Iron Water, The

Chris Nickson’s DI Tom Harper series continues to reward readers with both the plotting of the mysteries it presents and its examination of a fascinating historical setting: late 19th Century Leeds. The series’ cast of characters represents an interesting array of class status and political leanings, giving Nickson the opportunity to explore the novels’ settings from multiple perspective.

The Iron Water opens with the testing of a torpedo, a new naval weapon at that time. The torpedo brings a body to the surface of the lake in which it’s being tested; at almost the same time, a severed leg is found in the River Aire. While DI Harper explores these two—possibly connected—cases, the people around him are making significant changes to their own lives. Tom’s wife plans to sell her bakeries in order to work more intensively on women’s suffrage; these are bought by the wife of one of Tom’s former colleagues—a colleague with whom he has a very strained relationship. There’s also a mobster determined to buy his way into respectability and the usual cohort of politicians all too willing to make ethical compromises for their own benefit.

If you haven’t started reading this series yet, you’re in for a treat. If you already know DI Harper, you’ll be eager for the treat that’s in store for you in The Iron Water.

A police procedural set in an unusual time and place -- Victorian-era Yorkshire, England -- Iron Water features Inspector Tom Harper of the Leeds police, with his associates and superiors, facing a possible gang war in the gritty back streets of this newly minted industrial city. The murders of two petty criminals are evidently the work of more than one person and seem to be earmarked to set off a conflict between the heads of the two largest, and most vicious, gangs in the area.
Patient, plodding police work is the hallmark of Harper's investigation which runs into continuing dead ends and stone walls. It is his wife's assistance which begins to open doors (quite literally) and a surprising and terrifying conclusion reminds him of his wife's constant advice.
I have ordered previous titles in this series to read some of the backstory. This view of a grim and dirty industrial city in late nineteenth century West Yorkshire can be addictive! Harper's wife, Annabelle, is a vivacious and hard working pub owner and early suffragist. Vignettes of their home life add to this picture of a tough, intelligent, and loving copper in the north of England during a time of change.
Highly recommended.

An enjoyable, traditional whodunnit' set during the Victorian era with some great characters coming from different walks of life. A good read! I will be trying another in the not too distant future.

This was my first time reading a book by Chris Nickson and his DI Tom Harper. I found the book enjoyable, well paced, and with a plot line that I thought was original and creative. Tom Harper witnesses a body rising to the surface when a new invention, the torpedo is test fired in the lake. But to whom does the leg belong and why did they have a rope tied around their waist? Tom sifts thru the clues and walks a very fine line between two rival gangs who may be plotting against each other to start a gang war...or is someone just trying to stir up trouble to gain territory? There are many twists and turns until the final resolution and the culprit revealed. Tom and his assistants and chiefs all have their reasons for wanting this one solved, not least of all to give the city of Leeds a bad name. Nickson includes some interesting subplots to round out his characters and his city, a wife who is a successful business woman in the Victorian era, and a city struggling to be recognized. Overall, and interesting read, and I will look to pick up others in the series.
I received this book in return for an unbiased review from NetGalley.