I really enjoyed this, the fourth in the series, and would certainly recommend it, especially for those who enjoy period settings and murder mysteries with plenty of action and a great storyline. William Arrowood is a private detective and the tale is told by his assistant Norman Barnett. Yes, it's set in Victorian London but no, it's certainly not Sherlock and Watson. There is lots of historical detail, the setting is wonderful and the characters are richly drawn. The twists and turns are excellent, fantastic plot. The themes are bleak, the racism and exploitation prevalent at the time are all detailed but there is humour too. I think it is useful to have read this series in order, it helps knowing the existing relationships, but it is a series worth reading! Really recommend.

This is the latest in Mick Finlay's dark and atmospheric late 19th century Victorian London series featuring the poor man's Sherlock Holmes, PI William Arrowood, a story narrated by Norman Barnett, his assistant. We are immersed in the desperate underbelly of the city, with its filth, stench, poverty, starvation, disease, crime, where life is precarious and cheap, with high numbers of homeless, with people doing what they have to do to survive. It is 1896, life is uncomfortable and crowded in Arrowood's Coin Street home, his wife Isabel has returned with a baby, their relationship a tense affair as he struggles to forgive her for going off with another man. His sister, Ettie is living there with her baby as well, and matters are exacerbated with both babies dangerously ill, adding to everyone's worries and stress levels. Both Ettie and Isabel have ambitions of joining the medical profession, although there is only one place on offer.

William and Norman are employed by Mr Fowler of the Quakers, to protect 4 black Africans from the Natal, Senza, Musa, Thembeka, and the young Sbu, amaQwabe but constantly referred to as Zulus, offering them sanctuary at the Meeting House. They have escaped the clutches of the ruthless, exploitative and brutal Bruno Capaldi and his travelling show of 'exotics' also running the freak show that is Capaldi's Wonders, made up of Leonie, Gisele and Sylvia, aka The Baboon Girl, with their human abnormalities. Such shows were popular in the Victorian era, but for the incarcerated and powerless Africans, they had no desire to participate. It all ends in chaos and tragedy, with the murder of Musa and Mr Fowler, with the others, and Mrs Fowler, missing. Inspector Napper of Scotland Yard is in charge of the case, and with the appearance of Constable Mabaso from South Africa on the scene, he is convinced of the guilt of the Africans. Arrowood and Barnet find themselves on the most twisted and dangerous of cases, where little is as it appears.

Finlay highlights the cruelties and brutalities of the ruthless British Empire, stealing land from indigenous Africans, imprisoning and exploiting them, making life so unbearable that the Africans in London were unwilling to return, and despite all the threats they faced, wanted to stay in England. Few in London are aware of the realities that Africans face, seeing them as uncivilised savage barbarians who are not to be believed or trusted. The racism of Victorian England is deeply entrenched, supported by the so called race 'scientists' and their claims of blacks being subhuman and inferior to whites. To my deep unease, Finlay makes the decision to not use the worst words used by Victorians to refer to blacks, which undermines the authenticity of what is otherwise a well researched novel. For this reason, I awarded 4 stars ot what would otherwise have been a 5 star read. This is a wonderful addition to what is a brilliant historical series. Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

Synopsis
Four Africans escape the clutches of a showman and seek safety at a Quaker Meeting House. Mr Fowler needs help in protecting them and preventing their capture so seeks the services of Arrowood and Barnett. Things quickly go bad and whilst Arrowood and Barnett are out Mr Fowler and one of the Africans are murdered, the others flee, and Mrs Fowler is nowhere to be found.
Arrowood and Barnett offer their services to a hard pressed and understaffed police force which is also bolstered by a mysterious South African police constable chasing the fugitives. A South African outlaw gang and a gold robbery is added to the mix, but who is telling the truth and who can be trusted?
Then just as the pieces start to come together, they are turned upside down.

My thoughts
Another generous slice of late Victorian intrigue with the likable poor-man’s Sherlock Holmes.
Once again Mick Finlay creates an entertaining, humorous and at times thought provoking story woven into the fabric of life for the under classes in late 19th Century London. This time he covers the attitudes to race and abnormalities of birth that were prevalent at the time and allows the reader to compare with current times.
What I particularly like is the way that the author animates daily life of the time; knocker uppers, night soil men, street traders selling hot potatoes, the haggling over prices, and the ill-fitting scruffy clothes (Arrowood even manages to ditch his old Astrakhan coat thanks to the charity of the Quakers) that add the colour. His Coin Street rooms are cramped and claustrophobic now that his wife Isabel has returned and both she and his sister Ettie now have babies to care for too. The babies’ illness and the desperate quack remedies of the time illustrate the suffering ordinary people had to endure in the days before the NHS, something we should never take for granted.
The characters are well developed now and deserve the reader’s attention. Barnett is coming to terms with the loss of his wife but is struggling to find happiness, perhaps even not allowing himself to find it. Ettie and Isabel are strong women trying to forge their own destinies, with a medical scholarship, at a time when woman had few rights and fewer opportunities. Only one of them can win it. Arrowood himself remains an enigma, seemingly composed of a collection of opposite traits, which I think many of us are.
The plot revolves around a group of South Africans who have contracted to perform for a showman as Zulus (even though they are amaQwabe people). To ensure good box office trade he is preventing them from being seen by controlling their movements making them feel imprisoned. They are being exploited and wish to escape his clutches, at least if they were free, they would be in effect exploiting themselves. By 1897 the worst of these practices, like the carnival shows, had died out but what was left was at least my modern standards exploitative and degrading. However, the other side of the coin is that it provided a living for some people who would struggle to survive otherwise without a sponsor or benefactor. Indeed, some who did manage to control their destiny in the end made a good living such as Chang and Eng, who are mentioned in the book. This dilemma is implied and handled sensitively and not heavy headedly. There is a very funny section when the ‘Baboon Girl’ is unable to go on stage and a replacement must be found at short notice which is laugh out loud funny, but I won’t spoil the fun here.
The attitudes to race and the role of British Empire are also important to the plot. Even though Black people have lived in Britain since Roman times they were set apart and treated differently, just as Jews were albeit in a slightly different way. There is a kind of equality through poverty feeling that comes through which there probably was to some degree. The British Empire does divide the characters though, with those colonised being treated appallingly but with many of the people back in Britain unaware of how bad this was and benefitting little from what was done in their name. This certainly backs up the motives of the amaQwabe characters and the Ninevites gang which were operating back in South Africa. A subject which is currently under the social microscope with differing views of how its legacy be treated, which is deftly handled by the author.
All of this is well researched and the there are notes at the end of the novel which bring interesting background to the plot. I can also recommend the author’s website too.
At times a serious read but one with wit that never fails to entertain.




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I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of Arrowood and The Meeting House Murders, the fourth novel to feature private detective William Arrowood and his assistant Norman Barnett, set in Victorian London.

Arrowood and Barnett are contracted to protect three black South Africans, who are sheltering with a Quaker organisation to escape a showman who is forcing them to perform in his exhibition. When they arrive for their second shift they find the Quaker host, Mr Fowler, and one of the Africans dead and Mrs Fowler and two Africans missing. Inspector Napper of Scotland Yard is keen to blame the Africans but Arrowood isn’t so sure.

I enjoyed Arrowood and the Meeting House Murders which is twisted tale of murder, betrayal and misdirection. It is told in the first person from Norman Barnett’s point of view and that’s a nice touch, letting the reader get close to the investigation but keeping a distance from the protagonist, Arrowood. I like the mix of subjectivity and objectivity, made possible by Barnett’s ability to see his boss with a clear eye and a certain detachment, despite his affection for him.

The plot is the driver in the novel with its engrossing narrative of misdeeds in foreign lands reaching to London. It’s not difficult to follow, but it is difficult to discern who did what and why, especially when the author keeps upsetting the reader’s assumptions and what they’ve been told in a series of reveals towards the end of the novel. It’s cheeky and clever.

While the plot may be the driver, the nature and setting allow the author to explore broader themes. The novel is excellent on the grinding poverty, filth and degradation of Victorian London. It comes alive in his writing and it wouldn’t be unfair to say it makes me shiver and be glad to live in a nice, warm, clean home. The other big theme is the gross inequities and brutality of the colonial empire. It’s not a subject I know much about, because I don’t like the idea of it and the small details provided in this novel just reinforce my prejudices.

Arrowood and Barnett have a good relationship with warmth and humour. Arrowood presides over a chaotic household while Barnett is still grieving the death of his wife. A study in contrasts that gives the characters humanity and relatability.

Arrowood and The Meeting House Murders is a good read that I can recommend.

The fourth book in this excellent series featuring William Arrowood and Norman Barnett. It's 1896 and as usual the protagonists are desperate for work to help pay the bills. They agree to help protect a group of travellers who have arrived from Paris under misleading circumstances. Originally from Africa they have been forced into agreeing to perform for a showman in London. It isn't long before murder takes place and Arrowood and Barnett find themselves working along side the police to get to the bottom of the mystery.
As with the other books in this series, the characters are excellent. The atmosphere of Victorian London is wonderfully portrayed.
I found the tone of this book slightly different to the previous books. There is the usual humour but there are also very serious themes of racism and exploitation as well as illness and death that are very poignant.
The story moves a great pace and the twists and turns of the plot makes for a totally unpredictable story.

A pacy thriller set in the streets of late Victorian London, so evocative, you can almost smell the B.O. and gin-soaked breath of the protagonists involved, as they trudge through the filthy streets of seedy London town following villains, all for the sake of earning a few coins.

This is the fourth book in the Arrowood series, which I have followed avidly since buying the first - signed and in hardback - from the legendary Goldsboro Bookshop in Cecil Court, London.

So, I am a big fan of Arrowood and his entourage, and it is a real pleasure to see his story evolve in such a procession of enthralling and captivating murder mysteries, all flavoured by fascinating historical detail.

This latest is no exception, quite brilliantly researched, adding, as it does, a certain authenticity and richness to a tale so grippingly-told. The historical notes at the end are well worth a look, even in the abject disappointment that one has finished, and the end of the road has been reached, and alas, no more thrilling twists and turns to follow ... at least not until the next time.

"London society take their problems to Sherlock Holmes. Everyone else goes to Arrowood"
Lucky them, I say! Oh what a ride; "What larks. eh, Pip!" say I ...

If you're new to the flawed 'old-school' sleuth that is Arrowood (so, so lucky, if you are), I suggest you devour the first three page-turners before turning to this epic tome (it surely won't take long), but whatever is your fancy, you're in for a treat ... Enjoy the ride!

Another winner from Mick Finlay, with all the sights, smells and dirt of Victorian London. Rousing stuff.

Mick Finlay’s historical detective series featuring William Arrowood and his assistant Barnett have fitted nicely into my current reading interest. Set in London in the late 1800s, his world is that of Sherlock Holmes, whom he hates with a vengeance, seeing him as a puffed-up fraud, only made famous by his published adventures. Arrowood’s London is darker and dirtier, and his clients from the seedier side of society.

“Arrowood and the Meeting House Murders” is the fourth book in the series and we’re still in late 1896, soon after the events of “Thames Corpses”. His marriage to Isabel is on shaky ground, after her return home, and her affair still looms large. Business is poor and with Christmas coming, he needs some money. When four African “Zulu’s” come to him for protection, having escaped from the Capaldi travelling freak show, he grudgingly agrees to help. He and Barnett take them to a Quaker meeting house, safe from the Capaldi’s However, things go wrong, the house is raided and two people are murdered, with the others missing.

Having already been paid, Arrowood feels obliged to locate the missing people. What follows is a tremendous romp through London. There are red herrings, wrong turns, upsets and betrayals. The relationship between Arrowood and Barnett continues to entertain, as the former becomes even more morose and surly, and frankly unlikeable at times, while Barnett is the more rational and focussed. There are a couple of clichéd characters in here, but they simply add to the richness of the story.

A lingering problem I had with the Arrowood books was the tendency to use modern parlance – but I didn’t notice any of that here. There is a strong theme throughout the book about the treatment of slaves and the black community in the Victorian age. The preface to my NetGalley ARC makes clear that the author has modified the language of the book to suit modern values, so as not to offend, and I think this is appropriate.

Fans of ES Thomson, Laura Shepherd-Robinson and Alex Grecian will love this book. Heartily recommended.

3.5 stars

I spent a lot of time being confused for the first part of this book,and its totally my own fault for not having read the previous books,and knowing who everyone was,and their relationships with each other.
Or I could have just referred to the neat round up at the start of the book.
Despite that,I really enjoyed the book. Some fantastic characters ,that seem to want to do whats right,even if they're not getting paid,and don't have money for most things.
Not just Arrawood,but the whole supporting cast were great.
Throw in a mystery of murder and some exotic characters ,and this was an entertaining read with warmth and humour.
I'll be tracking down those previous books.

Set in London 1896 (not 1879 as the synopsis states), private investigator William Arrowood is back with his fourth case. This time he has taken on a case concerning four African travellers who have come to him for protection after they have run away from the travelling freak show to whom they have been sold.

Arrowood and his associate Norman Barnett take the four to a Quaker house where they should have been safe. When the pair step away from the house a group of men burst in killing one of the Africans and Mr. Fowler who ran the place. Two of the Africans escape but another and Mr. Fowler’s wife are missing.

Although he knows he will no longer get paid for the job, Arrowood is determined to uncover what happened and locate the missing two people. The police have put just two men on the job to find the killer(s) so are happy for Arrowood’s support in bringing them to justice, but the list is long for suspects, made even longer when officers from South Africa arrive with news that two of the travelling Africans are wanted for murder and theft back home.

Arrowood and The Meeting House Murders is the fourth book in the series and the third I have read, I really need to go back and read book one. I have a love for historical mysteries and sleuths so this series has been exceptionally enjoyable to read.

You not only get to see Arrowood and Barnett in their search for the truth and their detective work you also get to see them as normal people dealing with families/love lives. I adore how much the book is similar to Sherlock Holmes novels and yet the main character hates him. He thinks he is a charlatan. Where Sherlock spends time thinking and coming up with ideas that no one else has thought of, Arrowood is more pragmatic and is an actions man, and likes to get fully involved and work out the case on the go.

If you enjoy historical mysteries or sleuths set in the Victorian era then this series is one to pick up, it is an amazing and engaging read that had me hooked the whole way through, especially when I thought I had things worked out in my head and then I’d have to rethink as author Mick Finlay would take the book in a different direction. He certainly kept me guessing!

#ArrowwoodAndTheMeetingHpuseMurders #NetGalley
A good read.
Private investigator William Arrowood and his assistant Barnett agree to help the travellers avoid capture. But when they arrive at the Meeting House, they find a scene of devastation. Two people have been murdered and the others have fled into the night.
Nowhere to run.
The hunt for the real killer leads Arrowood into the dark heart of Victorian London. A shadowy world of freak shows, violence and betrayal, where there are no good choices and only the slimmest chance of survival…
I loved this novel. Highly recommend to every murder mystery lover.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for giving me an advanced copy.