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Sarah Pinborough
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Mayhem: Mayhem and Murder Book I Kindle Edition

by Sarah Pinborough (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 442 ratings

From the Number One bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes. Delve into a gaslit London, where Jack the Ripper is making headlines, but another, much more dangerous, madman is on the loose.

When a rotting torso is discovered in the vault of New Scotland Yard, it doesn't take Dr Thomas Bond, Police Surgeon, long to realise that there is a second killer at work in the city where, only a few days before, Jack the Ripper brutally murdered two women in one night.

This is the hand of a colder killer, one who lacks Jack's emotion.

And, as more headless and limbless torsos find their way into the Thames, Dr Bond becomes obsessed with finding the killer. As his investigations lead him into an unholy alliance, he starts to wonder:

Is it a man who has brought mayhem to the streets of London, or a monster?

'A compulsively readable story that starts as a conventional murder mystery and morphs, by degrees, into a horrifying supernatural thriller' Guardian

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  1. Print length
    321 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Arcadia
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    April 25, 2013
  6. File size
    3.6 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Mayhem

"Sarah Pinborough deftly trawls through the muck of Victorian London in Mayhem, a graphic tale about a series of murders contemporaneous to Jack the Ripper's crimes . . . English horror and fantasy writer Sarah Pinborough breaks new ground in "Mayhem," her 12th novel, by exploring several murders that occurred contemporaneously with the Ripper crimes . . . Although the news stories and a letter signed by Jack the Ripper, interspersed throughout the novel, lend authenticity to and place the murders in context, Mayhem's greater achievement is in its deft portrayal of the divergent social classes in Victorian London that gave rise to the Thames Torso Killer and the men who hunted him."—Paula L. Woods, The Los Angeles Times

“In this chilling exploration of madness and evil, Pinborough excels at summoning up the bleak spirit of Victorian London’s mean streets and those forced to fight for survival there.” — Publishers Weekly (starred) 

"If you enjoy a true crime-novel combo, don’t pass on the newest work from British-born author Sarah Pinborough, who takes a cue from Dean Koontz in composing a new supernatural-whodunit-polyphonic thriller for those not of the faint of heart."—John Henry, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram 

“Masterfully . . . Mayhem is a beautifully rendered exploration of madness in all its forms. The author takes sleight of hand to new heights. She makes the mean streets of Victorian London all too real. It’s a demanding, moody horror story with a shocking twist.”—Irma Heldman, Open Letters Monthly

Praise for Sarah Pinborough

"Few writers blend mystery and the supernatural as well as Sarah Pinborough, but there are none who do it better. Quite, quite brilliant."—John Connolly

"Pinborough’s fiction moves at a breakneck pace. Once you start, you can’t stop." —Sarah Langan

"She rides the line between gritty realism and otherworldly weirdness without ever toppling over." —SFX

"Mayhem is a disturbingly engrossing Victorian horror with a standout, menacing villain. Never have I known a smile to be so sinister and rancid, but Pinborough’s prose prove the gesture to be something terrifyingly palpable. This genre-defying novel is a ravenous read and will have you as insatiable as the malicious mischief-maker that awaits you in its pages.”—BookPage

"a taut late Victorian crime thriller with a stunning Eastern European spin. The inclusion of world-wide nespaper coverage of the first known serial killers adds fascinating macabre shock and depth; mindful of the Son of Sam coverage. Readers will relish this tense twisting historical whodunit."—Harriet Klausner, Midwest Book Review

"Mayhem is a terrific piece of sustained writing, taking the tired streets of fictional Victorian London and reinvigorating them through the introduction of an ancient enemy. It’s well worth reading whether as historical true crime fiction or as a supernatural thriller."—David Marshall, Thinking About Books


From the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Sarah Pinborough is a critically acclaimed horror, thriller and young adult author. Her short stories have appeared in several anthologies. Her novel The Hidden is currently in development as the movie Cracked, and she has another original screenplay under option. She has written for New Tricks on the BBC and has a three-part TV series in development with World Productions. She was the 2009 winner of the British Fantasy Award for Best Short Story, and has been short-listed three times for Best Novel. Her novella The Language of Dying was short-listed for the Shirley Jackson Award, and won the 2010 British Fantasy Award for Best Novella.
 


From the Hardcover edition.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00BTEWYEG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Arcadia
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 25, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.6 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 321 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1780871271
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 442 ratings

About the author

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Sarah Pinborough

Sarah Pinborough

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Sarah Pinborough is a New York Times bestselling and Sunday Times Number one and Internationally bestselling author who is published in over 25 territories worldwide. Having published more than 25 novels across various genres, her recent books include Behind Her Eyes which will air on Netflix in January 2021, Cross Her Heart, in development for UK television, and 13 Minutes in development with Netflix.

Sarah was the 2009 winner of the British Fantasy Award for Best Short Story and also the 2010 and 2014 winner of the British Fantasy Award for Best Novella, and she has four times been short-listed for Best Novel. She is also a screenwriter who has written for the BBC and is currently working on three TV projects and the film adaptation of her novel The Death House.

Her latest novel, DEAD TO HER and is a dark and twisty, sexy tale of hidden secrets and revenge in high society Savannah and has been sold for TV in the US.

Sarah lives in the historic town of Stony Stratford, the home of the Cock and Bull story, with her dog Ted.

You can follow her on Twitter @sarahpinborough

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
442 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a fun summer read with an atmospheric setting and well-developed characters. They appreciate the creepiness of the story, with one customer describing it as "utterly creepy."

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16 customers mention "Story quality"13 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, finding it a compelling and fun summer read, with one customer describing it as a well-written creepfest.

"Exceptional read! Victorian London at it's grimy, gloomy best...." Read more

"...Page turner, great fun!" Read more

"This was an intricate story that came together in the end. Can't wait to read the next one. Great read!" Read more

"It's a well-written story, very engaging and thrilling. I liked it so much that I immediately ordered the sequentie." Read more

3 customers mention "Atmosphere"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the atmosphere of the book.

"The characters were nicely done and there was lots of atmosphere so I give the book a 2 rating. The plotting was all over the map, literally...." Read more

"...Great story, well written, very atmospheric. And utterly creepy!" Read more

"Atmospheric!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one noting the essential brokenness of the main character.

"...I loved the essential broken-ness of the main character, made his victory that much the sweeter...." Read more

"The characters were nicely done and there was lots of atmosphere so I give the book a 2 rating. The plotting was all over the map, literally...." Read more

"London captured, characters realized, plot thickened, mayhem ensues. Wonderfully wicked." Read more

3 customers mention "Creepiness"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book creepy, with one mentioning its supernatural elements.

"...The author sets up a nicely creepy atmosphere, as characters begin to suspect each other as the murderer, and a slight undercurrent of paranoia..." Read more

"...Great story, well written, very atmospheric. And utterly creepy!" Read more

"A great mix of historical fiction, suspense and the supernatural!! I read it in 2 days and could hardly put it down." Read more

3 customers mention "Idea"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the concept of the book interesting, with one describing it as wonderfully wicked.

"...Victorian London at it's grimy, gloomy best. Very interesting idea to set it in the time of The Ripper but not only not make him the villain of..." Read more

"...Wonderfully wicked." Read more

"Surprisingly Unique..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • JS1
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well-written creepfest
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    If you thought you had already heard all of the possible explanations for the Jack the Ripper murders, you were wrong. Immerse yourselves in this heart-pounding first person bloody account of what happened in late 1800's Whitehall, England.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • jaydynomite
    5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Unique
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book thinking it was a common semi-historical fiction/mystery. While several of the characters are loosely based on actual personages of historical significance (to steal a line from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure), the story veers from the mundane mystery and comes close to charting a course for the horror/sci-fi realm.

    Pinborough makes it work, though, and even if you fail to really care about any of the characters, the book is still a good read. The author sets up a nicely creepy atmosphere, as characters begin to suspect each other as the murderer, and a slight undercurrent of paranoia seeps in. The ending is decent, but not particularly satisfying. The long hoped for closure does not occur, and the reader is pleasantly forced to buy the next book.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Atmospheric!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Really wonderful use of language . Not only did the author make Victorian England visible, she made us smell it!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars When It's Over (hey another reference to Loverboy)
    Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    It's difficult to determine if this book will be great or not. Because of the sequel, I need to read the next book to determine if the story, when complete, when it's over will be all that it could be. So far, so good. This author is starting to really grow in me. Read the next book - Murder, and I will give a full review. This review is an OPINION. I review books because author's ask me to. I am a READER not a WRITER. Frankly, it's more work than I enjoy. Any grammar mistakes are my own and irrelevant. I am only the lowly reader. So if you dislike my reviews, write my English teacher. Read and review the book, not the reviewer.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Muklowd
    5.0 out of 5 stars FANtastic!!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Exceptional read! Victorian London at it's grimy, gloomy best. Very interesting idea to set it in the time of The Ripper but not only not make him the villain of the story, but have the true villain be far worse than Jack. I loved the essential broken-ness of the main character, made his victory that much the sweeter. I am very much looking forward to reading the sequel.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Dale Knickerbocker
    4.0 out of 5 stars period piece-horror-detective-urban fantasy
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Want to travel back to Victorian London, smell the soot, and feel the fear surrounding not just one (Jack the Ripper) but two serial killers? Pinborough delivers, as forensic physician tracks down a--supernatural?--gruesome killer. Page turner, great fun!
    One person found this helpful
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  • phishgurl
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Started out better than it finished.
    One person found this helpful
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  • KJ
    5.0 out of 5 stars Intensely woven.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This was an intricate story that came together in the end. Can't wait to read the next one. Great read!
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • ArrowPen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ein Thriller aus der Zeit Jack the Rippers ... herausragend recherchiert und mit Übernatürlichem gewürzt
    Reviewed in Germany on February 23, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Ich stieß in einem englischen Kinomagazin auf die Besprechung des Romans "Mayhem" und fühlte mich sofort angesprochen. Das viktorianische London besitzt seit jeher (im Grunde wohl seit ich die Sherlock Holmes Romane und Dracula gelesen habe) eine große Faszination für mich.

    Sarah Pinborough liefert mit ihrem Roman eine wunderbare Leistung ab - angesiedelt zwischen verschiedenen Genres führt sie den Leser gekonnt in die Tiefen des Abgrunds in Londons Straßen. Das Buch ist Kriminalroman (basierend auf den Thames Torso Morden, die zur gleichen Zeit wie Jack the Rippers Morde erfolgten, aber nicht ganz so bekannt wurden), der reale Personen der Zeit auftreten läßt, z.B. Dr Thomas Bond, der damals für die Polizei arbeitete und gewissermaßen einer der ersten Profiler war.

    Des Weiteren ist es ein Schauerroman, der mit sanftem Grusel besticht, wohingegen die Beschreibungen der Morde nicht für jeden appetitlich zu lesen sein dürften.

    Ich hatte großen Spaß an diesem Roman, den ich an einem Wochenendmorgen verschlang. Ein weiterer Roman um Dr Bond ist in Vorbereitung. Und auf diesen freue ich mich bereits.
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  • a. m.
    4.0 out of 5 stars a good plot
    Reviewed in Italy on November 12, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    If you like mystery with a touch (or more) of the supernatural this is a book for you. It is well-written with a well-devised plot. I loved it!
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  • koontzie
    5.0 out of 5 stars a very dark and compelling story
    Reviewed in France on August 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    First and foremost, I want to say that "Mahyem" and "Murder" are meant to be read together! Unfortunately, "Murder" does not appear to have been translated into French (seriously?? It's a bit like deciding to only translate half of a book, leaving readers with a terrible sense of unfinished business! Please, whoever makes those decisions: translate "Murder" as well!), but for those who can read in English: make sure to order both books! Certainly, "Mahyem" can be read as a standalone, but it would be such a shame to deprive oneself of the darker and more terrifying sequel that provides answers to what's merely suggested in "Mayhem". "Murder," on the other hand, cannot be read as a standalone: it is a direct continuation of the events that took place in "Mayhem."

    I have chosen to review these two novels as one, because in my mind, they are inseparable.

    Sarah Pinborough immerses us in the dark universe of Jack the Ripper. While the infamous serial killer plagues Whitechapel, other terrifying murders occur. Dr. Bond, convinced that this second killer is even more malevolent than the first, will do everything in his power to unmask him. He does not realize how much his investigation will eventually impact his life, that of his loved ones, as well as his convictions as a perfectly rational man of science. For evil does indeed roam London, an ancient evil from afar that grows stronger with each murder, and which could be much closer to home than anyone could have imagined...

    I loved the way Sarah Pinborough managed to incorporate supernatural elements into historical facts and to blur the boundaries between good and evil. The plot was a very complex one (as all Pinborough's stories are!), the descriptions very immersive, and the characters truly multi-dimensional (in every sense of the word! ;)). The utterly oppressive atmosphere created a sense of deep unease in me, that lingered hours after I had finished reading. The ending? Chilling and masterful!
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  • Steam Computer
    2.0 out of 5 stars Jacks timmid half brother .....
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 6, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoy a good read and historical fact or fiction is something that I love ...
    But this book I have found to be a struggle .....Its not a book I cant put down ..in deed it is fast becoming a book I don't think to pick up ..
    I am half way through and although there have already been quite a few things happen that should be of interest and keep me engaged ..I am left thinking when will it start to get interesting or even develop a discernible plot ?

    There is allot of "grimy London" , "dark London" , "Chilling air" "the streets felt dark and murderous tonight"...etc etc ..but I am left without the accompanying feeling of being involved or swept up in that moment the story or characters ...

    If you cant make Victorian London engaging then you are indeed lacking

    My advice would be to buy a book on the history of Jack the ripper and be gripped and shocked by what really happened ..not by a book shirt tailing off of that moment in time ....
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  • Jack
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lost my head...Fantastic! [SPOILERS]
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 10, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Okay, so I have a lot to say about this book, so buckle up. (PS: I love spoilers SO READER BEWARE!)

    I have read too many books about Jack the Ripper, and it comes to a point, in every young weirdo's life when you actually are sort of proud of your fascination with mutilated prostitutes. I find the whole bloody affair very interesting, and sometimes, when I want to write reviews of Ripper related books I sort of don't feel entitled to voice my opinion, mainly through fear of some old intellectual bloke yelling at me, and telling me I'm obviously wrong, because I'm only twenty three. Needless to day, Victorian London is my thing. But the thing that I enjoy most about Jack the Ripper, is that everyone can have their own opinion; you can think what you like and you can't technically be wrong. London's finest couldn't solve it, and neither can we. This is also why I love different fictional accounts of this period: two of which I have not long read are The Candle Man by Alex Scarrow, and The Yard by Alex Grecian. Both very different, both enjoyable. I am not an academic on the subject by any means, but I am a writer, and a reader, and like any Tom, Dick or Harry with a say, I know what I like.

    I think anyone with a brain knows that marketing a book with `Jack the Ripper' thrown in there somewhere, will definitely appeal to a certain kind of audience - there is a market for it, which is why books of this nature keep being made. I've read a lot of reviews of Grecian's The Yard, and I'm not really sure if I agree with them. I thought the book was good, but not brilliant. Yes, I'm a snob with an opinion, thank you very much. Everyone else seemed to love the book, and while I did enjoy bits of it, I wasn't blown away. I thoroughly enjoyed The Candle Man, but I read quite a few reviews that said it was a bit naff, because of the books' framing device of having it set on the decks of the RMS Titanic was clunky. I enjoyed that very much. I really liked the book, and enjoy re-tellings of sorts or alternate tellings anyway.

    Then I read Mayhem by Sarah Pinborough.

    I recently tweeted Miss Pinborough at my enjoyment of the first few chapters of the book and she was kind enough to thank me. I'm quite aware that she doesn't need someone like me telling her that her book is good, for I am a simple Welsh boy with dreams of writing a book one day too. She replied all the same, which was nice. So now, I'm going to be nice. Some guy on the street actually said to me yesterday: "It's nice to be nice..." and I just smiled and waddled away. So here goes.

    This book is friggin awesome. It seems to me, quite a task to write a horror book set in London 1888 and not mention Jack the Ripper, obviously. But this book is not about Jack - and sure he gets his mention every now and again, and how could he not? - but to write a book and have Jack in the background, I found quite a feat. When I read The Yard, I wanted Jack to jump up and kill everyone, that would have been lovely. But very rarely can a writer suck you into a world of eerie dark and moisture, a snapshot of time so focused on the murderous actions of one man, and have him be a background element to the whole book. Simply fantastic. I found myself forgetting about Jack the Ripper, and flicking page after page to find out more about this gentleman who enjoys hacking people to bits and dumping them in the Thames. I took this book to work, to the bathroom, to lunch - everywhere. And I started the book a good few days ago, but I re-read chapters, I re-read different interactions between characters, because the world Pinborough has created, although familiar, is utterly and delightful unknown. And speaking of moisture, what texture this book has - London is wet, and slick, and sweaty and sticky and you can feel it.

    Doctor Thomas Bond. What a gent. What a protagonist. Finally (and I put this down to being inside his head) someone I can relate to. Running around dark streets, followed by a man with a gimpy arm and a mental Polish hairdresser - how many of us have been in that exact situation. I know I have. These three together are quite a cool little trio, and I could picture all three of them in my head whenever they spoke. But Dr. Bond, in particular, is so well written, such a fleshed-out character, pun intended, and someone I actually cared about by the end of the story. I wanted him to quit the opium dens, I wanted him to find love in Juliana, I wanted him happy.

    There is murder afoot in the city I love so much, and it ain't Jack who's ripping these people apart. It's James bloody Harrington! There I said it! He was the killer all along! And arguably, my favourite part of the story all together. Mayhem is split into three books and it is at the start of Book Two that we get a little bit of back-story on Mr. Harrington. I loved this part of the book, I loved the suspicious death of his parents, the fleeting trip to Paris that actually opens the book, and the first encounter with the true demon of this tale: The Upir. I love all things supernatural, but I haven't read much supernatural horror historical fiction before. Not that I can think of off the top of my head anyway. One thing I did love however, was how this demon, this malicious mayhem seeker just crawls through the story as almost a side character, whilst being the puppet-master of all these horrible events.

    I have read a few reviews of Mayhem also, and some people commented on how ineffective it can be to expose your villain half way through the story. I didn't feel that way at all. Not only was I expecting and suspecting every bugger who showed up to be linked to the Upir, but I found the back-story of James' travels utterly fascinating. In a way it was quite sad - this young gent, off on his travels, only to be hijacked by a demon, sent home by torch-wielding villagers and killing every woman you've ever met. It was around this point I wanted to smack the American, Edward with a crowbar. "Go to Poland," he said, "You'll simply adore it!" he said. Damn Edward and everything he stands for. He forgot to mention the soul sucking parasite at the bottom of the river. There were times when I wanted James to break free of this monster, who insidiously lingers between flesh and shadow, and whisk Juliana away from the evils of the city. I wanted happiness for him also. Then, the moment I was waiting for came all too soon as I raced towards the finale of the story - and I actually found myself caring for James Harrington, I waited for Bond to save him. And, of course, what Thomas Bond sees, that I could finally see in Harrington is that he is scarred. Harrington has spent so long attached to this monster that he is no longer James Harrington, he is twisted, and afflicted and, saddest of all, unrepentant. Bond is forced to kill him, to protect those he loves, to protect the baby growing inside Juliana, even after the Upir is sent back to the depths.

    Here I should talk about my other favourite characters, because there were nice little snippets from a few. I really liked seeing Juliana and James Harrington together, and I loved the scenes where they eat around the table. I really liked Charles Hebbert, and for some reason, even after I knew James was our leading villain, I still thought Charles might pop up somewhere and confess something dreadful. He seemed to fade out towards the end, mainly because of his overwhelming relationship with London itself: the stress, the darkness, the drink, the nightmares. There is a scene towards the beginning of the book where Bond goes to Hebbert's for dinner, and they share a rather nice moment in the study where Charles confesses a worry for the safety of Juliana in such dreadful times. For some reason it really hit me, quite early on. What he said about being unable to stare out the windows through fear of the darkness creeping in was very eerie. I really liked him, and I'd like to see more. I liked Mary also, as a woman simply fearing for the safety of those around her, particularly Charles. This is also where I shall utter two syllables that bring me joy: Chi-Chi. I shall say no more.

    Pinborough litters the book itself with clippings from newspapers that tell us key facts about the murders and what's going on around our main characters. To me this was simple, elegant and very effective. I seemed to appreciate it most when hearing from Queen Victoria, but mostly to reveal Elizabeth Jackson's murder. When James finally catches up with her, this young maid from his past, even after telling her, should he ever return she should flee for her life, we are left, suspended, for only a few chapters before we find out that it is Elizabeth, in fact, who has died at Harrington's hand. In fact, that is where we leave Elizabeth: stretching out a trembling hand, knowing she will die in James'. I honestly thought that James would fight the demon, and force Elizabeth out of the city, and when the newspaper clipping appears saying her body had been discovered I was sad indeed. That's when I got mad at James. Then I felt sorry for him again. A whole plethora of emotions.

    I read elsewhere that Pinborough's book was not fast paced, and some people thought the beginning was slow, then maybe the middle was slow, then the ending was slow - well I for one think that's bollocks. Sorry that twenty people don't die in a plane crash, or trapped on an island, then the car chase happens, then the bomb goes off and then main characters don't have a torrid love affair. This is Victorian London for Christ sake, intimate dinners and dark alleys and opium dens are where are all the bodies are buried and secrets revealed. If it ain't Fifty Shades these days some people don't seem to want to know. But that's them. They'll miss out.

    The back of the book tells us there will be a sequel (hopefully a trilogy) to Mayhem, entitled Murder, which made me smile as soon as I read it. And all I ask, Sarah, if you be out there, tell me something! Tell me something about these characters, a tagline, a plot synopsis, the whole damn book? 2015 is so far away. What I do know, however, is that I wont be forgetting this book in a hurry. So when 2015 finally does roll around, I'll pre-order Murder with a grin from ear to ear.

    Thanks for one hell of a ride.
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