published March 1, 2016
Severn House
Nickson’s newest Victorian procedural opens in late 1891 with DI Tom Harper mulling his latest case – the gruesome discovery of a dead infant, mailed to a post office. Some things have changed since we last met Harper – the hearing in his right ear is significantly worse, and a source of constant worry for him. He also has a new partner, the recently promoted Detective Constable Ash.
Harper’s previous partner, Sergeant Billy Reed took a position with the Leeds Fire Brigade after an ethical disagreement in their last case (Two Bronze Pennies, 2014) led to a falling out. But a second case will soon have the estranged partners and friends working together again. After a fierce fire at a train station a woman’s burned body is discovered in the rubble. She had been stabbed prior to the fire, and molten steel now covered part of her body, giving her “skin like silver. The case deepens as they discover the victim, Catherine Carr, was involved in Leeds’ burgeoning suffragist movement, a cause also recently taken up by Harper’s wife Annabelle. Complicating the investigation is the victims brother, an ex-soldier and sniper gone to ground and exacting revenge in seemingly random attacks around the city. Harper, Reed, and Ash will need to work quickly to keep the victim count down.
Nickson’s affection for Leeds shows in his writing, which is one of the great pleasures of reading his books. His attention to historical detail – interweaving the social upheavals and technical advancements of the time in to the mysteries – and excellent character development over the series makes the Harper books a standout series in historical mysteries. “Skin Like Silver” offers two satisfying whodunnits and adds to the ongoing storylines of a likable cast of characters.
Happy reading!
An advance galley of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion.
