This one was a highly intriguing, well researched historical mystery. While I hadn't read the previous book in the series I had no trouble following it and will be going back to the first one. Thank you so much to Algonquin Books for the ARC of this one.

This story is told in third person and follows former Police Inspector Charles Field in 1867 London where he stumbles into a murder scene while in his new position of private investigator following possibly adulterous spouses. It alternates in two timelines, returning to the Field’s past working in Crimea and Turkey investigating threats against Florence Nightingale and her nurses. This is book 2 in the Charles Field series and while I do recommend The Darwin Affair, this works as a stand-alone mystery.

I enjoyed revisiting these characters. The additions to Field’s household and how they have adjusted to their new lives was a good thing. It was interesting to see Field as a younger single man in the earlier timeline, his interactions with his future wife and especially the way he navigated the political situation as he persevered to do his job. Obviously as time passes he has become less tolerant of tiptoeing around those lines which has gotten him into his current professional position.

I also enjoyed the connections of the murders in both timelines. Recommended to historical mystery lovers.

Thank you to Netgalley and Algonquin Books for a copy provided for an honest review.

I enjoyed the story, akin to a good Sherlock Holmes mystery. I felt it was a little too slow at points though. I think it can be tightened up a bit for a faster-paced read. All-in-all though I enjoyed it.

Published: 05/09/23

Not my style. Don't be out off by the 2.5 stars rounding up to 3. I saw Florence Nightingale and an amazing cover, skimmed the synopsis and should have moved on, but I didn't.

This is set in Victorian times, and the author uses known people such as Florence Nightingale to weave a story. If the setting is one you enjoy, the author will be pleased. I would have enjoyed this with imaginary people.

Thank you NetGalley and Algonquin Books for accepting my request to read and review The Nightingale Affair.

THE NIGHTINGALE AFFAIR is a darkly compelling historical mystery centering around Florence Nightingale and women in the mid-1800s. In this follow-up to the first Inspector Charles Field novel, Mason expertly sets the stage for a murderer who wreaks havoc in Crimea and London.

Within the pages of this book, there is a darkness lurking and hovering just out of reach. This tension and the careful unraveling of the investigation are constructed in a way to pull the reader in as well as have all the moving parts begin to work together for the final reveal. What was particularly effective was the way the author divided the book into parts. Through these divisions, the story can travel back to the original killings surrounding Florence Nightingale and her nurses in Crimea. This background truly shed light on what Inspector Field was dealing with in the current timeline.

From the opening chapters, this reader knew this book was going to show the grit and reality of the time period. The scene and mood were set. However, it was the characters and the insertion of the struggles of women to be taken seriously that made this book so good. All I can say is I hope to hear from Inspector Charles Field again.

This was a very intriguing concept. Sadly, I didn't love it as much as I'd hoped I would. It did, however, deliver what it promised to.

This is a solid historical mystery that will appeal to fans of the genre. The author has delivered a believable and well-researched mystery with appealing characters, an intriguing if somewhat grisly plot, and vivid narrative description.

A fascinating mystery and plot, with interesting characters both fictional and historical.

Seeing that it is set in such an Iconic time period - I had hoped the atmosphere would have been more a part of the story - more descriptive and immersive.

Still, it offers a look into the time's politics and social values, as the mystery is underway.

Thank you @algonquinbooks for the gifted book and tour spot.

I typically love historical mysteries (especially those set in the Victorian Era), but I was surprisingly bored by this one.

Some of this is a preference issue (I find serial killers to be dull antagonists), but a lot of it came down to a sluggish plot with a competent but uninteresting solve, and a story centered around a detective who just isn’t an interesting protagonist.

Field is certainly a good guy and good at his job, but he’s about as one-dimensional and boring as they come. He has little personality, and the idea that he was the inspiration for Dickens’ Bucket feels…inaccurate bordering on presumptuous.

But the biggest problem is that the book has almost no atmosphere or sense of place, and the mystery itself isn’t good enough to override that, especially in a genre where setting is generally one of the best components of the book.

I love a historical fiction book. Step that up by it being a mystery and then giving actual historical events or people with known facts and I’m sold.
I do wish I had read the first book in series (even though I know they can be read as standalones) because I may have gotten more insight into Inspector Field.
One thing I didn’t love was the treatment of women; however, I do understand that it is representative of how women were treated at the time and even more so by a serial killer. That was not a major sticking point for me though.
I enjoyed this one and I hope to go back and read the first one soon.

Here’s the deal:

1. I struggle with historical fiction. I try to pair it with another genre to make it work for me. This is a historical thriller, which normally applies to me but read number 4.

2. It’s the second book in a series and I haven’t read the first book. I don’t necessarily think you have to in order to follow this one, but a lot of time was spent on what had already happened.

3. When everything finally started coming together, the book then decided to flashback to an event in the past.

4. It’s possible Victorian London isn’t my jam. Especially a very political Victorian London.

All that being said, if none of the above applies to you, then you should definitely still give this book a fair shot. If all the same books worked for all of us, then the conversations would be boring. And the books would be harder to get!

Thank you to Algonquin Books and Tim Mason for an ARC of The Nightingale Affair. I decided to join the ARC team for this because it reminded me of The Christie Affair, a book I adore.

I wasn't sure what to think of the genre. I would not call this a "cozy" mystery nor would I label it as "horror," but it was a mystery nonetheless. I also wouldn't called it a thriller despite some of its thrilling moments (they're there -- trust me!).

I enjoyed that this is a more sinister-style historical fiction novel. I don't usually read historical fiction, but this was markedly different from the historical fiction I have read. I was impressed with Tim Mason's ability to re-created this time period, but some of the language was confusing.

I think this book is best for fans of historical fiction.

The nightingale affair is an interesting and ambitious premise. The nurses of Florence nightingales camp are being attacked by a serial killer. Inspector field thinks he has narrowed in on a culprit but the suspect turns up dead. Flash forward, and copycat killings are beginning-did the suspect really die? Is there a copycat on the loose? And what does this have to do with social changes that are going on in Victorian England at this time?
While this is certainly an interesting and entertaining premise, the plot is almost too crowded and the characters seem under developed and the plot never quite connects. The book is uneven, but the prose is well-written and it is a creative premise.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc provided by the publisher.

The timeline switches between the initial meeting of all the main characters in 1855 in Turkey, and twelve years later in London. Unfortunately, while time has passed after they thought the Beast had ended his own life instead of being convicted of his crimes, the horrifying murders of women and those in favor of women gaining rights have started up again. Has the Beast returned from the dead? Did their own eyes deceive them, and he never died? Is it a copycat killer haunting them all again?

The story in both timelines was intricate and felt realistic. The characters and their relationships were genuine, and there was plenty of suspicion to go around about who could be doing the gory murders. The descriptions of the setting both in war time Turkey and 1860s London were colorful, with the descriptions of the tunnels and their construction under London being especially fascinating.

Overall, this detailed book earned 4 out of 5 stars as a great read for those who enjoy historical fiction surrounding the war in the Crimean Peninsula, London and the mid 1800s. The discussions of womens’ rights, both as they fought for the legitimacy of nursing careers and then for the vote, was also interesting.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy of the nightingale affair. this was a historical fiction during Victorian times and a big mystery to keep the story moving pretty quickly.

The Nightingale Affair is the perfect example of a fascinating premise that somehow just falls short for me. However, I do not feel this is due to the fault of the book, but rather reader preference. This is a detective thriller and historical fiction novel that has clearly been meticulously researched. It’s also been written in such a way that it embodies the Victorian Era setting and is full of historical details. I do think this novel’s strength is it’s blend of historical setting with a crime thriller plot.

"The Nightingale Affair" by Tim Mason is a captivating historical mystery set in Victorian London. The story revolves around a series of murders that wrongly implicate Florence Nightingale and her nurses. As Inspector Charles Field investigates, it becomes clear that they are the intended targets. The narrative weaves together historical elements such as the Crimean War and women's suffrage, adding depth and authenticity to the story. Field's personal connection to Nightingale and his relentless pursuit of justice make him a compelling protagonist. Despite some flaws in character development and the lack of a compelling motive, the novel's meticulous historical details and suspenseful plot make it an engaging read for fans of historical mysteries.

Mason skillfully incorporates real historical details into the fabric of the story, immersing readers in the atmospheric setting of Victorian London. The vivid portrayal of the time period enhances the authenticity of the narrative and adds to the sense of danger that permeates the story. The inclusion of historical figures such as Prime Minister Disraeli and author Wilkie Collins further enriches the reading experience, appealing to readers familiar with these references. Mason's attention to historical accuracy and his meticulous research shine through, elevating the overall quality of the book.

Inspector Charles Field emerges as a standout character, driven by a strong sense of justice and determination. His interactions with Florence Nightingale add an intriguing dimension to the story, highlighting the intersection of crime and medicine during the era. Field's pursuit of the truth and the suspenseful nature of the plot keep readers engaged from start to finish. Mason skillfully crafts twists and turns that leave readers guessing, ensuring that the book maintains its grip until the final page.

While the book suffers from underdeveloped characters and a lack of exploration of the underlying motives, it still manages to deliver a gripping and suspenseful read. The flaws in character development and the unsatisfactory explanation for the murders hinder the full immersion of readers in the story. However, Inspector Charles Field's strong presence and the meticulous historical details make "The Nightingale Affair" a recommended read for fans of historical mysteries. Despite its shortcomings, the book successfully combines historical accuracy with a thrilling murder mystery, leaving readers eagerly turning the pages.

This book was not for me. I won't say that I hated it, I just had an impossible time getting into the story due to the historical nature of the writing.

I will start off by saying that I don't read a lot of historical fiction, and when I do, it is slightly more modern. This one takes place in London in the 1800's. It is a about a detective investigating the case of a stalker who is targeting and murdering Florence Nightengale and her nurses.

It has Sherlock Holmes mystery vibes, but the pace was a little too slow for my taste.

Despite the fact that I didn't care for it, I would still recommend it to anyone who like Sherlock Holmes stories, or British historical fiction. The story was decent.

Woven through with real historical detail of the time and a devilish set of murders, this book is gripping, the story telling immaculate.

I’m not one for 1800s British history, and even I enjoyed myself with this one. Inspector Charles Field is a force to be reckoned with. After a series of murders in Turkey, his prime suspect is dead… but over a decade later, in London, they seem to start up again. Field, unsure if he is looking for a copycat or the original killer must race against the clock before this killer arrives on his own doorstep.

I found myself on the edge of my seat and would recommend this one, most definitely.

Inspector Charles Field returns in this second in the series which is every bit as riveting as The Darwin Affair. In this outing, Field comes into contact with Florence Nightingale - <i>and</i> a serial killer. Fans of gritty historical mysteries will devour it.