Tag Archives: 19th century

The Poisoned Island by Lloyd Shepherd

Posted on April 5, 2013 by

In June 1812 the Solander returns to London from a voyage to Tahiti financed by Sir Joseph Banks of the Royal Society. The ship is carrying a cargo of rare and exotic plants destined for the Kew Gardens. But why … Continue reading →

Posted in Highly Recommended, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

The Specimen by Martha Lea

Posted on February 19, 2013 by

The Specimen sounded like the type of book I usually love. A Victorian setting, a murder mystery, exotic locations, interesting and unusual female protagonists – these are all things I love in a novel, so I had high hopes for … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Fiction, Neo-Victorian, Reviews | Tagged , | 12 Comments

The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner by James Hogg

Posted on January 21, 2013 by

My sister gave me a copy of this book saying it was one of the weirdest books she’d ever read and she thought I would love it. I’m not sure what that says about my reading tastes, but she was … Continue reading →

Posted in Classics, Gothic Fiction, Highly Recommended, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope

Posted on January 11, 2013 by

This is the fifth of Anthony Trollope’s Chronicles of Barsetshire, a series of six novels set in the fictitious county of Barsetshire. I’ve read the first four and enjoyed them all, so I knew what to expect when I picked … Continue reading →

Posted in Classics, Highly Recommended, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

A Long Fatal Love Chase by Louisa May Alcott

Posted on December 1, 2012 by

Until recently I hadn’t realised what a diverse writer Louisa May Alcott was. Like many people I read Little Women and its sequels as a child – and Little Women is still one of my favourite books – but I … Continue reading →

Posted in Classics, Gothic Fiction, Reviews, Sensation Novels, Suspense | Tagged , , | 26 Comments

The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope

Posted on November 13, 2012 by

At the beginning of The Prisoner of Zenda, twenty-nine-year-old English gentleman Rudolf Rassendyll is leading a quiet, comfortable life in London, not working or doing anything at all, to the annoyance of his sister-in-law, Rose. To keep her happy, Rudolf … Continue reading →

Posted in Classics, Recommended, Reviews | Tagged , | 11 Comments

The English Monster by Lloyd Shepherd

Posted on October 13, 2012 by

Well, this was one of the most unusual books I’ve read for a long time! It got off to a great start and after reading the first few chapters (in which we witness six pirates being hanged at London’s Execution … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime, Highly Recommended, Historical Fiction, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments