A Mortal Likeness

A Mortal Likeness
Victorian Mystery #2
Laura Joh Rowland
Crooked Lane Books
January 19, 2018


The second book in the Victorian Mystery series featuring photographer Sarah Bain and her titled friend, Lord Hugh Staunton. The two have formed a detective agency after their success in The Shadow of the Ripper. Sarah was evicted from the premises of her studio as a direct result of that first case; Hugh was disowned by his family after they discovered his homosexuality. Sarah and Hugh not only work but also live together, along with Hugh's manservant and a street urchin, Mick, who assisted them on the Ripper case. Business is slow, and their resources are low when they are hired to investigate the kidnapping of Robin Mariner, the young son of Sir Gerald Mariner. Sir Gerald is an immensely wealthy and powerful London banker. He suspects a family member and insists that Hugh and Sarah move into his home to investigate. He also requires them to sign a non-disclosure agreement, causing problems with Sarah's lover, Constable Barrett. The Mariner family is a motley crew, all of whom may have reason to be jealous of Robin. There is also a secondary mystery, that of Sarah's father who disappeared years ago.  

A Mortal Likeness has all the elements of historical mysteries that I look for and usually like. It has a female amateur sleuth, excellent historical detail, a well-plotted story, and lots of action. However, I found that I could not connect with either Sarah or Hugh. Both are driven by their emotions and those same emotions do little but hamper the investigation. It becomes a sort of "throw it against the wall and see what sticks" exercise. Plus, both Hugh and Sarah indulge in dangerous and ill-considered behavior throughout the book. I waffled about what rating to give A Mortal Likeness and settled on 2.5 stars rounded up to 3. I am interested enough in the secondary mystery to read the next book to find out what happened to Sarah's father, and what an ongoing relationship with Sir Gerald might bring.

Thanks to Crooked Lane and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy. The opinions are my own.

RATING- 3 Stars