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The Plague Letters
WHAT IS ONE MORE CORPSE, WHEN ALL AROUND YOU ARE DYING...
London, 1665. Hidden within a growing pile of corpses, one victim of the pestilence stands out: a young woman with a shorn head and pieces of twine delicately tied around each ankle.
Symon Patrick, rector of St. Paul's Covent Garden, cannot say exactly why this corpse amongst the many in his churchyard should give him pause. Longing to do good, he joins a group of medical men who have gathered to find a cure for the plague, each man more peculiar and splenetic than the next. But there is another - unknown to The Society for the Prevention and Cure of Plague - who is performing his own terrible experiments upon unwilling plague-ridden subjects.
It is Penelope - Symon's unwanted yet unremovable addition to his household - who may yet shed light on the matter. Far more than what she appears, she is already on the hunt. But the dark presence that enters the houses of the sick will not stop, and has no mercy...
This hugely atmospheric and entertaining historical thriller will transport readers to the palaces and alleyways of seventeenth-century London. Perfect for fans of Laura Shepherd-Robinson, Andrew Taylor and C.J. Sansom.
London, 1665. Hidden within a growing pile of corpses, one victim of the pestilence stands out: a young woman with a shorn head and pieces of twine delicately tied around each ankle.
Symon Patrick, rector of St. Paul's Covent Garden, cannot say exactly why this corpse amongst the many in his churchyard should give him pause. Longing to do good, he joins a group of medical men who have gathered to find a cure for the plague, each man more peculiar and splenetic than the next. But there is another - unknown to The Society for the Prevention and Cure of Plague - who is performing his own terrible experiments upon unwilling plague-ridden subjects.
It is Penelope - Symon's unwanted yet unremovable addition to his household - who may yet shed light on the matter. Far more than what she appears, she is already on the hunt. But the dark presence that enters the houses of the sick will not stop, and has no mercy...
This hugely atmospheric and entertaining historical thriller will transport readers to the palaces and alleyways of seventeenth-century London. Perfect for fans of Laura Shepherd-Robinson, Andrew Taylor and C.J. Sansom.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2021
61 people are currently reading
1550 people want to read
About the author
V.L. Valentine
2 books27 followersV.L. Valentine is a senior science editor at National Public Radio in Washington, D.C., where she covers infectious disease outbreaks such as the coronavirus pandemic, Ebola and the Zika.
She has a master’s in the history of medicine from University College London. Her non-fiction work has been published by NPR, The New York Times, The Smithsonian Channel and Science Magazine.
She has a master’s in the history of medicine from University College London. Her non-fiction work has been published by NPR, The New York Times, The Smithsonian Channel and Science Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
March 9, 2021
London 1665, and the bubonic plague, which started slowly in the spring of that year, began to spread much more quickly during the hot summer months. Eventually, the city was closed by order of the King - no one allowed in, and no one allowed out. As we ourselves are now familiar with the Covid pandemic, we understand how dreadful, how frightening it is, but what takes ‘The Plague Letters’ to another level is, there is also a serial killer within the city walls, walking freely among these unfortunate people - all of them trapped.
As victims of the plague are brought to Reverend Symon Patrick’s churchyard for mass burial, he discovers that one of the corpses has strange markings on her body, along with burns and bruising and pieces of twine tied around her ankles. Evidence suggests that this young woman, besides suffering from the plague, was also a victim of torture and murder - and there are more victims to follow!
A young woman named Penelope turns up at Symon‘s home - a strange, dirty and untidy girl, (think urchin and you won’t be far wrong) who otherwise appears to be extremely intelligent, can even speak German, she’s certainly something of an enigma, ultimately though, with her expert help, Symon will unveil the killer amongst them.
Very well researched, some glorious (though not always likeable) characters, and plenty of tension, peppered throughout with a dark sense of humour. This is a well written whodunnit, with a real sense of time and place, and great atmosphere.
* Thank you to Netgalley and Serpent’s Tail/ Profile Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
As victims of the plague are brought to Reverend Symon Patrick’s churchyard for mass burial, he discovers that one of the corpses has strange markings on her body, along with burns and bruising and pieces of twine tied around her ankles. Evidence suggests that this young woman, besides suffering from the plague, was also a victim of torture and murder - and there are more victims to follow!
A young woman named Penelope turns up at Symon‘s home - a strange, dirty and untidy girl, (think urchin and you won’t be far wrong) who otherwise appears to be extremely intelligent, can even speak German, she’s certainly something of an enigma, ultimately though, with her expert help, Symon will unveil the killer amongst them.
Very well researched, some glorious (though not always likeable) characters, and plenty of tension, peppered throughout with a dark sense of humour. This is a well written whodunnit, with a real sense of time and place, and great atmosphere.
* Thank you to Netgalley and Serpent’s Tail/ Profile Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
March 3, 2021
VL Valentine's historical mystery is one that resonates uncomfortably with our Covid-19 contemporary realities, set in the 17th century Restoration period of 1665, a time of the Great Plague in London. Most of the well off have fled the filth, stink and terrors of the city and the deadly sickness, a pestilence that kills the poor, whilst sparing the rich. Samuel Pepys documents the rising tide of the dead, numerous maps show the inexorable spread of the plague in London, in this atmospheric, darkly humorous novel, that so often descends into pure farce. Symon Patrick is a put-upon Rector, kind and sympathetic, although a susceptible, flawed man, obsessed, and infatuated with the wily married Lady Elizabeth Gauden. Homeless, impoverished and in poor health, Penelope brings herself to Symon's church, he had helped before, and with verve and determination, makes herself at home in his household.
Symon's young maid has gone missing, frantic efforts to find her fail, until her plague ridden and tortured dead body turns up, her golden blonde hair shorn, a drawn grid on her, hideous burns, other oddities and twine bracelets on her wrists and ankles. This is to be first of many bodies discarded and discovered with a similar MO, a serial killer roams, engaging in macabre and strange experiments on those infected by the plague. In a febrile atmosphere teeming with conspiracy theories and old superstitions, the bright, feisty and independent Penelope is on the case, going where others fear to tread, often invisible, in a world where being a woman and her poverty status guarantee that barely anyone notices or listens to her. Symon too is on the trail, he is a worried man, although distracted, becoming all too aware that few are willing to take his warnings seriously. Could the killer be one of the Plague Society looking for a cure for the plague, a motley crew, consisting of the blindly ambitious, morally bankrupt and cold hearted?
VL Valentine immerses us in this fascinating historical period and its central mystery, with a riotously colourful range of characters, including the wonderful and mysterious Penelope, just who is she and how come she can speak German? She stands hands and shoulders above the men, even the well meaning Symon, regarded as a pushover by those who know him, it takes him a while to really begin to see the real Penelope and appreciate her true value and worth. As for the other male members of The Plague Society, what a poor and unlikeable bunch! This is a fabulously entertaining and comic historical read, one that carries so many echoes of our present era, and which I think will appeal to a wide variety of readers. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Serpent's Tail/Profile Books for an ARC.
Symon's young maid has gone missing, frantic efforts to find her fail, until her plague ridden and tortured dead body turns up, her golden blonde hair shorn, a drawn grid on her, hideous burns, other oddities and twine bracelets on her wrists and ankles. This is to be first of many bodies discarded and discovered with a similar MO, a serial killer roams, engaging in macabre and strange experiments on those infected by the plague. In a febrile atmosphere teeming with conspiracy theories and old superstitions, the bright, feisty and independent Penelope is on the case, going where others fear to tread, often invisible, in a world where being a woman and her poverty status guarantee that barely anyone notices or listens to her. Symon too is on the trail, he is a worried man, although distracted, becoming all too aware that few are willing to take his warnings seriously. Could the killer be one of the Plague Society looking for a cure for the plague, a motley crew, consisting of the blindly ambitious, morally bankrupt and cold hearted?
VL Valentine immerses us in this fascinating historical period and its central mystery, with a riotously colourful range of characters, including the wonderful and mysterious Penelope, just who is she and how come she can speak German? She stands hands and shoulders above the men, even the well meaning Symon, regarded as a pushover by those who know him, it takes him a while to really begin to see the real Penelope and appreciate her true value and worth. As for the other male members of The Plague Society, what a poor and unlikeable bunch! This is a fabulously entertaining and comic historical read, one that carries so many echoes of our present era, and which I think will appeal to a wide variety of readers. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Serpent's Tail/Profile Books for an ARC.
March 26, 2021
Historical fiction set in London during the times of pestilence of 1665. Reverend Symon Patrick, having complicated personal relationships, learns that there is a murderer on the loose who kills people under the pretence of looking for the cure. Symon gets involved in the hunt, together with a mysterious Penelope of whom little is known but one is certain: she is intelligent and courageous.
The mystery is quite engaging but I think the author's talent is revealed in creating the atmospheric read. The descriptions of the 17th century London under lock-down are top-notch and give you the feel of fear and helplessness.
*Many thanks to V. L. Valentine, Serpent's Tail, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
The mystery is quite engaging but I think the author's talent is revealed in creating the atmospheric read. The descriptions of the 17th century London under lock-down are top-notch and give you the feel of fear and helplessness.
*Many thanks to V. L. Valentine, Serpent's Tail, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
May 5, 2021
This is a dark, disturbing book that transports the reader to 1665, London during the bubonic plague. It is a place of fear, filth, pestilence, and death and a time and location where no one wants to find themselves. The cast of characters is mostly obnoxious, but their interactions and dialogue insert wit and black humour into their gruesome surroundings. The story covers four months, from June through September. During this period, infectious dead bodies were everywhere, and the wealthy had fled London for the sanctuary and fresh air of the countryside. There is a helpful list of characters and frequent maps showing the increasing areas of the city infected and the rising number of deaths each week from the pandemic. ( Much like we follow almost daily on TV bulletins.) There is an official order that no one is to leave or enter the city, similar to what I am facing today under new COVID restrictions. Also, all pets in London must be killed, a rule that many are reluctant to follow. To add to the terror, a serial killer appears to be walking freely within the city walls.
It was the duty of the hapless and inattentive clergyman, Symon Patrick, to say prayers over the dead of his parish and see that the bodies are transported to the local cemetery to be buried in mass graves. Symon is distracted by his obsession with a married woman, Elizabeth, who lives some distance away. Too much of his time is focused on writing and revising letters to her. The object of his affection is a devious and deceptive lady who is always on his mind. His former maid, Mary, has gone missing. Symon blames himself, as do others, for not keeping her safe.
A filthy body turns up outside his church. Covered in dirt and excrement, she appears to be a homeless street urchin close to death. Once brought inside, she makes an astonishing recovery.
The mysterious girl, Penelope, is really a small young woman. She soon establishes herself within Symon's household. She is independent and not afraid to contradict and criticize Symon and tell him what he should be doing. She is intelligent, educated, fearless, and an expert in disguise.
Symon is shocked to see Mary's body among those of the plague victims. Even more disturbing is the state of her disease-ravished body that shows signs of torture. Her blond tresses have been shorn; cords are tied around her wrists and ankles. Ink grids surround her infections, and painful burns have been inflicted on her body. More appalling, bits of animal parts, chemical substances, and a fingernail has been sewn into her wounds. It looks like the sick girl was a victim of some superstitious, pagan ritual. Soon, more bodies with similar markings, mostly blond young women, begin to show up. A serial killer appears to be performing macabre, gruesome experiments on those infected by the plague.
Symon tries to warn authorities about a probable serial killer but is too distracted to be taken seriously, and his pleas are ignored. Could the murderer be a member of the Plague Society? One of them may be looking for a cure and experimenting on those sickened by the plague. Its members include two doctors with a longtime hatred, an apothecary, and a mystic faith healer. For admission to the society, they demand a dead body to dissect, but none is forthcoming. Symon observes that nothing is accomplished at their meetings. There is a constant rivalry to end the plague with the honours, wealth and fame that finding a cure would ensure. The meetings are full of insults, arguments, criticism and disorder.
In the meantime, the fearless, marvellous, and determined Penelope is on the trail of the killer. She breaks into homes for clues. She interviews suspects while in disguise and strongly believes the guilty party is a member of the Plague Society. She is a great character, but I wish ghosts had not been added to her story, even peaceful and benevolent ones. There is plenty of dread and horror without a supernatural element. I hope there is a future book featuring her presence.
The author, V.L. Valentine, is a senior science editor for National Public Radio in Washington, DC. Her Master's degree was in the history of medicine. She has covered infectious diseases such as COVID and Ebola. Her research into the bubonic plague has well prepared her for this compelling, atmospheric novel. Some of the characters are loosely based on actual people from this period of history.
Recommended to readers of historical fiction and who enjoy medical mysteries and gloriously described characters.
It was the duty of the hapless and inattentive clergyman, Symon Patrick, to say prayers over the dead of his parish and see that the bodies are transported to the local cemetery to be buried in mass graves. Symon is distracted by his obsession with a married woman, Elizabeth, who lives some distance away. Too much of his time is focused on writing and revising letters to her. The object of his affection is a devious and deceptive lady who is always on his mind. His former maid, Mary, has gone missing. Symon blames himself, as do others, for not keeping her safe.
A filthy body turns up outside his church. Covered in dirt and excrement, she appears to be a homeless street urchin close to death. Once brought inside, she makes an astonishing recovery.
The mysterious girl, Penelope, is really a small young woman. She soon establishes herself within Symon's household. She is independent and not afraid to contradict and criticize Symon and tell him what he should be doing. She is intelligent, educated, fearless, and an expert in disguise.
Symon is shocked to see Mary's body among those of the plague victims. Even more disturbing is the state of her disease-ravished body that shows signs of torture. Her blond tresses have been shorn; cords are tied around her wrists and ankles. Ink grids surround her infections, and painful burns have been inflicted on her body. More appalling, bits of animal parts, chemical substances, and a fingernail has been sewn into her wounds. It looks like the sick girl was a victim of some superstitious, pagan ritual. Soon, more bodies with similar markings, mostly blond young women, begin to show up. A serial killer appears to be performing macabre, gruesome experiments on those infected by the plague.
Symon tries to warn authorities about a probable serial killer but is too distracted to be taken seriously, and his pleas are ignored. Could the murderer be a member of the Plague Society? One of them may be looking for a cure and experimenting on those sickened by the plague. Its members include two doctors with a longtime hatred, an apothecary, and a mystic faith healer. For admission to the society, they demand a dead body to dissect, but none is forthcoming. Symon observes that nothing is accomplished at their meetings. There is a constant rivalry to end the plague with the honours, wealth and fame that finding a cure would ensure. The meetings are full of insults, arguments, criticism and disorder.
In the meantime, the fearless, marvellous, and determined Penelope is on the trail of the killer. She breaks into homes for clues. She interviews suspects while in disguise and strongly believes the guilty party is a member of the Plague Society. She is a great character, but I wish ghosts had not been added to her story, even peaceful and benevolent ones. There is plenty of dread and horror without a supernatural element. I hope there is a future book featuring her presence.
The author, V.L. Valentine, is a senior science editor for National Public Radio in Washington, DC. Her Master's degree was in the history of medicine. She has covered infectious diseases such as COVID and Ebola. Her research into the bubonic plague has well prepared her for this compelling, atmospheric novel. Some of the characters are loosely based on actual people from this period of history.
Recommended to readers of historical fiction and who enjoy medical mysteries and gloriously described characters.
April 10, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Who better to write about a plague ravishing the world than someone with a master’s in the history of medicine and works as a science editor covering infectious disease outbreaks. These stats should tell you how well researched and true to life this book is.
The year is 1665 and the Bubonic Plague is starting to gain traction and spread throughout London. As the bodies mount up it is up to Rector Symon Patrick to bless them before their bodies are buried. When his recently missing maid turns up with the plague bodies the Rector notices that she has had her arms and legs bound and that the plague wasn’t the cause of her death.
As more bodies with similar markings show up the Rector realises that a murderer is walking amongst them who is trying to pass his victims off as plague victims. With the help of a young but well-educated girl Penelope who is found on the streets, can the pair work out who the killer is whilst staying free from the plague?
I wasn’t sure when I first saw this book whether reading about a plague whilst we are in the middle of a global pandemic caused by a deadly virus would be a good idea, but there was something about someone murdering people and trying to pass their bodies off as plague victims that had me intrigued and so I jumped in. I’m so happy I did.
The Plague Letters is utterly engrossing. The beginning started slowly but when the maid’s body is discovered my intrigue picked up as now we were on the hunt for a killer and I love a good historical thriller/mystery.
The writing is quite descriptive and at times this made the plot feel a little wordy, but without these descriptive scenes would you feel as immersed in the time period? I’m not so sure.
The characters are not the nicest of people, whether it was the era, the plague, living in fear, perhaps all of these made the characters quite rude and come across as obnoxious I’m not sure but I can’t say there was really a nice character amongst them. Yes, they had their nice moments, but it wouldn’t be long before they were back to being surly. They also had a dark, dry sense of humour, again most likely to do with what they were living through.
This is a novel that had me gripped to the pages. I read it within just a couple of days as I didn’t want to put it down. The plot felt plausible, the characters realistic, and as a whole very atmospheric.
Who better to write about a plague ravishing the world than someone with a master’s in the history of medicine and works as a science editor covering infectious disease outbreaks. These stats should tell you how well researched and true to life this book is.
The year is 1665 and the Bubonic Plague is starting to gain traction and spread throughout London. As the bodies mount up it is up to Rector Symon Patrick to bless them before their bodies are buried. When his recently missing maid turns up with the plague bodies the Rector notices that she has had her arms and legs bound and that the plague wasn’t the cause of her death.
As more bodies with similar markings show up the Rector realises that a murderer is walking amongst them who is trying to pass his victims off as plague victims. With the help of a young but well-educated girl Penelope who is found on the streets, can the pair work out who the killer is whilst staying free from the plague?
I wasn’t sure when I first saw this book whether reading about a plague whilst we are in the middle of a global pandemic caused by a deadly virus would be a good idea, but there was something about someone murdering people and trying to pass their bodies off as plague victims that had me intrigued and so I jumped in. I’m so happy I did.
The Plague Letters is utterly engrossing. The beginning started slowly but when the maid’s body is discovered my intrigue picked up as now we were on the hunt for a killer and I love a good historical thriller/mystery.
The writing is quite descriptive and at times this made the plot feel a little wordy, but without these descriptive scenes would you feel as immersed in the time period? I’m not so sure.
The characters are not the nicest of people, whether it was the era, the plague, living in fear, perhaps all of these made the characters quite rude and come across as obnoxious I’m not sure but I can’t say there was really a nice character amongst them. Yes, they had their nice moments, but it wouldn’t be long before they were back to being surly. They also had a dark, dry sense of humour, again most likely to do with what they were living through.
This is a novel that had me gripped to the pages. I read it within just a couple of days as I didn’t want to put it down. The plot felt plausible, the characters realistic, and as a whole very atmospheric.
April 27, 2021
Set in 1665 during the outbreak of bubonic plague, that killed about a fifth of the population of London, this is an entertaining murder mystery. Somebody is killing people to find a cure. Full of eccentric characters and lots of detail, there’s plenty to enjoy although I think it was longer than necessary, the reading dragged for me in the last third or so.
March 18, 2021
It’s the summer of 1665. The Plague is spreading through London and those who can afford it have fled to the countryside.
Symon Patrick is rector of St Paul in Covent Garden and has only recently returned to his parish after spending some much needed in a spa. Now he has to take care of the dead and give them a Christian burial. He’s invited to become a member of a society that wants to find a cure as well as preventing the Plague. They’re a weird bunch of medical professionals that quarrel most of the time and achieve nothing. Amongst those dead that are delivered to his church, Symon recognizes Mary a maid of his household that was missing since May. It looks as if she was tortured before she died; there are strange burns and scars all over her legs and ankles and wrists are bound with a length of twine. The same day another girl who’s on death’s door arrives in his churchyard. Instead of bringing her to a pesthouse, he puts her in a cot in the vestry. As by a miracle, Penelope survives and soon claims a place in his own household. It’s she that discovers another victim of the same butcher: shorn hair and a puzzle of wounds encased in inked squares. Who would murder the dying? When they look closer, they discover that in some wounds there are strange objects sewn in; the foot of a frog and a hare, a virgin's fingernail, ... This looks like someone is experimenting on these girls.
At regular intervals, this narrative is interceded by the genuine historical notations of the renowned Samuel Pepys on the progression of the Plague. Dr Burnett is also a real historical figure and was a friend of Samuel Pepys. Some of the others are also authentic. At the end of the book, there’s some explanation about the real people that figure in the book.
Penelope is an enigma. She can see ghosts and thinks nothing about it. We learn that she a bit of an ‘heiress’ and suffered abuse from her aunt and uncle that were after her inheritance. She’s amazingly well educated and can read Greek and German, as well as a bunch of other languages. She turns out to be a good detective using logic and science to discover what she wants to know. She’s the most likeable character in the book.
The main character, Symon is a douchebag. His drooling and pining for Elizabeth annoyed me a bit. The rector is a weak and indecisive man. Even his friends call him that to his face. He suffered some kind of breakdown prior to the events of this book as he returns from a health spa. But with his nice income, he’s considered a good match by his female parishioners and their mothers and he’s handsome as well. To his defence, I must say that he has a just moral compass about duty and has the courage to stay in his parish instead of fleeing the city as most well-off people did.
Although Penelope convinced the rector that the culprit was one of the men of the plague society, I wasn’t all that certain. They’re all nasty and unsympathetic men with vices and secrets that make them into suspects, but all of them seemed to be exonerated one way or another. I really had no idea who was guilty until the end.
There was more than enough suspense and it was well spaced out over various events and people. With a disease like the plague, you’re not sure all and who of them will survive and during this epidemic, they must find a delusional medic who kills and tortures the dying. The beginning was a slow build-up but once the train was in motion, there was no more stopping it. Despite the gruesome theme, I enjoyed this book.
I was surprised to learn that this book is a standalone or possibly the first in a series. I felt as if the author assumed that we had prior knowledge of the affair between Symon and Elizabeth and of the events that brought Nell, Jack and the sexton to the rector. It would make a good first in a series about Penelope, as she is the most engaging character in the series and I would like to find out how she’ll go about getting her birthrights back. Maybe a second book can be written about the great fire that ended the plague?
I can’t get around mentioning the similarities between this current Covid pandemic and the plague. Others have already said most of the things that I have in mind. Many of the measures we undergo today aren’t much different from the ones they took back then but luckily, no-one thinks about putting down our cats and down nowadays.
I thank Netgalley and Serpent’s Tail for the free ARC they provided; this is my honest and unbiased review of it.
Symon Patrick is rector of St Paul in Covent Garden and has only recently returned to his parish after spending some much needed in a spa. Now he has to take care of the dead and give them a Christian burial. He’s invited to become a member of a society that wants to find a cure as well as preventing the Plague. They’re a weird bunch of medical professionals that quarrel most of the time and achieve nothing. Amongst those dead that are delivered to his church, Symon recognizes Mary a maid of his household that was missing since May. It looks as if she was tortured before she died; there are strange burns and scars all over her legs and ankles and wrists are bound with a length of twine. The same day another girl who’s on death’s door arrives in his churchyard. Instead of bringing her to a pesthouse, he puts her in a cot in the vestry. As by a miracle, Penelope survives and soon claims a place in his own household. It’s she that discovers another victim of the same butcher: shorn hair and a puzzle of wounds encased in inked squares. Who would murder the dying? When they look closer, they discover that in some wounds there are strange objects sewn in; the foot of a frog and a hare, a virgin's fingernail, ... This looks like someone is experimenting on these girls.
At regular intervals, this narrative is interceded by the genuine historical notations of the renowned Samuel Pepys on the progression of the Plague. Dr Burnett is also a real historical figure and was a friend of Samuel Pepys. Some of the others are also authentic. At the end of the book, there’s some explanation about the real people that figure in the book.
Penelope is an enigma. She can see ghosts and thinks nothing about it. We learn that she a bit of an ‘heiress’ and suffered abuse from her aunt and uncle that were after her inheritance. She’s amazingly well educated and can read Greek and German, as well as a bunch of other languages. She turns out to be a good detective using logic and science to discover what she wants to know. She’s the most likeable character in the book.
The main character, Symon is a douchebag. His drooling and pining for Elizabeth annoyed me a bit. The rector is a weak and indecisive man. Even his friends call him that to his face. He suffered some kind of breakdown prior to the events of this book as he returns from a health spa. But with his nice income, he’s considered a good match by his female parishioners and their mothers and he’s handsome as well. To his defence, I must say that he has a just moral compass about duty and has the courage to stay in his parish instead of fleeing the city as most well-off people did.
Although Penelope convinced the rector that the culprit was one of the men of the plague society, I wasn’t all that certain. They’re all nasty and unsympathetic men with vices and secrets that make them into suspects, but all of them seemed to be exonerated one way or another. I really had no idea who was guilty until the end.
There was more than enough suspense and it was well spaced out over various events and people. With a disease like the plague, you’re not sure all and who of them will survive and during this epidemic, they must find a delusional medic who kills and tortures the dying. The beginning was a slow build-up but once the train was in motion, there was no more stopping it. Despite the gruesome theme, I enjoyed this book.
I was surprised to learn that this book is a standalone or possibly the first in a series. I felt as if the author assumed that we had prior knowledge of the affair between Symon and Elizabeth and of the events that brought Nell, Jack and the sexton to the rector. It would make a good first in a series about Penelope, as she is the most engaging character in the series and I would like to find out how she’ll go about getting her birthrights back. Maybe a second book can be written about the great fire that ended the plague?
I can’t get around mentioning the similarities between this current Covid pandemic and the plague. Others have already said most of the things that I have in mind. Many of the measures we undergo today aren’t much different from the ones they took back then but luckily, no-one thinks about putting down our cats and down nowadays.
I thank Netgalley and Serpent’s Tail for the free ARC they provided; this is my honest and unbiased review of it.
April 1, 2021
Loved this quick, spirited read, a real page turner. Jaunty prose and a real sense of place and era. You're on the character's sides from the very start.
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March 22, 2021
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There are sadly parallels to the London during Covid and the city of the Plague. Empty streets, a sickness that spreads freely amongst the population. The London of the plague however is characterized by sickness, dirt, filth and a stench that emanates from the book itself, so good is the description of it.
Samuel Pepys documents the rising tide of the dead. Imagine writing and documenting this whilst grappling with a serial killer seemingly hell bent on further deaths. This is a dark, dank and stench ridden London.
July 18, 2022
1665 and London is in the grips of Plague and its up to its up to Reverend Patrick and his unusal and unlikely house guest to solve the puzzle of who's murdering the innocents. With a large cast of colourful characters all involved in some aspect of the investigation this is a very light and enjoyable read.
March 28, 2021
It's 1665 and London is under siege from the Great Plague and it is closing in on the Reverend Symon Patrick's parish, bodies are brought to the church to be buried, however Symon notices something strange, women's bodies are appearing and they have mutilated before death, it appears there maybe a killer on the loose.
Although this is full of historical detail I found the characters slightly unbelievable especially Penelope, I can't imagine a female servant speaking to the master as she does and behaving the way she does. It took me a while to get into the novel and I must admit it felt convoluted at times and slightly confusing, I think it needed a bit more direction.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an advanced proof copy.
Although this is full of historical detail I found the characters slightly unbelievable especially Penelope, I can't imagine a female servant speaking to the master as she does and behaving the way she does. It took me a while to get into the novel and I must admit it felt convoluted at times and slightly confusing, I think it needed a bit more direction.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an advanced proof copy.
November 17, 2021
I came across this book last week whilst at my local book store. For the most part, my experience with historical fiction only goes back about a hundred years or so. Never straying too far from what I know. But when I started scanning the blurb for this book I became intrigued by what was there. It is I believe not the most common setting for a fictional tale. A great deal of time has been devoted to writing about what really happened even many documentaries have been filmed SHowing its spread and how it affected this land. But the human element, the actual lies of people living through it are too often overshadow but larger swipes of the brush. So for a start it had that going for it. Secondly, I do love a good mystery/hunt for a killer. It is what I devote most of my reading time too, which has its ups and downs. But I figure with one half of the equation known to me I could not go too far wrong jumping into Valentine's novel. Sometimes you have to dive headlong into the unknown and hope for the best.
I loved this group of characters she has brought to life on the pages of this book. Symon is the man ever trying to do right by those in his small world. Searching for the truth in matters beyond his understanding can lead him to the company of some strange bed fellows and even stranger situations. But you can rely on him to get there in the end. I suppose in a more modern setting he would be the detective hero of this piece the guy we root for to avenge the fallen and bring justice to the world. Dogged in his pursuit of the truth and willing to risk it all to save the day. But our hero would not get so far if not for his trusty sidekick, all thought I'm sure she would kick you from one and of the room to the other for calling her that. Que Penelope our mysterious helper of sorts. I enjoyed how she to carried her own puzzles and mystery on top of those set out for our main purposes. It allowed for the novel to be more fleshed out and also gave someone for Symon to bounce of. These two work like yin and yang, they strive to bring order to a world descending into chaos without the added need for a mad man on a killing spree.
There is a great deal to love within this book, the author did a fantastic job of bringing 1665 to life before my eyes. This world she created feels like one we could step straight into, hearing its inhabitants bustling past us in the purest of the daily tasks. I get the feeling that had she not got this right the whole novel would have fallen apart around her ears. But this is merely the first building block in her arsenal. The way she uses the plague in this book feels like an organic flow, ever-present in the background but also an integral part of the tale. Which may seem like stating the obvious once you've read the blurb. But the point is she knows her stuff and it becomes this ominous force rather than merely a setting from which to jump off from. Too easily it could have been miss-handled and once again let the whole book would fall down. But Valentine seems to be ever the master of the high wire act and pulls a little here and pushes a whole lot there to give us a wonderful mystery that I could so easily get lost into.
I have to say this book kept me wrapped up in its mysteries and the human experience till the very last page. There was so much for me to delve into, from the characters to the setting it was like watching the best period drama you've seen in a good long while. In the end, the mystery elements more than held up to their more modern counterparts and it felt to me like she had spent a great deal of time putting in the research to make sure the payoffs worked to maximum effect, without being pulled from the story think well that wouldn't have happened in 1665. To be fair I don't know all that much about the time period but you get my point. I'm so glad that I decide to pick this book up as I got to spend a couple of blissful days lost in the world she has created and as for Symon and Penelope well I have no doubt that should another book featuring them were to arise I would snap it up without a seconds thought.
I loved this group of characters she has brought to life on the pages of this book. Symon is the man ever trying to do right by those in his small world. Searching for the truth in matters beyond his understanding can lead him to the company of some strange bed fellows and even stranger situations. But you can rely on him to get there in the end. I suppose in a more modern setting he would be the detective hero of this piece the guy we root for to avenge the fallen and bring justice to the world. Dogged in his pursuit of the truth and willing to risk it all to save the day. But our hero would not get so far if not for his trusty sidekick, all thought I'm sure she would kick you from one and of the room to the other for calling her that. Que Penelope our mysterious helper of sorts. I enjoyed how she to carried her own puzzles and mystery on top of those set out for our main purposes. It allowed for the novel to be more fleshed out and also gave someone for Symon to bounce of. These two work like yin and yang, they strive to bring order to a world descending into chaos without the added need for a mad man on a killing spree.
There is a great deal to love within this book, the author did a fantastic job of bringing 1665 to life before my eyes. This world she created feels like one we could step straight into, hearing its inhabitants bustling past us in the purest of the daily tasks. I get the feeling that had she not got this right the whole novel would have fallen apart around her ears. But this is merely the first building block in her arsenal. The way she uses the plague in this book feels like an organic flow, ever-present in the background but also an integral part of the tale. Which may seem like stating the obvious once you've read the blurb. But the point is she knows her stuff and it becomes this ominous force rather than merely a setting from which to jump off from. Too easily it could have been miss-handled and once again let the whole book would fall down. But Valentine seems to be ever the master of the high wire act and pulls a little here and pushes a whole lot there to give us a wonderful mystery that I could so easily get lost into.
I have to say this book kept me wrapped up in its mysteries and the human experience till the very last page. There was so much for me to delve into, from the characters to the setting it was like watching the best period drama you've seen in a good long while. In the end, the mystery elements more than held up to their more modern counterparts and it felt to me like she had spent a great deal of time putting in the research to make sure the payoffs worked to maximum effect, without being pulled from the story think well that wouldn't have happened in 1665. To be fair I don't know all that much about the time period but you get my point. I'm so glad that I decide to pick this book up as I got to spend a couple of blissful days lost in the world she has created and as for Symon and Penelope well I have no doubt that should another book featuring them were to arise I would snap it up without a seconds thought.
July 31, 2025
this just didn’t hit for me, despite it being well researched with an interesting setting. I felt like the magical realism of the ghosts didn’t come through enough to justify how annoying I found most of the characters. pretty much everyone but Penelope sucked, and she was off page more often than not…Symon was a bland and boring POV and the omniscient chapters of other doctor types seemed designed to breadcrumb clues to solve the mystery, but after finishing the book it’s clear they were all misdirection. I would rather be utterly unable to solve the mystery before the characters do than be intentionally misled to add to the plot’s complexity.
seems like most of the historical fiction set in England books I’ve read recently are full of the most boring misogyny (theoretically it’s to be period accurate, but it doesn’t affect the plot so much as the dialogue, in a way that feels forced- setting up the plucky protagonist to prove them all wrong by the end- if realism is meant the ending won’t fit, but if you want a happy pro women ending then why does the misogyny need to be centered for most of the book? one recent exception is The Spirit Bears Its Teeth, which was better in every way and everyone should read asap- it used misogyny to remain period accurate AND affect the plot AND show real emotional repercussions for the characters). I’m tired of reading about women dealing with these dumbass men when there are much more interesting things going on just outside the plot’s focus!
positives- this was well researched and the dialogue and writing style fit the time period, the disease details were clearly written by a scientist. not a bad book just wasn’t what I wanted at the moment.
seems like most of the historical fiction set in England books I’ve read recently are full of the most boring misogyny (theoretically it’s to be period accurate, but it doesn’t affect the plot so much as the dialogue, in a way that feels forced- setting up the plucky protagonist to prove them all wrong by the end- if realism is meant the ending won’t fit, but if you want a happy pro women ending then why does the misogyny need to be centered for most of the book? one recent exception is The Spirit Bears Its Teeth, which was better in every way and everyone should read asap- it used misogyny to remain period accurate AND affect the plot AND show real emotional repercussions for the characters). I’m tired of reading about women dealing with these dumbass men when there are much more interesting things going on just outside the plot’s focus!
positives- this was well researched and the dialogue and writing style fit the time period, the disease details were clearly written by a scientist. not a bad book just wasn’t what I wanted at the moment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2021
Hear ye! Hear ye! The society for the prevention and cure of the plague is now in session. And they’re hunting for a killer. Could he be closer than they think?
London, 1655. The Bubonic Plague is spreading and the number of corpses piled in the churchyard grows each day. But the virus isn’t the only killer stalking the city. There is another threat hidden in their midst. One that lingers in the shadows hunting its prey just waiting for the perfect time to strike. Someone is murdering the dying; kidnapping those suffering from the plague and subjecting them to horrific experiments.
Rector Symon Patrick is the one to first notice the strange marks on some of the dead in his parish. Together with Penelope, a mysterious young woman who recently joined his household, and a group of medical professionals calling themselves the plague society, he sets out to find the merciless killer.
A gripping whodunit with a sinister and supernatural twist, this is an outstanding debut. Valentine transports you back to a time of death and peril, taking you on a journey through the filthy, pestilence-ridden streets of London. Her vast knowledge and research on this subject and time period is clearly shown in the societal, cultural and medical details she has woven into the story. The imagery is so vivid that you can almost smell the rot and decay in the air as the virus ravishes the population.
It starts at a steady pace, slowly building up the mystery and tension. There is a creeping malice woven through the pages as the barbaric killer commits gruesome acts of torture on already suffereing victims. We know he is a cunning predator, so disturbed that he believes himself to be doing good, but everything else is a guessing game where we are almost as clueless as Symon and Penelope. Everyone is a suspect, and I had no one suspect in my mind even as we approached the big reveal.
Most of the novel’s fascinating and memorable characters are based on real historical figures, adding to its air of authenticity. The protagonist, Symon, is a hapless sleuth who bumbles his way through the investigation. He isn’t even focused on his job as rector, instead more concerned with his complicated romance with a married woman. It is Penelope, the mysterious woman who has made herself a place in his household. Feisty, resilient and courageous, she was my favourite character. I loved how she was the total opposite of Symon and the driving force in the investigation, propelling things forward when he and the other members of the plague society would have just allowed things to happen.
Atmospheric, haunting, compelling and darkly humorous, I lost myself in this book, relishing every word as I indulged my deep fascination with this time period and my love of historical and gothic mysteries. A delight for anyone who enjoys the genre, don’t miss this eerie tale.
London, 1655. The Bubonic Plague is spreading and the number of corpses piled in the churchyard grows each day. But the virus isn’t the only killer stalking the city. There is another threat hidden in their midst. One that lingers in the shadows hunting its prey just waiting for the perfect time to strike. Someone is murdering the dying; kidnapping those suffering from the plague and subjecting them to horrific experiments.
Rector Symon Patrick is the one to first notice the strange marks on some of the dead in his parish. Together with Penelope, a mysterious young woman who recently joined his household, and a group of medical professionals calling themselves the plague society, he sets out to find the merciless killer.
A gripping whodunit with a sinister and supernatural twist, this is an outstanding debut. Valentine transports you back to a time of death and peril, taking you on a journey through the filthy, pestilence-ridden streets of London. Her vast knowledge and research on this subject and time period is clearly shown in the societal, cultural and medical details she has woven into the story. The imagery is so vivid that you can almost smell the rot and decay in the air as the virus ravishes the population.
It starts at a steady pace, slowly building up the mystery and tension. There is a creeping malice woven through the pages as the barbaric killer commits gruesome acts of torture on already suffereing victims. We know he is a cunning predator, so disturbed that he believes himself to be doing good, but everything else is a guessing game where we are almost as clueless as Symon and Penelope. Everyone is a suspect, and I had no one suspect in my mind even as we approached the big reveal.
Most of the novel’s fascinating and memorable characters are based on real historical figures, adding to its air of authenticity. The protagonist, Symon, is a hapless sleuth who bumbles his way through the investigation. He isn’t even focused on his job as rector, instead more concerned with his complicated romance with a married woman. It is Penelope, the mysterious woman who has made herself a place in his household. Feisty, resilient and courageous, she was my favourite character. I loved how she was the total opposite of Symon and the driving force in the investigation, propelling things forward when he and the other members of the plague society would have just allowed things to happen.
Atmospheric, haunting, compelling and darkly humorous, I lost myself in this book, relishing every word as I indulged my deep fascination with this time period and my love of historical and gothic mysteries. A delight for anyone who enjoys the genre, don’t miss this eerie tale.
April 28, 2021
1665, the plague is devastating London, the bodies are piling high and the death toll will only rise. The best in the business race to find a cure, though someone has other ideas. The shock discovery of the tortured and mutilated bodies of plague victims leaves everyone asking, who would murder the dying?
The Plague Letters is a slow burn, a gorgeous, haunting exploration of an increasingly desperate London. The tense, suffocating atmosphere, coupled with V.L. Valentine's extensive research make this feel less of a debut, and more the work of a mystery novel expert. Although Symon Patrick is our leading man, it's the colourful and vibrant Penelope that steals the show, and quickly becomes the heroine of the story.
Even though there's a mystery, and a hunt to find a murderer, this isn't a thriller. It's an endearing, dark stroll through the lives of those most affected by the plague. So sit back, take a sip of wine, and let this book take you on a journey.
The Plague Letters is a slow burn, a gorgeous, haunting exploration of an increasingly desperate London. The tense, suffocating atmosphere, coupled with V.L. Valentine's extensive research make this feel less of a debut, and more the work of a mystery novel expert. Although Symon Patrick is our leading man, it's the colourful and vibrant Penelope that steals the show, and quickly becomes the heroine of the story.
Even though there's a mystery, and a hunt to find a murderer, this isn't a thriller. It's an endearing, dark stroll through the lives of those most affected by the plague. So sit back, take a sip of wine, and let this book take you on a journey.
June 5, 2021
A debut novelist with a unique voice and plenty of potential. Sure, this has that "first book" feel, but it also has lots of talent. V.L. Valentine's second novel is due out in 2022, and I for one will be adding it to my wish list.
In Penelope, the author has found a powerful character I'm sure more people than myself will want to hear from again. Oh, and symon too!
A great book. A good story. Well worth investing in
4 stars 🤗
In Penelope, the author has found a powerful character I'm sure more people than myself will want to hear from again. Oh, and symon too!
A great book. A good story. Well worth investing in
4 stars 🤗
June 2, 2021
What to say about this book. My over-arching impression is that it was strange... very strange. I found the mystery compelling, in principle. I was kept reading because I was keen to find out 'whodunit', but the characters of the story were, to a man (which generic includes the women), a disparate group of misanthropes, none of whom garnered one iota of sympathy from me. A more thoroughly unlikable cast of characters I have yet to encounter in a book, and I had little time for any one of them, except perhaps Nell and Jack, who were peripheral characters, at best.
There was so little introduction or back-story to the characters that it was difficult to raise them from the page. The main protagonist is supposed to be a priest, but is actually little more than a libidinous lecher. He has very little moral fibre, but he does square his shoulders and assert himself once or twice throughout the story. This occurrence is rare, however, and he allows himself to be put upon by just about every other character in the book.. An equally prominent protagonist is Penelope, a young girl who insinuates herself into the Rector's household and proceeds to pretty much take over the place, as well as the Rector's life. In this modern world of female empowerment, many would say that Penelope is an admirable character. However, for empowered read ill-mannered, unprincipled, overbearing, imperious and selfish. At one point she says 'If someone dislikes me, it's because they know I speak the truth'. Hmmm, not at all because you are a rude, unruly, self-centred, interfering busybody, of course.
The other characters were no better, and there was so little back-story to any of them or any real character depth or development, that it was difficult to connect with any of them. Indeed, they barely connected with each other! They all had such idiosyncratic personas that one got the impression of reading the libretto of a comic opera or the script of a pantomime rather than a serious novel. They all behaved in so outlandish and theatrical a manner that at first I was convinced that the book was supposed to be a farce. However, I believe that the author intends a work of serious fiction.
I read on and on, yet I felt that I was only ever skating over the surface of the story, never really being drawn into its depths. The plot was simple, yet it was executed in so confusing a manner due to the outlandish actions and dialog of the protagonists, that it was a harder read than it really should have been. It was supposed to be a mystery but the detectives were perforce culled from the very misanthropic characters that formed the cast, so my hopes were not high. I can't say that I guessed the perpetrator, but since no real clues were given, that is no surprise, and in the end it was pretty much a case of the last man standing is the culprit. As strange as the story is however, there is a modicum of predictability when, to heighten the suspense towards the end, some of the young female characters meet a hackneyed fate, and the deus ex machina moment when one of these young women somehow impossibly extricates herself from her captivity is glossed over in the most peremptory manner that one is left thinking 'what-now??'.
The story is well written and the plague-ridden atmosphere of 17th Century London is brought to life admirably. There are some strange word-choices made considering the period setting, which leads me to suspect an Transatlantic author - 'squished', 'ball-player', 'pocket-doors'. None of these are even English terms, let alone 17th Century English. The chapter heading maps and statistics that chart the spread of the disease through the city are a nice touch and they preface the progressively growing sense of impending doom that runs through the book. As aforementioned, the mystery is actually quite compelling, and the strangeness of the story's delivery is by no means a negative, nor yet the unlikable characters. The factor that lets the book down is the lack of character depth and reader-engagement. However compelling a plot, the tale will fall flat on its face if there is nothing of substance to hang it on.
There was so little introduction or back-story to the characters that it was difficult to raise them from the page. The main protagonist is supposed to be a priest, but is actually little more than a libidinous lecher. He has very little moral fibre, but he does square his shoulders and assert himself once or twice throughout the story. This occurrence is rare, however, and he allows himself to be put upon by just about every other character in the book.. An equally prominent protagonist is Penelope, a young girl who insinuates herself into the Rector's household and proceeds to pretty much take over the place, as well as the Rector's life. In this modern world of female empowerment, many would say that Penelope is an admirable character. However, for empowered read ill-mannered, unprincipled, overbearing, imperious and selfish. At one point she says 'If someone dislikes me, it's because they know I speak the truth'. Hmmm, not at all because you are a rude, unruly, self-centred, interfering busybody, of course.
The other characters were no better, and there was so little back-story to any of them or any real character depth or development, that it was difficult to connect with any of them. Indeed, they barely connected with each other! They all had such idiosyncratic personas that one got the impression of reading the libretto of a comic opera or the script of a pantomime rather than a serious novel. They all behaved in so outlandish and theatrical a manner that at first I was convinced that the book was supposed to be a farce. However, I believe that the author intends a work of serious fiction.
I read on and on, yet I felt that I was only ever skating over the surface of the story, never really being drawn into its depths. The plot was simple, yet it was executed in so confusing a manner due to the outlandish actions and dialog of the protagonists, that it was a harder read than it really should have been. It was supposed to be a mystery but the detectives were perforce culled from the very misanthropic characters that formed the cast, so my hopes were not high. I can't say that I guessed the perpetrator, but since no real clues were given, that is no surprise, and in the end it was pretty much a case of the last man standing is the culprit. As strange as the story is however, there is a modicum of predictability when, to heighten the suspense towards the end, some of the young female characters meet a hackneyed fate, and the deus ex machina moment when one of these young women somehow impossibly extricates herself from her captivity is glossed over in the most peremptory manner that one is left thinking 'what-now??'.
The story is well written and the plague-ridden atmosphere of 17th Century London is brought to life admirably. There are some strange word-choices made considering the period setting, which leads me to suspect an Transatlantic author - 'squished', 'ball-player', 'pocket-doors'. None of these are even English terms, let alone 17th Century English. The chapter heading maps and statistics that chart the spread of the disease through the city are a nice touch and they preface the progressively growing sense of impending doom that runs through the book. As aforementioned, the mystery is actually quite compelling, and the strangeness of the story's delivery is by no means a negative, nor yet the unlikable characters. The factor that lets the book down is the lack of character depth and reader-engagement. However compelling a plot, the tale will fall flat on its face if there is nothing of substance to hang it on.
December 27, 2020
Set in 1665 during the Great Plague of London, I am amazed by how much The Plague Letters shows shocking similarities to the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. Written well before Covid-19 was even a twinkle in a bat's eye, it's well worth reading just to prove that we will never learn, not even from history.
As doctors race to develop a cure, a murderer is roaming the streets of London experimenting on the sick and dying. Rector Symon and his sidekick Penelope become somewhat amateur sleuths as they follow the corpses to lead them to the killer. It's mainly Penelope really as Symon is completely smitten with a married woman and he would much rather sit at home reading her letters and dreaming of an impossible future.
Whilst I was intrigued by the murders, it was the spread of plague that completely mesmerised me and that brings me on to an element of the book that I thought was a fantastic addition but only if you read The Plague Letters as a physical book (unfortunately, I read an ebook). I will always choose a physical book over a kindle copy mainly because I love the feel of a book in my hands, but there are also a lot of features that just don't work in kindle. In this case, a map of London is interspersed between the chapters showing the spread of plague moving across London in red. This would have been a very dramatic graphic if kindle could only show colours.
Other than the enigma that is Penelope, and Symon's cute little cat that said 'mweep', I didn't really connect with any of the characters. Symon is wetter than a wet weekend in Skegness and I just wanted to give him a shake to make him stop obsessing over Elizabeth. The other medical men seemed to all merge into one and I couldn't really separate them in my mind, although there is a very useful cast of characters at the start of the book but it's not so easy to flick back and forth on a kindle as you could so easily do with a physical book. I call Penelope an enigma as I'm not really sure what her role is in Symon's household; she seems to annoy Symon a lot of the time but he doesn't even consider getting rid of her. The air of mystery surrounding her certainly adds to the intrigue of her character.
The Plague Letters may be historical fiction but it's like reading about the present day. Shocking in its similarities to 2020, it's a very well written novel with a murderous twist.
Thank you to Viper Books for approving my NetGalley request to read an ebook; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
As doctors race to develop a cure, a murderer is roaming the streets of London experimenting on the sick and dying. Rector Symon and his sidekick Penelope become somewhat amateur sleuths as they follow the corpses to lead them to the killer. It's mainly Penelope really as Symon is completely smitten with a married woman and he would much rather sit at home reading her letters and dreaming of an impossible future.
Whilst I was intrigued by the murders, it was the spread of plague that completely mesmerised me and that brings me on to an element of the book that I thought was a fantastic addition but only if you read The Plague Letters as a physical book (unfortunately, I read an ebook). I will always choose a physical book over a kindle copy mainly because I love the feel of a book in my hands, but there are also a lot of features that just don't work in kindle. In this case, a map of London is interspersed between the chapters showing the spread of plague moving across London in red. This would have been a very dramatic graphic if kindle could only show colours.
Other than the enigma that is Penelope, and Symon's cute little cat that said 'mweep', I didn't really connect with any of the characters. Symon is wetter than a wet weekend in Skegness and I just wanted to give him a shake to make him stop obsessing over Elizabeth. The other medical men seemed to all merge into one and I couldn't really separate them in my mind, although there is a very useful cast of characters at the start of the book but it's not so easy to flick back and forth on a kindle as you could so easily do with a physical book. I call Penelope an enigma as I'm not really sure what her role is in Symon's household; she seems to annoy Symon a lot of the time but he doesn't even consider getting rid of her. The air of mystery surrounding her certainly adds to the intrigue of her character.
The Plague Letters may be historical fiction but it's like reading about the present day. Shocking in its similarities to 2020, it's a very well written novel with a murderous twist.
Thank you to Viper Books for approving my NetGalley request to read an ebook; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
June 11, 2023
(1.5 stars) I’m not one to write reviews normally but I felt I had to with this one. I wanted to like this book, truly. My first mistake however was reading C. J. Sansom’s Revelation just before The Plague Letters. Such a striking difference, which made the experience of reading the latter all the more unbearable. The first issue I have with this book is the storytelling. A lot of the time, rather than focusing in on the mystery or the chase to find the murder, there are many manyyyy small stories focusing on past experiences of the rector, Symon, that relate to nothing previously mentioned and seem to go nowhere. I am not averse to side stories, but at times it felt there were more of these than the actual plot. In addition, the pacing of the book (at times) is hard to follow. In one paragraph alone(!) one week has passed, whilst the chapter before was pages and pages long and only covered a few moments of time. The rector himself is also not a very likeable character. There seems to be very little drive from him to find the murderer, rather he seems to just be around the corpses and comments on how bad the situation is. His obsession with Elizabeth does nothing for him either. Rather than make him seem to be an emotionally involved human being, he becomes this pining and pathetic individual (not a character that is enjoyable to read about).
Now we get onto my main problem with the book. Penelope. Please, oh lord, no. I can see what Valentine was going for when creating her character. A strong, female lead that came from humble beginnings - something that is needed in a lot of literature and should be written about more. Period. But Penelope is not that. She is an annoying, one tone character that (for no reason known to the reader) is constantly ordering people about. Every time she is written about, she is doing something unnecessarily disruptive, rude and (if we’re nitpicking) most likely historically inaccurate - no master in 1665 would allow their staff to behave in that manner. In almost every action she does, there is unnecessary defiance or attitude to the point where it does not make her seem strong, but rather deliberately annoying. I could go on but, overall, her character was a disappointment.
To summarise, I wanted so much more from this book that it just failed to give me. Even the basics were not there and the plot became quite convoluted and hard to follow. This is the first book I have rated below 2 stars and I believe it is for good reason.
Now we get onto my main problem with the book. Penelope. Please, oh lord, no. I can see what Valentine was going for when creating her character. A strong, female lead that came from humble beginnings - something that is needed in a lot of literature and should be written about more. Period. But Penelope is not that. She is an annoying, one tone character that (for no reason known to the reader) is constantly ordering people about. Every time she is written about, she is doing something unnecessarily disruptive, rude and (if we’re nitpicking) most likely historically inaccurate - no master in 1665 would allow their staff to behave in that manner. In almost every action she does, there is unnecessary defiance or attitude to the point where it does not make her seem strong, but rather deliberately annoying. I could go on but, overall, her character was a disappointment.
To summarise, I wanted so much more from this book that it just failed to give me. Even the basics were not there and the plot became quite convoluted and hard to follow. This is the first book I have rated below 2 stars and I believe it is for good reason.
April 5, 2021
A murder mystery set in 1665, where the plague has hit London, and a murderer is using it to cover their criminal activities.
I nearly didn't finish this, as the story seemed to be mainly about the Rector Symon Patrick's obsession with an upper class lady. Anyway, I stayed with it and I'm glad I did.
It's a dark murder mystery with a few plot twists - I thought I'd figured out who the killer was - I was wrong, I fell for the subtle leads.
I really liked Penelope's character, and I did eventually warm to the Rector as the book went on.
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the ARC.
I nearly didn't finish this, as the story seemed to be mainly about the Rector Symon Patrick's obsession with an upper class lady. Anyway, I stayed with it and I'm glad I did.
It's a dark murder mystery with a few plot twists - I thought I'd figured out who the killer was - I was wrong, I fell for the subtle leads.
I really liked Penelope's character, and I did eventually warm to the Rector as the book went on.
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the ARC.
October 29, 2024
The tag line Who would murder the dying? drew me in to this book at in 1665 London during the plague.
As can be guessed some one is murdering plague victims during the plague. From then on the book is overwritten with a convoluted plot and too many characters. There's a female servant, Penelope who acts as if in charge answering back to her masters which didn't seem plausible.
With so much death around, there was no sense of panic or urgency which didn't seem right.
In the end I wasn't engaged with this book which needed serious editing, why write, The Sun came up and set before.... when you can have, the next day. A frustrating read.
As can be guessed some one is murdering plague victims during the plague. From then on the book is overwritten with a convoluted plot and too many characters. There's a female servant, Penelope who acts as if in charge answering back to her masters which didn't seem plausible.
With so much death around, there was no sense of panic or urgency which didn't seem right.
In the end I wasn't engaged with this book which needed serious editing, why write, The Sun came up and set before.... when you can have, the next day. A frustrating read.
December 12, 2024
What a gritty, gore-filled little book, brimming with pus-filled boils, black vomit, mutilated corpses, and bad decisions.
Grimdark but filled with slapstick, sometimes very niche jokes.
I loved it. 4.5 ✨.
Grimdark but filled with slapstick, sometimes very niche jokes.
I loved it. 4.5 ✨.
December 31, 2020
London, 1665. Hidden within a pile of corpses, one victim of this pestilence stands out: a young woman with a shorn head, bound wrists and ankles, along with strange markings over her body...
Rector Symon Patrick cannot say why this corpse should upset him so, but longing to do good he joins a group of medical men who are determined to find a cure.
But there is another who is conducting his own unspeakable experiments upon the dying...
You follow Symon, a Rector of high morals, but questionable acquaintances as he delves deep in to a world full of disease, conflict, betrayal, and dark motives.
Symon stumbles upon Penelope - a mysterious girl who finds herself in Symons house where she may be able to cast some light onto what exactly is happening. After all, she shouldn’t be alive after what she has gone through...
As the story progresses, you see just how abhorrent these experimental practices become, as a mysterious figure starts to leave more and more corpses strewn in with those who were simply taken by the plague, but his victims have been through so much more torment as he takes pleasure in trying to ‘cure’ them of their affliction while he performs diabolical acts upon these people who thought he was there to simply help them...
But will Symon and Penelope ever catch this person who thinks they are doing good, or will they stay elusive forever while Symon has to just watch the dead pile up high upon his doorstep?
They must learn to work together to stop what is happening, but as the plague spreads faster than they can anticipate, a sense of dread builds as they could find themselves locked in such a close space with the killer himself.
Laced with a gorgeously dark sense of humour, eerily beautiful settings, and one liners that will make you cackle like you have the plague yourself, this is one whodunnit that will creep under your skin and leave its mark upon you...
Rector Symon Patrick cannot say why this corpse should upset him so, but longing to do good he joins a group of medical men who are determined to find a cure.
But there is another who is conducting his own unspeakable experiments upon the dying...
You follow Symon, a Rector of high morals, but questionable acquaintances as he delves deep in to a world full of disease, conflict, betrayal, and dark motives.
Symon stumbles upon Penelope - a mysterious girl who finds herself in Symons house where she may be able to cast some light onto what exactly is happening. After all, she shouldn’t be alive after what she has gone through...
As the story progresses, you see just how abhorrent these experimental practices become, as a mysterious figure starts to leave more and more corpses strewn in with those who were simply taken by the plague, but his victims have been through so much more torment as he takes pleasure in trying to ‘cure’ them of their affliction while he performs diabolical acts upon these people who thought he was there to simply help them...
But will Symon and Penelope ever catch this person who thinks they are doing good, or will they stay elusive forever while Symon has to just watch the dead pile up high upon his doorstep?
They must learn to work together to stop what is happening, but as the plague spreads faster than they can anticipate, a sense of dread builds as they could find themselves locked in such a close space with the killer himself.
Laced with a gorgeously dark sense of humour, eerily beautiful settings, and one liners that will make you cackle like you have the plague yourself, this is one whodunnit that will creep under your skin and leave its mark upon you...
December 1, 2020
This was one of those novels I really didn't want to end, though I wanted to know what was going to happen!
Despite the grim subject matter of the plague and mutilated bodies, the humour was fantastic. I found myself laughing out loud at the escapades of Symon and Penelope (especially Penelope - what an amazing character) and at the crudeness of Greatrakes and Mincy.
A murder mystery with an excellent plot and even better characters, just what I needed after this strange year living through a different sort of plague!
Five stars from me!
Despite the grim subject matter of the plague and mutilated bodies, the humour was fantastic. I found myself laughing out loud at the escapades of Symon and Penelope (especially Penelope - what an amazing character) and at the crudeness of Greatrakes and Mincy.
A murder mystery with an excellent plot and even better characters, just what I needed after this strange year living through a different sort of plague!
Five stars from me!
November 27, 2020
A fascinating book which is very informative about London in the time of the plague. As well as an interesting historical reflection, the book is a great thriller/mystery. More detail than you often see in a murder mystery, the deaths are grisly and the pace fast. There was less focus on building the characters and relationships than I usually like, but the fast pace may have made that difficult.
July 23, 2023
I found the historical aspect of the plague very interesting, particularly in light of Covid. I wasn't convinced by the two main characters, though.
April 1, 2021
Warning: there is no known cure for what you will experience with The Plague Letters. However, do not fear, for once the first symptoms appear, you will not want the illness to leave you.
Sweet is the book hangover offered to us by V. L. Valentine. Bittersweet is the taste in my mouth as I lay the book to rest. Is it greedy of me to wish for more?
The author’s choice of ingredients for her Plague spell was rather interesting.
London. My favorite city.
A mortal disease. I have a certain (probably unhealthy) fascination for such ordeals.
1666… No, this one was the joker. Usually, historical fiction intimidates me. Will I have the knowledge to understand and appreciate the story? Will the author find the invisible string to connect me to characters who breathed and danced during an era so far from mine? I took the bet.
Disguised murders. Here, my curiosity was sparked and the goosebumps on my arms give away my excitement.
Holy Joly Molly! Better than the Tardis, The Plague Letters drops you in the wilderness of London and its stingy alleys, phantom-like streets, in the middle of a plague pandemic! Boom! As a layperson when it comes to historical fiction, it was a hit or miss. I decided to trust the publisher and push my way through a sick crowd. Did I get ill? Yes. A delicious illness readers can never get enough of. Quickly stricken by the thirst to know more, understand everything, and see with my own eyes, I happily dived into the 17th century Thames. If I feared for a minute that the plague would have me reflect on our present situation, I soon stopped thinking about the here and now. I was fully immersed in the past thanks to an astonishingly perfect prose that reeled me in and kept me firmly standing with Symon, Penelope, and the others. This in itself is a true miracle. Was I thinking about what I knew of old time London? No, I didn’t have to because V. L. Valentine made it easy to create the walls, the gardens, and hear the sounds so everything became familiar very fast. First time ever! No jetlag time during which I have to focus to imagine the surroundings.
Rector Symon Patrick is busy. His heart is full, and so is his parish’s churchyard. The plague is decimating the capital and there is little time for laziness. Weirdly, Symon was one of the last characters I warmed up to. I enjoyed following him around, getting the hang of his job and finding my feet in this century through his eyes. I found his household to be quite unusual, with servants talking back to him! How cheeky! In truth, most characters are colorful and very, very interesting. Is it because they are so far from my usual protagonists? No, I believe it’s due to the knack of the author for creating wonderfully captivating creatures of God! So, who did I root for? Who had me on their side almost right from the beginning?
Meet Penelope. Mysterious character you can’t put in a box. A clever mind, dirty clothes, a past you get snippets of. Original is what I would call her. Yes, I was, and I am #TeamPenelope for without her, this novel inhabited by many men who would not find their hand in the dark, would never have gotten to the bottom of the case…
What case? I hear you ask. The plague is the work of God/Mother Nature/Insert your theory here. Isn’t such terrible threat enough? No, not for everyone… Soon, corpses appear, not only plagued by the disease’s scars but also by a man’s hands… Scary, isn’t it?
I don’t what’s scarier, someone playing with ill people or a bunch of physicians of sorts trying to find a cure for the plague? The mix of those two elements gave the book many layers and gave me a terrible and chilling insight in what was medicine at the time. Thank goodness for our current medical technologies and knowledge!!! There is no room for sentimentality as the houses get abandoned and numbers rise every day. Although I felt the desperation, I was never burdened by as I was too busy cringing at the surgeons, apothecaries, physicians and other imposters’ theories and talks. How dare they talk about unearthing the dead to experiment on them and find a cure… Wait, we do that! I loved how The Plague Letters challenged me to see things through different lenses! When did autopsies become common? Well, not then! As they all fight about whether or not it is a sin to get bodies to examine, someone decides there is no time for such petty discussions and takes matter in their own hands. Penelope is the one who sees it first. Someone is hiding used bodies in the overflowing dead carts of the plague. Like a cat, she smells foul play and embarks Symon in a chase to find the culprit before the illness finds them. I believe I owe my inability to tear myself away from the book to the realism breathed into the pages by the outstanding research and professionalism behind the fiction.
V. L. Valentine knows how to blend mystery, blood, and strong characters. There is never a dull moment in this novel! Grisly murders, dry remarks, the sound of shoes running all over the city, The Plague Letter is a cracking (and murderous) piece of historical fiction. Never before had I been under such a spell!
Sweet is the book hangover offered to us by V. L. Valentine. Bittersweet is the taste in my mouth as I lay the book to rest. Is it greedy of me to wish for more?
The author’s choice of ingredients for her Plague spell was rather interesting.
London. My favorite city.
A mortal disease. I have a certain (probably unhealthy) fascination for such ordeals.
1666… No, this one was the joker. Usually, historical fiction intimidates me. Will I have the knowledge to understand and appreciate the story? Will the author find the invisible string to connect me to characters who breathed and danced during an era so far from mine? I took the bet.
Disguised murders. Here, my curiosity was sparked and the goosebumps on my arms give away my excitement.
Holy Joly Molly! Better than the Tardis, The Plague Letters drops you in the wilderness of London and its stingy alleys, phantom-like streets, in the middle of a plague pandemic! Boom! As a layperson when it comes to historical fiction, it was a hit or miss. I decided to trust the publisher and push my way through a sick crowd. Did I get ill? Yes. A delicious illness readers can never get enough of. Quickly stricken by the thirst to know more, understand everything, and see with my own eyes, I happily dived into the 17th century Thames. If I feared for a minute that the plague would have me reflect on our present situation, I soon stopped thinking about the here and now. I was fully immersed in the past thanks to an astonishingly perfect prose that reeled me in and kept me firmly standing with Symon, Penelope, and the others. This in itself is a true miracle. Was I thinking about what I knew of old time London? No, I didn’t have to because V. L. Valentine made it easy to create the walls, the gardens, and hear the sounds so everything became familiar very fast. First time ever! No jetlag time during which I have to focus to imagine the surroundings.
Rector Symon Patrick is busy. His heart is full, and so is his parish’s churchyard. The plague is decimating the capital and there is little time for laziness. Weirdly, Symon was one of the last characters I warmed up to. I enjoyed following him around, getting the hang of his job and finding my feet in this century through his eyes. I found his household to be quite unusual, with servants talking back to him! How cheeky! In truth, most characters are colorful and very, very interesting. Is it because they are so far from my usual protagonists? No, I believe it’s due to the knack of the author for creating wonderfully captivating creatures of God! So, who did I root for? Who had me on their side almost right from the beginning?
Meet Penelope. Mysterious character you can’t put in a box. A clever mind, dirty clothes, a past you get snippets of. Original is what I would call her. Yes, I was, and I am #TeamPenelope for without her, this novel inhabited by many men who would not find their hand in the dark, would never have gotten to the bottom of the case…
What case? I hear you ask. The plague is the work of God/Mother Nature/Insert your theory here. Isn’t such terrible threat enough? No, not for everyone… Soon, corpses appear, not only plagued by the disease’s scars but also by a man’s hands… Scary, isn’t it?
I don’t what’s scarier, someone playing with ill people or a bunch of physicians of sorts trying to find a cure for the plague? The mix of those two elements gave the book many layers and gave me a terrible and chilling insight in what was medicine at the time. Thank goodness for our current medical technologies and knowledge!!! There is no room for sentimentality as the houses get abandoned and numbers rise every day. Although I felt the desperation, I was never burdened by as I was too busy cringing at the surgeons, apothecaries, physicians and other imposters’ theories and talks. How dare they talk about unearthing the dead to experiment on them and find a cure… Wait, we do that! I loved how The Plague Letters challenged me to see things through different lenses! When did autopsies become common? Well, not then! As they all fight about whether or not it is a sin to get bodies to examine, someone decides there is no time for such petty discussions and takes matter in their own hands. Penelope is the one who sees it first. Someone is hiding used bodies in the overflowing dead carts of the plague. Like a cat, she smells foul play and embarks Symon in a chase to find the culprit before the illness finds them. I believe I owe my inability to tear myself away from the book to the realism breathed into the pages by the outstanding research and professionalism behind the fiction.
V. L. Valentine knows how to blend mystery, blood, and strong characters. There is never a dull moment in this novel! Grisly murders, dry remarks, the sound of shoes running all over the city, The Plague Letter is a cracking (and murderous) piece of historical fiction. Never before had I been under such a spell!
March 12, 2021
Set in London 1665, the great plague is raging and people are dying in ever increasing numbers. The medical men who have stayed in the town have no idea how to slow the spread or cure the dying. Symon Patrick is a clergyman, a weak but well-intentioned fellow who joins a society dedicated to try to find a cure. However, it becomes clear that someone is procuring healthy young women and trying out a bizarre set of remedies in order to find the cure.
Penelope comes into Symon's life - a really eccentric young woman, who's parents have died and who was being brought up by her aunt and uncle until she ran away. She sees the dead, and is very intelligent, but is hampered in this man's world.
Overall the story was entertaining, as Symon and Penelope try to stop the unnecessary deaths in their parish. The author does portray good images of life in 17th century plague-ridden London. However, the characters did not always ring true - the language did not sound authentic for the time, and some of the antics were just not credible. Which is sad because a number of the characters are based on real people.
Thank you to NetGalley, Serpent's Tail, Profile Books and Viper for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Penelope comes into Symon's life - a really eccentric young woman, who's parents have died and who was being brought up by her aunt and uncle until she ran away. She sees the dead, and is very intelligent, but is hampered in this man's world.
Overall the story was entertaining, as Symon and Penelope try to stop the unnecessary deaths in their parish. The author does portray good images of life in 17th century plague-ridden London. However, the characters did not always ring true - the language did not sound authentic for the time, and some of the antics were just not credible. Which is sad because a number of the characters are based on real people.
Thank you to NetGalley, Serpent's Tail, Profile Books and Viper for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2021
London, 1665. The Great Plague is spreading across London and will ultimately kill one in five of the population. As the death toll rises, it becomes clear that an unknown assailant is performing unsanctioned experiments upon his unwilling plague-ridden subjects...
This book is impeccably researched, painting the picture of Restoration London in authentic and visceral detail. The effects of the plague, both upon it’s victims and society as a whole, are convincingly portrayed – unsurprisingly so, given that the author is a science editor and journalist, covering a number of global disease outbreaks.
Despite its many strengths, however, I found the book something of a struggle to read. I felt that the plot lacked enough threat and forward momentum – beyond the wider context of the plague's unrelenting advance from west to east through London. This isn't a murder mystery as such; there aren't the twists and turns one would expect from the genre. I also found the characters very difficult to admire or engage with. Likeable characters are of course not a mandatory requirement in a novel, but I would have preferred at least one of them to capture my imagination.
Despite my personal misgivings, there is much to admire about this book. Fans of authentic and maturely written historical fiction need look no further.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Viper Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is impeccably researched, painting the picture of Restoration London in authentic and visceral detail. The effects of the plague, both upon it’s victims and society as a whole, are convincingly portrayed – unsurprisingly so, given that the author is a science editor and journalist, covering a number of global disease outbreaks.
Despite its many strengths, however, I found the book something of a struggle to read. I felt that the plot lacked enough threat and forward momentum – beyond the wider context of the plague's unrelenting advance from west to east through London. This isn't a murder mystery as such; there aren't the twists and turns one would expect from the genre. I also found the characters very difficult to admire or engage with. Likeable characters are of course not a mandatory requirement in a novel, but I would have preferred at least one of them to capture my imagination.
Despite my personal misgivings, there is much to admire about this book. Fans of authentic and maturely written historical fiction need look no further.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Viper Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2023
3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4⭐️
This was an unusual mix of character study and mystery. Whilst I’m not comparing it to a Thackery novel it was his ability to show a characters vices, virtues and vanities all at once that kept coming into my head as I read. This story was full of characters that whilst definitely flawed also had many points that were good and true. The setting and description of the scene and time were excellent and I swear I could feel the heat and stink of 1665 London coming off the page as I read! The mystery though, whilst a good one, seemed to play second fiddle to the characters and setting which disappointed me a little.
This was the first book I’ve read by this author but I’ll definitely be picking up her other one Begars Abbey to read because overall I enjoyed reading this and being fully immersed in the period.
This was an unusual mix of character study and mystery. Whilst I’m not comparing it to a Thackery novel it was his ability to show a characters vices, virtues and vanities all at once that kept coming into my head as I read. This story was full of characters that whilst definitely flawed also had many points that were good and true. The setting and description of the scene and time were excellent and I swear I could feel the heat and stink of 1665 London coming off the page as I read! The mystery though, whilst a good one, seemed to play second fiddle to the characters and setting which disappointed me a little.
This was the first book I’ve read by this author but I’ll definitely be picking up her other one Begars Abbey to read because overall I enjoyed reading this and being fully immersed in the period.
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