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Victorian Mystery #4
The Woman in the Veil
Award-winning author Laura Joh Rowland is back with the fourth in her critically acclaimed Victorian mysteries where the case of a mutilated "Sleeping Beauty" washes ashore in London.
London, June 1890.
Sarah Bain and her friends Lord Hugh Staunton and Mick O'Reilly are crime scene photographers for the Daily World newspaper. After solving a sensational murder, they're under pressure to deliver another big story. On a foggy summer night, they're called to the bank of the river Thames. The murder victim is an unidentified woman whose face has been slashed. But as Sarah takes photographs, she discovers that the woman is still alive.
The case of "Sleeping Beauty" becomes a public sensation, and three parties quickly come forward to identify a rich, sinister artist who claims she's his wife; a mother and her two daughters who co-own a nursing home and claim she's their stepdaughter/sister; and a precocious little girl who claims Sleeping Beauty is her mother. Which party is Sleeping Beauty's rightful kin? Is someone among them her would-be killer?
Then Sleeping Beauty awakens--with a severe case of amnesia. She's forgotten her name and everything else about herself. But she recognizes one of the people who've claimed her. Sarah is delighted to reunite a family and send Sleeping Beauty home--until one of the claimants is murdered. Suddenly, Sarah, her motley crew of friends, and her fiancé Detective Sergeant Barrett are on the wrong side of the law. Now they must identify the killer before they find themselves headed for the gallows.
London, June 1890.
Sarah Bain and her friends Lord Hugh Staunton and Mick O'Reilly are crime scene photographers for the Daily World newspaper. After solving a sensational murder, they're under pressure to deliver another big story. On a foggy summer night, they're called to the bank of the river Thames. The murder victim is an unidentified woman whose face has been slashed. But as Sarah takes photographs, she discovers that the woman is still alive.
The case of "Sleeping Beauty" becomes a public sensation, and three parties quickly come forward to identify a rich, sinister artist who claims she's his wife; a mother and her two daughters who co-own a nursing home and claim she's their stepdaughter/sister; and a precocious little girl who claims Sleeping Beauty is her mother. Which party is Sleeping Beauty's rightful kin? Is someone among them her would-be killer?
Then Sleeping Beauty awakens--with a severe case of amnesia. She's forgotten her name and everything else about herself. But she recognizes one of the people who've claimed her. Sarah is delighted to reunite a family and send Sleeping Beauty home--until one of the claimants is murdered. Suddenly, Sarah, her motley crew of friends, and her fiancé Detective Sergeant Barrett are on the wrong side of the law. Now they must identify the killer before they find themselves headed for the gallows.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 7, 2020
130 people are currently reading
1844 people want to read
About the author
Laura Joh Rowland
73 books1,291 followersGranddaughter of Chinese and Korean immigrants, Laura Joh Rowland grew up in Michigan and where she graduated with a B.S. in microbiology and a Master of Public Health at the University of Michigan. She currently lives in New Orleans with her husband. She has worked as a chemist, microbiologist, sanitary inspector and quality engineer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
December 30, 2019
Sarah Bain and her companions Lord Hugh Stanton and fourteen year old former street urchin Mick O'Reilly are employed as crime scene journalists and photographers for the Daily World newspaper in
Victorian London. When they come across an unconscious, near dead naked woman lying in the water at the edge of the Thames, the newspaper's owner christens her 'Sleeping Beauty' and calls for information from the public as to who she might be. Her face has been horribly mutilated so identification from photos is not possible. Inundated with reports of missing women, the police settle on three likely possible women - a missing step sister from an abusive family, a missing wife of an artist who seems obsessed with having her returned to him and a missing mother of a small girl. When the woman regains consciousness she professes to be one of these women but both of the other families believe she is lying.
This is a very twisted tale with nearly everyone covering up lies and crimes. Through their sleuthing, Sarah, Hugh and Mick uncover the truth but not without exposing themselves to considerable danger first. Although I enjoyed the mystery and especially the ending, it just didn't feel like it was set in Victorian England. This could easily have been a modern day tale with the use of photography and investigative techniques, not to mention the modern day language. There wasn't a tangible Victorian atmosphere about the streets or behaviour of the characters. I was also puzzled that they all shared a house. For a young unmarried woman of good character to share a house in 1890 with an unmarried Lord (albeit one who has been disowned by the aristocracy due to his arrest in a homosexual club) and a street urchin would have been scandalous and somewhat inexplicable. Apart from those niggling details, it was a ripping good yarn. 3.5★
With thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for a digital ARC to read.
Victorian London. When they come across an unconscious, near dead naked woman lying in the water at the edge of the Thames, the newspaper's owner christens her 'Sleeping Beauty' and calls for information from the public as to who she might be. Her face has been horribly mutilated so identification from photos is not possible. Inundated with reports of missing women, the police settle on three likely possible women - a missing step sister from an abusive family, a missing wife of an artist who seems obsessed with having her returned to him and a missing mother of a small girl. When the woman regains consciousness she professes to be one of these women but both of the other families believe she is lying.
This is a very twisted tale with nearly everyone covering up lies and crimes. Through their sleuthing, Sarah, Hugh and Mick uncover the truth but not without exposing themselves to considerable danger first. Although I enjoyed the mystery and especially the ending, it just didn't feel like it was set in Victorian England. This could easily have been a modern day tale with the use of photography and investigative techniques, not to mention the modern day language. There wasn't a tangible Victorian atmosphere about the streets or behaviour of the characters. I was also puzzled that they all shared a house. For a young unmarried woman of good character to share a house in 1890 with an unmarried Lord (albeit one who has been disowned by the aristocracy due to his arrest in a homosexual club) and a street urchin would have been scandalous and somewhat inexplicable. Apart from those niggling details, it was a ripping good yarn. 3.5★
With thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for a digital ARC to read.
November 22, 2019
There's no exhilaration like facing death and surviving.
Just ask Sarah Bain and her band of friends. It's June of 1890 in the East End of London down the dark streets of Whitechapel. Murder and mayhem line these streets and set a whisper to one's ear. Don't dally too long on a solo trip. Those long shadows on the walls near the alley do belong to someone.....
Sarah is employed by the Daily World newspaper as a photographer with her street-wise fourteen year old assistant Mick. Lord Hugh Staunton, banished from high society, accompanies Sarah as she photographs gruesome scenes for the morning edition of the news. Her fiance, Detective Sargeant Thomas Barrett, serves on the Whitechapel police department. Needless to say, he becomes exasperated at the constant danger that Sarah finds herself in.
And trouble, literally, finds Sarah near the dock with camera in hand. A young nude woman lays injured in the darkness. After covering her up, Sarah takes photos of her and this female stranger becomes noted as Sleeping Beauty. Three different families claim her as their missing loved one even though her facial injuries are severe. Each holds a possibility.
Laura Joh Rowland presents another Victorian mystery with plenty of zig and zag in the making. Although #4 in the series, it can be read as a standalone. Rowland knows how to keep you guessing and layers her story with multiple threads. Her character of Sarah is grandly intelligent with a steel backbone for living on her own without family. Rowland sticks to time and place without infusing outlandish modern attributes to her characters. You'll feel the Victorian atmosphere with Whitechapel front and center. Quite the read, indeed.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to Laura Joh Rowland for the opportunity.
Just ask Sarah Bain and her band of friends. It's June of 1890 in the East End of London down the dark streets of Whitechapel. Murder and mayhem line these streets and set a whisper to one's ear. Don't dally too long on a solo trip. Those long shadows on the walls near the alley do belong to someone.....
Sarah is employed by the Daily World newspaper as a photographer with her street-wise fourteen year old assistant Mick. Lord Hugh Staunton, banished from high society, accompanies Sarah as she photographs gruesome scenes for the morning edition of the news. Her fiance, Detective Sargeant Thomas Barrett, serves on the Whitechapel police department. Needless to say, he becomes exasperated at the constant danger that Sarah finds herself in.
And trouble, literally, finds Sarah near the dock with camera in hand. A young nude woman lays injured in the darkness. After covering her up, Sarah takes photos of her and this female stranger becomes noted as Sleeping Beauty. Three different families claim her as their missing loved one even though her facial injuries are severe. Each holds a possibility.
Laura Joh Rowland presents another Victorian mystery with plenty of zig and zag in the making. Although #4 in the series, it can be read as a standalone. Rowland knows how to keep you guessing and layers her story with multiple threads. Her character of Sarah is grandly intelligent with a steel backbone for living on her own without family. Rowland sticks to time and place without infusing outlandish modern attributes to her characters. You'll feel the Victorian atmosphere with Whitechapel front and center. Quite the read, indeed.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to Laura Joh Rowland for the opportunity.
April 5, 2025
I received a free electronic copy of this excellent historical novel from Netgalley, Laura Joh Rowland, and Crooked Lane Books. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend Laura Joh Rowland to friends and family. She writes an excellent mystery with authentic Victorian England details and background, in a story that is hard to put down.
We spend our time in Londons' East End in 1890. The novels preceding this one - Victorian Mystery 1-2-3, involve some of these same protagonists and the Ripper, and there are a couple of other series Rowland has covered well. She is going on my authors to watch for list. I love finding someone I newly appreciate with a long backlist of stories to tell.
Venetia is a young lass who robs the scenes from the adults in this tale. She's a girl after your heart. Most of the protagonists are working on the side of right. There are a couple of bad cops, and a landlord or two who need a talking to, a couple of really bad people to sort out, but for the most part you will enjoy everyone in this story. The Gang who do backup for our intrepid photographer are a good crew who work well together and try to cover all the angles. As with most people, each has its own little peccadillos to muddle through, making them more approachable. Altogether, a good, fast read. And if you had any doubts about the benefits of modern sanitation, this story will open your eyes...
pub date Jan 7, 2020
Crooked Lane Books
Reviewed on Goodreads and Netgalley on January 5, 2020. Reviewed on January 7, 2020, at AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay.
We spend our time in Londons' East End in 1890. The novels preceding this one - Victorian Mystery 1-2-3, involve some of these same protagonists and the Ripper, and there are a couple of other series Rowland has covered well. She is going on my authors to watch for list. I love finding someone I newly appreciate with a long backlist of stories to tell.
Venetia is a young lass who robs the scenes from the adults in this tale. She's a girl after your heart. Most of the protagonists are working on the side of right. There are a couple of bad cops, and a landlord or two who need a talking to, a couple of really bad people to sort out, but for the most part you will enjoy everyone in this story. The Gang who do backup for our intrepid photographer are a good crew who work well together and try to cover all the angles. As with most people, each has its own little peccadillos to muddle through, making them more approachable. Altogether, a good, fast read. And if you had any doubts about the benefits of modern sanitation, this story will open your eyes...
pub date Jan 7, 2020
Crooked Lane Books
Reviewed on Goodreads and Netgalley on January 5, 2020. Reviewed on January 7, 2020, at AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay.
November 20, 2019
We're back in 1890 London with our band of investigative journalists spurred on by Sarah, their photographer. They work closely with the London police and report to the Daily World newspaper.
In this exciting new installment Sarah and her crew find a body of a woman half dragged into the river Thames, her face cut up beyond recognition. When Sarah starts taking pictures she finds the woman still alive. The group rushes her to hospital and open an inquest into her identity.
Three possible family members show up to claim our Jane Doe, who herself can't remember who she is and doesn't recognize any of the visitors. Or does she?
The story is complex yet easy to follow, the characters fun to be with, all set in a smog filled industrial environment and moving at a gripping pace.
Only nearer the end do the pieces of the mystery fall into place.
Although part of a series, this book can easily be read as a stand alone.
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.
In this exciting new installment Sarah and her crew find a body of a woman half dragged into the river Thames, her face cut up beyond recognition. When Sarah starts taking pictures she finds the woman still alive. The group rushes her to hospital and open an inquest into her identity.
Three possible family members show up to claim our Jane Doe, who herself can't remember who she is and doesn't recognize any of the visitors. Or does she?
The story is complex yet easy to follow, the characters fun to be with, all set in a smog filled industrial environment and moving at a gripping pace.
Only nearer the end do the pieces of the mystery fall into place.
Although part of a series, this book can easily be read as a stand alone.
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.
February 7, 2020
This is #4 in a series and I have not read the previous books. It’s possible I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the others.
The main characters seem interesting. The mystery of the woman found mutilated and suffering from amnesia also interesting.
The first part of the book was ok, then it dragged, then a very rushed ending with everything happening all at once.
I am not encouraged to go back and read the previous books or to seek out book #5 should it become available.
The main characters seem interesting. The mystery of the woman found mutilated and suffering from amnesia also interesting.
The first part of the book was ok, then it dragged, then a very rushed ending with everything happening all at once.
I am not encouraged to go back and read the previous books or to seek out book #5 should it become available.
January 1, 2020
An encompassing Victorian murder mystery!
Rowland has that special gift of placing the reader steadfastly not only in the times and location of the story but firmly in the mind of the major character.
Sarah Bain, daughter of a wanted child killer and a gifted photographer is now herself a photographer, who along with her friends, street urchin Mick O'Reilly and Lord Hugh Staunton, is working for the Daily World newspaper.
Always there's a delicate balance between finding the story that will satisfy Sir Gerald Mariner and his paper's readers, and having to scrape a living.
It's 1890 and Sarah is called to the scene of a dead naked woman sprawled on the banks of the Thames River, surrounded by raucous witnesses. "The river laps at her, covering her legs up to her knees with foam. She looks like a mermaid that has washed ashore—a wounded mermaid." Startlingly, Sarah discovers she is barely alive! The injured victim remains in a coma. The story is broken under the heading Sleeping Beauty.
And this is the beginning of not only a tortured search for the woman's identity, but the pursuit of Sarah by the dreadfully vindictive Inspector Reid who has a deep and abiding hatred and grudge against her. Fueled by the promotion of Sarah's fiancé Detective Sergeant Thomas Barrett over himself, Reid does all he can to bring Barrett down and implicate Sarah as a murderer.
Whilst uncovering Sleeping Beauty's secrets, Sara discovers more about her own family--all disturbing!
I do admire the way Rowland leads us along, revealing more information about Sarah and her birth family, and about the disparate people she has now made her own family. Brick by brick, a more complete picture of Sarah's background is emerging. As surprising to Sarah as it is to us.
Rowland so excels at this type of complex storytelling, that revels in wicked reversals and charged situations. A first rate twisty, dark Victorian murder mystery that kept me breathless.
A Crooked Lane ARC via NetGalley
Rowland has that special gift of placing the reader steadfastly not only in the times and location of the story but firmly in the mind of the major character.
Sarah Bain, daughter of a wanted child killer and a gifted photographer is now herself a photographer, who along with her friends, street urchin Mick O'Reilly and Lord Hugh Staunton, is working for the Daily World newspaper.
Always there's a delicate balance between finding the story that will satisfy Sir Gerald Mariner and his paper's readers, and having to scrape a living.
It's 1890 and Sarah is called to the scene of a dead naked woman sprawled on the banks of the Thames River, surrounded by raucous witnesses. "The river laps at her, covering her legs up to her knees with foam. She looks like a mermaid that has washed ashore—a wounded mermaid." Startlingly, Sarah discovers she is barely alive! The injured victim remains in a coma. The story is broken under the heading Sleeping Beauty.
And this is the beginning of not only a tortured search for the woman's identity, but the pursuit of Sarah by the dreadfully vindictive Inspector Reid who has a deep and abiding hatred and grudge against her. Fueled by the promotion of Sarah's fiancé Detective Sergeant Thomas Barrett over himself, Reid does all he can to bring Barrett down and implicate Sarah as a murderer.
Whilst uncovering Sleeping Beauty's secrets, Sara discovers more about her own family--all disturbing!
I do admire the way Rowland leads us along, revealing more information about Sarah and her birth family, and about the disparate people she has now made her own family. Brick by brick, a more complete picture of Sarah's background is emerging. As surprising to Sarah as it is to us.
Rowland so excels at this type of complex storytelling, that revels in wicked reversals and charged situations. A first rate twisty, dark Victorian murder mystery that kept me breathless.
A Crooked Lane ARC via NetGalley
August 29, 2019
I am a fool. I just realized this was a part of a series and one that I’ve been dying to start reading. We all know that I am a huge fan of murder mysteries especially set in the Victorian era and if you didn’t know, allow me to introduce myself.
Hello, my name is Amanda and I love mysteries that include MURDER and the Victorian era.
I promise I’m not as morbid as I appear *cough*
This book is fantastic. From the very beginning when our protagonist Sara Bain happens upon a half dead, disfigured woman I knew this was going to be the book for me. Normally, I shy away from series reads that I haven’t read in order but in this case the writing is so great and plenty of background information is given so it doesn’t feel like I missed a thing. Rather, I have the urge to read all the books preceding to this.
The characters are interesting. Sara’s job is insanely cool if not gruesome and we see how nurturing she is from the start. Also, I usually can’t stand romance in books like this but this was nice and felt genuine. A good dose of murder, intrigue, and some *waggles eyebrows* loins aflame makes for a great read
Thank you very much to the publisher and Netgalley for this copy of my ARC.
Hello, my name is Amanda and I love mysteries that include MURDER and the Victorian era.
I promise I’m not as morbid as I appear *cough*
This book is fantastic. From the very beginning when our protagonist Sara Bain happens upon a half dead, disfigured woman I knew this was going to be the book for me. Normally, I shy away from series reads that I haven’t read in order but in this case the writing is so great and plenty of background information is given so it doesn’t feel like I missed a thing. Rather, I have the urge to read all the books preceding to this.
The characters are interesting. Sara’s job is insanely cool if not gruesome and we see how nurturing she is from the start. Also, I usually can’t stand romance in books like this but this was nice and felt genuine. A good dose of murder, intrigue, and some *waggles eyebrows* loins aflame makes for a great read
Thank you very much to the publisher and Netgalley for this copy of my ARC.
January 18, 2020
Sent to photograph a murder scene for the newspaper she works for, Sarah Bain is utterly shocked when the victim turns out to be not actually dead. She winds up investigating the case of the amnesiac the media dub ‘Sleeping Beauty’ instead, wanting to help the injured young woman get back to her loved ones. With three different people coming forward claiming to be the next of kin, though, Sarah has her work cut out for her figuring out who’s telling the truth… and why the others are lying.
The author has created a richly detailed world here, with a fascinatingly diverse cast of characters it’s nice to see in a historical novel. With a gay principal side character and several people of color represented, the cast of this book looks much as Victorian London might actually have appeared. The plot is fascinating, if far-fetched, and the only problem I really had is that way too much reference is given to events in previous books of the series, which I haven’t read. If you’re a devotee of the series you’ll already know just what Sarah’s crew had to do with Jack the Ripper, but I was completely bemused by lots of sly hints that didn’t actually ever sum up what had happened. Yes, the plot arc of this book stood on its own, but there are obviously several overarching series plots and with the failure to recap past events, I don’t think it’s a good idea to read this book without having read the earlier books in the series.
That said… I did really enjoy it, and I do want to go back and read the rest of the series, and I absolutely would read more of them, too. So with the caveat of Don’t Start Here, I’m still going to give this five stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
The author has created a richly detailed world here, with a fascinatingly diverse cast of characters it’s nice to see in a historical novel. With a gay principal side character and several people of color represented, the cast of this book looks much as Victorian London might actually have appeared. The plot is fascinating, if far-fetched, and the only problem I really had is that way too much reference is given to events in previous books of the series, which I haven’t read. If you’re a devotee of the series you’ll already know just what Sarah’s crew had to do with Jack the Ripper, but I was completely bemused by lots of sly hints that didn’t actually ever sum up what had happened. Yes, the plot arc of this book stood on its own, but there are obviously several overarching series plots and with the failure to recap past events, I don’t think it’s a good idea to read this book without having read the earlier books in the series.
That said… I did really enjoy it, and I do want to go back and read the rest of the series, and I absolutely would read more of them, too. So with the caveat of Don’t Start Here, I’m still going to give this five stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
January 7, 2020
Review coming soon!
November 17, 2019
This is an excellent Victorian mystery series and I'm looking forward to the next one.
February 12, 2020
Another fantastic addition to Joh Rowland's Victorian series, I can't get enough of Sara Bain and her group. So well written, she takes to the place, and you can truly see and smell what is described. Characters are believable, and it's tough to put the book down.
January 7, 2021
London June 1890 “Hindsight is like a warped camera lens.” Laura Joh Rowland’s The Woman in the Veil (A Victorian Mystery #4) is the first Victorian mystery that I have read by this author. I began this mystery and just kept reading. I found the characters realistic, and I liked them immediately. Sarah Bain is a crime scene photographer for the Daily World newspaper along with her friends Lord Hugh Staunton and Mick O’Reilly
who all live together in London’s area of Whitechapel. As this is #4 of the series, I will have to back track to discover all that these friends and reporters have seen and in what they have been involved. One case that is mentioned more than once is the Jack the Ripper case in which these 3 were involved, and I would really like to uncover how (back track) Each of these 3 major characters has secrets involving their past. Intriguing! Sarah, being a photographer, fights another battle - a woman in a man’s career. The author’s prose keeps the reader reading, and the characters’ dialogue is clever and quick-witted. The plot centers around ‘Sleeping Beauty’, a victim of a vicious crime who is found by Sarah and her friends and thought to be dead until Sarah sees her breathe. The only difficulty that I had with this story is not enough detail of Victorian London is present, and being an Anglophile, I have read many Victorian set stories. I had to keep reminding myself this story does not have a contemporary setting. 4 stars.
who all live together in London’s area of Whitechapel. As this is #4 of the series, I will have to back track to discover all that these friends and reporters have seen and in what they have been involved. One case that is mentioned more than once is the Jack the Ripper case in which these 3 were involved, and I would really like to uncover how (back track) Each of these 3 major characters has secrets involving their past. Intriguing! Sarah, being a photographer, fights another battle - a woman in a man’s career. The author’s prose keeps the reader reading, and the characters’ dialogue is clever and quick-witted. The plot centers around ‘Sleeping Beauty’, a victim of a vicious crime who is found by Sarah and her friends and thought to be dead until Sarah sees her breathe. The only difficulty that I had with this story is not enough detail of Victorian London is present, and being an Anglophile, I have read many Victorian set stories. I had to keep reminding myself this story does not have a contemporary setting. 4 stars.
December 27, 2019
Laura Joh Rowland has had a successful writing career, and she deserves every bit of it. Her first series, which was set in medieval Japan was wonderful, and her new series, of which “The Woman in the Veil” is the fourth installment, is just superb. This series is set in nineteenth-century Britain, with this book taking place in 1890. The protagonist is Sarah Bain, a photographer who works for a newspaper. Her friends and co-workers are Lord Hugh Staunton, Mick O’Reilly, and her fiancé Detective Sergeant Barratt.
I don’t like spoilers so I am going to be very careful in what I say. Although part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone as Rowland makes sure to explain the references to earlier books. Sarah and her friends are taking pictures of a dead woman who had suffered horrific injuries before washing up on the bank of the Thames. Suddenly, Sarah realizes that the woman is alive, and the book takes off from there. This is a very convoluted plot, a very atmospheric novel, and has parts which are especially tense. There are twists in the plot which I defy anyone to see coming.
This is a most worthy successor to last year’s “The Hangman’s Secret.” Rowland knows her business, and she delivers. I thoroughly enjoyed “The Woman in the Veil,” and I am already looking forward to next year’s book. I recommend this book, and award it all five of the stars which I am allotted.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions are my own.
I don’t like spoilers so I am going to be very careful in what I say. Although part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone as Rowland makes sure to explain the references to earlier books. Sarah and her friends are taking pictures of a dead woman who had suffered horrific injuries before washing up on the bank of the Thames. Suddenly, Sarah realizes that the woman is alive, and the book takes off from there. This is a very convoluted plot, a very atmospheric novel, and has parts which are especially tense. There are twists in the plot which I defy anyone to see coming.
This is a most worthy successor to last year’s “The Hangman’s Secret.” Rowland knows her business, and she delivers. I thoroughly enjoyed “The Woman in the Veil,” and I am already looking forward to next year’s book. I recommend this book, and award it all five of the stars which I am allotted.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions are my own.
December 4, 2025
RATING: 4 STARS
2020; Crooked Lane Books
Sarah, Hugh and Mick are still crime scene photographers for the Daily World newspaper so that is the plus for the gang. After their last case they are on thin ice with the police and Sir Gerald. As they look for the next big case, they find it. A woman is found drowned naked slashed, and as Sarah takes her photos she finds that the woman is still alive. Soon the Daily World is splashed with her photo and dubbed "Sleeping Beauty". Three different parties come forward claiming Sleeping Beauty as their own. Sarah and Barrett each have their own opinions on who Sleeping Beauty belongs with, and this differing of opinions could be their downfall in uncovering the truth.
Siiiiiigh, I am all caught up and have to wait another year for another Sarah Bain book. While I am happy to finally be caught up, it also sucks that I have to wait. Because as we know, I don't have a million books on my tar list, lol. This was another great instalment of action, intrigue, suspense, romance, banter and just a good read. I highly recommend this series and I would suggest reading it in order as there is a secondary story that runs throughout the books. Reading them in order really gives insight to each character's past, especially Sarah's.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2020; Crooked Lane Books
Sarah, Hugh and Mick are still crime scene photographers for the Daily World newspaper so that is the plus for the gang. After their last case they are on thin ice with the police and Sir Gerald. As they look for the next big case, they find it. A woman is found drowned naked slashed, and as Sarah takes her photos she finds that the woman is still alive. Soon the Daily World is splashed with her photo and dubbed "Sleeping Beauty". Three different parties come forward claiming Sleeping Beauty as their own. Sarah and Barrett each have their own opinions on who Sleeping Beauty belongs with, and this differing of opinions could be their downfall in uncovering the truth.
Siiiiiigh, I am all caught up and have to wait another year for another Sarah Bain book. While I am happy to finally be caught up, it also sucks that I have to wait. Because as we know, I don't have a million books on my tar list, lol. This was another great instalment of action, intrigue, suspense, romance, banter and just a good read. I highly recommend this series and I would suggest reading it in order as there is a secondary story that runs throughout the books. Reading them in order really gives insight to each character's past, especially Sarah's.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
June 26, 2019
This book is one of the strongest in this series! With the exception of the first novel, I've had the privilege of getting all the rest of them as arcs from Netgalley, and I'm very thankful. I really liked this story. There are several "twists," and I was constantly kept engaged and guessing. I LOVE the cover. This is a series I will continue to read!
July 11, 2019
Great addition to the series! The excellent characters continue to develop along with their relationships, both romantic and friendship. The mystery itself never slowed down and had some well written twists and turns. Sarah continues to be a great protagonist who is smart and likeable. I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series when it comes out!
June 25, 2019
This is fourth book in this series. I really enjoyed the story, it had mystery and a bit of romance. Looking forward to their next adventure! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy!
January 6, 2020
The genre of historical mysteries is one of my favorites and the Victorian series written by Laura Joh Rowland is at the top of my list. If you are new to this series, no worries, it works fine as a stand alone. This is the fourth in the series and the latest puzzle for Sarah Bain, Mick and Lord Hugh Staunton. The body of a woman has been found on the banks of the Themes, below a pub. When they arrive, people from the pub are milling around, gawking at her naked body as the tide starts to rise. Sarah sets up her camera knowing that time is of the essence - soon the river will wash away what little evidence the onlookers haven't messed up. The woman will be almost impossible to identify as her face has been disfigured by a severe beating. Just as the body is about to be removed to the morgue, Sarah, while taking detailed photos, discovers that the poor woman is still alive. When they arrive at the hospital and the doctor has assessed her injuries, he says she won't last long and Sarah decides to stay by her side, holding her hand. Surprisingly, the woman responds to Sarah by squeezing her hand and Sarah is even more determined to identify her and find out who wanted her dead.
As they investigate on their own, Sarah's fiance, Det. Sgt. Thomas Barrett is given the case. The powers that be on the police force want him to fail and his case load is enough to drown any other policeman. He only has one assistant and needs all the help he can get. Sarah, Mick and Hugh share more than living quarters, they share a talent for tracking down killers. When the newspaper they work for prints the details of the Jane Doe in hopes of identifying her, three possibilities emerge. When Jane Doe is able, she claims one of the identities but the three parties disagree and it remains a puzzle for them to solve.
I enjoy the character of Sarah, a woman who lives outside the social norms. She is very strong and very intelligent, making her way through life as a very talented photographer. Her partners, fourteen year old Mick, a former street urchin and Hugh, a disgraced Lord, turfed out by his family for being homosexual, share a home and shock society no end. Each one of them is making their own way, society be darned. I really like that in a character. The Victorian setting is my favorite of the genre and when it's a part of a very well written mystery with multiple threads going and well developed characters, it isn't hard for me to bestow five stars on it.
My thanks to the publisher Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
As they investigate on their own, Sarah's fiance, Det. Sgt. Thomas Barrett is given the case. The powers that be on the police force want him to fail and his case load is enough to drown any other policeman. He only has one assistant and needs all the help he can get. Sarah, Mick and Hugh share more than living quarters, they share a talent for tracking down killers. When the newspaper they work for prints the details of the Jane Doe in hopes of identifying her, three possibilities emerge. When Jane Doe is able, she claims one of the identities but the three parties disagree and it remains a puzzle for them to solve.
I enjoy the character of Sarah, a woman who lives outside the social norms. She is very strong and very intelligent, making her way through life as a very talented photographer. Her partners, fourteen year old Mick, a former street urchin and Hugh, a disgraced Lord, turfed out by his family for being homosexual, share a home and shock society no end. Each one of them is making their own way, society be darned. I really like that in a character. The Victorian setting is my favorite of the genre and when it's a part of a very well written mystery with multiple threads going and well developed characters, it isn't hard for me to bestow five stars on it.
My thanks to the publisher Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 11, 2021
Sarah Bain, a photography has gotten a job with the Daily World newspaper taking photos of crime scenes. Mick and Hugh are right along with her. They also do detective work on the side. There is a body partially in the river, a nude woman. There are a few from the tavern taking bets about touching her privates and one takes the bet. SArah, Hugh and Mick arrive at the same time as the jerk comping a feel. Sarah of course looses her temper and yells at them. The poor women face has been slashed beyond recognition. After the photographing her she is thinking of covering the body and discovers the woman is not dead. She is raced to the hospital cleaned and stitched up. All the while holding onto Sarah's hand. Sarah sits with her for a while. When she gets to the newspaper Hugh and Mick have developed the pictures. The papers owner calls them in and looks at the photos. Mick, Hugh and Sarah have already come up with a plan to find her would be killer, now to convince their boss that there will be follow up stories. And the game is afoote.
January 21, 2020
This entry in Rowland's Victorian series find photographer Sarah Bain, her colleagues from the Daily World, and her police sergeant fiance investigating the identity of an amnesiac woman dubbed Sleeping Beauty. Worth reading it you enjoy Bain et al, but not quite up to the standard of the rest of the series.
November 29, 2021
Holiday Pangram!! R D P O H L U 🦌
July 11, 2022
Quite the tangled web in this one!
March 25, 2022
This was fun! Excusing the fact that I started with book 4 and not book 1, I think I’m going to really like this series. Book 1 is ready to start now!
January 12, 2020
Do you enjoy a multilayered mystery where every page seems to be a new twist and turn added to the plot? The Woman in the Veil is that kind of mystery. Right from the first chapter itself, I was hooked and had to keep on reading.
There are many things that I loved about this book. Firstly, it is a historical mystery - one of my favourite genres. This story is set in London 1890. Secondly, despite being book 4 of this Victorian Mystery series, it can be read as standalone since there are just enough backstories for readers to understand the context. Don’t you just love it when an author does that? Thirdly, the characters, especially Sarah Bain, the main character, are likeable and I enjoy their backstories. What is interesting is that Sarah also has her own family mystery to solve and this is the cherry on top. It makes you feel more connected to the character. It's like knowing more about a friend. And lastly, the plot is really intriguing and clever! It kept me guessing until the end. Honestly, this is a great series to read. Although I've only read book 3 (The Hangman's Secret) and this book 4, the story gets better each time.
Plot summary:
Sarah Bain and her friends, Lord Staunton and O'Reilly are crime scene photographers, investigators and reporters for the Daily World newspaper. One day, they are called to photograph a crime scene by the river at Shadwell. The murder victim is an unidentified woman whose face is mutilated. And as Sarah begins to photograph her, she discovers that the victim is still alive! "Sleeping Beauty" is what the media calls her since she is in coma now after surviving this brutal attack. Police are seeking the public to help identify her and there are three parties who come forward. This puzzles the police and Sarah. And as if things could not get any more mysterious, one day, Sleeping Beauty wakes up but with a severe case of amnesia.
Now go read this book to find out what will happen next. Who is Sleeping Beauty's rightful kin? Who is telling lies? Will Sleeping Beauty remembers anything before her attack?
***I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed in this review are my own and was not influenced by the author, publisher or any third party.***
There are many things that I loved about this book. Firstly, it is a historical mystery - one of my favourite genres. This story is set in London 1890. Secondly, despite being book 4 of this Victorian Mystery series, it can be read as standalone since there are just enough backstories for readers to understand the context. Don’t you just love it when an author does that? Thirdly, the characters, especially Sarah Bain, the main character, are likeable and I enjoy their backstories. What is interesting is that Sarah also has her own family mystery to solve and this is the cherry on top. It makes you feel more connected to the character. It's like knowing more about a friend. And lastly, the plot is really intriguing and clever! It kept me guessing until the end. Honestly, this is a great series to read. Although I've only read book 3 (The Hangman's Secret) and this book 4, the story gets better each time.
Plot summary:
Sarah Bain and her friends, Lord Staunton and O'Reilly are crime scene photographers, investigators and reporters for the Daily World newspaper. One day, they are called to photograph a crime scene by the river at Shadwell. The murder victim is an unidentified woman whose face is mutilated. And as Sarah begins to photograph her, she discovers that the victim is still alive! "Sleeping Beauty" is what the media calls her since she is in coma now after surviving this brutal attack. Police are seeking the public to help identify her and there are three parties who come forward. This puzzles the police and Sarah. And as if things could not get any more mysterious, one day, Sleeping Beauty wakes up but with a severe case of amnesia.
Now go read this book to find out what will happen next. Who is Sleeping Beauty's rightful kin? Who is telling lies? Will Sleeping Beauty remembers anything before her attack?
***I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed in this review are my own and was not influenced by the author, publisher or any third party.***
January 6, 2020
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Woman in the Veil is the 4th book in Laura Joh Rowland's Victorian mystery series featuring an ensemble cast of crime scene photographer Sarah Bain and her associates. Due out 7th Jan 2020 from crime imprint Crooked Lane Books, it's 352 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
Set in London in 1890, Sarah is called out to photograph a crime scene and finds a horribly mutilated nude woman who isn't actually dead. Dubbed 'Sleeping Beauty' by the press, they struggle to identify the woman as well as tie up other crimes simultaneously with their complicated private lives.
This is a well written book with appealing and (mostly) believable characters. It's a historical procedural cozy and as such, there are quite a number of secondary characters who are a bit two dimensional and feel ever so slightly like window dressing inserted to move the plot along. There is a strong romance element and some secondary drama from those plot elements (Lord Hugh and his on/off lover Tristan as well as clandestine groping between Sarah herself and her fiance, policeman Thomas Barrett). The language is relatively clean, with an occasional mild curse, there is also some consensual sexual content.
The climax and denouement were the weak points for me. The mystery of the injured woman's true identity develops well, with three possible identities each of which is problematic for one reason or another. The final chapter and epilogue were completely over the top and somewhat unrealistic. It didn't ruin the book for me or anything, this is a well written and entertaining read, but especially the actual climax was very choppy and awkwardly written. It felt as though the end could have benefited from a ruthless edit and rewrite.
Three and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
The Woman in the Veil is the 4th book in Laura Joh Rowland's Victorian mystery series featuring an ensemble cast of crime scene photographer Sarah Bain and her associates. Due out 7th Jan 2020 from crime imprint Crooked Lane Books, it's 352 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
Set in London in 1890, Sarah is called out to photograph a crime scene and finds a horribly mutilated nude woman who isn't actually dead. Dubbed 'Sleeping Beauty' by the press, they struggle to identify the woman as well as tie up other crimes simultaneously with their complicated private lives.
This is a well written book with appealing and (mostly) believable characters. It's a historical procedural cozy and as such, there are quite a number of secondary characters who are a bit two dimensional and feel ever so slightly like window dressing inserted to move the plot along. There is a strong romance element and some secondary drama from those plot elements (Lord Hugh and his on/off lover Tristan as well as clandestine groping between Sarah herself and her fiance, policeman Thomas Barrett). The language is relatively clean, with an occasional mild curse, there is also some consensual sexual content.
The climax and denouement were the weak points for me. The mystery of the injured woman's true identity develops well, with three possible identities each of which is problematic for one reason or another. The final chapter and epilogue were completely over the top and somewhat unrealistic. It didn't ruin the book for me or anything, this is a well written and entertaining read, but especially the actual climax was very choppy and awkwardly written. It felt as though the end could have benefited from a ruthless edit and rewrite.
Three and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
January 11, 2020
June 1890 in the hamlet of Whitechapel, the East End of London, Sarah Bain is a crime scene photographer for the Daily World newspaper. Walking the hot, murky streets in late evening, searching stories for the morning edition paper. Her colleagues Lord Hugh Staunton and Mick O'Reilly explore along with her.
A commotion draws their attention to the body of a naked woman who appears to have been pulled from the Thames River. She lies at the water's edge, white and still, her long, beautiful blonde hair partially covering her face. As they pull her hair back, they gasp in horror. She is shockingly mutilated with knife cuts scoring her face.
After taking pictures, Sarah is amazed to discover the woman is still alive!
As she begins to recover at the hospital, in a coma, she is dubbed Sleeping Beauty.
When she awakens she has no memories of her identity, or of what has happened.
Sarah's fiance Detective Sergeant Thomas Barrett leads the investigation into the disfigured woman's identity.
Banding together to solve the mystery, they end up putting themselves in many dangerous situations.
This Victorian mystery romance had quite a few plot twists.
A fun and lively suspenseful story with endearing characters.
Though it is the fourth in a series, it can be easily read as a stand alone.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for the e-ARC via NetGalley.
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.
A commotion draws their attention to the body of a naked woman who appears to have been pulled from the Thames River. She lies at the water's edge, white and still, her long, beautiful blonde hair partially covering her face. As they pull her hair back, they gasp in horror. She is shockingly mutilated with knife cuts scoring her face.
After taking pictures, Sarah is amazed to discover the woman is still alive!
As she begins to recover at the hospital, in a coma, she is dubbed Sleeping Beauty.
When she awakens she has no memories of her identity, or of what has happened.
Sarah's fiance Detective Sergeant Thomas Barrett leads the investigation into the disfigured woman's identity.
Banding together to solve the mystery, they end up putting themselves in many dangerous situations.
This Victorian mystery romance had quite a few plot twists.
A fun and lively suspenseful story with endearing characters.
Though it is the fourth in a series, it can be easily read as a stand alone.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for the e-ARC via NetGalley.
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.
July 9, 2019
Having just finished Things in Jars by Jess Kidd, when I picked up ‘The woman in the veil’ it almost felt like a continuation of the story of the same story – from the location, the female protagonist, the age, and even the tone of the book.
Moral : Always switch genres between readings.
Laura Joh Rowland was an author who was on my TBR for her Japanese-nsipired Shinju novels. I have not read any of them and so when I sawher name pop-up on NetGalley, clicking on it was a no-brainer. This book was a historical fiction set in England in the late 1890’s. Our main protagonist, Sarah Bain, is a crime photographer and takes pictures of crime scenes for the Daily World newspaper with the help of her two collegues – one a street urchin, Mike, and the other a disgraced lord, Lord Staunton. She also has a love interest in the shape of a London police detective sergent Barett who is being persecuted by his boss for showing him up in his last investigation. They would like to marry but obstacles keep cropping up in their path that seem to be mostly self-inflicted. I have the impression that their love story is destined to be unresolved. The story begins with the discovery of a body of naked woman on th ebeach that the trio set out to photograph. Its only when the photographs have ben atkes that sarah realizes that the woman is still breathing. She is sifted to the hospital under the care of a very competent doctor and Sarah is tasked by her boss to find out her identity. When the woman wakes up it surprises people to find thst
I did enjoy the mystery part of the book and the story arcs that take into consideration various lives right from Sarah to the little boy in her care. Although he is not really that young as he is supposed to be courting an actress or at least trying to. Sarak also has a very traumatic and abusive childhood and this book wraps up the mystery of her missing father at the end, which was a relief. The mystery of the Jane doe seems to be a step down from the previous mystery which entailed finding out who was Jack the Ripper! I am glad I did not read that book because I donot appreciate pastiches set on that particular theme. It has been dried and dusted too many times for my taste buds at least.
This is a good mystery read, not too gory although the general atmosphere in this book is also persistently gloomy. Better to shake things up before reading this particular installment and reading something light and sunny.
Moral : Always switch genres between readings.
Laura Joh Rowland was an author who was on my TBR for her Japanese-nsipired Shinju novels. I have not read any of them and so when I sawher name pop-up on NetGalley, clicking on it was a no-brainer. This book was a historical fiction set in England in the late 1890’s. Our main protagonist, Sarah Bain, is a crime photographer and takes pictures of crime scenes for the Daily World newspaper with the help of her two collegues – one a street urchin, Mike, and the other a disgraced lord, Lord Staunton. She also has a love interest in the shape of a London police detective sergent Barett who is being persecuted by his boss for showing him up in his last investigation. They would like to marry but obstacles keep cropping up in their path that seem to be mostly self-inflicted. I have the impression that their love story is destined to be unresolved. The story begins with the discovery of a body of naked woman on th ebeach that the trio set out to photograph. Its only when the photographs have ben atkes that sarah realizes that the woman is still breathing. She is sifted to the hospital under the care of a very competent doctor and Sarah is tasked by her boss to find out her identity. When the woman wakes up it surprises people to find thst
I did enjoy the mystery part of the book and the story arcs that take into consideration various lives right from Sarah to the little boy in her care. Although he is not really that young as he is supposed to be courting an actress or at least trying to. Sarak also has a very traumatic and abusive childhood and this book wraps up the mystery of her missing father at the end, which was a relief. The mystery of the Jane doe seems to be a step down from the previous mystery which entailed finding out who was Jack the Ripper! I am glad I did not read that book because I donot appreciate pastiches set on that particular theme. It has been dried and dusted too many times for my taste buds at least.
This is a good mystery read, not too gory although the general atmosphere in this book is also persistently gloomy. Better to shake things up before reading this particular installment and reading something light and sunny.
December 12, 2019
Sarah Bain and her partners Lord Hugh Stanton and Mick O'Reilly are crime scene photographers for the Daily World. They have also solved a number of crimes.
Their latest case has them photographing a beautiful woman lying dead on the shore of the Thames having been beaten and had her face slashed to make her unrecognizable. Only Sarah discovers that she isn't dead and their case, which the newspaper's owner wants them to pursue, is to identify her and discover who left her to die by the river.
Sarah's fiance Detective Sergeant Barrett has been assigned the case by his superior officer who really wants him to fail. Inspector Reid hates that Barrett and his friends have solved cases that Reid had mismanaged. He is determined to get revenge on all of them.
Since the woman knicknamed Sleeping Beauty has amnesia, her story brings a number of people who are sure that she is their missing family member. Three of the cases are credible and it is up to Sarah, Barrett, and their friends to discover where Sleeping Beauty belongs.
I enjoyed this latest in this series. Each episode lets us learn more about the characters. We are also gradually unraveling the mystery in Sarah's past. I like the Victorian setting. I like the relationships between the characters.
Their latest case has them photographing a beautiful woman lying dead on the shore of the Thames having been beaten and had her face slashed to make her unrecognizable. Only Sarah discovers that she isn't dead and their case, which the newspaper's owner wants them to pursue, is to identify her and discover who left her to die by the river.
Sarah's fiance Detective Sergeant Barrett has been assigned the case by his superior officer who really wants him to fail. Inspector Reid hates that Barrett and his friends have solved cases that Reid had mismanaged. He is determined to get revenge on all of them.
Since the woman knicknamed Sleeping Beauty has amnesia, her story brings a number of people who are sure that she is their missing family member. Three of the cases are credible and it is up to Sarah, Barrett, and their friends to discover where Sleeping Beauty belongs.
I enjoyed this latest in this series. Each episode lets us learn more about the characters. We are also gradually unraveling the mystery in Sarah's past. I like the Victorian setting. I like the relationships between the characters.
April 12, 2020
I really liked this Victorian mystery which has strong descriptions. My rating 4.25.
Sarah is a brave female photographer working with a past of secrets and a misfit team. Lord Hugh has been cut from his former society crowd after being caught in a gay scandal. Mick is a teenaged street urchin who has joined with Sarah realizing that he can better himself through education. The team came together as a private detective agency after solving a high-profile case involving the Ripper. Now they serve as a crime scene photograph team hired by a wealthy banker who has taken over The Daily World.
The team is called out to photograph a murder scene of a naked woman lying on the banks of the Thames. The team begins to investigate, examining the site and interviewing witnesses but as Sarah is photographing the woman, she realizes the victim is alive. The woman’s face has been viciously slashed, and no one knows who she is. When she wakes from the coma she apparently has amnesia.
Sarah’s fiancé, Detective Sergeant Barrett often steps in to help the team or to keep them in line. He allows Sarah to sit in as he interviews people who have come forward claiming to know “Sleeping Beauty”. Three particular parties are the most likely relatives. But Sarah and her friends worry that Sleeping Beauty may be in danger if she returns to a home where she has already escaped violence.
Sarah and Barrett disagree on whom they think Sleeping Beauty is which creates tension. Meanwhile, Barrett’s recent promotion is resented by a rival who takes every chance to go after Barrett, Sarah, and their friends. When one of the possible relatives ends up dead at the house where the team is staying, Sarah becomes the prime suspect. The investigation intensifies as the team realizes they must solve the mysteries that remain if they want to save Sarah from prison or the gallows!
I quickly liked these distinct characters with their difficult pasts. Ms. Rowland doesn’t shy away from the dark and messy details of the era as her descriptions create scenes of smell and sound as well as sight. The story has good mystery and tension that kept me pushing to discover who committed the crimes and how things would work out for the beleaguered team. The author wove in an introduction to the characters, so this read fine as a standalone although it did raise my interest in book 1, The Ripper. I recommend this as an engaging read to fans of mystery and Victorian history.
Source: NetGalley 2019.
Sarah is a brave female photographer working with a past of secrets and a misfit team. Lord Hugh has been cut from his former society crowd after being caught in a gay scandal. Mick is a teenaged street urchin who has joined with Sarah realizing that he can better himself through education. The team came together as a private detective agency after solving a high-profile case involving the Ripper. Now they serve as a crime scene photograph team hired by a wealthy banker who has taken over The Daily World.
The team is called out to photograph a murder scene of a naked woman lying on the banks of the Thames. The team begins to investigate, examining the site and interviewing witnesses but as Sarah is photographing the woman, she realizes the victim is alive. The woman’s face has been viciously slashed, and no one knows who she is. When she wakes from the coma she apparently has amnesia.
Sarah’s fiancé, Detective Sergeant Barrett often steps in to help the team or to keep them in line. He allows Sarah to sit in as he interviews people who have come forward claiming to know “Sleeping Beauty”. Three particular parties are the most likely relatives. But Sarah and her friends worry that Sleeping Beauty may be in danger if she returns to a home where she has already escaped violence.
Sarah and Barrett disagree on whom they think Sleeping Beauty is which creates tension. Meanwhile, Barrett’s recent promotion is resented by a rival who takes every chance to go after Barrett, Sarah, and their friends. When one of the possible relatives ends up dead at the house where the team is staying, Sarah becomes the prime suspect. The investigation intensifies as the team realizes they must solve the mysteries that remain if they want to save Sarah from prison or the gallows!
I quickly liked these distinct characters with their difficult pasts. Ms. Rowland doesn’t shy away from the dark and messy details of the era as her descriptions create scenes of smell and sound as well as sight. The story has good mystery and tension that kept me pushing to discover who committed the crimes and how things would work out for the beleaguered team. The author wove in an introduction to the characters, so this read fine as a standalone although it did raise my interest in book 1, The Ripper. I recommend this as an engaging read to fans of mystery and Victorian history.
Source: NetGalley 2019.
January 7, 2020
I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Woman in the Veil (#Victorian Mystery No.4) by Laura Joh Rowland from NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books in order to read and give an honest review.
The Woman In The Veil is a new entry in Laura Joh Rowland’s Victorian Mystery series featuring crime-scene photographer and reporter Sarah Bain. I consider Rowland to be a master at writing fast-paced, suspenseful whodunits that keep readers on the edge of their seats. I have been fortunate enough to read and review her first three books in the series, the first The Ripper’s Shadow, the second, A Mortal Likeness, the third The Hangman’s Secret and her newest book, The Woman in the Veil, like her previous books, does not disappoint.
Set in 1890 London, the adventure begins when Sarah, Mick, and Lord Staunton are called to photograph a disfigured, naked female body that has washed up on the banks of the Thames. While the police prepare the crime scene, Sara notices not all is as it seems, something is not right about the victim….the poor thing is actually alive. When the unidentifiable victim is in the hospital in a coma, Sara feels responsible to help get to the bottom of this. She convinces her boss, Sir Gerald Mariner, owner of the Daily World newspaper to allow her to stay on the story. Mariner gives the victim the name Sleeping Beauty until she is identified. Sarah, Hugh, Mick and along with Sarah’s fiance, Constable Barrett, are determined to get to the truth about who Sleeping Beauty really is and who tried to kill her. The investigation heats up when three different parties show up, all claiming that they are the loved ones of Sleeping Beauty. When sleeping beauty wakes up from her coma with amnesia, things become more desperate, they must get to the bottom of things before the killer decides to finish the job. When one of the parties claiming to know her is murdered, Sarah becomes a suspect and Inspector Reid, is back, with his usual animosity and Sarah’s life and reputation are at stake. Sarah true to form puts her life and reputation in jeopardy to get to the bottom and save the woman she’s become incredibly fond of.
If you are looking for a clever, fast-paced, Victorian mystery this is definitely a must-read.
The Woman In The Veil is a new entry in Laura Joh Rowland’s Victorian Mystery series featuring crime-scene photographer and reporter Sarah Bain. I consider Rowland to be a master at writing fast-paced, suspenseful whodunits that keep readers on the edge of their seats. I have been fortunate enough to read and review her first three books in the series, the first The Ripper’s Shadow, the second, A Mortal Likeness, the third The Hangman’s Secret and her newest book, The Woman in the Veil, like her previous books, does not disappoint.
Set in 1890 London, the adventure begins when Sarah, Mick, and Lord Staunton are called to photograph a disfigured, naked female body that has washed up on the banks of the Thames. While the police prepare the crime scene, Sara notices not all is as it seems, something is not right about the victim….the poor thing is actually alive. When the unidentifiable victim is in the hospital in a coma, Sara feels responsible to help get to the bottom of this. She convinces her boss, Sir Gerald Mariner, owner of the Daily World newspaper to allow her to stay on the story. Mariner gives the victim the name Sleeping Beauty until she is identified. Sarah, Hugh, Mick and along with Sarah’s fiance, Constable Barrett, are determined to get to the truth about who Sleeping Beauty really is and who tried to kill her. The investigation heats up when three different parties show up, all claiming that they are the loved ones of Sleeping Beauty. When sleeping beauty wakes up from her coma with amnesia, things become more desperate, they must get to the bottom of things before the killer decides to finish the job. When one of the parties claiming to know her is murdered, Sarah becomes a suspect and Inspector Reid, is back, with his usual animosity and Sarah’s life and reputation are at stake. Sarah true to form puts her life and reputation in jeopardy to get to the bottom and save the woman she’s become incredibly fond of.
If you are looking for a clever, fast-paced, Victorian mystery this is definitely a must-read.
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