Dundee, Scotland, 1862. After the mill of businessman Matthew Beaumont burns to the ground, Detective Sergeant George Watters is sent to investigate.Soon, George discovers that this is not the first property that has been targeted. When a man is found dead in the hold of a trade ship, George discovers a shocking connection between Beaumont and foreign powers threatening the very country.George … country.
George tries to get to the bottom of the mystery, but clues are few and far between. What connects the enigmatic Beaumont to the murder and strange events taking place in the Dundee shipyard?
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Malcolm Archibald is a consummate creator of convoluted stories. This mystery, in a mystery, in a mystery is a perfect example of the complexity of the plots he creates. Sergeant Watters of the Dundee Police encounters a murder on a ship. Then with no seeming connection, fires are started in mills in Dundee, all owned by one magnate named Beaumont. Through one set of dangers after another the Sergeant soldiers on first solving the fires, and arresting the fire raisers. But he is not satisfied with that result alone. Will he get the bad guys? Who are the bad guys. You must read the book to discover their names. This is a wonderful novel, contains a great story line filled with surprises, and has characters whose lives and abilities unfold before you. Read On! Anytime it is a book by Malcolm Archibald you can’t miss.
The Union sends agents to England in 1862 to prevent the South from receiving assistance or being able to sell cotton. It then switches to Dundee where one of Mr. Beaumont’s factories has burnt to the ground. Then a dead man with fire incendiary items is found in one of his ships from India. Detective Sergeant George Watters is assigned to the job. His investigation leads him to believe somehow France is involved also. He’s told to back off, but he also winds up protecting the Beaumont’s during a high society wedding. He discovers a Southern trying to sneak and a red bearded man trying the same thing. Then he and his underlings discover more incendiary devices in Beaumont’s other factories and a young waif that was paid to start them. His investigation discovers an anti-slavery group that was involved and attacked Beaumont’s youngest daughter. Watters is sent with the youngest daughter and friend to the seacoast for her protection and as he suspects away from the investigation. From there things become a bit wild. He discovers a ship that doesn’t belong, is nearly drowned, restored by his wife, and the wild chase begins. Who is the murderer? Who is financing all of the ship building and someone really wants him gone, one way or another. Not only that, they want Beaumont gone too, but who will believe him? The writing is first rate and you really wish that the pages would turn faster
Called upon to investigate arson at the Beaumont mill in Dundee, Sergeant Watters soon realises that the crimes are related to a murder aboard ship & has to pull out all the stops to find the culprits. With locals, seamen & street urchins leading him a merry dance, there are plenty of twists & turns before the mysteries are solved. Set in the mid 1800s, the author proves his knowledge of the era by perfectly describing the social scenes & backdrop, you can almost smell the whale oil & sea salty air as the tale progresses. I love this author’s work & was delighted to discover such a well plotted story by this superb storyteller.
A great mystery listen that has great world building as well as the story really flows and the characters come out really well. The Narrator does a fantastic job at bringing the voices. And the Author has done a great job with all the twists and turns. This is definitely a great mystery that I definitely recommend.
Shauna Joesten
Interesting history and characters, but too many coincidences in the plot.
Very well written
After reading this I realized that I was not the target audience. Way too much happening, too many miraculous escapes and a lead character I could never learn to like. He does have good qualities, but after being dragged through endless danger and misery he did not solve the crime. It just fell into place, almost accidentally. There were a few characters that could have been very interesting, but just when it looked as if the author might be heading in that direction he was off on another tangent. I finished it, but like I said, I think the target audience is a male of a certain type. I did like the scenes when the wife appeared.