The third book in the Sergeant Cribb series, from Peter Lovesey.
A practical joker is haunting the popular music halls of Victorian London – but far from being funny, his intentions are deeply sinister. A trapeze artist misses her timing when the ropes are shortened; a comedian who invites the audience to sing along with him finds the words of his song ‘shamefully’ altered; mustard has been applied to a sword swallower’s blade; a singer’s costume has been rigged; the girl in a magician’s box is trapped.
And then the mischief escalates to murder. Or was murder intended all along? The indomitable detective team of Sergeant Cribb and Constable Thackeray dive into the back rooms and dark alleyways of London as they pursue the elusive criminal.
A reissue from the delightful Sergeant Cribb series, set in Victorian London.
A practical joker is haunting the popular music halls of Victorian London – but far from being funny, his intentions are deeply sinister. A trapeze artist misses her timing when the ropes are shortened; a comedian who invites the audience to sing along with him finds the words of his song ‘shamefully’ altered; mustard has been applied to a sword swallower’s blade; a singer’s costume has been rigged; the girl in a magician’s box is trapped.
And then the mischief escalates to murder. Or was murder intended all along? The indomitable detective team of Sergeant Cribb and Constable Thackeray dive into the back rooms and dark alleyways of London as they pursue the elusive criminal.
A reissue from the delightful Sergeant Cribb series, set in Victorian London.
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Reviews
For a delightful, offbeat offering in the mystery field try Peter Lovesey's Abracadaver
Lovesey has a special flair for re-creating Victorian England with to-the-manner-born wit. I love Lovesey
Music hall's heyday lovingly recalled as Sergeant Cribb and Constable Thackeray cope with limelit poisoning and Victorian permissiveness . . . thoroughly entertaining - Guardian
Sinister fun in splendidly atmospheric setting
It's a tangled business, both evil and intricate. Very much Grade A
