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Heather Redmond
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Grave Expectations (A Dickens of a Crime Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Heather Redmond (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 145 ratings
See all formats and editions
On the eve of Victorian England, Charles Dickens and Kate Hogarth must solve the murder of a spinster wearing a wedding gown . . .
 
London, June 1835: In the interest of being a good neighbor, Charles checks in on Miss Haverstock, the elderly spinster who resides in the flat above his. But as the young journalist and his fiancée Kate ascend the stairs, they are assaulted by the unmistakable smell of death. Upon entering the woman’s quarters, they find her decomposing corpse adorned in a faded gown that looks like it could have been her wedding dress, had she been married. A murderer has set the stage. But to what purpose?
 
As news of an escaped convict from Coldbath Fields reaches the couple, Charles reasonably expects the prisoner, Ned Blood, may be responsible. But Kate suspects more personal motives, given the time and effort in dressing the victim. When a local blacksmith is found with cut manacles in his shop and arrested, his distraught wife begs Charles and Kate to help. At the inquest, they are surprised to meet Miss Haverstock’s cold and haughty illegitimate daughter, shadowed by her miserably besotted companion. Secrets shrouded by the old woman’s past may hold the answers to this web of mystery. But Charles and Kate will have to risk their lives to unveil the truth . . .
 
“As easy to read as one of Mr. Dickens’ actual novels and as entertaining.”
—New York Journal of Books
 
“Once again, Redmond mixes history, mystery, and a little bit of whimsy.”
—Kirkus Reviews
 
“Captures the young Charles’s ebullient energy, the warmth of his circle, and the color of a fast-changing era. Readers will look forward to Charles’s further adventures.”
—Publishers Weekly
 
“Fans of Anne Perry will love this one.”
—Dianne Freeman, award winning author
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  1. Book 2 of 5
    A Dickens of a Crime
  2. Print length
    305 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Kensington Books
  6. Publication date
    July 30, 2019
  7. File size
    1828 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Grave Expectations is as easy to read as one of Mr. Dickens’ actual novels and as entertaining. As the subtitle reveals, it’s a Dickens of a tale, and readers should be coming back for more.”
—The New York Journal of Books on Grave Expectations

“The life of a promising journalist in 19th-century London is complicated, but Redmond's hero is more than up to the challenge in this topsy-turvy take on a British literary classic. Once again, Redmond mixes history, mystery, and a little bit of whimsy.”
—Kirkus Reviews onGrave Expectations

“One of the most satisfying mysteries you will read this year.”
—Suspense Magazine on Grave Expectations

“Redmond’s appealing sequel…effectively captures the young Charles’s ebullient energy, the warmth of his circle, and the color of a fast-changing era. Readers will look forward to Charles’s further adventures.”
—Publishers Weekly on Grave Expectations

“Atmospheric, absorbing…a worthy read that provides some armchair time travel and is great for fans of Christopher Fowler's Bryant & May series.”
—Booklist on Grave Expectations

Praise for A Dickens of Crime Mystery series

“A complex and highly satisfying mystery. Redmond weaves Dickensian themes—wealth and poverty, love and rejection—seamlessly throughout the story while evoking a Victorian era that feels immediate and alive. Fans of Anne Perry will love this one.”
—Dianne Freeman, author of the Countess of Harleigh Mysteries

"Mystery fans and history buffs alike should cheer."
—Kirkus STARRED Review

“One suspects that Mr. Dickens himself would thoroughly enjoy this literary play on his early life and sleuthing abilities. Great fun to read!”
—Catherine Lloyd, author of the Kurland St. Mary Mysteries

“Meticulous attention to historical details and the known elements of Dickens’s life . . . a complex mystery that cunningly explores how Dickens might have been inspired to write the plot of his most well-known book . . . Sharp, incisive, and delightfully twisty. I’m sure I won't be the only reader exclaiming, ‘What the Dickens?!’”
—Anna Lee Huber, bestselling author of the Lady Darby Mysteries

“A Tale of Two Murders is an all-over twisty read and a Dickens of a good mystery!”
—Julie Mulhern, USA Today bestselling author of The Country Club Murders

“With the mystery-weaving skill of Anne Perry and the tone of Dickens, A Tale of Two Murders mixes raw suspense with flirtatious banter in a fast-paced historical mystery that keeps us guessing through a tour of 1830s London.”
—Ransom Stephens, author of The Sensory Deception

“For Dickens fans, this charming little puzzler will prove a delight.”
—Booklist

About the Author

Heather Redmond is a committed anglophile, Dickens devotee, and lover of all things nineteenth century. She has lived in Illinois, California, and Texas, and now resides in a small town in Washington State with her husband and son.



Tim Campbell, winner of AudioFile Earphones Awards, is a narrator and actor based in Los Angeles, California. He studied at the University of California and earned a BA in music and theater and a certification from the prestigious Great Books program at Pepperdine University, where he graduated magna cum laude. He is also a classically trained singer and performs regularly with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Los Angeles Opera Chorus, as well as on studio soundtracks for film and television.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07K5YLL9G
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Books (July 30, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 30, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1828 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 305 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 145 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Heather Redmond

Heather Redmond

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Heather Redmond is a long-time author under another name. First published in mystery, she took a long detour through romance before returning. Though her grandfather departed London in the 1920s, she is a committed anglophile, Dickens devotee, and lover of all things nineteenth century.

Please sign up for Heather’s newsletter to receive new release information, sales, and contests.

Website: http://www.heatherredmond.com

Blog: http://heatherhiestand.com/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/815229628643004/

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherhiestandredmond?

Twitter: http://twitter.com/heatheraredmond

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/heatherhiestand/

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
145 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Nidia Nel
5.0 out of 5 stars Hard to put down
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2023
Verified Purchase
This one had me on my toes. I could not put it down. And then it ended up not even being the person who I thought did it!
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Kathryn E. Baxter
4.0 out of 5 stars He's the Dickens!
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2019
3.5 out of 5 stars
What a charming and most enjoyable historical fiction cozy mystery. This is author Heather Redmond's second installment in the, "A Dickens of a Crime" series. Although this reader had not read the first in series (A Tale of Two Murders), they found the second book stands alone easily and does not rely on the first book's character development to carry it. There were a few references to action which occurred within the previous installment but not enough to derail the progression of the second.

The story begins on June 20, 1835. A young Charles Dickens has rented additional quarters in order to be in closer proximity to his betrothed, Kate Hogarth, at least for the summer months. His 15 year old brother, Fred, resides with him as he prepares for eligibility for administrative employment or apprenticeship. Their father tends to be a spendthrift and Charles is often bailing out his family financially. This delays Charles' and Kate's marital plans and causes some consternation and a bit of friction. As the brothers rose on this Saturday morning, they discover that someone has slid a 50 year old article regarding a horrible group of children which had ganged up on a Jewish girl, thrown her in a barrel, and cast her to the waters of the outgoing tide. Perhaps initially done in fun, they, none the less, made no attempt to rescue poor Goldy. So who slid the article under the door? Is there any relationship between it and the subsequent murder of the tenant upstairs? A nearby neighbor is arrested on slim evidence of having killed or aided the killer of the upstairs neighbor. Charles, in turn, is eager to exonerate his new friend and thus the story begins.

As to character development, Redmond is spectacular in this area. Our protagonist, young adult Charles Dickens, is experiencing life on his own while caring for his young brother and simultaneously making wedding plans with his betrothed, Kate Hogarth. We see glimpses of future Dickens novels based on the lives of the people Charles encounters throughout this story. We are painfully informed of the social strata of the day and how the haves look upon the have-nots with discomfort and disdain. Charles, on the other hand, is part of a group of folks trying to lift a few orphaned "mudlarks" from their poverty and give them a bit of hope for their futures.

Redmond's development of 1835 London is rich in setting. The odors, along seedy streets or by the river's edge filled with sewage, are ripe in the telling. The sounds of horse hooves and bustling street markets are distinctly audible. The hand of fine silk or cotton batiste is richly textural and sumptuous to the touch. Kate's fresh and treasured strawberry jam is tasty down to its last bit. The fog of a smoky room is stifling and diminishes visibility. The reader richly experiences the mise en scène with all their senses.

There was one moment in the storytelling which caused this reader to bristle a touch and that was the statement by one character of, "One for all and all for one" with a reference to the Musketeers. Dumas has yet to write the Three Musketeers which is not completed for another nine years. But beyond that, the book is well written and the setting of 1835 London well created.

I am grateful to Kensington Publishing Corp. for having provided a free electronic copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.
3 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars This book lived up to my expectations!
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
The characters in this book act very realistically, the story is true to the time it portrays. Charles Dickens, yes, that Charles Dicken's
is the main one along with his fiancee ', her family, Charle's best friend William, assorted "mudlark's" children who for the most part, are practically wild and live on the streets. They go out to the shore and at low tide, they find things, sell them so they can eat. Charles and his brother Fred, are amateur detectives and there is several things going on at once. It's well worth reading.
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S. G
5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable classic mystery
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is the second of the series that I have read (fortunately in order). I love Heather's writing. I find it light reading and easy to follow. Looking forward to number 3.
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Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Grave expectations
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
Other than the excellent depiction of life during the time of Dickens, I found the story frivolous and boring. The constant references to poverty and hunger may be real but overplayed.
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kathleen g
4.0 out of 5 stars light historical fiction- and Dickens!
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2019
Charles Dickens and Kate Hogarth are back! They're engaged now (woo hoo) and they're still working together. This time, they find themselves investigating the death of Miss Haverstock, an elderly woman who lives upstairs. She's not a sweetheart, that's to be sure, but the murder is sorta odd. She's been dressed and the scene staged. Ned Blood has been arrested for the crime but his wife convinces Kate he didn't do it. Of course, there's more to the story that it first appears. This is in some ways a Victorian cozy featuring real people. It's well thought out and I liked seeing Dickens brought to life. It's also an improvement from the first novel (don't worry if you didn't read it- this is fine as a standalone)- it's more polished . Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. You'll enjoy this if you are looking for a light historical mystery.
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Michelle-Lien House
5.0 out of 5 stars Young Dickens
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2020
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What a great writer! Nice mystery story and it gives you a feeling of getting to know Dickens as he matures into the writer we all know and love.
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Nadele Jacobs
5.0 out of 5 stars Love the Dickens Out of This Series
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2019
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Love Dickens. Love mysteries. Love historical mysteries. Especially love these Dickens mysteries by Heather Redmond, and this one is better than the last one.
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Top reviews from other countries

John Hopper
4.0 out of 5 stars quite good, though some things don't quite gel for me
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 26, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is the second in the author's series of whodunnits with a young Charles Dickens sleuthing together with his now fiancee Kate Hogarth. A woman is discovered murdered in the flat upstairs from the one Dickens shares with his younger brother Fred. She is dressed in an old fashioned wedding dress. The sleuthing in this one goes back 50 years to a gruesome story Charles reads in an old journal slipped under his front door by an unknown person. While I quite enjoyed this, some of the logic leaps and assumptions seem a bit strained. The connections to Great Expectations are more substantial than those to Tale of Two Cities in the first book in this series; not only the wedding dress, but also convicts and blacksmiths. There is a good sense of Dickens struggling to make ends meet at this time of life, having to work on his sketches of city life that will later be collected as Sketches by Boz, and on songs, in order to stay afloat, pay his rent to his unscrupulous landlord, and support his feckless father, while also trying to help people in distress, such as the blacksmith he believes to have been wrongly arrested for the murder of his upstairs neighbour, and the mudlarks. As in the first book, there are various knowing references such as when Dickens snorts "Who would want to read a book by me?". I am highly irritated when Americanisms such as "me either" and "city block" are put into Dickens's mouth, but I know this frequently happens in published works these days. I will pursue this series, though I feel a bit disappointed with the execution.
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