Crooked in His Ways is the second Lightner and Law historical mystery by S.M. Goodwin. Released 7th Sept. 2021 by Crooked Lane Books, it's 336 pages and 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 skillfully written and well researched historical mystery set in pre-civil war New York in 1857. A wealthy businessman who had disappeared a year earlier is found, dismembered and packed in salt in a shipping crate, far away from where he had vanished. The mystery is exceedingly well constructed and impressively engineered. I generally have a good idea by midway through a mystery who did what and to whom (and why) and this one managed to surprise me on several levels.

Despite being the second book in the series, the author is adept at providing the necessary backstory and the mystery is self contained in this book. The real-life period history is skillfully interwoven into the story with enough craft that it's not always clear where the real history shades over into fiction.

Although it's not at all derivative, this is a series which will undoubtedly appeal to fans of Will Thomas, C. S. Harris, and Andrea Penrose. The writing is superb and the plotting is precise and full of twists (possibly slightly too convoluted? - the jury's out). There were two small issues for me with the read: the cast of secondary characters is massive and I found it difficult to keep them straight, and the author's meticulous representation of Lightner's stammer in the dialogue, which often slightly yanked me out of the story because it was so pervasive. Kudos to the author for being true to the character, however. Neither problem was insurmountable and I found myself hopping over places where I couldn't remember a secondary character.

The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of 11 hours 20 minutes and is read with magnificent facility by Rupert Degas. He manages the narration of the characters flawlessly. The accents are widely divergent; from upper class Victorian minor noble (with stutter), through American, both male and female. It's -rare- to find a narrator who can manage both minor British nobility and born and bred American (New Yorker, no less) without mangling one or the other painfully. I found that listening to the stutter as read by the narrator *much* less intrusive or disruptive than reading the book in print. I would recommend the audiobook for that reason alone, but the narrator's performance itself is a huge bonus.

Five stars. This is a strong entry in a very good series. The audiobook version is also currently the best narration of 2021/2022 so far in my estimation.

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

Dark, Gritty…
The second Lightner and Law mystery and another immersive, atmospheric tale of mystery and murder. With an often dark and gritty narrative and an eclectic cast deftly drawn this is a compelling tale lightened with the odd touch of humour. Twist and turns aplenty populate the plot which leads to a perhaps surprising denouement.

I loved this complex historical mystery, it's the second in a series and it's even better than the first one.
The plot is complex, well crafted and well written. It's quite gritty and dark at times but always entertaining and gripping.
I loved the solid mystery that kept me guessing, the vivid and well researched historical background and the fleshed out characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This historical series has become one of my 'must Read' series. Jasper Lightner, 2nd son of a British Duke brought shame to his family by becoming a very talented police officer. When things become very uncomfortable at home he heads for New York to train the New York police in new methods of investigation. Hy Law is from the opposite end of society having been made an orphan early. He's a detective who becomes Jasper's partner and what a great team they make.
This is their second case and it's 1856. Things are about to get very, very strange when a well traveled shipping crate becomes a hot potato between New York police and New Orleans police. It contains the salted remains of Albert Beauchamp - only 6 pieces as one piece has gone missing. The crate broke on the pier upon arrival in New Orleans and the police hastily repacked the gentleman and sent him back to New York. Jasper's boss wants to do the same but Jasper and Hy have already begun their investigation so no do overs. It soon becomes clear that, while on the surface Albert was well liked, below that smooth, rich facade he was a sleazy operator with a very long list of people ready to see him dead. He also has a dangerous little black book and a safe deposit box fit for a king.
The setting is gritty on one hand and posh on the other as are the characters. From John, the 13 year old street urchin and crooked cops to the very top of New York society, the story finds a wonderful balance between the two. The people who comprise Jasper's household are so well drawn - his cook, Gloria Freedman going toe to toe with his valet is perfect. The case of Albert Beauchamp is running at the same time Jasper and Hy are told that they have to track down a kidnapped dog and claim the hefty reward. For every gritty piece there is a humorous bit to balance it. Put it all together with a well crafted puzzle and I had no trouble giving it five stars. I'm eager for the next book.
My thanks to the publisher Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Jasper Lightner is an English nobleman, working as a consultant to the New York City police, and Hieronymus Law is the young man assigned to work with him. Their latest case is the murder of a blackmailer and extortionist. As it turns out, any of his more than 100 victims would have been delighted to kill him; the trouble for Leightner and Law lies in narrowing the field of suspects. Soon the body of the blackmailer's daughter is found, and the body count continues to climb.
But just when things appear to have fallen into place, there's a fun twist to the plot!

When a man returns from a six months trip from New York to New Orleans and back, you wouldn't think anything of it, unless he turns up in pieces on ice in a shipping crate. Once again Jasper Lightner and Hieronymus Law are on the case. As they dig deeper into the murder of Alfred Beauchamp, they find lots of questions with little answers. When more bodies show up related to the case, things get more interesting and confusing. When two minds are thinking together it isn't long before clues start to fall into place. I love this series! Humor mixed with death can be very entertaining. I highly recommend reading both books in the series! Believe me they aren't boring!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

December 1856 is the last time Albert Beauchamp is seen by his servants. In July the following year his dismembered body arrives back in New York City from New Orleans. But who and why would anyone want this wealthy financier dead. When Jasper Lightner and Detective Law discover Beauchamp's black book the suspects increase dramatically.
An entertaining Victorian mystery with very likeable but widely different main characters, who are both delightful in their differences. Add to some lovely and varied secondary characters and this makes a good addition to the series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Crooked in His Ways is the second book in S.M. Goodwin's Lightner and Law Mystery series. I didn't read the first book. (Story of my life!) Did I miss anything? Of course... I missed what appears to be fascinating background information on our two leads. Did it impair my enjoyment of this book? Not in the least! Besides, the mystery in this book was stand-alone, so it's all good. I was absolutely engrossed in this book and devoured it! I'm very excited to find a fabulous historical mystery series that is sure to become a favorite of mine.

Just before Christmas in 1856 New York City, Albert Beauchamp simply disappeared. He did return about a year later; unfortunately for Albert, he returned in pieces packed in salt in a shipping crate. NYC inspectors Jasper Lightner and his partner, Hieronymus "Hy" Law, are assigned to the case. The wealthy deceased seemed to have a lot of friends; who could possibly want him dead? However, when Lightner and Law opened Beauchamp's safe deposit box, they find amongst a fortune in jewels a book detailing just how Beauchamp made his money: blackmail! And suddenly there is a long list of suspects who would have wanted him dead. Suddenly there are more murders connected to this investigation. Just who is pulling the strings?

This book was absolutely fascinating! Lightner and Law are both extremely compelling characters. Lightner is the second son of a duke and a Crimean war veteran who suffered a traumatic brain injury. He is also possessed of a stammer. He is highly intelligent and well educated; however, he is prone to losing time and memory besides suffering from severe pain due to his injuries. Law is an Irish-American young man who was orphaned at an early age and was raised in a Catholic orphanage. Like Lightner, Law's life has not been full of rainbows and sunshine. Though totally different, they seem to make excellent partners. I loved the mystery, but it was the characters who really drove the story. The members of Lightner's household are a joy to spend time with. There is Percy (the persnickety manservant who runs the household), Mrs. Freedman (the cook, a freed slave) and John Sparrow (a young pickpocket with a severe stammer who now works for Lightner). The mystery was quite thrilling, with lots of possible suspects ranging from the wealthy to the other end of the spectrum. There were red herrings galore. At times I got a bit confused keeping everyone straight, but I was having so much fun I just didn't care! I thought I figured out who the killer was; I was totally thrown for a loop when it was revealed. Depictions of life in New York City in 1856 were quite interesting, from political corruption to crooked cops to street gangs. I am eager to get my hands on the next book...and I'm quite excited that I have book one to read, also!

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.

Albert Beauchamp disappeared just before Christmas in 1856. When he reappears more than six months later, he's in several pieces, packed in salt in a shipping crate that’s travelled to New Orleans & back to New York. NYC inspectors Jasper Lightner and his partner, Hieronymus Law, are called in to investigate--but the further they dig into the wealthy financier's background, the dirtier the story gets. On the surface, Beauchamp had a lot of friends. But, as they discover, each had a good reason to hate him. Beauchamp's last will and testament--stashed away in a safety deposit box, along with a king's ransom in jewels--yields few clues, but Jasper and Hy discover something even more valuable: a little black book filled with names, dates, and a cache of damning details.
This is the second in what is becoming a must read series. It’s not a cosy mystery by any means but is dark & gritty with some lighter moments thrown in. What it is, is a very well written murder mystery with wonderful characters. I love Jasper & Hy, they really complement each other & during this book their respect for each other has grown, they are also becoming friends. The secondary characters also have depth & I love Paisley who is the quintessential butler & more, I also really like Mrs Freedman & the addition of John the stuttering waif to the household is inspired. The suspects, of which, there are many are also well portrayed & a couple sent shivers down my spine. The body count does rise throughout the book as do the number of suspects, the pace is fast & there are edge of the seat moments. The ending leaves you with a huge surprise, so I hope there’s not too long to wait for book 3. I loved it & devoured it in two sittings
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

It's 1956 and someone really had it in for Albert Beauchamp. Not only did they kill him, they dismembered him and shipped his body (parts) to New Orleans. Jasper Lightner and Hy Law, a bit of an odd couple detective pair, find themselves exploring the secrets Beauchamp had collected and used to blackmail others. Who wanted not only to stop him, but also had the resources and creativity to kill him? No spoilers from me but Jasper and Hy have a number of suspects. While the procedural and atmospheric aspects of this series (this is only the second one and terrific as a standalone) are well done, it's the characters that make it special. Jasper suffered a terrible head wound in the Crimean War, has a plate in his head, and struggles with the effects of PTSD and the effects of the tbi. Hy has some darkness in his background as well. Then there's Jaspar's household. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A great read and I'm looking forward to the next one.

When greed spreads like a virus and leaves death on its wake …

After the first book, I was quite enamored with both detectives. Even if there could not have been two more different persons, from age, breeding, origins, upbringing and status.
This is no romance, with not even a dash of it.
But I know when I read S. M. Goodwin, I do not read Minerva Spencer.
The first book provided a bit of romantic tension for Hy and Jasper, alas for both it ended very sadly.
I would encourage anyone who reads this book or wants to, to also read the first one as it gives all the clues about those two.
Jasper is the spare son of a Duke, he came back from the Crimean battlefields gravely wounded, with a partial memory loss and other scars. To evict him from the media scene as his father is furious to see his inspector of a son’s name making too often the London newspapers headlines, he is firmly sent to NY allegedly to help restructure the police.
But his arrival is a far cry seen as a welcome as all sections are all tearing each other apart.
Hy has been rescued by Jasper at a time he was in a bad pass, rotting in jail for a crime he had been framed for. He has known the poor house, hunger and working for the police department did not help him better his life as it was like landing a snakes pit, difficult to navigate it without being bitten.

So we meet them again a week after the end of their first case, as Jasper reacted badly to the demise of a woman he came to admire, so he let his demons and addiction to drug take the best of him for a few days.
This new case while still horrible is in some way less gruesome than the first. It deals with greeds not the abuses and offenses of the prior affair.
Yet it is them against everyone as the corruption is still rampant and they can trust few people to help them.
I loved how Jasper takes his chance with Little John Sparrow, feeling a kinship as his stutter is similar to his when he was a child. This book gives a bit more insight about Paisley, Jasper’s Jack-of-all-trade valet, a devoted man who guards jealously his employer’s affairs. There is too the cook Mrs Freedman.

In all, the friendship between this unlikely pair deepens, as they now rely more and more on the other. As Hy observes and learns from Jasper, and the unflappable Lord trusts his colleague to have his back.
I can’t wait to see when their next adventure will lead them.
5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 none

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Crooked Lane Books, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Crooked in His Ways b y S.M. Goodwin
Lightner & Law Mystery #2

New York in 1856 was not like it is today and a transplanted English Duke’s second son on loan to train police detectives is not always at home in the city although he is often in demand. The unlikely detective duo of Jasper Lightner and Hieronymus Law is one of opposites and yet works well. Aged, culture, status, education, and more separate the two but the work binds them closely together. In this case they have a murder to solve…a murder that leads to a few more and in addition to that case there is a dognapping to solve.

What I liked:
* Jasper: English, aristocrat, ex-military, survivor, traumatic brain injury from battle, son, brother, leader, knowledgeable, capable in more than one venue, and a whole lot more…really like him and look forward to getting to know him better in future books.
* Hy: native New Yorker, orphaned young, dedicated, savvy, partner to Jasper, lives with a cousin, good friend ~ I feel there is more to him than we have seen so far and I am eager to find out more about him in future books.
* Paisley: manservant and more to Jasper, runs the household, is in charge, has been in service for decades, cares deeply for a few people, gruff but perhaps warmer than he lets on, adds to the story in a nice way.
* Gloria Freedman: Jasper’s cook, free woman (not sure if once a slave or not), warm, skilled in the kitchen and healing arts, potential love interest or friend for Paisley.
* John Sparrow: tween, pickpocket now working for Jasper, like a sponge when learning new life skills, stutters, interesting relationship developing between him and others.
* The relationships within Jasper’s staff that were shared in this book
* Learning more about the main characters
* The plot, writing, police procedural aspects of the story
* Reading about New York as it was in that era
* That the baddies were eventually determined and dealt with
* The hook at the end that sets up the next book in the series
* Everything really except…

What I didn’t like:
* The baddies…they were evil to the core.
* Knowing that times were just as bad back then as they were portrayed in this story.
* Having to wait for the next book in the series to be published.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

With about one hundred potential suspects, you’d be safe to assume that Crooked in His Ways would be meandering and confusing. But S. M. Goodwin has such a knack for storytelling that this mystery is fast-paced and exciting. And meeting up with Detectives Lightner and Law again was both comfortable and refreshing - I felt I better understood both characters in this second book. And with that rather surprise ending, I look forward to book three!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This series is based on the delightful premise of pairing a wealthy, aristocratic, proper, stuttering son of an English Duke with an Irish-American partner who was raised in an orphanage in the slums of New York. While it sounds like a recipe for failure of the partnership – oil and water don’t mix – it turns out to be quite engaging and a great pairing of complementary strengths and talents. I did not read the first book in the series, and while I don’t feel that it detracted from this story, I do think it would have provided a better foundational understanding of Lightner’s being in New York. Still, I didn’t need that to enjoy the story.

There is definitely a LOT going on in the story and you’ll have to pay close attention as you read or you won’t keep it all straight. We have multiple victims and hundreds of suspects. The victim who sets the case in motion is found in multiple pieces – packed with salt – in a crate on a New York City dock. With nothing on the body to identify the victim, Lightner and Law start out behind the eight-ball. When they finally identify him, they discover what a despicable man he was and discover a list of people he has been blackmailing. Any one of the people on the list could be the murderer – or it could be someone they’ve not even heard of yet. Then, there are more bodies of people associated with the case that turns up. Uh-Oh -- busy times ahead!

While the investigation continues, we meet some really unsavory characters as suspects. While we root for one or all of those unsavory people to be the culprit, we also root for those very likable characters to find happiness after they are out from under the thumb of the blackmailer. Lightner and Law’s lives are at risk multiple times – and that is particularly dangerous for Lightner who was severely injured in the Crimea and now has a metal plate in his head and holes in his memory.

I enjoyed watching Lightner and Law become closer friends and seeing their respect for each other grow. I loved Paisley, Lightner’s valet, as well as his cook, a freed slave named Mrs. Freedman. I thought the addition of the street urchin/pickpocket, John Sparrow, to the household was a great idea. I thoroughly enjoyed his character and I think he’ll be a marvelous addition to the series. One character I didn’t care for – and I hope he disappears from the series, is the ‘boss’, Captain Davies.

I chose not to read the first book of the series because – and this is totally a personal flaw – I don’t usually seem to enjoy books set in New York City – especially during the time this book takes place. However, I heard so many good things about the first book that I decided to give the second one a try. I’ll quickly admit I still did not enjoy the setting – but I did enjoy the writing, the story, and the characters. It was a bit darker and grittier than I normally enjoy, but it had a bit of lightness woven into it since Lightner is assigned a dog-napping case. The dog in question is owned by one of the richest men in New York and he has personally requested that Lightner handle the case.

I can recommend this book to you if you don’t mind darker, grittier reads. If you require a bit of romance with your mysteries, I can tell you this series doesn’t have any – at least not yet. I really enjoyed the characters, but I didn’t enjoy the turbulence in New York City while the story was unfolding. Yes, I understand that is what was happening at the time, it just isn’t my prime choice. All of that said, I will probably go back and read the first book in the series and then I’ll decide if I’ll want to read more. Again, this is a personal thing because it is darker than I normally like and set in a place/time I don’t normally care for. The writing is excellent and the story is fast-paced and well-delivered.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Too Many Suspects

With lots of twists and turns and a hundred suspects the detectives Jasper Lightner, the duke's son, and detective Law his partner try to solve the mystery of the murdered man in the crate. Since the murder victim had so many people that could have wanted him dead it became very hard to solve the case, then more victims turned up.

All of this takes place in New York in 1856 with gangs roaming the streets, hackney cabs the transportation and all the excitement of July 4th celebrations. After some narrow escapes and some fight and escape scenes they solve the case.

This was a good historical fiction mystery read, delightful characters and one ugly dog. I really enjoyed reading it and would recommend it as a good sit down enjoyable read. it has humor and action and mystery. What's not to like. I know if you like mysteries and you like historical books you will love this one. I recommend it.

Thanks to S.M. Goodwin, Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy for my honest review.

The second Lightner and Law mystery has the duo investigating the death of Albert Beauchamp who was dismembered, packed in salt, and shipped to New Orleans before being returned to New York City. That would seem to be enough of a mystery, but their boss also wants them to find a lost dog.

As the two men investigate Beauchamp's murder they quickly learn that he was not who he seemed. Seems he had a number of previous names and left a trail of dead wives and financial chicanery behind him. Ledgers discovered when they opened his safety deposit box shows evidence of extortion which widens to pool of those who might want him dead. Even his tenants in the house and carriage house next door have ample reason to want him dead. Things get more complicated when they begin dying too.

The setting of this story - New York City in 1856 with competing and corrupt police forces - adds a lot to this story. Lord Jasper Lightner is a veteran of the Crimean War who took injuries including a head wound that has caused memory issues. Law is a local boy raised in a Catholic Charity Home after the death of his parents and Grandmother. Their very different backgrounds give a chance to see different parts of the city as they investigate.

I really liked this story. The historical detail was interesting. The characters were well-developed and the plot was nicely twisty.

S.M. Goodwin's Crooked in His Ways is the second volume in the Lightner and Law series. Reading volume #1 was a treat—a new series with interesting characters and solid plotting! The central characters are an "odd couple" pair of detectives in 1850s New York. Lightner is from a noble British family: a younger son, badly injured in Crimea, and sent to New York so his injuries, stammer, and pedestrian occupation won't embarrass his family. Law is Irish-American, orphaned and raised in a Catholic orphanage, class conscious, and awkward. The two make a great team. Lightner, being nobility and all that, also has a staff: a stiff, proper valet; a cook who is a Black freedwoman; and a new jack-of-all-trades, a pickpocket to whom Lightner is giving a shot at an honest living. It's a fun crowd to spend time with.

This volume in the series has a surfeit of nasty characters. The victim at the center of the mystery is a blackmailer with his thumbs in all sorts of pies—his body has been found in a shipping crate in New Orleans, dismembered and packed in salt. When the body is returned to the man's home city of New York, Lightner and Law are assigned the case. There's also at least one additional blackmailer, several violent men, and some crooked cops. And on the lighter side, there's a millionaire's missing dog, a case which Lightner has been ordered to prioritize because of the millionaire's political connections.

Crooked in His Ways offers a wealth of insights into life and class in mid-19th Century New York. It also moves at a quick, complex pace that makes it an engaging read. I would recommend that you read the first volume in the series, Absence of Mercy, before picking up this title. Having the backstory makes volume #2 even more enjoyable.

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

[I am also posting this review on Edelweiss and LibraryThing.]

Book 2 of Godwin’s series is as impeccably delicious as the first! Everyone is suspect for one reason or another and everyone has a motive to kill the villain whose murder is the subject of the investigation. Yet bodies pile up as evidence distracts and confuses the detectives. In the end nothing is assured, not even survival. A delicious race to the end. A banquet of good reading.

I had read the first book in this series, Absence of Mercy, and enjoyed getting to know Lightner and Law. When I saw the next book in the series was available for preview, I jumped at the chance to read it -- and I was not disappointed. I very much enjoyed this following story of the development of the relationship between Lightner and Law and how they are coming together to solve seemingly impossible crimes and dealing with resentful superiors and the suspicious public. Also I am enjoying the interplay with Lightner's staff. I enjoy a really good historical mystery where the emphasis is on the characters and the mystery and not insta-lust romance. For those who enjoy Anne Perry, C. S. Harris, Harriet Smart, Ashley Gardner, Abir Mukherjee, etc., I recommend this book. I eagerly await the next book in the series. Many thanks to #CrookedLaneBooks for allowing me the opportunity to read the ARC. #CrookedInHisWays #NetGalley

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

I was so happy to have the chance to read the next book in this series. I have read the first one in the Lightner and Law series, and I really liked it. This one did not disappoint. This is a series that takes place in pre-Civil War New York. In the winter of 1856 wealthy financier Albert Beauchamp disappears. Several months later, his body appears in pieces in a crate. Lightner and Law are called in to find out what happened to him. This series is so well-written. I love all the details-I felt like I was there in the city and I could easily picture the characters in my mind. I hope the author continues to write more stories in this series-it's one of my favorites!