A Christmas Carol Murder

1835, amateur-sleuth, journalist, London, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-figures, historical-setting, history-and-culture***** It's 1835 and Charles Dickens is a journalist, amateur sleuth, and an engaged man. While on assignment in a town he has never visited before a young girl gives him a baby (Timothy Dickens) who she says is his and that the mother (her sister) had died in the recent destructive fire. This truly puts him in a fix as he has to get back to London. He houses the skinny little baby with friends and hopes that his fiancee will not find out about it until he can find the baby's real father (good luck with that). While caroling in the street, the small group of friends are present when a man named Jacob Harley falls to his death from the second story of his business partner, Emmanuel Screws. Charles then begins the complicated process of following the clues, red herrings, perilous incidents, and disturbing interactions to solve the question of who was responsible the death. Good read! I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

December 1835. While covering the fire at Hatfield House, reporter Charles Dickens is given a four month old baby called Timothy Dickens. The childs aunt, Madge Porter, convinced that Dickens is the father. Back in London, while out caroling he and his friends witness a man, Jacob Harley, fall from a second floor window, complete with chains around his neck. The house is owned by his business partner Emmanuel Screws. Dickens investigates but this will only be the first death, what could be the possible motive. An enjoyable mystery, a well-written story with its very likeable characters. A good addition to the series.