I randomly started the first of the series and read all in a matter of days. This is a great view of Victorian London and wait impatiently for next book.

"Death and Glory" is an engaging and well researched mystery-suspense novel that blends historically known and speculative elements in a masterful manner. Focusing on attempts to reinvigorate the Confederacy and its war with the United states this book tells a story of intrigue and subterfuge often based on actual events while also providing an accurate portrayal of many aspects of life in late Victorian London.

Fans of the Sherlock Holmes stories will immediately recognize the protagonists as analogs for Holmes and Watson. This being noted, the protagonists in this novel are well developed and distinct from the characters that inspired them. Equally, well developed are many of the supporting characters who make this novel interesting worth reading. In particular, the various British characters who for the most part have had parts in earlier volumes of the series tend to be believable and compelling while possessing interesting back stories. This is a little less so for the Confederate characters introduced in this book, but in that they are portrayed as being suspicious and mysterious from the beginning it is easy to see their lack of credibility as a plot device.

In any case, this is an entertaining book, that many fans of the late Victorian era are likely to find worth a read.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve read every book in the Barker and Llewelyn series and have been a huge fan all along the way. I really enjoy the partnership between the two enquiry agents. I also really enjoy almost all of the additional characters. I’m very glad this book both continues to deepen their partnership and highlights the people they’ve come to rely on along the way. I especially like the appearances made by Mac, Ho, and Israel. I love the cook and their secretary.

The book is well written and progresses quickly. although I did feel as though it wasn’t very eventful. It seemed much less energetic than previous entries.

I didn’t really care for the Confederate angle. I didn’t like the ending. There were too many loose ends and questions. At the same time, the “solution” was too easy.

I also can’t stand Llewelyn’s wife Rebecca. She’s irritating and takes away from every book she’s been in. With the new development between them, I like her even less.

Despite a few gripes I still gave this book an easy 3 stars. I read it quickly and was intrigued enough throughout. I look forward to Barker and Llewelyn’s next adventure.

A great addition to this historical mystery series set in Victorian London ...
Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn are about a generation removed from the American Civil War and in London when they find themselves dealing with a group of Americans showing up wanting Cyrus Barker's assistance as a free mason to enforce a 30 year old agreement between the Confederate States of America and Great Britain. It first seems like some 30 years after the war ended, these men want a rematch and rewrite the ending of the American Civil War but first they need a British battle ship to do it with. Do they have a valid contract, or is this a hoax and what can Barker and Llewelyn do to prevent a global political catastrophe?
Can they scheme to prevent while trying to stay close and friendly with the wannabe confederates ?
This series is fantastic for its well researched historical setting and the picture it paints of Victorian London.
I've been a fan of this series not only for the mysteries but for the well drawn characters, which are, of course, further developed in each installment. This book is no exception but if you want to read this book as a standalone it is possible and you will not spoil you enjoyment of going back and read previous installments later. Thanks to netgalley and Minotaur for the eARC.
This was fun to read - an interesting romp through gin palaces, Shakespearean theatre and shipbuilding ...

Barker and Llewelyn are approached by a delegation claiming to represent the Confederate States of America. The Civil War has been over for 50 years, but these men fled the Confederacy for Cuba, Brazil and other South American countries. Now, they are in London to demand an alliance with the British government, presenting a treaty that alleges to show this partnership was in place during the War itself. They also want to seize control of an iron-clad warship they claim was bought and paid for but never delivered. These men want to meet with the new Prime Minister, Lord Rosebery. Citing Knights Templar affiliations, they demand Barker introduce them. But who are these men, in reality? Llewellyn in convinced one of them is John Wilkes Booth and another is Jesse James; there is some proof he may be right. But, in the end. Barker and Llewellyn have to protect the British Empire. Another entertaining read in this long-running detective series.

Will Thomas gives the reader an exciting historical thriller of the nineteenth century in Death and Glory, a Barker and Llewelyn story. Cyrus Barker and his partner Thomas Llewelyn are engaged by former Confederate officers to arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Rosebery to honor a treaty between England and the Confederacy for an English battleship. Rosebery orders/hires them to find out what is really going on.. The game is afoot. Is this for real? Is the plot to do something else and this is misdirection. Mostly set in London with high and low society of view. Enjoy.

Death and Glory, the new Barker and Llewelyn mystery is just as good as its predecessors. In this installment, the bad guys come from America, and some post-civil war details flavor the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a well-crafted historical mystery!

It's hard to believe that we are already at #15 in the Barker & Llewelyn series. The Scots/Welsh private inquiry agent duo is ensnarled with a group of alleged Confederate army veterans with plans to obtain a ship from the British government that they claim was owed to them by treaty.

I'm a big fan of this series, and eagerly await the newest books. I also highly recommend the audio of the series, narrated by Antony Ferguson. Ferguson does a particularly good job of navigating the multiple accents in this book, even delivering a passable southern accent for the Confederates.

Dive right in with the latest book, or even better, treat yourself to a binge read of the entire series. It's terrific!

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

Will Thomas brings his pair of Private Enquiry Agents back for another mystery. This time, Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn meet with four Confederates who want to bring back the Confederate States of America 30 years after the close of the American Civil War. Even though the plot may seen far fetched, Thomas writes in his acknowledgements that some of the story's plot lines have a basis in reality. You needn't have read all of the previous Barker and Llewelyn books to enjoy this one. There are references to previous cases they worked on, but they just add context to the story, and this could easily be a stand alone read. There is intrigue and action too. An enjoyable read.

I just completed “Death and Glory,” the 15th installment of the Barker & Llewelyn series. Will Thomas continues to take his readers on exciting and engaging adventures. After reading all fifteen books in the series, I am still looking forward to reading these books.

“Death and Glory” takes the reader along as Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn takes on a mysterious group of individuals committed to reviving the Civil War. As always, Will Thomas captures the readers attention from the beginning and holds it until the last page. I highly recommend “Death and Glory” and the entire Barker & Llewelyn series.

Thank you St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for allowing me to read and review Death and Glory: A Barker & Llewelyn Novel on NetGalley.

Published: 04/23/24

Stars: 3

Okay.

Over the past several months I have learned I love to watch and truly dislike reading this time period, the Victorian Era. Going forward I will do my very best to not request books set in this period.

My rating is the outlier. The dialogue was simple. The characters are too polite. These things work on PBS, but not in books for me.

If you enjoy the Victorian Era give this or any of the other 14 books in the series a try.

Private Enquiry agent Cyrus Barker, along with his partner Thomas Llewelyn, has a long, accomplished history - he's taken on cases for Scotland Yard, the Foreign Office, and even the crown itself, fulfilling them all with great skill and discretion. None of those cases, however, are as delicate and complicated as the one laid before him by a delegation of men who, thirty years before, fought for the Confederacy during the American Civil War. These men want to revive the Confederacy with a warship promised to the Rebels from the British Government in 1865. To get it now, they're threatening to reveal the long-secret treaty with the Confederacy. Barker is hired to use his connections to discreetly bring their threats to the Prime Minister.

With a web of prominent, if secret, supporters throughout England ready to through their support to their efforts to wage war anew on the United States, the delegates are just waiting for the warship to begin their plans. But some of the men are not who they claim to be, and the American government has their own team watching, and waiting, for the right moment to take action.

As this fuse on this powder keg of a situation grows ever shorter, it's up to Barker & Llewelyn to uncover the real identities and plans of these dangerous men. (GoodReads)

I’m not sure why but I just didn’t connect well with this one. I didn’t like the individuals representing the “South”. I mean, it was a terrible time in USA history but there was almost too much speculative overlap. I appreciated the author’s note about the historical facts, but I would have been in the “he’s dead” camp and not “he faked it.” If you don’t know what I mean, read a Civil War biography, you’ll learn.

I was happy to see Llewelyn’s character growth as well as his good news. I can’t wait to see how Barker handles everything, though I would expect him to be adaptable.

Overall, I rate this novel 3.5 out of 5 stars.

I never realized the Civil War caused such world wide involvement. In this story 2 English inquiry agents get tangled up with Americans still fighting for the South. The agents are interesting and clever characters that carry this book right along. I highly recommend reading it.

1894 London. It is nearly 30 years since the end of the American Civil War, and four men claiming to represent the Confederacy approach Barker to arrange a meeting with the Prime Minister, claiming a have copy of a treaty between Britain and the Confederacy. But are they who they say they are and what do they really want.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable and interesting main characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

It's seldom you'd see an historical fiction where the story line would restart the Civil War with expectations the South could win this time. In fact, it's so unique, I kept reading long after my alloted "hour or two" to see what would happen next. While I'd not choose this type of story everyday, it was definitely worth my reading time and the headache the next day.

Death and Glory by Will Thomas is a Barker and Llewelyn mystery taking place in Victorian England where they are private inquiry agents. The two live in Barker’s home, primarily for convenience, along with Llewelyn’s wife Rebecca. This is definitely a conspiracy theory book wherein men claiming to be representative of the Confederate States of America arrive and request that Barker arrange a meeting for them with the Prime Minister. They are taken aback but do as requested only to discover that these men want to take possession of a battleship that the Confederate government had commissioned and paid for before the war ended. Since it had never been delivered, they wanted it now. The prime minister wasn’t so sure. Things escalated as it became the belief of Llewelyn that two of the men, rather than being who they claimed to be, were, in fact, John Wilkes Booth and Jesse James. They also claim to hold a treaty between England and the Confederacy which, if brought to light, would be an embarrassment and could harm relations with the United States.

Barker and Llewelyn are an odd pair, Barker having spent his life in heroic pursuits, while Llewelyn is basically a home body. Rebecca is a Jewish, a fact which bothers neither of them, but will bother the wider society. They keep a low profile. Rebecca’s mother does not like Thomas Llewelyn; she thinks her daughter could have done better. These Southerners were charming men, if dangerous. Their idea to revive the Confederacy, and along with the slavery, have gained support both in the United States and in England. They presented a huge challenge to the enquiry agents, which put them in danger, as well as leaving them confused. This “blast from the past” has proven to be a challenge, especially since much of Llewelyn’s research is coming from dime novels. They are a great pair: both well-written and interesting. The mystery of the men’s; behavior turned out to be challenging and difficult. Thanks Will Thomas! I love Barker and Llewlleyn!

I was invited to read Death and Glory by St Martins Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #WillThomas #DeathAndGlory

Private Enquiry agent Cyrus Barker, along with his partner Thomas Llewelyn, has a long, accomplished history - he's taken on cases for Scotland Yard, the Foreign Office, and even the crown itself, fulfilling them all with great skill and discretion. None of those cases, however, are as delicate and complicated as the one laid before him by a delegation of men who, thirty years before, fought for the Confederacy during the American Civil War. These men want to revive the Confederacy with a warship promised to the Rebels from the British Government in 1865. To get it now, they're threatening to reveal the long-secret treaty with the Confederacy. Barker is hired to use his connections to discreetly bring their threats to the Prime Minister.
With a web of prominent, if secret, supporters throughout England ready to through their support to their efforts to wage war anew on the United States, the delegates are just waiting for the warship to begin their plans. But some of the men are not who they claim to be, and the American government has their own team watching, and waiting, for the right moment to take action.
As this fuse on this powder keg of a situation grows ever shorter, it's up to Barker & Llewelyn to uncover the real identities and plans of these dangerous men.
This is the first book of the Barker & Llewelyn series that I have read. It has made me want to go back and read the whole series. It has showed us a relationship between the U.S. and Britain where a ship was bought by the Confederacy but never delivered because of the end of the Civil War. I now look forward to reading the series in order. If you love mysteries about U.S. and Britain relationships then you will love this book.

This is a wonderful series that I have listen to on audible and this one is just as great as the rest!

A dynamic duo, Barker & Llewelyn are at it again. What makes this series so well rounded is the historical information woven in with the fiction. The characters are memorable and always a lot of action and suspense.

Pulled in from the beginning with a few twist and turns make this an excellent addition to the series!

I was introduced to Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn, enquiry agents, in Some Danger Involved, the first book in this series, and I have been a fan ever since. Death and Glory is the fifteenth book in this series but can be read independently. The American Civil War has been over for thirty years when Barker and Llewelyn are approached by four men introducing themselves as Confederate officers. They have been denied an interview with the Prime Minister and ask Barker to use his influence to arrange a meeting. The Confederacy had purchased a warship from Britain, but never took delivery before the war was over. They possess a signed treaty between Britain and the Confederacy that they will publicize if the ship is not delivered, destroying relations between England and America. After their meeting, Barker offers his services to the Prime Minister to discover the extent of their plans. The four officers arrived in England with a number of followers who trail the enquiry agents and are prepared to commit murder for their plan to succeed. After the war thousands of members of the Confederacy settled in Mexico, Cuba and South America and they are now raising funds to retake the lands that they lost in the war. The warship is only the opening move in their plans. Counterfeiting, forgery, kidnapping and a train robbery keep the action moving as Barker and Llewelyn work under cover to stop them.

Llewelyn and his wife Rebecca have been living with Barker and his butler Mac, but this entry in the series brings good news to the couple and it is time to settle into their own home. Barker continues to be a man of mystery. A sea captain in China, he still finds pleasure in sailing and has introduced Llewelyn to the sea on occasion. They have worked with Scotland Yard and the British government, which has earned Barker contacts with the highest levels of government. With well developed characters, the appearance of historical figures and a desperate chase, this is Will Thomas at his best. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press - Minotaur for providing this book for my review.

A Confederate Challenge, 1894!

Detectives Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn have their hands full with the surfacing of a thirty year old document, a Treaty, testifying that Britain sold an iron warship to the Confederacy during the war between the North and the South.
Barker and Llewelyn find themselves ensconced in International politics. If the Treaty is legitimate, the British Government is in an unenviable position.
Survivors, ex- soldiers, have been plotting for decades to fund a war from the countries they had escaped to—Mexico, Cuba, Brazil and Columbia. The war of Northern Aggression will be redefined and the Confederacy restored.
Now they are raising money and marching on towards their goal of taking the warship which they will use as a model to build more cheaply in the countries they now reside in. An amarda of iron ships will rise and threaten the newly established United States order.
(Thomas’s research is amazing!)
We have armed insurgents hiding out in London, a group of well heeled southern gentleman pursuing ownership of the ship, a train robbery, and other measures of skullduggery. Complicit wealthy merchants and members of the ton are raising money for the cause at a by “invitation only” Ball. The Prime Minister and the shadowy parts of the government are worried! The PM has obtained the services of the partners.
Cyrus and Llewelyn have there work cut out trying to make head or tail of this politically charged investigation.

A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)