Once a Monster set in London – Robert Dinsdale

Submitted: 9th September 2023

Once a Monster set in London

Robert Dinsdale is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. I’ve been transported to Paris and the most magical of toyshops and this book had me meeting a monster in the muddy banks of the Thames. This novel is inspired the the story of the Medusa and take it from me, someone who struggles sometimes with Greek retellings – reading a story inspired by a Greek myth was a triumph. Such a triumph!

BookTrail the locations in Once a Monster

Literary Locations of Once A Monster

BookTrail the locations in Once a Monster

Boarding Pass Information : Once a Monster

Destination : London

Author guide: Robert Dinsdale

Genre: historical

Food and drink to accompany: a meat pie and tankard of ale

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BookTrail the locations in Once a Monster

A novel to transport you to 1861 London

BookTrail the locations in Once a Monster

Greek myth retold in the style of Dickens but with added marvels.

There’s so much to love about this novel. The scene setting is to die for! – We are thrust into the trade of the mudlarkers who search for buried treasure on the banks of the Thames. Nell is one of them and she stumbles onto a body – Minos – who is barely alive. She brings him back to health whilst others want to rob from him. A bond forms between them and that’s when the story really takes off .

The relationship between Nell and Minos is one of the loveliest and most poignant I have read in a while. Beauty and the Beast in many ways but with added feeling and tenderness. There is a bond that will see Nell risk everything and Minos to find his way in this odd world. Meanwhile, Nell is struggling as her mother is dead and she desperately wants to become a dancer as her mother told her she could be.

I loved meeting the entire cast of characters. There’s no illustrations like in Dickens work but none needed as they are so expertly drawn. A story of good and evil and all the muddy areas in between.

The entire reading experience was a joy to behold and I urge everyone to read this.