Another great Historical cozy - Grave Expectations is a must read!

It's set in London during the mid 1800s. Charles and Kate decide to check on their elderly spinster neighbor only to find her dead. The body has been propped up and dressed in a faded wedding dress.

There were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing until the very end. Great job by the author in weaving such an interesting story.

Another enjoyable mystery featuring Charles Dickens before he became the celebrated novelist, investigating the death of his upstairs neighbor Miss Haverstock, found wearing a faded wedding gown. The tale is well paced, with elements reminiscent of Dickens' (future) novel Great Expectations, capturing quite well the atmosphere of the era. The gradual (chaste) romance between Dickens and Kate is a fine counterbalance to the mystery.

Heather Redmond uses the Dickens" Great Expectations to involve the young Charles Dickens in a plot in a small town where one of the characters is Miss Haverstock; he spins a tale of murder, inheritance and an unforgiving legal and police prejudice against debtors, small business and little people.

I picked this book up despite it being the second in a series I had not heard of before because I saw other people say its position did not affect the story much. I must say that while that might be true, I still wish I had a better introduction to Charles'(the fictional one) life than I did in this case. I am not a very refined bookworm, my classical knowledge is spotty and erratic and although I have read a few of Charles Dickens' books, I own more than those I have actually read. I had forgotten the premise of the book by the time I actually picked it up, so when I saw the mention of Charles Dickens as the primary character, I had to go through his Wikipedia page to orient myself on what to expect. 

This story has Charles trying to keep his head above poverty and at least feed his brother and sometimes himself. He is writing sketches for the paper and the idea to write a full novel in floated in this installment which does not immediately strike his fancy. He wakes up one day to find an old article slipped under his door. This bothers him because he is unable to identify the reasoning behind the occurrence (this particular clue was a pretty big let down in the mystery aspect). Later that day he finds the dead body of his neighbour. This sets him on the path of trying to make sense of the case. The local blacksmith is arrested in connection to the case and they(the relatives) turn to Charles for help. I really enjoyed the social scene at the time, the way trials were carried out and how law dispensed its punishments. I even liked the mystery plot in itself because I never expected the turns it took but there were a lot of loose ends in the narrative. I will not be listing it out here, but it did make it difficult for me to swallow the complete story. I would rate it 3.5 out of 5 but since no website allows for such a rating I have had to settle to 3. 

The writing was very good, and the characters very interestingly portrayed as well as the family lives of all the people involved. My only issue was with some events in relation to the mystery and nothing else. I would recommend this book to those who like reading mysteries written using real times and real people in fictionalized scenarios. 

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is completely based on my own reading experience.

I really enjoyed this book! Not only was the plot clever and intriguing, but I felt that the characters were ones you could empathise with and fully comprehend their emotional depth! I will absolutely be buying a physical copy and recommending this to everyone!

I have been trying to decide if making Charle Dickens the main character in this story made it more appealing, and while it did add some novelty it could have worked without him. I also did not realize it was the second book in the series, but you definitely do not need to read the first one. This one gives a little background to catch you up on Kate and Charles's first murder case. It was a good mystery and the detail provided about the way of life during that time period, especially the smells and other awful things happening in the streets, really brought it to life. I look forward to more books in this series. Thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Books for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Grave Expectations was a fun read, especially if one likes Charles Dickens. What I really enjoyed in this book is that one gets drawn into it and "experience" the time and setting of the 1800's, whether it's the mudlarks, the not-so-nice smells, the sound of horse hooves and seedy streets, which shows it's clearly well researched. Another thing that points this out, is Charles Dickens' rooting for the underdogs and how much he cares for them.

What a great premise: Charles Dickens, the intrepid journalist, as an investigator of crimes. And it's not a bad book, filled with characters including his fiancee Kate, friends who as often on the verge of poverty (as is Dickens himself), and the story of a mysterious murder. The victim, a woman of 57 (considered elderly!) is found stabbed with a corkscrew, wearing her wedding dress. But who would kill this sweet old lady, and why? Manacles found in a smithy send authorities off after the wrong suspect, and 2 escape prisoners send Dickens off in another direction. At the same time he has to deal with a thieving landlord, the vagaries of society at that time and varied other social ills.

Grave Expectations had great promise and it's an easy read...perhaps too easy for me. Great for a vacation read, it's written at a level that can be enjoyed by all ages.

A new to me author has penned a delightful Dickenson tale of mystery, murder and intrigue. I am a fan of all things Dickenson and love the fun, imaginative tale of what life may have looked like for young Charles as a journalist. Deeply in love with his fiancé, Kate, the two make a captive pair as they balance each other out in everyday life. I appreciated that this was a clean read with plenty of depth and humor to bring balance to the story. The supporting characters add dimension and perspective of what life was like then. Overall, a creative story that was a pleasure to read. I have already requested the first in the series from my library and recommend you do the same!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Charles Dickens is living in a flat near his fiancé, Kate Hogarth. Due to social constructs of the time, they are not to be alone together in his rooms. His brother or her sister usually provide chaperone services.

Miss Haverstock, an elderly spinster, has the flat above Charles. Being a good neighbor, Charles checks in on her, but he and Kate are overwhelmed by a horrible smell as they ascend the stairs. Miss Haverstock is dead; she has been murdered, and is wearing a faded wedding dress.

An escaped convict is on the loose, and people are quick to blame him for the murder. Charles and Kate do their own search, uncovering secrets that could get them killed.

I had a bit of trouble getting into the book, but once I caught the pace, I enjoyed it. It is hard to imagine that people did abide by these strict social rules, but I'm sure that similar comments will be made about our own rules by future generations.

Heather Redmond knows her Dickens, the nineteenth century, and London!

I received this ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I would give it 3.5 stars, but the 1/2 star is not an option.

So, I love a good mystery set in the 1800s. Give me victorian drama any day any way. This was just okay for me. I loved the idea of Charles Dicken's as a detective and I enjoyed the introduction of his fiance. But, then it got boring. I love that the people in his life are all the characters in his eventual books, but the murder itself was kind of boring and it took way too long to get to a satisfying conclusion. I would probably read more in this series, but hopefully, it would be a little more exciting than this one.

This was a great twist on the classic novel great expectations. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys retelling a of classics.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dickens is not my favourite author, but this mystery has made me want to read more about him now. We all know Dickens as the esteemed author but most of us are less familiar with Dickens prior to his commercial success.. Although this isn't a biography, it certainly makes you view him in a different light.

In terms of the mystery, it wasn't the most difficult mystery to guess. However, there are a lot of people that don't care if it is difficult to solve, and this will be perfect for them- a fascinating and fun journey with intriguing characters. And as for the setting, Redmond is one of the most talented mystery authors I've read in a long time- the setting of 1830s London is truly its own character, and is worth reading for it alone.

This book deals with several aspects of Charles Dickens personality apart from his superior writings. Dickens was a champion of the under dog and the marginalized part of society and suffered much personal trouble as a result of constantly being embroiled in others affairs. In this case the story starts with the murder of an elderly, reclusive lady in unusual circumstances and then begins a rather complicated story going back decades and involving long lost relatives and lovers.

Dickens despite penury was supported by his very patient fiancée who saw with every episode her chances of having a wedding sooner rather than later fading away. Dickens had to maintain his newspaper job, whilst balancing his detective work and trying to cope with a family who tried his patience and was a huge burden on his purse.

The sleuthing was one aspect of this book. I enjoyed very much the exposure of the person Dickens was and for me, this was the real story

3.5 out of 5 stars
What a charming and most enjoyable historical fiction cozy mystery. This is author Heather Redmond's second installment in the, "A Dickens of a Crime" series. Although this reader had not read the first in series (A Tale of Two Murders), they found the second book stands alone easily and does not rely on the first book's character development to carry it. There were a few references to action which occurred within the previous installment but not enough to derail the progression of the second.

The story begins on June 20, 1835. A young Charles Dickens has rented additional quarters in order to be in closer proximity to his betrothed, Kate Hogarth, at least for the summer months. His 15 year old brother, Fred, resides with him as he prepares for eligibility for administrative employment or apprenticeship. Their father tends to be a spendthrift and Charles is often bailing out his family financially. This delays Charles' and Kate's marital plans and causes some consternation and a bit of friction. As the brothers rose on this Saturday morning, they discover that someone has slid a 50 year old article regarding a horrible group of children which had ganged up on a Jewish girl, thrown her in a barrel, and cast her to the waters of the outgoing tide. Perhaps initially done in fun, they, none the less, made no attempt to rescue poor Goldy. So who slid the article under the door? Is there any relationship between it and the subsequent murder of the tenant upstairs? A nearby neighbor is arrested on slim evidence of having killed or aided the killer of the upstairs neighbor. Charles, in turn, is eager to exonerate his new friend and thus the story begins.

As to character development, Redmond is spectacular in this area. Our protagonist, young adult Charles Dickens, is experiencing life on his own while caring for his young brother and simultaneously making wedding plans with his betrothed, Kate Hogarth. We see glimpses of future Dickens novels based on the lives of the people Charles encounters throughout this story. We are painfully informed of the social strata of the day and how the haves look upon the have-nots with discomfort and disdain. Charles, on the other hand, is part of a group of folks trying to lift a few orphaned "mudlarks" from their poverty and give them a bit of hope for their futures.

Redmond's development of 1835 London is rich in setting. The odors, along seedy streets or by the river's edge filled with sewage, are ripe in the telling. The sounds of horse hooves and bustling street markets are distinctly audible. The hand of fine silk or cotton batiste is richly textural and sumptuous to the touch. Kate's fresh and treasured strawberry jam is tasty down to its last bit. The fog of a smoky room is stifling and diminishes visibility. The reader richly experiences the mise en scène with all their senses.

There was one moment in the storytelling which caused this reader to bristle a touch and that was the statement by one character of, "One for all and all for one" with a reference to the Musketeers. Dumas has yet to write the Three Musketeers which is not completed for another nine years. But beyond that, the book is well written and the setting of 1835 London well created.

I am grateful to Kensington Publishing Corp. for having provided a free electronic copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.

A look at Charles Dickens before he became Charles Dickens. What did he do before he became a published novelist? Where did his inspiration originate? He is poor; he loves Kate; he rents two rooms, one in order to be near her; he is working for a newspaper.

One day, to settle his curiosity, he goes to check on his elderly neighbor whom he has not heard lately, and discovers to his horror that she is dead, clothed in an old and threadbare wedding dress. She is not only dead, but murdered, and this murder happened several days ago as is attested by the awful smell.

Grave Expectations is the story of how Charles and his beloved unearth clues, and follow their wits,[always keeping within the social norms of chaperone and time] to determine just what happened to Miss Haverstock and why.

This is a whimsical and fun read, and Heather Redmond is an imaginative storyteller.

I read this EARC courtesy of Net Galley and Kensington Books pub date 07/30/19

If you enjoy historical mysteries like I do, give this series a try. Some people don;'t like mysteries that put historical figures into fictionalized stories and, honestly, not all authors are all that good at the blending. Such is not the case with Heather Redmond and her skill at bringing Charles Dickens alive as an investigator of crime. For this reader it was pitch perfect.
It's 1835 and Charles Dickens is engaged to Kate. He lives below an elderly spinster, Miss Haverstock and one day he and Kate go to check in on her only to find her long dead and posed wearing what seems to have been a wedding dress. Not the kind of thing the 'casual' killer would have done. Charles is certain that there is a very personal motive involved. As is natural for a journalist, Charles, with Kate assisting, sets about to track down the real killer.
This is the second of the series and can be read as a stand alone. The puzzle was very satisfying and the writing brought Victorian London to life, warts and all. I could see every scene in my mind, the sounds and the smells, while I read, in vivid detail I hope there will be another book in this series. I will happily hold a space on my TBR list for it.

“Charles wondered how long they’d be able to avoid more crime, now that they had had a taste of it. He had a bad feeling that he hadn’t heard the last of either of them.”
-Heather Redmond, Grave Expectations (A Dickens of a Crime #2)

2.5🌟/5

I received this e-book from Netgalley.

Mr. Charles Dickens, a reporter and a detective in his spare time, finds a murdered woman in his own home, all while juggling the imminent question: “when will he marry his fiancée Kate?” As she is very keen to NEVER let him forget of when it must happen...Oh, and she apparently also likes mysteries.

This book is a sequel of “A Tale of Two Murders” , which even though I…found out too late, it seemed as if it was a stand-alone book, where there were some mentions of what might have happened in the first book...however, (for me) fortunately enough it didn’t spoil much.

I had many high expectations, but it fell short since other than Fred and Julie, I didn’t care about most of the characters, even Charles Dickens was not as good as I thought...however, the “unnecessary character” prize should go to Kate!

The mystery of this book could have been better, as it felt all quite predictable.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books and Ms. Heather Redmond for the opportunity to read this Advanced Readers Copy of "Grave Expectations, A Dickens of a Crime Mystery Series".

A fun summer read that features Mr. Charles Dickens and his fiancee Kate as murder mystery sleuths!

This is the second book in the series by Heather Redmond where Charles Dickens and his friends solve crimes in Ye Olde Merry England

Keeping a true voice to the times, the setting is very much Dickensian as is the solving of the crime. Drawing on facts of Mr. Dickens real life, Charles comes alive as he draws on his personal knowledge as a journalist and a man of the common people.

This book also includes a book club reading guide to further discuss the inspired aspects of "Great Expectations" and of Victorian London life. Dark dirty streets, inept coppers, workhouses and thieves around every corner, this story comes alive with the sights and sound of Victorian life.

3 stars

This was a fun read, and worthy of Dickens. I really think he would enjoy this series, as it’s entertaining, well written, and with such strong characters. With plenty of excitement to go around from women falling out of windows by accident to discovering corpses, this mystery will definitely delight readers fond of historical fiction and who-dun-it’s.

I’m determined to get book one so that I can fill in some of the gaps. I feel it would at least help me figure out how Kate and Charles met, and why they’re so enamored with each other-he seems to treat her nicely enough, but also whenever she wants to go do something dangerous he’s all “now, now, let’s not be hasty, you’re a woman you must stay behind where it’s safe” which seems a bit sexist, though that was how it was during those times, I can’t fault him too much for that. It comes off more romantic as well, instead of sexist, because while he’s very telling in what she does, he’s not an asshole about it.

Charles is an overall good guy, he helps others that needs it, goes to those who are in danger and try to rescue them, and is generally the hero of the story. Kate is a kind girl who tries to help as much as she possibly can. There’s plenty for writers to like about this too, with passages of Charles struggling to come up with rhymes or lines for songs or sketches. And there’s one nod that I rather enjoyed about a guy suggesting Charles write books and Charles vehemently in denial about anyone buying anything he writes. Hehe. If only you knew Charles.

The mystery itself wasn’t hard to solve, though it was entertaining. All the clues were there, and with plenty of suspects you have chances in guessing wrong. There’s thieves, a murdered woman, and a dreadful tenant within these pages that all wind up getting their mysteries solved in the end, with a couple of harrowing moments for Mr. Dickens.

The book does leave it rather open for a sequel to follow through, so I’m sure when it comes out I’ll request it having thoroughly enjoyed this one. Overall, I’m giving this 4.5 out of 5 stars, rounding it up to 5/5 stars. I really like this author’s writing style, and I’m irate that I left it sitting in my kindle so long.