Anatomy of Evil cover art

Anatomy of Evil

Barker & Llewelyn Series, Book 7

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Anatomy of Evil

By: Will Thomas
Narrated by: Antony Ferguson
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About this listen

Cyrus Barker is undoubtedly England's premiere private enquiry agent. With the help of his assistant, Thomas Llewelyn, he's developed an enviable reputation for discreetly solving some of the toughest, most consequential cases in recent history. But one evening in 1888, Robert Anderson, the head of Scotland Yard's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), appears at Barker's office with an offer. A series of murders in the Whitechapel area of London are turning the city upside down, with tremendous pressure being brought to bear on Scotland Yard and the government itself. Barker is to be named temporary envoy to the Royal Family with regard to the case while surreptitiously bringing his investigative skill to the case. With various elements of society, high and low, bringing their own agendas to increasingly shocking murders, Barker and Llewellyn must find and hunt down the century's most notorious killer.

Though the Whitechapel Killer has managed to elude the finest minds of Scotland Yard - and beyond - he's never faced a mind as nimble and a man as skilled as Cyrus Barker. But even Barker's prodigious skills may not be enough to track down a killer in time.

©2015 Will Thomas (P)2017 Tantor Historical Mystery Traditional Detectives

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Critic reviews

"A satisfying addition to a satisfying series. Thomas continues to contribute to the historical thriller genre by combining appealing characters with thoroughly researched historical detail." ( Library Journal)
All stars
Most relevant  
I enjoyed this book, obviously it’s based on real events and no-one actually knows who Jack the Ripper was but it’s a great story and quite believable !!

Interesting story of Jack the Ripper

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Only two niggles, Thomas is counting his shillings and has £1.70 and also describes someone of looking like a matinee idol !

Another good book in the Barker and LLewelyn serie

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I have just completed this, the seventh book in the series. The fact I only discovered the first book a few weeks ago is proof that I have become a fan quickly. I thoroughly enjoy immersing myself in these stories and also the historical references have lead me to further reading which I find fascinating, having already a huge interest in this period of history.
I would normally give 4 stars across the board for these books (5 stars to me should be reserved for books which are truly exceptional rather than just very enjoyable) but had to knock the performance down to three this time,
To hear Anderson 15 minutes from the end speaking in an aristocratic English accent, when he started the book with an Irish one really annoyed me. Maybe it shouldn’t have done, it didn’t ruin the book, but it felt like a very careless lack of attention to detail. This wasn’t the first book in which the character of Anderson appeared, so consistency is the very least I’d expect.
It won’t put me off of the series however, I’m just deciding whether to go straight to book 8 or alternate with the next Frey and McGrey book by Oscar De Muriel. Decisions decisions.

One criticism

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I am not a ghoul, but I found this book riveting. Amongst the vivid descriptions of murder, not over sensationalised, this story has so many different aspects. Friendship, tradition, history, love, buildings, London streets, ordinary people's lives and much more. Today, we are not absolutely factualy sure of the culprit, however this book does not profess to be the total truth.
Fantastic listening, as are all of his books and his reader.

I could not stop listening

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When writing about 1888 it’s not a good idea to talk about £1.65p rather than £/13/-. While some modern readers may find it difficult to understand it would certainly be more realistic. Also the idea that £5 was a month’s pay in Whitechapel at this time is laughable! Whitechapel was the home of the poorest people. We can probably half that and then reduce it a bit for the worst. Of course the unemployed received nothing!
Generally a good story well read but it would have been all the better for a little more research to rid it of the occasional jarring note.

A good story spoiled by modern terms!

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