Promotional Information

For fans of C. S. Harris comes Laura Joh Rowland's fifth Victorian mystery where Sarah must confront her own ghosts--and face her most elusive and deadly adversary yet.

About the Author

Laura Joh Rowland is the award-winning author of the samurai detective Sano Ichiro mystery series set in 17th century Japan, as well as a historical suspense series starring Charlotte Bronte. Her work has been published in 21 countries; nominated for the Anthony Award, the Hammett Prize, and the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Award; won RT Magazine's Reader's Choice Award; and been included in the Wall Street Journal's list of the five best historical mystery novels. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Michigan. She is a former aerospace scientist, a painter, and a cartoonist. She lives in New York City with her husband Marty. This is her fourth Victorian mystery.

Reviews

Praise for Portrait of Peril:
“Rowland’s Victorian London is fascinating and her team of irregulars unmatched."
—Kirkus Reviews

“Well-crafted...Rowland blends acute psychological observation and meticulous historical research to explore the conflicts faced by an independent woman in Victorian society.”
—Publishers Weekly

“[Rowland] has proved herself to be a formidable figure in the historical mystery genre, with an eye for period detail and a deft hand at characterization.”
—Booklist

“Rowland is good at designing strong tension and conflict scenes that keep
the pages turning.”
—New York Journal of Books

"A satisfying resolution...Recommend[ed] to anyone who likes historical mysteries."
—Seattle Book Review

  “It starts off fast and never lets up...One of my favorite series of books.”
—Red Carpet Crash

"One surprising turn after another...The settings and character are vividly described, the dialogue is lifelike, and Sarah's empathy, tenacity, and grit make her an engaging heroine."
—Mystery Scene

"A clever look at Victorian women’s norms as well as an entertaining murder mystery."
—Historical Novel Society

Praise for The Woman in the Veil:
"Strong in character and plot, Rowland's fourth Victorian mystery consistently appeals."
—Kirkus Reviews
 
"Clever...Readers will enjoy Rowland’s original approach and realistic characters."
—Publishers Weekly
 
"[The Woman in the Veil] should build interest in Rowland's richly atmospheric Victorian mysteries."
—Booklist
 
“Here’s hoping for more stories with these characters.”
—Red Carpet Crash

“Impressively elegant and well crafted...A compelling and compulsive page turner of a read from cover to cover.”
—Midwest Book Review

“An appealing trio of crime solvers...The author’s knowledge and understanding of the Victorian age are flawless as she brings this mystery to an exciting conclusion.”
—Historical Novels Review

“[A] memorable new series.”
—New York Journal of Books

“The author is masterful at weaving many moving parts of this story together...I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical mystery thrillers.”
—Seattle Book Review

Praise for The Hangman’s Secret:
"Rowland's engaging team of sleuths and a colorful rogues' gallery of suspects make her third Victorian mystery a genuine page-turner."
—Kirkus Reviews

"[Rowland] hits her stride in her third mystery featuring photographer Sarah Bain."
—Publisher's Weekly

“With delectably gruesome details, rapid-fire dialogue, an unpredictable plot, and well-developed characters, this top-notch third installment is sure to please fans of Carol McCleary's Nellie Bly and Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy. Or, to put it another way, think Phryne Fisher meets Constance Kopp in Anne Perry’s London.”
—Booklist

“Rowland definitely picks up the pace and crispness...A delightful and suspenseful page-turner that is both engaging and keeps readers guessing.”
—Historical Novels Review

"The story holds water and reads well from beginning to end.”
—New York Journal of Books

"A superbly crafted Victorian mystery by an author who is quite apparently a master of the genre...A riveting read from cover to cover."   
—Midwest Book Review

"The author does a fine job of recreating Victorian London physically and culturally. She captures the various London inhabitants very well."
—Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine