In Melbourne, in 1868, theatre star Marie St Denis dies in the arms of her best friend, up and coming actress, Lola Sanchez. The accepted cause of death is suicide by laudanum overdose, something that Sanchez refuses to believe. Why would her brilliant, much admired, accomplished dear friend do such a thing? But then why would anyone kill St Denis? Sanchez turns for help to journalist and general cad about town, Magnus Scott, the writer of a compassionate obituary for St Denis, but there are quickly tensions between them. Very different backgrounds and positions in society make for a fractious relationship, which often overshadows the investigation they are supposed to be committed to.
MURDER IN PUNCH LANE evokes a time and place really well. Melbourne in 1868 was a wild place, full of criminals from all levels of society with corruption and questionable morality abounding. Readers will be reminded that an Underbelly wasn't a new concept back in the early 2000's when the term started to get bandied about again. The characterisations on the other hand are not so convincing. There's an immaturity and naivety to Sanchez that doesn't match well to somebody with the determination and ruthlessness required to investigate a death that the police and coroner have already declared verdicts on. Scott is also surprisingly naive about some things, and has a tendency to fade from view as his personal fortunes wane. The plot also veers dangerously close to unnecessary complexity too often, invoking less mystery, more just flat out confusion. Which was a little disappointing, as the writing here is very engaging, and as mentioned, the sense of place and time believable and immersive.
Murder in Punch Lane
Melbourne, 1868. When dazzling theatre star Marie St Denis dies in the arms of her best friend, fellow actress Lola Sanchez, everyone believes it was suicide by laudanum overdose. Everyone except Lola. On the brink of stardom herself, she risks everything by embarking on a quest to find Marie's killer.
When journalist Magnus Scott, writing as 'the Walking Gentleman', publishes a compassionate obituary about her friend, Lola decides to seek his help. A fraught attraction develops between these two amateur detectives from opposite sides of society, and their volatile relationship soon begins to compromise their investigation.
Lola keeps a secret from Magnus. She traverses the corrupt underbelly of the brash young metropolis just as he does, but disguised as a boy, entering dangerous, forbidden spaces where the lives of the rich and privileged intersect with the city's underclass and bohemians, theatre folk, prostitutes, down-and-outs and opium addicts.
Neither are prepared for the truths they will uncover about the powers that rule Melbourne - or the consequences for their own lives. And now they must race to find the murderer before the city destroys them both.
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