At the suggestion of his wife and encouragement of his Magistrate friend, John Pickett had advertised him self as a free lance investigator after resigning from the Bow Street Runners. But the applications for his services were not just slow to follow, they were non existent and John was forced by financial restraints to take an office job which he hated. Until, out of the blue, a gentleman requested that he investigate a house where, for a very large fee, opium addicts could be admitted, to be treated for their
problems, a place where, he said, his friend had recently died and the sister, of whom he was obviously more than slightly fond, was now being restrained with no contact from him allowed. Despite Julia’s concerns, Pickett accepts the job.
These Regency stories following the career of the humble John Pickett, rescued from street thievery to marriage into a class way an over his origins is simply delightful a and the investigated crimes, at a time when there was little policing, are fascinating to encounter. Narrator Joel Froomkin has become Pickett over the course of this eleven part series, his slightly stilted performance perfect for the setting. I have listened to, and very much enjoyed, this series (almost) from the beginning and can recommend them to all who enjoy stories set in past times as well as detective story enthusiasts who are less addicted to forensic solutions.
My thanks to the rights holder of Death Can Be Habit Forming, who, at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy. A delicious series and I look forward to book 12.