No Comfort for the Lost

Written by Nancy Herriman

Narrated by Stina Nielsen

In this atmospheric historical mystery series debut, a courageous nurse and a war-scarred police detective in 1860s San Francisco champion the down-trodden and fight for justice . After serving as a nurse in the Crimea, British-born Celia Davies left her privileged family for an impulsive marriage to a handsome Irishman. Patrick brought her to San Francisco's bustling shores but then disappeared and is now presumed dead. Determined to carry on, Celia partnered with her half-Chinese cousin Barbara and her opinionated housekeeper Addie to open a free medical clinic for women who have nowhere else to turn. But Celia's carefully constructed peace crumbles when one of her Chinese patients is found brutally murdered . and Celia's hotheaded brother-in-law stands accused of the crime. A veteran of America's civil war, detective Nicholas Greaves is intent on discovering the killer of the girl, whose ethnicity and gender render her as powerless in death as they did in life. Nicholas's efforts are complicated by Celia, who has a knack for walking into dangerous situations that may lead to answers . or get them both killed. For as their inquiries take them from Chinatown's squalid back alleys to the Barbary Coast's violent shipping docks to the city's gilded parlors, Celia and Nicholas begin to suspect that someone very close to them holds the key to a murderous conspiracy .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490684376

Reviews for No Comfort for the Lost

[knittinkitties · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

2.5 stars. I want to read more about the characters but, for this book in particular, it started off well but got slow in the middle.

[auntie0nanuuq · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

San Francisco 1867: Strong anti-Chinese atmosphereCelia Davies, a young English woman whose husband abandoned her is now living in her uncle's house taking care of her much younger 1/2-Chinese cousin and running a free clinic for women. When a pregnant young Chinese woman is found at the wharf in the water battered & cut open above the waist,, there are few who mourn and fewer who care. But as the young woman turns out to be, Li Sha, a former prostitute who has bought her freedom, now working at a local apothecary, and friend of Celia & her cousin, Celia begins to investigate Li Sha's murder.Assigned to the murder is Detective Nicholas Greaves, who is interested in justice for Li Sha, no matter that the murderer might turn out to be from the upper society friends of the mayor...A book that held my interest, with mostly likeable characters and a historical background that I really never knew about.

[juliecracchiolo · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the first novel in the “A Mystery of Old San Francisco.” Author Herrimann introduces readers to his two main protagonists. First is Crimea veteran Celia Davies. She came to the States with her husband, Patrick, who promptly signed onto to a sailing vessel and has disappeared.Celia, a recent immigrant from Great Britain, feels for the Chinese immigrants who often live in squalor. She opens a free clinic for the prostitutes, funded by her late uncle. She lives in the uncle’s house with her half-Chinese niece and an opinionated housekeeper. I believe the housekeeper was designed as comedic relief, but it missed the point.When one of her patients, and a women Celia considered a friend, is found dumped in the Bay, Celia vows to find justice for Li Sha. She works, often to his dismay and in opposition of, with Detective Nicholas Greaves. Celia is more often than not, getting in way and continues to find herself in dangerous situations that could prove fatal to both herself and Nick.No Comfort the Lost takes place in 1867. Herrimann does an excellent job in providing atmospheric details without cluttering the book with unimportant information. For me, the book lacked tension. I never felt that Celia and her entourage were in any real danger. I also felt that many of the situations were the same, just located in a different part of the city. I did like how Herriman tackled immigration---most of San Francisco hated the Chinese and were ready to revolt, burning Chinatown and sending the foreigners packing. Give readers a look at how foreigners were viewed a hundred and fifty plus years ago.I give No Comfort the Lost 3 out of 5 stars.

[bookofsecrets · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

NO COMFORT FOR THE LOST is a historical mystery set in 1860s San Francisco, during the rise of anti-Chinese sentiments among whites in the city. Celia Davies is a nurse who runs a clinic for disadvantaged women. Celia is shaken when one of her patients is murdered, a young Chinese woman struggling to escape a life of prostitution. Celia forms an alliance with Nick Greaves, a Civil War vet turned police detective. Both Celia and Nick have troubled pasts and emotional baggage, and in a way they’re lost themselves. It makes sense that they would devote themselves to solving the murder of another lost one.The murder mystery is complex, with more going on underneath the surface. At the same time, the book presents a vivid picture of San Francisco during this turbulent time in history, with much corruption, racial tension, and violence. It made me shake my head at how poorly people treat each other, and of course, similar problems continue today. This was an enjoyable and enlightening read that I’d recommend to fans of strong female protagonists and detailed historical mysteries. A great start to a new series!Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[lisaksbookreviews · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another new historical mystery on the market, NO COMFORT FOR THE LOST is a beautifully written story. Set in San Francisco in 1867, author Nancy Herriman has captured the feel of the era wonderfully. Celia Davies is a strong young woman. A wonderful new mystery heroine. I enjoyed her scenes with Celia and her cousin Barbara. I’m also a fan of Detective Nicolas Greaves and look forward to reading more about him in future installments. This was a well written mystery, where the research done for the story is clear. Ms. Herriman must have had a real passion for her topic because it really comes through on the pages of NO COMFORT FOR THE LOST. I doubt historical mysteries will ever be my go to choice when picking a new book, but if they keep coming out with books as good as this one, I may be changing my tune. Make sure to check out the back of the book for an excerpt of book two, NO PITY FOR THE DEAD.