S&S Book Club: Karen Odden’s Down a Dark River
Tina and Lida chat about Carol’s pick: Karen Odden’s Down a Dark River
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Why Carol Picked It
Having recently finished two British mystery series, I was looking for a new one. I found it in Karen Odden’s Down a Dark River (An Inspector Corravan Mystery #1). The story pulled me in from page one—both the protagonist and the setting felt immediately real. I experienced what it was like to be a policeman in Victorian England—the sense of danger that a cop develops from patrolling the streets in the cold damp London air, the scratchy uniform he’s forced to wear, the struggles he endures in dealing with a difficult and demanding superior officer. The writing is rich and atmospheric. The protagonist, Inspector Corravan, is a wonderfully flawed and fascinating character. He's a cop with a past, who takes his work to heart.
One spring morning, the body of a young woman is discovered floating down the Thames in a small boat. When the victim is identified as the daughter of a prominent judge, Inspector Corravan is ordered to hand off his search for the missing wife of an influential businessman to his colleague, Mr. Stiles. Soon the body of a second young woman, then a third, are found in the same circumstances—both staged in a small boat on the river.
While Corravan hunts for a relationship among the three victims, Stiles discovers that the missing wife may have intentionally run away from a husband who is not what he seems.
Little by little, as Corravan realizes a terrible past event links all three murders and the missing wife, he races to prevent another woman from falling victim to a killer.
What Lida Thought
Like Carol, the first chapter immediately pulled me in and I was hooked until the end. The multilayered protagonist and fascinating supporting cast were well crafted. Their character flaws only made them appear more real and relatable. The descriptions were concise, yet skillfully created a vivid picture, making this a page turner where my attention never wavered. Also, the author obviously did her research, which enhanced this complex mystery. Highly recommended.
What Tina Thought
Obviously, Karen Odden has garnered three new fans. I loved this book for all the reasons mentioned above, but also for another reason. This book is a wonderful peek into the gender inequalities of the time. The main characters appear to be the male inspectors, but a closer look tells you this book is about the women. Belinda, Corravan’s paramour, is educated, self-assured, witty, intelligent and independent. She refuses to be married. She is underestimated because she is a woman. We also meet other women and we get a glimpse of their treatment at the hands of their fathers, husbands and doctors.
Despite a degree in history, I am not a big fan of historical fiction because so many authors sacrifice plot and character development for the historical details. Not so here. Odden immerses us in an atmospheric tale, she throws in salient historical information or societal peculiarities of the times, but the story and characters are front and center. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
