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Diamonds & Dust (The Victorian Detectives Book 1) Kindle Edition
For Lilith Marks, a chance finally arises to end her life as a highly paid prostitute and to prove herself as a serious businesswoman. Set against the backdrop of the great gas-lit city, the two women are drawn together in their quest to discover just who killed the man they both loved.
Diamonds & Dust is a page-whizzing narrative, with an intricate and absorbing plot that entices you through the teeming streets of Victorian London. If Wilkie Collins, Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle all washed up on a desert island, they might have come up with something like this.
Crime Writers Association 2014 Award Entry
.'Carol Hedges writes better Dickens than Dickens ' ~ Barb Taub
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateJanuary 11, 2016
- File size3.8 MB
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Product details
- ASIN : B01AKC604W
- Publisher : Little G Books
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : January 11, 2016
- Edition : 2nd
- Language : English
- File size : 3.8 MB
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 263 pages
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Book 1 of 11 : The Victorian Detectives
- Best Sellers Rank: #864,564 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #5,588 in Traditional Detective Mysteries (Kindle Store)
- #6,256 in Traditional Detective Mysteries (Books)
- #6,278 in Historical Mysteries (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Carol Hedges (1950 - )
Carol Hedges is the successful UK writer of 18 books for Teenagers/Young Adults and Adults. Her writing has received much critical acclaim, and her novel Jigsaw was long-listed for the Carnegie Medal.
Her Ebook Jigsaw Pieces, which deals unflinchingly with many of the problems that beset today's teens, is available on Amazon as is her Dystopic Fantasy The Last Virus
Carol is the writer of 'The Victorian Detectives' ~ a series of novels set in 1860s London and featuring Detective Inspector Leo Stride and his side-kick Detective Sergeant Jack Cully.
The ten books in the series are:
Diamonds & Dust
Honour & Obey
Death & Dominion
Rack & Ruin
Wonders & Wickedness
Fear & Phantoms
Intrigue & Infamy
Fame & Fortune
Desire & Deceit
Murder & Mischief
She is also the author of the 'Spy Girl' series ~ a Middle Grade/YA set of 5 books featuring Jazmin Dawson, the female 'Alex Rider'
The five books in the series are:
The Dark Side of Midnight
Out of the Shadows
Once Upon a Crime
Dead Man Talking
Ready Deadly Go
All her books are published by Little G Books and are available via Amazon in print and ebook.
Carol Hedges lives in Hertfordshire with a Tortie-Siamese cat called Halley and a lot of pond fish. When not writing/sleeping/trying to resist cake, she tutors A level and GCSE English Literature. She campaigns as chair of a local action group to save a community urban green space from possible development. She also minds her two grandchildren, one of whom is the star of the Award Winning series of blogs: The Adventures of L-Plate Gran
Bits of her writing life can be viewed on her Blog: http://carolhedges.blogspot.com
Visit her unusual Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thecuriousVictorian/
Find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caroljhedges/
On Twitter: @riotgrandma72
On Mastodon: @Riotgrandma72@Mastodon.social
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers enjoy this Victorian mystery novel for its intriguing plot and strong female characters, with one review noting its continuous narrative separated into scenes. The book features beautiful imagery that depicts both the glories and guttersnipes of Victorian London, and one customer highlights its colorful descriptions of 1860 London. Customers appreciate the writing style, with one noting the author's pace, and find the book entertaining.
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Customers find the book very enjoyable and entertaining, with one mentioning it keeps them interested until the end.
"...The resolution of the mystery was shocking but also strangely satisfying...." Read more
"...and the reader knows from the beginning that this is going to be a pleasurable and goosebumpy experience." Read more
"...of London at its environmentally worst add up to a very entertaining read. Of a tea shop, "They will call it the Lily Lounge. A respectable name...." Read more
"Carol Hedges has created a quality work; quality in writing, maintaining character traits, excellent editing, visual scenery and an exciting pace...." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly noting the strong female characters, with one customer describing them as three-dimensional.
"...of supporting characters worthy of a Dickens novel...complex, memorable human beings from every layer of this tightly stratified society...." Read more
"...By the way some of the character names are so descriptive, where in the world did she come up with them? Portia Mullygrub? Makes you smile." Read more
"...This book has the feel of that era. I loved the lead female characters that come together to try to find the killer of Josephine King's..." Read more
"...The characters are three dimensional and even the bit players are vividly depicted. The plot is incredible, especially the ending...." Read more
Customers enjoy the mystery elements of the book, describing it as a true Victorian mystery novel with intriguing twists and turns.
"...Jo with a cast of supporting characters worthy of a Dickens novel...complex, memorable human beings from every layer of this tightly stratified..." Read more
"...This is somewhere between a cozy mystery and a noir mystery, closer to the noir end of things, but without some of the relentless horrible things..." Read more
"I thought this would be an entertaining historical mystery. The writing was clever, and, early on, the mystery was intriguing...." Read more
"...There is also unexpected insight into to a wealthy and privileged young woman's unfolding anorexia that, while interesting, is not critical to the..." Read more
Customers find the book well written, with one customer noting the author's pace and another mentioning the excellent editing.
"I thought this would be an entertaining historical mystery. The writing was clever, and, early on, the mystery was intriguing...." Read more
"...The contrast is graphic and her writing is masterful...." Read more
"...The writing was fairly good but the theme was very disappointing." Read more
"Can I give it 0 stars? I would if I could. Horrible writing. Horrible plot. Total waste of time and skipped through most of it." Read more
Customers enjoy the well-thought-out plot of this Victorian mystery, with one customer noting its continuous narrative separated into scenes, and another describing it as a fun small bit of Dickens-like narrative.
"...Instead, the action is a single, continuous narrative separated into scenes...." Read more
"...A very good plot, characters who are not your usual people, and sort of a nice blend of supernatural and good old fashion crime...." Read more
"...The plot is incredible, especially the ending. And the setting, wow!..." Read more
"...The book is intricately plotted and beautifully revealed...." Read more
Customers appreciate the visual style of the book, with its beautiful imagery that vividly depicts the glories and guttersnipes of Victorian London.
"...of London as a beast devouring those so unwise as to enter are vivid, graphic as well as disturbing...." Read more
"...The opening paragraph describing the mist is beautiful and menacing and the reader knows from the beginning that this is going to be a pleasurable..." Read more
"...in writing, maintaining character traits, excellent editing, visual scenery and an exciting pace. The era is 1860s. The setting is parts of London...." Read more
"...It depicts the glories and guttersnipes of Victorian London as well as taking the reader on an adventure filled rollercoaster of mystery and murder...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's portrayal of the Victorian era, with one customer noting the colorful descriptions of 1860 London and several side stories that add flavor to the narrative.
"...This book has the feel of that era...." Read more
"...It is a mixture of mystery and horror as well as 1860 culture and history...." Read more
"...But this was a great book. The descriptions of 1860 London were colorful and interesting and so were all the characters...." Read more
"...Several side stories add flavor and entertainment...." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2014Reading DIAMONDS & DUST was like spending the evening with a crowd of my favorite 19th century authors. Hedges's heroine, Josephine King, reminds me of those other orphans rescued by wealthy uncles--Jane Eyre and Mary Lennox (The Secret Garden). Only Jo King has coppery red curls and a biting intelligence that serves her well when her beloved uncle is murdered in a most unusual and grisly manner. Not content to be coddled by police (and society matrons eager to land an heiress for a daughter-in-law), Jo sets out to find her uncle's killers and bring them to justice.
The author provides Jo with a cast of supporting characters worthy of a Dickens novel...complex, memorable human beings from every layer of this tightly stratified society. Oi is a crossing sweeper, a child with and old soul and a smart mouth. He's also already half dead of poverty and starvation. Lilith Marks is a prostitute and a Jew, strikes against her that cannot be erased by the wealth she's acquired thanks to the loving care of Jo's uncle. Isabella Thorpe, a troubled young woman who wants more than the suffocating domestic and social whirl her superficial Mamma has planned for her, is by turns repugnant and compelling, a weak and trifling individual who nevertheless yearns for a life that means something.
What I love about Hedges's characters is that they are so human. The good ones aren't always nice. And the rotten ones have hopes, dreams, fears.
I wasn't sure at first about the author's choice to use the present tense. I've often found that this can work against a novel's pacing, rushing the reader through the plot without allowing them time to savor the journey. This was not the case in DIAMONDS & DUST. Considering the amount of historical detail Hedges provides, present tense actually offsets the heaviness that can come with extended passages of exposition. Detail versus Story is a delicate balance for all writers, but especially in works of historical fiction. Hedges deals with this beautifully.
The author made another unusual decision--she doesn't use traditional chapters. Instead, the action is a single, continuous narrative separated into scenes. This threw me at first, because I was expecting to get to the end of chapter one and it never arrived, but I fell into line soon enough and enjoyed the forward propulsion as one scene unfolded into the next. Again, the historical detail helped by providing a braking mechanism for my brain to grab onto. I don't know if I would have liked this lack of chapter breaks as much in, say, a contemporary romance.
Speaking of romance, DIAMONDS & DUST is NOT one. There is affection and friendship and, in the end, the genuine love that develops among forsaken human beings who meet kindred spirits and together create a sort of family. I am a romantic who loves happily ever after, so I was surprised at how okay I was with the lack of a "couple" in this book.
The ending came as a wild twist. In 19th century works by writers like Wilkie Collins and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, seemingly paranormal events were proved to be the work of nefarious, but very real, villains. Think THE MOONSTONE and THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES. Or Poe's MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE. Hedges turns this convention on its head. The resolution of the mystery was shocking but also strangely satisfying.
I loved this book and I hope to get to take another fictional trip with Jo King and her motley crew of friends.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2020Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI have to say I really like this author. This is somewhere between a cozy mystery and a noir mystery, closer to the noir end of things, but without some of the relentless horrible things that are frankly, sometimes a bit too much for me to read. A very good plot, characters who are not your usual people, and sort of a nice blend of supernatural and good old fashion crime. Finished this book hungry for more, so I ordered and am reading book 2 which appears to be as expected. I anticipate that I will be finishing this series. By the way some of the character names are so descriptive, where in the world did she come up with them? Portia Mullygrub? Makes you smile.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2014I thought this would be an entertaining historical mystery. The writing was clever, and, early on, the mystery was intriguing. While there were hints of the villain having something to do with wolves, I was disappointed to discover that the perpetrator was a werewolf. Really? Apparently, the popularity of the Twilight series convinced the author that readers are interested in supernatural creatures. Not this reader!
- Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2013I will admit that I haven't read many books written in the Victorian era, but I have seen many documentaries on that time, and also fictional dramas. This book has the feel of that era.
I loved the lead female characters that come together to try to find the killer of Josephine King's uncle and sole relative. His mistress, Lilith Marks joins forces with Josephine.
There are minor characters in the story that bring out the way upper class women are viewed, and the whoring around of the single men. The story brings out the prudish times when you couldn't mention the word "leg." We learn about the strict things that the upper class must do during the mourning period: the clothes one must wear, keeping the window coverings closed, and many other customs of the time.
Ms. Hedges describes the gas lights on the streets at night and the industrial pollution in the air. The author also takes us from the top layer of society, down to the bottom, often homeless class of people. We see maids, whores, and various street people. We see the very rich that throw lavish parties and have so many servants that they have someone to dress them each day. We see the constant hunger of the lower class and the tables of the rich that sag with all of the food. The contrast between the two classes is often mentioned.
My only complaint about this book is that it ended sooner than I wanted! Would love to see another book with Lilith and Josephine as the main characters.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2014By effectively employing the omniscient third-person view, Carol Hedges creatively paints a broad scope of detailed characterizations thus a multitude of viewpoints. Authenticity is apparent in the language of the period as well as the contrasts between the rich and the poor, Ton vs. wealth through trade, the prevailing opinion concerning Jews and the play between 'upstairs and downstairs'. There is also unexpected insight into to a wealthy and privileged young woman's unfolding anorexia that, while interesting, is not critical to the plot. The author's descriptions of London as a beast devouring those so unwise as to enter are vivid, graphic as well as disturbing. That being said "London the beast" ties in neatly with the supernatural villian of the piece. Personally, I prefer human villains and the logic of Christie and Doyle, but the writing style kept me engaged in this case.
Top reviews from other countries
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La venezianaReviewed in Italy on November 18, 2019
3.0 out of 5 stars Mistero paranormale nella Londra vittoriana
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseSenza scendere nei particolari perché non mi piace spoilerare, avviso i lettori che il giallo ambientato a Londra nel 1860 ha una soluzione che scivola nel paranormale e quindi chi non gradisce il genere, è meglio se si tiene lontano. Ciò premesso, devo ammettere che il romanzo risulta nel complesso piuttosto attraente e originale.
Innanzitutto la scrittura utilizza una sorta di presente continuo in cui gli accadimenti vengono descritti come se il lettore fosse lì a guardarli mentre si svolgono sotto i suoi occhi.
Poi la città viene descritta senza scivolare nel pietoso o nel trionfalistico, ma con una sorta di affettuosa partecipazione che presenta in modo asciutto le condizioni estremamente diseguali fra le classi sociali, l'inquinamento galoppante e la sporcizia che regnano nelle strade e la difficoltà della polizia a destreggiarsi fra la giustizia e la legge.
Una menzione a parte per le figure femminili, in special modo Jo e Lily, che emergono brillantemente dalle pagine, con le loro fragilità e la loro determinazione.
Non è difficile cogliere echi della produzione di Charles Dickens o di Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in questo libro cui non posso dare più di 3 stelle e mezzo solo perché la soluzione si appoggia all'inverosimile e a troppe coincidenze (che non mi aspettavo). Pure, ha il suo fascino....
- FionaReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 30, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars The best historical mystery out there - dive in and enjoy yourself
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseAtmospheric mystery at its best - Carol Hedges has matched the dizzying heights of Dickens (oh how I loved the gentle joke when Josephine was standing at the bus stop - just superb), Conan Doyle, Wilkie Collins - and with such panache and style.
It's such a relief after all the other present day so-called authors of historical mystery and/or suspense I have tried and discarded. I'm looking at you, J New - you and many others of your ilk, whose drab and twee twaddly books will never besmirch my Kindle again; this fabulous tale, this astonishing accomplishment, is how to write.
As other reviewers have said, it's all written in the present tense which initially requires a bit of adjustment, but very quickly the plot, characterisation and descriptive detail draw you in to complete involvement.
This is a masterpiece of writing, a good ripping yarn too. Immediately I finished it, I downloaded the rest of the series and am rubbing my hands with glee at the thought of more reading like this.
- Suse3Reviewed in Germany on September 25, 2018
4.0 out of 5 stars Loved reading it!
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI really enjoyed reading this book - so much so that I immediately bought the second in series and after having finished that I‘ve now ordered the third...
- Pascale S.Reviewed in France on July 29, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars The first of many (ones hopes)
This is the first book Carol Hedges based on Victorian times. It is well written, the characters are well described and so is the atmosphere. Anyone fascinated by the Victorian epoch and a well plotted story should read this book.
- Pauline LloydReviewed in Australia on May 8, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars loved it
This book was so easy to read, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more in this series.