To Kingdom Come: A Novel

I've had more fun reading Will Thomas books in the last couple weeks than I have the whole rest of the year. Absolutely terrific. Wonderful writing, intriguing plots, and characters that are so real you'd think they actually existed somewhere, or wish they did. The only problem I have with Will Thomas is his books come out but once a year. Drat!

This is one of an addictive series about a pair of detectives -- sorry, private enquiry agents, in London in the 1880s. Well written, well crafted plots, historically accurate background. What more could anyone want of a mystery?

I think TO KINGDOM COME owes more to Rex Stout and John LeCarre than Conan Doyle--a very complex novel utilizing historical events to shine a light on our world. Plus, who can resist a young W.B. Yeats?

In 1884 London Enquiry Agent Cyrus Baker and his assistant Thomas Llewelyn are practicing martial arts exercises when they hear the explosion. Feeling they may be able to help, the two rush to the devastating scene of the Scotland Yard wing containing the newly formed Criminal Investigation Department Special Irish branch. As they assist the surgeon with field operations, the twosome learn of another bomb exploding at the Junior Carleton Club. The police brass at the Yard assumes both blasts were the work of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, a radical group willing to murder innocent civilians to foster a free Irish state. Inspector Poole informs Baker and Llewelyn that several other bombs were found before they ignited. Believing that the narrow focus on SIB is going to prove false, Baker quietly spreads the word that he and his associate are explosive experts to see who they can reel in. Not long afterward, the Invisibles want to employ them in a plan to explode London in TO KINGDOM COME. The latest Baker Victorian mystery is a terrific historical tale that uses the bias between the Scotland Yard leadership and SIB to provide insight to the beginning of the Irish issue that still haunts the Isles. The efforts to uncover and stop the Invisibles are cleverly developed to provide a fabulous thriller, but also shed addition light on the late ninetieth century. Baker is a fine sleuth while his assistant who narrates the tale is his Watson except much more innocent in worldly affairs. There will be no doubting Thomas that this is one of the best historical series on the market today. Harriet Klausner

Will Thomas continues his winning streak in "To Kingdom Come," a wonderfully entertaining and well-researched mystery featuring Cyrus Barker and his young Welsh assistant, Thomas Llewelyn. Mr. Gladstone is the Prime Minister of England and the Irish are clamoring for Home Rule. A militant faction sets off a series of bombs, and an explosion blows out a piece of Scotland Yard's Criminal Investigation Division. Cyrus Barker, who is a Private Enquiry Agent, volunteers to locate and infiltrate the group responsible for the bombing. Reluctantly, Mr. Robert Anderson of the Home Office agrees to Barker's "mad scheme to hoodwink the Irish." Cyrus Barker disguises himself as the reclusive Johannes van Rhyn, a German explosives expert. Barker uses his wide range of contacts to find the most militant of the Irish anarchists, known as the Irish Republican Brotherhood, and he feigns sympathy with their cause. As van Rhyn, Barker offers to help the Brotherhood build more effective and deadlier bombs. In the process, both Cyrus and Thomas risk their lives to prevent this desperate group from committing further acts of violence. Will Thomas beautifully evokes the language, class distinctions, and political infighting of England in the late 1800's. It's all here, from Charles Parnell living the high life with his English mistress to William Butler Yeats writing poetry for Maire O'Casey, the sister of one of the anarchists. There is subtle humor, authentic atmosphere, colorful dialogue, a touch of romance, and an instructive history lesson about terrorism in Victorian England. Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn are marvelous characters. Barker has a private chef prepare his gourmet meals, but he is willing to "live rough" when he is on a case. He is a master of disguise, foreign accents, and hand-to-hand combat (including stick fighting) and he has useful underworld connections. Llewelyn screws up his courage and follows the lead of his fearless and adventurous boss. He knows that if the militants discover their true identity, he and Barker are as good as dead. Still, Thomas owes his life to his mentor, and he is willing to carry out Barker's orders, whatever the consequences. I love the "father-son" relationship between the gruff and laconic Cyrus and the callow Llewelyn. I recommend that you read Will Thomas's first book, "Some Danger Involved" before you pick up this excellent sequel. Fans of Victorian mysteries will thoroughly enjoy this evocative, exciting, and beautifully written novel.