There is a murderer loose in London that is slicing of women's limbs for some insidious purpose. Dr. Eliza Jekyll is a crime scene investigator and she is called out to the first crime scene and there she meets Captain Lafayette from the Royal Society. She must be very careful around him since magic is strictly forbidden and the Captain is hunting anyone that use magic of any kind. But the need for her to take the elixir is sometimes too strong for her to resist. 

 

I bought The Diabolical Miss Hyde a couple of months ago, well this spring actually. And, I even started to read it, but then other books came between and then a couple of weeks ago did I finally return to it. And, oh Wow! This is a fantastical great steampunk book.

 

I liked Eliza Jekyll and Lizzie Hyde very much and I liked that Lizzie and Captain Lafayette relationship which is, even more, interesting because Eliza isn't feeling the same way about him and since they share the same body is that a bit of a problem. The same body? Yes, Eliza and Lizzie are "the daughter" of Henry Jekyll from the classic book: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. And, Eliza is the good daughter and Lizzie is the bad one that is turned loose when Eliza drinks her father's elixir.  

 

I loved that the book had no vampires or that it felt YA. Instead, it felt gloriously dark and adult to read. Yes, the story could be a bit predictable. It wasn't that hard to figure out who was the guardian for Eliza Jekyll and Lizzie Hyde and I wasn't that surprised when the true killer was revealed. But, nevertheless, I enjoyed reading this book immensely. 

 

I was very curious about Eliza's "relationship" with Razor Jack (Malachi Todd), a serial killer that she caught before everything happened in this book. Eliza and Todd felt a bit like Clarice and Hannibal Lecter. I especially got that vibe when she was in the mental hospital where he is and he is telling her what the killers wants (well telling her very subtle, she had to figure it out herself of course). Does it feel a bit weird to ship Eliza with Jack? Yeah, it does, but I just can't help it. And then again Eric Northman (Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris) is hardly a saint and I liked him. I hope to read in the future about how Eliza captured him, not just as a flashback in a book. I want the whole story. 

Nice drop, it was 9$+ last I look! 

 

#amwriting; still 5-6K words away from finishing POISON GARDEN and started a new thing, very excited about it. It has 4 cover mock-ups already, 4 synopses and 5K+ words in one manuscript and 1K in another. We be rollin'!

Steampunk fanatics, there is a new author in town and she's taking this town with lightening, steam and mystery. Ms. Carr is a new to me author and I'm impressed. This story takes a classic story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and takes it far outside the realms most readers would guess. This is more than just a story reimagined into Steampunk with Victorian times and gas lights. This is a story of intrigue, arcane magic, persecution and murder.

Dr. Eliza Jekyll is the daughter of the infamous Dr. Jekyll. Orphaned when her father died, she's an adult and a doctor in her own right, despite the misogynist society. She helps the police on murder cases. She uses her expertise to advise and help solve cases. What she tries to hide is her own demons. Eliza takes after her father, more than just in name. When her stronger and more impulsive self, Lizzie, comes out to play, there is no knowing what will happen.

The world building in this book is complicated and not complete. My guess is there will be more reveals to this world in the next book in the series. For those who are not expecting it, there is a London Underworld here, except somehow it involves the Fey. This is something that came out of left field and yet it works really well. Combining a Steampunk world filled with iron and juxtaposing the Fey world which is allergic to iron is unexpected and unique. The book is a bit hard to follow for those who aren't used to this genre. This is because there are some familiar aspects to it yet there are so many different threads going on that it does become a bit confusing. I liked this feeling even when I became frustrated.

The character development is fabulous. Learning about how Eliza and Lizzie interact with each other is fascinating. Whilst I do like Eliza, I think I'm more attracted to Lizzie. She's wild, busty and aggressive. She's a sociopath who oozes sensuality. Would it be so bad if Eliza is to disappear and Lizzie becomes the main persona? Maybe not.

The intrigue in this story is on several fronts. There is the hidden agenda of the dastardly Royal Society. The big reveal there is a bit shocking. Eliza's determination in solving the serial murder case brings her into danger. Her finding of the culprit is another shocking unexpected turn of events. Basically, this entire story feels like running through a Funny House whilst drunk off Absinthe and what we see is not reality. Ms. Carr does a great job at keeping the reader guessing and off balance.

I do enjoy the character dialog in this book. It's witty and sarcastic. This book is not a simple and easy read. It requires a reader to be fully engaged to catch the little nuances and tiny bits of hidden information. I enjoy this kind of book. Here is an example of dialog which makes thrilled to read.

I have this obsession with Steampunk - art, gadgets, wardrobe, lifestyle, etc - so when a book comes across my desk, I just can't help myself - I have to read it. This one especially so because it's another look at the Jekyll and Hyde story, this time a woman.

 

I absolutely love the cover - THIS is a physical book that I need for my shelves.

 

Before the story begins, there is a "playbill," giving you a little look-see at the main characters in the book. Such a cool addition to the story. More people should do this.

 

I really enjoyed this book, from start to finish. The characters are fun and memorable, the murders and mystery were attention grabbing, the setting a perfect backdrop for the story. This was a great beginning of a series that I can't wait to finish.

 

I really like how the story was told - there is a narrator for most of the story, but when Lizzie is running loose, you get to see things from her perspective, and even hear her voice in Eliza's head.

 

My favorite characters are Lizzy (she is amazing) , Malachi Todd/Razor Jack (there is just something about him) and Hippocrates (oh so cute).

 

This is DEFINITELY my favorite book so far this year.

 

Note: I received a copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Please remember that this review is my opinion based on my own personal impression of the book.