Jekyll & Hyde: Consulting Detectives

Published by Titan Books
3 September 2024

Dr Jekyll and his monstrous alter-ego join forces with his ex-fiancée to solve a series of disappearances across Victorian London in this thrilling mystery, perfect for readers of Stuart Turton and James Lovegrove.

When Muriel Carew attends a lavish society party, the last person she expects to bump into is her ex-fiancée Henry Jekyll, a man she’s not seen for many years. When Jekyll turns out to be investigating a series of missing persons in London, Muriel is intrigued. But Jekyll is not working alone, and if Muriel wants to aid in the investigation, she must work with both Henry and his partner, the monstrous and uncouth Mr Hyde.

As their search takes a dark turn and a missing persons case becomes a murder investigation, Muriel finds herself deep in a mystery involving a nefarious group exploring their own hidden alter-egos within the beating heart of London’s high society.

To solve the case and bring those responsible to justice, Muriel must find a way to place her trust in Mr Hyde, which might mean uncovering secrets about her own life she never dreamed of discovering.

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Praise for Jekyll & Hyde: Consulting Detectives

“A wonderful concept, beautifully executed. Delightful and enthralling in equal measure. Replete with a delicious Victorian atmosphere, as thick as a pea-souper.”
Jeremy Dyson (The League of Gentlemen / Ghost Stories)

“Jekyll & Hyde: Consulting Detectives is a fast-paced gothic thriller that is relentlessly engaging, entertaining, and (most important of all) terrific fun.”
Tom Mead (Death and the Conjuror / Cabaret Macabre)

“Tim Major has come up with one of those ‘damn it, I wish I’d thought of that’ concepts: Henry Jekyll as a dissipated Sherlock Holmes to Edward Hyde’s demented Dr Watson. But this splendid novel is more than just a cool idea; it’s a rip-roaring, dark-hearted tale that yokes a cunning murder-mystery plot to the Gothic horror of Stevenson’s famed novella. The sequel can’t come too soon.”
James Lovegrove (Sherlock Holmes and the Highgate Horrors)

“Riveting, ingenious, original. I kinda wish I’d thought of this myself!”
Adam Christopher (Stranger Things: Darkness on the Edge of Town)

“Highly enjoyable, terrifically good fun, very well paced, and full of relish for Stevenson’s original story.”
JS Barnes (Dracula’s Child)

Reviews

“As in Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novella, the solution to the mystery is even more horrifying than the mystery itself. Major does such an admirable job with the heaviest lift here—coming up with a case that fully engages Jekyll/Hyde’s double nature without being overwhelmed by it—that it’s hard to imagine how he’ll manage it again. But expectations are high.” Kirkus Reviews

“Flavoured by Stevenson’s original, Major offers a continuation of the story that is light on the science fantasy and heavy on the gore, with a fascinating crime mystery in a gaslit London. Reminding me of Mark Frost and G. W. Dahlquist, with a mystery that hides beneath the more ordinary one of embezzlement and stolen fortunes, the novel places at front and centre Muriel Carew, a 1931 filmic companion to Henry Jekyll, and in Major’s hands a capable and curious society woman with her own reasons to bate the beasts of the upper classes. As she gets closer and closer to solving the mystery, she also gets close and closer to Jek”yll’s own secret, and even the secret behind that secret.” NetGalley review

“Major writes about the Victorian era in such an evocative way that just being there is a pleasure. With this outing work as a clever scene setting, I can imagine several more cases for the Consulting Detectives that will delve deeper into the characters, but also the world of twisted science.” SFBookReview

“These characters are intelligent, tenacious and immensely likeable, written into a well structured story that keeps the reader wanting more. Then we have to talk about Edward Hyde. This character surprised me the most. Taking the original character from the novel and fleshing him out making for quite the trio. I really hope this will be a series!” NetGalley review

“At the heart of it all is the interplay and relationship between Henry/Edward and Muriel. There is a tension as well as a contrast in methods that provides a conflict to go along with the ongoing mystery itself. The differences in personalities provide the real uniqueness and intrigue of the story.” Martin’s View

“Entertaining and enjoyable, Tim Major’s latest novel, Jekyll & Hyde: Consulting Detectives, is a treat to read. I loved it to bits! The characters are smart, determined, and eager to find out what is happening in London. And the mystery itself is unputdownable!” A Bookish Way of Life

“Dark deeds are afoot in this recreation of Dr Henry Jekyll, and his uncouth alter-ego, as Victorian sleuths. The story sweeps from the lavish world of high society to the grimy backstreets of London and Jekyll’s ex-fiancee Muriel gets drawn into the pair’s case of missing persons, which turns into murder. 8/10.” Peterborough Telegraph

“Muriel is the only one who cares about justice and the safety of the victims. Henry wants a good reputation as an investigator and Edward Hyde does what Henry says. It’s an interesting dynamic, and I enjoyed seeing them in action to solve the case as well as try to get along. This makes a great start to a potential series about their business as consulting detectives.” Girl Who Reads

“Jekyll & Hyde: Consulting Detectives gives this classic team-up a new challenge: working together to solve a crime—and in Major’s practiced hands it’s great fun. The story leaves a wide opening for sequels, and there’s plenty of room for this team to grow, too. Recommended for fans of mash-ups, retellings, and new spins on familiar tales.” borg

“The dialogue and descriptions are very well done, very Victorian, and without discernible anachronisms. It’s an enjoyable and engaging read with a well done mystery “hook”… Four stars. It will appeal to classic mystery readers, and fans of similar modern genre mysteries (Haig, Turton, et. al.).” Nonstop Reader

“I really loved this twist on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde. … The mystery itself proceeds in the tradition of the very first detective adventures written by Edgar Allan Poe and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, though any speculative fiction influences are limited strictly to the Jekyll-Hyde transformation. Everything else is rooted firmly in the reality of time and place. This only makes the novel feel that much more convincing as a natural continuation of the original story, though with an engaging new perspective in the form of Muriel’s invaluable point of view.” Criminal Element

“Major’s writing style is effortless to read – I found myself completely enthralled by the story, wanting to find out what happens next. While it is set in Victorian London and feels authentic, that doesn’t impact the readability, and it is a real page-turner. This is a great read – whether you’re a fan of the original, a lover of whodunnits, or just like a good book, check this one out. I’ll personally be looking into Tim Major’s back catalogue and keeping an eye out for his future releases.” British Fantasy Society

“The story is a clever follow-up to Stevenson’s novel that turns the tormented Jekyll and his monstrous alter ego into sleuths.” Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

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