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Daughters of Night

A Compulsive and Sordid Historical Mystery in Georgian London

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Daughters of Night

By: Laura Shepherd-Robinson
Narrated by: Lucy Scott
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'This is right up there with the best of C. J. Sansom and Andrew Taylor' – Amanda Craig, author of The Golden Rule

From the pleasure palaces and gin-shops of Covent Garden to the elegant townhouses of Mayfair, Laura Shepherd-Robinsons Daughters of Night follows Caroline Corsham as she seeks justice for a murdered woman whom London society would rather forget . . .

London, 1782. Desperate for her politician husband to return home from France, Caroline ‘Caro’ Corsham is already in a state of anxiety when she finds a well-dressed woman mortally wounded in the bowers of the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. The Bow Street constables are swift to act, until they discover that the deceased woman was a highly paid prostitute, at which point they cease to care entirely. But Caro has motives of her own for wanting to see justice done, and so sets out to solve the crime herself. Enlisting the help of thieftaker Peregrine Child, their inquiry delves into the hidden corners of Georgian society, a world of artifice, deception and secret lives.

But with many gentlemen refusing to speak about their dealings with the dead woman, and Caro’s own reputation under threat, finding the killer will be harder, and more treacherous, than she can know . . .

'Spectacularly brilliant . . . One of the most enjoyable and enduring stories I have ever read' – James O'Brien, journalist, author and LBC Presenter

Amateur Sleuths Detective Historical Mystery Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Fiction Exciting England Marriage
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Critic reviews

Come for the clever mystery, stay reading late into the night for the vivid, tender portrayal of a world where women are bought, sold and abused, yet fight to retain their vim and dignity. I would gamble what’s left of my virtue on Daughters of Night being the best historical crime novel I will read this year (Antonia Senior)
Outstanding (Sarah Hughes)
Here’s one where the pages turn all by themselves and the plot doesn’t let you go (Diane Setterfield, author of Once Upon a River)
This is right up with the best of C. J. Sansom and Andrew Taylor . . . A real treat, for readers of literary, detective and historical fiction (Amanda Craig, author of The Lie of the Land)
Shepherd-Robinson’s ingenious plotting, eagle eye for detail and evocative prose picked me up and dropped me in the underbelly of Georgian London. Like all the best historical fiction it makes the reader think as much about the way we live now as then (Erin Kelly, author of He Said/She Said)
A dark, fascinating and richly imagined world – brilliantly done! (Ruth Ware, author of One By One and In a Dark, Dark Wood)
Rich in historical detail, impeccably plotted . . . Laura Shepherd-Robinson really is the queen of the historical crime novel (C. J. Tudor, author of The Chalk Man)
Deft characterization, wonderful writing and great pace . . . Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a big talent (Steve Cavanagh, author of Thirteen and Twisted)
A very satisfying whodunnit . . . The twists and turns were masterful (James Oswald, author of the Inspector MacLean series)
Top-drawer historical fiction meets compulsive, just-one-more-chapter crime. Expertly plotted, gloriously grisly, with characters who stomp around your brain long after you turn the last page. In other words, masterful (Caz Frear, author of Sweet Little Lies and Shed No Tears)
A masterfully plotted labyrinth of a novel with a dangerously dark heart, teeming with memorable characters. Eighteenth-century London seethes from the page. I loved it (Robyn Young, author of Brethren and the Insurrection trilogy)
Just finished Daughters Of Night a stunning tour de force from the hugely talented Laura Shepherd Robinson breathtaking stuff (Chris Whitaker, author of We Begin at the End)
Laura Shepherd-Robinson has at once proved herself a star (Antonia Hodgson, author of The Devil in the Marshalsea)
It thrums with life and colour, the characters are bawdy and beautiful and sly and savage, the twists are wicked, and the denouement has a satisfying modern flavour without ever straying from the confines of the setting (Sarah Hilary, author of Fragile)
Every bit as good as Blood & Sugar, better even. Rich in historical detail, a fascinating exploration of the London sex-trade, and I loved the twist . . . Another terrific novel (Jo Spain, author of The Confession)
All stars
Most relevant
The book deals with all manner of vileness so it feels odd to say enjoyable but the characters are all great. Every one is an individual and believable.

Very enjoyable

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Women's rights, prostitution and Regency beau monde mix in this great novel. A thick book, rich in characters, plot twists and an authentic creation of London in the 18th century.
I listened to this audio book and took pleasure in the highly skilled actress reading it. Unlike many, Lucy Scott read it superbly. Yes she read in different voices for this amazing cast of characters, but never was it over the top or caricature, just a slight vocal adjustment accurately becoming a man or a woman, aristocrat or whore. Superb and I hope ( or wish) that Lucy Scott could re-narrate all my favourites!
Highly recommended to people who enjoy historical crime and novels of the Regency period.

Fantastic Regency Murder Mystery

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Loved it great story line very well told I could not leave it down brilliant

Excellent

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An excellent and gripping story, brilliantly narrated.
Intelligently researched - fascinating history.
Intelligently written - Laura Shepherd-Robinson created clear visions of Hogarth hell to powdered pomp. Not giving anything away until the right time.
I've even learned some new words!
You should read this book - otherwise I'll tell everyone your secret...

Brilliant!

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The historic context makes this quite uncomfortable in places - but the story moves along swiftly with twists and turns in the plot.

Good listen

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