On The House

On the house is a murder mystery crime novel set in a Victorian workhouse in Suffolk when the poor law was in effect.
The book is well written the author has obviously done their research, you are transported back into time, you can literally picture the foul conditions and the awful treatment of the inmates..
Edgar Laws and Ambrose Hudson work in unison to combat the horrendous treatment of the inmates,
I look forward to reading the next book.
Thank you to the author, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. 4 stars

I really really wanted to like this but I ended up quitting a quarter of a way in. It just didn't hold my interest.

A good historical mystery with an interesting plot. It's well written and well researched, with interesting characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Unbound and Netgalley

On The House is a thoroughly researched and well written social commentary on the hardships faced by everyday people in Victorian England. The novel starts with Edgar, the local landowner who becomes embroiled in the nearby workhouse. He slowly starts to see that not all is as it seems. He already dislikes the hypocrisy of his class and becomes a champion for social justice. For a history lover like me, it was a joy to read as I could tell how much work had gone in to making the novel as accurate as possible. This leads me to the only criticism that those unfamiliar or disinterested in the topic might struggle to enjoy or fully grasp the context. I loved the references to Charles Dickens as well as the Peterloo massacre which had a poignant connection to the unfair social system of the time.

With hindsight now we know the welfare laws weren’t fair or humane, unfortunately, something that still goes on today. There was an unexpected gruesome section that was a stark but enjoyable contrast to the rest of the story. The story came to a satisfactory ending which gave hope in a bleak time. I believe this is a planned trilogy and I look forward to reading more of these perfect blends of social commentary and a gripping whodunit.

Set in the early Victorian era in a small Suffolk poorhouse, this story is mainly told by Edgar Lawes, a J.P. that has been persuaded to become an ex-officio member of board of the union in charge of said poorhouse. It soon becomes obvious to him that neglect, avarice and cruelty reign in “the house” and he endeavours to improve the lives of the inmates. Told at first as a comfortably-paced narrative, things in the house take a sudden sinister turn. A suicide and a gruesome murder shake up the inmates, the keepers and the board. But who, in this tightly-controlled environment, can provide proof for the maltreatment of the poor? And who is the mysterious inmate that somehow does not conform to the pauper cliché?
Great read, one star off the full five for occasional lengthy sermonising on the Poor Laws - reminiscent of “The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists”.

I thought this was a wonderfully interesting story. It’s a subject that’s often forgot about in fiction so I appreciated it! I enjoyed the writing, the atmosphere and the characterisation. Really wonderful book

I’m an avid fan of historical fiction and I really enjoyed this novel. It was a bit different. Set in the Victorian era, at a time when social reforms and mechanisation of machinery were both becoming more commonplace, where Dickens was beginning to highlight the plight of the poor in Victorian Britain, the workhouses come under scrutiny. A young Justice of the Peace, with Whig leanings has been persuaded to join the board of the regional workhouse. There have been whispers of maladministration. I won’t say any more about the story- you should read it for yourself!
I loved reading about the slow grind towards a more equal society and how the work of individuals began to gain momentum. While recognition of the need for reform was being raised by more and more people of influence, it took many attempts and in many cases, many new laws, to shift and improve conditions- in mills, mines,factories, in schools and workhouses. Possibly workhouses were initially inspired by the desire to help the impoverished. What happened to labourers badly injured at their job? No financial relief, dependent on family, if none existed, then there was no re purse but to throw yourself on the mercy of the parish and the workhouse. Families were segregated by gender. Once in one of these institutions, there seemed nothing more to hope for in life.
This book highlights several of these issues and does it very well.

Imagine that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had edited a manuscript of Oliver Twist narrated by Daphne du Maurier’s naïf Philip Ashley from My Cousin Rachel. You'd have On the House, which — far from being an unwieldly hodgepodge —proves an irresistible page-turner.

In 1838 Suffolk, England, Edgar Lawless — magistrate, justice of the peace and staid but very conscientious young man — joins the governing board of a small workhouse, thanks to the intervention of a neighbor, radical yeoman farmer Edward Lake, and Lawless’ late father’s own liberal Benthamian views. Lawless and Lake suspect cruelty and deprivation, and they set out to prove as much, although discover more than they of the destitute inmates, adulterated food and poor oversight turns out to be much, much worse. On the House, narrated by Lawless in the first and last section, slows down in a central part narrated by a different character; too much of it proves a rehash and lowers the rating from a perfect five stars.

Helen Maskew’s novel may be set in early Victorian England, but the themes of merciful charity versus callow usage of the “undeserving poor” live on in the battle between smug “Makers and Takers” blatherers and those who see how short-sighted such cruelty proves. Yes, readers will find the mystery gripping, but what they will really appreciate is Maskew’s perfect command of a du Maurier-like voice and her appeal to a sense of justice. Very highly recommended.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Unbound Digital in exchange for an honest review.

Set in the early Victorian period this book revolves around a newly opened small rural Suffolk workhouse. The new poor laws have just been passed and each area had its own workhouse. The place of last resort. Encouraged by a radical neighbour, local landowner and JP, Edgar Lawes joins the board. All is not quite as it seems on the surface & far from what is required by law. Events take a quick turn for the worse when one inmate commits suicide and a man is found murdered in the grounds.

This is a clearly well researched book with accurate descriptions and detail concerning not just the life in the poorhouse but also everyday life in the area around. The characters are well written with their own clear personalities showing a wide variety of characteristics.

It is impossible not to draw a comparison with this workhouse and the start of the Charles Dickens book, Oliver Twist, so it pleased me that the author was a step ahead of me in that! I also found myself reminded of Kate Summerscale's book "The Suspicions of Mr Whitcher". Although Kate Summerscale's book centred around a true crime whereas this book is totally fictional, the attitudes of the men and upper classes were very similar. In both books the investigations are foiled by the attitude of the powerful local men and the attitude towards women.

I am a fan of well researched historical novels. This is definitely one of these. I did wonder if the ending was a little too twee and "happily ever after" but then, why not sometimes!

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.

Having been interested in this sort of plight before (the plight of the poor in historical England), I was drawn to this title immediately. This book is unique in the way that it approached the idea of describing the lives of these unfortunate souls and really brought their surroundings to life. I was intrigued by the way that the setup of the poor house worked in this time period. The story follows JP Lawes, who becomes a member of the board of the poor house in a small town. He finds out there are untoward things happening to the people housed at this institution and seeks to find out what the truth is. Although it was unconventional in spirit, I was delighted to find that this book kept me engaged and brought new things to light, ultimately having a wonderful conclusion. A+, would recommend!

The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 was, like many laws before and since, supposed to make life better for people so poor they had to rely on the charity of their communities while also discouraging dependence on that charity. Unfortunately, there are always people who are more than willing to take advantage of people who have no other options and know they won’t get caught because their employers feel that the poor should somehow be punished because they are poor. On the House, by H.P. Maskew, is set in the crosshairs of the problem of what to do with the people who are too poor to support themselves and can’t find work.

The first half of On the House is narrated by Edgar Lawes. Edgar has a good position in Seddon, Suffolk. He’s independently wealthy, a landowner, and works as the local justice of the peace. It’s clear at the beginning of the novel that he’s got a little too much time on his hands and his utilitarian upbringing is goading him to do more than hand out fines and drink sherry in parlors while avoiding marriage-minded mamas. When his radical and excitable friend, Ted Lake, reports that there are sinister things going on at the local poorhouse, Edgar joins the poorhouse board and starts investigating. Edgar moves slowly, like a good lawyer cautiously building an ironclad case. Edgar does some good, but doesn’t work fast enough to prevent a suicide and a nasty murder.

The second half of the book is mostly narrated by Henry Millhouses, aka Ambrose Hudson. Henry is an investigative journalist for a London newspaper who has built a reputation for going undercover and reporting on the horrible conditions of factory workers in northern England. Henry and his editor have turned their sites on conditions inside poorhouses for their next exposé. Henry is eligible for the Seddon poorhouse and lies his way inside. Edgar’s section only hints at how bad things are inside the poorhouse; Henry’s explicitly lays out how bad it really is. He also gives us a few more hints about what happened to the dead men.

On the House is not constructed like a typical mystery. The deaths don’t happen until a third of the way through the book and, while there are investigations into those deaths, Edgar and Henry’s focus is clearly on reforming the poorhouse. Throughout the book we meet characters who are only minimally sympathetic to the poorhouse inmates. Even though most of the people in the poorhouse are only there because of bad luck and accidents that are no fault of their own, the poorhouse board are reluctant to do anything more than what the law requires. They let their employees, the monstrous Mr. and Mrs. Calman, run the house as cheaply as possible and overlook their abuse of the poor.

Readers of Dickens or mid-nineteenth century social history will enjoy this book, I think. I did, because I am fascinated by historical fiction that looks at the realities of the past rather than presenting a nostalgic version of history. Readers who want a more straightforward mystery may be irritated by the way the Henry and Edgar’s attention moves on from the deaths so quickly. I admit to being puzzled by this, personally. It seems odd to me that a justice of the peace with a passion for fairness would act the way Edgar does. Apart from these problems, I rather liked On the House and am curious to see where the series goes.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.

This was so interesting - I think the characters came off as so realistic, I couldn't not like it! I also think the cover is going to draw people in like hot cakes, it's brilliant! Anyway, great plot and writing, it's sure to be a hit!

Really enjoyable read, you can tell the author went to great lengths to research and ensure a well rounded book was written. A beautifully written and enjoyable story.

Brilliantly crafted and superbly researched, the care that has gone into ‘On the House’ is palpable. Lawes in particular is a likeable protagonist- it’s easy to spend time in his company even if his voice feels a little twee at times. The setting is beautifully rendered, the historical details captured well. One to cosy up with in the winter months.

This was fantastic, great story that kept me gripped throughout and the plot I really enjoyed.
The way this book was written too kept me really interested so I would highly recommend.