The Hellfire Conspiracy (Barker and Llewelyn Book 4)

Great read at bedtime or at the pool, anytime. Lovely relationships and very well done. Super likable. Great vocabulary. Wonderful story. Super well done timelines. And you always learn something about the late 1800's. Anyone can like this book.

This, the latest I have read in Will Thomas's engaging Barker & Llewelyn series, underscores the love/hate feelings I have for the adventures of the master private enquiry agent and his Welsh apprentice. In this one, the two detectives are hired by a distraught Major in the Queen's Life Guards to find his missing 12 year-old daughter, who has disappeared near the charitable organization at which the major's wife volunteers. Barker and Llewelyn's investigation take them through the seamier side of London's East End, where social reformers clash with upper class gentlemen who can legally take 13 year-old girls as mistresses, and on to the trail of a serial killer who always seems to be a step ahead of the brilliant Barker. Along the way, Llewellyn comes face-to-face with the arrogant upper class wastrel who he blames for the death of his wife and his own imprisonment.While the specifics of the plots in the series vary from book to book, alas the formula is predictable: Llewelyn in a predicament, flashback to the developments that got him there, investigation of crime uncovers possible conspiracy, suspects are introduced, Barker and his assistant clash with mainstream law enforcement, Llewelyn falls for attractive and spirited young lady but the relationship cannot work, killer revealed, end of story.The Barker & Llewelyn stories are sharply written, fast-paced, and thoroughly engaging, and the two detectives are certainly among the more memorable characters of historically situated period mysteries of similar type. Opening the first page of a new novel in the series is like settling into one's favorite easy chair, knowing that you are among old friends for another happy evening.Therein lies the problem: As entertaining as Thomas's books happen to be, they are highly formulaic and ultimately unsatisfying, rather like a snack that's enjoyable but leaves you hungry for a more substantial dinner. If you are looking for nothing more than an expertly crafted evening's entertainment, you will be very happy with any and all of the Barker & Lewellyn's series, and on that basis I am pleased to recommend them. If you yearn for more challenging and satisfying mysteries, you might want to look elsewhere, such as the brilliant Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny.

As a lifelong fan of Sherlock Holmes, I have read and enjoyed the published work of Mr Thomas and am currently working My way through from the beginning. I think that is a five star review in itself. Thank You Mr Thomas for the fun. Yes, fun.

The fourth offering by Will Thomas in his Barker - Llewellyn series has many of the elements that have endeared me to his characters and stories: vivid descriptions of Victorian London, a tightly-woven plot, and the gradual revelation of details of both character's pasts as their friendship deepens and their partnership becomes closer. Unlike the previous mysteries, however, Barker and Llewellyn have a rare miss - their client does not receive the resolution sought in hiring the pair. I like this - its messy to be sure, but it also reflects real life.This installment deals with kidnapping (and the possibility that the victim is sold as a "white slave" - a prostitute) from the east end. What brings the case to the attention of Barker and Llewellyn is that the client isn't the typical victim of thee crimes (the immigrant poor), but rather is from the solid middle class. The story, therefore, is as much a social commentary as it is a who-dunnit. This commentary (and the larger injustice it represents) is similarly related to the historical figures who make appearances in the story including Beatrice Potter (a social reformer, not the Peter Rabbit author), Amy Levy, William Stead (a muckraker) and Joseph Chamberlin, an influential MP.Because it is as much mystery as it is historical fiction and social commentary, I have to give it 5 stars. The best of the series so far - highly recommended.

Love this author! I now have 6 of his books. Plus, you can’t go wrong when ordering with amazon.

Will Thomas has a nice series of books in the Barker and Llewellyn series. This is one of my favorite periods of history for fiction, and he does not disappoint. The characters are believable, the stories interesting, and I love to read what they are eating! Their pet has a nice place in the story, but isn't unbelievable, and all in all they are good reads. Start with book 1, and read them as their relationship as business partners begins and matures. I am sad I have to wait several months for the next installment as this series is several cuts above a lot of detective fiction series one finds.

A very fitting continuation to what has become my favorite historical mystery series. All the good features continue, like the lively characters.The use of the historical setting is the most outstanding feature of the series. I love that he includes real historical figures as characters in the plot, including people most modern readers have never heard of, and you may have to look them up to find out who was real, although there is usually some kind of addendum at the end that will tell you some of that information. In this book, the events at the heart of the plot were rather unappealing to me until I discovered that William Stead was a real crusading newspaper editor during the period and some of the events I had thought to be fiction really happened.

Just finished this book in the Barker and Llewellyn private enquiry agent series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's so interesting to keep learning more about Barker and his past, and to watch as Llewellyn grows in his role and his life. Highly recommended.

another good read

Maybe this book has the most interesting plot than the others in the series. But still ... it feels too much of a film script. I'd recommend the Barker stories only for a quick holiday read. No more.