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| Expected publication Penguin February 2015 |
Inspector Ian Frey is sent from
London to investigate, what could potentially be an imitator Ripper murder. Under
the cover of a fake department specialising in the occult, Frey arrives in Edinburgh,
ostensibly to meet up with his superior officer, Detective‘Nine-Nails’ McGray, who heads
up a department dealing with, in Frey’s eyes, supernatural nonsense. From the
outset, the derisive banter between Frey and McGray is set to hamper the criminal investigation
as neither character has much time for the other. And yet, the series of vile murders
which seem to be targeting the musicians of the Conservatoire of Music will
test both men’s investigative skills to limit of patience.
As with any new series there is
an element of getting to know the major characters, their petty idiosyncrasies
and minor peculiarities are explained with just enough detail to sharpen the appetite,
and as the story deepens, we start to learn more about Frey and McGray;
discovering what makes them act and react the way they do, forms an exciting
part of the story.
Combining the best of crime noir
with well researched and atmospheric historical fiction, this debut novel captures
the very essence of ill fated fortune. The story abounds with gothic gloom and brings
the workings of Victorian Edinburgh to life in decadent detail. Both the place and
its people leap off the page with great energy and
vigour, which helps to sustain, what is in effect, a very cleverly contrived
murder mystery.
I really enjoyed discovering the
darker side of Victorian Edinburgh in the company of Frey and McGray, and hope to
be able to make their acquaintance again as the series continues.
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