The Thieves' Labyrinth

The Thieves’ Labyrinth by Sheffield born author James McCreet is the third instalment to showcase the adventures of Albert Newsome, George Williamson and Noah Dyson – set in Victorian London – A wonderfully complex tale of detection, murder and skulduggery.

A death on Waterloo Bridge, a body in the river near Wapping, a lady robbed on Wych Street – all common enough daily incidents in early Victorian London. But when an outrageous theft is committed at the port, the clues from these seemingly unconnected crimes soon point irresistibly to a mystery deeper and murkier than the Thames itself.

The rapacious Inspector Newsome has much to prove, ex-police detective George Williamson faces difficult choices, and the mysterious Noah Dyson is once more drawn unwillingly within the reach of the authorities. Meanwhile, competing against them all, there is the enigmatic figure calling himself Eldritch Batchem . . .

Lives and reputations are at stake. As the investigators pursue a macabre trail into the city’s darkest passages, each seeks a prize more personal than mere justice. And in the race for a solution, all stand to discover much more than they are prepared for . . .

The Thieves’ Labyrinth is an elaborately intelligent read – thanks mainly to a sumptuous narrative and Victorian references – and it took me a few chapters to find my feet but once I’d settled into 1840’s London I couldn’t tear myself away from the multiple storylines running concurrently.

When reading a period crime thriller I always look for three things – a good crime arc, engaging protagonists and a narrative that completely transports you to that period – and in this case sewage, silks and fog! James McCreet delivers on all three accounts and then some.

As I mentioned earlier, The Thieves’ Labyrinth is the third instalment from the author and I was pleased to discover that I never once felt it necessary to have read the earlier books, although a deeper understanding of the main characters would have been forthcoming had I read them. That said McCreet doesn’t alienate newcomers either, taking great care to lay the foundations for a new audience in the first half of the book.

Characterisation is powerful and well developed throughout and approaching the series with fresh eyes I must say I found Noah Dyson’s character the most informative and interesting of the cast. He utilises his contacts, is a master of subterfuge and is incredibly loyal to his closest of friends.

Given Albert Newsome’s “demotion” to the Thames River Police and a challenge issued by Sir Richard Mayne it leads to a desperate chase to solve the spate of murders and audacious theft. Newsome and Williamson are at loggerheads throughout and when the pair meet up to compare notes with Sir Richard the Victorian tit for tat scenes are infectious.

Make no mistake The Thieves’ Labyrinth is a dark book – the opening scene on Waterloo Bridge introducing us to a fog ridden London – and with very little colour from start to finish the book is incredibly atmospheric. Whether walking through dark alleys or exploring the aromatic London sewers McCreet leaves you in no doubt that Victorian London isn’t the most attractive of places to be after dark!

With an authentic period narrative and an imaginative storyline The Thieves’ Labyrinth is an engrossing read and one not to be missed.

Published by Pan Macmillan The Thieves’ Labyrinth is available from Amazon.