A murdered clerk. A body at Waterloo. A letter with a deadly secret.

London, 1889. In the gloomy Dead Letter Office at St Martin’s Le Grand, young clerk Andrew Peverell spends his days sorting through letters that never found their intended reader. When three anonymous notes cross his desk – each inviting a stranger to a public house near Buckingham Palace – Andrew makes a decision that will cost him his life.

Four days later, a foul smell leads to a black leather trunk in Waterloo Station’s left-luggage office. Inside is Andrew’s body.

When the story reaches the morning papers, Emma Langley recognises the victim’s name – a man her late brother once knew as a boy. Together with her friend Penny Green, she sets out to find the truth. Their investigation takes them from the hushed rooms of the Dead Letter Office to the grand halls of Marlborough House, where a footman has vanished and a menacing lawyer is hunting him down.

But the truth about Andrew’s death lies somewhere no one has thought to look. And by the time Emma understands what she is really searching for, the killer is closer than she has ever imagined…

Perfect for readers who love:

· Victorian London mysteries

· A gaslit atmosphere and richly-drawn period detail

· A missing-body puzzle with a shocking twist

· A pair of clever, funny female investigators to fall in love with

For fans of cosy Victorian crime from Anne Perry, T.E. Kinsey and Deanna Raybourn.

Book 6 in the Emma Langley Victorian Mysteries. Each book can be read as a standalone, but the series is best enjoyed in order.

Reads love the Emma Langley Victorian Mysteries series:

‘The suspense and tension kept me on the edge of my seat and I read this book within a couple of hours. I definitely recommend this book to mystery and historical fiction fans.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this book…excellent scene setting and details to create the picture of 1888 London… Excellent read… can't wait for more!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Ms. Organ does it again! I read a lot of historical novels, and Emily Organ is one of my favorite authors.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Emily Organ is always deserving of more than the allotted 5 stars!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘The suspense and tension kept me on the edge of my seat and I read this book within a couple of hours. I definitely recommend this book to mystery and historical fiction fans.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐