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    The Darwin Affair: A Novel
    The Darwin Affair: A Novel
    The Darwin Affair: A Novel
    Audiobook11 hours

    The Darwin Affair: A Novel

    Written by Tim Mason

    Narrated by Derek Perkins

    3.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    London, June 1860: When an assassination attempt is made on Queen Victoria, and a petty thief is gruesomely murdered moments later-and only a block away-Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field quickly surmises that these crimes are connected to an even more sinister plot. Was Victoria really the assassin's target? Are those closest to the Crown hiding something? And who is this shadowy figure witnesses describe as having lifeless, coal-black eyes? Soon, Field's investigation exposes a shocking conspiracy in which the publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species sets off a string of murders, arson, kidnapping, and the pursuit of a diabolical madman named the Chorister. As the investigation takes Field from the dangerous alleyways of London to the hallowed halls of Oxford, the list of possible conspirators grows as the body count escalates. And as he edges closer to the Chorister, he uncovers dark secrets that were meant to remain forever hidden.

    With ingenuity, intelligence, and wit, debut novelist Tim Mason has created a powerfully entertaining thriller. For fans of Caleb Carr and Carlos Ruiz Zafon, The Darwin Affair is a rousing tale that both Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would relish and envy.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHighbridge Company
    Release dateJun 11, 2019
    ISBN9781684571734
    The Darwin Affair: A Novel

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    Reviews for The Darwin Affair

    3.5/5

    135 ratings13 reviews

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    • 4/5
      This historical mystery is set in 1860 and concerns itself with a plot to keep Charles Darwin from being granted honors by the Queen. Darwin's Origin of the Species has caused all sorts of furor in Great Britain and around the world. Prince Albert, an amateur naturalist himself, is much in favor of granting Darwin this honor but a cohort of religious leaders, business leaders, and other scientists are completely opposed to this.This cohort is so opposed that they have set a villain known as the Chorister on the trail of Prince Albert. They want him dead. The Chorister is quite a villain. He has left a trail of dead bodies behind him, most missing their left ear, which he keeps as a souvenir. The Chorister, also know as Decimus Cobb and Will Tailor, has kidnapped and subverted to his service a number of people, including young Tom Ginty who was formerly a butcher's apprentice. Opposing him is police inspector Charles Field whom Charles Dickens used as an inspiration for Inspector Bucket in one of his novels. This has brought Field a lot of fame which is both a plus and a minus in his police career. Field's fame does give him access to Prince Albert but he has trouble convincing him that he is in danger from the Chorister. Many of the men in Albert's close circle are the ones who originally hired the Chorister and have convinced Albert that there really isn't a conspiracy to assassinate him. The nineteenth century in all of its glory was shown in this story from the scientific achievements of the age to the young orphans digging in the mud of the Thames for something to sell for their survival. We have cameos from a number of the famous from that time period from Charles Darwin to Charles Dickens to Karl Marx. This was an entertaining story that was more a thriller than a mystery since we knew the identity of the villain from very early in the book and the suspense came from wondering whether Field could apprehend him before he managed to kill Prince Albert.
    • 4/5
      A throughly enjoyable historical novel with of course some artistic license. Set in Victorian England, Inspector Fields tries to prevent the assassination of Prince Albert by a demonic serial killer who has a secret of his own and is seeking to prevent Charles Darwin from receiving knighthood. Fast pace, well-conceived and linking historical figures, this audiobook is also well-narrated. It has echoes of both Dickens and Wilkie Collins.
    • 4/5
      The action, suspense and character development. Once into it you won’t put it down.
    • 4/5
      A few weeks ago, I read "The Nightingale Affair." Immediately before starting the novel, I discovered it was the 2nd book featuring Charles Field. However, I didn’t want to wait to read a mystery with Florence Nightingale, remembering her name as one of the first biographies I read in childhood. "The Darwin Affair" introduces Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field of the Metropolitan Police in Victorian England, and I was riveted.June 1860, an assassination attempt is made on Queen Victoria’s life, and Field’s expertise recognizes a conspiracy in action, but police leadership is not in agreement. As Field’s investigation continues, he realizes his conspiracy theory is accurate but even more highly complicated. The attempt was on Prince Albert’s life for wanting to give the Queen’s honors to Charles Robert Darwin after the publication of "The Origin of Species," and police leadership is more emphatic that Field will desist.To delight in learning the inspiration for the novel, don’t miss reading Mr. Bucket, an essay by the author at the end of the book. Questions for Discussion are also available.I enjoyed "The Nightingale Affair" as a historical mystery, with the pace of "The Darwin Affair" as a suspenseful thriller. My fascination eith reading these well-written, ingenious novels is the stunning inclusion of many historical figures (e.g., Sir Richard Owens, Robert FitzRoy, Samuel Wilberforce, a boy named Button, Thomas Huxley, Martin Luther) and/or events of the period. To draw upon history, known and further researched, blending this level of creativity is extraordinary reading. The Afterword clarifies history with some facts following the novel’s period. I can only hope that Book 3 is in progress.Thank you to Algonquin Books and Novel Suspects for the opportunity to read this novel.
    • 4/5
      Creative, fun thriller. Dragged a bit in the middle but otherwise well done. If you like Dan Brown's books or are a fan of the Victorian England of Dickens or Conan Doyle you'll enjoy this book.
    • 3/5
      This is another hard one to review. On the one hand, the main characters were interesting enough, and kept me interested when the plot flagged a bit. On the other hand, I think I'm burned out on "madman gets pulled into elite conspiracy and then goes rogue" as a plot device, especially when it is executed as predictably as it was here.
    • 4/5
      Usually I don't like books that stick historic figures in fictional settings, but this one managed to do it in a plausible manner. A good bit of mystery and history. Read as part of the Big Library Read. Pandemic read.
    • 4/5
      Interesting plot and depiction of many historical figures into one conspiracy theory. Overall, it is a good read.
    • 4/5
      This was a good story after too many serious books. The year is 1860 and a serial killer is on the loose in Oxford and London. Characters include historical figures Charles Darwin, Sir Richard Owen, Karl Marx, Bishop Wilberforce, Thomas Huxley, Queen Victoria, and Prince Albert. The prince wants to add Darwin’s name to the annual nomination for knighthood but it is stymied by forces that dispute evolution as it will level the playing field between the haves and have nots. A killer for hire takes his job a little too seriously and Detective Inspector Charles Field leads the investigation. The fictional account with history is well told, except for the murders of course.The characters are well developed and it is a good story well told.
    • 3/5
      A fascinating Victorian mystery, full of twists and turns. Dark and brooding. An assassination attempt on Queen Victoria occurs and the publication of Darwin's landmark theory of evolution sets off a series of grotesque murders which take us from the mean streets and palaces of London and other part of England and to the Continent and the home of Prince Albert, Victoria's consort. I read the Large Print edition, which has given me a migraine. I should learn; the format took away some of the enjoyment for me.
    • 2/5
      The Darwin AffairAuthor: Tim Mason Publisher: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill / Workman PublishingPublishing Date: 2019Pgs: 373Dewey: F MASDisposition: Irving Public Library - South Campus - Irving, TX_________________________________________________REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERSSummary:1860, London, a conspiracy dogs the royal family and an assassin with a surgeon’s bent with a knife and a stage actor’s skill with a disguise is on the hunt. Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field, made famous as Dickens Inspector Bucket, is also on the case. Murders in the street, murders in the dark, attempts on the Imperial presence. Subterfuge. Traitors. All from not wanting to be the descendents of apes, for Prince Albert has added Charles Darwin to the Lists and “that man” can never be knighted. It just won’t do. The problem is the conspirators can’t control their sharp instrument. The Chorister has plans of his own. A true believer. He will do what those weak blooded aristocrats are afraid of doing. He’ll do it in his way, in his time. And maybe keep a piece for himself when all is said and done. _________________________________________________Genre:International Mystery CrimeHistorical ThrillersHistorical MysteryHomage - Charles DickensHistorical Figures in FictionWhy this book:The Darwin knighthood that didn’t happen caught my eye._________________________________________________Favorite Character:Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Charles Darwin, Lewis Carrol, Charles Dickens, Karl Marx...helluva buncha historical guest stars.Least Favorite Character:I expect better from Bucket. But as is pointed out, even by him, he is not Bucket.Plot Holes/Out of Character:Field’s character is too much scattered around. He seems to be one way, then another, then a third, etc.Favorite Scene / Quote/Concept:The carriage and train affair in Germany were well done.What Field forces Sir Owen into doing with Decimus is a fitting end and a well raised finger to the surviving and protected conspirators.Paragraph/Line of the Year Nominee:“I’ll tell you who don’t like it: the merchants who run the bleeding empire don’t like it, not one bit. It puts every man on the same level as them, see? The rich, the poor, the light-skinned, and the dark. The bishops didn’t like it, nor the lords, because if Mr. Darwin has his way, where’s the control? Who’s in charge, who’s on top and who’s not? Bad for business, Mr. Darwin’s notions are. But for blokes like me and you? Well, even a policeman can dream, can’t he? It’s not flattering, perhaps, having an orangutan as your forefather, but there’s a kind of hope in it, don’t you see? Last I checked, there weren’t no quality monkeys, nor were there lower-class ones.” And, “Crash, boom, Mr. Darwin brings it all down. Rule Britannia and the lot. Brings it down harder and more thorough than Mr. Marx ever dreamt in his darkest revolutionary dream.”Hmm Moments:“...all a conspiracy to give away the secrets of British industry to the world! Because, of course, no one knows anything but the British, and the British have nothing to learn from anyone, ever!” Now take Prince Albert’s admonition here and apply it to America and you’ve got the post-Bush GOP.If Field and Cobb hadn’t been in the same place a few times, I woudl almost have suspected them of being the same person leading a multi-layered life or living with a shattered psyche. Through the early chapters would have been easy to see them as one and the same person. There are a few clues in the text to suggest this. Field’s personality tides, for lack of a better descriptor. Add in Tom’s reaction on seeing Cobb naked and Bessie’s when she saw Field au naturel. WTF Moments:Buncha bloody aristocratic fools. Field should leave them to it and johnny on home. Don’t believe this is the reaction the author was going for, but it’s, by God, the one that I’m having.Meh / PFFT Moments:The Dickens scene to chew Field out for going around impersonating Bucket may have been funny if there was more substance to it. More a response along the lines of “since you based him on me, am I supposed to not act like me.” Or basically anything that extended it beyond a mere short few sentences.I kept thinking that I would just put this book down and return it to the library. Then, I’d pick it up again. I cared about what happened to the characters. But it is a bit of a jog in places.Lotta wandering in the dark here from Inspector Field and the Royals knowing that Decimus Cobb and Tom McGinty are on the prowl; one from incompetence and one from indifference.Juxtaposition:Stretches the bonds of credulity when you consider that Typhoid Mary only killed 3 people while sickening 51. Mary Do-Not Withers seems to have a much higher body count.The Royals determination to put all this aside at every opportunity begins to make me wish the bad guy woudl win. People who put their heads that deeply in the sand deserve what they get.The Unexpected:When you hit the crux of this novel, it is freaking awesome.Missed Opportunity:The business beneath the pub could have almost been its own story in and of itself.Predictability/Non-Predictability: You’re fired. You’re not fired. You’re fired. You’re not fired. _________________________________________________Last Page Sound:Well, I finished it.Questions I’m Left With:The author gave us historical context for all the “real” people in the novel. But we aren’t given the Field household’s future, nor what happens with Llewelyn or the McGintys._________________________________________________
    • 5/5
      A sterling read!Startling Victorian thriller featuring Chief Inspector Detective Charles Field supposedly the model for Dicken's Inspector Bucket character. Much to Field's chagrin.It's 1860. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are in danger. Prince Albert is much struck by the theories of Charles Darwin. Shockwaves are felt in certain quarters.A consortium of powerful people collude to bring Darwin's theory into disrepute. They let loose a man with a powerful motive to rid the world of Darwin's theories. Murder follows. Unfortunately this talented yet insane protagonist, the Chorister, cannot be controlled and slips the reigns of his handlers. Inspector Fields must dig deep to come anywhere near solving the issue, if he even does.I really enjoyed the complexities involved.An Algonquin Books ARC via NetGalley
    • 5/5
      The Darwin Affair is a non stop action book. It starts with an attempt on the life of Queen Victoria in London. Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field is called on the carpet for his failure to adequately protect her majesty. He turns his embarrassment into a relentless search for the person or persons responsible. Little does he know that his search will stretch from the lowest gutters of London, across Europe into the highest levels of her majesty’s government. It seems incredulous, but could the reason for this attempt on the crown be tied to Charles Darwin’s theories on evolution that are being debated throughout the country? Who would attack the monarchy because of such a reason? What twisted mind would do such a thing? This book is full of more twists and turns than the dark alleys of Victorian London. Chief Detective Field is a character to be watched for surely he has more tales to be told.