What a good book! The characters have great personalities, there's subtle humor, definite intrigue,well-written descriptions and vibrant history. I couldn't put it down and promptly wish-listed the other books in the series.

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Excellent Victorian England mystery novel. Barker is more a man of action than Holmes, but equally a brilliant thinker. His "Watson", Llewelyn, is a great character, as are all the inhabitants of Barker's home and office. Well-plotted but the characters are what drew me in.

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WONDERFUL! I gravitate towards mysteries, and did Sherlock when younger but have stayed more with current period mysteries in the past few years and a few of the Victorian and WWI settings. This book was so fresh and I am hooked! I find these characters real, loveable, and the details amazing. Written very well and absolutely absorbing.

I think the tendency might be to compare it to Sherlock Holmes, although I can see some similarities at the same time I would never compare the two as Will Thomas' writing has just grabbed me completely and I can't put him down.

Give him a try - you might be pleasantly surprised!

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A Sherlock Holmes - Doctor Watson type detective story, only better. Better characterizations, better atmosphere, more plausible story, and nice, dry humor.

Set in fin-de-siecle London, enquiry agent Barker and his new assistant Llewelyn are investigating the gruesome murder of a Jewish scholar against the background of a looming pogrom. The identity of the murderer was a surprise - did not expect it at all.

Great read - I'm putting the next book in the series on my wishlist!

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Wonderfully Victorian. Rivals any Sherlock Holmes mystery.

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A Victorian era book which takes place in gaslit London, and whose protagonist is assistant to the highly regarded and extremely quirky, private investigator, Cyrus Barker. This story particularly intrigued me because of its connection with London's community of orthodox Jews. When one of their rabbinical students is murdered in a "biblical way," they turn to Cyrus Barker and his young assistant, Thomas Llewelyn for help.
Good story plot!
Surprising ending!

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You will be hooked after this first installment. Love the characters & the ambiance of the time period. Keep them coming

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a very well written, tight mystery with intriguing characters. I can't wait to read the other books in the series.

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