The Thieves' Labyrinth

Albert Newsome #3

by James McCreet

The third dazzling Victorian entertainment in McCreet's extraordinary crime series  A death on Waterloo bridge, a body in the river near Wapping, a lady robbed on Wych Street—all common enough daily incidents in early Victorian London. But when an outrageous theft is committed at the port, the clues from these seemingly unconnected crimes soon point irresistibly to a mystery deeper and murkier than the Thames itself. The rapacious Inspector Newsome has much to prove, ex-police detective George Williamson faces difficult choices, and the mysterious Noah Dyson is once more drawn unwillingly within the reach of the authorities. Meanwhile, competing against them all, there is the enigmatic figure calling himself Eldritch Batchem. Lives and reputations are at stake as the investigators pursue a macabre trail into the city's darkest passages, each seeking a prize more personal than mere justice. And in the race for a solution, all stand to discover much more than they are prepared for.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Crime

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2011

Reviews

[Krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the premise of this but I picked it up not knowing it was a third book in an established series. As such, there was a lot of stuff I think I missed. The story was okay but I vaguely remember struggling to follow it at times and it had a bit of a messy conclusion. Probably wouldn't mind tracking down the first book of the series, though.

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really got absorbed into this book. I have enjoyed each of James McCreet's previous books and the Thieves' Labyrinth carried on an excellent formula.

The various characters are colourful, entertaining and interesting. The whole book reeks of Victorian London from the dirt and pollution to the type of language and hidden d_____ expletives. The rats, cats, lumpers, tidewaiters, magdalenes, toshers and mudlarks all provide an enticing vision of life in a different time and place.

My favourite moments in the book were the encounter between George and the lion and the scene in the rat fighting pub.

My two small criticisms of this story include the unlikely resurrection of Inspector Newsome at the end. I acknowledge an author is allowed certain theatrical license - this was just a little too much. The second is the penny awful journalist and his omniscience. How does he get the inside knowledge of every little thing the various investigators learn?

The story is set up for the next book which I will get very soon.

Overall, an intelligently written book with enormous appeal.

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

felt this is the worst of the series so far and was disappointed overall by the book

[Julie Round · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book, written in Victorian style, beautifully descriptive and quite gory, with the scents of the sewers throughout. A crime with three different detectives attempting to solve it. It was curiously compelling.

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

c2011. FWFTB: baffling, theft, mysterious, macabre, solution. I think that this is another one where I made the mistake of picking up (unknowingly) a book that is a third in a series. Thus, I found it difficult to connect to any of the characters and the plot seemed a bit manufactured, to say the least. The style of writing using the affectation of Victorian novels ie using "D----" etc just didn't work of me and neither did the way the dialogue included parantheses. SOme of the back story was hinted at but was not clear to me so the revelation of a certain name made no ripples for me. Unfortunately not recommended but perhaps if one started with the first one - it may help. I am not going to as I fear that the same stylistic conceits may be present. "But as an older man, a simple private citizen with some recently acquired scars and more experience than he might choose, he allowed himdelf some caution."

[Sammi · Rating 3 out of 5]

i struggled with the first chapter but kept ploughing through. i only realised it was a 3rd book in a series from reading it on here when i was nearly finished. i liked the overall storyline. but i thought the author was way over descriptive and would waffle some. i couldn't really bring to life some of the characters some who we only see for a few lines. i did like the relationships between characters and the way they were all working about the case but overall not as an exciting read as i imagined.

[Rob Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun! These three books could not have been better or more enjoyable.

[Philip Raby · Rating 3 out of 5]

An agreeable facsimile of the Victorian crime novel but, O, what a poor ending! Can we assume that the author will pen a concluding volume?

[Karla]

Just realised this is book 3 (would have been nice if this was mentioned somewhere on the cover). Going to put it aside until I have a chance to get book 1 and see if it is any good.