Night's Child

Detective Murdoch #5

by Maureen Jennings

After thirteen-year-old Agnes Fisher faints at school, her teacher, the young and still idealistic Amy Slade, is shocked to discover in the girl’s desk two stereoscopic photographs. One is of a dead baby in its cradle, and on the back Agnes has scrawled a terrible message. Worse, the other photograph is of Agnes in a pose captioned “What Mr. Newly Wed Really Wants.” When Agnes doesn’t show up at school the next day, her teacher takes the two photographs to the police. Murdoch, furious at the sexual exploitation of such a young girl, resolves to find the photographer – and to put him behind bars.

Night’s Child is the fifth novel in Maureen Jennings’s highly praised historical mystery series. Three of Jennings’s novels have been made into TV movies under the title Murder 19C: The Murdoch Mysteries. Bravo/CHUM is currently developing a series based on the character of Detective William Murdoch for broadcast in 2007.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Canada, Historical, Mystery Thriller

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Maureen Jennings, now a Canadian Citizen, was born on Eastfield Road in Birmingham, England and spent her formative years there until she emigrated to Canada at the age of seventeen with her mother.

This has meant that she still feels a deep connection with her homeland. It has also no doubt been a strong influence in her love for, and her writing about, the Victorian period. She attended the University of Windsor where she attained a BA in philosophy and psychology.

A couple of years trying to decide what she really wanted to do with her life resulted in her returning to university, the University of Toronto, this time where she earned an MA in English literature.For the next eight years, she taught English at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute at a time when the English department seemed to be chock full of writers. Eric Wright, went on to write the highly successful Charlie Salter mystery series, Graeme Gibson, Peter Such, and others were writing both novels and poetry. An exciting time in so many ways but after eight years, another change of direction and in 1972, Maureen left Ryerson to become a psychotherapist, which was a long time interest. She has continued in private practice since then, although nowadays she mostly conducts creative expression groups and writes. Always passionate about dogs, she is happy to own a border collie named Jeremy-Brett and a mixed breed named Varley.

Series:
* Detective Murdoch
* Christine Morris
* Detective Inspector Tom Tyler

Reviews

[Tannaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

از سانسورشیپ و اشتباهات تایپی که بگذریم، دوستش داشتم. یعنی من کلاکتاب پلیسی دوست دارم.
امتیاز برای نویسنده است. نه ترجمه و تایپ

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maureen Jennings books are excellent reads. I love each of her series, but Murdoch will always have a special place for me, for it was the jump from the TV series to the books that introduced me to Jennings works. This was the 13th work by Jennings that I have read over 12 weeks. And it is the 7th in the Detective Murdoch series I have read. This book was a real page turner and was very hard to put down. In fact, I stayed up way later than I should have since my alarm for work goes off at 5am. I lost track of home many times I thought to myself ‘just 1 more page’. It was also the first time I highlighted in one of the books by Jennings. At one-point Murdoch is musing to himself, and he things: “There was no answer to that of course except self-knowledge and at this moment he felt a stranger to himself, doubting everything.” And that self reflection and scrutiny helps Murdoch not only in understanding himself, but in unraveling both issues he is investigating.

Usually mysteries with child victims are too disturbing for me to give them a 5/5 stars. But Jennings handled the subject in such a way that the story was worthy of the 5 star rating.

In this story there are two main pursuits Murdoch is looking into. One is acquisitions against a fellow office of the number 4 station. And also, a minor who is now missing but appeared in inappropriate photos. While looking into the photo’s of 13 year old Agnew Fisher, we meet her teacher the indominable Miss Amy Slade. Murdoch is furious of the sexual exploitation of the child. But while investigating this it crosses over into his looking into the letters about Sergeant Seymour he discovers that Seymour and Fisher lodge at the same house. And soon the three of them are working together on both issues.

Ste in Toronto in 1895 this story does an excellent job of capturing the time and place. This story looks ate the exploitation of children. Early typewriter competitions. Politics of the Toronto police. And some bias against Catholics. We also get a deeper understanding of Murdoch, and he of himself.

This is a great read in an excellent series. Fans of the show will encounter a different Murdoch, but with enough overlap that they will be sure to want to read more. The Murdoch books are strong enough to stand on their own, but I have been enjoying reading them in order.

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Maureen Jennings.

[Carolyn Walsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.
I have enjoyed the popular and long running Canadian series, Murdoch Mysteries and was unaware that there was a series of books by Maureen Jennings. I did not find Murdoch in this book as likable as in the TV series, maybe because we were privy to his inner thoughts.
The plot and the setting (1895 Toronto) were interesting but I found a lot of things were brought up and dropped or failed to lead anywhere. The book centers on pornography, especially in the exploitation of children, women exerting their independence, an early trade union, and the Victorian custom of photos of recently deceased family members, often in their coffins, as keepsakes. This story involves crime solving before the use of DNA and other scientific methods, and depended on a lot of foot work and interviews.
A female teacher is shocked to discover pornographic photos in a pupil's desk after 13 year old Agnes faints in school. One photo is of a recently dead baby, a souvenir for the parents. On the back Agnes has written something which horrifies and disgusts everyone who sees it. Discovering the photographer leads nowhere, and we never find out the shocking message on the back of the photo says although it is mentioned many times.
There is another photo of Agnes herself in a lewd pose. A photo of a naked young man, dressed only in a turban ornamented with a large brooch has been outlined with a black border by Agnes. This leads Murdoch to think that Agnes suspected or knew he was dead. A similar brooch has been reported stolen but a connection is never made, so why bring it up? When the body of the young man is found, Murdoch realizes that Agnes knew something and that the girl's life may be in danger. Agnes is missing from school and her abusive and impoverished home. Murdoch is determined to find the source of the obscene photos and to save Agnes.
The pornography ring is eventually caught. The murder of the young man seems forgotten and we never learn what Agnes knew about him or his murder.
In fact we never learn of Agnes's involvement with the photographers. Was she forced to participate or did she go willingly for payment. A shocking story, especially for those who believed that child exploitation and porn only began with the Internet.

[Cornel Diaconu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time Murdoch is struggling to discover who were behind the dirty photos found in the desk of a school girl, by her teacher (upon her fainted in her class).
Turned out they are real porn photos, and he must inquire pretty hush, to not allow too many people seeing the pictures. And, to find and rescue the girl, who now is missing, and no one has seen her after this incident is revealed to Murdoch.
I feel the description is a bit misleading, since the photographer is not brought behind bars, actually he did not survive the arson put upon him by one of the characters in the book - some guy that sudden remembers this photographer disfiguring him some years ago, by fire also. Murdoch himself has some burns trying to rescue this guy, i order to serve him to justice after that.

Well, since justice is served and the "bad guys" are stopped from their wrong doing ... all is well. Or, is it ?

I can't stop wondering when does Julia Ogden starts to be a more present character; because so far, she was only a fugitive one, in book no.2 (Under the Dragon's Tail). So much so after watching the series, where she is almost omnipresent.

P.S. It's funny reading this book, with the characters facing harsh cold of the winter, while I'm in the middle of the summer, with record temperatures around here where I live (just had a day with a bit over 41 Celsius here....). Oh, well...

[Patcholi1961]

Many thanks to Green's Dictionary of Slang & The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. I think that I have finally unmasked Me Jennings' source of period cant, lol. It isn't often that an author has such an ear for dialogue.

This book so captivated me that I completed it in less than 12 hours; this in itself is not a shining accomplishment, but with the Murdoch Mysteries, if I allow it, I get waylaid on period Toronto blogs and archival and exposition material.

Whoever said that fiction wasn't educational, wasn't reading the same calibre of writing.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little different than the tv show, but I really did enjoy it. I can’t get over the image of Murdoch with a mustache though - he just wouldn’t look right. I enjoyed how all the cases seems to fit together nicely and believably. The only one was the old woman who lost her brooch and accused her servants. But I think I know how that bit ended too. Maybe it was mentioned and I missed a paragraph or a page in my haste to rush to the end. I need more Murdoch Mysteries in my life.

[Alessia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molto carino: ovviamente mi era sfuggito fosse il quinto della serie di Murdoch, ma avendo visto la serie tv posso dire che è fruibile lo stesso, anche se sicuramente sarebbe più godibile letto in ordine cronologico. Comunque ben scritto, con una trama interessante e una buona ricostruzione storica.
Un mystery molto vicino ai classici del genere.

[Ice Bear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toronto is not as clean as it may appear, and nor are the police force.

[Biblioblond · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps my low-rating is due to my high expectations but I was extremely let-down by this novel. My expectations were high because I am a huge fan of the TV show. However, I didn't find any of the elements that I love about the show in this novel. Of the three characters from TV show that are present in the novel, none of them are recognizable to their TV counter-parts; Brackenreid is a drunk who neither has the respect of Murdoch nor seems to care about his cases. George Crabtree is only mentioned for his apparently large figure and provides no aid to the detective and even the "hero" William Murdoch is a completely different character. There is no mention of his love for science or evidence of his great deductive abilities. He solves the case by a lot of leg work and guessing. His character is also obsessed with his desires for the opposite sex and his self-questioning about why and who he is in love with becomes boring throughout the course of the novel. The only element that was shared with the television series was the use of the city of Toronto in Victorian times to create convincing atmosphere. At one point Murdoch says to Enid "If there had been a way for me to contact to tell you that I was going to be late, I would have". An obvious reference to cell phones. Maureen Jennings uses just enough historic references to create a unique and interesting setting without it being burdensome. My other issue was with the pacing of the story-line. Although the plot itself was initially intriguing, it dragged on through too many subplots which made the quick conclusion unexpected and unsatisfying. I am glad that I read a Maureen Jennings' Murdoch novel to see where the inspiration from the show came from but from now on I'll stick to my Yannick Bisson.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The seven books in this series have been re-issued with matching covers taken from the television series, which is pleasing for fans of the show but not always appropriate for the later books in the series as the characters shown are not all present once the series progresses. This is actually my first read in this series but I'm no stranger to Murdoch. I've watched the three movies which are based completely on the first three books in the series and I've watched the occasional episode of the television show which is not based on any particular book but is based on the characters from the books. So as I read my fist acting Detective Murdoch mystery I was met with a cast of familiar characters and felt right at home. I really enjoyed the book which set in Victorian Toronto Canada involves a crime centering around a ring of child pornography photographers whose crimes escalate to exploitation and much worse up to and including murder. This is one of Murdoch's most deplorable cases and has many sidelines as well such as rising feminism, a unique form of labour union and Murdoch's continuous struggles with his love life. The case wasn't exactly a mystery as we knew who one culprit was fairly early but the other was a surprise at the end and the book ends off with Murdoch's life taking on a whole new set of circumstances. A great read for those wanting something just a little more than a cozy (but not too much) and for Victorian era fans. Will most certainly be getting around to reading this whole series one of these days!

[writer... · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fan of the Canadian Murdoch Mystery tv series, this book's my first read of a Murdoch Mystery novel. Written by British born author, Maureen Jennings, currently a Canadian resident and situated in the metropolis of Toronto in Ontario during the 19th century . As with the series, it is well researched and detailed to the Victorian era, though not an easy topic to read.
What I did appreciate by reading the novel over viewing the show was the opportunity provided for insights into Murdoch's thoughts both in his profession and relationships. Especially as this novel covers the dissolution of a current romance and possibilities of new pursuits. It also introduces new directions with the departure of his landlords to Muskoka for health reasons.

Adding to my library reading list for future reserves.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this as an audiobook while stitching and enjoyed it. I like the way this series explores social issues of time and place. I also like the way in which the larger issues are seen through the prism of the small conflicts, tensions and decisions of individuals - Murdoch’s attraction to women set against his desire for something deeper, or even the shock of a woman defying convention by wearing culottes against the admission they make running for the fire brigade more successful. The narrative presents a tidy view of the social disruption as Canadian Society moved into the 20th century.

The investigation thread is well-paced and maintained with neat planting of the seeds of future relationships both personal and professional along with sketching in of elements of social order and policing.

The book series so far stands quite independent of the TV series.

[Ubiquitousbastard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of the series so far, this book probably has the best pacing. I think that's the best thing that I can say about it; I didn't feel like the book was trudging through endless pages for no apparent reason. The plot wasn't all that twisty or really in my area of interest, but the writing was good and kept me reading. I don't think that the actual murder in the book was even paid attention to very much, which I find more than a little perplexing. It seems as though Jennings knew what she wanted to write about, had other events occur, but kept herself focused on what she really cared about. I can understand that, but it also seems a tad lazy (I cringe at saying that) as an author.

As far as mysteries go, this was a bit better than most, but still not anything memorable.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of TV's "Murdoch Mysteries," as I am, I highly recommend reading the books on which they are based.

In this one, teacher Amy Slade comes to Police Station Number 4 after one of her students faints in class. While caring for Agnes, she finds a number of photographs and stereopticon slides in the child's desk ... some of them obscene. She contacts the police to try to find out who took the photographs -- because one of them is of Agnes.

When the body of one of the other photo subjects is found murdered, the case becomes even more complicated.

Touching not only on women's roles (Amy is a suffragette and Reformer) but also on issues of child welfare in the 19th C., this is a well-crafted mystery with a "whodunnit" that took me by surprise.

Well done.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Murdoch mystery! Hard to put down--good cases, I like how the storylines became connected and the development of Murdoch's personal life!

[Julian White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Te fictional Murdoch is far from the saintly television version - at least in the Murdoch Mysteries - and the Toronto pictured here is a much harsher version than that on the screen. Even the familiar chracaters are slightly different - Crabtree seems older (and has a child, so presumably a wife as well; Murdoch seems to have some of the romantic woes, with a dead fiancée and an arrangement with a widow who is about to return to Wales... ); Brackenreid is less enamoured of Murdoch's skills (and may be Irish, which gels with the earlier TV movie version played by Colm Meaney; Murdoch himself has a moustache and smokes a pipe - he is a Catholic, though, so is only 'acting' detective in this fifth book but seems not to be from Quebec...

The novel itself revolves around photography (and child pornography) and doesn't stint its descriptions of extreme poverty and poor labour relations... I learn from the notes that the author is originally from England - were I hypercritical I'd suggest that some of her cockney rhyming slang is a tad off but that would be churlish. However - one of the plot threads isn't resolved (the theft of small pieces of jewellery) even though we as omniscient readers know who is to blame.

[southernmyst · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an engaging, quick read. By this fifth book, the author has refined and vastly improved her writing. I remember struggling through the first book. I didn't write it up here, but I seem to recall it being quite clunky. Like all of us, the author improved over time, honing her craft.

So, start with this book (or later). They're written so that they're easy to understand as standalone books; no need to start at the beginning.

Trigger warnings: The subject matter in this one is difficult, including child porn and gruesome scenes.

It was well written, and treated those horrible subjects with the gravitas and compassion due. It evoked the time well, providing an escape into a different world. Of course, it also illuminated the poverty-stricken unfairness of that time, so isn't easy reading.

For all the careful buildup, I felt the ending was too rushed. The author did, thankfully, tie up all the loose ends at the end, after the climax. She did it in the space of just a couple of pages, though, which was at odds with the slow, careful buildup.

All in all, a good read.

[Pupottina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foto stereoscopiche

IL FIGLIO DELLA NOTTE, scritto da MAUREEN JENNINGS nel 2005, è ambientato nell'800, quando la tutela dei bambini era ancora limitata all'educazione e non alle vere e proprie cure. Il termine pedofilia non era ancora stato coniato.
In quel particolare contesto storico, indaga William Murdoch, detective della polizia di Toronto. L'indagine lo porta a fare attenzione al mondo dei bambini, ad osservare cose si nasconde dietro la loro timidezza, a metà strada tra paura e riservatezza. Molto avrebbero da dire i bambini, ma non possiedono ancora le parole adatte a spiegare che c'è qualcuno che fa loro del male.
Il caso di Agnes Fisher entra subito nel cuore del lettore, così come ha catturato l'interesse di Murdoch e, prima di lui, quello della maestra Amy Slade.
IL FIGLIO DELLA NOTTE è un giallo interessante, degno di lettura. Desta particolare interesse per l'approfondimento storico, non soltanto per la vicenda narrata.
William Murdoch è un personaggio letterario, nato dalla penna di Maureen Jennings, ma è anche l'eroe di una serie tv, I MISTERI DI MURDOCH.

[Michael Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to Maureen Jennings’s Murdoch Mysteries courtesy of my Canadian friend Suzy. Set in late-Victorian Toronto, it is well researched and beautifully written, with well-drawn characters and a likeable detective who seems smitten with a woman who could prove to be his match. The difficult subject matter is carefully handled. It’s just a pity that Jennings seems to have been led astray when it comes to any technical aspect of photography (the shutter and its cable were attached to the camera body, not to the lens; examining the exposed or unexposed plate in any light other than a filtered dark red would result in its ruin by fogging, not that she would see any difference to it prior to its chemical development; increased exposure gives darker prints not lighter ones, and vice versa)—but, given the quality of the writing, I hardly cared.
Since ITV have turned the Murdoch Mysteries into a series, I imagine the books should be available in the UK, and I can’t wait to read more.

[Wanda Boyer M.C., Ph.D., RCC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Jennings thank you for the hopeful nature of “Night’s Child.” Our super heroes Detective Murdoch, Ms. Amy Slade, Mr. Charlie Seymour, Mr. Reordan, Ms. Honoria Davis, Constable George Crabtree, and Dr. Bryce who join forces to save three children who become prey to child pornography predators. These children matter to our super heroes who care for the welfare of all “ people who couldn’t defend themselves against [the evil that preys on]...women and children and [individuals with exceptionalities]” (Jennings, 2005, p.189). Our super heroes value the bond of unity that binds all people together found in the principles supported by The Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labour advocating the protection of the rights of all people to “the three elements essential to man’s existence and happiness: land [home], labour [and learning] love[protection]....” (Jennings, 2005, p. 214). You will be filled with hope and conviction that kindness and thoughtful caring can offer people a chance to thrive.

[Bibliophilic Word Nerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs a disclaimer - Not the Murdoch you met on television!

In this, the fifth Murdoch Mystery, we have another mystery unconnected to the prologue in any meaningful way. The story has holes in it. And the Murdoch of television fame, affable (though stiff), smart, and interested in science is nowhere to be found.

That said, this story was tighter than 'Poor Tom is Cold' which made Night's Child a slightly smoother read. Murdoch has become a more fleshed out character as well.

I'll give Maureen Jennings her due; she creates an atmosphere that draws the reader into Toronto of the late nineteenth century. These stories are dark, though. Dead babies. Child pornography. Corrupt police.

I happened upon these books in a street library and jumped at the chance to read them. If I didn't already have a "Murdoch" in my head, I'd likely have enjoyed them a bit more.

[Leew49 · Rating 3 out of 5]

William Murdoch, a detective on the Toronto police force in the late nineteenth century, is presented with two mysteries: (1) anonymous letters accusing one of his fellow detectives of illegal activities and (2) evidence of a child pornography ring in the city. He solves both, but cannot prevent tragic consequences in the second case. Meanwhile, one chapter of his romantic life is ending while another may be about to begin.
The slow pacing of the novel is made up for by the realistic depiction of the historical period. Cold and squalor seem to permeate almost every scene, and the traditions of the time and place are presented with fascinating detail. I was especially pleased with the discussion of the early labor movement and the daunting obstacles it faced.

[Jacqueline Mudge-Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

All right, another Detective Murdoch book in the bag.

This is where a school teacher finds something that shouldn't belong in a young girls desk. So she consults our darling detective Murdoch for the case. Which he does while balancing his relationship with Enid Jones and dramatic changes that take place in his boarding house. Which I am still kind of dumbfounded with. These are huge changes!

Characters and scenes were enjoyable and a literal ending with a bang! Now I need to get my hands on the next Murdoch Mystery. I think this might be my favorite one after the dragon's tail and let loose the dogs.

[Beth Besso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love watching Murdoch Mysteries. When I saw one of the books in a thrift store, I had to pick it up to try it out. I loved it. I'll definitely be reading more books in the Murdoch Mysteries series.This was book 5 in the series, but it can be read as a stand-alone.

Everything is vastly different from the show. Right down to the characters, book Murdoch is nothing like show Murdoch, so you can't even compare the two. They are their own separate entities, and I can say I enjoy both versions.

There isn't much criticism. I like the setting, I like the mystery, I like the characters, it was well written.

[Delanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book the fact that all of the victims get justice (in a way) was nice to read. Maureen could have just left them to suffer but she didn't. I also really appreiciate that the book warns you that it involves child open right on the back cover. It doesn't surprise you with it at all which is a fantastic change of pace. I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue the series after reading book #1 but after finding this copy in a used bookstore and reading it I really want to finish the series.

Tw: Jewish, Black, and Romani people aren't spoken about kindly in this book

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having never seen this series on TV, I came to this without any preconceptions whatsoever and found it to be surprisingly well written and engaging. Set in late C19th Toronto, Detective William Murdoch is tasked with dealing with internal rivalries and the troubling issue of a growing market in indecent photographs.

Cheap charity shop find and although the characters, particularly the secondary ones are not always well-fleshed out, it was an enjoyable and overall, well-plotted read with a generally satisfying (if a touch rushed) ending.

[Crissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennings flawlessly integrates several seemingly different storylines and always manages to tell parts of the story from such a perspective that you are left on the edge of your seat, trying to figure out how it connects to the bigger picture.
Sad stories at the center of this Murdoch mystery but really enjoyed the many layers to the narrative and the continued development of Murdoch's character!

[Martin Pilkington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book in the Murdoch series. In this book Murdoch continues to distance himself from the Yannick Bisson characterisation. That isn’t to say that Murdoch isn’t the good guy in this or the other novels. In this novel he is looking into two cases that have people in common. Maybe that is a bit too much of a coincidence.

Certainly I found the final twist a bit too much of a coincidence but the book kept my interest and I would still recommend the series and this book.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exploration into the social ills of late Victorian Toronto. In this case it is children exploited for pornographic images. There were some odd ends left loose: why the picture of the dead baby with the raunchy message on the back? what is the female photographer/painter up to? But Murdoch has finally met a woman I can approve of.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book, worth reading, really opened my eyes to the plight of what it was like for children in the 1800's. Also read in the back in the author's notes, Gregory S. Kealey my mothers maiden name was Kealey.