Modern detective Mallory has been stuck in Victorian-era Scotland, where she has found new homicides to solve. The mystery is told well, with even pacing and interesting clues.

This is an easy book to read, in that it's not trying to milk every interaction for the Maximum Drama. Most often, the characters talk out their feelings and relationship problems somewhat clearly. The friendships grow quite fulfillingly in this book because of it. It's easy to root for the characters, because they are all likeable and mature.

I love the way that this book handles its romance: slowly. Sooooo slowly, as in we've gotten two books in and they've barely held hands. Sometimes, I admit, I am impatient and want to shake this book until it disgurges more romantic elements. However, I absolutely respect the work that it is putting in instead to develop the friendship between the characters.

This book has something to say about the Victorian culture/systems, particularly around racism and sexism. Sometimes, it felt much too on the nose, particularly when a Victorian character was railing against the system. The viewpoint felt very modern, and took me out of the story repeatedly. Some of our characters having very enlightened viewpoints? Sure. All of them? Unrealistic. In a book that otherwise seems to try to stick to historical verisimilitude, the contrast is jarring.

A video review including this book will appear on my Youtube channel in the coming weeks, @ChloeFrizzle

Thanks to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.