Seven for a Secret

Title: Seven for a Secret

Author: Lindsay Faye

Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books

Series: Timothy Wilde Mystery, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780399158384

Length: "Selected Flash Terminology" + 437 pages + "Historical Afterword"

Obtained: Library Copy

Why this book?:

My boss brought this autographed back from ALA, offered it  and it looked intriguing, so I decided to try it.  But first I read the first book in the series, The Gods of Gotham.  And since I really enjoyed that one I definitely had to read this one.

Comments:

It's been too long (about 1 1/2 months) since I read this, so my recollection of specific events has faded.  I apologize for any vagueness.

While the first book was focused on the prejudices against the Irish and religious differences, this one is focused on the prejudices towards and horrors committed against African-Americans in the supposedly "free" North.

Timothy is, when he thinks about it, more of the abolitionist persuasion.  So when confronted with the outrageous, but apparently legal, "recapturing" of free slaves that are purported as runaways, he has to take action.  Even if this action gets him into more trouble than he bargained for, Timothy will fight for his friends, his honor, his principles...and others' rights.  And if his still new position among the still new "Copper Stars" is jeopardized - well, he'll use it anyway.

I definitely hope to see more of this series and author.

The Gods of Gotham

Title: The Gods of Gotham

Author: Lindsay Faye

Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books

Series: Timothy Wilde Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780399158377

Length: 411

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I have an ARC of the second book, Seven for a Secret and had to read in order.

Comments:

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this.  It sounded pretty dark and gloomy, so I was concerned.  And yet I was intrigued at the same time.  What would life in early New York have been like?  What would the start of what is now the NYPD Blue be like?

It is dark.  With child prostitution, people starving and doing horrible things because of it, extreme poverty, overcrowding, and rampant prejudices/discrimination/etc....  Wow.  It's a look at history that I, personally, haven't seen, or at the least considered, before.  Anyway, a major focus of this book is the extreme Irish immigration, the negative feelings toward them, and of course the religious clash of Catholic versus Protestant.

I saw it compared to Gangs of New York...  I honestly can't say whether this is or isn't like that, because I don't remember details of that movie, just the feelings of dislike.  But this.   This I really enjoyed.  In fact, I'd have to say this is one of the top books I've read so far this year. 

Perhaps the largest part of my enjoyment, despite the atrocities and outrageously disgusting events and "realities" portrayed is the main character, Timothy Wilde.  I accidentally saw a review (I try to avoid reading them before writing a post) that said something about Timothy being too perfect.  I believe that particular reviewer felt that no one during that time could be that free of prejudices.  I think that is poppycock.  You don't have to have the same beliefs as everyone around you.  Part of change is people believing in something and making that change.  Besides, Timothy had prejudices, he just didn't assume they made other people less than human.

Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox.  I read the ARC of the second book in this series, Seven for a Secret, already and should be posting on that soon.

Some videos for you....


Kinda lengthy, but includes reading and talk/answers to questions:

And a walking tour (poor quality video, but interesting to see where everything would take place):