Your cart

Close

Total AUD

Checkout

Imprint

  • Orion
  • Orion
  • Orion

The Darker Arts

Oscar de Muriel

4 Reviews

Rated 0

Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945), Crime & mystery, Historical adventure

Imagine a Victorian Jonathan Creek: find history and mystery in this fiendishly clever and compelling locked-room puzzle.

Madame Katerina, Detective 'Nine Nails' McGray's most trusted clairvoyant, hosts a seance for three of Edinburgh's wealthiest families.

The following morning everyone is found dead, with Madame Katerina being the only survivor. When questioned she alleges a tormented spirit killed the families for revenge.

McGray, even though he believes her, must find a rational explanation that holds up in court, else Katerina will be sentenced to death.

Inspector Ian Frey is summoned to help, which turns out to be difficult as he is still dealing with the loss of his uncle, and has developed a form of post-traumatic stress (not yet identified in the 19th century).

This seems an impossible puzzle. Either something truly supernatural has occurred - or a fiendishly clever plot is covering a killer's tracks...

Read More Read Less

Praise for The Darker Arts

  • 'A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery' - New York Times

  • 'Properly creepy and Gothic' - Ian Rankin

  • 'A brilliant mix of horror, history, and humour. Genuinely riveting with plenty of twists, this will keep you turning the pages. It's clever, occasionally frightening and superbly written ... Everything you need in a mystery thriller' - Crime Review

  • It's official: I am addicted to Frey and McGray - Christopher Fowler, author of the Bryant and May series

Read More Read Less

Oscar de Muriel

Oscar de Muriel was born in Mexico City where he began writing stories aged seven, and later came to the UK to complete a PhD in Chemistry. Whilst working as a translator and playing the violin, the idea for a spooky whodunnit series came to him and Nine-Nails McGray was born. Oscar has now written four Frey and McGray titles and splits his time between Manchester and Mexico City.

This website uses cookies. Using this website means you are okay with this but you can find out more and learn how to manage your cookie choices here.Close cookie policy overlay