A review by libgremlin
Death by Silver by Amy Griswold, Melissa Scott

5.0

I enjoyed this book a lot. I was expecting "Sherlock Holmes, but with magic" I think, but it's so much more than that. The authors' slightly alternate Victorian London is drawn vividly. I especially enjoyed the secret underworld of clubs that Julian Lynes frequents. Both main characters are compelling and I liked how the novel weaves together their present with their past so they make sense as people, and the way the case and their relationship are given equal weight within the narrative. I also liked that they are firmly established as gay but their sexuality isn't sensationalised - they're characters who happen to be gay, if that makes sense. In the same way, magic is a thing that just exists in the universe but is used in quite an understated way. The plot had a few ropey elements but it is a good Victorian mystery story. I would recommend it to anyone who's into Victoriana or urban fantasy.