“I’ve never feared any man as much as I fear the man in black. His is an evil that seeks blood in the darkest places of gaslit streets and forgotten alleys. The Alchemist if how I’ve come to think of him…”
The opening paragraph speaks well for the book that is to follow. It is historical, it is at the same time clearly modern, and yet it works.
The speaker of those words is Nellie Bly and she is in Paris as an investigative reporter during the World’s Fair in 1889.
Nellie, we learn, has had a difficult life but she has learned to stand on her own two feet and build a life for herself and her mother. A combination of luck and her own inherent curiosity led her to become a reporter and she has established herself by taking risks and by exploiting the fact that she can goes to places and see things that men cannot.
Along the way Nellie encountered the man she believes to be “The Alchemist”, and it is to track him down that she has come to Paris.
Her investigation is set against not only the World’s Fair but also an epidemic of Black Fever and anarchists plotting to overthrow the government.
Jules Verne and Oscar Wilde became involved in the investigation; Louis Pasteur has a signigicant role to pay; and Toulouse Lautrec and Paul Verlaine put in appearances too.
It sounds ludicrous, and yet Carol McCleary makes it work.
Nellie is a charming heroine, and although she rather too modern, she is a woman you can warm to and such a positive figure than you can easily forgive her for that.
The mystery is well constructed and all of the characters and themes that the author has at her disposal are well used. It is simply and clearly written, making it very easy to fly through the pages.
The story has clearly been well researched, and the line that lies between informing and preaching has been walked well. There were moments when I couldn’t believe the story, but I could never disprove it!
And I didn’t really want to disprove it – the Alchemy of Murder was a wonderfully entertaining journey.
The conclusion lays a clear path for a sequel, and I could easily see this being the start of a very successful series.
Fleur in her World 
I don’t always like books with characters who were real people, but this one sounds good. It doesn’t come out in the US until next spring, but I’ll add it to my list!
I would have hesitated had I known Nellie Bly was a real historical figure, but she doesn’t seem to be too well known in the UK. If you’re in the mood for some escapist history and mystery this would suit very well.
I liked what you had to say about this book and I’m interested in reading it!
I think you’ll like it Staci!
I’d love this one for the setting alone!
I never could resist books set in Paris, and this one catches it very well.
It does sound quite entertaining doesn’t it. These terrific reviews are causing me reader’s anxiety as I want to read all these books and know that I can’t possibly…but perhaps in time. *smile*
Relax – it’s one of those big books that you can race through!
Great review! I’m adding it to my list.
Great – I think you’ll like it!
There is more great content on Nellie Bly at http://www.nellieblyonline.com, including a section that has many of her original articles!
Thank you for the link. I didn’t know that Nellie Bly was based on a real historical figure and now I know I am very curious to know more about her.