The Lost Boys of London is the next instalment in Mary Lawrence’s Bianca Goddard’s Mystery series. Someone is murdering young, penniless boys in the streets of London and Bianca is called in to help solve the mystery before another killing takes place.
Title: The Lost Boys of London
Author: Mary Lawrence
Series: Bianca Goddard Mysteries #5
First Published: April 28, 2020
Publisher: Red Puddle Print
Categories: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Acquired: from the author
*** Thank you to the author, Mary Lawrence, for providing me with an advanced of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. ***
While her husband fights the Scots on behalf of King Henry VIII, Bianca Goddard makes a living by making up medicines to help London’s sick. Some unfortunates, however, are beyond any remedies she can provide—like the young boy discovered hanging from a church dripstone. Examining the body, Bianca finds a rosary twined around the child’s neck. A week later, another boy is found dead at a different church. When Bianca’s impish acquaintance, Fisk, goes missing, she fears he may become the third victim…
There are many villains who would prey on wayward, penniless boys. Bianca suspects the killings are not brutal acts of impulse, but something far more calculated. In her room of Medicinals and Physickes, she examines the sole piece of evidence: a sweet-smelling, stained cloth. If Bianca can unravel its secret, reputations and lives will be saved. The expected hour of the next murder is approaching, and a single misstep may mean another boy is lost forever…
The adventures of Bianca Goddard continue
The Lost Boys of London picks up quite soon after the events of the previous book, The Alchemist of Lost Souls (you can read my review of that book here). Bianca’s husband, John, is away fighting in Scotland for King Henry’s while Bianca is at home, creating her medicines that her friend, Meddybemps, sells for her.
When a young boy is found murdered, Bianca is summoned by Constable Patch to assist him in finding the killer. What follows is a twisty, heart-thumping murderous romp through the dark alleys of London.
Soon, more young victims are discovered and Bianca is in a race to find the murderer. Things get even more personal when Bianca’s young friend, an independent and plucky young boy named Fisk, goes missing.
The narrative gives us a nice rounded story by jumping around so that we see what’s happening with Bianca, John and Fisk. There is quite a bit happening to each of the characters, but I appreciated the different points-of-view and being able to get more in-depth time with the main characters.
As before, Bianca is a great main character – she’s independent, loyal, caring and has enough flaws to make her relatable and worthy of our time. She walks a fine balance in a time when educated women were not the norm and her skill as an herbalist could easily be misconstrued as witchcraft.
Returning to the alleyways of Tudor England
While so many of the Tudor/Elizabethan-era historical fictions I read focus on the kings, queens and nobility of the Tudors, it’s much more rare to find a good story that involves the commonfolk of the era. I think mainly because it’s much more difficult to make the less-affluent of this age interesting (and still make it believable). Mary Lawrence always does a superb job of creating an interesting story in the crowded, dim alleyways and streets of every day Tudor England.
As with her previous books, Lawrence depicts life in the less-glamorous parts of England in great detail and makes everything incredibly realistic. Reading about the challenges and daily concerns of regular people in Tudor London brings a grounded look to what life must have been like for the majority at this time. As much as I enjoy reading the exploits of Henry VIII and his court, it can be just as interesting to spend time with Henry’s subjects, and see how his whims affected the people of England.
While this is the fifth and final book book in the Bianca Goddard Mystery series, it can also be read as a standalone book. I highly recommend both this book and the series and am a bit disappointed that there will be no more adventures with Bianca. However, Lawrence has mentioned that she will continue writing historical fiction stories, so I’m looking forward to her next book.
Read The Lost Boys of London for yourself
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Excellent review, Stephanie! I like that the setting sounds realistic and full of atmosphere; I imagine that it brings a lot to the series.
Thanks Stephen! I think having a good setting is definitely important – it’s almost like another character in the story! Hope you’re doing well!