Something Wicked

by Tom Williams

* A peer of the realm dead in his study, his body drained of blood *
* A tango club where the Undead and the living dance together *
* A 500 year old policeman *

Are some crimes best left unsolved?

129 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 19, 2021

About the author

Tom Williams used to write books for business. Now he writes novels set in the 19th century that are generally described as fiction but which are often more honest than the business books. (He writes contemporary fantasy as well, but that's a dark part of his life, so you'll have to explore that on your own - ideally with a friend and a protective amulet.)

His stories about James Burke (based on a real person) are exciting tales of high adventure and low cunning set around the Napoleonic Wars. The stories have given him the excuse to travel to Argentina, Egypt, and Spain and call it research.

Tom lives in London. His main interest is avoiding doing any honest work and this leaves him with time to ski, skate and dance tango, all of which (before covid) he thought he did quite well. In between he reads old books and spends far too much time looking at ancient weaponry.

Reviews

[Charles van Buren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done

I don't think that I am giving anything away by saying it's a vampire tale with twists. Anyone who doesn't suspect vampires while reading the first chapter must surely do so by the third. Plus the Goodreads description makes it obvious. If you wish to experience surprises, I would recommend skipping the description.

I download this book via Kindle Unlimited.

[S. Bavey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read on Kindle kindly sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Published in February 2021, Something Wicked is a contemporary fantasy which takes place in modern day London. It begins like a run of the mill whodunnit murder mystery with police being called to the murder scene of Lord Christopher Penrith by the victim’s butler. Chief Inspector John Galbraith is in charge of the case but there are few leads, apart from the possibility that the victim could have met his murderer at a Tango club he used to frequent.

The tone of the novel changes with the introduction of the tall, dark and sinister Chief Inspector Pole from the mysterious ‘Department S’ who takes Chief Inspector Galbraith to Brompton Cemetery. There he reveals that he is in fact a 500 year old vampire and that the victim was killed by another vampire. His role is to police the ‘Others’ as the vampire community like to be referred to, and ensure no one discovers their existence or the crimes they commit.

The story is full of detailed historical information imparted by Pole, since he has been around for a very long time, which I enjoyed immensely. I also liked the way when he was talking to Galbraith his voice would send Galbraith into a kind of trance from which he would experience a detailed vision of the story the vampire was telling him. The author is very talented with descriptive detail and the scenes he paints come alive.

It transpires that Pole is employed by the crown, dating back to King Charles II. He accompanies Galbraith to the tango club La Cieguita, where Galbraith believes the murderer may have met his victim and together they interview a young woman, who unfortunately also becomes a murder victim soon after their encounter.

Galbraith is a likeable down to earth character in his 40s with a penchant for quoting Shakespeare. A self-proclaimed “old fashioned copper”. The development of his relationship with Pole as they work together is interesting and at times fun. They get along fairly well and behave like a tag team during the interview of John Bates, their prime murder suspect.
Together they hatch a plan to tie up all of the loose ends surrounding the case and this leads to an exciting and explosive conclusion back at Brompton Cemetery.

I have not read any vampire stories for a few years having been put off by the famous sparkly vampire. This story was very enjoyable and a fairly quick read.

[Shelley Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vampire novels are my favourite, so I jumped at the chance to read Something Wicked when I spotted it on Rosie Amber’s Book Review Team list.

The story begins with a murder – always a great hook! The body of Lord Christopher Penrith is discovered by his butler, drained of blood. We meet Detective Chief Inspector Galbraith, who is tasked with solving the case.

In my mind, Galbraith was a cross between Columbo and Horatio Caine. He gives off the tortured detective vibe. His investigations lead to the dance hall, La Cieguita. Before he can get too deep into the case, Galbraith comes up against Section S, a counter-terrorism department. Enter John Pole, a 500 year old policeman who shares an interesting hidden world with Detective Galbraith.

Trying to solve a murder using modern policing isn’t going to work. Galbraith needs to rethink how he deals with the various suspects and additional killing and how on earth he hopes to close a case like this.

Something Wicked is well written with plenty of atmosphere. For me, it was a bit too deep into police procedure over vampire action. I had hoped for blood and gore, but instead, there was a hefty amount of ‘crime novel intermingled with historical fiction and politics’.

It was a good novel for anyone dipping their toe into urban fantasy, but my personal tastes meant it didn’t quite work for me. I like my vampire novels to have a bit more bite!

[Kirsten McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A police procedural with vampires and tango. What more could you ask for? And a vampire that knows how to make a great coffee. This really was one of the funniest books I've read in a long time, and I sincerely hope that the author will consider writing more in this world.
There was a small cast of characters, making it easy to follow the plot. Enough death and mystery to make it a true murder mystery, and sufficiently genuine police work to keep the plot believable (despite the vampires!).
I recommend this to lovers of Carl Hiaasen's work. Think 'Skink' if he was a vampire, and that perfectly describes Detective Pole.

[Sherry Chancellor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Detective Chief Inspector Galbraith is called to the home of Lord Penrith when the lord’s body is found dead. The strangeness of the death is that the body has been drained of all its blood but the room is not covered in blood.
The investigation begins and soon, DCI Galbraith is joined by a mysterious visitor from Section S—a section no one in the precinct has heard of before. This mysterious officer is John Pole and he explains his section deals with issues of national security and the investigation of the death of Penrith flagged in their office.
They team up to try to figure out who killed the lord and how. DCI Galbraith learns some things about an unknown group who operate in the dark in London. There are some scenes of the past that are intriguing and enjoyable to read.
I enjoyed this book and it seems there may be additional stories involving this crime solving duo in the future. Both have good qualities and seem to have a great working relationship. The way they deal with the crime is clever and a bit surprising. I, for one, am hoping for more adventures with these characters. I give this one 4 stars.

[Fiona Forsyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

not what I expected…

But very enjoyable nonetheless. I won’t spoil it but I liked the mix of police procedural and tango very much.

[Bookmarked · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy light, amusing and elegant humour and would relish the thrills and chills of the supernatural kind, the Something Wicked is definitely for you.
Lord Penrith is murdered by exsanguination, with only two drops of his blood left on the carpet. When an investigation into his bizarre death commences, two worlds collide, but not necessarily clash: the modern and rational world of detective Galbraith and the darkly mysterious, ancient world of secret agent, Pole. They are the worlds of humans and vampires. Williams pits the two characters against each other and at the same time brings them together rather amicably in their collaboration to track down the killer.
London features prominently in this novella. The author’s intimacy with its boroughs, squares, back alleys and all its unique rhymes and rhythms is evident. The late night’s excursion into Brompton Cemetery will send a shiver down your spine, but don’t fear – it won’t give you nightmares. This humorous detective thriller isn’t a horror. And did I mention the thrills of tango?
Williams doesn’t fail to bring history into the equation – after all, his day job is writing historical fiction. I enjoyed his exposé on the arrival of vampires in Britain and the bargain Pole (then Ivan Paolo) had struck with Charles II.
All in all, a quick fun read that will take you out of the box of grey reality.

[Penny Hampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the author says in his publicity for Something Wicked, this police procedural is not your usual stake out. Quite a clever pun, actually, for this is a crime story with a difference. No, it’s not the usual villains committing murder and mayhem but - you may have guessed it - vampires.

The story starts as a typical crime thriller with the discovery of a body and continues with the minutiae of how police investigations run, but we are then led into darker realms with the introduction of the mysterious Department S and hints that something else is going on. An old-school copper in the shape of Chief Inspector John Galbraith reluctantly joins forces with the enigmatic and slightly sinister Chief Inspector Pole from Department S to solve the crime.

Although surprised at Pole’s revelations that Department S investigates crimes committed by vampires (or The Others as they like to be known) and that Pole himself is a vampire, Galbraith determines that he will get to the bottom of things using straightforward policing methods. The trail leads not only to a shabby building that houses a tango club, a place where vampires like to hang out and mix with ordinary human beings, but also Brompton cemetery, yet another hub of the Undead.

A highlight of the story for me was the intelligent and amusing dialogue employed by the author to show the developing relationship between this mismatched pair of policemen. The settings were atmospheric, and the descriptions of the plodding methodology of detective work seemed very real, adding a nice touch of authenticity. The plot was a clever blend of mundane policing and paranormal shocks and horror.

All in all, I enjoyed this and hope that there will be another story featuring Galbraith and Pole. It was original, and while not quite as laugh-out-loud funny as Dark Magic, the author’s previous contemporary novel, I’d happily recommend it to anyone looking for a detective story with a supernatural twist.

[Lynn Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having really enjoyed Tom Williams previous foray into contemporary fantasy, ‘Dark Magic’, I was looking forward to the publication of ‘Something Wicked’ and I wasn’t disappointed. ‘Dark Magic’ was fun, although as a novella felt a bit rushed at times. ‘Something Wicked’ feels like a writer who has really got into his stride with this genre.
‘Something Wicked’ is set in London with Chief Inspector John Galbraith being called to the rather unusual murder scene of Lord Christopher Penrith. There are few leads apart from a link to a Tango club. So far the book looks like a standard, well-written police procedural.
Everything changes with the arrival of Chief Inspector Pole. Pole works for ‘Department S’ which Galbraith has never heard of. He also, it turns out, is a five hundred year old vampire, responsible for policing – and covering up for – the vampire community.
So begins a cleverly-conceived, well-written and excellently plotted novel about murder, policing, vampires, and Tango. There is a nod to various genres in this book, yet it manages to remain fresh, original, and hugely entertaining.
I particularly liked the two main characters in this book, with the difference between Galbraith’s down-to-earth copper and Pole’s more fantastical approach being well developed. Both characters were likeable and the development in their relationship was believable. Tom Williams’ descriptions of the London he knows and loves and the Tango community that he is an enthusiastic member of, help to bring the book alive.
Tom Williams is best known for his two historical series, the lively Burke novels about a Napoleonic agent and the more thoughtful Williamson books set in the days of Empire. I’m hoping we see more contemporary fiction as well from this author. An entertaining, clever piece of fiction.

[Richard Azia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normally I read factual books that can take from weeks, to months or even years to finish. In this case I was able to read it within a few days. Reading about The Others (Vampires, but they don't like to be called that) is out of the ordinary for me. I like that this takes place in parts of London I know, or at least knew. I find one or two images amusing. The idea of saying something along the lines of "there's a reason vampires don't go to the beach". It'd obvious, but to see it written down is amusing.
The idea of vampires as intellectuals is also interesting, that they would be academically inclined, due to all the time they have, available to them.
Some ideas could be explored or played with further.

[Michael Quinsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compellingly quiet police procedural...with vampires

The build up is slow and worth it. It begins a bit in the tone of A Gentleman in Moscow. Galbraith, a Met police detective has a case that seems very much like a vampire did it. He’s soon joined by his counterpart from Section S, Pole, from a secret arm of Scotland Yard handling vampire matters. These two, in one charming and intellectually satisfying scene after another, set out to solve the crime and manage the inevitable complications. It eventually heats up and the delightful dialogue heats up as they get closer to solving the crime. These begrudging colleagues become friends and there is a hint that future books might be in the making. I hope so.

[Carole Tyrrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an urban fantasy novel set in contemporary London and in locations that I know well such as Brompton Cemetery and Birkbeck College.
It opens with the body of Sir Christoper Penrith being discovered at his Chelsea home. On examination it’s found that he’s been drained of blood.
DCI Galbraith is soon on the case and question Penrith’s butler, Simmons, who reveals that the deceased frequented a local dance hall which was a tango dancing club. And so, the investigation begins, increasing Galbraith’s paperwork and consumption of iced doughnuts and coffee.
But there is a breakthrough when a member of his team finds a note on the database. Apparently there have been three other similar murders that have been red flagged with a note to refer to Counter Terrorism Section S. This leads to an unexpected turn in the investigation as, when Galbraith meets his counterpart in Section S, Pole, he realises that there is more to the murder than he thought.
Galbraith enters a world far removed from ambitious PC’s and doughnuts into an underworld. Tango dancing, the sepulchres in a Victorian London cemetery and the realisation that the undead have become very much part of London life. He and Pole join forces after another gruesome but inventive murder and now they are hot on the trail of the murderer…..but who will find them first, the undead or good old fashioned police work….
This is a short novella at 120 pages and the author clearly knows London well. I liked Galbraith with his taste for interminable cups of coffee and meeting a vampire who know how to make it just the way he likes it. But it could be his way to his next victim…beware DC1 Galbraith!
The death of the tango dancer was via an interesting murder method to say the least! I liked the book but on the negative side there was some proof reading errors and, in places, too much telling and not enough showing.
But I enjoyed the book and visiting the London locations in the company of Galbraith and Pole. I feel there may be more to come from these two….

[Jennifer deBie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of Something Wicked in exchange for an honest review. Read the full review at https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/

Like the mixed-up reviewer I am, I came to the first Galbraith and Pole adventure last, and having seen the way the partnership between the erudite vampire Pole, and grizzled human detective Galbraith develops, it was fun to go back and find out how it all began. I don’t mind starting by saying that there is refreshingly little drama in their meeting, Galbraith’s world is not shattered by the revelation that vampires exist, nor does he lose his purpose upon finding out that there’s a secret government organization dedicated to keeping vampires out of the public eye. A murder has been committed, someone needs to be punished for it, and Galbraith doesn’t necessarily care how secret the murderer’s existence might be.

A hallmark of this series is the length, these are meant to be fast, fun reads, and Williams has stayed true to that from the beginning as well. For me, this was a perfect counterpoint to a medium length bus journey, something to take my mind off the noise, but not so involved that if I skipped a paragraph when we hit a bump, the whole plot would be lost. All in all, Something Wicked is the promising start to a series that I can cheerfully testify, has kept its promises. Bloody, clever, with sharp edged humor that is sure to delight.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d like to thank the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’m not a fan of fantasy, and the word ‘vampire’ in the blurb is usually enough to make me pass on a book, but I was prepared to give this one a go.
Lord Penrith is dead. Murdered in his London home. Exsanguination is the cause of death, but oddly, there are only two drops of blood on the carpet.
Chief Inspector Galbraith, an old-fashioned copper, is in charge of the case. With few leads to follow, he’s going to rely on good old-fashioned police leg work. He sets his team going house to house and checking taxi companies — anything to find out who might have visited the aristocrat’s home. Then the enigmatic Chief Inspector Pole from the mysterious Section S appears and opens up new possibilities. Could it be that the murderer is a vampire? Inspector Pole thinks so. After all, it takes one to know one.
From Tango clubs to Brompton Cemetery, the pair track down the killer, but can they get justice?
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. Galbraith and Pole are a terrific combination, and I look forward to reading more of their exploits.

[Valerie Poore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book a little while ago to read on my holiday, but it only lasted me two days. If a book can be too engaging and unputdownable, then this one is a great example of such a novel. I have always loved police procedurals but I almost never read fantasy, especially about vampires, but I’ve read some of Tom Williams’ other writing and thought I’d give this a try. As it turns out, the story is compelling and believable in the way the author uses history and legend to create a plausible background to his vampire detective’s work. I liked the main characters, enjoyed the plot and followed this unlikely police team happily in their pursuit of ‘who dunnit’. I didn’t have to guess who the perpetrator was, but rather, wonder how they would deal with the whole paranormal circumstances of the case. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable read and I’ll definitely put the second book on my ‘to be read’ list

[Jennifer Newbold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Police procedural meets something… well, uncanny, anyway

I really enjoyed this. Tom Williams is an excellent writer, and his prose is nearly as polished as his vampire is. The police procedural part is well done, and the vampire (pardon me, the “Other”) is a nice twist. I’m looking forward to reading the next one and (hopefully) learning more about how Pole came to be working for Scotland Yard… and other origin-story tidbits. Williams doesn’t give much away, leaving plenty of room for more collaboration between Galbraith and Pole and more exploration of Pole’s character.

[Stacy Townend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

Tom has again produced another brilliant book. I have had the Pleasure to read a few of his books and enjoyed them all

[M.J. Logue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it

If Jeeves and Wooster worked with The Sweeney...
Humour, politics, crime, and an absolute shocker of an ending.

Would give more stars if it was possible.