His childhood friend has died under mysterious circumstances. His elder brother may be sabotaging the family's bank. Shelf Awareness Thomas's problems are more serious than those of a typical young Victorian gentleman. 'Intricate plotting, exquisite pacing, crackling suspense, and fascinating historical rabbit hole revelations.' Rooted in strange conspiracies and secret societies, this absurdist comedic romp combines strange bedfellows with murderous creatures, resulting in an unexpectedly delightful consequences. This is a fantastic, unique read.A Buzzfeed Best Book of the Month From popular historical fiction author David Liss (A Conspiracy of Paper ) comes the tale of a clueless young man embroiled in a deadly supernatural mystery in Victorian London. I’ve read other books featuring him and liked the way he’s portrayed here. Aleister Crowley, the real-life, notorious occultist plays a key role in the novel. I loved the way the author blends the supernatural events plaguing London and magic and more everyday common events such as the Thomas uncovering suspicious transactions at the bank and the tense family relationship between Thomas and Walter. The Peculiarities is a blend of historical fiction, horror and fantasy and offers something very different. I knew I’d love the book within a couple of pages and I was right. I will definitely read more of the author’s work. I thought this was a terrific, original read. ONE, 7 September 2021, 336 pages, ebook, #ARC from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed) Thomas stands in the ballroom of the massive house near Belgrave Square wishing he were somewhere else. Or perhaps a lycanthropic medium the members of a secret occult society…or even Aleister Crowley. He cannot determine whom to trust: his own family his banking co-workers and superiors the beautiful widow of his companion the woman he is to marry. London’s famous grey fog has been concealing a rash of unnatural afflictions–and worse, the murderous Elegants.Īs Thomas grows leafier, the conspiracies surrounding him become more apparent. Thomas must conclude that it is due to the long-rumoured Peculiarities. Worse, a verdant skin malady has infected him: leaves have begun sprouting on his skin. His childhood friend has mysteriously turned up dead. There are irregularities at the bank he cannot explain. Thomas’s older brother Walter has trapped him in a tedious clerical job at the family bank in London, and Thomas is expected to wed a wealthy young woman in whom he has no interest.īut Thomas has more serious problems than those of a disaffected young man. He is a twenty-three-year-old man whose best days are behind him. All of his life, Thomas Thresher has been free of obligation and responsibility, but that is over now.

The Peculiarities by David Liss