India Black is the first full-length book in Carol K. Carr’s Madam of Espionage mystery series. It stars India Black, the beautiful young madam of the Lotus House brothel in London, which caters to an elite clientele. One day, Sir Archibald Latham, a regular client and employee of the War Office, has the audacity to drop dead in her establishment, something that could be very bad for business if word got out. Therefore, India contrives to dispose of his body discretely after dark. However, she’s caught in the act by a handsome British spy, going simply by the name of French, who works for the Prime Minister. Soon India finds herself kidnapped and taken to have an audience with the Prime Minister himself, who explains that when Latham went to Lotus House, he was in possession of a briefcase containing sensitive political information, which if it got out, could mean the difference between Great Britain being forced to wage war against Turkey (something they don’t want) or not. Unfortunately the case went missing from the brothel, but they’ve tracked it to the Russian embassy and believe that India, using her skills as a lady of the night, could help them get it back. India isn’t exactly eager to do so, but after French applies a little blackmail, she’s persuaded to do as they’ve asked. The mission proves to be anything but easy, though, with India and French ending up on a madcap adventure all over England and beyond in an effort to recover the information before the Russians can get it out of the country and back to St. Petersburg.

The entire book is told from India’s first-person perspective. We aren’t given her exact age, but she’s described as still young and beautiful. She’s much more than just a pretty face, though, also being quite the good businesswoman, knowing exactly how to keep her girls in line and run a tight establishment. A practical, no-nonsense kind of woman, she oozes confidence and assertiveness, and doesn’t suffer fools lightly. India proves to have an adventurous side as well. Although French twists her arm a little to gain her initial cooperation, once embroiled in the caper, she’s all in, taking it very seriously and not giving up. I was amused by her keeping a gun in her purse that she knows how to use and impressed with her ability to take care of herself with self-defense moves that keep the bad guys on their toes. All in all, she was an admirable heroine who isn’t half-bad at the espionage game despite that not being her area of expertise.

India’s primary cohorts are French and Vincent. French—just French—as he chooses not to reveal any more about himself, works for the government in some sort of spy or “fixer” capacity and reports directly to the Prime Minister with his main loyalty being to that office no matter who holds it, not unlike U. S. Secret Service. He’s brave and resourceful, a great partner for India in their mission. Vincent is a street kid who India goes to on occasion for help with covert things. It’s him that she calls upon to help her remove Latham’s body, which of course, doesn’t go as planned. Vincent is loyal to India, though, and proves far better at the espionage game than some of the actual spies in Her Majesty’s employ. Of course, there are the main Russian baddies, Ivanov and Oksana, who lead India and French on a merry chase across England and keep jockeying with them for the upper hand.

I’ve noticed that India Black doesn’t really have spectacular ratings, but not having read any reviews yet, I’m not entirely sure why. If the story had any weakness, I’d say it would be in the characterizations. I would have been interested in learning more of India’s background and how she came to be in her current position, and while having French be a little mysterious was rather fun, I wouldn’t have minded knowing more about him as well. Otherwise, though, I personally quite enjoyed it. Perhaps that was due in part to Carol K. Carr’s writing style reminding me a lot of Diana Gabaldon’s. In fact, if I didn’t know their books were authored by different people, I might think them one and the same. India in a lot of ways reminded me of Claire Fraser from Outlander, too. If these two women were real, I think they might actually be great friends. The one big difference, though, is that this book has no romance of any sort despite the cover blurb hinting at some. Although one character ruminates that he thinks India is attracted to French, she vehemently denies it, instead insisting that he annoys her. Whether that might change in future books of the series, I have no idea, but I’m not holding my breath for it to happen. The story is called a mystery, but there’s very little actual mystery to solve, as the government officials know what became of the case. Therefore, it’s more of a suspense story, full of action and adventure as India and French try their level best to get the case back with things often not going their way. Overall, I found India Black to be a fun, madcap escapade that kept me entertained, and I look forward to continuing the series. ( )

I wanted to like this book. The verbal exchanges And the narrator's aside comment a could have been an asset to the story, but instead they detracted from it ( )

Ok, so I feel as though this book maybe takes itself a little too seriously for a patently ridiculous Victorian crime caper. However, I know that with mysteries frequently you just have to go with it, this one is a pretty entertaining story, with a refreshing bluntness on the subject of London brothels. I am also pretty highly amused with the plucky and strong-willed India Black. ( )

The premise was good, but it was poorly executed. I really wanted to like it but it read more like bad fan-fiction. I mean really, if it's set in the Victorian era, there were words chosen that would not have been used. ( )

Amusing and an easy read. ( )

Well written but implausible plot. India is a likable heroine but I have little interest in reading next in series. ( )

INDIA BLACK was an entertaining historical mystery/espionage novel. India is the madam of Lotus House. Her problems begins when one of her clients dies in her house. The gentleman is a regular Sunday afternoon client. India's first plan is to move his body so that she and her house don't attract the attention of the law. She enlists a street urchin named Vincent and plans are going well until French interferes.

French is an agent for the Prime Minister and agrees to help move the body and arrange for it to be discovered if India will turn over to him the briefcase of government papers he had with him when he arrived at the house. This sound like a wonderful deal to India who just wants all of this to go away so that she can get back to her business.

Unfortunately, the briefcase and the girl who was with the client have both disappeared. The adventures of India and French as they try to recover the missing briefcase are all told by India in an irreverent and cheeky style and takes them to the Russian Embassy and on a break-neck trip across England in a blizzard.

The action is non-stop and laced with humor. A madam's take on the politics of the day make this an informative story as well especially when filtered through India's point of view. I liked the relationship between French and India. I liked that they both had secrets. I was especially curious about India's since she seems to have more education than the usual woman who grows up on the streets in a poor part of London.

I am eager to continue this series to find out more about India and French. ( )

India Black is a historical mystery set in Victorian London featuring the madam of Lotus House. She's recruited to perform an espionage task for the government after a client dies in her establishment. A mysterious man named French is going to be her partner as she attempts to steal back an important set of papers from a Russian diplomat. The author has researched the period and weaves in a lot of historical figures along with the fictional.

The storyline is pretty implausible but that didn't stop my enjoyment of the book. India tells her story in a witty first-person narrative, so if you like India you'll probably enjoy the book. Her repartee had me laughing several times. The secondary characters are vividly drawn, especially a street urchin named Vincent. There is an awful lot of action and it might be too nonstop for some readers. This is the first book of the series and I won't hesitate to pick up another the next time I'm in the mood for a romp through Victorian England. ( )

To read my review, please go to http://www.myshelf.com/mystery/12/indiablack2.htm ( )

Now this was a different kind of heroine. India is a former whore who is now the proud owner of her own brothel, you go girl. She can now rest her feet and have a glass of whisky while she tries to keep her girls in line.

But more than that is happening as this is a mystery/spy novel. India gets blackmailed to help her country. And a former whore does have her charm and that is why they want her. But India was cool, and continued to help all through the book. Because this woman does not give up. Which is of course why there are more books about her helping the government ;)

To her help she has a street rat (I am just gonna call him that) that comes in handy. And the mysterious spy Mr French. I can't wait to get to know him more for here it felt like we just brushed the surface.

Mystery, danger, spy-game and a resourceful woman is what you get in this book. And that is takes place in the late 1800s is truly the best part. It make it a bit more exciting, and harder for them too.

A fun book, and I can't wait to see what India comes up with next. ( )

While this book will never win any literary awards, it is a light, entertaining romp through an almost believable Dickensian England. It is straight forward black and white spy story - the baddies are ugly and Russian, the goodies are handsome and English. Very clear cut with nothing too unpredictable or mind blowing. I did enjoy the witty narration and the character of India Black. Enjoyable yet probably forgettable. Two and a half stars. ( )

India Black is the first novel in Carol K. Carr's Madam of Espionage mystery series. Judging from the overwhelmingly positive reviews this novel has garnered, India Black, the title character, has charmed many a reader. I, however, am not one of them.

As the proprietress of Lotus House - a brothel - India Black is definitely not your average Victorian heroine. She's characterized as feisty, strong-willed and used to fighting for what she wants. When a client turns up dead in her establishment, India becomes unexpectedly embroiled in the high stakes game of international espionage. While this has the makings for a good story, it is undone by its numerous implausibilities and lack of character development. Although I liked India, Carr has given her heroine an insufficient back story, therefore leaving one with little knowledge of her even by the story's end. Furthermore, the hero, British agent French, remains mostly an enigma throughout the novel, as are the story's villains. Perhaps further character development will occur in later novels. Regardless, the book's under developed characters have left me with little interest in pursing this series.

Notwithstanding the implausibility of the plot and lack of character development, my biggest issue with this novel is India's poorly explained acquisition of a comprehensive knowledge of the geopolitical situation of Great Britain, Russia and Turkey/Ottoman Empire. It is extremely difficult to accept how a Victorian madam, whose limited back story hints at no formal education, could have acquired such a solid grasp of international affairs. Carr explains that India's acquired knowledge is a result of gleaning bits and pieces of information from her various clients. Yet this does not go far enough to explain India's encyclopedic understanding of the world around her, an understanding most people of the Victorian age wouldn't possess.

Despite my criticisms, I do feel this novel was clearly written and that the characters have potential. ( )

Right. This is what my love of spy novels does to me. :)

India Black could have been a fantastic book. I loved the wry humour and typical British arrogance of it, I chuckled at Madam Black's observations and at her amusing associates, the descriptions were so vivid I could easily see what was happening.

However, the plot was silly. After reading Joanna Bourne's spy novels and admiring the brilliant minds of British spymasters, sadly I found French, the actual spy in this book, lacking. He doesn't think things through, he is clumsy and he continues to make silly mistakes. This is what his department reduced to? A brooding gentleman with a cane, a whore and and a dirty street urchin?

At some point the whole involvement of India in this affair became ridiculous. In the beginning she is blackmailed in helping Ministry of Foreign Affairs to extract some documents from the Russian Embassy in London. When the plan fails, the blackmail is lifted and she is free to go. Why would any normal woman want to chase some Russian spies just for the thrill of it?! Is she an adrenaline junkie? Does she value her life so little?

Frankly, I don't know what was more surprising, - her insisting on being involved or Disraeli and French caving into her demands.

My last pet-peeve is the amount f info dumps. Yes, Russians want to fight Turkey to protect Serbs and to gain a foot hole in the region. Yes, England needs to prevent them from doing it to protect their own interests. Do we need the detailed descriptions and bloody maps? No. Does India needs it? Hell, no. However, Disraeli and other two gentlemen patiently explain everything to her in the age when women were considered too feeble minded to understand politics.

Sorry for my long rant, peeps. The book is entertaining at least, and if you're able to put the aforementioned issues behind you, you'll enjoy it much more than me. ( )

THe premise of this was interesting. The madame of a whorehouse who helps the government. Sounds fantastic. Carr seemed to be very into tell don't show, though. It was lots of "we did this, then we did this, then we did this." It got really boring really fast.

Also, I feel like if you are going to write a book about a prostitute, and there is going to be a specific lesbian threesome scene, it's pretty boring to go "and then we kissed, and we touched ecah other, blah blah blah." No fun!!

So yeah. This one was disappointing. I own't be reading the others. ( )

A fast read but thoroughly enjoyable regardless. I do wish it had been a Tad more detail oriented, but as India says, I digress. ( )

A fast read but thoroughly enjoyable regardless. I do wish it had been a Tad more detail oriented, but as India says, I digress. ( )

This could have been better...... ( )

India Black, the owner and manager of the high-class brothel called the Lotus House, seems an unlikely candidate for being called upon to aid Queen Victoria's government in international espionage. However, when a VIP carrying even more important papers dies in her establishment, she finds herself embroiled in a plot to keep said papers from reaching the Russians. Teaming up with secret agent French and street urchin/mastermind/tornado Vincent, will India save her country and manage to stay alive in the process?

Despite her line of work, you can't help but like India Black. She is truly a woman of mystery, and she makes no apologies for her profession. We learn very little about her past. How did she end up being a prostitute and, ultimately, a madame? French tries to draw her out, but she doesn't take the bait, and you can never be quite certain about anything she does say about her past. I'm hoping that more is revealed in future volumes. ( )

India Black, A Madam of Espionage Mystery by Carol K. Carr started off beautifully and strong but fizzled some at the end. The characters are wonderful. India Black is intelligent, witty and has a sense of humor. She is also the Madam of the Lotus House, a brothel in London during Victorian Times.

The first half of the book was a fascinating dip into the forbidden life of brothels, Sir Archibald of Latham, aka Bowser dies of a heart attack in one of the rooms. India has to get rid of the body for several reasons, to keep the brothel from the stench of scandal and to protect Mrs. Latham. Also a self-righteous clergyman shows up to rescue the girls of the house from sin. One of Sir Archibald’s possessions is missing at the scene. That thrusts India into the thick of espionage under the threat of losing her favorite possession, Lotus House. French, a handsome spy goes with her on the adventure.

The characters are done beautifully, India is an independent woman. “It is amazing what a woman can do if only she ignores what men tell her she can’t. She is well educated despite a lack of schooling and her spirit always runs strong. Mrs. Drinkwater is the ironic name of her maid for the house, she drinks plenty but not water. The brothel is realistically portrayed along with some smelly streets of London during the Victorian era.

My disappointment is that relationship between India and French seems undeveloped but I have a feeling that the author wants to take that slowly in the future books of this series. Also there was a tad too much adventure and action for me. I would prefer cutting that down and concentrating on the main characters. I enjoyed the historical details of London and the brothels.

I do recommend this book for readers of historical fiction, especially of Victorian England. ( )

A fun adventure in late 1800's England, if you can get past the weaknesses: a brothel madam worried about money leaves her business to go hang while she plays at intrigue, major gov't figures discuss their secrets with her (and not in bed, either), and there are too-coy hints about the madam's past (so obviously a tease to get the reader to read the next in the series). However, the protagonist is take-charge, competent, and mostly cheerful; some of the other characters are interesting and have relationships with each other, not just her; and some of the settings/chase scenes are different and fun. The language isn't too far off for the period, or too coarse, and there's no eye-rolling bosom-heaving bodice-ripping, although there IS a sex scene with two women, just not a very graphic one (the titillation is for their _target, not for the reader). ( )

This was a quick read - I finished it in a single sitting, in about three hours. Won't be everyone's cup of tea, since the narrator (India Black) opens with a line to the effect of "My name is India Black and I am a whore." My library has this shelved as a mystery, but it's probably better classified as action/adventure/thriller. There really isn't much mystery - more of a chase. ( )

Excellent story with light humor about India's business thronw in. ( )

When a government agent dies in her brothel, India sets out to remove the body only to become involved in political schemes relating to the man’s attache case and secret documents that could shift the balance of power between England and Russia. ( )

Interesting premise, does a better job with the madam/prostitute heroine than a lot of authors, but sometimes a little too self consciously mannered and clever. I just couldn't quite believe in her. Excellent first book, recommended for the story, will look for more from this author.

A little too opaque on who the heroine was. Probably deliberate but didn't entirely work. ( )

eh. it was OK. a spy mystery set in regency England. India Black is a madam and gets mixed up in the theft of government documents. she insists on being involved in the recovery and ends up fighting Russians, being kidnapped, etc. the writing was mildly tedious in places, but the story was just different enough. ( )