A Mortal Likeness is second in Laura Joh Rowland’s Victorian Mysteries series. In the aftermath of the Ripper case, Miss Sarah Bain and Lord Hugh Staunton set up a detective agency. Cases are sparse, and funds sparser. While tracking an adulterous husband, the pair stumble upon evidence that may be of help regarding a prominent kidnapping case. When they take the information to Sir Gerald, father of the missing Robin Mariner, he hires them to investigate the possibility of the kidnapping being an inside job. There are stipulations to employment though- they must sign a confidentiality agreement and must move into Mariner House for the duration of the case. From the start, these conditions cause problems. Sarah ends up having to lie to her new fiance. Both have to lie to Mick, their young charge. He’s too smart though, and tracks them down. Life at Mariner House is fraught with danger for the trio. The family and servants are hostile to questioning. Deadly accidents plague the investigators, and personal agendas begin to cloud their objectivity and drive a wedge between Sarah and Hugh, and between Sarah and her fiance. Can they solve Robin’s kidnapping, and keep their relationships intact?
Ok, so this was my first foray into Rowland’s Victorian Mysteries series. I didn’t realise it at first. Mentions are made of the events in Ripper, enough that I got the gist of what happened. I do plan to read it soon! I want the full story. I love stories set in Victorian times, and this read didn’t disappoint. The mystery itself was interesting, and called to mind the true kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby. Sarah is a photographer, a profession fostered by her father before his disappearance, and she brings that talent to the investigation business. It was neat to learn about earlier photography. Rowland has a certain gift for bringing place to life. It’s easy to immerse myself in her stories and feel as if I’m there. I adore her Sano Ichiro series set in feudal Japan.
I feel Sarah and Hugh both have a lot of growing up to do. There were times when Mick, the teen, seemed the adult of the group. This was probably due to him being a street kid and needing to grow up very fast. Hugh, on the other hand, lived a life of privilege until being disowned. Sarah seems in the middle of the two, personality-wise. There were still times I wanted to thwack her for her behaviour. The insistence that Hugh be objective regarding Tristan was ludicrous given her thoughts regarding Sir Gerald, or the times it felt like she was twisting evidence to fit certain people. Especially Tristan, which I feel was due to her fear that he would lure Hugh from their partnership. I’m looking forward to reading the first, and the next, in the series. Recommended for those who love mysteries and historical fiction!
***Many thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. Reviewed for the Tulsa Book Review.
