Book Review - The Wicked Boy: An Infamous Murder in Victorian London by Kate Summerscale

 

 

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During the summer of 1895, two brothers Robert and Nattie Coombes are spending money lavishly near the docklands of East London. During a span of ten days in July, they took trips to the theater and ate out. When neighbors ask about their mother, the brothers said their mother is visiting family in Liverpool and she left them home alone. However, their aunt was suspicious because the boys' mother never mentioned she was traveling. After several days of not hearing from her sister-in-law, their aunt forced herself into their home. Upon entry of the home, the aunt noticed a pungent smell in the air and when she went upstairs, she found the boys' mother dead in her bed and badly decomposed. She called the cops and the two brothers were arrested for the murder of their mother.

Robert confessed that he had murdered his mother, while his brother, Nattie testified against Robert in exchange for a plea deal. During the trial, Robert's lawyers argued that Robert was insane during the murder. The court heard testimony on both of the brothers' personalities and their history. Evidence was given for Robert's severe headaches, his interest in "penny dreadfuls", and his obsession with violent criminals.  Robert showed no remorse for the crime but, neither the prosecution nor the defense could find a motive for the murder. The judge sentenced Robert to Broadmoor. Broadmoor was an infamous criminal lunatic asylum. Robert begins to build a new life for himself behind bars.

I thought the book had an interesting premise. The author had done the research and added a few fascinating facts. However, after reading more than eighty percent of the book, I decided to stop reading. I felt like the author was repeating the same thing over and over. The book dragged on very slowly that eventually I lost all interest. I felt like the author included a lot of details for things that didn't matter (to me atleast) like descriptions of the cricket games the brothers went to or the details of the prisoners. If the author had been more concised, I think I would have been more interested in finding out more about the murder.

 

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Book Review - The Address: A Novel by Fiona Davis

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After a failed sewing apprenticeship and consistently disappointing her mother, Sara Smythe has worked her way up to the head housekeeper at a posh London hotel. When an accident occurs, Sara crosses path with Theodore Camden, one of the architects of the grand New York apartment house, the Dakota. Grateful for her help, Theo offers Sara a job as a manager of the Dakota.  Excited about the opportunity to start over and filled with possibility, Sara decides to take the position as the manager of the building. Sara loves that Theo understands her like no one else but, Theo is a married man with three young children.

Bailey Camden is fresh out of rehab and she is eager to start over. She is homeless, jobless and without a penny to her name. Baily is desperate for any opportunity to help showcase her decorating skills. Her grandfather was the ward of Theo Camden but, without the genetic match, Bailey won't be able to get a  part of the Camden's estate. Her cousin, Melinda is Camden's biological great-granddaughter who will inherit everything. When Melinda offers Bailey the job to renovate her lavish Dokata apartment, Bailey jumps at the chance to prove herself. However, the pair has different views on the renovation of the apartment. Melinda wants to make the apartment more modern, while Bailey wants to keep the historic charm.

 

Sara and Bailey lived over a hundred years apart but, both are tempted and struggle again the excess of their world. Sara struggled with the opulent world ruled by the rich while Bailey struggled with free-flowing drinks and drugs. They both take refuge at the Dakota to find peace.  When Bailey finds a chest with secrets from the past, she realizes everything she thought she knew about her family might be wrong.

I found the book to be an entertaining and easy to read. I love the details about the Dakota and the historic details.  While the book was a good read, I found the story to be a bit predictable. This would be an ideal book for readers who like historical fiction but, not for readers who want to be in suspense.

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