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DANCE WITH DEATH - Will Thomas London - 1893 The private enquiry firm of Barker and Llewelyn (they prefer not to be called detectives), has been approached by a rather unique client with a very unique offer. Jim Hercules has asked the men to take on the protection of the tsarevich of Russia, Nicholas. Hercules is a ceremonial guard, a former boxer from the United States, and a black man pretending to be an Ethiopian guard. Complicated? Yes. And both Barker and Llewelyn are confused as to why Hercules is seeking them out instead of the Russian contingent who usually guard Nicholas? That seems to be the main reason Hercules is there, because he doesn't trust the Tsar's men, or the Russian royal family who evidently don't think Nicholas should be the next ruler. What happens next proves to Barker and Llewelyn that someone, indeed, is gunning for the tsarevich when an assassin mistakes England's Prince for the tsarevich. Luckily, he misses, but is then killed by another assassin before anyone can question him. Barker and Llewelyn witness the incident, and Llewelyn is the one who grabs the tsarevich, who came outside the palace to see what was going on and hustles him inside. It seems there are any number of people who fall into the category of suspects! It's up to the firm to narrow down just who has the most to win by the death of Nicholas. There are anarchists in London from every part of the globe, but the Russian ones who fled their homeland when the tsar's Cossacks attacked them seem to be prime suspects. Or there is Nicholas' ballerina mistress who has made several threats to make sure she is the only one he should marry. But then, Nicholas has a few relatives hanging around who could have a grudge. And there are rumors of the mysterious assassin, La Sylphide, has been hired to remove the tsarevich. The firm has its hands full narrowing things down. Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn have worked together for ten years. Barker, enigmatic and brilliant, started the business, taking in Thomas as a partner. Thomas is married, trustworthy, and devoted to his wife and his partner. But this new job has them both baffled as more and more clues rise to the surface. The men find danger at every turn but are determined to keep Nicholas safe. Book thirteen of the Barker & Llewelyn series, DANCE WITH DEATH is a non-stop thriller. The story is told through the eyes of Thomas Llewelyn, and his observations are both serious and, at times, humorous. All in all, this is an excellent mystery, and the ending is a surprise. Jani Brooks |
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