I first discovered this series in the Audible Plus catalog and so have always chosen to read the audio books. This one will be out on August 11, 2026. Every single Barker and Llewellyn story, bar none, each one, got that — is excellent! Each novel gives us some picture of specific social and political issues facing late 1890s Great Britain during the specific years covered. The plots always involve one or more cases and the personal lives of private enquiry agents Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn. A returning ensemble of characters enriches each book, too many to describe but easy to remember, from the men’s regular cabdriver to those who staff Barker’s house, to Barker’s female Chinese ward brought from his time in China as a gift from the Empress, to villains, restaurant owners, fellow detectives and law enforcement friends and foes.
“For Services Rendered,” Will Thomas’s newest entry, very well narrated by Antony Ferguson returns us to Barker’s dark past and complicated relationship with the Chinese Dynasty and a formidable enemy he thought was dead. A Chinese doctor, recently immigrated to London, is kidnapped in front of the Chinese Embassy, apparently for participating in insurrections against the sitting Dynasty while in Hong Kong. The man was raised in Hawaii but born in China and there is a price on the head of the rebels. Before he left China, where he lived for some years, Cyrus offended the Emperor, so he has not been able to return there. His interactions with various people regarding the missing man, whose whereabouts are initially unknown to his friends, exposes Barker to possibly danger related to his own past “transgressions.”
Barker and Llewelyn take the case and create some modern day ways to try to gain sympathy for the kidnapped man, once they find out where he is. Meanwhile, it becomes clear that Barker’s nemesis is alive and in London, despite both men having witnessed his death some years prior. Sebastian Nightwine sailed with Barker and they spent time together in China, but his ultimately evil ways led to the duel and Barker believed he killed him. Barker and Llewelyn can be certain that Nightwine will come after them with murderous intent. The British government and indeed someone in the royal family seem to be taking offense about the search and rescue efforts for the Chinese doctor, apparently because it could upset some sensitive Sino-British relations. This leads to some great story lines. Among the collateral stories, another former enemy appears in the lives of Llewelyn and his wife, Rebecca, causing significant sense of danger, confusion and consternation. There is also a return of Barker’s love interest Lady Elspeth with her sensible input into the mad circus of their current case.
The telling, the settings, the history, the characters, the plot and the resolution all satisfy. Highly recommend, as usual.
They Called me Bookworm 