Chance gives him an assist when an attempt to recover his own bundle of Railway Magazines puts him in touch with the somewhat enigmatic Lost Luggage Porter, who nudges him into contact with some of the very thieves his new boss wants him to go undercover to investigate. The problem, as he nervously infiltrates their gang and becomes involved in their crimes, is to stay undercover without slipping entirely, and fatally, over his head.

Set in York, England in 1906, with a foray into Edwardian France, this is a vividly atmospheric thriller, redolent of place and time, and full of equally vivid characters. Martin clearly knows his railways and his era - the book is full of period detail and insider's minutiae about the railways - but that knowledge is comfortably integrated into the storytelling and never force-fed to the reader. The language can take a bit of getting used to, especially for Americans, as it combines regional dialect with speech patterns from the time. But it rings dead on true and the rhythm of it in your mental ear carries you right along with Jim from plotting in gritty one room pubs to the ongoing conflict between his old fashioned father and feminist wife.

This is a very well written thriller, whose storytelling moves crisply along while bringing to life its very different world. The best part of it is its solid believability. The world building is rock solid, the characters - even bit parts such as a barmaid - memorable and vivid. While Stringer himself makes a likable and believable hero the reader can readily relate to, full of the sorts of real life concerns and doubts they would have in his position rather than the almost superhuman abilities of some detectives. Recommended.