Two worlds, two surprises, and murder!

The Man in the Shadows (World’s End Bureau Victorian Mystery #3) by Alys Clare 

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Two cases taken up by the  World’s End Bureau. Lily Raynor takes one—the missing Russian child—a refugee from Russia. Felix Wilbraham the other—looking for evidence that would show a condemned man hung for the murder of his fiancé, was innocent.

The contrast between the Victorian dockside, the pursuit of a child newly arrived from Russia, down dank and dangerous alleys and slipways, along the canal docksides is overpowering and grim. (Clare’s descriptions invoke the overlay of despair in these areas). This is where Lily’s investigations take her. By her side is another Russian immigrant and lost youngster—Alexai. At her side, when needed, is Tamáz Edey, master of the canal boat The Dawning of the Day. Tamáz has been a welcome presence in all of Lily’s cases. He understands danger and the supernatural. (He’d gifted Lily a protective amulet in their first encounter). For all its evidence of misery this is also a place where the inhabitants at moments stand together for their own. Evil tracks the child Yakov, relentless and dark. Once again a miasma of the supernatural passes across Lily’s life.

By contrast Felix is in a pastoral delight with blue skies and the rich smell of the earth, even as it is layered with its own sense of brokenness. Felix’s investigations have him making contact with an arm of his family he knows little about. The contrast is great but that will change.

How these two worlds will collide is what has me puzzled. Clare manages that in the most disarming way.

Lily and Felix’s strengths and little details of their lives are emerging. They are growing as characters. A pleasing aspect. 

Another brilliant and palpable read from Clare that had me at various times puzzled, often breathless, and always wondering!

A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.