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Rating: 
Summary: Unhappily, this fan found Skom's new novel a bit thin
Review: Having read her other books, I had actively looked for the appearance of a new book by this author. However, I was a bit disappointed with The Charles Dickens Murders. For one thing, I never felt that comfortable with the constant time shifts Skom uses to present the mystery, an unsolved murder that occurred when the mother of Skom's sleuth was a college student. Also, I don't know whether it was because there were perhaps too many characters, or whether it was that almost all of them were portrayed as somewhat unattractive people, but when I reached the end and learned whodunnit and why, I found I couldn't really care all that much. Smaller complaints include a romantic coincidence that was too hard to see as anything but a literary device, and an evil pursuer who showed up with very little build-up and then quickly gave up trying to pursue our heroine after one try, OK, maybe one and a half tries. It hardly seemed worth the effort. Due to my enjoyment of Skom's earlier books I'll still look forward to her next novel, but I thought this one was a bit underdeveloped.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Murder Mystery
Review: I confess, I was first attracted to this novel because of the title. I had not read an Edith Skom book before but am interested in Dickens as well as mysteries. I am very glad I picked it up and can see now I will have to go back and purchase the other two novels by Skom! The narrative skips about in time some as we spend the first half of the novel living the story of the past (where/when the murder takes place) and then spend the second half with the protagonist as she attempts to solve the mystery. The skipping around in time was not difficult to follow and was actually a refreshing approach to telling the tale. The characters were realistic and the plot was not at all predictable. At one point, one of the characters compares their situation with the plot of Agatha Christie's classic "Ten Little Indians" (also called "And Then There Were None"). Coincidentally, I had read that book, as well, only last month and thought the comparisons valid. Enjoy this book, while I am out looking for others by the same author!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Murder Mystery
Review: I confess, I was first attracted to this novel because of the title. I had not read an Edith Skom book before but am interested in Dickens as well as mysteries. I am very glad I picked it up and can see now I will have to go back and purchase the other two novels by Skom! The narrative skips about in time some as we spend the first half of the novel living the story of the past (where/when the murder takes place) and then spend the second half with the protagonist as she attempts to solve the mystery. The skipping around in time was not difficult to follow and was actually a refreshing approach to telling the tale. The characters were realistic and the plot was not at all predictable. At one point, one of the characters compares their situation with the plot of Agatha Christie's classic "Ten Little Indians" (also called "And Then There Were None"). Coincidentally, I had read that book, as well, only last month and thought the comparisons valid. Enjoy this book, while I am out looking for others by the same author!
Rating:
Summary: Edith Skom's Charles Dickens mystery
Review: I read this book on a driving trip from Chicago to North Carolina with my then-fiancee (now wife) OUT LOUD. We took turns driving or reading and shared the book - not only did we find a great way to spend the long ride, but we discovered yet another of Chicago's hidden treasures (Skom). While I am not a (literary) genius, my wife is, so we were able to enjoy the book on several levels, I for the story of 1940's college life, she for the intricate interplay of Edith Skom's story and Dickens references. The not-to-veiled references to a local University (or two) make this simply a must read for any Chicagoan, especially those alums of certain Universities. . .
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: It was an excellent mystery. I was almost positive I knew who did it, and was shocked at the end to find out I was wrong. I was also sad when I finished and remembered that the characters are not real. I felt like I personally knew them all, and when someone was murdedred I felt as if I had lost a good friend. I would recomend it to everyone.
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