I received a free electronic ARC of this historical novel based on actual history from Netgalley, Will Thomas, and St Martin's Press. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read 'Dance with Death' of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Will Thomas is an author you can count on to bring you an exciting, authentic look into British life in the late 19th century. 'Dances with Death' is the 12th of the Barker & Llewelyn novels, and though the action seems a bit more frantic in this one, it is still fresh with exciting attention to details of life as it transpired in London in 1893.

Our main protagonists are Cyrus Barker the crusty curmudgeon, and the rather brash newly wedded Thomas Llewelyn, inquiry agents in central London. This tale is wrapped around the first Royal wedding in England for 30 years in June of 1893. Royalty from all over Europe had congregated in
London to attend the nuptials, swelling the population of the capital city to overflowing. The secondary purpose of that gathering was to finalize an alliance between Tsarevitch Nicholas II of Russia (Nicholai II Alexandrovich Romanov) and Princess Alix of Hess (Alexandra Feodorovna, granddaughter of Queen Victoria). Barker and Llewelyn are engaged by the self-appointed bodyguard of Nicholas, Jim Hercules, to assist in covering the young prince during the turmoil and excitement of the reunion of Royals in London. And Nicholas II brought plenty of trouble with him to London, including his callow youth, sense of entitlement, and his mistress, prima ballerina of the Saint Petersburg Imperial Theatre, Mathilde Kschessinska. Other notable characters stirred into the mix are Eleanor Marx, daughter of Karl; Grand Duke Sergei Mikhailovich of Russia; Prince George of Greece and Denmark; William Morris, British novelist, and textile designer; Pyotr Rachkovsky, Chief of the Secret Police in Imperial Russia; the English Prince George, Duke of York; the rumored French assassin known only as La Sylphide; and American boxer, bodyguard, and friend of young Nicholas, Jim Hercules.

Dance with Death is a compelling tale told very well. Will Thomas is an author I follow, and can heartily recommend to friends and family. He makes European history exciting and new.

June 1893. Private enquiry agents Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewellyn are hired to help protect the young Russian Tsarevitch, the future Peter III, who has traveled to London to attend a royal wedding. With him are his private security force, English security agents, and his mistress, the tempestuous ballerina Mathilde Kchessinska. When rumors that Peter has been targeted by the infamous assassin La Sylphide prove to be true, Barker and Llewellyn find themselves in the middle of an investigation that could lead to multiple international incidents, royal assassinations, and their own deaths if they make the wrong move. With old enemies coming back to haunt them and old secrets coming to light, the stakes for Barker and Llewellyn have never been higher.

Granted, by the time the twelfth book of any series comes around, it is a guarantee that the stakes have never been higher. After all, if a pair of detectives (ahem, private enquiry agents) never moves beyond investigating the random murder on a street corner, then how is the reader to know that their detecting skills have improved? So the stakes are increased and the social circles the detectives deal with are raised to the highest levels. Barker and Llewellyn have come a long way from their first case together, and while their influence and fame (or perhaps infamy) have increased exponentially, the basic factors that have come with them from book one to book twelve, Dance With Death, have remained the same: Cyrus Barker is a stoic cipher of a man with one foot in the past, a prodigious knowledge of the world, and a profound understanding of humanity, while Thomas Llewellyn is a wise-cracking young man with a finger on the pulse of all that is new in his Victorian era. It’s the combination and clash of these two personalities that makes Will Thomas’s books so entertaining and so compulsively readable, whether or not the reader figures out whodunnit halfway through, or not at all. It’s a peculiar aspect of the best mystery series: the dead body in the library is the reason for the story, but it’s not what brings the reader to the book in the first place. It’s the relationships between the characters, whether they’re main characters, side characters, or incidental, that make the whole story compelling, and not necessarily the mystery itself.

If a group of complex characters who feel like they’ve stepped right out of the Victorian era without picking up extraneous modern trappings is called for, then the Barker and Llewellyn books perfectly fit the bill. Whether it’s a young imperial prince from history, Thomas Llewellyn himself, or the unnamed bartender looking grouchy off to the side, Will Thomas’s characters are brimming with energy and feel so real that even the fictional characters seem like a researcher might be able to find traces of them in the historical record.

But if a tightly-paced historical mystery full of intrigue and danger is what’s called for, there is plenty to be had in Dance With Death, and much of it is based on actual historical events. While sharp-eyed readers of the series’ earlier books will guess the identity of the mysterious assassin, La Sylphide, there is another culprit who hired said assassin in the first place. And thanks to the knotty political alliances that wound around the intermingled royal families of late nineteenth-century Europe, virtually any of the players who make an appearance could be the one– for love, money, or royal power.

While Dance With Death is the twelfth outing for these intrepid investigators, it doesn’t mean that new readers will have no idea what’s going on. Will Thomas has a deft hand at summarizing relationships and hinting at past cases without stating whodunnit, so if reading book twelve inspires a new reader to go back to the beginning, the mysteries aren’t spoiled. And there is plenty for longtime readers to enjoy, too, with loose threads from previous installments being pulled back into the weave so seamlessly that one might wonder if Will Thomas had been planning this all along– especially after that ending.

Thanks to Will Thomas’s extensive research of the late Victorian era, 1890s London comes to vivid life in a way that feels fresh and exciting, without losing the historical feeling. London has long been a place where all the world’s cultures come together in unexpected ways while retaining its own peculiar sensibilities. Whether Barker and Llewellyn are stalking the dark alleys of Whitechapel or strolling through the manicured gardens of Kensington Palace, they never feel out of place or out of time. The ancient monarchies of Europe might have been in a precipitous decline by 1893, but in Dance With Death, Barker and Llewellyn are at the top of their game.

Dance With Death is the 12th book in the phenomenal Barker & Llewellyn series by Will Thomas. If you haven't read the previous installments, jump in anyway - I started on book 11. Though references are made to past cases and events, this mystery stands alone. I will warn you, though...you WILL want to go back and see all you missed! I went back and listened to all the audiobooks after I read book 11. (Narrator Antony Ferguson totally brings these characters to life.)

In June of 1893, Tsesarevich Nicholas (the future Nicholas II of Russia) is in London to attend a royal wedding. He brings private security - and his ballerina mistress - with him. Though he has much protection, Nicholas's friend Jim Hercules (who is also one of the Tsesarevich's "Ethiopian" guards) hires private enquiry agents Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewellyn for additional security. When an assassin mistakes Prince George of England for Nicholas, Barker and Llewellyn begin the hunt for the killer, who is believed to be a professional assassin known only as "La Sylphide". The enquiry agents follow clues from the London slums to Kensington Palace, and they discover Llewelyn's old nemesis, the assassin Sofia Ilyanova, may be involved. Can they catch the assassin before the assassin catches up with Nicholas?

This book is one of my favorites of the series, and that's saying a lot! I have fallen in love with Barker and Llewellyn and all the other characters, including factotum Mac, secretary Jenkins, Rebecca Llewellyn, Mrs. Ashley, Ho and Harm the dog. The story is narrated by Thomas Llewellyn, my favorite of the lot; he's a smart aleck after my own heart. He and Barker are now full partners, and he's also navigating his still fairly new marriage to Rebecca. I adore the relationship between big, gruff and still mysterious Barker and scholarly and smartass Llewellyn. I was really excited about this storyline as I am related to Nicholas II. He is portrayed here as a brash and immature young man. Other real-life characters make an appearance, most notably Eleanor Marx (daughter of Karl Marx) and socialist activist William Morris. Socialists, communists and anarchists all play a bit part in the story. My favorite parts, however, dealt with the relationship between Llewellyn and Sofia Ilyanova. I love books that make me think, laugh AND cry. Here's to many more adventures with the Barker & Llewellyn Agency!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This is one of those series that is on my annual to-read list. Each book delivers an atmospheric tale full of mystery & intrigue set in Victorian England. But I also enjoy catching up with Barker & Llewelyn because after 11 books together, I kind of feel like a third partner.

In this outing, B&L are tasked with protecting Tsarevich Nicholas of Russia who is in town for the wedding of one of his royal cousins. It seems there are those who believe he’d make a terrible Tsar & prefer he not make it back to St. Petersburg. Dissidents, anarchists, Marxists & even members of the royal household….unfortunately there’s no shortage of potential suspects. Throw in one remarkably accurate sniper & it’s clear the enquiry agents have their work cut out for them.

On the personal side of things, Barker continues to be the intriguing & enigmatic half of the partnership. Llewelyn is enjoying married life, still amazed Rebecca said yes. But when a shadowy figure from his past reappears, that relationship is tested.

All the regular cast is back. With the arrival of Rebecca, Barker’s big house is a busier place for majordomo Mac. He thinks he runs things but let’s not kid ourselves. The real power continues to be wielded by Harm, Barker’s aloof Pekingese. Who’d have thunk so much attitude could be contained in such a small, floofy dog.

As usual, there are several subplots running alongside the main course. Secondary characters, particularly those from “lower” classes, add colour & the mix of vernaculars is frequently entertaining. From Buckingham Palace to seedy bedsits in gaslit alleys, the author effectively evokes the period so you feel like you’re walking (or running!) with the MC’s.

By the end, those behind the plot are unmasked & it’s clear Nicholas’ problems have just begun (and we all know how THAT turned out 😧 ). But the author also delivers one final surprise that guarantees we’ll be waiting anxiously for book #13.

I love this genre but I have never read this author's books. This is why NetGalley is so great.

Will Thomas writes in a clear and descriptive way. Everything is explained intertwined through out the story. Each of the main characters are fleshed out enough that I began to care a great deal for each one and cried for Thomas. I enjoyed this book so much I intend to read additional books by this author.

A great Victorian set mystery that captivates the reader throughout the whole story. It falls into some common anachronisms that seemed so inconsequential but may bother someone who sees themselves as a historian. It had some fun information that led me into some interesting research paths. The characters were intriguing and while I did not read the earlier novels that may have examined some of the backstories, it didn't take away from the story. It was a good standalone novel. It left you wanting more and luckily this is a part of a greater series. I certainly will be buying the earlier novels.

An unusual pair of Victorian detectives, a Russian prince in danger from an unknown assassin and a royal wedding. The Tsarevich of Russia, Nicholas is in London to attend the wedding of Queen Victoria’s son George to Mary of Teck. One of his Abyssinian Guards, an American and ex boxer, Mr. Hercules calls on Barker and Llewelyn to assist with guarding the Tsarevich‘s life. Nicholas is the heir to the Russian throne.
Although the pair hesitate, it’s not long before they’re in the thick of plots and subplots. Some fascinating historical observations and detail are in evidence as the pair close in on the truth of the matter.
This was my first Barker & Llewelyn title. I think my enjoyment of the title suffered from that. I’m sure I would’ve been more sympatico with them if I’d read previous works and had a better understanding of their history.

A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

This was such an awesome read. It completely transported me to Victorian England .

The mystery , investigation and villain (villains) was engrossing and entertaining. One of the things I enjoyed the most was all the research involved ...very atmospheric, layered world-building.

I just reviewed Dance with Death by Will Thomas. #NetGalley

In June 1893 Queen Victoria is still arranging marriages for royals and, indeed, a wedding is about to take place. Arriving in London is Nicholas, the Russian tsarevich, who is in town to attend the wedding of Victoria's son George to Princess Mary of Teck. A member of the Russian household tries to hire Barker & Llewelyn as bodyguards for Nicholas because he fears an attempt will be made by an assassin to kill the young man but is refused. Even though Cyrus Barker is intrigued by the job offer, that is not the type of job the private enquiry agents are interested in taking. The political climate in England at this time makes it impossible for the agency to remain distanced from what is going on within the Russian delegation.

This story is set during a turbulent time in the politics of England and there are many disturbances working their way through the populace. This is also a story where true historical figures can honestly be placed within a story because they are known to have been involved in the politics of this time. William Morris and Eleanor Marx (daughter of Karl Marx) were two characters I was particularly interested in reading about.

I think this is an excellent addition to the Barker and Llewelyn series and it leaves us with quite a revelation which bodes well for the next installment. I will be glad to read that one too. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for an e-galley of this novel.

Dance with death
Will Thomas is an amazing storyteller. This is the second Barker and Llewelyn book I have read. The characters are well developed and intriguing. I loved the first book but was not sure this story which centers around the Russian Czars would appeal to me. I was wrong , I immediately became engrossed in this well written mystery, set in 1893.
I appreciate that the author keeps the intensity of the book without resorting to profanity, which is a big plus for me.

London 1893
This was an interesting story. We have a bit of everything. Contrast between the royals and the general population in London. A bit of romance and a lot of political intrigues makes the plot thickens. You also have an assassin to make things more confusing who is great in disappearing acts. Who hired the assassin? Plenty of candidates who want to eliminate Nicholas. Some historical figures of that time period become part of the story which makes it more fun to read. This was my first book to read in the series even if it is the 13th. I felt comfortable reading it as a standalone but it did make me a bit curious about the earlier books. To me reading this book was time well spend.

Private enquiry agents Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn are asked to protect the life of Nicholas, the future tsar of Russia who is in England to attend a royal wedding. One of his guards believes there will be an attempt on his life. But who is trying to kill him? The Socialists? The Communists? The Anarchists? Or is it any of these? Barker and Llewelyn have their work cut out for them. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me this advanced reading copy and introducing me to this series. As I read, I was struck by the similarities between Barker and Llewelyn and Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin in Rex Stout's books. Barker and Wolfe are the geniuses who figure out what is going on while Llewelyn and Goodwin are their foot soldiers. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to others as they come.

Dance with Death, the 12th installment of the Barker and Llewellyn series by Will Thomas was my first foray into this series. I honestly have mixed feelings about this book, it's obvious that by the 12th book there has been an extensive history and building of the storyline and characters. I never felt lost, and I knew I would be missing some of that history by starting with this book. I agree that having a flawed character can make the story more relatable. However, one character was just odd to me. There were times he seemed to have it all together, other times his actions showed his ignorance, putting himself and others in jeopardy. There were also things in the book that Mr. Thomas describes that gave me mixed feelings. The assassin uses an air gun as a weapon of choice, which is brilliant, the air guns that were developed in the 1700s and on into the 1800s were used for hunting, war, and other purposes. At the time this story was set, 1893, there were nearly 4,000 air gun clubs competing across Great Britain. However, in other scenes, he describes the wheels of the Handsome cabs skidding on the cobblestones, and has a stage performance during the parade for the Royal Wedding and the theater is on the parade route. It could just be me, but these seem like odd items that mess with the continuity of the story. These things aside, the over all story line is good. Barker and Llewellyn are asked to find out who is trying to assassinate Nicholas, the next Tsar of Russia. (Yes, that Nicholas) Several of the people in the story were real people and there is more information on them in the author's notes. I want to thank #NetGalley for the opportunity to read #DancesWithDeath and give my honest opinion.

This was a beautifully written historical mystery. I have not read all of the series but I intend to do so now. It is full of action, politics, mystery, and suspense. I thought the writing was very atmospheric of London and I felt transported in time.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have enjoyed all of the Barker and Llewelyn books. Thomas Llewelyn is my favorite; although I do like Cyrus Barker as well, but he seems to perfect. I love how Thomas grows his character in each book. He is never perfect and always makes mistakes but is continually learning and growing. This book is no different. It is another great adventure for the two.

“Dance with Death” is the 10th book in the series. In this book the enquiry agents are visited in their office by an American named Jim Hercules who works for the heir to the Russian throne, Nicholas II. Nicholas who is young, bored, and spoiled is in London to attend his cousin George’s wedding. Jim Hercules wants to hire Barker and Llewelyn to find the person that would like to assassinate the heir. The next day the action begins. There are lots of twists and turns until the assassin is located and named as well as the person who hired that person.

There are some possible changes for Thomas Llewelyn in this book....some things from his past come up in this book: one thing helps him, one thing may destroy him.

I am already looking forward to the next one in the series. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was an interesting private detective mystery with a main character that was easy to like, even though he had a questionable past. That past made the mystery even more compelling. Many of the characters are real people from history, and it was fascinating reading about them in this story. I felt the ending wasn't as satisfying as I wanted it to be, though. It left me feeling sad.

Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn are “private inquiry agents” who are engaged to protect the future Tsar Nicholas II who is in London with is mistress for a royal wedding. This is after his cousin Prince George is mistaken for Nicholas and attacked. The forces of England and Russia failed to protect.

They determine that a professional assassin has been contracted to kill Nicholas. Their efforts take them through society’s high side and its low. They must dodge attempts on their own lives.

I truly enjoyed this book. It kept my attention then entire way. The outcome was not obvious and the entire plot was clever. Definitely recommend it. As a plus, there were no language issues to worry about.

Will Thomas's Dance with Death is the tenth in the Barker/Llewellyn crime series set in late-Victorian London, and what a fine addition it is! The pair of enquiry agents (private detectives) are visited at their offices by an American, Jim Hercules, who works as a bodyguard for the tsarevich Nicholai, heir to the Russian throne. The young man, in London for the wedding of his Royal cousin George, is young, impetuous, spoiled, and has a knack for getting himself into trouble. Hercules wishes to hire the detectives to find the person who wishes to assassinate the tsarevich. Before the ink can dry on the contract, the pair find themselves involved in a not-so-royal assassination in Kensington Palace's front yard. Game on! Will Thomas has an authentic and believable grasp of the times and setting, and tells a wonderful story. Thomas Llewellyn has worked for his boss, Cyrus Barker for nine years and is still somewhat awed by him. No less is he awed by his beautiful wife, Rebecca. Delightful characters pop up everywhere, and the reader is treated to many parts of the city. While cheerful at times, there will be blood, and plenty of it. I love the setting and the narrator's voice, and plan to do a quick catch-up of Will Thomas's previous books i the series!

Such fun to read this delectably twisty turny book which exudes atmosphere and mystery! This year was my first introduction to this author so I was thrilled to see the next installment in the series featuring private enquiry agents, Scottish Cyrus Barker (Guv) and Welsh Thomas Llewelyn. Chock full of wit and clever witticisms, my attention was captured and held throughout as the agents inveigled and searched for answers with the help of female agent Sarah Fletcher. Thomas' wife is a force, too. Her character is delightful.

The story is set in 1893 London and very believable with that era's mannerisms, societal classes, vernacular and historical details including introductions of contemporaries of the time such as Israel Zangwill with a focus on British monarchy, Kensington Palace, Prince George and Russian tsesarevich. The agents track an assassin and are close to being killed themselves in the process. Add intrigue, murder, a bit of romance and surprises and voila...Dance with Death! I adore unexpected endings and this one leaves me wanting more.

The agents loosely remind me of Nero Wolfe and Archie in Rex Stout books with their tremendous understanding of one another and banter. As Thomas thinks in this book, the amount of information his partner knows is staggering, as is the information he doesn't know. So, he and Guv complement each other beautifully. If you are into Historical Fiction and Mysteries, do add this author to your To Read list. The books are a refreshing treat. Do pay particular attention to the Afterword which is fascinating!

My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this enthralling book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.

I have not been following this entire series, but I wanted to find a new historical"detective" series along the lines of C.S. Harris' Sebastian St. Cyr, Deanna Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell, Andrea Penrose's Wrexford and Sloane, and Ashley Gardner's Captain Lacey series. I tried the first one of this series but couldn't quite get into it. Nevertheless, I decided to try it again -- and I'm glad I did. This story caught my interest and held it throughout, so that is a recommendation.

The story is about how Barker and Llewellyn are tasked with preventing the assassination of the future tsar of Russia, Nicholas II. In this book, Nicholas comes across as a character not really worth protecting, but then that's their job. The characters are well drawn, and the story moves along at a good clip, the villains aren't easily identified, at least by this reader.

If you're a fan of these books, I feel this will be a good one to add to your (virtual) library. If you haven't read Will Thomas yet, this could be a good one to start on to see if you want to read more of the adventures of Barker and Llewelyn. #DancewithDeath #NetGalley