London - During the Reign of Queen Victoria

Tom Wasp is a master chimney sweep who, along with his eleven-year-old chummy, Ned, works hard at their difficult trade. When well-to-do artist Valentine Drake hires Tom to appear in his painting that he's titled, Cast Out, along with his long-time model, Bessie Barton, Tom agrees. He notices right away how much Drake adores Bessie, although it's obvious that, while Bessie likes the artist, her feelings are not as strong. When Tom finds Bessie brutally murdered, he promises himself that he will find the killer.

There are a number of possible suspects, and Tom methodically begins to whittle down the list, occasionally with the help of the London police, but usually it's just he and Ned pursuing their goal. Drake belongs to a group of artists nicknamed Angels, all of whom have, at one time or another, had Bessie as their model. Plus, there is a mysterious man only known as Moonman whom Bessie and her sisters were terrified of. Bessie is the second sister to have died, and the remaining two sisters could also be targets. In the meantime, the police have decided that Drake is the likely suspect, and he's been thrown into Newgate Prison. Convinced that Drake isn't the murderer, Tom knows he must now work faster to prove the man's innocence and try to prevent any more killings.

Gritty, heartbreaking, and occasionally uplifting, TOM WASP AND THE MURDERED STUNNER is narrated by the earthy sweepie who compares much of what he observes to his occupation. Tom's insightful musings as he peels away the layers of Bessie's past are heartfelt and pragmatic. Knowing Bessie's innate goodness, and aware that she kept more than one secret from him, Tom is determined to not only prove Drake's innocence, but also Bessie's.

This is a fantastic story with an excellent cast of well-rounded characters. Tom's inner feelings are wonderfully portrayed, showing his goodness, common sense, and willingness to trust in a time when the streets of London were corrupt and dangerous. He's rough around the edges, and his colloquial phrases will make readers scratch their heads at times, but it all makes perfect, albeit chimney sweep, sense! Secondary characters are absolutely essential in the progress of this tale, especially the bath-hating Ned.

An extremely well-written, down-to-the-last-page mystery, don't miss TOM WASP AND THE MURDERED STUNNER. It's a winner!

Jani Brooks