Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collections
Publication
Titan Books (2014), 305 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. HTML: Read India Black's blog and other content on the Penguin Community. When Sir Archibald Latham of the War Office dies from a heart attack while visiting her brothel, Madam India Black is unexpectedly thrust into a deadly game between Russian and British agents who are seeking the military secrets Latham carried. Blackmailed into recovering the missing documents by the British spy known as French, India finds herself dodging Russian agents-and the attraction she starts to feel for the handsome conspirator..
User reviews
LibraryThing member lexxa83
Great premise for a book. The characters and setting (a madam and brothel, respectively) are unusual and as a result refreshingly different mystery. This book kept my attention from the beginning, and I am looking forward to reading the sequel.
LibraryThing member romsfuulynn
Interesting premise, does a better job with the madam/prostitute heroine than a lot of authors, but sometimes a little too self consciously mannered and clever. I just couldn't quite believe in her. Excellent first book, recommended for the story, will look for more from this author.
A little too
A little too
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opaque on who the heroine was. Probably deliberate but didn't entirely work. Show Less
LibraryThing member BookAddictDiary
"My name is India Black, and I'm a whore." -Thus begins the uncensored -and brutally honest -adventures of an 18th century London madame known as India Black. Once a working girl herself, India now owns a brothel in London known as Lotus House. She makes a pretty good living -not to mention has a
Well, I'll admit that I wasn't too excited about this book. In fact, I never heard about it until I read about it on a few of the historical fiction blogs I read. While I've read some of Lady Julie Grey's adventures, as well as a handful of related novels, I've never been big on comfortable historical mysteries. But after all the positive reviews I saw online, I thought India Black might be a worthwhile read from the next time I was in the mood for something a little lighter.
From the very first sentence, I was hooked. Author Carol K. Carr does an amazing job of creating a fun, witty and brutally honest protagonist that was a joy to read. As I kept going, I found myself constantly in love with India and the fact that she just didn't care about what people thought of her. She isn't embarrassed about her profession of the types of people it seems to attract.
However, the overall novel itself was harmed by the lack of a decent plot -or a coherent/plausible one. The plot felt simple and weak. I just didn't enjoy it that much. The only thing that got me through it was the awesome of India and the amazing wit and charm she exuded on every page.
Would I read the next book in the series? Yeah, sure. I do hope that the author improves and can off a more intriguing and solid plot, but the wit, power and fun of India's character is at least worth the price of the book.
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mountain of blackmail on a number of influential Londoners, since Lotus House caters to gentlemen of quality. While India is dealing with the disappearance of Arabella, one of her ladies, India discovers the dead body of a high-ranking British official. After being found, India becomes pulled into an international game of espionage between England and the Russian empire.Well, I'll admit that I wasn't too excited about this book. In fact, I never heard about it until I read about it on a few of the historical fiction blogs I read. While I've read some of Lady Julie Grey's adventures, as well as a handful of related novels, I've never been big on comfortable historical mysteries. But after all the positive reviews I saw online, I thought India Black might be a worthwhile read from the next time I was in the mood for something a little lighter.
From the very first sentence, I was hooked. Author Carol K. Carr does an amazing job of creating a fun, witty and brutally honest protagonist that was a joy to read. As I kept going, I found myself constantly in love with India and the fact that she just didn't care about what people thought of her. She isn't embarrassed about her profession of the types of people it seems to attract.
However, the overall novel itself was harmed by the lack of a decent plot -or a coherent/plausible one. The plot felt simple and weak. I just didn't enjoy it that much. The only thing that got me through it was the awesome of India and the amazing wit and charm she exuded on every page.
Would I read the next book in the series? Yeah, sure. I do hope that the author improves and can off a more intriguing and solid plot, but the wit, power and fun of India's character is at least worth the price of the book.
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LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
India Black is a fun read, a romp through Victorian England told through the eyes of a London madam. India becomes embroiled in an international game of espionage when an employee of the War Office expires in her whorehouse and his case - containing secret military information - disappears.
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Enlisted by the British government, India is charged with reclaiming the case - an adventure which takes some surprising turns. A fun and enjoyable read, recommended to fans of historical mysteries. Show Less
LibraryThing member msjessie
Excuse me if I am extremely a little fangirly right now. I just finished this whirlwind novel of adventure, humor and mystery just minutes ago, and friends, I am impressed. And in dire need of a reread, just for fun. And, now, I am a stalwart fan of both India Black and the author behind this
In such a fast-paced novel, with adventures and turnabouts and surprise revelations and secret pasts every other chapter, it is main character India that really makes the novel something really quite special. I truly enjoyed the fleshed-out secondary characters (French and Vincent are both, quite disparately charming fellows) and antagonists, but India is what makes this one of my best-of-2012 novels easily. India is a madam, among many, many other attributes (and vices). Skilled in multiple fields (I do enjoy a girl who can shoot a gun/defend herself/use her wits) and India does each and every one of those multiple times. She is the equal of her unofficial government counterpart, and her charm and humor had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions. Smart, cunning and opportunistic, India is a fully-formed, distinct character, and one I related to quite easily - despite our very different backgrounds and attitudes. She bursts forth from the page with her witty comebacks and her handy way around a weapon. She is resourceful and wonderfully three-dimensional with her frank honesty, forthright attitudes - a heroine to remember in a sea of forgettable leads.
India is nicely complemented by her comrades-in-arms, the mysterious and charming French and the street urchin of questionable but useful talents, Vincent. The verbal and occasional real sparring between India and French is another highlight to this well-rounded novel. So often during my experience, I was tempted to update my status on GoodReads with a bon mot or a choice comment from either droll character. Their chemistry is palpable, their interactions full of authenticity, and though this is far from a romance novel, the attraction between the opposites works really well to add an extra layer of tension to a novel already brimming with it. French is a charismatic character, and one that kept me intrigued and very attentive through this all-too-short read of just under 300 pages. Not as open as India about his life, or even his name! - which is to be expected as she narrates the novel, often breaking the fourth wall to address her readers - but is still one that manages to hold his own against the formidable and crafty madam. Vincent adds a certain charm, if his role as a street smart urchin in a Victorian novel is somewhat formulaic, he does add to the novel another easily likeable and distinct character.
This is a mystery, but midway through the novel, that premise is readily concluded and then it's a madcap race of adventure through England and various hostage situations in a race against the agents of the tsar of Russia. India Black is by turns amusing, exciting, hilarious, and always full of constant surprises and upheavals. It's light and fun read and I can't stress enough how good of a time I had with this novel, from start to end. India Black is well worth a try if a feisty protagonist with a brain is high and a unique way around a retort are on your list of favorites. All the rest is an added bonus to a convoluted plot, populated with such vibrant characters.
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highly creative and immensely fun novel, Carol K. Carr. Reading this was easy, entertaining, and so very fun; this is one of those novels that grabs you from the very first page and never really lets go. Another of my done-in-one-sitting reads, India Black has set a high standard for the rest of the novels that will follow in this promising series from a talented author. I admit that I am not one for historical mysteries all that often - I usually stay more on the straight historical fiction side of the genre - but I will willingly make exceptions for any and all further India Black novels to come.In such a fast-paced novel, with adventures and turnabouts and surprise revelations and secret pasts every other chapter, it is main character India that really makes the novel something really quite special. I truly enjoyed the fleshed-out secondary characters (French and Vincent are both, quite disparately charming fellows) and antagonists, but India is what makes this one of my best-of-2012 novels easily. India is a madam, among many, many other attributes (and vices). Skilled in multiple fields (I do enjoy a girl who can shoot a gun/defend herself/use her wits) and India does each and every one of those multiple times. She is the equal of her unofficial government counterpart, and her charm and humor had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions. Smart, cunning and opportunistic, India is a fully-formed, distinct character, and one I related to quite easily - despite our very different backgrounds and attitudes. She bursts forth from the page with her witty comebacks and her handy way around a weapon. She is resourceful and wonderfully three-dimensional with her frank honesty, forthright attitudes - a heroine to remember in a sea of forgettable leads.
India is nicely complemented by her comrades-in-arms, the mysterious and charming French and the street urchin of questionable but useful talents, Vincent. The verbal and occasional real sparring between India and French is another highlight to this well-rounded novel. So often during my experience, I was tempted to update my status on GoodReads with a bon mot or a choice comment from either droll character. Their chemistry is palpable, their interactions full of authenticity, and though this is far from a romance novel, the attraction between the opposites works really well to add an extra layer of tension to a novel already brimming with it. French is a charismatic character, and one that kept me intrigued and very attentive through this all-too-short read of just under 300 pages. Not as open as India about his life, or even his name! - which is to be expected as she narrates the novel, often breaking the fourth wall to address her readers - but is still one that manages to hold his own against the formidable and crafty madam. Vincent adds a certain charm, if his role as a street smart urchin in a Victorian novel is somewhat formulaic, he does add to the novel another easily likeable and distinct character.
This is a mystery, but midway through the novel, that premise is readily concluded and then it's a madcap race of adventure through England and various hostage situations in a race against the agents of the tsar of Russia. India Black is by turns amusing, exciting, hilarious, and always full of constant surprises and upheavals. It's light and fun read and I can't stress enough how good of a time I had with this novel, from start to end. India Black is well worth a try if a feisty protagonist with a brain is high and a unique way around a retort are on your list of favorites. All the rest is an added bonus to a convoluted plot, populated with such vibrant characters.
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LibraryThing member dd196406
This one took a few chapters to get into, but it was worth it. The mystery was interesting and exciting. Recommended.
LibraryThing member librarydanielle
eh. it was OK. a spy mystery set in regency England. India Black is a madam and gets mixed up in the theft of government documents. she insists on being involved in the recovery and ends up fighting Russians, being kidnapped, etc. the writing was mildly tedious in places, but the story was just
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different enough. Show Less
LibraryThing member Elysianfield
India Black is owner of a brothel named Lotus House and her life is disrupted when a regular customer is found dead in her establishment. Thinking that the death will be bad for business and she decides to dispose the body. She gets help from a street kid named Vincent but they are caught by an
This was so much fun and loved this so much! Despite the heroine being a brothel owner there is no sex scenes and very little time is spent in there anyway. I’m not usually huge fan of first person narrative but it worked well on here and loved seeing what she thinks. India is funny and strong woman who has blunt honesty, is down to earth and isn’t ashamed of who she is.
Some of the politics went over my head but since it doesn’t concern India that closely it didn’t really matter. There isn’t much background being told so both India and French stays a little mystery and I would have loved to learn more about French.
This was such amazing read and laughed out loud many times! Great debut from Carr!
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English spy named French. India learns that the dead was high-ranking government official and was carrying important papers. Goverment thinks she will be useful to getting the papers back so India and French starts hunting down the Russians.This was so much fun and loved this so much! Despite the heroine being a brothel owner there is no sex scenes and very little time is spent in there anyway. I’m not usually huge fan of first person narrative but it worked well on here and loved seeing what she thinks. India is funny and strong woman who has blunt honesty, is down to earth and isn’t ashamed of who she is.
Some of the politics went over my head but since it doesn’t concern India that closely it didn’t really matter. There isn’t much background being told so both India and French stays a little mystery and I would have loved to learn more about French.
This was such amazing read and laughed out loud many times! Great debut from Carr!
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LibraryThing member 4leschats
When a government agent dies in her brothel, India sets out to remove the body only to become involved in political schemes relating to the man’s attache case and secret documents that could shift the balance of power between England and Russia.
LibraryThing member yoder
Excellent story with light humor about India's business thronw in.
LibraryThing member lucy3107
This was a quick read - I finished it in a single sitting, in about three hours. Won't be everyone's cup of tea, since the narrator (India Black) opens with a line to the effect of "My name is India Black and I am a whore." My library has this shelved as a mystery, but it's probably better
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classified as action/adventure/thriller. There really isn't much mystery - more of a chase. Show Less
LibraryThing member BrianEWilliams
Excellent story---catches your attention from the first chapter and holds it until the end. Difficult to put down. Authentic language --the Kindle dictionary helped me understand some of the phrases. The author captured the atmosphere of what winter was like in London in the 1870's. It's a bit over
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the top in terms of the story, but that makes it a fun read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Carolee888
India Black, A Madam of Espionage Mystery by Carol K. Carr started off beautifully and strong but fizzled some at the end. The characters are wonderful. India Black is intelligent, witty and has a sense of humor. She is also the Madam of the Lotus House, a brothel in London during Victorian
The first half of the book was a fascinating dip into the forbidden life of brothels, Sir Archibald of Latham, aka Bowser dies of a heart attack in one of the rooms. India has to get rid of the body for several reasons, to keep the brothel from the stench of scandal and to protect Mrs. Latham. Also a self-righteous clergyman shows up to rescue the girls of the house from sin. One of Sir Archibald’s possessions is missing at the scene. That thrusts India into the thick of espionage under the threat of losing her favorite possession, Lotus House. French, a handsome spy goes with her on the adventure.
The characters are done beautifully, India is an independent woman. “It is amazing what a woman can do if only she ignores what men tell her she can’t. She is well educated despite a lack of schooling and her spirit always runs strong. Mrs. Drinkwater is the ironic name of her maid for the house, she drinks plenty but not water. The brothel is realistically portrayed along with some smelly streets of London during the Victorian era.
My disappointment is that relationship between India and French seems undeveloped but I have a feeling that the author wants to take that slowly in the future books of this series. Also there was a tad too much adventure and action for me. I would prefer cutting that down and concentrating on the main characters. I enjoyed the historical details of London and the brothels.
I do recommend this book for readers of historical fiction, especially of Victorian England.
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Times.The first half of the book was a fascinating dip into the forbidden life of brothels, Sir Archibald of Latham, aka Bowser dies of a heart attack in one of the rooms. India has to get rid of the body for several reasons, to keep the brothel from the stench of scandal and to protect Mrs. Latham. Also a self-righteous clergyman shows up to rescue the girls of the house from sin. One of Sir Archibald’s possessions is missing at the scene. That thrusts India into the thick of espionage under the threat of losing her favorite possession, Lotus House. French, a handsome spy goes with her on the adventure.
The characters are done beautifully, India is an independent woman. “It is amazing what a woman can do if only she ignores what men tell her she can’t. She is well educated despite a lack of schooling and her spirit always runs strong. Mrs. Drinkwater is the ironic name of her maid for the house, she drinks plenty but not water. The brothel is realistically portrayed along with some smelly streets of London during the Victorian era.
My disappointment is that relationship between India and French seems undeveloped but I have a feeling that the author wants to take that slowly in the future books of this series. Also there was a tad too much adventure and action for me. I would prefer cutting that down and concentrating on the main characters. I enjoyed the historical details of London and the brothels.
I do recommend this book for readers of historical fiction, especially of Victorian England.
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LibraryThing member DisneyDiva86
A fast read but thoroughly enjoyable regardless. I do wish it had been a Tad more detail oriented, but as India says, I digress.
LibraryThing member selkins
A fun adventure in late 1800's England, if you can get past the weaknesses: a brothel madam worried about money leaves her business to go hang while she plays at intrigue, major gov't figures discuss their secrets with her (and not in bed, either), and there are too-coy hints about the madam's past
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(so obviously a tease to get the reader to read the next in the series). However, the protagonist is take-charge, competent, and mostly cheerful; some of the other characters are interesting and have relationships with each other, not just her; and some of the settings/chase scenes are different and fun. The language isn't too far off for the period, or too coarse, and there's no eye-rolling bosom-heaving bodice-ripping, although there IS a sex scene with two women, just not a very graphic one (the titillation is for their target, not for the reader). Show Less
LibraryThing member DisneyDiva86
A fast read but thoroughly enjoyable regardless. I do wish it had been a Tad more detail oriented, but as India says, I digress.
LibraryThing member murderbydeath
Excellent first novel. I was amused and enthused from the first chapter. The book is categorised as an "historical mystery" but there really isn't much mystery involved. A lot of the story reads a bit like keystone cops play spy, but truly, I found the book entertaining and the characters
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interesting enough for me to care what happened to them. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member ariel.kirst
THe premise of this was interesting. The madame of a whorehouse who helps the government. Sounds fantastic. Carr seemed to be very into tell don't show, though. It was lots of "we did this, then we did this, then we did this." It got really boring really fast.
Also, I feel like if you are going to
So yeah. This one was disappointing. I own't be reading the others.
Also, I feel like if you are going to
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write a book about a prostitute, and there is going to be a specific lesbian threesome scene, it's pretty boring to go "and then we kissed, and we touched ecah other, blah blah blah." No fun!! So yeah. This one was disappointing. I own't be reading the others.
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LibraryThing member blodeuedd
Now this was a different kind of heroine. India is a former whore who is now the proud owner of her own brothel, you go girl. She can now rest her feet and have a glass of whisky while she tries to keep her girls in line.
But more than that is happening as this is a mystery/spy novel. India gets
To her help she has a street rat (I am just gonna call him that) that comes in handy. And the mysterious spy Mr French. I can't wait to get to know him more for here it felt like we just brushed the surface.
Mystery, danger, spy-game and a resourceful woman is what you get in this book. And that is takes place in the late 1800s is truly the best part. It make it a bit more exciting, and harder for them too.
A fun book, and I can't wait to see what India comes up with next.
But more than that is happening as this is a mystery/spy novel. India gets
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blackmailed to help her country. And a former whore does have her charm and that is why they want her. But India was cool, and continued to help all through the book. Because this woman does not give up. Which is of course why there are more books about her helping the government ;)To her help she has a street rat (I am just gonna call him that) that comes in handy. And the mysterious spy Mr French. I can't wait to get to know him more for here it felt like we just brushed the surface.
Mystery, danger, spy-game and a resourceful woman is what you get in this book. And that is takes place in the late 1800s is truly the best part. It make it a bit more exciting, and harder for them too.
A fun book, and I can't wait to see what India comes up with next.
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LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
India Black is a historical mystery set in Victorian London featuring the madam of Lotus House. She's recruited to perform an espionage task for the government after a client dies in her establishment. A mysterious man named French is going to be her partner as she attempts to steal back an
The storyline is pretty implausible but that didn't stop my enjoyment of the book. India tells her story in a witty first-person narrative, so if you like India you'll probably enjoy the book. Her repartee had me laughing several times. The secondary characters are vividly drawn, especially a street urchin named Vincent. There is an awful lot of action and it might be too nonstop for some readers. This is the first book of the series and I won't hesitate to pick up another the next time I'm in the mood for a romp through Victorian England.
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important set of papers from a Russian diplomat. The author has researched the period and weaves in a lot of historical figures along with the fictional. The storyline is pretty implausible but that didn't stop my enjoyment of the book. India tells her story in a witty first-person narrative, so if you like India you'll probably enjoy the book. Her repartee had me laughing several times. The secondary characters are vividly drawn, especially a street urchin named Vincent. There is an awful lot of action and it might be too nonstop for some readers. This is the first book of the series and I won't hesitate to pick up another the next time I'm in the mood for a romp through Victorian England.
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LibraryThing member kmartin802
INDIA BLACK was an entertaining historical mystery/espionage novel. India is the madam of Lotus House. Her problems begins when one of her clients dies in her house. The gentleman is a regular Sunday afternoon client. India's first plan is to move his body so that she and her house don't attract
French is an agent for the Prime Minister and agrees to help move the body and arrange for it to be discovered if India will turn over to him the briefcase of government papers he had with him when he arrived at the house. This sound like a wonderful deal to India who just wants all of this to go away so that she can get back to her business.
Unfortunately, the briefcase and the girl who was with the client have both disappeared. The adventures of India and French as they try to recover the missing briefcase are all told by India in an irreverent and cheeky style and takes them to the Russian Embassy and on a break-neck trip across England in a blizzard.
The action is non-stop and laced with humor. A madam's take on the politics of the day make this an informative story as well especially when filtered through India's point of view. I liked the relationship between French and India. I liked that they both had secrets. I was especially curious about India's since she seems to have more education than the usual woman who grows up on the streets in a poor part of London.
I am eager to continue this series to find out more about India and French.
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the attention of the law. She enlists a street urchin named Vincent and plans are going well until French interferes.French is an agent for the Prime Minister and agrees to help move the body and arrange for it to be discovered if India will turn over to him the briefcase of government papers he had with him when he arrived at the house. This sound like a wonderful deal to India who just wants all of this to go away so that she can get back to her business.
Unfortunately, the briefcase and the girl who was with the client have both disappeared. The adventures of India and French as they try to recover the missing briefcase are all told by India in an irreverent and cheeky style and takes them to the Russian Embassy and on a break-neck trip across England in a blizzard.
The action is non-stop and laced with humor. A madam's take on the politics of the day make this an informative story as well especially when filtered through India's point of view. I liked the relationship between French and India. I liked that they both had secrets. I was especially curious about India's since she seems to have more education than the usual woman who grows up on the streets in a poor part of London.
I am eager to continue this series to find out more about India and French.
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LibraryThing member JudieLM
Well written but implausible plot. India is a likable heroine but I have little interest in reading next in series.
LibraryThing member bookhookgeek
Amusing and an easy read.
LibraryThing member jennybeast
Ok, so I feel as though this book maybe takes itself a little too seriously for a patently ridiculous Victorian crime caper. However, I know that with mysteries frequently you just have to go with it, this one is a pretty entertaining story, with a refreshing bluntness on the subject of London
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brothels. I am also pretty highly amused with the plucky and strong-willed India Black. Show Less
LibraryThing member arbjames
India Black, the owner and manager of the high-class brothel called the Lotus House, seems an unlikely candidate for being called upon to aid Queen Victoria's government in international espionage. However, when a VIP carrying even more important papers dies in her establishment, she finds herself
Despite her line of work, you can't help but like India Black. She is truly a woman of mystery, and she makes no apologies for her profession. We learn very little about her past. How did she end up being a prostitute and, ultimately, a madame? French tries to draw her out, but she doesn't take the bait, and you can never be quite certain about anything she does say about her past. I'm hoping that more is revealed in future volumes.
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embroiled in a plot to keep said papers from reaching the Russians. Teaming up with secret agent French and street urchin/mastermind/tornado Vincent, will India save her country and manage to stay alive in the process?Despite her line of work, you can't help but like India Black. She is truly a woman of mystery, and she makes no apologies for her profession. We learn very little about her past. How did she end up being a prostitute and, ultimately, a madame? French tries to draw her out, but she doesn't take the bait, and you can never be quite certain about anything she does say about her past. I'm hoping that more is revealed in future volumes.
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Language
Original publication date
2010-11-23
Local notes
When Sir Archibald Latham of the War Office dies from a heart attack while visiting her brothel, Madam India Black is unexpectedly thrust into a deadly game between Russian and British agents who are seeking the military secrets Latham carried. Blackmailed into recovering the missing documents by the British spy known as French, India finds herself dodging Russian agents-and the attraction she starts to feel for the handsome conspirator.