In the tradition of C. S. Harris and Anne Perry, a fatal disaster on
the Thames and a roiling political conflict set the stage for Karen
Odden's second Inspector Corravan historical mystery.
September 1878. One night, as the pleasure boat the Princess Alice
makes her daily trip up the Thames, she collides with the Bywell Castle,
a huge iron-hulled collier. The Princess Alice shears apart, throwing
all 600 passengers into the river; only 130 survive. It is the worst
maritime disaster London has ever seen, and early clues point to
sabotage by the Irish Republican Brotherhood, who believe violence is
the path to restoring Irish Home Rule.
For Scotland Yard Inspector Michael Corravan, born in Ireland and
adopted by the Irish Doyle family, the case presents a challenge.
Accused by the Home Office of willfully disregarding the obvious
conclusion, and berated by his Irish friends for bowing to prejudice,
Corravan doggedly pursues the truth, knowing that if the Princess Alice
disaster is pinned on the IRB, hopes for Home Rule could be dashed
forever.
Corrovan's dilemma is compounded by Colin, the youngest Doyle, who has
joined James McCabe's Irish gang. As violence in Whitechapel rises,
Corravan strikes a deal with McCabe to get Colin out of harm's way. But
unbeknownst to Corravan, Colin bears longstanding resentments against
his adopted brother and scorns his help.
As the newspapers link the IRB to further accidents, London threatens to
devolve into terror and chaos. With the help of his young colleague, the
loyal Mr. Stiles, and his friend Belinda Gale, Corravan uncovers the
harrowing truth--one that will shake his faith in his countrymen, the
law, and himself.
