Dark and vengeful!

The Scream of Sins (Simon Westow #6) by Chris Nickson    

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow! Chris Nickson once again transports us back to 1824 Leeds. Atmospheric and stark reality color every page.

Simon Westow (the thief-taker) has a new client, an ex cavalry officer, and son of one of Leeds most notorious magistrates, who’s proving to be evasive and high handed. He wants Simon to find some stolen papers of his dead father’s but will give him no clues. It turns out others are on the trail and the dead bodies begin to stack up.

Something dark is happening in the lanes and alleyways of Leeds.

Jane has befriended a young girl, Sally, in whom she sees herself at that age. Sally feels protective of the children who live on the streets. In particular one small girl, Emma,  who doesn’t quite seem like the others. Jane and Sally discover she and her sister were grabbed from a park when they hid from her governess. Emma was released because she was too old. Harriet, all of four, was deemed suitable.

Both Simon and Porter the Constable are shocked. They will become more so. Power and money are at work.

Sally comes more into the picture as Jane decides to only help when Simon really needs her. Her relationship with Simon has not been the same since he intervened in her planned revenge. Jane hasn’t really come to terms with Simon’s actions. She’s become more distant from the family.

Nickson’s portrayal of life on the streets for the forgotten and lost children is harsh and unforgiving.

Street justice is paid out for some of the child snatchers.

This latest novel in the Simon Westow arc has endings for some and new promise for others.

I was captured by events as they unfolded, horrified on many levels, and constantly admired Nickson’s ability to capture the terror of situations his characters faced and the driving search for justice and revenge they sought.

A challenging topic brought into the light, revealed by the power of the very talented Nickson’s pen.

A Severn House  ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.