The Red Monarch

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot (plenty of reviews like that already).

I've read and enjoyed the previous books in this series, so was delighted to be invited to read this latest addition.

The book started in a melancholy fashion, so I wasn't sure what to expect. However a satisfying mystery soon presented itself. The plot was well thought out, with the action taking us to London. I have no doubt at all that the dark underbelly of London described in this novel is authentic for that time (and indeed probably persists in some fashion today!) - life was harsh, unpredictable, and probably short if you were poor.

In this novel, more so than the previous ones in the series, we get to know the characters of the Bronte sisters more, together with their brother Branwell. They are all so different, yet unite in common cause to make a difference; rather than giving up the ghost at the first setback, they fight for what is right. Stirring stuff.

I hope that there will be further books in this series!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

This is the third book in the Bronte Sisters Mysteries and it is just as brilliant as the previous books . The sisters and their brother Branwell are asked to find the husband of a dear friend who has been kidnapped .Set in London in 1852 this is a London of poverty ,crime and something even more sinister .The characters they meet are interesting and well written ,I felt I knew them and could feel the vibrancy of life in that era .The story is fast paced ,gripping ,atmospheric and I absolutely loved it .I think this is my favourite book in the series so far, I do hope that more will follow. Many thanks to the Publisher ,the Author and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review .

There is always a yell of happiness in this house when a new Bella Ellis book lands on the kindle. I read this pretty quickly as I was so keen to be taken into the world of the Brontes again. Fancy then trying to help the mistress of their drunken brother Bramwell? They head to London and so the scenery and landscape feels very different but very fresh too.

Always recommended as it's a real treat to be back in the Bronte world.

Loved this, the 3rd adventure of the Brontë sisters detective work, great as a standalone but if you read this you'll probably want to read the others.

This time the sisters are called to help a friend in London with their Sober Brother who is heart broken after the elder Mrs Robinson rejection but it's her Daughter Lydia who has eloped with an actor Harry she met in Scarborough that needs their help. Lydia and Harry have moved to Londons Drury Lane and the theatre his Dad owned. But things have gone a bit 🍐 pear-shaped. Theatre land is not a safe place specially for 3 Ladies even with their brother and a pistol. They make some friends ruffle feathers and find their way but this is the toughest test they have faced and danger lurks at almost every corner.

I love the settings and era it allows for some great characters and situations to test your steel as well as our intrepid hero's. Kit and Louise are but 2 of them plus there is the horrid elder Rowley and a couple of literary guest appearances you will not want to miss. But these are not the villans they are fitting for the times horrendous vile characters.

I really enjoyed this adventure of the Brontë Sisters it had a good mixture of fun and edge of your seat moments ready for the next one now.

This book had such an interesting and exciting premise for me and it really delivered, I loved it. It was gripping and clever with beautiful writing and compelling characters. I loved it

Bella Ellis, you've done it again! What a brilliant novel.

I've loved each book in the series so far and wondered if anything would be lost, setting this far away from Haworth in London. My fears weren't justified. The city is the perfect place for three fearless sisters and their brother to do some more detecting.

As a previous Bronte scholar, I admire how the author knows her stuff. Links to the novels and the authors' characters are expertly melded into the plot. It's always clear how passionate Bella Ellis is about the Bronte sisters and their beloved home.

Victorian London is depicted faithfully as a place of the rich and those in poverty. The issues of how the poor are abused is hard reading but necessary, particularly for the sisters seeking justice.

I enjoyed the plot and how it fits with the biography mainly of Anne, along with hints of how Emily has to embrace a part of herself she thought she could suppress.

Charlotte is the loyal and sensible older sister. As a fellow author-although not of Bronte fame, of course-I loved how Charlotte wrestled with a burgeoning career, fear of failure, while still daring to dream. It certainly resonated.

This book could be read as a stand-alone but you're missing out not reading the other fabulous books in the series.

It’s August 1852 in the streets of London. In the day the streets reek of poverty and the night something more sinister and eviller lurks. Lydia Robinson after eloping with Harry Roxby now lives penniless after Lydia being disinherited from her family. The life she hoped hasn’t materialised and she is now with child. Harry in his desperation has got involved with a criminal gang Led by Noose. One night the gang abducts Harry and gives Lydia an ultimation that she must find the jewel of her husband dies. But Lydia not knowing much of her husband activities calls for help in a form to a letter to Ann Bronte.
After receiving the letter Ann and the rest of her sisters and brother Branwell head off to London to aid Lydia of finding her husband Harry. But the experience of London is not what they envisaged. From the dirty streets reeked of poverty and the suffering or to the criminals and the evil lurking in every corner. The Bronte’s at first find it hard to blend it or trust until they meet allies that will help them on their quest.
Thank you, Hodder, and Stoughton, for an ARC. This another great edition to the series which is told in each sister’s point of view and their bravery and determination to find Harry. To also find out who The Red Monarch is and hold him accountable for his crimes. The author is a great storyteller. The story is atmospheric and has that gothic undertone of Victorian London and eclectic group of characters in it. I really enjoyed this mixture of story about the Bronte’s and detective element. This is also adhered to anyone who are fan of Victorian detective series. 5 stars from me.

The detectorists are back!! In August 1852 Charlotte Bronte reflects on her sisters character and all the different aspects of her personality and how people in the future will never really know her. Perhaps this latest offering from Bella Ellis will allow us some glimpses of Emily as she is central to this latest case. The dramatic events all start with a terrifying awakening for pregnant Lydia Roxby (nee Robinson) with an attack on her and her husband Harry by a gang led by Noose, Lord of the Rookery of St Giles, London. Noose seizes Harry and gives Lydia a week to recover a jewel or he will kill Harry. Lydia writes a desperate plea for help to Ann Bronte. The three sisters, helped by Bramwell (maybe?!), travel as fast as the times allow to go to her aid.

‘There is so much wrong with this world’ and this is proven true in this the sisters most dangerous case. Beneath cloaks of respectability lurk demons, devils incarnate, if Noose is bad then the Red Monarch who rules much of London is far, far worse. Who is he? The desperate search to unmask him and rescue Harry is well and truly on with powerful and dangerous forces at play plunging the resourceful sisters into a treacherous, wicked and cruel world of so much pain, suffering, betrayal and unbearable sadness. The quest reveals the dark underbelly of London society and it’s a deeply disturbing tale. The writing is extremely descriptive, the colour, the gothic hints, the little dashes of humour all make the unfolding events come alive with all the dark corners of London revealed with its stinks, filth, noise, pace and unseen dangers lurking round many a corner. The Rookery of St Giles is a slum which sends a shiver down your spine with suitably accompanying low life characters, the heart breaking poverty and the harshly tentative hold on life. I love the theatre element in this novel which is central to the plot and adds a vivid dimension with its actors, the acts, the magnificent buildings with all their history and ghostly presences which keep you immersed . The plot is a fascinating one and takes many twists and turns until the Red Monarch is unmasked. Oh very clever, Ms Ellis, this so isn’t beyond the realms of possibility!! (Lips, sealed!) The ending is maybe a bit neat but it works and I enjoy how Emily is restored by the embrace of the winds of beloved Moors and her dog!

Overall, there is much to admire in this series as the talented author gives us her insights into these sisters who have enthralled us with their writing. We see their personalities, their kindness, bravery, determination, their understanding of each other and their close bond. The style of writing is very much in keeping with the century in which the stories are set. I enjoyed the previous two detectorist books but this one is my favourite so far. It has so much in it to entertain you from start to finish. Excellent cover art too.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.