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Barker & Llewelyn #8
Hell Bay
When two people are murdered during a secret government conference on a secluded island estate, private enquiry agent Cyrus Barker must find the killer among the guests before it’s too late.
At the request of Her Majesty’s government, private enquiry agent Cyrus Barker agrees to take on his least favorite kind of assignment—he’s to provide security for a secret conference with the French government. The conference is to take place on the private estate of Lord Hargrave on a remote island off the coast of Cornwall. The goal of the conference is the negotiation of a new treaty with France. The cover story for the gathering is a house party—an attempt to introduce Lord Hargrave’s two unmarried sons to potential mates.
But shortly after the parties land at the island, Lord Hargrave is killed by a sniper shot, and the French ambassador’s head of security is found stabbed to death. The only means of egress from the island—a boat—has been sent away, and the means of signaling for help has been destroyed. Trapped in a manor house with no way of escape, Cyrus Barker and his assistant, Thomas Llewelyn, must uncover which among them is the killer before the next victim falls.
At the request of Her Majesty’s government, private enquiry agent Cyrus Barker agrees to take on his least favorite kind of assignment—he’s to provide security for a secret conference with the French government. The conference is to take place on the private estate of Lord Hargrave on a remote island off the coast of Cornwall. The goal of the conference is the negotiation of a new treaty with France. The cover story for the gathering is a house party—an attempt to introduce Lord Hargrave’s two unmarried sons to potential mates.
But shortly after the parties land at the island, Lord Hargrave is killed by a sniper shot, and the French ambassador’s head of security is found stabbed to death. The only means of egress from the island—a boat—has been sent away, and the means of signaling for help has been destroyed. Trapped in a manor house with no way of escape, Cyrus Barker and his assistant, Thomas Llewelyn, must uncover which among them is the killer before the next victim falls.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2016
193 people are currently reading
1249 people want to read
About the author
Will Thomas
44 books1,085 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Will Thomas, born 1958 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is a novelist who writes a Victorian mystery series featuring Cyrus Barker, a Scottish detective or "private enquiry agent," and his Welsh assistant, Thomas Llewelyn. The Barker/Llewelyn novels are set in the 1880s and often feature historical events, people, and movements. Martial combat is a recurring theme throughout this hardboiled series.
Prior to writing novels, Will Thomas wrote essays for Sherlock Holmes society publications and lectured on crime fiction of the Victorian era.
Will Thomas' first novel, Some Danger Involved, was nominated for a Barry Award and a Shamus Award, and won the 2005 Oklahoma Book Award. In 2015, he won the Oklahoma Book Award a second time for Fatal Enquiry. Will Thomas has been featured on the cover of Library Journal, and was the Toastmaster at the 2007 Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave in Manhattan, Kansas. His fifth novel, The Black Hand, was nominated for a 2009 Shamus Award. He is married to author Julia Bryan Thomas.
Series:
. Barker and Llewelyn
Will Thomas, born 1958 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is a novelist who writes a Victorian mystery series featuring Cyrus Barker, a Scottish detective or "private enquiry agent," and his Welsh assistant, Thomas Llewelyn. The Barker/Llewelyn novels are set in the 1880s and often feature historical events, people, and movements. Martial combat is a recurring theme throughout this hardboiled series.
Prior to writing novels, Will Thomas wrote essays for Sherlock Holmes society publications and lectured on crime fiction of the Victorian era.
Will Thomas' first novel, Some Danger Involved, was nominated for a Barry Award and a Shamus Award, and won the 2005 Oklahoma Book Award. In 2015, he won the Oklahoma Book Award a second time for Fatal Enquiry. Will Thomas has been featured on the cover of Library Journal, and was the Toastmaster at the 2007 Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave in Manhattan, Kansas. His fifth novel, The Black Hand, was nominated for a 2009 Shamus Award. He is married to author Julia Bryan Thomas.
Series:
. Barker and Llewelyn
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
March 13, 2024
I have been listening to the Audio version of this series and it is really good. Anthony Ferguson does a fantastic job with the voices. I have not read And Then There Were None but I read this is an homage to it. I absolutely was loving the story till about 75% and I started to think it was going on a bit too long before we started getting some clues. This was a 5* read for me. The last 25% with the solution and resolution to the mystery and the actions of all involved just didn't do it for me so the book ends up a 4* read and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
August 28, 2017
It's funny – I didn't realize till I took a look at the other books in this series that I had requested a sample of the first book, Some Danger Involved, a while back. I never bought it. I'm glad now.
This started out rather well. I always begin a book with the expectation of giving it at least four stars, and mentally adjust accordingly, and the prologue was darkly entertaining. Those expectations seemed pretty safe.
Before long, though, issues with the writing began to crop up.
The idea is that the great and inscrutable private enquiry agent Barker is called in as security for a French ambassador at a secret meeting on an island in the Scillies; this is being camouflaged by a house party. Barker doesn't like house parties or bodyguard work. I know this, better than perhaps anything else, because I was told so many, many times – between his own grumbling and the main character/narrator's slightly gleeful commentary, it felt like it was reiterated at least a dozen times. Barker tries to wiggle out of it by suggesting a security force -
“I might make a recommendation to you, it would be to hire a full detail of guards, even if they are not needed. There is too much that could go wrong.”
“The French ambassador insists upon privacy. He wishes to come and see how his favorite goddaughter is doing, and has no desire to see the island full of British men in uniforms.”
So, basically, the ambassador is a moron. This is borne out by the events of the book, in which the island equivalent of a country house party disintegrates into, basically, Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians, and the ambassador becomes remarkably sulky over taking even basic precautions. He does bring an extra special French James Bond, Delacroix, with him – but Delacroix comes onto the island well after the ambassador, has a quick chat with Barker – and then leaves. He's a foodie, you see, and he wants to get back to the boat and into the galley. I'm still struggling to understand how someone can be an effective bodyguard when not even on the same land mass. Of course, when the bad guy kills him he has an even harder job being any kind of bodyguard. It's kind of hilarious when the ambassador insists on heaping praise on him for the rest of the book, considering he did nothing but die en route to a fish dinner.
What really baffled me about this was that the author then has the ambassador commenting that the island was "too large … to be watched over by just two men." Well … yeah.
The main character/narrator, Thomas Llewelyn, began to annoy me very early on. "I regarded the two young women I was warned against, and found them a trifle wanting." One reason for the house party, you see, is to marry off the young scion(s) of the house, and Llewelyn had best not interfere with that. But - despite the proprieties, and despite a fiancee back home, he is tempted. He's a twit.
The writing was not terrible (though it does need a good editor to deal with spelling, punctuation, and homonym errors – a gun shot is not a "rapport", one does not "stare" an opinion, one does not "fair" better or worse, and when one cannot "bare" to discuss something I begin to lose my grip on my temper) - this is why it almost got two stars instead of the one I finally decided it deserved. It tried too hard in places, hammering a point home when a softer touch would have been more than sufficient. And, not to be repetitive, the author has a tendency to repeat himself.
As mentioned (oh no, the repetition is contagious!), people suddenly start getting picked off one by one. I don't know if the writer was aiming for irony, or trying to create a poignant situation for the Great Hero Barker and his sidekick Llewelyn, or simply wanted to try his own hand at Ten Little Indians, but it was in truth just sad to read on the one hand Llewelyn's worshipful tributes to his boss, and on the other hand see person after person die on his watch.
"I was hired as security for this event."
…"You’re not doing very well at it, in my opinion."
I wouldn't hire the guy.
And if someone could explain to me why it was only after the violence begins that Llewelyn - hired as security - hurries off to get his gun, I'd … never mind. Not interested. Especially after he later, in the middle of things, curses himself for once more leaving his revolver in his room. Really? Someone could pop out of any corner or hedge at any moment to try to kill you or, more importantly, one of the people you were hired to protect, and you're unarmed? Again? I hope these idiots didn't get paid.
Once I started to dislike the main characters and the story I began to poke at all the holes in the writing, which aren't really even worth the space here. Except I found it puzzling that it wasn't till the 21% mark that Barker is described as a Scotsman; I would have thought that if that was as important as it suddenly seemed it would have come out earlier. I suppose I should be grateful that dialogue in a brogue is kept to a minimum. Oh, and the whole episode with Llewelyn and a cohort trying to close shutters while under fire from the sniper was silly from beginning to end; he as narrator comments that he made a tempting target against the light, and fails to realize that it might therefore be clever to put out said light. He encounters all sorts of difficulty with figuring out how to get the shutters secured, and I was almost brought to the point of yelling at the book for him to go fetch the damned butler who might have done it before, who might have a clue.
The killer besieging the house seems, according to Barker's hypothesis, to have a checklist of victims, and is killing in order. Which means that he passes up opportunities to kill Llewelyn and others – despite the fact that it's remarkably stupid not to reduce the number of defenders.
The survivors in the house turn against Barker, somehow losing faith in his abilities after several people die. So he picks up and moves - into the rooms formerly occupied by his now-deceased employer, the lord of the manor. He had some kind of reason for this, but the audacity of it, added to the questionable decision to have his girlfriend in the adjoining room, did not go down well with the other survivors. Or with me.
There's more – there's so much more – like:
"The Sharps is a long-distance rifle, known for its accuracy …" [several pages later] "… No, the Sharps is not that accurate" … [several pages later] … "he’s carrying what I might consider the deadliest weapon on the planet." I'm confused. Or the author is.
The same thing happens with the food provided by the cook. It's bland; it's wonderful; it's boring; it's delicious.
I made many more notes and highlights on my Kindle, but there's really no point in continuing to beat this dead horse. I managed to finish the book, but what started out with me interested and intrigued ended with me frustrated and relieved to be done.
Also, "Hell Bay"? It's a cool name - but it has very little to do with the plot.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
This started out rather well. I always begin a book with the expectation of giving it at least four stars, and mentally adjust accordingly, and the prologue was darkly entertaining. Those expectations seemed pretty safe.
Before long, though, issues with the writing began to crop up.
The idea is that the great and inscrutable private enquiry agent Barker is called in as security for a French ambassador at a secret meeting on an island in the Scillies; this is being camouflaged by a house party. Barker doesn't like house parties or bodyguard work. I know this, better than perhaps anything else, because I was told so many, many times – between his own grumbling and the main character/narrator's slightly gleeful commentary, it felt like it was reiterated at least a dozen times. Barker tries to wiggle out of it by suggesting a security force -
“I might make a recommendation to you, it would be to hire a full detail of guards, even if they are not needed. There is too much that could go wrong.”
“The French ambassador insists upon privacy. He wishes to come and see how his favorite goddaughter is doing, and has no desire to see the island full of British men in uniforms.”
So, basically, the ambassador is a moron. This is borne out by the events of the book, in which the island equivalent of a country house party disintegrates into, basically, Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians, and the ambassador becomes remarkably sulky over taking even basic precautions. He does bring an extra special French James Bond, Delacroix, with him – but Delacroix comes onto the island well after the ambassador, has a quick chat with Barker – and then leaves. He's a foodie, you see, and he wants to get back to the boat and into the galley. I'm still struggling to understand how someone can be an effective bodyguard when not even on the same land mass. Of course, when the bad guy kills him he has an even harder job being any kind of bodyguard. It's kind of hilarious when the ambassador insists on heaping praise on him for the rest of the book, considering he did nothing but die en route to a fish dinner.
What really baffled me about this was that the author then has the ambassador commenting that the island was "too large … to be watched over by just two men." Well … yeah.
The main character/narrator, Thomas Llewelyn, began to annoy me very early on. "I regarded the two young women I was warned against, and found them a trifle wanting." One reason for the house party, you see, is to marry off the young scion(s) of the house, and Llewelyn had best not interfere with that. But - despite the proprieties, and despite a fiancee back home, he is tempted. He's a twit.
The writing was not terrible (though it does need a good editor to deal with spelling, punctuation, and homonym errors – a gun shot is not a "rapport", one does not "stare" an opinion, one does not "fair" better or worse, and when one cannot "bare" to discuss something I begin to lose my grip on my temper) - this is why it almost got two stars instead of the one I finally decided it deserved. It tried too hard in places, hammering a point home when a softer touch would have been more than sufficient. And, not to be repetitive, the author has a tendency to repeat himself.
As mentioned (oh no, the repetition is contagious!), people suddenly start getting picked off one by one. I don't know if the writer was aiming for irony, or trying to create a poignant situation for the Great Hero Barker and his sidekick Llewelyn, or simply wanted to try his own hand at Ten Little Indians, but it was in truth just sad to read on the one hand Llewelyn's worshipful tributes to his boss, and on the other hand see person after person die on his watch.
"I was hired as security for this event."
…"You’re not doing very well at it, in my opinion."
I wouldn't hire the guy.
And if someone could explain to me why it was only after the violence begins that Llewelyn - hired as security - hurries off to get his gun, I'd … never mind. Not interested. Especially after he later, in the middle of things, curses himself for once more leaving his revolver in his room. Really? Someone could pop out of any corner or hedge at any moment to try to kill you or, more importantly, one of the people you were hired to protect, and you're unarmed? Again? I hope these idiots didn't get paid.
Once I started to dislike the main characters and the story I began to poke at all the holes in the writing, which aren't really even worth the space here. Except I found it puzzling that it wasn't till the 21% mark that Barker is described as a Scotsman; I would have thought that if that was as important as it suddenly seemed it would have come out earlier. I suppose I should be grateful that dialogue in a brogue is kept to a minimum. Oh, and the whole episode with Llewelyn and a cohort trying to close shutters while under fire from the sniper was silly from beginning to end; he as narrator comments that he made a tempting target against the light, and fails to realize that it might therefore be clever to put out said light. He encounters all sorts of difficulty with figuring out how to get the shutters secured, and I was almost brought to the point of yelling at the book for him to go fetch the damned butler who might have done it before, who might have a clue.
The killer besieging the house seems, according to Barker's hypothesis, to have a checklist of victims, and is killing in order. Which means that he passes up opportunities to kill Llewelyn and others – despite the fact that it's remarkably stupid not to reduce the number of defenders.
The survivors in the house turn against Barker, somehow losing faith in his abilities after several people die. So he picks up and moves - into the rooms formerly occupied by his now-deceased employer, the lord of the manor. He had some kind of reason for this, but the audacity of it, added to the questionable decision to have his girlfriend in the adjoining room, did not go down well with the other survivors. Or with me.
There's more – there's so much more – like:
"The Sharps is a long-distance rifle, known for its accuracy …" [several pages later] "… No, the Sharps is not that accurate" … [several pages later] … "he’s carrying what I might consider the deadliest weapon on the planet." I'm confused. Or the author is.
The same thing happens with the food provided by the cook. It's bland; it's wonderful; it's boring; it's delicious.
I made many more notes and highlights on my Kindle, but there's really no point in continuing to beat this dead horse. I managed to finish the book, but what started out with me interested and intrigued ended with me frustrated and relieved to be done.
Also, "Hell Bay"? It's a cool name - but it has very little to do with the plot.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
August 29, 2016
In their 8th outing, London based enquiry agent Cyrus Barker & sidekick Thomas Llewelyn end up stranded on a remote island at the mercy of a killer. It was supposed to be a covert opportunity to further British-French politics disguised as a week long get together at the manor of Lord Hargrave.
He engaged Barker & Llewelyn to provide security but it’s not going so well.
Day one sees the first murder & guests continue to drop like flies as they’re forced to hunker down inside while a killer roams the island. They’re a disparate group & it’s inevitable that days of confinement plus rising tension will eventually lead to them eying each other with suspicion & fear.
The setting makes for a traditional drawing room mystery a la Agatha Christie. As the story progresses, it becomes clear some of these people are not who they seem as Barker & Llewelyn gradually uncover old family secrets & private grudges. As claustrophobia & paranoia set in, the relationships between upper crust & servants quickly evolves into a cross between “And Then There Were None” & “Lord of the Flies”.
I’m a big fan of this series but for me, this instalment lacked a couple of things that made other books so enjoyable. I missed the mean streets of Victorian London which provided a vibrant setting for previous cases. Descriptions of gas lit back alleys & characters ranging from lords to street urchins added to the tension that brought those stories to life. It also lacks the witty humour that made for great dialogue between the 2 MC’s. This is a more sober book & I missed the entertainment usually provided by Barker’s chef & valet.
As always, it’s a matter of taste & if you’re a fan of closed room mysteries like those featuring Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot, this is for you.
He engaged Barker & Llewelyn to provide security but it’s not going so well.
Day one sees the first murder & guests continue to drop like flies as they’re forced to hunker down inside while a killer roams the island. They’re a disparate group & it’s inevitable that days of confinement plus rising tension will eventually lead to them eying each other with suspicion & fear.
The setting makes for a traditional drawing room mystery a la Agatha Christie. As the story progresses, it becomes clear some of these people are not who they seem as Barker & Llewelyn gradually uncover old family secrets & private grudges. As claustrophobia & paranoia set in, the relationships between upper crust & servants quickly evolves into a cross between “And Then There Were None” & “Lord of the Flies”.
I’m a big fan of this series but for me, this instalment lacked a couple of things that made other books so enjoyable. I missed the mean streets of Victorian London which provided a vibrant setting for previous cases. Descriptions of gas lit back alleys & characters ranging from lords to street urchins added to the tension that brought those stories to life. It also lacks the witty humour that made for great dialogue between the 2 MC’s. This is a more sober book & I missed the entertainment usually provided by Barker’s chef & valet.
As always, it’s a matter of taste & if you’re a fan of closed room mysteries like those featuring Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot, this is for you.
September 29, 2019
Series: Barker & Llewelyn #8
Publication Date: 10/25/16
Number of Pages: 301
** Maybe 2.5 Stars **
The first book I read in this series was book #10, Blood Is Blood, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought I’d go back and catch some of the earlier books in the series to see if it was consistent, and, I have to say, I was disappointed. I always start off thinking a book is at least a 4-star read, and then it is up to the author to keep that rating, add to that rating or – detract from that rating. When I read Blood is Blood, I just enjoyed the read, but with this one, while it started out well, I soon started thinking that this author had to be an American and that perhaps he hadn’t done a lot of research. Add to that - misused homonyms such as bare rather than bear, and spelling and punctuation – not to mention all of the inconsistencies. For instance, was the cook a good one or a poor one – it depends on which paragraph you are reading.
In the previous book I read, I had come to appreciate Barker and Llewelyn’s abilities and was looking forward to adding to their legend. This book sure didn’t add to my admiration for the two. Llewellyn, who is basically the narrator in the story, comes across as a twit and Barker – well – I just didn’t like Barker and he came across as sorely incompetent in most of the book. Barker was hired to protect a French Ambassador (who was also an idiot) during treaty negotiations on a remote island. Barker shows up on the island acting more like a guest than someone providing security – he didn’t even carry his weapons. Barker and Llewelyn were certainly inept and ineffectual in this outing.
I did like the IDEA of the story, but I liked it better when Agatha Christie did it in And Then There Were None. The gist is: France and England are going to negotiate a treaty regarding their respective colonies in Africa. It needs to be hush-hush, so they decide to hold the negotiations between only two people on a remote island and they’ll cover that by having a house party under the guise of trying to marry off the son of the English negotiator. Almost immediately, the English negotiator, Lord Hargrave, was shot. After him, the bodies started to stack up – and most were murdered in different ways with different weapons. Was there more than one killer? Or, was that one killer deadly efficient and thoroughly enjoying what he was doing?
I didn’t like that Barker was so cavalier with Llewelyn’s life while he sat back and basically, did nothing but think. In general, Barker treated Llewelyn abominably and had this been the first book I read in the series, I wouldn’t even look at another one. Don’t get me wrong – Llewelyn was a putz and certainly didn’t endear himself to me, but there was no call for Barker to treat him as he did. No wonder Barker’s last assistant was killed in the line of duty!
Bottom line is – I loved Blood is Blood and didn’t care for this one, so I’ll wait for the next book, Lethal Pursuit, and see if I like it before I continue with the series. I will read the couple of other books I’ve already bought, but won’t be in any hurry to do so. Maybe the series has gotten better as it has aged.
Publication Date: 10/25/16
Number of Pages: 301
** Maybe 2.5 Stars **
The first book I read in this series was book #10, Blood Is Blood, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought I’d go back and catch some of the earlier books in the series to see if it was consistent, and, I have to say, I was disappointed. I always start off thinking a book is at least a 4-star read, and then it is up to the author to keep that rating, add to that rating or – detract from that rating. When I read Blood is Blood, I just enjoyed the read, but with this one, while it started out well, I soon started thinking that this author had to be an American and that perhaps he hadn’t done a lot of research. Add to that - misused homonyms such as bare rather than bear, and spelling and punctuation – not to mention all of the inconsistencies. For instance, was the cook a good one or a poor one – it depends on which paragraph you are reading.
In the previous book I read, I had come to appreciate Barker and Llewelyn’s abilities and was looking forward to adding to their legend. This book sure didn’t add to my admiration for the two. Llewellyn, who is basically the narrator in the story, comes across as a twit and Barker – well – I just didn’t like Barker and he came across as sorely incompetent in most of the book. Barker was hired to protect a French Ambassador (who was also an idiot) during treaty negotiations on a remote island. Barker shows up on the island acting more like a guest than someone providing security – he didn’t even carry his weapons. Barker and Llewelyn were certainly inept and ineffectual in this outing.
I did like the IDEA of the story, but I liked it better when Agatha Christie did it in And Then There Were None. The gist is: France and England are going to negotiate a treaty regarding their respective colonies in Africa. It needs to be hush-hush, so they decide to hold the negotiations between only two people on a remote island and they’ll cover that by having a house party under the guise of trying to marry off the son of the English negotiator. Almost immediately, the English negotiator, Lord Hargrave, was shot. After him, the bodies started to stack up – and most were murdered in different ways with different weapons. Was there more than one killer? Or, was that one killer deadly efficient and thoroughly enjoying what he was doing?
I didn’t like that Barker was so cavalier with Llewelyn’s life while he sat back and basically, did nothing but think. In general, Barker treated Llewelyn abominably and had this been the first book I read in the series, I wouldn’t even look at another one. Don’t get me wrong – Llewelyn was a putz and certainly didn’t endear himself to me, but there was no call for Barker to treat him as he did. No wonder Barker’s last assistant was killed in the line of duty!
Bottom line is – I loved Blood is Blood and didn’t care for this one, so I’ll wait for the next book, Lethal Pursuit, and see if I like it before I continue with the series. I will read the couple of other books I’ve already bought, but won’t be in any hurry to do so. Maybe the series has gotten better as it has aged.
July 22, 2018
Tired plot, uninteresting characters and I've never seen Barker so ineffectual before. This is a poor example of the series. Too many characters and they all exist just to get picked off by a mysterious assassin. I recommend that if you are reading this series you skip this one. It felt endless, even heavy skimming didn't help.
January 14, 2020
Godolphin Island, one of the Scilly isles off the tip of Cornwall, provides the isolated setting for Thomas’s uneven eighth Victorian mystery (after 2015’s Anatomy of Evil). Private detective Cyrus Barker and his sidekick, Thomas Llewelyn, set out for the island at the request of Lord Hargrave, who works for the Royal United Service Institution, which monitors other countries both politically and militarily. Hargrave is to meet with the French ambassador on Godolphin Island to try to resolve tensions between Britain and France over their respective African colonies. To keep the meeting secret, Hargrave has arranged a house party at his estate, and he retains Barker and Llewelyn to provide security for the ambassador. But soon after the detectives’ arrival, a sniper fatally shoots Hargrave, and more shooting deaths follow at regular intervals.
April 21, 2020
The story reminded me of Christie's "And Then There Were None". That is how it started out, any way, although with lots more people.
October 10, 2016
First Sentence: Harold Throgmorton’s face was florid.
Cyrus Barker has been asked to provide security for a secret conference being held during the house party of Lord Hargrave on a remote, private island. Barker travels there with his assistant, Thomas Llewellyn, and his innamorato, Philippa Ashleigh Ashleigh, to join the Hargrave family, guests, and staff. Almost immediately, there are two murders, the only exit from the island is gone, and the means of signaling for help has been destroyed. How many more will die before Barker and Llewellyn uncover the killer.
Although the prologue plays into the story much later, it really could have been omitted entirely. Doing so might have made the first death even more startling and effective.
The historical information Thomas provides is both interesting and serves to provide a sense of place. It allows us to feel as though we are standing alongside our protagonists. In this particular case, it also illustrates the differences in the disposition of the two protagonists.
The plot has decided overtones of Agatha Christie. However, there is a clear difference with a reference to the danger of inexperienced individuals rushing about with more guns than good sense.
Thomas’ voice, as conveyed through the past-tense, first-person narration, is a perfect balance of often-tense scenes—“I was pressed against the closest shutter reaching across when another bullet came, striking the outside of the shutter.”—offset by occasional wry humor—“As for “Annabel Le,” one cannot go wrong when reciting Poe. I’ve always thought the man was one part hack and three parts genius.”
Thomas Llewellyn is such a wonderfully drawn character. Not only does he provide the narration, but it is through him we come to know Barker, and observe all the other characters. He is a character that has experienced the harder side of life, and has a strong moral code. That said, he is not perfect, and one can enjoy his frustrations with Barker.
Where Barker is somewhat enigmatic, Mrs. Ashleigh, a recurring character to the series, is particularly effective here. Being a widow of independent means, she has more freedom and strength than other women of the time—“I’m not a house of cards, to be blown over by the slightest breeze.”
The plot is very cleverly constructed. Just when you are lead to suspect someone, it becomes very clear that you’re wrong. There is, however, one hint given one can really wish had not been included. Conversely, there is a lovely fantasy created that we, the readers, can embrace, only to have it well, and truly smashed in a very dramatic fashion.
“Hell Bay” is a very good book. It is filled with red herrings, surprises, danger and surprises touches of humor, all of which keep the reader satisfyingly off balance.
HELL BAY (Hist Mys-Baker/Llewellyn-England-1800s/Victorian) – VG
Thomas, Will – 8th in series
Minotaur Books – October 2016
Cyrus Barker has been asked to provide security for a secret conference being held during the house party of Lord Hargrave on a remote, private island. Barker travels there with his assistant, Thomas Llewellyn, and his innamorato, Philippa Ashleigh Ashleigh, to join the Hargrave family, guests, and staff. Almost immediately, there are two murders, the only exit from the island is gone, and the means of signaling for help has been destroyed. How many more will die before Barker and Llewellyn uncover the killer.
Although the prologue plays into the story much later, it really could have been omitted entirely. Doing so might have made the first death even more startling and effective.
The historical information Thomas provides is both interesting and serves to provide a sense of place. It allows us to feel as though we are standing alongside our protagonists. In this particular case, it also illustrates the differences in the disposition of the two protagonists.
The plot has decided overtones of Agatha Christie. However, there is a clear difference with a reference to the danger of inexperienced individuals rushing about with more guns than good sense.
Thomas’ voice, as conveyed through the past-tense, first-person narration, is a perfect balance of often-tense scenes—“I was pressed against the closest shutter reaching across when another bullet came, striking the outside of the shutter.”—offset by occasional wry humor—“As for “Annabel Le,” one cannot go wrong when reciting Poe. I’ve always thought the man was one part hack and three parts genius.”
Thomas Llewellyn is such a wonderfully drawn character. Not only does he provide the narration, but it is through him we come to know Barker, and observe all the other characters. He is a character that has experienced the harder side of life, and has a strong moral code. That said, he is not perfect, and one can enjoy his frustrations with Barker.
Where Barker is somewhat enigmatic, Mrs. Ashleigh, a recurring character to the series, is particularly effective here. Being a widow of independent means, she has more freedom and strength than other women of the time—“I’m not a house of cards, to be blown over by the slightest breeze.”
The plot is very cleverly constructed. Just when you are lead to suspect someone, it becomes very clear that you’re wrong. There is, however, one hint given one can really wish had not been included. Conversely, there is a lovely fantasy created that we, the readers, can embrace, only to have it well, and truly smashed in a very dramatic fashion.
“Hell Bay” is a very good book. It is filled with red herrings, surprises, danger and surprises touches of humor, all of which keep the reader satisfyingly off balance.
HELL BAY (Hist Mys-Baker/Llewellyn-England-1800s/Victorian) – VG
Thomas, Will – 8th in series
Minotaur Books – October 2016
October 31, 2016
The format of this book is different than the other books in the series. Once you figure that out, just strap in for the ride. I loved this book! It's very Agatha Christie-esque with everyone being trapped on a basically deserted island and a mysterious sniper picking people off one by one. Barker and Llewelyn are hired as security for a house party that turns deadly and violent!
My only observation -- although I love the cover of this book, to me it doesn't have much to do with the plot. I had no idea before I started the book that almost all of the action takes place in a secluded island mansion. Not that it would have affected anything since I have read and enjoyed all the books in this series, just an observation.
If you enjoy this book, I recommend the other books in the series as well.
My only observation -- although I love the cover of this book, to me it doesn't have much to do with the plot. I had no idea before I started the book that almost all of the action takes place in a secluded island mansion. Not that it would have affected anything since I have read and enjoyed all the books in this series, just an observation.
If you enjoy this book, I recommend the other books in the series as well.
January 3, 2017
I won this novel in a goodreads drawing.
Barker and Llewelyn get hired for security at a manor at which there will be treaty discussions. The manor is on a sea island with little communication with the mainland. Soon enough there are gruesome murders, and Barker and Llewelyn have to find a way to stop the killer.
Not bad, but not really as claustrophobic as the best books in this sub-genre.
Barker and Llewelyn get hired for security at a manor at which there will be treaty discussions. The manor is on a sea island with little communication with the mainland. Soon enough there are gruesome murders, and Barker and Llewelyn have to find a way to stop the killer.
Not bad, but not really as claustrophobic as the best books in this sub-genre.
May 1, 2024
3.5 Stars. I love this series. This story moved away from the norm of Barker and Llewellyn traversing across London and instead had them confined to a remote island with a vicious killer on the loose.
September 30, 2020
3 STARS
October 2, 2016
I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books.
I've been a fan of this series written by Will Thomas for a long time. Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn are just quirky enough to ensure that the cases they become involved in will be different from most crime solving investigators set in historical times. This case took place in 1889 and Llewelyn is writing it from his perspective of how the case unfolded back then. Astute readers (ahem, all of us) can figure out some important information from that fact alone. When I began reading this eighth novel in the series I was worried that Mr. Thomas had decided to fly a little too closely into the airspace firmly allotted to Dame Agatha Christie in her novel And Then There Were None, but even though there are many similarities, the differences are there.
So the basic premise is that a group of guests have been invited to a week long house party to give the two sons of Lord and Lady Hargrave a chance to meet eligible young women with an eye to becoming engaged. The family lives on one of the Scilly Islands, Godolphin Island, belonging to the Hargrave family and accessible only by private ferry which runs when summoned by a signal. Lady Hargrave is the best friend of Mrs. Philippa Ashleigh who just happens to be of paramount importance to Cyrus Barker. Her Ladyship has high hopes that being part of the house party for a week will encourage Barker to propose to Mrs. Ashleigh. As if these wheels-within-wheels weren't enough, the French Ambassador is the godfather to the Hargrave daughter so that will nicely cover the true diplomatic reason for his invitation. If all of this sounds a little complicated, don't fret about that because soon after the travelers settle into their holiday setting on Godolphin Island they realize that they are under siege and only the death of every guest in the party will satisfy the unknown assassin.
An unusual element in this story was how interesting the unknown assassin's story was. The author's planning of the methods of death went a little bit too far to be totally believable, but it did make this story stand out from most "stranded in a big house" murder mysteries. As always the character development by Mr. Thomas was first rate. I like that he doesn't mind at all allowing his main characters to exhibit flaws and to even fail in some of their endeavors. It's rather refreshing to know there will be surprises hidden away within the stories which make the characters resemble true flesh and blood people. I look forward to the next book in the series for another cracking good read.
I've been a fan of this series written by Will Thomas for a long time. Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn are just quirky enough to ensure that the cases they become involved in will be different from most crime solving investigators set in historical times. This case took place in 1889 and Llewelyn is writing it from his perspective of how the case unfolded back then. Astute readers (ahem, all of us) can figure out some important information from that fact alone. When I began reading this eighth novel in the series I was worried that Mr. Thomas had decided to fly a little too closely into the airspace firmly allotted to Dame Agatha Christie in her novel And Then There Were None, but even though there are many similarities, the differences are there.
So the basic premise is that a group of guests have been invited to a week long house party to give the two sons of Lord and Lady Hargrave a chance to meet eligible young women with an eye to becoming engaged. The family lives on one of the Scilly Islands, Godolphin Island, belonging to the Hargrave family and accessible only by private ferry which runs when summoned by a signal. Lady Hargrave is the best friend of Mrs. Philippa Ashleigh who just happens to be of paramount importance to Cyrus Barker. Her Ladyship has high hopes that being part of the house party for a week will encourage Barker to propose to Mrs. Ashleigh. As if these wheels-within-wheels weren't enough, the French Ambassador is the godfather to the Hargrave daughter so that will nicely cover the true diplomatic reason for his invitation. If all of this sounds a little complicated, don't fret about that because soon after the travelers settle into their holiday setting on Godolphin Island they realize that they are under siege and only the death of every guest in the party will satisfy the unknown assassin.
An unusual element in this story was how interesting the unknown assassin's story was. The author's planning of the methods of death went a little bit too far to be totally believable, but it did make this story stand out from most "stranded in a big house" murder mysteries. As always the character development by Mr. Thomas was first rate. I like that he doesn't mind at all allowing his main characters to exhibit flaws and to even fail in some of their endeavors. It's rather refreshing to know there will be surprises hidden away within the stories which make the characters resemble true flesh and blood people. I look forward to the next book in the series for another cracking good read.
January 9, 2017
This was a fun read, Barker and Llewelyn's homage to "And Then There Were None" I'll call it: an isolated house party on an island estate with no escape and the guests being picked off one by one.
I've read and enjoyed every book in Will Thomas' Victorian detective series set in London. This time our heroes, dour Scotsman and super detective (or "private enquiry agent") Cyrus Barker and his assistant, young Welshman Thomas Llewelyn, are asked by a powerful government official to attend a house party on his island estate to protect a visiting diplomat. It sounds like routine security work of a kind Barker prefers to avoid, too many risks and too much can go wrong; shortly after arriving their host is shot dead, the diplomat's personal bodyguard is found dead, and all the guests are trapped on the island with no way to escape or summon help. As the body count rises Barker and Llewelyn race to try and figure out who the killer is, where he is hiding, and how to save themselves and the dwindling number of guests...
This was very exciting and enjoyable with a ripping good ending, but there were a few stumbles in the action where I felt like our heroes were spinning their wheels and their actions didn't always make sense to me. I've noticed this before with this series, maybe because it's told from Llewelyn's POV and he's an open and honest young person whereas Barker is a mysterious, elusive character and never easy to read. Thomas also has a wry, self-deprecating sense of humor, and his boss is a dour, serious and at times brooding Scotsman, as Thomas often points out; fine for illustrating Barker's character to readers, but not necessarily for explaining his motives and helping us along with the mystery.
Still, a fun, gripping read I would recommend highly to fans of historical mysteries - but start at the beginning of the series with "Some Danger Involved" so you can appreciate the wonderful characters. I eagerly await the next outing!
I've read and enjoyed every book in Will Thomas' Victorian detective series set in London. This time our heroes, dour Scotsman and super detective (or "private enquiry agent") Cyrus Barker and his assistant, young Welshman Thomas Llewelyn, are asked by a powerful government official to attend a house party on his island estate to protect a visiting diplomat. It sounds like routine security work of a kind Barker prefers to avoid, too many risks and too much can go wrong; shortly after arriving their host is shot dead, the diplomat's personal bodyguard is found dead, and all the guests are trapped on the island with no way to escape or summon help. As the body count rises Barker and Llewelyn race to try and figure out who the killer is, where he is hiding, and how to save themselves and the dwindling number of guests...
This was very exciting and enjoyable with a ripping good ending, but there were a few stumbles in the action where I felt like our heroes were spinning their wheels and their actions didn't always make sense to me. I've noticed this before with this series, maybe because it's told from Llewelyn's POV and he's an open and honest young person whereas Barker is a mysterious, elusive character and never easy to read. Thomas also has a wry, self-deprecating sense of humor, and his boss is a dour, serious and at times brooding Scotsman, as Thomas often points out; fine for illustrating Barker's character to readers, but not necessarily for explaining his motives and helping us along with the mystery.
Still, a fun, gripping read I would recommend highly to fans of historical mysteries - but start at the beginning of the series with "Some Danger Involved" so you can appreciate the wonderful characters. I eagerly await the next outing!
January 8, 2017
I am so excited when books by this author become available. This is book eight in this series. I have followed from book one. These two, remind me of Sherlock, and a young Watson . Barker is the more serious thinker, who compiles all the details in the case, while Llewelyn is a younger, and eager side kick, but very much in the action. They have been asked to provide security, at a house party, on an island, that is so much more. They soon find that there is a reason for the need of security, since a madman sniper seems to want to kill them all. I enjoy this series because. It takes place in the regency era, which always is interesting, and both investigators have a love interest. Plus they are both hands on. They both shoot, fight, and yet Barker has a feeling of suspense, and mystery about him, from the dark glasses, to his history. I enjoyed the characters, and the storyline was suspenseful. I really enjoy this series. Will Thomas always holds my attention . 4 . 5 stars.
September 6, 2016
Two isolated murders on the English mainland, of what is their significance if any? But soon Barker and Llewelyn are off to Godolphin Island in the Scillys. To visit the private estate of Lord Hargrave to provide security for a conference under the guise of a house party, to match-make various young people. Unfortunately it is not long before the killings start. But they are now cut off from help.
Barker and Llewelyn must determine the motive, and stop the killer before all the house guests are murdered.
This is my first reading from the series and I liked the portrayal of the characters and a surprising good mystery. Look forward to reading some more.
A NetGalley
Barker and Llewelyn must determine the motive, and stop the killer before all the house guests are murdered.
This is my first reading from the series and I liked the portrayal of the characters and a surprising good mystery. Look forward to reading some more.
A NetGalley
August 19, 2016
I began this book in hope, as Mr Thomas's series looked interesting. However within the first few pages we find a Scilly Isles ferry described as leaving Land's End (I'd like to see one try!), and a train from Paddington to the West Country due to pass through Wales . . . I'll say no more except that with such stupid errors (internet is a great thing - I suspected that Mr Thomas was American, but it seems not) apparent so early, I was not inclined to continue.
Very disappointing.
Very disappointing.
February 7, 2017
This was a rare book for me. One I sat down and read all the way through with minimal breaks.
I've seen a few people dislike it, but I loved it. "Hell Bay" is Barker and Llewelyn in full swing in an Agatha Christie-esque scenario set in the Isle of Scilly.
Barker and Llewelyn have been engaged to supply security at a house party... and someone is killing the guests one by one.
A delicious romp that bounces long nicely.
Highly recommended.
I've seen a few people dislike it, but I loved it. "Hell Bay" is Barker and Llewelyn in full swing in an Agatha Christie-esque scenario set in the Isle of Scilly.
Barker and Llewelyn have been engaged to supply security at a house party... and someone is killing the guests one by one.
A delicious romp that bounces long nicely.
Highly recommended.
November 26, 2016
I've now read all eight novels in this engrossing series set in Victorian London.
I'm looking forward to reading number nine when it is published.
I'm looking forward to reading number nine when it is published.
February 14, 2025
Having previously enjoyed this series, I was set to return to the next but there was a problem opening it on my Kindle. Fortunately, perhaps because I had enjoyed the previous one so much, I had downloaded the next two and so Messrs. Barker and Llewelyn became my next read after all.
It was about 8 months ago that I gave the previous book 5*. I remember little about it now but my 5* prompted me to trust this one.
I had my doubts. Starting to read it I felt as if I was heading for a Victorian romance with eligible daughters being paraded for suitable husband material. I trusted my author and carried on reading.
The story is set on one of the (very)minor Scilly Isles where our duo have been engaged to provided some security for an official of the French and British Government to have a private meeting under the cover of a 'coming out party' for one of the daughters.
As everyone arrives on the island an 'Upstairs Downstairs' atmosphere develops and perhaps my Victorian Romance takes on a little Gosford Park (2002 film) especially when the host is killed.
Cut off on the island Barker and Llewelyn start to investigate although not with everyones agreement.
As usual plenty of atmosphere and good charactorisations although I admit that I didn't grasp more than the central few which was a bit disappointing.
There were a few clues for the attentive reader but it was a major confession quite late on that would be needed to put the reader on the right lines.
Plenty of action and suspense before the excitement of the conclusion.
At the end Barker's ladyfriend is worried about the injuries suffered by the duo. She should remember the headline of the advert for the vacancy of assistant that Llewelyn filled, (and the title of the first book of the series) 'Some danger Involved'
Looking forward to more.
It was about 8 months ago that I gave the previous book 5*. I remember little about it now but my 5* prompted me to trust this one.
I had my doubts. Starting to read it I felt as if I was heading for a Victorian romance with eligible daughters being paraded for suitable husband material. I trusted my author and carried on reading.
The story is set on one of the (very)minor Scilly Isles where our duo have been engaged to provided some security for an official of the French and British Government to have a private meeting under the cover of a 'coming out party' for one of the daughters.
As everyone arrives on the island an 'Upstairs Downstairs' atmosphere develops and perhaps my Victorian Romance takes on a little Gosford Park (2002 film) especially when the host is killed.
Cut off on the island Barker and Llewelyn start to investigate although not with everyones agreement.
As usual plenty of atmosphere and good charactorisations although I admit that I didn't grasp more than the central few which was a bit disappointing.
There were a few clues for the attentive reader but it was a major confession quite late on that would be needed to put the reader on the right lines.
Plenty of action and suspense before the excitement of the conclusion.
At the end Barker's ladyfriend is worried about the injuries suffered by the duo. She should remember the headline of the advert for the vacancy of assistant that Llewelyn filled, (and the title of the first book of the series) 'Some danger Involved'
Looking forward to more.
August 10, 2018
Instead of the usual story within London, this one takes place at a 'house party' that is staged for diplomatic negotiations that essentially is Thomas' version of the classic locked room mystery.
Sadly, taking the setting out of London robs us of the supporting cast, and the city itself, which were always a bit missing last time. Barker seems particularly inept in this one, admitting he couldn't handle the job ahead of time, then failing mightily. There was no unique fight scene or cultural exploration, just a typical Victorian estate with it's typical denizens.
There was quite a bit of character development for Thomas, but it wasn't positive. He was brooding over his lady love most of the book, leading up to a cliff hanger that will surely be resolved in the next book. The tone of his narration was also different.. the previous books he seemed to be telling the story either in real time (as a diary) or just after.. this time it was more of a past memoir in the style of Watson's telling of Holmes. The change created a lack of drama for me.. even if we know the main character are probably going to be fine, making it a certainty by referencing the future removes all doubt.
Barker's lady friend, Phillipa Ashleigh, was also highlighted quite a bit here as well, but to be honest, she's not as interesting as when she was mysterious. This is defnitely the weakest entry of the series... I'm hoping the next one gets back on track.
Sadly, taking the setting out of London robs us of the supporting cast, and the city itself, which were always a bit missing last time. Barker seems particularly inept in this one, admitting he couldn't handle the job ahead of time, then failing mightily. There was no unique fight scene or cultural exploration, just a typical Victorian estate with it's typical denizens.
There was quite a bit of character development for Thomas, but it wasn't positive. He was brooding over his lady love most of the book, leading up to a cliff hanger that will surely be resolved in the next book. The tone of his narration was also different.. the previous books he seemed to be telling the story either in real time (as a diary) or just after.. this time it was more of a past memoir in the style of Watson's telling of Holmes. The change created a lack of drama for me.. even if we know the main character are probably going to be fine, making it a certainty by referencing the future removes all doubt.
Barker's lady friend, Phillipa Ashleigh, was also highlighted quite a bit here as well, but to be honest, she's not as interesting as when she was mysterious. This is defnitely the weakest entry of the series... I'm hoping the next one gets back on track.
November 5, 2017
Barker and Lewelyn are in the thick of it again, this time on an island for a very different kind of assignment: undercover bodyguards for a secret meeting involving international matters, cloaked in the innocent guise of a house party.
However, a sniper is picking off the guests, sometimes by bullet, sometimes by bomb, and the story takes on the feel of Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" as the number of living dwindles and our detectives sort through the guests and their servants to find the culprit.
I enjoyed this entry in the series, even though I suspected the baddie right away (yet not for any reason mentioned in the reveal, so I never quite knew if my suspicions had merit until near the end). An intriguing, edge-of-your-seat, tragic tale that leaves our detecting duo considering what and whom they value most.
However, a sniper is picking off the guests, sometimes by bullet, sometimes by bomb, and the story takes on the feel of Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" as the number of living dwindles and our detectives sort through the guests and their servants to find the culprit.
I enjoyed this entry in the series, even though I suspected the baddie right away (yet not for any reason mentioned in the reveal, so I never quite knew if my suspicions had merit until near the end). An intriguing, edge-of-your-seat, tragic tale that leaves our detecting duo considering what and whom they value most.
September 25, 2019
Not the strongest of the Barker & Llewelyn books.
Barker allows himself to be cornered into taking an impossible assignment (when readers know he can be unmovable when he decides to be) and fails miserably. Llewelyn alternates between self-doubt and whingeing about Barker's apparent lack of regard for his work or safety when he's been working and living with the man for five years... one would think he'd have gained a little confidence & some insight into Barker's methods by now. The characters don't ring true and the plot feels forced. Barker wouldn't let himself be put into this situation in the first place.
Barker allows himself to be cornered into taking an impossible assignment (when readers know he can be unmovable when he decides to be) and fails miserably. Llewelyn alternates between self-doubt and whingeing about Barker's apparent lack of regard for his work or safety when he's been working and living with the man for five years... one would think he'd have gained a little confidence & some insight into Barker's methods by now. The characters don't ring true and the plot feels forced. Barker wouldn't let himself be put into this situation in the first place.
January 3, 2019
I wanted this to be the last book of 2018, but it was the first book of 2019. I barely got a stitch of reading done over the holidays. Too much cheese to eat and visits to make. It was another worthy installment to the series. I'm going to have to parcel them out more carefully as there are only two more in my possession at the moment. I have plenty to read and it shall be a pleasure to return to Victorian London to visit Llewellyn and Barker.
August 27, 2018
This was my leas favorite volume in my (currently) favorite mystery series. The Barker & Llewelyn series are a wonderful cross between late-Victoriana and hard-boiled crime fiction. Most of them set compelling murder mysteries in the grubby underside of 1890s London. This one was more of a tribute to Agatha Christie. I hate Agatha Christie.
January 30, 2025
GREAT. GOOGLY. MOOGLY.
What an excellent [had I not known there were still 6+ books in the series, I would have been afraid it was the end!!] story/mystery [with a ginormous body count!!!] that was very unexpected [though there were moments where I thought I knew... *spoiler alert*, I was always wrong]. So. So. Good.
This series just gets better with each book!!
What an excellent [had I not known there were still 6+ books in the series, I would have been afraid it was the end!!] story/mystery [with a ginormous body count!!!] that was very unexpected [though there were moments where I thought I knew... *spoiler alert*, I was always wrong]. So. So. Good.
This series just gets better with each book!!
May 4, 2024
This series has its ups and downs, this being one of the downs. Too many contradictions in the narrative. I struggled to finish this one. Both main characters looked foolish where as they are usually efficient in their duties. At 11.99 a book, I expected much more but I will continue the series as I’ve enjoyed previous stories of Barker and Llewelyn. I’m not a professional reviewer but a very avid reader and a huge fan of Sherlock and Watson. I’m hoping the next book redeems this author.
August 19, 2017
Wow! Fiendishly diabolical
May 19, 2018
Incredibly entertaining library read!
July 25, 2020
I didn't like the part when Bean Kitten became Mean Kitten! But it was short-lived
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