Daughters of Night

By: Laura Shepherd-Robinson

Narrated by: Lucy Scott

Length: 15 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

From the pleasure palaces and gin-shops of Covent Garden to the elegant townhouses of Mayfair, Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s Daughters of Night follows Caroline Corsham as she seeks justice for a murdered woman whom London society would rather forget...

London, 1782. Desperate for her politician husband to return home from France, Caroline ‘Caro’ Corsham is already in a state of anxiety when she finds a well dressed woman mortally wounded in the bowers of the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. The Bow Street constables are swift to act, until they discover that the deceased woman was a highly paid prostitute, at which point they cease to care entirely. But Caro has motives of her own for wanting to see justice done, and so sets out to solve the crime herself. Enlisting the help of thieftaker Peregrine Child, their inquiry delves into the hidden corners of Georgian society, a world of artifice, deception and secret lives.

But with many gentlemen refusing to speak about their dealings with the dead woman, and Caro’s own reputation under threat, finding the killer will be harder, and more treacherous, than she can know...

©2020 Laura Shepherd-Robinson (P)2020 Macmillan Publishers International Limited

Critic reviews

"This is right up there with the best of C. J. Sansom and Andrew Taylor." (Amanda Craig, author of The Golden Rule)

"The best historical crime novel I will read this year." (The Times)

"Spectacularly brilliant.... One of the most enjoyable and enduring stories I have ever read." (James O'Brien, journalist, author and LBC Presenter)

Excellent novel and performance

After the impressive "Blood and Sugar" I was keen to get hold of the next book as soon as it was released. It absolutely did not disappoint. When I heard that the main protagonist was to be Caro - Captain Caution's wayward wife from the first book, I wondered if the book would be as impressive and engaging as the first. I need not have worried. The author does an excellent job of setting up her heroine as a flawed but thoroughly rounded, genuine and resourceful character.
I love historical novels but I can be something of a history pedant. When I stumble across something that just doesn't fit I find the whole imaginary world falls down (bye bye Bridgerton). This is never a worry with Shepherd-Robinson - and she evokes the time and place of her novels with such skill you really feel that you are immersed in it.
The book itself is essentially an historical whodunnit with plenty of twists and turns. Part of the credit for the story being so compelling is the author's skill with characterisation. Each character (even the lesser) is well defined. It seems like a simple thing but I'm sure plenty of readers / audiobook listeners will have encountered the frustration of poorly recalled characters in other books (who was that, why were they important?). Each character we meet in Daughters of Night is very well crafted - and the pace and urgency of the story make it one that you'll have to keep listening to. Like Blood and Sugar before, Daughters of Night really sucks you in and makes you hungry for the next clue and plot revelation.
Finally, the performance from Lucy Scott is really first class. She gives and maintains the voices and tone of the large cast of characters flawlessly and really brings the page to life.
I highly recommend and I'm already looking forward to the next in the series.

Very enjoyable

The book deals with all manner of vileness so it feels odd to say enjoyable but the characters are all great. Every one is an individual and believable.

Fantastic Regency Murder Mystery

Women's rights, prostitution and Regency beau monde mix in this great novel. A thick book, rich in characters, plot twists and an authentic creation of London in the 18th century.
I listened to this audio book and took pleasure in the highly skilled actress reading it. Unlike many, Lucy Scott read it superbly. Yes she read in different voices for this amazing cast of characters, but never was it over the top or caricature, just a slight vocal adjustment accurately becoming a man or a woman, aristocrat or whore. Superb and I hope ( or wish) that Lucy Scott could re-narrate all my favourites!
Highly recommended to people who enjoy historical crime and novels of the Regency period.

An excellent work of historical fiction.

Daughters of Night is set in Georgian London, not a period that I’ve read that much about. I love a good historical novel, and this is definitely one of the good ones! There’s loads of really interesting, accurate (it seems to me!)historical detail, and the characters are well developed people that I wanted to find out more about.
It was surprising that Caro Corsham could investigate a death and a disappearance herself, but I suppose with money and status comes a little freedom - and her husband isn’t in the country for the vast majority of the book. Caro’s thief taker, Peregrine Child, is a great character. A complex man, he wants to do what’s right, despite the fact that he’s paid to do so. He comes with his own set of problems: drinking, gambling, he owes money to the wrong people (if there are ‘right’ ones, I don’t know!), but I really had the impression throughout that he had empathy for the prostitute he was looking for. He realises that these women don’t always choose to do the job, and when they do, it’s because there’s little other choice.
This is a big book, and I listened to it on Audible, so it was a lot of hours - but it didn’t seem that way. The narrator, Lucy Scott, was really engaging, and her different voices were discernible from one another. I’ve done this a couple of times recently with my NetGalley books: I realise that there are some books that just really lend themselves well to being read aloud - and it’s a far more entertaining way to get ready for work or to cook dinner!
I loved this book, and I’d highly recommend it - either in book or audible form!

Nasty story, brilliant narrator

Like a Georgian version of Game of Thrones. Corpses- mainly female everywhere. Most of the male characters were nasty. Lucy Scott as usual elevated the whole plot line. She is superb in all she narrates. Were it not for her performance I would not have continued. ( at times I thought it would never end!!!

Multilayered mystery in Regency England

This kept me enthralled! Great lead characters and a host of interesting other victims and suspects make for a fascinating read.

Entertaining crime thriller whilst also educational regarding corruption, class & gender in Regency England.

Lucy Scott is a very talented narrator with a beautiful voice and she vividly brings the book to life. Her accents and her males were impressive. Will certainly look for other titles read by her.

Fabulous book

Highly recommend, excellent narration for these wonderful characters. Twists and turns throughout. Sad to finish it.

Loved this

The first book of its genre I’ve ever read/listened to.... gripping from start to finish and the narration is impressive

Brilliant Narration

A story bringing to life the seamy side of 18th century London. Quite an eye opener and superb narration by Lucy Scott brought the whole book to life.

A Romp Through Georgian London

I really didnt expect to enjoy this as much as I did! A feisty lead character, a dissolute detective and a romp through the seedier side of 18thC London. Death, prostitution, corruption in high society....no holds barred language so if you don't like ripe description....don't bother! Great descriptions of the poorer parts of London before it was a sprawling city.
Lucy Scott reads with breathy excellence! Loved her character voices!