It was an unexpected treat to have a new book from Adam Roberts, and as we move into the season of Christmas ghost stories what better than one with a whiff of the uncanny, a story set in Victorian London - and a London beset by unease and coming change?

In 1848, much is in flux. Across Europe, revolutions and revolutionary movements swell. Even in Britain, the Chartists agitate. At the same time the new railways are redrawing the map of London, and of the wider country. Roberts catches a moment when these things are in process, but not complete, where the future is uncertain. The Middlemarch Grand Congruence Railway is imagined, and being built, laying waste to swathes of Camden, but it is not yet a reality. Despite the bustle of progress, many of the journeys taken in this book are on foot, by stagecoach, on horseback or in carts. Political agitators push the People's Charter and are seen as firebrands, radicals, though pursuing an agenda which to modern eyes seems a very modest step towards democracy. There is a great deal of "Dickensian" atmosphere (and Roberts plays games, dropping in characters and events from Dickens, and from other 19th century novels) and language but also a sense that this is looking backwards. In another strand of the story, literary ideas are formed from the fantastic, from the dawning of science fictional ideas. It all produces a feeling of dizziness, a loss of certainty, a sense that anything might happen.

The novel opens with the death that gives it its title and this event is, like much here, uncertain. We're given many alternative explanations for Sir Martin's - the chief architect of the railway company's - death, from murder at the hands of mobs of disaffected agitators or citizens whose homes and gardens he's seized, to some kind of supernatural, devilish influence, to others even more fantastic. But as Sir Martin's own character proves slippery - his deeds contradictory, both a grasping Scrooge of a man and also a philanthropist - so does the reason for his death. Both end up as ways into the fantastically complex society that's being built, which is explored by two men seeing to understand what happened to Sir Martin. These are Bryde, an engineer, and Holmes - Vavasour Holmes, father of the more famous Sherlock.

These sleuths can't though be detached from the events whirling away here, but are picked up and jostled by the forces at play. Indeed there's a whole subplot where Holmes is spirited away to Middlemarch itself, making this not just a London novel but one engaged with progress and resistance across the whole country.

It's a truly absorbing read, a detective story - complete with a Scotland Yard Inspector, of course - but also plenty of bustling Dickensian figures - sneering company grandees, pernickety clerks, loquacious women serving soup, servants at inns who clearly imagine themselves as central characters in a narrative not walk-ons as here. It's a deeply literary mystery, not just in its atmosphere and characters but in the way it examines the world and in the alternative theories it considers for the accomplishing of the central murder. This was, it's clear from the start, intended to be a spectacle, and a puzzling one - but that doesn't mean there isn't a perfectly human motive behind it, even if it's obscured by the means adopted.

I loved the atmosphere here of an uneasy 19th century, not a self-satisfied, grand edifice but a society very uncertain of itself, not a place blessed with the perspective of hindsight at all but a fractious, provisional, turbulent society people by fractious, turbulent people.

A truly enjoyable read.

I'm late to the party and I'm wonderin why because this is a brilliant mix of historical fiction and mystery, well plotted and solid.
The historical background is well researched and vivid, the social remarks are interesting and the character well rounded.
The mystery is solid and well developed, it kept me guessing and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is a marvellous Victorian mystery mashup.
Having only just recently read H G Well's 'Time Machine' I felt instantly within the plot and thought its hint of a Dickens theme would surely throw up Ebeneezer Scrooge - and so it did!
There is a twisty tale of science and fear within the revealing of the death of Sir Martin Malprelate and his associates who become revealed with the investigations of Mr Bryde, a railway engineer but somewhat keen amateur sleuth. The use of the railways and the fear they caused is true to many Victorians as Dickens experienced himself when he was involved and escaped with his life in a tragic train crash, That background knowledge and the Chartist unrest all set in 1848 were very pertinent to the concerns of the aristocracy, the new police forces of Scotland Yard and the moral compass of many across England who feared change.
The characters from many other Victorian novels pepper the plot - Scrooge as mentioned (leading to links about workhouses and poverty) Dombey (and the tales of financial intrigue) and of course one of the main stars - a certain Mr Holmes who appears!
Yes the back story elegantly rolled out in this novel is a wonderful addition to the whole book.
The turbulence and terror of 'new' machines and ideas are made very entertaining in this tale.
Dr Who is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Do not forget the even older traditions of time travelling!

Whilst a lengthy book, the writing keeps the reader absorbed by it's descriptions of place and time, all of which feel so real. 1848 and railways are being built like there's no tomorrow, without care or consideration to their workers, people whose homes are being demolished or thought beyond riches for a few. One of these few is the utterly ruthless Sir Martin Malprelate. His death is strange to say the least - he was apparently run over by a spectral train running on lines yet to be laid. His company employs their senior engineer to investigate and he delves into the underbelly of London - opium dens, political corruption, poverty against a rapidly evolving society. It is not a book to be read quickly. the reader needs to take breath, the language feels right for the 19th century, descriptive and, at times, slightly ponderous; well worth the effort though especially in these times of 'now'. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

an examination into the mysterious death of a bully and an unpleasant powerful guy is an interesting premise to carry off. I guess I struggled to care that he'd been 'done in' but the writing is skillful, and I was pulled along - I have to admit that finally I jumped to the end to find out who dunnit - so that's a good sign, despite myself in a way. Adam Roberts is always an entertaining read, and satisfyingly hits all the genre formulae. good fun ..

"The Death of Sir Martin Malprelate" by Adam Roberts is a captivating and atmospheric gothic tale set in 1840s Victorian London. Drawing inspiration from the works of famous 19th-century writers, Roberts weaves a narrative that combines elements of murder, corruption, social commentary, and a touch of the supernatural.

At the heart of the story is the enigmatic death of Railway Baron Sir Martin Malprelate, a man who has ruthlessly cleared the way for his new railway line, causing outrage among residents facing eviction. His demise is shrouded in mystery as he apparently falls beneath the wheels of a spectral train on tracks that have not yet been built. This intriguing setup immediately captures the reader's attention.

The narrative unfolds through the eyes of Mr. Bryde, a senior engineer employed by the railway company who is tasked with investigating Sir Martin's death. As Bryde delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of resentment, conspiracy, and intrigue involving a diverse cast of characters, each with their own motives and secrets. From scheming shareholders to corrupt politicians and agitating workers, the story paints a vivid picture of a society grappling with the expansion of railways and the conflicts it generates.

Adam Roberts skillfully blends realism with gothic elements, creating a London that is both haunting and steeped in social commentary. The city comes to life with its stark contrast between slums and lavish wealth, opium dens, and an atmosphere haunted by demons and ghosts. The narrative is enriched by exotic characters who embrace the supernatural, yet the plot is firmly grounded in rationality, driven by the very real motivations of greed and revenge.

The strength of the novel lies in its ability to transport readers to a bygone era, immersing them in the gritty and mysterious world of 1840s London. The writing is rich in detail, creating a palpable sense of time and place. The gradual unveiling of secrets and the exploration of the characters' complex motivations keep the reader engaged throughout.

In conclusion, "The Death of Sir Martin Malprelate" is a compelling and immersive historical thriller that pays homage to the literary traditions of the 19th century while offering a fresh and original narrative. Adam Roberts' masterful storytelling, combined with the atmospheric setting and intriguing characters, makes this novel a must-read for fans of gothic fiction, historical mysteries, and those who appreciate a well-crafted blend of the supernatural and the rational. It is a vivid and haunting journey into a dark and complex Victorian London that will leave readers eagerly turning the pages.

What a command of the English language this author has. A lengthy book but one that keeps you interested throughout. 19C murder, corruption, wealth, poverty all interwoven with sci-fi!. Recommended.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in return for an honest and unbiased review.