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heathermollauthor's review against another edition
4.0
I love these books. Know up front that I am not an impartial reviewer. Whenever the next Barker and Llewelyn book comes out, I just grab it. I don’t even have to read the description.
I enjoy watching Cyrus Barker’s layers be peeled back over a dozen or so books, and Thomas’s droll humor will never ever get old for me. These two private enquiry agents in 1890s London are an odd couple—Cyrus is an abrupt Scot raised in China who was a merchant captain and Thomas came from a poor Welsh family, was university educated, and wrongly spent time in prison—and they are compelling in every single book.
The mystery itself stands alone and it’s easy to get acclimated to our detective pair, but have some fun and read them in order. Or at least read the first, Some Danger Involved, to get to know these two characters and how they got to where they are.
In Fierce Poison, a government man and former lawyer comes into the office, begs for help, and promptly dies of poisoning. This was a page-turner and as the pair get closer to the solution, the threats hit closer to home.
“We are a loose end, and someone holds the scissors.”
The writing is evocative and the setting comes alive from Thomas’ quick and insightful observations. But as quick as he is, Barker, who keeps his cards close to his chest, is usually one step ahead.
As an aside, if someone has od’d on laudanum, their eyes are like pinpoints, not marbles. This probably says more about me and what I like to read than it does about this book.
I received an arc from NetGalley
I enjoy watching Cyrus Barker’s layers be peeled back over a dozen or so books, and Thomas’s droll humor will never ever get old for me. These two private enquiry agents in 1890s London are an odd couple—Cyrus is an abrupt Scot raised in China who was a merchant captain and Thomas came from a poor Welsh family, was university educated, and wrongly spent time in prison—and they are compelling in every single book.
The mystery itself stands alone and it’s easy to get acclimated to our detective pair, but have some fun and read them in order. Or at least read the first, Some Danger Involved, to get to know these two characters and how they got to where they are.
In Fierce Poison, a government man and former lawyer comes into the office, begs for help, and promptly dies of poisoning. This was a page-turner and as the pair get closer to the solution, the threats hit closer to home.
“We are a loose end, and someone holds the scissors.”
The writing is evocative and the setting comes alive from Thomas’ quick and insightful observations. But as quick as he is, Barker, who keeps his cards close to his chest, is usually one step ahead.
As an aside, if someone has od’d on laudanum, their eyes are like pinpoints, not marbles. This probably says more about me and what I like to read than it does about this book.
I received an arc from NetGalley
pollyno9's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Gaslighting
shakeyfan's review against another edition
3.0
I will love Barker & Llewelyn forever and always, but this installment was very poorly edited and haphazardly developed.
stefsia's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
jeansbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
midwifekt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
This was a good read. I hadn't read any of the earlier books in the series, and still felt like I could keep up with who everyone was and what was going on - but I was aware it was a series book, and didn't feel there was clunky exposition that would have dragged down a reader of the series to catch up a new reader.
This is a mystery about a poisoning, obvious in the name. It kept me guessing and brought the reader all around London in the 1890s, which was enjoyable. It didn't fall into the "copy of Sherlock Holmes" trap, which it could easily do, and presented a more multicultural and multiclass and generally nuanced view of London than Conan Doyle did - much appreciated.
I'd recommend this book.
I received a free eARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a mystery about a poisoning, obvious in the name. It kept me guessing and brought the reader all around London in the 1890s, which was enjoyable. It didn't fall into the "copy of Sherlock Holmes" trap, which it could easily do, and presented a more multicultural and multiclass and generally nuanced view of London than Conan Doyle did - much appreciated.
I'd recommend this book.
I received a free eARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
vesper1931's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
August 1893. Early in the morning newly elected M.P. for Shoreditch, Roland Fitzhugh arrived at the offices of Barker and Llewelyn. After asking for help he promply dies. Barker feels obliged to investigate his death. But what could be the motive and by whom. But soon there are other deaths linked to his.
An entertaining, well-plotted and well-written historical mystery. With its two likeable and interesting main characters. Another good addition to the series which can easily be read as a standalone story.
An entertaining, well-plotted and well-written historical mystery. With its two likeable and interesting main characters. Another good addition to the series which can easily be read as a standalone story.
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