Molten City

If you like historical fiction that is unapologetically feminist, and love getting stuck into an old-fashion police procedural, then look no further – this book is absolutely outstanding! Set nine years after the close of The Leaden Heart some big changes have caught up with Tom, Annabelle, Mary, and Tom's team back at the precinct. With such a large gap between books that includes the passing of Billy Reed, the end of Annabelle's second term as Guardian, and the dispersal of some key officers to fight in the Boer War you can't help but get the feeling that Harper's crime fighting days are coming to an end.  

This finite tone is set with plenty of introspection, looking at both the correction of past wrongs and possibilities for the future. The result is that this book has a slightly slower pace than some of those that came previous in the series, with the weight of the feeling only amplified as Harper focuses on two cold cold cases rather than chasing down high down high stakes crime. That's not to say this book is boring, quite the opposite in fact, as this melancholy tone set by the missing children Tom's life changes is offset by the stress and drama that comes with arranging security for a high profile visitor - one that's sure to draw riots. 

These political tensions provide an exciting backdrop for the change coming at the Harper family, especially since women's suffrage is such a prominent staple at home. With Tom's daughter Mary becoming more involved in the fight for suffrage than Annabelle, the dynamic shifts rapidly, especially since teenaged Mary leans towards a more radical crowd. A tenuous balance must be struck between fighting for what's right and protecting the family - so naturally some hot-headed drama ensues...  

If there is one thing I am confident saying about Mr. Nickson's writing, it is that it bleeds authenticity. Everything from the grimy buildings of industrial Leeds to the politics of the day, and from the feels of the neighbourhoods through to the riots, clearly comes from a deep knowledge and love of place. The passion and attention to detail will effortlessly transport you to another time and place, which is ideal for getting lost in the story.

The Molten City is an emotionally provocative and meticulously crafted read. Lovers of historical fiction will appreciate the attention to detail, while readers of crime fiction will get lost in the case. There's even a little something for the women's fiction and family drama readers in the mix. And despite the feeling of wrapping up the series that's come with this last book, with such human and lovable characters I can only hope that Harper has at least one more big case waiting in the wings.

A new case for DS Tom Harper (his eighth), following up from last year’s excellent The Leaden Heart .

We’ve moved on to 1908 – a new century and a set of new challenges for Harper and his team. The prime minister is on his way to Leeds and Harper is tasked with making sure everything runs like clockwork – no small feat when the suffragettes and unemployed both plan on making trouble.

On top of that, Harper has a mystery to solve. He’s received a letter claiming that a young boy was stolen from his family some fourteen years ago. But where was the outcry? Why is the file so empty?

I really enjoyed delving back into the world of DS Tom Harper. I read a lot of modern crime fiction set all around the world, so it’s great to find one set so close to home. I know the streets and alleyways that Harper’s men walk, and get a real feel for how my adopted city has changed. Not that you’d need to be familiar with Leeds to enjoy this, mind!

The story is, as with The Leaden Heart, full of intrigue and good, solid no-nonsense police work. Nickson clearly knows and loves his subject (and city) well, and it really comes across on the page. Leeds is very much a key character in Nickson’s books, and I hope to read many more.

The Molten City is the eighth book in the Tom Harper series, but could easily be read as a standalone. I still need to go back and read some of the earlier books, and am looking forward to doing so.