The Isolated Séance

by Jeri Westerson Westerson

Overview

The first in a gripping new Victorian mystery series set in London from critically acclaimed author Jeri Westerson.

Watch out, Sherlock! Introducing one-time Baker Street Irregular Timothy Badger and his partner-in-crime Benjamin Watson, two exciting and unconventional young consulting detectives, mentored by the great man himself, tackling intriguing and unusual cases in Victorian London with endearing verve and wit.

Sherlock Holmes's proteges Tim Badger and Benjamin Watson are catapulted into a tricky first case when a man is brutally murdered during a seance.

London, 1895. Former Baker Street Irregular Tim Badger is determined to follow in the footsteps of his great mentor, Sherlock Holmes, by opening his own consulting detective agency with his partner, Benjamin Watson. The intrepid duo are ready to make a name for themselves . . . if only they had clients!

Their luck changes when Sherlock recommends his proteges to Thomas Brent. Brent is eager to find out who killed his master, Horace Quinn, during a seance at Quinn's house. What was Quinn desperately trying to find out from his deceased business partner, Stephen Latimer, before he was stabbed through the heart?

It seems that everyone in Quinn's household had a reason to want him dead. Can Tim and Benjamin step out of Sherlock's shadow to navigate dark secrets and unexpected dangers in their pursuit of a cold-blooded killer?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781448312832
Publisher:	Severn House
Publication date:	05/28/2024
Series:	An Irregular Detective mystery , #1
Edition description:	Main
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	410,298
Product dimensions:	5.43(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Jeri Westerson was born and raised in Los Angeles. She is the author of the Crispin Guest medieval noir mysteries, the King's Fool Tudor mysteries featuring Will Somers, three paranormal series and several historical novels. Her books have been nominated for the Shamus, the Macavity and the Agatha awards.

Editorial Reviews

Westerson is an imaginative storyteller who brings history, humor, hubris, and humanity to this inventive mystery

Booklist

The Tudor court as seen through the eyes of wily Will Somers, Henry VIII's jester, comes to vivid life in this sparkling mystery

C.W. Gortner

Jeri Westerson is at the top of her game

Louis Bayard

Westerson is an imaginative storyteller who brings history, humor, hubris, and humanity to this inventive mystery

Booklist

06/01/2023

What happens to Sherlock Holmes's street urchins, the Baker Street Irregulars, when they outgrow their usefulness? Timothy Badger follows in the footsteps of his mentor and becomes a consulting detective. As much as Badger tries, he only occasionally stumbles on a clue, so he partners with Benjamin Watson, a Black man who has turned his hand to a little of everything. They're desperate for a successful case when Holmes sends Thomas Brent to them. Brent was valet to Horace Quinn until the night Quinn held a séance in his house. The oil lamp went out, and by the time Brent found a light, Quinn was dead with a knife in his chest. It's a tough case for the duo as they're followed by a determined woman reporter and trace a suspect to a Travellers' camp; while investigating, Badger ends up in jail and has to be bailed out by Holmes. VERDICT The author of the Crispin Guest mysteries writes about Victorian street life and desperation in a pastiche relieved by humor. Suggest Vicki Delany's "Gemma Doyle" series as a read-alike.—Lesa Holstine

Library Journal

2023-04-24
A White Sherlock Holmes trainee teams up with a Black man of a scientific bent to solve a murder in Victorian London.

Having encouraged former Baker Street Irregular Tim Badger to use his methods to become a successful private detective, Holmes recommends him to a desperate man. Tim, who’s looked down on because of his dirt-poor family background, and his partner, Ben Watson, who faces prejudice because of his race, take on the case of a valet accused of murdering his employer at a séance and going on the run. Though they’re not warmly welcomed at the late Horace Quinn’s home, they learn that Quinn was a nasty skinflint disliked by a wide range of people. The only clues are the mention during the séance of the letters “A-T-I-C” and some dirt on the windowsill. After Tim is arrested for breaking into Quinn’s house, he’s rescued by Holmes, who, for reasons of his own, provides the two new detectives with a better place to live, servants, and money for nicer clothes. Even as Tim’s nemesis, attractive reporter Ellsie Moira Littleton, considers him a thief and writes less than flattering stories about him, the partners’ newly upscale appearances allow them to question more people. It’s widely believed that Quinn had a wife and baby who died, but after talking to his lawyer, Tim and Ben, who’ve been intent on finding the medium who led the séance, learn that there’s much more to that story. The medium proves elusive, but hotheaded Tim and quietly determined Ben won’t quit until they find the truth.

An enjoyable Holmes pastiche whose many twists are complemented by pointed social commentary.

Kirkus Reviews