Crooked in His Ways by S.M. Goodwin brings plenty of atmosphere to the second book in the Lightner and Law historical mystery / police procedural series. The main characters are Detective Inspector Jasper Lightner, who is the second son of a duke, and Hieronymus (Hy) Law, a New York detective.

Except for the prologue, this novel takes place in New York City in 1857. New York is very unsettled as Jasper continues his year-long assignment to train police detectives in modern (for the times) criminal investigative techniques. Instead, there is conflict everywhere and many that do not want him there. When Albert Beauchamp appears in multiple pieces more than a year after his disappearance, Jasper and Hy get the case.

Jasper are Hy are likeable but flawed protagonists. They come from very different backgrounds, but both have faced challenges. Whether it is intelligence, wit, or brawn, their skills meshed well and the characters came alive for me. Their friendship grew significantly in this book and we got to see some additional depth in both their working relationship and their interactions with secondary characters. Jasper’s household staff adds another dimension to the relationships. Humor is also weaved into the story making it even more delightful to read. It all builds up to a fantastic ending.

The author does a great job of showing a dark and gritty New York City in turmoil. The details appear to be well-researched. What follows is a complex plot with a lot of characters. The plot is suspenseful, fresh, and entertaining. The writing style and story line pulled me in quickly, but the characters and situations that developed kept me reading. As they dig into Albert’s background, they discover that many people had reasons to kill him. But who did it? Where will the trail lead? Is it even possible to discover the killer with only primitive forensic capabilities? Themes include murder, relationships and arranged marriages, infidelity, poverty, gangs, racism, drugs, corruption, assaults, false imprisonment, PTSD and much more.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, which was suspenseful, engaging, and atmospheric. It is not your typical historical mystery. Pay close attention to the details, as they matter. Which of the secondary characters will show up in future books in the series? This is the second book that I have read by this author. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Jasper and Hy. I recommend this to those that like dark and gritty historical mysteries and historical police procedurals.

Crooked Lane Books and S. M. Goodwin provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently expected to be September 7, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

Another well written historical mystery starring Lord Jasper Lightner and Hy Law. What a confusing case it is. A dismembered body preserved in salt, shipped from New York City to New Orleans and returned by the NOPD when no one claims it. The victim is a horrible person who no doubt deserved what he got. Because of the victim's activities Hy and Jasper have a suspect list of over 100 people to narrow down. This book spins out a little more of Lightner's personal history, his man Paisley's, and Law's. The book ends not with a cliffhanger but with a new situation that is a jaw dropper. I can't wait for more!

I’ll admit it, I am addicted to stories filled with some of my favorite tropes, and this one fills the bill on several counts. The author created a rich history of life in New York City during the mid-1850’s, included some surprising twists and turns, and offered up some well-done sleuthing by the oddly matched detective team of Lightner and Law—a high-born English lord and low-brow Irish-American street fighter. The two men could not have come from more opposite backgrounds, yet they play off each other using both wit, brawn, and disparate survival skills, which makes for an enjoyable read fraught with just the right amount of tension. The author even managed to create some wildly opposite secondary characters via the household staff which made the story even more entertaining. I would’ve given this story five stars except enough words were missing here and there to distract me (usually an article which is easily corrected prior to book release). Nonetheless, this was a most enjoyable read and I look forward to more of Lightner and Law.

Albert Beauchamp disappears and appears a year later - but in a crate in New Orleans, very well salted. Inspector Lightner alias Lord Jasper and Hieronymus Law are the detectives on the case. Investigations reveal that Albert was a very unsavory character. Blackmail was his chosen occupation and he bled many not just the high and mighty but even the humble and poor till they were left with nothing. Suspects abounded and many were glad that he was dead but justice had to be meted out.
On the other hand Inspector had his own burdens. Disliked by the powers that were in the New York City Police because of his background, his cleverness, his free of corruption and the inability to be bribed reputation - the Police Force were considered the most corrupt in the country, Lightner had to fight a lone battle along with Law and a few supporters to find out who the killers were. The closer he got to the killer, the worse and more dangerous it became.
I found Jasper to be a character to be much admired for his simplicity, his style and elegance. Law was a perfect foil. Liked the setting too of 1856 New York.

This is a great historical mystery set in NYC right before the civil war. It features an English lord and a NYC policeman. A well written mystery that ends with a cliffhanger. This is the second in a series and I have ordered the first. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this 5 star book.

I found this story fascinating and when I realized this was actually the second book in the series I went and read the first installment. I love Jasper and Law, such interesting characters looking for justice for the dead while battling their own demons. That they are both flawed men but at the core good and decent adds so much depth to the story. It also shows that it doesn't matter whether you are a Duke's son or the child or Irish immigrants, everyone has challenges to overcome and battles to fight. The mystery is so well done and overall such a well written book, I highly recommend. Thank you to # NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of #CrookedinHisWays.

Another gripping historical thriller with the duo of detectives Jasper Lightner and Hieronymus Law, “Crooked in His Ways”, by S. M. Goodwin (Crooked Lane Books), gives readers the second investigation by these wonderful protagonists and the lovely side characters introduced in the first installment.
There’s a lot to love about this story/series and the author’s excellent writing style; for me it’s the sheer originality of joining two unlikely and very lovable people, one of them a peculiar wounded hero, in the fascinating and harsh setting of 1857 New York City.
I’m totally biased because I love these characters, Jasper particularly: his kindness, intelligence, humor and even both his simplicity and elegance as a member of British aristocracy. His perfect and damaged mind and the even-tempered and gentle soul.
While S. M. Goodwin gives the reader a vivid portrait of a city run by gangs, with plenty of historically well researched and interesting details, the narrative centres around the investigation conducted by the two detectives and I was completely drawn to them and their interactions.
It’s awesome that the author created two characters with two different kinds of stutter; and besides loving the relationship between Jasper and his protégé I adored how the phase of each stammer was written accordingly to the personality and age.
The mutual respect and friendship between Jasper and Hy, and the building of emotional bonds and affection among the cast of secondary characters is wonderful to watch. One could almost imagine them as real people.
The effects of Jasper’s injuries are beautifully written. Jasper’s personality fascinates me and I’m just so curious to see the kind of feminine character he will be matched with.
The mystery was satisfactory although I found it a bit difficult to keep track of all the characters, but I really didn’t mind about it.
I just hope we don’t have to wait too long for the next story.

The gruesome murder of a notorious blackmailer and extortionist is at the center of this captivating and highly entertaining historical whodunit set in NYC at the tail end of the 1850s. In this second installment in the Lightner & Law Mystery series, we once again meet the awesome Crimean War veteran, detective Jasper Lightner and his partner Hay Law as they painstakingly try to untangle the rather complex circumstances and leads linked to the racketeer's death. Taking place in a booming city at the threshold of the American Civil War and teeming with a cast of unforgettable characters, this delightful and colorful murder mystery offers to the reader a delicious slice of American history within a highly suspenseful fictional journey full of action and lots of surprises....A wonderful novel to be enjoyed without any moderation!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful novel prior to its release date