A very good read for anyone who enjoys a good who-dunnit. Masterfully written with evocative detail transporting you there as though watching what unfolds from the shadows. Thoroughly enjoyed!

A uniquely atmospheric murder mystery

I am a great fan of the classic whodunnit and am always willing to give historical murder mysteries a try. Although interesting, I found this one a little uneven and don't think I will hunt down the preceding or subsequent in the series.

Plot: there are two plots intertwined here - murder and missing person - and I won't spoil how they are tie together. They seemed to take a while to kick in, so after the climax, I had to reread the beginning just to see how what clues were scattered from the start. Both played out satisfactorily, to my mind, though seemed to go over-long with the red herrings.

Characters: the main character, Heloise Chancey, is a bit of an odd duck. She is the main POV but I can't say I really liked or got to know her. Perhaps this is stems from starting at book 2 of a series, but the overall impression I got of Heloise was of a vain, selfish woman who sees the detective thing as a bit of a lark and something to do while her married lover is tending to his pregnant wife. Far more interesting is her mother and maid (yeah, that made me raise an eyebrow), whose POV carried the B plot and whose perspective on Victorian London was altogether unique and compelling.

Setting; I haven't read much in Victorian England, but I liked how in addition to the parlours and parks, we get to see the docks and the immigrant quarters, where immigrant sailors mingle with the outcasts of society. I loved the diversity shown and the writing here is evocative and rich as it draws the reader into a London that I've rarely seen.

Verdict: an interesting mystery with a fascinating and well-written setting, but let down by a main character I couldn't get behind

Disclaimer: I received a copy of theis book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own

A NECESSARY MURDER
(Heloise Chancey: #2)
Written by M.J. Tjia
2018; Pantera Press/Legend Press
Genre: fiction, series, historical mystery

(Review Not on Blog)

RATING: 1.5 STAR (DNF @15%)

I finished the first book, and it wasn't my cuppa tea, but wanted to give the second book a try. It was very much like the first - slow and not exciting, so I gave up on the book. I will not be continuing the series.

***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***

I had hoped that since this was a new mystery that the story would improve. However, it did not. The protagonist was still unlikeable. there were still a graphic scenes and violence. There was no improvement in this book, and I really cannot recommend it.

I really liked the first book in this series, and while I didn't care for this one quite as much it was still largely enjoyable. I feel like it lagged a bit in the beginning, but the rest more than made up for a bit of a slow start. I do really like the main character and am looking forward to continuing the series.

I wanted to like this a lot more than I did, because the heroine is that rare creature in a historical fiction book; a person of colour. Heloise Chancey is a half-Chinese, high-class courtesan in Victorian London, living with her maid/mother Amah Li Leen and occasionally solving crimes. This is the second book in a series about Heloise, and I’m not sure how much backstory we missed in the first, but despite much of the book being told in the first person from Heloise’s point of view, I didn’t feel like I really got to know her at all.

The parts of the book told in third person with Amah as the protagonist were the parts I really enjoyed. Most people don’t think about the fact that Victorian London was a melting pot of different cultures, with sailors coming in daily on ships from all over the world. The dock areas were populated with Chinese, Indian, Malay, Jamaican, Zanzibaran and many more non-European folk, and it’s really a refreshing change to have them not just featured but actually star in a historical novel. Reading about Amah’s life experiences and her current way of life as a Malayan Chinese woman in London was enlightening and intriguing, as were the references to an early Chinese triad gang who came under suspicion for the murders in the book.

This isn’t a read for the faint-hearted; it’s billed as Agatha Christie meets Sherlock Holmes and there’s more than enough blood and gore in it to suit fans of either, including the gruesome murder of a young girl, and an attempted sexual assault which could prove triggering for some. The mystery was intriguing and I really didn’t figure out whodunnit until the reveals.

I did enjoy this, but Heloise was just too enigmatic a character for me to really get to know her, particularly with most of the book told in her first-person PoV. Four stars.

This was a second in series featuring a courtesan/former actress who occasionally helps a detective agency solve crimes. I read the first one not long ago and rated it a 3.5/5...between a so-so and a pick. I enjoyed this one more. Good mystery (actually there are TWO) with twists (most of which I saw coming). Heroine is strong, feisty and an interesting character. Be warned however, there are some gruesome spots. Plan to continue with the series.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #PanteraPress for the ARC.

I previously downloaded this book and just went to read however the file that downloaded was only the book metadata so I xannot read and review

Thankyou to NetGalley, Pantera Press and M.J Tina for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of A Necessary Murder.
I initially thought I was not going to enjoy reading this book as it seemed to be very slow to start. I persevered though and ended up enjoying it. I really liked the descriptive setting in the story and loved the character Heloise.
A good read for a rainy day.

The murder spree starts in Stoke Newington, 1863 where three year old Margaret Lovejoy is found murdered. A few days later a man is murdered in a similar way and found outside the house of courtesan Heloise Chancey. What could possible connect them
I found that I really didn't care for any of the characters especially Heloise. Or the change in the pov telling, or the use of present tense in the story. There seemed to be too much historical fiction and not enough mystery for me.

Loved the first in the series - She Be Damned - and this second outing is a continuation of the story of Victorian England courtesan, Heloise Chancery.

Victorian England was a hotbed of crime and unsolved murders, with the influx of peoples from exotic locations as the Empire spread its grubby hands in the name of commerce and trade. A perfect backdrop for a thrilling story.

In this story, a link to the past rears its ugly head, resulting in a series of gruesome murders - all of which has the seemingly unflappable Amah Li Leen in a proverbial flap! What in Amah's past has come back to haunt her?

Yet, what I was immediately struck by when embarking on this story, was the similarity with the "The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: A Shocking Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective" by Kate Summerscale.


I will let the reader decide.

Hello, my friend. This is exactly how this book felt. This book is second adventure of Heloise Chancey. I met her again. I spend a couple of days in her company. And just like an old friend, I was happy to see her but a bit bored with her stories (as I knew what she is like by now).
A Necessary Murder felt a bit slow to begin with (too many champagne bubbles, I guess). But then it sped up and unfolded quite nicely. 

The second case of Mrs Chancey turned out quite fun to read about. There was too much blood, too many man, some loving and a lot of hating, a few secrets and some silly babies. It all turned out all right at the end... or did it?

Read on. It's fun.

I read the first book in this series, She Be Damned, a few weeks ago, having bought it because I got this from NetGalley and didn't want to read them out of order. Overall I liked that one more than this, which rather dragged until the end when all the action happens. It would be okay to read this as a standalone, in fact, as you are given enough backstory and they are separate mysteries.

Heloise Chancey, courtesan, sometime actress, and occasional detective, is hosting a soirée at her elegant Mayfair home, with her lover, Hatterleigh, and various society friends, when a man is found on her doorstep with his throat slashed. This murder is very similar to that of a young girl in Stoke Newington, so Heloise is persuaded to go undercover as a nursemaid for the remaining children. Meanwhile Amah Li Leen is trying to find her nephew, back in London after a long journey, and wondering why he has been spotted near the crime scene...

I like the premise of these books, a feisty independent female solving mysteries in Victorian London. There were evocative descriptions of the foul smelling streets, and horrendous poverty.
In the first book, Heloise's vanity and obsession with her clothes amusing, but here it crosses over into arrogance and became rather tedious. On the other hand, she did a lot more actual detecting in this one, and generally got herself out of trouble, rather than having to be rescued. She seemed more selfish here, though, and treats her mother appallingly. The mystery took a bit of unravelling and relied on some hefty coincidences, but I didn't guess the killer's identity.

I probably won't read any more of these, because they are written in the first person present, which I loathe. This is a shame, as otherwise the writing was pretty good, and it feels like there is more to find out about Heloise and Li Leen. Thanks to NetGalley and Pantera Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

NB this is the third book I have read from this Australian publisher, and the ARCs were all were only available via Adobe Digital Editions, rather than Kindle. This may limit availability for some, especially as it disappeared from the app on my main iPad, although fortunately remained on the old one, as I was midway through. This doesn't matter now, as it's past the archive date, but is a warning to me and others to be careful with any future requests. They have generally been good books, different to the ordinary, so I do recommend checking them out, especially as from memory they were all "Read Now."

‘The heavy slop-pail bumps against Ruth’s leg as she walks down the path to the privy.’

One morning in 1863, Margaret Lovejoy is found murdered in the outhouse at her home. She is only a child. Just days later, a man is murdered in a similar way on Heloise Chancey’s doorstep. Heloise Chancey, courtesan and occasional detective, is asked to assist the police.

‘In what capacity would I assist?’

And, at the same time as Heloise is considering accommodating the police request for her assistance into her busy life, her Amah Li Leen is preoccupied with the past. The police suspect that the murders may be connected and that a Chinese gang might be involved. Heloise is asked to go to the Lovejoy home, to work undercover as a nursemaid to the Lovejoy’s son Cyril.

This is the second of a series of novels by Ms Tjia to feature Heloise Chancey. While I find Heloise a most unlikely character, I find these murder mysteries interesting. There are two strands to this story: first, Heloise’s exploits as she tries to work out who is responsible for the murders, and Li Leen’s exploration of the past. Both Li Leen and Heloise are in danger while they undertake their investigations, and I kept turning the pages as their stories alternated.

Did I work out who was responsible? No. Ms Tjia’s cleverly plotted story kept me guessing. While I find Heloise a disconcerting character, I admire her style. I find Li Leen an interesting character, and enjoyed learning more about her. Overall, I enjoyed this novel marginally more than the first. While the novel can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the novels in order.

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

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Unfortunately I forgot this book was on my shelf and I did not download it in time before it was archived. It's a shame as it looked like a cracking good read. I loved the synopsis and the cover looked good. I wish the author every success and hope the book does well. Thanks for the opportunity, sorry I didn't follow through. Hopefully I can review books for you in future.

The author has this read set in England however it has also been given an exotic past connection involving areas of Malaysia, Indonesia and Burma that form part of the plot. Early in the book Heloise a high class courtesan (and detective) is holding a soirée when a young child’s murder of a mutual friend is discussed and where during the discourse comes to light that threatening notes have been received by those mutually acquainted during their time in the east. Heloise is of mixed race which she hides successfully from her English acquaintances given the times of probable discrimination she would never be accepted into the circles she mixes in. Her maid Amah Li Leen a Malay is her mother but the link is kept secret. The story revolves around both of these women, Amah’s past is revealed that helps to form a subplot whereby she becomes obsessed with the thought that a family member is involved with the spate of murders. She sets out to search for Jakub who has recently returned to England from China and who disillusioned about his birth family has been on his own quest to discover the truth which also involves the same group of men. The group of men have received the threatening notes with signatures from a Chinese underworld gang and the connection is made to the Chinese uprising and deaths that occurred with regard to the Antimony mines. The Police making little headway organise Heloise to go under cover. However she is caught up in the trap and finds herself in real danger. Finally, the truth is revealed, Heloise is able to make valuable connections that ensures the real culprit is finally caught. The author has cleverly drawn out the book in such a manner that the reader is kept in suspense until the last chapter.

I requested this as I had read She Be Damned last year and more or less enjoyed it.

This is another Victorian era romp of murder & mystery involving courtesan & lady detective "Mrs" Eloise Chancy. Along for the ride is her Chinese Malay mother & ladies' maid Amah Li Leen

I found it very difficult to get invested & only really started to enjoy at the 80% Mark which is why I went with 2 stars. Coincidentally this marks the plot twist & big reveal. There was really not much detecting happening and a fair few red herrings. I somehow got lost in there.

Read if you enjoyed She Be Damned and absolutely couldn't wait to find out what happened next. There wasn't really an underlying series arc so you could read this as a standalone.

I have to admit that when I started this book, I wasn't sure that I was going to enjoy it. Although the storyline was interesting, there was something that just seemed to stop me from really connecting with the characters. As I read on, the story sucked me in and I found that I was really enjoying it.

When it comes to murder mysteries my usual tests are did I solve the mystery? If I did, was it too obvious and if I didn't, does the solution actually work and make sense? I have to admit that I didn't come close to getting this one. Fortunately, though, that wasn't because it didn't work, but just because it was quite complex and I didn't hook onto any of the clues that might have helped me.

The plot was great and I really enjoyed it. My only reservation with this book is some of the characters. I don't know why, but I found it hard to feel much for them. The main character, Heloise has a lot going for her, but somehow it just falls a little short for me. I don't know if she isn't quite of the period, or if it's something else. I don't think the switching between her viewpoint and then a third person viewpoint when following other characters.

This is only the second novel in the series, I will admit that I haven't read the first, perhaps this problem with characterisation might be ironed out in later instalments? I would certainly be interested in reading more and finding out. If you're looking for a gritty historical murder mystery that pulls no punches, then you won't go far wrong here.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved this book as much as I loved the first instalment in this series.
There's a great heroine, a great settings and a cast of likeable characters.
The plot is fascinating and keep you hooked till the end.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC

It starts with a little girl murdered in the outhouse. Then men begin dying of a slit throat. What's going on?

Pantera Press and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It has been published so you can buy a copy now.

As more men die, Heloise's mother gets more upset. She's afraid her nephew might be the killer. Heloise has several suspects but then they end up dead.

The cause for the retribution lays in the past and it takes some digging to get to the truth. Heloise almost ends up dead herself.

This was a good mystery even if the deaths were grotesque. You can try to bury the past but it doesn't always stay that way...