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Harriet Smart
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The Dead Songbird (The Northminster Mysteries Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Harriet Smart (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,288 ratings

“Death is too good for a whore like you. But He may show you mercy yet. BE PREPARED”

Celebrated singer Anna Morgan has come to Northminster to escape a troubled past and sing at the city’s Handel Festival. But when she continues to receive the poisonous letters that have been plaguing her, she turns to Chief Constable Major Giles Vernon and Police Surgeon Felix Carswell to find her persecutor, drawing the two men into her charismatic orbit.

At the same time a talented young tenor is found dead in curious circumstances in a locked chapel, and the hunt for a murderer is on. Together, Vernon and Carswell must untangle the web of secrets that surround the dead man, uncovering a Northminster that throbs with clandestine passions and thwarted desires, a world of illegal pornographic books and risqué theatricals.

However, Felix finds himself bedevilled by romantic feelings for the beautiful Anna, who may or may not be his father's mistress, while Giles must face the tragedy of his own marriage before he is able to determine the truth behind the mystery of The Dead Songbird.

The Dead Songbird is the second Northminster Mystery featuring early-Victorian detectives Vernon and Carswell.

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  1. Book 2 of 11
    The Northminster Mysteries
  2. Print length
    379 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    February 14, 2013
  6. File size
    1.7 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 11 books in this series.

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00BD75QQW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Anthemion
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 14, 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 4th
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.7 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 379 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1907873126
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 11 ‏ : ‎ The Northminster Mysteries
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 1,288 ratings

About the author

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Harriet Smart

Harriet Smart

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Harriet Smart is a novelist living in Northumberland

Educated at the University of St Andrews, Harriet’s debut novel, A GARLAND OF VOWS, was inspired by her research into a firm nineteenth century church furnishers and turned into an epic family saga, spanning fifty years. Her second novel, GREEN GROW THE RUSHES, set in Edwardian Scotland was short-listed for the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award. She is currently writing a series of crime novels set in early Victorian England.

Along with her husband Julian Smart she has designed Writer’s Café, a software toolkit for fiction writers. For more information see www.writerscafe.co.uk and www.jutoh.com

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,288 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this well-written murder mystery, particularly appreciating its plot complexities. Moreover, they find the book engaging and entertaining, with interesting characters. However, the writing quality receives mixed feedback, with some customers finding it well-written while others note misspellings and obvious grammar errors.

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PlotEnjoymentCharacter developmentGrammar
33 customers mention "Plot"24 positive9 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, describing it as an interesting well-written murder mystery with engaging complexities.

"Thoroughly enjoyable read. The characters feel real, and the plot is well thought out...." Read more

"...This saddens me, as I deeply enjoy her bright, engaging, suspenseful writing style punctuated with humour. I just don't care for certain elements...." Read more

"...The plots are complicated enough that you can't figure them out easily...." Read more

"...The mystery of this book was quite interesting and the effort to solve it made a lot of sense...." Read more

25 customers mention "Enjoyment"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and entertaining, with several mentioning they are very engaged in the story.

"I enjoyed the first book so much that I read the second one and then bought the third...." Read more

"...Not bad in a single book, but I do find Felix's growing libido and loss of emotional and physical control could be something that pushes me away if..." Read more

"Thoroughly enjoyable read. The characters feel real, and the plot is well thought out...." Read more

"...This saddens me, as I deeply enjoy her bright, engaging, suspenseful writing style punctuated with humour. I just don't care for certain elements...." Read more

21 customers mention "Character development"16 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them interesting, with one customer noting how the author vividly describes both scenes and characters.

"...I love the main characters, Dr. Felix Carswell and Major Vernon; they are a great team...." Read more

"...There is some character development among the two main characters, (not always in a good way) and we get to know them better...." Read more

"Thoroughly enjoyable read. The characters feel real, and the plot is well thought out...." Read more

"...Ugh. Not easy to like these characters...." Read more

14 customers mention "Grammar"7 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's grammar, with some finding it well written while others point out misspellings, obvious errors, and repeated words in sentences.

"...So, I will start with the good. This book is well copy edited. You will find few, if any, misspellings or obvious grammar errors...." Read more

"Like everyone else, I thought the typos were very distracting - especially since it is the second book in the series!..." Read more

"...She is a talented craftsperson. I'll try her next book because if that but can't be sure of my continued interest." Read more

"...for missing words, missing letters (you used instead of your) and repeated words. Just typos but they can be distracting." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Sue H
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good Story, Interesting Characters
    Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed the first book so much that I read the second one and then bought the third. I love the main characters, Dr. Felix Carswell and Major Vernon; they are a great team. The plots are complicated enough that you can't figure them out easily. As both men are single at this point, I hope their obsessions with the opposite sex with abate in the future when they are both married.
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  • DRRD
    4.0 out of 5 stars Still enjoying the series.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed this second book in the Northminster Mysteries. There is some character development among the two main characters, (not always in a good way) and we get to know them better. This story seemed to be based on the theme of sex and irresistible lusts, and even the main characters have their problems with the subject.

    Major Giles tries to move forward in dealing with his wife's mental illness, but also finds himself vulnerable in his loneliness and his wish for a normal home life. Felix Carswell is becoming a slave to his libido, his head turned by someone exciting he knows he can't have, while still unwilling to really find a wife and settle down. While part of his desperation comes from the love/hate relationship he has with his biological father, who insists on interfearing with Felix's life. Both men make mistakes, and try to be there for each other while each deals with their own ghosts and their own demons.

    I found the mysteries and the characters interesting, and there were several moment of surprise along the way.

    The cons were that this is a very Sex related book, which reminded me at times of those daily soap operas where the main question is "Who is sleeping with who now?" or "Who does everyone think is sleeping with who now?" It's a very lurid peek behind the scenes of the times, when the main characters have to delve into everyone's secrets, and try to deal with their own. Not bad in a single book, but I do find Felix's growing libido and loss of emotional and physical control could be something that pushes me away if he becomes too unlikable because of it. His youth can only excuse his decisions so much before he just becomes someone unpleasant. I'd rather see him be a doctor and a detective than wallow in his urges much more.

    Looking forward to the next one.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • CB
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good Mystery, Good Read
    Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Thoroughly enjoyable read. The characters feel real, and the plot is well thought out. I usually know who-done-it by mid book, but Harriet Smart had me stumped right to the end - although all the clues were there. Cleverly written mystery. First Smart book I've read, but it worn't be the last.
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  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent mystery writer, disappointing content
    Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I did not finish this book. It is the second and last I will read from this author. This saddens me, as I deeply enjoy her bright, engaging, suspenseful writing style punctuated with humour. I just don't care for certain elements. In this book, one of the protagonists was aroused by a mother nursing her infant! DISGUSTING!!!! Later, he continuously fawns over a married woman; the immoral details were nauseating!! Then, there appears to be dalliances between men and sordid meetings where men play dress-up (in a manner of speaking). Nothing I wish to read about. Ever! I am not interested in mysteries with this kind of content, no matter the first -rate quality of writing. Yet, I will give three stars, as I think the author is otherwise a talented story-teller.
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  • Steve sudjatmiko
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cannot put down
    Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I rarely read novels. I preferred non fiction but I already like ms Smart's major Vernon and surgeon Carswell from the first novel.
    The mystery of this book was quite interesting and the effort to solve it made a lot of sense.
    I already plan to buy the 3rd book from this series
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  • S. Zellmer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Still No Editor??
    Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Like everyone else, I thought the typos were very distracting - especially since it is the second book in the series! Wouldn't the same issues in the first book have made the editing better than before? I would have thought so, so I was extra irritated by this. These errors always tend to 'dumb down' the work since they are so obvious, it just seems lazy.

    I didn't have too much issue with the homosexuality that again played a large factor, except for how progressive the narrators seemed about it. I don't think anyone would have been so accepting 150 years ago. Not to say they would be hateful, but just more wary of it. It seemed the author was trying to inject modern views into the historical setting and it just stood out to me.

    I did have issue with the main 'temptress' of this story and how once again she had blonde hair (some men do prefer brunettes!) and how every single man was so ridiculously captivated by her. I mean, come on! Ok, she's beautiful, but get over it. It got old real fast. And that *SPOILER* tryst with her and the Major? Does he have no respect for how Carswell felt? Sure, she is fair game (though not really), but he knew how deeply Carswell felt for her and he didn't even give that a passing thought. He could have at least felt a little guilty. Not to mention both the Major and her are married for goodness sakes - he never felt guilty about that, either! Ugh. Not easy to like these characters.

    But even with all that, I will still probably give one more of these books a try and hope these are no longer factors. Because even with the flaws, I couldn't stop reading - and that says something about the writer's appeal!
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Dead Songbird
    Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Dealing with personal conflicts while investigating suspect's human failings occasionally create a fire of its own that is difficult to contain. The brightest flame in the room can blind the eye to trouble.
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  • Michael Wojciehoski
    4.0 out of 5 stars Parrot
    Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Manipulators, strumpets, sinners me oh my. Another interesting book in mid 1800’s Britain. Still agrarian but moving into industrial and the beginnings of modern medicine and psychology.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • LK
    5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging Mystery
    Reviewed in Canada on July 10, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The second book in a series it does not disappoint. The plot is well developed and the central characters are becoming more deeply developed and understood. A very entertaining read, the story is compelling and satisfyingly complex.
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  • LaoTsu
    5.0 out of 5 stars Most enjoyable.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I think it’s another very interesting plot. And I like the main characters. They’re all quite believable. I definitely recommend it.
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  • April T Milbrandt
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great story
    Reviewed in Canada on August 8, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I love the way the author writes, it’s so descriptive and picturesque. She paints her characters with equal clarity, it’s all so believable that you are virtually swept away into the story. Would highly recommended her books
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  • Alison10
    4.0 out of 5 stars The second book in an early Victorian detective series.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 18, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is the second in a (currently) five book series. I read the first one quite some months ago, which I enjoyed very much. The gap before I got this one was purely so that I wouldn't finish all the books too quickly!

    I was happy to be back in the world of Northminster, and with the characters I had got to know and like - Giles, Felix, Lord Rothborough, Sally Fforde, and her husband the Canon. The series is set in the very early years of the Victorian era - 1840 - and I don't think anything jarred. However, a final proof reading by someone with an eye for detail would have been advised. Missed or transposed words spoil an otherwise good book.

    This story revolves around the arrival of an opera singer, Anna Morgan, to sing at Northminster's Festival of Handel's music. Not only does Mrs Morgan have a beautiful voice, but she has a charismatic personality, which draws men of all types and ages to her. There are two strands to the storyline. One is the arrival of anonymous letters, showering abuse and threats on Mrs Morgan. The other is the death of a young man, with a voice as lovely as his appearance, and who was also due to sing at the Festival. Are the crimes linked? Can Giles, with Felix's help, solve the murder and find the writer of the threatening letters before anyone else dies?

    This is not a 'blood and gore' type of murder - and that is absolutely fine by me. But I did think that the method of death - strangulation - had been perhaps a little too sanitized for true belief. But I am now looking forward to the third in the series, and would happily recommend the first two.
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  • Kimmsie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 24, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed this very much and read it all in one sitting. The characters a human, if that makes sense. They are perfect specimens of humanity, but have very real faults and weaknesses and I like them all the more for it. I shall certainly read more.
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