Lestrade and the Devil's Own

Sholto Lestrade Mystery #16

by M.J. Trow

Lestrade had never been arrested before, although he had often had his collar felt by unsuspecting constables. But now a woman has died in his arms in a London pea-souper and he is not only arrested, but facing the drop.

Millicent Millichip, in the wrong place at the right time is neither the first nor last in a series of murders by someone so cunning that all the brains of the Yard can’t catch them – and this despite the calling card left helpfully at every scene.

In his time, Lestrade has found it hard enough to follow a case, but from the condemned cell in Pentonville, it is even harder. His friends try their best, breaking and entering, brow-beating and cajoling, to what seems to be no avail. But everyone must try to do what they can – needs must when the Devil drives.

‘A wickedly funny treat.’ - Oxford Times

Genres: Audiobook, Historical Mystery, Mystery

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2001

About the author

Meirion James Trow is a full-time teacher of history who has been doubling as a crime writer for seventeen years. Originally from Ferndale, Rhondda in South Wales he now lives on the Isle of Wight. His interests include collecting militaria, film, the supernatural and true crime.

Reviews

[John Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another venture into London of the early 1900s.

The series is a surprise. Here the humour of most of the previous books had all but disappeared. This story was much more serious and not just because it opens with Lestrade sat in the condemned cell only a couple of days away from his execution.

From this start we are taken back several months and we read our way through the case of multiple deaths that he is working on. One again our author calls upon several characters from the period to play a part and manages to retain some of the name-plays we have become used to.

I have to say that I lost track of the complicated plot and even when it was all explained, I felt there was much that could had been detailed more fully, for example the number system. I thought the overall motive seemed too weak.

So not my favourite by a long way or perhaps  because I have a winter cold, I just hadn't been able to apply the concentration the book needed  this time.


6th February 2026

[PAUL DEWSON · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of the better Lestrade stories. A bit muddled, with parts that you could not see why they were included. Also a lot lighter on the blend of historical fact and fiction that is one of the more enjoyable aspects of these novels. It's only saving grace is that it lacks a lot of the schoolboy humour of the other books.

[Les Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

By no means my favourite Lestrade book, but enjoyed the humour. Eg. He's a vegetarian. Do you believe in star signs?