The Worcester Whisperers– review

Author – Kerry Tombs

Publisher – Joffe Books

Date – 2019 (revised and updated, original 2008)

Length – 250 pages

Stars – 5/5

Blurb

A few weeks before the outbreak of the infamous ‘Ripper’ murders in 1888, Detective Inspector Samuel Ravenscroft of the Whitechapel Constabulary is sent to the peaceful county town of Worcester to investigate the unexpected disappearance of the Cathedral librarian and the priceless medieval manuscript known as the Whisperie. Aided by his former colleague, Constable Tom Crabb, Ravenscroft soon encounters a dark world of murder, lies and deceit within the walls of the ancient cathedral, and gradually uncovers an unsolved mystery dating back nearly 40 years. Meanwhile in London, events are nearing a dramatic climax as the mysterious woman in black attempts to gain her revenge in the darkened alleyways of Whitechapel. It is not long before the two contrasting worlds of Worcester and Whitechapel become intertwined in unsettling and frightening ways.

Review

I really enjoyed this book.  I think it really speaks to the author when readers feel compelled to dive straight into the next book in a series.  Following on from The Malvern Murders, we journey back to the midlands with Inspector Ravenscroft for another crime for which he’s really the only mind for the job.  Put aside the fact that there are probably lots of competent police officers in the local area who could have a go at dealing with this situation and accept that Ravenscroft has to take the lead then you’re in for a great ride.

Tombs quite clearly takes inspiration from the classic Sherlockian tale of the Bruce Partington Plans.  An expensive artefact goes missing from a collection and the only person with keys to the room is found dead in a river.  I was initially worried that this was a straight up rehash of Conan-Doyle but, fortunately, Tombs takes us on a different journey fairly early on.  The investigation in Worcester sees Ravenscroft team up once again with Constable Tom Crabb from the Malvern police who just so happens to have been moved to the area.  They take on a likeable relationship again and it’s easy to get behind them.

I didn’t really see the twist coming and I think Tombs does a good job of keeping the reader guessing although there are several possibilities throughout.  The local investigation is told hand-in-hand with some nefarious goings-on back in Whitechapel which Ravenscroft is seemingly unaware of.  This makes for a great backstory and I think this is turning out to be the story arch that connects each book in the series. There is a solid ending with enough of a cliff-hanger to keep you guessing but not too much to leave you dissatisfied.  The love interest is developed into a satisfying conquest which is, thankfully, at odds to what I had expected from the first book.

I seem to have become quite the fan of Kerry Tombs and I see there are more books to follow, which I sure am excited about.

Favourite Character

It’s got to be Mrs Crabb in this book.  She keeps her husband on his toes and takes in the bereft young boy who has just lost his mother (potential spoiler, apologies).

Favourite Word

“Peelers” – a rather endearing term for police officers.  This stems from Sir Robert Peel, the great Lancastrian who created the Metropolitan police and twice served as Prime Minister in the 1800s.  He also gives his name to another popular colloquial term for the police – ‘Bobbies.’