The best novels featuring British Victorian crime

I have always enjoyed Victorian mystery novels, and the Malvern Mystery ticks all my boxes: mystery, intrigue, a dash of humor, atmosphere, and some quirky historical facts. I liked the fact it was set in a specific area–Malvern in Herefordshire–and had stunning descriptions of the town and the area, and included aspects of the supernatural as well as contemporary events.

I l liked the fact the characters were well defined, with a strong female lead without diminishing the male characters. I especially liked the emphasis on the unusual angles of history and the interwoven superstition and Victorian modernity. 

I loved the fact that this book predated Sherlock Holmes and was written by a genuine 19th-century detective. I also liked the fact it is based in my home town of Edinburgh, arguably one of the most atmospheric cities in the world. The stories are meant to be true and were based on McLevy’s experiences as a detective, moving between the Old and New Towns in the city. 

Finally, I liked the fact that the stories are all bite-sized, easy to read in a single sitting, and laced with the author’s own brand of dry humour. 

I read this book in a single sitting, on a stormy Winter’s day and night, which is quite appropriate. I have read many of Porter’s books and loved Porter's take on the Jack the Ripper story, which was impressively different, with textual similarities to Conan Doyle and, perhaps more significantly, to RLS' approach to Jekyll and Hyde, another favorite book, although in a slightly different genre. I loved Porter’s method of conveying atmosphere–without which no murder or historical novel is worth reading. 

Central to the book is Jack the Ripper's journal, whose violent outbursts reach out on two levels—the images contained within the journal and the impact of the evil on the modern reader. I loved the connection between the 19th century and the reader, which was too powerful to deny.

I found the historical background fascinating, the embedded message intriguing, and the book itself compelling. A masterpiece.

I loved this book, which presented a suspect for the Jack the Ripper murders with a first-person approach that puts the reader inside the Ripper’s mind. I must admit I had never considered Dr Cream as a serious contender until I read this book, but Griffith-Jones removes all doubt with her immaculately researched account. I do like the amount of genuine research the author has put into writing her book.

I liked the atmosphere–vital in any historical novel–and the small details that always add to the feeling. 

Griffith-Jones introduced us to the underbelly of Victorian London through Cream’s eyes in a delicious manner. One felt as if one was there: I loved that.

I defy any historical fiction reader or detective fiction reader not to love this book as much as I did. It is a classic of the genre: a book that has everything. From the class system to the family superstition, the role of the servants, the treatment of the convicts, and the spooky location, it cannot be faulted. 

I was in the fortunate position of having read the book before I saw any of the films, for I have not seen one that accurately captures the atmosphere. Conan Doyle dabbled with the dark side of superstition in his life, and that interest comes across strongly.