The Unseeing

by Anna Mazzola
The Unseeing cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Technical:
  • ID: 222
  • Added: 2025-09-04
  • Updated: 2025-09-04
  • ISBN: 9781472234766
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2016-07-14
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
She Reads Novels · 2017-02-16
gripping 4.25

A gripping retelling of a historical murder case that combines meticulous period detail with a nuanced portrayal of the characters and their hidden truths.

This review emphasizes the book’s strength in blending historical fact with fiction to create a compelling narrative about justice and human complexity. The reviewer notes how Anna Mazzola skillfully develops the characters, especially Sarah Gale and Edmund Fleetwood, making their struggles and moral dilemmas deeply engaging. The story’s tension comes from not only the murder mystery but also the emotional and ethical challenges faced by those involved. The writing is praised for its balance of dark themes with a heartfelt exploration of hope and redemption.

Quick quotes

    A gripping retelling of a historical murder case.

    Meticulous period detail brings Victorian London to life.

    The characters’ struggles and moral dilemmas are deeply engaging.

Crime Review · 2016-08-06
atmospheric 4.00

An atmospheric and compelling historical murder mystery that explores the dark and intricate layers of a real Victorian crime with a focus on justice and personal struggle.

The review appreciates the book's strong sense of time and place, evoking the grim and gritty atmosphere of Victorian London vividly. It paints the story as an idealistic yet troubled investigation where the characters’ motivations and secrets drive the narrative forward. The reviewer highlights the moral complexity and emotional depth of the characters, especially the conflicted lawyer and the silent accused woman, making the mystery more than just a crime story but also a psychological exploration. The storytelling is noted for its balance of historical detail and suspenseful plotting.

Quick quotes

    An idealistic young lawyer tries to uncover the truth behind a brutal murder.

    The atmosphere of Victorian London is vividly brought to life.

    The Unseeing is more than a crime story; it’s a psychological exploration.

Nut Press · 2016-07-14
engaging 4.50

The novel immerses readers in Victorian London with rich atmosphere and complex characters, blending a historical crime with a tense investigation filled with family secrets and shifting sympathies.

This review praises the book for its vivid depiction of 1837 London, capturing both the life and the harsh realities of the time. The reviewer highlights the clever writing that keeps the reader guessing about Sarah Gale’s true role and motivations, making it hard to know who to trust, which adds to the suspense. They also commend the emotional depth, noting the empathy the story evokes for Sarah and the lawyer Edmund despite the grim crime at its center. The review acknowledges the graphic nature of the crime but finds the storytelling compelling and engaging, making it a memorable historical mystery.

Quick quotes

    Anna Mazzola’s debut novel managed to immerse me in another world and time.

    It’s hard to know who to trust, who to keep tabs on and who to dismiss as a red herring.

    Despite the terrible descriptions of the crime, I found myself empathising with Sarah Gale.

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