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The Fiona Mahoney Mysteries #3
A Vocation of Violence
Fiona Mahoney’s past returns to haunt her present as a prizefighter from her hometown becomes the only suspect in a gruesome, high-society murder.
No one in London knows what befell Fiona’s family back in Ireland.
At least, no one left alive.
That is until her brother’s best mate arrives in the city for the bareknuckle bout of the century. Blood is spilled in the ring before the fight, and when Fiona is hired to clean it up, she finds that the boy from her past is now a dangerous man who may have answers she’d lost all hope of finding.
But while she frantically tries to keep his neck from a noose, it becomes apparent that her own is at risk.
Follow Fiona into her most chilling case yet, one that threatens to burn the precarious tightrope upon which she balances, and force her to decide, once and for all, on which side of the law she will choose to land.
No one in London knows what befell Fiona’s family back in Ireland.
At least, no one left alive.
That is until her brother’s best mate arrives in the city for the bareknuckle bout of the century. Blood is spilled in the ring before the fight, and when Fiona is hired to clean it up, she finds that the boy from her past is now a dangerous man who may have answers she’d lost all hope of finding.
But while she frantically tries to keep his neck from a noose, it becomes apparent that her own is at risk.
Follow Fiona into her most chilling case yet, one that threatens to burn the precarious tightrope upon which she balances, and force her to decide, once and for all, on which side of the law she will choose to land.
213 pages, Unknown Binding
First published April 23, 2024
122 people are currently reading
3249 people want to read
About the author
Kerrigan Byrne
71 books5,026 followersIf you're anything like me, the best night is one spent with a brawny highlander, a mysterious werewolf, a conflicted vampire, or a hot-headed Irishman. My stories span the spectrum of romantic fiction from historical, to paranormal, to romantic suspense. But I can always promise my readers one thing: memorable and sexy Celtic heroes who are guaranteed to heat your blood before they steal your heart. Lose yourself in the enchanted Celtic Isles, you never know who, or what, will find you...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
June 18, 2024
Was this written by the same author as the prior two books in this series? Because this book is filled to the brim with purple prose. To the point that if you took out all the similes and metaphors, you would only have 25% of the book remaining. Don’t believe me? Here’s just one example:
Night Horse’s eyes met mine, a silent pact forged in the crucible of shared determination. We would unravel this mystery, brick by sordid brick, until the edifice of lies crumbled beneath the weight of truth.
I really just can’t get over how much flowery filler is in this. Even the dialogue is bad. This is the continuation of the above quote:
“Keep your wits sharp,” he murmured as we melded into the evening’s gloom. “Drumft is a serpent that will elude you if you let him.” “Let him slither,” I breathed, feeling the weight of the city’s oppressive darkness settle on my shoulders. “We are the hawk, and hawks have keen eyes indeed.”
It’s obnoxious. Not to mention two other major things that bothered me about this book:
1) The previous book ended with a cliffhanger where she went to a hotel to meet up with her lover (not identified) who was knocking at her door. This book then starts off with her instead going to the man’s house. The author just decided to change it and hope we forgot about the setting/ending of the prior book because the new location worked better for the plot of this one.
2) There was no rational explanation about why this book’s villain did anything, other than just bigotry. The big reveal was such a boring letdown.
I won’t be continuing on with this series, which is a shame because I really liked the first two books. I’ve also enjoyed some other historical romance books by this author. But this was so bad, I’m really wondering if she paid someone to ghostwrite this for her.
Night Horse’s eyes met mine, a silent pact forged in the crucible of shared determination. We would unravel this mystery, brick by sordid brick, until the edifice of lies crumbled beneath the weight of truth.
I really just can’t get over how much flowery filler is in this. Even the dialogue is bad. This is the continuation of the above quote:
“Keep your wits sharp,” he murmured as we melded into the evening’s gloom. “Drumft is a serpent that will elude you if you let him.” “Let him slither,” I breathed, feeling the weight of the city’s oppressive darkness settle on my shoulders. “We are the hawk, and hawks have keen eyes indeed.”
It’s obnoxious. Not to mention two other major things that bothered me about this book:
1) The previous book ended with a cliffhanger where she went to a hotel to meet up with her lover (not identified) who was knocking at her door. This book then starts off with her instead going to the man’s house. The author just decided to change it and hope we forgot about the setting/ending of the prior book because the new location worked better for the plot of this one.
2) There was no rational explanation about why this book’s villain did anything, other than just bigotry. The big reveal was such a boring letdown.
I won’t be continuing on with this series, which is a shame because I really liked the first two books. I’ve also enjoyed some other historical romance books by this author. But this was so bad, I’m really wondering if she paid someone to ghostwrite this for her.
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May 7, 2023Kind of annoyed that the release date for this keeps getting pushed back. I absolutely love this series and was so excited for this book to come out last year only to realize that it’s now supposed to be published in November of this year. But now, when I check Amazon, it’s says it’s coming out in April 2024? I’m so confused and honestly just want the author to say something instead of wordlessly pushing the release back :(
March 23, 2024
3.75 stars. I guess the lower star rating has a lot to do with how I felt about the first book in the series and how this third installment feels. Spoilers.
First off, thank GAWD we are whittling away at the love triangle…er…love square?? Does Fiona follow finally, definitively get a romantic moment? Well sort of. She has pretty hot sex so, yippee!
But honestly, the way the author knocked off (not killed off) one of the main love interests, was a bit clumsy. Honestly I’m not sure that Fiona is capable of having any meaningful relationships. And those that she does have are all murder victims.
I found the writing to be a bit too…flower-y. A lot of unnecessary prose when describing the interminable London fog, the Thames, and alley ways. Will I read the fourth installment? Probably. But I’m beginning to wain away like the ribbons of tangled fog laced over the cold waters of the Thames.😳
First off, thank GAWD we are whittling away at the love triangle…er…love square?? Does Fiona follow finally, definitively get a romantic moment? Well sort of. She has pretty hot sex so, yippee!
But honestly, the way the author knocked off (not killed off) one of the main love interests, was a bit clumsy. Honestly I’m not sure that Fiona is capable of having any meaningful relationships. And those that she does have are all murder victims.
I found the writing to be a bit too…flower-y. A lot of unnecessary prose when describing the interminable London fog, the Thames, and alley ways. Will I read the fourth installment? Probably. But I’m beginning to wain away like the ribbons of tangled fog laced over the cold waters of the Thames.😳
March 21, 2024
Yes I want to read it but my pre-order via Amazon was postponed then cancelled and I can’t find book anywhere aaarrrrgggghh!!!
It is now available again and my latest preorder (june 2023) states should receive it 23 april 2024 now.
It is now available again and my latest preorder (june 2023) states should receive it 23 april 2024 now.
July 30, 2025
Will I actually read this book? Yeah, maybe, I don't effing know. The last was so disturbing that I swore that no matter how it ended I wouldn't read the next one. Then she ends it with Fiona about to choose a lover. Do I want to know who that is? Yes, I do. Enough to read this book? After waiting years for this book to be published I have decided to read it. The problem: I have read like 100 books since I read the last one in this series, and I just don't remember a lot about it. I had to review my review to see who the possible candidates were. They are: Grayson Croft - Police Inspector; Aramis Night Horse ('The Blade") - An underworld assassin; Jorah Roth ("The Hammer") - Boss of the London underworld. Each intrigue Fiona and each are dangerous to her. Then we have Jack the Ripper who has fixated on Fiona and had admonished her to remain "pure". Which has only spurred Fiona to do the opposite. Three vastly different men to choose from and we haven't even gotten to the murder yet.
There are people who move between the social strata with ease being accepted in different situations. It's not easy to do this but the beautiful, incandescent Vivienne Bloomfield-Smythe and her fighter lover, Darcy O'Dowd "The Dublin Destroyer" do. Darcy is a dear childhood friend of Fiona's and is surprised to find her in the company of his sponsor, Jorah Roth before the ball being held in his honor.
The glittering party sees Vivienne sharpening her claws on several of the high-society attendees and it is oblivious to everyone that she is in rare form. Fiona has an uneasy feeling that only grows as the evening progresses. She tries to warn Darcy, but he is content to bask in the glow of Vivienne's flame, a flame that someone will snuff forever leaving Darcy as the prime suspect in her murder.
Fiona will do whatever it takes to clear his name, even delve into the darkest side of London society and no one, especially Police Inspector Grayson Croft, can dissuade her. She needs information and her friend and neighbor Oscar Wilde, is very helpful but warns that what she seeks could have nasty consequences. Fiona also needs protection and Aramis Night Horse is more than willing to provide that and a great deal more. The deeper Fiona searches, the more decedent and sordid the secrets she uncovers, and the more determined Fiona becomes to uncover the killer, even when it puts her life in danger.
There are people who move between the social strata with ease being accepted in different situations. It's not easy to do this but the beautiful, incandescent Vivienne Bloomfield-Smythe and her fighter lover, Darcy O'Dowd "The Dublin Destroyer" do. Darcy is a dear childhood friend of Fiona's and is surprised to find her in the company of his sponsor, Jorah Roth before the ball being held in his honor.
The glittering party sees Vivienne sharpening her claws on several of the high-society attendees and it is oblivious to everyone that she is in rare form. Fiona has an uneasy feeling that only grows as the evening progresses. She tries to warn Darcy, but he is content to bask in the glow of Vivienne's flame, a flame that someone will snuff forever leaving Darcy as the prime suspect in her murder.
Fiona will do whatever it takes to clear his name, even delve into the darkest side of London society and no one, especially Police Inspector Grayson Croft, can dissuade her. She needs information and her friend and neighbor Oscar Wilde, is very helpful but warns that what she seeks could have nasty consequences. Fiona also needs protection and Aramis Night Horse is more than willing to provide that and a great deal more. The deeper Fiona searches, the more decedent and sordid the secrets she uncovers, and the more determined Fiona becomes to uncover the killer, even when it puts her life in danger.
March 21, 2024
Fiona Mahoney meets her past and changes her present in this story of an Irish girl continually trying to track down Jack the Ripper. There’s bodies lettering her path but not Jack’s victims. I applaud one choice she makes.
Set in the depths of London’s underbelly, the story that surrounds Fiona beckons.
Set in the depths of London’s underbelly, the story that surrounds Fiona beckons.
April 29, 2024
I'm trying to remember if the previous two books had this amount of purple prose. It was so distracting!! Is it supposed to feel like a true penny dreadful? I've waited an awfully long time for this book to be released and I don't know if the time it took made my memory more forgiving.
Fiona's detective work seems to finding evidence left behind that others overlook. It's not exactly earth-shattering. However, it's such a short read that goes by quickly and at this point I'll be continuing the series. If anything I want to see who Jack the Ripper ends-up being after all the build-up.
Fiona's detective work seems to finding evidence left behind that others overlook. It's not exactly earth-shattering. However, it's such a short read that goes by quickly and at this point I'll be continuing the series. If anything I want to see who Jack the Ripper ends-up being after all the build-up.
April 5, 2024
She did it again. I had another sleepless night thanks to Kerrigan Byrne, because I just had to know what Fiona Mahoney was up to this time. This time Fiona's past catches up with her when childhood friend and prizefighter, Darcy O'Dowd, the Dublin Destroyer, is accused of murder and it is up to Fiona to untangle the web of secrets. While I have loved all of the books in this series, A Vocation of Violence may be my favorite. There were so many different threads that needed to be unraveled that I was left guessing until the very end.
And spoiler alert - Fiona finally makes a choice on how to handle the three men in her life and secrets are revealed. But not all decisions end how we through they would. So much tension and I cannot wait for the next installment.
I received this book from the publisher/author at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.
And spoiler alert - Fiona finally makes a choice on how to handle the three men in her life and secrets are revealed. But not all decisions end how we through they would. So much tension and I cannot wait for the next installment.
I received this book from the publisher/author at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.
December 17, 2024
This is the third installment in The Business of Blood Series featuring the alluring Irish woman Fiona Mahoney. After book 2 was left of a romantic cliffhanger I couldn’t wait to dive into this one. Although, the cliffhanger circumstances changed, the premise was still the same. I devoured this in a couple hours and loved it! Tension, danger, plenty of suspects and more murder. Fiona always find herself in the thick of a murder plot and ultimately in dangerous predicaments. All the old characters were back and I couldn’t get enough of them. I do have to say there was an agenda in this book. It wasn’t natural- it was very preachy and overdone. I tried my best to ignore that and just focus on the story. I was very happy with Fiona’s love interest. I really had no idea who she was going to pick. I felt sad at the end though, Fiona lives in a dark world and this ending fit that I guess. I hope there is a book 4!
March 17, 2024
I just thought this one was only okay as it was also one was my least favorite in the series so far. Jack the Ripper still lingers in the background as he’s still after Fiona but she still defies him. Fiona is back in Ireland but she learns her brothers childhood friend Darcy becomes a prime suspect and it’s up to Fiona to prove his innocence. I thought some parts of the story were good but something was just missing for me. I do want to see what happens in the next installment.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
March 26, 2024
3.75/5⭐️
Third in the Fiona Mahoney mystery series, I was a little disappointed in this one as it compares to the previous two. It’s 100+ pages shorter, and the story felt its brevity. While the characters were as great as they’ve ever been, the plot line was a bit odd to me with parts that were confusing like I had missed something. This felt more like a novella filler. But I plan to continue on and hope for a return to more excitement.
Third in the Fiona Mahoney mystery series, I was a little disappointed in this one as it compares to the previous two. It’s 100+ pages shorter, and the story felt its brevity. While the characters were as great as they’ve ever been, the plot line was a bit odd to me with parts that were confusing like I had missed something. This felt more like a novella filler. But I plan to continue on and hope for a return to more excitement.
August 30, 2024
The entire time I was listening to this book, I kept thinking “has Kerrigan Byrne hired a ghost writer?” I REALLY want to love this series and keep buying the books, but I’m not sure why.
Book 1 was great and Justine Eyre gave Fiona the loveliest Irish lilt - Listening to it was a pleasure. Plus, I never saw that ending coming! Shivers!!!
Book 2, not so great PLUS, no more Justine Eyre - dual narration (which I absolutely abhor) with the male narrator making an effort and the female narrator making Fiona sound like she was raised in the US Midwest. Ugh!
Onto book 3, much less great. As I said, it doesn’t feel like KB wrote this one. There are so many metaphors and flowery phrases. Several of the characters in both books 2 & 3 are gay - which seems slightly implausible and feels very forced. Also, in this third book, Fiona comes off as a fickle school girl who just wants to shed her virginity. There are three men in her sphere and any one of the might work to get the job done. Both books 2 & 3 feel very preachy, like the writer has some things on her agenda - 1 women are smarter and better, but men are always dismissing them and pushing them down 2. Racism is bad (duh) 3. People of every class are “people”. I get the reasons for all three points being integral for this time period, but instead of gently weaving the ideas throughout, she seems to want to hammer the ideas home. It all just seems really really strange. The ending of this book was also very blah. There weren’t enough breadcrumbs dropped along the way to lead one to the correct conclusion - almost as if she was in a hurry and just chose whodunnit on the fly. Two of the three murders were kind of unnecessary. Ugh! I don’t know. I’m throwing my hands in the air on this one. I’m just so disappointed with the whole thing.
Also, same duel narration, but this time the female narrator makes an effort to sound kind of Irish, but only in the beginning- she forgets about the lilt less than 1/4 way through. 🙄
Book 1 was great and Justine Eyre gave Fiona the loveliest Irish lilt - Listening to it was a pleasure. Plus, I never saw that ending coming! Shivers!!!
Book 2, not so great PLUS, no more Justine Eyre - dual narration (which I absolutely abhor) with the male narrator making an effort and the female narrator making Fiona sound like she was raised in the US Midwest. Ugh!
Onto book 3, much less great. As I said, it doesn’t feel like KB wrote this one. There are so many metaphors and flowery phrases. Several of the characters in both books 2 & 3 are gay - which seems slightly implausible and feels very forced. Also, in this third book, Fiona comes off as a fickle school girl who just wants to shed her virginity. There are three men in her sphere and any one of the might work to get the job done. Both books 2 & 3 feel very preachy, like the writer has some things on her agenda - 1 women are smarter and better, but men are always dismissing them and pushing them down 2. Racism is bad (duh) 3. People of every class are “people”. I get the reasons for all three points being integral for this time period, but instead of gently weaving the ideas throughout, she seems to want to hammer the ideas home. It all just seems really really strange. The ending of this book was also very blah. There weren’t enough breadcrumbs dropped along the way to lead one to the correct conclusion - almost as if she was in a hurry and just chose whodunnit on the fly. Two of the three murders were kind of unnecessary. Ugh! I don’t know. I’m throwing my hands in the air on this one. I’m just so disappointed with the whole thing.
Also, same duel narration, but this time the female narrator makes an effort to sound kind of Irish, but only in the beginning- she forgets about the lilt less than 1/4 way through. 🙄
April 29, 2025
I want to just preface this review by saying I usually really enjoy Kerrigan Byrne books. They usually work for me and the first two books of this series were fantastic. That said I'm not sure went wrong in this one. The entire book felt a little like it was a struggle for the author to write.
The last two books of the series were a strong 300-400 pages and then for this story she could only cobble together 213 pages. It just didn't even feel like it was the same author sometimes and the language seemed really different, but it has been awhile since I read the other two books of the series.
We left off with Fiona finally at 29 deciding to pick one of the three men in her life to deflower her. She is at the door about to knock and I was extremely interested in who was on the other side of the door. It was not who I was rooting for but no worries circumstances happen and we move along with the story.
Fiona's childhood friend has been accused of the murder of his Paramore. Fiona is pulled into the investigation that could involve the heir to the heir to the throne and a rather secret club. She is determined to figure out who could have murdered the actress. With a little help from the coroner, a famous author and Inspector Aberline, new member to Sherlock Holmes, she is determined to keep her dead brothers best friend from a hangman's noose.
I did like some of the threads on the potential relationship front were either cut or tied up for the time being. It looks like for now at least there is a potential front runner and it was the man I was secretly pulling for, so we will see how that goes long term.
The mystery missed the mark for me and didn't make a ton of sense in the end. It was missing the twists of the prior books and left a little to be desired in the creativity department. Also, the danger of Jack the Ripper was also diminished in this story. There are a few references but we only get one letter from him in the story and I don't remember him murdering anyone during the story either.
A Vocation of Violence left a lot to be desired for a mystery, but the possible romance worked for me. I'll check out the next book in the series and hope this was just a fluke and the author will find her love of Fiona and this world again.
Narration
Performance: ★★★★★
Character Separation: ★★★★★
Diction: ★★★★
Pacing/Flow: ★★★★
Sound Effects: None
I enjoyed the duet narration style to the book and was glad that was the decision as there are some strong male characters in the book that deserved their own masculine voices. Sara Mollo-Christensen and John Hartley narrated flawlessly in the duet style which is now one of my ways to do an audio like this. The prose was much more flowery than I remember before and I enjoyed how it was spoken during the narration.
The last two books of the series were a strong 300-400 pages and then for this story she could only cobble together 213 pages. It just didn't even feel like it was the same author sometimes and the language seemed really different, but it has been awhile since I read the other two books of the series.
We left off with Fiona finally at 29 deciding to pick one of the three men in her life to deflower her. She is at the door about to knock and I was extremely interested in who was on the other side of the door. It was not who I was rooting for but no worries circumstances happen and we move along with the story.
Fiona's childhood friend has been accused of the murder of his Paramore. Fiona is pulled into the investigation that could involve the heir to the heir to the throne and a rather secret club. She is determined to figure out who could have murdered the actress. With a little help from the coroner, a famous author and Inspector Aberline, new member to Sherlock Holmes, she is determined to keep her dead brothers best friend from a hangman's noose.
I did like some of the threads on the potential relationship front were either cut or tied up for the time being. It looks like for now at least there is a potential front runner and it was the man I was secretly pulling for, so we will see how that goes long term.
The mystery missed the mark for me and didn't make a ton of sense in the end. It was missing the twists of the prior books and left a little to be desired in the creativity department. Also, the danger of Jack the Ripper was also diminished in this story. There are a few references but we only get one letter from him in the story and I don't remember him murdering anyone during the story either.
A Vocation of Violence left a lot to be desired for a mystery, but the possible romance worked for me. I'll check out the next book in the series and hope this was just a fluke and the author will find her love of Fiona and this world again.
Narration
Performance: ★★★★★
Character Separation: ★★★★★
Diction: ★★★★
Pacing/Flow: ★★★★
Sound Effects: None
I enjoyed the duet narration style to the book and was glad that was the decision as there are some strong male characters in the book that deserved their own masculine voices. Sara Mollo-Christensen and John Hartley narrated flawlessly in the duet style which is now one of my ways to do an audio like this. The prose was much more flowery than I remember before and I enjoyed how it was spoken during the narration.
April 16, 2024
Hell if I know 🤷♀️ That's my rating.
This whole Kerrigan Byrne-Fiona Mysteries has had me stumped. This book was supposed to be published Fall 2022, then pushed to Spring 2023, then Fall 2023, and now here we are in 2024. And apparently, the next book will be available within weeks?!? WTF is going on?? This book has moments, but nothing like the first 2; it's also 100+ pages shorter than they are. I don't know what is happening in Byrne's publishing life, but this book feels cobbled together. The repetition of descriptions of gas street lights, emotions, and fog etc were mind numbing and at the expense of actual plot development. Fiona is a human rollercoaster, whose secrets and confessions and love interests have made logical sense previously, are now disjointed and jarring half of the time and under developed most of the time.
At this point just watch the TV show "Ripper Street". It's more interesting and has the same themes and storylines.
(I also have serious doubts that a young, lower class woman who cleans up crime scenes and solves crimes, was well read enough to know about Venn diagrams, the term coined in 1881, or understanding the physiology of schizophrenia, not even diagnosed until 1888; both terms that are named in the text. You'd have to be awfully in the know in what is presumably 1890 or so to have read theories and experiments in not widely disseminated journals. I'm just sayin'.)
This whole Kerrigan Byrne-Fiona Mysteries has had me stumped. This book was supposed to be published Fall 2022, then pushed to Spring 2023, then Fall 2023, and now here we are in 2024. And apparently, the next book will be available within weeks?!? WTF is going on?? This book has moments, but nothing like the first 2; it's also 100+ pages shorter than they are. I don't know what is happening in Byrne's publishing life, but this book feels cobbled together. The repetition of descriptions of gas street lights, emotions, and fog etc were mind numbing and at the expense of actual plot development. Fiona is a human rollercoaster, whose secrets and confessions and love interests have made logical sense previously, are now disjointed and jarring half of the time and under developed most of the time.
At this point just watch the TV show "Ripper Street". It's more interesting and has the same themes and storylines.
(I also have serious doubts that a young, lower class woman who cleans up crime scenes and solves crimes, was well read enough to know about Venn diagrams, the term coined in 1881, or understanding the physiology of schizophrenia, not even diagnosed until 1888; both terms that are named in the text. You'd have to be awfully in the know in what is presumably 1890 or so to have read theories and experiments in not widely disseminated journals. I'm just sayin'.)
April 7, 2024
Some of this felt like there was context/paragraphs missing if I'm being totally honest.
August 27, 2024
RTC, but I won't be continuing this series.
Updated 8/27/24:
I received A Vocation of Violence from a Goodreads giveaway back in April, but hadn't gotten around to reading the second book in the Fiona Mahoney series. I had read the first book after it was originally published and I enjoyed the Jack the Ripper style mystery. While the second book wasn't quite at the level of The Business of Blood, I really liked the story. However, A Vocation of Violence was a huge letdown and if this is going to be how this series runs, then I'm out.
Byrne was always enjoyable because of the Old Skool romance vibe and bonkers plotlines that she wrote. A Vocation of Violence has none of the charming attributes that I would normally see from Byrne. Fiona is just insufferable now. She's a know it all. She thinks badly of almost everyone she meets, and yet she's got multiple suiters all the time. For someone who thinks men just exist to treat women badly, she's fine stringing along several at once.
This story had no plot. It was 213 pages of Fiona trying to figure if she should sleep with one of her many suitors or if that makes her no better than a prostitute. The mystery is shoved in between Fiona's woe is me moments, and it's a laughable afterthought. The whodunit is fairly obvious once the victims common thread is linked and the killer's reasons was just eyerolling. I get it and you don't have to think too hard, but if Byrne wanted to make any point about antisemitism, it was lost in the author's men bad, prostitutes misunderstood idea of feminism.
The whole thing was just distasteful.
Down to one star now after writing this review. What a godawful waste of time.
Updated 8/27/24:
I received A Vocation of Violence from a Goodreads giveaway back in April, but hadn't gotten around to reading the second book in the Fiona Mahoney series. I had read the first book after it was originally published and I enjoyed the Jack the Ripper style mystery. While the second book wasn't quite at the level of The Business of Blood, I really liked the story. However, A Vocation of Violence was a huge letdown and if this is going to be how this series runs, then I'm out.
Byrne was always enjoyable because of the Old Skool romance vibe and bonkers plotlines that she wrote. A Vocation of Violence has none of the charming attributes that I would normally see from Byrne. Fiona is just insufferable now. She's a know it all. She thinks badly of almost everyone she meets, and yet she's got multiple suiters all the time. For someone who thinks men just exist to treat women badly, she's fine stringing along several at once.
This story had no plot. It was 213 pages of Fiona trying to figure if she should sleep with one of her many suitors or if that makes her no better than a prostitute. The mystery is shoved in between Fiona's woe is me moments, and it's a laughable afterthought. The whodunit is fairly obvious once the victims common thread is linked and the killer's reasons was just eyerolling. I get it and you don't have to think too hard, but if Byrne wanted to make any point about antisemitism, it was lost in the author's men bad, prostitutes misunderstood idea of feminism.
The whole thing was just distasteful.
Down to one star now after writing this review. What a godawful waste of time.
June 8, 2024
Content warnings: murder, blood, death of an infant (in the past), confinement
Sigh. I was so desperately looking forward to this after the way the second book ended. And then this one lowkey made me SCREAM at my Kindle. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the mystery and seeing more of Fiona's backstory. And I feel like some aspects of this are very much building towards the next instalment of the series. But oh my God I yelled "NO!!!" several times reading this. Followed by a very realistic Jack Sparrow impression - "Stop blowing holes in my ship!".
So yeah. As a crime book? YES. As as book that's been building a romantic subplot for a while now? NO.
Sigh. I was so desperately looking forward to this after the way the second book ended. And then this one lowkey made me SCREAM at my Kindle. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the mystery and seeing more of Fiona's backstory. And I feel like some aspects of this are very much building towards the next instalment of the series. But oh my God I yelled "NO!!!" several times reading this. Followed by a very realistic Jack Sparrow impression - "Stop blowing holes in my ship!".
So yeah. As a crime book? YES. As as book that's been building a romantic subplot for a while now? NO.
March 18, 2024
I received this title as an ARC through Booksprout. All opinions and comments on this title are freely given and are my own.
⭐⭐⭐ - Enjoyed
The third installment of Kerrigan Byrne's mystery series was well worth reading. The mystery of this one was more easily sussed out than the previous two installments, however I did feel like we got to see more of the world Kerrigan Byrne has created in this one. This book does need to be read within the context of the overall series to be enjoyed.
Readers of the last two books will know that Kerrigan has developed a very grimdark sort of setting for her mystery series, with only a few characters embodying goodness to lighten the heaviness of the world. Kerrigan does a good job showing how and why different characters make the choices they make, and not just for our main characters. That said, the villain felt very flat to me when compared to her previous villains and even the side characters of this particular book. However, it was still very enjoyable and I am intrigued to see what will happen in the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
⭐⭐⭐ - Enjoyed
The third installment of Kerrigan Byrne's mystery series was well worth reading. The mystery of this one was more easily sussed out than the previous two installments, however I did feel like we got to see more of the world Kerrigan Byrne has created in this one. This book does need to be read within the context of the overall series to be enjoyed.
Readers of the last two books will know that Kerrigan has developed a very grimdark sort of setting for her mystery series, with only a few characters embodying goodness to lighten the heaviness of the world. Kerrigan does a good job showing how and why different characters make the choices they make, and not just for our main characters. That said, the villain felt very flat to me when compared to her previous villains and even the side characters of this particular book. However, it was still very enjoyable and I am intrigued to see what will happen in the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 19, 2024
A Vocation of Violence is the third book in Kerrigan Byrne’s Fiona Mahoney mysteries. This is a dark, historical mystery series. For my palate, I thought this installment was much less gory than the others. Byrne is an instabuy author for me and I love historical fiction mystery. Vocation of violence is missing some of the same intensity as the previous books, but it works for this novel. I love another character from Fiona’s childhood popping up, the inclusion of Green Carnation society and just little hints of Jackson the ripper. Not a spoiler but please know as a content warning that there are anti-Semitic, villainous characters.
I was given an arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I was given an arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 11, 2024
This is the third book I’ve read in this series. It kept me interested until the end like all of Kerrigan‘s books. I was a little frustrated by which way her love interest went. There wasn’t much steam as I was expecting, but I really enjoyed the book. I look forward to the next. I’m not sure how many more books there is, but I’m still waiting for a happily ever after. Overall, a good mystery With a touch of romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 20, 2024
So I really enjoyed the book. I did have a this doesn’t seem like his character when detective Croft shut her out of his life like he did ,and treated her like he did at the hospital. For a man who likes to protect women he truly did a 180
Who she took as her lover surprised me as well, as The Hammer not checking on her at the hospital. These men who she counted as her friends….. not much of friends or allies for sure.
The writing was five stars
Who she took as her lover surprised me as well, as The Hammer not checking on her at the hospital. These men who she counted as her friends….. not much of friends or allies for sure.
The writing was five stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2024
Whew child I have waited years for this story! Fiona Mahoney was as full of surprises in this story as in all the others!
The previous one ended on a cliffhanger on who she chose as a lover in her 29 years of virginity!
I was shocked at her association with Jorah who had no soul or conscious!
It was so interesting how the hatred of a person religion could cause so much turmoil and murder! When another one of Fiona friend is murdered it seems she did not know her at all!
When the trail leads to an Irishman from her past who was a childhood friend Darcy the Dublin Destroyer is in possession of more secrets of her deceased brother that was unknown to Fiona!
Fiona is determined to find the murderer of Vivienne Bloomfield-Smythe!
All roads are intertwined and reveal secrets people who kill for but who is the culprit? More clues are revealed danger is real and so is the identity of Fiona lover! Great choice did not see that one coming!
When Fiona finally unburdens herself to Inspector Croft she looses a friend!
So hard was the price of silence! Desperate times call for desperate measures and a woman trying to live and protect the people she cares for will survive even with a knife in her back! Bravo! Not years until the next one please!
The previous one ended on a cliffhanger on who she chose as a lover in her 29 years of virginity!
I was shocked at her association with Jorah who had no soul or conscious!
It was so interesting how the hatred of a person religion could cause so much turmoil and murder! When another one of Fiona friend is murdered it seems she did not know her at all!
When the trail leads to an Irishman from her past who was a childhood friend Darcy the Dublin Destroyer is in possession of more secrets of her deceased brother that was unknown to Fiona!
Fiona is determined to find the murderer of Vivienne Bloomfield-Smythe!
All roads are intertwined and reveal secrets people who kill for but who is the culprit? More clues are revealed danger is real and so is the identity of Fiona lover! Great choice did not see that one coming!
When Fiona finally unburdens herself to Inspector Croft she looses a friend!
So hard was the price of silence! Desperate times call for desperate measures and a woman trying to live and protect the people she cares for will survive even with a knife in her back! Bravo! Not years until the next one please!
April 23, 2024
Loooooooooove this series and everything else Kerrigan Byrne writes. Another engaging installment of the series. Love the decision Fiona makes. 💜💜💜 REALLY can’t wait to read more.
I also love/hate a villain and his dumb name that sounds like another dumb villain 😂😂😂😂😂
I also love/hate a villain and his dumb name that sounds like another dumb villain 😂😂😂😂😂
October 13, 2024
A real pity that I had to wait so long for this sequel. Fiona, Jonas and all the other characters are really good together. I hope that the new installment in this series will come soon...
Un vero peccato aver dovuto aspettare così tanto per questo nuovo libro della serie. Fiona, Jonas e gli altri sono dei personaggi che pazzeschi e spero proprio che il prossimo volume arrivi quanto prima!
Un vero peccato aver dovuto aspettare così tanto per questo nuovo libro della serie. Fiona, Jonas e gli altri sono dei personaggi che pazzeschi e spero proprio che il prossimo volume arrivi quanto prima!
December 10, 2024
This is a review for all three books in the series so far. Spoilers.
First and foremost, I would like to preface this review by saying how much I love this author. Her Victorian Rebels Series? *Chef's Kiss* Her writing always scratches something in my brain. I was ready to read this book sans romance or spice. Because as much as I would love a more sophisticated reading palate, I crave romance and spice. And to be honest, Jack the Ripper doesn't interest me. I'm not really familiar with much pertaining Jack the Ripper, except for knowing that the London Bridge he walked and terrorized is located in Lake Havasu City, AZ for some reason. At this point it's a bit of a cliche, because any other who wants to do a Victorian mystery is going to be inevitably tied to Jack the Ripper.
Now, on to the review.
Fiona Mahoney and I have been THROUGH IT. First with her zealous ex-fiance priest, and then again with her would be mentor madam pimp.
The first book was long. And a bit slow if I'm being honest. Now this could've been all in my brain since I was preparing myself for no romance or spice. And there were inklings of reverse harem, what with the inspector, Hammer, and Night Horse all being at least a little intrigued by her.
Ultimately, this was Jack the Ripper centric. Her childhood friend happened to be the most disturbing of the Jack the Ripper's victims (and the last one of the Autumn Terror of 1880) Mary Jane Kelley. So when Mary Kelley was found by the police, with Inspector Grayson Croft in tow, Fiona promised to avenge her friend's death by catching the Ripper. Come hell or high water.
So for the first book, it was a mystery of finding out whether this latest string of murders were in fact the work of Jack the Ripper or a copycat. It was giving Silence of the Lamb with Steve Rogers obsession if Bucky was murdered by Jack the Ripper.
She did her own investigations despite Inspector Croft telling her to mind her business. Now what I found really interesting is the fact that she's apparently the only one that cleans up death scenes? And she was also selling bodies and organs on the black market on the side, and destroying biological evidence for the Hammer. I wish she had kept this strong throughout book 2 & 3.
The reveal was super intense, if I'm honest, a bit melodramatic. What do you mean we have to read the killers explanation of everything he did, while a man is tied up with pieces of his flesh missing and cauterized? And then he conveniently got stabbed after finishing his explanation? I always find monologues awkward. Maybe because I can imagine them in a movie? And we as the audience have to ignore the chaotic background noise and tableau to listen to this crazy person explain his psychosis to us. I laughed a little, ngl.
But, so far I'm good. 4/5 stars. We love it.
The second book began a bit forlornly, which I'm happy about because homegirl just found out that her ex-fiancee murdered some people because God told him to. Valid. I love when we go through the emotional processing with the character. She's recalibrating her views and beliefs. And more importantly, she's grieving. We love to see it.
However, with this book, it's becoming a bit harder to connect it to Jack the Ripper, besides prostitutes getting murdered. And her one letter from the Ripper being like "psh, what do you mean it's me? No, my good lady, look elsewhere." And because Fiona promised to avenge poor Mary, of course she's going to avenge these latest murders. It helps that Inspector Croft's sister begs her to help her since her brother refuses to investigate because "his job is in peril if he does." Amelia, a former prostitute knows that no one cares about Sex Workers, and no one will give them the justice they deserves. This was great.I'm down for Sex Workers getting justice.
You begin to see a bit of discrepancies when it comes to the supporting characters. And I don't know if I should call it discrepancies, but it's like reductive? That's not a good description either. It's almost like it's a book of its own and not part of a series. Disjointed. The way Fiona describes all of them, it's like she just met these characters, when her experiences with them in the first book already paved the foundation of her relationship with all the main male characters. I think you see it more with the Hammer. The descriptions of him are different from the first book, I'm gonna sound like I'm nitpicking, but in the first book she describes him with amber green eyes, but in the second book she can't describe his eye color. And there's this air of mystery that was resolved after that one dinner scene when he saves her from the mob in the first book. And I felt like she breezed too fast with the Hammer just accepting her insistence that he does not owe her anything for trying to save his life. I feel like this was such a lost opportunity to deepen the relationship between them, even if it didn't end up romantically. Especially because Fiona notes this shift in their relationship at the end of the 1st book.
Despite that, I actually really loved this one more than the first one. It felt more personal. And I thought it was really cool that it was women centric. I think that's what was missing from the first book (and the 3rd one, too) is the relationships with women. She had Amelia, and Bea, and to some extent the other girls. Women helping women? It was nice. And I wish she extended that more throughout her series. Like she seems to really want to take the mantle of feminism, but I wonder why she doesn't write more women in this series?
I still think it was uncharacteristic that Croft would refuse to investigate this murder for his sister. Yes, he ultimately did end up investigating it, but like I doubt he would've hesitated. Especially with the way he spoke about Amelia in first one, and the guilt they all have about the child she gave up? It doesn't sound like someone who would let his job block helping his sister.
That aside, the mystery was much more interesting, and the ending was way more disturbing than it should've been. And it was phenomenal. Fucking 10 out of fucking 10. I think Fiona and readers alike came out of that ending like Veronica at the end of Heathers, where she's smoking a cigarette and telling Shannen Doherty's Heather that she just came from hell.
It was great. 4/5. We love it.
Nitpicks: You're telling me, the Hammer told you his real name, and asked you to call him by said name when it was just you two. And then you fucking say his real name in public? In front of God and his would be enemies?! Willy nilly calling him Jorah to everyone and sundry?
I think that's the thing that bothered me the most about Fiona as a character, is the way that she had no self-preservation whatsoever? Like she just told everyone everyone's business, and just blindly trusts everyone with a yolo. The way I kept yelling shut the fuck up at my Kindle.
I mentioned before that the romance was minimal. And for the most part, it was. There were still some scenes where you were like: *squeal* ARE THEY GONNA KISS?!!? No, dear reader, no kissing. Except for when she has to pass a trial by fire, and has to kiss Night Horse. Obviously, the romance is secondary, but my little heart couldn't help but speculate. And I was lowkey expecting either Croft or Hammer. I think Night Horse was the weakest in terms of interaction and romance tingles. Even in the second book, she basically rejects him after the kiss. The start of the 2nd book has Fiona ready to confess everything to Croft and Croft stops her by changing the subject. So it made me suspect whether he knew about her illegal activities, and was trying to protect her?
So here we are at the end of book two, traumatized and different. You open and start reading the third book. You are no longer in the same world, but in an episode of NCIS. The tone has changed. The characters, including Fiona have regressed to who they were in the first book. Squeaky clean and ornery. It's not until 60% into the book that the tone even resembles the last two books.
It's already weird that after everything that happened in the first two books, she ends it off with a knock on the door for her clandestine appointment to lose her virginity (which for some reason was important?). Do we know who is supposed to deflower her? No. Not only do we not find out, but the third one opens with her at the Velvet Glove, not her door. And her appointment was further ruined by the untimely interruption of the boxer and his entourage. The more this series goes on, the less powerful and gray the Hammer seems to me. Because isn't he supposed to be scary? Aren't you supposed to be scared to look him in the eye for fear that he will dump you in a vat of acid? Where's that energy for the interruption? Instead they all quietly watch the boxer and Fiona reunite? In his personal office? An office that up to this point Fiona and Night Horse have been allowed entry? Didn't he have separate office for business? Wasn't the personal office supposed to be off limits to everyone else?!
She's also having second thoughts about her choice with the Hammer, depending on the scene (there really isn't any consistency). She didn't like that the Hammer was gonna just squeeze her in before the Bacchanalia that was supposed to happen that night. Which valid? But she's still opened to the idea throughout the night, and is willing to wait for him until the murder. Which, at that point he tells her to clean it up (insinuating that it's just business) and she's like "oh, this is actually impersonal." And they really don't interact even though she mentions her (until now) unvoiced sexual attraction to the Hammer.
The morgue part was the scene that bothered me the most. It felt very much like a scene from NCIS. The way the coroner kept exposing the royal family. As a red herring. And the interaction between Fiona and Croft, he reiterated everything that Fiona told him at Scotland Yard. Listen, I'm happy that they've made it past him distrusting her, but like, thus far he seemed like the kind of character who didn't take things at face value, no matter who you were. So it seemed jarring that he reiterated what she said and took them as facts. Without a fuss? And then comes the betrayal of what she knows and he cuts her off. Like did what they went through for the past two books mean NOTHING? And that's the last interaction between them throughout the book.
At this point she cuts off everyone but Night Horse, even though her relationship with Night Horse seems contentious. Not only did she reject him in the second book, but he saw Fiona with the Hammer in his PRIVATE office, with her blouse unbuttoned. He seemed like he was done with her at that point. So the love scene with Night Horse seemed an after thought. And honestly, could've done without since she did not build their relationships the way she did with Croft and Hammer. They did share the kiss in the second book (even though he technically paid for it). But she ultimately refused him, and just moved on with her life, not interacting with him until the middle of this 3rd book.
Aside from that, the murder reveal was anticlimactic and uninteresting. Like the first book was heartbreaking because she was not only still in love with her ex-finacee, he was one of only two people left connecting her to her family. Her parent's and brothers were dead. Her father and brothers murdered by the English imperialists. And this priest not only had a hand in biologically massacring first nations, but was committing murders and in the process of flaying and cauterizing the Hammer alive in front of her? And then the second book she had to survive a high class madam pimp who locked Fiona and two others underground with fire hazard film and photography chemicals in the middle of winter after being drugged? Like she started questioning what made her crave outside validation. Wondering what hole she was trying to fill by trusting Bea. Like Fiona went existential.
So to have this third villain be just a bitch ass antisemitic bigot who killed women for no reason other than they were Jewish? Like???????????
And of course there was a letter from the Ripper, being like "hey, remember me? This is not me though, but I'm still thinking about you. Stay pure! *heart-eyes* *kisses*."
The first two books were super strong. and this was such a let down. It almost feels like someone else wrote this story. Or she started off using this as practice. Like it does not fit the other two. Even the 2nd one has moments where it feels like she wrote it out of order or separately. As if it was not originally a series. And then it was decided to be part of the series.
So far I give this series 3.5/5. I hope the 4th one matches the vibe of the first two. And I want the relationship with Croft back. Like I refuse to believe that he and Amelia would cut her off.
A part of me does not want to read the 4th, if there will be a 4th in the series. But I don't think my brain will let me. I ultimately really like this series. I just wish she was more consistent in her characterization, the story arc. And honestly? I would drop the Jack the Ripper bullshit. Like I still think this would've been interesting if she hadn't taken that angle.
First and foremost, I would like to preface this review by saying how much I love this author. Her Victorian Rebels Series? *Chef's Kiss* Her writing always scratches something in my brain. I was ready to read this book sans romance or spice. Because as much as I would love a more sophisticated reading palate, I crave romance and spice. And to be honest, Jack the Ripper doesn't interest me. I'm not really familiar with much pertaining Jack the Ripper, except for knowing that the London Bridge he walked and terrorized is located in Lake Havasu City, AZ for some reason. At this point it's a bit of a cliche, because any other who wants to do a Victorian mystery is going to be inevitably tied to Jack the Ripper.
Now, on to the review.
Fiona Mahoney and I have been THROUGH IT. First with her zealous ex-fiance priest, and then again with her would be mentor madam pimp.
The first book was long. And a bit slow if I'm being honest. Now this could've been all in my brain since I was preparing myself for no romance or spice. And there were inklings of reverse harem, what with the inspector, Hammer, and Night Horse all being at least a little intrigued by her.
Ultimately, this was Jack the Ripper centric. Her childhood friend happened to be the most disturbing of the Jack the Ripper's victims (and the last one of the Autumn Terror of 1880) Mary Jane Kelley. So when Mary Kelley was found by the police, with Inspector Grayson Croft in tow, Fiona promised to avenge her friend's death by catching the Ripper. Come hell or high water.
So for the first book, it was a mystery of finding out whether this latest string of murders were in fact the work of Jack the Ripper or a copycat. It was giving Silence of the Lamb with Steve Rogers obsession if Bucky was murdered by Jack the Ripper.
She did her own investigations despite Inspector Croft telling her to mind her business. Now what I found really interesting is the fact that she's apparently the only one that cleans up death scenes? And she was also selling bodies and organs on the black market on the side, and destroying biological evidence for the Hammer. I wish she had kept this strong throughout book 2 & 3.
The reveal was super intense, if I'm honest, a bit melodramatic. What do you mean we have to read the killers explanation of everything he did, while a man is tied up with pieces of his flesh missing and cauterized? And then he conveniently got stabbed after finishing his explanation? I always find monologues awkward. Maybe because I can imagine them in a movie? And we as the audience have to ignore the chaotic background noise and tableau to listen to this crazy person explain his psychosis to us. I laughed a little, ngl.
But, so far I'm good. 4/5 stars. We love it.
The second book began a bit forlornly, which I'm happy about because homegirl just found out that her ex-fiancee murdered some people because God told him to. Valid. I love when we go through the emotional processing with the character. She's recalibrating her views and beliefs. And more importantly, she's grieving. We love to see it.
However, with this book, it's becoming a bit harder to connect it to Jack the Ripper, besides prostitutes getting murdered. And her one letter from the Ripper being like "psh, what do you mean it's me? No, my good lady, look elsewhere." And because Fiona promised to avenge poor Mary, of course she's going to avenge these latest murders. It helps that Inspector Croft's sister begs her to help her since her brother refuses to investigate because "his job is in peril if he does." Amelia, a former prostitute knows that no one cares about Sex Workers, and no one will give them the justice they deserves. This was great.I'm down for Sex Workers getting justice.
You begin to see a bit of discrepancies when it comes to the supporting characters. And I don't know if I should call it discrepancies, but it's like reductive? That's not a good description either. It's almost like it's a book of its own and not part of a series. Disjointed. The way Fiona describes all of them, it's like she just met these characters, when her experiences with them in the first book already paved the foundation of her relationship with all the main male characters. I think you see it more with the Hammer. The descriptions of him are different from the first book, I'm gonna sound like I'm nitpicking, but in the first book she describes him with amber green eyes, but in the second book she can't describe his eye color. And there's this air of mystery that was resolved after that one dinner scene when he saves her from the mob in the first book. And I felt like she breezed too fast with the Hammer just accepting her insistence that he does not owe her anything for trying to save his life. I feel like this was such a lost opportunity to deepen the relationship between them, even if it didn't end up romantically. Especially because Fiona notes this shift in their relationship at the end of the 1st book.
Despite that, I actually really loved this one more than the first one. It felt more personal. And I thought it was really cool that it was women centric. I think that's what was missing from the first book (and the 3rd one, too) is the relationships with women. She had Amelia, and Bea, and to some extent the other girls. Women helping women? It was nice. And I wish she extended that more throughout her series. Like she seems to really want to take the mantle of feminism, but I wonder why she doesn't write more women in this series?
I still think it was uncharacteristic that Croft would refuse to investigate this murder for his sister. Yes, he ultimately did end up investigating it, but like I doubt he would've hesitated. Especially with the way he spoke about Amelia in first one, and the guilt they all have about the child she gave up? It doesn't sound like someone who would let his job block helping his sister.
That aside, the mystery was much more interesting, and the ending was way more disturbing than it should've been. And it was phenomenal. Fucking 10 out of fucking 10. I think Fiona and readers alike came out of that ending like Veronica at the end of Heathers, where she's smoking a cigarette and telling Shannen Doherty's Heather that she just came from hell.
It was great. 4/5. We love it.
Nitpicks: You're telling me, the Hammer told you his real name, and asked you to call him by said name when it was just you two. And then you fucking say his real name in public? In front of God and his would be enemies?! Willy nilly calling him Jorah to everyone and sundry?
I think that's the thing that bothered me the most about Fiona as a character, is the way that she had no self-preservation whatsoever? Like she just told everyone everyone's business, and just blindly trusts everyone with a yolo. The way I kept yelling shut the fuck up at my Kindle.
I mentioned before that the romance was minimal. And for the most part, it was. There were still some scenes where you were like: *squeal* ARE THEY GONNA KISS?!!? No, dear reader, no kissing. Except for when she has to pass a trial by fire, and has to kiss Night Horse. Obviously, the romance is secondary, but my little heart couldn't help but speculate. And I was lowkey expecting either Croft or Hammer. I think Night Horse was the weakest in terms of interaction and romance tingles. Even in the second book, she basically rejects him after the kiss. The start of the 2nd book has Fiona ready to confess everything to Croft and Croft stops her by changing the subject. So it made me suspect whether he knew about her illegal activities, and was trying to protect her?
So here we are at the end of book two, traumatized and different. You open and start reading the third book. You are no longer in the same world, but in an episode of NCIS. The tone has changed. The characters, including Fiona have regressed to who they were in the first book. Squeaky clean and ornery. It's not until 60% into the book that the tone even resembles the last two books.
It's already weird that after everything that happened in the first two books, she ends it off with a knock on the door for her clandestine appointment to lose her virginity (which for some reason was important?). Do we know who is supposed to deflower her? No. Not only do we not find out, but the third one opens with her at the Velvet Glove, not her door. And her appointment was further ruined by the untimely interruption of the boxer and his entourage. The more this series goes on, the less powerful and gray the Hammer seems to me. Because isn't he supposed to be scary? Aren't you supposed to be scared to look him in the eye for fear that he will dump you in a vat of acid? Where's that energy for the interruption? Instead they all quietly watch the boxer and Fiona reunite? In his personal office? An office that up to this point Fiona and Night Horse have been allowed entry? Didn't he have separate office for business? Wasn't the personal office supposed to be off limits to everyone else?!
She's also having second thoughts about her choice with the Hammer, depending on the scene (there really isn't any consistency). She didn't like that the Hammer was gonna just squeeze her in before the Bacchanalia that was supposed to happen that night. Which valid? But she's still opened to the idea throughout the night, and is willing to wait for him until the murder. Which, at that point he tells her to clean it up (insinuating that it's just business) and she's like "oh, this is actually impersonal." And they really don't interact even though she mentions her (until now) unvoiced sexual attraction to the Hammer.
The morgue part was the scene that bothered me the most. It felt very much like a scene from NCIS. The way the coroner kept exposing the royal family. As a red herring. And the interaction between Fiona and Croft, he reiterated everything that Fiona told him at Scotland Yard. Listen, I'm happy that they've made it past him distrusting her, but like, thus far he seemed like the kind of character who didn't take things at face value, no matter who you were. So it seemed jarring that he reiterated what she said and took them as facts. Without a fuss? And then comes the betrayal of what she knows and he cuts her off. Like did what they went through for the past two books mean NOTHING? And that's the last interaction between them throughout the book.
At this point she cuts off everyone but Night Horse, even though her relationship with Night Horse seems contentious. Not only did she reject him in the second book, but he saw Fiona with the Hammer in his PRIVATE office, with her blouse unbuttoned. He seemed like he was done with her at that point. So the love scene with Night Horse seemed an after thought. And honestly, could've done without since she did not build their relationships the way she did with Croft and Hammer. They did share the kiss in the second book (even though he technically paid for it). But she ultimately refused him, and just moved on with her life, not interacting with him until the middle of this 3rd book.
Aside from that, the murder reveal was anticlimactic and uninteresting. Like the first book was heartbreaking because she was not only still in love with her ex-finacee, he was one of only two people left connecting her to her family. Her parent's and brothers were dead. Her father and brothers murdered by the English imperialists. And this priest not only had a hand in biologically massacring first nations, but was committing murders and in the process of flaying and cauterizing the Hammer alive in front of her? And then the second book she had to survive a high class madam pimp who locked Fiona and two others underground with fire hazard film and photography chemicals in the middle of winter after being drugged? Like she started questioning what made her crave outside validation. Wondering what hole she was trying to fill by trusting Bea. Like Fiona went existential.
So to have this third villain be just a bitch ass antisemitic bigot who killed women for no reason other than they were Jewish? Like???????????
And of course there was a letter from the Ripper, being like "hey, remember me? This is not me though, but I'm still thinking about you. Stay pure! *heart-eyes* *kisses*."
The first two books were super strong. and this was such a let down. It almost feels like someone else wrote this story. Or she started off using this as practice. Like it does not fit the other two. Even the 2nd one has moments where it feels like she wrote it out of order or separately. As if it was not originally a series. And then it was decided to be part of the series.
So far I give this series 3.5/5. I hope the 4th one matches the vibe of the first two. And I want the relationship with Croft back. Like I refuse to believe that he and Amelia would cut her off.
A part of me does not want to read the 4th, if there will be a 4th in the series. But I don't think my brain will let me. I ultimately really like this series. I just wish she was more consistent in her characterization, the story arc. And honestly? I would drop the Jack the Ripper bullshit. Like I still think this would've been interesting if she hadn't taken that angle.
March 26, 2024
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was probably one of this year’s highly anticipated reads for me because it had been so long since the last book came out. Now, this is not a negative aspect towards the book itself and its writing or story but having zero information provided by either the publisher or the author on moving publication dates and cancelling orders to having it disappear from all platforms wasn’t great and could have been handled better. Obviously, things were happening behind the scenes that we weren’t privy to but a message going out saying hey the publication date is moving and has yet to be determined so we’ll announce when the book is available again, would have been appreciated.
That being said, I was really excited for this book. I kept an eye out and kept trying to see if it was available to order again so I could read it as soon as it came out.
For the story itself, I thought it was really good but there was a disconnect for me between the ending of that last book to this one. The ending of the last book, unless I completely read it wrong twice, implied something that didn’t truly correlate or continue to book 3 smoothly. Book 3 seemed the be the shortest so far but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the read. I do believe books 1 and 2 were better than the third, but again, doesn’t mean it was a bad book because I enjoyed it and how the plot progressed. Jack the Ripper is still watching Fiona and her love life gets to be even more complicated. The ending of the last book to this one brings Fiona to a very different part and feeling in her life. She needs to figure things out and I can’t wait for the next book to be released since I’m jumping in my seat to find out what happens next.
That being said, I was really excited for this book. I kept an eye out and kept trying to see if it was available to order again so I could read it as soon as it came out.
For the story itself, I thought it was really good but there was a disconnect for me between the ending of that last book to this one. The ending of the last book, unless I completely read it wrong twice, implied something that didn’t truly correlate or continue to book 3 smoothly. Book 3 seemed the be the shortest so far but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the read. I do believe books 1 and 2 were better than the third, but again, doesn’t mean it was a bad book because I enjoyed it and how the plot progressed. Jack the Ripper is still watching Fiona and her love life gets to be even more complicated. The ending of the last book to this one brings Fiona to a very different part and feeling in her life. She needs to figure things out and I can’t wait for the next book to be released since I’m jumping in my seat to find out what happens next.
March 20, 2024
The shadows of death
This murder mystery is a reminder to me of the multitalented Byrne and her gift at delivering the most intelligent, well crafted stories, whether it be at penning her “Rebel” series or this…the Mahoney Mysteries. We follow Fiona Mahoney from the arms of Jorah David Roth, to a murder scene at his establishment, then to interrupting Detective Croft from harming a dear friend from her past, Darcy O’Dowd. Since she is a “cleaner”, Fiona does her work, finds a clue and uses it in coordination with Croft to help them find the killer. The journey takes her to unspoken proclivities, a secret club, possible religious connections, into the arms of American Native, Aramis Night Horse, and perpetual interruptions by her nemesis, Jack the Ripper … in the form of threatening notes.
The list of suspects is long as it includes anyone with whom Vivienne Bloomfield-Smythe had an acquaintance considering her tongue was venomous.
Was it the baroness with whom she had a rivalry years ago? Was it Fiona’s friend Darcy who was Viv’s current love interest? Her maid Claudia? Darcy’s manager, George?
As the connection between the clues becomes apparent, Fiona gets closer to the killer. Along the way she loses her friendship with Croft which may put her in danger. What will happen when she finds the killer? Read this intriguing story. It is only 210 pages, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat, and reveal a myriad of mysteries that are mind boggling. I enjoyed every word!
I have received an ARC from the author and I am leaving an unbiased review voluntarily.
This murder mystery is a reminder to me of the multitalented Byrne and her gift at delivering the most intelligent, well crafted stories, whether it be at penning her “Rebel” series or this…the Mahoney Mysteries. We follow Fiona Mahoney from the arms of Jorah David Roth, to a murder scene at his establishment, then to interrupting Detective Croft from harming a dear friend from her past, Darcy O’Dowd. Since she is a “cleaner”, Fiona does her work, finds a clue and uses it in coordination with Croft to help them find the killer. The journey takes her to unspoken proclivities, a secret club, possible religious connections, into the arms of American Native, Aramis Night Horse, and perpetual interruptions by her nemesis, Jack the Ripper … in the form of threatening notes.
The list of suspects is long as it includes anyone with whom Vivienne Bloomfield-Smythe had an acquaintance considering her tongue was venomous.
Was it the baroness with whom she had a rivalry years ago? Was it Fiona’s friend Darcy who was Viv’s current love interest? Her maid Claudia? Darcy’s manager, George?
As the connection between the clues becomes apparent, Fiona gets closer to the killer. Along the way she loses her friendship with Croft which may put her in danger. What will happen when she finds the killer? Read this intriguing story. It is only 210 pages, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat, and reveal a myriad of mysteries that are mind boggling. I enjoyed every word!
I have received an ARC from the author and I am leaving an unbiased review voluntarily.
March 20, 2024
Book 3 follows crime scene cleaner Fiona Mahoney as she investigates a murder that once again hits close to home. Interwoven in the Syndicate, Fiona struggles with her inner turmoil and the chilling words left to her by Jack the Ripper. One wrong move could mean her death however she prefers to flirt with danger.
True to the style from the previous novels, readers become engrossed within the chilling and macabre environment of the dark streets of London expertly written by Kerrigan Byrne. I have loved this entire series and give it high praise.
However, I can see where readers might disagree or take slight offense to some of the themes that came out in this book in particular. There is a character against Jews, there are characters who are gay, and there are discussions on cultures and the oppression of races. All are valid and well-written by the author but that might cause issue with some.
Readers not familiar with this series or the author might be lost, although there is a tiny amount of backstory given. There is a small amount of romance and romantic notions although nothing is explicit on the page.
Enjoy this story for its outstanding storyline, well-written and fleshed-out characters, and thrilling mystery.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
True to the style from the previous novels, readers become engrossed within the chilling and macabre environment of the dark streets of London expertly written by Kerrigan Byrne. I have loved this entire series and give it high praise.
However, I can see where readers might disagree or take slight offense to some of the themes that came out in this book in particular. There is a character against Jews, there are characters who are gay, and there are discussions on cultures and the oppression of races. All are valid and well-written by the author but that might cause issue with some.
Readers not familiar with this series or the author might be lost, although there is a tiny amount of backstory given. There is a small amount of romance and romantic notions although nothing is explicit on the page.
Enjoy this story for its outstanding storyline, well-written and fleshed-out characters, and thrilling mystery.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 31, 2024
I was more than a little confused when the ending of A Treacherous Trade was just...retconned out of existence at the start of this book. I wish I could say I was less confused from there on out once I figured out what was happening, but this entry into the series felt disjointed, with a lot of frontloaded/backloaded frenetic activity that weren't as satisfying as they could've been if there had been more editing and more fleshing out? Who am I kidding though, I still want to see what happens with Fiona and this longstanding cat and mouse game with Jack the Ripper so, I'll be back anyway...
April 11, 2024
I was very excited to see this book finally released after such a long wait. It's been a year of waiting, I think. I should have gone back and read the end of book 2 to refresh my memory of how it ended. Overall I didn't find this book to be as interesting as the first two books in the series. Despite knowing that Ms Byrne's Victorian setting is quite dark, the atmosphere in this book was so heavy and oppressive! I am sure it was meant to be that way but it made it difficult to keep reading. There was a lot of repetition in the descriptions, too, which began to annoy me. I still look forward to future books in the series as I like Fiona and am fascinated by Night Horse.
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