Let me set the scene for you: New York City, the early 1900s. Horace Burton, a respected banker, is found murdered in his home. The police have a tidy theory—a burglary interrupted by violence. Case closed, right? Not for our man, Ashton-Kirk. He's a 'scientific investigator,' a genius with interests ranging from chemistry to classical literature. Something about the official story doesn't sit right with him. With his good-natured friend Pendleton in tow (who often acts as our stand-in, marveling at Kirk's deductions), he starts digging.

The Story

The investigation quickly moves beyond the crime scene. Kirk discovers Burton was involved with a mysterious secret society called 'The Spiders.' There are coded notes, a missing ledger, and a cast of characters including Burton's nervous secretary, a shady art dealer, and a woman with a hidden past. Kirk uses his eclectic skills to decipher codes, analyze chemical residues, and apply obscure historical knowledge to understand the motives. It's a race to connect the dots before the real killer slips away or the police arrest the wrong person. The trail is cleverly laid out, leading to a classic drawing-room style reveal where Kirk explains how he pieced it all together.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this book a joy isn't just the mystery, which is solid, but the detective himself. Ashton-Kirk isn't a brooding figure. He's enthusiastic and almost playful in his pursuit of truth. He gets genuinely excited about using a rare book or a chemical test to crack the case. His dynamic with Pendleton is great—it's less 'hero and sidekick' and more 'brilliant friend and his totally normal buddy who is constantly amazed.' McIntyre writes with a smooth, clear style that pulls you right into the gaslit streets and paneled libraries of the era. You feel like you're following along on the hunt, looking over Kirk's shoulder.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves the detectives of the Golden Age but wants a fresh face. If you enjoy Sherlock Holmes' methods but sometimes find him a bit cold, Ashton-Kirk's warmer, more scholarly approach might be your new favorite. It's also a great pick for history buffs who like their fiction steeped in a real sense of time and place. Think of it as a smart, comfortable armchair mystery—the literary equivalent of a well-made puzzle you can't wait to solve.