An empty train crashes into the side of HM Prison Bridewell: five prisoners escape, all murderers; only four are known. The train was tampered with and there is no record of its departure.

A year before, Jack the Ripper had slipped away from the arms of the law; since then, he had been held captive by a secret society of vigilantes, whose modus vivendi is that the end justifies the means. Among the fugitives are Jack and a pedophile and child murderer, who confesses he was arrested by Detective Inspector Day, he knows where he lives, and he wants revenge.

DI Walter Day, from London's Scotland Yard Murder Squad, is at home with his wife Claire when he gets the message that he must join the team who will investigate the catastrophe. He is distraught at the thought of leaving his very pregnant wife with only their housekeeper and a young policeman, while murderers are roaming about town. Walter meets with his mentor, Retired Inspector Adrian March, who had failed to apprehend Jack the Ripper. It's a race against time to catch the criminals before they cause any mayhem.

THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP is an astonishing book. Mr. Grecian writes magnificently; the tone is impeccable, as is the language. THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP reads as if it were written by an Englishman a century ago. Late nineteenth century London is lovingly described and all the little details, rather than slowing down the narration, actually enhance the suspense by creating a Gothic atmosphere. It's all fascinating and quite enlightening. The villains are repulsive, horrifying, colourful; straight out of the alleys of the Victorian era. Jack is elegant, extremely intelligent, charming as well as being a revolting maniacal and cruel killer.

Alex Grecian has an extraordinary sense of drama, and THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP alternates between the murderers, the policemen, and Claire, and the chapters become shorter as the tension slowly builds up towards a satisfying, but not so predictable, conclusion. THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP is a superb mystery novel!