The Unseeing by Anna Mazzola

Final Rating: 1.7/5

  This book seemed to be haunting me from the very moment I read the mini summary and everywhere I looked, I was being told to “read this now!” but I had to admit to myself that the books that have been screaming at me to look at this year just disappointed me one too many times, so I fought all temptation and waited. I only kept the excitement at bay for so long before I would come back to another review or offer to read and this back and forth struggle and overall impression as I finally finished reminded me of how I felt when I put down The Alienist (completely different setting from The Unseeing) many years ago. It’s strange how certain books somehow remind you of other reads and I know that may not be a understandable comparison but there it was that same feeling of finally admitted disappointment after obsessing over the shelves and initial smile of contentment vanishing as the lack of likable vivid characters and predictable mystery elements slowly appeared from all corners. Still I thought it will get better and the interesting articles on the Edgware Road Murder tucked in the chapters had me reaching for my kindle before and after work but the odd restrained descriptions of 19th-century London surroundings, heavy dose of obvious modern issues, overuse of symbolism, repetitive questions and sad unsympathetic tone throughout this novel toward the unfortunate victim just had me shaking my head by the final page. I really hate to go against so many glowing reviews and I do realise this is an ambitious debut novel but perhaps in the end this book wasn’t for me and I don’t know if I can honestly recommend it. Still this could be worth some patient reader’s time especially if you are looking for an introduction to true crime cases from early 19th-century London. It all depends what you are looking for or willing to ignore.

*I would like to thank Tinder Press and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read The Unseeing