Leo Stanhope works as a coroner's assistant in Victorian London, spending his leisure time frequenting a brothel on Half Moon Street and playing chess at a club. However, he is hiding the secret that he was born a woman and has fallen in love with one of the prostitutes at Half Moon Street. When she is found dead, Leo has to prove his innocence and seek out the true killer in London's seedy underworld.

I absolutely loved this book! I liked the twist that Leo has his own secrets to protect even as he uncovers everyone else's and the character was so appealing and human. The settings were wonderfully evoked and the supporting characters were interesting and well developed, especially Alfie and Constance who run the pharmacy where Leo lives. The mystery was well plotted and intriguing throughout.

I'd wholly recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical crime fiction. I hope that this is the start of a series as I'd like to read more about Leo in the future.

thanks Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) and netgalley for this ARC.

so much feelings in so short a story. its amazing what you'll get out of this narrative.

This is a great book, lovely period detail, modern and quirky. I’d read more in the series.