Anatomy of Murder [Kindle Edition]

I came to Imogen Robertson the wrong way round as i read Anatomy of Murder before Instruments of Darkness,but i am glad to say it did not matter,as both are excellant.In Anatony of Murder Imogen Robertson has done her research on London of the 1780`s and she brings that knowledge on to the page with the passion and detail that had me totally involved in the dark and gritty underworld of London town, as well as in the front seat in the theatre of the world of opera.I especially enjoyed the informative background on the Castrati,although as a man it was a little uncomfortable.I was taken by surprise at the beginning of the book of how good the writing of the chase and capture of the Marquis de La Fayette was ,it had us in the thick of the action, this was up there with Bernard Cornwell,Robert Low,Alexander Kent and Dudley Pope, great stuff, not what i was expecting from the beginning of this forensic science crime/thriller.Telling the story first from the view of Harriet and Gabrial and the world of the opera,and then from the seedy side of London with Jocasta and Sam,it all comes to a thrilling and exciting climax,to me Imogen Robertson is a rising star of the Historical Crime/thriller movement, more of Harriet and Gabrial soon please.

First Sentence: Captain Westerman was in his cabin reading the letter from his wife for the fourth time when he heard the officer of the morning watch ring Six Bells.

Mrs. Harriet Westerman and her friend, Gabriel Crowther, are once again embroiled in solving a murder. However, the stakes are even higher as they deal with treason against England during the Revolutionary War.

In a much less elegant part of London, Tarot-card reader sees the impending murder of one of her clients. Although she fails in preventing the murder, she is determined to bring the woman's killers to justice.

Beginning with an exciting and dramatic scene, this is one of those can't-stop-until-I-finish-it books.

Ms. Robertston's writing is atmospheric and insightful with a strong sense of time and place, subtle, wry humor, a marvelous voice and style which evoke the period and the emotions of the characters. I found it fascinating to see the Revolution from the English perspective.

I love the characters. Harriet, intuitive and more able to relate to others, and Crowther, the cold, analytic scientist, balance each other well. Harriet is someone who, as a real person, I should like very much. We learn more of Crowther and his past, which hints of much more to come. I am enjoying the evolution of their relationship despite the differences in the ages and natures. All the characters are alive and wonderful. It's nice to see the characters from the first book, including Molloy, and meet the delightful new characters Jocasta, Sam and Boyo. I did feel a cast of characters would have been helpful.

The captivating plot, good twist, the way in which the threads were brought together was wonderful. Set in 1781 during the Revolution, the story deals with traitors, murder and opera with a touch of the metaphysical. It takes you from the Opera house and salons of the wealthy to the meanest slums of London revealing the apathy and cruelty which resides in each.

Ms. Robertston is one of the best new-to-me-authors I've found this year. Her writing is insightful with interesting observations on celebrity worship, and encourages one to look at things from a different perspective. It is not often that events in a book make me truly cry, but it speaks to speaks to an author's skill that her writing evokes such strong emotion.

It was an excellent read but I recommend starting with her first book. I can't wait for her next book.

ANATOMY OF MURDER (Hist Mys-Harriet Westerman/Gabriel Crowther-England-Georgian/1781) - Ex
Robertson, Imogen - 2nd in series
Headline, ©2010, UK Hardcover - ISBN: 9780755348428

This is the sequel to Imogen Robertson's debut novel, Instruments of Darkness. Both novels are set in the 18th century, this second one in London, and recount the murder investigations that the unlikely pairing of the two principal protagonists find themselves drawn into. Dr. Crowther, coloured darkly by a past stained with tragic events, is unequalled in his expertise in post-mortem investigations. Harriet Westerman is a strong, independent woman with a will to see justice done. Their relationship of friendship and mutual reliance is finely drawn. The host of subsidiary characters in both novels are wonderful cameos, with strong characterisations emerging from their phyiscal depictions and their dialogue. These novels are quality, well-researched, historical who-dunnit page-turners, written in elegant but highly-readable prose, describing lives in a range of social settings making the writing worthy of Dickens one moment and Jane Austen the next. Highly recommended, and can't wait for the third instalment!