Maude Horton is determined to avenge her sister Constance, who died on board an Arctic exploration disguised as a ship's boy. Questions around Constance's death plague Maude, as does the man who seems to have been responsible for it. Maude ends up getting closer to the man himself, Edison Stowe, armed with her arsenal of apothecary tinctures and medicines, to get the truth and justice for her sister.

I really liked the premise of this book - and I also enjoyed the time setting this was based in, the mid 1800s with a focus on the public fascination with hangings and other public executions. However, I think the overall story and execution of the plot was a bit disappointing - a story of a sister taking revenge on her sibling's murderer should be juicy and tense, and I felt like the story was flat and lacking in these aspects. I didn't really like that we got so much of Edison's POV as it took away from Maude's journey and therefore we didn't get some scenes that could have been really good in her perspective, but got a little run down of why it had happened instead from her when we switched back. The fact Maude is a chemist and knows her tinctures should have been a really big part of the story but it just wasn't, it was so disappointing.

This book didn't quite deliver to me the story I wanted, and unfortunately it's the second time a Lizzie Pook book has done this to me. I think in terms of historical setting and premise, she writes very well but the actual execution of the plot, the building up and connection with the characters always fall short for me. She tends to have really gorgeous covers that don't end up matching the inside of the book.
 

Steeped in grief, murder and revenge—and told through the dual POVs of Maude, her deceased sister Constance (via journal entries) and Edison Stowe (the man Maude believes is responsible), Lizzie Pook’s second novel is as exquisitely detailed and atmospheric as her first! 

After learning of her sisters’ death aboard an arctic expedition vessel (described solely as death by misadventure) Maude (rightfully) wants answers. And after a disastrous confrontation with the Admiralty, Maude suspects a coverup is at hand. 

So, when her sister’s secret journal (which details Constance’s journey aboard The Makepeace until moments just before her death) end up in her possession Maude is determined to find out the truth and get her revenge by whatever means necessary. 

This was a fabulously plot twisty, rollercoaster of a book! Pook manages to blend the delightfully intriguing mystery of an Agatha Christie novel, with the dark and grisly undertones of Sweeny Todd (minus the cannibalism or musical numbers) that had me well and truly hooked! 

The writing was as well researched and intricately detailed as Pook’s debut (which I also loved) weaving historical elements soo seamlessly that it was difficult to tell what was based on fact and what was fiction—which for me, made the narrative even more immersive.

Set during the height of murder mania and the public’s obsession with sensationalism, I was blown away by how vivid the descriptions were. Particularly those from Constance’s POV, which painted a poignantly vivid picture of just how terrifyingly harsh the arctic environment really was for explorers. And given how precarious her own position was, disguised as a cabin boy on a ship full of men—I was on edge the further into the journey (and journal entries) we got. 

Impressively, all of our main characters were complex and full of depth. Even Edison (who was my least favourite character) had an intriguing, multifaceted background that (sort of) explained most of his motivations. 

Though of course, it was Maude who stole my heart with her heartbreaking earnestness to find closure over her sister’s death. It took courage to do what she does and I couldn’t imagine having to do half of it whilst grieving soo deeply. But, Maude’s dedication (and methodical approach) to justice and revenge was gloriously compelling! 

I did go into this expecting it to be more of a slow burn, but was pleasantly surprised by how pacy it was. Which definitely helped to make many of our characters’ riskier decisions seem all the more intense. 

If you enjoy twisty, gothic-esque tales of murder most foul and wily women getting their revenge—then you’re gonna absolutely love this! 

Also, a huge thank you to BookBreak UK for the (rather glorious) proof.