Accomplished poet takes on London's Criminal Underworld - By Gaslight

Set in 1885, our protagonist, the detective William Pinkerton from Chicago, sails for London to investigate a cold case involving the infamous thief Edward Shade. Pinkerton’s quest takes him through the slums of Victorian London with its sewers, opium dens and séance performances to the diamond mines of South Africa. Who is the enigmatic Adam Foole, with his tragic love story? Why does the woman followed by Pinkerton throw herself off a bridge? Multiple plot strands and fascinating characters are woven together into a complex and satisfying novel. 

What makes this book stand out? Other crime books too are well-researched with sharply honed characters and a cunning plot. Well, Steven Price is a writer of literary excellence. No Booker Prize judge could complain that By Gaslight is written in the functional style of genre literature. The author does not shy away from complexities of emotion or dialogue. It is without doubt the most literary crime novel I’ve read in a long time. I reckon it makes better reading for leisurely long winter nights than a beach holiday. 

The Canadian Steven Price is an award-winning poet. This is his second novel, longlisted for the CWA Endeavour Historical Dagger. By Gaslight was published in paperback in 2017 by One World Publishers (£8.99).