Hocus Girl, The

By Chris Nickson

Thief-taker Simon Westow must save one of his closest friends from a grim fate at the hands of the government in this compelling historical mystery.

Leeds, May 1822. Thief-taker Simon Westow owes Davey and Emily Ashton everything - the siblings gave him sanctuary when he needed it most. So when Davey is arrested for sedition and Emily begs Simon for help, he starts asking questions, determined to clear his friend. Are the answers linked to rumours of a mysterious government spy in town?

Davey's not the only one who needs Simon's help. Timber merchant George Ericsson has been 'hocussed' by a young woman who spiked his drink and stole his valuable ring and watch. Who is she, and how does she know one of Simon's assistant Jane's deepest secrets? The path to the truth is twisted and dangerous. Simon and Jane encounter murder, lies, betrayal and a government terrified of its own people as they attempt to save Davey and find the hocus girl.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Severn House Publishers
• Release date: Nov 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781448303489

Chris Nickson

CHRIS NICKSON is a popular crime novelist and music journalist whose fiction has been named best of the year by Library Journal. Specializing in historical crime, Chris is the author of the Richard Nottingham series for Severn House, as well as four series set in Leeds and the John the Carpenter series, set in medieval Chesterfield. A well-known music journalist, he has written a number of celebrity biographies as well as being a frequent contributor to numerous music magazines. He lives in Leeds.

Reviews for Hocus Girl, The

[eyes92c · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Colorful Georgian mystery!1822, Simon Westow is a thief taker in Leeds. What is a thief taker? They, "Find what had been stolen and return it for a fee." Things have been going well for Simon and his family, including the mysterious Jane.However his friend Davey has been arrested for sedition. Now Simon, his wife Rosie and Jane the disturbed young woman who lives with them are investigating why Davy. The puzzle will lead back to high places. Fearful of more political unrest its rumored that the government has a spy operating in the area. It would seem these shadowy figures have had truck with Thomas Curzon, a wealthy mill owner and the magistrate.Curzon wants to make a name for himself. He has aspirations lean towards a lordship. That effort threatens Simon and his friends, and ultimately will turn back to bite Curzon, but not before more deaths ensue.Operating within Simon's group is a code of help, about helping those who've helped you. Neither Simon or Jane forget those who have shown kindness. Simon with Davy and Emily, Jane with an older woman, Catherine Shields. It's here we learn more about the withdrawn, troubled Jane who is a cutter. Catherine's house "was the only place Jane had been where she felt completely safe, utterly free. She always found peace here."Mixed up in all this is the Hocus Girl, a girl the thief tracker is hired to find. But this is also a girl who seems to be able to track Jane. Jane of the "hidden life," the girl no one sees, the girl who has a gift of blending in so completely that she becomes invisible. Jane is alarmed and puzzled.Apparently being hocussed is where 'something [is put] in your drink to make you pass out so [someone] could rob you.’ Who and what is the Hocus Girl? A danger to Jane and to Simon it would seem.My fascination really lies with Jane.In my review of The Hanging Psalm" I asked the question, "Can she become more or is she destined to a life lived within the confines of her traumatic past, allowing it to define her?"That's partly answered here. As more of the veil about Jane is lifted we see some of her early life. Make no mistake though. Jane will kill.In this look at the thief taker and his friends, work becomes mixed with friendship and duty.In some ways Simon, Rosie and Jane move beyond their old lives into new pathways.A thought provoking mystery!A Severn House ARC via NetGalley

[vesper1931 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

1822 Leeds. Two years have passed and when Davey Ashton is arrested on charges of sedition, Simon Westow thief-taker knows he will do everything in his power to get Davey released. As payment of a life-long debt.
But other people acquire his services. One is Swedish timber merchant George Ericsson, who has been robbed - hocussed by a young woman. What is the connection of this woman to Simon's assistant Jane. How true are the rumours of a government spy in Leeds and the surrounding areas.
Are any of these events linked.
A very enjoyable and interesting well-written story, the writer easily makes the characters come alive as you read their stories.
A NetGalley Book