I have to admit this book was not quite what I was expecting from the blurb. This book is less about criminal gangs and heists- it is more about alchemy, class and the difficulties of being a woman who is not womanly enough in Tudor society.
While there is plenty of magical alchemy, vivid descriptions of Tudor England with historical detail and intrigue, the book had more romance and angst then I was expecting. The ups and downs in the relationships between Mariner and Elody as well Lazarus and Kit are interesting and do push the story forward but while it wasn’t for me, this will appeal to many readers who like a little romance in their fantasy.
Mariner had the best arc and loved her development through the book, and I would have loved to have read more about the woman pirate who pops up at the end of the book.
Perfect for Fans
Who love historical fantasy with vivid descriptions and plenty of romance

Kit Skevy and Mariner Elgin are young criminals in the pocket of the savage gang lord Grave Erol.
While on a job, Kit and Mariner are caught in the act of grave robbing. Mariner runs, but Kit is kidnapped by a sadistic Alchemist Lord Isherwood.
This is a dark, atmospheric historical fiction set in London 1597. This story is full of intrigue, magic and Tudor alchemy.
It's a story of friendship, with great characters and a writing style that flows well.
I loved this.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Emma's previous book, The Knowing, and so had high hopes for this one. But sadly it didn't live up to my expectations.

I struggled with it. There's not a huge cast of characters, and yet it feels like there was, and so I was getting confused as to who was whom, who they were to each other, and what was actually going on. There also felt like there was too much going on, too many subplots that I couldn't find and focus on the main story.

It is very explicit - I don't mean that in an overly sexual way, although there is some, but in its violence and description of things, so some bits take a strong stomach.

It was slow and just didn't grab me. I didn't particularly care for any of the characters - I'd rather really hate a character than feel a bit meh about them. Therefore I had no real connection to any of them and just didn't care.

I love a historical novel but this just didn't seem to know what it wanted to be. Historical, fantasy, magic, romance, thriller, crime - it was all over the place.

Like I say, I loved her book The Knowing, and I recommended it to many others, but this just lost its way for me. But I will still look out for her work, as her first book proved that she is an author I enjoy. Just this story wasn't for me, sadly.

I really struggled with this book, "The Quick and the Dead" by Emma Hinds. However I really liked her previous book "The Knowing" so I did persist and finished it. It was a real slow burn. Some bits were livelier than others and it did pick up around 50% of the way through. It would probably make a good tv series as there are lots of great characters, alchemy, lady sailors/pirates, tudor crime and lots more to boot. Just not my favourite historical novel.

This book has been well written and well researched. I loved the setting of Elizabethan London and alchemy, just my sort of book. The story revolves around the 2 main characters, Kit and Mariner, both in their own way, lost and wanting to be more than their situation. It’s a story of friendship against the odds, both heartbreaking and uplifting. Could there be a sequel?

The characters are definitely what made this book for me.
From loveable slightly lost Kit, to blackheart Twentyman.
Add in bags of atmosphere on the streets of Southwark, and the sorcery known as alchemy, and it's all very interesting.
There's plenty of secrets to be learned, and trouble to be found.
My favourite bits were the relationships, friendships and loyalties found and built between the characters as they discovered the truths.
Good stuff.