Book One in an exciting new Victorian detective series from former Headline author Harriet Smart. England 1840, and police surgeon Felix Carswell enters a murky world of professional gamblers and jilted lovers to solve the case of The Butchered Man.
The Butchered Man (The Northminster Mysteries)
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"Historical objects are precisely and lovingly observed, and the author's awareness of changing styles and the symbolism of fashion is excellent." Phillipa Gregory, The Sunday Times, reviewing A Garland of Vows "Smart's characters have a feel of authentic life and move in and out of a backdrop which cunningly incorporates political change, trade union rebellion, suffragette noise and good food." Elizabeth Buchan, The Sunday Times, reviewing Green Grow the Rushes
About the Author
Harriet Smart was born and brought up in Birmingham. She attended the University of St Andrews, where she read Art History, and then married a fellow student. She now lives with her family in Edinburgh, with a view of the Castle from her study window. Harriet has published four historical novels and one contemporary novel as well as co-designing the innovative creative writing software "Writer's Cafe". She is presently working on The Northminster Mysteries, a series of crime novels set in early Victorian England. Her research for the books included wearing stays and hand-sewing a man's shirt. Harriet is also writing a manual on the process of story development and an ongoing blog novel set in Edwardian Scotland, www.fictionwitch.wordpress.com. She also blogs at www.harrietsmart.com and can be found on Twitter @fictionwitch.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent read for fans of detective fiction and historical drama alike
26 Sep 2011
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm not a big fan of the whole bonnets and frocks obsession that seems to run through a great deal of both TV and literature and I tend to steer clear of historical dramas of both kinds because it seems for me to get bogged down too easily in eye candy of the sartorial kind. I have about as much fashion sense (or interest for that matter) as a whelk so I am wary of period fiction as much of what is written seems to spend what feels like weeks describing precisely how fetching someone looked in their new gown.
However, I like a good murder and the more brutal, the better. I've grown tired though of the complex and confusing contemporary murder lit, where the star of the show is forensic science and every one else is a bit part player. So finding Harriet Smart's The Butchered Man was a real treat.
Combine the best of CSI logic (though set in a time when virtually all the science we take for granted is unknown), the characterisation quirks of Brother Cadfael, and a dash of Film Noir and you have a thoroughly enjoyable romp through an old fashioned murder mystery with twists and turns enough to keep armchair detectives guessing. There's deep motives at play, some of the very deepest but in some way what endears this book to me most is the relationship that grows between the two main characters. It's masterfully done, steering clear of the typical father-figure mentoring it could so easily have slid into, and steering equally clear of the somewhat suspect bro-mance scenario a lesser writer would have gone for. This is a partnership of equals, but the men themselves struggle to accept this and watching their struggles to work together is adds a frisson of conflict and friction to the mix and stops it getting too cosy.... Read more ›
However, I like a good murder and the more brutal, the better. I've grown tired though of the complex and confusing contemporary murder lit, where the star of the show is forensic science and every one else is a bit part player. So finding Harriet Smart's The Butchered Man was a real treat.
Combine the best of CSI logic (though set in a time when virtually all the science we take for granted is unknown), the characterisation quirks of Brother Cadfael, and a dash of Film Noir and you have a thoroughly enjoyable romp through an old fashioned murder mystery with twists and turns enough to keep armchair detectives guessing. There's deep motives at play, some of the very deepest but in some way what endears this book to me most is the relationship that grows between the two main characters. It's masterfully done, steering clear of the typical father-figure mentoring it could so easily have slid into, and steering equally clear of the somewhat suspect bro-mance scenario a lesser writer would have gone for. This is a partnership of equals, but the men themselves struggle to accept this and watching their struggles to work together is adds a frisson of conflict and friction to the mix and stops it getting too cosy.... Read more ›
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Amalie Bee
Format:Kindle Edition
I only downloaded this book three days ago but I've finished it already. I literally couldn't stop reading it, I was gripped straight away! I found myself loving and hating characters as if they were real people, and even though I read a lot of books like this, I was guessing the outcome right to the very end. I hope there'll be more books featuring this duo, it's a long time since I've been so enthralled by something that I've had to read it by torch-light so as not to disturb my sleeping husband!!! Wonderful!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Y. Johnston
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
`The Butchered Man' is a historical detective story set in the fictional city of Northminster in 1840. It opens with the arrival of Felix Carswell M.D., the newly-appointed police surgeon to the City of Northminster Constabulary whose Chief Constable is one Major Giles Vernon.
Within hours of Felix's arrival, a dead and butchered body has been found and so begins what is a truly page-turning detective story told from the viewpoints of Carswell and Vernon. With these protagonists, Harriet Smart has created a pair of detectives that I hope to see more of in the future. They move between the lofty dwellings of the senior clergy in the Minster precincts, through the homes of the affluent trades-people to the outskirts of the city where prostitutes solicit and drunkards brawl.
Both Vernon and Carswell are likeable but flawed characters and it is the roundness of the characterisation which makes this novel so good. I would have liked to have read a little more of the back-story of Vernon but I suspect that is being held back as further Northminster Mysteries are planned. I do hope this will be the case as this has definitely left me waiting for more!
Within hours of Felix's arrival, a dead and butchered body has been found and so begins what is a truly page-turning detective story told from the viewpoints of Carswell and Vernon. With these protagonists, Harriet Smart has created a pair of detectives that I hope to see more of in the future. They move between the lofty dwellings of the senior clergy in the Minster precincts, through the homes of the affluent trades-people to the outskirts of the city where prostitutes solicit and drunkards brawl.
Both Vernon and Carswell are likeable but flawed characters and it is the roundness of the characterisation which makes this novel so good. I would have liked to have read a little more of the back-story of Vernon but I suspect that is being held back as further Northminster Mysteries are planned. I do hope this will be the case as this has definitely left me waiting for more!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Accentmonkey
Format:Kindle Edition
I like crime books that are more about the atmosphere and characterization than the actual crime itself, so this was perfect for me. The two "detectives" are compelling and entertaining characters surrounded by a rich supporting cast and immersed in a clearly drawn world. The prose is so clear and consistent that you don't even notice the chapters zipping by. I am really looking forward to more books in this series.
By nellah
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Really enjoyed reading this. Good thriller/murder mystery and enjoyed trying to solve who dunnit! Will look out for the next one.
By Lesley
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Thoroughly deserves the 4 star rating I've given. A story much involved and extremely well written. I like all the characters and was impressed at the way the author let you build a picture of each. A cunning plot with unexpected but non the less intriguing twists. A mystery set in a time when our outlook on what is right or wrong made solving the problem even more difficult...
By Anom
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed everything about the book - the plot, characters, the style of writing etc. The book kept my interest throughout and although the ending of the story was predictable, I would still recommend this books to others. I look forward to reading future Northminster Mysteries.
By G. Urwin
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Enjoyed the book very much. Good insights into the minds of people of that age and a good murder mystery.
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
2012 B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree
This terrific book by Harriet Smart is a 2012 B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree which means that readers feel it is a book well worth you time and money!
Published 11 months ago by G. Indiebrag
4.0 out of 5 stars
Potential for a good Series
'The Butchered Man' introduces the police surgeon, chief constable and sundry others of the recently-formed Northminster Constabulary, and the town it supports. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Annie W
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good old-fashioned detecting
What a breath of fresh air this novel is, with its back to basics detective work, through necessity rather than design. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Sarah Hague
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