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Down a Dark River - (An Inspector Corravan Mystery) by Karen Odden (Paperback)
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About this item
Highlights
- In the vein of C. S. Harris and Anne Perry, Karen Odden's mystery introduces Inspector Michael Corravan as he investigates a string of vicious murders that has rocked Victorian London's upper crust.
- About the Author: Karen Odden earned her Ph.D. in English from New York University and subsequently taught literature at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
- 320 Pages
- Fiction + Literature Genres, Mystery & Detective
- Series Name: An Inspector Corravan Mystery
Description
Book Synopsis
In the vein of C. S. Harris and Anne Perry, Karen Odden's mystery introduces Inspector Michael Corravan as he investigates a string of vicious murders that has rocked Victorian London's upper crust. London, 1878. One April morning, a small boat bearing a young woman's corpse floats down the murky waters of the Thames. When the victim is identified as Rose Albert, daughter of a prominent judge, the Scotland Yard director gives the case to Michael Corravan, one of the only Senior Inspectors remaining after a corruption scandal the previous autumn left the division in ruins. Reluctantly, Corravan abandons his ongoing case, a search for the missing wife of a shipping magnate, handing it over to his young colleague, Mr. Stiles. An Irish former bare-knuckles boxer and dockworker from London's seedy East End, Corravan has good street sense and an inspector's knack for digging up clues. But he's confounded when, a week later, a second woman is found dead in a rowboat, and then a third. The dead women seem to have no connection whatsoever. Meanwhile, Mr. Stiles makes an alarming discovery: the shipping magnate's missing wife, Mrs. Beckford, may not have fled her house because she was insane, as her husband claims, and Mr. Beckford may not be the successful man of business that he appears to be. Slowly, it becomes clear that the river murders and the case of Mrs. Beckford may be linked through some terrible act of injustice in the past--for which someone has vowed a brutal vengeance. Now, with the newspapers once again trumpeting the Yard's failures, Corravan must dredge up the truth--before London devolves into a state of panic and before the killer claims another innocent victim.Review Quotes
WINNER, 2022 NEW MEXICO-ARIZONA BOOK AWARD, FICTION-MYSTERY/THRILLER Praise for Down a Dark River:
"Period and place are exceptionally well-drawn."
--Oprah Daily
"A harrowing tale of unbridled vice that exposes the dark underbelly of Victorian society."
--Kirkus Reviews "[Odden] has created a page-turner that is definitely hard to put down."
--New York Journal of Books "[A] finely crafted story."
--Seattle Book Review
"Impossible to put down."
--Historical Novel Society "Superbly written . . . fast paced suspense."
--Mystery and Suspense "A must read for mystery fans!"
--Charles Todd, New York Times bestselling author of the Inspector Rutledge mysteries "This twisty-turn-y mystery introducing a new and charismatic detective will delight readers also looking for well-researched history."
--Susan Elia MacNeal, New York Times bestselling author of the Maggie Hope series "Odden's latest is intricately plotted and filled with a cast of wonderful characters, including a worthy and relatable hero."
--Anna Lee Huber, USA Today bestselling author "A spellbinding, brilliantly plotted Victorian murder mystery, Karen Odden's Down a Dark River features a fascinating and relatable detective, a cast of complex characters, powerful prose, exceptional attention to historical detail, and enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat until the last astonishing page. Highly recommended!"
--Syrie James, bestselling author of The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte
"Sparkling prose, vivid description, a haunting and satisfyingly complex story . . . Down a Dark River is a must read for fans of any genre of crime fiction."
--Edwin Hill, author of The Secrets We Share "Gritty, compelling and vividly written . . . Like Anne Perry, Odden demonstrates a commanding grasp of authentic period detail."
--Susanna Calkins, author of the Lucy Campion historical mysteries and Speakeasy Murders "An original, street-smart detective, an intriguing mystery, and delicious Victorian flavor. All my favorite things!"
--Laura Joh Rowland, author of The Ripper's Shadow, a Victorian Mystery "No one does Victorian England like Karen Odden . . . Fans of Anne Perry and Charles Finch will welcome Inspector Michael Corravan."
--Mariah Fredericks, author of the Jane Prescott mystery series "This terrific Victorian mystery [is] absolute catnip for those missing the William Monk mysteries of Anne Perry."
--The Poisoned Pen Bookstore
About the Author
Karen Odden earned her Ph.D. in English from New York University and subsequently taught literature at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has contributed essays to numerous books and journals, written introductions for Victorian novels in the Barnes & Noble classics series, and edited for the journal Victorian Literature and Culture (Cambridge UP). Her previous novels, also set in 1870s London, have won awards for historical fiction and mystery. A member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime and the recipient of a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Karen lives in Arizona with her family and her rescue beagle Rosy.Dimensions (Overall): 8.27 Inches (H) x 5.35 Inches (W) x .94 Inches (D)
Weight: .61 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 320
Series Title: An Inspector Corravan Mystery
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Sub-Genre: Mystery & Detective
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Theme: Historical
Format: Paperback
Author: Karen Odden
Language: English
Street Date: February 20, 2024
TCIN: 89246852
UPC: 9781639107230
Item Number (DPCI): 247-25-7559
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 0.94 inches length x 5.35 inches width x 8.27 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.61 pounds
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5.0 out of 5 stars with 1 reviews
Thrilling Historical Suspense!
5 out of 5 stars
Connie Saunders - 3 years ago
London, 1878. If you love Victorian England, and enjoy mystery and suspense, this is certainly a must-read book for you! Author Karen Odden grabbed my attention from the very first paragraphs, sharing the thoughts of Inspector Michael Corravan after he is called into an investigation of a murdered woman's body that has been found floating down the Thames River. This seasoned inspector with Scotland Yard is launched into an investigation of a series of gruesome murders involving the daughters of prominent men, and it's up to him and his young co-worker to stop the killing. Who is targeting these women, and why? Odden has created some memorable characters to showcase this story of corruption and revenge. I loved the working relationship and friendship that evolves between a veteran inspector and a much younger Inspector, and there's even a romance to add to the story's appeal. Down a Dark River has an engaging plot with intriguing historical details, and I was especially drawn to the focus on women and the legal system. Women in 1878 were afraid to testify in court, and this is still true in today's society. Women who have been victims of terrible crimes are often victimized by judges, lawyers, and the courts! This is an exciting and thought-provoking tale, and I look forward to reading more of Inspector Corravan's adventures! I received a copy of this book from the author and Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. There was no obligation for a positive review and I am voluntarily sharing my honest opinion.