Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Molly Boys

SERIES: London Underside #1

AUTHOR: Vawn Cassidy

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 315 Pages

RELEASE DATE: March 24, 2023

BLURB:

London 1885:

For Lord Everett Stanley, escaping his fate seemed impossible. As the second son, he’s destined for ordination and the life of a Reverend, but he’s hiding a dangerous secret. The laws punishing homosexuality by hanging may have been repealed but he and others of his kind are far from safe. Given no other choice, they take solace in the underground molly houses of London. Now that fragile world is threatened when the East End is rocked by a series of gruesome murders.

Inspector Archibald Franklin worked hard to overcome his working-class roots, making a name for himself as a respected inspector of Whitechapel’s H Division, but when he begins to investigate the deaths of several beautiful young men, fate throws him into the path of the handsome and enigmatic Lord Stanley. His gut instinct tells him the young lord knows more about the murders than he lets on, but the closer he gets, the more Everett calls to him in a way he’s tried to deny his whole life.

As a reign of terror grips London, they are drawn together in order to stop a monster, but for Archie, the growing feelings he has for Everett are a betrayal of the very laws he has sworn to uphold. And as the killer closes in, the two men find themselves bound together by a passion that may be their ultimate salvation or their utter destruction…

REVIEW:

Everett was the second son of a Marquess, but money and privilege came with different shackles. Everett longed for real love, but the laws of the day classed his preference forbidden. Archie was a talented investigator, but he had to deny the part of him that craved love from an outlawed source to uphold his oaths. But murder brings the worlds of privilege and the working class crashing together, creating farther-reaching consequences.

Molly Boys is the first book in the London Underside series. It is a gripping tale of murder, class, territory, and a little something unexpected. From the first page, I was riveted. Albeit for a few loose ends that I’d like to have seen cleared up (but hopefully in the next book) – it was almost the perfect book for me.

The story is told in the third person from multiple viewpoints. Usually, I’m not a fan of too many voices in a tale, but in this novel, it works. I can’t see how the story could have been told in another way and remained so gripping. The worldbuilding set off ‘Oliver Twist’ (the book, not the musical) vibes in the sense of there being the downtrodden, pickpocketing, and mudlark grimy side of life vs the well-to-do clean bodies, and carriages of Victorian London. The story also ventures into opium and molly houses. Absinth makes an appearance, too, as the privileged find a way to escape the shackles of duty and family demands.

The varied scenery of London is complimented by an equally varied cast – all written superbly. The main protagonists hail from opposites sides of the social divide, yet together, they find a bond neither can explain that is beautiful and scary. Whenever Lord Francis appears, he is a flighty yet protective scene stealer with a delightfully honest acerbic tongue. I’d happily mention all the characters, but if I had to single some out, they’d be – young Jack for his brave innocence, the shrewd Dr. Shaw, and huge-hearted Polly.

I have read several of Vawn Cassidy’s books, and this is the best so far. The scene setting doesn’t hold back on any aspect from the good to the bad. I loved every character, from the sewer rats to the gentry, many of which I hope to read more of in future books. The storyline was fascinating, unfurling at a steady pace allowing all aspects sufficient airtime. And, yes, I get that this is a series, and some carryover is expected, but my only gripe was that I hoped to see one or two of the loose ends wrapped up in this book instead of left open. I beyond hope that this story continues to book two from where it left off. It was an immersive experience and I wait with eager anticipation.

RATING:

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