Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

Hello, fellow Crime, Mystery & Thriller readers! This discussion is about, The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter by Theodora Goss your discussion leader is Jamie

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about spoilers

Please note: If you have not finished reading the book spoilers are permitted in this discussion from the start.
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SUMMARY

Mary Jekyll, alone and penniless following her parents’ death, is curious about the secrets of her father’s mysterious past. One clue in particular hints that Edward Hyde, her father’s former friend and a murderer, may be nearby, and there is a reward for information leading to his capture…a reward that would solve all of her immediate financial woes.

But her hunt leads her to Hyde’s daughter, Diana, a feral child left to be raised by nuns. With the assistance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson, Mary continues her search for the elusive Hyde and soon befriends more women, all of whom have been created through terrifying experimentation: Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherin Moreau, and Justine Frankenstein.

When their investigations lead them to the discovery of a secret society of immoral and power-crazed scientists, the horrors of their past return. Now it is up to the monsters to finally triumph over the monstrous.

My library loan came in so I'm getting started now. I don't usually read epigraphs but this one's pretty clever!

Oh I see this format continues in the chapters like a running "break the fourth wall" commentary. Interesting.

I really liked this book but I found the "interruptions" of the characters annoying and Diana was especially over-written IMO.

I haven't finished this book yet but I'm almost at the end. If I'm honest I am unsure whether I am enjoying it or not. I must be to keep reading it and I do find myself getting absorbed by the story when reading it. However the constant addition of characters can be hard to keep track of and the "ladies" interruptions which I can only guess are designed to add more personality to each of them feels unnecessary to me .

I know the discussion is over, but I just saw this. I loved the idea, but I found the story confusing, with all these characters popping up and interfering. It seems to be very trendy to have tons of protagonists running around and butting in. For me, it spoils the reading experience. And is it just me, or is anything Victorian London/Steampunk these days? I thought that particular fad was over?