I’ve been anxiously awaiting the next installment in the Lizzie Hardwicke series and it does not disappoint! Ms. Clarke has another winner on her hands. The Corpse Played Dead is just as intriguing and brilliantly written as the first book in the series, Death and the Harlot.

The Corpse Played Dead picks up two months after the end of the last book. Lizzie, a high-class prostitute at Ma Farley’s bawdy house, is enjoying a degree of notoriety after helping Bow Street solve a murder mystery. And now Bow Street – and in particular, investigator Will Davenport -  wants Lizzie’s help again, this time to portray a seamstress employed at a Drury Lane theatre that has been plagued by mishaps or perhaps deliberate attempts to undermine theatre owner David Garrick. Lizzie can’t resist - curiosity being her downfall - and the investigation begins. The little mishaps continue with Lizzie quietly observing and probing the members of the theatre group and then, quite out of the blue, one of the wealthier patrons of the theatre, the Earl of Hawbridge, is found, by Lizzie, hung, upside down, throat slashed in the middle of the stage.

This changes everything. Davenport gives Lizzie a chance to pull out of the investigation but Lizzie is too intrigued - she knew Hawbridge from her life before Ma Farley’s house and she now has a relationship with most of the suspects, so she’s not going anywhere. Why has the trouble at the theatre escalated from a few broken candelabras and threatening notes to a brutal murder? Who are the two men that are comforting the Countess of Hawbridge? Where is the playwright who threatened Garrick in his own theatre? The race to solve the mystery is on!

Once again, Ms. Clarke delivers an enthralling whodunit full of intriguing characters and well-researched writing. I loved the descriptions of theatre life and the rabbit warren of the backstage. As in the previous book, Ms. Clarke brings real-life people into her stories - this time famous theatre owner David Garrick. It’s a fast-paced, satisfying read with a surprise (yet plausible) ending and all the loose threads nicely tied up.

Lizzie Hardwicke is fast becoming one of my favorite heroines. She is certainly an unconventional heroine with her livelihood as a harlot - something she still makes no apologies for and is doing her best to leave once she accumulates enough savings. She is strong, courageous, clever, and thoroughly likeable, and Ms. Clarke is able to make us see that what Lizzie does for a living does not define who she is.

The Corpse Played Dead also gives us some progress in the relationship between Davenport and Lizzie. Davenport’s ideals have become less black and white - entertaining a few shades of gray now. And, unconsciously I believe, he is starting to see Lizzie as a woman and not just a whore.

He stared at my hand for a moment, and then placed his own hand over mine, holding it firmly against his coat. I could feel his heart beating beneath my fingers. I could feel my own pounding inside my ribs...Then he suddenly stepped back, nodded goodnight and turned away towards the Garden, disappearing into the throng.

A feeling that I had not known before rose within me as I watched him go, the warmth of his hand still lingering on mine. The feeling troubled me, so I pushed it away.

The moments between Davenport and Lizzie were my favorite and the chemistry between them is wonderful. Davenport is clearly beginning to feel a spark of admiration and attraction to Lizzie. The final scene in the book gave me goosebumps of excitement, hope, foreboding... Frankly, I have no idea how Ms. Clarke is going to bring these two together but I trust her implicitly!

The Corpse Played Dead could be read as a stand-alone but do yourself a favor and start at the beginning. The development of the relationship between Lizzie and Davenport is not to be missed, and I can’t wait for the next installment!

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Georgian London was vibrant and colorful and I love when I can get a gruesome murder and a clever cast of characters in such a setting. A courtesan and a Bow Street Runner make up the detecting team of this series and it’s an interesting a dynamic as you would suppose.

The Corpse Played Dead is the second entry in the series. I missed the first book in the series (but will be going back for it, now) and had no trouble jumping in since the mystery and situation are standalone.

Lizzie Hardwicke, courtesan in a high-priced brothel, is notorious these days after starting out one of the accused and then helping solve a murder. But, even as her madam wants to cash in on her fleeting fame, a certain Bow Street Runner appears and needs her expertise in working a case from the inside. Davenport wants her to go undercover in Garrick’s Theater to discover if the string of disasters are really sabotage as Garrick suspects. But, her first night after meeting all the players and stage hands, she discovers a gruesome murder and theater accidents become the least of her worries.

Lizzie is a complex character with a past that has her falling from the Gentry class before becoming a successful high-price courtesan. She’s bright and observant and knows human nature and motives well. A rough start with Davenport now has them on a more solid footing though she is well aware that this widower, former physician and still current gentleman in class even though he is one of Fielding’s Runners is out of her class.

As fascinated I was with Lizzie and Davenport, I also found the theater setting and cast of characters surrounding the mystery just as fascinating. The author did her homework on Georgian London, Garrick, his theater, and the early Bow Street Runners under Fielding. I took in the background of this story through all my senses as a result of the descriptions given. The bustling, sometimes dangerous streets of London from Covent Garden to the dignified West End and the colorful and bawdy world of the theater particularly back stage.

The mystery was clever. I had some of it figured out, but there was a final twist that gave me a big ‘aha’ when some things took on their full significance after I knew the truth. The clues came as Lizzie observed the people around her at the theater and took the initiative to slip in some questions. She had good instinct and she was smart about extricating herself from dangerous situations. She’s a great detecting heroine and I can’t wait to see her and the redoubtable Davenport in action for many more murder mystery cases.

All in all, I was well pleased with this new historical mystery discovery and can heartily recommend it to other fans of the genre.

This was another very good read in this series. This time the theatre was the scene for the action, with all the back stage activities. There were the jealousies between the actors and the treatment of the servants. Lizzie finds herself in this situation as a spy for the magistrate. There is a murderer to uncover and involvement of the aristocracy. Lizzie is the shining light in this series and it is written in a way that the story just flows along. Also, there is the relationship between Lizzie and William Davenport. This has a number of twists and turns and the perpetrator is not discovered until towards the end. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I did preorder a copy as well.

I’m enjoying this series about a mystery-solving, 18th century bawd. As historical fiction goes, this isn’t as evocative as I like. It is very well researched and historically correct, but Clarke’s choice not to use period language gives the books a more modern feel than I prefer. That is my only caveat, though, this was a tremendously fun book with a unique and engaging heroine. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy to review.

Another eighteenth-century adventure with the irrepressible Lizzie Hardwicke and the self-contained detective Davenport.

If you haven't read the first book in the series, 'Death and the Harlot', there is enough backstory in this to enjoy this standalone story, but you're missing out if you don't read book one.

Lizzie remains a believable historical character, with flaws, a clever mind, courage and compassion. The tentative friendship between her and Davenport develops in this story, the opposites are perfect counterpoints for the other, leading to humour and witty dialogue. The possibility of love hangs in the air, but both are emotionally damaged, and the trust between them will take a while to build.

Lizzie goes undercover as a seamstress in the famous Drury Lane Theatre, a wonderfully atmospheric setting for a historical murder mystery. The disruptive incidents that have occurred soon turn into something more deadly and Lizzie has to find the culprit.

There are lots of suspects, clues and drama in this story, with a medley of historical figures and authentic fictional characters, it holds your interest, proving to be as enthralling as any play staged in the famous theatre.

A lovely, original story with realistic characters and a clever plot.

I received a copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

My thanks to Canelo for an eARC via NetGalley of Georgina Clarke’s ‘The Corpse Played Dead’ in exchange for an honest review.

On publication day I elected to purchase the ebook/audiobook combination to allow for an immersive reading experience.

This is the second in her Lizzie Hardwicke series set in 1759 London. Its narrator, Lizzie, is a high class prostitute whose background was established in ‘Death and the Harlot’. At the end of that novel it was suggested that Lizzie might on occasion provide useful information to Magistrate John Fielding, becoming the Georgian equivalent of a confidential informant.

In ‘The Corpse Played Dead’ William Davenport, who works out of Bow Street for Fielding, asks Lizzie to go undercover as a seamstress at David Garrick’s Drury Lane Theatre. Mr. Garrick had been visiting Bow Street almost daily claiming that someone is trying to sabotage his theatre with a series of incidents of damage and theft. Working in the theatre will allow Lizzie to scope out the situation.

Lizzie agrees and before long becomes aware of a great deal of tension between various theatre people. Then Lizzie discovers the body of one of the theatre’s investors. He has been brutally murdered. From there this becomes a fast-paced whodunnit with Lizzie and Davenport teaming up to solve the murder.

This was another fun romp and I just adore Lizzie Hardwicke as a character; she is resourceful and intelligent with a great heart and lively sense of humour. Davenport is a great foil to her effervescence as he is a very sober, upright gentleman though does have a sharp wit leading to some great verbal sparring between them.

Two great leads and a sprinkling of historical figures in the supporting cast with a meticulously researched and well realised period setting is just heaven for me.

It proved a very satisfying historical mystery and I shall be waiting patiently for further adventures for Miss Hardwicke and company.

May 1759 and prostitute Lizzie Hardwicke is asked by Inspector William Davenport to assist with his inquiries. Theatre manager David Garrick has approached his friend John Fielding concerning incidents that have been happening at his theatre. Fielding sends one of hs detectives to investigate. Davenport wants Lizzie to work undercover as a seamstress while looking into these incidents. But events get worse when she discovers a murdered body.
An enjoyable and well-written mystery with its interesting characters. Hopefully any romance between the two main characters will not occur, and would also be unbelievable, and the series will concentrate on the mystery aspects.

I loved the first book in this series and I inhaled this one as it's very engrossing and entertaining.
The well researched historical background, the character development, the humour and a well crafted mystery are the elements that make this book a really good one.
I love Liz, I think she's a strong willed woman and I appreciated how fleshed out and realistic she is.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. The Corpse Played Dead is the second title in the series following Lizzie Hardwicke, a 1700s harlot. After the events of the first book lead to the capture of a murder, Lizzie has developed some public attention and to capitalize on it, Ma decides to take Lizzie and the other girls in the house to a play featuring Mr. Garrick and his Drury Lane theater company. An accident interrupts the play and Lizzie finds herself asked by William Davenport (a Bow Street Runner) to go undercover in the company to help investigate a series of accidents the include the one that ended the show. Lizzie agrees and finds herself seeking work as a down on her luck young lady looking for anything paying; she quickly finds a job with the company as a second seamstress under Molly.

The mystery in this book involving the accidents and a gruesome are well written and kept me guessing, but my favorite part of this series is the view the author provides of the gritter side of 1700's London. We see more glimpses into Lizzie's previous life before she became a London harlot, and the desperation that many of the underclass in London felt just trying to earn enough money to eat let alone have a sturdy roof over their head. The plight of the underclass is very well done here, especially to women without a male to look out for them. This book also provides a glimpse into the attitudes of the upper class towards commoners and how commoners viewed their social superiors.

I enjoyed this book tremendously and hope that there are many more books to come featuring Lizzie Hardwicke.

The Corpse Played Dead by Georgina Clarke
Lizzie Hardwicke #2

Intriguing premise for a book set in 1759 London sees Lizzie Hardwicke helping what will one be the Bow Street Runners solve a case in Drury Lane Theater. Mischief has been occurring and the theater manager has asked for help so the Magistrate requests Lizzie’s undercover assistance posing as a seamstress to spy on the situation. Little does Lizzie realize that there will be more than mischief to deal with. There will be scoundrels, abuse, lying, cheating, sneaking, hints at Lizzie’s backstory and a whole lot more. Lizzie has knowingly made the decision to work on her back for a roof over her head, food in her belly and a safe place to stay while earning money for a different future. She is an educated woman from a higher society than most in the profession and smarter than most. She is a woman I could relate to and would like to know more about. I would also like to know more about Will Davenport...and have a feeling we will be seeing both in future books of this series.

What I liked:
* Lizzie: She is smart, knows what she wants, is curious, has been given a bad hand but seems to have made the best of it. I want to know more about her.
* Will: I know he has suffered personal loss, is intelligent, seeks the truth, seems to be rather black and white in his outlook on life and is an interesting person. I want to know more about him.
* The interactions between Lizzie and Will – they are interesting and real and make me wonder what type of friendship/relationship these two will develop as the series progresses
* The hints about Lizzie’s past
* The fact that prostitution is Lizzie’s source of income but it is not who Lizzie is – and it is not the main focus of the book since she leaves her “job” to solve mysteries.
* The time period, the characters, the writing that makes me feel I am there, the grit and grime and so much more

What I didn’t like:
* The way some people in this time period were invisible and taken advantage of
* The abuse that seemed so common and expected and the fact that there was no way to avoid it or make the abuser pay for what was done
* The bad guys that I was meant not to like…

I had not read book one in this series and wonder what I missed but can honestly say that not having read book one did not interfere with my thorough enjoyment of book two. I loved this book and look forward to reading more as soon as the books are ready!

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

I haven't gotten all the way through this, as it is not my normal genre, but the characters and setting are interesting, but what seems like a murder in the first scene turns out just to be an injury, so the stakes got much lower. The main character seems very cool and capable, but it's just not grabbed me and sucked me in.

RATING: 3.5 STARS
2019; Canelo
(Review Not on Blog)

Bow Street magistrate, Fielding looks to his Inspector Davenport and sex worker, Lizzie Harwicke to solve another case! After gaining fame for capturing a killer, this time Lizzie is to go undercover at a theater play house. As a seamstress she could observe all the ongoing activities of the cast, crew and benefactors. This is the second novel in the series, and I enjoyed it, but it wasn't as good as book one. Surprisingly, I did not care about what was going on in the theater as much, as a setting. I also missed Ma and the other characters from Ma's Bawdy House in Soho. I am looking forward to book 3.

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

I absolutely adore this series of books. The story carries on a short time after the ending of the first book and the characters involve further. You just know Davenport has feelings for Lizzie but will be or won't he. The murder this time was very well written and different to the normal fun of the mill murders and the reveal was a surprise. Lizzie is so much more than an educated harlot and to be honest her character is more like an undercover police officer before this phrase was even considered. I truly cannot wait for the next installment and cannot praise this book highly enough

The Corpse Played Dead is the second book in Georgina Clarke's Lizzie Hardwicke series. I loved the first book, Death and the Harlot; could lightning strike twice? Let me answer it this way... When is the next book coming out?! I want it nowwwwwwwwwwwww! Don't make me wait, else I'll whine! Yes, that good.

Lizzie Hardwicke, a high-end prostitute in Georgian London, is once again approached by Inspector Will Davenport to help the Magistrate's office solve another crime. The theater, run by a good friend of Magistrate Mr. Fielding, is seemingly being targeted by accidents and vandalism; he wants Lizzie to work as a second seamstress at the theater and basically spy for him. It sounds like an easy enough job, until a member of the peerage is viciously murdered at the theater. Lizzie and Will's job just became a lot more difficult!

Though the mystery is quite compelling with red herrings making your mind go in all different directions, once again it is the wonderful characters which really drive the story. Lizzie is, to use a word often overused but quite accurate here, awesome. She is smart as a whip and isn't easily shocked by events that unfold around her. However, certain circumstances arise that make us remember that she is still a young girl, only 19. I have a love/hate relationship with Will. He admires Lizzie's courage and smarts, but then tells her he is a gentleman and couldn't sit with "her kind" in church. That is accurate for the time period, but it makes you mad for the hurt it causes Lizzie. I do think my love for Will is winning out, though. The last chapter just had me in tears! Here, too, is an incredible cast of supporting characters who will keep you glued to the pages.

Seriously, when is the next book coming out?!

I received an ARC courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Lizzie Hardwicke returns in another fun romp through Georgian England. Once again her path crosses with Will Davenport who asks that she go undercover in a theatre on Drury Lane and try and discover whether there is any truth in the owner's accusations that someone is trying to sabotage him.
Drawing loosely on real-life people and events, Lizzie sets about her task with relish. However, a face from the past comes back to haunt her and it soon becomes clear that there is nothing straight forward about her investigation. She is a great character, showing bravery, resilience, curiosity, and empathy towards those she sees as less fortunate than herself. There is also a delightful frisson in the relationship between Davonport and herself that I hope is explored in future books.
I really enjoyed the book, and my only criticism would be that there was a little too much 'telling' for my liking, and I would have liked to experience the events of the book from other character's pov.

My thanks go to the publishers and Net Galley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

*Many thanks to Georgina Clarke, Caneo and Netgalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
The second offering by Ms Clarke is as enjoyable as Book 1. Lizzie Hardwicke, a young woman of ill repute, is again engaged by Inspector Davenport on behalf of Mr Fielding, the chief of Bow Street runners in the 1750s London, to act as a unprofessional spy and explain a series of incidents in the Drury Lane Theatre run by famous Mr Garrick. Quite unexpectedly, somebody is murdered on the stage, and Lizzie finds herself in the middle of turmoil connected with this murder.
Ms Clarke takes us this time to the English theatre of the 17th centruy, and this is a wonderful travel in time. I loved the feel of the place and all the details of what performances actually looked like. Lizzie Hardwicke is intelligent, and her good memory, logical thinking and love for the detail again allows her to solve the mystery.
This novel is an enjoyable HF read with wonderfully researched period, interesting characters and good narration.

Set in 18th century London at Garrick's theatre, this is the second Lizzie Hardwicke book. Again, Davenport asks for Lizzie's help to solve some incidents at the theatre, but then there is a murder. Not having read the first book did not spoil my enjoyment, but as the book was very good I wish I had read the first one. I will look forward to the next in the series.

Lizzie Hardwicke is back in Georgina Clarke’s second historical fiction novel The Corpse Played Dead. Lizzie is a prostitute, from a privileged past, now fortunate to earn a living from the wealthy customers that frequent the exclusive brothel she’s employed in. Since the first book, Lizzie has earned notoriety having been instrumental in solving a murder. Mr Fielding, the magistrate, and his men, particularly William Davenport, recognise her resourcefulness and ability to probe and observe society, from those unfortunates living on the street to wealthy households that operate with maids and servants. While her position is unique it is also perilous, as powerful and heartless men tend to cross paths with her and she suffers a few rough encounters.

Lizzie is the lens into which we observe London in 1759, narrated in her voice, she describes the sights and smells and the dangerous streets in various parts of the city. This story is based in the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, not far from the Bow Street magistrate’s offices. There have been a number of suspicious dangerous incidents in the theatre run by Mr David Garrick, and as a friend of Mr Fielding, has requested his services to investigate the damaging sabotage events. Fielding and Davenport approach Lizzie and her Madam to seek her help to go undercover as a seamstress at the theatre and help solve the crimes. The cast of characters (no pun intended) offers us a wonderful variety of personalities that fit the time period perfectly and paint the social standing and privileges of those in power and those subservient to that authority. The stakes get much higher when Lord Hawbridge, an arrogant man, a brutal man, a narcissistic man, is found hung upside-down over the theatre stage, early one morning, with his hands and ankles bound and his throat slit. The swirling machinations have many possibilities including the saboteurs, other theatre personnel, other patrons, family or random mistake.

Georgina Clarke has shown considerable focus in maintaining a steady momentum of the plot and the natural developments in solving the crimes. The throbbing atmosphere and landscape of historical London are superbly depicted and vividly brought to life, as Lizzie walks the streets, meets people of all different backgrounds, and interacts in a language that is authentic and revealing. The revelations are believable and natural keeping me intrigued throughout.

What stands out in these novels is the character of Lizzie, she is such a rounded fascinating person and is so well drawn that she feels completely real. Her decisions and exploits aren’t grandstanding or always successful but she has her own mind and deals with challenges in an ambitious manner. I’m sure Georgina Clarke struggles to keep control of her in her writing as she is such a clever, feisty and adventurous woman.

I would highly recommend reading this book and I’d like to thank Canelo and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy in return for an honest review.

Dramatic, witty, and suspenseful, The Corpse Played Dead does not disappoint as the sequel to Death and the Harlot. I will read anything that involves a murder, so I appreciate that Clarke once again brought Lizzie Hardwicke and Will Davenport together once again to catch yet another killer. The Corpse Played Dead is an intriguing whodunit with lots of wit and even a bit of romance. With many red herrings, the big reveal at the end is totally unexpected, if a bit anti-climatic. Fans of the first Lizzie Hardwicke book will be excited to see this novel, and readers of historical fiction and murder mysteries will want to check out this new series.

4.5/5⭐️

The second in a historical mystery series that I’m so happy I discovered! The first book introduces us to Lizzie Hardwicke, born a gentlewoman who winds up ruined and exiled from her home and makes her way in a brothel. This is her second adventure helping out Bow Street runner Davenport, and she finds herself undercover as a spy in the Theatre Royal at Drury Lane.

I love that we get to see more of Lizzie working on her own in this one. She’s gaining confidence in her abilities and her intelligence and observations are a pleasure to watch. Her relationship with Davenport is also deepening and becoming more complicated and provides an interesting dilemma for the future.

This is well-written, well-researched and well done. Lizzie is such a wonderfully entertaining and complex character, and I hope she will have many more adventures ahead of her...I’ll be reading!

Thanks to #Canelo and #NetGalley for providing the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.