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A Pyke Mystery #3
Kill-Devil and Water
In London of 1840, the economy is sliding into recession; gangs of unemployed workers roam the streets; and a murderer prowls the capital's poor neighborhoods. Pyke, still grieving over the death of his wife and struggling to shoulder his responsibilities as a father, is in debtors' prison, having lost his home and reached the edge of bankruptcy. Fitzroy Tilling, now head of the new Metropolitan Police Force gives Pyke his freedom, but in return he must agree to investigate the brutal death of a young biracial woman, who was apparently working as a prostitute. It is not long before another woman turns up dead, and Pyke begins to suspect that he has stumbled on something more sinister, and more far-reaching than the murder of a couple of prostitutes. Pyke's investigation takes him from the London docks to the sugar plantations of Jamaica, from a fading colonial mansion to the backstreets of the East End in a struggle against ambitious and ruthless enemies, as well as demons of his own.
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2008
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109 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Pepper
30 books28 followersAndrew Pepper lives in Belfast where he is a lecturer in English at Queen's University.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 23, 2021
**Should Read as 4.5 Stars!**
Read this book in 2008, and its the 3rd volume of the wonderful "Pyke" series.
The year is AD 1840, London, and Pyke suffering after the death of his wife in "The Revenge of Captain Paine" and left with his child, but struggling and unable to keep his finances in order he will end up in debt prison.
Released from there by Fitzroy Tilling, head of the new Metropolitan Police Force, in return Pyke must investigate the murder of a mulatto woman, recently arrived from Jamaica and who was working as a prostitute near the docks in the East of London.
Not long after this death another woman is found in the waters near the docks, also mutilated and murdered as the first victim, and his investigations will get him deeper in a world that smells of sinister and far-reaching individuals.
What will follow is a very thrilling mystery, in which Pyke will meet with various kind of powerful people and dangerous circumstances, and in this environment of money and death Pyke must take on ruthless enemies, before he's able to reveal the culprit behind these hideous murders.
Very much recommended, for this is another very gripping mystery set in Victorian times, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Very Exciting Pyke Mystery"!
Read this book in 2008, and its the 3rd volume of the wonderful "Pyke" series.
The year is AD 1840, London, and Pyke suffering after the death of his wife in "The Revenge of Captain Paine" and left with his child, but struggling and unable to keep his finances in order he will end up in debt prison.
Released from there by Fitzroy Tilling, head of the new Metropolitan Police Force, in return Pyke must investigate the murder of a mulatto woman, recently arrived from Jamaica and who was working as a prostitute near the docks in the East of London.
Not long after this death another woman is found in the waters near the docks, also mutilated and murdered as the first victim, and his investigations will get him deeper in a world that smells of sinister and far-reaching individuals.
What will follow is a very thrilling mystery, in which Pyke will meet with various kind of powerful people and dangerous circumstances, and in this environment of money and death Pyke must take on ruthless enemies, before he's able to reveal the culprit behind these hideous murders.
Very much recommended, for this is another very gripping mystery set in Victorian times, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Very Exciting Pyke Mystery"!
March 13, 2022
'KILL-DEVIL AND WATER' is the third book in the Pyke series and finds our 'hero' languishing in a London prison for non-payment of debt. His personal life is in disarray, he is still grieving the loss of his wife Emily and his relationship with his 10 year-old son Felix has broken down.
Old acquaintance Fitzroy Tilling, now a high ranking officer in the newly formed Metropolitan Police Force, suddenly throws Pyke a lifeline; early release in return for investigating the gruesome murder of a mulatto woman found strangled and her eyes gouged out. The police are unable to investigate themselves because they are tied up trying to find the killer of a murdered nobleman, Lord Bedford, a higher political priority. Pyke, initially hesitant, agrees and soon finds his quest taking him from the slums of London to the plantations of Jamaica and back again mixing with gang lords, pornographers, ex-slave-owners and ex-slaves along the way.
There are some good and some less well done elements to this book. Firstly, it's a solid murder mystery which makes effective use of the historical setting including a few passing references to Dickens and Thackeray. Pepper competently paints the vast social differences of mid-19th century London as well as the lush greenery and savagery of the Jamaican plantations without over-egging it with too many long winded descriptions of the food, clothing and slang of the age.
However, whilst I feel that Pepper's skill as an author has improved since the opening book in the series I simply didn't feel that Pyke has developed accordingly. Pyke is meant to be an anti-hero but comes across simply as an angry man with a massive chip on his shoulder who is over-reliant on his physical prowess. Now I should admit that I skipped the second book in this series so it's possible that I've missed something vital but after finishing this one I'm still uncertain as to what really motivates Pyke. I feel that he lacks the necessary depth to carry the weight of the author's historical observations.
Whilst I believe that this novel is an improvement on the first in the series and is a decent piece of escapism its an OK read rather than a memorable read.
Old acquaintance Fitzroy Tilling, now a high ranking officer in the newly formed Metropolitan Police Force, suddenly throws Pyke a lifeline; early release in return for investigating the gruesome murder of a mulatto woman found strangled and her eyes gouged out. The police are unable to investigate themselves because they are tied up trying to find the killer of a murdered nobleman, Lord Bedford, a higher political priority. Pyke, initially hesitant, agrees and soon finds his quest taking him from the slums of London to the plantations of Jamaica and back again mixing with gang lords, pornographers, ex-slave-owners and ex-slaves along the way.
There are some good and some less well done elements to this book. Firstly, it's a solid murder mystery which makes effective use of the historical setting including a few passing references to Dickens and Thackeray. Pepper competently paints the vast social differences of mid-19th century London as well as the lush greenery and savagery of the Jamaican plantations without over-egging it with too many long winded descriptions of the food, clothing and slang of the age.
However, whilst I feel that Pepper's skill as an author has improved since the opening book in the series I simply didn't feel that Pyke has developed accordingly. Pyke is meant to be an anti-hero but comes across simply as an angry man with a massive chip on his shoulder who is over-reliant on his physical prowess. Now I should admit that I skipped the second book in this series so it's possible that I've missed something vital but after finishing this one I'm still uncertain as to what really motivates Pyke. I feel that he lacks the necessary depth to carry the weight of the author's historical observations.
Whilst I believe that this novel is an improvement on the first in the series and is a decent piece of escapism its an OK read rather than a memorable read.
February 19, 2022
Nice twist at the ending. Bravo!
March 27, 2020
Not read any other books in the series by this author. The story started brightly enough and I liked the sort of political overtones to the story . Descriptive passages are vivid and provide an evocative picture of the life and times of early Victorian London .
However, as novel progressed the antics of the main character Pyke became increasingly (for me ) more and more implausible . The plot got more and more complicated, there are lots of characters who seemingly drift in and out of the story line and it was by the end extremely difficult to get ones head around who was doing what to whom and why. I did finish the book but sadly it was with a feeling of relief that at last I could put it down and move on to the next book , which won't be one in this series .
However, as novel progressed the antics of the main character Pyke became increasingly (for me ) more and more implausible . The plot got more and more complicated, there are lots of characters who seemingly drift in and out of the story line and it was by the end extremely difficult to get ones head around who was doing what to whom and why. I did finish the book but sadly it was with a feeling of relief that at last I could put it down and move on to the next book , which won't be one in this series .
April 1, 2023
I have read the first two books in this series. If you know me at all by now, you know that unlike my mum, I read series in order. We start with the main protagonist in gaol (Newgate I think, which is where the Old Bailey court is today) for not paying his debts. His life is in array, his wife is dead, and he and his 10 year old son have a fractured relationship.
The writing in this book is superb, you really feel like you're there and although she of the subject matter is really grim, it's true to the time. Without revealing a spoiler, I also like how the love interest storyline didn't go as we expected it to. Love is complex no matter what century you're in.
I have already bought the next in the series but I won't be reading it for a while. I like to give other books a chance.
The writing in this book is superb, you really feel like you're there and although she of the subject matter is really grim, it's true to the time. Without revealing a spoiler, I also like how the love interest storyline didn't go as we expected it to. Love is complex no matter what century you're in.
I have already bought the next in the series but I won't be reading it for a while. I like to give other books a chance.
November 25, 2017
# 3 in the Pyke mystery series set in London. May- August, 1840 and Pyke’s self-destructive acts have landed him in debtors' prison, leaving him a stranger to his 10-year-old son, Felix. One of Pyke's few friends in a position of power secures his early release on condition he look into the savage murder of an unidentified young woman found in a seedy London neighborhood. Pyke is soon fired, but continues to investigate the murder which takes him to Jamacia and back.
Pyke is a flawed gruff character who appears to be on a path of self destruction. He’s an intelligent investigator with a tendency to form judgements quickly, can be violent and is a disaster at interperson relationships.
Pyke is a flawed gruff character who appears to be on a path of self destruction. He’s an intelligent investigator with a tendency to form judgements quickly, can be violent and is a disaster at interperson relationships.
October 5, 2017
Interesting read
Good story, appealing to history fans & crime fans. Occasionally farfetched but well written, fast paced & Good attention to detail. Would recommend this & others in the series
Good story, appealing to history fans & crime fans. Occasionally farfetched but well written, fast paced & Good attention to detail. Would recommend this & others in the series
November 9, 2019
White people really have no business writing the full on N word in their books regardless of the character speaking. Pyke felt pity for literal slaveowners surprisingly often. One character was a complete racial caricature.
December 5, 2014
A good, solid historical crime story set in Victorian London.
Pyke is more of an anti-hero than a classic, allround good-guy hero. We find him a debtor's prison at the start of the book, his life in tatters and his ten-year old son in the care of a nanny and an eccentric old uncle. He's released early from prison through the offices of an old colleague from his days as a Bow Street runner, in order to semi-officially investigate the murder of a Jane Doe while the rest of the fledgling police force is occupied by the murder of an aristocrat in his own home.
It's soon clear that Pyke is beset by the memories of his murdered wife, has some occasional issues with drink and drugs, is a bit of a liability as a potential life-partner and has a loose, vigilante style relationship with the law. He is also in possession of a conscience which is not in tune with hypocritical Victorian values of most of his police peers or officials of the city. HIs drive to find the murderer of the young woman puts him in conflict with those in power and pushes him towards some of the darker elements of London society; a place in which he is quite at home in. At times, he is both likeable and unlikeable but is perhaps saved by the fact that the villains are much worse people than he is. The resolution of the crime is not what you'd expect but brings together all elements of the story in a satisfying manner, while cementing Pyke's status as anti-hero.
In it's style and solid sense of time and place, this book would be well-suited to fans of C J Sansom's Shardlake series. There is a strong Dickensian element to this book as well, There is a cast of eccentric and memorable extras such as the morbidly obese journalist Saggers. A rich, living, breathing, energetic London society of the 1840s is brought to life by Andrew Pepper without him ever labouring over facts and details. The family of nasty industrialists he encounters adds a touch of melodrama into the mix as well.
This is an intelligent and smart historical murder mystery which is also morally complex.
Pyke is more of an anti-hero than a classic, allround good-guy hero. We find him a debtor's prison at the start of the book, his life in tatters and his ten-year old son in the care of a nanny and an eccentric old uncle. He's released early from prison through the offices of an old colleague from his days as a Bow Street runner, in order to semi-officially investigate the murder of a Jane Doe while the rest of the fledgling police force is occupied by the murder of an aristocrat in his own home.
It's soon clear that Pyke is beset by the memories of his murdered wife, has some occasional issues with drink and drugs, is a bit of a liability as a potential life-partner and has a loose, vigilante style relationship with the law. He is also in possession of a conscience which is not in tune with hypocritical Victorian values of most of his police peers or officials of the city. HIs drive to find the murderer of the young woman puts him in conflict with those in power and pushes him towards some of the darker elements of London society; a place in which he is quite at home in. At times, he is both likeable and unlikeable but is perhaps saved by the fact that the villains are much worse people than he is. The resolution of the crime is not what you'd expect but brings together all elements of the story in a satisfying manner, while cementing Pyke's status as anti-hero.
In it's style and solid sense of time and place, this book would be well-suited to fans of C J Sansom's Shardlake series. There is a strong Dickensian element to this book as well, There is a cast of eccentric and memorable extras such as the morbidly obese journalist Saggers. A rich, living, breathing, energetic London society of the 1840s is brought to life by Andrew Pepper without him ever labouring over facts and details. The family of nasty industrialists he encounters adds a touch of melodrama into the mix as well.
This is an intelligent and smart historical murder mystery which is also morally complex.
April 3, 2011
This is the third story in the Captain Pike series of books. Pyke is at his lowest point after the death of his wife Emily. He is in a debtors prison while his son Felix is being looked after by servant Jo. He is released from prison by Fitzroy Tilling from the new Metropolitan Police. In return he is given a new investigation after the death of a young mulatto woman. He gains the assistance of a journalist to help him find the killer whilst trying to keep secret the more sensationalist details of the girls murder. When a second woman is then found dead in similar circumstances then he begins to see there is more to these murders then just the deaths of prostitutes. His investigation leads him to the sugar plantations of Jamaica. Again like his previous stories he is in danger against ruthless enemies. He is also trying to win back the affection of his son Felix after his time in prison as well as failing to deal with his confused relationship with servant and friend Jo.
This is another good story in the Pyke series. Its another entertaining historical detective novel influenced by Dickens and the social deprivation of Victorian London.
This is another good story in the Pyke series. Its another entertaining historical detective novel influenced by Dickens and the social deprivation of Victorian London.
July 11, 2013
Fantastic Who Done It. I am actually a fantasy reader but someone recommended this author to me because I occasionally read historical crime ie Shardlake series. I'm so glad they did because I am now a great fan. Glad to say I haven't finished the series yet and keep hoping Andrew Pepper will write some more of these books before I do.
I love the main character Pyke. He's a bit of a naughty lad and has a bit of a sad character but he has a heart for all that is broken. The twist in this book was totally unexpected and completely caught me out. Just didn't see it coming. I have traveled to Ireland with Pyke before but this time we went to the Caribbean. Andrew Pepper always make me feel like I'm actually there (only whilst I'm reading, of course). What always amazes me about Pyke is he constantly gets into difficult situations and I keep thinking 'oh my goodness, he'll never get out of this one,' but he somehow he always manages and always in a convincing manner.
This series is a must read.
I love the main character Pyke. He's a bit of a naughty lad and has a bit of a sad character but he has a heart for all that is broken. The twist in this book was totally unexpected and completely caught me out. Just didn't see it coming. I have traveled to Ireland with Pyke before but this time we went to the Caribbean. Andrew Pepper always make me feel like I'm actually there (only whilst I'm reading, of course). What always amazes me about Pyke is he constantly gets into difficult situations and I keep thinking 'oh my goodness, he'll never get out of this one,' but he somehow he always manages and always in a convincing manner.
This series is a must read.
October 5, 2010
Pyke starts off this story incarcerated in debtors prison. He is given early release on tbe orders of his friend Fitzroy Tilling, who is now a Deputy Commissioner in the newly formed Metropolitan Police, on the understanding that he investigates the murder of a young mulatto woman who has recently arrived from Jamaica. Tillings police force are busy investigating ghe murder of an influentual aristocrat. The girls body was found in the crime riddled East End, and her eyes had been cut out. It bore all the ingredients of a ritual killing. Pykes investigations take him to Jamaica as well as London's dockland. He unearths several other murders where the victims eyes have been removed, as well as links to the murdered aristoccrat.
A Fast paced story, which like the others in the series, is hard to put down. It has a surprising twist at the end. Highly recommended.
A Fast paced story, which like the others in the series, is hard to put down. It has a surprising twist at the end. Highly recommended.
February 4, 2017
For me Pyke is a larger-than life character with all his strength and weakness, his own moral compass, his stubbornness and endurance, and his intricate relationship to women.
He makes decisions which I may understand but would never agree with.
Kill-Devil and Water is strong and rousing because of Pyke, because of the story told with twists an turns and a lot of emotion, because of the depiction of life in London and on Jamaica and because of the writing.
You need to get to get into the character and into the story without prejudice and you will be rewarded with a fascinating and entertaining read.
This is third of the five available Pyke mysteries. I'm really sad about the fact that Andrew Pepper did not continue the series.
Nevertheless I look forward to read the two remaining books in the series
He makes decisions which I may understand but would never agree with.
Kill-Devil and Water is strong and rousing because of Pyke, because of the story told with twists an turns and a lot of emotion, because of the depiction of life in London and on Jamaica and because of the writing.
You need to get to get into the character and into the story without prejudice and you will be rewarded with a fascinating and entertaining read.
This is third of the five available Pyke mysteries. I'm really sad about the fact that Andrew Pepper did not continue the series.
Nevertheless I look forward to read the two remaining books in the series
December 14, 2009
The story starts with Pyke in debtors' prison being sprung by a member of the newly formed Metropolitan Police in order to investigate the murder of a young 'mulatto' woman. Pyke feels responsible for this woman because the police are using all their resources to solve the murder of a rich lord who died at the same time. As Pyke's investigation takes him to all strands of London's society and even to Jamaica, he finds connections between the two murders. After three novels Pyke appears to have grown on me as I don't find him so despicable anymore. Interesting enough adventure but nothing stellar.
May 8, 2011
The author writes better than a lot of other mystery authors, but there was just too much going on in this book and I was only a third of the way through the book when I set it aside, something I rarely do.
March 11, 2010
This story dries up around page 200. The last 176 are long and drawn out with too many storylines and characters.
April 9, 2010
Great premise but rapidly loses any drive, is poorly written and the hero is a bit of an idiot - much better stuff available.
March 21, 2011
Enjoyable crime novel set in early Victorian London, getting quite a soft spot for Mr Pyke.
February 24, 2014
NOTE: Captain John Porteous never saw Newgate! All the events of his death are firmly fixed in the centre of Edinburgh!
April 12, 2017
Poor stuff, I'm afraid. The plot is massively over-complicated, as if to make up for run-of-the-mill writing. The character of Pyke is too complex to work. There are vast numbers of historical detective stories out there at the moment, and this is far from being amongst the best.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews