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Raif Jarrett Regency Mysteries #2
Death of a Radical
In the second outing of this Regency mystery series, Raif Jarrett wrestles with family problems, industrial unrest, and murder while trying to keep the secrets of his past from resurfacing
Raif Jarrett is settling into his role as the Duke of Penrith's agent in the town of Woolbridge in Durham. As the Easter fairs come to town, markets where everything from ribbons to cattle is traded, the town readies itself for upheaval. The local mills are bringing in machinery, which will increase production, but jobs will be lost. As a group of radicals protest the plight of the workers and one of the judges brings in the military as a precaution, it seems the town of Woolbridge is headed for trouble. When Raif's young cousin comes to stay and gets involved, Raif will be forced to act to keep his family safe and his town intact. Soon enough a salesman lies dead in his bed and a radical is brutally murdered out on the hillsides. All the while, the lovely Henrietta Lonsdale continues to capture Raif's imagination, but a visit from an old flame is sure to ruffle the lady's feathers.
Raif Jarrett is settling into his role as the Duke of Penrith's agent in the town of Woolbridge in Durham. As the Easter fairs come to town, markets where everything from ribbons to cattle is traded, the town readies itself for upheaval. The local mills are bringing in machinery, which will increase production, but jobs will be lost. As a group of radicals protest the plight of the workers and one of the judges brings in the military as a precaution, it seems the town of Woolbridge is headed for trouble. When Raif's young cousin comes to stay and gets involved, Raif will be forced to act to keep his family safe and his town intact. Soon enough a salesman lies dead in his bed and a radical is brutally murdered out on the hillsides. All the while, the lovely Henrietta Lonsdale continues to capture Raif's imagination, but a visit from an old flame is sure to ruffle the lady's feathers.
392 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2010
16 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Jenkins
13 books9 followersAka Martha Ockley
Rebecca Jenkins is a novelist, biographer and social historian based in Teesdale, UK. She likes to write about anything that interests her - from 19th century theatre to Edwardian Olympics, through crime and theology in between. An early affection for the Scarlet Pimpernel led to her F R Jarrett mystery series, set in the early 1800s in the north east of England. A fascination with the origins of celebrity culture evolved into her biographical portrait of nineteenth-century actress, Fanny Kemble: The Reluctant Celebrity, which was short-listed for the 2005 Theatre Book Prize. Her book The First London Olympics, 1908 has been acclaimed as the definitive social and sporting history of the event illustrating the moment when American sporting science transformed the amateurism of the early modern Olympic movement. The First London Olympics, 1908 was long-listed for the William Hill 'Sport Book of the Year' Award in 2008. Rebecca has been known to blog and is a regular contributor to radio and TV.
Rebecca Jenkins is a novelist, biographer and social historian based in Teesdale, UK. She likes to write about anything that interests her - from 19th century theatre to Edwardian Olympics, through crime and theology in between. An early affection for the Scarlet Pimpernel led to her F R Jarrett mystery series, set in the early 1800s in the north east of England. A fascination with the origins of celebrity culture evolved into her biographical portrait of nineteenth-century actress, Fanny Kemble: The Reluctant Celebrity, which was short-listed for the 2005 Theatre Book Prize. Her book The First London Olympics, 1908 has been acclaimed as the definitive social and sporting history of the event illustrating the moment when American sporting science transformed the amateurism of the early modern Olympic movement. The First London Olympics, 1908 was long-listed for the William Hill 'Sport Book of the Year' Award in 2008. Rebecca has been known to blog and is a regular contributor to radio and TV.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 1, 2018
Death of a Radical is the second book in Rebecca Jenkins’s series of historical crime novels featuring Raif Jarrett, agent to the Duke of Penrith and veteran of the Peninsular War. I read and (on the whole) enjoyed the first one, certainly enough to want to persist with more of the same.
The second book has pretty much the same flaws as the first, plus an additional weakness and an additional strength, which leaves me ready to give a third book in the series a try though I won't be putting publication date in my diary. Jenkins writes well (overlooking the short sentences and head hopping, which are my pet peeves but not necessarily bad in themselves) and I think she knows it. The problem is that she doesn’t have the balance right. The book feels more about the writing than anything else and as a result, the action is obscured.
In a mystery the plot is crucial and the writing should enhance it, not obscure it. In this book there there were several occasions when I had to go back and reread a scene because I wasn’t sure exactly what happened — something I occasionally do if I’m tired and reading late at night, but don’t expect to do repeatedly when I’m reading of an afternoon. For me that blunted the excitement that the book ought to have, and made it quite a slow read — something that was amplified by the unnecessarily detailed descriptions of everything from the weather down to the colour of a lady’s ribbons. It was a nice enough read, I suppose — but I wanted more action from a book that sets itself out as a mystery.
Stripping away the writing leaves the plot a little bit exposed and this is the weakness that the first book didn’t have. The whole thing never quite held up for me: I would give examples, but can’t because of the risk of spoilers, though I can say that the connection between the various murders was never quite strong enough for me, and nor did I really understand exactly what the killings were all about. Again, it may be in there but I couldn’t find it under the elegant prose. (Sometimes there’s a value in plain speaking.) There seemed to be a lot of scenes which didn’t pull their weight in terms of advancing the story — something else which slowed the pace and made the book drag — although when Raif finally decided to take action, he did so dramatically and the conclusion was satisfying.
This feels a slightly mean-spirited review, so I’ll redress the balance with what I did like — the characters. I love the way Jenkins has set up the whole series. Raif is complex and fascinating, ideal protagonist material (even if he does spend rather too much time standing around not doing a lot) and his relationships with Charles, the Duke’s son and with Henrietta Lonsdale are nicely drawn. All the minor characters are fascinating, too, although perhaps we don’t need to see quite as much of all of them as we do in the book.
I don’t like giving stars and this book illustrates why. Do I rate it for its obvious qualities, or do I rate it for how I felt about it? I did like it, but at the same time I struggled to get through. Jenkins has created a wonderful set of characters who seem desperate to be set free from the weight of her description and allowed to act. It’s a good book, and well-written. As literary fiction it would be terrific, but somehow, as a mystery, it doesn’t quite deliver.
Thanks to Sapere Books and Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The second book has pretty much the same flaws as the first, plus an additional weakness and an additional strength, which leaves me ready to give a third book in the series a try though I won't be putting publication date in my diary. Jenkins writes well (overlooking the short sentences and head hopping, which are my pet peeves but not necessarily bad in themselves) and I think she knows it. The problem is that she doesn’t have the balance right. The book feels more about the writing than anything else and as a result, the action is obscured.
In a mystery the plot is crucial and the writing should enhance it, not obscure it. In this book there there were several occasions when I had to go back and reread a scene because I wasn’t sure exactly what happened — something I occasionally do if I’m tired and reading late at night, but don’t expect to do repeatedly when I’m reading of an afternoon. For me that blunted the excitement that the book ought to have, and made it quite a slow read — something that was amplified by the unnecessarily detailed descriptions of everything from the weather down to the colour of a lady’s ribbons. It was a nice enough read, I suppose — but I wanted more action from a book that sets itself out as a mystery.
Stripping away the writing leaves the plot a little bit exposed and this is the weakness that the first book didn’t have. The whole thing never quite held up for me: I would give examples, but can’t because of the risk of spoilers, though I can say that the connection between the various murders was never quite strong enough for me, and nor did I really understand exactly what the killings were all about. Again, it may be in there but I couldn’t find it under the elegant prose. (Sometimes there’s a value in plain speaking.) There seemed to be a lot of scenes which didn’t pull their weight in terms of advancing the story — something else which slowed the pace and made the book drag — although when Raif finally decided to take action, he did so dramatically and the conclusion was satisfying.
This feels a slightly mean-spirited review, so I’ll redress the balance with what I did like — the characters. I love the way Jenkins has set up the whole series. Raif is complex and fascinating, ideal protagonist material (even if he does spend rather too much time standing around not doing a lot) and his relationships with Charles, the Duke’s son and with Henrietta Lonsdale are nicely drawn. All the minor characters are fascinating, too, although perhaps we don’t need to see quite as much of all of them as we do in the book.
I don’t like giving stars and this book illustrates why. Do I rate it for its obvious qualities, or do I rate it for how I felt about it? I did like it, but at the same time I struggled to get through. Jenkins has created a wonderful set of characters who seem desperate to be set free from the weight of her description and allowed to act. It’s a good book, and well-written. As literary fiction it would be terrific, but somehow, as a mystery, it doesn’t quite deliver.
Thanks to Sapere Books and Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
November 9, 2018
'Death of a Radical', the second of the Mr Raif Jarrett's mystery series. I can't speak of the first book, since I have not had the pleasure of reading it. However, if Ms. Rebecca Jenkins' writing is in mark with this book, I'm sure I would enjoy throughly. I love Historical Fiction and the way it brings the past to life. While reading Mr. Jarrett's mystery unfold I found my self spellbound, by both its timeless propriety and its scandal. What I loved most about this novel was the writing style, I believe it could be greatly enjoyed by either man or woman alike. Thank you Netgallery for allowing be the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 24, 2025
While out riding Duke's agent Raif Jarrett is waylaid by the owner of the Bucket and Broom Inn and tells him that a guest was discovered dead that morning. But he is not the first and he will not be the last suspicious death. More problems arise when Colonel Ison, M.P. and magistrate brings in the army as he expects trouble at the annual Easter fair held this year of 1812.
I like the strong, likeable male characters in this series. An interesting and enjoyable well-written mystery.
A NetGalley Book
I like the strong, likeable male characters in this series. An interesting and enjoyable well-written mystery.
A NetGalley Book
July 15, 2021
A good story and characters, although I felt slow at the start partly because I lost track a couple of times of who was saying what to whom! That was short-lived however, and it soon became a good read.
It would be very nice to have some more in this series. The publisher's blurb likens them to Georgette Heyer. I wouldn't mind that, but apart from the time period, I don't really see a strong connection.
It would be very nice to have some more in this series. The publisher's blurb likens them to Georgette Heyer. I wouldn't mind that, but apart from the time period, I don't really see a strong connection.
December 8, 2010
First Sentence: Ancient walls rose up against an indigo sky.
It’s 1812 and the beginning of the industrial revolution but not everyone is embracing technology. Luddites and radicals fear these advances will be the end of independent craftspeople. In the town of Woolbridge, the Easter fair threatens to erupt in violence. One of the local judges brings in the military as a precaution. Jarrett, agent to the Duke of Penrith, must look to his young, visiting cousin, balance the attentions of two lovely ladies, and find out who murdered a man found laid out neatly in his bed.
We have been waiting a long time for this second book in Ms. Jenkins’ series and I am so glad it is finally here. I was immediately reminded of the reasons why I enjoyed the first book “The Duke’s Agent.”
I value an author’s ability to create a sense of place through written pictures…”This was land pared down to its primitive bones. …an enchanted land that might flick them off into oblivion with a shiver of its crust.” Now there’s an image that can’t help but stay with you. Jenkins brings the place, people, and story to dimensional life for the reader. This is enhanced by the excellent dialogue. Te speech is reflective of the period but not labored. The exchanges between the cousins, Raif and Charles, have the natural banter of those who are close. The young cousin, Favian, whom the older cousins refer to as “Grub,” is convincing in idolization of his older cousins while stretching his newly-found independence.
There are quite a lot of characters in the story, some of whom were more fully developed than others and I occasionally had trouble remembering who was who. I often do wish more publishers would allow for a cast of characters. What I did particularly appreciate was that through a tragic story and bits of conversation, we learn much more of Raif’s background and history. Raif and Charles are characters in whom I’ve become invested and about whom I definitely want to know more.
One element I found interesting was that, to me, the book has a feel of being very much a “man’s” book, similar to the Patrick O’Brian books. This is not, at all, a criticism. The principal characters are all very much male, even with the female characters adding a romantic/sexual element. The series has a definite swashbuckler feel to it, even though it’s on land. It may be due to the period in which it’s set or the strength of the male characters, but I very much liked it.
The story has a very good plot with good twists, diversions and side threads. There is an excellent buildup of tension and a terrible release from it. The end was at points both poignant and highly satisfying with the door being left open for more to come. I do sincerely hope so although I also hope it’s not another 13 years before we see Jarrett again. Please get writing, Ms. Jenkins, your readers are waiting.
DEATH OF A RADICAL (Hist Mys-Frederick Raif Jarrett-England-1813) – VG
Jenkins, Rebecca – 2nd in series
Quercus, ©2010, UK Trade Paperback – ISBN: 9781849162333
It’s 1812 and the beginning of the industrial revolution but not everyone is embracing technology. Luddites and radicals fear these advances will be the end of independent craftspeople. In the town of Woolbridge, the Easter fair threatens to erupt in violence. One of the local judges brings in the military as a precaution. Jarrett, agent to the Duke of Penrith, must look to his young, visiting cousin, balance the attentions of two lovely ladies, and find out who murdered a man found laid out neatly in his bed.
We have been waiting a long time for this second book in Ms. Jenkins’ series and I am so glad it is finally here. I was immediately reminded of the reasons why I enjoyed the first book “The Duke’s Agent.”
I value an author’s ability to create a sense of place through written pictures…”This was land pared down to its primitive bones. …an enchanted land that might flick them off into oblivion with a shiver of its crust.” Now there’s an image that can’t help but stay with you. Jenkins brings the place, people, and story to dimensional life for the reader. This is enhanced by the excellent dialogue. Te speech is reflective of the period but not labored. The exchanges between the cousins, Raif and Charles, have the natural banter of those who are close. The young cousin, Favian, whom the older cousins refer to as “Grub,” is convincing in idolization of his older cousins while stretching his newly-found independence.
There are quite a lot of characters in the story, some of whom were more fully developed than others and I occasionally had trouble remembering who was who. I often do wish more publishers would allow for a cast of characters. What I did particularly appreciate was that through a tragic story and bits of conversation, we learn much more of Raif’s background and history. Raif and Charles are characters in whom I’ve become invested and about whom I definitely want to know more.
One element I found interesting was that, to me, the book has a feel of being very much a “man’s” book, similar to the Patrick O’Brian books. This is not, at all, a criticism. The principal characters are all very much male, even with the female characters adding a romantic/sexual element. The series has a definite swashbuckler feel to it, even though it’s on land. It may be due to the period in which it’s set or the strength of the male characters, but I very much liked it.
The story has a very good plot with good twists, diversions and side threads. There is an excellent buildup of tension and a terrible release from it. The end was at points both poignant and highly satisfying with the door being left open for more to come. I do sincerely hope so although I also hope it’s not another 13 years before we see Jarrett again. Please get writing, Ms. Jenkins, your readers are waiting.
DEATH OF A RADICAL (Hist Mys-Frederick Raif Jarrett-England-1813) – VG
Jenkins, Rebecca – 2nd in series
Quercus, ©2010, UK Trade Paperback – ISBN: 9781849162333
November 18, 2018
Jarrett accidentally stumbles across what he is sure is a murder, but the local authorities declare it to be accidental death, being more focussed on the reports they are being fed of an imminent uprising. Jarrett is not convinced by the reports, but gradually realises that something is going on. However, he is unable to work out the details until more people start dying... Will he be able to stop things in time?
As with the first book in the series, I enjoyed the story, the writing, the characters, and the mystery, but found the number of characters confusing, and was a little disappointed at the loose threads remaining. It's not a cliffhanger ending, but has a couple of threads of the narrative that remain unresolved - hopefully a future book will tie them up neatly! Still a four-star book, and I hope to read more by the author in future. Recommended.
Characters: Main characters well drawn, but a few too many minor characters who confused me.
Storyline: Well managed. Hints of the truth along the way, but I still found the ending surprising (not in a bay way though).
Content and language: Clean, occasional language issues.
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
As with the first book in the series, I enjoyed the story, the writing, the characters, and the mystery, but found the number of characters confusing, and was a little disappointed at the loose threads remaining. It's not a cliffhanger ending, but has a couple of threads of the narrative that remain unresolved - hopefully a future book will tie them up neatly! Still a four-star book, and I hope to read more by the author in future. Recommended.
Characters: Main characters well drawn, but a few too many minor characters who confused me.
Storyline: Well managed. Hints of the truth along the way, but I still found the ending surprising (not in a bay way though).
Content and language: Clean, occasional language issues.
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
November 7, 2018
While out riding Duke's agent Raif Jarrett is waylaid by the owner of the Bucket and Broom Inn and tells him that a guest was discovered dead that morning. But he is not the first and he will not be the last suspicious death. More problems arise when Colonel Ison, M.P. and magistrate brings in the army as he expects trouble at the annual Easter fair held this year of 1812.
I like the strong, likeable male characters in this series. An interesting and enjoyable well-written mystery.
A NetGalley Book
I like the strong, likeable male characters in this series. An interesting and enjoyable well-written mystery.
A NetGalley Book
November 20, 2018
A very good historical mystery, enjoyable and full of interesting characters.
The plot is engaging and keep you hooked till the last page.
The book is well written and the characters are well developed.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Sapere Books and Netgalley for this ARC
The plot is engaging and keep you hooked till the last page.
The book is well written and the characters are well developed.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Sapere Books and Netgalley for this ARC
May 12, 2014
Second book. Not as good as the first. Will look for the third on the premise that second books are always a bit flat.
January 10, 2016
This one was really good also! Wish there were more...
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews