The Hoydens and Mr. Dickens: The Strange Affair of the Feminist Phantom

Mr. Dickens #3

by William J. Palmer

Someone is threatening Angela Burdett-Coutts, the banker, feminist, and philanthropist, one of the richest, most powerful women in England. Soon after she alerts her friend Charles Dickens to the threats, the Coutts Bank is robbed, and a member of the Women's Emancipation Society is found strangled inside. The murder brings the burgeoning feminist movement under scrutiny. Inspector William Field of the Metropolitan Protectives begins his investigation, aided by the eager amateur detective Dickens and his apprentice Wilkie Collins. Yet Dickens's own reputation and career are threatened by his love for the striking young actress Ellen Ternan. Ellen is a liberated "hoyden" herself, and a prime suspect in the murder. In order to prove her innocence, the two novelists may have to expose their own secrets.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Historical Mystery

241 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1997

About the author

William J. Palmer (born 1943) is a professor of English and the author of the "Mr. Dickens" series of Victorian murder mysteries. The "Mr. Dickens" series of four Victorian murder mysteries -- The Detective and Mr. Dickens, The Highwayman and Mr. Dickens, The Hoydens and Mr. Dickens, and The Dons and Mr. Dickens -- is going to be re-released by Diversion Books in April 2015.

He has written seven novels thus far, including his Wabash Trilogy. These three novels, a sports novel, a crime novel, and a comic novel about theater, are all set in the Wabash valley of Indiana. Academically, Palmer has written books and articles on the nature of literary criticism and the history of film.

Dr. Palmer received his doctorate in English from the University of Notre Dame in 1969, and taught at Purdue University beginning in 1969. He attained the rank of full professor there and is now professor emeritus. He received Purdue's "Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award" for academic year 1998-1999, and he was a member of the elite "Purdue Teaching Academy"

Reviews

[Charles Bill McKenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent mystery framed as Wilkie Collins writing the adventures of Charles Dickens as an amateur detective. Third in a series. Written by a professor, full of clever references to Dickens life and times. Lots of real people mixed in with the fictional ones. Footnotes alert the reader to events in previous books in the series, literary allusions, connections to historical facts. Surprisingly mature in subject matter, far from pornographic, but definitely not for the kiddies. I think the point may be that the propriety of the Victorian era was a thin veneer under which there was a lot of naughty goings-on. Very polished writing style. As a mystery, probably not very satisfying to the connoisseurs of that genre. Fine, fun light reading. I wouldn't mind reading the previous installments, but I'm not going to prioritize them.

[Joseph Hageman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and exciting novel by Wilkie Collins, Charles Dickens close friend and revised by William Palmer.

[Diana Sandberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well....not bad. Supposedly the account by Wilkie Collins of his adventures with Charles Dickens, solving crimes, a la Watson and Holmes. In an interesting switch from some of the other historical mysteries I’ve been reading lately, this one seems very well researched but is not terribly engaging, somehow. There are a couple of others in this series, I’ll probably try another.

[Rosemary W · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like 19th Century prose, you're likely to enjoy this book. The characters - Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins - seem to be historically accurate, and the examination of the role of women and suffragettes during this time seem genuine. And the plot twists were numerous and entertaining.

[Robin H-R Holmes Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series!

This is the third book in this series, and it does not disappoint. All the usual characters are present, Along with some old and new faces. A good plot, well written, kept me interested to the end. Keep them coming, Mr. Palmer.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept

Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens join the police to track down a feminist 's murderer. Also tracking a bank robbery and blackmail. Written in an old fashioned style, but clever. Victorian England's dark side is clearly shown.