The Devlin Diary

By Christi Phillips

London, 1672: A vicious killer stalks the court of Charles II, inscribing his victims' bodies with mysterious markings. Are these the random murders of a madman? The deadly consequence of a personal vendetta? Or the grisly result of a hidden conspiracy?

Cambridge, 2008: A Trinity College history professor is found dead, the torn page of a seventeenth-century diary in his hand. His death appears to be an accident, but the college's newest Fellow Claire Donovan and historian Andrew Kent suspect otherwise. The professor's last research subject was Hannah Devlin, a physician to the king's mistress and the keeper of a diary that holds the key to a series of unsolved murders in 1670s London. Through the arcane collections of Trinity's Wren Library, the British Library, and the Royal Society, Claire and Andrew follow the clues Hannah left behind, unearthing secrets of the past and present as both stories unfold to their shocking conclusions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Release date: Dec 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781471105432

Christi Phillips

Christi Phillips is the author of The Rossetti Letter, which has been translated into six foreign languages, and The Devlin Diaries. Her research combines a few of her favorite things: old books, libraries, and travel. When she’s not rummaging around in an archive or exploring the historic heart of a European city, she lives with her husband in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Reviews for The Devlin Diary

[marysneedle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another great story from Christi Philips. I enjoyed every minute of it.

[shuffy2_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

1672: Hannah is a woman in a man's profession. 2008: Claire is an American at a British College. What brings their lives together? Murder.Hannah, a woman physician (rare for 1672), is forced to come to court to treat the mistress of the king, but her involvement is only the beginning. She has become tangled in something much bigger than she realizes. Claire arrives at Trinity College and becomes the talk of the college when a colleugue is found dead. A man she was seen with hours before he turn up dead. How does Hannah play a role after 300+ years?Interesting story, historical on some points but complete fiction, still a fun read! It was a page turner that kept me wondering how it was going to all come together. A nice little love story (or two) also made it fun. Two stories in one! 4 stars...

[thejohnsmith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This, the second novel featuring Historian Claire Donovan, is a real page turner. Claire arrives to a new lecturing job at Trinity College Cambridge and unearths the diary of Hannah Devlin, a 17th Century physician. The stories of Hannah in the 17th Century and Claire in the 20th unfold with murder, intrigue and romance featuring in both. The plots and characters are very well developed and I found this novel to be a little better at grabbing my interest than the Rossetti Letters. Very well worth a read.

[freisianbeauty · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this one much more than the rosetti letter. I found it easier to get to know the main charector and to bond with her. Well worth the read.

[wdwilson3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An absorbing mixture of mystery, history and romance, The Devlin Diary proved to be one of my favorite books of the year. There are two interconnected stories here, one set in London in 1672, involving a woman doctor dealing with a series of grisly murders at the court of Charles II. The other story focuses on a female American history lecturer at Cambridge University in modern times, who investigates the murder of a colleague. As an Anglophile, I relished the author’s detailed, atmospheric depiction of the locales. Characters are very successfully developed as well, with a large cast that has few stereotypes. Transitions between the two stories, which could be awkward in less skilled hands, are smooth, with the parallel plots moving simultaneously towards the identification of the killers. There are enough historical details in the 1672 story to make for what my mother used to call “sugar coated history,” and, thankfully, Ms. Phillips adds a note at the end to indicate what is fact and what is fiction. I’ll leave it to those better qualified to comment on the accuracy of the historical touches, but I’ll say that nothing jumped out to me as implausible.This is the second book that Christi Phillips has written with the same (modern) heroine, the first being The Rossetti Letter, which, on the strength of this book, I have ordered. Recommended.

[brianajae · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the second book by this author. I read the first over Christmas break and could not wait to read the second. She writes historical fiction mixed with modern day fiction. So the book follows a historian, Claire Donovan, who is trying to solve old mysteries, and characters of the mystery Claire is solving. The back and forth is not confusing, but instead draws the reader deeper into the story. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to get transported to a different time for a while.

[travis1259 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A tale of two single women, two different centuries. Not what I would have considered a must read. Yet, the response from many LT readers convinced me to give it a try. Of course it doesn't hurt that the story centers around a 17th century mystery! And, one in Cambridge in 2008. This book would be a terrific choice for a book club selection, comparing and contrasting the two women and how they adapt to their surroundings their situations and murder. I was struck by the statement made by the author, Christi Phillips, that it was easier for her to write in the present rather than in a past time period. That's because I found her rendition of London in 1672 most compelling and seemingly authentic.One must put aside any expectation of reality in experiencing the varied layers of the book. You need to just go with it and enjoy the ride from the court of Charles II to present day Trinity College. Phillips is a master of detail and intrigue.This book goes near the top of the list for best reads of the year. And, The Rossetti Letter also By Phillips will be my next purchase once I tackle all the books in my stacks that are waiting for me.

[jewelknits · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I admit it ... I have a weakness for historical fiction. As a matter of fact, as I FIRST started reading this book, I was saying to myself, "I really could do without the modern-day flash forwards; just let me keep reading about Hannah Devlin." And then, of course, there's the obligatory "will they or won't they? They probably will ... " between Claire and Andrew.But the book quickly pulled me in ... and I was up at 3:30 A.M. forcing myself to close the pages and finish reading it the next day.If you find yourself fascinated when reading accounts of how life was "way back when" and finding out that scandals and debauchery are not modern phenomena, you'll like this book. If you like tales of discovery and of being an 'outsider' in a world that really doesn't seem to strive to include you (Claire is living and teaching in a 'man's world' in a traditional and rather stodgy environment), you'll like this book. If you just plain like a book that makes the scenes you are reading come alive in your mind, you'll really like this book. This is a book about two very strong women, but it's not only a book FOR women; it's for everyone to enjoy.

[cinnleigh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Imagine a time where women have finally gained some freedoms - some, not all. Many restrictions have been lifted from them except the ability to practice medicine. Now picture yourself as an intelligent woman, versed in medicine, desperate to treat the poor who pass you every day in various stages of sickness and there isn't a single thing you can do about it. This is the situation Hannah Devlin faces. Of course, she practices her medicine earlier although the discovery of which can have criminal consequences for Hannah. Drawn into a world of intrigue and conspiracy, Hannah struggles to survive and uncover the mystery behind a series of grisly murders.Fastforward to present(ish) day. Claire Donovan is a history teacher at Trinity College. When a fellow professor ends up dead, it is Hannah Devlin's diary that may hold the key to his death. Could the darkness of the past jump forward into the present?Christi Phillips writes an interesting story jam packed with intrigue. In THE DEVLIN DIARY, secrets abound and it's anybody's guess how the various investigations will turn out. The story is written using parallel story lines; the reader is first introduced to Hannah and her life before Claire enters the story. Although I'm not a huge fan of parallel shorelines, one good thing about this is that the author was able to use this to her advantage to keep us totally hooked. Just as we'd get to a point with Hannah where she made some awesome discovery, we'd switch over to Claire. The same held true the other way. Just as the lightbulb was about to go on above Claire's head, we'd be tugged back to Hannah's time. This aspect was masterfully done to the point where I continued reading the story despite the parallel nature of it.The couple points that I couldn't really get into were Claire's relationship with Andrew and Claire herself. Both seemed like they were added to the story to round it out, although the relationship just felt kind of so-so and Claire wasn't nearly as interesting as Hannah. Perhaps it's the difference in how interesting the two time periods were, I'm unsure. If the book were solely about Hannah I think I would have become much more engrossed in it.Overall THE DEVLIN DIARY was a great read. Fan of historical thrillers will find something to love here. Although this does come after The Rossetti Letter, I didn't really feel like I was missing much by not having read that book. I think THE DEVLIN DIARY does a fine job of standing on its own.

[knittingmomof3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

From My Blog...Intellectually stimulating, enticing, and deeply intriguing, The Devlin Diary by Christi Phillips will have the reader engrossed before the end of the first page.Claire Donovan is fulfilling her dream; she is an official temporary lecturer at Trinity College with no small thanks to Dr. Andrew Kent. All things considered, her beginning is not an auspicious one, yet she is enjoying her time and has discovered a brilliant idea for a paper. The only problem is that in her enthusiasm, she shared her idea and within a week Dr. Kent claimed the idea was his. Soon the whole college is aware of their difficulties and before clearing her name he is unfortunately found dead.Meanwhile in 1672, Lord Arlington, the King's most trusted minister, arrests Mrs. Hannah Devlin, a famous physik giving Hannah a choice, to be imprisoned in Newgate for practising physik without a license or go to Whitehall, no questions asked. She chooses Whitehall and discovers herself the private physician to the 22-year-old Louise de Keroualle, the King's mistress, maid of honor to his late sister and lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine. This young woman, the King's favourite mistress, recently birthed her first child and the King's 13th and she is unfortunately suffering from a venereal disease, the clap, much preferable to the pox and quite possibly treatable. Hannah notices Whitehall is fairly empty save Lord Arlington and Madam Severin, yet not all is as it appears.Phillips' novel is a work of brilliance where she seamlessly weaves between the 17th and 21st centuries, and ultimately linking the two together in page turning plot developments and twists. Her main characters are strong, independent, and very likeable women separated by centuries. Phillips breathes life into each character from the most prominent in her novel to the most minor character; the reader will feel as though they are keenly aware of everyone in the story. The attention to detail and imagery draws the reader into London and Cambridge during the respective time periods. The Devlin Diary will immediately draw the reader in, rendering the reader unable or unwilling to put the novel down.My one and only complaint is not against the novel nor the author, but myself. I wish I had read Christi Phillips' previous novel, The Rossetti Letter, a problem I shall remedy before her third novel is released. While The Devlin Diary is brilliant enough to stand on its own merits, I would like to have read her previous novel to see if it truly is as masterfully written as The Devlin Diary.It is quite impossible for me to praise this novel enough without giving away any more details. Suffice it to say this is one novel I not only thoroughly enjoyed but one I shall read repeatedly over time. The Devlin Diary will, at the very least, take the reader on an unforgettable journey with exceptionally well-written characters and well-placed settings. Without reservation I recommend The Devlin Diary to all readers and discussion groups because it is indeed that brilliant.

[ildika_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing read! absolutely loved it! Phillips' book is woven with brilliant historical detail, diverse characters and a plot that keeps you hooked till the very end. I couldn't put it down. Highly recomended. Cant wait for her next book to be released!

[evilynj · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A vicious killer stalks the court of Charles II in 1672 London, inscribing his victims' bodies with mysterious markings. In present day Cambridge, England, a Trinity College history professor is found dead with the torn page of a 17th century diary in his hand. His death appears to be an accident, but the college's newest Fellow Claire Donovan and historian Andrew Kent suspect otherwise. The dead professor's last research subject was Hannah Devlin, a physician to the king's mistress and the keeper of a diary that holds the key to a series of unsolved murders in 1670s London. Now Claire and Andrew must follow the clues Hannah left behind, unearthing secrets of the past and present from the library archives. Book 3 in the Clare Donovan series is being planned. If you like Lauren Willig, you'll love Christie Phillips. Highly recommend.

[nomadreader_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Synopsis (adapted from publisher): London, 1672. The past twelve years have brought momentous changes: the restoration of the monarchy, a devastating plague and fire. Yet the city remains a teeming, thriving metropolis, energized by the lusty decadence of Charles II's court and burgeoning scientific inquiry. Although women enjoy greater freedom, they are not allowed to practice medicine, a restriction that physician Hannah Devlin evades by treating patients that most other doctors shun: the city's poor. Cambridge, 2008. Teaching history at Trinity College is Claire Donovan's dream come true -- until someone is found dead on the banks of the River Cam. The only key to the unsolved murder is a seventeenth century diary kept by his last research subject, Hannah Devlin, physician to the king's mistress. With help from the eclectic collections of Cambridge's renowned libraries, Claire and historian Andrew Kent follow the clues Devlin left behind, uncovering secrets of London's dark past and Cambridge's equally murky present, and discovering that events of three hundred years ago may still have consequences today.Review: The Devlin Diary is told in the same manner as The Rossetti Letter: it alternates between Claire's modern life and Hannah Devlin's life in the 1600's. I loved both stories, although I was slightly more interested in the modern tale than the ancient one. Looking at the research through Claire's eyes provided more insight into a time I know very little about. Hannah Devlin is an extraordinary character, but I can't imagine befriending her even if we lived at the same time. Still, her story is remarkable, and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Once again, with so many characters, I frequently used the handy list of historic characters.

[nwadel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Synopsis: London, 1672. A vicious killer stalks the court of Charles II, inscribing his victims' bodies with mysterious markings. Are the murders the random acts of a madman? Or the consequences of a deeply hidden conspiracy? Cambridge, 2008. Teaching history at Trinity College is Clari Donovan's dream come true-until one of her colleagues is found dead on the banks of the River Cam. The only key to the professor's unsolved murder is the seventeenth-century diary kept by his last research subject, Hannah Devlin, physician to the kings mistress. Through the arcane collections of cambridge's most eminent libraries, Claire and historian Andrew Kent follow the clues Devlin left behind, uncovering the secrets of London's dark past and Cambridge's equally murky present, and discovering that events of three hundred years ago may still have consequences today....I have to begin by saying that I'm horrible at writing reviews and it frustrates me so much, especially for a book that i thoroughly enjoyed! I start writing , delete it, write again, delete it again.....I really enjoyed reading this. The author is very descriptive, for example, she describes the Wren Library which after reading the page i wished so much i could go there - "Massive dark oak bookcases arranged in thirteen bays lined the long walls of the large, rectangular space. Above the bookcases, a procession of tall, arched windows rose up to the thirty-seven foot coffered ceiling. In the wide center isle, black and white marble tiles set in a diamond pattern led the eye to the southern end, where a white marble statue of alumnus Lord Byron posted poetically below a stained- glass window." I could vividly visualize Claire marveling at the site.The story has 2 parallel's - London , 1672 a serial killer is on the loose. The victims are stabbed with unusual carvings on the body and fingers are cut off. Hannah Devlin, along with Dr Strathern are on a mission to find the killer.In modern day, Claire Donovan is just starting her new job as a lecturer at Trinity College when one of the prestige fellows Derek Goodman, is found dead at the side of the River Cam. When Claire finds out that Derek Goodman was writing a book on the same subject she is writing her dissertation, she is shocked. Claire needs to find the diary Derek took and when her and Andrew Kent find it, they come across some interesting information about Hannah Devlin and the murders. Did the murders in 1672 have something to do with Goodmans death?The author did a lot of research for this book, research about King Charles and the treaty between England and France and his secrets! I don't usually read historical novels but this one had a twist and it was very interesting. I highly recommend it!

[adpaton · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Devlin Diary has initial promise but ultimately disappoints: visiting American fellow Claire Donovan chances on an encoded diary at a Cambridge University library, which holds the key to a series of unsolved killings in 1670s London.Alternating between the story of Hannah Devlin, female physician at the court of Charles 11, and Claire’s 2008 research into 17th Century mysteries, the book covers political and romantic intrigue, social and medical history, and murder. A good plot, but boringly unraveled.

[scarpettajunkie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Devlin Diary by Christi Phillips is a classic who-done-it of the first order that will have you eagerly turning pages. The Devlin Diary is written by Hannah Devlin, a physician at a time when women physicians were scarce. Her diary leaves clues as to a series of vicious murders that took place in the year 1672. We alternate the story of the diary with Claire Donovan and Andrew Kent, modern day professors who have their own reasons for wanting to solve the mystery of the diary. The story takes place in both Restoration-era London and present-day Cambridge. Just when you are comfortable in one era you are whiz-banged to the other, so it pays to stay on your toes with this story. There is a liberal dose of humor in this story as Claire is a new and temporary professor and is learning the ropes of the college while trying to figure out where she stands in regards to her relationship with the standoffish Professor Kent. The story can’t help but pick up steam as both sets of stories twist together in a sizzler of a conclusion. The mystery will be solved by using Cambridge’s eminent libraries. I loved the history of this story and the fact that it is wrapped around a love story the whole time Claire Donovan is getting her love life started. The mystery of the multiple murders alone was intriguing enough to give the story a second read. The Devlin Diary is fast paced and full of twists. It is not stuffy or dry or arcane even though the subject matter it deals with is ancient. This book is very deserving of attention and cries out to be read and enjoyed. It is not what you think it is. Get prepared for a delectable thrill ride. I give this a hearty thumbs up and recommend this story for teenagers on up.

[missmermaid118 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Call me an Anglophile, but I love historical fiction set anywhere in the British Isles. So when I was offered the opportunity to read and review Christi Phillips new novel, THE DEVLIN DIARY, I jumped at the chance – and I’m glad I did! Remember that old commercial for Certs breath mints – “two, two, two mints in one!” Well, with THE DEVLIN DIARY, you get two, two, two books in one!The first story, the historical one, is set in Restoration England. I haven’t read much about the reign of King Charles II, so it was fun to delve into some new-to-me history. I liked the main character, Hannah, immediately. She is an intelligent and knowledgeable woman living in a time when even those privileged few with access to the best education are hobbled by the limitations of contemporary scientific, philosophical, sociological, and religious thought. To work as a physician, Hannah must struggle against a tide of sexism and superstition.The second story, that of Claire Donovan, is set in present day Cambridge at Trinity College. Maybe not surprisingly, she too is faced with an abundance of sexism as she settles in as a temporary lecturer amongst the almost all male faculty. Claire’s character was introduced in the author’s first novel, THE ROSSETTI LETTER, in which she meets historian Andrew Kent while conducting research in Italy for her PhD dissertation on the life of a Venetian courtesan. It is through that relationship that she lands such a coveted appointment at the prestigious and exclusive Trinity College. Unfortunately, the character of Claire always seems to be a bit out of her element. Granted, she's an American trying to fit in among the British (and that makes for some funny scenes and dialogue). However, for a research historian with a PhD under her belt, she comes across as a bit dense and, basically, often seems to be in over her head. She is likable, though -- perhaps she just needs more real-life experience. (Did I just say that about a fictional character?)I do wish that I’d read THE ROSSETTI LETTER first. Don’t get me wrong, THE DEVLIN DIARY can be read as a stand alone novel, but I would have enjoyed “getting to know” Claire Donovan through reading about her experiences in that first case rather than being “brought up to date” in her second. I think that when I do read the first novel (and I will!), I’ll miss some of the fun of discovery. If you haven’t already read THE ROSSETTI LETTER, and if you have any inclination to do so, I would definitely recommend that you read that book first.All in all, THE DEVLIN DIARY is a wonderful read. There’s plenty of interesting period detail worked skillfully into the narrative of the historical sections. The scenes are vividly drawn and atmospheric - you won’t forget that the narrow little streets are either cobblestone or mud! The murder mystery aspects are compellingly intricate, and the characters engaging and complex. While I somewhat preferred the historical sections of the novel over the present day sections, I'm looking forward to whatever intrigue Claire Donovan stumbles upon next!

[wkelly42 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A serial killer in 1670s England, stalking the court of Charles II. The murder of a history fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge. How are they related? Are they related?That’s what Claire Donovan is trying to find out. Claire, the heroine of Phillips’ first novel, The Rossetti Letter, is trying to fit in at Trinity – not an easy task for a female American who isn’t a full fellow. Even worse after she punches a colleague in the face — and he turns up dead the next day. Something in Derek Goodman’s research revealed a secret that someone didn’t want made public — a secret they were willing to kill to keep secret. And the clues reside in a 350 year old diary written in some sort of code.I didn’t read the Rossetti Letter before reading The Devlin Diary. That’s not really a problem — the story stands on it’s own. There are a few potential spoilers though, so be warned. And you will want to read The Rossetti Letter by the time you finish The Devlin Diary.I’ve read a lot of thrillers lately that really sucked me in, and pulled me along. The pacing in those books was frantic. The Devlin Diary is different; I really didn’t feel pulled along, there wasn’t a real sense of urgency. There were cliffhangers, but they didn’t keep me up all night. This book didn’t pull me so much as it enticed me. I got very curious about how things were going to progress, both in the 1672 mystery and the modern day mystery.I think that’s what I loved the most with this book. You’re really solving several murders, most of which took place 350 years in the past. We’re following two strong women who are in positions where many people resent their strength. Claire Donovan and Hannah Devlin are so much alike that it’s eerie — for a moment, I was wondering if this was going to turn into a reincarnation/mystical bond type thing between the two, but it (thankfully) didn’t.This is not a short book, weighing in at 427 pages before the author’s notes. It’s an engaging read, though, that will leave you hungry for more. You’ll learn about Restoration England — probably more than you thought you needed to. I know I’m taking a second look at another book I started and put back about the relationship between England and France throughout the years. But most importantly, you will be entertained, without feeling as if you’ve been on a rollercoaster ride. Those are fun, too, but diversity is also nice.Of course, now I have to read The Rossetti Letter.

[kasthu_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I seem to be on a 17th-century streak. First it was The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane, then it was The Long Shadow… and now it’s The Devlin Diary, by Christi Phillips.The story operates in a split time narrative. One strand of the story follows that of Hannah Devlin, a young, widowed, female physician in 1672 London. Threatened with imprisonment for practicing without license, Hannah becomes physician to Louise de Keroualle, mistress to King Charles II and afflicted with the clap. Pretty soon, dead men turn up on London, strange figures carved on their chests.The other story follows that of Claire Donovan, who first appeared in The Rossetti Letter. Here, Claire has accepted a position as lecturer at Trinity College, Cambridge, through the influence of Andrew Kent. Claire has a run-in with another fellow, who one day turns up dead. Soon, it becomes clear that the murder in the present day is connected with those of the past, and Claire finds herself, like Hannah, investigating murder.I really enjoyed this book. Although Hannah is a little bit modern and feminist, I really enjoyed reading her story. The story that takes place in the present isn’t quite as compelling, but I thought the author’s transitions from one time to another were really well done. I guess my biggest problem with this novel were the scenes set in the present day. While the author did an excellent job researching the Restoration, she seems to have completely skipped over doing her research for the modern-day story. The British characters weren’t really British in the way they talked (for example, two different characters say that someone is “in the hospital,” when a real English person would say “in hospital,” unless talking about a specific place). Also, I thought the murder in the present day was a little tacked on, and the murderer (and their motive) gave me cause to scratch my head.This book is sort of a sequel to The Rossetti Letter; references are made to that book throughout The Devlin Diary, but I felt that not reading The Rossetti Letter was a detriment to my enjoying the story of this book. As I said, I enjoyed the historical parts of this novel the most; it’s too bad that the author didn’t choose to focus solely on Hannah’s story.

[hlsabnani · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved the Rossetti Letter and thus have been waiting quite a while for this book to come out. I think that anyone reading this does need to read Rossetti first as there is more development of the modern day characters of Claire and Andrew that are missing in the second book. Without knowing the characters from the first book, Claire and Andrew will seem too flat in Devlin. That being said, I really enjoyed the new mystery and characters of Hannah and Edward. I wonder if these characters (or others from the book) will continue on in the third book as Claire is researching them for her scholarly book in modern times. I had a difficult time figuring out the Resoration mystery, but the modern half of the modern day one was very obvious.

[foreigncircus · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have mixed feelings about this engaging book that features two Cambridge historians investigating parallel mysteries today and 300 years in the past. The writing is crisp though I did find the use of the present tense for the historical portions rather jarring. Claire and Andrew seem like engaging characters, but the focus of the book is clearly Hannah and Edward in Restoration England.It was definitely the historical portions of the novel that hooked me as a reader- the characters and Restoration London itself were well-drawn and the mystery was riveting. Though I enjoyed the interactions between Claire and Andrew, the modern day mystery seemed like an afterthought at best, and the solution had a deus-ex-machina quality that I found unappealing. Regardless, I truly enjoyed the book, and will be looking to read Phillips first installment, "The Rossetti Letter". Strong 4 stars.