The Curse of the House of Foskett
Written by M.R.C. Kasasian
Narrated by Emma Gregory
4/5
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About this audiobook
M.R.C. Kasasian
M.R.C. Kasasian was raised in Lancashire. He has had careers as varied as factory hand, wine waiter, veterinary assistant, fairground worker and dentist. He lives with his wife in Suffolk in the summer and in a village in Malta in the winter. He is the author of two previous historical mystery series, published by Head of Zeus, including the bestselling Gower Street Detective series.
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Dark Dawn Over Steep House: Gower Street Detective, Book 5 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
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Reviews for The Curse of the House of Foskett
48 ratings9 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Another great read. Funny and clever. Brilliant and gripping.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The second in the Gower St Detective novels features even more grisly murders and a maze of deception that may leave some heads in a whirl. But I’m pleased to say I suspected the right culprit. A fun series, as I had hoped, with more questions raised regarding Miss March Middleton’s past, and Mr Grice’s background. I shall read on.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5When a member of the Final Death Society dies in the home of Grice, he and his ward, March Middleton investigate.
I didn't take at all to these very unlikeable characters, and I failed to find the 'humour' entertaining. This is my second read of a story by this author and I don't think the writing style is for me. - Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5A book in serious need of some trimming. I loved the characters, and the author is a very good writer, but the story was too wordy for me. I don't think I would pick up the next in the series.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Not too long ago, I reviewed The Mangle Street Murders by M.R.C. Kasasian which is the first book in the Gower Street Detective series. Today's post is about the second book in the series which is titled The Curse of the House of Foskett. The sequel delves a bit deeper into March Middleton's past and hints at Sidney Grice's past as well (and possibly why he stepped forward as her guardian). As the prologue attests the case covered in this book shows a definite shift in their relationship and partnership. I enjoyed that most of all I think. The story starts out with our detective and his wannabe assistant cooped up in Gower Street because after the results of his last disastrous case (from the first book) he is being derided by the public and press at every turn. When he is approached by a member of the Final Death Society to make sure that if anything untoward happens to the members their deaths will be investigated everything spirals out of control. Grisly doesn't begin to cover the actions in this book so if you have a sensitive stomach this isn't one for you. However, if you enjoyed The Mangle Street Murders then I think you'll really enjoy this as you can really feel Kasasian is hitting his stride with characterization. (Also, the wit and sarcasm are to die for!) There are mysteries within mysteries within mysteries in this book. I can see that he's setting up a rather shocking revelation to be delivered most likely many books down the line. (That's smart marketing right there!). As it is, there is another book already out and a fourth is slated to come out next year I believe. I'd give this one an 8/10.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I don't quite know what to think of this series. It's a bit disturbing. I'm going to continue, one book at a time, and see how it goes.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5After his last case, personal detective Sidney Grice's reputation is in tatters, and he finds himself being ridiculed by all of London, while his ward March Middleton is mainly left to her own devices. When finally an undeterred client does turn up on his doorstep with the prospect of an intriguing new case regarding a Final Death Society, he inconveniently dies over a cup of tea in Grice's study. To restore his good name, Sidney Grice and March investigate several gruesome murders, with their enquiries taking them to the once-grand home of Baroness Foskett.This is the second volume in the so-called Gower Street Detective series, and while familiarity with the two main characters was not absolutely essential, it would have been preferable in a few isolated examples as their individual back stories were alluded to, which didn't always make sense at first. The reason why I would certainly discourage reading books 1 and 2 out of order is that during the course of their present investigation major plot spoilers are given away with regard to the Mangle Street Murders case (volume 1).With the detective duo of Sidney Grice and March Middleton the author affectionately and with a sense of mischievous fun sends up the genre of Victorian detective stories, in particular - who else? - Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr Watson; my particular favourite: 'What an unusual web. Clearly the spider has a damaged front right leg.' If you're not a fan of overblown and melodramatic plot devices and outrageous coincidences, then I would recommend you stay well clear of this particular series, though of course the author serves up this particular offering with panache, a knowing wink and a double helping of irony. The dynamic between the two principal characters is a joy to read, and the book's readability owes its success in no small part to their complex interplay.The two main characters are interesting and intriguing (to call Sidney Grice 'likeable' would be pushing it a bit, though I suspect that behind that abrupt and gruff facade beats a tenderer heart than even he will admit), and it appears that both March and her guardian are keeping secrets close to their heart. The vivid descriptions of nineteenth-century Victorian society in general and London in particular are a delight, evoking a past era that not many authors can equal, and rather than detracting from the main story line they manage to supplement and enhance it. The murders (and there are quite a few) brought to mind some of Agatha Christie's novels, where the murderer spends an inordinate amount of time on devising a very personal, and gruesomely inventive, method of despatching their victim(s). Be warned, the details are quite grisly and don't leave much at all to the imagination.I will certainly seek out the subsequent offering in the series, Death Descends on Saturn Villa, and probably also read the first volume to quench my curiosity and find out how Sidney Grice and March Middleton meet.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'm loving this delightful parody of the Victorian murder mystery.The author clearly finds the while genre ridiculous (as do I, though perhaps to a lesser extent), and sets out to expose the nonsense. This is done with wry - and readable - verve.Great stuff!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Curse of the House of Foskett – Bang on!Welcome back to the grumpiest yet best personal detective of the Victorian era, Sidney Grice, along with his ward March Middleton. The Curse of the House of Foskett is the brilliant follow up to his hit debut The Mangle Street Murders. MRC Kasasian has created and continued with the most delightful new crime duo who are rapidly becoming cult heroes amongst crime readers. Once again the plot is sharp yet funny and fresh with March being the ‘straight man’ to Grice’s comedic lead while getting the job done. Once again Kasasian has shown that he is comfortable writing historical crime fiction with wonderful and evocative prose bringing every page alive placing you in the midst of the story.Grice’s reputation has been dashed by his previous case and the national press are making him a laughing stock and people do not wish to employ him. It is not until a member of a Final Death Society, turns up unannounced and tells him he is being employed to investigate the deaths of all its members. Then he has the temerity to die on his study floor which draws Grice and Middleton in, especially when he learns one of the Society’s members is Baroness Foskett someone Grice has respected and known personally since childhood.As the bodies start to pile up across London Grice wants to protect the Baroness at all costs, but she is having none of it. Her son Rupert had once been a close friend of Grice’s and he will do whatever he can to protect her. While all around Grice murder continues he slowly puts together the clues to reveal at the end who is the murderer. Kasasian prose is so descriptive and evocative you can see the smog and the smells of the docks on the Thames. You can hear the hustle and bustle of Victorian London with the horses on the cobbles, not only their hooves but the rose growing presents they leave. The street urchins running around everyone a target, really a case of; “the rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate”. Once again Kasasian has written a winning historical crime novel which can be enjoyed time and time again. With a sneaking jealousy of how Grice treats people and the wish that you could do it too and live to tell the tale. With this novel the cult of Sidney Grice and March Middleton will continue to grow.