Customer Reviews
Barker and Llewelyn are back - one of my favorite duos - By: L. J. Roberts, 08 Aug 2008 
First Sentence: I stepped across the sill of the conservatory, glass crunching under the heels of my boots, & steadied my Webley pistol with both hands, reluctant to step inside.
Enquiry agent Cyrus Barker & his assistant Thomas Llewelyn are callled to the docks. The bodies of an Italian assassin & his wife have been found in a barrel floating in the Thames.
Baker's French chef is attacked & left with a threatening note signed with the imprint of a black hand. It appears the Mafia are attempting to move into London.
Thomas' book is wonderful. It is clever, smart & filled with plenty of suspense, intrigue & action balanced with humor.
After the prologue, the story was a bit slow in building momentum, but very good once it did. The sense of time & place is excellent as is his inclusion of historical information.
I particularly enjoyed that we learn a bit more about the pasts of the characters in a way that moves the series forward.
This is a delightful series & one I hope to see continue.
