I found myself liking this novel almost immediately, the writing style is so relaxed and engaging with a gentle lightheartedness to it, while also handling it's more serious themes of murder, betrayal and deception along with the subtle racial and class bigotry that was endemic in Victorian times in a well thought out and enjoyable plot.

All the characters are well conceived and brought to life, especially Elsie and Bacchus, who the story revolves around, in a tale that is imaginative, mysterious, exciting and just a pleasure to read.