2024 Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge
Jill Elizabeth has read 1 book toward her goal of 285 books.
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2023 Reading Challenge

2023 Reading Challenge
Jill Elizabeth has read 5 books toward her goal of 265 books.
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Book Review: The Tumbling Girl by Bridget Walsh

About the Book

1876, Victorian London. Minnie Ward, a feisty scriptwriter for the Variety Palace Music Hall, is devastated when her best friend is found brutally murdered. She enlists the help of private detective Albert Easterbrook to help her find justice.

Together they navigate London, from its high-class clubs to its murky underbelly. But as the bodies pile up, they must rely on one another if they’re going to track down the killer – and make it out alive . . .

My Review

This was a very fun and engaging read, and a marvelous beginning to what I hope will be a plentiful series. Walsh has done a fantastic job creating a cast of characters that are endearing, fun, funny, and so believable they almost jump off the page. She has also clearly done her research. The world-building is wonderfully detailed, throwing the reader headfirst into a world of Victoriana that is descriptive enough to foster a magical sense of displacement while reading. 

I found myself lost in the story from the opening lines. There is not only a tale of mystery and murder here, but a really lovely consideration of the importance of the families we build for ourselves as we make our way in the world. I found the relationships to really resonate as realistic and powerful backdrops to the action. This is particularly true of Min’s interactions with the two oh-so-different main men in her life, Albie and Tansie, who are each presented as hard-bitten but with a secret heart of gold and definite soft spots for the delightfully feisty Min…

I loved learning about the historical theaters and performances, and enjoyed the way the layers of Victorian society were teased out. But what I most loved was the way Min refused to be buttonholed or tied to the roles that her society wanted women to play. I described her as feisty and it is the truest word for her – she has sass and heart and compassion and refuses to give up on seeking justice for her murdered friend. She’s a lovely character and I cannot wait to see more of her!

Thanks to Meryl Zegerek Public Relations and the author for my obligation-free review copy.

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