The Yard (Scotland Yard's Murder Squad, #1) in Around the World in 80 Books

Jan 19, 2012 Kimberly rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries-thrillers, historical-mystery, mystery, series, world-mysteries-thrillers, england, 2014-bookshelf, library-books-read-2014

I'd had The Yard on my radar for quite some time before I actually sat down and read it (in one sitting it was that good!) In fact, I'd borrowed it 4 times from the library before and I always sent it back unread, saying that I'd get to it next time. Now I'm kicking myself in the pants for having not read it the first time around because I absolutely loved Alex Grecian's premier novel in the Murder Squad series.

This had everything I want to find in a historical mystery. I for one love histori
I'd had The Yard on my radar for quite some time before I actually sat down and read it (in one sitting it was that good!) In fact, I'd borrowed it 4 times from the library before and I always sent it back unread, saying that I'd get to it next time. Now I'm kicking myself in the pants for having not read it the first time around because I absolutely loved Alex Grecian's premier novel in the Murder Squad series.

This had everything I want to find in a historical mystery. I for one love historical mysteries set in England in this time period especially since the novel takes place only a year after Jack the Ripper strikes fear into the very heart of London herself and Grecian did a stand up job capturing the feelings of not only the police at the time who are still facing ridicule over not catching Bloody Jack, but the general public as well who are still looking over their shoulders. I love how real he made the setting, because as I read I was almost certain I'd been taken back in time. The sights, smells and sounds of London in the 1880s were subtly written into the story but were enough to make everything come to life, including the characters.

We have Walter Day, a newly hired detective who along with the unkempt constable Neville Hammersmith and Dr. Kingsley at the center of this story that involves dead children, missing children, a dead police officer and threats that target those closest to the three men they work together seamlessly to bring the culprit in even if it means they'll have to shed some of their own blood.

I really like how all three men work together as each are strong characters in their own right but the way they play off each other was what really made me want to read more, because no matter how good a plot is if the characters aren't strong it feels lopsided to me. The good thing is none of these men are perfect.

Walter is bewildered with his new job, he has a young wife at home and he wants treat her like a queen. Neville is driven on by a strong sense of justice and is like a pitbull. Once he latches on he's set in his ways even if it means injury to himself. Dr. Kingsley, the widower and father of two girls who spends far to much time alone brings a brilliant mind to round out the trio by giving Day and Hammersmith new evidence that he's found by using new methods in forensics which was in it's infantry. All of them brought a different aspect to the story, strengths and weaknesses alike without detracting from the story and each other and it made them more human seeing that while they were all brilliant they didn't put everything together right away.

I didn't even guess who the killer was until the author gave a single clue, but while I focused on that other factors were at play and Grecian really played with my mind because he had so much going on that it wasn't until the end that everything became clear which was fantastic. When I was reading I felt like I was a part of the hunt for the fiend as well and got so absorbed in the story that it was all I could think about. The killer was an interesting man to say the least and I liked how he was revealed, and how his own sad story was worked into the story as well.

Overall, this book had everything I love. It had thrills and chills and was quite dark without being explicitly graphic. The plot was fantastic, and like I said it took me until the end to really marvel at how the author connected everything together after an adventurous chase. The characters were superb and when I finished the book I felt like I was saying farewell to friends, because of how attached I'd become. I would have no problem recommending this to mystery fans but if you're looking for a quaint and cozy British historical mystery then this one might not be the one for you. However, if you're like me and like your historical mysteries to be written in that Sherlockian vein that made Sir Arthur Conan Doyle so famous then this might just be your next read. Be prepared to be sucked into Alex Grecian's The Yard to get a feel for a thrilling manhunt that is sure to entertain you. ...more

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Dec 27, 2014 Diane rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, era-1800s, crime-thriller-mystery, locale-england-tudors

I always enjoy a good mystery and this one did not disappoint. On to the next in the series!

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Mar 03, 2012 Pam rated it really liked it

Shelves: uk-book, mystery, historical-fiction, 2012

This is a mystery set in Victorian London. It is the debut novel of Alex Grecian. This book grabbed me on page 3 and held on until the end, over 400 pages later.

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Jul 29, 2014 Andy Plonka rated it really liked it

Shelves: src

This book has been on my shelf for quite a while. I finally made myself read (well, listen to) it so now I will have to read the second in the series. Although Jack the Ripper is mentioned many times, the tale is much larger than that and the main characters are exceptionally well drawn.

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May 21, 2013 Suzanne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mysteries, historical-fiction, british-fiction

Looking at reviews below, this book appears to be a love it or hate it novel. Personally, I loved this book!! I loved the time period, I loved the layering of sub-plots in with the main mystery, I loved the characters! My favorite character is Dr. Kingsley, although I'm partial to Hammersmith, Blackleg and the Dancing Man too. It's fascinating to imagine a time when fingerprinting was just coming into use for investigations.

I am eagerly awaiting the second in this series! ...more

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Jun 17, 2014 Anie rated it really liked it

Shelves: male-protagonist, fiction, mystery, 2014, male-author, borrowed

I really enjoyed this book---more than I thought I would, actually. I picked it up thinking, "Ah, yes, I do enjoy Victorian mysteries." I set it down thinking, "This guy is pretty good with prose! And I love these characters!" Because, in all seriousness, Hammersmith? I'm in love with Hammersmith. Also Kingsley and Fiona. (And Sgt. Blacker.) (And Claire Day.) (And....)

Suffice to say: I'll be keeping an eye out for the next volume. ...more

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Aug 09, 2012 Georgia Carvalho rated it it was ok

This was not exactly my cup of tea. I thought there were way too many dead bodies, unending gory details, and it felt like the author kept every last historic detail and research in the text -- even if it didn't advance the story. Maybe as he becomes more comfortable as an author, he will learn to avoid overstating to such a degree. ...more

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