I say it's better to read less of the synopsis, because what it mentions happens half into the story and not a the beginning, all you need to know is the reference to Frankenstein with stitched-up someone prowling Chelsea and also UNDEAD HAND! No, really, imagine author added a thing like in Addams Family.
The story also is mainly about characters and less about investigation, even though it's a big part, but it's not a central piece for sure, so don't go looking for a mystery that is all about mystery of whodunnit.
A new unnatural horror is about to rattle Hannah Miles' quiet existence, and it's not the short-tempered viscount prowling the hallways. Someone is creating a monster by stitching together pieces of different people. When a limb makes an escape attempt, Viscount Wycliff is called to investigate. All of London knows there is one mad scientist among them capable of creating such an ungodly monster... Sir Hugh Miles.Hannah's father is suspected of a most heinous crime and she is determined to clear his name, even as Wycliff works to see the murderer hang. Buried secrets that touch all their lives will be brought to the surface. One such secret belongs to Hannah and could tear her world apart.With Hannah and Wycliff on opposing sides, can they find the real monster and will it be the hand that wields the scalpel, or the creature hiding in the dark?
Manners and Monsters. Book 2
Repeating myself again, the accusations towards Sir Hugh happen later in the story when the unrest grows, but no clue of who is Chelsea Monster that horrifies the locals.
The story starts from Wycliff investigating a pretty lively severed limb, that is arm. It is a mystery how it stays animated and lively. In this he reaches for help from Sir Hugh who is now allowing him to dwell as a tenant of sorts. Yes, the wraith Hannah is talking about that she sees at breakfast is no other than Lord Wycliff who is invited to stay with the family.
Hannah is most curious about the interesting find and as she always assists her father in his research she joins to marvel at their new appendige. They manage to find whom the arm belonged to, thanks to the hand itself which proved to be intelligent, but they are led to crematorium and the lead stops there.
But bodies still appear around Chelsea and people start speculating, after all they've seen someone huge prowling around in the dark.
Only with enough time that passed and no new leads that would point out who is doing the experiments, since they point to one source, the hand and the bodies, Sir Hugh is accused of being the Chelsea Monster (all thanks to some vindictive and unsee magistrate who has personal beef with Sir Hugh).
The mystery is resolved rather quickly at the end when we find the most needed clue, but tbh the hint to me was dropped rather early and it was a bit obvious.
Yet the mystery isn't the most shocking part of the story, it's the truth about Hannah and we also find out more about Wycliff.
I'll be honest I did not expect such revelations, it's one thing about Wycliff who is too obvious to be some hell hound. But Hannah is a whole different topic, no wonder the book ends as it ends.
To me I feel the greatest part of their relationship is how rocky it is. Hannah is someone who is quiet and obedient, she has her excitements, but otherwise she an obedient young woman, also kind-hearted. Wycliff on the other hand is quite rough. They had a conflict of interests since day one and still with his involvement in this case it left a mark on her heart. I love the idea that we can go somewhere from here, that we really went through something more than seeing each other just once and then proclaiming about undying love. I adore to see something happening that will slowly build the foundation and from there brick by brick will be built something new, something unexpected and something exciting.
I thank Tilly for her vivid imagination, a lot of cool references and also such a work done on two main characters.
I loved that the story did not invent anything for the story, the characters had their own complex emotions and decisions. It's a great mixed bag family, it's fun and interesting to read about them.
Also, seeing how the next book is called Gossip and Gorgons I can feel that we need to address that lousy newspaper that was mentioned so many times in this book. Because I don't read summaries of books I haven't read yet, not to spoil things, I had no idea what the third book is about and it's about a house party.. seeing back to it her best friend wanted to invite the two of them to a house party, I wonder if it's going to be the one, but seeing how it is described they were invited for ridicule, oh I so want some of them to meet the fists of Wycliff, because he can throw a punch. The society is so blind and cruel to the honorable investigatie work Wycliff does and the research work the Miles family carries, they see none of it and they don't care and we don't care about these petty people.
I left most delicious parts out, I want others also to have a bit of - oh~ - moment.
RATE: 4,25/5.