SUMMON UP THE BLOOD
By R.N. Morris
Canelo US
340 pgs
This is the first in a mystery series by R.N. Morris
featuring Scotland Yard Detective Silas Quinn. Detective Quinn is the head of
the Special Crimes Department. In this debut case, he is assigned the matter of
a murdered homosexual whose body was discovered drained of blood. Which is why
the case is dropped in Quinn’s lap. The story, set against the Victorian era,
does a wonderful job of showcasing the disparity of the social classes at that
time and how the laws were unjustly skewered protect the wealth and landed
gentry while offering no such shields for the working classes and dirt poor
minorities.
As much as homosexuality was considered by the public at
large as an abnormal, deviant behavior to be condemned and punished, there was
no lack of the lifestyle among the bluebloods of the London. They felt above the law which puts
Quinn, a regular bloke, at odds with certain people of interest in the case.
That’s the main plot and Norris handles it well enough.
Whereas his major strength here is his beautifully designed
supporting cast. These characters add so much depth and weight to the story; it
would suffer greatly without any of them. From the fellow residents at the
boarding house where Quinn resides to his two subordinated in attic office of
Special Crimes. Detectives Inchball and Macadam are great characters who come
to life within a few pages of dialog that clearly sets their opposing
personalities. This offers up dynamism to the trio working together, despite
their obvious different world views, to stop a madman before he can kill
again.
In all, “Summon Up The Blood” is a good read and if you like mysteries series,
we highly recommend considering this one to add to your list.
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