Helpful Score: 6
Just a lot of fun! India Black is the debut novel for Carol K Carr. Set in Victorian England, India the madam of the Lotus House brothel has her quiet Sunday afternoon ruined, when a regular client dies while being entertained by one of India's stable of lovelies. This begins the bawdy romp through the halls of power and the shadow world of politicians, spies and diplomats. Just the thing for pick me up or weekend read. Smart laugh out loud funny. French the English spy is delicious, and Vincent is just who you want in your corner in a pinch. I am looking forward to the up coming adventures, I am always so happy to find a book which is pure entertainment.
Helpful Score: 3
Very good read. History was excellent, characters alive and vibrant, good mystery. Hope she writes another one soon.
Helpful Score: 3
When I started reading the book I expected more of a mystery/drama but it was more comical not at all drama. For someone who likes a bit of mystery, wimsy and fun...this is their book. It's about a Madame who owns a brothel and must deal with an unfortunate incident but ends up getting caught and that's where the action starts. India is a cheeky female who does not let anyone put her down.
Helpful Score: 2
Set in 1876, we are introduced to India Black, the madam of Lotus House, a London brothel, where gentleman of of very high rank in government and military are welcomed daily. Unfortunately one of the clients dies while with one of the "bints" and India needs to dispose of the body so that the reputation of Lotus House is not besmirched.
But this client is extremely well connected and had in his possession some information many people wanted and it disappeared while India was making plans to dump the body. As did the lady he was with when he died. This makes India Black the interest of many people both from the British government but also the Russian government as well. She agrees to go undercover for the "Brits" to try to recover the information and insure it does not fall into the wrong hands.
I LOVED IT!!!!!
I truly enjoyed this tale. I am not usually a fan of historical stories, but this one grabbed my interest and didn't let go. India Black is a formidable woman with a quick wit and stubborn streak a mile long. She is definitely an unusual protagonist and the rest of the characters are equally fascinating.
It is hard to believe this is a debut novel from this author. Her writing style is very advanced and captivating. The entire story is written from the first person point of view with India telling us her story. Several times she states "I will not bore you with the details..." or "I digress", making you feel as if she is sitting in your living room telling you this harrowing story for your enjoyment. At points she is very serious and in others she is downright funny in her narration of events.
I am interested in where the author plans to take this character as I assume this is just the beginning of a series featuring this character, but am also interested in anything else this author may write. She has made a great debut and I hope she is hard at work on her next adventure, may it be with India or a new heroine. This is definitely a new author to watch.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received these books free from Berkley Prime Crime, a Division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 : Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
But this client is extremely well connected and had in his possession some information many people wanted and it disappeared while India was making plans to dump the body. As did the lady he was with when he died. This makes India Black the interest of many people both from the British government but also the Russian government as well. She agrees to go undercover for the "Brits" to try to recover the information and insure it does not fall into the wrong hands.
I LOVED IT!!!!!
I truly enjoyed this tale. I am not usually a fan of historical stories, but this one grabbed my interest and didn't let go. India Black is a formidable woman with a quick wit and stubborn streak a mile long. She is definitely an unusual protagonist and the rest of the characters are equally fascinating.
It is hard to believe this is a debut novel from this author. Her writing style is very advanced and captivating. The entire story is written from the first person point of view with India telling us her story. Several times she states "I will not bore you with the details..." or "I digress", making you feel as if she is sitting in your living room telling you this harrowing story for your enjoyment. At points she is very serious and in others she is downright funny in her narration of events.
I am interested in where the author plans to take this character as I assume this is just the beginning of a series featuring this character, but am also interested in anything else this author may write. She has made a great debut and I hope she is hard at work on her next adventure, may it be with India or a new heroine. This is definitely a new author to watch.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received these books free from Berkley Prime Crime, a Division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 : Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Heather F. (AZmom875) -
Helpful Score: 2
This sure is a popular book, but I am not sure it is one everyone will enjoy. I really didnt enjoy it all that much. Not because it isnt a good book but because
1. A historical fiction novel based on stuff with Disreali and Glasdstone in England in 1876. I never really cared to much for history back when it was a required class, although I aced those courses. I just didnt care for it then and didnt need a history lesson today. It was full of historical information.
2. Really not much happened in the book. Someone dies and leaves, papers in a case, someone steals them, they steal them back and then again and again. Nothing much really happens. People shoot at each other and tie each other up over and over again.
3. Nothing much really happens that makes you like India, or French. The most likeable character was Vincent. I kept reading to find out what happens to this child who is a street urchin.
4. NO Heat... For a book about a madam of a whore house, there is no heat in any form. No tantalizing bedroom scenes which is ok with me, but if you are expecting that you will be disappointed. Even the Lesbian scene is glossed over. NO heat between India and French either, but the book cover alludes to heat in both areas.
1. A historical fiction novel based on stuff with Disreali and Glasdstone in England in 1876. I never really cared to much for history back when it was a required class, although I aced those courses. I just didnt care for it then and didnt need a history lesson today. It was full of historical information.
2. Really not much happened in the book. Someone dies and leaves, papers in a case, someone steals them, they steal them back and then again and again. Nothing much really happens. People shoot at each other and tie each other up over and over again.
3. Nothing much really happens that makes you like India, or French. The most likeable character was Vincent. I kept reading to find out what happens to this child who is a street urchin.
4. NO Heat... For a book about a madam of a whore house, there is no heat in any form. No tantalizing bedroom scenes which is ok with me, but if you are expecting that you will be disappointed. Even the Lesbian scene is glossed over. NO heat between India and French either, but the book cover alludes to heat in both areas.
Helpful Score: 2
Not a great book. While I enjoyed the premise of the book, the writing was difficult to put up with. Going back and forth from first to third person always bothers me. I liked the plot - a madam caught up in espionage with multiple players. I thought that there would be some romance tied into the story but there wasn't - she's running a whorehouse for god sake. No sex? Really?
The characters were OK, sometimes believable and sometimes a bit overdone. I did like vincent, but he was too young for his ability/experience. I liked French, although a bit stiff. I really enjoyed India - this fact alone may make me seek out the second book in the series when it's publisheed.
The characters were OK, sometimes believable and sometimes a bit overdone. I did like vincent, but he was too young for his ability/experience. I liked French, although a bit stiff. I really enjoyed India - this fact alone may make me seek out the second book in the series when it's publisheed.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a fun, quick read. India is at peace with her place in the world as a madam of a brothel but full of spunk when it comes to setting things right after important government papers go missing from a dead customer. Some of the terminology may not be what one would expect for the times and place but they do not distract. The story moves at a fast pace with plenty of action. There is just enough interaction between India, French, and the "little urchin" Vincent to let the reader know that they'll be back again. I'm looking forward to the relationship between India and French grown into more personal one.
Helpful Score: 1
A quick light read, and India is a very practical, appealing character; I also liked her street urchin friend. But I didn't find myself involved to the depth I am when I read Anne Perry or the Sebastian St. Cyr series. YMMV. ;)
Helpful Score: 1
Reminded me of the slapstick comedy we see on the big screen. Lots of running hither and yon. It was a bit tiring but an ok read yet I can't understand why it got all the hype it did. Maybe I wasn't in the mood for this one.
The basic story has India Black, a beautiful madam who operates the Lotus House, a house of prostitution, suddenly thrust into political spotlight. When a client dies of an apparent heart attack in the brothal, it is discovered that he is a government employee carrying state secrets in a black case that disappears. The excitement begins when India and her friends are caught disposing of the body by French, a British spy who needs to find the case. India is coerced into aiding French in finding the case which must not get into the hand of the Russians. Every character is likable and the only one seemingly capable of murder is India herself. It's light and funny.
The basic story has India Black, a beautiful madam who operates the Lotus House, a house of prostitution, suddenly thrust into political spotlight. When a client dies of an apparent heart attack in the brothal, it is discovered that he is a government employee carrying state secrets in a black case that disappears. The excitement begins when India and her friends are caught disposing of the body by French, a British spy who needs to find the case. India is coerced into aiding French in finding the case which must not get into the hand of the Russians. Every character is likable and the only one seemingly capable of murder is India herself. It's light and funny.
A different kind of mystery. A little too political for my tastes and I would have liked more rapport between India and French. But I enjoy a heroine who is her own woman and India proved repeatedly she doesn't need a man to help her out. I'll read more of India Black.
I loved India's character in this book! She was witty, intelligent, and spunky. The character of the street urchin Vincent also stood out for me, and I can easily see him showing up in the sequel.
Unfortunately for the story, the rest of the characters fell a bit flat, even the hero French. I never really picked up on much passion from his character, either for his job, or anything else.
If it weren't for all of India's funny escapades, I think this book would have been very slow. The story also felt bogged down in parts when the author attempted to delve a bit too much into the politics behind the stolen papers. I found myself actually skimming these parts so I could get back into the fun of India's adventure.
I hope that the author will focus more on India's wit in the sequel, and will be able to create a more solid supporting cast for the story.
Unfortunately for the story, the rest of the characters fell a bit flat, even the hero French. I never really picked up on much passion from his character, either for his job, or anything else.
If it weren't for all of India's funny escapades, I think this book would have been very slow. The story also felt bogged down in parts when the author attempted to delve a bit too much into the politics behind the stolen papers. I found myself actually skimming these parts so I could get back into the fun of India's adventure.
I hope that the author will focus more on India's wit in the sequel, and will be able to create a more solid supporting cast for the story.
