Set amidst Victorian London's seamy, fog-shrouded underworld, Jonathan Barnes' The Somnambulist is a "superb debut [that] raises the bar for historical thrillers" (Publishers Weekly, starred review). Meet Edward Moon, an illusionist and detective who operates solely with the aid of his hulking, mute sidekick. "[A] cheeky tale . salvaged from the sensationalist novels of the past three centuries."-New York Times
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"I was drawn by the title. It's a fun mystery story, a la Sherlock Holmes, with an unreliable narrator (which I don't usually enjoy). It's set in England in Holmes' era, but with a more modern sensibility. I'm happy to have run across this among the new fiction at the library."
— Shelly (4 out of 5 stars)
" I found parts of this novel quite charming, but I tend to be a sucker for stories that play with the language and conventions of the genres they so knowingly inhabit, so again, I liked the first part--the sly pokes at Victorian detective stories--more than the second part, with its inexplicably fantastical conspiracy plot. "
— Danceswithwords, 2/2/2014" I wanted this to be better. I had a hard time caring about the characters, and felt like it wrapped up too quickly. (which is odd considering I felt like it dragged on for the most part.) "
— Elle, 1/24/2014" The writing was good, but the story had too many problems to rate more than a 2 "
— Janet, 1/13/2014" Read this before the Domino Men "
— Monte, 1/12/2014" The prose itself was far superior to the fantasy Edwardian plotline, which quickly fell apart as even the narrator seemed to lose interest in it. I thought the first 1/3 of the book was incredible but was ultimately let down by the story itself. "
— Marsha, 1/11/2014" I really wanted to like this, but I just couldn't bring myself to finish it. It was mildly interesting and perhaps at some other time I could have finished and enjoyed it, but all I could think was that I'd read better. And after all, life's too short to waste on books you don't love or feel compelled to read for some greater purpose. "
— Catelyn, 1/9/2014" LOVING this book! Already don't want it to end. "
— Sarah, 1/1/2014" This book began great and then in the last third turned dull. "
— Matthew, 12/16/2013" Witty, smart and ultimately satisfying. This is a unique read for anyone looking for something different and refreshing. "
— Caleb, 11/4/2013" Listening to after a slow start -- Finally warmed up to it. Liked the alternative reality feel to it. wanted deeper characterization - might read the second one as opposed to listening. "
— Coki, 10/22/2013" Though the book started out like gang busters it slowly started to wind into a long drawn out mystery. At the end there was a good twist but by that time I already stopped caring about any of the characters. "
— Derek, 10/14/2013" Luscious language marred by nonsensical plot. "
— Angi, 10/5/2013" The narrator's voice is a hoot! But the story is SO bizarre-oh that I found myself frustrated. "
— Janalee, 12/11/2012" Witty crime novel set in Victorian London. Not perfect, but highly entertaining. Come to think of it, this might make a great HBO series. I miss "Carnivale." "
— Kim, 11/15/2012" They don't have a "started to read but couldn't finish" category. I like strange and different but this one was too much so. I couldn't get into the story and after laboring through a hundred pages or so I stopped reading. "
— Cherilee, 8/27/2012" Not quite enough of one or the other. The writing and tone is lovely, but it's not tight. If it had had a really good conclusion, I would have given it another star. "
— Incandragon, 3/21/2012" I like the story and some of the ideas. But I could deffo do without the violance. I don't think it fits to the story. "
— Blossom, 7/20/2011" I enjoyed reading this book, but in the end, it left me feeling a bit empty. There are some great moments, though, and I consider it worthwhile. "
— Lois, 3/5/2011" Not your average day crime thriller taking place in post modern futurama London... A good read with some )of course) plot twists to keep you on your toes... "
— Kevin, 3/2/2011" I wanted this to be better. I had a hard time caring about the characters, and felt like it wrapped up too quickly. (which is odd considering I felt like it dragged on for the most part.) "
— Elle, 2/10/2011" This was actually the second reading of this book for me; a friend wanted to talk about it and the details in question were blurry, viewed through the haze of time and hundreds of other books consumed in the interim. <br/>I will watch for more from this author. "
— Kathleen, 1/30/2011" Very fun book, a Victorian era steam punk adventure set in London. "
— Aaron, 1/23/2011" Great start, very disappointing second half. "
— Brad, 1/8/2011Jonathan Barnes, author of the critically acclaimed novel The Somnambulist, graduated from Oxford University with a first in English literature. He reviews for the Times Literary Supplement and lives in London.
John Curless is a theater, film, and television actor. He has appeared on Broadway in Journeys End, The Sound of Music, and The King and I and off-Broadway in Passion Play, Comic Potential, and The Entertainer. His film and television credits include Vibrations, Ed, and NYPD Blue. His audiobook narrations have been awarded two AudioFile Earphones Awards.