'A superbly morbid, dark and Gothic mystery. Clever, witty, and wonderfully researched, it offers a re-imaging of the salient details of Poe's life, and the repositioning of his relationship with his finest creation.'
*
Crime Review *
'Clever, knowing, witty, and wonderfully researched.'
*
Raven Crime Reads *
'An impressive and stylish first novel. Its inspiration is factual- its true strength is the atmospheric telling and its literary playfulness.'
*
Mystery Scene Magazine *
'Poe narrates the story in an impressive approximation of his own rather baroque writing voice, and there are plenty of references to elements that were to subsequently appear in Poe's fictional and poetical works. A sequel is planned to this entertaining and well-written novel.'
* Historical Novel Society *
'Author Karen Lee Street has combined this tale with a fitting, yet, unlikely character, giving us the brilliantly dark Edgar Allan Poe and the London Monster.'
*
Bazaar Magazine *
'Street leaves you itching to go back and re-read those classic Poe stories from your student days.'
*
Wild Hunt Magazine *
'This is about the cleverest book I have ever read and I am deeply impressed, beginning with the basic concept, in which a fiction writer meets his own creation who just happens to be the first fictional detective.'
* Radmilla May,
Mystery People Magazine *
'In beautifully written and entirely believable scenes that I relished reading, Poe and Dupin face their demons, which are brought to the fore and to their ultimate, deliciously twisty conclusion. Poe fans will love the finely layered references to his most famous works. A highly enjoyable debut.'
* Kate Mayfield, author of
The Undertaker's Daughter *
'A bit like the newly imagined Sherlock Holmes movies: a dose of drama, a dash of darkness, and a little bit of humor ultimately liven up the journey.'
* Kirkus *
'Ms. Street does a wonderful job of channeling the voice of the Master of the Macabre. I give the book five stars.'
*
Raven's Reviews *
'Fans of Poe will, of course, love this book, and spot many references to the great man's literary creations. Overall, a quirky, innovative and highly enjoyable book, one crying out for a sequel!'
*
Destructive Music Magazine *
'Poe's devoted readers will rejoice in this debut literary novel, a skillful melding of historical detail and fiction that is also rife with Poe-like style, imagery, and plot elements. Mavens of the macabre will relish this and hunger for a sequel.'
* Library Journal (starred review) *
'Street's impressive first novel cleverly pairs Poe with his fictional creation, the Chevalier C. Auguste Dupin...Street maintains atmospheric suspense throughout.'
*
Publishers Weekly *
'Delightfully entertaining...a fascinating portrayal of London [in 1840]...with strong characterisation, a well-crafted plot and engaging dialogue'.
*
New Books *
'Deliciously morbid...The prose has a lush, sumptuous rhythm to it...Street is fully in control of her material and the sheer exuberance of her writing ensures that the story never once tips over into parody or pastiche...This is a dark, highly satisfying mystery combining beautiful writing with suspense and unease.'
*
Ripperologist *
