London, 1894. Inspector Henry Cutter is in a foul mood—but soon, murder will give him far graver concerns. It begins with Sir Aneurin Considine, a retired civil servant found dead in his orchid house, his body marked by a single, surgically precise wound. More victims follow, each powerful, each dispatched with eerie exactitude. The killer moves unseen, leaving behind only cryptic traces, as if taunting those who dare to pursue.

Enter Cutter and his unwieldy but well-meaning sergeant, Gideon Bliss, who find themselves ensnared in a mystery where nothing—least of all guilt and innocence—is as it seems. As the body count rises, the line between hunter and hunted blurs, and long-buried secrets claw their way to the surface.

I’ve been waiting years for this follow-up to The House on Vesper Sands, and O’Donnell delivers beyond expectation. His prose is dazzling—lush with Victorian atmosphere, sharp with wit, and utterly immersive. If you’ve yet to meet Cutter, Bliss, and the indomitable Octavia Hillingdon, do yourself a favor and start with Vesper Sands. But whether you’re a returning reader or new to O’Donnell’s world, be warned: this book is dangerously unputdownable. By turns hauntingly poetic, darkly funny, and unflinchingly brutal, it grips from the first page to the last.

I'm glad that I listened to this book on audio. The author implied so many things without actually saying what was going on, which made you really have to think about this novel. The mystery was solid, and I give The Naming of Birds a solid 4/5 stars.

The Naming of the Birds was an excellent read. I loved the writing and it was propulsive. Great character study. I would read more from this author.

I really do love this odd pairing of Cutter and Bliss, and Octavia is also fantastic. I look forward to many more books in this series.

This story is sad and disturbing and slowly reveals a not-so-surprising but still distressing history associated with the people who are being murdered. This is well written and at times a bit slow, but still powerful enough that when it finishes, you feel like you've been on quite a journey.

This is a Victorian murder mystery.

It starts with a scene of orphaned children in an asylum being trained.

Years later Inspector Cutter and his Cambridge dropout assistant Gideon with the help of Octavia the smart journalist are trying to solve the gruesome serial killing of decorated members of society.

The characters pop out.
I loved the rude and angry inspector’s humor, he is really funny. And Octavia’s smart as a cookie and is a joy to read. Gideon is nice and stupid. Close to Sherlock Holmes stories.

But the mystery is not gripping or hard to guess. There is not a twist, nothing unpredictable at least.

The story unfolds as characters explain it to each other, and the audience. It is not a thriller and there is little action.

I really wanted to know more about what happened to some children from the asylum and what they were doing now.

The audio narration is very good, it brings out the characters and their emotions.

I enjoyed this book, it made me laugh.

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone publishing for the opportunity to read this.

The Naming of the Birds is a wonderfully atmospheric gothic mystery by Paraic O’Donnell delving into questions of justice and revenge. Set in late 19th century London, the story opens in 1872 where a fire breaks out in an orphan asylum and many of the children have either died or are missing. The story then moves to some twenty years later when a series of influential officials are being murdered. This is one dark and twisty tale with a fascinating plot, interesting characters, and plenty of action and it kept my attention throughout. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Charles Armstrong who does an amazing job of giving each character their own individual voice.

Thanks to Netgalley and HighBridge Audio for the opportunity to listen to the audiobooks in exchange for an honest review

This next Cutter and Bliss novel opens with a chilling situation: a number of orphans are kept in some undisclosed location, and are taught strange things and punished for mentioning a fire at their previous building. They are placed in an oubliette for particular transgressions, and we meet two of the children (all of whom have been given bird names by the adults): Finch and Nightingale, who are eager to escape. Finch is courageous, while Nightingale is analytical, carefully watching the adults and coming to her own conclusions.

Inspector Cutter is preoccupied with something from his past, and insists that the hapless and loquacious Seargent Bliss get a gun and learn to use it.

They are called to the scene of the murder of a gentleman, and one of his servants. The gentleman cultivated orchids, and was involved with the Home Office in the past. Then, later, they are called to a dolly house to investigate a murdered customer.

Though revealing little of his thought processes, Cutter is increasingly concerned, and enlists Octavia Hillingdon to help them with their researches.

Their investigations lead them to a dolly house, and eventually to buried bones, and more murdered people. And people intent on preserving the reputations and privileges of those involved in some terrible deeds.

I could not put this book down, and finished this second entry in the Cutter and Bliss series in one day. Gideon Bliss has been working with the irascible, exacting and very fast-moving Inspector Cutter for over a year now, and though Gideon has experienced much, this case shocks him and leaves him bereft. He's a sensitive soul, and though still tending to verbosity and excessive politeness, it's clear Cutter has grown fond of the younger man, and has been mentoring him, despite Cutter's impatience. The pair have also engaged Octavia on previous cases, so it makes sense that they would bring her in when faced with the necessity of digging up twenty year old information.

She proves to be remarkably levelheaded and tough when the circumstances necessitate it, and is also not willing to be talked down to or dismissed, whether by Cutter or anyone else. She's sharp, realistic, and is a nice counterpoint to Gideon's fastidiousness, and slight other worldliness.

The case itself if pretty awful, the resolution is tragic.

I listened and read this book, and Charles Armstrong's talent for accents is on display. I could see Inspector Cutter's frustration with everyone around him, as well as Gideon making himself small and polite in others' presence through Armstrong's narration.

I greatly enjoyed this book and hope there are more entries in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Tin House and HighBridge Audio for these ARCs in exchange for my review.

1-14 update: Posted on TikTok for release day
A dark and moving gothic mystery that slices to the bone.
In the 1890s, an insecure young police sergeant and the inspector he’s striving to please examine the scene of an unusual murder. The tension increases chapter by chapter. 

I haven't read Paraic O'Donnell's acclaimed previous novel about this team, yet it worked fine as a standalone.

The Naming of the Birds stands out for masterful writing, great emotional and psychological depth, and vividly rendered horrific crimes. It's among the most disturbing and satisfying books I’ve experienced: Dark, elegiac, tender, and true.

I don't want to give any spoilers. The unfurling of it all works so well. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time.

Paraic O’Donnell displays extraordinary talent, using the right words, revealing loaded details, cutting to the heart. His characterizations of outsiders and wounded people are extraordinary.

The audiobook brought this highly nuanced novel fully to life. Narrator Charles Armstrong gives a brilliant performance, making the many voices distinct and hitting the emotional notes perfectly. His varied accents created an immersive 19th-century experience.

Strongly recommended for seasoned, non-squeamish readers of historical mysteries, crime fiction, gothics, and literary horror. My thanks to Highbridge Audio for the ALC via Netgalley. These opinions are solely my own.

I loved The House on Vesper Sands so I jumped at the opportunity to review The Naming of the Birds. As much as I loved the former, I think the latter is even better.

In The Naming of the Birds, Paraic O'Donnell drops us right back into turn-0f-the-century London with Inspector Cutter, this time as he investigates a series of murders. Alongside newbie police officer, Sergeant Bliss.

Atmospheric and engrossing, The Naming of the Birds had me hooked from the first line. Charles Armstrong did a fantastic job narrating this title, really keeping the reader in the thick of things with top-notch narration. While a dark, bleak story with quite a bit of violence, The Naming of the Birds is a fantastic read for those who like their mysteries of the dark, historical variety. Readers who have read The House on Vesper Sands will enjoy knowing Cutter's character but you could also easily read this as a standalone as well.

Inspector Cutter’s investigation into a series of gruesome and meticulously planned murders leads Sergeant Bliss and journalist Octavia on a quest to uncover the buried mysteries of a house of horrors—and the killer’s vengeful motives.

This book is the sequel to “The House on Vesper Sands,” and I wish I’d read that book first. This book is gripping and compelling, but I never knew quite what was going on. I think that’s intentional, but at the same time, I think I’d have enjoyed the book more if I’d been grounded in the history of the characters. I liked the audiobook narration.

CW: violence against children

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This sophomore novel in the series represents a marked improvement over the first, boasting a tighter plot and greater clarity. The characters are utterly lovable and charming, making it easy to become invested in their journeys. The premise is inventive and intriguing, demonstrating the author’s knack for originality.

One of the author’s strengths is their ability to “show, not tell,” which brings the story to life. However, this skill is applied almost too well, with character-driven conversations occasionally taking precedence over plot progression. A bit more focus on advancing the story and fewer personality-revealing exchanges would have been welcome.

Overall, while the plot could still be streamlined further, this is a delightful and engaging read with improved pacing, endearing characters, and a creative storyline. A promising step forward for the author!

I was quickly hooked on this historical fiction/British police procedural that takes place in the 1870s and 1890s. Why are all these boys and girls who survived a deadly fire in an orphanage being groomed by a sadistic group of men, called simply "Chaplain" "Choirmaster" "Proctor" "Dean?" Why have they been stripped of their identities and forced to take on bird names, Finch, Robin, Nightingale? We get to know a number of them, sense their future as likely to be a horror show, based on the punishments for certain misbehaviors. You cannot talk about the fire. You cannot use your prior name.

And then, without much explanation, we are with Inspector Cutter, his Sergeant Gideon Bliss and newspaper woman Octovia (didn't catch her last name in the audio book) and they are caught up in an investigation of a murder, then another..... They all are set to tell a story. I particularly love the character of Gideon, who is constantly cowed by the well known curmudgeon he serves who will not willingly answer most of Gideon's questions.

The audio book is marvelously narrated. The story was well plotted and engaging, the backdrops from elegant to falling down to a gay club and so on. But I have a huge gripe and no I do not forgive this gifted writer and excellent storyteller. He did not leave us with a resolution. I mean, we do find out whodunnit, but there is this unsatisfactory cliffhanger that pisses me off. Still, I enjoyed the book so much that, while it lost a fifth star from me, I did not let my frustration go down to three stars. I don't finish books that cannot earn at least three stars. So this better be a book where all these lovely (not necessarily nice) characters return and we get an answer. I'll read it but fool me once, shame on you..... Better not do this again.

A dark and twisted tale of corrupt officials with unchecked power over children and the horrific results. It is set more than a century ago in England. Part one is with the children in an asylum, where they have been brought after a devastating fire and given new names - the names of birds. Then we jump some 20 years or more and meet the team of detectives whom we follow the rest of this engaging novel. (The jump seemed rather abrupt to me, which is why I am bothering to explain it here.) The chief detective is a gruff sort. He is assigned a junior who recently joined the force after leaving divinity school. They are assisted by a young woman who is an excellent researcher but, given the era, unable to hold any official role.
I enjoyed the interplay and the unraveling of the mystery. Lots of “proper English” phrasing from the junior detective, given the time and his insecurities.
While we might know who is behind it before the denouement, the how and why of it kept my interest to the end. Good narration of the audiobook with different accents as needed.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HighBridgeAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheNamingoftheBirds for review purposes.
Publication date: Jan 14, 2025.

This historical mystery begins with the repulsive indoctrination of children into what seems like a cult, and then moves ahead to the turn of the 20th century, with Inspector Henry Cutter and Sergeant Gideon Bliss investigating the gruesome murder of a retired civil servant. Slowly connections are made, and past misdeeds catch up to other seemingly obscure elderly men.

This was a tough read, since there was a lot of violence toward children, so this book may not be for everyone. It was a little slow starting, but once the story picked up pace a bit, I was definitely invested in the mystery!

I received a free audiobook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

There should a trigger warning letting potential readers know there is child torture & abuse.

This is my first book by Pariah O’Donnell. I thought it was well written but I struggled to stay engaged at wordy/rambling parts. Charles Armstrong did an excellent job with the narration. I enjoyed his voice & pace.

Thank you to NetGalley & HighBridge Audio for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the advanced audiobook copy.

I really enjoyed the narrator voice of this book. The story was excellent and recommend.

Wonderful writing but I found the plot to be lacking (and at times confusing). It’s also quite dark and will be distressing to many readers. I did enjoy the characters, particularly Ms. Hillingdon.

The Naming of the Birds was a good gothic, mystery read. It had a very strong Sherlock Holmes feel to it. It follows a gruff police Inspector, his long-suffering Sergeant and a strong-willed female journalist as they work to solve the mystery of a string of murders with few clues.

This one dived right in with some darker themes including child abuse and torture. Which the first chapter of the book was my favorite part, following a girl called Nightingale. She was a character that grabs you and I was pulled into her story. But then she doesn't make another appearance until the last few chapters. The middle is where I found this story lacking. It was very wordy in parts, which started to lose me, mind wandering a bit. I didn't know this was the second book in the series, so it did seem like there was some backstory missing but can still be read as stand alone. I would have liked more storyline around the Nightingale rather than so much on the inspector's side, which got long winded at times. The mystery wasn't too hard to figure out, so you are just following along with the inspector's team as they figure out more. The book is well written, but the story did fall a bit flat. I felt that a bit less would have given more in this one. I really had a hard time rating this one because there were parts that I was hooked and loved, but other parts I just wanted to skip ahead with.

Thank you to NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for the audiobook for review.

Holy trigger warning Batman! If you cannot handle violence against minors I would strongly suggest you avoid this very dark tale of woe. For everyone else, however, this twisty, caustic, and sharp tale is probably a great bet. Featuring a detective with a very "Sherlockian" manner and acerbic wit, he and his bumbling assistant try to solve a very peculiar set of murders.
I would put after reading that this is the second book of this series, which does explain the missing backstory. I also loved the character of Nightingale, I wish she would have been featured more.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Paraic O'Donnell, and Highbridge audio for my advance copy of this audiobook.