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Inspector Charles Field #1
The Darwin Affair
London circa 1860. An attempt on Queen Victoria’s life. A plot against evolutionist Charles Darwin. A madman on the loose. And a police detective made famous by Charles Dickens.
When Inspector Charles Field (based on the real London policeman immortalized by Dickens as Inspector Bucket in Bleak House) sets out to find who was behind the failed attempt on Queen Victoria’s life, he comes to believe the plot may have originated with some ranking members of the Church of England, the scientific establishment, and highly placed representatives of the Empire. Many were alarmed because the Queen had chosen to offer a knighthood to Charles Darwin, author of the newly published—and very controversial—On the Origin of Species, widely viewed as antichurch, anti-Empire, and an act of heresy. That Darwin was indeed on a list of men to be knighted by Queen Victoria is a recorded fact. History also shows that it was an honor he would never receive.
In this fast-paced Victorian thriller, debut novelist Tim Mason unfurls a gripping, richly atmospheric tale. Beginning with a murder of a small-time underworld figure in London—followed by the kidnapping of a butcher’s boy, the death of a divinity student from Oxford, the discovery of a ring of body snatchers, and a royal visit to Bavaria that turns deadly—and ending with a spectacular London fire, Inspector Field suffers wounds to his body and blows to his ego. Nothing, however, stops his pursuit of a psychotic surgeon known as the Chorister. The Chorister, for very personal reasons, is intent not only on killing Darwin but also on making sure his theories of evolution die with him. Rich in period color and detail, and with many twists and turns to its plot, The DarwinAffair combines historical fact with vividly realized fiction to create an immersive reading experience that will captivate fans of such writers as Matthew Pearl and Alan Furst.
When Inspector Charles Field (based on the real London policeman immortalized by Dickens as Inspector Bucket in Bleak House) sets out to find who was behind the failed attempt on Queen Victoria’s life, he comes to believe the plot may have originated with some ranking members of the Church of England, the scientific establishment, and highly placed representatives of the Empire. Many were alarmed because the Queen had chosen to offer a knighthood to Charles Darwin, author of the newly published—and very controversial—On the Origin of Species, widely viewed as antichurch, anti-Empire, and an act of heresy. That Darwin was indeed on a list of men to be knighted by Queen Victoria is a recorded fact. History also shows that it was an honor he would never receive.
In this fast-paced Victorian thriller, debut novelist Tim Mason unfurls a gripping, richly atmospheric tale. Beginning with a murder of a small-time underworld figure in London—followed by the kidnapping of a butcher’s boy, the death of a divinity student from Oxford, the discovery of a ring of body snatchers, and a royal visit to Bavaria that turns deadly—and ending with a spectacular London fire, Inspector Field suffers wounds to his body and blows to his ego. Nothing, however, stops his pursuit of a psychotic surgeon known as the Chorister. The Chorister, for very personal reasons, is intent not only on killing Darwin but also on making sure his theories of evolution die with him. Rich in period color and detail, and with many twists and turns to its plot, The DarwinAffair combines historical fact with vividly realized fiction to create an immersive reading experience that will captivate fans of such writers as Matthew Pearl and Alan Furst.
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First published June 11, 2019
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August 18, 2019
3.5 stars
The Darwin Affair is a gruesome historical thriller about a murder conspiracy fueled by the sensationalism of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species.
1860, London: When an attempt is made on the life of Queen Victoria, Chief Detective Charles Field puts the pieces together to determine why the Queen is being targeted. He quickly realizes that is not the Queen who is being targeted, but rather her husband, Prince Albert--all because he champions Charles Darwin.
There are many prominent individuals, including supposed allies of the royal family, who are involved in the assassination attempt, but the one to fear is known as the "Chorister." Field undertakes the dangerous job of bringing down the Chorister before he can murder Prince Albert. Field, who gained notoriety for serving as the inspiration for Dickens’ Bucket in Bleak House, is confident he is the one to get the job done. What Field doesn’t realize is that he is chasing a man who is not only smarter but also a dangerous psychopath.
The Darwin Affair features many characters and there are many plot lines to keep track of. For this reason, I had trouble getting fully invested in the characters and plot. I wasn’t wowed by Field’s character, but the chapters that featured the Chorister kept me riveted. The Chorister has to be one of the sickest and most demented and evil characters that I have come across--and I read a lot of sick and twisted thrillers!
While I enjoyed The Darwin Affair, it lacked the depth I was expecting. I was hoping for more of a historical exploration emphasizing the implications of the publication of On the Origin of Species. Instead, Darwin appears in the background, while the cat and mouse game between Field and the Chorister takes center stage. In the end, it was an entertaining thriller fueled by a fascinating killer!
I received a copy of this book from Algonquin Books in exchange for an honest review.
The Darwin Affair is a gruesome historical thriller about a murder conspiracy fueled by the sensationalism of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species.
1860, London: When an attempt is made on the life of Queen Victoria, Chief Detective Charles Field puts the pieces together to determine why the Queen is being targeted. He quickly realizes that is not the Queen who is being targeted, but rather her husband, Prince Albert--all because he champions Charles Darwin.
There are many prominent individuals, including supposed allies of the royal family, who are involved in the assassination attempt, but the one to fear is known as the "Chorister." Field undertakes the dangerous job of bringing down the Chorister before he can murder Prince Albert. Field, who gained notoriety for serving as the inspiration for Dickens’ Bucket in Bleak House, is confident he is the one to get the job done. What Field doesn’t realize is that he is chasing a man who is not only smarter but also a dangerous psychopath.
The Darwin Affair features many characters and there are many plot lines to keep track of. For this reason, I had trouble getting fully invested in the characters and plot. I wasn’t wowed by Field’s character, but the chapters that featured the Chorister kept me riveted. The Chorister has to be one of the sickest and most demented and evil characters that I have come across--and I read a lot of sick and twisted thrillers!
While I enjoyed The Darwin Affair, it lacked the depth I was expecting. I was hoping for more of a historical exploration emphasizing the implications of the publication of On the Origin of Species. Instead, Darwin appears in the background, while the cat and mouse game between Field and the Chorister takes center stage. In the end, it was an entertaining thriller fueled by a fascinating killer!
I received a copy of this book from Algonquin Books in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2019
“There was a cry and the crack of a whip, and the black-and-gold carriage lurched into motion once again, making a wide arc and turning back toward the palace, its royal passengers seemingly safe after yet another assassination attempt. [Inspector] Field was running in roughly the same direction, back toward St. Albans, determined to find little Stevie and wrest from him a name, a face, a description…Stevie, however, as Charles Field, deep in his dark policeman’s heart already feared, was no longer available for questioning. What Field hadn’t anticipated, however, was to find him just round the corner from where he’d left him. The young man sat beneath the wrought-iron railings behind No. 44, his back against the rods and his head resting on his left shoulder. His narrow face was tilted sideways to the pitiless sky, his waistcoat scarlet and glistening, his throat sliced to the bone…”
- Tim Mason, The Darwin Affair
This is a novel that does not waste any time.
On the first page after the prologue, we are introduced to Chief Inspector Charles Field of the London Metropolitan Police. It is June 1860, and he is pulling duty helping protect Queen Victoria and the Royal Consort, Prince Albert, while they attend an errand in an open coach in London. On the second page, Inspector Field – a celebrity copper said to be the inspiration for Dickens’ Inspector Bucket – spots a common pickpocket in the crowd and buttons him for questioning. On page three, there is an assassination attempt on the Queen by a deranged madman. By page four, the pickpocket is dead, and Inspector Field senses a connection between the Queen, the madman, and the pickpocket.
That is pretty much the pace of Tim Mason’s The Darwin Affair. As the title hints, the failed assassination and the subsequent murder is entwined with the publication of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. More specifically, there are powerful forces at work who are unhappy about Darwin’s evolutionary theory, and the Royal Couple’s support for the famed scientist.
At the heart of this conspiracy is a diabolical killer known as the Chorister. Now, before you lock me in the Tower for the crime of premeditated spoilers, I hasten to add that this is not a piece of information that is hidden. To the contrary, the Chorister, like Hannibal Lecter (the two men share several similarities), is a major character introduced very early on, and we are privy to many (though not all) of his motivations. Indeed, one the biggest surprises that Mason pulls on the reader is how much he gives away, while still plotting enough twists and turns to pull off a very solid ending.
As to matters of plot, I will remain mum. Suffice to say it is rather labyrinthine, with a lot of characters and a lot of different connections. Indeed, I don’t think I could spoil it if I wanted, since I’d need one of those Beautiful Mind-like crazy walls, with pictures and twine and lots of pushpins. Similar to Mason’s handling of the Chorister, the motivations and relationships of many of these supporting actors and actresses are presented outright, but with just enough information withheld to keep you from seeing the full picture.
The Darwin Affair is a historical thriller in the vein of Caleb Carr’s The Alienist and Iain Pears’ An Instance of the Fingerpost. It is not quite as lush or fully realized as those two novels, however. This is a lean and mean machine, with my ARC copy only 373 pages long. At times, I sensed that it had been pared down, all the fat and gristle sliced away, with the skill of the Chorister’s blade. This allows Mason to maintain a blistering momentum. What you lose, though, is a sense of immersion into a place. Mason has clearly done his research, but his evocation of London (which, frankly, has been evoked many, many times afore) never enveloped me in the same way that – for instance – Sarah Waters’ or Michael Faber’s London enveloped me. To put it blunt: you can’t smell Mason’s London.
Moreover, by stripping out all but the most important plot mechanics, you lose the ability to modulate tension and add depth to characters. A lot of the people in this book come to grisly ends; however, none of these deaths land with any emotional impact, because we don’t know the characters at any but the superficial level. Nevertheless, Mason makes up for these shortcomings with some sparkling dialogue and organic humor. (Mason is a playwright, with an ear for conversations).
The coolest part of The Darwin Affair is how firmly Mason’s narrative meshes with the historical record. When you are told that everything hinges on a string of murders motivated by evolutionary theory, you can be forgiven for thinking it is rather outré, even silly. Yet Mason intricately weaves his fiction into fact. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are obviously real figures, as are cameo performers Karl Marx and Charles Dickens. But it goes beyond that. Inspector Field, for instance, actually existed. Furthermore, many of the events that are detailed in the book are based on fact, though the way they unfold here brims with fiction.
This seamless integrating of reality and imagination creates a nicely paranoid mood, one in which you might actually start to wonder if there isn’t an alternative explanation to how certain historical events played out. More than anything else, the thing about The Darwin Affair that will stick with me is the sly insinuation that the events of this world really are the result of shadowy forces pulling the levers behind the curtain.
(I received an advanced reading copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review).
- Tim Mason, The Darwin Affair
This is a novel that does not waste any time.
On the first page after the prologue, we are introduced to Chief Inspector Charles Field of the London Metropolitan Police. It is June 1860, and he is pulling duty helping protect Queen Victoria and the Royal Consort, Prince Albert, while they attend an errand in an open coach in London. On the second page, Inspector Field – a celebrity copper said to be the inspiration for Dickens’ Inspector Bucket – spots a common pickpocket in the crowd and buttons him for questioning. On page three, there is an assassination attempt on the Queen by a deranged madman. By page four, the pickpocket is dead, and Inspector Field senses a connection between the Queen, the madman, and the pickpocket.
That is pretty much the pace of Tim Mason’s The Darwin Affair. As the title hints, the failed assassination and the subsequent murder is entwined with the publication of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. More specifically, there are powerful forces at work who are unhappy about Darwin’s evolutionary theory, and the Royal Couple’s support for the famed scientist.
At the heart of this conspiracy is a diabolical killer known as the Chorister. Now, before you lock me in the Tower for the crime of premeditated spoilers, I hasten to add that this is not a piece of information that is hidden. To the contrary, the Chorister, like Hannibal Lecter (the two men share several similarities), is a major character introduced very early on, and we are privy to many (though not all) of his motivations. Indeed, one the biggest surprises that Mason pulls on the reader is how much he gives away, while still plotting enough twists and turns to pull off a very solid ending.
As to matters of plot, I will remain mum. Suffice to say it is rather labyrinthine, with a lot of characters and a lot of different connections. Indeed, I don’t think I could spoil it if I wanted, since I’d need one of those Beautiful Mind-like crazy walls, with pictures and twine and lots of pushpins. Similar to Mason’s handling of the Chorister, the motivations and relationships of many of these supporting actors and actresses are presented outright, but with just enough information withheld to keep you from seeing the full picture.
The Darwin Affair is a historical thriller in the vein of Caleb Carr’s The Alienist and Iain Pears’ An Instance of the Fingerpost. It is not quite as lush or fully realized as those two novels, however. This is a lean and mean machine, with my ARC copy only 373 pages long. At times, I sensed that it had been pared down, all the fat and gristle sliced away, with the skill of the Chorister’s blade. This allows Mason to maintain a blistering momentum. What you lose, though, is a sense of immersion into a place. Mason has clearly done his research, but his evocation of London (which, frankly, has been evoked many, many times afore) never enveloped me in the same way that – for instance – Sarah Waters’ or Michael Faber’s London enveloped me. To put it blunt: you can’t smell Mason’s London.
Moreover, by stripping out all but the most important plot mechanics, you lose the ability to modulate tension and add depth to characters. A lot of the people in this book come to grisly ends; however, none of these deaths land with any emotional impact, because we don’t know the characters at any but the superficial level. Nevertheless, Mason makes up for these shortcomings with some sparkling dialogue and organic humor. (Mason is a playwright, with an ear for conversations).
The coolest part of The Darwin Affair is how firmly Mason’s narrative meshes with the historical record. When you are told that everything hinges on a string of murders motivated by evolutionary theory, you can be forgiven for thinking it is rather outré, even silly. Yet Mason intricately weaves his fiction into fact. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are obviously real figures, as are cameo performers Karl Marx and Charles Dickens. But it goes beyond that. Inspector Field, for instance, actually existed. Furthermore, many of the events that are detailed in the book are based on fact, though the way they unfold here brims with fiction.
This seamless integrating of reality and imagination creates a nicely paranoid mood, one in which you might actually start to wonder if there isn’t an alternative explanation to how certain historical events played out. More than anything else, the thing about The Darwin Affair that will stick with me is the sly insinuation that the events of this world really are the result of shadowy forces pulling the levers behind the curtain.
(I received an advanced reading copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review).
August 16, 2020
Tim Mason’s debut novel has all the ingredients for a success. The piece of historical fiction mixes the Victorian Era with the battle over creation versus evolution, peppering in a spree of heinous crimes that shock the general public. Wonderfully executed, Mason is sure to make waves should he have more ideas to share in the coming years. The year is 1860 and Detective Inspector Charles Field has a plum job with the Metropolitan Police, protecting Her Majesty Queen Victoria at a time when many have tried to take her life. When Field sees a local pickpocket along the route, he stops to arrest him, only to be waylaid from the real threat down the road. After shots are fired, the royal couple are safe and the attempted assassin is apprehended, but Prince Albert has nothing but harsh words for Field. Returning to deal with his original arrestee, Field sees that the boy has been killed and mutilated, which indicates a cover-up and likely conspiracy in the plot to kill the queen. In Oxford, an important intellectual debate will soon take place on the subject of Charles Darwin’s recent publication, On the Origin of Species. Church-folk are armed and ready to defend the miracle of God’s work, while the scientific community is coming around to accept and understand the basic argument of evolution. In the shadows, a killer lurks and has begun targeting people by brutally attacking them and remove an odd appendage. They will not be able to do this alone and so a young butcher’s apprentice is brought along to learn a new trade. While DI Field tries to get to the heart of the royal assassination attempt, he runs afoul of the highest-up within the Met and finds himself relieved of his duties. However, that does not dampen his desire to get to the core of what is going on, both with the royal couple and these horrific murders. Tracing a plot to strike again while Victoria and Albert are on the continent, Field will have to work quickly and locate the killer who appears to be hiding in plain sight. What reason would anyone have to want the royal couple dead and how can it be stopped before it’s too late? An exciting debut thriller that kept me reading well into the night to piece it all together. Recommended to those who love historical mysteries, as well as the reader who finds the mix of crime and science to be entertaining.
It was a random scanning of my Libby app that brought this book to my attention (proof positive that technology and the traditional library can be useful) and I am pleased that they did just that. Tim Mason’s book has everything a reader could need to become fully ensconced with a story until the final pages. Detective Inspector Charles Field proves to be a wonderful protagonist in this piece, able to cobble together the conspiracy while ruffling many feathers within the Met. He is said to be the real-life inspiration for Charles Dickens’ Detective Bucket, something that many people comment upon throughout the novel. At a time when police work is all about locating clues and using one’s intuition, Field does just that, skating a thin line when it comes to insubordination at times. Field is a loving husband, but also shows himself to be married to his work, even when it takes him into the most dangerous situations. There is a little backstory offered here, as well as a decent amount of character development, whetting the appetite of the reader in case there are more novels to come. Mason adds a number of key supporting characters, both those plucked from the history books of the time and others who are completely fictitious. All of those who grace the pages of this novel bring interesting perspectives to the larger narrative, be it on the subject of murder, royalty, or even the Darwinian commentary that serves as an underlying thread throughout. Mason effectively balances all his plots into the larger story and keeps the reader curious as the narrative gains momentum. The story was sound and handles a few subjects quite effectively. Mid-century England is full of change and inquisitive minds, all of which helps support a mystery that is not entirely straightforward. Mason uses his skill to weave a tale and yet forces the reader to wonder until the culminating reveal, where the pieces finally fall into place. This was surely one of those surprise novels that worked so well for me. I will be on the lookout for more by Tim Mason, as well as others who write within this genre.
Kudos, Mr. Mason, for a book I am sure to talk about for weeks to come. You have great talent and I hope others discover this book to share the excitement in brought me.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
It was a random scanning of my Libby app that brought this book to my attention (proof positive that technology and the traditional library can be useful) and I am pleased that they did just that. Tim Mason’s book has everything a reader could need to become fully ensconced with a story until the final pages. Detective Inspector Charles Field proves to be a wonderful protagonist in this piece, able to cobble together the conspiracy while ruffling many feathers within the Met. He is said to be the real-life inspiration for Charles Dickens’ Detective Bucket, something that many people comment upon throughout the novel. At a time when police work is all about locating clues and using one’s intuition, Field does just that, skating a thin line when it comes to insubordination at times. Field is a loving husband, but also shows himself to be married to his work, even when it takes him into the most dangerous situations. There is a little backstory offered here, as well as a decent amount of character development, whetting the appetite of the reader in case there are more novels to come. Mason adds a number of key supporting characters, both those plucked from the history books of the time and others who are completely fictitious. All of those who grace the pages of this novel bring interesting perspectives to the larger narrative, be it on the subject of murder, royalty, or even the Darwinian commentary that serves as an underlying thread throughout. Mason effectively balances all his plots into the larger story and keeps the reader curious as the narrative gains momentum. The story was sound and handles a few subjects quite effectively. Mid-century England is full of change and inquisitive minds, all of which helps support a mystery that is not entirely straightforward. Mason uses his skill to weave a tale and yet forces the reader to wonder until the culminating reveal, where the pieces finally fall into place. This was surely one of those surprise novels that worked so well for me. I will be on the lookout for more by Tim Mason, as well as others who write within this genre.
Kudos, Mr. Mason, for a book I am sure to talk about for weeks to come. You have great talent and I hope others discover this book to share the excitement in brought me.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
February 15, 2019
I received a free publisher’s advance reviewing copy.
I finished this yesterday and I’m feeling more annoyed today that I spent time on it. As the book description says, an assassination attempt seemingly directed at Queen Victoria causes an investigation, led by Inspector Field, that “exposes a shocking conspiracy in which the publication of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species sets off a string of murders, arson, kidnapping, and the pursuit of a diabolical madman named the Chorister.”
The plot of the book is nonsensical. It’s just a setup so that we can follow a cat-and-mouse chase between Inspector Field and a character the book description calls the Chorister. This chase is action filled, as it goes all over London, to Oxford and points in between, and even to Germany. But the chase seems to roll and bounce around with less aim than a pinball game, as it’s filled with missed connections and improbable obstacles. It becomes clear that the movement of the chase has no real purpose other than to set the stage for multiple scenes of sadism, horror and gore, including cruelty to children, and all with plenty of gross-out detail.
I read a lot of crime fiction, and this novel features a character type that is all too common: the bizarre, repulsive and psychotic killer who seems to be invincible despite being completely bonkers and physically unimposing. The improbability of these characters annoys me as much as their cartoonish loathesomeness.
The description compares this book to the works of Caleb Carr and Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I’ve read both authors and this is not an apt comparison. The author whose work this book most reminds me of is Alex Grecian—and that’s not a compliment. I read only Grecian’s The Yard, some years ago, but it left me with the same feelings of antipathy and distaste that this book did.
I finished this yesterday and I’m feeling more annoyed today that I spent time on it. As the book description says, an assassination attempt seemingly directed at Queen Victoria causes an investigation, led by Inspector Field, that “exposes a shocking conspiracy in which the publication of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species sets off a string of murders, arson, kidnapping, and the pursuit of a diabolical madman named the Chorister.”
The plot of the book is nonsensical. It’s just a setup so that we can follow a cat-and-mouse chase between Inspector Field and a character the book description calls the Chorister. This chase is action filled, as it goes all over London, to Oxford and points in between, and even to Germany. But the chase seems to roll and bounce around with less aim than a pinball game, as it’s filled with missed connections and improbable obstacles. It becomes clear that the movement of the chase has no real purpose other than to set the stage for multiple scenes of sadism, horror and gore, including cruelty to children, and all with plenty of gross-out detail.
I read a lot of crime fiction, and this novel features a character type that is all too common: the bizarre, repulsive and psychotic killer who seems to be invincible despite being completely bonkers and physically unimposing. The improbability of these characters annoys me as much as their cartoonish loathesomeness.
The description compares this book to the works of Caleb Carr and Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I’ve read both authors and this is not an apt comparison. The author whose work this book most reminds me of is Alex Grecian—and that’s not a compliment. I read only Grecian’s The Yard, some years ago, but it left me with the same feelings of antipathy and distaste that this book did.
June 21, 2019
London, 1860. Inspector Charles Field is convinced that the attempted assassination of Queen Victoria is part of a plot. He's not convinced that she was the intended target and that a killer is still out there hiding and planning something. He also suspects that there could be high ranking people behind it all. His investigation leads straight to the publication of Charles Darwin's very controversial On the Origin of Species. Could this book be behind it all, and why? Why would someone kill because of a book?
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
January 9, 2020
Human Nature being what it is......
In this case, far less human and more going against Nature.
Tim Mason has quite the intriguing mystery here. He's set the carriage wheels rolling into June of 1860 in London. Her Majesty Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are traveling through the streets as the crowd pushes to get a better view of the royal couple. But someone else within this mob of people wants to keep them in his site. A shot rings out and Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field takes off after a young lad. The lad was the decoy and the shooter was an unbalanced man quickly arrested. No harm, but there will be plenty of foul.
Charles Field will be focused on finding out the truth behind the attempt on the royal couple. This one is going to take him through the back streets of London and through the novels of Charles Dickens. To his surprise, he'll be finding parallels within Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species which will ring a scientific thread through this novel in the most curious way.
Mason creates a very dark atmosphere here. We'll weave our way through murders, arson, kidnapping and unsavory characters. And there are quite a few characters to round this one out. In fact, the main suspect is one of the deepest, darkest, most despicable demons to come along in some time. No light of salvation beats in his heart. I felt strong vibes of The Alienist by Caleb Carr.
The Darwin Affair is a worthy read for those seeking a bit of the macabre in their historical fiction. Tim Mason has done layers of research to get just the right tone with injecting both Darwin and Dickens into the breadcrumbs leading back to the palace. Quite the read, indeed.
In this case, far less human and more going against Nature.
Tim Mason has quite the intriguing mystery here. He's set the carriage wheels rolling into June of 1860 in London. Her Majesty Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are traveling through the streets as the crowd pushes to get a better view of the royal couple. But someone else within this mob of people wants to keep them in his site. A shot rings out and Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field takes off after a young lad. The lad was the decoy and the shooter was an unbalanced man quickly arrested. No harm, but there will be plenty of foul.
Charles Field will be focused on finding out the truth behind the attempt on the royal couple. This one is going to take him through the back streets of London and through the novels of Charles Dickens. To his surprise, he'll be finding parallels within Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species which will ring a scientific thread through this novel in the most curious way.
Mason creates a very dark atmosphere here. We'll weave our way through murders, arson, kidnapping and unsavory characters. And there are quite a few characters to round this one out. In fact, the main suspect is one of the deepest, darkest, most despicable demons to come along in some time. No light of salvation beats in his heart. I felt strong vibes of The Alienist by Caleb Carr.
The Darwin Affair is a worthy read for those seeking a bit of the macabre in their historical fiction. Tim Mason has done layers of research to get just the right tone with injecting both Darwin and Dickens into the breadcrumbs leading back to the palace. Quite the read, indeed.
February 12, 2023
Somehow this book just didn't do it for me. It's well enough written. The plot tension is good. The villains are sufficiently villainous. The main character is realistic. The time and place are well researched. So what was it that bugged me?
Well, number one reservation: the author just throws in too many well known people. Charles Darwin, Thomas Huxley, Sir Richard Owen, Charles Dickens, Queen Victoria and her Prince Consort, Albert. What are the odds that an actual Victorian policeman would encounter ALL of these prominent people? Not to mention Mary Do-Not, who seems to be based on the American Typhoid Mary.
My other complaint is that the murderer just seems too 21st century. Yes, I know, the Victorian era saw Jack the Ripper and the start of our culture's fascination with the serial murderer. But this type of crime wasn't too sophisticated yet. The Chorister is like a character out of the tv show Criminal Minds and to me feels much too modern for the setting. He pursues his targets with Terminator-like persistence and has traits that the FBI would easily recognize. It just didn’t feel time appropriate to me.
This was a choice for the book club sponsored by a local bookstore and I am planning to attend my first meeting to discuss it. I truly wish that I had enjoyed it more, as I find more joy discussing books that I like than those that I'm not wild about. Ah well, c'est la vie.
Well, number one reservation: the author just throws in too many well known people. Charles Darwin, Thomas Huxley, Sir Richard Owen, Charles Dickens, Queen Victoria and her Prince Consort, Albert. What are the odds that an actual Victorian policeman would encounter ALL of these prominent people? Not to mention Mary Do-Not, who seems to be based on the American Typhoid Mary.
My other complaint is that the murderer just seems too 21st century. Yes, I know, the Victorian era saw Jack the Ripper and the start of our culture's fascination with the serial murderer. But this type of crime wasn't too sophisticated yet. The Chorister is like a character out of the tv show Criminal Minds and to me feels much too modern for the setting. He pursues his targets with Terminator-like persistence and has traits that the FBI would easily recognize. It just didn’t feel time appropriate to me.
This was a choice for the book club sponsored by a local bookstore and I am planning to attend my first meeting to discuss it. I truly wish that I had enjoyed it more, as I find more joy discussing books that I like than those that I'm not wild about. Ah well, c'est la vie.
January 24, 2019
Do not begin reading this book on a Sunday night, if you intend to go to work on Monday.
Do not read this book late at night, if you are alone.
Do not read this book while catching on past seasons of PBS's "Victoria," unless you want to begin looking at all the actors with suspicion.
Do not open this book if you aren't prepared to set aside time to finish it, neglecting to eat and letting your tea go cold... because it is very, very difficult to put down, once begun!
Others have written that "The Darwin Affair" should be made into a PBS miniseries itself, and I couldn't agree more (it would be so much better than that awful "The Miniaturist," which never made sense in either book OR television form, though the costumes and sets were nice...)
From the historical figures and events, to the locations, to the fictional characters who seem SO real, Mason's adept writing paints a vivid picture of the Victorian era in this unique and addictive murder mystery (upon mystery, upon mystery.)
There are some unsavory bits, but they are dished out so sparingly that they serve only to entice the reader further in, as unexpected courses continue to be served in this intricate feast.
I read it in two days. I couldn't stop, even though it gave me the heebie-jeebies. The pairing of Darwin's work, with the psychological aberration of the antagonist, is just brilliant.
You know how when you read a Sherlock Holmes story, you kind of get a nudge as to what a clue might be, and you're usually correct? In "The Darwin Affair," I got a lot of nudges... and I was off-track, and I just had to keep on reading until they were made clear, and when they were, it was all so much more interesting than I could have imagined.
VERY impressed with Mason's writing skill. I hope there will be more books featuring Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field!
If you enjoyed "An Instance Of The Fingerpost" by Ian Pears, or "Good Omens" by Pratchett & Gaiman (which is my benchmark for modern literature), I think you would like this... especially if you have a fondness for Dickens, Darwin, and Victoria and Albert.
Do not read this book late at night, if you are alone.
Do not read this book while catching on past seasons of PBS's "Victoria," unless you want to begin looking at all the actors with suspicion.
Do not open this book if you aren't prepared to set aside time to finish it, neglecting to eat and letting your tea go cold... because it is very, very difficult to put down, once begun!
Others have written that "The Darwin Affair" should be made into a PBS miniseries itself, and I couldn't agree more (it would be so much better than that awful "The Miniaturist," which never made sense in either book OR television form, though the costumes and sets were nice...)
From the historical figures and events, to the locations, to the fictional characters who seem SO real, Mason's adept writing paints a vivid picture of the Victorian era in this unique and addictive murder mystery (upon mystery, upon mystery.)
There are some unsavory bits, but they are dished out so sparingly that they serve only to entice the reader further in, as unexpected courses continue to be served in this intricate feast.
I read it in two days. I couldn't stop, even though it gave me the heebie-jeebies. The pairing of Darwin's work, with the psychological aberration of the antagonist, is just brilliant.
You know how when you read a Sherlock Holmes story, you kind of get a nudge as to what a clue might be, and you're usually correct? In "The Darwin Affair," I got a lot of nudges... and I was off-track, and I just had to keep on reading until they were made clear, and when they were, it was all so much more interesting than I could have imagined.
VERY impressed with Mason's writing skill. I hope there will be more books featuring Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field!
If you enjoyed "An Instance Of The Fingerpost" by Ian Pears, or "Good Omens" by Pratchett & Gaiman (which is my benchmark for modern literature), I think you would like this... especially if you have a fondness for Dickens, Darwin, and Victoria and Albert.
April 16, 2019
Thanks to the good folks at Good Reads and Algonquin Books for sending me a free Advance Reading Copy of this book.
I really enjoyed this historical crime novel packed full to the brim with actual historical figures like Prince Albert, Queen Victoria, Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, et al.
It also was really good at reflecting how dangerous religious fundamentalism is and how it is more than just non-Christians who practice it.
The villain was exceptionally evil. The detective had issues without making them overbearing (one of my pet peeves!!!). The supporting cast was entertaining. And the setting wonderful!!
Start of a new series?
I really enjoyed this historical crime novel packed full to the brim with actual historical figures like Prince Albert, Queen Victoria, Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, et al.
It also was really good at reflecting how dangerous religious fundamentalism is and how it is more than just non-Christians who practice it.
The villain was exceptionally evil. The detective had issues without making them overbearing (one of my pet peeves!!!). The supporting cast was entertaining. And the setting wonderful!!
Start of a new series?
June 11, 2019
This is a big mess of a novel with real historical figures doing stupid and ridiculous things because of a made-up villain. The beginning is really more about sadism and child abuse than anything else, and it is described in detail again and again. When even American Typhoid Mary enters the plot, the book officially jumps the shark. This really is not a pleasant read, my advice is to skip it.
I received an eARC from NetGalley.
I received an eARC from NetGalley.
August 29, 2020
#Big-Library-Read for August, 2020
I'm really glad librarians across the country chose this mystery for our latest shared ebook read; otherwise, it may never have come to my attention. Set in Victorian England in 1860, the story involves a plot to assassinate Queen Victoria...or is someone else in the court the real target? Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field of the Metropolitan Police thinks there's a conspiracy afoot as he and his men follow the trail of clues to find a diabolical killer who collects human ears as trophies. Mason broke my heart a couple of times as characters I'd come to like fell victim to this monster.
Tim Mason has obviously done his research and involved many real life people and situations from that era in his thriller, including not only the queen and her court but also Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin, whose new book on evolution is stirring up lots of controversy. If we are all created equal, what makes the upper echelons think they are so special?
To me, this would make a terrific movie with atmospheric setting, compelling characters, loads of action, violence and pretty horrific murders.
I'm really glad librarians across the country chose this mystery for our latest shared ebook read; otherwise, it may never have come to my attention. Set in Victorian England in 1860, the story involves a plot to assassinate Queen Victoria...or is someone else in the court the real target? Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field of the Metropolitan Police thinks there's a conspiracy afoot as he and his men follow the trail of clues to find a diabolical killer who collects human ears as trophies. Mason broke my heart a couple of times as characters I'd come to like fell victim to this monster.
Tim Mason has obviously done his research and involved many real life people and situations from that era in his thriller, including not only the queen and her court but also Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin, whose new book on evolution is stirring up lots of controversy. If we are all created equal, what makes the upper echelons think they are so special?
To me, this would make a terrific movie with atmospheric setting, compelling characters, loads of action, violence and pretty horrific murders.
April 5, 2019
Inspector Charles Field has risen through the ranks by solving some of the most notorious murders of his day. “And then he’d been discovered by the wide-ranging novelist and commentator on London life, Charles Dickens.” Dickens had followed the inspector and “recorded Field’s interactions with the rogues and criminals he encountered. Dicken’s ‘On Duty with Inspector Field,’ published in Household Words in 1851, created a sensation.”
There is an assassination attempt on Queen Victoria. And afterward, Inspector Field learns about a group called communist. He is tracking a man by the name of Karl Marx who has “written works of philosophical and economic theory that would shake the world to its foundations…”
There are some threats made against Charles Darwin, the author of On the Origin of Species. Most people find his revolutionary theory hard to understand or to wrap their heads around.
What interested me into reading this book was the name of Darwin. I was hoping to get to know such historical figure as Charles Darwin through this story. Instead the book offers glimpses of many historical figures. They are introduced in an interesting and original way. However, as I am not a reader of crime stories, the investigative process didn’t hold my interest. Keep in mind, this is a personal preference and you may find the investigative process interesting.
@FB/BestHistoricalFiction
There is an assassination attempt on Queen Victoria. And afterward, Inspector Field learns about a group called communist. He is tracking a man by the name of Karl Marx who has “written works of philosophical and economic theory that would shake the world to its foundations…”
There are some threats made against Charles Darwin, the author of On the Origin of Species. Most people find his revolutionary theory hard to understand or to wrap their heads around.
What interested me into reading this book was the name of Darwin. I was hoping to get to know such historical figure as Charles Darwin through this story. Instead the book offers glimpses of many historical figures. They are introduced in an interesting and original way. However, as I am not a reader of crime stories, the investigative process didn’t hold my interest. Keep in mind, this is a personal preference and you may find the investigative process interesting.
@FB/BestHistoricalFiction
September 20, 2019
3.5 stars. I liked the historical details of the setting, and the idea of a nobility-based conspiracy amongst various gentry i’ve read about in other contexts. Main character and police detective Charles Field is dogged, while the serial killer is creepy as all heck and scary. I also liked the way the author illustrated how controversial and explosive Charles Darwin’s theory was to those who had a vested interest in a more simplistic or religious view of life.
I did, however, have some trouble keeping track of the characters, and occasionally found myself a little confused by a few of the scene changes. So, while this story had some great ideas at work, I didn’t find myself riveted.
I did, however, have some trouble keeping track of the characters, and occasionally found myself a little confused by a few of the scene changes. So, while this story had some great ideas at work, I didn’t find myself riveted.
Read
January 24, 2020This book proves that even queer writers bury their gays.
August 11, 2020
I'm joining the Big Library Read and have read this. . . not my usual fare - toooooooo much killing just cuz. . .
However, the time period, the historical celebs featured and the twist on commonly held theories makes this a very interesting read. That's about all from me since the Big Library Read is in progress. There is a lot going on, and with all the slashing and blood splashing about, I have a tendency to get a little lost in the narrative. But pulling myself up on top of the maze from time to time helps.
3 stars from me for now. Maybe more after it is over. . .
Take care out there. Pay special attention to your ears.
However, the time period, the historical celebs featured and the twist on commonly held theories makes this a very interesting read. That's about all from me since the Big Library Read is in progress. There is a lot going on, and with all the slashing and blood splashing about, I have a tendency to get a little lost in the narrative. But pulling myself up on top of the maze from time to time helps.
3 stars from me for now. Maybe more after it is over. . .
Take care out there. Pay special attention to your ears.
March 18, 2019
This exciting debut novel by playwright Mason, is a welcome addition to historical thrillers. Set in Victorian England, the main character, Detective Charles Fields, is the basis Charles Dickens “Bucket”. He believes that there is a conspiracy to murder Prince Albert and must convince his superiors as well as the Prince. Traveling from the underbelly of London to the dons of Oxford and a dangerous trip across Europe with the Queen and Prince, Fields must nab the villain before it is too late.
This engrossing page turner includes a cast of characters from a villainous serial killer, a butcher’s apprentice, Darwin, Dickens and a cameo by Karl Marx. Mason’s tenacious detective drives the plot through unforeseen twists and turns, doggedly on the trail of the killer. The novel believably weaves historical events and characters throughout the plot, creating a thriller you won’t be able to put down.
Thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for the eARC.
This engrossing page turner includes a cast of characters from a villainous serial killer, a butcher’s apprentice, Darwin, Dickens and a cameo by Karl Marx. Mason’s tenacious detective drives the plot through unforeseen twists and turns, doggedly on the trail of the killer. The novel believably weaves historical events and characters throughout the plot, creating a thriller you won’t be able to put down.
Thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for the eARC.
June 2, 2019
Set in mid-nineteenth century London, this story revolves around an attempted assassination on Queen Victoria. Detective Inspector Charles Field is assigned to the case and quickly discovers a sinister conspiracy, involved high ranking officials and clergy, centered around Darwin's publication of The Origin of Species.
This is a highly entertaining read. Suspenseful, fast-paced and deft at mixing history with fiction. Even Charles Dickens makes an appearance, along with Mr. Darwin himself.
This is a highly entertaining read. Suspenseful, fast-paced and deft at mixing history with fiction. Even Charles Dickens makes an appearance, along with Mr. Darwin himself.
August 6, 2020
Maybe I am not being fair, but after three attempts of getting into the story I put it aside, never finishing it . I agree with the Maine Colonial reviewer that I expected a Carr and did not find it.
It was heavily promoted on my library site, that is why I borrowed it, but there are so many books out there waiting, that I am careful to which book I allocate my limited time.
I do love the title though!
It was heavily promoted on my library site, that is why I borrowed it, but there are so many books out there waiting, that I am careful to which book I allocate my limited time.
I do love the title though!
March 24, 2019
(2.5 stars) This reminds me greatly of a Penny Dreadful. It's historical fiction set in 1860. Many of the characters are actual historical figures, such as main character Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field of the Metropolitan Police (supposedly Charles Dickens' inspiration for his character Inspector Bucket, a fact we are never allowed to forget throughout the reading of this book). There are also various real secondary and incidental characters, such as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert; Police Commissioner Mayne; Samuel Wilberforce, bishop of Oxford; Robert FitzRoy, captain of the HMS Beagle; Darwin (of course), and many, many more. There are even cameos by Dickens and Karl Marx (the latter I'm not even sure why).
So this book had possibility and you can see that author Mason has done a good amount of research. There are many historical tidbits and info drops throughout the book. But...but...the main historical thriller plot reads as if the author wrote this book expressly hoping it would strike the fancy of some movie producer who would option it for a future film. It's the kind of story that is continually on the go, action/adventure all the way, without slowing down to allow the reader to realize that a lot of it isn't making much sense.
What we have here is a rather lurid thriller, with little sophistication to the mystery. From the get-go, we know who the bad guys are. It's just a matter of reading about their dastardly behavior and watching the police try to catch them (rather ineffectually, if you ask me).
The story begins with what seems to be an assassination attempt on Queen Victoria as she and Prince Albert are riding in their carriage during a public appearance. Then Inspector Field (aka Bucket) begins to suspect that perhaps it's not Victoria, it's Albert, who is the target. Almost everyone else pooh-poohs the idea but he persists.
And why Albert should be the target has to do with Darwin and his newfangled theory of evolution, which has alienated the Church, polarized Academia, and even caused a stir in politics. So if Darwin is the problem, why is Prince Albert the target? Well, just read and all will be clear (sometimes as clear as mud. but whatever).
As stated before, our main good guy character is Inspector Field. Our main bad guy is straight from Central Casting for a horror movie or creepy thriller. He's a superpowered evil genius psychopath with some kind of protective forcefield that allows him to do unspeakable things over and over again without much danger of being apprehended. They "almost" have him any number of times, only to have to say, "Curses, foiled again!"
But in spite of this, I'm going with a 3-star rating for the historical bits and for the huge cast of characters that had me googling quite a bit. You'll find people in here, real and fictional, from all walks of life: from royalty to government to law enforcement to academic to the medical field to the lower classes, with resurrectionists, the struggling poor, etc. Perhaps too many characters to do justice to the main ones, who could have been developed in a bit more depth. Nonetheless, this entertains. But don't overthink the story. It doesn't hold up to a lot of scrutiny with regard to that "Darwin affair" and the main evil character.
So this book had possibility and you can see that author Mason has done a good amount of research. There are many historical tidbits and info drops throughout the book. But...but...the main historical thriller plot reads as if the author wrote this book expressly hoping it would strike the fancy of some movie producer who would option it for a future film. It's the kind of story that is continually on the go, action/adventure all the way, without slowing down to allow the reader to realize that a lot of it isn't making much sense.
What we have here is a rather lurid thriller, with little sophistication to the mystery. From the get-go, we know who the bad guys are. It's just a matter of reading about their dastardly behavior and watching the police try to catch them (rather ineffectually, if you ask me).
The story begins with what seems to be an assassination attempt on Queen Victoria as she and Prince Albert are riding in their carriage during a public appearance. Then Inspector Field (aka Bucket) begins to suspect that perhaps it's not Victoria, it's Albert, who is the target. Almost everyone else pooh-poohs the idea but he persists.
And why Albert should be the target has to do with Darwin and his newfangled theory of evolution, which has alienated the Church, polarized Academia, and even caused a stir in politics. So if Darwin is the problem, why is Prince Albert the target? Well, just read and all will be clear (sometimes as clear as mud. but whatever).
As stated before, our main good guy character is Inspector Field. Our main bad guy is straight from Central Casting for a horror movie or creepy thriller. He's a superpowered evil genius psychopath with some kind of protective forcefield that allows him to do unspeakable things over and over again without much danger of being apprehended. They "almost" have him any number of times, only to have to say, "Curses, foiled again!"
But in spite of this, I'm going with a 3-star rating for the historical bits and for the huge cast of characters that had me googling quite a bit. You'll find people in here, real and fictional, from all walks of life: from royalty to government to law enforcement to academic to the medical field to the lower classes, with resurrectionists, the struggling poor, etc. Perhaps too many characters to do justice to the main ones, who could have been developed in a bit more depth. Nonetheless, this entertains. But don't overthink the story. It doesn't hold up to a lot of scrutiny with regard to that "Darwin affair" and the main evil character.
October 5, 2020
3.75* rounded up because it was entertaining......
This book was a recent ‘The Big Library Read’ at Libby.......it’s setting, and reference to Dickens caught my eye.....
Queen Victoria’s life has been threatened by assassination attempts, and Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field and his team have been tasked with providing protection, and hunting down the would be killers.
The detective takes action, but finds himself with not only a savagely murdered body on his hands, but also a mystery which he and his two closest colleagues must try to solve.
This is a very entertaining whodunnit......there are conspiracies, evil madmen, kidnapping, and dastardly plots for the detectives to cope with, as the action takes its readers through both the best and worst addresses in London, across Europe, into Germany, and back again.
There are some interesting characters, as well as lots of real historical figures woven into this intriguing tale, in which some of the powers that be are afraid that advances in scientific ideas that will eventually affect the way people think, will adversely affect the status quo, and threaten their superiority.
These people will stop at nothing to protect their power, but they just may have underestimated Detective Field......
This book was a recent ‘The Big Library Read’ at Libby.......it’s setting, and reference to Dickens caught my eye.....
Queen Victoria’s life has been threatened by assassination attempts, and Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field and his team have been tasked with providing protection, and hunting down the would be killers.
The detective takes action, but finds himself with not only a savagely murdered body on his hands, but also a mystery which he and his two closest colleagues must try to solve.
This is a very entertaining whodunnit......there are conspiracies, evil madmen, kidnapping, and dastardly plots for the detectives to cope with, as the action takes its readers through both the best and worst addresses in London, across Europe, into Germany, and back again.
There are some interesting characters, as well as lots of real historical figures woven into this intriguing tale, in which some of the powers that be are afraid that advances in scientific ideas that will eventually affect the way people think, will adversely affect the status quo, and threaten their superiority.
These people will stop at nothing to protect their power, but they just may have underestimated Detective Field......
August 7, 2020
Was offered by the library as ebook for the Great Read. Check your library website. I highly recommend it. Exciting, imaginative, full of historical characters and context.
August 16, 2020
I’m surprised by the mixed reviews. I thought this was a fantastic book! Mason does an amazing job of weaving together the real-world lives of so many historical figures (including Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Darwin, Huxley, Hooker, Owen, Wilberforce et al.) with a page-turning super-creepy, multi-murder mystery thriller. Wow, I could not put this one down. Also, I'm extremely fussy about writing quality and I thought this was excellent.
A couple of favorite passages:
“I often examine that exquisite chambered nautilus you were so kind to give me—how many years ago was it? That shell alone presents a world of mystery, does it not? Back and back and back it goes, chamber after chamber. And so, confronted by such mystery, I read and ponder and struggle to understand.” “Whenever do you find the time?” “Life is short and uncertain, Sir Richard, I make the time.”
After twenty-four years in the Diocese of Oxford, Samuel Wilberforce was transferred to the Bishopric of Winchester. He died in a fall from his horse near Dorking, Surrey. Thomas Huxley commented that Wilberforce’s brain had at last come into contact with reality, and the result had been fatal.
A couple of favorite passages:
“I often examine that exquisite chambered nautilus you were so kind to give me—how many years ago was it? That shell alone presents a world of mystery, does it not? Back and back and back it goes, chamber after chamber. And so, confronted by such mystery, I read and ponder and struggle to understand.” “Whenever do you find the time?” “Life is short and uncertain, Sir Richard, I make the time.”
After twenty-four years in the Diocese of Oxford, Samuel Wilberforce was transferred to the Bishopric of Winchester. He died in a fall from his horse near Dorking, Surrey. Thomas Huxley commented that Wilberforce’s brain had at last come into contact with reality, and the result had been fatal.
August 15, 2020
2.5* Victorian England and there's a conspiracy afoot to assassinate Queen Victoria. But, is she really the target? This book is the featured read for our public library's "Big Library Read". Not sure how many libraries worldwide are included, but it sounds like an interesting book, so I checked the book out. It's fiction but populated with historical figures that we are familiar with. There's Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and Charles Darwin, whose theories of evolution caused such kerfuffle. The main character is Detective Inspector Field, who was probably the inspiration for Charles Dickens's Inspector Bucket character. Maybe because I like period dramas, but I find the setting easy to visualize. Detective Field is an interesting man, who is a good detective with a penchant for Shakespearean quotes. He can be brash and rude, especially when he thinks he's right. The main antagonist, Cobb, I find more a caricature. There's not much subtlety in him. He's an evil psychopath who kills without remorse. He also abducted a boy and tried to shape him into a killer. There are times when he could've have bested Field, but he did not press his advantage. Quite illogical, I thought, but then the book would've been shorter.
August 12, 2025
The strength of this book is its vivid historical background, foreground, and culture. It's 1860 London and Darwin has published 'Origin of Species,' Dickens is mocking the wealthy and powerful, and London streets are a stinking mess of urchins, petty criminals, prostitutes, and brutal coppers. CDI Fields sees a conspiracy when a lunatic tries to shoot the queen; nobody in authority listens. Fields digs deeper and offends powerful men, resulting in his dismissal, reinstatement, dismissal. Although the characters fit the age and stand out, much of the middle-section of the novel becomes routine, as Fields almost catches the bad guy but not quite, and his boss continues to disbelieve. The resolution is solid if a bit of a stretch: it's related to Darwin and whether we're all descended from the same bunch of monkeys.
April 1, 2019
London 1860. Charles Darwin has recently published his controversial treatise, “The Origin of Species” and not everybody is happy about that. In particular, a man going by the name of “The Chorister” is willing to do anything and everything to ensure Queen Victoria doesn’t buy into the theory of evolution. Prince Albert, being open to scientific advancements in both theory and practice, finds the ideas intriguing. Thus, The Chorister must eliminate any possibility of Albert influencing his wife and thus the entire empire.
Enter Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field, the very model used by Charles Dickens for the creation of Detective Bucket of Bleak House fame. While investigating the attempted assassination of Queen Victoria, he concludes a wide-ranging conspiracy is in place, and at the center of it is Charles Darwin’s publication.
I won’t describe the plot any further for fear of spoilers but suffice to say it is a complex plot, filled with many characters and brilliantly overlaid on many actual historical events. The attempt on the Queen’s life at the beginning of the book is just one example. Besides Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens, other historical figures and events play important roles although they aren’t necessarily household names. As such, the novel is educational, but without interfering with the marvelous entertainment.
Tim Mason, with this novel, has authored a worthy addition to the genre of historical thrillers. I went into it thinking it was a historical mystery, but the identity of the antagonist is known from near the beginning, and I suppose the real mystery here is not whodunit or howdunnit but rather why? The obvious answer is not correct and I was happily surprised when it all came together. There are some gruesome parts but they are necessary to the story and handled well. This is a thriller so expect some edge-of-your-seat action scenes mixed in among the detective work. The author’s background as a playwright serves him well in mapping out scenes, setting up points-of-view, and solving the pacing issues that frequently befall novels like this.
Mr. Mason writes with an eloquent style while spinning a fascinating yarn. I am tempted to say it leans toward the “literary” side of fiction but that tends to be a negative to many readers, often translating as “boring.” It is literary in the sense that it reads wonderfully but it is anything but boring. You will have to be on your toes to track all the characters, but that is half the fun.
Chief Inspector Fields has the makings of a fine lead for an entire series. I hope that is in the cards for Mr. Mason. I certainly look forward to more.
Thanks to the publisher, Algonquin Books, for a free Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in return for an honest review
Enter Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field, the very model used by Charles Dickens for the creation of Detective Bucket of Bleak House fame. While investigating the attempted assassination of Queen Victoria, he concludes a wide-ranging conspiracy is in place, and at the center of it is Charles Darwin’s publication.
I won’t describe the plot any further for fear of spoilers but suffice to say it is a complex plot, filled with many characters and brilliantly overlaid on many actual historical events. The attempt on the Queen’s life at the beginning of the book is just one example. Besides Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens, other historical figures and events play important roles although they aren’t necessarily household names. As such, the novel is educational, but without interfering with the marvelous entertainment.
Tim Mason, with this novel, has authored a worthy addition to the genre of historical thrillers. I went into it thinking it was a historical mystery, but the identity of the antagonist is known from near the beginning, and I suppose the real mystery here is not whodunit or howdunnit but rather why? The obvious answer is not correct and I was happily surprised when it all came together. There are some gruesome parts but they are necessary to the story and handled well. This is a thriller so expect some edge-of-your-seat action scenes mixed in among the detective work. The author’s background as a playwright serves him well in mapping out scenes, setting up points-of-view, and solving the pacing issues that frequently befall novels like this.
Mr. Mason writes with an eloquent style while spinning a fascinating yarn. I am tempted to say it leans toward the “literary” side of fiction but that tends to be a negative to many readers, often translating as “boring.” It is literary in the sense that it reads wonderfully but it is anything but boring. You will have to be on your toes to track all the characters, but that is half the fun.
Chief Inspector Fields has the makings of a fine lead for an entire series. I hope that is in the cards for Mr. Mason. I certainly look forward to more.
Thanks to the publisher, Algonquin Books, for a free Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in return for an honest review
June 17, 2019
A clever historical thriller, THE DARWIN AFFAIR opens on the streets of London as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are proceeding in a carriage toward the christening of a new public bath. All appears normal when shots ring out. Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field --- on whom Charles Dickens, of the day, fashioned his detective Bucket --- immediately runs after the fleeing culprit. As he rounds a corner, he discovers a dead man. The policeman correctly interprets the scene, but others do not, believing the worst. Instantly, Field is at the heart of the first of many misunderstandings with his boss.
The days ahead for Field continue to confound. His detecting skills, uncanny and acute, lead him to unpopular conclusions. He’s supposed to be protecting the royal family, although Albert actually insists it’s the queen who Field is charged with protecting, but getting them to listen to a mere policeman frustrates the inspector into almost resigning. While Victoria believes that her life is frequently the target of some disgruntled would-be assassin, she and Albert seem not to take Field’s warnings to heart. Thus his assignment grows to feel impossible.
London, back in the Victorian Era, was a dark and dangerous place, especially for young people. Children were not particularly valued. Easily snatched, they could be put into the service of individuals with dodgy ideas. Such is what happens to Tom Ginty, a 14-year-old butcher’s apprentice. Field vows to find Tom and bring him home, but the person who holds the boy, dubbed the Chorister, has extraordinarily evil intent and a nearly supernatural gift with blades of all kinds. This cruel man, knowing when to reward his minions, enlists --- or steals --- misfits to help him in his mischief. Believe me, no one should ever cross him.
Teeming with criminal activity, London suffers more assassination attempts than you might think --- even more so when current events trigger passions. Recently, Charles Darwin published ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES, and it has caused an incredible reaction. To some, it is blasphemous; to others, outrageous. Some see it as so serious that they believe Darwin must be stopped. This sort of talk cannot be tolerated. Worse, a rumor has circulated that Albert will propose Darwin for knighthood, giving the man’s theories further credibility. Field suspects that a conspiracy may be afoot. Whatever is going on, the Chorister is probably a part of it, and wherever he goes --- as elusive as he seems --- bodies with parts missing are left in his wake.
The maniac at the heart of THE DARWIN AFFAIR is unlike any in literature before him, and is an incredibly fearful figure. While readers cheer for Inspector Field, a true-life detective and friend of Charles Dickens, they will inadvertently learn a smattering of history --- and enjoy every second of it. Author Tim Mason makes it fun. He writes with authenticity and knows precisely how to keep his audience on the edge of their seats. Oh, and just when you believe he’s about to wrap it up, get comfortable, because he has a whole lot more action in store.
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
The days ahead for Field continue to confound. His detecting skills, uncanny and acute, lead him to unpopular conclusions. He’s supposed to be protecting the royal family, although Albert actually insists it’s the queen who Field is charged with protecting, but getting them to listen to a mere policeman frustrates the inspector into almost resigning. While Victoria believes that her life is frequently the target of some disgruntled would-be assassin, she and Albert seem not to take Field’s warnings to heart. Thus his assignment grows to feel impossible.
London, back in the Victorian Era, was a dark and dangerous place, especially for young people. Children were not particularly valued. Easily snatched, they could be put into the service of individuals with dodgy ideas. Such is what happens to Tom Ginty, a 14-year-old butcher’s apprentice. Field vows to find Tom and bring him home, but the person who holds the boy, dubbed the Chorister, has extraordinarily evil intent and a nearly supernatural gift with blades of all kinds. This cruel man, knowing when to reward his minions, enlists --- or steals --- misfits to help him in his mischief. Believe me, no one should ever cross him.
Teeming with criminal activity, London suffers more assassination attempts than you might think --- even more so when current events trigger passions. Recently, Charles Darwin published ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES, and it has caused an incredible reaction. To some, it is blasphemous; to others, outrageous. Some see it as so serious that they believe Darwin must be stopped. This sort of talk cannot be tolerated. Worse, a rumor has circulated that Albert will propose Darwin for knighthood, giving the man’s theories further credibility. Field suspects that a conspiracy may be afoot. Whatever is going on, the Chorister is probably a part of it, and wherever he goes --- as elusive as he seems --- bodies with parts missing are left in his wake.
The maniac at the heart of THE DARWIN AFFAIR is unlike any in literature before him, and is an incredibly fearful figure. While readers cheer for Inspector Field, a true-life detective and friend of Charles Dickens, they will inadvertently learn a smattering of history --- and enjoy every second of it. Author Tim Mason makes it fun. He writes with authenticity and knows precisely how to keep his audience on the edge of their seats. Oh, and just when you believe he’s about to wrap it up, get comfortable, because he has a whole lot more action in store.
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
August 11, 2020
I am not a fan of group readings (reading clubs) so when this title was a suggested group title, I hesitated. I read the description and decided I would give it a try. Boy, am I glad I did. I did not know the name of the author TIM MASON. I did know of his one major Broadway show about Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch. THE DARWIN AFFAIR is his first adult novel. I sincerely hope it is not his last.
As the title implies, Charles Darwin and his famous work, ON THE ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES, is at the heart and soul of the story. The main protagonist is Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field of the Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard). His origin is complicated. He is based on a character, Mr. Bucket, a police officer in Charles Dickens’ BLEAK HOUSE who was actually based on the real Charles Field!
The story opens in 1859-1860 when Darwin’s name was on a list for knighthood but was withdrawn before he was knighted. Queen Victoria and her consort Prince Albert were in a parade and Charles Field was on duty to prevent any “incidents” from happening. An assassin attempts to murder one or both of the Royal Couple. Field helps to stop the assassin, Philip Rendell, but it leads him on a yearlong “chase” to determine who was behind the attempt and stop them from further mayhem. He is only partially successful.
There are many characters but the primary ones include Decimus Cobb one of the most evil bad guys I have come across as a reader. Field’s chief assistant is Constable Llewellyn a dedicated follower of Karl Marx (also a character but a minor one). Samuel Wilberforce was the Bishop of Oxford and a leading opponent of Charles Darwin (another character). Sir Richard Owen a leading scientist of the day is also an opponent of Darwin’s theories. He plays a major role. Owen was credited with coining the term “dinosaur”. Mary Withers is part of Cobb’s entourage. She is a fictional version of Mary Walker, the real Typhoid Mary.
Tom Ginty, a butcher’s apprentice, is kidnapped by Cobb and is being groomed, reluctantly, to succeed Cobb in his murderous career. Tom’s mother Martha is a barmaid and is searching for him after his kidnapping. Jane Field is Charles’ wife and plays a key role.
After several missteps, Fields is fired by his boss, Commissioner Mayne, only to be reinstated by pressure from Prince Albert. Field’s journey takes him from London to Oxford to Darwin’s home to Belgium and to Germany. Not everybody is whom he or she seem to be making his job more difficult.
This story is suitable for fans of British history, mysteries and psychological thrillers. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
GO! BUY! READ!
As the title implies, Charles Darwin and his famous work, ON THE ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES, is at the heart and soul of the story. The main protagonist is Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field of the Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard). His origin is complicated. He is based on a character, Mr. Bucket, a police officer in Charles Dickens’ BLEAK HOUSE who was actually based on the real Charles Field!
The story opens in 1859-1860 when Darwin’s name was on a list for knighthood but was withdrawn before he was knighted. Queen Victoria and her consort Prince Albert were in a parade and Charles Field was on duty to prevent any “incidents” from happening. An assassin attempts to murder one or both of the Royal Couple. Field helps to stop the assassin, Philip Rendell, but it leads him on a yearlong “chase” to determine who was behind the attempt and stop them from further mayhem. He is only partially successful.
There are many characters but the primary ones include Decimus Cobb one of the most evil bad guys I have come across as a reader. Field’s chief assistant is Constable Llewellyn a dedicated follower of Karl Marx (also a character but a minor one). Samuel Wilberforce was the Bishop of Oxford and a leading opponent of Charles Darwin (another character). Sir Richard Owen a leading scientist of the day is also an opponent of Darwin’s theories. He plays a major role. Owen was credited with coining the term “dinosaur”. Mary Withers is part of Cobb’s entourage. She is a fictional version of Mary Walker, the real Typhoid Mary.
Tom Ginty, a butcher’s apprentice, is kidnapped by Cobb and is being groomed, reluctantly, to succeed Cobb in his murderous career. Tom’s mother Martha is a barmaid and is searching for him after his kidnapping. Jane Field is Charles’ wife and plays a key role.
After several missteps, Fields is fired by his boss, Commissioner Mayne, only to be reinstated by pressure from Prince Albert. Field’s journey takes him from London to Oxford to Darwin’s home to Belgium and to Germany. Not everybody is whom he or she seem to be making his job more difficult.
This story is suitable for fans of British history, mysteries and psychological thrillers. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
GO! BUY! READ!
August 9, 2019
About one hour into my Audible listen, I started wishing I had chosen the Kindle version to read instead. The character development is so precise, the locations are so compelling and the story unfolds at such a hearty clip. This is one of my favorite books this year. How can you possibly turn down a murder-mystery set against a historical backdrop and featuring such bigger-than-life characters as Charles Dickens, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and Charles Darwin. There is a also a terrifying villain with truly blood-curdling tendencies.
The story revolves around a possible assassination attempt on Queen Victoria, shortly after the publication of Darwin's "Origin of Species". As the mystery deepens, we learn of the struggles among monarchs and scientists during the formation of the theory of evolution. How can monarchs be supremely chosen if we all evolved from apes? Some interesting questions are explored during this fine historical novel.
If you were a fan of "The Alienist", you will certainly enjoy "The Darwin Affair".
The story revolves around a possible assassination attempt on Queen Victoria, shortly after the publication of Darwin's "Origin of Species". As the mystery deepens, we learn of the struggles among monarchs and scientists during the formation of the theory of evolution. How can monarchs be supremely chosen if we all evolved from apes? Some interesting questions are explored during this fine historical novel.
If you were a fan of "The Alienist", you will certainly enjoy "The Darwin Affair".
September 18, 2020
It probably goes without saying that when Charles Darwin published his revolutionary theories regarding evolution, and their supporting evidence, in The Origin of Species in 1859, there was controversy. Even today, 160 years later, Darwin’s theory of species evolving over time still engenders strong feelings of resistance to his ideas, especially within faith-based communities, in spite of the fact that his ideas gained the wide ranging support of the scientific community long ago. So, it probably isn’t surprising that when first introduced, Darwin’s ideas sparked outrage and controversy among his contemporaries. It is also important to note that, even though Prince Albert attempted to acknowledge Darwin’s contributions to natural science by a knighthood, it was never bestowed. It is this controversy, and the wide range of people who were affronted by Darwin’s postulations, and the range of their reactions, that Tim Mason uses as a jumping off point for his excellent novel.
Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field is an exemplary London police officer. So much so that Charles Dickens actually sought him out, followed him around on his nightly patrols and wrote about his work fighting crime on the London streets in “On Duty With Inspector Field,” an article in Household Words. Dickens then went on to base the character of Mr. Bucket in Bleak House on Field. All of these literary references have resulted in more than a bit of notoriety, which Field can, at times, use to his advantage. But most of the time, especially when people insist on calling him “Mr. Bucket,” he wishes he had never met Mr. Dickens. In spite of the notoriety, Field is an exceptional detective. So, whether it is due to his skill or his fame, Inspector Field finds himself guarding Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as they make their way to a public appearance in the West End. There have recently been several attempts on the Queen’s life of late, and security has been raised to ensure her safety.
In spite of the additional measures taken, another attempt is made against the royal couple. Just prior to the gunfire, Field notices Stevie Patchen, a known small time criminal, raise his hand in a threatening manner. Field turns his attention to him, and as a result, misses the actual shooter. Field secures Patchen and moves with the other officers in the area toward the shooter. The shooter missed both Victoria and Albert, but he did attempt to shoot them. He is taken into custody and before Field can retrieve the other suspect, he is found to have been killed. His throat has been slashed and his ear has been cut off.
While other police officers on site believe that this is just another failed attempt to kill the Queen, Field sees more. He finds it odd that Stevie was there and intentionally drew his attention at the moment the shooter fired. It turns out that the shooter is a madman, who has little interest in the Queen or the afternoon’s activities. For some, the fact that he is mad is reason enough to charge him with the crime, but Fields knows better. There was a decoy and a perpetrator, and the two acted in a coordinated fashion. This, he believes, means that there was someone else involved, someone who put the other two in place. The question is: who is that person? Or is it a group of people, and why did they do it? Seeking the answers to those questions will lead Field into a viper’s nest like he has never before uncovered. An intricate web of deceit and a desire for the status quo, with strands that reach into the highest levels of the government and the church, and all with the single goal of silencing Charles Darwin and his supporters.
In The Darwin Affair, Tim Mason, a successful playwright, provides a top notch historical mystery, spinning a tale of intrigue and conspiracy that ranges throughout the highest levels of the British aristocracy and church. Mason uses his dramatic skills as well as plenty of excitement and action, well-timed and paced, along with nicely executed dialogue. There is also a wonderful sense of the Victorian era, including cameos by some of the more famous, and infamous, individuals of the time. But, where the novel really shines is in Mason’s characters, especially the two main characters: Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field and Decimus Cobb.
Field, the novel’s protagonist, is a wonderful creation, even though he is based on the man Dickens’ used for inspiration of the same name. A rough-raised individual who is in no way comfortable in the higher social strata in which he continually finds himself. Field knows the difference between right and wrong and feels that justice needs to be dispensed evenly, regardless of the standing of the perpetrator. He is often flummoxed by the rules of civility, which lead to several interesting predicaments, but his heart is always in the right place.
In sharp contrast to Field is the character of Decimus Cobb. A tall, imposing figure who appears to glide rather than walk and comports himself like a gentleman at almost all times. He is a former choirboy, who sings beautifully, and he has garnered a reputation for his skill as a surgeon at a local operating theatre, in spite of having no formal education or training. He is also a complete and utter sociopath. While he has his reasons for not wanting Darwin honored for his theories, he has been working for a long time at the behest of some of the most powerful men in England. Decimus Cobb is a truly unsettling character. And he is the perfect counterpoint to Field’s genial, but often poorly executed, good intentions.
In The Darwin Affair, Tim Mason presents a novel full of atmosphere, action, suspense and memorable characters. For further insights, read the interview with Tim Mason.
Reviewed by Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library
Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field is an exemplary London police officer. So much so that Charles Dickens actually sought him out, followed him around on his nightly patrols and wrote about his work fighting crime on the London streets in “On Duty With Inspector Field,” an article in Household Words. Dickens then went on to base the character of Mr. Bucket in Bleak House on Field. All of these literary references have resulted in more than a bit of notoriety, which Field can, at times, use to his advantage. But most of the time, especially when people insist on calling him “Mr. Bucket,” he wishes he had never met Mr. Dickens. In spite of the notoriety, Field is an exceptional detective. So, whether it is due to his skill or his fame, Inspector Field finds himself guarding Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as they make their way to a public appearance in the West End. There have recently been several attempts on the Queen’s life of late, and security has been raised to ensure her safety.
In spite of the additional measures taken, another attempt is made against the royal couple. Just prior to the gunfire, Field notices Stevie Patchen, a known small time criminal, raise his hand in a threatening manner. Field turns his attention to him, and as a result, misses the actual shooter. Field secures Patchen and moves with the other officers in the area toward the shooter. The shooter missed both Victoria and Albert, but he did attempt to shoot them. He is taken into custody and before Field can retrieve the other suspect, he is found to have been killed. His throat has been slashed and his ear has been cut off.
While other police officers on site believe that this is just another failed attempt to kill the Queen, Field sees more. He finds it odd that Stevie was there and intentionally drew his attention at the moment the shooter fired. It turns out that the shooter is a madman, who has little interest in the Queen or the afternoon’s activities. For some, the fact that he is mad is reason enough to charge him with the crime, but Fields knows better. There was a decoy and a perpetrator, and the two acted in a coordinated fashion. This, he believes, means that there was someone else involved, someone who put the other two in place. The question is: who is that person? Or is it a group of people, and why did they do it? Seeking the answers to those questions will lead Field into a viper’s nest like he has never before uncovered. An intricate web of deceit and a desire for the status quo, with strands that reach into the highest levels of the government and the church, and all with the single goal of silencing Charles Darwin and his supporters.
In The Darwin Affair, Tim Mason, a successful playwright, provides a top notch historical mystery, spinning a tale of intrigue and conspiracy that ranges throughout the highest levels of the British aristocracy and church. Mason uses his dramatic skills as well as plenty of excitement and action, well-timed and paced, along with nicely executed dialogue. There is also a wonderful sense of the Victorian era, including cameos by some of the more famous, and infamous, individuals of the time. But, where the novel really shines is in Mason’s characters, especially the two main characters: Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field and Decimus Cobb.
Field, the novel’s protagonist, is a wonderful creation, even though he is based on the man Dickens’ used for inspiration of the same name. A rough-raised individual who is in no way comfortable in the higher social strata in which he continually finds himself. Field knows the difference between right and wrong and feels that justice needs to be dispensed evenly, regardless of the standing of the perpetrator. He is often flummoxed by the rules of civility, which lead to several interesting predicaments, but his heart is always in the right place.
In sharp contrast to Field is the character of Decimus Cobb. A tall, imposing figure who appears to glide rather than walk and comports himself like a gentleman at almost all times. He is a former choirboy, who sings beautifully, and he has garnered a reputation for his skill as a surgeon at a local operating theatre, in spite of having no formal education or training. He is also a complete and utter sociopath. While he has his reasons for not wanting Darwin honored for his theories, he has been working for a long time at the behest of some of the most powerful men in England. Decimus Cobb is a truly unsettling character. And he is the perfect counterpoint to Field’s genial, but often poorly executed, good intentions.
In The Darwin Affair, Tim Mason presents a novel full of atmosphere, action, suspense and memorable characters. For further insights, read the interview with Tim Mason.
Reviewed by Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library
February 24, 2019
I'm usually not a big fan of historical fiction outside of WWII stories, but this was a delicious literary thriller with a serial killer, a policeman in the vein of Sherlock Holmes, and appearances from Charles Dickens, Queen Victoria, Charles Darwin, and many others! Darwin's ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES is cause for much disruption in this Victorian-era story. There are a ton of characters and a lot of scene switches, but the storytelling is electric.
It's a perfect mix of character-driven prose and engrossing plot. We know the identity of the killer from the beginning, but the story is unique in that it's not just about finding him and putting an end to his antics--there's so much more depth.
It's a perfect mix of character-driven prose and engrossing plot. We know the identity of the killer from the beginning, but the story is unique in that it's not just about finding him and putting an end to his antics--there's so much more depth.
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