The Diabolical Miss Hyde by Viola Carr
Forensic science, magic, mystery, and romance mix in this edgy steampunk fantasy—a retelling of the horror classic, in which Dr. Eliza Jekyll, daughter of the infamous Dr. Henry Jekyll—pursues a dangerous murderer in an alternate Victorian London.
In an electrified Victorian London, Dr. Eliza Jekyll is a crime scene investigator, hunting killers with newfangled technological gadgets. She will need every advantage available to catch a terrifying new psychopath splattering London with blood. Hidden in the grimy shadows, the fiendish murderer preys on beautiful women, drugging them before slicing off their limbs. Finding the “Slicer” can make Eliza’s career . . . or unmask her darkest secret. Like her father, she has a hidden second self that emerges when she drinks his forbidden magical elixir. Just a few sips, and a seductive and impulsive Lizzie Hyde is unleashed.
The members of the Royal Society do not trust Eliza, and they send their enforcer, the mercurial Captain Lafayette, to prove she’s a dangerous sorceress. The careful doctor knows that one wrong step can make her prey to the clever Lafayette, a man who harbors an evil curse of his own. No matter how much she craves the elixir, she must resist.
But as the Slicer case draws her into London’s luminous magical underworld, Eliza will need the potion’s power to help her . . . even if it might attract the attentions of Lafayette. .
Even if it means setting the wild Lizzie free. . . .
This book is a retelling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but with a female protagonist. I love the gender swap and the fact that the heroine is actually a doctor. Of course, it’s a steam-punk book in an alternate universe, so feminism=slightly more advanced even in the Victorian era.
Premise
Anyway, Eliza Jekyll is a forensic doctor who examines murder scenes and assists the police in crime solving. Under her prim, austere face lies a brash and daring alter ego, Lizzie Hyde. Gruesome bodies are found. A serial killer is on the loose.
Character
Eliza Jekyll is quiet, professional, and an exemplary citizen. She is a slightly dowdy glasses-wearer who’s fond of gizmos and gadgets. She is constantly afraid of being discovered for who she really is--a person with an alter ego and who relies on an “elixir” to tame said alter ego. Although she’s portrayed as more timid and uptight than Lizzie, Eliza is a female doctor in a man’s world, which deeply gladdens me. Speaking of Lizzie, Lizzie Hyde is the exact opposite of Eliza, saucy, adventurous, and loves a drink. She isn’t near-sighted, and she’s more curvy (?!) than Eliza. I guess she’s the type of person who has “va-va-voom” in her vocabulary. Between the two personalities of Jekyll, I actually like Lizzie more than Eliza. Even though she gets into far more trouble than Eliza, she is fun and outspoken. What’s more, she has adorably assumed the role of the “big sister” and feels it’s her responsibility to look after Eliza. Their relationship also progresses from mutual dislike to reliance on each other, which is another thing I liked about the pair.
Captain Remy Lafayette is the arrogant, handsome captain of the Royal Society, an organization that abolishes witchcraft and alchemy. I knew the jig is up when Eliza Jekyll disliked Lafayette; some hate-to-love plot waiting to happen right there! *sigh* On some level I hoped the book doesn’t have romance at all, because I don’t think the romance adds anything to either the plot or character development. Lafayette, though a typical Golden Boy (ugh), does have ulterior motives and secret agendas, so he’s ultimately a salvageable character.
Jack, or Mr. Todd, is a vividly crafted character who keeps popping up and helping Eliza. He is a psychopathic serial killer who Eliza helped capture and incarcerate in a mental facility several years ago. The two have a weird relationship going on, with Jack telling Eliza how to solve a crime and enticing her to the dark side, AND Eliza actually liking Jack a bit. It’s all very dark and strange but...shippable? It’s disturbing.
Setting
The book is set in Victorian London, with a very thick, prevalent steampunk atmosphere which I love! There are electrical weapons, mechanical gadgets, and all sorts of gimmicky things that intensifies the steampunk feel of the world. Eliza even has a mechanical pet who whirs and buzzes and flashes colored lights according to his mood, and awww I can’t resist a cute little sidekick. Supernatural elements are also present, though I won’t go into details *spoiler*. There’s also some mention of “feys” which I’m assuming are fairies? I would like it to be more developed, though, or cut completely from the plot. Overall the worldbuilding in The Diabolical Miss Hyde is quite successful, making me wanting to read more about this grimy, magical place.
Pacing
The pacing is satisfyingly fast, with many plot twists, and I didn’t feel bored even once in the entire time The climax is also packed with action, so there’s no disappointment throughout the book.
Final thoughts
The Diabolical Miss Hyde is a fun read all the way through. It made me care about the story, the characters, and the setting! I liked both of the protagonists, Eliza and Lizzie, and the properly fleshed-out supporting characters. The serial killer is chilling, talented, and so intelligent I didn’t guess his identity till the big reveal. If you’re looking for a steampunk crime thriller, look no further than this brilliant retelling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
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