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Bowman of the Yard #2

The Devil In The Dock

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'Are there devils here?'

Considered a loose cannon, Detective Inspector George Bowman of Scotland Yard is despatched to London's docks where he can do no harm.

When an explosion rips through the wharves, however, he's soon pitched into a world of intrigue and extortion.

With the whole of Victorian London in the grip of the mysterious Kaiser, Bowman must find the strength to escape the ghosts that haunt him. Just who is the Kaiser, and what do they have to do with his wife's death?

The explosive second investigation for Bowman of the Yard

302 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2019

47 people are currently reading
50 people want to read

About the author

Richard James

20 books19 followers
I'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

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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Olga Miret.
Author 44 books249 followers
July 3, 2019
An exception to the rules about second parts. I received an early ARC copy of this novel and I freely chose to review it.
I recently read, enjoyed, and reviewed the first novel in this series, The Head in the Ice, and was aware the second novel was on its way, and made sure to read it as soon as I was able to. And, let me tell you, it doesn’t disappoint. If anything, I’d say I enjoyed it even more than the first instalment (and that is saying something).
The story is told from an omniscient point of view (I talked about it at length in my previous review, so I won’t repeat it here), and that gives the reader a chance to see things from different characters’ perspectives, and sometimes experiencing the confusion of their circumstances and the events they are confronted with (we see things from the point of view of one of the victims of the story at some point, and it does make for pretty unnerving reading). Although we mostly share in the point of view of D.I. Bowman, we also read more about Graves, one of the younger detectives working for him and the most sympathetic to Bowman’s circumstances, and that helps us not get completely sucked in by Bowman’s subjective experiences. I know some readers don’t feel comfortable with the changes in perspective implied by this point of view, but I again feel it fits the story well, and I’d advise checking a sample of the book in case of doubt.
We meet again some of the same characters from the previous novel, and the events follow chronologically on from the previous ones, to the point where Bowman gets moved onto a security detail because of doubts about his performance and his mental state in the previous case. Bowman is disappointed and tries even harder to get a hold on his flashbacks and on his difficult recovery from the trauma of his wife’s death and from his guilt about it (I’m trying not to give away spoilers). He is not totally successful; he drinks a bit too much and does not always look after his appearance as well as he should, but he manages to keep his wits about him, and the fact that his analytical mind keeps ticking, despite the stress and the grief, evidence his intelligence and suitability for the job. He is also determined, and although he knows his word is doubted because of his mental health issues, he never gives up in his pursuit of the truth.
We also learn more about Graves, who is a pretty jovial and genial character, but we discover he hides depths of feeling not so evident in the first novel. Even Hicks, a man mostly interested in making his employment in the police force as painless an experience as possible, appears less obnoxious and more willing to work as a member of a team, despite his questioning some of the decisions. We meet some other characters, get to know better Bowman’s boss, we meet Callahan, who seems only interest in advancing his career within the ranks of the police, no matter what it takes, and we also come across a host of secondary characters, including plenty of inhabitants of the criminal underworld (and the distinction is far from clear-cut at times). Oh, and I loved the baddy (but I won’t add anything else on that subject).
The novel is atmospheric and conveys extremely well the feeling of the era, without becoming a catalogue full of description of Victorian clothing and wares. We have fascinating historical notes, such as information about the building of Tower Bridge, in London, also of the Thames Tunnel (initially for pedestrian use), the Queen’s steamer, and I particularly enjoyed the insights into the London Docks and how they were used at the time, as they were the point of entry for most of the goods arriving from around the world into London. We see the extremes of poverty and wealth, and how they are hardly separated by a few yards, and the characters themselves reflect upon the social gap between the haves and the have-nots (in fact, a chasm), also noting the level of crime, corruption, and the intermingling of the criminal underworld and the everyday activities of many people. There are workers being injured, protection rackets at work, goods being stolen, kidnappings, illegal betting, drug use… but the legal side of things is hardly blameless, and it is not surprising that the population remain suspicious of the police and of the workings of the justice system. There is much talk in the book of the Empire, Queen Victoria, and certain practices —like the transportation to the colonies as punishment— are highlighted and questioned. Readers can make their own minds up, but it is difficult not to look at it and conclude that such projects have a high cost, and those who pay for it are rarely the ones who end up reaping the benefits.
The mystery part of the novel is extremely well constructed, and as I advised in the first novel, here it is necessary as well to keep one’s eyes open, and not miss anything, as there are clues dropped along the book, and none of them are casual. There are red-herrings, some of the characters are led down wrong lines of enquiry (it is all to do with the Fenian Brotherhood [the pro-Ireland Independence movement of the era]?, is it all part of a protection ring?, who is the Kaiser?), and Bowman’s mind starts seeing connections between what is happening and his own tragedy, but, are they real?  The novel alternates scenes of action with those of observation and enquiry, but the rhythm increases as the story progresses and towards the end, the action scenes come fast and thick, and we can hardly turn the pages quickly enough to keep up. I enjoyed the ending, even if it is not what I’d call a “happy” one per se, but it fits perfectly well with the story, it shows Bowman in a very good light, and it answers many questions, not all pertaining exclusively to this book.
This is another great Victorian mystery novel, with solid and complex characters, which poses questions about the society of the time and also about the nature of the British Empire. I look forward to reading more adventures of Bowman and his team in the future.
485 reviews6 followers
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April 30, 2020
Book one was a great introductory story but this, the second in the Bowman of the Yard series, really opens things up there's plenty of leads, suspects and investigative crossover. Richard James is great at creating characters and evoking a living breathing city. Highly recommended for fans of victorian detective fiction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ben.
1,114 reviews
July 9, 2020
The second in the series of historical police dramas featuring Insp. Bowman of Scotland Yard.
The book is set in the 1890’s and events in the book are based loosely on historical events.
What differentiates Bowman form other detectives in period mysteries is that Bowman suffers from what we would call PTSD, occurring after he witnessed his wife’s death before his horrified eyes. He still suffers flashbacks that leave his helpless, a bad thing when battling criminals.
In “ The Devil in the Dock” begins with Bowman off to a new assignment to inspect security at warehouses on London‘S docks, hence the title. He suspects it is a way of sidelining him until he fully recovers his senses. As basically a lock rattler and door shaker, a position far below his rank, Bowman is rankled. But he soon finds a lot more to investigate than a few missing parcels of tea. It involves a bomb and some Fenians and a trip by the Queen.
The short book is well- written, fast paced and deftly plotted. The Bowman character is growing with each installment of the series, as we see him interacting with his colleagues. Mr. James *ives us a good historical background for Bowman to work in, giving the books some flair.
In sum, a workmanlike mystery, comfortable and entertaining .Nothing objectionable in the book.



Profile Image for Leigh.
269 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2025
Mental health issues still bugs Bowman of the yard in this, the 2nd of the series. I took the picture of Butler“s Wharf which was mentioned in the story while standing on Top of Tower Bridge, it too also had its role to play. The case itself was complicated and took some following but was enhanced by the description of Victorian London that surpassed many other similar crime novels. While worthwhile it was a slow paced, methodical story line.
Profile Image for Katherine A. McClure.
49 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2020
Another really good read.

Richard James has written another good book. I like the Victorian age and Richard has brought it to life. My next read will be his book The Body in the Trees.
56 reviews1 follower
March 3, 2021
Fantastic read!

How well does this man write! Having been to see the old Thames ships moored in Morden, I can imagine the scenes set in this book so well. Richard has captured the period perfectly!
Profile Image for Michael John Paul McManus.
361 reviews
August 9, 2021
Another enjoyable read

The second book in the series and a terrific read. Richard James's description of old London and its docks is spot on. Bowman and Graves are a great combination and Hicks as the the loud mouth inspector bring the story to life. Into book three next.
91 reviews1 follower
October 22, 2020
Really enjoying this series. It's so interesting to have such an unusual backstory for the main character. Looking forward to reading the next story in this series.
16 reviews
December 11, 2020
Another great story

Its fast moving and an easy book to read and enjoy, with lots of plot twists. Good to see the main characters develop. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Rabspur.
211 reviews
April 20, 2021
The second book in the series of Bowman of the yard, just like the first, fast and action packed nice easy read, highly recommended, now for number three.
118 reviews1 follower
July 23, 2021
Fantastic

What a great grasp of history coming off the pages flawed characters both good and bad great excitement recommend it
28 reviews
December 23, 2021
A good book with a good plot but whilst I know it’s probably essential to his character I have become really bored of the continual and repetitive flashbacks to the inspectors wife’s death.
2 reviews1 follower
March 25, 2025
Great characters

Amazing read. You can almost smell Victorian London while reading these books.
Highly recommended to any lovers of historical crime novels.
418 reviews67 followers
September 21, 2020
Full review here

After enjoying the charm of The Head in the Ice, I was delighted to continue the adventure with The Devil in the Dock.

The second book in the Bowman of the Yard series, this novel has as much mystery, intrigue and suspense as the first. The scene is set in the same compelling way, only this time, it’s our first victim fleeing for his life, hunted by a vicious dog.

But Bowman isn’t sent to investigate the murder. His friends and colleagues are worried about him – and his grip on sanity. It’s a concern he can’t shrug off as phantoms haunt him through London. He wants to move on; his past refuses to let him go. Desperate to show he is still the man for the job, Bowman tries to prove himself while working security at the docks where mysterious injuries and “accidents” are rife, and no one’s willing to talk.

As before, I really like George Bowman as a protagonist. He has a heart of gold and a mind that’s his own worst enemy. He knows his grip on sanity is a fragile thing, but he’s determined not to appear weak in front of either friends or foes. Bowman has charming sensibilities and a way of flustering himself when dealing with women. But when he’s got a case to solve, we see his iron and determination, and what makes him a good detective.

Graves remains my favourite out of the secondary characters. You see – more so this time– how much he cares for those he has sworn to protect, becoming emotionally involved in the case and determined to find answers. The focus remains on Bowman and Graves: others are present but you don’t connect to them.

The case is just as compelling. Men disappearing: men being branded: men hunted through the streets of London. An explosion that is far too suspicious to be the accident it’s claimed as. And a mysterious Kaiser – someone running the London criminal world who has, so far, remained undetected by the police. But when Bowman starts to make connections, it becomes a much bigger case, even going back as far as the events that killed his wife.

The mystery is an engaging and enjoyable one. You see the different strands come together as the characters work things out, but the big picture is harder to suss out. There is an effective build of tension as our heroes realise they have been in the presence of their enemy – and still don’t know who it is.

The gentle pace of these books hints towards a satisfying ending, and it didn’t let me down. Justice is served and the criminal apprehended. But, more importantly, the strong character development also occurring.

I’m enjoying this series. It’s charming, it’s engaging and I’m loving that I’m not guessing it. You get swept up with these characters and their need to find justice even when it seems impossible. It’s an escape back to the past, and a delightful one at that.
Profile Image for Steve Cann.
212 reviews8 followers
June 13, 2020
This book is an excellent follow-up to Richard’s first Bowman of the Yard novel ‘The Head in the Ice’, and gives the reader the same wonderfully atmospheric gloom of late-Victorian London as a backdrop.

This time Bowman, who is still struggling to come to terms with the tragic death of his wife, is transferred to London’s docks on security work - his bosses feeling that he still isn’t up to the full-on police work and serious crime solving from which he made his name.

It’s not long though before he unwittingly gets involved in a rather explosive racket at the docks, and is dragged into the worlds of extortion, smuggling, kidnapping and murder. Just who is the mysterious Kaiser - the shadowy figure behind these crimes whom no one ever sees?

Once again Richard has created a wonderfully tense and atmospheric story - full of twists and turns and his amazing attention to detail.
He recreates the atmosphere of London’s docks during their busiest era in all its gory glory - and it really painted a picture in my mind of what it must have been like in those times.
I loved the inclusion of the construction of Tower Bridge taking place as a backdrop to the story - its huge unfinished edifice casting a shadow over the city and the desperate crimes Bowman must solve.

We get to meet once again Bowman’s counterparts Hicks and Graves, and find out a bit more about them too.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book from start to finish - and I definitely didn’t see the ending coming as it played out, as it’s revealed to is just who the Devil in the Dock really is.

Another solid entry in the excellent series, and I’m already looking forward to the next one!
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