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Bowman of the Yard #1
The Head In The Ice
Who would send a madman to solve a murder?
Just released from a Lunatic Asylum, Inspector George Bowman is in no shape to lead an investigation, but the discovery of a severed head in the frozen waters of the River Thames sees him back in service at Scotland Yard. As he delves into the dark heart of the city in search of answers, the memory of the death of his wife threatens to derail his investigation and place his very sanity in peril.
Bowman must confront his demons and the part he played in her demise before he can solve the case; a case that leads him across Victorian London in pursuit of a killer.
'A genuinely impressive debut. Richard James has crafted an engrossing mystery, with a great sense of atmosphere, and meticulously researched.' Andrew Cartmel, The Vinyl Detective
Just released from a Lunatic Asylum, Inspector George Bowman is in no shape to lead an investigation, but the discovery of a severed head in the frozen waters of the River Thames sees him back in service at Scotland Yard. As he delves into the dark heart of the city in search of answers, the memory of the death of his wife threatens to derail his investigation and place his very sanity in peril.
Bowman must confront his demons and the part he played in her demise before he can solve the case; a case that leads him across Victorian London in pursuit of a killer.
'A genuinely impressive debut. Richard James has crafted an engrossing mystery, with a great sense of atmosphere, and meticulously researched.' Andrew Cartmel, The Vinyl Detective
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2019
96 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Richard James
20 books20 followersI've been telling stories all my life. As an actor I've spent a career telling other people's, from Charles Dickens to David Walliams. As I writer, I get to create my own!
I have written almost thirty plays which are produced the world over; from USA to New Zealand and just about everywhere in between. They're mostly comedies and frequently win awards in competitions and festivals.
In 2014 I wrote a memoir, Space Precinct Unmasked, detailing my experiences working as an actor on Gerry Anderson's last live action sci-fi series. This was followed by an adaptation of the unscreened pilot episode, Demeter City, and four new short stories featuring the officers of Precinct 88, Space Precinct: Revisited.
As to my own series, I decided I wanted to write a sequence of books set in a world I would want to spend time in and featuring characters I would want to be with. Most importantly, it would have to feature a grisly murder or two! I love the Victorian era. It seems such a rich period of history, populated by some hugely colourful characters, so that is where we first meet Detective Inspector George Bowman.
The Head In The Ice is the first in the Bowman Of The Yard series and follows Bowman's investigation into the discovery of - well, a head in the ice of the River Thames. Over the course of the book, however, and throughout the series in general, we see he has demons of his own to contend with.
There are four books in the Bowman Of The Yard series in all, together with some short stories from Bowman's Casebook. These have been collected into two volumes and fill in the gaps between the novels, giving the reader the chance to follow Bowman's professional progress and personal battles (he's a troubled man, as you'll see) over twelve months of his life.
'A masterful new Victorian mystery series.' Rosie Amber books
'A genuinely impressive debut.' Andrew Cartmel
'Full of the thrills of Victorian London.' Adam Croft
I really hope you like the books. If you do, you can tweet me your thoughts at @RichardNJames. I hope to hear from you!
Richard James
2019
www.richardjamesonline.com
I have written almost thirty plays which are produced the world over; from USA to New Zealand and just about everywhere in between. They're mostly comedies and frequently win awards in competitions and festivals.
In 2014 I wrote a memoir, Space Precinct Unmasked, detailing my experiences working as an actor on Gerry Anderson's last live action sci-fi series. This was followed by an adaptation of the unscreened pilot episode, Demeter City, and four new short stories featuring the officers of Precinct 88, Space Precinct: Revisited.
As to my own series, I decided I wanted to write a sequence of books set in a world I would want to spend time in and featuring characters I would want to be with. Most importantly, it would have to feature a grisly murder or two! I love the Victorian era. It seems such a rich period of history, populated by some hugely colourful characters, so that is where we first meet Detective Inspector George Bowman.
The Head In The Ice is the first in the Bowman Of The Yard series and follows Bowman's investigation into the discovery of - well, a head in the ice of the River Thames. Over the course of the book, however, and throughout the series in general, we see he has demons of his own to contend with.
There are four books in the Bowman Of The Yard series in all, together with some short stories from Bowman's Casebook. These have been collected into two volumes and fill in the gaps between the novels, giving the reader the chance to follow Bowman's professional progress and personal battles (he's a troubled man, as you'll see) over twelve months of his life.
'A masterful new Victorian mystery series.' Rosie Amber books
'A genuinely impressive debut.' Andrew Cartmel
'Full of the thrills of Victorian London.' Adam Croft
I really hope you like the books. If you do, you can tweet me your thoughts at @RichardNJames. I hope to hear from you!
Richard James
2019
www.richardjamesonline.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 8, 2019
I write this review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team (authors, if you are looking for reviews, check here), and I freely chose to review an ARC copy of this novel ahead of its publication.
From the moment I read the description of this novel, a few weeks before its publication, I knew I’d end up reading it. I love mysteries, have been reading historical fiction in recent times and with my background in criminology, a mysterious murder set in the Victorian era ticked many boxes. To top it all, the main character, and the protagonist of the series, Inspector Bowman, had been in a lunatic asylum. As I’m also a psychiatrist and have read and enjoyed books looking back at the history of psychiatry, this was a further inducement, if I needed one. Of course, the title and the cover of the book worked in its favour.
I’ll try not to dwell too much on the story and the plot itself, to avoid spoilers, but I can tell you the book is a fine mystery that lived up to my expectations, and even surpassed them in many ways.
The style of the story and the way is told put me in mind of watching a movie (or a play, which I know is a genre the author is very familiar with, although here we have many more settings than in a standard play). The author uses and omniscient point of view, and that means that readers get to see scenes and events from a variety of characters’ perspectives (and not only the good guys either), and sometimes also from a neutral observer’s point of view (that works particularly well to set the scene and also to keep the mystery going, while at the same time offering readers some snippets of information that Bowman and his team do not have). That is an excellent method to avoid revealing too much while offering the readers great insights into the characters’ thoughts and motivations, but I know not everybody likes stories told this way, and I’d advise people to check a sample of the book to see if it is a good fit, in case of doubt. Personally, I did not find the way the story was told at all confusing, although due to the nature of the case and to the many characters, it is necessary to pay close attention and make sure not to miss any details. (Perhaps adding a cast of characters might help readers get their bearings quickly).
In some books that type of point of view might result in difficulty getting attached to any of the characters, but I did not think that was the case here. Although we get many points of view, the main one we follow is that of the Bowman, and because the inspector is the first character we meet, and in pretty difficult circumstances (he is a resident at a lunatic asylum just about to go in front of the board that must decide if he’s ready for his release), we quickly establish a connection with him. He is a sympathetic and intelligent character, who has suffered a personal tragedy that has resulted in mental health difficulties (nowadays, I’d say he would be diagnosed, most likely, with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder), and who tries hard to get on with his life, despite his anxiety, flashbacks, and the complex and emotionally challenging nature of his work. He is not the perfect and flawless here, but a human being with flaws and weaknesses. His flashbacks, the physical symptoms he experiences, and his fragile mental state are well drawn and are, for me, one of the strongest points of the book. I also enjoyed the depiction of the asylum and its therapies, far from the ones we often see and read about in popular media that seem right out of a horror movie. There are other characters to root for as well, although not quite as fleshed out as Bowman, and even some of the baddies are individualised enough for readers to get a fair idea of who they are.
The novel also succeeds at creating a picture of the London of the era, the atmosphere of the different neighbourhoods, the asylum, Scotland Yard, the underworld, without going overboard with descriptions and details or slowing the action. It is a compelling and historically accurate portrayal of a time, and one that goes beyond the anecdotal to dig deeper into some of the unsavoury aspects of the era.
The plot is gripping, and we visit upper-middle-class locations, pubs, sewers, cemeteries, bridges, a lunatic asylum, a ship, Bengal, and we get to learn about laudanum, poisons, laws, Victorian trade, weapons, the criminal underworld of the era (including murders, robberies, prostitution…), and although we learn enough information to get suspicious about the guilty party (or parties) fairly early on, there are quite a few twists and turns, strange goings on, and we don’t get to understand how it all fits together until close to the end (we might have our suspicions but…). There are some red herrings thrown in, and even a suggestion of the supernatural. All in all, the atmosphere, the characters, and the plot, work well to create a solid story, a great opening to a new series of Victorian mysteries, and one that allows us to examine the laws, mores and morality of the era.
If I had to take issue with anything, other than the point of view that I think works well but some readers might not feel comfortable with, I felt that, at times, some of the experiences, tics, and behaviours characters engage in (clearing one’s throat, blowing smoke into someone’s face, etc.) are repeated fairly often, and that put me in mind of stage directions or business that actors have to engage in to indicate certain traits of a character, which might not be as relevant or necessary when we can share in their thoughts directly. I did not find it distracting and, like some of the side stories, I felt they helped readers catch their breath and regroup, but those who prefer stripped down and action-led plots might feel they could be slimmed down.
In sum, this is a great story that I’d recommend to those who enjoy mysteries within a historical setting (Victorian in this case), with a complex story full of compelling characters and plenty of atmosphere. I look forward to the next adventure of Inspector Bowman, and I’m sure I won’t be the only one.
From the moment I read the description of this novel, a few weeks before its publication, I knew I’d end up reading it. I love mysteries, have been reading historical fiction in recent times and with my background in criminology, a mysterious murder set in the Victorian era ticked many boxes. To top it all, the main character, and the protagonist of the series, Inspector Bowman, had been in a lunatic asylum. As I’m also a psychiatrist and have read and enjoyed books looking back at the history of psychiatry, this was a further inducement, if I needed one. Of course, the title and the cover of the book worked in its favour.
I’ll try not to dwell too much on the story and the plot itself, to avoid spoilers, but I can tell you the book is a fine mystery that lived up to my expectations, and even surpassed them in many ways.
The style of the story and the way is told put me in mind of watching a movie (or a play, which I know is a genre the author is very familiar with, although here we have many more settings than in a standard play). The author uses and omniscient point of view, and that means that readers get to see scenes and events from a variety of characters’ perspectives (and not only the good guys either), and sometimes also from a neutral observer’s point of view (that works particularly well to set the scene and also to keep the mystery going, while at the same time offering readers some snippets of information that Bowman and his team do not have). That is an excellent method to avoid revealing too much while offering the readers great insights into the characters’ thoughts and motivations, but I know not everybody likes stories told this way, and I’d advise people to check a sample of the book to see if it is a good fit, in case of doubt. Personally, I did not find the way the story was told at all confusing, although due to the nature of the case and to the many characters, it is necessary to pay close attention and make sure not to miss any details. (Perhaps adding a cast of characters might help readers get their bearings quickly).
In some books that type of point of view might result in difficulty getting attached to any of the characters, but I did not think that was the case here. Although we get many points of view, the main one we follow is that of the Bowman, and because the inspector is the first character we meet, and in pretty difficult circumstances (he is a resident at a lunatic asylum just about to go in front of the board that must decide if he’s ready for his release), we quickly establish a connection with him. He is a sympathetic and intelligent character, who has suffered a personal tragedy that has resulted in mental health difficulties (nowadays, I’d say he would be diagnosed, most likely, with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder), and who tries hard to get on with his life, despite his anxiety, flashbacks, and the complex and emotionally challenging nature of his work. He is not the perfect and flawless here, but a human being with flaws and weaknesses. His flashbacks, the physical symptoms he experiences, and his fragile mental state are well drawn and are, for me, one of the strongest points of the book. I also enjoyed the depiction of the asylum and its therapies, far from the ones we often see and read about in popular media that seem right out of a horror movie. There are other characters to root for as well, although not quite as fleshed out as Bowman, and even some of the baddies are individualised enough for readers to get a fair idea of who they are.
The novel also succeeds at creating a picture of the London of the era, the atmosphere of the different neighbourhoods, the asylum, Scotland Yard, the underworld, without going overboard with descriptions and details or slowing the action. It is a compelling and historically accurate portrayal of a time, and one that goes beyond the anecdotal to dig deeper into some of the unsavoury aspects of the era.
The plot is gripping, and we visit upper-middle-class locations, pubs, sewers, cemeteries, bridges, a lunatic asylum, a ship, Bengal, and we get to learn about laudanum, poisons, laws, Victorian trade, weapons, the criminal underworld of the era (including murders, robberies, prostitution…), and although we learn enough information to get suspicious about the guilty party (or parties) fairly early on, there are quite a few twists and turns, strange goings on, and we don’t get to understand how it all fits together until close to the end (we might have our suspicions but…). There are some red herrings thrown in, and even a suggestion of the supernatural. All in all, the atmosphere, the characters, and the plot, work well to create a solid story, a great opening to a new series of Victorian mysteries, and one that allows us to examine the laws, mores and morality of the era.
If I had to take issue with anything, other than the point of view that I think works well but some readers might not feel comfortable with, I felt that, at times, some of the experiences, tics, and behaviours characters engage in (clearing one’s throat, blowing smoke into someone’s face, etc.) are repeated fairly often, and that put me in mind of stage directions or business that actors have to engage in to indicate certain traits of a character, which might not be as relevant or necessary when we can share in their thoughts directly. I did not find it distracting and, like some of the side stories, I felt they helped readers catch their breath and regroup, but those who prefer stripped down and action-led plots might feel they could be slimmed down.
In sum, this is a great story that I’d recommend to those who enjoy mysteries within a historical setting (Victorian in this case), with a complex story full of compelling characters and plenty of atmosphere. I look forward to the next adventure of Inspector Bowman, and I’m sure I won’t be the only one.
February 18, 2025
A very enjoyable book. Well worth reading. I’ve read other books in the series but wish I’d read this one first (recommended), the others can be read in any order, but this gives an insight to the detective himself.
July 26, 2019
If, like me, you love reading (or watching) the exploits of Sherlock Holmes or the accounts of real life Policeman in the late Victorian/Edwardian era; then the “The Head in the Ice” is perfect for you.
In a change from holmesian tales these are not narrated in the first person, which is actually the style I prefer. It allows for a far more cinematic viewpoint both in terms of locations and character.
I had already read two short stories set after this (available when you subscribe at www.bowmanoftheyard.co.uk) so already knew that I enjoyed Richard James’ writing style.
As an actor and playwright he has a brilliant talent at making both seem so wonderfully vivid and real. There is one character that is so well written that when their demise happens I felt genuinely sad. This is just a bit part player so you can imagine how wonderful the main players are written.
The choice to start Bowman’s journey in the asylum was an interesting one as I had assumed that this would be dealt with along the course of the novel. What this does do however is make you immediately sympathetic to him from the start and further details unravel throughout the course of the novel.
There are plenty of twists and turns and there is mystery to be had here. Never gratuitous in its depictions of violence and no unnecessary or anachronistic swearing means that this is accessible to all ages.
I’m off to read the two short stories again as these are set during the following two month after the events of this book and look forward to reading the next instalment of the series.
In a change from holmesian tales these are not narrated in the first person, which is actually the style I prefer. It allows for a far more cinematic viewpoint both in terms of locations and character.
I had already read two short stories set after this (available when you subscribe at www.bowmanoftheyard.co.uk) so already knew that I enjoyed Richard James’ writing style.
As an actor and playwright he has a brilliant talent at making both seem so wonderfully vivid and real. There is one character that is so well written that when their demise happens I felt genuinely sad. This is just a bit part player so you can imagine how wonderful the main players are written.
The choice to start Bowman’s journey in the asylum was an interesting one as I had assumed that this would be dealt with along the course of the novel. What this does do however is make you immediately sympathetic to him from the start and further details unravel throughout the course of the novel.
There are plenty of twists and turns and there is mystery to be had here. Never gratuitous in its depictions of violence and no unnecessary or anachronistic swearing means that this is accessible to all ages.
I’m off to read the two short stories again as these are set during the following two month after the events of this book and look forward to reading the next instalment of the series.
May 9, 2019
The historical "Whodunnit" is a competitive field, but Richard James has made a strong opening with the first of his Inspector Bowman books. Bowman's London feels authentic, and James' description lays out the scene without straying into purple prose.
Too many authors are consumed by the need to have their detective's flaw be alcoholism, or sex addiction, but James has side-stepped the usual suspects to give Bowman a vulnerability that has sprung from his love, not a weakness of character. The circumstances of the loss of his wife are revealed slowly and logically (within the context of the story) and added to my respect for the character.
The mystery of the story is also solidly constructed, and the solution is the result of decent policework, rather than Sherlockian deduction (wait, should that be Holmesian? I don't know him well enough for first names....)
Though it's Bowman's story, he's not the only lead character, and the others earn their keep. I'm looking forward to the next Bowman mystery.
Too many authors are consumed by the need to have their detective's flaw be alcoholism, or sex addiction, but James has side-stepped the usual suspects to give Bowman a vulnerability that has sprung from his love, not a weakness of character. The circumstances of the loss of his wife are revealed slowly and logically (within the context of the story) and added to my respect for the character.
The mystery of the story is also solidly constructed, and the solution is the result of decent policework, rather than Sherlockian deduction (wait, should that be Holmesian? I don't know him well enough for first names....)
Though it's Bowman's story, he's not the only lead character, and the others earn their keep. I'm looking forward to the next Bowman mystery.
June 17, 2019
Gaslight and intrigue.
A wonderfully written tale with colourful characters, nuanced mystery and exciting adventure, all told in a gripping fashion. The description is evocative and powerful, the characters fully formed and well established, the setting detailed. The dirt, grime, and character of Victorian London has been perfectly distilled onto the page.
A wonderfully written tale with colourful characters, nuanced mystery and exciting adventure, all told in a gripping fashion. The description is evocative and powerful, the characters fully formed and well established, the setting detailed. The dirt, grime, and character of Victorian London has been perfectly distilled onto the page.
March 10, 2021
This is the first in a series of four books about the investigations in Victorian times by Inspector Bowman from Scotland yard, a fast action packed book, that I thoroughly enjoyed, an easy read, I will be purchasing the other three, a recommended read.
June 28, 2019
It was such a great pleasure to read this book by Richard and, as his first published novel, I was genuinely impressed.
The book’s title and creepy-looking cover should be enough to intrigue most readers and, once the story starts, we are whisked back to a dark and foreboding Victorian London, much like the one inhabited by Jack the Ripper.
When Inspector Bowman of the Yard is called to investigate the gruesome discovery of a young woman’s severed head in the icy waters of the Thames by Westminster Bridge, he has the unenviable job of trying to find out who she is, how she got there, and who the murderer might be.
All this alongside some personal problems of his own that he has yet to resolve...
I loved how the story started at a place I wasn’t quite expecting, and how Richard used wonderfully descriptive language to bring the sights and sounds of old London alive - as well as the colourful cast of characters we meet along the way.
He has definitely found a style of his own, and really transports the reader into the world he has brought to life.
He builds in lots of intriguing twists and turns along the way, and the story finishes with a surprising and emotion-packed finish - not unlike the stories perhaps of that other great London detective, Mr Holmes.
I’m really looking forward now to reading more of Bowman’s adventures, and would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well-written historical crime fiction.
The book’s title and creepy-looking cover should be enough to intrigue most readers and, once the story starts, we are whisked back to a dark and foreboding Victorian London, much like the one inhabited by Jack the Ripper.
When Inspector Bowman of the Yard is called to investigate the gruesome discovery of a young woman’s severed head in the icy waters of the Thames by Westminster Bridge, he has the unenviable job of trying to find out who she is, how she got there, and who the murderer might be.
All this alongside some personal problems of his own that he has yet to resolve...
I loved how the story started at a place I wasn’t quite expecting, and how Richard used wonderfully descriptive language to bring the sights and sounds of old London alive - as well as the colourful cast of characters we meet along the way.
He has definitely found a style of his own, and really transports the reader into the world he has brought to life.
He builds in lots of intriguing twists and turns along the way, and the story finishes with a surprising and emotion-packed finish - not unlike the stories perhaps of that other great London detective, Mr Holmes.
I’m really looking forward now to reading more of Bowman’s adventures, and would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well-written historical crime fiction.
August 19, 2019
A very enjoyable historical crime thriller, skilfully constructed and presented by debut author, Richard James. We first meet his main character, George Bowman, as an inmate in Colney Hatch asylum in north London, where he barely survives the extreme treatments and satisfies the review board to gain his freedom. We learn he 'went mad' with grief following his wife's sudden and violent death, but he chooses to keep busy by returning to work at Scotland Yard, where a grisly murder awaits his attention. From here the reader is drawn into the filthy and foggy world of Victorian London, where villains loom large and human life is cheap. From behind his handle bar moustache, Bowman applies his troubled mind to connecting a series of events that swirl around the mystery of the woman's head in a block of ice. Contemporary themes are brought to mind as the reader can't help but dwell on the cruel profit-over-people and unsettling mental health issues outlined in the plot that continue to be features of our own time. Bravo! An excellent read and a stunning debut novel.
Read
July 16, 2019I'd been chatting with the author on occasion using Twitter and he said he had these stories coming out. The Smithfield Murder was very good as a short story, so when The Head In The Ice was released, I downloaded it straight away (ipad edition) and read it over the next three days. Excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed it - in fact I've just ordered the paperback version along with book number 2 in the series.
The whodunnit was neither 'dead easy' to work out nor was it too difficult to follow. As a first timer, Richard has done a brilliant job. I'm sure the others will be as good.
The whodunnit was neither 'dead easy' to work out nor was it too difficult to follow. As a first timer, Richard has done a brilliant job. I'm sure the others will be as good.
August 24, 2019
I enjoy a historical whodunnit and this one is excellent.
I enjoyed the character of Inspector Bowman and his faithful sergeant Graves and I liked the detail about his wife and the tragedy that precedes the story.
What set this book apart for me was the detail about conditions and the criminals in the story. I really felt like I was in Victorian London and I felt the problems that the Metropolitan Police would have had and the terrible lives that many endured.
Will definitely read more.
I enjoyed the character of Inspector Bowman and his faithful sergeant Graves and I liked the detail about his wife and the tragedy that precedes the story.
What set this book apart for me was the detail about conditions and the criminals in the story. I really felt like I was in Victorian London and I felt the problems that the Metropolitan Police would have had and the terrible lives that many endured.
Will definitely read more.
January 17, 2023
The character of Inspector Bowman is a fascinating twist on the victorian mystery subgenre of crime fiction in that we first meet him in an asylum. The state of his mental health is realitically portrayed without being his defining characteristic, making him an intriguing case of his own. The plot has plenty of twists, but is easy to follow. The other characters are memorable, and the solution is satisfying. This is the first in a series, and so I'll be looking forward to reading the rest.
August 19, 2019
An excellent debut novel from Richard James. Very well constructed with an excellent sense of time and place. A captivating read with an original Victorian murder mystery plot that had me guessing right up to the end. Looking forward to reading his second novel 'The Devil In The Dock' and rejoining the troubled Inspector George Bowman on the beat again.
June 15, 2019
A fabulous cast of beautifully described characters inhabit this intriguing plot. Victorian London is brought to life brilliantly - you can almost smell it. A thoroughly enjoyable read that will leave you wanting more.
July 8, 2020
“The Head In the Ice” - how can one resist turning the first page of a mystery with such a title?
Written by Richard James, the book presents a captivating historical mystery that features a detective haunted by guilt for the death of his wife, a head locked in the ice of a frozen Thames River, and a chilling look into London’s criminal underworld .
The story begins tantalizingly with George Bowman , Scotland Yard Inspector George Bowman, a patient of an insane asylum in London. He has been a resident there for nearly seven months due to his deep depression following his wife’s death. Now he is judged ready to resume his life and his work. Despite the dreams that haunt him Bowman leaves the institution free from blame, but not free from guilt.
His first case upon when returning to work finds him standing on Thames’ riverbank , chilled to the bone in one of the most frigid winters in years , as workmen saw through the thick ice to free the body of a young woman. But there is no body to find; only the head is in the ice.
In an investigation that delves into the fetid slums of London of the year 1891, where a Fagin-like master criminal leads a nasty crew of thieves, pimps and murderers. In a scene resembling one from Dickens’ we see this depraved Fagin dividing up the still bloody spoils of a murder- robbery. But one of the “ mob” is an undercover officer, and the hideout is soon raided and arrests are made, but not the mastermind. Nevertheless , Bowman and Scotland Yard learn that the escaped criminal was likely responsible for the beheading murder, among others.The investigation continues with the big questions of motive- why was the woman decapitated and not simply bludgeoned, stabbed or throttled- and, of course, her identity.
The author does a fine job of showing how Bowman struggles to keep his mind focused despite his emotional trauma. It does not help that he senses the stigma of mental illness clouds his authority with some of his colleagues . In fact I wondered that Bowman was restated, given the times, but in an afterword, the author notes the relatively enlightened attitude of eminent Victorians toward mental illness. It was also a era of great interest in spiritualism, which plays a small part in the mystery. As with all historical mysteries A sense time and place is important, and the author handles it very well.
I found a few times that I had to flip a Kindle page back when I lost track of which character was speaking, but it that may have simply been me reading too fast down the electronic pages. But that is a minor complaint to a good, entertaining, well- researched and -written story. I do recommend it to anyone who, like me, enjoys Victorian Settings for mysteries. Add to that the fact that this book casts only 99¢ or free on Kindle Unlimited, it makes it hard to pass up. No that is not damming with faint praise, either. “ The Head in the Ice” is worth adding to your list, just as I have listed the other two books in the series to mine.
Written by Richard James, the book presents a captivating historical mystery that features a detective haunted by guilt for the death of his wife, a head locked in the ice of a frozen Thames River, and a chilling look into London’s criminal underworld .
The story begins tantalizingly with George Bowman , Scotland Yard Inspector George Bowman, a patient of an insane asylum in London. He has been a resident there for nearly seven months due to his deep depression following his wife’s death. Now he is judged ready to resume his life and his work. Despite the dreams that haunt him Bowman leaves the institution free from blame, but not free from guilt.
His first case upon when returning to work finds him standing on Thames’ riverbank , chilled to the bone in one of the most frigid winters in years , as workmen saw through the thick ice to free the body of a young woman. But there is no body to find; only the head is in the ice.
In an investigation that delves into the fetid slums of London of the year 1891, where a Fagin-like master criminal leads a nasty crew of thieves, pimps and murderers. In a scene resembling one from Dickens’ we see this depraved Fagin dividing up the still bloody spoils of a murder- robbery. But one of the “ mob” is an undercover officer, and the hideout is soon raided and arrests are made, but not the mastermind. Nevertheless , Bowman and Scotland Yard learn that the escaped criminal was likely responsible for the beheading murder, among others.The investigation continues with the big questions of motive- why was the woman decapitated and not simply bludgeoned, stabbed or throttled- and, of course, her identity.
The author does a fine job of showing how Bowman struggles to keep his mind focused despite his emotional trauma. It does not help that he senses the stigma of mental illness clouds his authority with some of his colleagues . In fact I wondered that Bowman was restated, given the times, but in an afterword, the author notes the relatively enlightened attitude of eminent Victorians toward mental illness. It was also a era of great interest in spiritualism, which plays a small part in the mystery. As with all historical mysteries A sense time and place is important, and the author handles it very well.
I found a few times that I had to flip a Kindle page back when I lost track of which character was speaking, but it that may have simply been me reading too fast down the electronic pages. But that is a minor complaint to a good, entertaining, well- researched and -written story. I do recommend it to anyone who, like me, enjoys Victorian Settings for mysteries. Add to that the fact that this book casts only 99¢ or free on Kindle Unlimited, it makes it hard to pass up. No that is not damming with faint praise, either. “ The Head in the Ice” is worth adding to your list, just as I have listed the other two books in the series to mine.
August 4, 2025
For someone who loves historical authenticity, classic Scandi noir thrillers and characters who are only human at the end of the day, "The Head In The Ice" and subsequent stories were such a delight to read. The accuracy with which the author describes the streets of London, the whole Victorian setting, the manners and the attire people wear, the little nuances, it all makes the story so textured it makes you think it was actually written by someone who lived in that time. I also really enjoyed the fact that the secondary characters have such distinct personalities, and yet a lot of mystery to them, whilst the protagonist himself is just one big enigma, who is also a very compelling hero. I would recommend the series to someone who appreciates the aesthetic of a historical novel, the feeling of unease when you go through the list of suspects in your head like you're actually being the detective on the case, and if you enjoy a story with an emotional complexity to it. Oh, and the humour! Despite some grim and unsettling events, there are plenty of perfectly paced moments of (perhaps unintentional) comedy, which almost makes me think of NBC's "Hannibal" in terms of blending the funny and the horrible. I'll keep discovering Bowman's story further, and hope there'll be new books by the time I finish the existing ones!
September 13, 2021
The first in what promises to be an unputdownable series of Victorian detective thrillers by the multi-talented Richard James!
I got halfway through this novel and then, as often happens, I just stopped reading for a couple of weeks. Then, I brought it with me as one of two novels to read on a work trip - and tore through it on the plane. Now I only have one book to last me the rest of the week!
James has clearly done thorough research on the mores of the time, and the cultural zeitgeist - Victorian spiritualism gets a brief look in, for example.
It’s a fantastic mystery which twists and turns and keeps you guessing, but with enough clues for the reader to perhaps solve the mystery themselves.
I’m very much looking forward to the rest of the series.
I got halfway through this novel and then, as often happens, I just stopped reading for a couple of weeks. Then, I brought it with me as one of two novels to read on a work trip - and tore through it on the plane. Now I only have one book to last me the rest of the week!
James has clearly done thorough research on the mores of the time, and the cultural zeitgeist - Victorian spiritualism gets a brief look in, for example.
It’s a fantastic mystery which twists and turns and keeps you guessing, but with enough clues for the reader to perhaps solve the mystery themselves.
I’m very much looking forward to the rest of the series.
June 24, 2021
A brilliant read
My first foray into the world of Inspector Bowman,and it certainly won't be my last. An excellent book that takes you into the dark and disturbing side of Victorian London. The main characters are very well written and one gets the sense of a good working partnership between Bowman and his colleague, Sergeant Graves. Will definitely be reading more in the series.
My first foray into the world of Inspector Bowman,and it certainly won't be my last. An excellent book that takes you into the dark and disturbing side of Victorian London. The main characters are very well written and one gets the sense of a good working partnership between Bowman and his colleague, Sergeant Graves. Will definitely be reading more in the series.
January 4, 2025
Discovering 'Bowman of the Yard' by chance, The Head in the Ice is the first in a series of four books. As anticipated the story begins with the discovery of a severed head in the ice. What I didn't anticipate was how good this Victorian police procedural would be. Every few pages there was a new and usually shocking revelation. With larger than life characters and descriptive text that surpassed my expectations, it was an incredibly good read.
December 18, 2025
A promising debut novel.
A case that seems to reveal a very early identification of the killer. The crime involves a criminal gang that has been infiltrated by the police on the inside. Bowman is an inspector still struggling with the trauma of his wife's untimely death. There are twists and turns in uncovering the full story. I may be harsh not giving five stars because I really enjoyed this book, however I felt the other characters needed developing more in future novels.
A case that seems to reveal a very early identification of the killer. The crime involves a criminal gang that has been infiltrated by the police on the inside. Bowman is an inspector still struggling with the trauma of his wife's untimely death. There are twists and turns in uncovering the full story. I may be harsh not giving five stars because I really enjoyed this book, however I felt the other characters needed developing more in future novels.
July 2, 2020
A wonderfully original book.
The characters in the story were very memorable and they seemed to come alive before my eyes. I was able to see the story unfolding as it progressed. This is the first book I've read by Richard James, but it will not be the last. I have purchased two other books by him. I recommend The Head In The I've to anyone who enjoys Victorian era stories.
The characters in the story were very memorable and they seemed to come alive before my eyes. I was able to see the story unfolding as it progressed. This is the first book I've read by Richard James, but it will not be the last. I have purchased two other books by him. I recommend The Head In The I've to anyone who enjoys Victorian era stories.
August 17, 2020
An interesting read.
The book had a good storyline and flowed well. I would read another in the series,not an over exciting thriller and not on the lines of other police procedures,this is set in the late 19th century,has the feel of those times in London (I would think) well worth recommending.😀😀
The book had a good storyline and flowed well. I would read another in the series,not an over exciting thriller and not on the lines of other police procedures,this is set in the late 19th century,has the feel of those times in London (I would think) well worth recommending.😀😀
February 3, 2022
A dark tale of Victorian detecting. Very well written in English that we seem to be losing these days. I was gripped by the many twists and turns in the story and intrigued by Bowman's ability to solve the case whilst coping with his mental state. This book does not romanticise Victorian life as so many novels do. It is gritty and well worth a read.
October 7, 2025
Great Story To Keep Ahead of!!!
Really interesting book to read, well researched so as to take you into the pages and to feel you are there and witnessing the events unfolding. Have to say I did not expect who the murderer turned out to be, I did suspect others. This makes a good story, well recommend reading.
Really interesting book to read, well researched so as to take you into the pages and to feel you are there and witnessing the events unfolding. Have to say I did not expect who the murderer turned out to be, I did suspect others. This makes a good story, well recommend reading.
July 6, 2020
The head in the ice
I particular like the Victorian mystery murder and this book certainly have me a good read the character s were believable and Bowman is a complicated person but also believable so give it a go it's a very good read
I particular like the Victorian mystery murder and this book certainly have me a good read the character s were believable and Bowman is a complicated person but also believable so give it a go it's a very good read
December 19, 2021
Enjoyable period crime thriller
Enjoyed the book. Some interesting characters surrounding the main detective. Describes a realistic environment of the time with the slums and disregard for human life and has very god villains that you are willing for Bowman to catch.
Enjoyed the book. Some interesting characters surrounding the main detective. Describes a realistic environment of the time with the slums and disregard for human life and has very god villains that you are willing for Bowman to catch.
May 3, 2025
I enjoyed it mainly because the setting was London in the Victorian era— something I’m fascinated about. I love that the same streets and places I walk through are in the book, making me feel more connected to the story.
As a detective story, it’s not bad, but I feel like I needed more.
As a detective story, it’s not bad, but I feel like I needed more.
February 22, 2021
Enjoyable read. A bit different, interesting characters. Looking forward to seeing how the series develops.
January 17, 2025
Good
The novel has many characters and plots that come together. It is well written and very descriptive of the dark underbelly of London.
The novel has many characters and plots that come together. It is well written and very descriptive of the dark underbelly of London.
July 20, 2020
Full Review Here
I’ve been enjoying historical mysteries more and more lately. S.G McLean’s The Seeker and Jeri Westerson’s Crispin Guest books have engaged me more than contemporary ones. The Bowman of the Yard series (investigations set in Victorian times) was a great opportunity to continue this trend, but visiting a time I hadn’t read a lot from – yet.
My favourite thing with mysteries is not guessing the outcome – and I didn’t piece it together here either. Soon after the discovery of the first body, we are witness another murder; introduced to a criminal gang run by a crime lord with no conscience; find out about an undercover operation; and deal with an over-enthusiastic journalist and policeman alike who you know will cause trouble for our heroes.
All these distinct elements start as separate threads, each one disconnected to both each other and the investigation. But as the complicated relationships and histories between the characters are revealed, it comes together in ways you’re not expecting.
There are few novels – let alone series – that introduce you to the primary character as he’s being released from an asylum. It’s a great introduction to George Bowman, establishing his fragile grip on his mental state after the tragic death of his wife, without needing pages of him moping around. It also means you’re not starting right at the beginning: he’s been an active policeman long before the books start, and it has consequences.
Bowman’s an engaging protagonist: he wants to see the job done even while recognising his own shortcomings, not a characteristic often present. His interactions with his friends, outside of work and in, give the impression he’s a genuine good guy, albeit one struggling.
Although Bowman is our main character, there are many others, from a tentative love interest to other members of the force. The narration follows several, keeping the momentum moving and helping you to connect with each. All have rich characterisations, from loud and confident to eager to please. They complement each other, and as a reader, you relate to the unit, as well as individual characters.
The plot – while full of action – moves at a gentle speed that works for the setting. This time period lends itself well to a more reflective pace unlike novels set in the present day. The switching of perspective and a couple of flash backs fill in the blanks but undermine a couple of the more tense scenes by slowing it down. Although the mystery is intriguing, it’s the characters that make this read so enjoyable, so the softer approach helps you identify with the people involved.
Who-dun-it reviews are always so tricky to write without giving away the elements that caught you by surprise. This is an engaging and entertaining book full of misdirection concealing the true events. An even balance between characterisations and action sequences ensure a gripping read from start to finish.
If you’re in to historical mysteries, or want a trip back to Victorian times, I’d recommend The Head in the Ice.
I’ve been enjoying historical mysteries more and more lately. S.G McLean’s The Seeker and Jeri Westerson’s Crispin Guest books have engaged me more than contemporary ones. The Bowman of the Yard series (investigations set in Victorian times) was a great opportunity to continue this trend, but visiting a time I hadn’t read a lot from – yet.
My favourite thing with mysteries is not guessing the outcome – and I didn’t piece it together here either. Soon after the discovery of the first body, we are witness another murder; introduced to a criminal gang run by a crime lord with no conscience; find out about an undercover operation; and deal with an over-enthusiastic journalist and policeman alike who you know will cause trouble for our heroes.
All these distinct elements start as separate threads, each one disconnected to both each other and the investigation. But as the complicated relationships and histories between the characters are revealed, it comes together in ways you’re not expecting.
There are few novels – let alone series – that introduce you to the primary character as he’s being released from an asylum. It’s a great introduction to George Bowman, establishing his fragile grip on his mental state after the tragic death of his wife, without needing pages of him moping around. It also means you’re not starting right at the beginning: he’s been an active policeman long before the books start, and it has consequences.
Bowman’s an engaging protagonist: he wants to see the job done even while recognising his own shortcomings, not a characteristic often present. His interactions with his friends, outside of work and in, give the impression he’s a genuine good guy, albeit one struggling.
Although Bowman is our main character, there are many others, from a tentative love interest to other members of the force. The narration follows several, keeping the momentum moving and helping you to connect with each. All have rich characterisations, from loud and confident to eager to please. They complement each other, and as a reader, you relate to the unit, as well as individual characters.
The plot – while full of action – moves at a gentle speed that works for the setting. This time period lends itself well to a more reflective pace unlike novels set in the present day. The switching of perspective and a couple of flash backs fill in the blanks but undermine a couple of the more tense scenes by slowing it down. Although the mystery is intriguing, it’s the characters that make this read so enjoyable, so the softer approach helps you identify with the people involved.
Who-dun-it reviews are always so tricky to write without giving away the elements that caught you by surprise. This is an engaging and entertaining book full of misdirection concealing the true events. An even balance between characterisations and action sequences ensure a gripping read from start to finish.
If you’re in to historical mysteries, or want a trip back to Victorian times, I’d recommend The Head in the Ice.
June 24, 2020
Richard James has painted a rich, vivid portrait of the Victorian era within which lies an intriguing and unique characterisation and back story for our hero. I loved the twists and turns and the chemistry between Bowman and Graves, and could see this being serialised as a comic strip in sepia tone.
Inspector Bowman has arrived...and I look forward to see what he will be up to next time out.
Inspector Bowman has arrived...and I look forward to see what he will be up to next time out.
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