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Carol Hedges
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Death & Dominion (The Victorian Detectives Book 3) Kindle Edition

by Carol Hedges (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 785 ratings
When Detectives Stride & Cully are called in to investigate a fatal case of arsenic poisoning, they quickly realise that there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. Despite their best efforts, secrets and lies will dog the investigation and frustrate their efforts. It will take all the skill and ingenuity of two of Scotland Yard's finest to get to the truth of the matter.

Meanwhile London is playing host to two enigmatic strangers: Darkly handsome Mark Hawksley has come to enrich himself at the expense of the gullible and greedy by selling fake shares in a bogus diamond mine company. Beautiful Belinda Kite has come to find excitement and adventure, and maybe bag herself the prize of a rich husband in the process. What will happen when their paths cross?

Murder, love, trickery and false identities abound in this third Victorian crime novel, set once again in the foggy gas-lit streets and twisting alleyways of 1860s London.

Praise for Diamonds & Dust:“…a vivid page turner…”~ Historical Novel Review

Praise for Honour & Obey: “Carol Hedges has again delivered a book which is written to be devoured in one sitting.” ~ A Woman’s Wisdom
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  1. Book 3 of 11
    The Victorian Detectives
  2. Print length
    283 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    January 13, 2016
  6. File size
    3.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01ALAB1Z6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little G Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 13, 2016
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.4 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 283 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 3 of 11 ‏ : ‎ The Victorian Detectives
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 785 ratings

About the author

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Carol Hedges

Carol Hedges

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Carol Hedges (1950 - )

Carol Hedges is the successful UK writer of 18 books for Teenagers/Young Adults and Adults. Her writing has received much critical acclaim, and her novel Jigsaw was long-listed for the Carnegie Medal.

Her Ebook Jigsaw Pieces, which deals unflinchingly with many of the problems that beset today's teens, is available on Amazon as is her Dystopic Fantasy The Last Virus

Carol is the writer of 'The Victorian Detectives' ~ a series of novels set in 1860s London and featuring Detective Inspector Leo Stride and his side-kick Detective Sergeant Jack Cully.

The ten books in the series are:

Diamonds & Dust

Honour & Obey

Death & Dominion

Rack & Ruin

Wonders & Wickedness

Fear & Phantoms

Intrigue & Infamy

Fame & Fortune

Desire & Deceit

Murder & Mischief

She is also the author of the 'Spy Girl' series ~ a Middle Grade/YA set of 5 books featuring Jazmin Dawson, the female 'Alex Rider'

The five books in the series are:

The Dark Side of Midnight

Out of the Shadows

Once Upon a Crime

Dead Man Talking

Ready Deadly Go

All her books are published by Little G Books and are available via Amazon in print and ebook.

Carol Hedges lives in Hertfordshire with a Tortie-Siamese cat called Halley and a lot of pond fish. When not writing/sleeping/trying to resist cake, she tutors A level and GCSE English Literature. She campaigns as chair of a local action group to save a community urban green space from possible development. She also minds her two grandchildren, one of whom is the star of the Award Winning series of blogs: The Adventures of L-Plate Gran

Bits of her writing life can be viewed on her Blog: http://carolhedges.blogspot.com

Visit her unusual Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thecuriousVictorian/

Find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caroljhedges/

On Twitter: @riotgrandma72

On Mastodon: @Riotgrandma72@Mastodon.social

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
785 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the twists and turns in this Victorian mystery novel, with one review describing it as a gripping exploration of London. The book features well-developed characters that customers love.

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TwistsCharacter development
7 customers mention "Twists"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the twists and turns in this Victorian mystery novel, with one customer highlighting the compelling narrative of murder and another noting the gripping exploration of Victorian London.

"...At its heart lies a dark and compelling narrative of murder, where human nature reveals its stark contrasts—cruelty and kindness, despair and hope,..." Read more

"...I also enjoyed the Belinda Kite subplot. This "lady's companion" with a murky past is a great mix of vulnerability and daring...." Read more

"Another excellent novel by Carol Hedges. I truly enjoyed the characters and the story...." Read more

"...Synopsis: Murder, love, trickery and false identities abound in this third Victorian crime novel, set once again in the foggy gas-lit streets and..." Read more

5 customers mention "Character development"5 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book.

"...You will love the characters as well as the environment of time and place. Enjoy!" Read more

"Another excellent novel by Carol Hedges. I truly enjoyed the characters and the story...." Read more

"Great fast read and I love the characters. Love all the books in the series so far...." Read more

"I really enjoyed this book. It has à lot of twists and turns. Interesting characters...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Roberto
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Journey into Victorian London’s Shadows
    Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This gripping exploration of Victorian London immerses readers in a world of foggy streets, grand mansions, and grim alleyways, offering a richly detailed portrait of a society in flux. At its heart lies a dark and compelling narrative of murder, where human nature reveals its stark contrasts—cruelty and kindness, despair and hope, brutality and tenderness.

    The author masterfully evokes the atmosphere of the period, painting vivid pictures of both the opulent lives of the upper class and the harsh realities of the underprivileged. The city becomes a living, breathing entity, its sprawling streets and shadowy corners hiding secrets that beg to be uncovered. The attention to detail is remarkable, from the cobblestones slick with rain to the gas lamps casting eerie glows, all of which bring the setting to life.

    The story follows the tireless efforts of a team of police officers tasked with solving crimes. These characters are complex and human, grappling with their own doubts, prejudices, and personal demons. The officers’ determination to seek justice, often in the face of significant obstacles, underscores themes of resilience and morality in a society rife with inequality and corruption. Their interactions with the diverse cast of characters—beggars, laborers, and shopkeepers—highlight the vast spectrum of human behavior and the interconnectedness of Victorian life.

    What truly elevates the narrative is its deep psychological insight into the motives and emotions of both victims and perpetrators. The acts of violence are portrayed not as sensationalist spectacles but as tragic events that ripple through the lives of individuals and communities. Similarly, moments of unexpected kindness and humanity shine brightly, offering a poignant counterpoint to the darker elements of the story.

    This is not merely a tale of crime; it is a profound meditation on the duality of human nature and the enduring struggle for justice and compassion in an often unforgiving world. For readers who revel in historical detail, atmospheric storytelling, and the exploration of the human condition, this book is an unforgettable journey into the heart of Victorian London.
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  • June Ponder
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well Written
    Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Carol Hedges' books are very good. Sometimes a little risque' for me in places but not vulgar. They keep me turning pages till I almost finish in one sitting. You will love the characters as well as the environment of time and place. Enjoy!
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  • clahain
    5.0 out of 5 stars A mystery that exposes the seedy underbelly of Victorian domestic propriety
    Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    In this third murder mystery starring Victorian-era London detectives Stride & Cully, a case of arsenic poisoning becomes something much more sinister.

    One thing that amazes me about this series is how Carol Hedges manages to set her novels firmly in their time and place and still give each book a twist that makes it completely unique. For DIAMONDS & DUST, that means a scary, otherworldly flavor. HONOUR & OBEY out-Dickens Dickens in its realistic lens on the social and economic inequities of the era, while at the same time setting loose a gruesome serial killer who would make Jack The Ripper tremble in admiration. This time around the author dips her pen into the Victorian "sensation" novel, with its domestic melodrama, smooth-talking con-men, and cunning acts of revenge.

    The plot of DEATH & DOMINION seems straight-forward at first--murder by arsenic poisoning--but things get complicated as the bodies multiply and useful leads lay thin on the ground. Detectives Stride & Cully, still the favorite prey of the local gutter press, are stonewalled by some of London's most genteel ladies and gentlemen, who have more to hide than most courtesans--including our favorite ex-madam, Lilith Marks. Her cameo appearance is one of my favorite things about the book. I also enjoyed the Belinda Kite subplot. This "lady's companion" with a murky past is a great mix of vulnerability and daring. She and the handsome trickster Mark Hawksley are a perfect match. Awful as they are (well, as awful he is and she would LIKE to be) I found myself rooting for them.

    Hedges does a wonderful job exposing the seedy underbelly of Victorian propriety, especially when it comes to marriage and fidelity. I followed with morbid fascination the icy home life of Frederick and Georgiana Undershaft. Georgiana's situation and her personal quandary--what does a good wife have the right to expect from her husband--remained with me long after I finished the book.

    I will say that the wrap up of both the main plot and the sub-plot left me a little dissatisfied. Here I need to take care not to ruin it for you. Let's say that both main parties get what they deserve, though the means of this "rough justice" is highly melodramatic. Now, this fits right in with the conventions of the Sensation Novel--soap opera at its finest. I can appreciate this, but being a modern reader, I would have preferred a more extended and character-driven wrap up.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Marti
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Victorian Mystery Novel
    Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I have read Ms Hedges's previous novels in this series; it still took me a few pages to put myself back into time. I then could feel the pollution in the air, the rain, and the fog. I could remember what I have read about how men treated women.

    This book is about the interactions between the up and lower classes. Servants, shopkeepers, and police are considered lower class. Mistresses are considered "normal" at that time. A mistress is not a person, but a toy to be played with and discarded.

    Ms Hedges skillfully takes the reader back to the Victorian Era I with her scenes of London and the use of words and and phrases used at that time.

    Ms Hedges takes us back to a time when women and the lower class seemingly didn't have any civil rights. I cringed when I read how a young woman's sole purpose in life was to a wife, mother, and willing sex pardner.

    This point in time did not seem to have any services to help the unemployed, the homeless, nor the homeless children living on the streets. Medical care was for the rich, not the poor. Ms Hedges captures all of this very well with her words.

    I can't wait for the next book in this series. I have loved the three books. I hope Ms Hedges has more Victorian Mystery Novels in work.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • aubergine
    5.0 out of 5 stars A jolly romp through Victorian London.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 10, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    An enjoyable read with the colour and characters of Victorian London life but in an easy to read contemporary style.
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  • sandyv
    4.0 out of 5 stars Loving this series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Recently discovered, I love Carol Hedges writing style, the was she has of describing things beautifully, and her wry humour, sometimes so subtle you have to be alert for it. All this is wrapped around a good crime story. This book actually covers 3 stories, with connecting, interweaving threads. Hedges also seems to sometimes hark back to an earlier book in the series, so it's probably best to read them in order.
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  • Terry Tyler
    5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the risk of reading your Kindle in the bath!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I was looking forward to this book being published, and I loved it so much I want to give it six stars; I shall have to make do with five big shiny gold ones instead!

    First, the basic plot. Dashing bounder Mark Hawksley is busy enticing the gullible moneyed of London into investing into his diamond mine. A pornography loving, wife betraying solicitor (the thin, grey haired Frederick Undershaft, marvellous name!) narrowly escapes being poisoned by some arsenic laden cakes. The sharp-witted, sexy and ambitious Belinda Kite takes up a position as ladies' companion to the dreary Grizelda Bulstrode, sister of 'bluff, no-nonsense northerner' Josiah.

    The plot is expertly worked, with many threads and red herrings, though in some ways it actually comes second to the descriptive passages and crystal clear characterisation.

    I love Carol Hedges' portrayal of atmosphere, from the chill of a Victorian London winter: "Wind batters the city, rattling the windows and inn-signs, whipping up the Thames into a white-capped rage".... "A foggy morning in London...the river an oozing stinking miasma of low-tide mud. Grimy pavements. No shade lighter than slate grey. Hoofbeats hollow in the fog" ... and her gift for conveying exactly what a character is like in just a sentence or two: "..a red mouth, determined chin and hair the colour of falling Autumn" (Belinda Kite, my favourite character!). Or "The young lady reminds Belinda of a watercolour painting done by someone who had not much colour but a lot of water, giving off the impression of not only being colourless, but rather damp." That was Grizelda Bulstrode, who, when eating breakfast "conveys tiny squares of buttered toast into her mouth with the cautious apprehension of one posting letters." Or the street urchins: "Average age in years: about eleven. Average age in cynicism and malevolent evil: about one hundred and thirty-five".

    At the forefront of all crime solving is the Victorian version of Reagan and Carter of the Sweeney: Detectives Stride and Cully: "...whereas some people could say things in a cutting way, Stride could listen in a cutting way. Stride could make something sound stupid just by hearing it". Okay, no more quotes (apart from Stride's observation about many of the reports on his desk: "Most of this stuff isn't for reading, it's for having being written.") I highlighted so many terrific lines and passages; perhaps the best I can do is just to advise you to buy and read this immediately!

    This is the third in the series, but they're all complete stand alones. There are references to events in the previous books but it's not necessary to read them first.

    I read some passages several times to enjoy them all over again, there's not one single boring bit. It's so well researched, too; I wonder if Ms Hedges actually time-travelled to discover those dark, dangerous alleyways herself! Best way to read it? Sitting up in bed with lots of pillows, in a warm room with coffee, tea and possibly cakes, it's a delightfully 'cosy' book.

    To sum up: a work of art :)
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  • Cathy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 20, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Tall and handsome, Mark Hawksley arrives in London and, with his partners in crime, intends to assemble as many rich business men as possible with the promise of more wealth if they will only consider investing in his diamond mine. Another newcomer to the city is Miss Belinda Kite, arriving as companion to Miss Grizelda Bulstrode, sister of Josiah Bulstrode, who are in London to escape an ‘Unfortunate Incident’ suffered by Grizelda.

    Meanwhile Detective Inspector Stride and Detective Sergeant Cully are about to be fully occupied in trying to solve fatal cases of arsenic poisoning and acts of moralistic vandalism, while dogged by the gutter press. Mr Frederick Undershaft, lawyer and serial philanderer, receives a box of poisoned cakes. He isn’t the only recipient. And in a seedy and run down area of the city buildings defaced with red paint are brought to the attention of Sergeant Evans.

    As with the first two books in the series, Carol Hedges with a great eye for detail, paints a vivid and atmospheric picture of Victorian London, with the sights and smells, and its very different inhabitants, hardship and poverty for some, privilege and wealth for others. The squalid, filthy streets and alleyways compared to the much more high-class areas. Full of keenly researched period detail and the character descriptions give an immediate visual image. Josiah Bulstrode is ‘a well built man in his late thirties, with a high complexion and Macassar-oiled hair and moustaches.’ Mark Hawksley has ‘dark brown eyes, straight brows and chiselled saturnine features. He has black hair with just a tiny touch of grey at the temple. He sports side-whiskers, but his chin and upper lip are clean shaven.’

    The two main elements of the story play out, and are woven together, perfectly, with lots of intrigue, wonderful characterisations and wry humour. Engaging and smoothly flowing writing explores the many levels of society, with unexpected twists and a very satisfying ending.
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  • Shelley Wilson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sensational in every way
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    London 1862. We are instantly swept along the streets of Victorian London in all its glory, where we meet the darkly handsome, Mark Hawksley and his companions, for the third in Carol Hedges’ Victorian Sensational Novel Series.

    Across London, we are introduced to the beautiful red-head, Miss Belinda Kite (pronounced Keet), as she takes on new employment, and our favourite detectives, Sergeant Jack Cully and Detective Inspector Stride, return to pound the pavements and shuffle paperwork.

    As the story unfolds, we find the aforementioned, Mark Hawksley, enticing huge sums of money from the business elite, as he gathers investors for his Diamond Mine.

    This is of no concern to Stride and Cully, however, as they are kept busy by the Undershaft’s and their poisoned cakes, as well as the unwanted vandalism of prominent landmarks by the ‘Red Hand Gang’ (aptly named by our favourite reporter, My Dandy).

    As with Carol’s first two books, the atmosphere and characterisation are flawless. Her descriptive writing pulls you through the back streets of London and the grand establishments of Regent Street, until you can almost smell the murky water of the Thames, and taste the delicate scones and tiny sandwiches.

    I especially loved Sergeant Evans and the effortless way he dealt with people, as well as his relationship with Cully. The no-nonsense northerner, Josiah Bulstrode and his dear sister, Grizelda, also found a spot on my favourite character list. I also quite liked Mr Hawksley’s character, which no doubt reflects badly on my taste in men!

    The thing I enjoy most about this series is how Carol wraps it all up so beautifully at the end. Balance is restored, and order returned to the streets of London once more – or until book four comes out!
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