London 1880 and Lily Raynor has recently employed a clerical assistant, Feliz Wilbraham, in her investigative firm, The World's End Bureau. While out working on another case for Lord Berwick, Felix is mistaken for L Raynor, and accounts clerk Ernest Stibbins details the threat to his wife, Albertina. Meanwhile several woman seem to have disppeared south of the river but nobody really cares considering their employment.
I admit not being a fan of stories written in the present tense, but I found it less of a distraction the more I read. It certainly didn't take long to settle into this well-written story. It certainly helps that the two main characters are likeable, each with a history. A very enjoyable mystery, and a very good start to a new series.
A NetGalley Book ( )

Unusual, riveting, period mystery!

A strong period mystery with a hint of the supernatural set in the Victorian England of 1880. When Lily Raynor, of the World’s End Investigation Bureau is approached by Ernest Stibbins to investigate his wife's frantic insistence that someone wants to hurt her, Lily and her new assistant Felix Wilbraham are somewhat in doubt seeing as the information comes from Albertina's spirit guide.
Mediums were all the rage at this time, and the stepping into the medium's parlour is a delicious slant Alys Clare has given to a mystery. However it seems that Albertina's is a gifted spiritualist, and indeed she and her cohort become persons of interest. Lily and Felix follow these leads, and indeed, when Lily joins the seance she does feel the presence of--something! "Lily’s skin is crawling. She can almost see the menace."
And then there's this, as Felix discovers, ‘Missing women. Five in the Battersea area, one in Chelsea.’ But it seems there may be more! What does this have to do with their case?
And Lily's inquiries have revealed the same factors.
"One: there have definitely been cases of women going missing and the general view seems to be that they are women of the street whose movements are not easy to trace. Two: there is, however, a persistent rumour that something very sinister is happening, with suggestions of women being snatched for unspeakable purposes."
Lily and Felix investigate each of the circle Albertina's involved with and each have their own particular interest that might just throw light on Albertina's plight.
As the investigation continues it seems that Lily too might be in danger.
Lily is wonderful character,with a strong code of ethics with a vulnerability lurking below surface. Felix is super like able as well, as he endeavors to prove his usefulness to Lily. I love the way Felix and Lily's relationship as employer and employee develops. Felix applies for the post of clerical assistant, mistakingly thing his possible employer will be a Mr. He is taken aback to discover L. Raynor is a woman. For Lily's part she was looking for a female assistant. Employed, Felix does lend so much more to Lily's investigations, going places she can't and seeing things from a different perspective. I look forward to more from this unusual pair of detectives.

A Severn Press ARC via NetGalley ( )