Murder at the Gasworks
London, 1860, and ten-year-old Tommy Jones returns to his lodgings after a day laboring at the gasworks to find his friend, stoker Joe Carter, dead. When Tommy is accused of Joe’s murder, it takes the persistence of City Police Inspector Cuthbert Slaughter to prove his innocence.
In this prequel to her Tommy Jones series, Lane does an excellent job of weaving real people and events into the plot. In particular, the author’s inclusion of the friction between the City Police and the Metropolitan Police, as well as the working conditions and environmental damage of times, are deftly integrated into the storyline. The level of description and research immerse the reader in the story, perhaps slightly at the cost of a depth of character. Although I haven’t read the other books in the series, I’m assuming that the relationship between Cuthbert, his wife Ellie, and Tommy becomes foundational in the future. Although the other storylines, particularly that of women’s empowerment with Lady Emily Peel are enjoyable, I would have rather had more depth to the development of those three characters. That said, seeing introverted Cuthbert step into his discomfort to help prove Tommy’s innocence, and the progression of their interactions, made me want to read more of the series.
Murder at the Gasworks is a quick, enjoyable read. There are just enough diversions to keep the reader guessing at the murderer and busy trying to tie the various character storylines together, but not so much as to distract from a well-crafted plot.
