The Boy In The Smoke

A Gothic Mystery in Victorian London

The Boy In The Smoke by Maureen Johnson (2014, Hot Key Books) drags you into the grimy streets and gaslit alleys of 19th-century London, where danger lurks in every shadow and secrets cling to the fog. This haunting tale blends historical detail with supernatural suspense to deadly effect.

Meet Eliza Blackthorne

Eliza, recently orphaned and penniless, arrives desperate to reclaim her late father’s fortune. When she uncovers a series of cryptic diary entries about children vanishing in the city’s smog, her quest for inheritance becomes a fight for survival against sinister forces she barely understands.

Shadows of the Past

As Eliza follows eerie clues—an abandoned music box, a child’s locket encrusted with soot, half-erased names scrawled on brick walls—she realizes the disappearances are linked to an age-old conspiracy. Ghostly whispers mingle with the roar of horse-drawn carriages, testing her courage at every turn.

Themes of Courage and Redemption

Johnson explores how grief can transform into determination, and how love—both familial and forbidden—can illuminate the darkest corners of the soul. Eliza’s resilience and raw empathy drive her to confront both human malice and otherworldly terror.

Why You Can’t Miss It

Atmospheric, relentless, and richly plotted, The Boy In The Smoke is perfect for fans of gothic thrillers and strong heroines who refuse to be silenced. Prepare for a chilling ride that will linger long after the final page.