Book Review - Pretty Jane and the Viper of Kidbrooke Lane by Paul Thomas Murphy

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A haunting tale of a woman who was found brutalized beyond recognition and the journey of finding her killer.  The woman was found on the verge of death, crying out "let me die" before slipping into a coma and perishing five days later. However, her identity is unknown along with the motive and her murderer.  After top lead detective, John Mulvany was on the case, they were able to establish her identity. Jane Maria Clouson was a maid for the prestigious Pook family and she was also two months pregnant by the younger son, Edmund. The tantalizing tale takes readers into the vivid investigation of the violent murder of one girl of London's working class.

The novel uses many primary sources to piece together vivid portrayal of the murder investigation. While the tale was elegantly woven, I personally lost interest after a few chapters. The book became tedious and boring to read. Perhaps, I missed subtle references but the author bought up a couple of unrelated stories that seemed to have no correlation to the Pretty Jane trial. The author also at the end sum up the evidence made present during the trial on why they believe the suspect was killer. For all I cared, it could have been Santa Claus but it wouldn't have made this book more interesting.

**Disclosure - I received an uncorrected eBook for my honest opinion* 

Book Review - Bradstreet Gate by Robin Kirman

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**May Contain Spoilers**

Three college freshman went to Harvard for a promise of a better future and to run away from their current lives. Georgia, Charlie, and Alice are magnetically drawn to each other and have their friendship tested when a classmate is found murdered on campus. Their  tangled relationship with a charismatic professor and each other is strained as the story illustrates the events  a decade before and after the murder.  Each of the characters are flawed and they look to each other for a source of support and at times, to find the flaws in other so they can feel better about themselves. Georgia was the magnetic center of the group; Alice was envious of her while Charlie was in love with her. For better or worse, Georgia bought out traits in each of them that later could make or break them.

When I first started reading he book, I assumed it was a whodunit type of book. Unfortunately, the author never spells out for the readers and leaves us with our assumptions. However, the book is more focused on the frail bonds humans have with each other; how much our lives can affected by what others think of us. Each of the character is flawed and hopes to find a path for survival and forgiveness.  The book was an engaging read but at times, it was a bit dull. It also left me wanting more -- it had great potential but didn't live up to it. I felt unresolved and had more questions than answers. 

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book for my honest opinion**