What do you think?
Rate this book
Arrowood #3
Arrowood and the Thames Corpses
The most exciting historical crime fiction thriller of 2020 for fans of Sherlock Holmes
South London, 1896.
William Arrowood, Victorian London’s less salubrious private detective, is paid a visit by Captain Moon, the owner of a pleasure steamer moored on the Thames. He complains that someone has been damaging his boat, putting his business in jeopardy.
Arrowood and his trusty sidekick Barnett suspect professional jealousy, but when a string of skulls is retrieved from the river, it seems like even fouler play is afoot.
It’s up to Arrowood and his trusty sidekick Barnett to solve the case, before any more corpses end up in the watery depths . . .
Audiobook
First published April 2, 2020
118 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
About the author
Mick Finlay
8 books192 followersFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickfinlayau...
Mick Finlay was born in Glasgow and grew up in Canada and England. He now divides his time between Brighton and Cambridge. He teaches in a Psychology Department, and has published social psychological research on political violence, persuasion, and verbal and non-verbal behaviour. Before becoming an academic he worked as a tent hand in a travelling circus, a butcher's boy, a hotel porter, and in various psychology-related roles in the NHS and social services. He reads widely in history, psychology, and enjoys a variety of fiction genres (including crime, of course!)
Mick used his background in psychology to write 'Arrowood', a historical crime fiction novel set in Victorian London. It is published HQ (Harper Collins) in the UK and by Mira in the USA. Translations are available by Harper Collins in a number of other countries (e.g. Japan, Brazil, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Holland, Finland, Norway and Sweden). The sequel, 'The Murder Pit', came out in Jan 2019 (UK), Feb in N America, and other countries later this year (dates to be confirmed).
“Gangsters, pornographers, drunks and Fenian terrorists abound in this Victorian noir detective novel, which crackles with energy and wit.” The Times (of London) – Top 100 Summer Books
“Arrowood is the Victorian workingman’s answer to the higher-class Sherlock Holmes — a foul-mouthed, hard-drinking, shabby detective with a seriously bad attitude toward his more famous counterpart.” Seattle Times – 10 of the Summer’s Hottest Crime Fiction Titles
Mick Finlay was born in Glasgow and grew up in Canada and England. He now divides his time between Brighton and Cambridge. He teaches in a Psychology Department, and has published social psychological research on political violence, persuasion, and verbal and non-verbal behaviour. Before becoming an academic he worked as a tent hand in a travelling circus, a butcher's boy, a hotel porter, and in various psychology-related roles in the NHS and social services. He reads widely in history, psychology, and enjoys a variety of fiction genres (including crime, of course!)
Mick used his background in psychology to write 'Arrowood', a historical crime fiction novel set in Victorian London. It is published HQ (Harper Collins) in the UK and by Mira in the USA. Translations are available by Harper Collins in a number of other countries (e.g. Japan, Brazil, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Holland, Finland, Norway and Sweden). The sequel, 'The Murder Pit', came out in Jan 2019 (UK), Feb in N America, and other countries later this year (dates to be confirmed).
“Gangsters, pornographers, drunks and Fenian terrorists abound in this Victorian noir detective novel, which crackles with energy and wit.” The Times (of London) – Top 100 Summer Books
“Arrowood is the Victorian workingman’s answer to the higher-class Sherlock Holmes — a foul-mouthed, hard-drinking, shabby detective with a seriously bad attitude toward his more famous counterpart.” Seattle Times – 10 of the Summer’s Hottest Crime Fiction Titles
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
March 20, 2020
*4.5 stars *
London 1896, and the River Thames is a place teaming with life, not just for the working boats, but the pleasure steamers were very much in demand at this time too. However, when the owner of one such vessel, Captain Moon, approaches Private Enquiry agent William Arrowood, complaining that someone has been damaging his boat, Arrowood will discover that there’s much more to this case than meets the eye. Indeed it will prove to be extremely dangerous, particularly for his sidekick Norman Barnett.
A somewhat grumpy, ill tempered individual, Arrowood isn’t always in charge of his emotions, and woe betide anyone who mentions Sherlock Holmes in his presence - he hates the man with a passion, hates the fact that Holmes gets all the attention, and all the best cases, and his agitation at his nemesis, borders on the amusing!
Here we have a Private Enquiry Agent who studies the physchology of the mind, something which undeniably helps him in his investigations, and makes him quite unique. His sidekick, Barnett thinks Arrowood has a pig-knuckle head - furiously working things out without a plan, but despite this, he’s proud of him, and wouldn’t want to work with anyone else, and besides, beneath that gruff exterior lies a good heart.
There’s a bloody scene within the storyline, depicting a ratting competition - something that was popular in working class pubs at the time, and involves a terrier dog being put in a cage full of rats. Bets were placed on how many rats the dog would kill in a given time. I had to skim through that chapter - way too much for me. That said, this was a terrific read, the characters are colourful, and have great depth to them. The storyline was quite unique, and certainly held my interest throughout, and clearly the author has conducted extensive research, managing to conjure up 1890’s London wonderfully, with its smells, sights, and sounds - so much so, that you feel transported. Though this is the third in the series, it read well as a stand-alone. A great addition for anyone interested in the historical crime genre.
*Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
London 1896, and the River Thames is a place teaming with life, not just for the working boats, but the pleasure steamers were very much in demand at this time too. However, when the owner of one such vessel, Captain Moon, approaches Private Enquiry agent William Arrowood, complaining that someone has been damaging his boat, Arrowood will discover that there’s much more to this case than meets the eye. Indeed it will prove to be extremely dangerous, particularly for his sidekick Norman Barnett.
A somewhat grumpy, ill tempered individual, Arrowood isn’t always in charge of his emotions, and woe betide anyone who mentions Sherlock Holmes in his presence - he hates the man with a passion, hates the fact that Holmes gets all the attention, and all the best cases, and his agitation at his nemesis, borders on the amusing!
Here we have a Private Enquiry Agent who studies the physchology of the mind, something which undeniably helps him in his investigations, and makes him quite unique. His sidekick, Barnett thinks Arrowood has a pig-knuckle head - furiously working things out without a plan, but despite this, he’s proud of him, and wouldn’t want to work with anyone else, and besides, beneath that gruff exterior lies a good heart.
There’s a bloody scene within the storyline, depicting a ratting competition - something that was popular in working class pubs at the time, and involves a terrier dog being put in a cage full of rats. Bets were placed on how many rats the dog would kill in a given time. I had to skim through that chapter - way too much for me. That said, this was a terrific read, the characters are colourful, and have great depth to them. The storyline was quite unique, and certainly held my interest throughout, and clearly the author has conducted extensive research, managing to conjure up 1890’s London wonderfully, with its smells, sights, and sounds - so much so, that you feel transported. Though this is the third in the series, it read well as a stand-alone. A great addition for anyone interested in the historical crime genre.
*Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
February 15, 2020
Mick Finlay's latest addition to the Private Enquiry Agent, William Arrowood and his assistant, Norman Barnett, may well be the best in this series, set in a less that salubrious Victorian London and the River Thames. This is a London that is a central character of its own, with its overflowing sewage, disgusting stench, filth, diseases, widespread infections, murk, vicious criminal underworld, lack of hygiene, where for the wretched poor, destitute and working class, death is but a breath away. Arrowood rails against the fates that leave him unrecognised and unrewarded in comparison to the riches and fame enjoyed by Sherlock Holmes. It is 1896, and Captain Moon, and his 15 year old daughter, Suzie, provide what appears to be a straightforward case. Moon runs the pleasure steamer, The Gravesend Queen, which is being sabotaged regularly, and he thinks he knows the culprit, the owner of another pleasure steamer, a rival on the Gravesend route.
It is a investigation that begins to take a deadly turn, bringing unknown dangers, a rising body count, where the skulls of 14 children are knotted in a rope on the boat, and three corpses, two women and a man, are attached to another rope. The police become involved with Inspector Petleigh, of Scotland Yard, with a man he is training up. As Arrowood and Barnett begin to delve deeper into the affair, they uncover connections to a tragedy that occurred in Oxford 16 years ago. Additionally, Barnett sees the possibility of a connection that is personal to him, in a past that includes a shameful incident he is reluctant to reveal to anyone. Arrowood's home circumstances become more and more chaotic, this includes his sister, Ettie, now living with him, having returned with a baby in tow, refusing to say who the father is. In the most twisted of cases, there are colourful characters galore, such as Foulpipe Annie, a hired assassin, and a rat catcher supplying London pubs, betrayal, and a much too close an acquaintance with Newgate Prison.
Finlay's research of the Victorian period is impeccable, he atmospherically conveys a time and city that becomes vibrantly alive, sometimes a tad too much with the darkness, horrors and brutality of the period, for example, the scenes where Arrowood is pushed amongst the rats and dogs in a pub made my stomach turn. The class distinctions, the vast inequalities between the haves and the have nots, the greater power and influence of the aristocracy and the wealthy, with the poor condemned to a lack of a real justice system, the desperate prison conditions, and attitudes to homosexuality are well documented in the narrative. This is a terrific addition to what is turning out to be a stellar Victorian crime series. Many thanks to HQ for an ARC.
It is a investigation that begins to take a deadly turn, bringing unknown dangers, a rising body count, where the skulls of 14 children are knotted in a rope on the boat, and three corpses, two women and a man, are attached to another rope. The police become involved with Inspector Petleigh, of Scotland Yard, with a man he is training up. As Arrowood and Barnett begin to delve deeper into the affair, they uncover connections to a tragedy that occurred in Oxford 16 years ago. Additionally, Barnett sees the possibility of a connection that is personal to him, in a past that includes a shameful incident he is reluctant to reveal to anyone. Arrowood's home circumstances become more and more chaotic, this includes his sister, Ettie, now living with him, having returned with a baby in tow, refusing to say who the father is. In the most twisted of cases, there are colourful characters galore, such as Foulpipe Annie, a hired assassin, and a rat catcher supplying London pubs, betrayal, and a much too close an acquaintance with Newgate Prison.
Finlay's research of the Victorian period is impeccable, he atmospherically conveys a time and city that becomes vibrantly alive, sometimes a tad too much with the darkness, horrors and brutality of the period, for example, the scenes where Arrowood is pushed amongst the rats and dogs in a pub made my stomach turn. The class distinctions, the vast inequalities between the haves and the have nots, the greater power and influence of the aristocracy and the wealthy, with the poor condemned to a lack of a real justice system, the desperate prison conditions, and attitudes to homosexuality are well documented in the narrative. This is a terrific addition to what is turning out to be a stellar Victorian crime series. Many thanks to HQ for an ARC.
April 19, 2020
This was a terrific, historical crime novel. It was an impeccably researched vivid portrayal of the squalor, stench, lack of hygiene, filth and disease in the poorest sections of Victorian London. I was transported to the time and place, the most impoverished part of the city and the busy River Thames. The loathsome gambling dens where ratting contests were held and the putrid conditions in jail cells made me cringe. Injustices in the legal system, attitudes towards homosexuality, the plight of poor women, moral beliefs, divisions in society between the aristocracy and the disadvantaged and the criminal activity were all well described.
The foul atmosphere infused the story and brilliantly produced a visual image of the setting. The characters were intriguing and believable. The language seemed well fitted to London’s poor and criminal classes of that era. I was not as absorbed with the criminal investigation as I should have been. Surely, in this time of self-isolation and social distancing, I wasn't subconsciously envious of the characters mingling and moving about this grim and grimy place. I hope this did not influence my rating.
The captain, Moon, of a modest pleasure steamer approaches William Arrowood, a detective who works in London’s section along with his trusted colleague Norman Barnett. Moon wants to hire them because he suspects a rival has been damaging his boat, trying to destroy his business. Soon they make a horrific, gruesome discovery. Two ropes have been fastened to the boat in the darkness. On pulling in the first rope, they are shocked and sickened to see the skulls of fourteen children attached. The mutilated bodies of two women and a man were tied to the second rope. A policeman and his trainee are now involved, but Arrowood does not trust them to solve the crime and they proceed with the case.
Arrowood is a step away from poverty. He is jealous of Sherlock Holmes, who is wealthy, and Arrowood feels gets all the fame and publicity. He believes Holmes has been lucky and often fails to catch the true criminal. He can't understand why people are not aware of his own successful career and that disturbs him.
The investigation brings Arrowood and Barnett to gambling dens, dance halls, pubs and dockyards. There are long-buried secrets. The trail leads them to a connection between events of 16 years ago in Oxford and the criminal activities directed at Moon and his boat. Barnett finds himself in frequent danger and holds a guilty secret he fears may be revealed. On the home front, Arrowood has problems. His sister has a baby but won't reveal its father, and his ex-wife returns with a baby. Moon’s daughter has also moved in, and a couple of street urchins are temporarily protected there.
Will the detectives be able to solve this complex crime, or will they need the help of the police? Recommended for all those who like an atmospheric, very dark, historic crime story.
The foul atmosphere infused the story and brilliantly produced a visual image of the setting. The characters were intriguing and believable. The language seemed well fitted to London’s poor and criminal classes of that era. I was not as absorbed with the criminal investigation as I should have been. Surely, in this time of self-isolation and social distancing, I wasn't subconsciously envious of the characters mingling and moving about this grim and grimy place. I hope this did not influence my rating.
The captain, Moon, of a modest pleasure steamer approaches William Arrowood, a detective who works in London’s section along with his trusted colleague Norman Barnett. Moon wants to hire them because he suspects a rival has been damaging his boat, trying to destroy his business. Soon they make a horrific, gruesome discovery. Two ropes have been fastened to the boat in the darkness. On pulling in the first rope, they are shocked and sickened to see the skulls of fourteen children attached. The mutilated bodies of two women and a man were tied to the second rope. A policeman and his trainee are now involved, but Arrowood does not trust them to solve the crime and they proceed with the case.
Arrowood is a step away from poverty. He is jealous of Sherlock Holmes, who is wealthy, and Arrowood feels gets all the fame and publicity. He believes Holmes has been lucky and often fails to catch the true criminal. He can't understand why people are not aware of his own successful career and that disturbs him.
The investigation brings Arrowood and Barnett to gambling dens, dance halls, pubs and dockyards. There are long-buried secrets. The trail leads them to a connection between events of 16 years ago in Oxford and the criminal activities directed at Moon and his boat. Barnett finds himself in frequent danger and holds a guilty secret he fears may be revealed. On the home front, Arrowood has problems. His sister has a baby but won't reveal its father, and his ex-wife returns with a baby. Moon’s daughter has also moved in, and a couple of street urchins are temporarily protected there.
Will the detectives be able to solve this complex crime, or will they need the help of the police? Recommended for all those who like an atmospheric, very dark, historic crime story.
April 3, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Arrowood and the Thames Corpses is the third book in the Arrowood series and the second I have read. You can find my review of the second book, The Murder Pit, here.
Set in 1896, William Arrowood is a private enquiry agent, along with his trusted sidekick Norman Barnett. One afternoon they are called upon by Captain Moon and his daughter. The Captain runs trips on the Thames on his pleasure steamer and someone is trying to put him out of business. The boat has had windows broken and fish guts were thrown on it and he wants Arrowood to investigate who is doing it.
Arrowood and Barnett stay on the boat one night hoping to catch the culprits but the first night they miss as a group of masked men try to set fire to the boat. The second night Arrowood has been called away and so it is up to Barnett to watch the boat. When the Captain and his daughter turn up in the morning Barnett reports that all has been fine and there have been no problems. However, it soon becomes apparent that someone has attached three dead bodies to the boat and fourteen children’s skulls.
The case has now taken a sinister twist and even though Arrowood is told to stay off the case by the police, he is determined to find out who is trying to destroy the Captain and why.
The Victorian era is one of my favourite eras to read about and I love sleuth books so Arrowood is the perfect series for me. William Arrowood is a big fella with a temper who never fails a case, unlike that charlatan Sherlock Holmes! His sidekick Barnett is the muscle to Arrowood’s brains.
The case had me intrigued and held me captivated throughout. If you are squirmish there may be some sections that you might like to miss, such as the description of the bodies they bring out of the water. However, these parts are kept to a minimum as so it shouldn’t bother you too much.
Whilst Arrowood might hate Sherlock Holmes, I can see some similarities between them and for me, this made the book more enjoyable as I’m a big Sherlock fan. The setting and time period have been well researched and you do feel like you have taken a step back in time. It is an amazing feeling to be able to perfectly visualise what is going on, even down to the Victorian dress.
This book had a bit of everything, including mystery, suspense, action, intrigue, and a damn fine plot. I’m just hoping that there will be more in the series to come.
Arrowood and the Thames Corpses is the third book in the Arrowood series and the second I have read. You can find my review of the second book, The Murder Pit, here.
Set in 1896, William Arrowood is a private enquiry agent, along with his trusted sidekick Norman Barnett. One afternoon they are called upon by Captain Moon and his daughter. The Captain runs trips on the Thames on his pleasure steamer and someone is trying to put him out of business. The boat has had windows broken and fish guts were thrown on it and he wants Arrowood to investigate who is doing it.
Arrowood and Barnett stay on the boat one night hoping to catch the culprits but the first night they miss as a group of masked men try to set fire to the boat. The second night Arrowood has been called away and so it is up to Barnett to watch the boat. When the Captain and his daughter turn up in the morning Barnett reports that all has been fine and there have been no problems. However, it soon becomes apparent that someone has attached three dead bodies to the boat and fourteen children’s skulls.
The case has now taken a sinister twist and even though Arrowood is told to stay off the case by the police, he is determined to find out who is trying to destroy the Captain and why.
The Victorian era is one of my favourite eras to read about and I love sleuth books so Arrowood is the perfect series for me. William Arrowood is a big fella with a temper who never fails a case, unlike that charlatan Sherlock Holmes! His sidekick Barnett is the muscle to Arrowood’s brains.
The case had me intrigued and held me captivated throughout. If you are squirmish there may be some sections that you might like to miss, such as the description of the bodies they bring out of the water. However, these parts are kept to a minimum as so it shouldn’t bother you too much.
Whilst Arrowood might hate Sherlock Holmes, I can see some similarities between them and for me, this made the book more enjoyable as I’m a big Sherlock fan. The setting and time period have been well researched and you do feel like you have taken a step back in time. It is an amazing feeling to be able to perfectly visualise what is going on, even down to the Victorian dress.
This book had a bit of everything, including mystery, suspense, action, intrigue, and a damn fine plot. I’m just hoping that there will be more in the series to come.
November 29, 2019
This is a grim but engrossing read. William Arrowood, the poor man's Sherlock Holmes, is back - along with his trusted colleague Norman Barnett. This is the 3rd book in the series about the Victorian detective who lives and works in the poorest part of London. The story opens with a visit from paddle steamer owner Captain Moon and his daughter Suzie. The captain hires Arrowood to discover who is damaging his paddle boat, seemingly to drive him out of business.
Always one step away from the pawn shop, Arrowood takes the case and gradually reveals a terrible story from 16 years ago. But, before then, the attacks on Captain Moon's boat escalate with a horrific find which brings Inspector Petleigh of Scotland Yard into the case. He warns Arrowood to stay out of the matter, but the private detective believes the policeman is not up to the job and he and Barnett continue their dogged search for the truth.
The action moves throughout the seedy underbelly of London, from the city docklands via London's music halls to pubs which stage rat baiting with customers gambling on how many rats a single terrier will kill. Everywhere there is filth and crippling poverty in a capital city where human life is cheap.
Meanwhile, there are a number of colourful characters who either help or hinder Arrowood's investigation. And now and then, he will rant about the "luck" of Sherlock Holmes and his belief that the famous detective often fails to catch the real culprit. He despairs when he discovers that even the people who seek his help know little or nothing of his successful cases.
At home, above a shop which sells puddings, his sister Ettie has returned with her young child, refusing to tell her brother who the father is, although he and Barnett have their suspicions. Later, another woman and baby arrive to further complicate Arrowood's life.
As usual, author Mick Finlay's research is impeccable and he effortlessly captures the sights, sounds and smells of late Victorian London, especially when describing a poor man's funeral and the vicious spectacle of a rat fight in a London pub. This is a wonderful historical fiction mystery and the best in the Arrowood series so far.
My thanks to the publishers HQ and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
Always one step away from the pawn shop, Arrowood takes the case and gradually reveals a terrible story from 16 years ago. But, before then, the attacks on Captain Moon's boat escalate with a horrific find which brings Inspector Petleigh of Scotland Yard into the case. He warns Arrowood to stay out of the matter, but the private detective believes the policeman is not up to the job and he and Barnett continue their dogged search for the truth.
The action moves throughout the seedy underbelly of London, from the city docklands via London's music halls to pubs which stage rat baiting with customers gambling on how many rats a single terrier will kill. Everywhere there is filth and crippling poverty in a capital city where human life is cheap.
Meanwhile, there are a number of colourful characters who either help or hinder Arrowood's investigation. And now and then, he will rant about the "luck" of Sherlock Holmes and his belief that the famous detective often fails to catch the real culprit. He despairs when he discovers that even the people who seek his help know little or nothing of his successful cases.
At home, above a shop which sells puddings, his sister Ettie has returned with her young child, refusing to tell her brother who the father is, although he and Barnett have their suspicions. Later, another woman and baby arrive to further complicate Arrowood's life.
As usual, author Mick Finlay's research is impeccable and he effortlessly captures the sights, sounds and smells of late Victorian London, especially when describing a poor man's funeral and the vicious spectacle of a rat fight in a London pub. This is a wonderful historical fiction mystery and the best in the Arrowood series so far.
My thanks to the publishers HQ and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
June 23, 2020
"The Thames is liquid history." (John Burns)
And upon and beneath its murky waters are the dead who speak their secrets in voices no longer heard.
It's Summer in the South of London in 1896. Moored near the Victoria Bridge are multitudes of small boats vying for the attention of visitors wishing to be ferried to its outskirts for Sunday picnics and the like. Captain Moon and his fifteen year old daughter, Suzie, desperately depend on this daily business for their livelihood aboard the Gravesend Queen. The competition is mighty.
Soon the Gravesend Queen has been beset with the start of pranks to her decks. The mopping up of dead fish guts have turned customers away. Within time these episodes have escalated and have become more and more damaging. Moon and Suzie seek out help from William Arrowood and his assistant, Norman Barnett. They suspect a fellow boatsman, Polgreen, of sabotaging their business.
Arrowood is a big-boned lumbering man who takes to the drink readily when available. Age is getting the best of him with its aches and pains and limits. But Arrowood is still sharp and observant when it comes to unearthing clues. He holds grudges against his fellow detective, Sherlock Holmes, who seems to garner all the fame and accolades with less effort and far less sweat of the brow.
But the tide has turned aboard the Gravesend Queen, when at the end of a trailing rope, are 14 small skulls tied to one another. And the horror is not finished yet. Another rope is pulled onboard with the bodies of a man, woman, and child. Captain Moon and Suzie are sent into shock and the London police are called in. As the net is widened in the search, Arrowood and Barnett are caught tangled in its knotted trap.
Mick Finlay has captured a panoramic view of the waterfront of old London. As the miasma ladens the air with its putrid fumes, street urchins huddle in corners observing the comings and goings of those high and low on the ladder of life. It's Arrowood's quick-witted knowledge of those who roam the streets at night leaning in to accept a coin for information. We're taken into some very unsettling activities in London's alleys like the ratters who make a game of it for the onlookers. It gets real here, Folks. Finlay ponies out some very dubious characters who darkly define the era.
But if you like your mysteries lathered in realism, then Finlay will entice you with this one. The writing and the research are superb and the storyline is defined brick by brick. It's a complex plot all the way to the final pages where things are not always as they seem in jolly ol' London. And Oliver Twist and his gang are in charge with a bevy of twists happening inside, outside, and upside down.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to HQ (HarperCollins) and to Mick Finlay for the opportunity.
And upon and beneath its murky waters are the dead who speak their secrets in voices no longer heard.
It's Summer in the South of London in 1896. Moored near the Victoria Bridge are multitudes of small boats vying for the attention of visitors wishing to be ferried to its outskirts for Sunday picnics and the like. Captain Moon and his fifteen year old daughter, Suzie, desperately depend on this daily business for their livelihood aboard the Gravesend Queen. The competition is mighty.
Soon the Gravesend Queen has been beset with the start of pranks to her decks. The mopping up of dead fish guts have turned customers away. Within time these episodes have escalated and have become more and more damaging. Moon and Suzie seek out help from William Arrowood and his assistant, Norman Barnett. They suspect a fellow boatsman, Polgreen, of sabotaging their business.
Arrowood is a big-boned lumbering man who takes to the drink readily when available. Age is getting the best of him with its aches and pains and limits. But Arrowood is still sharp and observant when it comes to unearthing clues. He holds grudges against his fellow detective, Sherlock Holmes, who seems to garner all the fame and accolades with less effort and far less sweat of the brow.
But the tide has turned aboard the Gravesend Queen, when at the end of a trailing rope, are 14 small skulls tied to one another. And the horror is not finished yet. Another rope is pulled onboard with the bodies of a man, woman, and child. Captain Moon and Suzie are sent into shock and the London police are called in. As the net is widened in the search, Arrowood and Barnett are caught tangled in its knotted trap.
Mick Finlay has captured a panoramic view of the waterfront of old London. As the miasma ladens the air with its putrid fumes, street urchins huddle in corners observing the comings and goings of those high and low on the ladder of life. It's Arrowood's quick-witted knowledge of those who roam the streets at night leaning in to accept a coin for information. We're taken into some very unsettling activities in London's alleys like the ratters who make a game of it for the onlookers. It gets real here, Folks. Finlay ponies out some very dubious characters who darkly define the era.
But if you like your mysteries lathered in realism, then Finlay will entice you with this one. The writing and the research are superb and the storyline is defined brick by brick. It's a complex plot all the way to the final pages where things are not always as they seem in jolly ol' London. And Oliver Twist and his gang are in charge with a bevy of twists happening inside, outside, and upside down.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to HQ (HarperCollins) and to Mick Finlay for the opportunity.
June 20, 2021
I will preface this by saying that I read this without having read the previous books. I got this book as a surprise gift in a book box last year and I didn't know it was a part of a series but after looking into it it seemed like it would be oke to read this as a standalone - and I'm glad to confirm it is fine. I do think that maybe there would've been some more things/background that aren't necessarily relevant to the plot of this book but might've been fun to have but nevertheless I did really enjoy this book.
Although the titular character, Arrowood, would 100% kill me for saying this, yes I would 100% recommend this book to fans of Sherlock Holmes. I will say this is more in plot than writing style and I lean towards the author probably being more inspired by the show than the books, just based on the beats of the story, although this book is set in the same time period as the original Sherlock Holmes. I really did like how we, again, saw the story through the eye's of Arrowood's assistant and have both the characters be a bit more regular and down to earth.
Although the titular character, Arrowood, would 100% kill me for saying this, yes I would 100% recommend this book to fans of Sherlock Holmes. I will say this is more in plot than writing style and I lean towards the author probably being more inspired by the show than the books, just based on the beats of the story, although this book is set in the same time period as the original Sherlock Holmes. I really did like how we, again, saw the story through the eye's of Arrowood's assistant and have both the characters be a bit more regular and down to earth.
April 23, 2020
I will post a review another time (or perhaps not). I just don’t know if I can be fair right now and it’s time for bed as I’m still required to work every day.
December 31, 2019
I'm a huge fan of this series and instalment no.3 did not disappoint - a superbly managed crime plot interwoven with some important developments in the lives of our heroes. The characterisation is so sharp, the sights, smells and sounds of 1890s London so vividly realised, that I often felt I'd walked into a tap room with Barnett and the Guvnor, or set off down a grim alley by their side.
Brilliant!
Brilliant!
February 6, 2021
London, 1896. Arrowood takes the cases and helps people that no one else will. The down trodden, poor and working class of London’s slums and underworld. Always in the shadow of the famous Sherlock Holmes, Arrowood works relentlessly to solve his client’s cases with little to no payment or recognition. When he accepts a cases to discover who is harassing the owner of a pleasure boat on the Thames he has no idea it will lead down a trail of bloody murder, deceit and and the possible ruination of himself and his partner.
3rd in a series that gets better with each entry, it is filled with likable, unforgettable characters, an engaging mystery and thrilling adventure through the gritty shadows of London.
3rd in a series that gets better with each entry, it is filled with likable, unforgettable characters, an engaging mystery and thrilling adventure through the gritty shadows of London.
April 3, 2020
Am I excited about this book, or what? The long-awaited latest instalment of the fabulous Arrowood Mysteries is back, I have been waiting with baited breathe for this book and it was well and truly worth the wait. Mick Finlay has sealed his name as one of the best historical mystery fiction writers of the time, this is a gripping, atmospheric, richly detailed, gritty, darkly funny and realistic mystery.
Those who haven’t read an Arrowood mystery – then you are really missing something – each book is a stand-alone story so anyone can pick up any of the books without worrying about whether they have missed something. William Arrowood is a London Private Detective, not to be mistaken for the famed Sherlock Holmes, Arrowood takes on those cases that the celebrated Holmes wouldn’t touch with a barge pole. There are some cracking moments especially with Arrowood as he continues his secret loathing and one-sided feud with the much-acclaimed detective, he hates that Holmes has the fame and the respect of the city and he loves to compare his superior brain and knowledge with Holmes. As before the whole saga is told through the eyes of Arrowood’s assistance; Norman Barnett who is a man of the world he isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty and he is loyal and protective of his boss.
Set in London 1896; Private Detective William Arrowood is approached by a Captain Moon and his daughter Suzie who are reaching out for help, their boat; The Gravesend Queen, a pleasure steamer which runs tourists and locals down the river and back again. Their family-run boat is being targeted with what they believe for the intention of running them out of business and to take over their routes. So Arrowood along with his loyal sidekick; Norman Barnett take on the case, but soon it becomes apparent that there is more going on than mere route wars, as the deeper the investigate the ore dangerous it all becomes especially when a line of skulls and corpses or found tied to a boat, who put them there and is it connected to what is happening with Captains Moons’ boat?
It hooks you from the off, with each you are pulled into the dark and grimy Victorian world which is full of dingy working-class life and strife, plus the vivid description of just how desolate, grimy and harsh Victorian London really held my attention, it’s raw, honest and brilliantly engaging. If you love your murkier historical mystery crime fiction which has the slightest Sherlock Holmes essence and a large spoonful of Ripper Street and the best characters in the genre, then Arrowood is the book and series you need to read.
The writing is impeccable as is Finlay’s flawless research into the era, I cannot say a single negative word against this amazing book or it’s a hugely talented author. It is memorable as it is thrilling and I am already waiting for the next instalment from the remarkable Arrowood series.
There is a real buzz about it that I can’t quite describe, I don’t have the adequate words but believe me when I say that this really is an absolute stonking great book, a huge joy to read; in other words, pure brilliance!!
Those who haven’t read an Arrowood mystery – then you are really missing something – each book is a stand-alone story so anyone can pick up any of the books without worrying about whether they have missed something. William Arrowood is a London Private Detective, not to be mistaken for the famed Sherlock Holmes, Arrowood takes on those cases that the celebrated Holmes wouldn’t touch with a barge pole. There are some cracking moments especially with Arrowood as he continues his secret loathing and one-sided feud with the much-acclaimed detective, he hates that Holmes has the fame and the respect of the city and he loves to compare his superior brain and knowledge with Holmes. As before the whole saga is told through the eyes of Arrowood’s assistance; Norman Barnett who is a man of the world he isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty and he is loyal and protective of his boss.
Set in London 1896; Private Detective William Arrowood is approached by a Captain Moon and his daughter Suzie who are reaching out for help, their boat; The Gravesend Queen, a pleasure steamer which runs tourists and locals down the river and back again. Their family-run boat is being targeted with what they believe for the intention of running them out of business and to take over their routes. So Arrowood along with his loyal sidekick; Norman Barnett take on the case, but soon it becomes apparent that there is more going on than mere route wars, as the deeper the investigate the ore dangerous it all becomes especially when a line of skulls and corpses or found tied to a boat, who put them there and is it connected to what is happening with Captains Moons’ boat?
It hooks you from the off, with each you are pulled into the dark and grimy Victorian world which is full of dingy working-class life and strife, plus the vivid description of just how desolate, grimy and harsh Victorian London really held my attention, it’s raw, honest and brilliantly engaging. If you love your murkier historical mystery crime fiction which has the slightest Sherlock Holmes essence and a large spoonful of Ripper Street and the best characters in the genre, then Arrowood is the book and series you need to read.
The writing is impeccable as is Finlay’s flawless research into the era, I cannot say a single negative word against this amazing book or it’s a hugely talented author. It is memorable as it is thrilling and I am already waiting for the next instalment from the remarkable Arrowood series.
There is a real buzz about it that I can’t quite describe, I don’t have the adequate words but believe me when I say that this really is an absolute stonking great book, a huge joy to read; in other words, pure brilliance!!
August 22, 2024
Arrowood and Barnett get a case investigating damages caused to a pleasure steamer. The case gets dangerous pretty fast and especially Barnett finds himself in a spot of serious trouble. There's also a delicious side plot involving two babies.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and the atmospheric descriptions of London in 1896. Barnett is the narrator of these books and I tend to like him more than grumpy Arrowood. Arrowood's rivalry with Sherlock Holmes is great fun to read, though.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and the atmospheric descriptions of London in 1896. Barnett is the narrator of these books and I tend to like him more than grumpy Arrowood. Arrowood's rivalry with Sherlock Holmes is great fun to read, though.
September 2, 2021
⭐️4,5⭐️
September 3, 2021
⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️
October 27, 2022
If you like a brilliant Victorian historical novel and are a fan of Sherlock Holmes type murder mysteries then you will love this book.
It's better than any Holmes book I've read and what an ending...I must admit I didn't see that coming at all!
It's better than any Holmes book I've read and what an ending...I must admit I didn't see that coming at all!
December 26, 2024
Mick Finlay is my new favorite author!
April 2, 2020
I absolutely love historical fiction with a particular focus on fiction set during the Victorian era. So when I read the synopsis for 'Arrowood & The Thames Corpses', you can probably understand why this book appealed to me. I couldn't wait to get started on the book and so without further ado, I grabbed a copy of the book and settled down to read it. 'Arrowood & The Thames Corpses' is a cracking read and I enjoyed every single moment of it but more about that in a bit.
I loved the detective pairing of William Arrowood and his trusty sidekick Barnett. More to the point Arrowood is the detective and Barnett is the hired muscle ready to step in to defend Arrowood and to strike fear into the hearts of those they come up against. Arrowood is a bit of a touchy devil in that he does not like being compared to Sherlock Holmes, the other great private detective of the Victorian era, nor does he like having to take the cases that Holmes turns down or are not deemed important enough for Holmes. Arrowood strikes me as being a bit eccentric but he certainly knows his stuff and he certainly has a keen ability for getting to the truth.
It didn't take me long to get into this story. In fact by the end of the first couple of chapters, I knew that I was going to be in for one hell of a read and I wasn't wrong either. I wasn't able to read this book over the course of a single day because boring things like life got in the way but I did managed to binge read the book over the course of about three days. Whilst reading this book I was able to concentrate solely on the story and I was able to shut out all other distractions, which is rare for me as I usually have the attention span of a gnat and I am easily distracted but not in this case. I loved the combination of the humour with the drama Certain things that Arrowood said or did made me have a little chuckle to myself.
'Arrowood & The Thames Corpses' is well written. In Arrowood & Barnett, the author has created two memorable characters and I loved the way in which they were so comfortable with each other. The author has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. He drew me into the story from the first word on the first page and then took me on one historical adventure and a half. Whilst reading this book, I did feel as though I had literally borrowed Dr. Who's Tardis and I had travelled back in time to the Victorian era and that's all thanks to Mick's very vivid and realistic writing.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Arrowood & The Thames Corpses' and I would definitely recommend it to other readers, but particularly to those readers who enjoy historical fiction. I will definitely be reading more of Mick's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
I loved the detective pairing of William Arrowood and his trusty sidekick Barnett. More to the point Arrowood is the detective and Barnett is the hired muscle ready to step in to defend Arrowood and to strike fear into the hearts of those they come up against. Arrowood is a bit of a touchy devil in that he does not like being compared to Sherlock Holmes, the other great private detective of the Victorian era, nor does he like having to take the cases that Holmes turns down or are not deemed important enough for Holmes. Arrowood strikes me as being a bit eccentric but he certainly knows his stuff and he certainly has a keen ability for getting to the truth.
It didn't take me long to get into this story. In fact by the end of the first couple of chapters, I knew that I was going to be in for one hell of a read and I wasn't wrong either. I wasn't able to read this book over the course of a single day because boring things like life got in the way but I did managed to binge read the book over the course of about three days. Whilst reading this book I was able to concentrate solely on the story and I was able to shut out all other distractions, which is rare for me as I usually have the attention span of a gnat and I am easily distracted but not in this case. I loved the combination of the humour with the drama Certain things that Arrowood said or did made me have a little chuckle to myself.
'Arrowood & The Thames Corpses' is well written. In Arrowood & Barnett, the author has created two memorable characters and I loved the way in which they were so comfortable with each other. The author has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. He drew me into the story from the first word on the first page and then took me on one historical adventure and a half. Whilst reading this book, I did feel as though I had literally borrowed Dr. Who's Tardis and I had travelled back in time to the Victorian era and that's all thanks to Mick's very vivid and realistic writing.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Arrowood & The Thames Corpses' and I would definitely recommend it to other readers, but particularly to those readers who enjoy historical fiction. I will definitely be reading more of Mick's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
October 14, 2023
41/2, really, though I’m conflicted. It’s a great book. The writing is positively poetic at times. The mystery is difficult and complicated. His narrator, Norman Barnett is such a rough character. I don’t even like him, though I cried my eyes out over his time in prison. The depth of inhumanity in that prison is something I will never be able to forget. William Arrowood is worse, ugly, fat, bitter, unwashed, and dirt poor. I kept thinking, why am I reading this? The London they live in at the beginning of the industrial revolution is worse than a slum, it’s positively vicious. The London of Dickens, Gaskell, and Hardy a hundred years earlier was a paradise in comparison. The ratting scene will haunt me. Stephen King wishes he wrote that scene. I’ve read a lot about the Victorian era, both classic authors and modern, fiction and non-fiction, and I’ve never been as horrified by the conditions in which human beings managed to survive as I am by these books. I don’t know how Mr. Finlay can spend so much time with these terrible people in these terrible places willingly. Yet there is an underlying tenderness in these hardened people that keeps me reading, wanting to know how on earth they are going to come through. I’m a sucker for great writing, even when what I’m reading is ugly and tragic and talks about full chamber pots and dead bodies on the kitchen table and tiny children abandoned on the street. This is 1896 but it could be 1696. Great Britain is an Empire, the strongest economy, the strongest nation in the world, yet this is the condition of London. In just 20 years Britain will be drawn into WWI and win that fight. So I’ll keep reading Mick Finlay, even though he focuses on the worst possible interpretation of history. It’s still fascinating.
July 1, 2020
There is nothing quaint or picturesque about Mick Finlay’s London in 1896. He writes a tale of desperate and brutal people committing ugly crimes to sustain themselves and get a toehold in the slums of South London. Arrowood and Norman are detectives, living on the margins, and trying to scrape together enough business to support themselves and their small family. When approached to find out who is destroying the business of a pleasure boat captain, they are eager to take on the case, but quickly find themselves in far more danger than they had anticipated.
This is a great, atmospheric historical whodunit, and works well as a standalone despite being third in a series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a great, atmospheric historical whodunit, and works well as a standalone despite being third in a series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 28, 2021
Listened to this one audio. I really enjoyed the other two stories in the series, with the 2nd one being my favorite. But, as good as the story and writing is, I just grew frustrated with the characters and lack of forward movement in their personal lives and couldn't finish it. It was like they are all stuck running in place. I wanted to yell "Grow! Change! Choose a different path!" But the characters are very well done and as a result they are very human and did what most of us do, which is continue traveling down the familiar road. I still have the audio book and maybe over time I will finish it and find that all of them did indeed slightly alter the course of their life and direction, but it I don't think it will be soon.
September 6, 2020
Full review can be found here: https://www.criminalelement.com/book-...
April 4, 2020
A historical murder mystery set in the filthy streets and habitations of London in 1896, full of a dark humour and a quiet feud with Sherlock Holmes, this novel has much to recommend it. Despite historic levels of dirt and flies, the characters in this novel jump off the page in all their vivid life, emotions and individualism whether street child or tourist. It is narrated by the faithful Barnett, helper, supporter and occasional bodyguard to the unique William Arrowood, “the guvnor”, private detective and investigator. These are not the polite, intellectual adventures as described by Watson, but rather the dirty and dangerous investigating amongst London’s poorest for twenty shillings a day. Of course money is not Arrowood’s only motive for his daily actions; once committed to a case he finds it difficult to let go. This the third book by this skilful author in the series, but it works well as a standalone novel as the characters involved soon become evident. I was pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this detailed and memorable book.
This book opens with two people seeking the help of the detective to stop a campaign of damage on their pleasure steamer. Having negotiated a price, the two men become involved in the fate of Captain Moon and Susie. A rather shocking discovery following an arson attempt suggests that there is more than just a right to the routes at stake. The terrible find attracts the involvement of the police, including a new detective who is very ambitious. Both William and Barnett have difficult and overcrowded rooms in which to live, and both are in urgent need of funds, especially as William has family difficulties. Their investigations take a terrible turn, and they believe that there is real danger even if they are no longer working for money. Both men find that the more they investigate, using some fairly cunning deceits, the more danger they are in, even losing their liberty. As domestic difficulties become more pressing, they are forced into ever more complicated actions. The discovery of a past tragedy gives some clues to present difficulties, they use their skills to prevent more death.
This book really revels in the small details of street food, the cost of drinks, and the sheer reality of living in one of the poorest parts of London. Children swarm around anything interesting, being either abandoned or ignored. Women have few if any options, with children, addiction to gin and other challenges on a daily basis. Despite the dirt, rodents and other terrors of the streets, there are some strong characters who have real affection and loyalty to the others. There is also some humour, especially in some aspects of William’s behaviour and his antipathy towards Holmes, an in joke for fans of historical murder. There is evidence of a vast amount of research into the social history of the turn of the century London, but historical facts never get in the way of a strong story which works on several levels. The psychological elements of the investigations are well observed; as Barnett comments when in a very tricky situation, the emotions of others can affect one’s own view. This is a memorable, well paced and impressively written book, with much to recommend it, especially to fans of historical mysteries with a realistic edge.
This book opens with two people seeking the help of the detective to stop a campaign of damage on their pleasure steamer. Having negotiated a price, the two men become involved in the fate of Captain Moon and Susie. A rather shocking discovery following an arson attempt suggests that there is more than just a right to the routes at stake. The terrible find attracts the involvement of the police, including a new detective who is very ambitious. Both William and Barnett have difficult and overcrowded rooms in which to live, and both are in urgent need of funds, especially as William has family difficulties. Their investigations take a terrible turn, and they believe that there is real danger even if they are no longer working for money. Both men find that the more they investigate, using some fairly cunning deceits, the more danger they are in, even losing their liberty. As domestic difficulties become more pressing, they are forced into ever more complicated actions. The discovery of a past tragedy gives some clues to present difficulties, they use their skills to prevent more death.
This book really revels in the small details of street food, the cost of drinks, and the sheer reality of living in one of the poorest parts of London. Children swarm around anything interesting, being either abandoned or ignored. Women have few if any options, with children, addiction to gin and other challenges on a daily basis. Despite the dirt, rodents and other terrors of the streets, there are some strong characters who have real affection and loyalty to the others. There is also some humour, especially in some aspects of William’s behaviour and his antipathy towards Holmes, an in joke for fans of historical murder. There is evidence of a vast amount of research into the social history of the turn of the century London, but historical facts never get in the way of a strong story which works on several levels. The psychological elements of the investigations are well observed; as Barnett comments when in a very tricky situation, the emotions of others can affect one’s own view. This is a memorable, well paced and impressively written book, with much to recommend it, especially to fans of historical mysteries with a realistic edge.
August 2, 2020
Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers for access to a NetGalley ARC for this book.
I should preface my review by stating that I have not previously read the other two novels in the "Arrowood" series. I jumped into this book 3 without any knowledge of the characters, aside from what was provided in the blurb. Normally, I never read book series out of order, but in this case, I was actually surprised by how well is worked out. Even without any prior knowledge of the characters and the world I was walking into, it was very easy to fall in step with the events and the relationships. I never once felt lost, or that I had "missed out" by not having read the first two books in the series, which I feel is a huge feat by the author.
As to the story itself, "Arrowood and the Thames Corpses" is a grittier, darker version of a Sherlock Holmes mystery, and quite frankly, it has a unique charm in that regard. You get a sense of familiarity and shocking newness all in one package. The year is 1896, and we are shown the events of the case through the eyes of Norman Barnett, a "strong man" type that assists William Arrowood in his investigations. Arrowood himself is a poor man's Sherlock Holmes, more focused on the psychological aspects of casework, and is relentlessly plagued by his vehemence towards the famous detective, who in fact lives in this version of Victorian England, simultaneously solving his own famous cases as Arrowood works his. You get a Holmes & Watson dynamic between Arrowood and Barnett, but as previously mentioned, it's far more gritty and many dark secrets about their pasts are revealed along the way. In this installment, the pair must work together to help a river boating captain and his daughter when a string of 14 skulls and 3 corpses are found attached to their river boat...
The case was deceptively complex, and the reader is given a lot of insight into the painstaking process of solving it using the resources of the era. You really get to feel for the characters as they exhaust themselves in this perilous pursuit, and just when you think they've made progress, a new twist blows the case wide open. Even the final sentence of the book was a bombshell! Overall, I gave the book 4 stars, only missing out on that last star as I felt the descriptions could be overly vulgar at times, truly only for the sake of being vulgar (aka, do we really need to talk about the bodily functions of the characters? Or go into the more visceral elements with such detail?). There was some crude language along the way (but given the circumstances, it made sense) and some pretty graphic elements, so if violence, gore, or swearing upset you, this is likely not the crime fiction series for you.
I should preface my review by stating that I have not previously read the other two novels in the "Arrowood" series. I jumped into this book 3 without any knowledge of the characters, aside from what was provided in the blurb. Normally, I never read book series out of order, but in this case, I was actually surprised by how well is worked out. Even without any prior knowledge of the characters and the world I was walking into, it was very easy to fall in step with the events and the relationships. I never once felt lost, or that I had "missed out" by not having read the first two books in the series, which I feel is a huge feat by the author.
As to the story itself, "Arrowood and the Thames Corpses" is a grittier, darker version of a Sherlock Holmes mystery, and quite frankly, it has a unique charm in that regard. You get a sense of familiarity and shocking newness all in one package. The year is 1896, and we are shown the events of the case through the eyes of Norman Barnett, a "strong man" type that assists William Arrowood in his investigations. Arrowood himself is a poor man's Sherlock Holmes, more focused on the psychological aspects of casework, and is relentlessly plagued by his vehemence towards the famous detective, who in fact lives in this version of Victorian England, simultaneously solving his own famous cases as Arrowood works his. You get a Holmes & Watson dynamic between Arrowood and Barnett, but as previously mentioned, it's far more gritty and many dark secrets about their pasts are revealed along the way. In this installment, the pair must work together to help a river boating captain and his daughter when a string of 14 skulls and 3 corpses are found attached to their river boat...
The case was deceptively complex, and the reader is given a lot of insight into the painstaking process of solving it using the resources of the era. You really get to feel for the characters as they exhaust themselves in this perilous pursuit, and just when you think they've made progress, a new twist blows the case wide open. Even the final sentence of the book was a bombshell! Overall, I gave the book 4 stars, only missing out on that last star as I felt the descriptions could be overly vulgar at times, truly only for the sake of being vulgar (aka, do we really need to talk about the bodily functions of the characters? Or go into the more visceral elements with such detail?). There was some crude language along the way (but given the circumstances, it made sense) and some pretty graphic elements, so if violence, gore, or swearing upset you, this is likely not the crime fiction series for you.
April 5, 2020
In the underbelly of 19th century London, the downtrodden and overlooked don't have the same access to the protections and justice offered to the higher echelons of society. So while Holmes searches out treasure and unravels mysteries worthy of front page news, those living in the slums and sewers have only one recourse open to them - William Arrowood and his hired muscle Norman Barnett.
Living a hand to mouth existence themselves, Arrowood and Barnett are desperate for work, feel the impacts of their vices both financially and mentally and find themselves emotionally raw when it comes to relationships and family.
So when Captain Moon and his daughter come to them with a seemingly straightforward tale of professional rivalry and sabotage, the sleuths for hire jump at the chance to earn some earn and much needed cash. But they are not prepared for the web of murder and revenge in which they find themselves entangled.
Arrowood and the Thames Corpses by Mick Finlay is a mystery thriller for fans of historic crime: it's no mistake that it's set in the same universe as Sherlock, but it does offer more depth than any Arthur Conan Doyle tale I've read. While I enjoy a Holmes classic, I always get frustrated by the conclusions based on the flimsiest of assumptions, the giant leaps of logic and the thin characterisation. Arrowood fixes all those problems for me.
The puzzle is as complex and maze-like as you would expect, but the route to unravelling it is logical, believable and heartbreakingly tragic in some places. Neither Arrowood nor Barnett are overly likeable, drowning as they are in their self-pity, ego and often brutal manipulations of the surrounding characters, but they are fully realised, flawed men and their breadth of character pulls you into the story and engages you fully.
At times, the wealth of supporting characters can get confusing, especially the burly men and characters whose threads are left hanging. But the stench and poverty of London's darker side is tanglible and the tragedy of people, particularly children, who are trying to scrape some semblance of a life together in the face of constant fear and danger is particularly well depicted.
Some revelations you will see coming a mile away, but mostly the information is provided on a need to know basis, allowing the story to unfold and most of the reveals to happen as Arrowood and Barnett themselves figure them out.
All in all, a grim, dark but satisfyingly escapist crime mystery.
Arrowood and the Thames Corpses was published on 2 April 2020 and is available now.
Living a hand to mouth existence themselves, Arrowood and Barnett are desperate for work, feel the impacts of their vices both financially and mentally and find themselves emotionally raw when it comes to relationships and family.
So when Captain Moon and his daughter come to them with a seemingly straightforward tale of professional rivalry and sabotage, the sleuths for hire jump at the chance to earn some earn and much needed cash. But they are not prepared for the web of murder and revenge in which they find themselves entangled.
Arrowood and the Thames Corpses by Mick Finlay is a mystery thriller for fans of historic crime: it's no mistake that it's set in the same universe as Sherlock, but it does offer more depth than any Arthur Conan Doyle tale I've read. While I enjoy a Holmes classic, I always get frustrated by the conclusions based on the flimsiest of assumptions, the giant leaps of logic and the thin characterisation. Arrowood fixes all those problems for me.
The puzzle is as complex and maze-like as you would expect, but the route to unravelling it is logical, believable and heartbreakingly tragic in some places. Neither Arrowood nor Barnett are overly likeable, drowning as they are in their self-pity, ego and often brutal manipulations of the surrounding characters, but they are fully realised, flawed men and their breadth of character pulls you into the story and engages you fully.
At times, the wealth of supporting characters can get confusing, especially the burly men and characters whose threads are left hanging. But the stench and poverty of London's darker side is tanglible and the tragedy of people, particularly children, who are trying to scrape some semblance of a life together in the face of constant fear and danger is particularly well depicted.
Some revelations you will see coming a mile away, but mostly the information is provided on a need to know basis, allowing the story to unfold and most of the reveals to happen as Arrowood and Barnett themselves figure them out.
All in all, a grim, dark but satisfyingly escapist crime mystery.
Arrowood and the Thames Corpses was published on 2 April 2020 and is available now.
April 4, 2020
An excellent historical thriller set in late Victorian London
My thanks to HQ for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Arrowood and the Thames Corpses’ by Mick Finlay in exchange for an honest review. It was published on 2 April and I quickly purchased its ebook and audiobook editions.
This is the third in his Arrowood series set in Victorian London. I have read the previous two books and enjoyed both very much. The books are narrated by Norman Barnett, who serves as assistant to William Arrowood, a down market ‘private investigating agent’.
In the summer of 1896, Arrowood and Barnett are approached by Captain Moon, the owner of The Gravesend Queen, a pleasure steamer moored on the Thames. He complains that someone has been damaging his boat, putting his business in serious jeopardy. However, what seems to be a case of professional jealousy becomes more serious when a shocking discovery is pulled from the river.
No further details in order to avoid spoilers though I found it well plotted and very exciting. Its main characters were further developed, which is one of the benefits in reading a series from its beginning. However, enough background is provided for new readers.
It’s quite a dark and grisly tale though some humour is provided by Arrowood’s irritation at the continuing adulation directed at Sherlock Holmes. He and Norman even pay a visit to 221b Baker Street!
This is a series that continues to go from strength to strength and I felt that this was the best to date. Finlay has done an excellent job of evoking London of the period, focusing mainly upon members of its working class and the poor. Given the subject of this case special attention is given to the Thames, which was a busy working river during the 1890s.
In the closing Historical Note he includes a list of sources for those readers who might be interested in investigating the social history of the late Victorian period in more detail.
A highly recommended novel and series.
My thanks to HQ for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Arrowood and the Thames Corpses’ by Mick Finlay in exchange for an honest review. It was published on 2 April and I quickly purchased its ebook and audiobook editions.
This is the third in his Arrowood series set in Victorian London. I have read the previous two books and enjoyed both very much. The books are narrated by Norman Barnett, who serves as assistant to William Arrowood, a down market ‘private investigating agent’.
In the summer of 1896, Arrowood and Barnett are approached by Captain Moon, the owner of The Gravesend Queen, a pleasure steamer moored on the Thames. He complains that someone has been damaging his boat, putting his business in serious jeopardy. However, what seems to be a case of professional jealousy becomes more serious when a shocking discovery is pulled from the river.
No further details in order to avoid spoilers though I found it well plotted and very exciting. Its main characters were further developed, which is one of the benefits in reading a series from its beginning. However, enough background is provided for new readers.
It’s quite a dark and grisly tale though some humour is provided by Arrowood’s irritation at the continuing adulation directed at Sherlock Holmes. He and Norman even pay a visit to 221b Baker Street!
This is a series that continues to go from strength to strength and I felt that this was the best to date. Finlay has done an excellent job of evoking London of the period, focusing mainly upon members of its working class and the poor. Given the subject of this case special attention is given to the Thames, which was a busy working river during the 1890s.
In the closing Historical Note he includes a list of sources for those readers who might be interested in investigating the social history of the late Victorian period in more detail.
A highly recommended novel and series.
April 7, 2020
One of the most amusing things about William Arrowood is his obsession with his nemesis Sherlock Holmes. According to Arrowood, Holmes is all about fame and money, and doesn't mind taking the credit for crimes other people have solved. He is a thorn in Arrowood's side.
Arrowood and Barnett are the crime-solving sleuths of the poor and disadvantaged - Sherlock and Watson are the sleuths of the rich and privileged. Lines are drawn in the dirt, as the barely scraping by duo is pitted against the master of propaganda. They aren't really, but that narrative always sounds great when Arrowood is grumbling about it.
This time the two of them are tasked with finding out who is trying to destroy the business of a certain Captain Moon. Damaging his boat, trying to interfere with his ability to feed himself and his daughter. Small acts of vandalism become something more nefarious as things turn deadly.
It's historical crime fiction set in Victorian London, in the midst of mayhem, murder and squalor.
I am happy to say that Finlay keeps stepping up his game - this book is even better than the last ones. This time the reader gets to delve deeper than ever into the characters past, emotions and what drives them. It opens up so many storylines for the future, and I am hoping there will be many more books. This is the kind of historical crime series that would play well on screen. Just saying. Either way this is great read.
*I received a courtesy copy*
Arrowood and Barnett are the crime-solving sleuths of the poor and disadvantaged - Sherlock and Watson are the sleuths of the rich and privileged. Lines are drawn in the dirt, as the barely scraping by duo is pitted against the master of propaganda. They aren't really, but that narrative always sounds great when Arrowood is grumbling about it.
This time the two of them are tasked with finding out who is trying to destroy the business of a certain Captain Moon. Damaging his boat, trying to interfere with his ability to feed himself and his daughter. Small acts of vandalism become something more nefarious as things turn deadly.
It's historical crime fiction set in Victorian London, in the midst of mayhem, murder and squalor.
I am happy to say that Finlay keeps stepping up his game - this book is even better than the last ones. This time the reader gets to delve deeper than ever into the characters past, emotions and what drives them. It opens up so many storylines for the future, and I am hoping there will be many more books. This is the kind of historical crime series that would play well on screen. Just saying. Either way this is great read.
*I received a courtesy copy*
July 2, 2020
Arrowood, the poor man’s Sherlock Holmes, is back in his strangest case yet. Paid to catch the ruffians who were damaging Captain Moon’s ship, a string of corpses and skulls are found tied to the ship. Who they were and how they are related to the captain is the enigma within Arrowood and the Thames Corpses.
Knowing, after doing a DNA kit, that I am a likely descendant of both the time period and the class depicted within the book, I find it amazing that anyone survived. The poor back then were literally dirt poor. This book is the third in the Arrowood series and the best so far!
While the mystery was intriguing, it would be difficult to be solved by the reader. Once again, this series seems more likely to appeal to historical fiction fans than mystery readers. But the characters within Arrowood and the Thames Corpses seem to be bursting with life despite their life circumstances. Even minor characters have fully fleshed out histories, feelings, and motives. Like the Dickens’ tales to which I have compared earlier books in the series, this book’s focus is squarely on the people populating its pages. Have some fun walking around Victorian London with Arrowood, Barnett, and Neddy. 4 stars!
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Knowing, after doing a DNA kit, that I am a likely descendant of both the time period and the class depicted within the book, I find it amazing that anyone survived. The poor back then were literally dirt poor. This book is the third in the Arrowood series and the best so far!
While the mystery was intriguing, it would be difficult to be solved by the reader. Once again, this series seems more likely to appeal to historical fiction fans than mystery readers. But the characters within Arrowood and the Thames Corpses seem to be bursting with life despite their life circumstances. Even minor characters have fully fleshed out histories, feelings, and motives. Like the Dickens’ tales to which I have compared earlier books in the series, this book’s focus is squarely on the people populating its pages. Have some fun walking around Victorian London with Arrowood, Barnett, and Neddy. 4 stars!
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 21, 2020
I am going with a 4.25 for this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC so I could give my honest review. Whew, it was a wild ride through Victorian England!
Arrowood is the poor man’s Sherlock Holmes with his trusty right hand man, Barnett. He is constantly confounded by Holmes and jealous of his fame. Being a huge Holmes fan, I was intrigued by this premise.
Captain Moon arrives to give him a case. A rival boat owner is causing damage to his boat and he needs help sorting this. Of course, this becomes far more involved and leads to murder.
What makes this book so different from others set in this time period is the realistic view point. And by that I mean, the day to day life in Victorian England is not glossed over. The living conditions are very well researched and described. To the point where you stop reading and say, yuck! But it was also hugely informative with so many interesting characters. The author has a talent for taking you to the streets where Jack the Ripper roamed.
The ending was well done and satisfying. The letter to Arrowood from Holmes made me laugh out loud. I realized that this is third in a series. This does not detract from the story, but rather made me want to go back and read the first two books. Well done!
Arrowood is the poor man’s Sherlock Holmes with his trusty right hand man, Barnett. He is constantly confounded by Holmes and jealous of his fame. Being a huge Holmes fan, I was intrigued by this premise.
Captain Moon arrives to give him a case. A rival boat owner is causing damage to his boat and he needs help sorting this. Of course, this becomes far more involved and leads to murder.
What makes this book so different from others set in this time period is the realistic view point. And by that I mean, the day to day life in Victorian England is not glossed over. The living conditions are very well researched and described. To the point where you stop reading and say, yuck! But it was also hugely informative with so many interesting characters. The author has a talent for taking you to the streets where Jack the Ripper roamed.
The ending was well done and satisfying. The letter to Arrowood from Holmes made me laugh out loud. I realized that this is third in a series. This does not detract from the story, but rather made me want to go back and read the first two books. Well done!
June 1, 2020
ARC recieved for review thanks to Netgalley.
Arrowood is a private detective, and this the third book he features in, I haven't read any previously so am coming to this with no preconceptions.
He and his assistant are commissioned by a Captain Moon to find out who it is that has been causing mischief around his steam boat in an attempt to force him off his pleasure sailing route. But as with all good detective novels there is far more to the story than meets the eye, and the minor acts of vandalism soon turn to arson, violence and death.
The corpses in the title are a string of three bodies tied in the middle of the night to the railing of Cpt Moon's boat, alongside a number of skulls. What does Cpt Moon's past have to do with this?
Overall I quite enjoyed the book but found that some of the "twists" were ridiculously easy to predict and Arrowood's constant whining about the attention a certain Mr Sherlock Holmes recieves became irritating very early in the book. But I would happily pick up one of the earlier books knowing not to expect to be overly challenged by the mystery in the plot.
Arrowood is a private detective, and this the third book he features in, I haven't read any previously so am coming to this with no preconceptions.
He and his assistant are commissioned by a Captain Moon to find out who it is that has been causing mischief around his steam boat in an attempt to force him off his pleasure sailing route. But as with all good detective novels there is far more to the story than meets the eye, and the minor acts of vandalism soon turn to arson, violence and death.
The corpses in the title are a string of three bodies tied in the middle of the night to the railing of Cpt Moon's boat, alongside a number of skulls. What does Cpt Moon's past have to do with this?
Overall I quite enjoyed the book but found that some of the "twists" were ridiculously easy to predict and Arrowood's constant whining about the attention a certain Mr Sherlock Holmes recieves became irritating very early in the book. But I would happily pick up one of the earlier books knowing not to expect to be overly challenged by the mystery in the plot.
June 22, 2020
Mick Finlay's Arrowood and the Thames Corpses is one of those gritty historical mysteries, populated by characters barely scraping by, rather than by good-looking, clever members of the upper crust with time on their hands. In the Victorian London of this novel, characters bite into onions as if they were apples. No one has a proper wash-up. Ever. The Thames is roiling with oil and garbage. If the pub has run out of spoons, you eat your eel jelly with your fingers.
The central character, Arrowood, is the son of a cleric who eventually went mad and is volatile like his father. He once worked as a newspaper reporter, but having lost that job, he has set himself up as a private detective. His sidekick Barnett grew up in a neighborhood both poor and violent and always seems to be just avoiding homeless by about tuppence. Despite the fact that these men are deeply attached to each other, there is still some class-based tension between them.
Arrowood's sister has moved back in with him, bringing a baby whose "provenance" she refuses to reveal. The cast includes street children, a murderous female rat-catcher, a father and daughter scraping by taking lower-class tourists out for trips on their aging paddle-wheeler. This pair hire Arrowood to investigate a rival boatman and his family who they accuse of sabotage. But sabotage turns to terror when the find two long ropes attached to their boat one morning: one training the skulls of fourteen children, the other attached to three dead bodies.
The central mystery increases in complexity as the book progresses, keeping readers engaged. The characters, both major and minor, also grow in complexity. With one exception, the book has no clear villains, and its heroes are not necessarily virtuous. In other words, these characters are people, not cut-outs.
The novel also offers some humorous moments: Arrowood is obsessed with Sherlock Holmes, who continually gets more respect, more publicity, and more money than Arrowood does.
If you enjoy historical mysteries, particularly those not populated by rich dabblers, this is a book for you.
I received a free electronic review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions are my own.
The central character, Arrowood, is the son of a cleric who eventually went mad and is volatile like his father. He once worked as a newspaper reporter, but having lost that job, he has set himself up as a private detective. His sidekick Barnett grew up in a neighborhood both poor and violent and always seems to be just avoiding homeless by about tuppence. Despite the fact that these men are deeply attached to each other, there is still some class-based tension between them.
Arrowood's sister has moved back in with him, bringing a baby whose "provenance" she refuses to reveal. The cast includes street children, a murderous female rat-catcher, a father and daughter scraping by taking lower-class tourists out for trips on their aging paddle-wheeler. This pair hire Arrowood to investigate a rival boatman and his family who they accuse of sabotage. But sabotage turns to terror when the find two long ropes attached to their boat one morning: one training the skulls of fourteen children, the other attached to three dead bodies.
The central mystery increases in complexity as the book progresses, keeping readers engaged. The characters, both major and minor, also grow in complexity. With one exception, the book has no clear villains, and its heroes are not necessarily virtuous. In other words, these characters are people, not cut-outs.
The novel also offers some humorous moments: Arrowood is obsessed with Sherlock Holmes, who continually gets more respect, more publicity, and more money than Arrowood does.
If you enjoy historical mysteries, particularly those not populated by rich dabblers, this is a book for you.
I received a free electronic review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews