An Urchin of Means - The Baker Street Series, Book 1 by April White
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Synopsis:
Ringo Devereux knows far too much for a man of his times. There’s no simple explanation for it that doesn’t involve improbable conversations about the future, and Ringo’s advanced understanding of three-phase generators and the secret histories of his city are not things he can discuss with the Victorian Londoners around him. Even his origins as an orphaned street thief are far too dangerous for a young gentleman of means to reveal.
An encounter with a ten-year-old pickpocket, and a luncheon with Oscar Wilde and Arthur Conan Doyle draw Ringo back into the shadows of his criminal past. A stolen gemstone, a suspicious pawnbroker, and a damning bundle of letters are mysteries that require Ringo’s thief’s instincts, his obscure facts, and the help of a little girl with the skills of deduction like his.
But are these crimes as random as they first appear? What do a covert affair and a blue carbuncle have in common? Ringo knows too much, but someone knows more, and the identity of a mysterious red-haired woman is perhaps the most diabolically complicated plot of them all.
Review:
An Urchin of Means was such a fun read. I love the idea of the book and the characters were fantastic. I got to the end and wanted more more more! Really I looked down at one point and saw I only had a few minutes left of the story and was just like no! I am not ready for this to end yet! This author does a fantastic job of making history fun. Of adding true events into her fictional world that makes me want to know more. Of creating a cast of characters and storyline that I don't ever want to end. Luckily I have more stories to look forward to in the future. Now to try and wait patiently for them...
I have to admit that I haven't read the Immortal Descendants series yet. I know, I know. I have had the books sitting here waiting for me to read for forever it seems, but I haven't gotten to them. Well after reading this story they are on the top of the list as I really want to see more of Ringo and Charlie! I loved them so so much!
Ringo and Charlie live in Victorin London. They used to live on the streets, Ringo was a pickpocket surviving on his wits and skills when he was younger, but now they have a house and means to do what they would like. To help out others who are not as fortunate as they are. Oh, Ringo and Charlie were wonderful! They are so cute together. They are both so kind and caring and I loved them so. You can see how much they care about each other. I adored Ringo and how loving he was with his wife. How he thought of her and oh, I don't know how you could not love him. When Ringo has his pocket picked he tracks down the girl who did it and instead of turning her into the police or getting her in trouble in some way he takes her in and tries to help her. She is super smart and observant just like he is. Or was. He may need to practice a bit more to keep up and not miss some things.
When Ringo's friend Oscar Wilde invites him to lunch with Arthur Conan Doyle and Joseph Stoddard things get a bit interesting. Ringo is definitely observant, he can figure out a lot about you just by the way you are dressed and what you do, so when Conan Doyle has a mystery to solve he has Wilde go to Ringo for help. And so goes this Sherlockian mystery. I loved it. I love Sherlock Holmes, I loved Ringo and how he knows too much, but put some of that knowledge to good use using things that make sense for the time period, how the mysteries were so much fun to solve, and the merry band of irregular misfits that Ringo and Charlie seem to collect. It was a great read and I can't wait for more. But I definitely will need to go back and read the rest of the Immortal Descendents series now because I want to fully know the backstory of these wonderful characters. Or just spend a little more time with Ringo. I imagine if you read this book as I did, without first reading the authors other works, you will want to go read them as soon as possible. How could you not want to spend more time with these wonderful characters?
*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★1/2
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