Shadow of the Serpent

Inspector McLevy #1

by David Ashton

Known as the father of forensics and a likely influence on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, real-life police inspector James McLevy is here reinvented by David Ashton in this the first thrilling Inspector McLevy Mystery, Shadow of the Serpent. 1880, Edinburgh, Election fever grips the city. But while the rich and educated argue about politics, in the dank wynds of the docks it's a struggle just to stay alive. When a prostitute is brutally murdered, disturbing memories from thirty years ago are stirred in McLevy who is soon lured into a murky world of politics, perversion and deception—and the shadow of the serpent.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Historical Fiction, Scotland, Historical, Historical Mystery

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

David Ashton (born 10 November 1941 in Greenock) is a Scottish actor and writer. Trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, 1964–67, he has acted in a wide variety of film, television, theatre and radio roles. He has also developed a parallel career as a writer of fiction, film and television screenplays and plays for theatre and radio. His radio play The Old Ladies at the Zoo, which starred Peggy Mount and Liz Smith, won the Radio Times Drama Award in 1985.

Reviews

[The Bookish Wombat · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the Victorian era, Edinburgh prostitutes are being murdered by a particularly vicious killer. Inspector James McLevy has seen something similar before, but can the trail really be leading to a nationally-prominent figure?

I read a lot of crime books, and being Scottish, I particularly enjoy those set in my homeland. I also enjoy anything set in the Victorian era, so this book was a real treat. The central character, James McLevy is very much his own man, doesn't suffer fools glady and relishes making his superiors uncomfortable.

The seedy background of the port of Leith is vividly drawn and the book's characters range from the highest in the land to those trapped in a life of poverty and violence. The plot keeps you guessing as the hints at the identity of the killer point to a historical figure that the reader cannot really believe is guilty, yet all the evidence points that way. The novel's denouement is exciting, clever and satisfying.

I look forward to reading the next novels in the series.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book, I expected to settle into it like an old friend but instead found it to be a little prickly like it's protagonist Inspector James McLevy.

McLevy is a bit of an odd duck, gruff and tough and standoffish but with a sly sense of humor which I enjoyed. Here are a few witty remarks from him as he's discussing the murder he's currently investigating with his superior, "I'm sure if the woman knew what a nuisance she was going to be, she'd have arranged to be murdered in another parish, sir." And then this regarding a suspect in the case ..."He's a Dublin man, the only blood they like is in their sausage." While he did have me chuckling at his sarcasm and biting remarks I didn't like him very much through most of the book. Ashton slowly reveals McLevy's history, learning about his childhood made me appreciate his toughness, by the end of the book I did like him.

There were many Scottish-isms that added to the unsettled feeling I had as I began the book, some that stumped my dictionary. Here are some I highlighted: unco, guid, sleekit, lang, dreep, sookin' up, pursy, semmit, thrapple, Gardyloo, scunner, heid-yins, gormless, deific, Teuchter, clamjamfry, keelies, sclaffie and oxters. I was glad I read this in the kindle version on the iPad so it was easy to check the meanings in the dictionary but as I said many of these terms weren't found.

The mystery was also a bit unusual in that it seemed like McLevy should have been thinking what I was thinking as all of the evidence was building against his suspect. The bad guy was one of those very bad 'bad guys' and the climax seemed a little unlikely. But I have to say I came away from this enjoying it despite all the unsettled feelings I had for the mystery, the characters and the foreign terminology.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Mclevy mystery occurs prior to the end of the BBC audio series. It is also more closely linked to Victorian politics than some of the other mysteries. While the focus is on Mclevy, and we get more of his backstory, which is a little different than you think. In many ways, Mclevy was made to saunter Leith.

The other supporting characters from the series also make appearances, so of course we have the gossip of Jean Brash and Mclevy over coffee scenes.

The bit that rings a bit off is the historical based mystery that is tied into Gladstone and the battle for the control of Parliament. The conspiracy seems a bit too – man on the grassy knoll.

Still it was an enjoyable trip back to Edinburgh.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Ashton is an excellent author. I love his writing. Inspector McLevy is a great character. The description of Edinburgh is awesome and the use of old words and Scottish words (I admit I had to use an online Scottish dictionary several times) is the cherry on the cake when it comes to authencity.
After reading the firts book in the series I understand why the original Inspector McLevy may have been an inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Can't wait to read more ...

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read a lot of crime fiction and especially detective fiction, so a Victorian mystery set in Scotland that was based on a real person sounded intriguing. Unfortunately, this book didn’t begin to hold my attention until it was almost over. I found too many problematic juxtapositions, the main one being the hardboiled tone rubbing right up against Victorian 1880. I almost expected McLevy to say “What’s a dame like you doin’ in a place like this?” when Ms. Lightfoot appears. Once I realized that this was fundamentally a hardboiled novel, it was hard to unsee.

Another juxtaposition that bothered me was the occasional inappropriate reminiscence right before something startling happened. I understand that was supposed to shock, but sometimes it seemed tone deaf and other times it was just poor writing. For example, there is a bit about how sexy a character finds knives and you assume that they see a knife and are having some dirty thoughts about it, but no. It’s a random comment that seems really insensitive right before bad things happen and the character probably didn’t have time to see a knife at all. It’s some kind of weird scene setting that made me feel that the author had done as much violence to his character as his fictional bad guy had. I almost put the book down right there….I don’t mind violence or shocking things, but when it is done ineptly, that’s a problem.

Ultimately, the political link to the crimes seemed unlikely and the ultimate reveal even more unlikely.

I did enjoy the characterization of Mulholland. I also felt that the second half of the knowledge had more interesting characterization of McLevy and his relationships. The second half was less plodding and had more integration of Scottish speech with the narration. I finally became invested in McLevy and Mulholland by the end, but mot enough to read more books in the series. If I could learn more about the characters without having to sit through a plodding and then improbable plot……

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read other Victorian-era mysteries and others set in Edinburgh, but none of them were quite like the McLevy. Based on a BBC radio show about an actual Edinburgh policeman, they are quite rough and brutal in places, especially in the way McLevy handles criminals. This particular crime involves politics (and if Victorian politics don't interest you, you may not want to read this novel). The coming election has Gladstone versus Disraeli for prime minister. When a woman is killed in a horrible way--and is there any other way in Victorian times, McLevy is reminded of a murder when he was a young constable, and the promise he made to his dying superior--who was wounded when McLevy left him to go charging after a miscreant--that he'd one day solve that crime, no matter what. Unfortunately, circumstanial evidence and the appearance of a mysterious woman who claims too have proof, point to candidate Gladstone as the killer in both instances. Considering who's involved, McLevy's new superior officer wants to sweep it all under the rug but McLevy refuses to do so even when he's taken off the case. Some of the inspector's background, and the fact that his assistance Constable Mulholland doesn't always see eye-to-eye with McLevy, and a look into the killer's mind add depth to the story.

A brooding mystery whose Kindle cover sets the mood. A little darker than most, and occasionally McLevy isn't the most likable person in this particular universe, but it's intriguing enough and well-written and will undoubtedly make the reader ask for more.



This novel was purchased by the reviewer and no remuneration was involved in the writing of this review.

[Agnesxnitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently discovered the Inspector McLevy series for myself, quite how this story arc has bypassed me I don't know as it is right up my dark criminal interest street!
Based on the life and cases of a real police detective in Edinburgh in the mid-late 1800s, McLevy is a champion Thieftaker - he will do what he needs to in order to bring the miscreants to justice and he is not above a full on dirty moves allowed fist fight in order to do so. Accompanied by his faithful Constable, Mullholland, the two men roam the darker streets and low areas of both high and low Edinburgh society.
This is the first novel, a spin off from the author's radio series about the detective. In it, McLevy's early life is documented, and it explains a lot! In addition to the case he is handed as private investigation involving the future PM, McLevy and Mulholland are in pursuit of rival gangs of mostly medical students staging challenges to each other across the city. While mostly high jinks describes their initial efforts, all of a sudden people start turning up dead as a result of the student's extracurricular activities - what is really going on here?
In a lighter side of the novel, McLevy's unexplained friendship with Jean Brash, Madam at the most infamous and luxurious brothel in the City, The Happy Land, continues apace. Both socially unacceptable in their different ways, they have forged a strange bond, mostly over a mutual addiction to good coffee but with an interest in crime and human nature not far behind.
Borrowed from the library, currently unable to return because of Covid 19.

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

"The dark and dank underbelly of Scotland's capital has long fed the criminal imagination from Conan Doyle to Ian Rankin. The Victorian detective, Inspector James McLevy, logged his own real-life experiences of Leith's criminal fraternity, and now David Ashton brilliantly reinvents this fascinating character in a thrilling mystery: Shadow of the Serpent.

"The year is 1880, and election fever grips the city. Yet McLevy regards the frenzy with a jaundiced eye: he believes in justice and it is also his conviction that justice and politics rarely go hand in hand. When a prostitute is brutally murdered, unpleasant memories from thirty years previously are stirred. Could a leading politician be embroiled in sex, scandal and murder? Who is McLevy's mysterious female informant? And who is behind the menacing figure of the Serpent?

"Shadow of the Serpent is a tale of politics, perversion and psychological mystery that leads McLevy down the tangled labyrinth of Edinburgh wynds to a chilling and terrifying climax."
~~back cover

I don't know what possessed me to put this book on my wishlist. "The dark and dank underbelly of Scotland's capital has long fed the criminal imagination" should have raised the red flag: I'm not fond of this genre. Regardless, I tried; 146 pages out of 247, and then I just couldn't stick in any longer. Dark machinations, endless pages of McLevy's foul temper, etc. I don't care who did it: I quit.

[Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an unexpectedly awesome book. I love historical mysteries, and I was certainly expecting to enjoy this, but it was much better than I anticipated. I'm unfamiliar with the BBC show, so I didn't know anything about the characters or world going in. But boy oh boy, does this feel like a well realized world. Leith feels like a living, breathing historical place. The characters were complex and well drawn, where you learn little bits and pieces of them but enough ambiguity exists to keep you interested long term. As for the plot, I really didn't enjoy it for a lot of it. Not because it was poorly written! But because it was playing with established history that clearly wasn't real, and apologies, but that stuff irks me. There was a nice twist however that was both unexpected and pleasing that I completely changed my tune by the end! If you like complex characters, good historical detail, with an interesting plot, I would highly recommend. Historical mystery fans in general should like this one. I look forward to continuing with the series.

Quick hits:
+ Well drawn main characters.
+ A well realized historically accurate world.
+ Each of the side storylines and characters were interesting and had some depth.
+ The book read quickly and never meandered.
+/- The plot ended up being rather enjoyable, but if you're a stickler for historical accuracy, a lot of it will bother you. But I do think by the end you'll be happy.

5/5, onto the next!

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in Victorian Leith, Edinburgh, Inspector James McLevy investigates the brutal murders of women killed with an axe. It delves into the political history of the time and brings in real-life characters such as Gladstone and Disraeli.

When I picked this up, I was so excited! I live in Edinburgh, so it's great to read stories set in a place I know well. I love that period of history, and bringing in the politics of 1890 sealed the deal.

It should have had all the makings of a great novel, but sadly, for me just fell below the mark. I felt the writing style was stilted, and the story hasn't moved from the radio show into a novel format particularly well. The characters were a bit flat, and the mystery was slow and laboured. Instead of wanting to know who the killer was, I just wanted it to end.

It's such a shame. I wanted to enjoy this series, but I won't be continuing with it. I had to force myself to finish this one even though it was only 250 pages long.

[Shell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Edinburgh during the 1830s, the book begins with the discovery of a murdered prostitute who has been brutally mutilated. Inspector James McLevy is reminded of some similar crimes that took place 30 years before. When a lady informant comes forward with some information, backing up his suspicions, he begins to investigate a highly placed politician and is struck off the case for treading on toes. Whilst trailing his suspect during a heavy fog, he loses sight of him and another girl is murdered in the same manner. Should he carry on with his investigations, now that he is off the case?
An excellent book, easy to read and full of facts about Victorian living and the politics of the day. Not at all heavy and has a lovely gentle humor running through it, which saves it from being too dark. James McLevy is a great inspector and the story of his childhood is told alongside the main plot. A great start to a refreshing series, I look forward to getting the second book.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just a bit better than a 2 star rating for me. The first in this series, introducing Inspector McLevy, and his helper ,a Sargent MulHolland. It is set in Leith, in the Victorian time when Gladstone and Disraeli vying for election. Queen Victoria has her own view on who she wants to be the Prime Minister. Meanwhile McLevy is investigating the murder of a prostitute, who has been killed with an axe, and it seems a similar murder was never solved thirty years before. We do get to learn some of McLevy's backstory, which helps to understand personality.
It seems that this book was base on a BBC radio show , and that may be the reason why I had a bit of trouble with some of the Scottish words. I may very well read on in the series, but I am not in a rush to do so

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I might have liked this book more if I had read it instead of listening to it. With thick accents it was hard to follow and it seemed that police Inspector James McLevy was always talking to himself. It took me forever to finish it.

Inspector James McLevy is apparently known as the father of forensics. In this story he must investigate the murder of a prostitute. His investigation leads him in many directions including into the lives of the very rich and the politically inclined.

I may try a second book, reading only, because I may feel differently when I can fully (hopefully) understand what is going on.

[Duncan Steele · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dull, plodding and with a central mystery that sadly lacks any actual mystery.

The entire plot is so screamingly obvious from around page 30 that you wonder how McLevy ever managed to make Inspector such is his willingness to be led by the nose towards the desired outcome before an utterly nonsensical plot device (which I'd spotted about 10 lines into the introduction of said character and will be baffled if anyone fails to spot it) unmasks the killer.

And the killer has to behave stupidly for the final confrontation when they could have easily completed their task without McLevy ever being fully involved.

Nonsensical nonsense.

[Dana Linde · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the mystery aspect and the setting, the author's writing style made this a less than enjoyable read. Inspector McLevy and his constable are an interesting pair, but the use of Gaellic terms, I assume, and the abundance of fragments make navigating this book more effort than the story merits. I often had to look over passages several times to try to understand what the author was saying. I also didn't enjoy how the story is left unresolved in relation to Gladstone and the 30-year-old crime. I don't think I will be continuing with this series.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1880 Edinburgh where Inspector McLevy is a tough, determined investigator of the axe murders of two prostitutes in Leith tied in with a similar killing in 1850. Resolute McLevy has seen a lot and is hard on subordinates but not stereotypically so. He knows the habits and nature of the criminal and poorer classes even though, here, Gladstone (who is a suspect) and Disraeli are both major characters in a dense, evocative and intriguing read which includes a trip to Berlin. This is all, unfortunately, spoiled by an overdone, melodramatic climax. 3.5 stars

[Susan Wight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in 1880 Edinburgh, the mystery begins with the brutal murder of woman on the streets. The dismisses her, "a common whore from the looks" but Inspector McLevy insists she deserves justice. He knew the girl as he knows many of the people on his patch and the case reminds him of another thirty years before.

The denouement was a little weird, but overall the story had a good sense of atmosphere and mystery and I'll read Inspector McLevy again.

[Gary and Sandra Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story

Never heard of this BBC radio show I wasn't sure how the story would be, well I can tell you you won't be disappointed with this book. Mr. Ashton takes you to 1880 Edinburgh with all its dirt and grime, of living in perpetual poverty and the people who inhabit the area. You have a middle-aged police investigator trying to find a fiendish murderer and all the road blocks and characters he encounters . That makes for a great story.

[Soozee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry, I had two attempts to read this, I managed 53% but its just too hard going. The language, the heavy back stories, the slow plot. I felt I should enjoy it; I love so many historical mysteries, but I found this one just too solid. The author failed to make Victorian Edinburgh come to life for me. A shame, but I won't be reading any more.

[Miss J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

Not the best Victorian crime.. Got slightly at a loss in some places as to why we're privy to meetings with the Queen and Disraeli. Didn't seem to be any connection. Maybe just me. Inspector and his side kick good characters, but if you want better, you could do worse than read Edinburgh Twilight....

[Ralph · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've never heard the BBC broadcasts of McLevy starring Brian Cox and Siobhan Redmond you're missing out on a major treat and should listen to them before reading this. This is a decent stand alone novel by the creator of the radio series and a decent read in its own right but suffers a little from not featuring Mistress Jean Brash enough in the proceedings. Still a fabulous creation though

[Janey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories are unremarkable, set in Victorian Edinburgh. This dramatised version was quite hard to follow without full concentration, and the content did not really justify simply sitting and listening. So not a huge success for me.

[Charli333 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic first book in the series which brings to life 19th century Edinburgh in all its glory and gore. Brilliant characters, and a vivid and historic look at politics, and the key political figures of the time. A must read!

[Mark Krajnak · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got through 47% and I though "meh". Not intrigued enough to keep going. Maybe I'm burned out on Edinburgh crime fiction, having just finished Edinburgh Twilight and Edinburgh Dusk. Perhaps I'll resume this at some point.

[Kathy Holm · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Shadow of the Serpent

I found this book boring and hard to follow...too much policies!...you need to be a student of British .history.
I will try to read this book again after I do some research of my own

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A crime/mystery set in Victorian Edinburgh. While written in a more formal style fitting the time period the characters and plot lines are comparable with those set in contemporary settings. A brief visit to the city years ago enhances my enjoyment.

[Mr G Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quality in every word.

Ashton's writing is a delight. Its like poetry. He is in different league from most authors and having first been introduced to McLeavy as a radio play I hear Brian Cox in my head as the man himself. It's one of those books you are sorry to have finished.

[Thebroadgrumps · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyable - an Edinburgh detective in the mid 19C

[Sue Keeble · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rattling read. A murky, gruesome Victorian world of crime set in Edinburgh in the 1880s. The character of the inspector is well drawn. Will definitely read another Inspector McLevy novel.

[Martina Fagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good detective story. If you like Sherlock Holmes you will probably enjoy this book.