River of Fallen Angels by Laura Joh Rowland - Book Review

River of Fallen Angels by Laura Joh Rowland

Series: Victorian Mystery #7 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 10th Jan 2023

Genre: Historical Mystery 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Intriguing 

*****

London, April 1891

Sarah Bain Barrett (a crime reporter) and her gang are back in action. Sarah, Hugh, and Mick are at London Bridge when a mutilated torso washes to the shore. It resembles the bodies disposed of by the Thames Torso Murderer and creates a huge stir. Everyone wants to know if the killer is back. 

The gang is up for the challenge to solve the case and boost the sales of the Daily News newspaper. Thomas Barrett, Sarah’s husband and detective sergeant, is also on the case though Inspector Reid wants him on the sidelines. Not to mention that Reid thinks Ripper is the Torso Murderer. 

With little to no information available and random threads dangling around, can Sarah and Thomas find the killer before it’s too late? What happens when they have a difference of opinion? Does Dr. Lewes’ criminal profiling expertise help them? 

The story comes from Sarah’s first-person POV. 

What I Like: 

As the seventh book in the series, it does work well as a standalone. However, knowing the characters will make it easier to follow their actions and thoughts. 

Well, this book is better-paced than the previous one. (It dips in the middle but gains momentum in the last part). A lot happens and leads to a definite climax and ending. 

Sally, Sarah’s younger sister, has an active role in the story, though her presence is still limited. She seems to be entering the main line, and I can’t wait to see her role in the next book. 

The main plot is interesting and progresses well. We see an array of characters, each of them contributing something to the story. 

Beloved Lamb as a polygamous religious cult leader, hit the mark. The setting of his ‘House of Love’ church, his multiple wives and their devotion to him, etc., are vivid and impactful. 

Hugh is back in his previous avatar, which is great to read. Mick wavered, but I’m sure he’ll be his original self in the next one. 

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

Sarah and Thomas have disagreements again. While conflict is necessary to keep the story engaging, it is tiring to see them fight in almost every book after they’ve married (I started reading the series from book 5). 

While Sarah’s voice is authentic to her character, it doesn’t feel as strong as before. Her personality isn’t forceful, even when she takes reckless risks. She feels more like a tired narrator than a determined woman (yeah, she is exhausted, but we can’t have it become a prominent part of her voice). 

I’m not sure I like the shift in Barrett’s character. I hope it is temporary and limited to this book. 

To summarize, River of Fallen Angels is an engaging Victorian mystery with people from the other side of London. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #RiverofFallenAngels