| Title | : | Turnbull House (Ira Adler #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 160282987X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781602829879 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 264 |
| Publication | : | First published February 16, 2014 |
London 1891. Former criminal Ira Adler has built a respectable, if dull, life for himself as a confidential secretary. He even sits on the board of a youth shelter. When the shelter’s landlord threatens to sell the building out from under them, Ira turns to his ex-lover, crime lord Cain Goddard, for a loan. But the loan comes with strings, and before he knows it, Ira is tangled up in them and tumbling back into the life of crime he worked so hard to escape. Two old flames come back into Ira’s life, along with a new young man who reminds Ira of his former self. Will Ira hold fast to his principles, or will he succumb to the temptations of easy riches and lost pleasures?
Turnbull House (Ira Adler #2) Reviews
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4,5 stars
I can’t recommend this series highly enough!
Jess Faraday's writing is a pure pleasure.
A wonderful plot, a thrilling mystery, fabulous characters, sparkling dialogues, a fantastic historical atmosphere of Victorian’s London (or better to say, of Oscar Wilde’s London are only the most pleasant incidental parts of it). Joking aside, of course all together made a great book.
I capitalize the word LOVE in my key word's list in the review to
The Affair of the Porcelain Dog. It was not totally right. I should have capitalized MYSTERY and left love in lower case.
BUT NOT HERE. Even if I’m not sure that I can qualify
Turnbull House as a romance, I can’t ignore a love story that is much more than just a nice frame to the plot, it's an essential and very important part of it.
Take my modified previous key word's list:
London 1889.
Criminal activities
Sodomy as a criminal activity in Victorian's London.
Former rent-boy and a current board director of a youth shelter.
Orphan's home.
Crime Lord.
Secretary work.
Criminals of a big calibre.
Heroic feats.
Oscar Wilde, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stocker.
add
*obsession
*possession
*contradictions
*jealousy
*sexual tension
*lovesickness
of course
*mystery
everything written in normal lower cases,
+LOVE (in big bold letters!)
and you have - more or less-an imagination about this sequel.
What was also very important here - not only Ira Adler, a former rent-boy, grew up and changed. But also Cain Goddard started to change and undergo some sort of metamorphosis. Otherwise WHY did he start to question his life’s style?It had mde him a very wealth man. But had it made him a happy one? Was this really all he wanted from life?
The ending was beautiful and even also a bit sad but for sure not without hope.
I would say-it matches perfectly to the whole story.
And I, for my part, hope very much to meet the characters in the next sequel again and SOON(please!), and to see them coming together and having their HEA. *sigh*.
It would be great.
BR with my buddy Sofia -
Bit of an oddball, straddling the lines between historical detective story and romance. It's definitely not a romance because no HFN/HEA but it's very focused on Ira's love life, and the mystery isn't really primary to the plot. You could call it historical fiction maybe but it has a very genre feel to me, which is not a bad thing: it's highly readable.
The storytelling's assured; Ira is a bit on the "sexually irresistible to every passing male" side for plausibility (which is something you'd expect in an erotica of the James Lear type but there's barely any on page sex) but the atmosphere is well developed, the large cast is handled with assurance, the cameos of real people aren't as obtrusive as in #1 (I hate cameos of real people because they always jar me out of the story, YMMV). The mystery isn't a huge element but is well developed and handled for what it is, and it's well written and paced.
HOWEVER -
Great writing once again. Ira’s voice is unique, slightly older, changed from when we first met him, but still him. Faraday is taking me along on the making of Ira Adler and I’m enjoying the trip in all it's intricate, complicated dance. Especially more so having heard the news that there is a third one on the way, which makes me a happy girl.
I greatly appreciate how Faraday makes me feel part of the era by mentioning people who lived in that time, whom I know like Oscar Wilde, Conan Doyle and his creation Holmes, Bram Stoker etc. In this way she is able to make me include my own personal memories of these people, books films pictures etc in her story, making it richer and me happier, more invested.
Piccadilly Circus - London
BR with Lena - she says it so much better than me
here -
What a wonderful followup to
The Affair of the Porcelain Dog; another gripping mystery and poignant love story.
Ira Adler made his choice: saving his moral soul over living the posh life with drug lord Cain Goddard. Now, its a few years later and Ira’s life hasn’t been glamorous, but its been his own. He’s been supporting himself through secretary work, but unfortunately his latest employer has skipped town without paying him his dues. Plus, his joint venture with Lazarus, Turnbull House, has come into some financial strains. Before he knows it, Ira finds himself making a deal with the devil AKA the Duke of Dorset Street… You know? The one and only Cain Goddard! Soon, Ira is nearly back into the same situation he pulled himself out of almost three years ago.
Ira has grown up… A LOT! No, it hasn’t been easy…he’s lonely and broke and still very vulnerable to Goddard’s attentions. Yes, yes, I know this story is meant to be a mystery, but it was the power struggle between Ira and Goddard that drove this story for me. So while it isn’t a romance, it is most definitely a love story…a love story that is not yet finished being told. I BELIEVE Goddard loves Ira and that its not just an obsession or a lost challenge to him, but Goddard still needs to learn to love Ira in the way Ira deserves to be loved. Both still have some growing to do…but they are getting closer.“You crossed a line. I’m not your employee. I’m not your possession. I may not be your social equal, but I deserve your respect.” ~ Ira
The mystery here in Turnbull House wasn’t as strong as the one in the first book. It didn’t have the same danger and urgency, therefore the pace of the book seemed a bit slower to me to the point that I really wasn’t much concerned about who the killer was…I cared more about the characters and their stories…
Speaking of the characters, we get to see some old friends and some new faces…even a few cameos from some famous classic authors. My favorite newbie was Jack Flip…and his secret was the best twist of the entire book! But honestly, ALL the characters are so real and believable that I feel like I’ve stepped back in time to Ira’s world…yes, definitely as vivid as The Affair of the Porcelain Dog.
In the end, Turnbull House is nearly perfect. No details left out, no loose ends left hanging…yes, the love story is open ended, but thats just how its meant to be…
I will be right there ready for when the third book releases…Ira Adler is an easy addiction for me.
4.5 Stars
Reviewed for
The Blogger Girls -
Jess Faraday has, simply put, written not a romance but a story of an almost tragic love, one I’m eagerly awaiting the continuation of if for nothing more than to see if love itself is enough to bring about an evolution for Cain Goddard. Though that, I will admit, may be little more than my glass half full, rose colored glasses need to see these two dynamically contradicting and complex men find their way to a happy ending.
See the entire review at The Novel Approach:
http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20... -
Marvellous!
What a talented author!
This is book two in the Ira Adler series and it is a fast paced historical mystery. I loved this because it is set in London but mostly I just loved reading about Ira Adler once more.
This story finds Ira working as a secretary and supporting himself although his erstwhile employer (a certain Mr Wilde) is not very regular with pay. Ira is also on the board of Turnbull house, a refuge and training centre for young former sex workers and others, but Turnbull house is in dire financial straights and Ira seeks help from his former crime king lover.
Ira is then drawn down very difficult and dark paths as he balances his life and friends with the darkness and dealings of the Duke of Dorset street.
I thought this was an excellent follow up to book 1. It was great to find myself back on the streets of 19th Century London, with all its poverty, wealth, culture and community. The story is gripping because Ira is such a fascinating character, both irascible and street smart, but also vulnerable and compassionate and courageous.
I think I actually liked this better than book 1, probably due to my familiarity with the characters.
The story is a mystery with elements of romance and this is actually the kind of story I really like. I enjoyed the pace of the story and the events that I couldn't see coming, so when Ira was surprised I was also surprised and then at the end most of the issues are resolved, but more importantly Ira has grown in character and come to know himself.
I loved this. I wish all my books were as good as this one!
Next week book 3!!
Onwards!! -
I liked this even more than the first book. The tense interplay between Ira and Cain is fascinating. And the rich period detail and mentions of well known London people and places adds to the fun. I'm anxious to read book three to see where they go from here.
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So... In order to explain my response to this book, I'm going to have to say a bit about the first volume, which I didn't really review properly.
The Affair of the Procelain Dog: A crime-solving rentboy, his victorian crime boss lover, watson-like veteran doctor former client and would be lover, blackmail plots, warring drug lords, opium dens, anarchists, human trafficking, a MacGuffin hunt, and more, all without the boring yet seemingly obligatory on page sex that plagues almost everything with a gay protagonist these days. In other words buckets of awesome which couldn't have been anymore perfectly up my alley if Faraday had set out to write a book just for me.
Turnbull House, on the other hand, is very... "domestic". I mean, I love the characters, both the old and the new, but here they've settled into a happy, stable (though financially precarious) life post Porcelain Dog. There's a token mystery, but it never feels as if there are any real stakes. The conflicts and obstacles that turn up are dealt with too quickly and too easily. Ira spends a bit of time hoping Goddard's not as bad as he fears and worrying he is, but the biggest source of tension in the whole book is the question of whether Ira's houseguest will steal his typewriter.
Neither book is a romance, which you could be excused for expecting given the company it seems to keep on lists and goodreads shelves. If you didn't really give a crap about the adventure and mystery elements of Porcelain Dog and just want to spend another leisurely afternoon with Ira and friends, then maybe you'll love this. I certainly seem to be in the minority rating it lower than Porcelain Dog, and it's not as if I didn't enjoy it. I did buy the next volume after finishing Turnbull House. But I can't help but be disappointed that it never recaptures the sheer awesomeness of The Affair of the Porcelain Dog. -
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great sequel to The Affair of the Porcelain Dog. I hope there will be more Ira Adler stories in the future!
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Find more reviews like this one at my blog
Books A to Z
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
I was very excited when I was approved to read this book from Net Galley. I loved the cover and the description promised to hit quite a few of my favorite kinks and tropes. Then I opened the book and discovered that this was a sequel. I put it down. My philosophy had always been never to start a series anywhere else but at the beginning. It seemed stupid not to. But a day or so passed and every time I looked at my Kindle, TURNBULL HOUSE seemed to be staring at me, pleading with me to read it. I caved. I broke my own rule and read something that was not the first in its series.
I am so glad that I did.
TURNBULL HOUSE was special. So addicting. I needed to read more. The characters were distinct, sexy, and believable.
Ira was an ex-rent-boy (the hyphens!) who had gone straight (lol), earning his living by being a person secretary for Oscar Widle (this was set Wilde's London, after all) and was on the board for a place called Turnbull House (we have a title), where orphans, typically ones who were prostitutes, could learn to earn an honest living. Things go wrong when the owners, Ira and husband and wife team Tim and Beth Lazarus (note: Time used to be one of Ira's 'clients' back in his rent-boy days. Awkward), found that hey were very close to losing Turnbull House. Ira decided to turn to his old lover, crime lord Cain Goddard for help. You could see where that quickly goes right?
This novel was so fulfilling. The plot was rich, the characters were fabulous. I loved all of the sexual tension. Apparently there's something about Ira!"John Thomas had seen more action in the past week than in the previous two years."
Tim clearly still had feelings for his co-worker, kissing him a couple times (those scenes shouldn't turned me on as much as did, right) despite being married to Beth. Ira's other main love interest in the novel was Cain. Oh dear lord the sexual tension between Ira and Cain. They were in love each other but they haven't reached a point in each of their lives where they can have a healthy relationship yet and it hurt to read. I enjoyed every second of it."If you tear up that contract, you'll never have to deal with me again on any level." He met my eyes. "Unless you want to."
I swallowed hard. After all that had happened, I found the very idea inconceivable. At the same time, the very thing I had wanted-- a fresh start with him, uncomplicated by the patterns of our past, and with every hope of a future of equality and mutuality-- that very thing was dangling in front of me, daring to take it."
Two quick notes. Be warned, there was a brief, non-graphic dub-con/rape scene. Also I noticed a editing error. Cathy become Kathy about half way through and then went back to being Cathy at the end. However, this could be disregarded since my copy was from Net Galley.
The only reason I gave TURNBULL HOUSE a B|four stars instead of an A|five stars was because of parallels between it and Sherlock. It was done on purpose but also wasn't. It was odd. Tim was a bit like Sherlock in away, noticing every detail at a glance. Ira Adler whose name was so close to Irene Adler, reminded me of Watson, being Sherlock's writer. There was a character, St. Andrews, who was so obsessed with Doyle's tales of the consulting detective that he tried his best to emulate the fictional character, by becoming a consulting detective for the Yard and dressing like Holmes does. You could even say that Cain was Moriarty. TURNBULL HOUSE turned oddly meta when authors Doyle and Bram showed up, especially when Doyle and St. Andrews met and became instant friends. It was just weird.
After I finished reading this, I purchased the first book, THE AFFAIR OF THE PORCELAIN DOG and I am currently plowing through it. I am also very happy that on her blog the author reported that she was writing the third novel of the series, set in the American Wild West!
If you're like me, and don't want to give this book a shot because it is not the first in the series. Don't worry, the author catches you up as you go along. Read it. You won't regret it.
TURNBULL HOUSE will definitely be on my list of the best books in 2014. -
Let me tell you...I freaking sobbed so hard at the end of this book. I was a crying mess! I had so many tears falling down my cheeks, my eyes were freaking burning, and my nose was even running. I have NEVER cried like that over a book before! I mean, sure, books have made me sad... might've made my eyes slightly tear up a bit, but not even actually flow over. But no, here I was bawling my eyes out like an overly sensitive freak. I have a headache now. I was planning for so many days to finally start reading this book, and I only got around to actually starting it today. Yes... I read it in one freaking day. That is how amazing it was. I'm sorry that this review isn't really about the book at all, but seriously! [Major spoiler coming?] : I really, really, really, realllllyyyy wanted Goddard and Ira to be together. I can't believe this, haha. I had hope until the very end. Throughout both books, just a constant hope. Ira would constantly shatter that hope, but ultimately I didn't care. I still hoped. The thing about the moths truly made me happy, and I would have been fine with it there, with the slight possibility there was something for their future. But the second I read the last sentence, I just burst into tears because the hope was shattered completely. Yes, that is why I cried my eyes out... haha. I'm just really sad right now...Ugh. But the book, regardless, was amazing. Clearly. Ugh. I'm so sad. My heart will be broken for the rest of the week...thank you very much. That is actually the reason it took me so long to even start reading this sequel, due to the heartbreak from the first book. I am going to end this horrible review now and try to find something to make me happy. While still being sad and brainwashing myself into believe the ripped up document doesn't mean they won't spontaneously fall in love again.
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What a fun book! I had not read any of this author's work previous to this, but now I have another author to add to my list of authors to watch.
This is a smartly written and sassy novel with some truly stellar and unexpected quotes. The main character is full of wry observations and hilarious quotes. I won't go so far as to say that I think this book would be a good fit for everyone. If you are offended by homosexual characters or ones who just tell it like it is, this might not be for you. For those of you who like dry wit and characters that don't hold back, this will please you.
I liked the story very much. The author weaved together many different lives and occurrences to create an entertaining book with a lot going on in it. I really liked the dialogue and the interaction between the characters.
The author's personality really shined in this book with plenty of LOL moments and good amount of unexpected events.
This was a great book and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher and provided by Netgalley. All opinions are my own. -
I love Jess Faraday's work and am particularly fond on Ira Adler, the too damn attractive for his own good private secretary and orphan's home board director. In addition to an ever more complicated mystery about why certain people connected to the dirty business of sugar are dying mysteriously, we get all sorts of mentions of 19th century London characters from Oscar Wilde to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to Bram Stoker. Wonderful atmosphere, fascinating mystery, great book!
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I was so upset about the book. The characters were complicate and trustful and the reality was neither easy nor simple. I can't tell for whom I felt more sorry, Ira or mr. Capable-of-every-bad-thing. It seems the latter earned what he deserved but who also was a victim of you-know-that-sort-of-thing which made him a disable man of love. (Shat I shall not read another bad-ending book before long. The story hurt me so much and this is merely the second book of the trilogy!!! Hell no!!!!
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Excellent sequel to the first book (The Affair of the Porcelain Dog), though the mystery wasn't as tight as in the first novel. Still thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly Recommended.
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Ira Adler es ahora un ciudadano responsable, trabajando como secretario. ¿Qué importa que su último empleador le deba la paga de los últimos meses cuando tiene la satisfacción de ayudar en la casa Turnbull que mantiene a los niños fuera de las calles? Pero de repente la organización corre peligro cuando el dueño del edificio les avisa que va a vender a alguien más, a menos que puedan igualar la oferta. El único recurso de Ira es acudir a su antiguo amante, Cain Goddard, para un préstamo, pero el implacable hombre de negocios no hace caridad, y cuanto más trata con él, Ira empieza a preguntarse por qué lo dejó y si no sería mejor regresar a su vida de lujos.
~~~
Normalmente no leo las trilogías o sagas de corrido, sino que dejo vivir las historias en el fondo de mi mente durante un par de meses, hasta que un buen día aparecen en un destello y me pregunto qué estarán haciendo esos personajes. Dice mucho del estilo y narración de Jess Faraday que en cuanto terminé
The Affair of the Porcelain Dog NECESITÉ leer el segundo libro de inmediato. ¿Ira podría ganarse la vida como secretario? ¿Bess y Lazarus estarían felizmente casados? ¿El hogar para niños tiene éxito? ¿El gran jefe criminal Cain Goddard realmente se había dado por vencido con Ira?
Ambientado 2 años después del final del libro 1, la autora nos trae de regreso al mundillo particular de Ira Adler, con su encanto intacto pero con muchas más tribulaciones financieras a cuestas. Y por si sus escasos fondos no fueran pocos, aparece ante su puerta Marcus Harrington, aquel jovencito al que le ofreció asilo cuando los detuvieron en la redada del burdel. Marcus ya ha cumplido condena y está ahí para aceptar el ofrecimiento de Ira; pero pronto queda patente que no puede ofrecerle la clase de orientación y educación que le ofreció Cain a él años antes, y su cama es muy estrecha para dos. Mientras anima a Marcus a conseguir un empleo honesto, Ira debe hacer de repartidor para pagar el préstamo que Cain le hizo para salvar Turnbull House. Pero ese trabajo aparentemente inocuo despierta sus sospechas cuando los dos hombres a los que les hizo entregas aparecen muertos. ¿Es una coincidencia o Cain los mató? ¿Son sus muertes parte de una oscura estratagema para incriminar a Ira como venganza por su abandono dos años antes?
Esta vez la trama no se centra exclusivamente en el misterio de las muertes de los dos hombres, también nos muestra retazos de la vida de los personajes secundarios, del funcionamiento de Turnbull House y su lucha por hacerse sustentable financieramente y por supuesto el enigmático Cain Goddard que no parece haber olvidado a Ira, y espera retomar su relación, aunque Ira ya no sea el muchacho frívolo de antes. Fuimos testigos del crecimiento de Ira en el primer libro, pero es en este segundo donde podemos afirmar que realmente ha madurado y ha cambiado; el ofrecimiento de volver a los antiguos lujos después de dos años de escasez lo tientan realmente, pero al final su consciencia y moral se superponen a cualquier deseo. También se nota en cómo se erige en un modelo a seguir para los jóvenes de Turnbull House y su amistad tan estrecha con el matrimonio Lazarus.
La narración es sencilla, pero llena de calidez y sentimientos por nuestros personajes (Incluso Cain demuestra ser tridimensional, aunque aún sea un jefe criminal) Sigue siendo un retrato de la época victoriana llena de carencias para los barrios pobres, pero esta vez la historia es más esperanzadora.
¿Qué Disfruté?
Ira es entrañable por lo humano que es. Y me gustó especialmente que hiciera de mentor para Marcus y lo viéramos comenzar una mejor vida.
¿Qué Prefiero Olvidar?
Es un poco extraño la inclusión de cameos de autores famosos de la época. Oscar Wilde apenas se mencionó una vez en el libro anterior, pero esta vez Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde y su infame amante son parte integral de la trama.
Citas
Solitude is the price that one pays for waiting for the right person.
Maybe the luck that brought me up from the gutter to a place where I could help other people out of it-maybe this was the hand of God, I don't know. What I did know was that I felt no kinship to those who blathered on about how people starving in the streets were getting what they deserved, or that they should be happy about it because it was the will of some old man in the sky. It's easy to have faith when your belly is full and your street is safe, well-lit, and evenly paved. And who wouldn't want to think one's luck was due to moral superiority rather than sheer good fortune, which could end at any time?
"Don't be melodramatic." He scoffed. "I suppose that's why you're spending all your time playing with Bess Lazarus's orphans. Trying to save your soul, are you?"
"They're not orphans. They're throwaways. People no one wanted. Like I was."
"I wanted you."
"As an ornament. Something for your collection. You certainly didn't want someone who thought for himself, or who... who could challenge the ethics of your ambitions."
The moths, according to the author, changed color over time in response to their environment. Evidence that species change, develop, adapt, and improve over time, rather than being doomed to the inherent weaknesses with which they were created. Just as my experiences, good and bad, had tempered and improved me, Goddard was saying. Taken in this context, it was quite a compliment. -
Turnbull House. Jess Faraday
Review from Jeannie Zelos Book reviews.
I'd not read the first book The Affair of the Porcelain Dog but read the sample, and decided this book looked promising. It was, I really enjoyed it.
Ira is Gay in a world where its routed out religiously, and anyone suspected of it jailed on the flimsiest of pretences. Tough life, and as a reformed rent boy he's now a trustee for Turnbull House, a shelter for youths seeking to escape the same life he led. He reluctantly turns to his ex lover, a local crime lord, Cain, for help when the shelter is in danger of being sold. He's not seen Cain since they parted on bad terms two years back, and is uncertain of his welcome. Seems Cain is keen to renew their acquaintance though – but he's still in the same situation that led to Ira leaving. Still, he loans the money but with some tight strings attached, which means Ira is now connected to him, and also has to work out a way for the shelter to come up with repayments. Through a series of incidents Ira is suspected of murder, gets involved with another ex - St Andrews, and gets entangled with another young man, Marcus, who's in a position to the one Ira was when Cain took him in.
Its a look at practical life of the time, where anything was OK so long as you didn't get caught, where life of those without resources was of little value. Ira, his friend Lazarus, and wife Bess are trying to help and educate a few youths rescued from that life, where prostitution is their only way of surviving. Its tough though, and the novel really shows how difficult it was to escape when you've no money, no resources. Its not doom and gloom though, the kids are in some ways old for their years, and yet touchingly innocent about other things. They're willing to do all they can too to keep the shelter running, and they provide some links between different but connected events in the novel.
I loved the characters, loved Ira – a good man trying to do his best in a world where he didn’t really fit. Cain too – I know he was ruthless, vicious crime lord and yet we saw a softer side to him, where he seemed to genuinely care for Ira even though he was manipulative and at time OTT in his need for control. I was rooting for him and Ira to find a way back together. I liked Marcus but didn't see him as suiting Ira long term, and St Andrews...well, I think he'd drive Ira demented with his Sherlock Holmes and private eye fantasies :) Fine in small does only... Then there's Lazarus – he too has a past with Ira, but that's behind him now that he's married to Bess, and about to be a father. There's an appearance too by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – that was fun- when Ira is trying to find out who did the murder he was suspected of, and if there's a link between two fires that have caused deaths and damage to businesses where he has recently visited.
Overall its a really good read, one to savour and enjoy, and one I know I’ll find more when I read second time, as its so packed with detail that its easy to miss subtle clues to what’s happening. I loved the way it felt as if I was there, back in history, living alongside the characters and seeing their problems as real. Its not thrill a minute suspense, or dramatic, angst ridden romance, but a more leisurely trawl through the streets and problems of London in the late 1800's. Its a decently long read too at 264 pages for paperback version. I like books that are longer, and let reader really get to know characters and problems. Although its a sequel to Porcelain Dog, I can't help hoping that there's more to come one day from this fascinating cast of characters, especially Ira and Cain.
Stars: four and a half.
ARC supplied by Netgalley -
Twenty-something Ira Adler has been keeping himself afloat and alive (barely) a couple of years after bravely and defiantly walking away from his powerful and wealthy lover Cain Goddard. Ira’s venture into gainful employment (as a private secretary) has proven a failure (his employer Wilde has become besotted with one disreputable Lord Bosey) and has failed to come good with remuneration/pay.
Compounding Ira’s monetary woes, Turnbull House – a worthy charitable work/institution for young/homeless street walkers and urchins has itself fallen into dire financial straits and would have to close shop unless the Board (Ira being a board member) comes up with a miracle soon. Folly or not, Ira falls back to old times and goes back to Cain Goddard requesting financial assistance – which the latter seems more than happy to provide.
In a case of real-life reflecting fiction (Ira’s recent secretarial skills have been honed on tiding up the rough manuscript of The Picture of Dorian Gray), Ira is about to discover the benefits and dangers that come when one ‘deals with the Devil’. To what lengths will Cain go to regain Ira’s presence and affection in his life? What further secrets/horrors are yet to be uncovered regarding Cain’s nefarious underworld and black market trade? Unsurprisingly, dead bodies start appearing once Ira embarks on carrying out his part of the ‘deal’ with Cain …. what appeared to Ira as simple no-brainer tasks end up with fatal consequences, and once again – the police is on Ira’s tail as prime suspect for murder.
They say things happen in threes … suddenly, Ira finds not just one attractive set of brawny arms beckoning, two further handsome and alluring male figures (from the previous book in this series) make re-appearances to stir Ira’s libido and woo his affections; our valiant MC has his work cut out for him as he struggles to discern the gold from the dross? Love at what price/cost?
Once again, Faraday gives us strong, complex and fascinating characters. Ira’s growth toward maturity, wisdom, personal integrity and independence continues throughout this book. Cain as always cuts fine figure – a fine blend of cunning/ruthless underworld kingpin with magnanimous financier and protective overlord to those who work for him; I desperately want to know if this character can be redeemed by Ira’s love. As mentioned earlier, several familiar secondary characters return in this book – Dr Tim Lazarus and his (now) wife Bess, that sanguine sleuth and Cain’s nemesis Andrew St Andrews, red-haired Watkins - one of Cain’s ‘muscles’, Pauline from Cain Goddard’s household staff. Further character development is provided for the tortured Tim. A couple of new characters are introduced – the adorable ragamuffin Jack Flip with the bright ideas and sassy lip, and then there are the historical luminaries such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker and Sir Henry Irving!
OMG the book ends on yet another cliff-hanger – one could call it a HFN delay to a satisfactory resolution for Ira and Cain’s up-and-down relationship – yet again! I’m not even sure when the next book in the series comes out but I will be on tenterhooks awaiting it. The author has written an excellent sequel to
The Affair of the Porcelain Dog and I have become an avowed fan. Bravo! -
I received a reviewer's copy of this book from the publisher on Netgalley.
I can't believe it took me two whole days to read this. I kept getting interrupted which filled me with increasing levels of resentment, because I wanted to read this book as fast as I possibly could, because it was so excellent. At about 80% in my husband was unceremoniously told to STFU, Mrs. Rayman is reading.
This book is a sequel to
The Affair of the Porcelain Dog which was published in 2011, and which I read last year and absolutely loved. The ending of this second book strongly set it up as trilogy series, or perhaps more? The story arc feels rather trilogy to me, and the author's blog reports she's working on number three. (I am now irrationally jealous of the people in the future who will be able to read this complete series in one go.)
Like the first book, I found this book exceptionally well-balanced in dramatic elements. There's a lot going on, and there's a lot to like. This book is primarily a mystery, but with an ongoing romantic subplot from the first book, and a good deal of character development to really keep this from being "just another" historical mystery series. It really stands on its own apart from the gay historical romance genre or the historical mysteries genre, which it's sort of straddling. The time period (Gay Nineties London) is comfortably developed (without being a look-what-I-read-about knowledge dump from the author's research like some books can be) and historically authentic, the side characters are a mixture of interesting, fully-fleshed originals and historical cameos, and the romance is complicated, as Ira balances an unexpected houseguest-with-benefits fresh out of prison, a close friend panicking about becoming a father, and the rich, powerful, and criminal Cain Goddard, who Ira left to lead the morally upright life.
Overall, while managing to be a cracking good mystery, this book is at the core about "doing the right thing" when it's not obvious what that thing is, and the ever-present potential for redemption.
Not a lot of people have read the first book, but this series is really, really worth your time. (I would also really recommend reading the first book before trying this one, otherwise you'll lose some of the depth of character development.) -
A stellar sequel to The Case of the Porcelain Dog. Ira Adler finds himself in the thick of things, both personally and professionally, when he has to approach his former lover, Cain Goddard, for assistance in keeping Turnbull House from falling into the hands of an anonymous developer. Goddard would like nothing more than to have Adler back in his bed but Ira isn't quite ready for that yet. He's got his hands full trying to help a former drug addict go straight and preventing a friend, and former client, from ruining his marriage for a trip down memory lane. Then the bodies start to pile up and Adler has to figure out if Goddard's assistance has come with too high of a price.
Lots of action in this book plus some surprising cameos from a few familiar names. I love how Adler always seem to find himself unwittingly entangled either in danger or in someone's arms - often at the same time! Part of the fun of these books is watching him try to extricate himself from the thick of the action while trying to resolve things to everyone's satisfaction. His relationship with Goddard becomes more complex in this book and while I think that Adler is far too good for him, we might be seeing the beginning of Goddard's transformation as well. Definitely looking forward to seeing that in the next book. 4 stars -
What a great follow-up to
The Affair of the Porcelain Dog this is! Ira Adler is one of those characters who subtly charms his way into the reader's affections without appearing to intend to do any such thing. (In this way, he's much more subtle than his own sometime inamorato, the Duke of Dorset Street.)
The author weaves luminous characters, sparkling dialogue, and historical fact into the warp and weft of Victorian London's gaslit, foggy, cobbled streets, and creates another winner where character drives situation, which drives character, and all pushes toward an end that seems uncertain but proves inevitable.
The author is a friend and writing group partner, and I loved seeing how this story evolved from its earliest drafts to this tightly plotted, luminously detailed, printed and bound form. There is a third in this series coming soon, and I can hardly wait! -
So very good. This historical mystery series is marvellous and this is the second book. I absolutely loved it. Ira Adler is an incredibly engaging character and narrator. The story itself is interesting and fast-paced and so vivid, but, in some ways, it's Ira himself that makes this series so delightful. His wry commentary on his adventures is poignant and amusing and lively. He's a fascinating character and so endearing. The writing is snappy and bright and full of life. I love all the secondary characters as well. The historical detail is rich and full and never overdone, and the atmosphere is wonderful. This is a fun, vivid, exciting story, and I enjoyed every minute.
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This was such a great sequel to The Affair of the Porcelain Dog. A wonderful mystery and Arthur Conan Doyle as a supporting character, what's not to like. The story has evolved in so many ways as Ira grows as a man of principles surrounded with so much London culture and historical facts that the reader cannot help being in awe of the time period. Just love this series and wishing for more.
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I liked this just as much as the first one. I liked the plot alot, although I felt the ending was a bit anti-climatic. I had hoped Goddard would give up his business for Ira. The story line with street urchin Jack Flip finding her way in the world was my favorite part!
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** 4.5 Stars ** -
An absolute masterpiece. Review coming soon
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Review to come shortly, in the online magazine CHELSEA STATION.
Review is now live on CHELSEA STATION:
http://www.chelseastationmagazine.com... -
Another fabulous read. Love Ira and Cain. Everything good about the first book was even better this time around. Can't wait for the next book!
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I'm enthralled, and there's only one book left! What am I going to read after that!
