Death at Hungerford Stairs

Death at Hungerford Stairs by J.C. Briggs is a unique peek in Dickensian London. A dark peek, yet rich with characters and scenes that feel very much like his work. Impoverished children and families struggling to feed themselves amounts tradesmen and rich opulent families. The ability to function and try help such a large intractable problem is admirable. Well written yet so dark from the time and subject matter.

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I didn’t read the first in this series but I may go back and pick it up. I enjoyed this book so very much. Being set in the 1800’s the story has a bit of Sherlock Holmes on the streets of Dicken’s Village.

The story keeps you on the edge of your seat and meeting Superintendent Sam and Charles Dickens as investigators was just delightful.

You need to be a fan of OLD English lit. If you aren’t a fan of the storylines of Holmes, Jack the Ripper and the like you won’t want to read this… Or maybe reading this will take you back to trying the classics.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Death at Hungerford Stairs is a wonderful read – full of intrigue and mystery. It features novelist and amateur sleuth, Charles Dickens, and his friend, Superintendent Jones, who is investigating the death of a young boy.

This book is a treasure. It is full of memorable characters, with rich dialogues and street talk. The description of Victorian London and its poverty, crime and social issues is very well-done. Dickens is a likable protagonist and my only regret is that I have a somewhat limited knowledge of his writings. Even so, that didn’t prevent me from enjoying this novel. I highly recommend Death at Hungerford Stairs to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

Once again, J.C. Briggs takes us back to the dark streets of London in Death at Hungerford Stairs. This is the second book in the Charles Dickens and Superintendent Sam Jones mystery series. This time, Charles Dickens finds himself at a workhouse he knew as a boy. He is haunted by the memories that it left him but they discover a small boy murdered. This is just the first murder in a series of murders of small boys. Who is responsible? Charles Dickens and Superintendent Jones are left with very little evidence that takes them through the darkest depths of London.

For the most part, this book can be read as a standalone book. However, there are a few details and storylines that continue from the first book. I highly suggest reading the first book in the series before this book. I feel that these books are not the average mystery. The twists and turns keep coming and the clues are not obvious which makes it more interesting to solve the mystery while reading. This story is also extremely dark. Every time I pick up this book I envision a dark, foggy, dangerous Victorian London. The author truly excels with this aesthetic.

There are so many characters in this story. Sometimes it is difficult to keep track of them all throughout all the investigating and interrogations. The street talk and accents while they add great detail and realism to the story can be quite difficult to read. Although, it is the details that make this story so wonderful. I love how the author portrays Charles Dickens. Both his frustrations with his wife and his concern for the poor. Overall I rate this story 4 out 5 stars.

Charles Dickens and Superintendent Jones of Bow Street return to the streets of London. Opium dens where people tried to escape their life. Slums where people lived down dark alleyways in hovels life was hard and family was all that kept you going. Someone is killing young boys lost to their mothers. Dickens and Jones follow the trail from Paris to Brighton to solve this difficult case. Was a toff involved? This book takes you into a dark world but still has uplifting times of light.
I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Death at Hungerford Stairs is a fabulous mystery in old-time London. This is the second in the series and I will go and buy the first to read. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught.

This second book is a thoroughly enjoyable read, which kept me guessing until the very end. I loved the way the author combines both fact and fiction, about Dickensian London and the man himself, in a a most credible manner.

I wasn't a huge fan of the first book in the series but I wanted to give it another shot. I like this one much more. The pace seemed faster and the details more interesting and engaging. I'm glad I gave it another shot and I'm looking forward to reading more. I read this in one sitting while traveling, maybe that made the difference.

This time it was personal. It sounds so corny but it's accurate. We begin with a murdered child. We soon learn that there are also missing children and that it is sadly common. Children go missing and no one notices. Not only Is Dickens looking for a child, and dog, that he knows, but the first body brings him back to a place from his own childhood. Thanks for giving me a second chance with the series.

First sentence: Charles Dickens remembered the rats.

Premise/plot: Death at Hungerford Stairs is the second novel in J.C. Briggs' mystery series starring Charles Dickens. Dickens is an amateur detective (of sorts) assisting the police--namely Superintendent Sam Jones. Dickens and Jones are on the hunt for a serial killer--someone is targeting young boys. Can these two figure out WHO and WHY? How many boys will have to die as they piece together all the clues and track down suspects?

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved the first book in the series The Murder of Patience Brooke. I loved the characterization and the writing. Did I love, love, love Death at Hungerford Stairs? Yes and no. No, I didn't love, love, love to the same degree. Yes, I still loved the characters and the writing. This one is "packed" with murders, but dare I say it's not an action-driven mystery novel?! I think this one is--for better or worse--a character-driven mystery novel. To me the mysteries are definitely secondary to the characters themselves. Because I have grown attached the characters--and many of the characters introduced in the first book are still around--I am attached to the book. I have to keep reading this series. I have to stay in touch with these characters. I want more, more, more.

When the body of a young boy is found at Hungerford Stairs close to the River Thames, Charles Dickens is relieved to find that is not the missing child he has been searching for. Presumed drowned, Superintendent Jones of Bow Street soon has a murder case on his hands when a different cause of death is discovered. After more bodies are found, the detective’s worst fears are realised – they have a serial killer on their hands.

Death at Hungerford Stairs is the second book to feature the author Charles Dickens as one of the main characters, the first being The Murder of Patience Brooke. In the previous book, I was particularly impressed with how the author managed to paint a vivid picture of early-Victorian London, especially the more downtrodden areas. This has continued in the second book, making you feel that you are actually walking the London streets.

I like, again, how the author has merged fact with fiction, with true aspects of Dickens’ life providing an air of authenticity to the plot. Dickens is written as a generous man, keen to help the underprivileged and the down at heel, the references to his early life possibly providing a reason for his benevolence. There is a rich supporting cast, providing some tragic as well as some humorous moments.

The hunt for a child killer could be a difficult subject matter, but the author handles it in an informative yet sensitive way, culminating in a very different motive and culprit to most books of this genre. Although there were a few hints dropped throughout the book, the ending was still a surprise – a clever one at that.

I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next in the series.

Thank you to Sapere Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Death at Hungerford Stairs is the second installment in the Charles Dickens Investigation series.

This time around Charles Dickens and Superintendent Jones found themselves looking for killer of several young boys.With each there’s an image, a sketch of a mask significant to the killings, but what does it mean?

What follows is a story full of of twists and turns, though the streets of
Victorian London as Dickens and Jones try to catch a killer before they stuck again.

I would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy historical mystery, the book well written and the author has researched both the background of Charles Dickens and Victorian London thoroughly.