Infidel Stain

A Blake and Avery Novel

By: M. J. Carter

Narrated by: Alex Wyndham

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

London, 1841. Returned from their adventures in India, Jeremiah Blake and William Avery have both had their difficulties adapting to life in Victorian England. Moreover, time and distance have weakened the close bond between them, forged in the jungles of India. Then a shocking series of murders in the world of London's gutter press forces them back together. The police seem mysteriously unwilling to investigate, then connections emerge between the murdered men and the growing and unpredictable movement demanding the right to vote for all. In the backstreets of Drury Lane, among criminals, whores, pornographers, and missionaries, Blake and Avery must race against time to find the culprit before he kills again. But what if the murderer is being protected by some of the highest powers in the land?

©2016 Original Material © 2016 by M.J. Carter. Recorded by arrangement with G.P. Putnam's Sons, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division (P)2016 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Back from India into the Streets of London

After returning from India to England in 1941, Jeremiah Blake and William Avery find it no easy job to settle in to life in London. Several murders that the coppers have no interest in solving, pair the two up again, in a mystery that seems curiouser and curiouser as time goes on. The hit one brick wall after another, getting worse the farther up the societal hierarchy they go. I learned a good deal about the politics and laws (or lack of) including “transporting” criminals, even very young ones, to Australia. A very interesting listen and an ending well worth the wait!

Fun adventure with great characters

Not as good as Strangler Vine, but fun continuation of Blake and Avery's friendship. Also, interesting history of early 1800 English politics.

Terrific

Every page moves through my kind and I am transported to a foreign world that becomes my home

Let down

The second entry in the Blake & Avery series is a decided letdown from the debut. As other reviewers have already observed, the story being relocated from the exotic jungles of India to the grimy streets of London lost much of the charm found in the first story. But even judging this story on its own, not in comparison to its predecessor, I found this one to be slow paced and unfocused.

As historical fiction it competently described the deplorable class disparities keeping the aristocracy rich and everyone else suppressed and poor, to the point of incarcerating homeless children in adult prisons. The conflicts within the Chartist Movement are likewise well described, placing the story at hand in context. But as a murder investigation, the plot is weighed down by the variety of characters with unclear roles in the mystery. We learn a bit more about Blake and Avery’s back stories, but it doesn’t really enhance true character development. They don’t work well together, as Blake keeps all his thoughts to himself and Avery is morally outraged at the realities of street life, and not trusting Blake’s instincts. I pretty much knew who the murderer probably was, but there was so much background noise going on with the cast of dozens that any sense of urgency or tension was never developed.

As the reader, Alex Wyndham did well with most of the characters, but two Irishmen sadly had voices that brought certain Muppet characters to mind. And as happens too often, finding a way to voice females and children apparently eluded Mr. Wyndham. Mild recommendation for those who enjoyed Blake and Avery and want more, but can’t offer more enthusiasm than that.

Trilogy by MJ Carter

"The Infidel Strain" is the second book in the series and set in England about 4 years after the first novel. It is evident a massive amount of research went into crafting this narrative. I found it more difficult to follow than the first book but so very good. Am looking forward to the third book and any others by this author.

Good, but not as good as the first book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend it if they have listened to the first one. The characters are both fleshed out more than in The Strangler VIne and the story is decent. As before, there is historical background, though to me not as interesting as what happened in India in the first book.

What other book might you compare Infidel Stain to and why?

This is my main gripe about this book. How many Victorian era London mysteries do we need? There are already thousands upon thousands. I think the author should have stayed in India.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Two sittings will suffice.

Any additional comments?

I loved the chemistry between Blake and Avery, which has developed since the first book. My main gripe is that the story was not as compelling as in the first book, and that it is situated in Victorian London. That was almost done to death decades ago.

Excellent historical mystery

Two English gentlemen, both former East India Company men, prowl the seedy backstreets of early 1800s London for a serial killer. Great atmosphere! Great characters. A believable story and conclusion. Well worth your time.

MJ Carter has become my favorite history teacher

Have you listened to any of Alex Wyndham’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Remarkable, subtle range between characters.

Any additional comments?

Carter writers fantastic fiction that is also faithful to history...as well as instructive and entertaining.

Addicting

It's been awhile since I devoured 2 books in as many days. I thoroughly enjoyed the second book in which I hope will be a long series.

M. J. Carter creates a great maze of a story, you venture in and you must go forward. She draws great characters and plausible suspects, few are what they seem. Set against the highly volatile Chartist and reform movements in mid 19th century England. The history of these movements is well explained, and did not bog down the story at all. I can't wait for the next book.

It doesn't hurt at all that another favorite author of mine Imogen Robertson gave a very positive review of Ms. Carter's work.

Alex Wyndham once again gives a stellar performance. He had one hell of a lot of accents to deal with and he carries them off flawlessly. I can listen to him for hours.

It's Avery and Blake....

....that drew me to this one, after listening to "The Strangler Vine". I was interested in the continuing collaberation. Not quite as intriguing as the first book, but theses are great characters and the historical setting is interesting. Also enjoyed the supporting characters.