Despite a slow start “The Rot Beneath” soon gathered speed and didn’t slow down until the last page. Even then Eli Freysson has left the prospect of another adventure looming for the mismatched group of investigators with this book being number one in the “Days of the Watcher” series. The difference to other series, however, is this novel can be read as a standalone or you can continue to enjoy the series. “The Rot Beneath” is a classic murder mystery that also contains themes of classism, racism, terrorism and explores human sacrifice and cults. People are disappearing from the streets of Fluvi, a city that bears a striking resemblance to industrial revolution London, and no one seems to notice except for newspaperman, Sam Todd. Doggedly persistent, he and a group of loyal friends follow vague clues to discover the cause. It’s nothing less than a plot from a Lovecraft novel. I spent time I didn’t have reading Freysson’s novel and I still don’t regret one minute of it. A highly recommended read. ( )