Review - The Burial Plot by Elizabeth Macneal

 

  

 

Title: The Burial Plot

Author: Elizabeth Macneal

Pages: 256

Publisher: Picador

Release Date: 6th June 2024

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

 From the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Doll Factory, The Burial Plot is an unstoppable historical thriller about murder, manipulation, and a young woman trying to wrestle power from the hands of a dangerous man. But he’s always one step ahead . . .

London, 1839. Where the cemeteries are full and there is money to be made in death, Bonnie and Crawford lead a life of trickery, surviving off ill-gotten coin and nefarious schemes. But one hot evening, their luck runs out. A man lies in a pool of blood at Bonnie’s feet and now she needs to disappear.

Crawford secures her a position as lady’s maid in a grand house on the Thames, still deep in mourning for its late mistress. As Bonnie comes to understand this family – the eccentric Mr Moncrieff, obsessively drawing mausoleums grand enough for his dead wife, and their peculiar daughter Cissie, scribbling imaginary love letters to herself from the mysterious Lord Duggan – she begins to question what really happened to Mrs Moncrieff and whether her own presence here was planned from the beginning.

Because Crawford is watching, and perhaps he is plotting his greatest trick yet . . .

 

 

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My Review:

 *I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan*

In 1839 London, Bonnie makes a living through different schemes with her partner, Crawford.

When one of these schemes goes wrong, Bonnie has blood on her hands and needs somewhere to hide.

Crawford finds Bonnie a position as a lady's maid in the house of Mr. Moncrieff, who is in mourning for his late wife.

As Bonnie tends for Mr. Moncrieff's daughter, Cissie, she wonders if there was more to Mrs Moncrieff's death, and comes to realise that she has been lied to by the person she loves most.

The blurb for this book intrigued me, and I was interested to find out what would happen to Bonnie.

Bonnie was a likeable and relatable protagonist. I felt sorry for her, because it seemed like things in her life were nearly always out of her control. I liked how Bonnie tried to help Cissie from their start, and the relationship Bonnie formed with her.

I really did not like Crawford and the way he treated people.

The setting of 1800's London was interesting, as was the cemetery that Bonnie suggested to Mr. Moncrieff - I don't know how much of the book was true in regards to there not being enough space in cemeteries, but it certainly seems like something that could have happened.

The plot was enjoyable and held my attention throughout. There were events that surprised me, but I wasn't gripped or on the edge of my seat. However, I was rooting for Bonnie from the start, and I hoped that things would work out for her.

The writing style was easy to follow, and I have already read several books by this author.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

 

 

Review - Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal

 

 

 Title: Circus of Wonders

Author: Elizabeth Macneal

Pages: 304

Publisher: Picador

Release Date: 13th May 2021

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

Set in a spectacular circus in the pleasure gardens of Victorian London, this is an addictive novel about power, fame, and a love that is threatened by a terrible secret.

1866. In a coastal village in southern England, Nell lives set apart by her community because of the birthmarks that speckle her skin.

But when Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders arrives in the village, Nell is kidnapped. Her father has sold her, promising Jasper Jupiter his very own leopard girl. It is the greatest betrayal of Nell's life, but as her fame grows, and she finds friendship with the other performers and Jasper’s gentle brother Toby, she begins to wonder if joining the show is the best thing that has ever happened to her.

In London, newspapers describe Nell as the eighth wonder of the world. Figurines are cast in her image, and crowds rush to watch her soar through the air. But what happens when her fame eclipses Jasper's own? And as she falls in love with Toby, can he detach himself from his past and the terrible secret that binds him to his brother?

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My Review:

 *I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley*

Nell lives in a small village in Victorian England. Her skin is covered in birthmarks, which has resulted in Nell being an outsider all her life.

Nell's life changes forever when a circus comes to the village and her father sells her to Jasper Jupiter, the owner and showman.

Nell makes a life for herself as part of Jasper's Circus of Wonders, becoming friends with the other performers and growing close with Jasper's brother, Toby.

Will Jasper feel threatened by Nell's rising fame?

When I heard that this book was about a circus and set in the Victorian era, I immediately wanted to read it.

There were three main characters: Nell, who had been made to feel other until she became part of the circus because of her birthmarks; Jasper, who was the ambitious owner and showman of the circus; and Toby, Jasper's brother. I felt sorry for both Nell and Toby, but it was Stella, one of the performers, who was my favourite character.

The relationship between the brothers Jasper and Toby was a big focus of the book, and I did find it interesting. They were very different people, but they cared for each other deeply.

The setting was interesting, but it wasn't explored much as the circus was the main focus.

The plot was good overall, but not much really happened. However, this was more of a character-driven book than a plot-driven one, so I think I would have enjoyed it more if I'd had a better connection with the characters, but I didn't feel very invested in them or what was happening.

The writing style was easy to follow, but it wasn't one that hooked my attention.

I am a little bit disappointed that I didn't enjoy this more, but I did like it overall.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

 

Can't-Wait Wednesday - Circus of Wonders

 

  Can't-Wait Wednesday is a feature hosted at Wishful Endings where people showcase an upcoming book they are looking forward to.

 

This week I'm anticipating . . .

 

 

 Title: Circus of Wonders 

Author: Elizabeth Macneal

Pages: 336

Publisher: Picador

Release Date: 11th May 2021

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

1866. In a coastal village in southern England, Nell picks violets for a living. Set apart by her community because of the birthmarks that speckle her skin, Nell’s world is her beloved brother and devotion to the sea.

But when Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders arrives in the village, Nell is kidnapped. Her father has sold her, promising Jasper Jupiter his very own leopard girl. It is the greatest betrayal of Nell's life, but as her fame grows, and she finds friendship with the other performers and Jasper’s gentle brother Toby, she begins to wonder if joining the show is the best thing that has ever happened to her.

In London, newspapers describe Nell as the eighth wonder of the world. Figurines are cast in her image, and crowds rush to watch her soar through the air. But who gets to tell Nell’s story? What happens when her fame threatens to eclipse that of the showman who bought her? And as she falls in love with Toby, can he detach himself from his past and the terrible secret that binds him to his brother?

Moving from the pleasure gardens of Victorian London to the battle-scarred plains of the Crimea, Circus of Wonders is an astonishing story about power and ownership, fame and the threat of invisibility.

 

 

Why I'm Anticipating This Book:

 A book about a girl who is sold to a circus by her father and then finds fame? Yes, please!