‘Vivid characters, a dazzling plot, authentic period details, and plenty of surprising twists make this latest effort by Sally Spencer an outstanding choice for historical mystery fans’ – Booklist The body of a young man fished out of the Thames is of little interest to Londoners caught up in the excitement of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Yet to Inspector Sam Blackstone, the … Inspector Sam Blackstone, the case is as puzzling as any he has ever come across.
As his investigation proceeds, Blackstone finds himself entering the world of the aristocracy and tramping the dangerous streets of London’s Little Russia, where English law and order are not welcome. So begins the illustrious career of the talented inspector, who earns the equal ire and respect of his superiors for his controversial tactics.
Absorbing in their detailed depictions of the period, gripping in their ingenious plots, this trilogy of historical whodunnits is the perfect box set for any mystery-lover.
Praise for Sally Spencer
‘Spencer’s finest hour: a tightly plotted puzzler with surprises at every turn’ – Kirkus Reviews
‘Spencer is an accomplished craftsman who serves up a good puzzle and deftly solves it with intelligence and insight’ – Publishers Weekly
Sally Spencer worked as a teacher both in England and Iran – where she witnessed the fall of the Shah. She now writes full time.more
I questioned myself why I was buying a collection of books from an author I was unfamiliar with and a character also unknown. What a delightful surprise! I so enjoyed these historically set stories that instead of spacing them out between other books, I read them all from start to finish one after another. I love that the detective and his sidekick are so different yet so complementary. Enjoyable to the last.
“An elephant does not take offence at the farting of an ant…but even an elephant can take umbrage if the ant farts often enough.” This saying from India was in Inspector Blackstone’s mind as he was speaking to yet another empty- headed nobleman, and I think it sums up Blackstone’s personality perfectly. Inspector Blackstone grew up in an orphanage, served in the British army in India and Afghanistan in the mid-1800’s, and is now a Scotland Yard detective. He does not suffer fools gladly, and he has a steady and true moral compass. He is one of my favorite characters of all times. In this three book set, the first book is set in England during Queen Victoria’s Jubilee the second is in India and London, and the third is set in Russia. In each book, Blackstone is called in to solve a mystery, but each plot develops into an international political intrigue. The books are absolutely fantastic.
I enjoyed following Inspector Blackstone thru the back alleys and front streets of London,, and I never quite got a hold of what was going on, as he did. A truly good collection of whodunits that kept me guessing.
A bit predictable, but I liked it
Blackstone has integrity. I don’t read many stories set in any era that have their protagonist live and work by the rules.
I enjoy historical fiction and this book was a story about the early beginnings of Scotland Yard. Very interesting.
A good read. The plots are a bit over-elaborate, but entertaining.
I have been reading a lot of the post- Scotland Yard books. Now I get to read the before books.
All both before and after have terrific characters, well developed – story line always has little things that have great consequences as the story develops! Love the tiny beginning seeds!
The characters are exaggerated stereotypes with no depth or likeability. Keeping track of the characters could have been easier in a Russian novel. I am embarrassed to admit that I read all the way to the end of book three.
Same historical era as Sherlock Holmes but at least a star or two below the wonderful Holmes stories. Blackstone often refers to Holmes by name and some of the plot lines steal ideas from Conan Doyle’s stories. Still the Blackstone stories are worthy of a Midnight read.
Really great view of English life in that era
I like mystery stories set in Victorian London. I have read many and this series was a new find! I enjoyed them no end and will probably add the author to my list of “New publications I must read”.
good character development. Nice view of real life at the time. Enjoyable