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

derivative but original

In the Holmes tradition, but with enough variation to make it interesting. An interesting story that taught me about race relations I hadn't thought about before, with characters both predictable and surprising. Pleasant ambiance, more like Nero Wolfe than Holmes . . .

Decent

As many reviewers have already stated, it is a clear copy of the Sherlock Holmes formula, complete with eccentric detective and companion.
Although unlike some of the other reviewers, I don’t hold that specifically against it. I think it’s a wonderful formula, and if an author can extrapolate upon it with creativity and homage, I think it works just fine.
The issue I was having almost immediately are the anachronisms which are sprinkled throughout the text, as the author didn’t seem to think it relevant to do any historical research of the time in which he placed his story. He constantly makes reference to small things which didn’t exist.
Things such as the word “boyfriend“ were not in use as a young lady’s paramour until well into the 20th century, hair clips were not invented until the 1970s, and men’s trousers certainly did not have back pockets in which they kept “wallets” (an Anerican word at the time)… and certainly not in a suit.
The modern leather bi-fold wallet was created in the mid-1900s…like,1950.
Even in jeans back pockets were not introduced until after 1900. A man kept his billfold in the breast pocket of his coat, or a bag at his waist.
And the idea an English gentlemen would only bathe twice a month is….ludicrous. People still had noses and cared about hygiene. This writer probably thinks medieval people stank, too-given the poor level of research done. (No, they didn’t. If interested, Dr. Goodman has extensive practical knowledge outlined in her books).
No, Victorians didn’t smell🙄 -unless you were incredibly poor and worked in a stinky trade like fish mongering or tanning. But it’s a very….modern and dare I say-American way of belittling the people of the past in order to feel superior and show how ‘evolved’ we are.
Also-and this is a huge thing- the main protagonist, Llewelyn, is 6th of 9 children whose father is a coal miner. In Wales, in Victorian Britain, You can BET those kids worked the mines. He wasn’t ‘destined for the mines’ at some distant adult age as the book states. Kid would be down there at 5 years old, and have been working other jobs since 3-4. That was typical. That’s why we have child labor laws. Kids didn’t spend all day in school🙄 …if they even had one, it would be on Sundays for a couple of hours. And that’s a BIG ‘if’. Most mining communities didn’t have teachers at all, or even pastors. This is basic history that is ingrained in every modern British schoolchild.
Speaking of….it unfortunately also suffers from being written by an American trying to write as a British person.
I am finding this is incredibly increasingly common for lower quality mystery novels of a certain kind, where Americans will attempt to write a historical British mystery without bothering to do either any research of the time period, or have any knowledge or respect for British culture.
So there are constant references or as I call them, “Americanisms“ that give away the authors nationality and takes one out of the moment and the setting.
I’m also not entirely certain why the detective needs to take his secretary with him to a funeral, or an any other outing that does not require… secretarial work.
I understand it from a narrative standpoint, as we are witnessing the story through the secretary, so if he were to be left behind, it would be a quite dull day of sitting around and reading. But from a practical standpoint, I don’t see that he actually does anything useful… He sits at home, reads books, eats, and follows his employer around without giving him any help, not even taking dictation.
I kind of wish the author would’ve made more effort overall, but including having the secretary actually develop a personality, and perhaps insight and thoughts of his own, as he seems to be a completely flat and cardboard character without any use other than to be eyes for us to view the ‘eccentric’ detective.
Also they repeat the same questions ‘what was the victim like’ and asked NO other questions. Because of this, the plot kind of drags most of the book-and it’s annoyingly repetitive.
However, in its favor, it does focus on Jewish life in London during an immigrant influx, which is something that I have not really seen done before. Also, the writing is perfectly good generally, there are even quite a few rations that made me laugh or smile.
And frankly- the point that Jesus was a Jew, the irreconcilable image of a blonde, blue eyed Jesus with what is the logic of a middle eastern Jew 2k years ago is the FIRST TIME I’ve heard a fiction author bring it up.
The sketch of rabid anti semitism in the narration along the actual, honest scenes of Jewish life, study, and mourning is a striking contrast to the reality of Jews and people living in London at the turn of the century. And is chilling when you remember what is to come in less than a decade.
A perfectly decent read.

Excellent characters and a good mystery

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I enjoyed the characters even more than the mystery.

What other book might you compare Some Danger Involved to and why?

If you enjoy Sherlock Holmes and John Watson's relationship, you will love this.

What about Antony Ferguson’s performance did you like?

He uses a lot of different and unique voices. Great narration.

Any additional comments?

Great book.

Didn't See That One Coming

This was my first experience with Barker & Llewellyn. I found it to be quite intriguing. For Sherlock Holmes fans this is another avenue worth exploring. I enjoyed this audio book, and it kept my interest straight through to the end. The narrator did an excellent job with a variety of characters and their changes of voice. I'm looking forward to the next audio book.

Creative Author….

This is my first read from this author. We’ll written, interesting characters and imaginative story. Very satisfying, All written without explicit material which is novel and appreciative.

Great Story

The author is brilliant! The narrator keeps you listening. This series is amazing. Some violence involved. Not necessarily a book to listen to before bed time.

Loved the narration!

I really enjoyed the narrator’s use of accents in this book. The story was good - a different twist on a typical Sherlock Holmes type detective.

Thoroughly enjoyable

It was very nice to listen to a good story with no obscenities!
Loved the characters and their accents. The narrator is very talented.

A great surprise! This author knows how to do it!

A Victorian mystery of a consulting investigator with a 'green' assistant who is not Mr. Holmes. Great characters,
an enthralling plot that rings true to international strife today, and an accomplished narrator. I think I'll continue this relationship!

Thoroughly entertaining!

Outstanding story. Anthony Ferguson narration was superb! He is a wonderful storyteller with an uncanny ability to master any accent.