Excellent historical mystery with a complicated and hard up MC navigating the seedy underbelly of Victorian society in all it’s grim poverty. Well plotted, fast paced and addictive. Highly recommend

This is a grim but engrossing read. William Arrowood, the poor man's Sherlock Holmes, is back - along with his trusted colleague Norman Barnett. This is the 3rd book in the series about the Victorian detective who lives and works in the poorest part of London. The story opens with a visit from paddle steamer owner Captain Moon and his young daughter Suzie. The captain hires Arrowood to discover who is damaging his pleasure boat, seemingly in order to drive him out of business.
Always one step away from the pawn shop, Arrowood takes the case and gradually reveals a terrible story from 16 years ago. But, before then, the attacks on Captain Moon's boat escalate with a horrific find which brings Inspector Petleigh of Scotland Yard into the picture. He warns Arrowood to stay out of the case, but the private detective believes the policeman is not up to the job and he and Barnett continue their dogged search for the truth.
The action moves throughout the seedy underbelly of London, from the city docklands via London's music halls to pubs which stage rat baiting with customers gambling on how many rats a single terrier will kill. Everywhere there is filth and crippling poverty in a capital city where human life is cheap.
Meanwhile, there are a number of colourful characters who either help or hinder Arrowood's investigation. And now and then, he will rant about the "luck" of Sherlock Holmes and his belief that the famous detective often fails to catch the real culprit. He despairs when he discovers that even the people who seek his help know little or nothing of his successful cases.
At home - above a shop which sells puddings - his sister Ettie has returned with her young child, refusing to tell her brother who the father is, although he and Barnett have their suspicions. Later, another woman and baby arrive to further complicate Arrowood's life.
As usual, author Mick Finlay's research is impeccable and he effortlessly captures the sights, sounds and smells of late Victorian London, whether he's describing a poor man's funeral or the vicious spectacle of a rat fight in a London pub. This is a wonderful historical fiction mystery and the best in the Arrowood series so far.