Title: Mayhem
Author: Sarah Pinborough
First published April 25, 2013
339 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781780871257 (ISBN10: 1780871252)
Rating: 3.56
Overview
In the dark alleys of Victorian London, a new terror is lurking. Dubbed as the ‘Phantom Killer’, he leaves a trail of bodies with missing hearts.
While the city is still reeling from the gruesome murders of Jack the Ripper, this killer’s method is even more sinister. As Inspector James Quill races against time to catch the elusive killer, he discovers a world beyond his wildest imagination.
Mayhem is a gripping supernatural thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, set in a gaslit London where monsters hide in plain sight.
About the Author
Meet Sarah Pinborough: a talented author whose work has captured readers’ attention worldwide. With over 25 published novels spanning various genres, Sarah is a New York Times bestselling author and has achieved the Number One spot on the Sunday Times and International bestseller lists.
Her books have been published in over 30 territories, and some of her recent works include Behind Her Eyes – a wildly successful Netflix limited series – Dead To Her (which is currently being developed by Amazon Studios), and 13 Minutes and The Death House (both of which are in development with Compelling Pictures). When she’s not writing, Sarah resides in the charming town of Stony Stratford – the birthplace of the Cock and Bull story – with her furry companion, Ted.
Her next book, Insomnia, is set to be released in 2022, and you can keep up with Sarah’s latest updates by following her on Twitter at @sarahpinborough.
Editoral Review
Mayhem by Sarah Pinborough is a thrilling novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Pinborough is a British author who is known for her horror, thriller, and fantasy novels.
Mayhem was first published on April 25, 2013, and it is set in Victorian London. The novel explores themes of murder, madness, and the supernatural, and it is sure to captivate readers who enjoy dark and twisted tales.
The story of Mayhem focuses on a series of brutal murders that take place in London’s Whitechapel district in 1888. The main characters are Dr. Thomas Bond, a respected physician who is struggling with his own mental health, and a mysterious woman named Elizabeth who has a connection to the murders.
The novel is set against the backdrop of the infamous Jack the Ripper killings, and Pinborough weaves historical facts and fictional elements together seamlessly.
Pinborough’s writing style is descriptive and immersive, and she does an excellent job of capturing the atmosphere of Victorian London. The setting is vividly portrayed, and readers will feel as though they are walking the streets alongside the characters.
The pacing of the novel is also well-done, with the tension building steadily as the story progresses.
One of the strengths of Mayhem is its character development. Dr. Bond is a complex and flawed protagonist, and his struggles with his own mental health add an extra layer of depth to the story.
Elizabeth is also an intriguing character, and readers will be kept guessing about her true motivations throughout the novel.
The plot structure of Mayhem is well-crafted, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers engaged. Pinborough does an excellent job of keeping the identity of the killer a mystery until the end of the novel, and the resolution is satisfying and unexpected.
While Mayhem is a gripping and well-written novel, it does have some flaws. Some readers may find the subject matter to be too dark or disturbing, and there are moments where the violence and gore may be too much for some.
Additionally, some of the secondary characters could have been developed more fully.
Overall, Mayhem is a fantastic read for fans of horror and thriller novels. Pinborough’s writing is top-notch, and the story is both engaging and thought-provoking.
Readers who enjoy historical fiction and dark tales will find much to love in this novel.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.