DNF@40%

Unfortunately this read just wasn’t for me. The thing is, I was actually rather taken with it for the first 20% or so, but then the pace started to slow and I found that I was getting easily distracted as I was bored. I also started to battle with the number of new characters introduced on a regular basis and I couldn’t keep up with who was who. I could have pushed on with this one, but I decided not to do that as I have so many books on my TBR shelf that I’m really looking forward to and with reading time being short, I decided to give up on this one.

Based on the fact that I didn’t finish this book, I won’t be posting a review on social media as I normally do. Thanks for the opportunity to read this title, but unfortunately it wasn’t for me. I look forward to reading and reviewing more of your titles in future.

A brilliant debut. Great characters and a brilliant mystery. I’ll never look at Deptford the same way again.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgally for sending this to me for review.

Actual rating 3.5 stars

I always have in my head that historical mysteries aren't for me and after reading this I think I stand by that.

Set in the 1700's ex solider Harry Corsham is swept up in a a mystery and cover up, on hearing word that his childhood friend Tad has gone missing he goes to the last place that Tad was seen alive Deptford, on getting there Harry discovers that Tad has been murdered, tortured in the same way the slaves are tortured Harry starts looking into the towns slaving industry and trying to form a link, what has slavery have to do with Tads murder and is everyone in Deptford covering something up in order to protect their previous slave trade industry? Soon Harry is untangling a wave of lies and it turns out everything may not be as it seems and a complex web has been spun.

I found it really hard to rate this book, I adored the premise of this book, I have never read a book set around the slaving industry in the UK and to be honest didn't even know there was one, the things that go on and the way these people of colour are treated chilled me to the bone and brought me close to tears many times, one line that sticks out to me is in conversation with the town doctor he refers to the slaves as not quite human!! this really hurt me but I thought was an important look into the mindset of the people of the time and made me proud of how far we have come (although we now seem to be going backwards again!! THANKS Trump and Brexit). Also the writing in this book was superb and it was easy to forget this was debut and think it was the work of an established author honed in her craft. Now the reason I couldn't rate this book any higher is because I got bored, we seem to go around in circles within the story with Harry finding out some information then looking into it for it to be discounted, repeat, repeat, repeat, I found myself loosing interest and the ability to care and hoping that something exciting was going to happen rather than Harry just chatting to people,, trying to find out what happened and being lied to, I found it all too repetitive and I started to dread picking this book up.

If you like a historical mystery then I do think you may enjoy this however this book wasn't totally for me.

This had some good moments in this and the central premise was really interesting but I felt like the writing lacked something. The characters were generally interesting but it felt a bit empty in terms of plot and I was left wanting more from this overall.

There was an interesting mystery at the heart of this narrative, but ultimately I thought the resolution was pretty lacklustre and the prose was a little bit stilted in places. When his childhood best friend is found murdered, strung up and branded with a slave mark, Captain Harry Corsham sets out to investigate his death and becomes embroiled in the slave trade in Deptford in the summer of 1781. The premise is very intriguing and the historical aspects of the narrative are undeniably impressive, lending an authenticity to many of the settings and situations. For me, however, the writing was quite disjointed and the dialogue was often very stilted. I found the plot to be quite engaging, but the way in which it was resolved was very disappointing to me and I also found a lot of the character motivations just didn't ring true, given their circumstances. Overall, there is a lot to take from this story in terms of historical fiction, but the thriller/mystery aspect just didn't work for me.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is a debut by Laura Shepherd-Robinson,  a murder mystery set within the landscape of the slavery trade.

In June 1781 an unidentified and mutilated body is found hanging at Deptford Dock, branded with a slaver’s mark. When Captain Harry Corsham is asked to investigate the disappearance of old friend and committed abolitionist Tad Archer he is drawn into the dangerous world of Britain’s slaving industry.

What follows is an atmospheric and immersive mystery that plunges Corsham into the dark heart of the slaving port of Deptford - a place that bears little resemblance to the modern day area of London. As he tries to uncover what became of his old friend he enters a community keen to protect its secrets and profits.

One interesting approach within the story is the shades of grey that lie between the slavers and the slaves and abolitionists, not all matters are as cut and dried as they might appear. And as 'freedom' is a theme in the story, Corsham has his own secrets and has something in common with those who have made an 'accommodation' to get by.

In starting the book I did wonder if I've read anything else set in the same period and wondered why not - is it me that's missed a swathe of historical fiction or is it not seen as being suitable fictional setting?

In a way this is quite a topical book, it would be difficult to watch the TV news and not notice the language used by some politicians to describe groups of people. While we might not be about to embark on a new era of slavery it does make it easy to see how the treatment of groups of people, to their detriment, can be sanctioned by those in power.  It's also timely as people rethink the modern day links to those who pursued and profited from slavery.

It's disturbing to find that the incident at the heart of the investigation is based on real events and it's perhaps easier to take in the horrors of the trade in reading this mystery than in trying to read a more objective non-fiction telling. It's always a positive to learn from the fiction you read!

A fascinating, dark and atmospheric read with a convoluted mystery at its heart. Many thanks to the publisher for the NetGalley.

I found this an atmospheric trip back in time. The author had captured the sounds, smells, horrors, poverty, crime and darkness so well.

The story opens in 1781 with a death. A body is hanging from a hook, tortured and branded with a slaver's mark.

Captain Harry Corsham, a war hero hoping to embark on a Parliamentary path is visited by the sister of his dear friend, lawyer and abolitionist Tad Archer. She's worried he's come to some harm as he's not come back from his recent visit to Depford dock. He was on the cusp of exposing a secret which could have brought down a lot of important people and ending British slavery for good.

Harry takes it upon himself to go and search for Tad and delves into what he was relentlessly pursuing. He's warned off time and time again and finds himself in some scary situations. His future career and family are threatened but he can't let go until he finds out what happened to his friend..

I was totally immersed in the story with Harry and experienced all that he did. The story was deeply descriptive and you could smell the stench and deprivation and feel the total fear of the slaves and the horror of the slave ships. Five star from me, I totally recommend historic tale.

This is Laura Shepherd-Robinson's debut novel. Set in the 18th century and is an brutally atmospheric and emotional tale of the horrific slave trade in London, England and the British Empire itself.

A woman is missing and her brother is trying to investigate, as a slavery abolitionist, the powers that be want to stop him, at any cost. A mix of politics, slavery, murder, racism and absolute greed this is a complex and heartbreaking tale. A thought provoking, marvellous piece of historical fiction. It’s hard to understand how people can be so cruel to each other.

I would like to thank the Author/the Publishers/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review

Incredible writing. I was gripped from the beginning to the end. I felt this book was so well researched and the detail was top notch. I did find it had a lot of parallels with Sansom’s books but it stood up brilliantly against them. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

An incredible eye-opener of a book. It should be used as reading for history in schools. The book is engaging, horribly accurate and not necessarily a pleasant read. It's uncomfortable and at times frustrating but nevertheless you cannot put it down.

Well researched and written book about the English slave trade, really opened my eyes to a period of history I knew little about.

Blood & Sugar was an incredibly well-researched and fascinating historical mystery that illuminated the seedy side of Deptford in the eighteenth century. It highlighted the atrocity of the British slave trade and evoked an atmosphere that made the reader feel they were right in the middle of the story. I found myself engaged from beginning to end and can't wait to read what the author writes next.

Moving and full of authentic-feeling atmosphere, we are drawn in close on what seems like real event in history - and , horribly, I suspect it really is - comparing it to Sansom is not incorrect - we care in the way that the family and his brother care in this one - this one was also a page-turner for me - and historical fiction has a bigger job to do in some ways than contemporary crime stories which this really is! It has to create the contexts realistically for us - and Shepherd-Robinson truly has. Excellent

I thoroughly enjoyed Blood and Sugar. From the moment I started reading I found it unputdownable. I found myself reminded of this horrendous and shameful period in our history that served as a backdrop to a compelling thriller. Laura is a talented writer and I look forward to reading more of her work.

With historical crime fiction it's paramount to get the historical facts right, even if the author plays fast and loose with a few details or uses their artistic license. Books in this particular genre often become not only an engrossing read, they can also be a learning experience. This is without a doubt both.

When Captain Harry Corsham starts investigating the brutal and torturous death of his friend the abolitionist Tad Archer, he stumbles upon a swamp of deception, lies and violence. Whilst trying to find one killer Harry finds men guilty of mass murder and inhumane atrocities. He puts himself, anyone who is involved and any person who speaks to him in peril as the upper echelon tries to keep

Shepherd-Robinson has researched the history of British slavery or rather Britain's culpability in regards to slavery in depth. It's history we are aware of, but for some reason it is never given the same voice as in the United States for instance. One could argue, and I am sure plenty would, that Britain paid restitution when slavery was abolished in 1833 in the UK, except it was paid to the slave and plantation owners to compensate them for the loss of their human property.

The exploitation of human flesh was a profitable one, a tragic element that the author makes clear in this story. The atrocious treatment of those slaves by their sellers and owners is a black mark in history in general. The author ensures that the reader can smell the fear, taste the tears and hear the screams of these unfortunate human beings caught in the vicious web of greed and inhumanity.

One can be aware of certain historical events, but when names are put to faces and details are so specific, it's hard not to feel outraged, angered and upset by the truth. The author conveys this with the brutality it merits, and still manages to pull-off a fascinating crime story at the same time.

I was really surprised to discover, after the fact, that this is a debut novel. This is the work of a seasoned writer, on par with someone who has been honing their skills for many years and books. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend or to buy further books by this author.

It's historical crime fiction, which leaves a strong message and vivid imagery in its wake, and is driven by a masterful and complex main character. I hope this isn't the last time we hear from Harry Corsham. Shepherd-Robinson is a writer to watch. This is hopefully just the beginning.

From its brooding cover to its last word, this book is quality. Laura Shepherd-Robinson knows her period, the late 18th century, inside out, from London high society to the squalor and danger of Deptford, she paints a completely believable world and fills it with compelling characters of complexity and emotional truth.

In one sense, it's a murder mystery: Harry Corsham needs to find out who killed and mutilated his friend, Tad Archer. But it's also a story about the depths of human experience, and an exploration of a time when slavery was a respectable trade. She faces the difficulties of portraying the attitudes of the time - shocking and disgusting as they are to us now - with honesty and courage. And Corsham, on his dangerous journey, becomes, in his fallible, relatable way, a real person we can root for.

The writing is remarkably good. The author knows how to juggle accessibility and authenticity to give an authentic, 18th-century feel to description and dialogue. This is an outstanding debut novel and I'm looking forward to her second.

The extensive dramatis personae at the start of the book alerts readers to the fact there will be a large cast of characters (with some colourful names) and that they will need to keep their wits about them. Can I add that I always love a book with a map at the front!

Harry’s investigation puts him – and, it transpires, those close to him – in danger because he’s up against individuals who don’t like people asking questions and who have no scruples about preventing them asking more. Harry soon finds there are things people are simply too scared to talk about for fear of retribution and it becomes increasingly evident there are vested interests whose reach extends into the highest places of society and government. What he discovers will eventually force Harry to make some difficult moral choices. ‘It was one of those moments on which a man’s future turns. On one side certain ruin. On the other a woman’s life, a dead man’s memory, and a gentleman’s ability to live with himself.’

The first person narration allows the reader inside the mind of Harry, complete with his traumatic war memories, guilt at past actions and sadness at the state of his marriage to wife, Caroline, who nowadays seems to find society parties more attractive than his company. Even their young son seems incapable of bringing them together. Harry and Caroline do form a useful alliance towards the end of the book that temporarily seems to offer some hope for their future. ‘We were like two allied generals advancing towards a common enemy, with only ancient treaties to define us.’ Personally, I would have liked more of Caroline as her brief appearance suggests an astute and intelligent mind behind the glamorous exterior.

The author does a great job of conjuring up the atmosphere of 18th century London – the sights, sounds and smells – and of the neighbourhoods that surround it. Anyone familiar with the urban sprawl of today’s London may find it hard to imagine a time when Deptford (‘a drunken doxy, ungainly sprawled on the banks of the Thames’) was considered ‘out of the city’ and it took two hours to travel the five miles from there by carriage to Bethnal Green.

The evil and inhumanity of the slave trade is the ever-present backdrop to the book and the long-term consequences for those who were abused (and, in some cases, for the abusers themselves – although they of course deserve it). As one character remarks, ‘But slaving men are a breed apart. It’s the trade that does it to them. Deadens the goodness in the soul’.

Blood & Sugar is a compelling historical crime mystery, replete with period atmosphere and featuring an elaborate plot, full of twists and turns, that will keep readers guessing until the final pages. It’s an impressive debut.

I received a review copy courtesy of publishers, Mantle, and NetGalley.

Harry Corsham is set for a successful political career, returned a hero from the American War, his marriage to Caro Craven has brought money, a position at the War Office and a beloved son. However when Harry is visited by his old friend's sister asking for help finding her brother, he enters a completely different world. When he arrives at Deptford he finds Tad is already dead, tortured and vilified for his abolitionist views. Harry vows to find whoever is responsible but this leads him into the world of slavery, a scandal hushed up and several more deaths.
I loved this book but found it quite intense. There is a lot of plot and a lot of side stories never quite followed through which makes it exhilarating but complex to read. The themes of politics and slavery are writ large and are true to the late 18th Century mentality where England is always at war and people want tobacco, sugar and cotton without caring where they come from. I had read about The Zong several years ago and the plot here lifts from that, profit is more important than slave lives and corruption runs deep. The research is impeccable and the sense of time and place immaculate. This is a wonderful first novel and I hope to read more.

I had rather mixed feelings about this book. I loved the setting of Deptford, down by the docks near to but not quote yet part of London. It also covers a lot of contentious and frightening subjects, slavery, opium dens, murder and life on the ocean waves all of which have been immaculately researched.

The main protagonist is a military man turned politician who begins to investigate a friends brutal murder and ends up getting wrapped up in a cover-up which leads to more death and mayhem.

For me the story was a touch too masculine, I like something with a more feminine point of view, and it got very, very complicated, the more he investigates the more he uncovers and the more confused I got which in the end made reading the book drag slightly.

War hero captain Harry Corsham is flung into the role of detective when his estranged friend goes missing and leaves a mysterious message with his sister. His quest leads him to Deptford, the slave trade home town on the Thames that has it's own rulers and laws. Slave trade, abolition, trade, insurance, sex, voodoo, opium, nothing is what it seems, stories and motives change, friends are foes and foes are friends. very atmospheric, one can smell the water and hear the ropes and sails on the ships.