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Terrifying. The criminal in this story is almost as frightening as Hannibal Lecter in Thomas Harris’ The Silence of the Lambs, and certainly as psychologically disturbed. This is another Swedish mystery writer, and detective series, I’m fairly certain I’ll get hooked on.

A very likable band of characters trying to solve a series of murders committed by a perpetrator who seeks to emulate the infamous Ratcliffe Highway murders of 1811. Historical fiction that blends real crime and incorporates real people (author Thomas de Quincey) in a believable work of fiction — reminiscent of The Alienist, and so far, almost as good.

Enjoyable, so far. Shades of Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Henry David Thoreau, and Henry James, depending on what character is the focal point in a particular passage, and what scene is taking place. The main character, Cora Seaborne, is an English Josephine March. Descriptions of Essex seascapes and sea towns beguile. There are no boring characters.

Enjoying this jewel of a novel. Actually dreading the end, because the protagonist and all the characters are so endearing. Think Grand Budapest Hotel, but with a bit more emotional heft and a lot more historical significance.

An interesting (and original) premise. So far, so good, though a little slow-paced.

An original (and horrific) premise. So far, so good.

Damn good read, so far.

Not a huge fan of Joyce Carol Oates, but this gothic thriller, which takes place in turn-of-the-century Princeton, New Jersey, at the heart of Princeton University, is engrossing and eerie, in an understated, Shirley Jackson way. I may have to re-assess my opinion of Oates. So far, so good.