In this the fifth Thomas Chaloner adventure, Gregory revisits the superb pairing of Matthew and Michael in the "Bartholomew" series. Thomas reluctantly accepts the friendship offered by the arrogant, intelligent, yet socially inept surgeon, Wiseman. After all, every Asterix must have his faithful Obelix.

The odious Lady Castlemaine turns up again in this one along with a lot of disgruntled people who found the restoration wasn't what they'd hoped for. Chaloner has to pick his way through various suspects and misleading details to catch the killer.

One of the highlights for me has been seeing that brothel (or ‘gentlemen’s club’0 run by Thomas’s friend, the formerly dutiful Puritan Temperance, has become such a success.

I was unsure about Thomas after the first book but, like all great detectives, it's his failings and foibles that make him real. This is the best so far, and I think he'll improve even further. As always, a reminder: you must start with the earlier books, to fully enjoy the later ones. ( )