Habitual readers of typical historical crime will soon discover that this is something rather different, and certainly a lot more spiritual. Just about everybody in the book seems to have something to do with the world beyond the grave, or are susceptible to supernatural or superstitious influences. This is a book to read slowly and savor for its tactile descriptions of foggy London and luminous Benares, but it is not a typical Victorian whodunit with echoes of Jack The Ripper and Conan Doyle. It is more original, and concentrates more on topics such as women’s rights, superstition, the allure of gemstones, and racial prejudice to name a few. I felt that it could have stood some editing in places, but it is worth reading to see how it is possible to take subjects like arcane cults, mysterious murders and magical talismans and create something totally different in a racy, pacey adventure story.