✰ 2.75 stars ✰

​ “​The only constant was time, and time had a way of unveiling even the most expert of disguises.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Felix Grey has a good heart; a good heart that may be just what he needs if he wants to survive the British government as the youngest ever Prime Minister at thirty-four. With 'a genuine sense of moral duty rather than mere political obligation', he'll need his wits and his courage if he wants to make it through, especially when it is not only the battles in Parliament he has to sway in his favor, ​or the troubles at the ​docks or the open road. 😥 He was truthful and decency, with a dedicated cause to his duty of doing what was right. He never wished harm or ill-will on anyone, hoping to always follow the just course of action. Despite the distrust and doubt he faces from his opposition, he wants to prove to be more than just that. To be a detective and a man in a position of power is the ploy he needs to do what is right to bring about meaningful change. 🤜🏻🤛🏻

​“It was this instinct, this need to scrutinise a piece of evidence and unravel the case, that had been suddenly reignited in him.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The plot was intriguing; not entirely complex, but compelling enough to see how exactly each event was connected to the other. From missing lords to secret societies, to underhanded schemes, and political and social unrest, with quick decisive calculation, as well as a hearty bout of courage and conviction does Felix find the way to navigate the tide of events to a workable solution. ​😟 'There are ways to have one’s voice heard, and this was not one of them.'​ The opening sequence built the uneasy foreboding feeling which continued throughout as various characters made their appearance.​ Set in the early 1900s, it captured the grim and bleak circumstances of the working class in a believable way, as well as the divide between the rich and the poor that spurned on such contempt and disregard of the government and their laws.

​“Because, my good man, repetition is how fiction, to the superstitious mind, morphs into fact.”

​ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ​​I did not find the third person point of view to be difficult​; the writing was direct, sharp, and focused. It helped as we got to see various perspectives that illustrated each different characteristics and heightened the tension. I did not quite figure out the culprit for myself, but I enjoyed following through with Felix and his newly appointed trusty sidekick, Alfred - an odd pair in how different they were in their status and appearance. But, it made the sequence of events more dynamic and engaging. I usually avoid political stories, but ​the political aspects did not overtake the story; it played a part in the mystery, itself; 'nothing was ever certain in politics, nothing entirely as it seemed in the corridors of power.' 😔 In fact, it was quite easy to read; the dialogue, the interactions, it had a quasi-charming feeling to it that kept the tone light, but still drew out the serious tone of the story.

​“You must never allow fear to be your master. It is only an excuse for those who lack heart.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ​With it's open ending, it does feel like a start to a cozy mystery series.​ I am curious to see how Felix will move forward from here on. With new characters joining the mix, along with questions still left unanswered, it definitely feels like there is more trouble still stirring under the waters that he has yet to tackle. ⚖️

*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.