THE DANTE CHAMBER is a stand- alone sequel to THE DANTE CLUB. You don't have to read the first book to understand the story in this book, though you might be interested in reading the first book. I know I'm tempted now to reread THE DANTE CLUB.

It's been five years since the events in THE DANTE CLUB, when several Dante-inspired murders happened in Boston. Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes was involved in catching the killer and is now on tour in Europe when he gets a message from Robert Browning. There seems to be a killer loose in England who is also copying Dante, this time in styles of punishments from Purgatory, the second part of Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. Robert Browning, together with Christina Rossetti, and Alfred Tennyson are looking for Christina's brother Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who has disappeared. Could the missing Dante have something to do with the killings? Could he be an intended victim?

You need patience when you read this book, it's a slow-moving book, well-written, and very atmospheric. There were moments I felt that I wanted the story to move a bit faster, particularly towards the middle of the book, when I felt that everything was up in the air and I wanted to get some answers to what was going on. I loved that Robert Browning, Christina Rossetti, and Alfred Tennyson worked together with Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes to find Dante. The best part of the book is towards the end when you realize the whole truth. Nothing is how it seemed, and you have been blindsided!

I did like THE DANTE CLUB a bit better than I liked THE DANTE CHAMBER. However, it's a good historical mystery, and I recommend reading this one if you like reading about real authors solving crimes.

Book Summary