Alright, folks, buckle up because we're diving headfirst into the dark and twisted streets of London in November 1890. In this riveting audiobook, crime-scene photographer Sarah Bain Barrett finds herself caught in the eye of a storm. Picture this: she and her husband, Detective Sergeant Barrett, are on a train that crashes, talk about bad luck! But hold onto your hats, because that's just the beginning.
As our brave duo springs into action, saving their fellow passengers, they stumble upon something absolutely chilling. A woman, strangled to death, right before their very eyes. Who is she? And more importantly, who killed her? Little did Sarah know, this mystery would lead her and her comrades to the notorious Cremorne Gardens. Now, in case you didn't know, Cremorne Gardens is like the ultimate melting pot of bizarre entertainment. We're talking carnivals, theaters, freak shows, and a museum of oddities all in one place. Yeah, it's as wild as it sounds.
But here's the real kicker: this is not your run-of-the-mill case. Oh no, my friends, this is one of the trickiest puzzles Sarah, Barrett, Lord Hugh Staunton, and Mick O'Reilly have ever faced. And guess what? The list of suspects is enough to make your head spin. We've got a dwarf, a female acrobat, and even a member of the Royal Family in the mix. Yeah, you heard me right, the Royal Family. No wonder the police commissioner declares this case top-secret. Can't have the royals mixed up in scandal, can we?
So, our fearless team is faced with a daunting task: investigate this whole matter under the radar. In other words, they gotta do their thing without arousing suspicion from the suspects, the press, or the public. It sounds easy enough, right? Well, not so fast. Their journey is riddled with obstacles. We've got Hugh nursing an injury from their last case, Mick tangled up in a romantic whirlwind with a psychic, and Barrett's past flame adding extra spice to the mix. Drama, drama, drama.
But wait, there's more! As if the chaos surrounding them wasn't enough, Sarah's own father is on trial for a heinous crime: a rape and murder that took place over two decades ago, involving a teenage girl named Ellen Casey. And let me tell you, folks, this trial is the talk of the town. It's a media frenzy, a scandal that has everyone's jaws dropping. But the question lingers in the air: is Sarah's father innocent? Or is he a wicked soul who deserves the hangman's noose?
As the trial unfolds, secrets long buried begin to unravel. And believe me when I say, the truth behind that fateful train murder is beyond anyone's wildest dreams. What dark and dangerous secrets lie hidden beneath the glimmering lights of Cremorne Gardens? The answer, my friends, lies within the pages of Laura Joh Rowland's captivating audiobook. So, fire up your listening devices and prepare for a wild ride through the shadows of Victorian London. It's a tale you won't want to miss. Trust me.