Reader, I Murdered Him

by Betsy Cornwell

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Reader, I Murdered Him is a Victorian vigilante mystery adventure by Betsy Cornwell. Released 15th Nov 2022 by HarperCollins on their Clarion Books imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out early 4th quarter 2023 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

The author is gifted with descriptive prose. The scenery and characters are rendered believably and well. The dialogue is somewhat archaic and sometimes stilted to modern ears, but it evokes the time period very well. The basic plot is a retelling/twist/expansion of Jane Eyre told from Adéle's point of view, with Adéle (Rochester's young ward) in the role of vigilante, robbing/killing evil men who would prey on women. 

This is very much through a glass, darkly. For fans who love and revere Jane Eyre, although very well written, this book will likely cause rage and distress. There's no redemption for Rochester here, and the potential creepiness of his questionable relationship with his 9 year old ward (at the time of her relocation to England from France) is explored in depth. 

There's a Jane Eyre meets Thelma & Louise/Natural Born Killers vibe which is odd and unsettling but fascinating at the same time. Lovers of Bronte will have conniptions. 

Three and a half stars for the writing alone. Recommended for readers who do not have strongly positive feelings about Jane Eyre and who are willing to allow the author the expedient of making *all* the male characters malignant narcissistic creeps in pretty much the same way throughout.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.