The Story

In the heart of Victorian London, a grim discovery is made in the elegant but shadowy Green Park. The police investigation hits a wall almost immediately. Enter our hero, not a detective, but a determined newspaper reporter who sees the story of a lifetime. Using his journalistic skills—asking questions, following leads, and talking to people the official investigation overlooks—he starts piecing together the truth. The path is dangerous, leading from high society drawing rooms to the city's darker corners, proving that the most respectable facades often hide the darkest secrets.

Why You Should Read It

I loved that the main character isn't a policeman. Seeing the mystery unravel through the eyes of a journalist makes it feel fresh and urgent. Galopin builds a wonderful atmosphere of London in that era—you can practically smell the coal smoke and hear the carriage wheels on cobblestones. The plot moves at a good clip, and while it's a product of its time, the central idea of an outsider challenging an incompetent official investigation still really works. It's clever without being overly complicated.

Final Verdict

This is a gem for fans of classic mysteries who want to explore beyond the usual English-language giants like Doyle or Christie. It's for readers who enjoy historical settings, a determined underdog protagonist, and a solid, satisfying puzzle. If you've ever wondered what a French author from the 19th century would do with a London crime scene, this is your chance to find out. A short, engaging read that proves a good mystery is timeless.