There are moments when I find myself craving a well-crafted historical mystery, and "The Shadows of Edinburgh" arrived at just the right time. Set against the backdrop of 1888, during the notorious Ripper murders era, this novel promised a thrilling journey through Victorian intrigue.

The Shadows of Edinburgh

Oscar de Muriel

Inspector Ian Frey stands out as an educated, brilliant, and exceptionally skilled investigator within London's police force. However, when politicians grow impatient with the pace of the Jack the Ripper investigation, the department receives new leadership and Frey finds himself reassigned to Scotland as punishment. There, authorities fear they have a Ripper copycat who must be stopped quickly. In Edinburgh, Frey encounters his new superior, Inspector McGray, who represents everything Frey is not. McGray is rough around the edges, boisterous, and believes in the supernatural, yet despite their stark differences, they quickly discover they share one crucial objective: capturing a brutal murderer before more blood is shed.

Perhaps the ideal moment to begin my tale is the evening of November 9th, 1888. The day my entire world began to crumble piece by piece.

My Thoughts

Sometimes the devil truly lies in the details, and this book proves that beautifully.

Like Fire and Ice

Frey and McGray couldn't be more opposite. Frey enjoys the comfortable existence of an educated and wealthy Londoner, appreciating fine cuisine, classical music, and scientifically verifiable evidence. McGray, on the other hand, embraces haggis (Scotland's national dish), eye-catching attire, blunt conversation, and harbors beliefs in demonic forces and fortune-telling. Since Frey must temporarily lodge with McGray, these two worlds collide spectacularly and loudly.

Diabolical Melodies

Their interactions generate countless amusing situations and verbal sparring matches that I thoroughly enjoyed while reading. Yet the case they must solve together proves equally captivating. The culprit appears to target violinists specifically, not only murdering them brutally but also disemboweling them. Everything seems connected to a curse associated with a particular violin and a specific musical composition for the instrument. Through their vastly different investigative approaches, Frey and McGray steadily close in on the perpetrator.

Perfect Balance

I found the combination of humorous conflicts, richly detailed descriptions of life during that era in this city, and a well-constructed, suspenseful criminal investigation genuinely compelling. While there may be some parallels to Sherlock Holmes—whose silhouette graces the cover—they remain minimal, as here both investigators are different yet equally matched partners. Even the slightly occult elements of the case remain engaging and continue presenting fresh mysteries until the conclusion.

My Verdict

A truly outstanding mystery set against a historical backdrop, equally thrilling and entertaining. Frey and McGray have won my heart, and I hope there will be more adventures featuring them in the near future.