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The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter

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The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter

By: Theodora Goss
Narrated by: Kate Reading
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Summary

 Based on some of literature’s horror and science fiction classics, this “tour de force of reclaiming the narrative, executed with impressive wit and insight” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) debut is the story of a remarkable group of women who come together to solve the mystery of a series of gruesome murders—and the bigger mystery of their own origins.

Mary Jekyll, alone and penniless following her parents’ death, is curious about the secrets of her father’s mysterious past. One clue in particular hints that Edward Hyde, her father’s former friend and a murderer, may be nearby, and there is a reward for information leading to his capture…a reward that would solve all of her immediate financial woes.

But her hunt leads her to Hyde’s daughter, Diana, a feral child left to be raised by nuns. With the assistance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Mary continues her search for the elusive Hyde, and soon befriends more women, all of whom have been created through terrifying experimentation: Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherin Moreau, and Justine Frankenstein.

When their investigations lead them to the discovery of a secret society of immoral and power-crazed scientists, the horrors of their past return. Now it is up to the monsters to finally triumph over the monstrous. Crime Detective Fantasy Fiction Historical Mystery Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Paranormal Murder Exciting Witty Funny Scary Adventure Thriller
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A Marvellous mashup of several classic novels that sets them in the same universe but from the perspective of Dr Jekyl’s daughter (Mary) and the retinue of other woman she picks up as the plot rattles along. Really enjoyed it.

Narration was good. The interjections from the characters that interrupt the story can be annoying at times (I suspect they work better in the paper version) but flesh out the characters.

Great!

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At first I enjoyed this literary appropriation and witty twist to well known characters . Unfortunately as the story progressed it lost its initial playful note and grew overbearing with too many too hard thought out turns of action. Similar for the narrator- the tone became increasingly hysterical and rather unpleasant. I didn’t last till the end and returned the book.

Started well, didn’t last till the end

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Kate Reading does a decent job of performing this work. There were a couple of catches with English pronunciation and an East London lady who sounded like Eric Idle doing the new brain sketch. But it was pretty well read over all.

The difficulty was the lifeless writing. Sometimes the same adjective would appear in consecutive sentences. Which jarred.

The characters felt two dimensional. For example Doctor John Watson was criticised as being unfamiliar with poverty in London. Conan Doyle's Watson would have stiffly reminded the speaker that he had seen plenty of of blood, guts and abject poverty during his army service in India.

Street urchins and prostitutes were almost pantomime characters. East enders with hearts of gold. No real sense of desperation.

Dialogue felt stiff and stilted. Almost Dick Van Dyke.

Dick van Dyke meets Sherlock Holmes

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This story is wonderfully narrated. Bringing together well loved fictional figures and introducing some fabulously strong female characters. cannot wait to start the next installmemt

Loved it

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What a premise the daughters of famous monster/mad scientists.

great story and intriguing characters and a nice reinventing of more famous names (sherlock dracula) and the introduction of lesser know characters(the poisonous girl)

and who couldn't love Diana???

Thanks Theodora cant wait for the third installment!

Love it,

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