Book Review: A Paroxysm of Fear by Chad Miller

A Paroxysm of Fear by Chad Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5⭐
Genre ~ historical fiction
Series ~ Doyle and Braham, #2 ~ not a standalone, a continuation from book 1
Others in the series ~ The Prisoner of Fear #1
Publication date ~ February 3, 2023
Page Count ~ 241
POV ~ multiple 1st
Featuring ~ 3 part story, titled chapters, historical ~ 1889, animal death (view spoiler)[the act is not shown, but there is dog with a knife protruding in its side (hide spoiler)]

We pick up right where we left off with John Doyle & Thomas Braham off to solve a new mystery that still co-mingles with the previous investigation. Thomas’s 18 year old niece, Scarlett, provides more assistance this time around. We meet a couple other characters along the way ~ Jack McDowell, a friend of Scarlett’s and Officer McQuarters.

Told in diary form with some letters, police reports and excerpts from lab documents sprinkled in. We, also, have the diary from anonymous that keeps us wondering who they are, but I had my inklings even though no names were ever mentioned.

Overall, the switching of the narrators keeps the story flowing along at a steady pace. There was a surprise gruesome ending that shocked and saddened me. It does seem like we’ll get another installment in the series.

*Thanks to the author for sending a paperback copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

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The Prisoner of Fear review

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Book blurb:

Fear and mystery follow me like an unwanted shadow. As the case of my missing friend, Dr. Charles Thorton, has horrifically concluded, a new mystery emerges! My miserable colleague, Thomas Braham and I discovered that Cordelia had been transformed into an abominable monster, and now we are now off on a discovery to find the root of her evil. We are whisked off on many twists and turns as our adventures lead us to lunatic asylums and underground surgical arenas. Our new apprentice, Scarlett, also joins our endeavors as I pray she only acts as our silent observer and resists sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong.

And still, our anonymous prisoner remains. They sit there waiting to be rescued and survive the torment and torture that awaits them. I’m confident they will be discovered, but I worry that the empty cell will be quickly filled by another poor soul.

I say with the greatest of confidence that Thomas, Scarlett, and I will uncover the truth. My fear and anxiety still remain. Sometimes it’s better to let things lie peacefully in ignorance. What sordid and cruel vermin will slither to the surface once we start turning up stones and digging holes? But my curiosity and need for discovery tamps down any trepidation I may have, and besides, I owe it to Dr. Thorton. Pray for us.

To life and light,

John Doyle

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