The Waxwork Man (Charles Dickens Investigations)

Another terrific Victorian crime yarn from the pen of J C Briggs. A great deal of research has obviously gone into the fixation at the time with waxwork displays and a visit to Mme Tussaud's by Charles Dickens sets the story in motion after he is invited by a former Judge to view his own personal collection; a series of women who gained public notoriety after being sentenced by him.The subsequent death of the Judge and the absence of one of the waxworks leads to further investigation by Superintendent Jones after it is established that the Judge's demise, although from natural causes, was encouraged by external and deliberate interference.Grotesque waxworks begin to appear randomly all over London as the murderer teases those trying to track him down. However, as with all J C Briggs plot lines, all is not necessarily as it seems as the story weaves it's way through the mire of the capital's back alleys and numerous unsavoury characters.The case, for the first time in the series, also brings matters close to home as Jones' family life is threatened like never before and calls him to question his own vocation and dedication to the job.The ending is as unexpected as it is gruesome. Whatever you think will happen at the conclusion I can almost certainly assure you that you'll be wrong.As always with the author, the research is impeccable. Mme Tussaud's is obviously the most famous of the waxwork museums but it seems that these 'exhibitions' popped up all over the place and were of varying quality. But the Victorians flocked to them. If you ever go to a display and one of the waxworks appears to move ever so slightly, you may actually not be mistaken.Great stuff.

Having read all the other 12 books in this series by JC Briggs, I knew I was in for a good read. The great plus about reading JCB's books, is that, after we finish the story and close the book, not only will we have been royally entertained but will have learned a great deal about the teeming life of London in mid Victorian times. In this latest novel not only do we follow Dickens and Jones on the track of a bizarre murder mystery but we find out about waxwork figures, the manufacture of them and the Victorians fascination with them. Readers will be amazed at the unusual and interesting facts which the author shares ,We, the reader, can only be impressed by the thorough research undertaken which makes these novels so worth reading.

Love these books

An enjoyable read that convincingly conveys the atmosphere of a London that Dickens would know. Dark and atmospheric with all the flavour of poverty and social injustice you would find in one of the great writer's story with the added mystery of a Murder to solve.

Another in the JC Briggs Dickens and Jones series. Comprehensively researched with a splendid and engaging plot, this is undoubtedly an example of superb historical fiction.

Charles Dickens as an amateur sleuth?? Sounds improbable doesn't it? And yet J.C.B. makes it all work for me. I've enjoyed every one in this series,and this is no exception. Give them a go.You won't be disappointed.

I absolutely love this series and was looking forward to reading this book, it did not disappoint. The characters are great, story is well written (it's good to read a book devoid of americanisms) Anyone jumping into this book as a first read of the series, may find the story convoluted. Start with the first book, you soon get used to the 'flow' of the narrative. Looking forward to the next book.

I have read several books by this author and enjoyed them. Unfortunately the same cannot be said about this book. It is a good story but told in a very confusing fashion. Repeated references are made to characters from Mr Dickens' novels and the reader is left wondering whether the character belongs in the current story or some other point is being made about a past character. Then there is the bizarre spectacle of waxwork women appearing in doorways, these being dressed all in black with black veils. Are they the waxwork effigies from the murdered man's home or is a prankster commissioning them to make some kind of statement? As if that is not enough, Dickens then decides to embark on a search for a woman called 'Eliza', but there suddenly seems to be a proliferation of women called 'Eliza' all over Victorian London. Dickens notices that his presence is frequently being shadowed by a woman all in black with a black veil. Is this a waxwork effigy come to life or a real live woman? Could she be the 'Eliza' he is searching for? Given the fact that London is teeming with women called 'Eliza' there is a strong probability that she too is an Eliza. Everyone loves a good murder mystery with twists and turns. However, this book does not do that, rather it will send you round the bend and up the wall trying to figure out what is going on. Disappointing and confusing.

Dickens is involved in a multilayered mystery with Scotland Yard. There are several disappearances , multiple motives and many people intertwined with victims in the past and present to investigate and untangle which thicken the plot and bewildered the investigators and the reader. Intricate plot twists and multi layered histories of the characters. All is skillfully wrapped up in the finale and kept me guessing til the end which is wonderfully gratifying to me and other readers.

I was intrigued with the sub-title “Charles Dickens Investigations – Book 11”I had not read any of the first 10 book, or even was aware of their existence but the idea of Dickens as an investigator caught my fancy. I was seriously disappointed and although I have a rule of finishing a book once I have started, in this case I abandoned the rule with a clear conscience. The writing is turgid, the plot hopelessly complex, the dialogue yawning and while it is always good to have a book to help falling asleep, even that wasn’t worth continuing. Other than characters recognizing Mr. Dickens occasionally, there is nothing of the real Dickens and his own peculiarities to make the character unusual or even interesting. He has the odd street boy – reminiscent of Holmes’ Baker Street Irregulars – but even that doesn’t work. Nope – I have no idea how it ends – quite honestly I am still somewhat confused about the plot – and even less interest in finding out. Yawn.