Under Ground is the latest Jem Flockhart mystery, where Jem and Will are called out by their friendly neighbourhood madam because a client has very inconveniently had his throat ripped out and been left in the back room of the brothel. Even more inconvenient is that he turns out to be Someone. When the wrong man is arrested and sentenced to hang for the murder Jem and Will must find the real killer in the filthy disease ridden streets London. This was a really good addition to the series, I felt it was a return to form in many ways. It concentrated on the meat of the plot which was complicated enough and there was more focus on Jem and Will. I love Will, who wouldn’t love Will he is the best and in this novel we got more of him through his adventures in mudlarking and I really hope that if there are more books in this series this happens again. I find Jem a more complicated character to get on with and at times find her behaviour inexplicable and her treatment of Will questionable but this wasn’t as much of a problem in this book for me. The best thing about these books is that it’s firmly set in its place, there is so much grime and dirt and disease, these characters are never clean and everything stinks. It’s wonderful.

I'm very late at the party with my review but i also discovered that there were other five novels in this series and I want to read them as I was fascinated by this one.
There's a lot to love in this novel: the vivid and well researched historical background, the fleshed out characters, the attention to the details, and a twisty solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read another on in this series
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

5* - Highly recommended

Under Ground plunges you into the filth of Victorian London, frequently right into its filthy, disgusting open and underground sewers. To say it's 'immersive' is an understatement. You can practically feel the stuff clinging to your shoes and smell it as it assails your nostrils. It is gross -- and engrossing.

Under Ground is about filth, both literal and figurative, both apparent and hidden. About the London slums and the wretched people who have to live there, but also the landlords who poison them and grow rich on the profits. It's about secrets, lies and murder - and cholera - with parallel investigations being carried out by our two protagonists, Jem Flockhart and Will Quartermain. One into the murder of rich man's son in a brothel, the other into the sewer system itself.

The novel includes a range of vivid characters, many of whom have there own secrets and are hiding their true identity. The sheer number of people involved in the story who share a similar secret identity (trying to avoid spoilers here) stretches the bounds of credibility; some of it feels unnecessary. However, as this is the sixth novel in a series, I can only guess that there's a reason and that some of the minor characters have a bigger role in other books in the series. That said, this novel totally works as a standalone. At no point did I feel lost for not having read the previous installments.

Under Ground reminds me of another excellent novel about the London sewers, The Great Stink by Clare Clark (2006). Both are well worth reading, and an excellent (easy) way to learn more about the London sewer system before the improvements made by Sir Joseph Bazalgette. In the almost 20 years since I read The Great Stink, I have never forgotten it. I was delighted to find myself back in that gruesome world thanks to this new novel! I will definitely be buying E. S. Thomson's earlier books.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.

When a man is found murdered in a brothel the magistrates immediately arrest Mr Jobber, the amiable guard, but the madam knows it wasn't him. Jem Flockhart is asked to look into the murder by the dead man's father, a wealthy recluse, who fears the family curse has struck again. Meanwhile Will Quartermain is working with Mr Basilisk on plans for the a new sewerage system around the Fleet river which is sorely needed as cholera haunts London.
I've not read all the books in this series but have enjoyed several of them so picked this one up with the knowledge that I was in safe hands. Here the focus is on the poor parts of London, affected by a lack of access to clean water and therefore prone to disease. The family at the centre are suitable gothic in character, the plot labyrinthine in nature and the detailed research is excellent. A thoroughly satisfying read.

Well I’m a bit annoyed really, that I did not know this series existed because honestly this might just be a love match! What a treat, realising that there are five previous instalments for me to devour.

This had everything I love, Victorian London as a setting, a gothic murder mystery, poverty, plagues, creepy architecture, poison, anatomy and an old family curse.

I loved the diverse set of characters, each wonderfully fleshed out and so easy to conjure up in my minds eye. The writing was intelligent, humourous and punchy and it did wonderful things for the pace and atmosphere. That big old house, Blackwater Hall, gave me massive Haunted Mansion vibes and the dialogue between characters was so snappy it felt like I was watching the perfect historical crime series on tv.

The play on sexuality, gender identity and gender roles is very well done and the mystery was perfect, I hadn’t a clue who dunnit! I don’t want to say too much because I don’t know how the partnership of Jem and Will comes about having not read the start of the series, but they have become my favourite crime solving duo. A glorious, gothic triumph.

After a man is found murdered in unusual and brutal circumstances, Jem Flockhart and Will Quartermain are drawn into another mystery that will lead them, and us, through the squalor of Victorian slums in pursuit of the killer.
I love, love, love this series. The characters are what really make it. The unique qualities of each one are very much woven into the action and, as a reader, you are as much invested in how they develop as in how the story proceeds. The complex relationship between Flockhart and Quartermain is sensitively drawn; you really feel those conflicting, complicated emotions.
Despite being a work of fiction and an entertaining whodunnit, the attention paid to historical detail and accuracy provides a very authentic backdrop for the action and always supplies an interesting, thought provoking sub-text. In Under Ground, an outbreak of cholera is running rampant through the London poor and Will is commissioned to work with a Mr Basilisk to design more efficient sewerage systems that would allow access to cleaner water. Significant debates took place at this time about the causes of cholera: miasma (air borne) or water. Characteristically, Thomson manages to weave this naturally into the narrative.
For those who have followed the series, surprises are in store from some well-known characters and new characters are introduced who I’m sure will play a larger role as the story goes on.
For anyone new to these books, it is perfectly possible to enjoy this as a stand-alone with just enough background being provided as you read along. However, if you are a fan of historical crime fiction, I’m sure that, once you have read this one, you’ll want to read them all. And you won’t be disappointed.

Underground is the sixth book in the Jem Flockhart series. These books are very readable historical fiction with engaging lead mystery solvers, Jem Flockhart and Will Quartermain. The book is part of a series, but I have tended to read them in a haphazard order, and have had no problems reading them out of sequence. In this episode of the adventures, cholera comes to town. These books are perfect for people who want something intelligent and a little more gripping than cosy crime, but don't want anything "nasty".

Something of a public service announcement today to let you know that one of my all time favourite Victorian medical gothic murder mystery series by E. S. Thomson following the adventures (or, really, I’d say trials and tribulations!) of apothecary Jem Flockhart and sidekick architect (it makes sense once you’ve read the brilliant first instalment, Beloved Poison) Will Quartermain as they end up solving the murders that cross their path in one of the most atmospheric depictions of Victorian London I’ve ever encountered.

If you loved The Graves of Whitechapel (which is nowhere as good as these books), Stalking Jack The Ripper, The Corset, or anything you can imagine reading in a candle lit room at a scrubbed wooden table as you wait for the roast chicken (how I vividly remember reading book 3, The Blood) order all six books in the series right now: you won’t regret it.

Thank you so much to @littlebrownbookgroup_uk and @netgalley for letting me read this early so I can confirm that this book’s foray into a big gothic house filled with an odd family of sinister secrets (what all good spooky season gothic reads are made of) and the fetid London sewers was as good as I’d expected it to be!

Ahh, dear. I'm kicking myself as I usually manage to keep my eyes on the archive date and download before they occur, but I somehow managed to miss this one. I have just purchased it as I still want to read it as much as ever, My apologies for missing the archive date.

4 Stars
One Liner: Darkish mystery

1854, London
The dreaded cholera, aka blue death, is hounding London again. The city is in panic, but that doesn’t stop Jem Flockhart and Will Quartermain from pursuing a murder case.
An unknown man was murdered in a brothel, and its guard has been arrested for the crime. Jem and Will know he is not the killer but have only a few days to find out more about the victim and trace the killer. Their investigation takes them to the powerful, rich, and mysterious Mortmain family.
With the clocking ticker faster, can Jem and Will save an innocent’s life and bring justice to the dead?
The story comes in Jem’s first-person POV and journal entries by Will.

My Thoughts:
So, first things first. I didn’t realize this was a part of a series until a day before I started reading the book. I came across a review mentioning this and went on Amazon to find out. Well, I was surprised this was book #6. Lucky that I’m not particular about reading a series in an order. I think there are a few spoilers for the main characters in this one, though I cannot say how much or what.
The setting is bleak, foul, smelly, and oppressive like the underground sewers polluting the River Thames. With fog, cold, smell, cholera, and death, there isn’t anything breezy or light about the book. Though some of it is uncomfortable to read, it’s necessary to keep the reader immersed in the setting.
The narration is easy to follow but slow. The story moves at a languid pace to suit the overall atmosphere of gloom, treachery, and violence. It’s a good change from reading about only the best side of London. This one is realistic and brutal.
The main characters take some to get used to. Jem is easier to follow than Will, who seems to have a rather delicate disposition. There’s some backstory I’m missing (obviously), but that doesn’t affect the core plot, so I could read it for what it is without worrying too much.
Since Jem is an apothecary doctor, we get insights into treatments, salves, and stuff. This is quite interesting (and I always like to read about natural medicine). Also, kind of scary that leeches are placed on the neck to drain some blood and provide relief from migraines. *shudder*
The central mystery slowly unravels as Jem and Will find more information and try to connect the dots. A few clues and red herrings are scattered for readers to guess. There’s a bit of wordplay, too - some for dark humor and some as clues.
Given the time period, the book also mentions the Golconda diamonds (still in the possession of the British). There are a couple of references to the Indian colonies, and a bit of racism, which was natural back then.
The side characters are interesting. Thimble has great potential. I hope this lad becomes a recurring character like Jenny. Among those involved in the case, Caroline and Charlotte stand out from the rest. I like how the book shows the other side of privileged activism, where the saviors will do anything to ensure the unfortunate will continue to be needy. After all, if people have better lives, they won’t need saviors. Gasp!
Another point I like is how women found ways to have a career and achieve their ambitions despite the stifling limitations. They still had to give up certain things, but they were willing to do it. (Not saying more to avoid spoilers).
The book ends on a hopeful note. I’m curious to see how Jem and Will will solve more cases that come their way. I’ve also added the previous ones to my list.

To summarize, Under Ground is a dark, stinky, and murderous mystery that works as a standalone, though you might enjoy it more if you read at least one book in the series. I still liked this.
Thank you, NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK, and Constable, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

The body of a dead man with his throat cut out has been discovered in a brothel in 19th century London and an innocent man taken to Newgate prison, accused of the crime and due to hang within the week. Jem Flockhart, a doctor, and Will Quartermain, an architect, are called to identify the body and investigate the murder in order to save the innocent man's life. In the background, cholera is spreading across a filthy London and threatens everyone.

I had begun this book before I realised it was part of the series and the characters were returning - often this can be very confusing for a new reader but the author did a great job of giving enough backstory for me to know what was happening without talking about it too much, which can be frustrating for those who have read all the previous books. I found the story a little slow in places but the atmosphere was very well created - London is in itself a character in the book and it's completely convincing as a horrible, dirty, smelly, foggy place where the poor are left to their fate by those who believe themselves better.

Perhaps if I had read the previous stories in the series I would have felt a little more connected to the characters but I did really enjoy the Dickensian feel of the whole book, so I will look them up now to find out more.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher in an advance copy in return for an honest review.
#UnderGround #NetGalley

It continues to baffle me why this series isn’t better known.

Each book is absolutely brilliant and Under Ground, the 6th in the series, is no exception.

I just love Jem & Will and the bunch of characters they’ve collected along the way and reading a new book in the series is like catching up with friends

This time Jem is involved in solving a murder of an unknown upper class gentleman in a brothel while Will is employed in exploring the London sewers in an attempt to root out the causes of cholera.

This is another cleverly crafted, tightly plotted story. The smell, dirt and crush of Victorian London is vividly and effortlessly evoked. As is the grinding poverty and the stark contrast of the opulence of the upper classes.

I really enjoyed this book and especially the exploration of the sewers and tunnels under London - the rats not so much!

As ever I find Jems work as an apothecary and the use of herbs fascinating and there is always something new to learn.

The introduction of a couple of new characters too sets things up nicely for the next book which I am already very much looking forward to.

Special shout out to the Dickensesque character names too - Mrs Roseplucker & Mother Allcock the brothel madams - does make me chuckle.

This can be read as a stand alone but why deny yourself the pleasure of the first five books?

Thanks to Little, Brown & Netgalley for the chance to read an early copy.

Really really enjoyed this book. I'm hoping it will become a series I can follow. I love a historical murder mystery so this was right up my street. I loved the setting, the gruesomeness, the awful characters. It really transported me. I felt like it could smell it at some points. I used my dictionary constantly because of the use of victorian language and slang terms, which I also loved. Can't wait to read the next one!

A deliciously dark dive into the depths of London! This story centres around foul water, poverty, the stark enequalities in society and the rich thinking the poor have brought it all upon themselves. All very much paralleled today, this is a book to make you shudder.

When a man is found murdered in a brothel, with his throat ripped out, a seemingly innocent man will hang for the crime unless our duo can uncover the truth.

I hadn't realised this was part of a series but it can definitely be read as a standalone tale. At times this is shocking and visceral but it's well written and the pace doesn't let up all the way through.

This is a lovely series, and the latest one in it only adds to that. There's a lot set in 19th century London these days, and a lot of protagonists of undetermined/unrevealed gender and/or sexuality, but Thomson's excellent at it. Well worth reading.

A stinker of a book - in the best way.

It's been a while coming, but it was worth the wait. The latest outing for Jem Flockhart and Will Quartermain has arrived and it's a belter.

It's 1854 and London is in the midst of another cholera outbreak. Jem, still in demand as an apothecary and doctor and Will hard at work as a surveyor, are summoned to the brothel run by Mrs Roseplucker, where a client has been found brutally murdered, and Mr Jobber has been arrested for the crime. She implores Jem to find the real killer and save him, even threatening to reveal Jem's secret if he doesn't agree.

Without further ado, Jem and Will are caught up in a fast-moving and turbulent chase to uncover a murderer, which brings them into contact with a dysfunctional family, an addled solicitor, toshers, mollys and more. All this while still trying to define their own relationship. And with a denouement worthy of the best Agatha Christie thriller.

As previously, the star of this book is 19th century London. In particular the sewers which run below the growing city. Will's current job is to survey and map the sewers, the Fleet Ditch, and determine where blockages occur, and how the growing problem of a sewage-infested Thames can be linked to the diseases rampant in London. The sights, smells and sensations of the sewers are painted in explicit detail - do not read this book whilst eating. The sense of fear and claustrophobia Will experiences during his numerous trips under ground makes for tense reading. And there are rats. Big rats.

We also meet many characters from the previous books, and even learn a little bit more about each of them, and the part they play in Jem's life. The trials and tribulations of the poorer inhabitants of London are presented in stark contrast to the lived by the gentry. Fans will be pleased that there's also plenty of apothecary-stuff to enjoy.

"Under Ground" is another meticulously researched Dickensian masterpiece. It will appeal to fans old and new. Definitely recommended.