This is an excellent whodunit mystery novel set in Victorian London, circa 1895. Detectives Colin Pendragon and Ethan Pruitt join forces with Scotland Yard Inspector Evans to solve a series of grisly murders. These murders resemble the ones attributed to Jack the Ripper, and there is a suspicion that there's a copycat killer at work. Narrated by Ethan, the story is told through his observations and moves at a brisk pace to a satisfying conclusion. There's a secondary story involving the brutal murder of a young nobleman that leads to a continuation of a story from previous books in this series. This is the sixth in a series and can be read as a standalone although there are numerous references to other books in the series. At the end the reader will know there's more to come.

The relationship between Colin and Ethan is interesting and noteworthy. They are a gay couple in a time when homosexuality was illegal in Britain. (This is not a "gay" mystery though and there is no explicit sex). Their relationship is kept under wraps wth only Colin's father and their housekeeper/cook knowing their true relationship. The rest of the world has their gaydar turned off. In this story, at one point Colin falls victim to a sepsis infection and Ethan faces the prospect of losing him to it. Of course, since the true nature of their relationship is hidden and of no legal standing, Ethan is essentially kept out of the formal medical decision loop. fortunately, Colin recovers and their partnership continues. This interval caused by Colin's illness however provides the opportunity for Ethan to move from a "loyal assistant" to a full partner in the detection business. This promotion will likely bode well in sequels. This pair of detectives shares some similarities with the Sherlock Holmes/Dr. Watson and Hercule Poirot/Captain Hastings combinations, except the personal relationships in these pairs does not factor into their mysteries to the extent that it does here. Colin and Ethan are well-connected in British society, they even get to meet Queen Victoria: one can only wonder how sensitive her gaydar is!

It's a good whodunit mystery with an intelligent plot and good pacing, some interesting characters (e.g. the coroner), and lots of local colour about Victorian London.

Recommended.

NB: Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for providing me with an eBook edition of this book. The views expressed are my own.

The crime fighting duo featured in this series of books are obviously moulded on the Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson format, that of being two Victorian gentlemen based in London together with a formidable housekeeper and plentiful street urchins where required, assisting the struggling police who are most grateful for their help. There is a little twist in that the pair are also in a personal relationship although with the exception of family and housekeeper this is a strictly guarded secret for obvious reasons. There are several historical errors, for example referring to people living in "flats" and expressions like "gene pool", also the lower classes and prostitutes at that time would have been far more likely to have one room (if they were lucky) rather than three rooms including an indoor WC! I expect this kind of lack of research will upset many readers. However I like books set in this period and overlooking the flaws I actually really enjoyed the plot and the depiction of most of the characters, the story being well put together and easy to follow. It is the sixth book in the alphabetically named series and I am keen to read the rest of the series.

This is the sixth book in this alphabetically named series, and what a corker it is. In late nineteenth-century London prostitutes are being murdered and mutilated once again. Has the Ripper returned or is this a copycat at work? That is the question which the heroes, Colin Pendragon and his partner Ethan Pruitt are called upon to solve. There is a second case for them as well, that of the grandson of a friend of Colin’s father Sir Atherton.

I found the relationship between Colin and Ethan to be a very interesting one. They are a committed gay couple in a Britain where relationships like theirs were illegal and punishable by prison. Colin’s father knows and approves, as does the housekeeper Mrs Behmoth. But they cannot be openly gay or show their love for each other to anyone else. Ethan longs for more, but understands the reality of the society in which he lives.

I don’t like spoilers, so I am not going to give any. Suffice it to say that the mysteries are satisfactorily solved and that Harris plays fair with the readers.

This book was extremely enjoyable, even with the somewhat gruesome discussions of the murders and subsequent mutilations. (If you are very squeamish the descriptions are not protracted and can be skimmed.) I can cheerfully recommend it, and if you have not read the preceding five books in the series you are in for a treat.

Several years after the Ripper has disappeared, a body of a prostitute is discovered, brutally killed. Is the Ripper back. Colin Pendragon and Ethan Pruit are asked by Scotland Yard for their help.
I enjoyed this mystery, better than the previous book as this is more of a standalone story. Well-written with interesting characters.

The story begins with Colin Pendragon and Ethan Pruitt working with Scotland Yard on a horrible crime in Whitechapel. They are called to an incredibly brutal crime scene, apparently the second of its kind. Both crimes are eerily similar to the Ripper's crimes from several years before, although we find out fairly early in the story that it cannot be the Ripper's work. Queen Victoria summons Pendragon and his father, worried that a family member may be the new killer on Framingham Street. Then Colin falls ill from the wounds he's carrying from a previous case. In the meantime, more women are dying as Pruitt along with Inspector Evans chase down leads and keep vigil over Colin.

There is a lot going on in this book, but it's not hard to follow. It keeps a quick pace, and the mysteries flow well. This is my first of the series, but it was well-written and entertaining.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Colin and Ethan have seen murder scenes like the one before them before. You've read this basic plot before. No matter what, if you like mysteries set in turn of the century London, then this one's for you. I have not read the series so this was a standalone for me. The characters are well fleshed out and they are what make the difference in this novel. Good atmospherics, plotting and writing made this a good read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm going to look for more with these two.

This is the sixth book involving Colin and Ethan and the first one I have read. It is a straight out rework of Holmes and Watson with a couple of twists (no spoilers here!). Despite this I thoroughly enjoyed the story and read it in one sitting and I am a big fan of lots of different Sherlock stories as a well as the originals. I will go back and try some of the other five books as this one was very enjoyable. #netgalley #theframinghamfiend