The Affair of the Porcelain Dog

By: Jess Faraday

Narrated by: Philip Battley

London, 1889. For Ira Adler, former rent-boy and present plaything of crime lord Cain Goddard, stealing back the statue from Goddard's blackmailer should have been a doddle. But inside the statue is evidence that could put Goddard away for a long time under the sodomy laws, and everyone's after it, including Ira's bitter ex, Dr. Timothy Lazarus. No sooner does Ira have the porcelain dog in his hot little hands, than he loses it to a nimble-fingered prostitute.

As Ira’s search for the dog drags him back to the mean East End streets where he grew up, he discovers secrets about his own past, and about Goddard's present business dealings, which make him question everything he thought he knew. An old friend turns up dead, and an old enemy proves himself a friend. Goddard is pressing Ira for a commitment, but every new discovery casts doubt on whether Ira can, in good conscience, remain with him.In the end, Ira must choose between his hard-won life of luxury and standing against a grievous wrong.

©2011 Jess Faraday (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Absolutely wonderful

A once immoral tale with a present moral lesson. Adler, Goddard, Lazarus all unique and surprisingly lovable.

Sherlock Holmes Meets Oscar Wilde

Faraday has written a brilliant Victorian mystery. The opening scene is a blackmail letter being cast down like a gauntlet: "I know what you are."

Ira Adler (echoes of Sherlock Holmes' Irene Adler) has found a comfy life as a kept man, that is, a "private secretary."

But when Ira and his lover are threatened with homosexual exposure, he must leave his life of comfort and head back to the seedy side of London. Asked to retrieve the "porcelain dog" of the title, he finds he is not the only one looking for it, at his peril. The careful plot is arranged like set of nesting boxes.

Victorian London comes alive through the eyes of a 19th century outlier.

It's drivel, but at least it's fun drivel!

Don't expect a literary masterpiece with this book. There are holes in the plot. There are historical inaccuracies I'm sure. It's unrealistic. Sherlock Holmes? Um, not quite.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed it in a shallow, guilty sort of way. The characters are likeable and engaging. The narrator gets a solid B+. I listened to it in about 3 days.

Don't over think this book, and just enjoy it for what it is.

Good fun!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Affair of the Porcelain Dog to be better than the print version?

Who knows? I don't have the print version. I hate these pre-populated review questions!

What did you like best about this story?

This story was fun, a good mystery to follow along. Not great literary art, but it doesn't try to be. The plot is fast-paced, the characters and setting well drawn, even if the story demands a little suspension of belief here and there.

Which character – as performed by Philip Battley – was your favorite?

Ira Adler was a great protagonist and I hope to read more about him in another story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No.

Any additional comments?

Listen to this book for fun and try to figure out the various twists and turns as they present themselves.

Really Great

I read a lot of gay mystery type books and I must say this one is one of the best! The story is believable and has action, suspense, and mystery. Jess develops the characters, giving them a history, an emotional life, and believable personalities. The narrator is excellent. I can't wait for the next book by Jess!