The Darwin Affair by Tim Mason

The Darwin Affair by Tim Mason (releasing June 11, 2019 from Algonquin Books)
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:

London, June 1860: When an assassination attempt is made on Queen Victoria, and a petty thief is gruesomely murdered moments later—and only a block away—Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field quickly surmises that these crimes are connected to an even more sinister plot. Was Victoria really the assassin’s target? Are those closest to the Crown hiding something? And who is the shadowy figure witnesses describe as having lifeless, coal-black eyes? Soon, Field’s investigation exposes a shocking conspiracy in which the publication of Charles Darwin’s controversial On the Origin of Species sets off a string of murders, arson, kidnapping, and the pursuit of a madman named the Chorister.



My Review:
I hate the predicability and mediocrity of most contemporary thrillers/mysteries and have become so frustrated that after reading The Au Pair and Anonymous Girl at the beginning of the year I totally gave up on them. I dipped my toe back in with this mystery hoping the Victorian time period would provide a pleasant reprieve and thank goodness it did! This smart story included all the scientific minds of the time, secret religious organizations, a loveably unlucky inspector, and a cast of manipulated misfits all wrapped up in a conspiracy and multiple murders. I definitely recommend this one and my advice is to pay close attention as you read because there are a lot of characters.