When his mentor retires, Henry is left in charge of an occult detective agency in Edwardian London, where he explores cases of the “abnatural.” He’s finding his way as the new manager of agency employees Violet and Christopher, but a new case threatens to upset everything. A menacing evil has launched a personal and well-researched attack on the trio and the world at large. This atmospheric tale has strong worldbuilding and a well-constructed mystery plot, but its outcast characters particularly shine. Christopher is a monster not of this world, Violet has dark paranormal powers with deep and misunderstood roots, and Henry a gay man in a society where nothing could be worse. McOmber maintains the pace by alternating between the three points of view. The characters’ reckoning with their pasts builds intrigue and suspense, inspires sympathy, and allows exposition and plot twists to flow naturally.
VERDICT This series opener will have a wide readership because of the authentic setting, well-drawn protagonists, and compelling but not overly terrifying mystery. It expertly pays homage to writers like Algernon Blackwood (originator of this kind of story) and to present-day works that explore the format, like Alma Katsu’s The Deep, or Steven Hopstaken and Melissa Prusi’s “Stoker’s Wilde” series.
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