Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.
This week’s Can’t-Wait offering – The Blood by E.S. Thomson
#crime #murder mystery #historical
I knew the smell of death well enough. But here the sweetness of decay was tainted with something else, something new and different. It was a curious, moist smell; a smell that spoke of the ooze and slap of water, of gurgling wet spaces and the sticky, yielding mud of low-tide…
Summoned to the riverside by the desperate, scribbled note of an old friend, Jem Flockhart and Will Quartermain find themselves on board the seamen’s floating hospital, an old hulk known only as The Blood, where prejudice, ambition and murder seethe beneath a veneer of medical respectability.
On shore, a young woman, a known prostitute, is found drowned in a derelict boatyard. A man leaps to his death into the Thames, driven mad by poison and fear. The events are linked – but how? Courting danger in the opium dens and brothels of the waterfront, certain that the Blood lies at the heart of the puzzle, Jem and Will embark on a quest to uncover the truth. In a hunt that takes them from the dissecting tables of a private anatomy school to the squalor of the dock-side mortuary, they find themselves involved in a dark and terrible mystery.
I’ll be honest – after reading the blurb, I am slightly spluttering and wondering WHAT was going through my mind as I requested this one… That said, it never hurts to step out of your comfort zone from time to time – right? And even if it is a tad grittier than I generally like, it certainly looks like it’s an excellent read…
Actually I really like the sound of this one.
Enjoy
Lynn 😀
I’ll do my best:))
I was expecting a light and fluffy synopsis after looking at that cover, but then I looked more closely and saw the tagline in the corner “What secrets lie aboard?” Ooooh! I’m also very curious about this “dark and terrible” mystery that they get caught up in. Can’t wait to see what you think of this one!
Yes – it sounds very gripping, doesn’t it? I definitely think it’s a good read, though perhaps not my usual fare…
I think this sounds really good! It’s got a historical vibe to it, which I like😊
Yes – I’m also a sucker for historical crime adventures – I’m just hoping it isn’t TOO gritty for my tastes! But it certainly sounds like something you would enjoy, Tammy:)
Not sure when this book is set, but it sounds like one I’d read. Victorian England maybe or even earlier? Hope you like it, but if not, move on to something else. LOL
Thank you for the advice – I will! Fingers crossed that my initials were right, though…
The description certainly sounds grittier than the cover looks. Hope you enjoy it anyway!
Thank you – I hope I enjoy it, too!
Sounds super – great choice!
Thank you Barb – I hope it proves to be a good ‘un:)
This one sounds really good. I love reading Historical crime books. I haven’t lately but I have to start up again. Hope you get a chance to read this soon.
Mary Can’t Wait Wednesday
Thank you – I also enjoy historical whodunits – I’m hoping this is going to be really enjoyable:).
From that pretty cover, I sure wasn’t expecting that blurb. But wow, does it sound amazing! I hope you get to read it!
I will certainly give it a try, Jenea:).
Agreed, it’s never a bad thing to try new things, and who knows, you might have found yourself a gem here! This one actually sounds right up my alley, but then I personally love my stories dark and gritty 😀
It does look like a gritty one but good too, and the mystery has me curious actually. I hope it turns out awesome. 🙂
Thank you – so do I, Greg:)
I’ve TOTALLY been there — grabbed a book and then later wondered what on earth I was thinking! This does appeal to the crime fan in me though!
Yes… I think I must have been in a altered state of consciousness – I’m normally VERY cagey about what I request from Netgalley as I’m mindful of my review stats:). I’ll let you know how I get on with this one!
With a title like this (and with this intriguing synopsis), this promises to turn out into an amazing read: I can’t wait to learn more! 🙂
I am hoping it turns out to be amazing, too – I’ll keep you posted…
Well, I must be honest and state that this one is definitely not for me! I’m MUCH too chicken to take this type of thing….lol. I sure do hope you enjoy it to the max, though!
Thanks for commenting on my own CWW post!! Hope you’re having a GREAT weekend!! Cheers!! ❤ ❤ ❤ 🙂 🙂 🙂
*Clears throat in a brave and careless fashion and trying not to quaver* I’m hoping I enjoy it too, Maria! Hope you’re weekend is a fabulous one:))xxx
I like the sound of this one too! 😀 Definitely my cup of tea. It’s always good to step out of your comfort zone once in a while (even if it’s to remind yourself not to leave the comforting presence of speculative fiction again!) so I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you, Proxy – I’m hoping that I enjoy this one, too. And you’re absolutely right about stepping out of my comfort zone.