The Rose in the Wheel by S.K. Rizzolo
This well imagined,
carefully detailed, and cleverly plotted debut draws on actual historical
events of 1811 London.
The Rose in the Wheel
by S.K. Rizzolo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: historical mystery
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Regency London knows
Constance Tyrone as the conspicuously celibate founder of the St. Catherine
Society, dedicated to helping poor women. One wet November evening a carriage
mows down Constance outside her office. Why was a gentlewoman abroad in the
night? And if she died under the wheel, whose hands bruised her neck and stole
her monogrammed crucifix?
Dismissing the idea of an accident, Bow Street Runner John Chase forms an unlikely alliance with Penelope Wolfe, wife of the chief suspect. A young mother paying the price for an imprudent marriage, Penelope is eager to clear her husband Jeremy, a feckless portrait painter whose salacious drawings of the victim suggest an erotic interest. Barrister Edward Buckler, drawn despite himself to Penelope, shakes off his habitual lethargy to join the investigation.
As horrifying murders on the Ratcliffe Highway claim all London’s attention, the trio discovers that it won’t be easy to unravel the enigma of Constance Tyrone, a woman who revives the legend of martyred St. Catherine
Dismissing the idea of an accident, Bow Street Runner John Chase forms an unlikely alliance with Penelope Wolfe, wife of the chief suspect. A young mother paying the price for an imprudent marriage, Penelope is eager to clear her husband Jeremy, a feckless portrait painter whose salacious drawings of the victim suggest an erotic interest. Barrister Edward Buckler, drawn despite himself to Penelope, shakes off his habitual lethargy to join the investigation.
As horrifying murders on the Ratcliffe Highway claim all London’s attention, the trio discovers that it won’t be easy to unravel the enigma of Constance Tyrone, a woman who revives the legend of martyred St. Catherine
Excerpt:
London, November 1811
The clatter of wheels broke the stillness. Two horses
strained in harness, nostrils flaring, breath steaming in the night air.
Wrapped in a greatcoat and low-crowned hat, the driver rode hunched over, face
hidden by his scarf. A gloved hand cracked the whip. Faster.
The woman lying in the road seemed unaware of her peril. She
kept her eyes fixed on the church rising against the night sky. As the mists
parted, the rose window emerged, a circle of textured shadow patiently awaiting
the sun’s fire.
The horses reared, and the woman’s body tumbled beneath hoof
and carriage, arms and legs a-tangle. Whipping around the wheel, her cloak
yanked her back and up so that for one instant she was held suspended. Down she
tumbled to land in a heap. The coach tilted wildly, regained control, and sped
on. Hoof beats echoed away. The silence closed in with the fog.
I quite enjoyed this well written historical mystery. With elements of religion, medicine, social change and a detailed portrait of the times, specifically in London's rougher neighborhoods, this mystery will keep you thinking you know who murdered the philanthropical Ms. Tyrone, then changing your mind.
The vocabulary is exemplary, attention to detail, first rate.
The main investigative characters of Penelope and Chase are strong with wonderful appeal.
Secondary characters are developed well enough to play firm roles and make us want to know more about them. Maggie reminds me of a jovial yet more responsible Caroline Arliss from Lark Rise to Candleford.
The pacing is steady, allowing the reader to feel dark and fogged in, as bleak as the London weather.
The exciting, danger final scenes will have you on the edge of your seat.
S.K. Rizzolo writes dark regency mysteries—no dukes, earls, or
ballroom debutantes need apply. After developing a childhood obsession with
Henry VIII’s headless wives, she became an incurable Anglophile and went on to
watch practically every Masterpiece Theatre show ever made. By day she teaches
literature to high school students; by night she retreats to her dusty attic to
craft her own stories. Her mystery series features a trio of crime-solving
friends: a Bow Street Runner (an early English detective), an unconventional
lady, and a melancholic lawyer—all of whom live much more exciting lives than
she does. The Rose in the Wheel is the first title in the series followed by
Blood for Blood, Die I Will Not, and On a Desert Shore. Rizzolo lives in Los
Angeles with Oliver Twist and Lucy, her cats, and Michael, her husband. She
also has a grown actress-daughter named after Miranda in The Tempest.
Social Media links:
Website: skrizzolo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007728217416
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4380002.S_K_Rizzolo
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+SKRizzolo/posts
Buy
links:
Barnes
and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rose-in-the-wheel-s-k-rizzolo/1122909240?ean=9781615951789
iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-rose-in-the-wheel/id1181302239?mt=11
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteYes, thank you so much for hosting me on your blog, Laura. And I appreciate your thoughtful and beautifully written review!
DeleteSounds amazing! Thank you fir hosting & introducing this great read!!😍
ReplyDeleteThank tou for tge chance!💋xoxo🍀
Thank you for your interest in my series, I appreciate it!
Deletecongrats on the tour and thanks for the chance to win :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa!
DeleteThanks for the review and excerpt, sounds like a great read, and for the chance to win
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your interest. Best wishes!
DeleteEnjoyed the review and excerpt. Thanks for the giveaway chance.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marcy. Hope you win!
DeleteThanks for sharing your great review!
ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying following this tour, thank you for all the great blog posts and excerpts!
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased you're enjoying the tour!
DeleteCongrats on the new book and good luck on the book tour!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ally. Have a lovely day!
DeleteI love historical mysteries, and this one looks very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. :)
Thank you for your good wishes, Kate. Happy reading to you!
DeleteYou are welcome. :)
DeleteI love novels taking place in foggy London. There is no better place for a good mystery. ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree! Not that we would actually want to live in the 19th century--but so much fun to visit.
DeleteI had lived in London off Baker Street for almost 2 years. There is a Sherlock Holmes Museum. the funny thing is that the street is not so long to get to the number of Sherlock's townhouse. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe Metro station is decorated with wall tiles with Sherlock's profile with the pipe. So cool.
I've been to the Dickens and the Samuel Johnson museums but not to the one for Holmes. Lucky you to have lived in London!
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