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Ravenwood Mysteries #2
A Bitter Draught
San Francisco, 1900. Isobel has faked her own death, and is relishing her second life, but when a mysterious woman writes her last words in sand, Isobel risks her freedom to uncover the truth. As she plunges into a storm of betrayal, the winds are determined to throw Atticus Riot on her course, and the two detectives collide in a sea of madness and murder.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2015
527 people are currently reading
609 people want to read
About the author
Sabrina Flynn
22 books260 followersSabrina lives in perpetual fog and sunshine with a rock troll and two crazy imps. She spent her youth trailing after insanity, jumping off bridges, climbing towers, and riding down waterfalls in barrels. After spending fifteen years wrestling giant hounds and battling pint-sized tigers, she now travels everywhere via watery portals leading to anywhere.
She is the award-winning author of the epic fantasy series Legends of Fyrsta and the historical mystery series Ravenwood Mysteries.
She is the award-winning author of the epic fantasy series Legends of Fyrsta and the historical mystery series Ravenwood Mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
October 2, 2023
The second book in a very good mystery series taking place in San Francisco at the start of the 1900's. Great characters and the main couple are very good together. The mystery did not grab me as much as the first book but is still a well-done plot. There are hints of the romance growing between Bel and Riot with fun secondary characters. I give the book a 3.75* and will continue the series at a later date.
March 11, 2022
In A Bitter Draught by Sabrina Flynn - second book in The Ravenhurst Mystery Series - Atticus Riot and Isobel Saavedra Amsel (formerly Kingston) are on a very slow-burn journey to mutual attraction.
In a few minutes, Madame de Winter stepped out from behind the screen. She retained her wig and heavy makeup, but wore a flimsy silk robe. The men looked at her as she teased the ties open, holding the robe out like a pair of wings, relishing the feel of air on her flesh.
The inspector cleared his throat, and nodded briskly, averting his gaze. Riot, however, let his eyes rove.
I love we see much more of Isobel’s cross-dressing gay twin brother Lotario in this adventure. He is a wonderful character, as is Isobel in her many disguises. She is a very capable heroine, be it in male drag as Mr. Morgan, or as Charlotte Bonnie, working for the newspaper, or as Bel.
Again, we have a great mystery to puzzle together. It’s researched to the nines, rich with period detail and just the right amount of darkness and grit. The fabulous narration of Sarah Mollo-Christensen really brings that last bit of excellence to the table. I will be diving into the third one pretty soon. Got the bug now!
Available on Scribd
m/f
Themes: 1900, San Francisco, suicides, a will written in the sand, a letter from the spirit world, violets, the Call, Madame de Winter, Doctor Sanden’s Electric Belt and Suspensory, picking locks, sanatorium.
5 Stars
In a few minutes, Madame de Winter stepped out from behind the screen. She retained her wig and heavy makeup, but wore a flimsy silk robe. The men looked at her as she teased the ties open, holding the robe out like a pair of wings, relishing the feel of air on her flesh.
The inspector cleared his throat, and nodded briskly, averting his gaze. Riot, however, let his eyes rove.
I love we see much more of Isobel’s cross-dressing gay twin brother Lotario in this adventure. He is a wonderful character, as is Isobel in her many disguises. She is a very capable heroine, be it in male drag as Mr. Morgan, or as Charlotte Bonnie, working for the newspaper, or as Bel.
Again, we have a great mystery to puzzle together. It’s researched to the nines, rich with period detail and just the right amount of darkness and grit. The fabulous narration of Sarah Mollo-Christensen really brings that last bit of excellence to the table. I will be diving into the third one pretty soon. Got the bug now!
Available on Scribd
m/f
Themes: 1900, San Francisco, suicides, a will written in the sand, a letter from the spirit world, violets, the Call, Madame de Winter, Doctor Sanden’s Electric Belt and Suspensory, picking locks, sanatorium.
5 Stars
December 18, 2017
If you think that second installments are always letdowns, this one will change your expectations! Like the first, the mystery is well-crafted, and the characters are just so "I'm obsessed with every single one." It's going to be a sad day when I finish the third one and have to wait for the next one to come around!
"A Bitter Draught" is a continuation of "From the Ashes" so they do need to be read in chronological order to best understand the characters and timelines. You will also fall in love with 19th century San Francisco as a character and will appreciate the consideration the author has given it, especially in this book. The adventure takes you on the water, in the city, to Napa Valley, and back.
Without giving spoilers away, if you love a great mystery involving a seemingly confusing-knotted-up question of "how would this have happened?," historical fiction, well-developed characters (seriously obsessed with Riot), and dashes of humor, intrigue, a cat named Watson, and attention to detail, this series is a must read.
"A Bitter Draught" is a continuation of "From the Ashes" so they do need to be read in chronological order to best understand the characters and timelines. You will also fall in love with 19th century San Francisco as a character and will appreciate the consideration the author has given it, especially in this book. The adventure takes you on the water, in the city, to Napa Valley, and back.
Without giving spoilers away, if you love a great mystery involving a seemingly confusing-knotted-up question of "how would this have happened?," historical fiction, well-developed characters (seriously obsessed with Riot), and dashes of humor, intrigue, a cat named Watson, and attention to detail, this series is a must read.
March 4, 2016
If I could give another half-star, I would, for the character-development, scene-setting and plotting. I did really like the inclusion of San Francisco as a main character. I liked the boat and the description of her rigging, gear and of actually sailing her, so she appears as more than a piece of scenery. The author also got it right. Major brownie points.
But I just could not give four stars. I was too distracted by hanging plot points, issues with pace, timing & just plain old basics like grammar. Futileness and discreetness are not English words; futility and discretion are. Believability also suffers when too much action and plot are stuffed into too little time, without taking a few breaths to calm down, or giving the reader a little relief. It also helps to make the important scenes more memorable, as in, you remember them without confusion as to their proper places in the story, after the story is done.
Plot point issue: I still didn't understand whether Violet killed herself, and August watched her die and added the sandy coda, or whether she was killed by him, and he then acted the innocent bystander. I thought her method of weighting herself down improbable, as It kept me wondering if she hopped to her death, with legs bound.
p.s. Creepy story line, but effective.
But I just could not give four stars. I was too distracted by hanging plot points, issues with pace, timing & just plain old basics like grammar. Futileness and discreetness are not English words; futility and discretion are. Believability also suffers when too much action and plot are stuffed into too little time, without taking a few breaths to calm down, or giving the reader a little relief. It also helps to make the important scenes more memorable, as in, you remember them without confusion as to their proper places in the story, after the story is done.
Plot point issue: I still didn't understand whether Violet killed herself, and August watched her die and added the sandy coda, or whether she was killed by him, and he then acted the innocent bystander. I thought her method of weighting herself down improbable, as It kept me wondering if she hopped to her death, with legs bound.
p.s. Creepy story line, but effective.
February 18, 2016
Sabrina Flynn knocks it out of the park in her second installment in her Ravenwood Detective Agency series! This follow-up to From The Ashes brings Atticus, Isobel, et al together on the hunt attempting to solve a series of murders, at first apparently unrelated but upon further investigation unraveling a web of mysterious circumstances and unexpected evil. The author deftly tells a tale of love and hate, jealousy and fidelity, murder and mayhem, in a fast paced and enthralling story that doesn't let go. Continued excellent character development enfolded in a first class mystery makes this a five star read, imho! I wait with great anticipation for the further exploits of the Ravenwood Detective Agency!
September 11, 2015
Great second instalment in this mystery series! I loved how the relationship of Riot and Bel slowly changed and then developed into something more. Sabrina Flynn has a wonderful way with words that pulls you right in and be part of the stories she tells. She draws her characters with swift and accurate strokes and doesn't lose sight of side characters -- they all come alive the moment you open the book.
Very well done!
Very well done!
January 8, 2020
"Meticulously researched, wonderfully engaging, and frankly romantic as hell..." -Tara O'Shea
"...(Flynn) draws her characters with swift and accurate strokes..." -Bestselling author Annelie Wendeberg
"...beautifully plotted and paced..." -Alice Wright
"...(Flynn) draws her characters with swift and accurate strokes..." -Bestselling author Annelie Wendeberg
"...beautifully plotted and paced..." -Alice Wright
June 13, 2017
A Bitter Draught far surpasses From the Ashes. I am absolutely in love with Bel and Riot and their entire cast of supporting characters, as well as the detail that builds the atmosphere.
April 27, 2025
4.25 stars, better than expected. Why am I always reading books that have yet to make it to the TBR that waits patiently for me to remember it. Sigh. And not with this new series, I am committed until the end. I love Riot and Bel together.
The author gives us reality checks throughout the story, which I appreciate:
“How are the matches this week, Mr. McCormick?”
Surprise flashed across his eyes, and his chest swelled until the buttons looked about to burst. He placed a chewed cigar between his lips. “You’re a sporting woman, then?”
“Not that kind.”
He chuckled. “Never been to a match, then?” Mack answered his own question. “Women tend to shy away from the brutality.”
“Probably reminds them of home and their husbands.”
-------
“Not at all an unpleasant place to convalesce,” Riot observed.
“Not outwardly,” she said, sinking into an armchair by the window. “There are dark sides to asylums and sanitariums. A murderer and rapist will get a fair trial, but a woman who has a mind of her own can be locked away for life by her husband’s signature.”
This one made my me feel for the characters and remember that the issues we are dealing with today have been around for ages. To be a detective and see injustice, yet another heartache. But I appreciate the author bringing it all to life. Great mystery as well as action sequences.
Highlights & Spoilers:
Bel is terrific-
Mack did not know how to reply to her observation, so he fell back on charm. “And what of Mr. Bonnie? Is he a sporting man—or the squeamish type?” He had, at least, noticed the ring on her finger.
“Mr. Bonnie died under suspicious circumstances. Poison.” Isobel smiled. “Let me know when the next match is. I do love watching men beat themselves senseless. The bloodier the better.”
Bel and Ari (Lucie, Lotario, etc) are priceless together:
“Trust?” Lucie asked, surprised. “I didn’t think you trusted anyone but yourself.”
“I’m talking with you, aren’t I?”
“My dear sister,” her twin drawled in a masculine voice, “I don’t even trust myself. Madame de Winter is a shameless flirt and gossip.”
“Madame de Winter will find her balls kicked if she so much as breathes a word about this business to anyone.”
“Your diplomacy has always been intolerable.”
With Riot:
"With a breath, she steeled herself, cocked the hammer, stepped into the cabin door, and aimed. A bespectacled man sat in her saloon, reading. His raven hair, streaked with a wing of white, gleamed in the lantern light. Calm brown eyes looked up from the page, ignored her armament, and found her eyes. “Ahoy there.”
“Damn you, Riot.” Isobel scowled. Heart in her throat, she uncocked her revolver and slid it into its holster. “I might have shot you.”
“You might have,” he agreed, shifting his left hand. His own No. 3, hidden by the book, was cocked and ready in his hand.
----------
And here they were again; sitting in the saloon as if no time at all had passed. The man made her soft.
----------
Isobel narrowed her eyes. “You were the detective who beat me to Henry’s residence,” she accused.
“I suppose so.”
“The landlady wouldn’t budge. Told me to go find a husband and have children.”
“Is Mrs. Irish still conscious?”
They still manage to impress each other:
Isobel exhaled, and she felt Riot relax in front of her. Bark pressed against her back, and warmth radiated from the man in front. He looked down into her eyes.
“You can throw your voice,” she whispered, impressed.
“A useful skill,” he said quietly. “Where did you learn to run up a wall like that?”
I really like where their relationship is heading :)
“I apologize for knocking your head. I didn’t see you in the cave.”
His fingers stilled in surprise, and he lowered his hand with purpose. “It’s likely the blast more than your skull.”
“My company will do that too.”
Riot looked at her. “Never you, Bel.” His eyes were sharp and clear.
“You haven’t spent enough time with me yet.”
“Not nearly enough,” he agreed, “but I hope to.”
The author gives us reality checks throughout the story, which I appreciate:
“How are the matches this week, Mr. McCormick?”
Surprise flashed across his eyes, and his chest swelled until the buttons looked about to burst. He placed a chewed cigar between his lips. “You’re a sporting woman, then?”
“Not that kind.”
He chuckled. “Never been to a match, then?” Mack answered his own question. “Women tend to shy away from the brutality.”
“Probably reminds them of home and their husbands.”
-------
“Not at all an unpleasant place to convalesce,” Riot observed.
“Not outwardly,” she said, sinking into an armchair by the window. “There are dark sides to asylums and sanitariums. A murderer and rapist will get a fair trial, but a woman who has a mind of her own can be locked away for life by her husband’s signature.”
This one made my me feel for the characters and remember that the issues we are dealing with today have been around for ages. To be a detective and see injustice, yet another heartache. But I appreciate the author bringing it all to life. Great mystery as well as action sequences.
Highlights & Spoilers:
Bel is terrific-
Mack did not know how to reply to her observation, so he fell back on charm. “And what of Mr. Bonnie? Is he a sporting man—or the squeamish type?” He had, at least, noticed the ring on her finger.
“Mr. Bonnie died under suspicious circumstances. Poison.” Isobel smiled. “Let me know when the next match is. I do love watching men beat themselves senseless. The bloodier the better.”
Bel and Ari (Lucie, Lotario, etc) are priceless together:
“Trust?” Lucie asked, surprised. “I didn’t think you trusted anyone but yourself.”
“I’m talking with you, aren’t I?”
“My dear sister,” her twin drawled in a masculine voice, “I don’t even trust myself. Madame de Winter is a shameless flirt and gossip.”
“Madame de Winter will find her balls kicked if she so much as breathes a word about this business to anyone.”
“Your diplomacy has always been intolerable.”
With Riot:
"With a breath, she steeled herself, cocked the hammer, stepped into the cabin door, and aimed. A bespectacled man sat in her saloon, reading. His raven hair, streaked with a wing of white, gleamed in the lantern light. Calm brown eyes looked up from the page, ignored her armament, and found her eyes. “Ahoy there.”
“Damn you, Riot.” Isobel scowled. Heart in her throat, she uncocked her revolver and slid it into its holster. “I might have shot you.”
“You might have,” he agreed, shifting his left hand. His own No. 3, hidden by the book, was cocked and ready in his hand.
----------
And here they were again; sitting in the saloon as if no time at all had passed. The man made her soft.
----------
Isobel narrowed her eyes. “You were the detective who beat me to Henry’s residence,” she accused.
“I suppose so.”
“The landlady wouldn’t budge. Told me to go find a husband and have children.”
“Is Mrs. Irish still conscious?”
They still manage to impress each other:
Isobel exhaled, and she felt Riot relax in front of her. Bark pressed against her back, and warmth radiated from the man in front. He looked down into her eyes.
“You can throw your voice,” she whispered, impressed.
“A useful skill,” he said quietly. “Where did you learn to run up a wall like that?”
I really like where their relationship is heading :)
“I apologize for knocking your head. I didn’t see you in the cave.”
His fingers stilled in surprise, and he lowered his hand with purpose. “It’s likely the blast more than your skull.”
“My company will do that too.”
Riot looked at her. “Never you, Bel.” His eyes were sharp and clear.
“You haven’t spent enough time with me yet.”
“Not nearly enough,” he agreed, “but I hope to.”
August 26, 2020
4.5 Stars
This second installment of the Ravenwood Mysteries is even better than the first. Absolutely the only thing that keeps it from being 5 stars is that the book requires the reader to make an investment, and I'm having trouble being patient at the moment. By that I mean that Sabrina Flynn's writing is detailed and sometimes languid. The time and place, in this case San Francisco and environs in 1900, is a major character in the story and Flynn takes the time to set the stage with beautiful, lyrical prose.
His line went to the edge of the world, then dropped right off into freedom. J. P. Humphrey glanced towards the looming rise as his streetcar began its final climb. In the two years that Humphrey had operated the Park and Ocean line, the expectation of what waited over the hill never dwindled. There were never two sunsets alike, never the same two clouds in the morning, and the taste of fog over a calm sheen of grey was a constant comfort to the aging conductor. In San Francisco, fences did not hem people in; the city was one step away from the world.
The sea greeted Isobel like an old friend. Its salt kissed her lips, the waves washed against her ears with gentleness, and the horizon beckoned her home. With the sea a step away, Isobel was never caged.
The birds chirped and the leaves rustled. The backyard might have been peaceful if the whole place didn't feel as it were holding its breath--waiting. The windows were like eyes, and their watchfulness pricked her senses.
Sundays were tedious. Preachers preached; families picnicked, and women wore white, while the whores and the johns of the Barbary Coast feasted on sin.
The books are both character and story driven. We are learning more and more about Riot and Isobel, but also the larger cast of characters in their world. The lodgers at Riots house, and the world of Isobel's twin. More than that, we are brought deep into the history of the area, and the world in general, learning the that injustice, prejudice, and corruption has always been with us. And yes, there were times in the past worse than now, when women belonged to men, and being homosexual could get you hanged.
The mystery in A Bitter Draught is complex, and we are taken along on the twisting paths as Isobel and Riot tease each thread and each clue out of hiding. No databases, no cellphones, only investigation and interviews and long hours. This is where the reader needs to be patient along with Isobel. The story unfolds at it's own pace,and you can't hurry it along. It's a wonderful, sad, incredible story and well worth the time spent to get to know these people better.
This second installment of the Ravenwood Mysteries is even better than the first. Absolutely the only thing that keeps it from being 5 stars is that the book requires the reader to make an investment, and I'm having trouble being patient at the moment. By that I mean that Sabrina Flynn's writing is detailed and sometimes languid. The time and place, in this case San Francisco and environs in 1900, is a major character in the story and Flynn takes the time to set the stage with beautiful, lyrical prose.
His line went to the edge of the world, then dropped right off into freedom. J. P. Humphrey glanced towards the looming rise as his streetcar began its final climb. In the two years that Humphrey had operated the Park and Ocean line, the expectation of what waited over the hill never dwindled. There were never two sunsets alike, never the same two clouds in the morning, and the taste of fog over a calm sheen of grey was a constant comfort to the aging conductor. In San Francisco, fences did not hem people in; the city was one step away from the world.
The sea greeted Isobel like an old friend. Its salt kissed her lips, the waves washed against her ears with gentleness, and the horizon beckoned her home. With the sea a step away, Isobel was never caged.
The birds chirped and the leaves rustled. The backyard might have been peaceful if the whole place didn't feel as it were holding its breath--waiting. The windows were like eyes, and their watchfulness pricked her senses.
Sundays were tedious. Preachers preached; families picnicked, and women wore white, while the whores and the johns of the Barbary Coast feasted on sin.
The books are both character and story driven. We are learning more and more about Riot and Isobel, but also the larger cast of characters in their world. The lodgers at Riots house, and the world of Isobel's twin. More than that, we are brought deep into the history of the area, and the world in general, learning the that injustice, prejudice, and corruption has always been with us. And yes, there were times in the past worse than now, when women belonged to men, and being homosexual could get you hanged.
The mystery in A Bitter Draught is complex, and we are taken along on the twisting paths as Isobel and Riot tease each thread and each clue out of hiding. No databases, no cellphones, only investigation and interviews and long hours. This is where the reader needs to be patient along with Isobel. The story unfolds at it's own pace,and you can't hurry it along. It's a wonderful, sad, incredible story and well worth the time spent to get to know these people better.
April 15, 2018
The second installment of the Ravenwood Mysteries was just as satisfying as the first- thoroughly enjoyed delving further into 1900s San Francisco and peeling back the layers of Atticus and Isobel. I’m hooked and will be adding Sabrina Flynn to my list of authors whose books are downloaded on their day of release!
Read
September 11, 2024Audio book kept my attention!
November 6, 2018
I was kind of "on the fence" after the first book but not the case now. Kept me engaged to the very end. Glad to see the relationship between Belle and Riot developing along with getting to know the secondary characters as well. Excellent story and outstanding narration by Sarah Mollo-Christensen.
Can't wait to get started on the next one in the series.
Can't wait to get started on the next one in the series.
March 28, 2018
1900 San Francisco, when Isobel Amsel (aka Miss Bel) becomes intrigued by a message left in the sand by a suicide she decides to investigate, but does case of Riot's have any connection.
Well-written, with well-drawn interesting characters mixed in with a good mystery.
Well-written, with well-drawn interesting characters mixed in with a good mystery.
September 23, 2024
Isn't it lovely when the second book in a series is even better than the first one?
Just like in "From the Ashes", the first book, the characters shine but this time the story is more complex and there is more room to flesh out the setting and additional personell.
I love character driven stories and Flynn delivers with excentric - but never outlandish - characters that you can't help but care about.
The mystery is suspensful and grounded in historical research.
The chemistry between Isobel and Riot is great but never dominates the story. This is a historical mystery, not a romance novel.
I'm having so much fun with this - let's see what the third book is like...
Just like in "From the Ashes", the first book, the characters shine but this time the story is more complex and there is more room to flesh out the setting and additional personell.
I love character driven stories and Flynn delivers with excentric - but never outlandish - characters that you can't help but care about.
The mystery is suspensful and grounded in historical research.
The chemistry between Isobel and Riot is great but never dominates the story. This is a historical mystery, not a romance novel.
I'm having so much fun with this - let's see what the third book is like...
July 26, 2017
Excellent
Great second installment. Like the first book I couldn't put this one down. Pre-ordered book 3, and I can't wait for the further adventures of Bel and AJ and the hint of attraction between them.
Great second installment. Like the first book I couldn't put this one down. Pre-ordered book 3, and I can't wait for the further adventures of Bel and AJ and the hint of attraction between them.
November 23, 2017
There are some books I like...
and there are some books I love. This definitely fits in the love category. The mystery, the setting and the chemistry between the two main characters seemlessly mesh in this turn-of-the-century San Francisco tale.
and there are some books I love. This definitely fits in the love category. The mystery, the setting and the chemistry between the two main characters seemlessly mesh in this turn-of-the-century San Francisco tale.
July 25, 2017
I LIKE THE main characters quite a lot in the first and second book of this series. Unlike a Sherlock and Watson I think they balance each other strengths and weaknesses very well. Definitely looking forward to the third book.
December 7, 2018
Better than the first one! Anxious for more; lots more!
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July 8, 2025I had to stop when Lothario became Lucy. If I want to immerse myself in woke trans culture I’ll watch tv. Too bad because Atticus Riot is a great character.
August 14, 2017
Disappointment
Yes, I was disappointed at least until I realized that Riot and Bel were on a converging course. A great read with just enough romance to not be soap operas.
Yes, I was disappointed at least until I realized that Riot and Bel were on a converging course. A great read with just enough romance to not be soap operas.
July 1, 2021
Bravo MS. Flynn!!!!!
You have created such wonderful characters that show such feeling that it is as if I am there with them all!!! I simply must continue on with this series! I can't wait to go on another adventure with them all. Your thorough research of this place and time is so evident and so fascinating that I have looked up more on the Barbary Coast. To all readers out there...I just can't recommend these books highly enough! I can never see what is coming and I simply cannot put these books down. You tell so vividly of this place, this time period and created people whose lives totally fascinate me and I truly care deeply for as if they are real! Once again MS. Flynn, BRAVO and thank you!!! To all readers... You simply must get hooked on this series...Excellent Author!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!
You have created such wonderful characters that show such feeling that it is as if I am there with them all!!! I simply must continue on with this series! I can't wait to go on another adventure with them all. Your thorough research of this place and time is so evident and so fascinating that I have looked up more on the Barbary Coast. To all readers out there...I just can't recommend these books highly enough! I can never see what is coming and I simply cannot put these books down. You tell so vividly of this place, this time period and created people whose lives totally fascinate me and I truly care deeply for as if they are real! Once again MS. Flynn, BRAVO and thank you!!! To all readers... You simply must get hooked on this series...Excellent Author!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!
March 16, 2025
The Ravenwood series is delightful! They are turn of the century mysteries written in a Sherlock Holmes style. San Francisco in the early 1900’s is full of most every type personality. Sabrina Flynn draws from actual facts of the era to create murder mysteries that are fun to read. Humerus, full of old fashioned chivalry, and engaging. A wonderful novel.
March 7, 2016
A Real Page Turner!
Riot and Isobel are at it again! Now that Isobel is free to roam albeit in disguise, her thirst for mysteries lands her with her first case of a woman whom apparently died by suicide. However, she thinks it may be murder. Soon her case brings her to Riot, who also has a case he's been working on. Later, their cases overlap, putting both in harm's way as well as a bit more closer intimately.
Sabrina Flynn's second installment of the Ravenwood Agency series is even better than the first. As soon as I started, it was difficult to put down and even wanted my doctor to take his time with other patients so I could at least finish the chapter. Once again, Sabrina has taken her readers back in time with such prose one may feel they are standing on the dock with the spray of the sea in one's face. Very well written and I look forward to the third installment.
Riot and Isobel are at it again! Now that Isobel is free to roam albeit in disguise, her thirst for mysteries lands her with her first case of a woman whom apparently died by suicide. However, she thinks it may be murder. Soon her case brings her to Riot, who also has a case he's been working on. Later, their cases overlap, putting both in harm's way as well as a bit more closer intimately.
Sabrina Flynn's second installment of the Ravenwood Agency series is even better than the first. As soon as I started, it was difficult to put down and even wanted my doctor to take his time with other patients so I could at least finish the chapter. Once again, Sabrina has taken her readers back in time with such prose one may feel they are standing on the dock with the spray of the sea in one's face. Very well written and I look forward to the third installment.
January 29, 2021
I took my sweet, precious time reading this book because I wanted it to last forever. Alas, here I am at the end.
The many faces of 'Bel' throughout this book were fascinating and entertaining alike. I love how we had the entire book to get to know her better (she's awesome), as opposed to just hearing about her through the first half like in previous book.
Riot, I think, is my favorite character. He's beautiful, witty, and clever to boot. I always love when he and 'Bel' interact, because it's like putting two of the greatest minds together and something amazing almost always comes from it.
I love this book, and this entire series.
The many faces of 'Bel' throughout this book were fascinating and entertaining alike. I love how we had the entire book to get to know her better (she's awesome), as opposed to just hearing about her through the first half like in previous book.
Riot, I think, is my favorite character. He's beautiful, witty, and clever to boot. I always love when he and 'Bel' interact, because it's like putting two of the greatest minds together and something amazing almost always comes from it.
I love this book, and this entire series.
September 25, 2015
Great second book in this series!! The characters are evolving in a natural way and becoming even more intriguing. The mystery was complex and well crafted with two separate investigations converging into one case that has more twists and turns than Lombard Street, and is just as exciting to travel.
Sabrina Flynn has created memorable characters in Bel and Riot and with this edition to their story the reader is even more captivated by them and the developing relationship between them. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Sabrina Flynn has created memorable characters in Bel and Riot and with this edition to their story the reader is even more captivated by them and the developing relationship between them. I can't wait to see what happens next!
August 26, 2019
Midway through A Bitter Draught I realized two things. I definitely wanted to read the next two books immediately and they were not available as audibooks (through my library at least). It has been a few weeks since I read this and in a way the story blends together (perhaps because I read them all in like five - six days).
I think the strength of Flynn's writing is her characterization. The books have a full cast that is well developed. Each character has strengths and weaknesses. In particular Riot and Bel have great chemistry, but are compelling on their own as well.
I think the strength of Flynn's writing is her characterization. The books have a full cast that is well developed. Each character has strengths and weaknesses. In particular Riot and Bel have great chemistry, but are compelling on their own as well.
December 20, 2023
4.25/5⭐️
Second in the Ravenwood Mysteries series, Isobel Kingston, our “supposedly” dead heroine begins work as a reporter while also assisting Atticus Riot, in a case that involves three suspicious deaths, one of them being a murder that he is currently investigating.
Bel is such a fun character to follow…brilliant, fearless and tenacious, she makes a phenomenal heroine to Riot’s dashing hero.
The banter is rollicking, the danger has a bit of darkness, and I’m looking forward to more from these two.
Second in the Ravenwood Mysteries series, Isobel Kingston, our “supposedly” dead heroine begins work as a reporter while also assisting Atticus Riot, in a case that involves three suspicious deaths, one of them being a murder that he is currently investigating.
Bel is such a fun character to follow…brilliant, fearless and tenacious, she makes a phenomenal heroine to Riot’s dashing hero.
The banter is rollicking, the danger has a bit of darkness, and I’m looking forward to more from these two.
January 11, 2023
This series is turning out to be exactly what I was hoping for. The mystery, the setting, the characters. I'm really loving it all. Bel aka Mr. Morgan aka Miss Bonnie is such a good heroine. She's cunning and resourceful. Riot has met his match in her and is slowly becoming the king to Bel's queen. That's some slow building tension, and I am so here for it. Was equally as happy that we got to see more of Lotario. He's such a delight. Excited to see what the next book brings!
February 5, 2017
Excellent second entry in this mystery series. Riot's victim from his previous mystery is back in his life and investigating a murder of her own. Soon their investigations intersect and put them and their family in harms way. Lots of deaths, suspects, and motives in this one but the final motive cuts close to Bel's own life. Can Riot & Bel solve the mystery and heal themselves?
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