Winner of the New Mexico-Arizona Book Award for Historical Fiction
This dazzling new Victorian mystery from USA Today bestselling author Karen Odden introduces readers to Nell Hallam, a determined young pianist who stumbles upon the operations of a notorious—and deadly—crime ring while illicitly working as the piano player in a Soho music hall. Perfect for readers of Tasha Alexander, Anne Perry, … for readers of Tasha Alexander, Anne Perry, and Deanna Raybourn.
Nineteen-year-old Nell Hallam lives in a modest corner of Mayfair with her brother Matthew, an inspector at Scotland Yard. An exceptionally talented pianist, she aspires to attend the Royal Academy; but with tuition beyond their means, Nell sets out to earn the money herself—by playing piano in a popular Soho music hall. And the fact that she will have to disguise herself as a man and slip out at night to do it doesn’t deter her.
Spending evenings at the Octavian is like entering an alternate world, one of lively energy, fascinating performers, raucous patrons—and dark secrets. And when Nell stumbles upon the operations of an infamous crime ring working in the shadows of the music hall, she is drawn into a conspiracy that stretches the length of London. To further complicate matters, she has begun to fall for the hall owner’s charismatic son, Jack, who has secrets of his own.
The more Nell becomes a part of the Octavian’s world, the more she risks the relationships with the people she loves. And when another performer is left for dead in an alley as a warning, she realizes her future could be in jeopardy in more ways than one.
more
A captivating tale of mystery, history, and a dash of romance—with an ahead-of-her-time heroine who not only plays the piano with aplomb, but defies Victorian conventions, courts danger, and solves mysteries. Nell Hallam is a heroine to root for.
Enter a world of teeming and dangerous cities portrayed in vitality and amazing detail. Meet characters with tremendous courage and appetite for life, and be glad you can return at will to the present.
With a delightful and spirited heroine—and just the right blend of suspense, detection, and romance—A DANGEROUS DUET offers a vivid tapestry of Victorian England, replete with dazzling music halls, intrepid police inspectors, and a menacing underworld.
What else could be happening behind the scenes at The Octavian except piano playing and entertaining of every sort?
Nell played there to earn money for tuition to the Royal Academy even though her policeman brother didn’t know about it and wouldn’t approve. Too many shady characters in that building and not safe to be walking back alone at night.
Nell was definitely getting herself into something dangerous, and she didn’t know it. Nell heard so many different stories about what each person was like and what was going on that it was difficult to know who was telling the truth.
One thing that did happen was that one of the actresses was badly beaten and her partner was no where to be found. Other incidents occurred too to make Nell and her brother wonder what was going on.
With the beating of the actress, the missing actor, and the death of a policeman, Nell’s brother had his doubts about one of his fellow policemen. He believes there is a snitch at Scotland Yard.
Meanwhile, Nell is learning things aren’t as “clean” as they appear at The Octavian. Was she getting herself into danger she didn’t know about? Nell was taking chances being dressed as a man in a place that wasn’t as safe as she thought.
A DANGEROUS DUET was part learning about the lifestyle of folks in the Victorian era as well as learning that people actually haven’t changed behaviors that much over the years.
Living in the Victorian era actually wasn’t safe in many respects, and the lack of today’s conveniences such as cars and sanitation makes you happy you live today.
The suspense was enough to keep you guessing and doing some detective work of your own. Nell’s involvement was not the best decision on her part. She was dealing with a dangerous group of thieves.
I enjoyed the characters, and Ms. Ogden’s writing style was detailed and interesting.
If you enjoy mystery, secrets, and the Victorian era, A DANGEROUS DUET will be an appealing read. 4/5
This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Nell Hallam, nineteen and desperate to be accepted to the Royal Academy to further her future as a pianist, doesn’t let convention stop her from reaching her goals. To earn the needed tuition she plays piano at the Octavian Music Hall- which requires her to pretend she’s a man. There she makes friends with an unusual assortment of people, including trapeze artist Marceline and handyman Jack- who just happens to be the owner’s son. After finding Marceline beaten in an alley one night, Nell realizes there is more going on at the Octavian than music and a good time. Nell needs to help her Scotland Yard Inspector brother take down a vicious ring of thieves and murderers- including dirty cops and Jack’s own father- while keeping her friends and their secrets safe.
Nell is a woman ahead of her time, willing to step beyond the boundaries of convention to reach her goals and protect the people she loves. Mature and rational, she is also willing to listen to her heart when it comes to the people around her. Through her eyes we see people not only as they present themselves to the world, but also the complicated, multiple layers beneath their masks. Primary and secondary characters alike unfold layer by layer, all complex people with hopes, dreams, fears, and motives beyond what is seen on the surface.
Odden’s debut novel, A Lady in the Smoke, introduced readers to a wonderful new author who knows how to describe London and the surrounding areas as if it is one of the book’s characters and that talent is even more in evidence here. A Dangerous Duet vividly brings readers into the double life of Victorian London: beautiful Mayfair homes and first rate museums alongside the dirty alleys and rickety buildings of Soho. You smell the bread being sold, feel the cobblestones beneath your feet, and hear the busy traffic on the streets. You check your hands for splinters, feel the smoothness of piano keys, and feel your heart leap in your chest right along with Nell.
A fast-paced novel blending the perfect amount of suspense and mystery with a deft touch of romance and music, A Dangerous Duet is a perfect book for mystery lovers!
I really enjoyed this book, The characters are so well done I will not easily forget them. Anyone who likes historical mysteries about London in the Dickens years should love this book.
Book 2 following A Lady In Smoke continues Odden’s fine portrayal of the time and gutsy women.
The lead character wants so much to go to the music academy that she is willing to dress as a man and sneak out at night to play the piano at a music hall. This puts in contact with a very different part of society than her usual and has her traveling alone late at night.
She risks the dangers of the night and the challenge of getting home before her brother arrives and finds her missing.
The plot is complex with many characters who may or may not be working in her behalf.
It’s well done and quite engaging.
I loved this second book of Karen Odden’s. Her attention to Victorian London detail, her colorful characters, and her plot with so many twists and turns was wonderful. Nell Hallam, dressed as a man, plays piano in the Octavian music hall. Little does she know that a gang of thieves operates out of the music hall. She is trying to make enough money to pay for tuition at the Royal Academy, while hoping that her brother Matthew, a Scotland Yard detective, does not find out. Then she meets the intriguing Jack, who works for his father at the music hall. Unfortunately, Nell sees and hears more than she should, and that puts her in a dangerous position with cutthroats who would kill her without a second thought.
I loved the Victorian descriptions of the dark, dirty alleyways and dangerous streets of Soho. Ragged boys who steal for a living, small shops and apothecaries, and danger around every corner made for a fascinating setting.