interested in how things would turn out knowing Tessie and Finn would be torn apart. I hoped they would do everything in their power to be reunited, and I absolutely was not disappointed. This is a beautiful novel centered around the strength of one young couple and the lengths they’ll go to not just stay alive, but to be together. Of course, the mystery and thriller part of it was exceptional and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
The Plot: Centered on Family
In 1848, The Angel of Bishopsgate looms over everyone in certain parts of London. His men are everywhere, and it’s either follow his orders or die. Tessie, a runaway from Dublin just managing to scrape by with Finn in the Old Nichol slums, has no idea why he wants her, or what it has to do with the mother she left behind in Dublin 8 years ago, but she just wants to stay alive and Finn just wants to protect her.
It all starts when Moses, one of the Angel’s men, forces Tessie to meet a man and retrieve a necklace. It doesn’t go well and Tessie ends up seriously injured, separated from Finn, and in the company of an enigma of a man called Kyran. She rushes back home despite being in no physical shape for it, only to find Finn missing. Desperate to be reunited and to have the Angel’s death order for her cancelled, she sails back to Dublin with Kyran and his friend Ruby, only to find a more complex and dangerous web that will bring her face to face with the Angel, and the truth of her mother.
Meanwhile, Finn is on the run from the Angel’s men. A fellow Irishman named Mickey comes to his rescue, but they find themselves working for a man they hope will help them rise against the Angel, though he seems just a little too overeager. With the help of a little girl named Madochee, they navigate the twists and turns of the lowest of slums in London and beyond, fighting for their lives and freedom.
This wasn’t exactly fast-paced, but felt fast-paced. Each step was measured and each plot point was smoothly reached, but I’m also positive the e-pages of my Kindle flew under my hands. There were so many secrets, so many twists, so many webs, so many machinations. Yet it wasn’t overwhelming. This story was exceptionally well-told, felt very lifelike, and told a complete story while also leading smoothly into the next book in the trilogy. It’s a story of family and a story of friendship and love. There’s mystery and thrills, and I’m pretty sure my heart was thumping all over the place in my chest.
The most fascinating part, though, was the family angle. The whole story is really something of a family affair. Secrets and identities are slowly, tantalizingly, revealed throughout the novel. It was breathtaking to read.
The Characters: Absolute Perfection and Believable
The characters were so spot on. From the way they spoke, behaved, and dressed, it was absolute perfection. They helped transport me to 1800s London, made me think I was hearing their accents in my head. They felt so lifelike I started to wonder if they were actually real at one point.
I loved that they made mistakes, that they had consequences they had to live with. Nothing was easy, nothing was freely given. They all led hard lives, complicated lives, and it spun them into the people they were.
The relationship between Tessie and Finn was so achingly perfect. They were so beautiful together and apart. I love how their love can overcome anything, how they’re so sure of each other that it makes it possible for them to do anything. Their devotion was incredible, even in the face of certain death. I don’t think I’ve ever loved a couple as much as I love them.
But the one that really melted my heart was the one between Finn and Madochee. Their meeting was by chance, but was exactly what they needed. The trust Madochee places in Finn’s hands was scary and heartwarming, and the fact that they formed such a strong, unlikely bond speaks volumes about Finn. I wouldn’t mind reaching in and plucking him out for myself.
The Setting: 1800s London and Dublin
The book is split between London and Dublin. As it’s historical fiction, which isn’t my forte, I couldn’t say if it’s accurate, but Reuben’s writing certainly brought it to life to me. Whenever I picked it up again, I was just transported back into 1800s London and Dublin. It was gritty and harsh, full of pain that made my heart hurt, but I know enough to know that was reality back then. I didn’t feel Reuben skimped on anything, likely making it as true to reality as possible.
From glittery upper crust halls to the mud and dirt of slums, The Angel of Bishopsgate is in part a tour of 1848 London and Dublin, showcasing the differences in wealth and the stranglehold power has. I felt like I was walking all the different streets with Tessie and Finn. But it all fit perfectly into the story like that one puzzle piece needed to complete the picture.
Overall: A Fantastic Historical Thriller
As historical fiction, The Angel of Bishopsgate absolutely delivered on the historical and fiction. As a mystery and thriller, it definitely had a strong mystery component that was absolutely thrilling. Put together, it made for a breathtaking novel full of atmosphere and danger. The characters were either endearing or felt like people I wouldn’t mind taking down, too. At the same time, they were understandable and had their own weaknesses. This is a complex novel with pieces that work brilliantly together, from the amazing characters to the breathtaking story to the wild adventures across Dublin and London. Definitely an historical fiction novel I’m glad to have read!
Thank you to the author, Eloise Reuben, for a free e-copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 16, 2020
The Angel of Bishopsgate by Eliose Rueben
Published: February 2019
Publisher: Sharpening the Quill
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Thriller
Pages: 356 paperback
Available: ebook, paperback
Reviewers Note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Author bio:
Eloise is an Australian living in the United States with her husband, young daughter and 3 mischievous puppies. As a lover of old cities and all things travel, she writes historical thrillers bursting with adventure, suspense and plenty of heart.
Eloise listens to (probably too many) true-crime podcasts, is addicted to research, cobblestones, thunderstorms, all the foods and every sunset.
Blurb:
A terrifying villain. A young woman desperate for answers. Danger and intrigue in Victorian London.
In 1848, Tessie and Finn struggle each day and dream of one day starting a life far away in the New World.
But when Tessie is attacked by an underworld figure known only as the Angel of Bishopsgate, her fight for survival has only just begun.
Separated from her beloved Finn, and oblivious to why the Angel wants her dead, her only clue points home to Dublin, and a life she thought would never find her.
Battling her way from the notorious Old Nichol slums, and reaching for the sparkling upper classes, how will Tessie survive this game of cat-and-mouse with the city's most notorious villain?
My review:
The plot in brief: (no spoilers) Tessie O'Shea is a young Irish woman living in the slums of London with her husband Finn. Tessie's world comes undone when she is threatened by the Angel of Bishopsgate, a sort of local crime boss. After an attack she is separated from her husband and forced to return to her past for answers.
The characters: I enjoyed the characters in this story, especially Tessie and her husband Finn. The author gives us a pretty good sense of who they are. There is nothing really original about them, but they are likable and easy to cheer on. The 'bad guy' is also pretty predictable as are his minions. The one character that stood out to me as really unusual was the young Haitian girl, Madochee. I thought she was inventive and a great side kick. I also liked Aileen. Tough as nails, but with a soft spot hidden deep within her. I liked the image of her weilding a hatchet in a bar fight!
The history: The book begins in 1848. Queen Victoria had been on the throne for a little less than ten years. London had serious slum issues and the plight of the poor was desperate. The Old Nichol was regarded as the worst of the worst of London slums. The author does a good job of describing life in the period when many people survived on a daily wage of very little. I always enjoying reading about the lives of the 'little people'.
The inclusion of London/Dublin crime syndicates is a great bit of Victorian history. Most large Irish/British cities were over run with crime gangs. London had an all female gang called the Forty Elephants and Birmingham had the Peaky Blinders, now the subject of a BBC television show. The author was able to do something I think shows that her historical fiction is intriguing, I looked up London and it's gangs to read more about it.
The Writing: I have to admit that as much as I enjoyed the story and the characters, I did not enjoy the writing. I found it melodramatic and overwrought. There were many awkward and repetitive phrases.
On one page, Tessie felt 'something rumbling in her spine'. Three sentences later, 'questions danced along her spine' and a few sentences later 'something rumbled up inside her'. Okay, I get it, shes scared, give her spine a rest.
Overall: I enjoyed the story, especially when the action moves to Dublin. I thought the plot was interesting and there were some unique characters which captured my attention. I also found the setting of the story to be of great interest. I think a good editor could improve the writing.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction set during the Victorian era.
I give this book 3 1/2 stars: ⭐⭐⭐1/2
Published: February 2019
Publisher: Sharpening the Quill
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Thriller
Pages: 356 paperback
Available: ebook, paperback
Reviewers Note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Author bio:
Eloise is an Australian living in the United States with her husband, young daughter and 3 mischievous puppies. As a lover of old cities and all things travel, she writes historical thrillers bursting with adventure, suspense and plenty of heart.
Eloise listens to (probably too many) true-crime podcasts, is addicted to research, cobblestones, thunderstorms, all the foods and every sunset.
Blurb:
A terrifying villain. A young woman desperate for answers. Danger and intrigue in Victorian London.
In 1848, Tessie and Finn struggle each day and dream of one day starting a life far away in the New World.
But when Tessie is attacked by an underworld figure known only as the Angel of Bishopsgate, her fight for survival has only just begun.
Separated from her beloved Finn, and oblivious to why the Angel wants her dead, her only clue points home to Dublin, and a life she thought would never find her.
Battling her way from the notorious Old Nichol slums, and reaching for the sparkling upper classes, how will Tessie survive this game of cat-and-mouse with the city's most notorious villain?
My review:
The plot in brief: (no spoilers) Tessie O'Shea is a young Irish woman living in the slums of London with her husband Finn. Tessie's world comes undone when she is threatened by the Angel of Bishopsgate, a sort of local crime boss. After an attack she is separated from her husband and forced to return to her past for answers.
The characters: I enjoyed the characters in this story, especially Tessie and her husband Finn. The author gives us a pretty good sense of who they are. There is nothing really original about them, but they are likable and easy to cheer on. The 'bad guy' is also pretty predictable as are his minions. The one character that stood out to me as really unusual was the young Haitian girl, Madochee. I thought she was inventive and a great side kick. I also liked Aileen. Tough as nails, but with a soft spot hidden deep within her. I liked the image of her weilding a hatchet in a bar fight!
The history: The book begins in 1848. Queen Victoria had been on the throne for a little less than ten years. London had serious slum issues and the plight of the poor was desperate. The Old Nichol was regarded as the worst of the worst of London slums. The author does a good job of describing life in the period when many people survived on a daily wage of very little. I always enjoying reading about the lives of the 'little people'.
The inclusion of London/Dublin crime syndicates is a great bit of Victorian history. Most large Irish/British cities were over run with crime gangs. London had an all female gang called the Forty Elephants and Birmingham had the Peaky Blinders, now the subject of a BBC television show. The author was able to do something I think shows that her historical fiction is intriguing, I looked up London and it's gangs to read more about it.
The Writing: I have to admit that as much as I enjoyed the story and the characters, I did not enjoy the writing. I found it melodramatic and overwrought. There were many awkward and repetitive phrases.
On one page, Tessie felt 'something rumbling in her spine'. Three sentences later, 'questions danced along her spine' and a few sentences later 'something rumbled up inside her'. Okay, I get it, shes scared, give her spine a rest.
Overall: I enjoyed the story, especially when the action moves to Dublin. I thought the plot was interesting and there were some unique characters which captured my attention. I also found the setting of the story to be of great interest. I think a good editor could improve the writing.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction set during the Victorian era.
I give this book 3 1/2 stars: ⭐⭐⭐1/2
October 16, 2020
Oh my! What a roller-coaster of a ride this book was! I loved this story from a new-to-me author.
I had a very hard time putting this book down once I'd started it, and read it start to finish in just two days. This is an engrossing, exciting story.
This is also a dark, gritty and sometimes upsetting book. The author does not give her characters an easy row to hoe for sure! Tessie and Finn have some very large mountains to climb to get to their objective and they live in a time and place that is very mean and cold. And yet. . .
I almost immediately fell completely in love with both Tessie and Finn. They are so earnest and good, and they are trying SO HARD to overcome their obstacles that I wanted to root for them to win from the first page. I was invested in them and their story and their ordeals all the way from the first page of this book to the last. Even when it was downright WRENCHING to read what they were going through I was with them on the edge of my seat. This kind of roughness is sometimes too much for me, but here, because of my connection to the characters, I was able to handle it for their sakes and because I had to know what happened in the end.
The story was a bit confusing at first, and I wasn't quite sure what was going on. Normally, that annoys me in a book, but somehow it didn't bother me here. Possibly because I was so connected to Tessie and Finn that I was willing to be confused for a bit to stick with the characters. It did eventually come clear, and was a pretty clever and interestingly interconnected plot.
Although the ending is a set-up for book 2, we are given a proper ending for the events in this book and I always give an author points for that. I want an ending after giving my time and energy and love to a good book. I want that reward, and this author delivers that. The ending here made me all the more interested in reading the next book to continue with Finn and Tessie's adventures.
I really enjoyed this, and recommend it to those who like a character-driven, gritty story set in Victorian London
I had a very hard time putting this book down once I'd started it, and read it start to finish in just two days. This is an engrossing, exciting story.
This is also a dark, gritty and sometimes upsetting book. The author does not give her characters an easy row to hoe for sure! Tessie and Finn have some very large mountains to climb to get to their objective and they live in a time and place that is very mean and cold. And yet. . .
I almost immediately fell completely in love with both Tessie and Finn. They are so earnest and good, and they are trying SO HARD to overcome their obstacles that I wanted to root for them to win from the first page. I was invested in them and their story and their ordeals all the way from the first page of this book to the last. Even when it was downright WRENCHING to read what they were going through I was with them on the edge of my seat. This kind of roughness is sometimes too much for me, but here, because of my connection to the characters, I was able to handle it for their sakes and because I had to know what happened in the end.
The story was a bit confusing at first, and I wasn't quite sure what was going on. Normally, that annoys me in a book, but somehow it didn't bother me here. Possibly because I was so connected to Tessie and Finn that I was willing to be confused for a bit to stick with the characters. It did eventually come clear, and was a pretty clever and interestingly interconnected plot.
Although the ending is a set-up for book 2, we are given a proper ending for the events in this book and I always give an author points for that. I want an ending after giving my time and energy and love to a good book. I want that reward, and this author delivers that. The ending here made me all the more interested in reading the next book to continue with Finn and Tessie's adventures.
I really enjoyed this, and recommend it to those who like a character-driven, gritty story set in Victorian London
February 15, 2019
The Angel of Bishopsgate #1 - This is my first read by this author and I actually enjoyed all of the story. Well written and thought out, this fast paced, intrigue and suspense filled novel was difficult to put down. The various storylines wove in and out with the characters facing a variety of events and dangers.
The author laid an interesting foundation for the trilogy and I'm sorry I'll have to wait for the next two books. There's no cliffhanger, but there's definitely more to come. The author's talent with descriptions added to the depth of the story with the visualizations of locations, smell and feel, and the range of raw emotions felt by all the characters.
The characters also run the gamut, along with their emotions. There's violence, not gory graphic, but still brutal. The life was hard for many of the characters and each took a route from their beginnings. This is also a story about families. My complaint: edit, edit and edit, please. I found this book on Booksprout. 4*
The author laid an interesting foundation for the trilogy and I'm sorry I'll have to wait for the next two books. There's no cliffhanger, but there's definitely more to come. The author's talent with descriptions added to the depth of the story with the visualizations of locations, smell and feel, and the range of raw emotions felt by all the characters.
The characters also run the gamut, along with their emotions. There's violence, not gory graphic, but still brutal. The life was hard for many of the characters and each took a route from their beginnings. This is also a story about families. My complaint: edit, edit and edit, please. I found this book on Booksprout. 4*
February 19, 2019
The Angel of Bishopsgate #1 - This is my first read by this author and I actually enjoyed all of the story. Well written and thought out, this fast paced, intrigue and suspense filled novel was difficult to put down. The various storylines wove in and out with the characters facing a variety of events and dangers.
The author laid an interesting foundation for the trilogy and I'm sorry I'll have to wait for the next two books. There's no cliffhanger, but there's definitely more to come. The author's talent with descriptions added to the depth of the story with the visualizations of locations, smell and feel, and the range of raw emotions felt by all the characters.
The characters also run the gamut, along with their emotions. There's violence, not gory graphic, but still brutal. The life was hard for many of the characters and each took a route from their beginnings. This is also a story about families. My complaint: edit, edit and edit, please. I found this book on Booksprout. 4*
The author laid an interesting foundation for the trilogy and I'm sorry I'll have to wait for the next two books. There's no cliffhanger, but there's definitely more to come. The author's talent with descriptions added to the depth of the story with the visualizations of locations, smell and feel, and the range of raw emotions felt by all the characters.
The characters also run the gamut, along with their emotions. There's violence, not gory graphic, but still brutal. The life was hard for many of the characters and each took a route from their beginnings. This is also a story about families. My complaint: edit, edit and edit, please. I found this book on Booksprout. 4*
October 13, 2019
I was given this book from the author in return for honest review. This book is amazing read that had me on the edge of what was going to happen next. I wasn’t bored or had to put it down. I am hooked the characters all amazing. Love each of their story lines and how they were with the main characters. This book was very unpredictable and had me saying didn’t see that coming. Highly recommend this book. And can’t wait for the next book!!!!!
About book:
This book is set in 1848 in London. Tessie and Finn are two young people struggle everyday to make ends meet. Until one day a stranger comes to Tessie with a warning. From a man they call the Angel. Tessie and Finn fight for their lives separated not knowing what is going on with each other. Tessie must go back to her past where she doesn’t want to remember things that caused her pain. Again this amazing read.
About book:
This book is set in 1848 in London. Tessie and Finn are two young people struggle everyday to make ends meet. Until one day a stranger comes to Tessie with a warning. From a man they call the Angel. Tessie and Finn fight for their lives separated not knowing what is going on with each other. Tessie must go back to her past where she doesn’t want to remember things that caused her pain. Again this amazing read.
February 19, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Really good plot to the story. Very well written. Would highly recommend it to anyone who likes this kind of stories. Can't wait to read more from this author. Fast paced to the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 22, 2019
I love this story of hard times during the 19th century. To be manipulated by a man who controls everything, everyone, a horrible divide between rich and poor. I cannot wait for more!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 29, 2023
Thrilling
The Angel is one of the most hateful villains since Moriarty. Tess struggles to survive in a world she doesn’t know and has to learn fast.
The Angel is one of the most hateful villains since Moriarty. Tess struggles to survive in a world she doesn’t know and has to learn fast.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews