Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Six months after the formation of the NYPD, its most reluctant and talented officer, Timothy Wilde, thinks himself well versed in his city’s dark practices — until he learns of the gruesome underworld of lies and corruption ruled by the "blackbirders", who snatch free Northerners of color from their homes, masquerade them as slaves, and sell them South to toil as plantation property.

The abolitionist Timothy is horrified by these traders in human flesh. But in 1846, slave catching isn’t just legal — it’s law enforcement.

When the beautiful and terrified Lucy Adams staggers into Timothy’s office to report a robbery and is asked what was stolen, her reply is, "My family". Their search for her mixed-race sister and son will plunge Timothy and his feral brother, Valentine, into a world where police are complicit and politics savage, and corpses appear in the most shocking of places. Timothy finds himself caught between power and principles, desperate to protect his only brother and to unravel the puzzle before all he cares for is lost.

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★


What is a buddy read?

An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book


EXPECT SPOILERS!

reserved

My copy came in at the library, so I'll join!

Great :)

I got mine from the library too. It is a long weekend for us so I'm going to start a little early and I'll leave my thoughts on the first few chapters soon

Chapters 1-5

The problem with series book is trying to remember everything that happened in the last book! But I like that the author is attempting to remind us without getting into too much detail.
Looks like the focus of this book will be on the slave trade from the Northern States to the Southern which is an interesting premise and I'm intrigued as to where the book will go to from here. Timothy seems very "enlightened" and I wonder if that was possible for the time, or is just our modern day sensibilities overlaid onto his character.
I hope Mercy makes an appearance in this book too :)

Sounds good so far! I will get to this one this weekend.

Chapters 6-13

Oh, now things are getting interesting!!!

I'm kind of surprised by Val. (view spoiler)[ I didn't pick him as being attracted to men as much as women. It seems that the author is trying to explore a lot of stereotypes in this book, and as much as I applaud it, I'm not sure how realistic it is for the time (hide spoiler)]
And what about Mrs Adams? (view spoiler)[ Did her husband just lie to her, or did she make up that story about him. Did he kill her? Why would he close up the house if he was actually pretending to be married to her? (hide spoiler)]

I can't help but see Pam from True Blood whenever I read about Silkie Marsh

Topic has been moved to our Buddy Reads folder.

Just finished chapter 22

I love that the chimney sweep boy came back into the story and hopefully will have a better life.
I'm still not sure what happened with Lucy. her "husband" killing her just seems too obvious. And, of course, Silkie Marsh has to be connected somehow. Tim keeps saying he is missing something big and in front of his eyes. What is it? Eh, I;m so bad at guessing mysteries!
I love that Valentine is such a scoundrel still and they didn't try and redeem him. The dozen sins rattled off in the last chapter gave me a chuckle ;)

I love the idea of Pam as Silkie!! I'm starting this weekend, promise.

I like this one reasonably well but read it a year ago so the details are starting to get fuzzy. I think I liked the first one in the series a bit more.

Logan wrote: "I love the idea of Pam as Silkie!! I'm starting this weekend, promise."

:) All good. I'm determined to finish this weekend as I have quite the line up of books!
Yes I think so far I agree Kelly that the first book ws stronger

I finished and I agree with Kelly. I liked this book, but I think the first one was better. Silkie Marsh really is an evil force to be reckoned with and I like her villain character. I would like to see more development with Mercy and Bird in the next book.