R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 6/17/2021 + 1453 more book reviews

Readers have enjoyed a Llewelyn mystery every year from 2004 to 2008. This is book 5, featuring the Sicilian mafia working for a foothold in the London underworld. It begins when a body of a well-known Italian assassin is found in a barrel in the Thames. As more bodies appear, rival Italian and Sicilian gangs begin to fight making life difficult Barker and Llewelyn, private enquiry agents trying to get to the source of the trouble.

It is 1885, with many foreigners in the city. Most want a better life but some are criminals seeking to establish their trade, beginning at the docks. The pair has been hired by Scotland Yard to deal with the problem but should something go wrong the Yard will not acknowledge the involvement.

As an added bonus, the reader discovers that Cyrus Barker has a special friend, a widow whose influences begin to come to light. And, don't miss Llewelyn's development into a notable private inquiry agent who workw beside Barker rather than for him. The author provides life to nineteenth-century London with fascinating characters and action keeping readers engrossed from beginning to end. Thorough research blends with outstanding story telling. This is very good read.

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