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The Esther & Jack Enright Mysteries #6
The Mercy Killings
The Enrights return for their most shocking case yet!
Innocent lives are being taken in Victorian England…
London, 1896
Detective Sergeant Jack Enright, recently transferred to the rural backwaters of Essex, is disgusted to find reports of the discovery of three infant corpses in as many months.
It soon becomes clear that his uncle, Percy, working in London’s Scotland Yard has also uncovered cases of babies being murdered.
These clearly are not one-off acts of desperation by impoverished mothers, but a widespread plot to take young lives.
Who is behind these baby killings? Can they be stopped?
And will Esther find herself, once more, at the heart of the investigation…?
THE MERCY KILLINGS is the sixth crime thriller in an exciting new historical series, the Esther and Jack Enright Mysteries, a traditional British detective series set in Victorian London and packed full of suspense.
ESTHER & JACK ENRIGHT MYSTERY SERIES
BOOK ONE: The Gaslight Stalker
BOOK TWO: The Night Caller
BOOK THREE: The Prodigal Sister
BOOK FOUR: The Slum Reaper
BOOK FIVE: The Posing Playwright
BOOK SIX: The Mercy Killings
Innocent lives are being taken in Victorian England…
London, 1896
Detective Sergeant Jack Enright, recently transferred to the rural backwaters of Essex, is disgusted to find reports of the discovery of three infant corpses in as many months.
It soon becomes clear that his uncle, Percy, working in London’s Scotland Yard has also uncovered cases of babies being murdered.
These clearly are not one-off acts of desperation by impoverished mothers, but a widespread plot to take young lives.
Who is behind these baby killings? Can they be stopped?
And will Esther find herself, once more, at the heart of the investigation…?
THE MERCY KILLINGS is the sixth crime thriller in an exciting new historical series, the Esther and Jack Enright Mysteries, a traditional British detective series set in Victorian London and packed full of suspense.
ESTHER & JACK ENRIGHT MYSTERY SERIES
BOOK ONE: The Gaslight Stalker
BOOK TWO: The Night Caller
BOOK THREE: The Prodigal Sister
BOOK FOUR: The Slum Reaper
BOOK FIVE: The Posing Playwright
BOOK SIX: The Mercy Killings
191 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 18, 2018
116 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
David Field
59 books98 followersDavid was born in post-war Nottingham, and educated at Nottingham High School. After obtaining a Law degree he became a career-long criminal law practitioner and academic, emigrating in 1989 to Australia, where he still lives.
Combining his two great loves of History and the English language he began writing historical novels as an escape from the realities of life in the criminal law, but did not begin to publish them until close to fulltime retirement, when digital publishing offered a viable alternative to literary agencies, print publishers and rejection slips.
Now blessed with all the time in the world, his former hobby has become a fulltime occupation as he enjoys life in rural New South Wales with his wife, sons and grandchildren to keep him firmly grounded in the reality of the contemporary world.
David Field is published by Sapere Books.
Combining his two great loves of History and the English language he began writing historical novels as an escape from the realities of life in the criminal law, but did not begin to publish them until close to fulltime retirement, when digital publishing offered a viable alternative to literary agencies, print publishers and rejection slips.
Now blessed with all the time in the world, his former hobby has become a fulltime occupation as he enjoys life in rural New South Wales with his wife, sons and grandchildren to keep him firmly grounded in the reality of the contemporary world.
David Field is published by Sapere Books.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 21, 2018
David Field presents readers with another novel about the criminal element of Victorian England in the latest Esther and Jack Enright piece. Jack Enright has accepted a Detective Sergeant position in Essex, wanting to get away from the politics of Scotland Yard’s Metropolitan Police Force. While Jack enjoys the new surroundings, he is less than impressed by some less than dedicated fellow officers. A series of babies have been found murdered around Essex, snuffed out soon after birth and placed in a variety of locations. Baffled as to how he might start his investigation, Jack turns to his uncle, Percy, who remains a Detective Inspector with the Met. There has been a rise in unwanted children throughout the urban areas, England’s orphanages are overrun, yet there are too few families seeking to adopt through legal means. This has brought about the rise in baby farming, where women are peddling abandoned children to finicky couples, but the ‘leftovers’ are disposed of in quick order. These women disappear as quickly as they emerge on the scene, leaving the Enrights to chase their tails. Meanwhile, Esther has been biding her time with three children while Jack is away at work, though has been filling her time promoting Church-based adoptions, though the stories she learns leave her highly distressed. As Jack and Percy need to develop a sting operation to catch one suspected baby farmer, they turn to Esther and a new member of the family, hoping that this will quell the number of babies found disposed of like rubbish. It’s surely a matter of dismantling the operation, beginning with the lowest rungs on the ladder. Field provides an excellent plot for this piece, against a controversial backdrop in English history. Fans of the series will likely enjoy this latest piece, as might those readers who love Victorian mysteries that are read in short order.
I make a point of promoting David Field whenever I can, as his writing is not only easy to comprehend, but provides the reader with some context into the goings-on during the Victorian era. London and environs come to life in these pieces, as do some of the political issues of the day, some of which are still matters of contention. I rushed through the first few novels in the series when contacted by the publisher, and knew that I would return as soon as more novels appeared in publication. Field uses the story’s setting effectively, shifting focus to Essex without losing the narrative’s strength. Jack and Esther remain strong characters and some new developments in their familial and character aspects help pull the reader into the middle of this latest story. With an ever-growing family, the topic of baby deaths surely hits home for the Enrights, though they do not allow this to derail their attention to the crimes at hand. Field does well to never leave the reader without some new aspect of this couple, who play off one another well, without becoming too predictable. Percy and some of the other supporting characters do well to ride the wave of the narrative, helping to enrich the criminal investigation and adding unique flavours that permit Field to explore the topic at hand from a variety of vantage points. Field keeps the story fairly straightforward, though can never be accused of diluting or oversimplifying things for the curious reader. While Victorian England was surely not a time of sexual repression, contraceptives were still not readily discussed, pushing abortion into an unspoken realm. This left England with a surplus of babies and no means of handling the situation effectively. Scores of unwanted babies, abandoned for lack of desire or ability to care for them surely became a major issue, though the authorities of the time could not turn a blind eye. Field effectively educates without pushing out a soap box on the issue, permitting the reader to create their own opinion. These short reads can be digested in a single day, as I have done here, without feeling cheated. One can only hope that Field’s collection of ideas does not dry up anytime soon, as these novels are perfect for a reader who enjoys historical fiction.
Kudos, Mr. Field, for another success. I see a few more pieces are coming down the pipeline and I anticipate their arrival!
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
I make a point of promoting David Field whenever I can, as his writing is not only easy to comprehend, but provides the reader with some context into the goings-on during the Victorian era. London and environs come to life in these pieces, as do some of the political issues of the day, some of which are still matters of contention. I rushed through the first few novels in the series when contacted by the publisher, and knew that I would return as soon as more novels appeared in publication. Field uses the story’s setting effectively, shifting focus to Essex without losing the narrative’s strength. Jack and Esther remain strong characters and some new developments in their familial and character aspects help pull the reader into the middle of this latest story. With an ever-growing family, the topic of baby deaths surely hits home for the Enrights, though they do not allow this to derail their attention to the crimes at hand. Field does well to never leave the reader without some new aspect of this couple, who play off one another well, without becoming too predictable. Percy and some of the other supporting characters do well to ride the wave of the narrative, helping to enrich the criminal investigation and adding unique flavours that permit Field to explore the topic at hand from a variety of vantage points. Field keeps the story fairly straightforward, though can never be accused of diluting or oversimplifying things for the curious reader. While Victorian England was surely not a time of sexual repression, contraceptives were still not readily discussed, pushing abortion into an unspoken realm. This left England with a surplus of babies and no means of handling the situation effectively. Scores of unwanted babies, abandoned for lack of desire or ability to care for them surely became a major issue, though the authorities of the time could not turn a blind eye. Field effectively educates without pushing out a soap box on the issue, permitting the reader to create their own opinion. These short reads can be digested in a single day, as I have done here, without feeling cheated. One can only hope that Field’s collection of ideas does not dry up anytime soon, as these novels are perfect for a reader who enjoys historical fiction.
Kudos, Mr. Field, for another success. I see a few more pieces are coming down the pipeline and I anticipate their arrival!
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
July 16, 2025
5 🌟
A thought-provoking and recommended must-read in the series. Definitely one of the hardest to stomach, but also one of the best, back to form and better than book 5.
Set once again in Victorian England, Jack is now a Detective Sergeant based in Essex. This time the whole family inc. Aunt Beattie is drawn into the disappearance and discovery of newborn babies killed and found in various locations. Jack takes on these killings on his own but has to ask his Uncle Percy, now a DI in the Met for help.
Involving orphans and baby farming, the subject matter is disturbing but some key figures are real as are the events. Society in general questions both Jack and especially Uncle Percy to questions their careers. A fitting twist at the end sums up the book. Overall a very brave and honest piece of fiction during the Victorian reign.
I am looking forward to book 7, The Jubilee Plot.
A thought-provoking and recommended must-read in the series. Definitely one of the hardest to stomach, but also one of the best, back to form and better than book 5.
Set once again in Victorian England, Jack is now a Detective Sergeant based in Essex. This time the whole family inc. Aunt Beattie is drawn into the disappearance and discovery of newborn babies killed and found in various locations. Jack takes on these killings on his own but has to ask his Uncle Percy, now a DI in the Met for help.
Involving orphans and baby farming, the subject matter is disturbing but some key figures are real as are the events. Society in general questions both Jack and especially Uncle Percy to questions their careers. A fitting twist at the end sums up the book. Overall a very brave and honest piece of fiction during the Victorian reign.
I am looking forward to book 7, The Jubilee Plot.
November 13, 2018
Outstanding and moving gripping historical work of art
David Field created Esther and Jack and the entire story of the issues and cases they have faced as their relationship has grown has gripped me since Book 1. This is. very brave and honest fiction of the awful atrocities that befell Victorian reign. David is my latest favourite author accolade i do not give out lightly. This particular story moved me deeply. Well done another 5 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠
David Field created Esther and Jack and the entire story of the issues and cases they have faced as their relationship has grown has gripped me since Book 1. This is. very brave and honest fiction of the awful atrocities that befell Victorian reign. David is my latest favourite author accolade i do not give out lightly. This particular story moved me deeply. Well done another 5 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠
April 28, 2020
Jack moves to Essex and babies are being killed and dumped. Percy still loves his cream cakes and his wife Beattie becomes more involved instead of being something of a background figure.
Very much enjoy this series.
Very much enjoy this series.
October 28, 2018
I love this story. My favorite of the series.
December 14, 2020
Another excellent story involving Jack and Esther and percy in Victoria' Britain. With a subject of what most people would not attempt to write about. I found it very interesting if not a bit sad in places about the choices people had to make. Weather lawful or not. Great piece of historic insight of lifestyle,s of the poor and middle classes.
March 23, 2020
Back to Form
This book was much better than the last. It returned to the excellence of the first books in the series. The crime was based on a gritty shameful happening in parts of Victorian England.
This book was much better than the last. It returned to the excellence of the first books in the series. The crime was based on a gritty shameful happening in parts of Victorian England.
August 27, 2020
Thought provoking.
Really thought it was a nice twist on the end. Puts one in mind of today with the earning differences.
Really thought it was a nice twist on the end. Puts one in mind of today with the earning differences.
August 9, 2025
London and Essex, 1896. The Enrights discover a series of discovers of dead infant babies. All killed. They investiagte.
An interesting historical mystery
An interesting historical mystery
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews