Karen
In Melbourne, in 1868, theatre star Marie St Denis dies in the arms of her best friend, up and coming actress, Lola Sanchez. The accepted cause of death is suicide by laudanum overdose, something that Sanchez refuses to believe. Why would her brilliant, much admired, accomplished dear friend do such a thing? But then why would anyone kill St Denis? Sanchez turns for help to journalist and general cad about town, Magnus Scott, the writer of a compassionate obituary for St Denis, but there are quickly tensions between them. Very different backgrounds and positions in society make for a fractious relationship, which often overshadows the investigation they are supposed to be committed to.
MURDER IN PUNCH LANE evokes a time and place really well. Melbourne in 1868 was a wild place, full of criminals from all levels of society with corruption and questionable morality abounding. Readers will be reminded that an Underbelly wasn't a new concept back in the early 2000's when the term started to get bandied about again. The characterisations on the other hand are not so convincing. There's an immaturity and naivety to Sanchez that doesn't match well to somebody with the determination and ruthlessness required to investigate a death that the police and coroner have already declared verdicts on. Scott is also surprisingly naive about some things, and has a tendency to fade from view as his personal fortunes wane. The plot also veers dangerously close to unnecessary complexity too often, invoking less mystery, more just flat out confusion. Which was a little disappointing, as the writing here is very engaging, and as mentioned, the sense of place and time believable and immersive.
Originally posted at www.austcrimefiction.org.
In Melbourne, in 1868, theatre star Marie St Denis dies in the arms of her best friend, up and coming actress, Lola Sanchez. The accepted cause of death is suicide by laudanum overdose, something that Sanchez refuses to believe. Why would her brilliant, much admired, accomplished dear friend do such a thing? But then why would anyone kill St Denis? Sanchez turns for help to journalist and general cad about town, Magnus Scott, the writer of a compassionate obituary for St Denis, but there are quickly tensions between them. Very different backgrounds and positions in society make for a fractious relationship, which often overshadows the investigation they are supposed to be committed to.
MURDER IN PUNCH LANE evokes a time and place really well. Melbourne in 1868 was a wild place, full of criminals from all levels of society with corruption and questionable morality abounding. Readers will be reminded that an Underbelly wasn't a new concept back in the early 2000's when the term started to get bandied about again. The characterisations on the other hand are not so convincing. There's an immaturity and naivety to Sanchez that doesn't match well to somebody with the determination and ruthlessness required to investigate a death that the police and coroner have already declared verdicts on. Scott is also surprisingly naive about some things, and has a tendency to fade from view as his personal fortunes wane. The plot also veers dangerously close to unnecessary complexity too often, invoking less mystery, more just flat out confusion. Which was a little disappointing, as the writing here is very engaging, and as mentioned, the sense of place and time believable and immersive.
Originally posted at www.austcrimefiction.org.