Step into the gaslit streets of Victorian Edinburgh, where Inspector Jeremy Faro, Alanna Knight’s brilliant detective, unravels mysteries with sharp intellect and a trusty cane. This captivating historical mystery series blends intricate crimes, rich Scottish settings, and Faro’s personal struggles, offering readers a thrilling dive into 19th-century sleuthing with a human touch.
With over 15 novels, the Inspector Faro series invites you to follow a widower detective as he navigates Edinburgh’s underbelly, from shadowy alleys to grand estates, solving cases that test his deductive prowess and heart. Ready to meet this literary sleuth? Let’s explore Faro’s world!
How Inspector Faro Began
Alanna Knight, a prolific Scottish author, introduced Inspector Jeremy Faro in 1988 with Enter Second Murderer. Inspired by her Edinburgh home and a passerby who resembled a Victorian detective, Knight crafted Faro as a nuanced hero, blending Sherlock Holmes’ logic with relatable vulnerabilities. Her passion for Robert Louis Stevenson and Victorian Scotland shaped the series’ vivid historical backdrop, launching a beloved saga that spans decades.
Knight, who wrote over 60 novels, infused her love for Edinburgh’s history into Faro’s adventures. Her own battle with paralysis in the 1960s, overcome through writing, fueled her storytelling grit, making Faro a testament to resilience and keen observation.
The Heart of Inspector Faro
The series kicks off with Enter Second Murderer, where Faro reopens the ‘Gruesome Convent Murders’ case, chasing clues to prove a convicted man’s innocence in a second killing. In Blood Line, he tackles a chilling mystery involving mummified remains in Edinburgh Castle, weaving royal scandals and personal danger. Murders Most Foul sees a young Faro investigating a murdered woman with a mysterious playing card, while The Missing Duchess pits him against a scandalous case tied to Queen Victoria’s goddaughter.
Themes of justice, betrayal, and human frailty run deep. Faro’s Edinburgh, dripping with atmosphere, mirrors the era’s social divides—elegant society masking a delinquent underbelly. Knight’s prose, rich yet accessible, balances cozy mystery vibes with darker crimes, avoiding gore for clever plotting. Faro’s personal life—his widower’s grief, strained bond with stepson Vince, and romantic entanglements—adds emotional depth, making him more than a sleuth.
The series’ Scottish setting is a star, with Edinburgh’s cobbled streets and misty castles evoking a gothic charm. Knight’s meticulous research ensures historical accuracy, from Victorian customs to police procedures, immersing readers in a bygone era.
Why Inspector Faro Resonates
The Inspector Faro series has carved a niche in historical mysteries, earning praise for its atmospheric storytelling and relatable hero. Fans on Goodreads laud its page-turning plots and Edinburgh’s vivid portrayal, with some calling it a ‘light mystery’ perfect for cozy crime lovers. Knight’s ability to blend historical detail with human drama has kept Faro’s adventures in print, with e-books ensuring new readers discover his cases.
Faro’s legacy lies in his everyman heroism—a detective who falters, loves, and persists. Compared to Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie’s sleuths, Faro’s grounded nature and Scottish roots offer a fresh take, inspiring readers to explore Edinburgh’s literary and historical riches.
- Publication Span: 1988–2019
- Number of Books: 18
- Setting: Victorian Edinburgh
- Author’s Honor: Alanna Knight received an MBE in 2014
Dive into Enter Second Murderer and join Inspector Faro’s quest for truth in Edinburgh’s shadowy streets. Your next favorite mystery awaits!