The Nightingale Affair

By: Tim Mason

Narrated by: Matthew Lloyd Davies

In this twisty Victorian detective thriller from the author of The Darwin Affair, Inspector Charles Field hunts a serial killer with a sinister signature targeting Florence Nightingale’s nurses in Crimea and women in London.

Tim Mason’s gripping new novel finds Inspector Charles Field hunting a ruthless serial killer who is terrorizing Florence Nightingale and her nurses in Crimea in 1855. But when the main suspect turns up dead, Field determines the case is closed. Or is it? Twelve years later in London, amidst the turmoil surrounding the expansion of voting rights, Field discovers a woman’s body, mouth covered by the killer’s signature embroidered rose. Did Field suspect the wrong man before, or is he dealing with a copycat? Either way, with his own family now at risk, he must race against time to stop the killer before more bodies turn up.

Populated with real figures of the day, from Benjamin Disraeli to Florence Nightingale herself, The Nightingale Affair offers vivid details, surprising twists, and an unforgettably creepy villain. A stand-alone novel, perfect for fans of Charles Finch’s Victorian detective stories.

Critic reviews

"Time-travel through the gilded halls and sinister streets of Victorian London and onward to the horrors of the Crimean War as a determined detective tracks a ruthless killer. Political intrigue, a backdrop of social upheaval, and a cast of nineteenth-century luminaries make this stylish, cleverly plotted thriller a must-read for fans of historical fiction."—Dean Jobb, author of The Case of the Murderous Dr. Cream

"The Nightingale Affair is the best kind of historical thriller — beautifully written, expertly plotted, and brimming with vivid characters and detail. Tim Mason made a brilliant debut with The Darwin Affair, and this one is even better."—Daniel Stashower, author of American Demon: Eliot Ness and the Hunt for America’s Jack the Ripper.

Blend of history and fiction.

Volume of narrators varied at time and difficult to hear. I appreciated the span of time the story covered.

Great story of Victorian Britain

The author creates a great story using historical figures. Florence Nightingale creates the profession of female nursing amidst misogynistic disdain for female accomplishments. Detective Inspector Field, the inspiration for Inspector Bucket in Charles Dickens’ Bleak House, solves the crimes after many wrong turns.

Phenomenal Story and Narration

Riveting story, great characters and a super prequel to Mason's THE DARWIN AFFAIR. Inspector "Bucket" has become a great character brought to life thanks to the writing of Mason and the narration of Mathew Loyd Davis. Lovers if history, mystery and whodunit will enjoy this exciting book. Highly recommended.

Boring characters. Boring story.

Boring characters. Boring storyline. I've never been so happy for a book to end. It just went on and on needlessly on and on.

varying levels of volume

the volume of the recording went from very loud to almost a whisper and with British dialects, it was impossible to follow the story. very unsatisfiable especially in the car.