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Campbell Lawless #1
Lawless and the Devil of Euston Square
London, 1859. Great exhibitions. Foreign conquests. Underground trains. The era of Victorian marvels is also the time of the Great Stink. Beneath the respectable surface, a multitude of ills need flushing out. When a man is killed in a hydraulic burst, novice detective Campbell Lawless stumbles on to the trail of Berwick Skelton: this elusive activist rose from humble beginnings to cross swords with London’s illuminati, before vanishing, heartbroken, amid presages of disaster. The Worms, a gang of urchins, help Lawless investigate the ‘Skeleton Thefts’ mystifying society, revealing to him the disillusion that lurks beneath the filthy cobblestones.
Berwick’s trail leads to music hall hoofers, industrial sabotage and royal scandal. Lawless peels away veneers of secrecy to convince the powers-that-be of Berwick’s revolutionary plans. Can he track down the underworld mastermind before he wreaks vengeance on those who ride roughshod over his people?
Berwick’s trail leads to music hall hoofers, industrial sabotage and royal scandal. Lawless peels away veneers of secrecy to convince the powers-that-be of Berwick’s revolutionary plans. Can he track down the underworld mastermind before he wreaks vengeance on those who ride roughshod over his people?
464 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2006
80 people are currently reading
1363 people want to read
About the author
William Sutton
31 books28 followersWilliam Sutton was born in Scotland in 1970 and appeared in pantomime at the age of nine.
He learned blues harmonica from his Latin teacher, drove to California in a VW beetle and studied classics at Oxford. Besides writing radio plays and short stories, he has acted in the longest play in the world, tutored the Sugababes and played cricket for Brazil.
After living in Brazil and Italy, teaching English and singing in ice cream shops, he has returned to the UK where he teaches Latin and plays accordion.
Lawless and the Devil of Euston Square is a literary mystery set beneath the smoggy cobblestones of Victorian London. The Scotsman newspaper said: William Sutton's first novel is a fine, extravagant and thoroughly enjoyable example of Victorian Crime fiction. It somewhat resembles Boris Akunin's Fandòrin international bestsellers, and there is no good reason why Sutton's Worms of Euston Square shouldn't also do very well.
One of the joys of the novel is the language employed by Worm and his friends, part authentic Victorian slang, part thieves' cant, and part - I rather think - invented ... The action moves with dizzying speed from the highest quarters in the land to the vilest slums and low dives of the teeming city. ... A tale of this sort requires fine villains, and Sutton obliges us with a couple ... This is a world enveloped in smoke and fog. The fun is fast and furious.
We are told that William Sutton is now at work on another Campbell Lawless mystery. If he can maintain this standard of invention, this mastery of linguistic tone, he is on to a winner. (Allan Massie, The Scotsman)
He learned blues harmonica from his Latin teacher, drove to California in a VW beetle and studied classics at Oxford. Besides writing radio plays and short stories, he has acted in the longest play in the world, tutored the Sugababes and played cricket for Brazil.
After living in Brazil and Italy, teaching English and singing in ice cream shops, he has returned to the UK where he teaches Latin and plays accordion.
Lawless and the Devil of Euston Square is a literary mystery set beneath the smoggy cobblestones of Victorian London. The Scotsman newspaper said: William Sutton's first novel is a fine, extravagant and thoroughly enjoyable example of Victorian Crime fiction. It somewhat resembles Boris Akunin's Fandòrin international bestsellers, and there is no good reason why Sutton's Worms of Euston Square shouldn't also do very well.
One of the joys of the novel is the language employed by Worm and his friends, part authentic Victorian slang, part thieves' cant, and part - I rather think - invented ... The action moves with dizzying speed from the highest quarters in the land to the vilest slums and low dives of the teeming city. ... A tale of this sort requires fine villains, and Sutton obliges us with a couple ... This is a world enveloped in smoke and fog. The fun is fast and furious.
We are told that William Sutton is now at work on another Campbell Lawless mystery. If he can maintain this standard of invention, this mastery of linguistic tone, he is on to a winner. (Allan Massie, The Scotsman)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 12, 2013
I’ve discovered over the last couple of years that I really enjoy historical crime fiction. Taking the staples of a good mystery and adding the extra wrinkle of a different time period can really breathe new life into the genre. Authors like Sarah Pinborough and Lynn Shepherd have produced novels that are hugely entertaining, marvellously evocative and a pleasure to read. William Sutton’s debut, set in Victorian England, treads similar ground. The big question is though, does it deliver?
Things get off to a good start, Sutton’s writing vividly brings the hustle and bustle of Victorian London to life. The capital is still caught in the vast changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution. You can sense the frenetic energy of the city. Everyone has a purpose, the good news from the reader’s perspective is that in some cases that purpose is utterly nefarious.
The politics and imperialism of the age play an important role in the plot. This was a time when the sun never set on the British Empire. There were very distinct class boundaries and Sutton weaves the social issues of the day into his narrative. The crippling poverty of the underclasses and the rampant expansionism of the industrials elite are explored.
Lawless meets people from every strata of society, from royalty to the inmates of the local asylum. In a nice touch, that adds an air of authenticity to proceedings, famous faces of the time also drift in an out of the story. Certain scenes are like a veritable who’s who of the mid nineteenth century. I’ll not spoil anything by mentioning who appears, you can discover that for yourself.
The novice detective is very much the rookie when we first meet him. He has good instincts, but doesn’t always trust them. It’s always refreshing to discover a protagonist beset with doubts, it gives things a nice realistic tone. It also bodes well for the future. There is room for the character to develop and grow.
Chief Inspector Wardle is the close-lipped mentor that Lawless finds at Scotland Yard. Perhaps not quite the inspirational leader that the young policeman was hoping for Wardle still manages to impart his wisdom in his own unique way. The relationship between student and teacher is a highlight as it evolves. Lawless initially flounders around, trying to second guess what his boss expects of him, but as the case progresses he grows in confidence.
I love the language used in this novel. Lawless is from Edinburgh and his Scottish twang is pitch perfect (I’ll even go so far as to say that even though he is from the east coast, and I hail from the west, I warmed to the character). The language of the streets is also an important aspect of Lawless’ first investigation. The Worms, a street gang not unlike Conan-Doyle’s Baker Street Irregulars, have a patois all of their own. It’s almost as though you’re getting a mini-mystery every time one of them opens their mouth. There is a character called the Professor who I particularly liked. Personally I’ve always been a fan of the Victorian era, at an impressionable age I discovered George MacDonald Fraser and his disreputable anti-hero Flashman and I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve always marvelled a bit at the pomp and ceremony of this particular time period. I just love the way people talk to one another, terribly proper and all that. Phrases like “old cove” are a delight.
It’s interesting to note that the problems that Lawless faces during the process of his investigations aren’t massively different from the issues that still effect large cities now. Gangs, blackmail and political corruption aren’t a new invention and in addition to this the 19th century also had plenty of gruesome crimes all of it’s own.
Can I make a suggestion? Those of you who enjoy a bit of music while you’re reading may wish to consider the Sherlock Holmes soundtrack by Hans Zimmer while reading this novel. It’s the perfect accompaniment. Discombobulate indeed!
Lawless and The Devil of Euston Square is published by Exhibit A Books and is available now. This is a fun, energetic debut and a quick check of the author’s website promises another two enigmatically monickered novels – Lawless and the Flowers of Sin, Lawless and the Maestro of Assassins. You can definitely count me in for both, by jove.
Things get off to a good start, Sutton’s writing vividly brings the hustle and bustle of Victorian London to life. The capital is still caught in the vast changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution. You can sense the frenetic energy of the city. Everyone has a purpose, the good news from the reader’s perspective is that in some cases that purpose is utterly nefarious.
The politics and imperialism of the age play an important role in the plot. This was a time when the sun never set on the British Empire. There were very distinct class boundaries and Sutton weaves the social issues of the day into his narrative. The crippling poverty of the underclasses and the rampant expansionism of the industrials elite are explored.
Lawless meets people from every strata of society, from royalty to the inmates of the local asylum. In a nice touch, that adds an air of authenticity to proceedings, famous faces of the time also drift in an out of the story. Certain scenes are like a veritable who’s who of the mid nineteenth century. I’ll not spoil anything by mentioning who appears, you can discover that for yourself.
The novice detective is very much the rookie when we first meet him. He has good instincts, but doesn’t always trust them. It’s always refreshing to discover a protagonist beset with doubts, it gives things a nice realistic tone. It also bodes well for the future. There is room for the character to develop and grow.
Chief Inspector Wardle is the close-lipped mentor that Lawless finds at Scotland Yard. Perhaps not quite the inspirational leader that the young policeman was hoping for Wardle still manages to impart his wisdom in his own unique way. The relationship between student and teacher is a highlight as it evolves. Lawless initially flounders around, trying to second guess what his boss expects of him, but as the case progresses he grows in confidence.
I love the language used in this novel. Lawless is from Edinburgh and his Scottish twang is pitch perfect (I’ll even go so far as to say that even though he is from the east coast, and I hail from the west, I warmed to the character). The language of the streets is also an important aspect of Lawless’ first investigation. The Worms, a street gang not unlike Conan-Doyle’s Baker Street Irregulars, have a patois all of their own. It’s almost as though you’re getting a mini-mystery every time one of them opens their mouth. There is a character called the Professor who I particularly liked. Personally I’ve always been a fan of the Victorian era, at an impressionable age I discovered George MacDonald Fraser and his disreputable anti-hero Flashman and I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve always marvelled a bit at the pomp and ceremony of this particular time period. I just love the way people talk to one another, terribly proper and all that. Phrases like “old cove” are a delight.
It’s interesting to note that the problems that Lawless faces during the process of his investigations aren’t massively different from the issues that still effect large cities now. Gangs, blackmail and political corruption aren’t a new invention and in addition to this the 19th century also had plenty of gruesome crimes all of it’s own.
Can I make a suggestion? Those of you who enjoy a bit of music while you’re reading may wish to consider the Sherlock Holmes soundtrack by Hans Zimmer while reading this novel. It’s the perfect accompaniment. Discombobulate indeed!
Lawless and The Devil of Euston Square is published by Exhibit A Books and is available now. This is a fun, energetic debut and a quick check of the author’s website promises another two enigmatically monickered novels – Lawless and the Flowers of Sin, Lawless and the Maestro of Assassins. You can definitely count me in for both, by jove.
November 3, 2015
This is not your traditional murder-mystery novel. The book does not revolve solely on a crime committed and the finding of those criminals. I found that a little difficult to deal with at times. The novel began with a crime, a confusing one at most, and then it kind of left the crime and described more about the detectives life and his day-to-day experiences. Then, a chapter would come along that would bring up the original crime from the 1st chapter and they would progress on it and then... they would stop. Most of the chapters would be tangents along the line from the original crime but in an almost evasive manner. At times I forgot what the original crime even was! The characters were likable for the most part, but I didn't really feel like you got an in depth feel of them. I think I felt confused more often then not while reading this book. I wouldn't really recommend this to anyone because, I don't know how I would do so. However, my reasoning for three stars is because although it was a confusing read, the writing itself wasn't horrendous. The time period details were done very well and that I appreciate it. The book does transport you to Victorian London. Just be prepared to be lost within said period.
December 5, 2012
Having read some of the few reviews here, I have to disagree. Yes, there is a lot of detail. No, it isn't a traditional crime novel. BUT, it is a wonderful guide through Victorian London, filled with all of the details you'd expect from a travel journal. On top of that, the unconventional and ambiguous relationship between crime stopper and criminal is at the very least, novel, if not inspired. I'd highly recommend it.
May 27, 2021
This review comes in three parts. The good, the bad, and the fishy.
First of all, the Good: we were not yet three chapters in, and Campbell Lawless had already secured my interest, empathy, and a place among my favourite literary detectives (watch out, Poirot, your spot's not looking too secure right now). The narrative, told predominantly from Campbell's perspective, is readable, engaging, and at times startlingly funny.
Meanwhile, the plot is a strong one and, despite the author's disclaimer, betrays a certain degree of depth in his research - though, as a sarcastic scrawl from the book's previous owner notes in the middle of a paragraph and in a library book too, you monster, a lot of words and concepts are used that didn't exist at the time, and it seems like a condensed timeline is definitely in place. There are a lot of names and faces and agendas to keep track of, but once one has their head around the central cast, it's a lovely, wiggly, tangly, inter-twined story about corruption and aspiration and politics and revolution. Karl Marx even makes a cameo, much to my amusement.
The final strong point comes in the form of the supporting characters. While I feel there's a few too many of them, those that stick around are wonderful. Worm was my favourite by a long stretch, though Ruth the clever librarian was not far behind. And here we have another recipient for an award of Compelling Female Characters In Historical Fiction, who doesn't use the excuse of "realism" to relegate all the ladies to the sidelines and/or stereotypes. The women we meet (scant as they are) are compelling, dynamic, and all have lives and stories of their own. And while I found Ruth's occasional interjection into the narrative confusing (especially where the time periods shifted), she's just as enjoyable a narrator as Campbell. Can she get her own series, please, Mr Sutton?
However, here we touch upon the first elements of the Bad. That is, the writing style. As well as Campbell and Ruth as our central narrators, we also get interjections from newspapers, notes from side characters, and random asides from a dozen other sources that never fail to break flow and significantly confuse an already very busy plot often to the point that you forget what's going on altogether. The breaks in flow resulted in me putting the book down for long stretches, my immersion broken and my desire to return to the story massively jeapordised. I like dense mysteries, but once it gets too confused there's no point going back, because what's the point in following a plot you've long since lost?
The over-abundance of side characters and red herrings adds to this problem, frequently confusing the plot and undermining some very powerful moments - not to mention massively giving the game away in terms of plot twists and character motivations. Outsmarting a fictional detective isn't unusual for me, especially young ones still learning the ropes, but I'm pretty sure a brain-dead budgerigar could have made better assessments than Campbell on several occasions.
And, finally, we will conclude on the Fishy. This mainly hinges on the ending, which feels ... well, just a little too tidy. I think it's trying to be ambiguous, leaving the reader to dwell on the nature of power and evil and corruption, but its desire to explain how many of the (often pointless) side characters wound up years later kills that in the cradle. Especially as this book purports to be the first of a series. Telling me what happens ten years down the line doesn't exactly allow much for a book set two years after the first.
Still, I will probably pick it up, if only for more accidentally hilarious remarks about confused Scottish policemen envisaging massive be-whiskered seals riding steam locomotives down the Thames.
First of all, the Good: we were not yet three chapters in, and Campbell Lawless had already secured my interest, empathy, and a place among my favourite literary detectives (watch out, Poirot, your spot's not looking too secure right now). The narrative, told predominantly from Campbell's perspective, is readable, engaging, and at times startlingly funny.
Meanwhile, the plot is a strong one and, despite the author's disclaimer, betrays a certain degree of depth in his research - though, as a sarcastic scrawl from the book's previous owner notes in the middle of a paragraph
The final strong point comes in the form of the supporting characters. While I feel there's a few too many of them, those that stick around are wonderful. Worm was my favourite by a long stretch, though Ruth the clever librarian was not far behind. And here we have another recipient for an award of Compelling Female Characters In Historical Fiction, who doesn't use the excuse of "realism" to relegate all the ladies to the sidelines and/or stereotypes. The women we meet (scant as they are) are compelling, dynamic, and all have lives and stories of their own. And while I found Ruth's occasional interjection into the narrative confusing (especially where the time periods shifted), she's just as enjoyable a narrator as Campbell. Can she get her own series, please, Mr Sutton?
However, here we touch upon the first elements of the Bad. That is, the writing style. As well as Campbell and Ruth as our central narrators, we also get interjections from newspapers, notes from side characters, and random asides from a dozen other sources that never fail to break flow and significantly confuse an already very busy plot often to the point that you forget what's going on altogether. The breaks in flow resulted in me putting the book down for long stretches, my immersion broken and my desire to return to the story massively jeapordised. I like dense mysteries, but once it gets too confused there's no point going back, because what's the point in following a plot you've long since lost?
The over-abundance of side characters and red herrings adds to this problem, frequently confusing the plot and undermining some very powerful moments - not to mention massively giving the game away in terms of plot twists and character motivations. Outsmarting a fictional detective isn't unusual for me, especially young ones still learning the ropes, but I'm pretty sure a brain-dead budgerigar could have made better assessments than Campbell on several occasions.
And, finally, we will conclude on the Fishy. This mainly hinges on the ending, which feels ... well, just a little too tidy. I think it's trying to be ambiguous, leaving the reader to dwell on the nature of power and evil and corruption, but its desire to explain how many of the (often pointless) side characters wound up years later kills that in the cradle. Especially as this book purports to be the first of a series. Telling me what happens ten years down the line doesn't exactly allow much for a book set two years after the first.
Still, I will probably pick it up, if only for more accidentally hilarious remarks about confused Scottish policemen envisaging massive be-whiskered seals riding steam locomotives down the Thames.
August 21, 2014
[I received this book from GoodReads/First Reads. And I thank them in advance for their generosity. However, I was not compensated otherwise and my opinions are my own. Now you know, and knowing's half the battle ;)]
Thank goodness it's NOT Steampunk! However, it is a "penny dreadful" Victoriana mystery, emphasis on dreadful.
Campbell Lawless is a wanna be ANYTHING than what he sees himself: a son who let down his father. He gets involved in such a mixed up mess I never could figure it out. He was an unfortunate soul prior to joing the force, and then Scotland Yard; bad with romance, family dynamics, tact and fashion, he gets embittered searching for the culprit. I still have no clue as to whether or not he solved it.
I do like Sutton's descriptions. The women and children are well developed. I loved the librarian....but was not charmed by the book. sorry, its a pass
Thank goodness it's NOT Steampunk! However, it is a "penny dreadful" Victoriana mystery, emphasis on dreadful.
Campbell Lawless is a wanna be ANYTHING than what he sees himself: a son who let down his father. He gets involved in such a mixed up mess I never could figure it out. He was an unfortunate soul prior to joing the force, and then Scotland Yard; bad with romance, family dynamics, tact and fashion, he gets embittered searching for the culprit. I still have no clue as to whether or not he solved it.
I do like Sutton's descriptions. The women and children are well developed. I loved the librarian....but was not charmed by the book. sorry, its a pass
July 31, 2013
I read this book under the previous title, but am glad that the interest persists in an author who is witty, quirky, and able to paint a historical scene packed full of interesting anecdotes and observations. Like Holmes, the crime solving is edgy and fraught with danger, but I like the way that Lawless's moral compass takes a different bearing, and makes him, to me, an easier character to relate to. The nods to historical figures are fun, if a little forced. I hope to read more from the author, the book has some decent strands to continue from; but I also feel his style of writing could cover a number of different historical eras and conjure up fictional magic within them.
July 19, 2014
This is much more than a Victorian crime novel taking place in London. There parts which sound more like a social novel and a historical novel. But it is all interwoven. I laved to follow Campbell Lawless and Ruth Villliers.
I look forward to read Lawless and the Flowers of Sin which will be published in August 2014.
I look forward to read Lawless and the Flowers of Sin which will be published in August 2014.
June 15, 2013
Very enjoyable historical romp. A tad long, I got a little confused at points, though that's possibly more my bad memory than anything else. The writing was exquisite to my untrained eye; I felt like I was in Victorian London. I have learned some marvellous insults too!
November 30, 2018
Well-written but not my cup of tea. It was too long. I enjoyed reading it though.
October 5, 2013
Victorian London never goes out of style. Whether it's straight historical fiction, historical crime fiction, steampunk, or historical fantasy, there are always novels slated to be published or recently published that are set in Victorian times and often for significant portion in London. Lawless & the Devil of Euston Square is one of the more recent examples of this phenomenon. It is set in a vibrant period in London's history during the building of the Tube and around the passing of Prince Albert. Focussing on the early, career-making cases at the Yard of Scotsman Campbell Lawless, this is a fun historical crime novel.
Lawless is a sympathetic character. He isn't a savant such as Holmes or Pinborough's Dr Bond, but he's hard-working and dogged in his pursuit of his investigations. He's also young and idealistic, at times almost naively so. We follow him through his first three years with the Yard and we see him lose some of that youthful idealism and becoming not quite jaded, but a little rough around the edges. Most of the abrading of his shiny polish is done by his superior, Inspector Wardle. Lawless' gruff governor and mentor was amusing and a mix of proud investigator and someone just serving out his time. He's a staunch royalist and a fixer for the royal family, which allows Sutton to bring in some rather famous faces in for a cameo in the narrative. In addition to the royal cameos, Lawless also meets people like Karl Marx and Charles Dickens and several of the important political figures of the time. Not as famous, but perhaps far more endearing and captivating are The Euston Square Worms, particularly their leader Worm and his young associate The Professor. One of the numerous packs of street kids trying to survive by running errands and messages, they are the runners of choices for the Yard. I loved their scruffy tenacity and precocious maturity.
However, my favourite character in the book was Ruth Villiers and, no, that's not because she's a librarian, at least that's not the main reason. No, I love Ruth because she's a woman who breaks out of the role society has decreed for her and chooses to follow her own path; in this case, studying at university with the help of her aunt and working at the British Library to be able to eat. And she just about knocks Lawless over the head to make him notice she's interested in him beyond professional reasons. Not exactly the demure and virtuous society lady of the times. This woman is given agency of her own and she chooses to take it. The villains of the story were various and of a varying degree of villainy. And that's all I'm going to say about them so as to not give too much away about the story.
The plot of the book was super intricate and at time became a bit jumbled, in the sense that there are several cases running together and sometimes I had to go back and straighten out which discovery linked to which case. The structure of the book was both a help and a hindrance in this respect. A hindrance due to the parts, or periods as they are called, which leave quite some temporal gaps between them, but the help there is that the structure is overall the same for each period: a report from The Bugle, a local London newspaper followed by chapters from Lawless' point of view, unless stated otherwise in the chapter headings. I found this structure and the forms of narration in each period: newspaper, Lawless' accounts, Ruth's accounts, quite pleasing, though the book takes place over a far longer period than I expected (over three years) and it would have been interesting to have the passage of time illustrated by Lawless also handling other cases than just Berwick Skelton's crimes, the Skeleton Thefts, and archiving Wardle's case files of the past twenty years. Still, the resolution and the ending of the book were very well-done and quite satisfying. They also made sure that there are no annoying loose ends in case there wouldn't be a second Lawless book, which thankfully there will be.
In short, I enjoyed Lawless & the Devil of Euston Square quite a lot. Its characters were easy to connect to and the mystery at its centre captivating. I'm very much looking forward to spending more time with Lawless and Ruth in the future. Lawless & the Devil of Euston Square is a great example of what historical crime can be and Campbell Lawless is a wonderful new hero.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
Lawless is a sympathetic character. He isn't a savant such as Holmes or Pinborough's Dr Bond, but he's hard-working and dogged in his pursuit of his investigations. He's also young and idealistic, at times almost naively so. We follow him through his first three years with the Yard and we see him lose some of that youthful idealism and becoming not quite jaded, but a little rough around the edges. Most of the abrading of his shiny polish is done by his superior, Inspector Wardle. Lawless' gruff governor and mentor was amusing and a mix of proud investigator and someone just serving out his time. He's a staunch royalist and a fixer for the royal family, which allows Sutton to bring in some rather famous faces in for a cameo in the narrative. In addition to the royal cameos, Lawless also meets people like Karl Marx and Charles Dickens and several of the important political figures of the time. Not as famous, but perhaps far more endearing and captivating are The Euston Square Worms, particularly their leader Worm and his young associate The Professor. One of the numerous packs of street kids trying to survive by running errands and messages, they are the runners of choices for the Yard. I loved their scruffy tenacity and precocious maturity.
However, my favourite character in the book was Ruth Villiers and, no, that's not because she's a librarian, at least that's not the main reason. No, I love Ruth because she's a woman who breaks out of the role society has decreed for her and chooses to follow her own path; in this case, studying at university with the help of her aunt and working at the British Library to be able to eat. And she just about knocks Lawless over the head to make him notice she's interested in him beyond professional reasons. Not exactly the demure and virtuous society lady of the times. This woman is given agency of her own and she chooses to take it. The villains of the story were various and of a varying degree of villainy. And that's all I'm going to say about them so as to not give too much away about the story.
The plot of the book was super intricate and at time became a bit jumbled, in the sense that there are several cases running together and sometimes I had to go back and straighten out which discovery linked to which case. The structure of the book was both a help and a hindrance in this respect. A hindrance due to the parts, or periods as they are called, which leave quite some temporal gaps between them, but the help there is that the structure is overall the same for each period: a report from The Bugle, a local London newspaper followed by chapters from Lawless' point of view, unless stated otherwise in the chapter headings. I found this structure and the forms of narration in each period: newspaper, Lawless' accounts, Ruth's accounts, quite pleasing, though the book takes place over a far longer period than I expected (over three years) and it would have been interesting to have the passage of time illustrated by Lawless also handling other cases than just Berwick Skelton's crimes, the Skeleton Thefts, and archiving Wardle's case files of the past twenty years. Still, the resolution and the ending of the book were very well-done and quite satisfying. They also made sure that there are no annoying loose ends in case there wouldn't be a second Lawless book, which thankfully there will be.
In short, I enjoyed Lawless & the Devil of Euston Square quite a lot. Its characters were easy to connect to and the mystery at its centre captivating. I'm very much looking forward to spending more time with Lawless and Ruth in the future. Lawless & the Devil of Euston Square is a great example of what historical crime can be and Campbell Lawless is a wonderful new hero.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
August 6, 2013
(Review originally posted at Notes of Life
Lawless and The Devil of Euston Square isn’t a thriller, but more of a good old fashioned Victorian mystery. Just when Campbell Lawless thinks he’s on top of it all, he soon finds he’s still two steps behind. Will he ever crack the case? Well, he’s not about to let it drop.
Campbell Lawless is a likeable fellow from the start. We get his background and a good idea of who he is early on. He wants to do things right and this is his first case.
Sutton has cleverly managed to slip several real-life famous people into the story and has given them his own take on their personalities, among them Charles Dickens, Prince Albert and Prince Edward make appearances. Even the character of Nellie was a real-life actress who engaged in a sexual relationship with the young prince, although transplanted from Ireland where Prince Edward really met her to Sutton’s Victorian London.
Not only do famous people make appearances and take part in the story, but famous events and inventions do too. The beginnings of London Underground very much have a part in the story, as does the 1862 International Exhibition.
You really do get a feel for the time. London has always been an ever-changing city, but was even more so during the Victorian times and Sutton’s Lawless reflects this, with the railways (underground and overground) and sewerage systems all having their effect on the city. I found the sights and smells described vivid and felt like I was transported back, following Campbell Lawless as he went about his business.
There seems to be quite a lot of characters at play in this book. At times one or two would be called by their first name and then by their surname, rather than sticking to being called by one or the other, which I found confusing at times. After jogging my memory, I would realise who they were talking about and would carry on reading.
I liked how the ending of the story was all wrapped up neatly. The narrators look back over the events which happened 50 years previously, summing up their thoughts on the matter.
When I read this book, I had no idea that it was the first in a series. Now that I know it is the first of three scheduled books in the Campbell Lawless Victorian Mysteries series, I’m really looking forward to meeting Campbell Lawless again and following him as he investigates his next mystery. Of course, I’m also hoping one or two characters from The Devil of Euston Square may make a surprise appearance too.
On the whole, I found Lawless and The Devil of Euston Square to be a really enjoyable read. It made a nice change of pace to my usual crime thriller fiction, but still provided a bit of thrill when it came to the chase. A wonderful set of characters and an atmospheric story.
Recommended!
Lawless and The Devil of Euston Square isn’t a thriller, but more of a good old fashioned Victorian mystery. Just when Campbell Lawless thinks he’s on top of it all, he soon finds he’s still two steps behind. Will he ever crack the case? Well, he’s not about to let it drop.
Campbell Lawless is a likeable fellow from the start. We get his background and a good idea of who he is early on. He wants to do things right and this is his first case.
Sutton has cleverly managed to slip several real-life famous people into the story and has given them his own take on their personalities, among them Charles Dickens, Prince Albert and Prince Edward make appearances. Even the character of Nellie was a real-life actress who engaged in a sexual relationship with the young prince, although transplanted from Ireland where Prince Edward really met her to Sutton’s Victorian London.
Not only do famous people make appearances and take part in the story, but famous events and inventions do too. The beginnings of London Underground very much have a part in the story, as does the 1862 International Exhibition.
You really do get a feel for the time. London has always been an ever-changing city, but was even more so during the Victorian times and Sutton’s Lawless reflects this, with the railways (underground and overground) and sewerage systems all having their effect on the city. I found the sights and smells described vivid and felt like I was transported back, following Campbell Lawless as he went about his business.
There seems to be quite a lot of characters at play in this book. At times one or two would be called by their first name and then by their surname, rather than sticking to being called by one or the other, which I found confusing at times. After jogging my memory, I would realise who they were talking about and would carry on reading.
I liked how the ending of the story was all wrapped up neatly. The narrators look back over the events which happened 50 years previously, summing up their thoughts on the matter.
When I read this book, I had no idea that it was the first in a series. Now that I know it is the first of three scheduled books in the Campbell Lawless Victorian Mysteries series, I’m really looking forward to meeting Campbell Lawless again and following him as he investigates his next mystery. Of course, I’m also hoping one or two characters from The Devil of Euston Square may make a surprise appearance too.
On the whole, I found Lawless and The Devil of Euston Square to be a really enjoyable read. It made a nice change of pace to my usual crime thriller fiction, but still provided a bit of thrill when it came to the chase. A wonderful set of characters and an atmospheric story.
Recommended!
March 11, 2015
Euston Square station, 1859. Newly arrived in London from Scotland, rookie policeman Constable Campbell Lawless finds himself involved in a bizarre case when a water-powered crane malfunctions, apparently killing a vagrant and damaging a priceless clock in the process. Only it turns out that the vagrant was dead before the crane malfunctioned, and the clock mechanism wasn't so much damaged as missing entirely. Lawless doesn't know it, but this is the beginning of a case which will haunt him throughout his entire career.
Campbell Lawless is not Sherlock Holmes. He's not a brilliant detective, or a genius, but he's a clever, stubborn, and hard-working investigator and over three years his investigation brings him into contact with anarchists and street urchins, revolutionaries, criminals, famous authors, royalty, and most importantly, the librarian-detective Miss Villers.
The first non-contemporary release from crime imprint Exhibit A, Lawless & The Devil of Euston Square: Introducing Campbell Lawless is not a thriller as such. Rather, it's a long, intricate, and drawn-out investigation which at times wallows in the details of life in Victorian London, and at 528 pages the mystery has plenty of room to breathe. Nonetheless, it's a rewarding read for those who stick with it to the end.
Campbell Lawless is not Sherlock Holmes. He's not a brilliant detective, or a genius, but he's a clever, stubborn, and hard-working investigator and over three years his investigation brings him into contact with anarchists and street urchins, revolutionaries, criminals, famous authors, royalty, and most importantly, the librarian-detective Miss Villers.
The first non-contemporary release from crime imprint Exhibit A, Lawless & The Devil of Euston Square: Introducing Campbell Lawless is not a thriller as such. Rather, it's a long, intricate, and drawn-out investigation which at times wallows in the details of life in Victorian London, and at 528 pages the mystery has plenty of room to breathe. Nonetheless, it's a rewarding read for those who stick with it to the end.
Read
January 6, 2014Of course I'm utterly biased, working for the publisher, but Will Sutton has created a fantastic beginning to a wonderful series here. Worm is certainly my favourite character, and for anyone with a Holmes-esque reading interest, this book should be right up your Victorian street!
October 1, 2025
As many others have already said, one cannot read this book like a traditional mystery because it isn't a traditional mystery. This novel is instead the protagonist and reader's journey in breaking down the corruption of London and slowly understanding the actions of Berwick Skelton, a man whose actions end up being connected to every crime committed across the seven presented periods. But while his motivation is compelling, the experimental angle does not save this book from poor editing, endless prattling, and a weak protagonist. It is a book best read for the 'vibes' of Victorian London, as it otherwise becomes difficult to parse in a way that likely wouldn't improve on a second read.
I am not a regular mystery reader, so I wasn't too rattled by the unique narrative direction Sutton took. If anything, my main issue with the plot was how bloated with characters it felt, as the sections that felt genuinely necessary to establishing more of Skelton's story were few and far between. Sometimes scenes that were genuinely important instead came across as extremely confusing (many instances surrounding Nellie, Bunny's information disappearing from the ledger) and while they aided to heighten the feeling that this London is corrupt, there were countless other instances that got this concept across. And while poor editing doesn't typically bother me, there were enough double letters and incorrect names in my copy that I began to believe the feeling of the narration rambling must've come from a lack of an editor combing through what was necessary and what wasn't.
Many of the characters are highlights of this novel, albeit at different times. Most don't stick around in the narrative long enough to be a highlight across the whole plot, but the Worms and Miss Skelton stand out as exceptionally good ones. Others, such as Inspector Wardle, Ruth, and Roxton had their moments, but also became dull in scenes that felt unnecessary. But my main criticism is directed toward Lawless himself, as he really is nothing more than a conduit for the reader to experience London's underworld and crime firsthand. He solves very little of both the mystery and Skelton's intentions for himself, which feels atypical even with novel's unique plot. Scenes where he takes authority and throws himself in physical harm's way are often the most interesting, though he only does this a few times, and most crucially at the climax he shows up too late to have any real impact.
I admit my reading experience might've been hindered as the period I spent reading this was one where my head wasn't entirely here, but I don't think that would've changed my final opinions. A stronger protagonist would've made a stronger foundation for the mystery as a whole, and while I don't mind the length of the book, I do think each scene should've been evaluated for how much new information or characterization it actually provided. Berwick Skelton's intentions were compelling, but how compelling could they be across 450 pages when it was painfully obvious he was fighting against the corruption in London that was evident from the first period?
6/10, incredible vibes and props for a non-traditional mystery, but still suffered many of the pitfalls an unpolished mystery would typically have. Also struggled through British slang as an American reader (but this didn't get factored into the final score).
I am not a regular mystery reader, so I wasn't too rattled by the unique narrative direction Sutton took. If anything, my main issue with the plot was how bloated with characters it felt, as the sections that felt genuinely necessary to establishing more of Skelton's story were few and far between. Sometimes scenes that were genuinely important instead came across as extremely confusing (many instances surrounding Nellie, Bunny's information disappearing from the ledger) and while they aided to heighten the feeling that this London is corrupt, there were countless other instances that got this concept across. And while poor editing doesn't typically bother me, there were enough double letters and incorrect names in my copy that I began to believe the feeling of the narration rambling must've come from a lack of an editor combing through what was necessary and what wasn't.
Many of the characters are highlights of this novel, albeit at different times. Most don't stick around in the narrative long enough to be a highlight across the whole plot, but the Worms and Miss Skelton stand out as exceptionally good ones. Others, such as Inspector Wardle, Ruth, and Roxton had their moments, but also became dull in scenes that felt unnecessary. But my main criticism is directed toward Lawless himself, as he really is nothing more than a conduit for the reader to experience London's underworld and crime firsthand. He solves very little of both the mystery and Skelton's intentions for himself, which feels atypical even with novel's unique plot. Scenes where he takes authority and throws himself in physical harm's way are often the most interesting, though he only does this a few times, and most crucially at the climax he shows up too late to have any real impact.
I admit my reading experience might've been hindered as the period I spent reading this was one where my head wasn't entirely here, but I don't think that would've changed my final opinions. A stronger protagonist would've made a stronger foundation for the mystery as a whole, and while I don't mind the length of the book, I do think each scene should've been evaluated for how much new information or characterization it actually provided. Berwick Skelton's intentions were compelling, but how compelling could they be across 450 pages when it was painfully obvious he was fighting against the corruption in London that was evident from the first period?
6/10, incredible vibes and props for a non-traditional mystery, but still suffered many of the pitfalls an unpolished mystery would typically have. Also struggled through British slang as an American reader (but this didn't get factored into the final score).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2017
Victorian London comes to life.
This book is written in a totally different style from anything I have read before. Maybe that is why, to begin with, I struggled with following the plot as it seemed to bounce about from one plot to another and from various different characters from all layers of Victorian life.
Campbell Lawless is a young Scotsman who has joined the police force in London and who, at the start of the book, has just been summoned to help out Inspector Wardle at Scotland Yard. His first case happens in the middle of the night when an act of sabotage has taken place at Euston Station leaving behind a dead body. Campbell is determined to find the perpetrators of this crime but everyone, including Inspector Wardle, seems to want to gloss over the incident.
From this incident, a whole story unfolds revolving around the mysterious Berwick Skelton who is a revolutionary plotting to take revenge on the upper classes and in particular the profligate Prince of Wales who has stolen his former fiancée.
This book really brings Victorian London to life. It is full of characters both fictitious and real, and the plot completely drew me in. Campbell begins to realise how difficult it is to solve crimes when there is a connection to the rich and famous. He mixes with royalty, famous authors and engineers but also with young boys who spend their lives running messages or working in the sewers. He is able to convey how Britain was in this era, an age of the railways when engineers are revered. He vividly brings to life the distinct class boundaries between the rich and poor and his characterisations are extremely well-drawn.
I loved the dialogue of the various characters which brought them all to life and the solving of the crime was very well explained. After the first 50 pages, I found myself getting drawn into the story and wanting to know what had really happened.
The good news for me is that this was the author’s first case introducing Campbell Lawless but he has subsequently written two more and I have both of them! I am really looking forward to continuing my acquaintance with Inspector Lawless and reading about his next two cases.
Dexter
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
This book is written in a totally different style from anything I have read before. Maybe that is why, to begin with, I struggled with following the plot as it seemed to bounce about from one plot to another and from various different characters from all layers of Victorian life.
Campbell Lawless is a young Scotsman who has joined the police force in London and who, at the start of the book, has just been summoned to help out Inspector Wardle at Scotland Yard. His first case happens in the middle of the night when an act of sabotage has taken place at Euston Station leaving behind a dead body. Campbell is determined to find the perpetrators of this crime but everyone, including Inspector Wardle, seems to want to gloss over the incident.
From this incident, a whole story unfolds revolving around the mysterious Berwick Skelton who is a revolutionary plotting to take revenge on the upper classes and in particular the profligate Prince of Wales who has stolen his former fiancée.
This book really brings Victorian London to life. It is full of characters both fictitious and real, and the plot completely drew me in. Campbell begins to realise how difficult it is to solve crimes when there is a connection to the rich and famous. He mixes with royalty, famous authors and engineers but also with young boys who spend their lives running messages or working in the sewers. He is able to convey how Britain was in this era, an age of the railways when engineers are revered. He vividly brings to life the distinct class boundaries between the rich and poor and his characterisations are extremely well-drawn.
I loved the dialogue of the various characters which brought them all to life and the solving of the crime was very well explained. After the first 50 pages, I found myself getting drawn into the story and wanting to know what had really happened.
The good news for me is that this was the author’s first case introducing Campbell Lawless but he has subsequently written two more and I have both of them! I am really looking forward to continuing my acquaintance with Inspector Lawless and reading about his next two cases.
Dexter
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
May 23, 2017
It is the Victorian era in London and rather than stay employed with his father in the watch making and repair trade, Campbell Lawless chooses to go into police work with an eye towards working for Scotland Yard.
He is assigned to Inspector Wardle and finds his duties are filing and repairing watches for various members of the department. Not what he expected, until his presence is required at the scene of a horrendous crime of sabotage. What is taken at face value is not what Lawless sees. He feels there is more to the scene and some of what is apparent is just window dressing.
Doing some investigating on his own, he finds that there is a connection to a known revolutionary who has become elusive; the missing internal workings of a number of time pieces; an army of urchins who work in the sewer system of London; and underground railway system that is being built, and the Prince of Wales. What those connections are seem just out of his grasp and a bit disjointed. But they do point to something that will be of great consequences on London and its workings.
Through dogged persistence and some wrong decisions, Lawless continues to investigate on his own, finding there is corruption and cover-up in the various levels of society, even the ones he is a part of .
I found that I wanted to continue reading each section and that I would find myself thinking about what was happening in the book. It did seem a bit jagged at times, but it did fit togther well, as it was written at various points and not within a time frame of weeks or months, but from 1859 to 1862. There was just enough description of the characters and life of that era to give a good backdrop but not take over the action of the characters.
A Goodread!
He is assigned to Inspector Wardle and finds his duties are filing and repairing watches for various members of the department. Not what he expected, until his presence is required at the scene of a horrendous crime of sabotage. What is taken at face value is not what Lawless sees. He feels there is more to the scene and some of what is apparent is just window dressing.
Doing some investigating on his own, he finds that there is a connection to a known revolutionary who has become elusive; the missing internal workings of a number of time pieces; an army of urchins who work in the sewer system of London; and underground railway system that is being built, and the Prince of Wales. What those connections are seem just out of his grasp and a bit disjointed. But they do point to something that will be of great consequences on London and its workings.
Through dogged persistence and some wrong decisions, Lawless continues to investigate on his own, finding there is corruption and cover-up in the various levels of society, even the ones he is a part of .
I found that I wanted to continue reading each section and that I would find myself thinking about what was happening in the book. It did seem a bit jagged at times, but it did fit togther well, as it was written at various points and not within a time frame of weeks or months, but from 1859 to 1862. There was just enough description of the characters and life of that era to give a good backdrop but not take over the action of the characters.
A Goodread!
March 16, 2017
Review Lawless and the Devil of Euston Square
The strength and subtleties of author William Sutton’s plotting is one of his great fortés. Our temporal perspective within Sutton’s Victorian London setting veers, easily, from second by second close-up minutia, to a soaring bird’s-eye-view passing-by of months. Sutton’s vision is complete; the story will hold. The story, is a most understated love story. Perhaps that’s because it’s a crime novel (and a love story). The love story element, pulsating and compelling as it is, is about as noticeable in the telling as the reader’s breathing-matter is noticeably air: we needn’t think about it, but we’d somewhat miss it if it were absent. Hereby demonstrating the extent of Sutton’s understatement with the ‘somewhat’. Yes, Lawless and the Devil of Euston Square allows the reader to wonder; it’s all there, with every end tightened in a tasteful bow by the denouement; but it’s not, by any means, (and also-satisfyingly) all stated.
What it does state is revealed at what feels like the right rate, and sometimes, to the reader’s greatly entertained surprise.
As varied as it is in pace, it’s also varied in the emotions it provokes. On one page, inciting out-loud laughter when protagonist Detective Lawless has, out of exasperation, threatened to give a likeable young associate of his, Worm, the legal comeuppance that would be no more than his due. The undernourished youngster is holding half a meat tartlet that Lawless has kindly bought him, Worm having already cut the donated tart in two for sharing in kindly return with the also hungry-looking Lawless. He now takes a bite of it, before drily and calmly replying, in the face of his imminent ruin: “My. Excuse me talking while I’m eating, but you have given me something to chew on.” A few pages on – no spoilers – inciting poignant tears. Like a proper, transporting, and escape-providing novel should, I think. It did me good.
The strength and subtleties of author William Sutton’s plotting is one of his great fortés. Our temporal perspective within Sutton’s Victorian London setting veers, easily, from second by second close-up minutia, to a soaring bird’s-eye-view passing-by of months. Sutton’s vision is complete; the story will hold. The story, is a most understated love story. Perhaps that’s because it’s a crime novel (and a love story). The love story element, pulsating and compelling as it is, is about as noticeable in the telling as the reader’s breathing-matter is noticeably air: we needn’t think about it, but we’d somewhat miss it if it were absent. Hereby demonstrating the extent of Sutton’s understatement with the ‘somewhat’. Yes, Lawless and the Devil of Euston Square allows the reader to wonder; it’s all there, with every end tightened in a tasteful bow by the denouement; but it’s not, by any means, (and also-satisfyingly) all stated.
What it does state is revealed at what feels like the right rate, and sometimes, to the reader’s greatly entertained surprise.
As varied as it is in pace, it’s also varied in the emotions it provokes. On one page, inciting out-loud laughter when protagonist Detective Lawless has, out of exasperation, threatened to give a likeable young associate of his, Worm, the legal comeuppance that would be no more than his due. The undernourished youngster is holding half a meat tartlet that Lawless has kindly bought him, Worm having already cut the donated tart in two for sharing in kindly return with the also hungry-looking Lawless. He now takes a bite of it, before drily and calmly replying, in the face of his imminent ruin: “My. Excuse me talking while I’m eating, but you have given me something to chew on.” A few pages on – no spoilers – inciting poignant tears. Like a proper, transporting, and escape-providing novel should, I think. It did me good.
March 20, 2017
I think the best way I can describe this book is "overly-ambitious". There is a good story in there, but there was way too much padding and flotsam and jetsam stuffed in that overwhelmed that good story. 2.5 stars really, but I couldn't give it the third star in my rating because of the faults.
Basically, this is a really good 300-page book that is unfortunately delivered in 500+ pages. Let me be fair - I am automatically suspicious of a 500-page novel. I wouldn't say it's impossible to write a great novel that is that long, but if you are going to ask a reader to commit the kind of time it takes to read 500 pages, you had best have a book that makes me loathe to put it down because the story and the pacing are so thrilling that I cannot bear to put it down. Anything less with a book that large and I am going to be annoyed and feel taken advantage of by the author. There - now you know my preconceptions about long novels. This book did not justify 500 pages.
As I said, there is a good story here. I liked the characters - pretty much all of them, even the supporting characters - were colourful, clever and quirky, and they were given interesting things to do. There is also some great humour in the writing and the things the characters say and do and I liked that quite a bit.
If this book had been aggressively edited and pared down by a couple of hundred pages and kept more tightly focused on just the main story I probably would have given it three or maybe even four stars. As it is, I skimmed A LOT to just read the important stuff related to the main plot, and that is a negative in my books. I doubt I will read others in this series.
Basically, this is a really good 300-page book that is unfortunately delivered in 500+ pages. Let me be fair - I am automatically suspicious of a 500-page novel. I wouldn't say it's impossible to write a great novel that is that long, but if you are going to ask a reader to commit the kind of time it takes to read 500 pages, you had best have a book that makes me loathe to put it down because the story and the pacing are so thrilling that I cannot bear to put it down. Anything less with a book that large and I am going to be annoyed and feel taken advantage of by the author. There - now you know my preconceptions about long novels. This book did not justify 500 pages.
As I said, there is a good story here. I liked the characters - pretty much all of them, even the supporting characters - were colourful, clever and quirky, and they were given interesting things to do. There is also some great humour in the writing and the things the characters say and do and I liked that quite a bit.
If this book had been aggressively edited and pared down by a couple of hundred pages and kept more tightly focused on just the main story I probably would have given it three or maybe even four stars. As it is, I skimmed A LOT to just read the important stuff related to the main plot, and that is a negative in my books. I doubt I will read others in this series.
January 13, 2022
Set in London of the mid 1800's officer Campbell Lawless finds himself posted to Scotland Yard. London of the time is a squalid, rat and disease infested city of conspicuous consumption and abject poverty and deprivation. Berwick Skelton is a mysterious revolutionary genius who terrorizes London with his acts of vandalism. Lawless pursues him and his motley band of young street urchins through the sewers of the city which culminates in a massive underground train adventure.
There is lots I liked about the story. It was complex, the characters were boldly and creatively developed, and the inclusion of the developing technology all combines to create a wonderful story. What I had difficulty with was the fact that there were at least four separate stories featuring different sets of characters and plots that occasionally intersected into the primary mystery plot. At times I struggled to keep track of which character was talking and at other times I lost track of how the character's respective narratives connected to the next section of the book.
It is the first of a series so I may look for a second book sometime in the future.
There is lots I liked about the story. It was complex, the characters were boldly and creatively developed, and the inclusion of the developing technology all combines to create a wonderful story. What I had difficulty with was the fact that there were at least four separate stories featuring different sets of characters and plots that occasionally intersected into the primary mystery plot. At times I struggled to keep track of which character was talking and at other times I lost track of how the character's respective narratives connected to the next section of the book.
It is the first of a series so I may look for a second book sometime in the future.
October 17, 2022
Ugh. So boring filled with way too many characters all dull (except the kids ). I only got halfway through by skimming and skipping ..no way I was gonna suffer through another 400 pages of boredom.
Read the last few chapters .anti climax still boring and those annoying newspaper clippings at end of each chapter are more annoying than helpful.
Lawless has no personality no charm nothing o make one want to keep reading .Rather wish this series was about the "Worms". The ur hins /tiny helpers in almost very Victorian book ive tried SO deserve their own series .They're always way more interesting than the dull Victorian detective theyre helping .
It boggles the mind theres more than one pretentious trainwreck in this series).
It mighy of been a bloody quick and active read if it had been half as long as so much was useless to the plodding plot .
Life is too short to be masochistic when reading .
Read the last few chapters .anti climax still boring and those annoying newspaper clippings at end of each chapter are more annoying than helpful.
Lawless has no personality no charm nothing o make one want to keep reading .Rather wish this series was about the "Worms". The ur hins /tiny helpers in almost very Victorian book ive tried SO deserve their own series .They're always way more interesting than the dull Victorian detective theyre helping .
It boggles the mind theres more than one pretentious trainwreck in this series).
It mighy of been a bloody quick and active read if it had been half as long as so much was useless to the plodding plot .
Life is too short to be masochistic when reading .
November 25, 2022
Probably 3.5 Stars
The author does a commendable job with his depiction of mid 18th century Victorian London. This is nothing like the Sherlock Holmes description of late 18th century London, which lacks a vivid portrayal of the have-nots.
Unfortunately, the mystery occurs over a period of several years, so the element of tension is lacking in all but the final section of the book.
Despite the lack of tension and the meandering ways of unfolding the story,, it was a worthwhile read.
The author does a commendable job with his depiction of mid 18th century Victorian London. This is nothing like the Sherlock Holmes description of late 18th century London, which lacks a vivid portrayal of the have-nots.
Unfortunately, the mystery occurs over a period of several years, so the element of tension is lacking in all but the final section of the book.
Despite the lack of tension and the meandering ways of unfolding the story,, it was a worthwhile read.
November 17, 2017
This one started out kind of slowly for me. And I'm not sure why. Because once I got about a third of the way in, I didn't WANT to put it down, but I HAD to occasionally. A Victorian era mystery, the characters are very well written. And I actually had to look up some of the slang, so I learned some fun things, too. I've added the next two books to my Amazon wishlist, so I'll definitely be reading them in the future.
May 23, 2020
This is my favorite book of all time, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. It depicts Victorian attitudes towards the poor, the law, and many other aspects of life in an accurate way. The characters are three dimensional and feel like they are actually experiencing what is happening to them. The ending had me in absolute shock. I loved the use of different media to show how the public was reacting to the world events.
August 7, 2021
This is really more like 3 1/2, just missing 4 stars. An interesting take on the detective story in that it is both set before modern police procedure took hold, and while the main character is a policeman, he's not a detective, and kind of feels his way along learning what we would consider proper investigative technique as he goes. The supporting characters are also engaging and fun. Looking forward to the next.
November 6, 2018
Lawless and the Devil of Euston Square is written very similarly to the Sherlock Holmes books. This one is told from “Watson”’s perspective and it’s difficult to decide if “Holmes” is good or bad.
This is not my normal style book but I greatly enjoyed it!
This is not my normal style book but I greatly enjoyed it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2019
I would actually give it 3.5 stars, but that’s not an option. I enjoyed the storylines and how the author brought everything together at the end. Much like Hugo’s “Les Miserables”, this book is both entertaining and sobering at the same time. I look forward to reading the rest in the series.
August 15, 2021
The writing is delicious. The story is twisty and satisfying. The setting is fictional and real, historical and modern. This is political, technological, economic criticism wrapped in a cracking good murder mystery.
April 16, 2023
This is a brilliant opening chapter of a series of Victorian crime novels. So far, there are only three, but a website suggests more are planned. The villain and his motive are known early on, and the tension is all in what he will do and how to catch him.
September 21, 2017
Good Victorian mystery, fun and interesting characters. Nice to have a mystery that doesn't revolve around murder. Like the links to historical developments. Will be reading the rest of the series.
February 13, 2022
Great Victorian mystery.
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