JC Briggs’ The Murder of Patience Brooke is the first in a series of historical mysteries with an intriguing premise — that Charles Dickens works with the police to solve a series of murders. 

I’m not the world’s biggest Dickens fan, which doesn’t matter at all, and know very little about him, which possibly does, given the references to his insecurities about his background and his uncertainty about his marriage. I felt there was a layer in this book that I’m rather missing out on; but maybe I’m wrong. And even if I’m not, there was plenty here to get stuck into as Dickens and his friend, Superintendent Sam Jones, set out to solve the mystery of the murder of virtuous and mysterious Patience Brooke, found gruesomely displayed outside the home for fallen women which Dickens established. 

There was so much to enjoy in this book. The plot was engaging and gathered pace as our heroes began to run the villain to earth. The central characters were rounded and appealing and Dickens’ unhappy marriage (and large family) was cleverly contrasted with Jones’ happy, but childless, one. I did feel that many of the subsidiary characters were less rounded and more caricatured — though in fairness, that’s true of Dickens’ novels so maybe it was a deliberate nod to the master, even though that particular element didn’t work for me. 

I had a few niggles. I found the writing a bit clunky in places, with too many short sentences, and I was distracted by the use of ‘street speak’. (Is there really any value in using ‘sed’ for ‘said’ or ‘woz’ for ‘was’ when they sound the same?) And there was one point where a conversation referred to two different characters called Crewe and Carew, which had me momentarily confused.

It wasn’t the detectives who stole the show, though. It was Victorian London. The descriptions of the old city, its glories and it hell-holes, its sound and smells, its muffling fog, its early mornings and threatening darkness, were fantastic. If there was no other reason for me to read more in this series (and there are many), the setting alone would keep me going. London is the protagonist in this book, far more striking and capricious (and believable) even than Dickens himself. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Sapere Book for a copy of this book, in return for an honest review.

When I saw The Murder of Patience Brooke by J.C. Briggs on NetGalley I knew I had to read it. The book begins at the home that Charles Dickens founded for fallen women. The gruesome murder of Patience Brooke is discovered. So Charles Dickens and Superintendent Jones waste no time in investigating the murder. They did not know much about Patience Brooke but soon find out that not many knew her at all. Her past is clouded in secrecy. However, another girl disappears. They realize they may not have much time at all as they track through London chasing clues to find this evil murderer.

So the first thing that caught my eye was the title. It sounded like a good mystery. Then I saw that it was a Victorian London mystery…even better. AND THEN I saw that it is the first in a series called Charles Dickens Investigations! As in… A Tale of Two Cities, Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol…yes, that Charles Dickens! I absolutely adore Charles Dickens. He is one of my favorite authors, so reading a book about him investigating murders just really drew me in!

I must say, I was not disappointed! There were a few slow parts. I had to read when I was fully awake so that I did not miss any details. However, this book takes you on a journey through gloomy, foggy, Victorian London. The descriptions are unbelievable, it made me feel that I was there! This book is full of small details and facts regarding Charles Dickens which I really enjoyed. Also, Charles Dickens is not the only author that readers meet, no spoilers though. I also love the camaraderie between Dickens and Jones. They make a wonderful team. The mystery is dark and full of twists that keep the reader guessing until the end.

Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars! I am counting down the minutes until I can read the next book!

Thank you, NetGalley and Sapere Books for a copy of this book!

The Murder of Patience Brooke, the first novel in J. C. Briggs's Charles Dickens Investigations series, is part historical fiction, part murder mystery set in bustling Victorian London. Originally released in 2012 it sets up for the two more books to come both featuring Charles Dickens as an intrepid and highly observant investigator as he teams up with Superintendent Jones from Bow Street police. You can tell that Briggs loves Dickens and has extensively researched both the man and the time period in which he lived lending an air of authenticity to the story from the very beginning.

Dickens's fascination with people, crime and murder serve him well here as he chases the case through to its conclusion like a pit-bull nip-nip-nipping at the heels of the perpetrator. For a fan of classic crime novelists such as Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle whose focus is on the mystery and much less on profanity and graphic violence, this will most likely be thoroughly enjoyable. The writing flows well, the characters are intriguing and the Victorian setting is perfect. It's grim, foggy and has plenty of dingy, dimly-lit alleys for criminals to disappear down, letting the dark envelop them. The ideal cosy, historical crime novel for the chilly winter evenings.

Many thanks to Sapere Books for an ARC.

‘Mr Dickens, you must come immediately.  Patience Brooke is dead this night.’

Set in Victorian London in 1849, the discovery of Patience Brooke’s body hanging outside Urania Cottage has Mrs Georgiana Morson, matron of the cottage, writing to Charles Dickens.  She asks him to attend, and to bring his friend Superintendent Sam Jones of Bow Street as well.  Patience Brooke was Mrs Morson’s assistant at Urania Cottage, established by Charles Dickens and Miss Angela Burdett-Coutts as a sanctuary for fallen women.  A murder of one of the Cottage’s inhabitants could undermine the good work being done there.  Charles Dickens is desperate to protect the reputation of Urania Cottage and to prevent a scandal from spreading.

A description of a ‘man with a crooked face’ and a fragment of a song overheard seem to be the only clues. 
‘Thrown on the wide world, doom’d to wander and roam, 
Bereft of my parents, bereft of my home.’

Little was known about Patience Brooke’s past.  Initially Superintendent Jones and Charles Dickens keep the murder from the public, telling those that they interview that Patience Brooke is missing.  Their search for the killer takes them into many unsavoury parts of Victorian London and involves several interesting well-crafted characters.  The London fog has its own part to play in the story.

Having started with a perfectly plausible reason for Charles Dickens’s involvement in the murder investigation, Ms Briggs has him reflecting on his life and books he has written. We see aspects of his domestic life, his concerns for his family and gathering observations for new works.  At the same time, he and Superintendent Jones are following possible leads which have them travelling around London in search of the killer. Identifying the killer is one step, locating the killer is another.

I really enjoyed this novel, which is the first in a series.  I enjoyed the descriptions of Victorian London, the portrayal of Charles Dickens as both man and author almost as much as the murder mystery itself.  I’m looking forward to the next novel.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

A very good historical mystery and a very good start for a new series.
The book was enjoyable and entertaining and atmospheric.
I like the style of writing, the sombre tone and how the characters and the historical background were written.
The mystery was good, no plot hole, and it keeps you hooked till the last page.
I look forward to reading other instalment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Sapere Books and Netgalley for this ARC

One of my favourite authors is Charles Dickens and I love anything written by him, so when I got the chance to read this, I simply devoured it. It’s everything I could hope for in a Victorian mystery. It is somewhat slow paced, especially at the beginning, but it’s worth staying with.  It is well written and enjoyable, especially for a cold and wet winter’s day. 

Charles Dickens has set up a home, Urania Cottage, for fallen women (with the help of wealthy Miss Coutts, who has financed the home) and the lovely Mrs Morson who is resident matron. 

In November 1869 Mrs Morson discovers the murdered body of Patience Brooke, who helps out at Urania Cottage and has secrets of her own. 

Charles Dickens and his good friend, Superintendent  Sam Jones of Bow Street, work together to uncover the murderer and get justice for Patience. 

I liked the fact that Charles Dickens was writing his books and reflecting on others that he had written. A very nice touch indeed. 

A very promising start to what will be a great series with Mr Dickens himself. 

With many thanks to Sapere Books via NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.