One of the best stories I've read lately. The Corpse Played Dead was interesting with fully developed characters. I can't wait to read more by this author.

I love this series. Lizzie Hardwicke goes undercover in the theatre to help the handsome Bow Street Runner William Davenport to find out the reason behind some strange happenings. She becomes entangled in something far more sinister and uses her significant charm, intelligence and compassion to solve the mystery. She's a much better investigator than any of the Runners - perhaps her life as a high-end courtesan may be drawing to a close. I wonder what William Davenport will do if Lizzie becomes more respectable company? Can't wait to find out.

The Corpse Played Dead (Lizzie Hardwicke #2)
Author: Georgina Clarke
Publisher: Canelo
Publication Date: August 19, 2019
4 Stars

Lizzie Hardwicke is a prostitute at a high end brothel. In exchange for some extra money, she has agreed to work on occasion for Mr. Fielding, the chief of the Bow Street Runners. He had found her useful on a recent case, and thought she might also be helpful in the future. Her main contact is inspector Davenport. Davenport is impressed with Lizzie’s attention to detail and her logical thinking. He calls her in to help with a case at the theater on Drury Lane. Many unexplained accidents have happened there, and he inserts Lizzie as a seamstress so she can find out the truth. Lizzie is in for much more than she bargained for though when the next “accident” involved the brutal death of Lord Hawbridge.

Lizzie is an engaging heroine. Her duel backgrounds provide some unique characteristics. Her upper class upbringing brings book smarts and logic to the table. Her second life, after her father banished her, brings her street smarts and most likely the attention to detail she processes. As much as Lizzie is a likable character, Lord Hawbridge is as equally a repulsive character. It was hard to feel sorry that he was killed. He was a truly disdainful character. The man had a terrible temper that flared anytime he did not get his way. Lizzie, however, is still determined to figure out who killed him. It speaks a lot about her admirable qualities. The author did a great job on further developing both Lizzie and Davenport’s characters and creating some new and interesting players.

Georgina Clarke has written a great follow up to Death and the Harlot. I thought I would have trouble with Lucy’s career, but it brings a unique multifaceted platform to the plot. The mystery is great and Lizzie does a great job of digging to get to the truth. Her actions seem believable and help the reader navigate to the truth. The story kept me guessing all the way until the end when Lizzie puts all the clues together.

The setting is fascinating, and the author does a tremendous job bringing the reader back in time.

I’m looking forward to the third book in the series which, I believe, the author mentioned will feature the other girls of the house more prominently again.

Thanks to Net Galley And Canelo for an ARC of this book. #NetGalley #TheCorpsePlayedDead

The Corpse Played Dead is the second book in the series and equally entertaining as the first. The series is now has copper-fastened in my auto buy list.

The characters are hugely appealing. The honourable Inspector Davenport, enlists the help of feisty and beautiful Lizzie Hardwicke. I couldn't help but suspect that he recruited her simply to keep her out of the brothel. I'm hoping his next case won't be too far away.

The time and setting is thoroughly researched so everything about the place and characters ring true. I felt like I could almost walk into that theatre and touch it.

The murder mystery itself was very intriguing. I didn't have much sympathy for the first victim but when the bodies started to pile up it was a different matter. It got very suspenseful and exciting towards the end and I was gobsmacked at the identity of the killer.

I love the relationship between Lizzie and the Inspector. They have the beginnings of a close friendship and partnership of sorts and I have a feeling we will be teased with the 'will they or won't they' for a while to come. I can't wait.

I was really excited to read this, the second book starring Lizzie Hardwicke, since I enjoyed the first one, Death and the Harlot, so much.

Lizzie is once again assisting the magistrate Mr Fielding and his men, especially Mr Davenport. There are strange things happening at a local theatre - things going missing, damage, and people being injured. Lizzie is sent in undercover as a seamstress to snoop around and see if she can find out what's going on. Unfortunately, where Lizzie goes, trouble usually follows, and sometimes murder...

I do think you probably need to have read the first book before this one. The author does explain the back story where needed so that anyone can understand the relevance of certain bits, but it's not the same as having discovered Lizzie's past for yourself. So I would recommend reading the books in order. Also, they are both great so you should read them both anyway!

The writing is really good, particularly the characterisation. Even characters with tiny cameo parts in the story come across in full colour and animation. You can imagine Lizzie's world with ease thanks to the author's descriptions of the time and the area around Drury Lane. Of course, Lizzie herself is a fantastic heroine. She's not perfect, but she has a big heart and her kindness always shines through the dirt covering her life.

In case you didn't realise from reading my review, I liked this book. It was entertaining, never ever boring and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery and a bit of tongue in cheek fun.

This is the first story that I read that a prostitute is the main character and Lizzie is assigned to be an undercover seamstress. Wow!

I love theaters and reading the story took me back when I was in college and I was into Theater production.

I was totally surprised by the murderer and the real motive of the killing. Hands down!

I'm looking forward to the third book of this series! Hopefully Will and Lizzies' love story!

Thank you to Canelo and Netgalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed the first book and the second book did not disappoint. Lizzie is feisty as ever. I hope Lizzie and Davenport get together. I look forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book and the first book.
A Big Thank You goes out to Netgalley and Canelo for providing me with an advanced digital read. The opinions expressed on this review are my own.

Absolutely loved this story and it’s sassy heroine. Fun trying to solve the mystery although some parts were a little predictable. Great read. Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

"The Corpse Played Dead" is the second book in the series and it's just as good as the first. In this story, Davenport, the Bow Street Runner, recruits the courtesan, Lizzie Hardwicke, to work undercover in a theater on Drury Lane to find out what's really going on there. The theater has been plagued with mysterious incidents which eventually escalates into murder and Lizzie is right there in the thick of it....

I love everything about this series- the setting, the characters, the humorous dialogue and the intriguing murder mysteries that always arise. I especially like the developing friendship between Lizzie and Davenport. I think he seeks out Lizzie's help, to keep her busy and away from Ms. Farley's more then anything, because he likes her and doesn't particularly want her working as a courtesan. I can't wait to see how their relationship develops. I keep hoping Lizzie we'll get a "Pretty Woman" ending although I know it's a little too soon in the series for that just yet. : )

First thing first, the writing. It’s captivating and once I started the reading it was really hard to close the book and walk away from it. Lizzie’s voice (the MC and narrator) captures you and lures you in the story, and in just a moment you are not on your sofa, or on the train, but there, with her, in London, in the theater where a great part of the story takes part.
And then we have Lizzie herself. She is an unusual choice since she’s a prostitute who, from time to time, helps the police to investigate. So, she’s quite unique. And she has character, too. You just have to appreciate her! And I loved her “relationship” with Inspector Davenport. I am not so fond of him as a character, at least for now, but I think we would see more of him around in the next books, and I am so looking forward to seeing more of them together because those were my favorite parts of all the book. And even if he is not my favorite character I liked him and I loved the way they interact with each other.

For the historical part I can’t really judge, because I am not an expert, but it seems like the author did her research, because all seems pretty accurate and it seems so real, both the London setting that the theater with all its connotations: the workers, the social aspect of it, the relationship between actors and patrons. Again, I am not an expert, so maybe it’s not as accurate as I think it is, but I enjoyed it, and that’s the important part.

All in all it’s a quick and fresh reading, with some original points in it, that bring you in another time and space. I don’t think I could have asked for something more, and I enjoyed myself a lot. Now I have to patiently wait for the next book to be out, because I would read it, for sure! (But, since I am not so patient I think I would occupy myself with the first book on the series!).

Well, this was different. And I mean that in a good way.

Georgina Clarke’s The Corpse Played Dead is set in Regency London and begins with notorious prostitute Lizzie Hardwick on the way to the theatre, dressed up in her finery, travelling the streets in company of her employer and to the jeers of the crowd — because Lizzie is a woman who (in a previous book in the series) sent a murderer to the gallows and he died cursing her. What a start!

This is the second in the Lizzie Hardwick series and I came to it without having read the first, but didn’t need to know the earlier story to become completely consumed by this one. Lizzie’s previous involvement in crime has brought her to the attention of the Bow Street Runners (the police). When strange and violent happenings begin to occur at the Garrick Theatre she’s persuaded to trade her trade (so to speak) for more honest employment as a seamstress at the theatre in order to find out who is prepared to commit murder to ruin theatre manager and impresario David Garrick — and why.

This was a terrific story, and Lizzie is a terrific lead. The supporting characters are all terrific, too (I particularly enjoyed the public love-ins and private bitching that characterised both Lizzie’s relationship with her co-workers and those of the actors). And Lizzie’s slow-burn relationship with the handsome, austere and disapproving law officer Will Davenport is one that’s captured me early on and is, I hope, going to keep me engaged for some time yet.

This is by no means the first book of this period that I’ve read with a theatrical setting, but nevertheless I liked the original take on the more traditional regency novel, with the heroine a straight-up honest and open prostitute rather than a slandered and maligned woman of better quality. It meant that her relationship with Will is problematic and, I think, her feelings about herself, too.

It was nicely written, beautifully set and a page-turner. What more could you ask?

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

This is the second book in the Lizzie Hardwick series and, I have done it again and started not at the beginning.

This is an enjoyable read, I wish i had readthe first one first, to see if i could pick up on Lizzie herself.

I shall more than likely, read the forst one and then this one again.

I do recommend this series for sure!

A wonderful follow up to Death and the Harlot with the tart with a heart lead character Lizzie Hardwicke turning sleuth again to solve another crime.

I loved the first book and this one didn't disappoint either. Some great characters especially Lizzie and Davenport, lots of action and twists aplenty its sheer entertainment from a very talented author who has created a genuine gem in her lead character.

Corpse


Lizzie is a high end prostitute. She lives in a bawdy house with a Madam. She doesn't work the streets. When a Bow Street detective, named Davenport asks for her help, she agrees . They have worked together before. Money is to change hands as nothing is free. She goes undercover as a seamstress in Drury Lane. There have been accidents and worse at the theater. Lizzie listens very closely the chatter between the actors and their visitors.. The seamstress that she works for is a kind woman who helps her adjust. When Lizzie finds a dead body, everyone comes under suspicion. Who killed the murdered man and why? This is not a romance. It is a murder mystery and a who done it. I received this book from Net Galley and Canelo for a honest review. The opinions are my own..

Lizzie Hardwicke is back in the second book in the series by Georgina Clarke, the first book ‘Death and the Harlot‘ I reviewed back in May.

In ‘The Corpse Played Dead’, prostitute Lizzie is once again helping Inspector Will Davenport this time working undercover in Theatre Royal where a series of serious accidents have happened and the owner Mr. Garrick believes someone is trying to ruin him.

Lizzie is now working as a seamstress in the theatre so that she can keep an eye on what is happening and report any problems, though she didn’t expect to find a prominent man, albeit an arrogant, nasty man, Lord Hawbridge with his throat sliced dangling above the stage.

With the accidents at the theatre now turning to murder the race is on to find who is trying to ruin Mr. Garrick.

What I love about this series is how likeable Lizzie Hardwicke is. She is ballsy, strong-minded and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. We know that she ended up at Ma Farley’s Bawdy House in Soho working as a prostitute after her mother died and her father kicked her out. Back in them days, there weren’t many working options for women and so Lizzie chose to become a prostitute, one of the best she would tell you.

After what happened in the first book – I won’t give anything away – Lizzie has become quite famous and everyone knows her name and the men all want a piece of her, so going undercover wouldn’t be easy but with her beautiful dresses swapped for rags, her makeup removed, and hair now limp no-one could recognised the famous ‘Lizzie’, not even herself.

The whole plot is exciting and you will feel like you have stepped back in time as Georgina Clarke has certainly done her research on the Georgian era. There were plenty of characters all who played their parts beautifully and made you feel like you were watching the story unfold rather than reading about it.

The first book was a page-turner, this one had me invested from the first page to the last and I eagerly returned to it every time I had to put it down. The only things that I missed were Ma and the girls as they didn’t really play a part in this book and I would love to of seen more of Davenport too. I now can’t wait for book three and to see what happens in Lizzie’s life next.

This is the second Lizzie Hardwick novel and this one is just as good as the first.
A great book with a mystery and two murders to investigate. Lizzie a high class prostitute is once again recruited by Davenport to go undercover as a seamstress in Garrick’s Drury Lane theatre to spy on the goings on and soon the reader is immersed in the day to day lives of the theatre folk and the aristocracy who fawn upon the actresses and the lower classes of the theatre.
Brilliant read if you have read the first Lizzie Hardwick novel you will love this just as much.

Before I even start reviewing this book, I just want to comment on how utterly stunning the cover for it is. It was one of the rare cases where I looked at the cover and just had to read the book. And I must say, the book really does live up to that fantastic cover, because it’s an excellent and genuinely different read, with a sex worker heroine helping Bow Street investigators solve crimes in the Georgian era. While the date isn’t stated, two real historical figures who appear place it sometime around 1750-1760 or so, and the author does a stellar job of placing the reader in that time period with realistic portrayal of the gritty lives of the lower classes at the time.

Lizzie Hardwicke is only 19, but she’s a world-weary, experienced, high-class prostitute in London. An evening at the theatre promises some entertainment as well as exposure to potential new wealthy clients, but when the night ends in tragedy Lizzie is approached by Mr. Davenport, a Bow Street investigator she’s worked with before, to ask if she’d consider going undercover in the theatre. Even though the job would present both a loss of income and a status drop for her, Lizzie can’t resist the challenge.

There’s a colourful cast of characters, but the core group are kept fairly tight so there’s no sense of being too many for the book. I really didn’t see the twist coming any more than Lizzie did, but looking back the clues had been carefully planted right from the beginning. It was really cleverly done.

Don’t go into this expecting a romance because there’s really only the faintest hint of one; Lizzie is jaded, despite her youth, and her potential love interest is ‘respectable’ and all too aware of her profession. I’d be interested to see how this will progress in future books in the series, though. Five stars for an unputdownable read!

What a pleasure to read something where the characters are well-rounded, well-developed and feel real for the times as well as having equally well-developed fascinating contexts. Set in mid 18th century London amidst the tawrdy but lively theatre of Garrick's times there are dark deeds agoing on in the theatre. Bow Street hero, Will Davenport, involves again high society harlot (with a heart of gold and feet on the ground) heroine Lizzie Hardwicke in spying for him by getting her employed as a junior seamstress in the theatre. She rapidly gets engrossed in that life and plays the spy perfectly. A very gory murder occurs and there are plenty of suspects and red herrings to keep one guessing to the end. She and Davenport work well together, a strong team and there may well be more to come - I sincerely hope so. Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another superb book that mixes fact with fiction. Again we meet the double act of Lizzie and Davenport. This strange pairing have the ability to solve crimes.
We find ourselves in Drury Lane in the 1770's. Packed theatres, crime is rife and the William Fielding is in charge of investigations.
An action packed book from start to finish.

Another excellent entry from this author in the Lizzie Hardwicke series. I really enjoyed this and the first book. Lizzie is a fantastic heroine - strong, feisty, sassy - and a worthy match for Davenport. I loved the backdrop of the Drury Lane theatre and enjoyed trying to solve the mystery too. Some parts were a little more predictable, though the final twist was satisfyingly surprising. A couple scenes were a little gory, and I didn't really understand the title, but apart from that, this was a highly enjoyable read. I am really looking forward to the next installment!

My thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC via netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.