The clang of industry, the rustle of petticoats, the fog-shrouded streets teeming with both opportunity and despair – the Victorian era holds a captivating, if often contradictory, allure. My “To Be Read” (TBR) pile has become a testament to this fascination, a collection of novels and non-fiction that promise to transport me to a world of social upheaval, scientific advancement, and the enduring power of storytelling. From the grand drawing rooms of the elite to the shadowed alleyways of the working class, I’m eager to explore the diverse landscapes of this remarkable period. Join me as I embark on a literary journey through the Victorian age, a time of both profound change and enduring charm.
Doctor Blessing’s Curse (The Victorian Vampire Chronicles Book 1)
From a monster, a miracle?
Victorian London, 1856. A city of shadowed alleys, whispered secrets, and a darkness far deeper than the fog that chokes its streets.
When the brilliant but weary Doctor George Blessing is called to an unspeakable birth, he witnesses the arrival of a creature that should not exist—a grotesque marvel that claws its way into his world, leaving death in its wake. Faced with a choice between destroying the abomination or unlocking its forbidden secrets, Blessing takes the creature into his care. But tampering with the unknown comes at a price.
The doctor is drawn into a web of obsession, betrayal, and a hunger that is no longer just the creature’s. With a life steeped in rational science, Blessing now faces horrors that scrape at the edges of sanity. How long can he hold his grip on reason? Will anyone survive the horrors he’s brought to life?
For fans of atmospheric horror steeped in dread and Gothic elegance, Doctor Blessing’s Curse combines chilling unease with grotesque allure. If you crave dark secrets, moral corruption, and spine-tingling terror, this haunting tale will stay with you long after you turn the last page – uncover the secret of Doctor Blessing’s Curse today.
Dark Desires: Historical Gothic Mystery Romance (Dark Gothic Book 1)
Betrayed by those she trusted, penniless and alone, Darcie Finch is forced to accept a position that no one else dares, as the assistant to dangerously attractive Dr. Damien Cole. Ignoring the whispered warnings and rumors that he’s a man to fear, she takes her position at his eerie estate, where she quickly discovers that nothing is at it seems, least of all her handsome and brooding employer.
As Darcie struggles with her fierce attraction to Damien, she must also deal with the blood, the disappearances … and the murders. With her options dwindling and time running out, Darcie must rely on her instincts as she confronts the man she is falling in love with. Is he innocent … or is he a remorseless killer who prowls the East End streets?
Diamonds & Dust (The Victorian Detectives Book 1)
When a horrific murder takes place on a dark night in 1860’s London, it changes two women for ever. New light is cast upon past lives they thought they knew so well, and suddenly their futures become intertwined.The death of her uncle will leave eighteen-year-old Josephine King an orphan, an heiress and the owner of a priceless diamond, The Eye of the Khan.
For Lilith Marks, a chance finally arises to end her life as a highly paid prostitute and to prove herself as a serious businesswoman. Set against the backdrop of the great gas-lit city, the two women are drawn together in their quest to discover just who killed the man they both loved.
Diamonds & Dust is a page-whizzing narrative, with an intricate and absorbing plot that entices you through the teeming streets of Victorian London. If Wilkie Collins, Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle all washed up on a desert island, they might have come up with something like this.
A Study in Steam: A Steampunk Victorian Mystery (Ladies of WACK Book 1)
A revolutionary opportunity. A murder most foul. Can a wrongly accused young lady prove her innocence before her future goes up in smoke?
Pippa Stanhope envisions a world teeming with her mechanical creations. So after a lifetime of hiding her love for inventing steam-powered gadgets, she’s thrilled when her local university finally opens its doors to women. And the determined novice fearlessly sets out to pursue a higher education despite her family’s threat to disown her.
Refusing to be intimidated by resentful male students and professors, she quickly befriends the three other ladies attending the school. But when she discovers the body of the lone teacher willing to take her under his wing, she’s horrified when she’s named as the prime suspect.
Can Pippa and her new friends find the real killer before she takes the fall for a crime she didn’t commit?
A Study in Steam is the fun-filled first book in the Ladies of WACK steampunk mystery series. If you like fiery heroines, female bonding, and a splash of romance, then you’ll adore Stephanie K. Clemens’ rip-roaring tale.
This glimpse into my Victorian TBR is just the beginning of what promises to be a fascinating exploration. Each book offers a unique window into the era, a chance to experience its complexities and contradictions firsthand. I hope this selection inspires you to delve into the rich tapestry of Victorian literature and history. With a stack of books beckoning, I’m ready to immerse myself in the world of Dickens, the Brontës, and countless other storytellers who captured the spirit of their age. May your own journey to the Victorian era be filled with captivating characters, thought-provoking themes, and a newfound appreciation for the enduring legacy of this transformative period.