Shadows in the White City: An Inspector Alastair Ransom Mystery

My bookmark has just left Shadows in the White City, by Robert W. Walker. I will preface the review with the disclaimer that I am a slow reader, and most of my recreational reading is done at bedtime. For a number of reasons, partly personal scheduling, partly that portions of the book are really not good bedtime "lull me to sleep" material, it has taken me a couple of months to complete the book. For that reason, I fear that much of the general effect of the book was lost on me - but what I did get was sufficient that I will keep it in reserve for a time when I have a block of dark and stormy nights to revisit. "Shadows in the White City", the second in Walker's Inspector Alistair Ransom "City" series, is set in Chicago at the time of the World Columbian Exposition of 1893. Several books have explored this setting in recent years; Nancy Wikarski's The Fall of White City and Erik Larson's documentary The Devil in the White City come to mind as two examples. Unlike the others, Walker's "City" series does not place the Fair front and center, but rather in a more realistic context as part of Chicago as a whole. This is 1893 Chicago from the perspective of the people of Chicago, rather than the perspective of Fairgoers. We are left with no doubt that, while the Fair was truly a monumental achievement, and something of a miracle, it was also a huge pain in the tail to the people whose daily lives kept the city running. Walker has mentioned in a couple of interviews that some editorial decisions were enforced by the publisher; the opening of "Shadows" is actually the conclusion of the first in the trilogy, City for Ransom, which was running "longer than standard". I believe both books suffered somewhat as a result; the first was trimmed for length, and the second was expanded accordingly. This was not arbitrary hacking and padding, thankfully - the two books combined would have ended up with the same length, regardless of where the line was drawn between them - but the end result is such that if you read "City for Ransom", I suggest that you have "Shadows in the White City" on hand, so you can dive right in. The two dovetail very nicely together. In spite of my choppy approach to reading the book - on 3 nights, off 2, on 4, off 5 - the story refused to lose coherence. When I missed a full week of reading, I was afraid I was going to end up setting it aside, but I found it easy to pick up where I had left off. And in the final chapters, all the elements of the underlying hunt for a serial killer come together. I hesitate to resort to the overused phrase "perfect storm", but that was the impression I had - everything swirling together onto a vast cinematic canvas. I would love to see Tim Burton bring this series to the screen. Portions of "Shadows in the White City" are disturbing; Walker's past experience writing horror fiction is evident. Due to the nature of the victims in this story, parts of it are not easy reading. The violence is _not_ gratui

Book Title: Shadows in the White City Author: Robert W. Walker Publisher: Harper Release Date: April, 2007 Reviewer: Lee Carper Robert W. Walker has really outdone himself with his recent novel, Shadows in the White City. I have to admit, I've never had the desire to read historical fiction, but this book had me hooked from the get-go. The setting remains the same as Walker's previous novel, City for Ransom, with Chicago in the late 1800's, during which time commerce, magnificent skyscrapers, and the World's Exposition leave the public in awe. Reprising his role from City for Ransom, protagonist Alastair Ransom takes center-stage once again. While others view the World's Exposition as something no less than amazing, Inspector Ransom sees quite the opposite. The Phantom of the Fair has wreaked havoc among fair-goers, and when the Inspector makes an arrest only to see them freed, he decides his way of justice is the only way to stop this bloodthirsty killer. Some view Ransom as a hero, while others carry their own agenda. The novel also features Dr. Jane Francis, a strong female who is forced to circumvent society's prejudice against women. Along with Ransom, she and her daughter Gabrielle, find themselves facing an even worse adversary than the Phantom of the Fair when bodies of the homeless begin surfacing in extraordinary numbers. Inspector Ransom manages to not only grasp the workings of forensics, but also bears a crucial understanding of the criminal mind, what we've come to know as profiling today. Dr. Jane Francis utilizes her skills as a physician, and Gabrielle steps up to the plate as she learns more about the down and destitute, a far cry from the cushioned world she's known so far. Author Robert W. Walker is certainly on top of his game. Not only does Inspector Ransom come alive on the page, but Walker succeeds in the female characters as well. Shadows in the White City is a riveting tale that will keep you awake until you turn the last page. It is not for the faint at heart. Walker's sequel, City of the Absent, is due out in December.

I have not read the first book in this series (yet), but reading the prequel isn't required for the reader to pick up on the storyline of Walker's second Alastair Ransom mystery right away. As has been pointed out elsewhere, SHADOWS IN THE WHITE CITY contains some minor historical errors, such as the use of phonographs for background music when at the time only expensive, poor-quality wax cylinders were in use--but I would not hold this mystery to the same standard I'd hold a historical novel to. Mysteries are meant to be entertaining, delivering a suspenseful, page-turning plot peppered with unexpected twists. And that is something Walker's second book in this Alastair Ransom series does very well. The environs aren't painted completely enough by the text for me to imagine more than just bits and pieces of Chicago in 1893, which is the setting for this story. This is what cost the book its fifth star, as I expected a stronger visual impression. The characters are not deeply developed, but the dialogue between them more than makes up for that. Walker's characters speak in period prose that reads as naturally as any dialogue I've ever seen. It is the mark of an experienced author. The plot is lean. Walker didn't include any long, gratuitous digressions such as I'd be tempted to skip over. Crime in 1893 Chicago is nasty business. The murders are horrific and vividly described, enough so it may make some readers squeamish. Having said that, I appreciate the author didn't pull his punches. SHADOWS IN THE WHITE CITY builds into a nail-biting suspense soon after the middle, and becomes difficult to put down. I eagerly await the sequel, CITY OF THE ABSENT. -Byron C. Justice, Author of VIOLENT NIGHT Violent Night

The gaslights are aglow once more in Chicago. Once more the gentle castanets of horse shoe on cobble stone echoes down the gloomy corridors of the "Butcher City." Again Inspector Ransom must prowl the dank night mist, for it seems that more than mere cattle grease and drip from the butchers block. The Inspector has his hands full with more than the stout cane he sports. He must destroy an evil that breaches the confines of body and soul. The good Inspector must lower himself to the depravity of his prey. This second installment spurs the Ransom series on. I see the Edgar Award nomination for Shadows. Can't wait for the next book. "Thank you Sir, may we have another?" John Novak

At the Chicago World's Fair of 1893, the Phantom of the Fair has killed seven people one of them an unborn child by garrote and then setting fire to them. Inspector Alastair Ransom has hack driver Waldo Denton arrested for the crimes. While he is recovering from a gunshot wound his nemesis police chief Nathan Kohler releases the man due to a lack of evidence. When Alastair learns of this he is livid and shadows Denton, trying to prove his guilt. He finally neutralizes Denton but he has little time to rest up on his laurels. A new predator is stalking Chicago and the media has dubbed him Leather Apron because that was what witnesses saw him wearing. This butcher saws the person when he is still alive and cuts out the organs and the fleshy part of the body. This has been going on for some time but when Senator Chapman's granddaughter is one of the victims, the police become actually involved. The senator offers Alastair, Koehler and a physician heavily in debt a fortune if they find the killer and bring him to the senator for some good old vigilante justice. Alastair is repulsed by the idea but and has no idea who the killer is but the groups of street children lead him to a horrifying and undeniable truth. Now all he has to do is locate the killer and figure out what to do with him. Robert W. Walker writes great historical mysteries that are compelling, complex and full of interesting historical data that brings the late 1800's to life for the reader. His protagonist is a product of his times and his actions should be viewed in that light though readers use twenty-first century historiographic perspective. In some ways this police procedural is a cerebral mystery because Alistair has to gather clues from frightened homeless children and a madwoman who has an interest in the killer. SHADOW IN THE WHITE CITY is a must read to fans of historical mysteries. Harriet Klausner