In a Nutshell: A historical crime drama based on true events. Great research, but the writing choices didn’t work for me. This is an outlier review.

Plot Preview:
London, 1872. After having fled France during the communal siege, twenty-eight-year-old Marguerite Diblanc, who speaks no English, grabs the opportunity to work as a cook for the mercurial French widow Madame Riel. However, she soon discovers that the promises made to her before joining were nothing but lies. The Riel household is filled with tension that is worsened by the miserly owner, her unpredictable daughter, and an unfriendly English housemaid. Marguerite decides to quit her job, but where can she go? Then a tragedy occurs…
The story comes to us in Marguerite’s first-person perspective.


This novel is based on an actual crime in London in 1872. If you want to retain some suspense over what the crime was, don’t visit the author’s profile page here on Goodreads. It spoils the journey by revealing the details right in the first sentence. The blurb does an excellent job of maintaining suspense, so stick to the blurb.

This author usually pens historical nonfiction works. This is her maiden fiction attempt. Her historical knowledge and her research skills are on excellent display in the book. There is no dearth of facts, and her note at the end of the book displays the extent of her hard work and commitment to authenticity.

However there is one fact that cannot be denied: a historical true crime book is not the same as a historical fiction novel. This book is officially historical fiction, but straddles both the genres without doing justice to either. Those who focus mainly on the plot and aren’t so bothered about the writing approach might not experience the same feelings, but I am very picky about writing, and the writing choices made in this book weren’t to my reading taste.

The book begins with an excerpt of a newspaper article from June 1872, which declares Marguerite pronounced guilty of murder without revealing who was killed. So the prologue itself tells us that she is to be accused of murder at some point. The narrative then shifts to five months prior, detailing the manner of Marguerite’s arrival at the Riel household and her work there. In between, through Marguerite’s umpteen flashbacks, we also get glimpses of her past in Belgium and France. The first half of the book leads to the main event, and then moves into the post-crime narrative.

No problem with the intent and the broad structure. But there are many problems with the execution.
❌ The whole story is in Marguerite’s first-person POV, yet we mostly see only facts. There’s barely any revelation of her fear, regret, guilt, defiance, tears, anger... nothing! I have rarely seen first-person writing be so bland about emotions. Her opinions are written freely, but her feelings are hidden throughout. I'd have expected to know more about why she took certain decisions or why she didn't reveal certain information, but we just don’t get to know her intimately.
❌ As the story is see only through Marguerite’s viewpoint, we don’t get to know any of the other characters, including the victim, in a genuine way. It is easy to see what they are doing, but figuring out a reason for their actions is tough. What little Marguerite knows/assumes about them is all we get. This makes it tougher to connect with anyone else. The character development is just surface-level.
❌ There’s a lot of telling rather than showing, further distancing me from the proceedings.
❌ There's way too much detail about Marguerite’s life before and after the crime. I can understand the importance of the ‘After’ part, but the historical details were needlessly extensive. Moreover, there are too many secrets in the past, which are revealed only at the end. As the main purpose of this book was to focus on a woman accused of murder, the rest of the material and the secret-keeping felt like padding to lengthen the book.
❌ The flashbacks about Marguerite’s earlier life in France are sometimes marked as separate sections, but more often than not, they spring randomly in between a scene, thanks to Marguerite’s ponderings about past events. There is hardly ever a time reference for these events, so we don't know how far back it all goes.
❌ The post-crime half of the book should have been equally important, considering what happened in reality. But the legal procedure hardly takes any chapters (though it should have been the key element) and the post-verdict scenes in prison zoom through years like no one’s business.
❌ What sealed my low rating was the super-duper-lengthy letter at the end, containing an entire infodump from Marguerite’s POV about the whats and the whys of the day that changed her life. Reading this extended “confession” in a letter form when there was no justification for it killed the remaining positive feelings I had.

Of course, not all is lost. The book does handle certain things well.
✔ Such stories usually make us direct our empathy and sympathy towards the suspect. However, Marguerite is kept grey from the start, with her flaws more visible than her strengths. It is tough to decide whether to root for her or not. This could go both ways, but I liked the uncertainty this created in my mind about whether Marguerite was actually guilty or not.
✔ The book also reveals the social and cultural conditions in London in the 1870s, and depicts the survival methods used by the poor and desperate during an era where money spoke more than anything. It also highlights the life for women (whether the wealthy or maids) who didn’t have an independent income and were dependent on males to provide them money, no matter the cost. The dreary condition in France during the siege years are also written well.
✔ My favourite part of the book was the author’s note. Her prowess as a historian is truly revealed in detail here. I admired her research and her dedication in getting the story right and also understood where and how she had to deviate from facts.

All in all, I loved the concept of this story a lot, but I feel a bit let down by the writing. The book would have worked better for me had the focus been directed towards the 1872 crime and its repercussions rather than going into so much detail for Marguerite’s earlier life. If Marguerite indeed had to be given greater priority than the murder, then the title shouldn’t have been “13 Park Lane”, the venue of the crime. The book might work better as a historical drama than as a true crime fictionalisation or a murder mystery.

As Marguerite speaks only French, I was hoping that my reading experience would be on the lines of another true-crime-based fictional novel I had read earlier this year. ‘The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou‘ is also based on a historical crime in London (this one in 1954) where the accused spoke no English and had to rely on a Greek-speaking translator to put her story across. If ’13 Park Lane’ could have handled the writing choices even half as well as Eleni Kyriacou’s book did, my rating would have been far higher.

That said, mine is very much an outlier review and a majority of reviewers seemed to have found this novel worth reading. So please go through other opinions before you take a call.

Recommended to those who enjoy historical stories and prioritise plot over everything else.

2 stars.

My thanks to Bloodhound Books for providing the DRC of “13 Park Lane” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.

1872 marked turbulent times in Europe. Marguerite has first run away from her native Belgium, then arrived in Paris to a way of life that was hard and now has turned up in London. With no English language skills, she has to work for a French family and from the kindly Dumas family she moves to the volatile and penurious family of the Riels. Facing abuse and extreme stinginess from the lady of the house Marguerite gets enamoured by the daughter of the house and despite opportunities to leave continues to be a drudge in the household. One wonders as to the reason why she continued to stay despite the harsh treatment she received and the opportunities to get away when presented to her.

Her murdering her mistress, her running away to Paris and then her incarceration in British prisons is the rest of the story. A ideal prisoner doing her jobs competently she did get pardoned and finally returned to Belgium but at what personal cost.

Victorian England was harsh and oppressive to the poor and not willing to accept change. Women’s position in society was predetermined by birth and occupation. It was a harsh time. The murder story was intense and detailed, including details of police work and workings of prisons. The emotional story was heart breaking. Marguerite never stood a chance against everything arrayed against her. She was a very small cog in the whole story, though her actions were the entire story.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for this eCopy to review

13 Park Lane is a historical mystery based on real events from 1872. The story revolves around Marguerite Diblanc, a young Belgian cook who murders her mistress, Madame Riel, a mysterious French widow. The novel delves into the dark and tense atmosphere of the household at 13 Park Lane, exploring the secrets and emotions that lead to the crime.

Marguerite flees to London, leaving behind a traumatic past in Paris. She takes up a position as a cook for Madame Riel, hoping for a fresh start. However, the house is filled with tension, and Marguerite soon finds herself resenting her stingy and volatile employer, as well as the unfriendly housemaid. Just as Marguerite is about to resign, Madame Riel’s beautiful actress daughter Julie returns, creating new waves of toxic emotions. The tension escalates until someone finally snaps and murders Madame Riel. The novel explores why 13 Park Lane is so full of hatred, what secrets the household guards, and whether any of its inhabitants can escape the shackles of their past.

Marguerite's struggles and emotions are palpable, making her a relatable character. The dark and oppressive atmosphere of the household is effectively portrayed, creating a sense of dread and tension. The historical setting adds authenticity to the story, making it a gripping read.

13 Park Lane is an engrossing read that immerses you in the dark and tense atmosphere of a Victorian household.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. This is the story of the life of Marguerite DiBlanc, who at age 29 was convicted of murder of her employer. What a tale it is. The story takes us through most of Marguerite's life and believe me there is never a dull moment. I kept hoping for some happiness in her life but she never gave up in trying. Excellent writing and storytelling. Thanks to the author, Netgalley and publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is my favorite type of book. Historical fiction based on true events. I was very engrossed into the well written & researched story. Absolutely fascinating.

What a wonderful historical fiction based on real events, this is a book that is right up my alley and one I thoroughly enjoyed. There is so much happening between rich and poor. It is a very emotional read and one I couldn't put down.

Very well written and researched book with wonderful characters and an interesting and heartfelt storyline. History, drama, emotions and so much more. A great read.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

A great read! I found this novel (based on real events) very compelling from the beginning. The murder might look like a straightforward crime. However, so much psychological states of mind come into play which are revealed throughout the novel. I do not condone the murder, but I can understand the reasons that led to it.... The storyline illustrates the harshness of being poor and being a woman... This novel brought up many emotions such as anger, sadness and hope as well? The reader can decide...
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

13 Park Lane is a haunting and deeply immersive historical novel that transports readers to Victorian England’s grim realities through the eyes of Marguerite Diblanc, a French immigrant struggling to survive as a servant in an unforgiving society. Based on true events, Naomi Clifford’s storytelling brings Marguerite’s tragic life into vivid focus, revealing the harsh conditions that slowly push her to the brink.

The novel opens with Marguerite standing trial for the murder of her cruel employer, Madame Riel. As we journey through the past events that led her to this fate, Clifford carefully constructs a narrative that questions justice, explores societal inequities, and asks how much one person can endure. Marguerite’s journey is not just a descent into darkness but also a poignant tale of survival, as she navigates exploitation, loneliness, and the indignities forced upon her by a rigid class structure. Clifford’s meticulous research adds depth, portraying the era’s social and cultural struggles while allowing Marguerite’s inner world to come alive.

13 Park Lane is as much an emotional exploration as it is a murder mystery. The novel flows between Marguerite's harsh daily life as a servant, her moments of fleeting happiness, and ultimately, her descent into despair. Clifford’s writing is richly atmospheric, evoking images that make Victorian London feel both immediate and oppressive. These visceral descriptions heighten the reader’s empathy for Marguerite, making her story all the more impactful.

A compelling blend of history and human drama, 13 Park Lane is an unforgettable novel that balances raw emotion with an insightful look into the darker corners of Victorian society. For fans of historical fiction with a psychological edge, this book is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Naomi Clifford for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

I loved the idea of a historical mystery based on a true event. This was everything that I was looking for from the description and enjoyed the overall feel of the characters. I was invested in what was going on with Naomi Clifford’s characters and how they were written. It had me trying to figure out what was going on until the end.

A person can only take so much before they snap and this is what happened to Marguerite. Based on real events this was an engrossing story of murder and toxic relationships. I loved the descriptive writing it made me feel like I was right there with the characters. A lot of research has gone into putting this together and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

How much pain can one soul contain before something terrible happens?
13 Park Lane is a fictionalised account of an actual murder and based on the lives of real people. The story follows a poor servant, Marguerite Diblanc, who during a time of revolution flees France after committing a minor crime. She finds work as a cook at 13 Park Lane, but it seems the job is a poison chalice as the mistress, Madame Riel is a veritable harpy who starves Marguerite and makes her life a misery. Then one day Margeurite snaps…
The book almost reads in two parts, with the lead up to the murder (not a spoiler as Marguerite is found guilty of murder in the first chapter), followed by Marguerite being on the run, put on trial, and her time in gaol. Like walls supporting a roof, the first part is necessary in order to appreciate the full emotional impact of the second part. Marguerite’s time as a cook and how she strived to control her emotions was engrossing, but where things really stepped up for me was the description of her time in gaol, and the dignity with which she bore the ordeal. And then when the final revelations came about the deep, underlying reason that caused her to snap…it was very moving indeed.
13 Park Lane is a gritty, but engrossing read. This is not a costume drama read, but a beautifully written account of struggle and the human spirit. I loved how it was written and the evocative descriptions evocative: “The sky was a thick grey mattress and the rain came down in daggers. You wouldn’t have known it was daytime.”
4 stars.

Rounding up to three stars

This was very slow to start, and for me it never recovered from that.

Some interesting bits, and I do like a toxic relationship.

I absolutely loved this book..

Telling the story of a house and the women that inhibit it, there is murder, drama and toxic relationships.

It is a superbly told tale and I adored the descriptive telling of the house and the people that lived there.

I would love to see this as a TV drama.

highly recommended