An Artful Dodge by Karen OddenMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a great story and a wonderful audiobook, and I highly recommend it for historical fiction and historical mystery readers.
The book description is spot on. Kit is a young Victorian who is a member of an all-female theft ring. She’s been through a lot in her life and has a younger sister she tries to protect from the dark side of life in London. She wants to leave the ring but can’t afford to do it yet. Her strength and smarts shine through the foggy streets.
The writing was straightforward and the descriptions were terrific. Kit observes her world with an eye for beauty in an ugly environment. I could visualize the sooty rooftops, the smoky pubs, and the creaking floors.
The characters aren’t necessarily unique, but they are either likeable or despicable. Maggie, especially, is introduced as a mystery but grows more shady on every appearance. Sarah shows more backbone than expected, and I cheered her on. James was a bit too good to be true, in my opinion, but still appealing.
The plot was easy to follow and there were several hair-raising action sequences. Pacing was excellent; I never felt bogged down. The ending was satisfactory, and the author’s notes were very interesting. Content: some violence, implied adult situations, no foul language.
The audiobook was fabulously narrated by Anna Burnett. Sound was crystal clear and timing was exact. I recommend this format!
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
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