Book Review: The Satyr's Dance

I did what you're not supposed to do and started at the end of a series. But it was a delightful read, and now I'm going to go back and read the first two books in Dolman's Atticus and Lucie Fox series.

The Satyr's Dance is a Gothic murder-mystery set in Victorian-era Britain, with mystic and esoteric vibes, very suited to the time period. Atticus Fox, investigator and friend of the local constabulary, is aided in his endeavors by his wife Lucie - who has a significantly stronger stomach and a sterner will than Fox does. They make an admirable team, untangling a lot of mysterious and dangerous threads as the number of attack and murder victims increases and police are unable (or unwilling) to help.

This story begins with a traveling freak show and works its way through the fight over the evolution of humanity, the conflict between the Church and the occult, and the desire for revenge that afflicts everyone from the lowest poorhouse resident to the highest member of the aristocracy.

There is a fair amount of violence and gore, and some of it is graphic - but mostly in a clinical manner as the investigation is underway. There are also the usual Victorian-era prejudices, as evidenced by the words and behavior of several characters.

This is an intriguing story whose characters are believable for their era and whose difficulties set the reader to pondering the darker side of humanity. Definitely worth a read.