From the Ashes (Ravenwood Mysteries Book 1)

While Flynn's debut is well-researched, there are moments that are so convoluted that they distract from the enjoyment. For example, the explanation for why the whole kidnapping mess is orchestrated really stretches the credibility of the story. My book club felt we needed a diagram for all the twists and turns.Flynn's ability to fill out her characters, though, shows her potential. By the end of the book, I felt I knew the two main characters, Riot and Isobel, thoroughly. Yet, I also found myself wanting to know more (Flynn most definitely sets up a relationship between the two - and I want to see that relationship develop). A weakness, though, is her tendency to introduce characters and then toss them aside - for example, the other detectives at the detective agency that are introduced midway through the book and then are never seen or heard from again. Flynn needs to familiarize herself with the concept of Chekov's Gun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chekhov's_gun).With that said, her historical research and her ability to weave her research almost flawlessly through the book saves her. By the time the book ended, I felt like I knew San Francisco in 1897.I recommend this book, flaws and all, I cannot believe any reader would feel disappointed.

I'm a huge fan of historical mysteries so I hungrily gobbled this one up. Ms Flynn doesn't disappoint, not in storytelling, or in the development of wonderful characters and a sense of place. This book gives the reader the sights, smells, and feel of San Francisco in late 1899. It takes the reader from the dirtiest wharf dive to the most prestigious men's club in the city, and many places in-between. As the Volume I suggests, I certainly hope this is the beginning of what will certainly be a long running series. The main characters are intriguing and beguiling. When you turn the last page, you too, will want to read more of Atticus Riot and Bel. They may not be a match made in heaven, but in the hell that is turn of the century San Francisco, they both have reasons to keep certain things to themselves. I will eagerly await Volume 2 as I need to know what happens next to Atticus Riot and Bel.

Set at the turn of the century (1900) in San Francisco, the first book in the Ravenwood Mysteries series introduces readers to Atticus Riot, a gambler-turned-detective who has returned home after twenty years of roaming the Barbary Coast. He is thrown into a case involving a missing heiress, Isobel Kingston, almost immediately and sets out to determine what has happened and why. He seems reluctant to jump back into sleuthing, however, but is clearly up to the task. As events unfold, it becomes evident that all is not what it seems and Riot will not rest until he uncovers the truth about the missing Isobel. In addition the story's excellent pacing, I enjoyed the setting and historical details that factored into the mystery, and would definitely add the second book in the series to my "to read" list based on this fine first offering. Lots of interesting backstory and characters worth getting to know make this a series that shows great potential. The historical note at the end enhanced my reading experience overall, as the author pointed out some of the real figures who were featured in the story, and she provided some excellent recommendations for further reading on this time period and setting. A new-to-me author, Ms. Flynn is one I would seek out again!

The story found its stride as it moved along. The beginning was clunky; caught in overwrought descriptions of scene and place. The author is gifted at dialogue and her characters are interesting.

Sabrina Flynn is an absolutely fabulous writer. The words seem to flow off the pages with such ease and the characters grow to become a part of your life. I want to know these people. I like these people. This is San Francisco detective fiction of the late 1890s. When you finish reading - you feel good. You feel happy. And - you want more. I will read anything Sabrina Flynn writes.

What a fun read! Turn of the century (1899) San Francisco. Atticus Riot returns from a long absence and wants only to stay retired and lick his wounds. Life has other plans for him, and he once again finds himself embroiled in a mystery as an unwilling detective, striving to find the missing wife/heiress before her kidnappers kill her.Ms Flynn has done a remarkable job of creating the fog-drenched city and time of the era. The tale is told in different times, so pay attention to the chapter headings, when shown. I rather enjoyed her taking us fore and aft along the time continuum.I enjoyed the characters, and look forward to meeting them in future books (I believe there are currently 4 in publication). Yes, I solved part of it before the ending. Note, I said PART of it. The fun in mysteries is trying to figure out the who and the why, and then reading through to the end to see if I was correct. I give myself a C on that one. ;-)I became very engrossed in the story, therefore, in my book; it is a perfect piece of fiction. The ending was satisfactory, albeit too soon. I really wanted to stay and play with the characters a bit longer. Escapism at it's best!

I was thrilled with this first volume of Flynn's Ravenwood Mysteries. She excels equally at wordsmithing and storytelling, interwoven with beautiful, atmospheric evocations of 1900 San Francisco. I particularly loved the unusual narrative structure, moving back and forth through time; the first time it shifted, I was skeptical, because I thought there was no way that could be executed well, but it was actually perfect for the story, elegantly and cunningly performed.

I loved the period setting of turn of the century San Francisco and the Barbary Coast but the characters did not grab me and I think were not as well developed as they could have been.

I came to this book completely by accident. I'd never heard of the author and I'd never heard of the book and I stumbled across both when I was looking for The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler, a book I must have read at least three times over the past 40 years and of which I've seen more than one movie. This was presented as a Chandleresque noir and so I bought it and I can confirm that it is what it says it is. One of the things you learn with Chandler is that what counts is the action (“In writing a novel, when in doubt, have two guys come through the door with guns.”) The nitty gritty of the plot isn't always worked out in enormous detail, and that also applies here. Nevertheless, a really good read. Chandler/Marlowe fans should read it.

Written in the language purporting to be of the 1900s San Francisco it takes a chapter or two to tune in to the very descriptive prose. It takes no time however to be drawn into the mystery, the apparent abduction of a newly married young lady, and feel the hero's drive to find her before the kidnappers kill her. Carefully woven into the proceedings are the demons that drive our detective and this is what makes him such an engaging character. The story takes us to the heart of the developing city in an era not really long after the "wild west" and its almost worth reading just for this glimpse of American life at the turn of the 19th/20th century. As with any self respecting mystery/whodunnit there is a really surprising twist at the very end. The main character Atticus Riot is a proper old fashioned detective, taking nothing at face value and meticulously examines crime scenes (and suspects) for clues others have missed. I shall look forward to reading any new books in the series

I purchased this book as the blurb mentioned a detective tale based in San Farancisco in the early1900s.It totally engrossed me as the historical and geographical side of the story was so descriptive. Also the mystery and adventure side of the story was also gripping. The female at the centre of this story is fascinating and I will read the follow up books with her as the detective.Great educational and thrilling read.

Unknowingly, he had arrived with the plague. It was fitting, divine almost, for he had left with death on his heels, and now he was bringing an old companion home.Strong books usually make themselves known by starting off as such; strong, forward and lyrical. A book that starts with these words… It had to be brilliant, I thought.And God, I was never more right in my entire life.SummaryFrom the Ashes is the first book of Ravenwood Mysteries by Sabrina Flynn, in which we follow a man by the name of Atticus Riot, an ex-gambler who became detective. On January 2, 1900, he returns after three years of roaming the world, after having fled San Francisco, following the death of his partner Zephaniah Ravenwood. He intends to settle his affairs and be gone, before word spreads of his arrival. But the disappearance of a young heiress attracts his attention. As he is trying to run away from his own demons, he finds himself chasing the ghost of Isobel Kingston.CharactersI would say one chapter. Perhaps two. That was all I needed to fall in love with main character Atticus Riot (what a pompous but regal name Sabrina Flynn chose for her protagonist). The man holds within himself all the qualities of a good detective, the capacities that we find in his colleagues such as D.I. Morse, Mr. Holmes… He’s witty, as sharp as a knife, has an eye for detail and a mind that wanders like Riot himself does so often. What really distinguishes him – and what makes him such a pleasant protagonist – is his gentlemanly nature, under which a good amount of humour and a daring personality simmers. The man is patient and balanced and yet haunted by his past. Atticus is caring and tender and at the same time dangerous, and not only because he wields his silver cane with deadly grace and accuracy. His tongue is as quick as his hand and what I enjoyed the most about this book, were the conversations he has with others, in which he engages in a battle of wits, throwing arguments and reasoned elocution, trying to extract information or to connect on a deeper level. The man is wonderfully complex, intriguing and absolutely agreeable.At first sight, Miss Kingston seems to share rather little with our favourite detective. Defiant, as wild as the sea opposed to his calmness, his patience. And yet they share the curious and inquisitive mind of their creator. Isobel can be too forward, too impatient, too eager to dare the monster in front of her. The woman seeks to thrill – herself and others. And boy, does she!Now, good main characters would nevertheless sink like a brick without decent supporting roles. Flynn’s other personages are lively, quirky and real. They captivate the reader, engage the reader in their own problems, entice him with their hopes and dreams and move him deeply.StoryNot only the characters of this story can be source of pride for Sabrina Flynn. The mystery behind Isobel’s disappearance is also impossibly fascinating. This book is more than the average detective station novel, or the script of one of the thousands and thousands of detective shows the television introduced us to. It goes further, it requires the absolute volition of a creative and curious mind to come up with this kind of tale. Think along the lines of BBC’s Sherlock or Endeavour (about young inspector Morse) or Christie’s Hercule Poirot. I wouldn’t dare to hinder your enjoyment of this book, by revealing more. Perhaps you’d thank me first, but you’d surely curse my name later. It’s best to let the story come to you, let the information sink in and simply bask in the unknown. You shall be rewarded at the end.WritingAs the preface might have suggested, Flynn choses her words carefully (a trait she shares with her protagonist), which makes for a novel that reads fast, easy but lyrical when it needs to be. A few wonderful one-liners only expedited my falling in love with Atticus (I’m a sucker for one-liners). Cynicism is all the comfort I require. Which is a bloody lie coming from Riot, but you discover that yourself.The pacing is good. The story moves along nicely, making you feel the miles that Riot walks and the waters he crosses to solve his little mystery, but without making you dreary or leaving you disinterested.ConclusionFor all those who are looking for something to blow their minds away, please pick up this book. For all those who aren’t, pick it up anyway.Long story short: the characters are pleasing and enthralling. Each has his own monsters to battle and at the same time the underworld of San Francisco in the 1900’s is lurking, which makes an exciting blend. The mystery is complicated and gives you a feeling of satisfaction, after discovering what happened and why.I doubted this book when I shouldn’t have.It has but one flaw and that is the simple fact that it is only 259 pages long.I have high hopes and expectations for Ravenwood Mysteries #2!

Very good start to a series. I like Atticus Riot - he definitely has a Sherlock Holmes vibe. A good story. I liked the twists.

I loved the setting both in time and place. An eloquent piece of fiction with a great ending. Captivating to the end

A most enjoyable read! Lots of research went into this writing...the vocabulary, the clothing, the mores of the timeand mostly, a great story.

A most intriguing mystery that kept me turning the pages without wanting it to stop.A very unusual style of writing as the characters interchanged in time and placeI enjoyed the concept as well as the fascinating characters with their touch of humor dispute the many challengesLook forward to read the next book