A Whisper of Death by Darcy Burke * * *
3.5 stars. A Whisper of Death is a book by Darcy Burke, and it's the first book in the Raven and Wren series. It's set in Victorian London, and for the most part, it's a historical mystery. However, there is a supernatural element.
Let's start with the writing. The writing style is reminiscent of Victorian speech, fitting for an author who’s spent years writing historical romance. I enjoyed the language—it gave the story a sense of immersion that a more modern tone wouldn’t have.
Next, let's have a look at the characters. We start with Hadrian Ravenhurst, a forward-thinking lord in Parliament, rich, powerful, and one of the most important people in society. To anyone who's read the synopsis, it will not come as a surprise that in the first chapter he's attacked by a man, and this results in him gaining an unusual ability. I can't tell you much about Lord Ravenhurst's personality. He's the male protagonist. He has a sense of righteousness, and he's also very forward-thinking when it comes to the role of women in society. He's the idealised version lord in Victorian times, who is a little bit more progressive.
The female protagonist is Miss Matilda Wren, who is the private investigator in the story. She comes from a line of men working in law enforcement, and of course, she can't join herself, because she's a woman. She’s got a Miss Scarlet and the Duke vibe—single by choice, dedicated, and well-connected at Scotland Yard, though limited by her era’s expectations. This is also your reminder to watch that show.
Character depth isn’t the main focus here. The author’s background in romance shows, with the characters mostly serving the plot—a bit like what you’d find in a Hallmark movie.
The best part of this book was the mystery. It's a classic slow burn, with methodical clue-chasing from point A to point B. There’s a bit of action, but nothing too flashy. The solution, however, felt like a letdown—it needed more build-up. I had my own ideas for twists that could have made it more surprising. Instead, the ending felt rushed, as if the author had to hit a word count or deadline.
I have some ideas how this could have been prevented, or the solution built into the narrative more, but that would be revealing too much of the story to keep this review spoiler free.
I'm planning on reading the sequel. There's already a sort of lead into the next part at the end. I hope the mystery will be a bit more complex there.
This book does have a romance aspect. It's very slow burn, which I do appreciate. It's not central to the story, which as an aromantic is right up my alley.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. The atmosphere felt fitting, and the author’s knowledge of the era comes through. It’s a quick read, and while I’m hoping for a more layered mystery in the sequel, I look forward to seeing how the series unfolds.
Comments
Post a Comment