The Queen of Bedlam

By Robert McCammon

“Historical NYC is [the] setting for this superb serial killer thriller,” from the New York Times–bestselling author of Speaks the Nightbird (Fresh Fiction).

Manhattan, 1702. A bustling colonial town, New York is starting to see a rise in crime that is overtaking its fledgling law enforcement, namely a ragtag collection of constables whose job is mainly breaking up drunken tavern brawls and domestic squabbles.

After saving a woman from a witch-hanging in the southern colonies, magistrate’s clerk Matthew Corbett finds himself back in New York, driven by his obsession to bring justice to the abusive headmaster of the orphanage where he was raised. Familiar with the dark side of human nature, Corbett is still shocked to find a throat-slashing killer stalking the nighttime streets, one who leaves cuts in the flesh around the victims’ eyes.

Targeting some of the town’s prominent citizens, “The Masker” has all of New York on edge. And Corbett’s career takes a surprising turn that allows him to match wits with the killer, uncovering connections between the victims that will lead him straight into the shadowy recesses of the mind—and the blighted heart of a shocking conspiracy . . .

“The hero of Robert McCammon’s saga of colonial witch hunts, Speaks the Nightbird, returns to track a serial killer in 18th-century New York . . . A good book for a winter storm.” —Entertainment Weekly

“[A] spellbinding sequel to Speaks the Nightbird. . . . McCammon brilliantly captures colonial New York and closes with a tantalizing cliffhanger that suggests more exciting sleuthing to come.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Media
• Release date: Apr 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9781504074292

Robert McCammon

ROBERT McCAMMON is a New York Times bestseller best known for Swan Song and Boy’s Life, both still in print after two decades.  He is a frequent nominee and winner of the Bram Stoker Award and has won several World Fantasy Awards.  McCammon resides in Birmingham, Alabama.

Reviews for The Queen of Bedlam

[timothy_dalton007 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

McCammon!! You make me want to smack my Grandma into a coma! In all forms of the word, you are badass! Once again, masterfully, you delivered another story of epic proportions. This one was a breath of fresh air, as I usually read multiple books at once, this one was paired with Stephen King’s, Cell. The horrendousness of that book only made this one all the better!So as it is, The Queen of Bedlam lies in her personal asylum, drifting alone in her mental prison. But were she to speak from the depths, what a secret story she would tell! Thus, Mr. Matthew Corbett is at it again. He embarks on a trek to uncover the murders of three profound members of New York City. (Errr, well population 5,000 at the time) Now, I’m not talking about the Butcher, the Baker, and the Candlestick maker, but you get the drift. The night assassin makes quick work of cutting masks into their faces as well as slicing their throats. Which causes the denizens of New York to give the murderer his fitting moniker, The Masker. Here lies the mystery of who is The Masker, and why has he selected these specific targets selected for his nocturnal pleasures? Once again there is mystery, there is adventure and there are comedic moments. Matthew seems to always find trouble at his doorstep, and not only is it there, but it’s thundering loudly against his door with Thor’s hammer!In this novel, Matthew moves another rung up the ladder and now begins working for the Herrald Agency. Further reeling me in and given me pause to wonder in the next novel will he indeed take on the characteristics of Sherlock Holmes himself? McCammon blends action and dialogue, history and fiction, and intrigue with mystery; throws them all in a bowl mixes them up and serves up the perfect tale of cordon bleu mystery stew! The only puzzling question I have now is at what tender age did Mr. McCammon sell his soul to the Devil for such talent, and if not his soul the purchasing price what was the cost? Cause’ I might be willing to get in on that! Anyway, as before Robert doesn’t fail to entertain and as always this novel ends on another moment of piqued interest in what sort of shenanigans will Mr. Corbett get himself into during his next adventure.

[suzanne520 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow this book was even more intersting than "speaks the nightbird" and it really kept me on the edge of my seat! I am not usually into murder mystery detective books, but this was truly fantastic. I definitely would reccomend it and I am excited to read the next in the series!

[picardyrose · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Too convoluted. Couldn't finish it.

[flashflood42 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

2nd in series dealing with Matthew Corbett. Here he as a "problem solver" investigator must learn the identity of a woman in a mental hospital as well as solve the problem of a corrupt orphanage official that leads to a far greater problem. Face paced and marvelous about what pre-America must have smelt, looked, and been like. The scenes of violence held me spellbound though sometimes they were overlong.

[maryintexas39 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An amazing read! Can't wait to start the next one.

[sandra2891 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the second book after Speaks the Nightbird and I was excited to see what would happen to Matthew Corbett next. Matthew stays true to form, always looking to solve mysteries and this book is no different, bringing in several different plot twists along the way. Overall, I liked this book even better than Speaks the Nightbird. It was more exciting and I liked that it was set in NY City. There were more new and interesting characters and Matthew didn't disappoint. The end was really exciting and I couldn't put the book down until it was over.

[johnmischief · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Incredible novel! This the second of the Matthew Corbett books and long may it continue.Set in New York this historical mystery/thriller is extremely well written, filled with well developed characters,exciting,well paced and will keep you guessing on multiple thread plots until the end.I cannot wait to read Mister Slaughter, the third in the series(it will be interesting if nothing else to see if Matthew is given the opportunity to have sex whilst not drugged!).Highly recommended but read Speaks the Nightbird first.