This was such an interesting read! I found myself so engrossed in the story, the characters had such incredible arcs, and I can't wait to follow this author's journey!

Fantastic

A book that stands out from the crowd. The characters and the setting are written exceptionally well.

This is a rather dark but very engaging murder mystery set in the 19th century of America’s military West Point, where there has been a gruesome discovery - an army cadet has been found with his heart carved out, and retired New York City detective Augustus Landor is called in as a civilian investigator. One of the young cadets is none other than Edgar Allen Poe, and is soon singled out by Landor to help be his eyes and ears inside the barracks. I quite enjoyed the point of view, Landor was an interesting narrating voice. A dark and gothic tale with a satisfying twist conclusion.

My thanks to #NetGalley and John Murray Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure about this Book to start with as it took me quite a while to be fully drawn into it, but once I was it had me well & truly hooked , the language Louis Bayard uses to describe various things especially the weather, scenery & of the characters plus of course the Poetry too. A good Gothic inspired book #NetGalley, #GoodReads, #FB, #Amazon.co.uk, #Instagram, #Betweenthecovers, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/358a5cecda71b11036ec19d9f7bf5c96d13e2c55" width="80" height="80" alt="100 Book Reviews" title="100 Book Reviews"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>,enjoy !

This is a tale, a mystery, it is historical and I though I would really like it but I must say that I didn't enjoy it that much. There is a reference to a cadet named Edgar Allen Poe which annoyed me a bit.

It is also a book that was a bit long-winded but with a bit of intrigue although it just didn't reel me in and make me want to keep reading. It is a heavy and full on read which shouldn't be a bad thing but this one just didn't flow for me the way I had expected it to. It is a bit slow to start, picks up a bit but seemed to take me a while to get it read.

I didn't dislike like it but I didn't love it.

I never read anything by Louis Bayard and this book made me discover a new to me author that I loved.
This is a complex book, intriguing and atmospheric, full of references to Poe and darkeness.
There's plenty of twist and it kept me hooked till the end.
The author is a talented storyteller and the plot is brilliant.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

This is an entertaining and atmospheric somewhat macabre historical mystery that held my interest although on occasion the narrative felt a little long winded. However the complex mysteries complex plot and subplot make it worth while and keep you guessing to the very end. There are lots of Poe references so if you like Poe this will enhance the writing for you. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved this book, I love gothic fiction and so the fact that this book included a young Edgar Allen Poe was music to my ears. The writing style was engaging and compelling and the story had me gripped. I really enjoyed it

This is my first taste of Louis Bayard with this historical mystery with elements of the gothic and supernatural and set in 1830 in this story of murder, featuring widowed Augustus 'Gus' Landor, a retired New York detective constable, now living in the Hudson Highlands to improve his health. At West Point Academy the discovery of a young cadet's body swinging from a rope just off the parade grounds is made, in what appears to be an apparent suicide. The victim is a cadet, Leroy Fry, but the next morning, matters take a strange and eerie turn when his body is stolen from the room it was stored in and returned, but someone has removed his heart. Not knowing what to make of this, Superintendent Thayer and Commandant Ethan Hitchcock, fearing hostile and critical responses from Washington, call in Landor to investigate in the hope of avoiding adverse publicity.

The former detective is feeling lonely and needs something to occupy his mind, so agrees to take on the case. As he delves into the victim's life, questioning his fellow cadets, he comes across a cadet, Edgar Allan Poe, who sparks his interest with his comment that the killer is a poet. This leads him to request Poe as an assistant and despite strong reservations from Thayer, he succeeds in getting him. Poe himself writes poetry and has a fondness for drink, and a past that Landor wants to know about, Poe himself reciprocates with his questions to Landor about his life, even daring to ask about his daughter, Mattie. The two men develop a strong relationship, with Poe proving his worth, operating undercover to become a valuable informant, writing reports about his findings in a case that moves into unexpectedly dark territory.

Bayard makes great use of Poe's history of being a West Point cadet, making recognisable allusions to his writings in the narrative that will please fans of Poe. This is an entertaining and macabre historical read that held my interest for the most part, although on occasion the narrative felt a trifle laboured. However, I felt the final reveal and twists fail to convince, but as a whole, I enjoyed the historical murder mystery, particularly the inclusion of Poe as a character. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.