Behind Closed Doors: A 19th Century Murder Mystery

by Brian L. Porter

Autumn, 1888. While the citizens of fog-shrouded London are horrified by Jack the Ripper's murder spree, another, less publicized killer is at large.

Each murder takes place right after the Ripper killings, on board the carriages of the London Metropolitan Railway. Inspector Albert Norris is charged with bringing the killer to justice, but clues are few and the killer's motive unclear.

As authorities try to maintain confidence in the railway system's safety, Norris can count on little help from above. Can he solve the inexplicable series of murders before the killer strikes again?



★★★★★ - "An honest crime thriller with excellent detective work. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Victorian crime stories."

★★★★★ - "A well-written, suspenseful thriller that captures the mood of London during the time of the Ripper killings."

★★★★★ - "Porter spins a good yarn and portrays the time, place and characters in a way that’s both believable and compelling. A most enjoyable read."

Genres: Thriller

473 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 17, 2011

About the author

Formerly a member of the Royal Air Force, Brian L Porter is an award-winning author, and a dedicated dog rescuer, with the distinction of having more than twenty Amazon #1 bestsellers to his name. He has written under three pseudonyms, with bestsellers coming under each of his writing guises. The majority of those have come under his Brian L Porter name with four coming under his Harry Porter and Juan Pablo Jalisco names.

Nowadays, he divides his time between writing his popular Mersey Murder Mystery series of books, and his immensely successful true-life Family of Rescue Dogs series, all featuring the dogs that form part of his own family, and all having been Amazon #1 bestsellers.

Reviews

[John Dizon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind Closed Doors by Brian L. Porter is another of the author’s suspense-charged mystery novels, taking us to London at the turn of the century during Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror. Inspector Albert Norris is assigned by his superior, Chief Inspector Joshua Madden, to investigate a series of murders that closely resembles those of the maniacal Ripper in the Whitechapel area of London. Only these killings are being perpetrated along the Metropolitan Railway network, and Norris begins to suspect a copycat slayer at large. While following clues leading to the director of the railway, Laurence Bellhaven, he gets pushback from unlikely sources including Madden himself. Is it a cover-up, coincidence, or possibly a connection to the notorious Ripper across a new hunting ground?

The legend of Jack the Ripper greatly enhances the atmosphere of this cozy mystery. No wonder as Porter has been acclaimed for previous works on the legendary serial killer. His authority on the subject lends itself to the authenticity of the storyline and keeps us guessing as we try to separate facts from speculation throughout. As his readers are aware, the author always brings the British community to life with masterful storytelling. This is another for his audience’s collection as well as a worthy starting point for new readers. Behind Closed Doors by Brian L. Porter is a great read for mystery lovers of all ages.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again this author does not disappoint. He takes Detective Inspector Albert Norris and his assistant, Detective Dylan Hillman through the paces of detectives in London, 1888, the year of Jack the Ripper. They, however, are not going after the White Chapel murderer. They are assigned to a case where a woman has been stabbed to death in the underground railroad, the new transportation system of the modern age. The powers that be, both financial and governmental want no publicity. They don’t even care if everything is swept under the rug and silenced. They fear someone is trying to drive the populace away from this new way to travel through London. It’s foul, smelling, sulfur air from the enclosed underground system, with the coal and wood burning locomotives. Then they discover the dead woman was pregnant. Norris cannot let the matter rest and he investigates. This leads him to one of the top railway officials and a Bible Class study composed of all women. The author brings out the social class system where one does not even consider the high ranking members of society or those involved in leading the churches as believable suspects. It simply isn’t possible. Then another woman is murdered on the train in a like manner. She also belongs to the same church and Bible Study group. Norris and his aide begin to close in on the vicar and Norris is put on sick leave. He realizes there is something in all the notes and he and Hillman start going over them when another lady is murdered underground but not on the train. Her body is horribly mutilated by the train striking her. She too was a member of the Bible Class. Before they descend on the Vicar, they find something in the notes that solves everything, but will it? The powers that be still want silence. Excellent read.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit I debated between a three and a four on this book, the story seemed to be a bit slow in places, but all in all it is a good mystery. In 1888 in London, the police had a lot on their mind because Jack the ripper was on the loose and getting all the attention. Behind the scenes other things were happening including first one dead girl found on the underground train and then another and another. Luckily Albert Norris is put on the case and won;t stop until the killer is found.This is an interesting read and I liked the story line, although the mystery for me was solved early on.

[Michele Northwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind Closed Doors: by Brian L Porter

Set in 1888, this Victorian crime novel sees Inspector Norris and his sidekick, Hillman, setting out to solve the crime of a murdered woman found on the new, underground railway system that we now call ‘The Tube’.

When one murder turns to three, Norris and Hillman are under pressure to discover the murderer. However, with few clues to go on, a killers motive that seems unclear, and an order from their superiors to keep the investigation quiet, they have very little to go on. They can’t involve the press and ask the public for help as the possibility of bad publicity could ruin the Metropolitan Railway before it’s had a chance to get going. The only possible suspect seems highly unlikely, yet the few clues Norris and Hillman manage to uncover, all point in that direction.

All three murders are cleverly intertwined within the historical, horrific murders carried out by the notorious Jack the Ripper at that time. By the end of the novel, the reader is left with a thought-provoking possibility.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, Porter’s descriptions of Victorian London coupled with the colloquial expressions of that time really brought the story to life.

[John Broughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you imagine the early days of the London Underground railway? Brian Porter does just that and takes the reader deep into the bowels of Victorian London. Hard on the heels of the Whitechapel murders, come a series of killings in the nascent Tube.
Detective Inspector Albert Norris and Detective Sergeant Dylan Hillman are assigned to the case, but Norris is instructed to 'keep the investigation quiet' to avoid negative publicity for the Metropolitan Railway. There’s talk of a conspiracy by fanatics opposed to the development of the ‘satanic’ underground beast. Is this a ploy to cover up for some more personal motive or is there a conspiracy, but of another kind? The stolid detective, who might well have stepped out the pages of history, so well does Mr Porter capture him, has his hands tied by his superiors, yet thanks to admirable tenacity gets his man or woman. Anyone who has read and loved Sherlock Holmes or is fascinated by the Ripper cases should read this novel full of twists and turns, especially if they want to ‘get a feel’ of those early days of the tube. Well worth my 5-star rating.

[Miranda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Querría darle una mejor puntuación, pero me es imposible. He de reconocer que quizá influya la mala traducción de la edición que leí, utilizando expresiones que en castellano resultan extrañas, o por lo menos, poco naturales.
La narración tampoco me ha parecido brillante, incluso por momentos un tanto infantil y poco creíble véase momento en que se encuentra con su "nemésis" del pasado , y la trama tampoco me ha resultado interesante. Ya sospechaba de la identidad del asesino es poco creíble que nunca se les hubiera podido ocurrir quién era el padre del bebé .

No quiero hacer sangre, pero no me ha gustado y ha sido una de mis malas experiencias lectoras.

[A.J. Griffiths-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read a few books by this author, I was drawn into this novel just as much as the others. Brian L. Porter is a master at creating atmosphere & setting the scene in whichever era he writes about and this Victorian detective story is a real treasure. The storyline runs through a time when Jack the Ripper trod the streets of London, picking out his unfortunate victims & these facts are never far from one's mind as we are led into a murder investigation by Inspector Norris and his team. I do hope that there are more 'Norris' stories in the future as this loveable detective has not only put a smile on my face but kept me gripped from first to last page. Excellent.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

1888, while Whitechapel is reeling under The Ripper killings ,another serial killer roams London. Detective Inspector Albert Norris and Sgt. Hillman, are given this case.
For me just an okay telling of the mystery, more a 2.5 rating.

[Lois Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atmospheric

When I started this book I was a little put off by the dialogue and flowery prose. As I got more into it I realized it was making the story believable and Victorian in style. Well drawn characters and excellent portrayal of the timers it is set in.

[Isabel A. Dow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Police in the 19th century were seriously hampered trying to do their jobs. It’s a wonder they ever arrested anyone!

[Barbara Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I really enjoyed this book. The people involved were great and seemed very true to real life. Would recommend this book to all readers

[Martha Cheves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind Closed Doors – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat and Think With Your Taste Buds - Desserts

“ ‘Men have met their maker as a result of the greed and avarice of those who would turn the people of this fair city into denizens of the underground world. Be warned that their deaths will be avenged.’ It’s true that a number of workers were killed in accidents, mostly cave-in, during the excavations of the original, and some of the newer tunnels. This could be valid threats from someone with revenge in mind against the company, perhaps a friend or relative of one of the dead men. ‘God will not allow this fiendish contraption, this infernal machine of the devil to prosper. We will bring about its ruination and force the Metropolitan Railway to cease its operations forthwith, in the name of The Almighty.’”

These are excerpts from letters written to the owners, demanding that the operation of the Metropolitan Railway be stopped. They were brought to the attention of Inspector Albert (Bert) Norris and his sergeant Dylan Hillman as they are being told by their Superintendent about a murder that has taken place in the underground railway owned by The Metropolitan Railway Company. The murder takes place on the same night that Jack the Ripper made one of his own famous Whitechapel kills. Could they be related? Bert’s superior says no. He is being told, from those high up, that this is an entirely separate act that must be handled as quietly as possible to prevent bad publicity from damaging the railway company. But as other murders occur, again on the same days of the Ripper murders, it becomes quite difficult to keep these events quiet.

Author Brian L. Porter has always kept me in the dark with the endings of his books, but in Behind Closed Doors, I had him. I determined who the murderer was and had the courts ready to slip the noose around their neck by the middle of the book. Well…he did it to me again. I wasn’t totally wrong but I was nowhere near the real truth that would convict the real murder. I’m afraid my case would have been thrown out of the courts. So, the master of deception has tricked me again.

As always, Porter’s characters are believable and so real. His descriptions of the scenes place you in the middle of the action. One thing I can say with enthusiasm is this, ‘Watch out Sherlock and Watson…Norris and Hillman are on the case.’ And boy are they good!


Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat

[Brian Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my own book, a Victorian murder mystery featuring Inspector Albert Norris and Sergeant Dylan Hillman. The original book published by Sonar 4 Publications, is no longer available since they went out of business but a new second edition is now available from Creativia.org.


Autumn, 1888. The population of London is transfixed and horrified by the atrocious and horrific murder spree being conducted by Jack the Ripper. The newspapers are full of the details of the mutilations perpetrated by the killer and the apparent inability of the police to apprehend the unknown assailant. As Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Charles Warren throws the bulk of his investigative resources into the search for The Ripper, and the tabloid press scream of the crimes in banner headlines on a daily basis; on the new, ultra modern Underground Railway that has revolutionized travel around the great metropolis for the working man, another, less well publicized killer is at large.

Tucked away on the inner pages of the daily press, hardly enough to raise an eyebrow among discerning readers, one may have found a few, short articles which told of the strange and also, so far unsolved murders which are taking place on board the carriages of the new-fangled and much heralded transport system. Each murder takes place the day after one of the ripper killings, as the murderer appears to be taking advantage of the lack of police resources to tackle not one, but two, major investigations simultaneously.

Inspector Albert Norris is charged with bringing the railway killer to justice, but, as with case of Jack the Ripper, clues are few, the killer's motive unclear, and he is forced to carry out his investigations 'quietly and without causing a public panic' as the authorities seek to prevent a loss of confidence in the safety of the underground railway system. The press are being told even less, hence the minimal coverage, and Norris can count on little help from above as he attempts to solve the inexplicable series of murders.

[Doug Lamoreux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a reader's copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Think of Victorian London and one image immediately comes to mind, a serial killer known to the populace as Jack the Ripper haunting fog-shrouded Whitechapel, slaughtering prostitutes with impunity. What you don't know, what you couldn't know until now, is that another killer was loose in that great city at that very same time. Enter Brian L. Porter, Ripper expert, author of A Study in Red, and writer/producer of the upcoming television series Jack the Ripper Reality and Myth, with his gripping novel based upon real events; Behind Closed Doors.

It's the story of another set of gruesome murders that took place in London in the fall of 1888, at the height of the Ripper murders; these on the city's Underground Railroad. It is the story of Detective Inspector Albert Norris, a man fighting personal demons of his own, and his Detective Sergeant Dylan Hillman, pressured to solve a series of murders of young women without the public getting a hint the murders have taken place. Under incredible pressure already, due to the Ripper killings, Norris and Hillman must keep their investigation an absolute secret. The very few witnesses they are allowed to question are sworn to secrecy under threat of imprisonment, and the livelihood of the detectives themselves hangs in the balance should word get out.

Life intruded when I started the novel so I was forced to come back to it. I refused to put it down from the mid-point on. I read it in one edge-of-my-seat sitting. I'm a sucker for a good mystery, love Victorian thrills. and am fascinated by the Ripper killings. The Underground murders, well-told in a novel that brings these ghosts from history back to life, adds a delicious spice to the murderous pursuits. I really enjoyed Behind Closed Doors and highly recommend it.

[Berk Rourke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind Closed Doors is an old fashioned "Who Done It" book. It is a mystery set in the late 1880's in London. The Ripper murders are in progress, as it were, and most of the resources of the police are centered on the Ripper. But simultaneously there is one, then two, then three murders that occur which Norris and Hillman must solve, mostly by themselves. Detective Inspector Bert Norris and his "chum" Sgt. Hillman, are assigned to the case. But their hands are tied by their boss. They cannot, as is standard practice at the time, use the press to help them find witnesses. They must slog through witness interview after interview and try to make sense of the information they receive.
As Norris and Hillman investigate they posit that a preacher might be the killer. The result of the investigation of the preacher is negative and a three day leave of absence ensues for Norris. Once again the duo are stymied by their leaders. But in time they will out the killer. They work and work and work and finally discover a small fact that leads them to other facts which lead them to the killer.
More I cannot tell you. The ending is explosive and somewhat anticlimactic. It will chill you to the marrow of your bones. I highly recommend this book. I have said about Brian L. Porter's books that he reminds me of earlier English mystery writers a great deal. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, I think, would love sitting down with this book which would in its path of investigation certainly challenge even Sherlock Holmes. Another tour de force by Brian L. Porter.

[Eileen Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the year 1888. London is already in a panic due to the deaths of several women by Jack the Ripper. Therefore, when a respectable, young woman is found stabbed in a carriage on the new London underground railway, Inspector Albert Norris is asked to take charge of finding and apprehending the killer. However, he is told the whole case must be carried out in secret and kept away from prying journalists, as the authorities fear people may turn away from using the new railway system. But when another murder takes place on the railway, the inspector's frustration at having to work with his hands tied behind his back, begins to show through,

This is an excellent and nail-biting read. Brian L Porter’s portrayal of Inspector Norris, a decent policeman, who is asked to do the impossible, is superb. How can a detective keep a murder enquiry quiet? But more importantly, how can he solve the crime, when the authorities won’t even allow him to interview suspects? Also, the author’s vivid descriptions of the Victorian era are brilliant. The scenes of Ripper London are brought to life on the page. I don’t want to say more for fear of spoiling it for someone. Enough to say that the story is suspenseful right up until the very end, only then is the truth about the deaths of these victims revealed. A must for all thriller fans everywhere.

[Mary Deal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Plausible Connection between the Underground Murders and Jack the Ripper.

Behind Closed Doors, by Brian L. Porter, is a plot that lets the reader feel all the frustration of Inspector Albert Norris. He is under intense pressure to solve the Underground Murders which take place at the same time as the Jack the Ripper spree happened. With most of London’s police and Scotland Yard working the Ripper case, help for Norris is minimal. So we endure his frustrations with him. His investigations come up against dead clues and we feel the let-down and drag with him.

Porter has a way of bringing scenes to life by way of using all 5, even 6 sense. Each time the story takes us into the tunnels, we are reminded of the stench of sulphur, the steam and other insufferably qualities of the new, only then being tested, string of underground train tunnels, with no ventilation. I breathed and choked on every breath along with Inspector Norris. Likewise British language and idioms are quite varied from US English and the terms included enhanced the British flavor.

This story has an unexpected ending that begs examination as to the possibility of how and why the jack the ripper killings ended suddenly. If you are a fan of British mysteries, with dialect and habits different from the US, I highly recommend Porter’s books. Well, I recommend them to anyone.

[Sahara Foley · Rating 4 out of 5]

PLZ SEE MY BLOG FOR MY REVIEW

[Cerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Love his writing style whether modern day or Victorian era, you will thoroughly enjoy these books off to start my next Brian Porter.

[Mickey Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever and intriguing story

Well written suspense novel with a bit of "what might have happened", and a few unexpected twists for the reader. The characters were imaginative, the plot was creative and I will look forward to more by the author. Well done!