"The String of Pearls" is a thrilling tale of deceit, murder, and betrayal set against the backdrop of Victorian London. The story follows the mysterious disappearance of young women in the city, with their bodies turning up mutilated and missing their valuable pearls. As the plot unfolds, a sinister barber named Sweeney Todd is revealed to be at the heart of the murders, using his barber shop as a front for his gruesome crimes.

The author does a fantastic job of creating a dark and atmospheric setting, bringing the grimy streets of London to life with vivid descriptions. The characters are well-developed and complex, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they try to unravel the mysteries surrounding Sweeney Todd and his sinister activities.

Overall, "The String of Pearls" is a gripping and suspenseful read that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Fans of historical fiction and mysteries will surely enjoy this chilling tale of murder and mayhem in 19th-century London.

Book Description:

The tale of Sweeney Todd has had many incarnations, most famously the stage and movie musical by Stephen Sondheim. But it all started in 1846 with a serialized telling of the story titled “The String of Pearls” in the weekly magazine “The People’s Periodical and Family Library”. Called by some a romance, by others a horror story, it is one of the earliest murder mysteries. In “The String of Pearls”, Sweeney Todd is less sympathetic than in some of his later incarnations – a perfect villain, totally self-seeking with no redeeming qualities. How the deeds of Todd are uncovered and how he is brought to justice make a most intriguing tale, but one probably not suited for the very young and certainly not for the squeamish.