Fatal Enquiry - (Barker & Llewelyn Novel) by Will Thomas (Paperback)

About the Book

"Victorian London private enquiry agent Cyrus Barker and his assistant, Thoma Llewelyn, find themselves matching wits again with Barker's nemesis--aristocrat and sociopath Sebastian Nightwine. The British government has granted Nightwine immunity for his past crimes, and knowing that Barker will be determined to thwart his plans, Nightwine makes the first move by framing Barker for murder. Barker and Llewelyn, on the run for their very lives, must still uncover and thwart Nightwine's real scheme, before it's too late."--Page 4 of cover.

Book Synopsis

Winner of the Oklahoma Book Award for Fiction

Brimming with wit, atmosphere, and unforgettable characters, FATAL ENQUIRY reintroduces private enquiry agent Cyrus Barker and his assistant, Thomas Llewellyn, and their unforgettable world of Victorian London.

Some years ago, Cyrus Barker matched wits with Sebastian Nightwine, an aristocrat and sociopath, and in exposing his evil, sent Nightwine fleeing to hide from justice somewhere in the far corners of the earth. The last thing Barker ever expected was to encounter Nightwine again-but the British government, believing they need Nightwine's help, has granted him immunity for his past crimes, and brought him back to London. Nightwine, however, has more on his mind than redemption-and as Barker and Llewellyn set out to uncover and thwart Nightwine's real scheme, they find themselves in the gravest danger of their lives.

Review Quotes

"Classic detective duos...make lively companions....One such classic pair can be found in Will Thomas's Victorian mysteries featuring Cyrus Barker, private inquiry agent and resident genius, and Thomas Llewelyn, his young associate, who narrates their energetic adventures.... The best fun in this Big Boys' Adventure Book is observing Barker in action." --Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review

"Cyrus' sixth (The Black Hand, 2008, etc.) is a page-turner...Thrilling." --Kirkus Reviews

"Thomas's witty sixth Victorian thriller featuring private enquiry agent Cyrus Barker provides welcome glimpses of Barker's early life.... Readers will relish the appealing characters, clever twists, and colorful vision of late 19th-century London." --Publishers Weekly

"Like Sherlock Holmes, Barker stays a step ahead of both criminals and coppers, but his methods rely on networking both underworld and society contacts, which treats readers to the full range of experiences in Victorian London. Well-crafted and immersive, this a great addition to the to-be-read stacks of Thomas' fans, as well as fans of Alex Grecian and Anne Perry." --Booklist

"Readers rejoice and scoundrels take heed--the streets of Victorian London just got a little safer now that Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn are back on the case! ... Newcomers are sure to be absorbed into these warm, witty, and richly atmospheric historicals, and devotees will not be disappointed." --Library Journal (starred review)

"This is what Conan Doyle would write after taking tea with Lee Child.... This is as good as it gets." --Julia Spencer-Fleming on Will Thomas

"Will Thomas is a cult waiting to happen. His rich genuine Victorian voice draws you in from the first sentence. The pace never lags and every chapter yields a new delight." --William Bernhardt on Will Thomas

"Stunning, witty, informative, thrilling -how often do you get all of these in one book? If you blended the authenticity of Conan Doyle, the research of Caleb Carr and the sheer readability of someone like Grisham, you'd have some idea of the bliss of reading Will Thomas." --Ken Bruen, author of The Guards on Will Thomas

"Will Thomas has worked his way up on my personal list of When's the Next One? So I was overjoyed (although not surprised) to find The Black Hand easily living up to the previous adventures of this unlikely, stimulating colorful pair of investigators. Which leaves me with the question, when's the next one?" --Laurie R. King, New York Times bestselling author of Garment of Shadows on The Black Hand

"This series is a constant pleasure. Barker and Llewellyn are two of my favorite sleuths, and their Victorian London evokes images of damp fogs and gaslights and muted footsteps on cobblestone streets. What mystery lover could ask for more?" --Sharon Kay Penman, author of Lionheart

"Thomas explores wonderful uncharted territory." --Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review on Some Danger Involved

"Thomas's storytelling is top-notch, generously filled with humor and attention to detail. He brings to life a London roiling with secret leagues, deadly organizations, and hidden clubs." --Detroit Free Press on Some Danger Involved

About the Author

WILL THOMAS is the author of the Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn series, including The Black Hand, The Hellfire Conspiracy, The Limehouse Text, To Kingdom Come, and the Shamus and Barry award-nominated Some Danger Involved. He lives with his family in Oklahoma.