The Secrets of Gaslight Lane

Kasasian’s fourth Victorian-era whodunit featuring the misanthropic Sidney Grice and his ward, March Middleton, falls short of the high standard set by such previous entries as 2016’s Death Descends on Saturn Villa, which cleverly integrated humor into Grand Guignol plot lines without diluting the horror or the puzzle. In this outing, Grice’s snark; the malapropisms of his inept maid, Molly; and tongue-in-cheek references—a doctor recommends “Dr Lestrade’s Nerve Tonic, Gregson’s Cocaine tablets and... Mycroft’s Extra Strength Laudanum”—distract from what should have been a compelling mystery. Charity Goodsmile consults Grice and Middleton about the murder of her father, Nathan Mortlock, in his London home. Mortlock’s valet, Austin Hesketh, discovered his master in bed with his throat cut shortly after returning from visiting his mother; 11 years earlier, Hesketh was on a similar excursion when Mortlock’s father and five others were massacred. Grice’s investigation of Mortlock’s murder expands to include the older ones. Given the brilliance of earlier volumes, fans can hope for a return to form next time. (Apr.)