A Knife in the Fog

A Mystery Featuring Margaret Harkness and Arthur Conan Doyle

By: Bradley Harper

Narrated by: Matthew Lloyd Davies

September 1888. A 29-year-old Arthur Conan Doyle practices medicine by day and writes at night. His first Sherlock Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet, although gaining critical and popular success, has only netted him 25 pounds. Embittered by the experience, he vows never to write another "crime story". Then a messenger arrives with a mysterious summons from former Prime Minister William Gladstone, asking him to come to London immediately.

Once there, he is offered one month's employment to assist the Metropolitan Police as a "consultant" in their hunt for the serial killer soon to be known as Jack the Ripper. Doyle agrees on the stipulation his old professor of surgery, Professor Joseph Bell - Doyle's inspiration for Sherlock Holmes - agrees to work with him. Bell agrees, and soon the two are joined by Miss Margaret Harkness, an author residing in the East End who knows how to use a Derringer and serves as their guide and companion.

Pursuing leads through the dank alleys and courtyards of Whitechapel, they come upon the body of a savagely murdered fifth victim. Soon it becomes clear that the hunters have become the hunted when a knife-wielding figure approaches.

©2018 Bradley Harper (P)2018 Tantor

great story by a local author

i meet Mr Harper at my local gym and after taking to him, quickly logged into audible to buy this book. i like to support local but this was a real treat. well written, suspenseful, and historically accurate. it reminded me s lot of The Alienist that i watched on TV. great historical tidbits and wonderful characters. i look forward to reading more of his writings.

Outstanding!

Harper weaves a masterful and entertaining tale, intertwining copious historical facts with delightful dashes of fiction to give us a stirring glimpse of what may have been.

Davies's performance is that of a Master thespian.

I have listened twice and have the book. Much like Conan Doyle's famous detective mysteries, I will read and re-read this, finding new delights with each fresh instance.

phenomenal

A quick read and immersive story. Something to pick up for your personal collection.

Mixed, because of the horrors described

I generally steer clear of anything to do with "Jack the Ripper" or violence against women of any kind. But I was intrigued by this debut novel by a former Army surgeon and pathologist because of the historical characters he has peopled his story with. The author, Dr. Bradley Harper, is certainly in his element. I have long wondered what would draw a person into the the profession of medical examiner. I think this novel helped me to understand that it is perhaps a desire to solve murders and bring justice and closure to violent crimes.

I found that I could generally avoid most of the disturbing descriptions with a few 30-sec skips, but still found the theme upsetting. I gratefully acknowledge that a brave and intelligent, but caring, woman is given a prominent role and portrayed as some who, as in the poem "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley, can proclaim:
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.

The story is based on the real biographies of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; his mentor and inspiration for Shelock Holmes, Dr. Joseph Bell; and the author and human rights activist Miss Margaret Harkness. This gives the story a real piquancy and makes their relationship quite believable, although not factual in the case of Miss Harkness.

The narrator was generally very good, but his truly awful rendition of a German accent cost him a star. However, his Scottish burr is genuine and captivating.

For anyone interested in the Bell-Doyle relationship, there is a great TV series produced by the BBC and WGBH starring Ian Richardson as Dr. Bell. The pilot for the series is "Dr. Bell and Mr. Doyle - The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes". The four subsequent episodes are grouped under the title "Murder Rooms - The Mysteries of the Real Sherlock Holmes." Both are available as DVDs from Amazon.

Excellent!

This is the first book in the series. I read the second book in the series first - which features Margaret Harkness prominently while Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Dr. Bell are relegated to cameos. This book has the three characters working together to identify Jack the Ripper. I very much preferred the format of this book versus the second and hope the author chooses to explore these three characters working together as forensic technology is slowly being developed in Victorian England.

The story of Jack the Ripper has often been told but the way it is told here with some minor fictional twists is so interesting. The story is narrated by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and takes place after he has written the first Sherlock Holmes mystery. The entire story is from his point of view and is told years after the events. The exploration of the crime scenes [including autopsies and other evidence] by the characters and hearing their process as they reached their conclusions was fascinating. There is some nice humor sprinkled throughout.

I listened to this in one sitting and was saddened when it ended as I had so enjoyed spending time with these characters. It was time very enjoyably spent and I highly recommend this excellent book. There is a great epilogue at the end which provides information from the author about all of the real life individuals depicted in this book.

The narrator, Matthew Lloyd Davies, was perfect. He did various voices for all the characters - including a great voice for the "tour guide" for one of the crime scenes.

Great fun!

I don't typically read fiction based in this time frame, but it was recommended by a friend. I'm so glad I listened! The narrator is fantastic and brought the characters to life. The plot was well paced and delicious! You'll be happy you took the time to enjoy this gem.

Great literary works!

I was unable to complete the physical book simultaneously with audio as the book had to be returned to library. However, I did complete with the audio alone and was very pleased with the accuracy of real happenings in the material. Readers can "see" what the protagonists were doing, "visit" the locations they search for clues, and the "feel" their process of thinking that took place to concluded the "business." I will read other material by this author. I believe this author, and this book in particular, is one that will be entered into the "classics" as time passes!

VAMRC

Fast paced with enough turns and surprises to get and keep your attention. I will read the next novels. Excellent narration