The Cradle Breaker: A Victorian Mystery-Thriller

by Delphine Woods

What will you do when death comes calling?

Summer, 1865, and the only thing on Luella Blyth’s mind is revenge. For ten years she has lived with the shame of being a murderer’s daughter, but she knows her father was hung for a crime he did not commit.

Vowing to avenge her family and find out the truth, Luella seeks out the woman who knows what really happened all those years ago, but Bonnie will not give up her secrets without a fight.

Bonnie Hearn wants nothing more than to spend her days basking in the Devonshire sunshine and stealing from her mistress. Most importantly, she wants to forget everything that happened ten years ago. So, when she realizes the woman blackmailing her is the girl she used to know, her comfortable world is thrown into turmoil.

Luella is out for blood. If Luella succeeds, Bonnie will lose everything, and she will not let that happen. A battle of wills ensues as the two of them fall deeper into their twisted games of deception.

Someone is not getting out of this alive.

The Cradle Breaker is a fast paced thriller packed with twists and turns, perfect for fans of Sarah Waters’ Fingersmith.

Inspired by the nursery rhyme Rock-a-bye Baby, The Cradle Breaker is a standalone novel, the first in Delphine Woods’ Convenient Women Collection, and contains mature themes.

Step into the sweltering streets of England’s West Country and join this journey of deceit today!

Convenient Women Collection of standalone Victorian mystery-thrillers:
Book One: The Cradle Breaker
Book Two: The Promise Keeper
Book Three: The Button Maker
Book Four: The Little Wife

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2019

Reviews

[Kitcatscratch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know where to begin. I have been in such a reading slump during this pandemic. I got to the point where I would read anything no matter how dull. I found that I have been adding some of the gothic historical fictions to my usual HRs. All I can say is thank goodness for that as this book popped up and I thought "well, I'm not really sure but I'll give it a try." I am SO GLAD that I did. This is like Rashomon set in Victorian England. We learn early that a young woman (18) is looking for justice (aka revenge) as she believes her father was hanged for a murder he didn't commit. The story is told among multiple shifting view points. Meanwhile, we know that at least one of the view points is from that of the murderer. What's more, after reading a few of their inner workings, we know at least one of them is not completely sane and like real people, they're not completely likable either. (I mean, let's face it, if we could read each other's thoughts, we would probably find that we like each other a lot less.)

There's not much I can tell about this story without giving it away. Suffice it to say that there was never a dull or slow moment for me. The view points shift seamlessly from one person to another, never leaving you confused as to whom you're reading about. I felt like I was being dragged towards the final confrontation against my will just like the characters felt in the book. I was both wanting to know what exactly happened and dreading it. In fact, I found that I would savor this book and take my time reading it (which is weird because usually I want to read non-stop until I get to the end). It was just that I was so engrossed in these characters that I both wanted to know how it ended and yet didn't want it to end.

In all honesty, I would rate this story as an "almost" 5 star read because there was one view point that was under developed and that was of the character "Jack." While we get a lot of the thoughts and feelings behind the women, the men were not so well represented. But it was a minor quibble that I didn't even notice it until after I read it. Then I thought "Hmm, but what about Jack now that I think about it?"

In looking at the sparse reviews, I can't understand if it's just that people don't know about her or what. The story is not light and fluffy. I am not even sure whether the ending is an HEA. It's a completely acceptable and believable ending and didn't leave me feeling upset. It is, however, completely engrossing. I am off to read the 2nd (standalone) book in this series.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping novel! Great twists and turns throughout.

[J.P. Choquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting read. Told from two women's points of view (alternating about halfway through the novel), it's set in 1865 and follows the intersecting stories of Bonnie Hearn, a lady's maid, and Luella Blyth, a young woman intent on getting revenge for the death of her father.

I enjoyed the pacing and the author's excellent attention to detail and character development. If you enjoy Gothic-inspired books, I'd highly recommend her other series of which Woman in Ward 13 is book one. It was excellent.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this dark Victorian tale told from two perspectives. Two women strive to get to the truth of what happened in the past and wish to make someone pay for it. But who will be the one to pay?
Delphine Woods captures the past and her characters are interesting and varied. I was sucked right along into the intrigue and the ending kept me guessing. Woods ties up the ending nicely, but does leave one element a bit ambiguous. I did want to know about that last element though. (No spoilers!) I guess I am left to wonder about it.

I plan to read more from this author.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Going straight on to read the next in the collection. Didn’t see the twist coming until it was upon me. Sometimes when the book retells the same story from another person’s point of view it can be a bit boring to get through but this book did it really well. The ending chapter was a bit so-so and I’m not sure the epilogue have anymore to the book but 5 stars from me!

[Sabyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars really, didn't grab me from te start but I was curious enough to read on, I like the characters of Delphine Woods because their not typically likable, but very real with rough edges, bad habits and out to save their own skin.

[Billie-Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, I esp enjoyed the little twists and turns. Did drag on a weee bit but I've read books that definitely drag it too much.
This was probably the right amount.

[Marie Sever · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the accurate descriptions relating to the era. This author has a gift for describing situations, people and surroundings. I can easily visualise each scene. Also the twist then another twist. I look forward to her next book.