Anatomy of Murder

Imogen Robertson has set her Harriet Westerman/Gabriel Crowther novels at the time of George III, when Britain was at war on several fronts, particularly with the War of Independence raging in America. It is an interesting time socially as well, with the powder and patch era, and extravagance the norm among the well-to-do and dire poverty at the other end of the social scale.

As Anatomy of Murder begins, Harriet is in London because her husband, Captain James Westerman, has received a serious head injury on board his ship, after capturing a French spy. He cannot quite remember the information he has garnered, and has psychotic episodes requiring his care under a specialist doctor. Harriet’s weird anatomist pal, Gabriel Crowther, is in London too, and both are requested to examine a body found in the Thames.

The body belongs to Fitzraven, a go-between at His Majesty’s Theatre who has secured two stunning performers, an up and coming French soprano, and a mesmerising castrato. In the background, secrets are being traded and there seems to be a leak at the Admiralty.

While the story is a little slow to get going, there is a lot of fascinating background information to keep you interested, such as the theatre scene at His Majesty's plus the world of London's street urchins. Best of all are the terrific characters: determined Harriet who quickly becomes absorbed in crime solving as a way to take her mind off her husband’s illness; Crowther who doesn’t suffer fools gladly and has few social graces. Robertson has introduced a wonderful character in fortune-teller, Jocaster Bligh, who is a kind of secondary sleuth.

The story rattles along to a nail-biting ending and the criminals brought to a grim 18th century justice. Imogen Robertson has created a brilliant historical series that nicely balances historical atmosphere with a well-plotted mystery. 

Posted by JAM

Catalogue link: Anatomy of Murder