Barker & Llewelyn are back on the job in book #12 “Dance With Death”, by Will Thomas. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc.

Queen Victoria’s son, George, is getting married. The Russian Tsarevich, Nicholas, has arrived in London to attend the international event. Concerned for his safety, the Russian delegation seeks to hire B&L to protect Nicholas from harm. Barker is flattered but believes this job is not in keeping with what his private inquiry agency is about.

Boys will be boys and the two young royals manage to test two substantial kingdoms. Political situations being what they were in the 1890’s pushed Barker & Llewelyn to accept the job AND to make way for and old “friend” - a young, female private detective who has assisted B&L in another case not too long ago.

This time period in Victorian England was rife with historical importance and provided a wealth of opportunity for author, Will Thomas, to parade significant people thru the pages in an unobtrusive manner. You’ll have a great time looking out for them!

Well written, intelligent plot with a twist I wasn’t expecting but am now counting the days until book 13 releases📚

an intriguing mystery set in Russia and England. The differences between an investigation then and today's scientic laden investiagtions is amazing. As they use their skills and knowledge of this particular criminal, Will Thomas sets the atmosphere on high and the clues are well hidden. A great read on this dreary afternoon.

A Barker & Llewelyn Novel #12

Mr. Barker & Llewelyn get hired to protect Tsarevich Nikolai Romanoff from assassins. Will they succeed or will someone ends up hurt?

This book had a few action-filled parts to it, but most of the book was slow and boring. I skipped most of the writing to read the dialogue and kept up with the story. I would only recommend this book to fans of the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is a really good series, all the books have been so good and I love how the same characters are developing through the books, here we found Rebecca, a new character that comes to put that spicy thing to the story!

This is a very well done book. It is a very thinly disguised Sherlock and Watson adventure with very few changes to set the characters apart from the original. But the story did keep my interest and I was swept along with the story until the ending. I would read more of this author's works.
In June of 1893, the future Nicholas II travels to London for a royal wedding, bringing with him his private security force and his ballerina mistress, Mathilde Kchessinska. Rumored to be the target of a professional assassin known only as La Sylphide, and the subject of conspiracies against his life by his own family who covet his future throne, Nicholas is protected by not only private security, but the professional forces of both England and Russia.

All of these measures prove inadequate when Prince George of England is attacked by an armed anarchist who mistakes him for Nicholas. As a result, Barker and Llewelyn are brought in to help track down the assassin and others who might conspire against the life of the tsesarevich . The investigations lead them down several paths, including Llewelyn's old nemesis, the assassin Sofia Ilyanova. With Barker and Llewelyn both surviving separate attempts on their lives, the race is on to find both the culprit and the assassin they hired. Taking them through high society (including a masked ball at Kensington Palace) and low, chasing down motives both personal and political, Barker and Llewelyn must solve the case of their life before the crime of the century is committed.

This is an engaging historical mystery that put me in mind of Holmes and Watson. Private enquiry agents Barker and Llewelyn team up to protect the future tsar from an assassin, during the tsar's attendance at a royal wedding. The setting and plot keep the reader's interest, and the political backdrop supports the detailed plot very well. I did not realize this was part of a series, and I obviously missed out on the backstory for this novel. Perhaps readers would enjoy it more if they read earlier novels in the series.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I should say right off that I didn't realize this was book 12, and I'm missing a ton of backstory... which is fine because it gives me more to add to my summer TBR. With that said, the story was easy to get into and could be read as a standalone.

I did enjoy the story and found the time period interesting with a clever plot, well developed characters, and a lot of mystery and intrigue. I definitely got Sherlock and Homes vibes from Barker and Llewelyn. I was unsure as to why the character of Mathilde Kchessinska was included, she seemed more of a side note than a fully formed character determined to marry the future Tsar.

I do recommend, but if you're like me I would suggest starting with book one.

The author did a wonderful job keeping us wondering how private enquiry agents Barker and Llewelyn will solve this whodonit assassin threat on the future Tsar of Russia. Thoroughly enjoyed the inclusion of history while they worked to find out who is causing terror to the royals. Great character interactions.

Thank you St Martins Press for allowing me to read this book. I received a complimentary copy and all opinions in this review are my own.

I have been a long time fan of this series. This tightly plotted race to the finish installment does not disappoint.. Barker and Llewlleyn continue to grow in depth as the are hired to protect the future Tsar Nicholas?, the soon to be married George the Fourth, or ? A clever and deadly is on the trail of one of them and it's the duos job to stop the assassination.. The spoiled, young Tsar ignores the duos advice and continues to enjoy nights on the town and dangerous pursuits tweaking Barker's patience.
The chase at the end of the book makes for exciting reading. Will Thomas delivers another winner in the series!

Will Thomas take Victorian inquiry agents Barker and Llewelyn on a Dance with Death. Victoria's son is getting married in 1893 and Barker and Llewelyn prevent the assassination of Prince Edward and the Russian heir Nicholas.. They are commissioned to keep them safe and find the assassin. However who is responsible? The assassin is invisible. Is it anarchists? The Russian grand dukes? Lots of action. Great read.

Like Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol opening: “Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever, about that,” the premise of Will Thomas’s thirteenth Barker and Llewelyn tale is also without doubt. Tsesarevich Nicholas (heir to Czar Alexander III) was a dead ringer for his cousin, Prince George of England. Their uncanny resemblance, almost twins, is the crux of Dance with Death.

It’s June of 1893, and royals from all over Europe are gathering in London for the wedding of Prince George of England to Princess Mary “May” of Teck. Readers will know Georgie, as Nicholas affectionately calls him, as George V, Queen Elizabeth II’s grandfather. The future Nicolas II’s entourage includes his private security and his ballerina mistress, Mathilde Kchessinska as well as members of his imperial family like Grand Duke Sergei Mikhailovich. Nicholas needs heavy protection because some members of his extended family would prefer they, not he, inherit the throne of Russia. He’s rumored to be the target of a professional assassin known only as La Sylphide. The young Russian (through the aegis of a trusted bodyguard) attempts to hire Barker and Llewelyn to protect him in their capacity as private inquiry agents. They turn him down but then decide to visit Kensington Palace where George, Nicholas, and the court are making a public appearance. Prince George is then attacked an anarchist who mistakes him for Nicholas and Llewelyn and Barker save his life. It unfolds very quickly: they “saw a man brandishing a pistol at an open landau.”

I did not wait for Barker’s permission. My professional instincts took over and I was off like a hare. Something flew over my shoulder and I looked up to see bits of copper gleaming in the noonday sun: Barker’s sharpened coins which he kept in his pocket as weapons.



“Kill the tsar!” the man bellowed just before he was struck by the coins.



I tackled the fellow about the knees and we both went down.

Llewelyn is immediately confused. He and Barker had been told that La Sylphide was planning to assassinate Nicholas but the man they thwarted was not the famed killer. While guards question the man a sudden buzz fills the room. Perhaps the assassin was in the area after all because the shooter’s head was suddenly not there and “bits of bone and teeth rained upon us like hail.” Barker yells at everyone to get down and then Nicholas himself appears, wondering what all the fuss is about—Barker quickly escorts him inside and the truth emerges.

He took two steps, then turned back. “I had intended to leave earlier, but I was delayed, and Georgie left for a fitting. He wants to look impressive on his wedding day. He took my carriage. I was waiting for a second. How did that fellow know my plans so closely?”



“The shooter? I assume he was milling about outside,” the Guv said.



“No; the second man who shot the first. That could have been my brains dashed out on the lawn. I mean, it was intended to be.”

After this miraculous coup—saving the life of the heirs to the British and Russian thrones is not insignificant—the partners reconsider. The professional security apparatus of Britain and Russia go back and forth, particularly with Barker. They don’t want him to help guard Nicholas: they do want him to be part of the increasingly fraught situation. Which is it? Barker plays it coy while tapping all his sources for information. Some informants are highly unusual, like Ho, the owner of a Chinese restaurant, but more significantly, a member of the Blue Dragon Triad.

Llewelyn visits Nicholas’s volatile mistress, prima ballerina Mathilde Kchessinska, who is very upset that Queen Victoria, is pressing Nicholas to marry. Mathilde is sure her Nicky only wants to marry her. Grand Duke Sergei Mikhailovich is assigned to watch over Mathilde, a challenging assignment. To put this in perspective consider that Prince George was in his late twenties when he married. Nicholas is five years younger so there’s a surfeit of testosterone, royalty notwithstanding. Llewelyn is blown away by the curvaceous ballerina, understanding why this woman was attractive enough to have a future tsar enchanted by her. He explains his role to the Grand Duke and the ballerina.

“I was the one who saved him during the shooting in front of Kensington Palace. He called me and my partner in to discuss some matters, including the matchmaking by Her Majesty, who is negotiating a marriage between the tsarevich and Princess Alix of Hesse, who was left behind by the late Prince Albert Victor.”



The dancer’s nostrils flared. “That scarecrow isn’t going to marry my Nicky. It is a damnable lie! That harpy had better keep her pointed nose out of our business or we shall cut it off.”



“I never cared much for the princess myself,” I fibbed. In truth, I had no idea what Alix of Hesse was like. “She’s as cold as a herring and not particularly bright. Bit of a dullard, in my opinion. Certainly not as lovely as you.”

Perhaps Llewelyn is channeling a famous quotation from British prime minister Benjamin Disraeli, “Everyone likes flattery, and when you come to Royalty you should lay it on with a trowel.” Also true of royal mistresses?

The assassin, Sofia Ilyanova, is referred to as Llewelyn’s old nemesis. The struggle between the assassin and the personal inquiry agent is very personal and it makes me want to comb through the twelve earlier Barker & Llewelyn books to find out the backstory.

In a previous review of Lethal Pursuit, Angie Barry captures the appeal of a Barker and Llewelyn mystery:

Unlike most mysteries, a Barker and Llewelyn story isn’t one you necessarily want or need to unravel yourself. Thomas makes the journey itself, the unexpected detours and sudden surprises, the real reward. Sometimes it’s just nice to let a novel carry you along like a boat in a current, admiring the scenery and stellar conversation while someone else does the steering or rowing.

The tension never lets up in Dance with Death. The partners are attacked and somehow escape death. Someone does not want them to discover who is paying for the services of the assassin. Could it possibly be personal? Or perhaps some kind of mixture? The two men mingle in high society attending a royal masked ball and descending into underground grottoes as they unravel the mystery. If they are unable to stop the assassin, they will be held responsible for allowing the crime of the century to be committed. The race is on! This is my first but definitely not my last Barker & Llewelyn mystery.

3.5 A very enjoyable historical mystery with a well researched plot and some interesting characters. I don't feel I'm necessarily the best person to write a review of the series though, since I've only jumped in at #12, but this just means I have the joy of going back and reading the other 11 and getting up to speed.
If you like atmospheric British mysteries with a historical bent you love this one.

Dance with death
By Will Thomas
Homage to the greatest literary detectives this book adds a minor mystery into the most worldwide known family history. When the consequence family relationship of Tsar Nicholas and King George causes more political outbreak than ever before.

Solid installment in a fantastic series. Can't wait for the next book!

I received this book from NetGalley--all opinions are my own.

Thomas remains a favourite as I eager seek out the newest offerings of Barker and Llewelyn. The victorian atmosphere is pitch=perfect and the chemistry between the two of them which balances a sort of Nero and Archie with a Sherlock Holmes chaser remains a strong suit.

But here, their world continues to expand. I love the romantic strands of Llewelyn's personal life and how we just...almost... get closer to learning more about Barker who is still deliciously enigmatic 12 books in. But the real star of the show is Thomas' obvious interest in the Russian history that infuses the new mystery. Learning about Nicholas II 's time in London adds a wonderfully rich royal history to the well-painted landscape of our heroes' gas-lit world.

There's a timely and prescient exploration of social upheaval that remains a spark and ember in today's current affairs and shows us how far we've come and how far we have left to go as a society.

One the series' strongest offerings..


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I really enjoy immersing myself in a Barker and Llewelyn book. The characters are well defined, and feel like old friends after a few books. In this novel, the Tsesarevich Nicholas has come to England for his cousin’s wedding, and the politics and intrigue of the Russian Court have come with him.

Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn are terrific foils for the politics and of their times. Will Thomas is a must read for me!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dance with Death is the 12th Barker & Llewelyn Victorian historical mystery by Will Thomas. Released 13th April 2021 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a well established series and the characters are quite finely drawn in a well written whole. The background research is impressive and the descriptions really do call up Victorian London. The story is fictionalized but written around a real historical framework and intertwined so skillfully that it's not always easy to tell where real history shades over into fiction.

The denouement and resolution are well done and satisfying. My only quibble (and it's a fairly minor one) is that the dialogue feels anachronistic in some places. It isn't clunky or awkward, but there is some modern vernacular.

The books are self contained stand-alones, so it's not necessary to have read the books in order to understand what's going on.

High quality historical mystery. Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Dance with Death is book 12 in the Barker and Llewelyn mystery series. I've not read any books in the series and I don't think it is actually necessary to start with book 1. While I'm not sure I'm a fan of Victorian mysteries, I really liked the characters of Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn.

Nicholas, heir to the Russian throne (the Romanov who will be executed with his family during the Russian Revolution), is in London for the wedding of Prince George and Mary of Teck. Nicholas is young and full of himself. He has a mistress and is easily bored. Queen Victoria is also playing matchmaker with his life. Jim Hercules, a Black American in the employ of the Russian Royal Family as a personal guard. has learned an assassin has been hired to kill Nicholas. Jim alone can't protect him and he does not trust anyone in the Russian delegation to care if Nicholas is killed (he is seen as a silly boy standing in the way of their own power). So he hired Barker and Llewelyn, private enquiry agents, to find the assassin and foil the plot.

The mystery didn't really interest me. Though the twist at the end did pique my interest. It was really the characters that kept me reading.

Barker is a complex character. He has a gruff exterior but he is a real softy inside. He is always helping people, though he doesn't make it seem like charity. Thomas, though, was my favorite. The story is told from his point of view. He is a fun character. He is inquisitive and knowledgeable. I love his relationship with his wife Rebecca. It is a very small part of the story but their moments together are memorable. I want to go back and read previous books in the series just to see their relationship progress to this point. It is also the main reason why I would read another book in this series. The twist at the end has an impact on their relationship and I want to see how it plays out.

Definitely, if you love Victorian mysteries, then this book is one you should read. The writing was great. I felt like I was on the streets of London. The climax of the story was exciting and fast-paced. I was as shocked and appalled as Thomas at a particular event. I don't want to spoil anything so I'm being vague, but I want to point out that the writing led me to be invested in the characters and I could feel their reactions as if they were my own.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Monday, April 19 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2021/04/dance-with-death-by-will-thomas-review.html

Will Thomas' Barker and Llewelyn historical mysteries set in late 19th Century England are a reliably good read, so I'm always glad to see a new volume. This time the mystery involves anarchist plots to kill the tsesarevich Nicholas, who has traveled to London for the Wedding of Prince George. The plotting is solid, but the characters are what make this a series worth sticking with. Barker is a rich, rather prim Baptist convert, the original owner of the "inquiry agency" in which Llewelyn is now a partner. He's despotic and dyspeptic, but intelligent and deeply committed to those around him. Llewlyn is a transplant from America, who still serves as a sort of assistant to Barker despite his staus as partner. He's the more hot-headed half of the team whose leaps of insight sometimes do—and sometimes don't—pan out.

This is one of those series that you can jump into at any point, so Dance with Death is worth a read, whether or not you're familiar with the series. If you're big on historical mysteries and don't know this series, you may want to start with volume one. If you're a more occasional reader of the genre, you can jump right in with Dance with Death.

I received a free electronic review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

wonderful read! Intriguing story filled with interesting and complex characters. Lots of twists and turns make this a real page turner! A must read!