About this book
Hagar of the Pawn-Shop by Fergus Hume introduces Hagar Stanley, a resourceful young Romani woman who turns a humble London pawnbroker’s counter into a stage for mystery and moral reckoning.
A linked collection of mystery short stories set against the late‑Victorian streets of London, Hume’s collection follows Hagar after she flees her tribe and inherits her miserly uncle Jacob’s pawnshop. As customers bring trinkets, heirlooms, and curiosities, each object becomes the seed of a new case—some tied to crimes, others to human deceit, betrayal, and hidden lives. Combining sharp observation, feminine intuition, and an outsider’s knowledge of society’s margins, Hagar probes the city’s underbelly, occasionally collaborating with police while carving her own path. The stories interweave recurring characters, a slow-burning love interest, and a compelling nemesis, creating a satisfying narrative thread across standalone episodes. Themes of gender, class, prejudice, and justice are given texture by Hume’s atmospheric Victorian setting and brisk, plot-driven prose.
Perfect for fans of classic detective fiction, mystery short-story collections, and strong female sleuths, this audiobook offers atmospheric Victorian mystery and clever puzzles for listeners who relish wit, social detail, and sharp deductive work.
