Simon Westow, the city's unwavering thief-taker, must confront betrayal, history and murder in this gritty page-turner set in nineteenth-century Leeds. Leeds, May 1825. Thief-taker Simon Westow is hired by Sir Robert Foley to find four silver cups stolen by his servant. The cups are a family treasure, crafted by local silversmith Arthur Mangey over a century before. Meanwhile, Simon has also been invited to witness the demolition of Middle Row, where Mangey reputedly had a secret workshop for coin clipping, the very crime he was hanged for in 1696. Is it a coincidence or a terrible omen? Simon's curiosity swiftly turns to horror when he discovers Foley's servant lying dead in the clandestine room. How can a long-dead criminal be involved in the servant's demise? Simon needs all the help he can get from his assistant Jane and deadly prot�g� Sally to navigate the twisted path from history to the present amidst the growing number of dead bodies. But is the truth worth dying for? This authentic and atmospheric historical mystery will appeal to fans of Anne Perry and Charles Finch.
Chris Nickson Book order
As a novelist and music journalist, the author crafts stories often set in Leeds between the 1730s and 1950s, though his narratives also venture into other distinct locales. While his work includes mysteries, these are ultimately explorations of people, their relationships, and the moral complexities revealed through crime. He expresses a particular affection for Leeds, captivated by its essence and its evolution over time. His writing thus weaves historical settings with profound insights into the human condition.






- 2024
- 2024
Thief-taker Simon Westow uncovers an evil lurking in the underbelly of Leeds in this page-turning historical mystery, perfect for fans of Anne Perry and Charles Finch. Leeds, October 1824. Thief-taker Simon Westow's job seems straightforward. Captain Holcomb's maid, Sophie, has stolen important papers that could ruin the family's reputation, and he's desperate for their return. But the case very quickly takes a murderous turn, and it becomes clear the papers are hiding a host of sins . . . During the search, Simon's assistant, Jane, hears a horrific tale: men are snatching young girls from small towns for use by the rich. Those who are unwanted are tossed on to the streets of Leeds to survive among the homeless. With the help of an unlikely, deadly new companion, Jane will do everything to discover who's responsible and make them pay. Can Simon and Jane recover Holcomb's letters and get justice for the stolen girls? It becomes a battle that might result in them losing everything . . . including their lives.
- 2023
Leeds, 1920. Chief Constable Tom Harper of Leeds City Police has just six weeks left in the role before his well-earned retirement. But although his distinguished career is coming to an end, the crime and mayhem on the city's streets shows no sign of stopping.
- 2023
Thief-taker Simon Westow is used to finding stolen goods, not stolen bodies . . . Can he hunt down those committing crimes against the dead in Leeds?Leeds. April, 1824. Wealthy engineer Joseph Clark employs thief-taker Simon Westow to find the men who stole the buried corpse of Catherine Jordan, his employee's daughter.Simon is stunned and horrified to realize there's a gang of body snatchers in Leeds. He needs to discover who bought Catherine's body and where it is now. As he hunts for answers, he learns that a number of corpses have vanished from graveyards in the town. Can Simon and his assistant Jane bring the brutal, violent Resurrection men who are selling the dead to medical schools to justice and give some peace to the bereft families?
- 2022
A Dark Steel Death
- 224 pages
- 8 hours of reading
As so many give their lives in the trenches, Deputy Chief Constable Tom Harper and his men are working harder than ever to catch a saboteur running loose on the streets of Leeds - and their investigation takes a dark twist with two shootings. With his back against the wall and the war effort at stake, Harper can't afford to fail.
- 2021
The Blood Covenant
- 224 pages
- 8 hours of reading
The brutal deaths of two young boys and a young man connected to a mill in Leeds propel thief-taker Simon Westow into a disturbing, twisty mystery that recalls his own traumatic past."Nickson does a superb job using the grim living and working conditions for the city’s poor as a backdrop for a memorable and affecting plot. James Ellroy fans will be enthralled" - Publishers Weekly Starred ReviewLeeds. November, 1823. When a doctor from the infirmary tells thief-taker Simon Westow about the brutal deaths of two young boys at the hands of a mill overseer, Simon's painful memories of his childhood reawaken. Unable to sleep, he goes for a walk - and stumbles upon the body of a young man being pulled from the river.Simon and his assistant, Jane, are drawn into investigating the deaths, seeking a measure of justice for the powerless dead. But the pursuit of the truth takes them down a dangerous and deadly path. Can they overcome a powerful enemy who knows he stands above the law in Leeds - and the shadowy figure that stands behind him?
- 2021
Brass Lives
- 224 pages
- 8 hours of reading
"Leeds, June 1913. Deputy Chief Constable Tom Harper is a busy man. He's overseeing a national suffragist pilgrimage due in Leeds that his wife Annabelle intends to join, and his daughter Mary has exciting plans of her own. Then a letter arrives from police in New York: Davey Mullen, an American gangster born in Leeds, is on his way back to the city, fleeing a bloody gang war. Despite Tom's best efforts to keep an eye on him, Davey's arrival triggers a series of chilling events in the city. Is he responsible for the sudden surge in crime, violence and murder on Leeds's streets? Facing a mounting workload, Tom must hunt down a cold-blooded killer while also confronting danger and tragedy close to home."--Publisher
- 2021
Leeds, 1908. Detective Superintendent Tom Harper has received an anonymous letter claiming that a young boy called Andrew Sharp was stolen from his family fourteen years before. But why was the disappearance ignored? Harper is drawn deep into the dark underworld of child-snatching, corruption and murder as Leeds becomes a molten, rioting city.
- 2020
Fourth title in the gripping medieval mystery series set in Chesterfield
- 2020
Leeds, 1822. The body of Laurence Poole, a petty local thief, emerges from the melting snow by the river at Flay Cross Mill. Could a coded notebook found in his room explain what caused his death? Thief-taker Simon Westow's hunt for the truth pits him against some dangerous, powerful enemies who'll happily kill him in a heartbeat - if they can.