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Barker & Llewelyn #8.5
An Awkward Way to Die
An original never-before-seen Barker and Llewelyn short includes 7 FREE CHAPTERS of OLD SCORES, the next installment in the adventures of Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn.
Cyrus Barker, the most prominent and accomplished private enquiry agent in 19th century London, faces what might be the most dastardly crime of his his personal tobacconist has been murdered, his body found in his own humidor!
Now Cyrus Barker, with the help of his assistant, Thomas Llewelyn, must crisscross London in order to track the killer. As they follow the clues, Barker discovers that the victim, Vasilios Dimitriadis, was not a man worthy of Barker's trust. Can the Guv find whoever killed the skilled tobacco blender? While he is at it, can he find the secret formula Dimitriadis used to make his beloved tobacco blend?
Cyrus Barker, the most prominent and accomplished private enquiry agent in 19th century London, faces what might be the most dastardly crime of his his personal tobacconist has been murdered, his body found in his own humidor!
Now Cyrus Barker, with the help of his assistant, Thomas Llewelyn, must crisscross London in order to track the killer. As they follow the clues, Barker discovers that the victim, Vasilios Dimitriadis, was not a man worthy of Barker's trust. Can the Guv find whoever killed the skilled tobacco blender? While he is at it, can he find the secret formula Dimitriadis used to make his beloved tobacco blend?
85 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2017
About the author
Will Thomas
101 books1,113 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Will Thomas, born 1958 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is a novelist who writes a Victorian mystery series featuring Cyrus Barker, a Scottish detective or "private enquiry agent," and his Welsh assistant, Thomas Llewelyn. The Barker/Llewelyn novels are set in the 1880s and often feature historical events, people, and movements. Martial combat is a recurring theme throughout this hardboiled series.
Prior to writing novels, Will Thomas wrote essays for Sherlock Holmes society publications and lectured on crime fiction of the Victorian era.
Will Thomas' first novel, Some Danger Involved, was nominated for a Barry Award and a Shamus Award, and won the 2005 Oklahoma Book Award. In 2015, he won the Oklahoma Book Award a second time for Fatal Enquiry. Will Thomas has been featured on the cover of Library Journal, and was the Toastmaster at the 2007 Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave in Manhattan, Kansas. His fifth novel, The Black Hand, was nominated for a 2009 Shamus Award. He is married to author Julia Bryan Thomas.
Series:
. Barker and Llewelyn
Will Thomas, born 1958 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is a novelist who writes a Victorian mystery series featuring Cyrus Barker, a Scottish detective or "private enquiry agent," and his Welsh assistant, Thomas Llewelyn. The Barker/Llewelyn novels are set in the 1880s and often feature historical events, people, and movements. Martial combat is a recurring theme throughout this hardboiled series.
Prior to writing novels, Will Thomas wrote essays for Sherlock Holmes society publications and lectured on crime fiction of the Victorian era.
Will Thomas' first novel, Some Danger Involved, was nominated for a Barry Award and a Shamus Award, and won the 2005 Oklahoma Book Award. In 2015, he won the Oklahoma Book Award a second time for Fatal Enquiry. Will Thomas has been featured on the cover of Library Journal, and was the Toastmaster at the 2007 Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave in Manhattan, Kansas. His fifth novel, The Black Hand, was nominated for a 2009 Shamus Award. He is married to author Julia Bryan Thomas.
Series:
. Barker and Llewelyn
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 1, 2018
First Sentence: The telephone set jangled on the corner of Cyrus Barker’s desk, and we both turned our head to stare at it.
The personal tobacconist to Private Inquiry Agent Cyrus Barker has died. He was murdered in his shop. His body found in his humidor. It is up to Scotsman Barker, and his Welsh assistant Thomas Llewelyn, to find the killer.
If one has not previously read Will Thomas, this is a wonderful introduction to his Barker and Llewelyn series.
Thomas’ dialogue and subtle wry humor are always a pleasure to read—“Someone had died,” I stated. “Aye,” the Guv answered, “It is Vasilos Dimitriadis.” “Your tobacconist?” “The same.” “Isn’t he the one who blends your tobacco for you but won’t say what is in it?” “Not ‘isn’t,’ Mr. Llewelyn. ‘Wasn’t.’ Scotland Yard has required our presence immediately. Come along.”
Thomas cleverly calls out the dismissiveness toward women and prejudice towards foreigners—“It was always easier to blame a foreigner, as if England had no criminal class of its own.”—demonstrating that little has changed over time.
“An Awkward Way to Die” is a clever story with the solution proving that it’s all about noticing the details. It is a delight to read, as is the entire series.
AN AWKWARD WAY TO DIE (Hist Mys/SS–Barker/Llewellyn–London-Victorian) – VG
Thomas, Will – 13th in series (Novelette)
Minotaur Books – Aug 2017
The personal tobacconist to Private Inquiry Agent Cyrus Barker has died. He was murdered in his shop. His body found in his humidor. It is up to Scotsman Barker, and his Welsh assistant Thomas Llewelyn, to find the killer.
If one has not previously read Will Thomas, this is a wonderful introduction to his Barker and Llewelyn series.
Thomas’ dialogue and subtle wry humor are always a pleasure to read—“Someone had died,” I stated. “Aye,” the Guv answered, “It is Vasilos Dimitriadis.” “Your tobacconist?” “The same.” “Isn’t he the one who blends your tobacco for you but won’t say what is in it?” “Not ‘isn’t,’ Mr. Llewelyn. ‘Wasn’t.’ Scotland Yard has required our presence immediately. Come along.”
Thomas cleverly calls out the dismissiveness toward women and prejudice towards foreigners—“It was always easier to blame a foreigner, as if England had no criminal class of its own.”—demonstrating that little has changed over time.
“An Awkward Way to Die” is a clever story with the solution proving that it’s all about noticing the details. It is a delight to read, as is the entire series.
AN AWKWARD WAY TO DIE (Hist Mys/SS–Barker/Llewellyn–London-Victorian) – VG
Thomas, Will – 13th in series (Novelette)
Minotaur Books – Aug 2017
June 9, 2026
While I have been thoroughly enjoying the Barker and Llewelyn series, it is nice to see Will Thomas taking a break from tense novels and toss a short story into the mix. Thomas includes a stellar piece that permits a single sitting read that is sure to impress those who have been dodging bullets as the private enquiry agents locate Victorian-era criminals. In this piece, Barker and Llewelyn are called to a tobacconist’s shop, where the proprietor appears to have been murdered. The two enquiry agents are responsible for cracking the case before the killer disappears, like billowing tobacco smoke.
A telephone call brings news that Cyrus Barker’s own tobacconist has been found dead in the shop’s humidor. Upon arrival at the shop, Barker and his assistant, Thomas Llewelyn, begin exploring the scene, where they learn the victim was poisoned with chloroform fumed into the enclosed room. Barker commences his investigation while he sends Llewelyn on a few case-related errands. With a killer close at hand, Barker and Llewelyn must explore all options to see what the victim had been doing that might have caused waves. A short piece that packs a punch, well-placed in the middle of the series.
The series has done well to provide entertainment and a great deal of mystery. This short story works well and can easily be read in all at once, as I did. With a quick narrative that builds tension and momentum, Thomas is able to keep the reader on the edge of their seat throughout. A small collection of characters help augment the reading experience, making everyone who graces the pages of this story matter in some form. Plot points are well-placed and serve a purpose, as the reader seeks to assemble all the pieces of the mystery. I am happy to have enjoyed this short story and am ready to dive back into the full-length novels.
Kudos, Mr. Thomas, for a short mystery that has everything I needed.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A telephone call brings news that Cyrus Barker’s own tobacconist has been found dead in the shop’s humidor. Upon arrival at the shop, Barker and his assistant, Thomas Llewelyn, begin exploring the scene, where they learn the victim was poisoned with chloroform fumed into the enclosed room. Barker commences his investigation while he sends Llewelyn on a few case-related errands. With a killer close at hand, Barker and Llewelyn must explore all options to see what the victim had been doing that might have caused waves. A short piece that packs a punch, well-placed in the middle of the series.
The series has done well to provide entertainment and a great deal of mystery. This short story works well and can easily be read in all at once, as I did. With a quick narrative that builds tension and momentum, Thomas is able to keep the reader on the edge of their seat throughout. A small collection of characters help augment the reading experience, making everyone who graces the pages of this story matter in some form. Plot points are well-placed and serve a purpose, as the reader seeks to assemble all the pieces of the mystery. I am happy to have enjoyed this short story and am ready to dive back into the full-length novels.
Kudos, Mr. Thomas, for a short mystery that has everything I needed.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
November 20, 2022
Interesting short story
This short tale presents the reader with a mystery where the perpetrator is most unexpected. Leave it to Barker and Llewelyn to quickly solve the case.
This short tale presents the reader with a mystery where the perpetrator is most unexpected. Leave it to Barker and Llewelyn to quickly solve the case.
Read
December 13, 2018A very (very) short read. Seventy-five percent of the ebook is taken up with sample chapters of the next book in the Barker & Llewelyn series (which I've already read), but I'm sure it was a nice teaser back when readers were waiting for the next installment.
February 8, 2025
Ohhhhhhh, that. was. C O L D. WOW.
September 27, 2017
A wonderful morsel to tide me over until the next Barker/Llewelyn adventure.
March 28, 2024
POOP!! One of the great pleasures over the past two years was discovering this Barker and Llewellyn mystery series by Will Thomas. A year ago, I discovered a bag of books in the basement which were from an old library book sale; inside were two or three of this mystery series. The series features the eccentric and mysterious private enquiry agent Cyrus Barker and his young assistant Thomas Llewellyn. As the books progress, it is so interesting to keep learning more about the two main dynamic characters, and to see them grow and evolve as characters.
I recently saw on Goodreads this Barker & Llewelyn Short Story: “An Awkward Way to Die.” When I looked at it on Amazon, it said the length was 85 pages. Prefer a novel, but that sounds OK for a quick read from a series I enjoy! WELL POOP!! The majority of this ‘short story’ consists of the first chapters of Book 9. It was nowhere near 85 pages. Still a rook!! DO NOT BUY it. Borrow it or skip it. HOWEVER, DO TRY THE SERIES. And do start with Book 1: “Some Danger Involved.” The most reading enjoyment will come from reading the series in order to best appreciate the character development that Llewelyn demonstrates. I will return to those foggy Victorian London streets with another Barker and Llewelyn book ~ hopefully a complete book and NOT 20 some pages.
I recently saw on Goodreads this Barker & Llewelyn Short Story: “An Awkward Way to Die.” When I looked at it on Amazon, it said the length was 85 pages. Prefer a novel, but that sounds OK for a quick read from a series I enjoy! WELL POOP!! The majority of this ‘short story’ consists of the first chapters of Book 9. It was nowhere near 85 pages. Still a rook!! DO NOT BUY it. Borrow it or skip it. HOWEVER, DO TRY THE SERIES. And do start with Book 1: “Some Danger Involved.” The most reading enjoyment will come from reading the series in order to best appreciate the character development that Llewelyn demonstrates. I will return to those foggy Victorian London streets with another Barker and Llewelyn book ~ hopefully a complete book and NOT 20 some pages.
December 26, 2025
I am a great admirer of the series but not, in general, of the 'point something' short stories. So it was with mixed expectations that I started to read this one.
As has happened before, I got the feeling that this whole story might have been an editors cut of a chapter from another of the books. On my ereader, however, it looked a reasonable size for a short.
It was a neat little tale about the death of Barker's tobacconist but because it was a short, the author had no time to lay any devious misdirections and the solve was straight forward.
Perhaps what niggled me the most was as the story came to the end, my ereader showed the book to be only 25% completed. The rest being the first chapter or two of the next of the series - which I already have on my self.
Surely that just isn't playing the game.
As has happened before, I got the feeling that this whole story might have been an editors cut of a chapter from another of the books. On my ereader, however, it looked a reasonable size for a short.
It was a neat little tale about the death of Barker's tobacconist but because it was a short, the author had no time to lay any devious misdirections and the solve was straight forward.
Perhaps what niggled me the most was as the story came to the end, my ereader showed the book to be only 25% completed. The rest being the first chapter or two of the next of the series - which I already have on my self.
Surely that just isn't playing the game.
October 21, 2020
Read this merely because I’m a completist. The story was cursory and underdeveloped. It lacked the elements that make these books enjoyable. I do not ding the series but as an individual effort I was underwhelmed.
November 29, 2017
Very short story with a mystery typical of the series. But, I don't think the characters and their investigative style translate well into a short story. Just felt rushed and abrupt.
December 13, 2017
Short story that gives insight into the day-to-day cases.
June 28, 2018
This was a partial version of a full book. I know this because I. read the. completed book. I assume this was written to get your interest, and leave you with a cliffhanger. I honestly do not see the wisdom of this, since now you must reread all these completed chapters again, to go further into the storyline. I think a well written story that had a beginning, middle, and end would have been more enjoyable. Generous at 3 stars.
November 14, 2017
Excellent short story
I love Barker and Llewelyn, they are such well written characters. Mr. Thomas has a remarkable way of making you, the reader, feel as if you are present during an investigation. This is a short story, but it does not lack in the mystery department! I highly recommend this!
I love Barker and Llewelyn, they are such well written characters. Mr. Thomas has a remarkable way of making you, the reader, feel as if you are present during an investigation. This is a short story, but it does not lack in the mystery department! I highly recommend this!
April 22, 2025
Very Short Story
I inevitably enjoy Barker and Llewelyn. Somewhat surprised by this short story in its absolute brevity and lack of real adventure, however. If you are seeking one of their usual tales you won't get it, but what you will get is something more Sherlockian in tone as Barker draws his conclusions rapidly and presciently.
I inevitably enjoy Barker and Llewelyn. Somewhat surprised by this short story in its absolute brevity and lack of real adventure, however. If you are seeking one of their usual tales you won't get it, but what you will get is something more Sherlockian in tone as Barker draws his conclusions rapidly and presciently.
April 9, 2021
I am tempted to mark this further down, I admit, because I paid too much for it, not aware it was only a short story, for which I blame Amazon. However, I think this rating is fair. It is pretty weak, so I don’t think it deserves to be rated as highly as the books.
February 6, 2022
A very Sherlockian-style whodunnit and a quick, fun diversion to read between the novels. Only recommended for those who have read the novels and are familiar with the characters. I imagine it would feel rather lacking otherwise.
June 9, 2022
Fun little short story by one of my favorite mystery writers. If you haven't read any of the Barker & Llewellyn series, this a good introduction that doesn't require a significant time investment, and doesn't give any spoilers for previous books.
August 11, 2017
I wish Old Scores was already released. This short installment was way to short! Still it was a lovely preview, about what its coming!
November 19, 2017
Just a little vignette of a story
May 10, 2018
I hadn’t realized that this was a short story. It was fun, though
July 11, 2018
Bought for $1. Short and disappointing. Obviously an afterthought. I am ready for the next NOVEL.
September 26, 2018
*chomp* onto book 9!
October 17, 2018
Too short! Love the Baker and Llewelyn novels.
January 3, 2019
V E R Y slight. Not worth reading.
January 4, 2019
A nice quick read. Being a short story it did lack a lot of the depth of characters that the longer novels have, but still a nice read.
June 30, 2019
a very short mystery
August 5, 2019
love this series
January 16, 2020
Minor short story in the Barker and Llewelyn series. The novels are enjoyable.
April 12, 2020
Different premise. Enjoy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews