Set in London in 1889, A Death at Raven’s Roost is the fourth book in Emily Organ’s Emma Langley Victorian Mystery series. This time, Emma Langley and her friend Penny Green find themselves caught up in a murder investigation involving a young laborer, a mysterious gold locket, and some very powerful people who would prefer to keep their secrets buried.

The story begins when Archie Mitchell, a young man working on the construction of London’s Tower Bridge, is found seriously injured near Traitor’s Gate. He has been shot and suffers a severe head injury. Although he makes it to the hospital, he dies before he can explain what happened or identify the person responsible. With Scotland Yard struggling to make progress, Emma and Penny are asked to help investigate. The two women have developed quite a reputation for their ability to uncover information that others seem to miss. Being women in Victorian England, however, doesn’t always make their work easy. They often have to deal with people who underestimate them or don’t believe women should be involved in police investigations in the first place.

As they begin asking questions, Emma and Penny discover that Archie may have been involved in something much more complicated than an ordinary street crime. There are several people who could have wanted him dead, including a barmaid who discovered his body, a fellow laborer who holds a grudge against him, and a local troublemaker whose girlfriend recently drowned in the Thames. Then comes the discovery of a gold locket that Archie had in his possession. It’s an unusual item for a young working man to have, and it raises even more questions about where it came from and why someone might be willing to kill to get it back.

The investigation takes Emma and Penny into some uncomfortable territory, where the lives of London’s working poor collide with those of the wealthy and privileged. They begin uncovering secrets involving a suspicious death, possible corruption, intimidation, and people who seem to believe that their money and social standing put them above the law. The deeper they dig, the more dangerous things become. With several possible suspects, conflicting stories, and plenty of unanswered questions, Emma and Penny must figure out what Archie knew and why someone was so determined to silence him.

I really enjoyed this latest Emma Langley mystery! Emily Organ does a wonderful job of combining an interesting murder investigation with plenty of historical atmosphere, memorable characters, and a look at what life was like in Victorian London. I liked how characters from other stories appear here. I had to wonder if a few new people introduced here will become recurring characters.

The partnership between Emma and Penny works well in the series. I like how they complement each other. They make such a good team, and I like how they approach their investigations from different angles. They are both intelligent, curious, and determined, and they aren’t easily discouraged when someone tries to brush them off. In a time when women were expected to stay home and leave serious matters to men, it’s fun to watch these two go about asking questions, challenging people, and getting involved in situations that others would rather they avoid.

I also enjoyed how the mystery gradually unfolds. At first, Archie Mitchell’s death seems like it might be a fairly straightforward murder, but the discovery of the locket opens up an entirely different set of questions. There are plenty of people with possible motives, and just when you think you might have figured things out, another piece of information sends the investigation in a different direction. Not everyone is telling the truth, and some of the people who appear respectable aren’t necessarily as innocent as they would like everyone to believe. Meanwhile, others who seem to be suspects may be more straightforward than initially perceived.

The contrast between London’s working-class neighborhoods and the wealthy upper class is another interesting part of the story. The laborers working on Tower Bridge are simply trying to make a living, while the privileged members of society have money, influence, and connections that can make problems disappear. The more Emma and Penny uncover, the clearer it becomes that having the truth on your side doesn’t necessarily mean getting justice will be easy.

I especially liked the historical details surrounding the construction of Tower Bridge. It gives the story an interesting backdrop and makes it easy to picture London during this period. Emily Organ has a way of bringing the setting to life without overwhelming the mystery with too much historical information. The streets, taverns, working conditions, and differences between social classes all help make the story feel authentic. There are also some enjoyable personal touches along the way. We get to see more of the supporting characters, and I like how the author continues developing Emma and Penny’s lives outside the investigation. Penny’s husband, who works for Scotland Yard, is supportive of her detective work, which is a refreshing change from the attitudes women would commonly have encountered during this time. There are also hints of a possible romantic development for Emma involving newspaper reporter Harry Wright, which adds a little something extra to the story.

The pacing is good, with short chapters, plenty of clues, and enough twists and suspicious characters to keep things moving. I found myself wanting to know how all the different pieces were connected and who was really behind Archie’s death. The danger also becomes more personal as Emma and Penny get closer to uncovering the truth.

If I had one small complaint, it would be that there are quite a few characters and different threads to keep track of. However, they eventually come together as the investigation progresses, and I thought the conclusion was satisfying.

A Death at Raven’s Roost was another entertaining read from Emily Organ. I enjoyed the mystery, the historical setting, and especially the growing friendship and partnership between Emma and Penny. They are two strong female characters who prove that determination and a good bit of curiosity can go a long way, even when society isn’t exactly cheering them on. If you enjoy Victorian mysteries, amateur detectives, historical details, and stories with plenty of secrets and unexpected turns, I think you’ll really enjoy this one. It’s a great addition to the series, and I’m already looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble Emma and Penny find themselves in next!

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Emily Organ for the advance reader copy of this book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. This has been my unbiased review of the book.

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