Book Review: The Return of Hester Lynton, Tony Evans
Mystery: The Return of Hester Lynton, Tony Evans
Blog Tour November 26, 2021
Criminals in Victorian England need not fear only the investigations of Scotland Yard. An intrepid consulting detective stands ready to aid those in need, assisted by a sharp witted secretary who also chronicles their cases and adventures. Written in the genteel prose of the era, there really is only one difference between this detective and the more famous Sherlock Holmes: she does not live on Baker Street.
OK, maybe there are two differences.
Hester Lynton and her companion and assistant Ivy Jessop tackle ten new cases in this series of short stories by Tony Evans. The Return of Hester Lynton finds them looking for a stolen necklace, resolving the sudden onset of mania inflicted upon a retired clergyman, employing various disguises and subterfuges, encountering Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde, and enjoying fine meals prepared by their redoubtable housekeeper, Mrs. Parsons. The stories are clever, well written in the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and delightfully evoke the setting and times of Victorian London.
Hester Lynton is not merely a female Sherlock Holmes. She herself is unfailingly polite and proper, putting people at ease at every turn unless they instead need to be put in their place. She is an excellent shot, a brilliant schemer, and completely fearless. She is also quick to rely on her companion, Ivy, recognizing Ivy’s gifts as being complementary to her own. Unwilling to accept praise or accolades, she usually steps back to let her cousin, police officer Albert Brasher, to claim the credit and the professional advancement that come along.
The ten stories in this collection can be read on different occasions or can easily be read together in a day or so. Evans does an excellent job of creating satisfyingly complex plots that can get resolved in just a few pages…with the help of an outstanding consulting detective. Woven throughout are delightful touches: the appearance of famous persons of the era, glimpses into the elite entertainments available at the time, restaurants and meals popular at the time, and even some of the grit and grime of the burgeoning city. Evans brings the city to life as his heroines stride boldly through the streets facing crime and injustice head on.
Whether you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes, fond of Victorian Era settings, or enjoy smart mysteries and kick ass protagonists, this collection is appealing and fresh. Enjoy each story individually or read them all at once. Either way, you too will become a fan of the other brilliant Victorian London consulting detective.
Our thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Blog Tours for our copy of The Return of Hester Lynton, provided solely in exchange for an honest review. The opinions here are solely those of Scintilla. For other perspectives on this book check out the other bloggers on this tour.
Book Review: The Return of Hester Lynton, Tony Evans
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