I came to this book having been mightily impressed with Sarah Smith’s time traveller trilogy for young adults ‘The Secret of Aldwych Strand’. If you haven’t read these three books, then do, as they are excellent. In this adult murder mystery, Ms Smith makes full use of her meticulous research to paint a wonderfully detailed picture of Britain at the very beginning of the 20th Century. The main characters are all well drawn and Symington Byrd makes a convincing ‘gentleman detective’. The murder seems relatively straightforward at the start, but we are soon drawn into a complex web of intrigue both political and personal. The clash of cultures between the criminal class and ‘society’ creates some interesting friction. As in her previous trilogy the blending of fictional and real characters from history works extremely well. All good detective fiction should keep you guessing to the end, and this does not disappoint. A very enjoyable read. Looking forward to reading more from this author.