This is a wonderful sophomore addition to this series. Felicity is a fantastic character, spunky in a Victorian era way. The mystery and writing style overall flows well. The biggest reason why this isn't 5 stars from me is that insertion of some 21st Century language/wording. This book can be read as a stand-alone but you get more of a sense of character development if you read the first book. I'll be watching for book number 3 to come out!

Even though this is the second book in this series, I had no problem following the story. The characters are well-developed and interesting. I look forward to reading more stories by this author. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

If you like Victorian era mysteries, you’ll love enjoy this book. Felicity Carrol, a blue stocking female, is determined to become a detective in the 1870's. She is spunky and tenacious. This book isn’t the usual Victorian heroine attending teas, balls, and the debutante season, all while looking for a well-heeled, good-lucking spouse. In the beginning, she blows up a wing of her house and causes a fire as she tries to replicate a battery.

The book is well-researched—and it’s obvious. Though Felicity teaches herself to become a detective, the references to the study she puts in is at times overwhelming and over-the-top. I’m not sure the average reader needs the full details of fingerprinting through the centuries. As a King Arthur fan, I enjoyed those aspects that are threaded through the story.

There are a few historical inaccuracies and anachronistic words, but I was able to suspend disbelief despite them. At times I found the author’s use of metaphors and similes to be a bit much and sometimes, not tied to the story (such as a sailing metaphor in a land-based book). This is definitely a case where less is better than more. When using details, I feel, an author should aim for coherence, not fragmentation. For coherence, details should matter in some way, and frankly all the detail did not really matter. The writer should know how they matter, that is, the effect they have on the story and ultimately on the reader.

The story did me keep me glued through to the last page.