Some Danger Involved

Barker & Llewelyn Series, Book 1

By: Will Thomas

Narrated by: Antony Ferguson

Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

An atmospheric debut novel set on the gritty streets of Victorian London, Some Danger Involved introduces detective Cyrus Barker and his assistant, Thomas Llewelyn, as they work to solve the gruesome murder of a young scholar in London's Jewish ghetto. When the eccentric and enigmatic Barker takes the case, he must hire an assistant, and out of all who answer an ad for a position with "some danger involved", he chooses downtrodden Llewelyn, a gutsy young man with a murky past.

As they inch ever closer to the shocking truth behind the murder, Llewelyn is drawn deeper and deeper into Barker's peculiar world of vigilante detective work, as well as the heart of London's teeming underworld.

Brimming with wit and unforgettable characters and steeped in authentic period detail, Some Danger Involved is a captivating novel that introduces an equally captivating duo.

©2004 Will Thomas (P)2016 Tantor

Charming and historically interesting

London in early 1900's creates a cool atmosphere for this clever and unusual detective and his assistant. Weaving the history of the Jewish people at the time. Educational and fun!

A Great “Enquiry Agent” duo

Llewelyn is smarter, sassier, and lots more fun than Dr Watson. And Barker is downright intriguing, what with his varied acquaintances. I highly recommend this.

New Favorite Series

What did you love best about Some Danger Involved?

Great Narrator, good dialogue, character development with lots of action and location discription.

If Sherlock Holmes Met Amelia Peabody

An eccentric "inquiry agent" with an exotic background and rather esoteric talents -- remind you of anyone? -- accompanied by an energetic but rather naive "assistant " embarks on a late 19th century mystery in the East End of London. Unlike Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody, Will Thomas is not writing either parody or pastiche, so the stories, meant to be taken as straight fiction, so a certain suspension of credulity is required. But they are fun.

The only real problem is that the narrator is awful. He mangles every Hebrew and Jewish term, and his accents are not accurate. I think I'll prefer to read the rest of the series.

Great new series!

When a job description says, some danger involved, expect to be in dangerous situations. This Victorian London period novel features Cyrus Baker, a Private Inquiry Agent, who is much like 007 with his gadgets, skills and worldly knowledge. Thomas Llewelyn, former oxford criminal, has just become Baker’s new apprentice, without an idea what the job entails.

The story centers around a murder of and public crucifixion of a young Polish Jew. Baker and Llewelyn accept to uncover the details of the crime and its motive. Is this an act designed to stir anti-Semitism in the East End or was as it done to humiliate the young man without religious intent?

Will Thomas did an excellent job giving readers an introduction to the Jewish faith, providing just enough context to understand their way of life, while not making it feel like too much. He take readers on a tour through the seedy and dangerous underbelly of London's East End - a part of the city awash in immigrants from east Europe and Italy as the English struggle to accommodate and assimilate these new groups. Will Thomas did an excellent job giving readers an introduction to the Jewish faith, providing just enough context to understand their way of life, while not making it feel like too much.

I am normally an urban fantasy, paranormal, readers. I do enjoy contemporary and period mysteries. Unfortunately, I do not have many authors in those genres that I faithfully follow, until now.

The danger involved - you getting addicted to the series.

Thomas Llewellyn is adorable!

To be honest, I found Cyrus Barker too "perfect" to warm up to, but his 20-year-old assistant, Thomas Llewellyn, was adorable. In fact, he reminded me of another young and inexperienced investigator, Sherri Cobb South's John Pickett. Granted, the Barker and Llewellyn series is set several decades later, contains less romance (though not due to any lack of effort on Thomas's part!), and makes more use of actual historical figures and events. Still, I think readers who enjoy John Pickett will also like Thomas Llewellyn, and vice versa. The narration in both series is excellent, as well.

Not Bad

Interesting Characters and setting. The actual detective work and plot line were a little vague, but overall a good entertainment. Might trade it in.

Terrific Read!

terrific terrific terrific terrific terrific terrific terrific terrific terrific terrific terrific terrific terrific terrific really absolutely one of a kind

Good narration

I’m a fan of both historical fiction and mystery novels. I liked the characters and appreciate that it wasn’t a Sherlock Holmes imitation. The narration was interesting and natural. I would have rated it higher, but the plot and story was often given a backseat to Zionist apologetics. If you want a detailed understanding of Jewish, Christian, and Messianic Christian faiths you might enjoy this book. I was looking for a mystery novel so I lost interest.

A strong sherlockian novel with Jews in it

A good detective story, with all the necessary elements (wise detective, young apprentice, sinister crimes), made incredibly interesting by the author's understanding of the Jewish lifestyle in London of 19th century, of their traditions, strengths and weaknesses, etc.