The Queen of Bedlam

Once again Robert McCammon delivers a masterpiece. Matthew Corbett has really grown on as a character and the colonial era although never before a genre that I enjoyed is now one of my favorite epics. I had previously enjoyed Wilbur Smith's ancient Egyptian saga, and then onto his swashbuckling adventures, but they didn't contain the raw substance that McCammon is able to infuse into his writings. I was very glad to hear that there will be a fourth follow up to this series, as I had previously only thought that these novels were part of a trilogy.

The characters in this series are put together very well, and for the first time in this saga we get to witness a truly evil individual. Mister Slaughter, this guy is just plain wicked and the viciousness by which he dispatches is victims can be quick and other times drawn out. The sad truth is that the character in this book is extremely horrific but he is just that "fiction", however at the same fact there are people who live beyond this world of fiction and preform actions like this in reality. So although grisly and you want to tell yourself it's only a story the true fact is that these things happen in the news everyday.

Moving on, another thing that I really like the blending of elements from one novel to the next are seamless. Now it's on to a Agent Pendergast novel and then I will be taking a jump back to McCammon's "They Thirst" or "Usher's Passing".

Once again, a special thanks goes out to the author for entertaining with his story-telling!

Matthew Corbett, an orphan from London, has made a place for himself in 18th century New York. He is a well thought of magistrate's clerk with dreams of becoming a lawyer. As he heads out to a local New York tavern one night, he comes upon a heinous murder that seems to be the act of a serial murderer. Matthew is drawn into the discovery of who is committing several similar murders in colonial New York.

The mystery and historical detail all serve to make this a great read. My only issue with the book is that at times I felt that I was reading a contemporary murder mystery not an historical murder mystery. However, the writing is beautiful and vibrant. The action kept me on the edge of my seat and I could not wait to sit down and read Matthew's story. Be warned - there is quite a bit of violence and gore which the author delights in describing to the extreme.

Some of the historical details are very funny and lighten up some of the more macabre scenes. For instance the cross-dressing Lord of Cornbury who was sent by Queen Anne to govern New York in early 1702, appears in woman's clothing in a number of chapters. A number of documents from the 17th century mention that Lord Cornbury did in fact dress ''publiqly in womans Cloaths Every day".

I really enjoyed this one - great historical details, mystery, action, and humor. I am going to get the other books in the series and read them as well.

For the many of Robert McCammon's fans, it couldn't be a more wonderful experience than to finally have him back writing again after such a long period of inactivity. Known primarily for his horror fiction from the late seventies to the early nineties, Mr. McCammon said goodbye to the publishing industry when they refused to accept any writing from him, except that which pertained to the horror genre. One of his unpublished novels from the early nineties (Speaks the Nightbird) eventually made it into print five years ago. This is the historical novel that first introduces Matthew Corbett to the reading public. The positive reception of this book by the reading public was nearly overwhelming and certainly encouraged Mr. McCammon to write other books with Matthew Corbett as the lead character. In fact, The Queen of Bedlam is the second book in this highly suspenseful series, which takes place in Colonial America. The author is now at work on the third "Matthew Corbett novel and has plans to write at least two more books in this new series. I just hope that I'm around to read them when they're finally finished.

Though I don't generally read historical novels, Speaks the Nightbird certainly hooked me with its dark intensity and the need for its young protagonist, Matthew Corbett, to see justice prevail at all costs. Because I enjoyed this particular novel so much, I naturally sought out the second book in the series, The Queen of Bedlam, and wasn't disappointed with Mr. McCammon's unique gift for storytelling.

The Queen of Bedlam picks up with the character of Matthew Corbett a few years after his experiences in the Carolinas, having saved a woman from being burned at the stake for the practice of witchcraft. It's the summer of 1702, and Matthew is now the clerk for Magistrate Powers in New York City. While attempting to gather enough evidence to have Eben Ausley (the head of the orphanage where Matthew grew up as a teenager) arrested for his crimes of child molestation, our young clerk gets caught up in the murders of a doctor and a successful businessman. The killings are identical, and the murderer is quickly dubbed The Masker by the local coroner and newspaper. But that isn't all. While attempting to solve the mystery behind the two murders and the identity of the Masker, Matthew is also approached by the lovely owner of the Herrald Agency to become a member of its staff of detectives, probably the first such agency of its kind in both England and America. Since Matthew is a natural born problem solver, he accepts the invitation and is eventually led to a lady in an asylum who may have the answers to his questions about the serial killer stalking the streets of New York City. Poor Matthew, however, soon finds himself over his head as he comes to the attention of an underground criminal organization that is led by the notorious and secretive Professor Fell. Matthew has information that they want, and the criminals won't hesitate to kill those closest to him in order to attain it. Our young clerk will certainly have to summon all of his strength and wisdom and problem-solving abilities to survive the ordeals that are suddenly cast upon him.

This riveting novel continues with the excellence of Speaks the Nightbird by drawing the reader into the life and times of Colonial American and early New York City. The author has a knack for making the historic details fascinating, rather than boring. One is swiftly caught up in the nightlife and dark streets of what will soon be a metropolitan city as the character of Matthew Corbett tries to catch the Masker in the act of murder. Not only that, but all of the characters that present themselves within the novel are colorful and intriguing: Lord Cornbury who likes to dress up in drag during public meetings, Hudson Greathouse who will become Matthew's mentor and teach him the intricacies of fencing and to fight with a killer's instinct, Marmaduke Grigsby who is the creator of New York City's first tabloid and has a nose for good stories, Berry Grigsby, his young red-headed daughter, who seems to always have a black cloud of doom following close behind; yet, wins Matthew's heart with her bravery and self-determination, Polly Blossom who is New York City's most famous madam, and a score of others. The story line is complex, yet it never drags and keeps the reader guessing from chapter to chapter as to what will happen next. In other words, this is great story telling, and few authors do it as good as Robert McCammon. This is also a book that will have you eager to read more of the series. I know that I didn't want the book to end and could've easily read another two-to-three hundred pages. Now, I have to wait another year before the next novel comes out. At least it won't a five-year wait!

As Robert McCammon said in a recent interview, when he felt the urge to finally write again, he wanted to create something that he would enjoy reading. This gave birth to the historical series, featuring Matthew Corbett. The author chose well and will have a new legion of fans awaiting anxiously for his next book. Highly recommended!

Robert McCammon is one of my favorite authors and he again does not disappoint. In this intricately plotted sequel to Speaks the Nightbird, McCammon delivers a richly developed story with a host of interesting characters that will catch you in its spell early in the rather thick (645-page) volume. The author credibly captures the feeling of 18th-century life in the growing New York colony while weaving together related and unrelated plot threads in a compelling story. While Speaks the Nightbird is referenced throughout the story, you will be able to enjoy the Queen of Bedlam without having read its prequel. Matthew Corbett is a law clerk whose world and life are in a state of change. His innate curiosity and sense of justice impress and annoy those around him and compel the action for most of the story. A murderer is brutally striking down local well-known citizens, striking fear throughout the town. The printmaster is fanning the flames with his publication. A new city leader has come to town with new ideas. The local minister is taking secret late-night walks. An old woman with an unknown identity waits in a sanitarium. A secret sinister force lurks, makes plans and gains strength. Meanwhile, an interesting and headstrong woman with a dark cloud of bad luck comes to town, as well as a mysterious and powerful woman with an unusual business proposition - both to have an effect on Matthew's ordered life. I enjoyed this book more than Speaks the Nightbird and highly recommend this terrific book.

QUEEN OF BEDLAM is Robert McCammon's long-awaited sequel to SPEAKS THE NIGHTBIRD, which I count as one of the most enjoyable novels I've read in recent years. BEDLAM is not as magnificient as NIGHTBIRD, but it's a highly enjoyable work in it's own right.

This novel is essentially a historical mystery in colonial New York, around the year 1700. A serial killer is apparently at work on the streets, and young Matthew Corbett is determined to track him down. In the meantime, Corbett has to figure out what to do about his own future and career, and he encounters a series of interesting opporunities as the story progressses.

One of the many pleasures of this novel is how McCammon captures the spirit of colonial America. My understanding is that McCammon does a lot of research for these novels, and it really shows one very page. The author also does a superb job with character creation, giving every character (no matter how small) a distinct and vivid personality. There is also plenty of humor in this book, a McCammon trademark.

QUEEN OF BEDLAM is a bit slow at the beginning, and McCammon does take his time in setting the stage for the story to unfold. While this novel isn't as thrilling and fast-paced as some of McCammon's earlier work, it is still highly enjoyable to spend time in his historical universe. The conclusion of the book is very exciting, and ends with a bit of a cliffhanger that promises more entires in the series.

All and all, this is a very fine effort, and I heartily recommend it. My only warning is to read SPEAKS THE NIGHTBIRD first to maximize your reading pleasure.

I so loved Speaks the Nightbird, the story had richly drawn characters and great suspense and mystery. The Queen of Bedlam is the sequel and I have to say it just didn't move as smoothly as the first novel, but I think I know why that is. Speaks the Nighbird, I feel was not intended to be continued, hense the long delay between novels. The biginning of QOB had alot of reintroductions and had to create the new setting since this novel now takes place in Manhatten and not South Carolina. With that being said, once the story got into its groove the story started to gain momentem, and it then took off.
The plot concerns a serial killer on the lose, called "The Masker", Mathew Corbit is convinced he can solve the case and is hot on the killer's trail. We are introduced, to many colorful charactors, situations and great scene settings. Mccammon is great at explaining the situations and he is great at keeping the story going, I am very impressed with his talents.
As the novel draws to a close we are faced with great tensions and cliffhangers. I don't want to spoil it, but I will say that the next novel in the series Mr. Slaughter is nicely mentioned. I just purchased Mister slaughter and I look forward to reading that one very soon.

THE QUEEN OF BEDLAM captivated me with the first sentence and held me fascinated through the many rich characters, twists of plot and suspenseful moments, all the way to an ending which frustrated me but left me wanting more, More, MORE-- as a good story is supposed to do-- and, God bless Robert McCammon, I think I'm pretty sure to get more because there were just enough possibilities left dangling at the story's end for me to feel certain there's a sequel in the works.
While the plot is thoroughly twisty enough to satisfy the deductive mind, the book's personalities are what kept me enrapt. Protagonist Matthew Corbett is a terrific character: clever, lucky, and plucky enough to be a hero and yet with enough ordinary Joe qualities for everyday guys to identify with him. Amusing and stubborn, he just can't let go of a situation or a problem until he gets it all worked out, which is the way it is with lots of men, or at least the way they imagine. Corbett heads up a large cast of splendid characters, almost infinite in variety, who range from the drab to the outrageous and never disappoint the reader. And speaking of characters, it just may be that the greatest, most multifaceted character of the entire work is the community of New York. What a crazy lady! What a book! I just spent my entire Saturday reading it cover to cover and my only regret is that it wasn't twice as long.
Buy it; read it. Have you got a treat in store.

The sequel to Speaks the Nightbird, this is another good plot driven whodunnit set at the start of the 18th Century - this time in New York.

These are good entertaining novels, somewhere between thriller and detective stories, and were a good read.

Some problems I detected with the first book were perhaps more evident in this one. The writer does not quite carry off the feel for the period, and primarily I found this in the way the protaganist (Matthew Corbett) thinks. His thinking is thoroughly modern, with no good reason as to why this should be so other than the fact that he is very intelligent. To me that rang as false when coupled with the decision to have the language quite modern too.

The vision that one character has for New York also seems to be somewhat enlightened by our knowledge of its later importance. We read the character as visionary because we know she was right.

All in all though this was a cracking adventure.

I suppose McCammon is revving up for an entire Matthew Corbett/Harrald Agency series, which is fine by me. Initially, I was distressed to hear that one of my favorite authors was retiring several years ago, but he returned with the awesome "Speaks the Nightbird" and seems to have retained that steam and acquired a new creative direction. I still might long for the McCammon of old but this new stuff is just so much fun to read I'm ready to travel with him as long as he continues to produce books of this caliber.

At 600+ pages it reads so smoothly and swiftly I could have easily read 600 more. Considering that McCammon has chosen to write his latest novels in a more formal and slightly archaic language, it's a testament to his skill that the work never comes off as stilted or pretentious. Also on display are McCammon's unique gifts for setting up suspense with gratifying payoffs. He never cheats his readers or insults our intelligence. Also, I have to say that the climax of the book literally had me gritting my teeth and holding the book tighter, as corny as that sounds.

So, this is officially a gushing review and a statement that I can't wait for the next volume.

The Queen of Bedlam is everything you could possibly want in a historical mystery.

The story is a sequel to Speaks the Nightbird in the continuing saga of young law clerk, Matthew Corbett. While you can read this book as a stand alone, if you plan to read Speaks The Nightbird, I would highly recommend reading it first as there are some references made in The Queen of Bedlam that are spoilers for the first.

I devoured this book. Robert McCammon has done a wonderful job in evoking the atmosphere, sights, sounds and even smells of early New York. Matthew is a complex, highly believable protagonist, as are the rest of the characters. The storyline is solid and there are even several laugh out loud parts in the dialogue. The ending will leave you begging for more - QUICKLY, PLEASE!

All in all, if you are a fan of historical mysteries, I would say RUN - don't walk - and get your hands on this book. It's been a long time since I've read such a satisfying novel.

The second of McCammon's excellent historical mysteries featuring Matthew Corbett in early 1700's New York. Imagine New York City when it only had 5,000 residents. The protagonist finds himself and his insatiable curiosity entwined in the murders of several of New York's prominent residents, apparently by a serial killer who has been dubbed "The Masker" by the local gossip-sheet. While Corbett attempts to untangle the mystery, he is also recruited to a private investigation firm, and his first case involves finding the identity of a gentle older woman residing at a mental hospital, who has been so traumatized that she has fully retreated into her own brain and appears nearly catatonic. How these two cases become related, along with other red herrings and intersecting paths, is a fabulous novel and the ending leaves a clear and tantalizing glimpse into the third novel, which was just released on January 31.

I just finished The Queen of Bedlam and loved it! I thoroughly enjoyed Speaks the Night Bird, but I honestly enjoyed Queen of Bedlam more. So many times in a book series, the first installment is phenomenal and the second is less than stellar, to be kind. Not so with the Matthew Corbett series from Robert McCammon. McCammon is a true wordsmith. Though it can be crass at times, his writing is truly elegant and he crafts turns in his stories that even the most experienced mystery readers (like this reviewer) won't find predictable. While the plot sometimes borders on the periphery of believable, the books are a rollicking good time. Don't start this book (or any in the series) right before bed or plan on getting much sleep while reading it, as you will stay up reading "just one more chapter" well until the wee hours, if not dawn. Well done, Mr. McCammon!

I would read a shopping list written by McCammon. I am in awe of his ability to describe places and characters. The fact that he also has the imagination to create wonderful plots, is the cherry on the ice cream.

An example:

"Suddenly old wild-haired Hooper Gillespie stood up and said in his raspy wind-weathered voice, 'See here sir! I've got a problem needs fixin!'"

See how much he tells the reader in one sentence?

The richness of description takes you into the world of New York in 1702 with such ease that when you do happen to close the book at the end of a chapter there is a moment of reorientation while you re-enter the modern day.

Read this book if you love adventure, great characters and a page-turning plot.

Read this series!! Even if you don't read Speaks the Nightbird I/II you can thoroughly enjoy this novel. I was so involved in the descriptive characters and locations I felt transported back in time. The only complaint I have has nothing to do with the writing, which is brilliant, but with the fact that I found this book in the horror section of a Border's. Unfortunately, I feel that has greatly limited the availability to a host of reader's who tend to browse the general fiction or historical fiction sections and would never set foot in horror. I am a horror fan and would not consider this horror in the least. There are murders, but nothing more gorey than any other suspense, mystery or thriller would tend to contain. I will be waiting eagerly for the next novel in this series and will snatch it up with greedy hands!!

Enter the world of Matthew Corbett, indelibly curious magistrate's clerk in 1703 colonial America. Only Robert McCammon can bring this world to life with humor, terror, and suspense on every page. If you're a fan of historical fiction, these complex plots and and in-depth characters will keep you coming back to the Matthew Corbett series. I've loved all 4 so far, and eagerly await future installments.

I found Queen of Bedlam actually better than the first of the series, Speaks the Nightbird. The characters were more complex, the action tighter and the plot more irresistible. If you're a fan of mysteries and love historical fiction, buy all four books in this series. You won't regret it!

The time: the turn of the 18th century; the topic: alleged witchcraft in the English Colonies of the Carolinas; the tension: the assistant to the magistrate investigating the allegations is convinced of the innocence of the alleged witch (much to the chagrin and consternation of his boss). Intrigued yet? No? Well, what if I tell you that Speaks the Nightbird is also chock-a-block full of paranoia, back-stabbing, mysterious episodes of paranormal-ish activity, capital punishment, sex and sexual tension, and enough intrigue to satisfy even the most die-hard conspiracy theorist (as are its sequels, The Queen of Bedlam and Mister Slaughter. The writing is crisp, the historical detail is well-researched and thorough yet surprisingly accessible, and the characters are well-developed and eminently empathetic (except for the villains, who are perfectly, deviously villainous). Many a scene is so well-presented that you will literally hear the wind whistling through the trees behind you and feel the hairs on the back of your neck rise as yet another suspicious "accident" befalls the community of Fount Royal, as the denizens of Manhattan try to survive the Masker, or evil stalks the backwoods of Pennsylvania. Once you start these books you will not want to put them down - unless, of course, you happen to be home alone at night. And even then, while you might get the heebie-jeebies and want to put the book down, you are far more likely (if you are anything like me) to simply turn on all the lights and hunker in for the long, creepy ride until dawn. ;)

I really like Matthew Corbett and the detail that McCameron gives us of the historical New York City. There was more tension in the first book of the series, and it seemed the pacing of this book was slower, but it is so much fun to read about this time period with the details you are given by this author that I stuck with it,to be rewarded with that tension towards the end. I mean, you don't meet the the Queen until halfway through this rather thick book, so slow paced...yes. Still loved it, can't wait to read the rest.

Matthew Corbett returns three years after his adventures in Speaks the Nightbird. This time, he's taken a position in Colonial New York as a law clerk. Instead of one mystery and one life to save, as in the previous volume, this time Matthew comes up against several mysteries at once. McCammon carries the reader with Matthew through the now-expected rich background of history, as we wonder how he's going to save his skin this time. 1701 New York, with a population of 5000, mostly-unpaved streets lit by evening candle lanterns, and a largely illiterate population stemming from the docks of Old London fills this story. The final page makes the reader hopeful that Matthew will return in another book, as we are left with a new mystery and a death threat much too close to home.

SPEAKS THE NIGHTBIRD was an incredible novel and easily went onto my list of top 20 books that I've read in my lifetime. Now McCammon honors us with a sequel, THE QUEEN OF BEDLAM, that totally stands on it's own and immerces the reader into a believable, convincing 18th century tale of shady characters, noble heroes, mysterious circumstances, horrendous murders, the political state of the time, numerous secretive past lives and most importantly - a sense of time and place that you can hear, touch and smell. The man does his research. You totally lose yourself into the novel's abundance of intrigue and care about the characters and their fates to the point of being emotionally drained at the end of each chapter. The last 100 pages will have you gasping to catch your breath!

I've been a huge McCammon fan since first reading MYSTERY WALK after reading a glowing review of that novel in the New York Times. Each of his books offer the reader a thrilling and unique experience. If you've not tried McCammon then THE QUEEN OF BEDLAM would be a good place to start. His writing is flawless and his imagination soars. Thank you Robert McCammon for giving me many sleepless nights as I absorb your creative world!

This is a wonderful mystery series by Robert McCammon that began with Speaks the Nightbird. In this book, Matthew Corbett sets out to unravel the unsolved murders in 1702 New York of three men. Along the way, he graduates from being a law clerk to becoming an investigator for the Herrald Agency. This was a page turner right to the end. I enjoyed the story so much, I immediately ordered his next book in the series, Mr. Slaughter, due out the end of 2009. Robert McCammon was well-known for his earlier horror stories, but his historical mystery series is excellent, proving that he is definitely an automatic buy for this reader.

No spoilers... Wow! I almost gave up on this book early on as it started out a bit slow. I had just finished listening to the first Matthew Corbett book "Speaks the Night bird" which I gave 4 stars. It also starts out rather gritty (like the first one) and sometimes it is just a bit much. So I told myself I would give it one more chapter, and it really took off. I liked this story and mystery even better than the first one, and I like how Matthew's character is developing. Plus, his journey as a detective is quite exciting. This book has one of the most suspenseful scenes ever written in my opinion! I was completely on the edge of my seat. The setting of late 17th century New York is also interesting. McCammon is gifted in the way he reveals things to the reader right after they have been revealed by the main character; you learn them as the character reveals them as part of the story. Very clever. I am on to the next one!

In preperation for the release of "Mister Slaughter", the next book in the Matthew Corbet series, I re-read the "Queen of Bedlam" and actually enjoyed it more the second time around. This man has the ability to paint pictures with his words, vivid pictures with real substance. The characters he creates seem to be living, breathing people who, as a reader, you fall in love with or dislike with real emotion...The early city of New York as it was written by Mr. McCammon is a character unto itself. You can almost smell the place as you read his tale.
Double edged sword though as I am attempting to write my own book and as I read what this talanted wordsmith has written, it makes me want to chuck my own work into the nearest landfill...sigh. If you haven't read this book yet, do yourself a favor people!

In 1703 in Manhattan a serial killer frightens the community; no one in the bustling city wants to talk about the incident known as the "Thing That No One Spoke Of". Everyone fears that this unknown Masker dubbed that by the Printmaster following the murder of the doctor. The belief is he or she is everywhere and will overhear discussions that may make you the next victim.

Twenty-three year old Matthew Corbett clerks for the New York office of the London based Herrald Agency, whose mission is to solve problems. He feels like the sheep following the clues left behind by a predatory wolf as he fumbles and stumbles his way into crime scenes. He turns somewhat nauseous when he finds the corpse of someone he loathes, pedophile Eben Ausley, orphanage headmaster where Matthew was raised. As he reluctantly continues his vigil, Matthew believes the motive resides in an asylum where "the Queen of Bedlam" lives in blissful amnesia, but the Masker remains anonymous as more murders occur.

Just a few years have passed since the two volumes of SPEAKS THE NIGHTBIRD, but the adventures of magistrate clerk Matthew Corbett continue this time in his home city instead of the Carolinas. Matthew remains a fresh protagonist as his bumbling amateur sleuthing brings vividly alive early eighteenth century colonial New York City. The story line is fast-paced as the young hero and his partners try to unmask a brilliant serial killer leaving the audience satiated yet also joyfully implying more to follow.

Harriet Klausner

I eagerly anticipated the sequel to "Speaks the Nightbird" and it was worth the wait. In "Queen of Bedlam" we again meet law clerk Matthew Corbett who fought to prove the innocence of an accused witch in "Speaks..." This time Corbett is on the trail of a serial killer as well as seeking justice for the abused children in the orphanage where he grew up. McCammon has an incredible ability to transport the reader to New York in 1702. This book is full of suspense as well as humor. I enjoy a,well written,historical mystery as well as the writing of Robert McCammon. "The Queen of Bedlam" gives a healthy dose of both.

A decent (and lighter) sequel to Speaks the Nightbird. McCammon is definitely setting up a series with Matthew Corbett. The plot was intelligent and complex and there was a surprising amount of humor in the book. Just a fun read. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next. I'm looking forward to reading more about Corbett in the years to come.

I absolutely love both Speaks The Nightbird and The Queen of Bedlam...The intricate layers of mystery and intrigue are addictive. I love the subtle dark or dry humor along with the intermittant yet often truly 'creepy' atmosphere. The intrigue definitely had me feeling anxious and literally on the edge of my seat at times. I really cannot find a bad comment about this book. I have really enjoyed 'watching' Matthew Corbett grow from an orphan, to a magistrates clerk, to a 'detective' not only in career growth, but character and personal growth - across both books. On a more personal, subjective level...I particularly love the historical aspects and the inability to rely on high-tech science for any investigative work. The subtle refrences to what could become modern parts of life, such as the blood card, are fun to imagine...This book is truly a FUN read. I'm unsure of the historical accuracy, I happen to thrive on historical fiction and non-fiction however I've read little on pre-revolution America...But the setting and lifestyle makes for a colorful, wonderfully mental illustration as a background to a mystery novel. I don't want to dissect this book too much, as I believe over-analyzing it is just silly. As I said, it is plainly a fun, imaginative, exciting, intriquing book that is enjoyable because it doesn't have to be agonizingly 'deep' or 'psychological'.

I enjoyed "Speaks the Nightbird" very much and have been a fan of Rick's for quite some time. However, this sequel was ultimately disappointing and a chore to labor through. There is a definite change of tone from the previous volume. I found "Nightbird" to be dark and melancholy, with the introduction of culture and reason to a savage, untamed America, but "The Queen of Bedlam" has a tongue-in-cheek style that varies from witty to downright goofy. The female protagonist, Berry Grigsby, is largely played for laughs, and would seem more at home in Harry Potter than the gritty period mystery of McCammon's 1700s New York. Matthew Corbett is also depicted as improbably eccentric, and manages to be the supposed first man to coin the term "detective." This, and other instances of anachronistic sleuthing, feels so forced and hackneyed that it is distracting from the main mystery, which sadly, also fails to live up to expectations. By the time the reader struggles through the 700+ pages of tomfoolery to resolve the main plot, circumstances in the story itself render it practically moot.

The villains are delightfully cartoonish, however, in a comic-book style that fits the tone of "Bedlam." I could easily envision them drawn with exaggerated anatomy by the likes of Jack Kirby or Alex Raymond. Other characters do not benefit from the two-dimensional treatment. "Problem solving" patrons Katherine Herrald and Hudson Greathouse stand out as particularly flat. Greathouse might as well chomp a cigar and be called "Sarge," he's such a stock video game-style mentor.

So, while I didn't care much for this episode in Matthew's saga, and I fear the rest of the series will follow suit, I'm a forgiving fan, and will probably give Volume 3 "Mister Slaughter" a fair shake. Still, I sadly cannot recommend "The Queen of Bedlam," whether or not you enjoyed "Speaks the Nightbird" or other McCammon works.

Having been a fan of Robert McCammon's for years, I was very excited to get my hands on "The Queen of Bedlam". I was not disappointed. This is a fantastic colonial murder mystery featuring the resourceful young law clerk, Matthew Corbett, who was introduced in "Speaks the Nightbird". After the first few pages, I was hooked and I look forward to more adventures with Corbett in the future.

As usual, I love McKammons work. Nothing can ever surpass Boy's Life, my favorite novel ever- but this one comes pretty close. Getting Mister Slaughter now............ Queen was a great diversion from everyday life.
Thanks Robert R.!

I recently finished this book. I was not disappointed. I am a McCammon fan and have very rarely been disappointed with a McCammon book. McCammon does an excellent job introducing and fleshing out his characters. He is an excellent story teller and I found it hard to put this book down. My only complaint with this book and I had a similar complaint with Speaks the Night Bird is that both books had a very graphic sex scene that were really unnecessary. Speaks the Night Bird had the episode in the stable and The Queen of Bedlam had a pretty graphic scene where Matthew is under the Villan's control and is basically raped by a Nympho. I'm not sure why McCammon added these completely unnecessary episodes to otherwise great stories. I definitely recommend these books, however, you need to read the story first and cut out a couple pages in each book prior to letting the younger members of your family read them.

I was very disappointed in this novel. The 600+ pages could easily have been halved. I had to slog through over 300 pages of boring drivel before the plot picked up and went anywhere. Even then, it took it's time. It's a shame, because 'Boy's Life' and 'Swan Song' by this author are two of my favorite books. This book is dreadful and I'm glad I got it from the library instead of buying it.

Neither did "The Queen of Bedlam" nor "Speaks the NightBird" meet my expectations. I found both books very boring, too long, and the description was excessive.

As a reader whose primary language is not English and whose preference are horror/mystery/thrillers, I have been a fan of Mr.McCammon for a long time. I have really enjoyed most of his books specially Swan Song, Wolf's Hour, Boy's Life, Mine, to name just a few.

Mr. McCammon should go back to writing horror stories or at least once in a while write one for the benefit of all his loyal fans.

Sonia M. Principe