Lucy Campion, a ladies’ maid turned printer’s apprentice in
17th-century London, is crossing Holborn Bridge over the vilest portion of the
River Fleet one morning when she encounters a distraught young woman, barely
able to speak and clad only in a blood-spattered nightdress. The woman has no
memory of who she is or what’s happened to her, and the townspeople believe
she’s posessed. But Lucy is concerned for the woman’s well-being and takes her
to a physician. When, shockingly, the woman is identified as the daughter of a
nobleman, Lucy is asked to temporarily give up her bookselling duties to
discreetly serve as the woman’s companion while she remains under the
physician’s care. As the woman slowly recovers, she begins-with Lucy’s help-to
reconstruct the terrible events that led her to Holborn Bridge that morning.
But when it becomes clear the woman’s safety might still be at risk, Lucy
becomes unwillingly privy to a plot with far-reaching social implications, and
she’ll have to decide how far she’s willing to go to protect the young woman in
her care.
My thoughts:
A Death Along the River Fleet is the first book I have read
by Susanna Calkins and probably the first historical fiction book I have read
that takes place soon after the great London fire. The title of the book, the
cover and the premise really drew me in. I was completely absorbed in the story
from the very beginning.
I’d have to say that Lucy Campion is now one of my favorite
female heroines. She is strong, intelligent, wise even. I love her process of
thought and her desire to help people. The fact that she works as a printer’s
apprentice helps a great deal too! Also, how the people around her respond to
her is fascinating. Really strong character development here.
There are solid historical aspects to this story and I was
thrilled with the intrigue! How the story unfolded and how the clues were
stacking up was brilliant! This is about the best mystery story I have read in
a long time. I really can’t say enough great things about this book. I highly
recommend it. Now I will be sure to go back and read the other three books that
came before this one!
Rated: Five Stars!
I obtained a copy of this book through NetGalley for an
honest review.
This review was previously published on my wordpress.
Stephanie M. Hopkins
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