Once a Monster by Robert Dinsdale (audiobook)

Pages: 512

Narrator: Justin Avoth

Publisher: Macmillan

Released: 21st of September 2023 

London, 1861: Ten-year-old Nell belongs to a crew of mudlarks who work a stretch of the Thames along the Ratcliffe Highway. An orphan since her mother died four years past, leaving Nell with only broken dreams and a pair of satin slippers in her possession, she spends her days dredging up coals, copper and pieces of iron spilled by the river barges – searching for treasure in the mud in order to appease her master, Benjamin Murdstone.

But one day, Nell discovers a body on the shore. It’s not the first corpse she’s encountered, but by far the strangest. Nearly seven feet tall, the creature has matted hair covering his legs, and on his head are the suggestion of horns. Nell’s fellow mudlarks urge her to steal his boots and rifle his pockets, but as she ventures closer the figure draws breath – and Nell is forced to make a decision which will change her life forever...

What I Have to Say 

I liked this book a lot, but it wasn't special to me in the way that the Toymakers was. The Toymakers tore out my heart and left me thinking about it for years after, but this one didn't have the same effect as much as I wanted it to. 

I love Dinsdale's characters so much. Obviously the complicated character of Minos is noteworthy, as he's the central character in the book. His complexity the nice man who befriends Nell and the monster hidden deep deep inside are constantly at war. But actually my favourite character was Nell. Her story of learning what's right and how to stand up against Murdstone who doesn't have her, and certainly not Minos', best interests at heart. I loved her journey and her absolute faith in Minos. 

The narrator was good, but not noteworthy. I liked the voice that he did for Minos, as it combined the man and the monster really well together and gave hints about his character, but other than that, none of the characters voices really stood out for me. 

I definitely want to read some more of Dinsdale's novels because I did enjoy this a lot, but I'm sad it wasn't as good as the Toymakers. 

3.5 stars 

My thanks goes to Netgalley and Macmillan for providing me with a gifted copy of this audiobook for review.