Death by Silver

GREAT READ!

Edward “Ned” Mathey is a metaphysician. He bought his practice from old Fitzgibbons and lost clientele, as many did not want to deal with a new metaphysician from Oxford. Business hasn’t been that lucrative for Ned and he’s frustrated with a badly enchanted garden gate.

Cordelia Frost is his “typewriter girl”, but is so much more. She study metaphysics at a women’s college and is very knowledgeable, but of course, her education is not recognized. But Ned finds her extremely intelligent and useful for the business and they get along perfectly.

Finally, a letter has arrived and Ned is called in on a case of cursed silver. Edgar Nevett believes his silver has become strangely enchanted. When Ned goes to do his investigation he sees no issues with the silver and closes out his investigation with sigils and “light” for a grand effect. Frustrated about the clientele of his metaphysical business, Ned would like one thing and that is to spend time with his long time friend Julian Lynes.

Julian Lynes, is a private detective. He deals with the more seedier side of London at times. He and Ned attended St. Thomas’ one of the oldest schools in England. They suffered abuse from the senior group known as prefects and Ned suffered the worst of the abuse. Ned and Julian have been more than friends for a very long time and both have doubts about where this relationship would lead and Julian is heavily thinking of calling it off. As far as business, Julian has received a note from another schoolmate, Albert Wynchcombe, to investigate a stolen design for their latest risqué automaton. When Ned comes to visit and tells him of the Edgar Nevett case, Julian is beside himself. How can Ned accept a client such as Edgar Nevett, when his son Victor was one of the prefects that abused them at St. Thomas’.

For both Ned and Julian their cases will become even more baffling when Edgar Nevett is found dead in his home. Scotland Yards, Inspector Charles Hatton will seek out Ned’s assistance and Julian will be by his side. As if things couldn’t get any stranger, Victor Nevett, shows up at Ned’s office and wants to retain him to solve his father’s murder.

I am a fan of many Victorian 18th century murder mystery tales from London and “Death by Silver” fits in perfectly with the new mysteries that I follow. Melissa Scott and Amy Griswold do exceptional explaining and describing all types of: wands, sigils, Metaphysical enhancements, spells, special square papers and more. I loved the Julians strange plant - Urtica Mordax! The many suspects and the interview process make this a well constructed murder mystery in a world of metaphysics. There is a slight element of danger as Julian and Ned do find themselves in the seedier parts of the London Streets. They not only deal with various emotions as the cases have them questioning so many suspects. Of course, Julian and Ned will try to get through it all, while dealing with their own doubts and feelings about their relationship.

There are all types of suspects throughout the novel: Larkin the butler, Alice, Margaret, Jane Pugh, Miller and Sarah. Nevett Family: Mrs Louisa Nevett, Mrs. Victor, Victor’s brothers: Reginald and Freddie; and Reverend Ellis. Some other interesting characters: Annie Makins, Mick Murtaugh, Bolster, Peter Lennox and especially Bob and Digby who really earned their pay.

The audio for “Death by Silver” released in November 2013 and is narrated by Matthew Cresswell. Cresswell still does an entertaining narration, as I did a listen/read along with the newest book. There are a few little glitches in the audio and I did slow the speed, but for a 2013 audio it’s still worth the listen. Cresswell does quite well with bringing the British wording and accent to the story. I thought the narrator also does well in bringing out all the various emotions and wittiness of Julian and Ned.

“Death by Silver” is just as great and entertaining now as it was in 2013 when it first published. I am ecstatic that Melissa Scott and Amy Griswold have brought Julian Lynes and Ned Mathey back. I’m excited for the second book “A Death at the Dionysus Club” to make it’s appearance again. I hope they will continue with some new tales from “Lynes & Mathey” and the metaphysical world.