The Mangle Street Murders

Personal detective Sidney Grice takes on March Middleton as his ward in Victorian London. The two begin investigating a grisly murder case when a distraught woman seeks their help regarding her son-in-law's death. March serves as both assistant and chronicler to the eccentric Grice, navigating his peculiar methods and abrasive personality. Their investigation leads them through London's dark corners and into the lives of suspects from various social classes. The book combines elements of classic detective fiction with darker Gothic undertones. Multiple murders, cryptic clues, and complex character relationships drive the narrative forward through the fog-filled streets of 1882 London. This twist on the Victorian detective genre explores themes of gender roles and social conventions while questioning the nature of truth and justice in an era of rapid change.

Readers note similarities to Sherlock Holmes but with darker, more gruesome elements. Many appreciate the Victorian London atmosphere and the complex relationship between detective Sidney Grice and March Middleton. Positives: - Sharp, witty dialogue - Detailed historical setting - Strong female protagonist in March - Complex mystery plotting - Dark humor throughout Negatives: - Sidney Grice's personality can be too abrasive - Some find the violence excessive - Pacing issues in the middle sections - Period-accurate but potentially offensive attitudes toward women and minorities Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (1,200+ ratings) Common reader comments: "Great Victorian atmosphere but Grice takes getting used to" - Goodreads "Excellent mystery but too gory for my taste" - Amazon "The banter between characters keeps you reading" - LibraryThing "Like Holmes & Watson with an edge" - Amazon

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🔍 M.R.C. Kasasian worked as a factory hand, wine waiter, and fairground worker before becoming a dentist for 27 years - quite a contrast to his eventual career as a mystery writer. 🎯 The Mangle Street Murders is set in 1882 London and features March Middleton, who was named after the month she was born in and becomes the ward of London's most famous personal detective. 🏛️ The book pays homage to Sherlock Holmes while subverting Victorian detective fiction tropes, particularly through its strong-willed female protagonist who drinks, smokes, and defies period social conventions. 🗝️ The story's detective, Sidney Grice, has a glass eye that he regularly changes to match his moods - a distinctive character trait that becomes a recurring element throughout the series. 📚 The novel launched "The Gower Street Detective" series, which grew to include six books, with the final installment published in 2019.