This Georgian murder mystery was gripping and engaging. The descriptions were very immersive and the story is well paced.

Historical fiction isn’t a genre I normally read, however I enjoyed this much more than I expected - a murder mystery in historic London? Yes!

I’d absolutely consider reading more of the authors books, and I’d recommend giving this one a go.

This combines all the twists and turns of a really clever murder mystery with meticulous research, and a fabulously written main character – mystery, history and a female lead that you really care about.

Lady Caroline Corsham (Caro) discovers her friend, who she believes to be an Italian countess, dying in a bower in the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. Caro is shocked to discover that ‘Lucia’ is actually Lucy Loveless, a high-class prostitute. When the police don’t seem to care about Lucy’s murder, Caro, determined to get to the truth and to secure justice for Lucy, begins an investigation herself. Along with theiftaker Peregrine Child, she begins an investigation that brings to light some very dangerous goings-on in Georgian society – some of which are rather close to home.


This is a very long book – almost six hundred pages in paperback format. It does manage to hold your interest for the most part – but I did feel it could have been cut back a little. There were times when I just wanted to get on with the story. That said, the historical detail has been meticulously researched and the narrative is full to the brim with little details that immerse the reader in late eighteenth century London.

Clever, exciting, beautifully written, just a little bit too long – but that won’t stop me reading more by this author.

This was the first of Laura’s books I read, and it’s an excellent dive into 18th century London. Well fleshed out characters, an intricate plot (any minor confusing I had are probably post-Covid brain fog), and clearly well researched history. It took me a little time to settle into the story only because it’s not a period I read a lot of, so it took some time to become familiar. But once it did, it was easy to slip into the pages and immerse myself in the late 1700s. Definitely recommended.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. Apologies for the delay, it was meant to be in time for the hardback, but I’ve timed it just right for the new paperback version!

Fantastic historical detail and a compelling story with lots of mystery. Recommended for historical fiction fans.

Fabulous book, I loved it so much I went out to buy the paperback just to have it on the bookshelf. A definite must read!

What can I say about Daughters of Night that hasn't already been said? It's immersive, beautifully written, funny, serious, shocking, satisfying and has one of the most engaging lead characters in Caro Horsham that I've come across in a long time.

Georgian London in all its glittering hypocrisy and degrading squalor is spread out for us all to dive into. Laura Shepherd-Robinson knows her period inside-out and is one of the best new writers of recent years. Buy it, read it, love it. It's gorgeous.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me, it was a clash of writing style and historical fantasy which can always be hit or miss for me. So it's definitely more me than the book, but thank you to the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this one.

I don't do history but I did this and wow did I love it - think I've found a new author.
Well written, great story, good characters, amazing book.

This historical mystery is set in an atmospheric Georgian London, as the intrepid – if unlikely – pairing of respectable society wife, Mrs Caroline Corsham with thieftaker, Peregrine Child.

Caro and Child take on equal roles in the investigation of the murder of Lady Lucia, an Italian Countess and friend of Caro’s, as the police lose interest in the case as soon as they discover Lucia may not quite be all she seemed.

Laura Shepherd-Robinson spins a complex web of blackmail, rape and murder, in which motives and suspects abound, and the condemnation of the court of public opinion forces people into secrets and shame. We peek into a world of prostitution in many different forms, and see the roles power and privilege play in exploitation. And alert readers will spot the parallels between Greek mythology in the characters and events.

Daughters of Night is a clever and gripping mystery that makes me want more from Caro Corsham and co.


Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog

London 1782

Caroline Corsham finds a woman dying from stab wounds in the bowers of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens and screams for help. She recognises her as an acquaintance named Lucia but before Caro can ask who has done this to her Lucia holds her fingers and whispers ‘He knows’ then takes her last breath. Though very shaken by the event, Caro is determined to get justice for Lucia but once the Bow Street Runners find out Lucia’s true identity they drop all interest in finding out who her killer is. Having been left with no alternative Caro turns to thief taker Peregrine Child to help her investigate the murder but the deeper they dig, the more sordid and dangerous uncovering the truth becomes and it begins to look like their own lives are on the line.

This is the first book I’ve read by Laura Shepherd-Robinson though it is the second involving Caro Corsham. I will absolutely read her first offering as I enjoyed this very much. Laura has a talent for bringing the past to life and I swear that I could smell some of the settings and taste some of the food described in the book. Whilst Caro is an absorbing protagonist, my favourite character was Pamela. She was feisty, bold and sassy but her soft, naive and childlike nature shined through from time to time. I’m rating this a four and a half rounded up to five.

Many thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for providing an ebook copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

Absolutely loved this book, five stars, it was not what I was expecting but it was a refreshing change of pace.

I loved Blood & Sugar by this author, so knew I had to read this book. An absolutely brilliantly written multi layered historical murder mystery with a few familiar characters the story is set in 1782 London, Georgian era. Caroline is the wife of Captain Harry Horsham who is currently in France after his investigation of the horrors of the slave trade along with the brutal murder of a slave. Caroline finds herself in quite a predicament and could really do with Harry by her side. It’s whilst she is at Victoria Pleasure Gardens that she hears the last whispered words of Lady Lucia an Italian lady who has been murdered at first it is Bow Street that is dealing with the investigation, that is until it is discovered that Lady Lucia is actually a high class prostitute who uses the name Lucy Loveless.

Caroline decides to instigate an investigation, but what she doesn’t realise is the impact this will have, bringing threats on her life, as well as obstacles. The men who knew Lucy refuse to disclose information. But despite all this Caro is determined to continue with the help of thief taker Peregrine Child, who is a man who has his own demons he is struggling with.

The story leads you into the higher class society of London as well as the lower classes, highlighting the inequalities between the two. With women having no choice but to become prostitutes, where young girls and women are sold on like any other commodity. Set in a time when women had no rights at all, men rule everything, women have no control of there finances, if they are seen in the wrong part of town they are likely to be judged and ostracised, whereas men can come and go as they please, and they do.

This is a well researched, brilliantly crafted read. The characters are three dimensional, believable. You can picture how things were people who lived in this era, the atmosphere the unfairness whether that be social, economic, or political. To be a woman in these times was harsh, but the characters are strong.

If you like historical mystery thrillers then this is a book I would highly recommend, full of mystery, suspense, tension, with some very unexpected twists that will keep the reader engrossed.

I for one look forward to what the author comes up with next, a very well deserved 5 star read.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #PanMacmillan for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.

I greatly enjoyed this novel, as a relatively new fan of historical fiction, I was gripped and keen to play along with the whodunnit? mystery.

I loved the picture painted of 1700s London and its colourful characters, especially the wonderful girls.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I found the historical aspects of this story, learning about how working girls were treated at the time. A slow start but picked up towards the end.

Thank you to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and the author for an advanced reader's copy of this book! I didn't expect to enjoy it so much.

I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, so I was so excited to pick this up! Set in 18th century London, the author really paints a wonderful picture of nightlife and the mysterious dangers that await her characters. Her depiction of Georgian London was one I really enjoyed, as it was so vivid and well-painted. Her characters made me so invested in the plot and no spoilers, but I was strung along for the ride and couldn't stop reading!!

Highly recommend and will be posting more on my blog shortly!!

London 1782. Caro Corsham's friend was a prostitute that has been murdered.
Caro hires a PI to help her discover what happened to her friend, and other prostitutes who have been murdered.

Giving us a view into all classes of society, I enjoyed this book more than i expected to.
Twisty and turny, plenty of characters who are likeable.

Told from the POV of both Caro and her PI, this author has done well to bring history to lift.

A dramatic story that humanises the victims. At a time where violence towards women is being discussed more, this is a timely read.

Daughters of Night is a historical fiction based in the late 1700s and which follows Caro, a City woman of means, and a thief-taker, Peregrine Child, as they try to uncover the sordid murder of an Italian woman who turns out to be a local sex worker.

It intertwines viewpoints that bring us along into the bowers of London as well as high-class society. It delves into the political, economical and societal expectations and restrictions of the era. Daughters of Night is well structured (although at times convoluted) despite the many different plot lines involved. There are a lot of characters to keep track of at the beginning but it's fantastic when it starts to all come together.

Big recommend from me, especially if you enjoy historical fiction, a little bit of crime fiction, and strong female characters.

An intriguing murder mystery set against the back drop of the seedy underbelly of Georgian London England.

A girl of questionable morals is found murdered by her friend who also holds a secret, As she strives to find out who murdered her friend we delve into the history of London and so of its dark past.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher's for a free copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.