Jeffrey Siger is known as the bestselling author of the Chief Inspector Andeas Kaldis series set in Greece. A Study in Secrets is a departure for him and for readers, the first in his Redacted Man series. Instead of a police procedural, Siger takes readers into the New York City world of a retiree from the intelligence services, usually a quiet world for a man who has put action behind him.

Michael is almost a recluse, seldom leaving his apartment, address 221. His housekeeper, Mrs. Baker, takes care of his needs at home. He can spend his days watching the park across the street. In the mornings, he watches a girl in a gray coat who seems to be on a schedule. She sits on a bench until just before dawn, and then takes off in the park. When she disappears one morning, he worries that she’s in trouble. Although nowadays Michael doesn’t bother with most people, he’s concerned enough about the missing girl to try to track her down and find out her story. It’s a story that will draw Michael, Mrs. Baker, and Michael’s godson, diner owner Gabriel, into a world of trouble.

There’s a couple, though, that also show up in the park. While the man clutches a briefcase, he fights with the woman who accompanies him. They only appear for a couple days, but Michael shrewdly guesses that they might show up at Gabriel’s diner, the one closest to the park. Their problems lead Michael even deeper into the violent world he’s trying to forget. In Michael’s thoughtful moments, he realizes “All this reality was beginning to impinge on his imaginary life”, the life he created for people he observed from his window. Michael had tried to cleansed himself of his past life. He sees himself as a “redacted man”.

A Study in Secrets is not what I expected from the author of the Andreas Kaldis books. It’s a slow burn that turns into a fascinating puzzle starring a shrewd, crafty man who utilizes skills from his past life to assist people in trouble. Piece by piece, Michael puts together his own scenarios, with help from Mrs. Baker, Gabriel, and Michael’s newest employee, the young girl from the park, now known as Angel.

I love Siger’s new cast of characters. Michael is amazing as a sleuth. I adore Mrs. Baker, who firmly runs the household, and laughed at one scene when she backs him up in his study. Michael, Gabriel and Angel all have well-developed backstories, as do some of the minor characters in the story.

If you love to watch the author skillfully put the puzzle together, piece by piece, you’ll appreciate the details and characters in A Study in Secrets. Kudos to Jeffrey Siger for his clever new book that kicks off a series.

Jeffrey Siger’s website is https://jeffreysiger.com/

A Study in Secrets by Jeffrey Siger. Severn House, 2026. 212p.

FTC Full Disclosure – Both the author and the publicist ensured I had a copy, with no promise of positive review.