A book that can also stand on its own, this is the sequel to The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë. It takes place three years after the last adventure, which is described in enough detail that one doesn't need to read the first book to enjoy the second. The characters seem to be the same and allusions to the first book when needed help the reader to understand the background of this story.
I had a difficult time at the outset with the character of Charlotte Brontë. Although many of the historical details were accurate, the personality of this character and her involvement in the intrigue were not realistic. To place the author of Jane Eyre into this setting went against everything I have read about her life. The saving grace was that the mystery was still intriguing. In an odd way, though, I felt a connection to the main character because of the prior knowledge I have of her life and her work.
Set during the reign of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert during the Great Exhibition of 1851, the Crystal Palace takes centre stage at the climax of the story. This was an exciting time of great innovations and these are highlighted as the characters race against time to stop a deadly virus from being spread throughout the world.
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