Book info

• Title The Mangle Street Murders
• Author M. R. C. Kasasian
• Year 2013
• Genre Mystery

125 Gower Street, 1882. Queen Victoria may sit on the throne and Robert Peel's bobbies walk the street, but London is still haunted by the spectre of Spring-heeled Jack. The demons of vice and poverty rule the capital: ruffian gangs, pickpockets, prostitutes and vagrants clog the streets with their iniquity. But in one particular Gower Street residence – home to the famous personal investigator Sidney Grice – order presides. Until, that is, the arrival of his ward March Middleton and the vicious Whitechapel murder that follows hard on her heels...

Thoughts

After the first couple of chapters of this, I was determined not to read on. It felt like a Sherlock wannabe, but more obnoxious and less likeable. Somehow, something in the story kept me reading, and by the time I got to the end, I found I’d quite enjoyed it. The nod to Sherlock helped a little, and once I embraced that there really wasn’t that much redeeming about our central character except his ability to be right, I was on board.

It was super quick to read, too, easy and focused, leading you through all the details you need to know without getting dull. Then when the revelation comes at the end and you realise all the things you were told actually link together in a way you totally missed, well that feeling is the same as you get with Sherlock. The difference is, Sherlock used to disappear for ages and then explain his brilliance. Here, you’re guided through it each step of the way.

Despite myself, I might read the second in the series.

Rating: 3 / 5