Really enjoyed this book, well written -was disappointed to reach the end! Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

LOVED IT, LOVED IT .A more extensive review will follow.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Another terrific book from Chris Nickson featuring thief taker Simon Westow, and his family and friends. I'm enjoying the character development in this series every bit as much as the rich historical setting in Leeds, 1826.

Westow himself has been critically injured, and is moving more slowly and with a great deal more pain. He is forced to rely on his wife, and the two young women he employs. The women continue to improve their hunting skills, and it will be interesting to see where all of this goes in the next few books!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Where there is anger, there's always pain underneath." (Eckhart Tolle)

Chris Nickson delivers, once again, with his latest book in the Simon Westow Series. There's a theme stitched into this one that carries throughout these pages. When anger is ignited, it flares into uncontrollable rage. That full-out rage stems from the inability to find your footing while fate leans in hard and oppressive. Fairness takes to the wind and you're left empty in its aftermath.

Nickson is like a literary artist who paints the landscape of Leeds in 1826. He does it so well. We sit in almost surround sound as the streets take on their hum around us. The factories with their tall smokestacks emit black smoke into the air. Horses drop their gifts onto the cobblestone roads while windows open up and the slush of the chamber pots splash into the streets. And yet, the inhabitants take to these same streets headed to the market as they begin their day.

Simon Westow, the local thief-taker, has been contacted to find Frederick Fox and his wife. It seems that Fox has a con game of helping himself to other people's riches. His wife has learned the tricks of the trade from her husband. But when Mrs. Fox's body is found in a nearby stream, Fox is the main suspect. Simon works with the local constable in order to find the elusive Fox.

Simon had been injured in the past and his leg is still painful and stiff. He depends on his band of cohorts which include Rosie, his wife, and Jane and Sally who are especially street-wise and aces when it comes to mastering a knife. This crew is also talented at tailing a suspect through the streets of Leeds unseen.

But things will get personal when Sally is attacked by a band of men in the night. She will be left near helpless. Janes takes it upon herself to nurse Sally back to her former self if that's even possible.

A Rage of Souls is a slow burner throughout as Simon and his crew follow the clues. Fox lives up to his name. He's a sly one. Leeds, itself, is filled with dark streets and plenty of hidey-holes for the evil to gravitate towards. And there's another prickly theme dealing with a man with a wayward son. He hires Simon to find the young man. These challenges will leave Simon and his crew ever so close, but not quite close enough......until BAM! Like a cannonball, the action explodes. Just you wait and see.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Severn House and to the talented Chris Nickson for the opportunity.

Leeds in the North of England. The year is 1826, as we once again join thief taker Simon Westow.

This time around, Simon is employed to watch Frederick Fox, a Leeds criminal who was convicted of a serious crime and sentenced to be hanged, strangely though, and to everyone’s surprise, he was pardoned and released. He’s arrived back in Leeds with his wife, and it appears he’s out for revenge.

As ever, Simon has the help of his assistants, Jane and Sally, with the additional help of his wife Rosie, as and when needed. As it turns out, they’ll all be needed to catch Fox. Between them though, they make for a formidable team!

When a body is found, it appears that the dead man had some connection to Fox, and so the mystery begins, with our team being drawn deeper into a mire of murder and deception.

Further to the Fox investigation, the team are dragged into the world of child poverty and homelessness. Some wealthy, dangerous and cruel individuals, believe that these homeless children can be used as sport, but be assured, Simon and his team won’t stand for this in any way, shape or form.

Once again I’ve really enjoyed the latest in the Simon Westow series. I love the sense of old Leeds with its cobbled streets, the houses huddled together against the chill whipping off the River Aire, the friendly community, and the good old fashioned detection work before the advent of technology.
The storyline was gripping, the characters are relatable and come fully fleshed, not least the women, who contrary to expectations for this period in history, are just as independent and capable as their menfolk. Lastly, the author's meticulous research is evident throughout the book, demonstrating a clear commitment to accuracy and detail.
 Another great read from Chris Nickson, who remains one of my favourite authors when it comes to historical fiction.

i really did enjoy this book and i loved the plot. one thing that i wasn’t a huge fan of was the pacing and i do feel like some chapters were not necessary. overall i loved the feeling that the book gave . the time period was a perfect selection in my opinion. it was my first time reading a book like this and it definitely did not disappoint!!! will definitely read more from this author in the future!!!!