Free From All Danger - A Richard Nottingham Mystery - Chris Nickson - Intense ~Riveting

October, 1736. Lured out of retirement to serve as Constable once again, Richard Nottingham finds Leeds very different from the place he remembers. Many newcomers have been attracted by the town's growing wealth ?..although the faces have changed, the crimes remain the same, as Nottingham discovers when a body is found floating in the River Aire, its throat cut.


An incredibly exciting mystery was presented in this book, as well as a nostalgic visit with Richard Nottingham, who again is serving as Constable in Leeds. 

October 1736 -  Richard Nottingham feels old and a bit disoriented as winter approaches, and has slipped into the past and is evading the present.  He receives a message from the Moot Hall and John Brooke, Mayor of Leeds who is starting his year in office. Amazingly, Nottingham is told that they would like him to step back into the vacancy left by the death of Simon Kirkstall.

His daughter's man Rob Lister,currently Deputy Constable,is his immediate choice, but is deemed too young and not experienced enough by the other alderman. Brooke tells him he was the best Constable they ever had, which Nottingham feels is doubtful.

Getting the keys to the jail which serves as  their office, Richard is there when Rob arrives at work and the Deputy is understandably upset.  There is not too much time for hurt feelings however as a series of murders rocks the city, and both Constable and Deputy Rob are baffled.

Nottingham has a theory, which Rob Lister, Deputy does not agree with, that links three types of  those murdered, prostitutes, pimps and money lenders. How do they fit?

Included is this nail biter of a mystery are the street children always barely existing, and at risk, around Leeds as well as a newborn girl. How do they fit into the Nottingham/Lister family? Who is the murderer  or murderers and how are they connected to  the Constable and his life ?

I  strongly recommend that you, and anyone who enjoys  a well thought out, historically correct mystery, order this book now and get it immediately. You will not be able to put it down.

 For me, one of the best parts of this series is that Richard Nottingham was a real person who was, in actuality, the Constable of Leeds. My thanks to  Chris Nickson for his books, the historical aspects of these mysteries and, above all his great love for Leeds.

5 Stars. Thanks to Severn House and the author for the ARC.