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Carlyle & West Victorian Mystery #4
Death Among the Nightingales
Dr Carlyle and Matthew West are joined by Adelaide and Inspector Jennings in another mystery! Perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes, Andrew Taylor, Anne Perry and Robin Paige…
Has the Ripper returned to haunt London…?
London, 1895
Matthew and Adelaide West are now happily married with a one-year-old daughter.
But Adelaide has always sought after a profession outside of the home. And when infamous nurse, Florence Nightingale, offers her a job, she cannot refuse.
A Fenian bomb has blasted through the Officers’ Mess inside the Waterloo Barracks at the Tower of London, and Adelaide and the ‘Nightingale Nurses’ are sent to care for them in the Tower Ward.
But before long, some of the nurses are brutally attacked. And rumours start to spread that Jack the Ripper has returned.
With Adelaide at risk, Matthew and Carlyle begin their own investigations within the Tower walls.
Can they find the killer before more nurses fall victim to his crimes?
Or will there be more deaths among the Nightingales…?
DEATH AMONG THE NIGHTINGALES is the fourth crime thriller in an exciting new historical crime series, the Carlyle & West Victorian Mysteries, private investigations set in Victorian London and packed full of suspense.
THE CARLYLE & WEST VICTORIAN MYSTERY
BOOK Interviewing the Dead
BOOK Death Comes But Twice
BOOK Confronting the Invisible
BOOK Death Among the Nightingales
Has the Ripper returned to haunt London…?
London, 1895
Matthew and Adelaide West are now happily married with a one-year-old daughter.
But Adelaide has always sought after a profession outside of the home. And when infamous nurse, Florence Nightingale, offers her a job, she cannot refuse.
A Fenian bomb has blasted through the Officers’ Mess inside the Waterloo Barracks at the Tower of London, and Adelaide and the ‘Nightingale Nurses’ are sent to care for them in the Tower Ward.
But before long, some of the nurses are brutally attacked. And rumours start to spread that Jack the Ripper has returned.
With Adelaide at risk, Matthew and Carlyle begin their own investigations within the Tower walls.
Can they find the killer before more nurses fall victim to his crimes?
Or will there be more deaths among the Nightingales…?
DEATH AMONG THE NIGHTINGALES is the fourth crime thriller in an exciting new historical crime series, the Carlyle & West Victorian Mysteries, private investigations set in Victorian London and packed full of suspense.
THE CARLYLE & WEST VICTORIAN MYSTERY
BOOK Interviewing the Dead
BOOK Death Comes But Twice
BOOK Confronting the Invisible
BOOK Death Among the Nightingales
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2021
66 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
David Field
59 books98 followersDavid was born in post-war Nottingham, and educated at Nottingham High School. After obtaining a Law degree he became a career-long criminal law practitioner and academic, emigrating in 1989 to Australia, where he still lives.
Combining his two great loves of History and the English language he began writing historical novels as an escape from the realities of life in the criminal law, but did not begin to publish them until close to fulltime retirement, when digital publishing offered a viable alternative to literary agencies, print publishers and rejection slips.
Now blessed with all the time in the world, his former hobby has become a fulltime occupation as he enjoys life in rural New South Wales with his wife, sons and grandchildren to keep him firmly grounded in the reality of the contemporary world.
David Field is published by Sapere Books.
Combining his two great loves of History and the English language he began writing historical novels as an escape from the realities of life in the criminal law, but did not begin to publish them until close to fulltime retirement, when digital publishing offered a viable alternative to literary agencies, print publishers and rejection slips.
Now blessed with all the time in the world, his former hobby has become a fulltime occupation as he enjoys life in rural New South Wales with his wife, sons and grandchildren to keep him firmly grounded in the reality of the contemporary world.
David Field is published by Sapere Books.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 17, 2021
It always makes me quite sad when I series I like comes to an end. This is the fourth and last Carlyle & West Victorian Mystery, so this review may contain minor spoilers. Feel free to check out my reviews for Interviewing the Dead, Death Comes but Twice and Confronting the Invisible. I received almost all of these books through Netgalley, for which I am ever so grateful.
This book starts off with a bang, literally. Adelaide, Matthew and Dr Carlyle all find themselves caring for the victims of a Fenian bomb in in the Tower of London and are per usual asked by Jennings for help to find the culprit… Especially when the Nightingale Nurses caring on the ward start being killed in alleys and rumours are spreading that the Ripper is back. Happy times, as we see Carlyle showing of his deduction skills, Matthew’s way with people and Adelaide’s feisty manners are back as well! What makes this series so strong are the characters, their different personalities that perfectly complement each other.
The mystery itself was fine. Although interesting, it was fairly obvious who had done it. Then again, in a book only 200 pages long one doesn’t want something overly complicated. The author does, per usual, have a good grasp on the time period though, making both the setting but also the motive very believable.
This is a great series with some amazing characters and some a bit more unusual mysteries. If you are even remotely interested in (Victorian) historical mysteries, I would highly recommend giving these ones a try – especially since they come very cheaply on Kindle.
This book starts off with a bang, literally. Adelaide, Matthew and Dr Carlyle all find themselves caring for the victims of a Fenian bomb in in the Tower of London and are per usual asked by Jennings for help to find the culprit… Especially when the Nightingale Nurses caring on the ward start being killed in alleys and rumours are spreading that the Ripper is back. Happy times, as we see Carlyle showing of his deduction skills, Matthew’s way with people and Adelaide’s feisty manners are back as well! What makes this series so strong are the characters, their different personalities that perfectly complement each other.
The mystery itself was fine. Although interesting, it was fairly obvious who had done it. Then again, in a book only 200 pages long one doesn’t want something overly complicated. The author does, per usual, have a good grasp on the time period though, making both the setting but also the motive very believable.
This is a great series with some amazing characters and some a bit more unusual mysteries. If you are even remotely interested in (Victorian) historical mysteries, I would highly recommend giving these ones a try – especially since they come very cheaply on Kindle.
February 28, 2021
Although I wanted to read book one in the series only for the terrific cover, I very pleasantly surprised and I immediately wanted to own the whole series. After reading book four, I must admit I'm a little disappointed. Or maybe it is because I read. all books within a just a few months?
We find Matthew and Adelaide still very happily married with their adorable daughter Florence, named after Florence Nightingale. Now Florence is a year old, Adelaide can go and do what she really wants to do: be a professional nurse. She is sent out to oversee two groups of four nurses who tend to the wounded after a bomb attack. And while Inspector Jennings and Dr. Carlyle work together to find out what happened, and why, Matthew tends to the wounded.
And so everybody does what they do best; the story flows nicely and there are some small surprises.
Then why am I disappointed? What I missed in this story was that little extra, that little something, that made me enjoy the first three books so much. It is all a bit more predictable, and there is not so much lovely interesting banter between Adelaide and Matthew.
It being 1895, it is somewhat extraordinary for Adelaide to have a serious occupation, and Matthew learning to cook was also considered a bit out of order for a man. But with Adelaide working so hard, and Matthew often to stay at home to care for Florence and cook dinner, I think they are becoming more and more a 'modern' man and woman and the historical part of the story lessens.
What I found interesting is that the two groups of nurses were on night duty for four weeks, and then immediately switched to day duty - and vice versa. There were no days off in between. Poor nurses, to have to switch from day to night means that they had to work 24 hours in a row.
A nice enough read, and it will not put me off from wanting to read more of David Field, but I hope for a more authentic atmosphere in the next book.
We find Matthew and Adelaide still very happily married with their adorable daughter Florence, named after Florence Nightingale. Now Florence is a year old, Adelaide can go and do what she really wants to do: be a professional nurse. She is sent out to oversee two groups of four nurses who tend to the wounded after a bomb attack. And while Inspector Jennings and Dr. Carlyle work together to find out what happened, and why, Matthew tends to the wounded.
And so everybody does what they do best; the story flows nicely and there are some small surprises.
Then why am I disappointed? What I missed in this story was that little extra, that little something, that made me enjoy the first three books so much. It is all a bit more predictable, and there is not so much lovely interesting banter between Adelaide and Matthew.
It being 1895, it is somewhat extraordinary for Adelaide to have a serious occupation, and Matthew learning to cook was also considered a bit out of order for a man. But with Adelaide working so hard, and Matthew often to stay at home to care for Florence and cook dinner, I think they are becoming more and more a 'modern' man and woman and the historical part of the story lessens.
What I found interesting is that the two groups of nurses were on night duty for four weeks, and then immediately switched to day duty - and vice versa. There were no days off in between. Poor nurses, to have to switch from day to night means that they had to work 24 hours in a row.
A nice enough read, and it will not put me off from wanting to read more of David Field, but I hope for a more authentic atmosphere in the next book.
March 3, 2021
I have been enjoying these little mysteries of late and find they have all the spooky elements to suit my taste.Set in Victorian London's east end we follow Matthew West,a Westeyan preacher who in the first book helps to solve a plague pit mystery.In this forth installment Matthew is once again recruited to help stop a group of terrorists targeting the Coldstream Guards but things get really personal when the killer begins stalking Florence Nightingales nurses and even his very own wife.I enjoyed the writing and atmosphere and I will most likely be checking out the rest of the books in this series.Much thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 16, 2022
This is the latest in a very enjoyable series with a rather marvellous feisty heroine. All the books in the series are very well-written and include much factual research.
4* for this book and the series over all.
4* for this book and the series over all.
March 20, 2021
The fourth in the series begins with a horrific bomb at the Tower of London, those injured find themselves under the care of Florence Nightingale's nurses.
Adelaide, who from the previous books we know to be a strong minded, independent person is offered a job by Nightingale supervising her nurses in the very hospital where her father Dr Carlyle also works.
When the Nightingales begin turning up murdered there is panic that Jack the Ripper has returned to London.
Inspector Jennings begins to think the killings are linked to the bombing but how?
Jennings and Adelaide really come to the forefront in this instalment and it was fabulous to see them work together with the help of Dr Carlyle and Matthew West.
Field created a fantastic plot and I enjoyed learning how the Nightingales came about. The descriptives of the streets in Victorian London are so vivid you can imagine yourself walking through them and peering into shop windows.
As the book reaches its climax there is a totally unexpected twist, I found myself holding my breath in anticipation.
I don't reveal spoilers but can certainly say I really enjoy this series and if you like a good historical mystery give it a try. You don't have to read them all, they are also great at stand alone books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sapere Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Adelaide, who from the previous books we know to be a strong minded, independent person is offered a job by Nightingale supervising her nurses in the very hospital where her father Dr Carlyle also works.
When the Nightingales begin turning up murdered there is panic that Jack the Ripper has returned to London.
Inspector Jennings begins to think the killings are linked to the bombing but how?
Jennings and Adelaide really come to the forefront in this instalment and it was fabulous to see them work together with the help of Dr Carlyle and Matthew West.
Field created a fantastic plot and I enjoyed learning how the Nightingales came about. The descriptives of the streets in Victorian London are so vivid you can imagine yourself walking through them and peering into shop windows.
As the book reaches its climax there is a totally unexpected twist, I found myself holding my breath in anticipation.
I don't reveal spoilers but can certainly say I really enjoy this series and if you like a good historical mystery give it a try. You don't have to read them all, they are also great at stand alone books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sapere Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2021
This is the first fictional novel I have read to feature Florence Nightingale. It was interesting to see how her first nurses functioned. I was also interested in learning more about the Irish fight for independence.
I gave a four star rating because I hate it when the reader is given information leading to the identity of the killer before the sleuths in the book find out. Maybe it's just me but that is really annoying!
Other than that, this was a good read.
I gave a four star rating because I hate it when the reader is given information leading to the identity of the killer before the sleuths in the book find out. Maybe it's just me but that is really annoying!
Other than that, this was a good read.
February 28, 2021
Set in London in 1895, the novel opens with Fenian bomb blasting through the officers’ mess at the Waterloo Barracks at the Tower of London. Before long, the nurses sent to care for them in the Tower Ward start to be brutally murdered one by one and rumours start to spread that Jack the Ripper has returned to London...
This was my first David Finch novel, but the fourth Carlyle and West Victorian Mystery. Whilst in terms of the plot it was possible to pick up and enjoy the series at this point, I did feel I would have savoured the characters more if I had read the rest of the series and knew of their previous development and interactions
At only c.200 pages, this is a compact novel. There are no twists, turns or red herrings here. The identity of the perpetrator is fairly obvious from the outset; the story only covers their apprehension.
A serviceable historical crime novel that fans of the genre will enjoy.
My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first David Finch novel, but the fourth Carlyle and West Victorian Mystery. Whilst in terms of the plot it was possible to pick up and enjoy the series at this point, I did feel I would have savoured the characters more if I had read the rest of the series and knew of their previous development and interactions
At only c.200 pages, this is a compact novel. There are no twists, turns or red herrings here. The identity of the perpetrator is fairly obvious from the outset; the story only covers their apprehension.
A serviceable historical crime novel that fans of the genre will enjoy.
My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2022
A interesting and enjoyable book. Due to read another by this author.
February 11, 2021
The fourth in the series, Death Among the Nightingales is a marvelous book! This time, Florence Nightingale figures into the 1895 London story about the amazing nursing profession with wonderful Victorian language, nuances and history. We also see courage and hope in difficult situations as well as glimpses into the nonfiction Fenian Brotherhood.
From the explosive beginning to the murderous rampage evoking Jack the Ripper to the familial images of Matthew, Adelaide and their wee daughter this book is brilliantly written with subplots beautifully interwoven with the plot. Adelaide's organizational and administrative skills are put to the test as she works with the Nightingale nurses on a special hospital ward. Once murder seeps in too close for comfort, her investigative skills come into play along with her dear husband Matthew's compassion as a conveniently inveigling man of the cloth. Carlyle, Adelaide's father, also becomes involved so it is again a family affair comprised of differing personalities but complementary abilities. Adelaide is definitely the protagonist in the story and has no fear wandering into dodgy neighbourhoods when necessary.
Any Historical Fiction reader ought to read this escapist book. The author is gifted with crafting words into heartwarming stories. I like that he pairs historical facts with fiction.
My sincere thank you to Sapere Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this lovely book!
From the explosive beginning to the murderous rampage evoking Jack the Ripper to the familial images of Matthew, Adelaide and their wee daughter this book is brilliantly written with subplots beautifully interwoven with the plot. Adelaide's organizational and administrative skills are put to the test as she works with the Nightingale nurses on a special hospital ward. Once murder seeps in too close for comfort, her investigative skills come into play along with her dear husband Matthew's compassion as a conveniently inveigling man of the cloth. Carlyle, Adelaide's father, also becomes involved so it is again a family affair comprised of differing personalities but complementary abilities. Adelaide is definitely the protagonist in the story and has no fear wandering into dodgy neighbourhoods when necessary.
Any Historical Fiction reader ought to read this escapist book. The author is gifted with crafting words into heartwarming stories. I like that he pairs historical facts with fiction.
My sincere thank you to Sapere Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this lovely book!
February 17, 2021
London, 1895 Matthew and Adelaide West are now happily married with a one-year-old daughter.
But Adelaide has always sought after a profession outside of the home. And when infamous nurse, Florence Nightingale, offers her a job, she cannot refuse. A Fenian bomb has blasted through the Officers’ Mess inside the Waterloo Barracks at the Tower of London, and Adelaide and the ‘Nightingale Nurses’ are sent to care for them in the Tower Ward. But before long, some of the nurses are brutally attacked. And rumours start to spread that Jack the Ripper has returned.
Another real page turner which is very well written, the characters are well portrayed & you even get Florence Nightingale in this book. I love the mix of fact & fiction. Whilst it is the fourth book in the series it can easily be read on its own but if you love series then I’d recommend reading from the start. Of course Matthew and Carlyle begin their own investigations within the Tower walls. I was drawn in from the start & devoured this book in two sittings, finishing it well into the night
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
But Adelaide has always sought after a profession outside of the home. And when infamous nurse, Florence Nightingale, offers her a job, she cannot refuse. A Fenian bomb has blasted through the Officers’ Mess inside the Waterloo Barracks at the Tower of London, and Adelaide and the ‘Nightingale Nurses’ are sent to care for them in the Tower Ward. But before long, some of the nurses are brutally attacked. And rumours start to spread that Jack the Ripper has returned.
Another real page turner which is very well written, the characters are well portrayed & you even get Florence Nightingale in this book. I love the mix of fact & fiction. Whilst it is the fourth book in the series it can easily be read on its own but if you love series then I’d recommend reading from the start. Of course Matthew and Carlyle begin their own investigations within the Tower walls. I was drawn in from the start & devoured this book in two sittings, finishing it well into the night
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
March 3, 2021
A terrorist bombing carried out by the Fenian Brotherhood against a company of the Coldstreams'Guards and the subsequent murders of 3 nurses from the Florence Nightingale's nursing organization are at the heart of David Field's delightful 4th installment in his Carlyle & West Victorian Mysteries. Once again we follow the genial doctor James Carlyle, his sometimes too annoying daughter Adelaide and the boorish Scotand Yard, inspecto John Jennings, as they try to untangle the many threads that tie those two bloody events closely together. But with David Field one must not forget London and its late Victorian atmosphere so deliciously described with perfect historical accuracy and lots of humor. I can't wait for the 5th installment to arrive! To be enjoyed without moderation. Many thanks to Netgalley and Sapere Books for the opportunity to read this wonderful novel prior and its release date
February 19, 2021
Thanks, NetGalley, for the early read. This is a charming little murder mystery, not quite “cozy”, but with decidedly fewer gory murder scenes or graphic sex scenes. The setting in 1895 London is timed just past when The Ripper was active, so that’s a bit of a mood-setter. I enjoy this time period. There’s just enough modernity living is understandable, but not so evolved as to be riddled with technology. Crimes have to be solved with more primitive techniques. There is a big focus on the nurses trained by Florence Nightingale which lends another look at more modern nursing techniques. I will look for others in this series.
February 17, 2021
1895 A bomb explosion in the Tower Barracks results in mayhem, with many dead and injured. The injured are housed in the London Hospital and looked after by Florence Nightingale's nurses. Then one of them is murdered. Dr. Carlyle, Matthew West and his wife Adelaide all become involved, while D.I. John Jennings investigates.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its cast of likeable and well-drawn characters. Another good addition to the series which can be read as a standalone story.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its cast of likeable and well-drawn characters. Another good addition to the series which can be read as a standalone story.
March 20, 2021
Another interesting adventure
Adelaide and Matthew have settled into married life and welcomed their first child. Then Adelaide receives an offer she doesn't want to refuse.
There's an explosion at the barracks in the Tower of London and Adelaide, Matthew and Dr Carlyle are needed to.help the surviving Coldstream Guards. Adelaide and Matthew are in the thick of Inspector Jennings ' investigations...
I'm eagerly anticipating their next adventure!
Adelaide and Matthew have settled into married life and welcomed their first child. Then Adelaide receives an offer she doesn't want to refuse.
There's an explosion at the barracks in the Tower of London and Adelaide, Matthew and Dr Carlyle are needed to.help the surviving Coldstream Guards. Adelaide and Matthew are in the thick of Inspector Jennings ' investigations...
I'm eagerly anticipating their next adventure!
March 3, 2021
An enjoyable book. The historical details included were accurate and the work of Florence Nightingale was cleverly and informatively integrated. However, it was the characters that really imbued the book with life, and it was was a joy to read, and experience them grow and develop.
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley in return for an honest, unbiased review.
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley in return for an honest, unbiased review.
February 20, 2021
The fourth in the series, Death Among the Nightingales is a marvelous book! This time, Florence Nightingale figures into the 1895 London story. A excellent read hopefully this is not the last in the series as all the characters are very well written.
March 3, 2021
A story set in late Victorian London with a bombing intertwined with killing of the nurses. The methods used when there was not much of advanced technology in relation to forensics is what brings me to these books, and in that aspect it was enjoyable.
June 2, 2021
simply not stimulating
perhaps it was the multi-story lines? the slow dialogue? the seemingly unfair killing (there was a bit much of it). and i am so sick of comparisons to jack the ripper. ho hum. i’ll read another if i am out of things to read.
perhaps it was the multi-story lines? the slow dialogue? the seemingly unfair killing (there was a bit much of it). and i am so sick of comparisons to jack the ripper. ho hum. i’ll read another if i am out of things to read.
July 24, 2021
Probably my least favorite of the series.
It felt like the story was all over the place. There was too much Jennings POV for my liking. My favorite things about this series are Adelaide, Matthew, and Carlyle and I feel like I did not see enough of them in this book.
It felt like the story was all over the place. There was too much Jennings POV for my liking. My favorite things about this series are Adelaide, Matthew, and Carlyle and I feel like I did not see enough of them in this book.
March 23, 2021
A very good story
I think that the description of guards wifes seems more like fishwives than elite victoriana ladies i am sure that they had batmen
I think that the description of guards wifes seems more like fishwives than elite victoriana ladies i am sure that they had batmen
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews