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Miss Sharp's Monsters
A Study in Sirens
Murder and monsters in Victorian London...
Miss Sharp is supposed be lying low after her run-in with the Whitechapel werewolf. But when a prematurely-aged corpse turns up tucked behind a statue in the Victoria Embankment Gardens, a baffled Inspector Short calls on Liz Sharp for help.
Liz realises the killer is a siren—one of the monsters that rules Europe. When a princess asks for help evading an arranged marriage, Liz scents her chance to bring the murderer to justice.
The plan is simple. Step one: convince Short it’s a good idea to use herself as the bait. Step two: lure the siren into her trap.
No problem. After all, there can’t be too many sirens loose in London…can there?
Miss Sharp is supposed be lying low after her run-in with the Whitechapel werewolf. But when a prematurely-aged corpse turns up tucked behind a statue in the Victoria Embankment Gardens, a baffled Inspector Short calls on Liz Sharp for help.
Liz realises the killer is a siren—one of the monsters that rules Europe. When a princess asks for help evading an arranged marriage, Liz scents her chance to bring the murderer to justice.
The plan is simple. Step one: convince Short it’s a good idea to use herself as the bait. Step two: lure the siren into her trap.
No problem. After all, there can’t be too many sirens loose in London…can there?
ebook
First published March 31, 2021
About the author
Suzannah Rowntree
34 books604 followersHi! I live in a big house in rural Australia with my awesome parents and siblings, drinking fancy tea and writing historical fantasy fiction that blends real-world history with legend, adventure, and a dash of romance.
If you like the historical fantasy of Gail Carriger, S. A. Chakraborty or Naomi Novik, you'll probably like my stories too!
You can visit me online at https://suzannahrowntree.site
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I'm afraid I don't accept every single friend request I receive, unless we already know each other, or it looks like we have tastes broadly in common. However, please feel free to follow and interact.
If you like the historical fantasy of Gail Carriger, S. A. Chakraborty or Naomi Novik, you'll probably like my stories too!
You can visit me online at https://suzannahrowntree.site
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I'm afraid I don't accept every single friend request I receive, unless we already know each other, or it looks like we have tastes broadly in common. However, please feel free to follow and interact.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
my-books
May 17, 2021Want more Miss Sharp? This novelette set between the events of THE WEREWOLF OF WHITECHAPEL and ANARCHIST ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS is available to subscribers of my mailing list!
Sign up here: https://www.subscribepage.com/srauthor
Sign up here: https://www.subscribepage.com/srauthor
June 3, 2021
5 stars // read June 2021
Short and sweet, an excellent follow-up to "The Werewolf of Whitechapel." Free for author's newsletter subscribers.
(I have to admit, though, I kept forgetting that Harry was a girl. It made sense, because I figured it was short for Harriet, but no, it was short for... Maud. I guess if my name was Maud anything would be an improvement.)
Short and sweet, an excellent follow-up to "The Werewolf of Whitechapel." Free for author's newsletter subscribers.
(I have to admit, though, I kept forgetting that Harry was a girl. It made sense, because I figured it was short for Harriet, but no, it was short for... Maud. I guess if my name was Maud anything would be an improvement.)
August 19, 2024
An OK story in the Sharp's Monsters universe. The only thing that is annoying is this is the second time that Sharp has wrongfully accused someone with very little evidence and had it blow up in her face. If that is going to be a common theme for the rest of the series, I can see these books losing stars. 3/5 stars.
May 24, 2021
Such a delightful installment in Miss Sharp's adventures! I enjoy her and Short working together, and honestly I could read a plethora of tales with them solving crimes and romancing each other with their shared wit & desire for justice... *coughs meaningfully at the author*
March 28, 2022
CW: Murder
June 3, 2021
I definitely need to read the series. This story takes place between books one and two, and does contain some mild spoilers of the first book, and some hinted-at information that, had I read the first book, I'd know what the lead character was referring to. Still, I enjoyed the story and had little trouble following it. I was a tiny bit confused trying to keep track of the royal relatives (I thought Princess Harry was a typo but, nope, she is a girl with a boy's name).
Europe's royalty are monsters; either vampire, werewolf, or siren. Sometimes they attack commoners. When they do, Miss Sharp and Inspector Short must prevent them from harming more British citizens.
Miss Sharp survived a werewolf attack in the first book in the series, leaving her with a scarred face. She works as a lady's maid to a low-level royal who doesn't display monsterous tendencies (the British royal family claim to not be tainted with monster blood - this story is completely unhistorical, after all). This allows her access to royalty and she can investigate suspicious murders of the supernatural kind.
I don't usually like paranormal stories, but I really enjoyed this one. It was fun and clean and exciting, and the designation of certain royal families as certain monsters was a great twist. Suzannah Rowntree is my new favorite author, so I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future!
Europe's royalty are monsters; either vampire, werewolf, or siren. Sometimes they attack commoners. When they do, Miss Sharp and Inspector Short must prevent them from harming more British citizens.
Miss Sharp survived a werewolf attack in the first book in the series, leaving her with a scarred face. She works as a lady's maid to a low-level royal who doesn't display monsterous tendencies (the British royal family claim to not be tainted with monster blood - this story is completely unhistorical, after all). This allows her access to royalty and she can investigate suspicious murders of the supernatural kind.
I don't usually like paranormal stories, but I really enjoyed this one. It was fun and clean and exciting, and the designation of certain royal families as certain monsters was a great twist. Suzannah Rowntree is my new favorite author, so I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future!
August 19, 2025
Sometimes you just want a quick escape into a world you already love, and that is exactly what this novella delivers.
Set between books one and two of the series, it brings back all the fun, banter, and lovable characters that made the first book so enjoyable. The mystery is lighter and moves quickly, but that suits the shorter length perfectly. It is a delightful bite of entertainment that keeps the series alive between the bigger novels.
Because it takes place after the first book, there are a few spoilers for that story. But if you are okay with that, it works wonderfully as a teaser and gives more glimpses into the world, the characters, and their dynamics.
A quick, charming, and fun installment that will leave you eager for the next full adventure. Perfect for when you need a little taste of werewolves, vampires, sirens, and snarky heroics.
Set between books one and two of the series, it brings back all the fun, banter, and lovable characters that made the first book so enjoyable. The mystery is lighter and moves quickly, but that suits the shorter length perfectly. It is a delightful bite of entertainment that keeps the series alive between the bigger novels.
Because it takes place after the first book, there are a few spoilers for that story. But if you are okay with that, it works wonderfully as a teaser and gives more glimpses into the world, the characters, and their dynamics.
A quick, charming, and fun installment that will leave you eager for the next full adventure. Perfect for when you need a little taste of werewolves, vampires, sirens, and snarky heroics.
October 15, 2025
It's a short and sweet story. nothing special and nothing bad. But after starting book 2 in "Miss Sharps monsters series." I found I had to read this because it was constantly referred to in the beginning of the book. so figured I better read it so I can go on my Merry way.
after reading this I found you don’t need to know more than the fact Sharp and Short investigated a siren attack. Nothing of importance actually happened.
after reading this I found you don’t need to know more than the fact Sharp and Short investigated a siren attack. Nothing of importance actually happened.
March 16, 2024
A very entertaining quick read. The general premise is excellent, the royal families of Europe being classic monsters, vampire, werewolf and siren. Well written with great characters. Would have liked a longer story.
October 9, 2021
Very enjoyable short mystery that slots between the first and second volumes in this fun series about Victorian royal monsters.
January 26, 2022
Nice, but not as good as the first novel length book. I still love the integration of monsters in to the royal family, though.
May 12, 2022
A fun little murder mystery with sirens and royal intrigue!
July 11, 2025
A cute novella between the first 2 books. loved it! Will definitely continue the series. Listened on Audible.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews