The Mesmerist's Apprentice

The Mesmerist's Apprentice is the second Victorian thriller by L. M. Jackson to feature the formidable Sarah Tanner. As the story opens she finds herself at odds with Jim Cranks, a vicious youth and leader of a gang that calls itself the Brass Band from the brass rings the gang members wear. She is also approached for help by Arthur DeSalle, son of Viscount DeSalle, and her former lover. His father has been disabled beyond medical help by a stroke and this has lead his mother to fall into the hands of Dr Stead, the mesmerist's apprentice. At the same time letters are missing from the offices of Mr Wilmot, the Desalle familly solicitor, that lead to blackmail and violence. Mr Jackson weaves all this together into a most satisfying mystery. He well deserves the praise that has been given to his work.