Ayoh - Shop now
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$4.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

J.C. Briggs
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Quickening and the Dead: Murder and mystery in Victorian London (Charles Dickens Investigations Book 4) Kindle Edition

by J. C. Briggs (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 555 ratings
Charles Dickens and Superintendent Jones are fighting crime once again! Perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes, Victorian crime mysteries, A Christmas Carol and David Copperfield…

Three girls, three deaths — but what connects them…?

London, 1850

Lavinia Gray vanishes on the eve of her wedding and is found drowned. Evie Finch dies of septicaemia in a filthy lodging house. Annie Deverall, a fifteen-year-old milliner’s apprentice is on remand in Newgate, accused of murdering the Doctor Lancelot Plume.

Three young girls' lives have been ruined, but could they be connected somehow?

Charles Dickens visits Annie and is immediately convinced of her innocence. He enlists the help of Superintendent Sam Jones to find the real murderer before Annie goes to trial.

How are the three girls linked to Plume? And if Annie didn’t kill him, who did?

What Charles Dickens uncovers will shock him to his very core…

The Quickening and the Dead is the fourth urban mystery in J. C. Briggs’ literary historical series, the Charles Dickens investigations, a traditional British detective series set in Victorian London.

‘Briggs has captured Dickens’ gift of caricature and sense of the ludicrous side of life. That, taken with the social comment, still as relevant as when he was writing, plus a modern plot, make this a story well worth reading’ — Crime Review

The Charles Dickens Investigations Series:
BOOK ONE: The Murder of Patience Brooke
BOOK TWO: Death at Hungerford Stairs
BOOK THREE: Murder by Ghostlight
BOOK FOUR: The Quickening and the Dead
BOOK FIVE: At Midnight In Venice
BOOK SIX: The Redemption Murders
BOOK SEVEN: The Mystery of the Hawke Sapphires
BOOK EIGHT: The Chinese Puzzle
BOOK NINE: Summons to Murder
BOOK TEN: The Jaggard Case
BOOK ELEVEN: The Waxwork Man
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 4 of 11
    Charles Dickens Investigations
  2. Print length
    329 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    April 11, 2019
  6. File size
    2.0 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 11 books in this series.

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
Next page
Loading...

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07MVKT4S2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 11, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 329 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1912786886
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 4 of 11 ‏ : ‎ Charles Dickens Investigations
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 555 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
J.C. Briggs

J.C. Briggs

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

I write historical crime fiction. My amateur detective is the great Victorian novelist, Charles Dickens. Dickens was fascinated by crime and murder. He went out with the London Police into the grim slums of London and visited the police stations to see how they all worked. According to a recent biographer, Dickens would have enjoyed being a detective. I gave him his wish. He makes a good detective - he is very observant, very clever at working out motive and following the clues with his partner, Superintendent Jones of Bow Street.

Victorian London is a great setting for a murder mystery - all that fog and very sinister alleys. It is fascinating to research the period from Dickens's own novels, the biographies and Dickens's letters. I like to know what he's up to in the periods of his life when the stories take place. All the books are based on something which really happened in Dickens's life. He set up a home for fallen women. I wondered what he would do if one of the girls was murdered and that was the idea for the first book.

When I'm not reading Dickens or writing Dickens, I give talks about him and other Victorian novelists and enjoy my garden in the Yorkshire Dales.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
555 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's multi-layered mysteries and engaging plots, with one review noting its detailed descriptions of Victorian London. The writing style receives positive feedback, with one customer describing it as a woven tapestry of words. They appreciate the incredible evocative descriptions of Victorian England and find the characters well-developed.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

9 customers mention "Mystery content"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the mystery content of the book, praising its engaging plots and multi-layered storylines.

"...There is the melancholy & heartbreak, the simple joys of life that are taken for granted, and those who never see that which they do not want..." Read more

"A great mystery with all the gritty I!ages of life in Sickens time...." Read more

"...This series will be of particular interest to readers who enjoy the writing of Charles Dickens. I’m looking forward to reading the final volume...." Read more

"Well written series with great characters, well developed plots, and detailed descriptions of Dickensian London...." Read more

5 customers mention "Character development"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one customer noting the detailed descriptions of Dickensian London.

"...Enclosed within is murder, innocence, and guilt. Familiar characters revisit these pages, the ones that I have come to regard as friends,..." Read more

"I love reading this series as it is so well done. The characters, the settings, the marvelous descriptions of people, the accuracy of the dismal..." Read more

"Well written series with great characters, well developed plots, and detailed descriptions of Dickensian London...." Read more

"I love the writing style, the short chapters and the characters . Great book. The series just keeps getting better." Read more

4 customers mention "Era"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's portrayal of Victorian England, with one noting how well-drawn the characters are.

"MS. Briggs is so successful at describing Victorian England and Charles Dickens, that I often feel I've been inserted into.a Dickens novel...." Read more

"...of the dismal lives of the unfortunate poor are all excellent reflections of the Victorian era...." Read more

"I have enjoyed this series. The characters and the Victorian world are well drawn...." Read more

"Good mystery, great Victorian atmosphere..." Read more

4 customers mention "Readability"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable, with one mentioning it's part of an interesting series.

"I have absolutely enjoyed this book & all the books of the series. I can only hope that JC Briggs offers more in the future!..." Read more

"I have enjoyed this series. The characters and the Victorian world are well drawn...." Read more

"I love the writing style, the short chapters and the characters . Great book. The series just keeps getting better." Read more

"Interesting series..." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing style"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, with one describing it as well written and another noting its woven tapestries of words.

"...These books are woven tapestries of words providing hours of reading and hours more of thought...." Read more

"Well written series with great characters, well developed plots, and detailed descriptions of Dickensian London...." Read more

"I love the writing style, the short chapters and the characters . Great book. The series just keeps getting better." Read more

"Evocative and talented author who continues to weave engaging plots and create an incredibly evocative description of Victorian England..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerizing
    Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I have absolutely enjoyed this book & all the books of the series. I can only hope that JC Briggs offers more in the future! The descriptive genius of Dickens flows forth from the pen of the author. There is the melancholy & heartbreak, the simple joys of life that are taken for granted, and those who never see that which they do not want wrapped up within these pages. Enclosed within is murder, innocence, and guilt.
    Familiar characters revisit these pages, the ones that I have come to regard as friends, almost family. Inspector Jones, Sargeant Rogers, the Feaks, the Scruggs, Elizabeth, Eleanor, Tom, Poll, and Scrap...so many who have captured my heart. These books are woven tapestries of words providing hours of reading and hours more of thought.
    I highly recommend this book & the other books in the series for your reading enjoyment. I do not believe that you can read just one so start with the Murder of Patience Brooks and become as addicted as I have!
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Susan
    4.0 out of 5 stars Evocative and talented author who continues to weave engaging plots and create an incredibly evocative description of Victorian England
    Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    MS. Briggs is so successful at describing Victorian England and Charles Dickens, that I often feel I've been inserted into.a Dickens novel. At times, I a! Slightly
    Helpful
     Report
  • Michigan Book Fan
    5.0 out of 5 stars A well written tale of London in the 1850's
    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A great mystery with all the gritty I!ages of life in Sickens time. I love how the author doesn't try to sugar coat Dicken's marriage or his tendency toward melancholy. Instead she shows him as a celebrated young man whose miserable childhood gave him a great compassion for the poor and abused populace of London, especially children and women.

    In this volume, Dicken's and his good friend Superintendent Jones try to uncover the truth about the murder of a fashionable London doctor with the help of clever Scrap, a clever street urchin who has grown fond of the superintendent and his lovely wife.

    Ok enjoy the warm relationship between Samuel Jones and his wife, and wish Sickens had had the same with his own wife,Catherine.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Pat Hanson
    5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite of the series so far
    Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I love reading this series as it is so well done. The characters, the settings, the marvelous descriptions of people, the accuracy of the dismal lives of the unfortunate poor are all excellent reflections of the Victorian era. This series will be of particular interest to readers who enjoy the writing of Charles Dickens. I’m looking forward to reading the final volume. Well done indeed.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting series
    Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Well written series with great characters, well developed plots, and detailed descriptions of Dickensian London. Really enjoy the historical notes after the stories as well.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Yvonne Victoria Erickson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun with great historical detail
    Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I have enjoyed this series. The characters and the Victorian world are well drawn. I was intrigued by the portrayal of Dickens as a melancholy and lonely figure. The mysteries are fun. Good reads!
    Helpful
     Report
  • Book Reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good mystery, great Victorian atmosphere
    Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The author does a wonderful job calling forth not just the poverty of 1800s London, but also everyday life and social interactions. The mystery is multi-layered and kept my interest.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Librarian
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tears and smiles
    Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A wonderful tale that allows those fond of Dickens to experience additional stories and to learn more about the man.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Spell binding!
    Reviewed in Canada on December 24, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Visually graphic and verbally spell binding! It draws you in. Can't put the book down until it is finished. Would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Dicken's time period and a good mystery.
    Report
  • Cathy W
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoying this series
    Reviewed in Australia on August 2, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Love a knowledgeable author and a well-researched setting! Plots that gradually unfurl, nets of clues that crisscross to link people and events, familiar characters and new ones to delve into, and a credible portrait of Dickens, to boot. Thoroughly recommend these books - especially as a nourishing respite from shallow 'cosies' which rely entirely on coincidence and foolhardy heroines. Briggs' characters each bring something to the tale, each piece of the jigsaw has to be uncovered and fitted into place - and the attitudes and mores of the time are faithfully rendered. Start at Book 1 and enjoy!
    Report
  • witch
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great stories, well written
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoy a good historical police whodunit. This series just gets better with each book. They are well written, well researched with great characters. The friendship between Sam the police superintendent and Charles Dickens, is so well done. They work so well together and respect each other. Great characters, great stories, really good author, hope this series continues for a long time.
    Report
  • randj
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Writing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I have been reading this series in order and feel like they just get better. I loved this book and I really enjoy having Charles Dickens in the story. It is great to read the notes from the author at the end.
    Report
  • Diane Goodyear
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good twist at the end
    Reviewed in Canada on May 16, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Relaxing reading
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report