thanks to netgalley and crooked lane books for a copy of this ebook in exchange for a review.

The Hangman's Secret is the third book in Laura Joh Rowland's Victorian Mystery series which I didn't realize at the time when I requested the book from NetGalley. I don't think it strongly affected my experience, but I know it means I've missed a lot of the introductory phase and some of the adventures the main characters have previously navigated. Reviews are, of course, very subjective so just add an extra grain of salt or two.

There's two primary elements of this story I think worth remarking upon - the characters and the mystery. While there are some decisions related to those elements that I didn't like, the writing itself overall is okay.

the characters: The Hangman's Secret focuses on Sarah Bain as she, with her friends Lord Hugh and Mick, endeavor to solve a murder mystery. Sarah is a crime scene photographer but that mostly serves to introduce her to the case; it isn't a profession that informs much of her approach so I wish that had been showcased differently. Sarah is inquisitive, competitive, persistent, and also a bit insecure and impulsive. I didn't mind her but I didn't find her interesting either and certainly don't think she's a convincing investigator.

Her relationships are pretty central throughout the book and it's clear that the previous novels have established a close partnership especially between Hugh and Mick. I don't have a lot to say about Hugh - he's upper class, gay, and the son of Sarah's employer. However, I was a bit put off by some of Rowland's choices with Mick, a fourteen year old street Artful Dodger type. He has a crush on a nineteen year old actress and all the characters act as if he is owed her affections for previously saving her life (I believe part of the first book's plot). I didn't like it in the first scene with Mick, but then it comes up in two later scenes in escalating degrees. It really hindered my ability to connect with the main trio and I think I was supposed to find it more endearing as in "oh what a scamp!"

Sarah's other primary relationship is with Barrett, a police detective, and their dynamic is incredibly antagonistic in a weird way. I don't mind a dynamic between an unconventional mystery solving woman and a button-upped detective man (I really like Miss Scarlet & The Duke which has a similar central couple). But it isn't until the end, when the mystery is starting to fall into place, that Sarah & Barrett have positive interactions. Sarah doubts him, he undermines her, she undermines him, there's no sense of connection, mutual respect, or care. I assume there's previous interactions that present the relationship in a better light, but none that is here and it undermines a lot of the story.

the mystery: I don't have as much to say about the mystery, but it is curiously structured in such a way that it all kind of blends together and it is hard to follow some of the shifting focus. We start with the instigating death (the hangman), but then we switch to two additional plotlines: one about someone who the hangman executed and another about Sarah's father. I think it would have worked better to have the storyline about Sarah's father be it's own story. Instead it kinda muddles the plot here. In following these other threads, the primary thread gets lost and, while they are still connected, I think it would have been beneficial to emphasize that original instigating death.

Overall, it isn't likely to stand out as one of the worst books I'll read this year but it's pretty eh.

It is a refreshing and unique historical mystery featuring a strong female lead. Set in Victorian London, this captivating novel stands out in a genre that can often feel repetitive. While it may take some time to adjust to the historical setting, the intriguing storyline and well-developed characters make it a worthwhile read.

Unfortunately this book was not for me, it was a bit slower than I would like and it just didn't hold my attention. I am sure other people will love it!

Any form of a historical book is not my normal to read, but I gave this one a chance. At the time of reading, I did not know this was part of a series. I would have liked to read the other two books first. I did not need to read them in order to understand the characters but it is nice to have the back story to them. It took me a while to get into this book, but I have chalked that up to not being accustomed to historical fiction. With a strong female lead, this novel was a refreshing change. In a mystery/thriller genre that has come to be repetitive, this book stands out as being different.

I want to thank NetGalley, Laura Joh Rowland, and Crooked Lane Press for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I loved the history aspect and the references, the characters and their development throughout the book. The excerpt sounded very interesting and which is why I picked up the book. However, while it was fun to read and quite easy to understand, it did not bring the kind of excitement the excerpt had promised.
But I would still recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction and good characters.

I listened to the first 2 books in the series so I could quickly read the third for NetGalley. It's now been over 2 years. I was clearly not successful. lol. Now I'm back into the series and have the 4th book lined up with Overdrive/Libby. I don't feel like a missed a thing! I remember the important things from the first 2 books and Rowland does a good job of reminding the reader of events from the past books but in a way that flows well with the story. All of the gang appears again and puts themselves in unnecessary danger. The search for Sarah's father continues along with new familial revelations.

I love historical mystery series. The authors always do their research and bring the time period to life in a way that non fiction books never do. Sarah Bain is a photographer for the Daily World newspaper who often ends up playing detective with the assistance of her two friends, Lord Hugh Staunton and Mick O’Reilly.
The time period is well fleshed out as are the characters. There were twists and turns but the story flowed very well. I especially enjoyed the side plots with Sarah's upbringing, and her romance with PC Barrett. This was the third book in the series. It can be read out of order but I would recommend starting with book one.

Sarah, Hugh and Mick are working for Sir Gerald and are called to go photo the murder scene of the senior hangman. Clues point toward the hanging of the baby farmer as the reason for the murder. After they are all hurt in an explosion Barrett starts helping Sarah research the baby farmer’s past looking for clues.
Goodreads

Although I enjoyed this book I didn't find it overly exciting or edge of your seat type of historical mystery.
I love the historical aspect and the references to The Ripper murders, the characters where good and very individual in there characteristics and personalities.

The story followed a very independent woman (a photographer and private detective) of the 17th century which was very unusual. She had a very hard upbringing and now lived with a titled man and a young boy both with their own problems and her beau is a member of the local police force.

A very interesting story of the times and of those people who didn't conform to the times. Interesting and easy read but not an exciting one.

Welcome to Victorian England, to a mystery that absorbs you with the turn of the pages and to characters full of drama and to a somewhat slow and parsimonious beginning of the story.

Despite being the third book in a series, it can be read perfectly as a stand alone.

The Hangman's Secret by Laura Joh Rowland was not an easy read, not because of complex characters or plots, but rather because of the over-the-top drama in the lives of every single character. The overabundance of social justice themes - not appropriate for the era of the story - and the whining of the main character made it rather unpleasant from the outset. I truly wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, the author did not even bother to research her setting. She knows little or nothing about England, let alone Victorian England. Avoid this book.

A wonderful insight into Victorian England. The story focuses on Sarah Bain and Lord Hugh Staunton who have been hired by Sir Gerald Mariner to work at newspaper. Sarah is a keen photographer and amateur sleuth and together they are tipped off about a murder of a man who has been decapitated.....the victim is a hangman, with a past...

A brilliant, atmospheric romp, where you discover sinister characters like Amelia Carlisle (ran a baby farm and murdered many of her trusted charges) and their twisted links to the hangman. Interspersed with this is Sarah's own challenges with having to deal with her own family's dark past (her father disappeared after a disagreement with the police who accused him of being involved in a local murder),

A good solid read, not an author I had come across before, but would read again.

This mystery kept me guessing the entire time. The pace was great, and really helped make the story for me. It kept the pages turning.

I attempted to read this book, but was not drawn in by the story, so I chose to stop reading the book.

I loved this mystery. I loved the pace and the characters and the setting. This book definitely had me turning the pages constantly.

RATING: 4 STARS
2019; Crooked Lane Books

I just released I missed a book, and so I was happy to read book three and four back to back. Once I started the first chapter, I was back in Sarah Bain's world. And, how I missed them all. Sarah, Hugh and Mick no longer have their detective agency and have another new job. They are now working for Sir Gerald's London’s Daily World newspaper, photographing crime scenes. On their next crime scene, they come upon a hanging of a pub owner It was so brutal he was decapitated. The murder reaches to a sensation when it is discovered he is a hangman. He was the hangman at Amelia Carlisle, the “Baby-Butcher,” who murdered hundreds of infants placed in her care. Something took place at the execution, that has caused the proceedings to be secret from everyone but those who attended. Finding out the truth will uncover the killer or killers.

Rowland is great with forming suspense and intrigue in a story. Part of me wants to read the story slowly to savour it and make it last, but another part wants to race with action and see how it ends. The characters in this book come from all walks of life in London, and seem so realistic. I can feel myself transporting to another time and place. The humour between the trio, and the romance between Barrett and Sarah balances the more dark scenes. If you have not tried this series, you have to give it a shot if you like mysteries and historical fiction.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

I really regret leaving this one on my TBR pile for so long. The third book in the series, this had a very tight, interesting mystery; decent character development amongst the secondary storylines; and a truly satisfying ending with an epilogue that leaves threads dangling for the on going storyline. Though the first person present tense writing style still took me a few chapters to get into, the murder mystery was so engaging that I was on the edge of my proverbial seat for the final chapters.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Hi ,
My next review is as follows:-

"The Hangman’s Secret:A Victorian Mystery") written by Laura Joh Rowland and published in Hardcover by Crooked Lane Books on 24 Jan. 2019. 304 pages ISBN-13: 978-1683319023

In London during 1890, photographer Sarah Bain and her friends Lord Hugh Staunton and sometime street urchin Mick O’Reilly are private detectives with a new job―photographing crime scenes for London’s Daily World newspaper. The Daily World is the latest business venture of their sole client, Sir Gerald Mariner, a fabulously wealthy and powerful banker.

One cold, snowy January morning, Sarah, Hugh, and Mick are summoned to the goriest crime scene they’ve ever encountered. A pub owner named Harry Warbrick has been found hanged and decapitated amid evidence of foul play. His murder becomes a sensation because he was England’s top hangman and he’s met the same fate that he inflicted on hundreds of criminals.

Sir Gerald announces that the Daily World―meaning Sarah and her friends―will investigate and solve Harry Warbrick’s murder before the police do. The contest pits Sarah against the man she loves, Police Constable Barrett. She and her friends discover a connection between Harry Warbrick’s murder and the most notorious criminal he ever executed―Amelia Carlisle, the “Baby-Butcher,” who murdered hundreds of infants placed in her care.

Something happened at Amelia’s execution. The Official Secrets Act forbids the seven witnesses present to divulge any information about it. But Harry had a bad habit of leaking tips to the press. Sarah and her friends suspect that one of the other witnesses killed Harry to prevent him from revealing a secret related to the execution. What is the secret, and who hanged the hangman?

This book is the third in Rowland’s Victorian Mystery series and the first book I have read by the author but I will be picking her up again. There is no way, after reading this book, that I will not be grabbing the earlier books in this series and really getting to know this unique crime solving team.
It was fascinating for me to read a book by an American born author that was so well researched and gave a really evocative taste of life in Victorian England at that time.

Laura Joh Rowland is the award-winning author of the samurai detective Sano Ichiro mystery series set in 17th century Japan, as well as a historical suspense series starring Charlotte Bronte. Her work has been published in 21 countries; nominated for the Anthony Award, the Hammett Prize, and the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Award; She is a former aerospace scientist, a painter, and a cartoonist. She lives in New York City with her husband Marty.

This is her third Victorian mystery. The characters were fascinating and likeable. An unlikely group of friends who are amateur sleuths, each having their own backstories that add more to the story. There is suspense, mystery, romance-but all set in 1890s London. Each of the characters add to the story and make it an enjoyable read. It is a page turner that had me guessing until the very end, and what an ending it was! I had no clue who the killer was, although I had suspicions throughout the story. There are many to be suspicious of. so many suspects., but each is ruled out. Just as Sarah gets closer to solving the mystery, she finds herself in more imminent danger. I enjoyed it immensely and look forward to reading the next story in this new series. A copy of this book was provided by Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Very strongly recommended.

Best wishes,

Terry

I thought the time period and occupation of Sarah Bain was just fascinating. Photographing of crime scenes was a fairly new development for the police force and placing the main character in such a fast-paced field was brilliant. Also, the press vs. police reminded me of the newspaper war between Pulitzer and Hearst (same time period).

I'm not sure the class system of Victorian-era England was so fluid, with a gay titled lord, an urchin and an unmarried woman running around dangerous areas...but if I put that all aside--the book was nice. The writing was detailed enough that I didn't think I was in over my head by starting with the third book in the series instead of the first. I would note that I think it's best to read from the series beginning to really understand all the previous alluded cases.

The writing style wasn't my favorite (it was too modern for the story somehow) but it flowed well, the mystery was solid and the main characters are diverse and interesting. That being said, this book wasn't quite for me as I didn't relate to the characters at all (and their motivations/relationships) but I thought the atmosphere that Rowland created was top notch.

Sarah Bain is a thirty-three-year-old crime scene photographer and amateur sleuth who works for the Daily World newspaper along with her friends and colleagues, Hugh Staunton and fourteen-year-old Mick O'Reilly. The publication's owner, Sir Gerald Mariner has no compunction about printing sensational stories filled with half-truths and innuendos in order to boost circulation. When pub owner and hangman Harry Warbrick is murdered, Sarah and her partners set out to find out who did the deed. Their inquiries lead them to, among other places, Newgate prison, the Old Bailey, and an asylum for people with mental disorders.

Laura Joh Rowland's "The Hangman's Secret," narrated by the outspoken and high-strung Miss Bain, is a lurid and over-the-top historical mystery that contains everything but the kitchen sink--grisly slayings, long-hidden secrets, corruption in high places, lustful encounters, and violent altercations. Sarah, Hugh, and Mick are roughed up during their forays, which is not surprising, since they recklessly rush into dangerous situations time and again. Sarah and Hugh use ruses to worm their way into the confidence of witnesses who may have useful information to impart.

Rowland's colorful characters, melodramatic scenarios, and theatrical dialogue impart a Gothic flavor to this novel. Furthermore, the author makes the most of her setting, with evocative passages and vivid descriptive writing that convey the sights and smells of the less salubrious areas of London in 1890: "Coal smoke rising from chimneys mixes with the fog, the chemical fumes from the factories, and the stench from nearby slaughterhouses." Sarah is in a relationship with a police constable Thomas Barrett who reciprocates her feelings. There is tension between this pair, since police officers (some of whom, as depicted by Rowland, are unethical and/or inept) disapprove of the press's meddling in criminal matters. Sarah, Hugh, and Mick attempt to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of their success and personal happiness. Readers who are willing to overlook this book's implausible elements, histrionics, anachronisms (the dialogue bears little resemblance to the language of the Victorian era) and overly cluttered plot, may find "The Hangman's Secret" to be a lively, action-packed, and atmospheric whodunit.