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lreay89's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It took some getting used to (the style of writing) but after reading the first chapter I figured it out a bit more and was able to enjoy the story.
My only disappointment with this story is that it’s not a series! I would love to read more about Rider! He’s a wonderful character.
Bernard is a master storyteller who completely gets human nature and can weave a wonderful story around it.
I definitely felt like I’d fallen back in time to regency England.
I would definitely recommend this story. I also couldn’t figure out who the murderer was until the last chapter!
My only disappointment with this story is that it’s not a series! I would love to read more about Rider! He’s a wonderful character.
Bernard is a master storyteller who completely gets human nature and can weave a wonderful story around it.
I definitely felt like I’d fallen back in time to regency England.
I would definitely recommend this story. I also couldn’t figure out who the murderer was until the last chapter!
aotora's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I actually loved this one, and it's one of my favourite books I read this year. I loved everything about this story, the suspense, the pacing, I didn't see who the guilty people were until the end of the book reveals it and I loved the time period this was set in. All around a great book and a great historical fiction about the race against the clock and saving an innocent life.
sachahusken's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
gilroi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
It's a Bernard Cornwell novel (narrated by Jonathan Keeble, which automatically makes it one of Cornwell's best novels) and knows exactly what it wants to do, and it does it. Yet it's not really boilerplate Cornwell-- it's notable as a Cornwell novel because it speaks to his skill as a writer, at knowing exactly what his goals are and accomplishing them.
Notably, this is a murder mystery with political themes and a keen interest in sports. There are some action scenes, but no battle scenes, which (as I've said in previous reviews of Cornwell's novels) are some of his strongest and most able writing. No one writes huge battles like Bernard Cornwell. Comparitively, this novel is borderline Austen-- but not really. The romance is actually mostly offscreen, another unusual choice for Cornwell, who loves to make his leading heroes writhe and pine (or lust) over the women they desire. The political animus of the novel is surprising as well; it goes out of its way to be about the evils of capital punishment, and how government-sanctioned death is abhorrent.
And it all totally, completely works, because Bernard Cornwell knows exactly what his strengths are, and he plays on them without hesitation. The historical research is lovely and vibrant, the characters are interesting and their interactions are fun and frequently funny. The main character is an ex-soldier with financial problems and a temper, something that's not altogether unheard of for Cornwell or fiction in general, but the way that he fights against his worse nature creates fascinating tension. I'll read a book about a man fighting against his own internal toxic masculinity any day.
If you like Cornwell, you'll like this book. If you like murder mysteries, you'll like this book. If you'd like a less marriage-and-tea-parties focus on the Regency Era, you'll like this book. If you like cricket, you'll like this book. And if you hate the death penalty, you'll like this book. I couldn't recommend it to everyone, but if you want a nice, lush bit of historical fiction that is relatively light (though very much not a comfort read, it's not cozy by any stretch of the imagination), this is an excellent choice.
Notably, this is a murder mystery with political themes and a keen interest in sports. There are some action scenes, but no battle scenes, which (as I've said in previous reviews of Cornwell's novels) are some of his strongest and most able writing. No one writes huge battles like Bernard Cornwell. Comparitively, this novel is borderline Austen-- but not really. The romance is actually mostly offscreen, another unusual choice for Cornwell, who loves to make his leading heroes writhe and pine (or lust) over the women they desire. The political animus of the novel is surprising as well; it goes out of its way to be about the evils of capital punishment, and how government-sanctioned death is abhorrent.
And it all totally, completely works, because Bernard Cornwell knows exactly what his strengths are, and he plays on them without hesitation. The historical research is lovely and vibrant, the characters are interesting and their interactions are fun and frequently funny. The main character is an ex-soldier with financial problems and a temper, something that's not altogether unheard of for Cornwell or fiction in general, but the way that he fights against his worse nature creates fascinating tension. I'll read a book about a man fighting against his own internal toxic masculinity any day.
If you like Cornwell, you'll like this book. If you like murder mysteries, you'll like this book. If you'd like a less marriage-and-tea-parties focus on the Regency Era, you'll like this book. If you like cricket, you'll like this book. And if you hate the death penalty, you'll like this book. I couldn't recommend it to everyone, but if you want a nice, lush bit of historical fiction that is relatively light (though very much not a comfort read, it's not cozy by any stretch of the imagination), this is an excellent choice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, and Excrement
Moderate: Ableism, Sexism, Kidnapping, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Torture and War
evaine13's review against another edition
3.0
Historical fiction usually isn't a genre I'd pick up, but I have to admit I wasn't disappointed by this one! It's the first and probably the last book from Cornwell that I'll read though, and I definitely cannot see myself re-reading it.
saraf7990's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
usbsticky's review against another edition
5.0
Spoilers ahead:
I have a feeling this really should be the beginning of a series. These stand alone really shows the versatility of Bernard Cornwell. I started off reading his Saxon books, thought they were ok. Then I went on to his Sharpe books, which were much better. I'm now into his stand alone books and they have really wow'd me. Some of his boos remind me of the writing of Ken Follett and Wilbur Smith, which is high praise. Cornwell does a fantastic job of writing a sympathetic protagonist, which is half the battle. Then he provides a story which puts the protagonist in a tough situation and makes him come out on top.
This book: It's a few years after Waterloo and Captain Rider Sandman is between jobs, having to sell his commission in order to try and satisfy his father's debts and prevent his mother and sister from going into the poor house. The Home Secretary offers him a temporary job. A portrait artist is to be hanged for murder of a countess. The artist's mother is a maid to the Queen. And the Queen has requested that the artist's case be investigated.
Since the protagonist is a decent guy, he takes the job and instead of phoning in the result, he actually decides to investigate. It's a good mystery book or detective protocol book where he starts by looking for clues, questioning suspects and witnesses and doing the footwork.
As with most of Cornwell's books, there are plenty of interesting characters including sidekicks and villains, a lot of history and background and description of contemporary injustices. All of which results in a book imbued with a great setting and story.
It really is too bad that this isn't a series because I can see Rider Sandman making this his career, either officially sanctioned or hired as a private investigator. Excellent book.
I have a feeling this really should be the beginning of a series. These stand alone really shows the versatility of Bernard Cornwell. I started off reading his Saxon books, thought they were ok. Then I went on to his Sharpe books, which were much better. I'm now into his stand alone books and they have really wow'd me. Some of his boos remind me of the writing of Ken Follett and Wilbur Smith, which is high praise. Cornwell does a fantastic job of writing a sympathetic protagonist, which is half the battle. Then he provides a story which puts the protagonist in a tough situation and makes him come out on top.
This book: It's a few years after Waterloo and Captain Rider Sandman is between jobs, having to sell his commission in order to try and satisfy his father's debts and prevent his mother and sister from going into the poor house. The Home Secretary offers him a temporary job. A portrait artist is to be hanged for murder of a countess. The artist's mother is a maid to the Queen. And the Queen has requested that the artist's case be investigated.
Since the protagonist is a decent guy, he takes the job and instead of phoning in the result, he actually decides to investigate. It's a good mystery book or detective protocol book where he starts by looking for clues, questioning suspects and witnesses and doing the footwork.
As with most of Cornwell's books, there are plenty of interesting characters including sidekicks and villains, a lot of history and background and description of contemporary injustices. All of which results in a book imbued with a great setting and story.
It really is too bad that this isn't a series because I can see Rider Sandman making this his career, either officially sanctioned or hired as a private investigator. Excellent book.
dianthalikesyellow's review against another edition
4.0
Picked up these book thinking it was a period drama, got a lot more detective work than I expected. The characters and side characters are entertaining and likeable. The story is not amazingly surprising, but the final chapters create a riveting sense of urgency and excitement. Overall, really enjoyed it and will probably pick this book up for a second time.
weaselweader's review against another edition
4.0
A thrilling race against London's hangman!
Captain Rider Sandman, a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars and the Battle of Waterloo, has returned to England to find a civilian life in shambles. As a matter of personal honour, Sandman has sold his commission to raise cash to help repay a portion of the debts left behind by his disgraced father when he committed suicide. Now unemployed and with no income or prospects, his fiancée's family have cancelled their wedding plans and Sandman finds himself forced to lodge in an attic room in the Wheatsheaf Tavern in London's Drury Lane, a known criminal "flash" haunt of rather shady repute.
Charles Corday, an up and coming young artist and portrait painter to London's moneyed class, sits on death row in Newgate Prison awaiting imminent execution for the murder of the Countess of Avebury. His mother, a seamstress to Queen Charlotte has successfully begged the Queen's intervention to support a letter of petition for clemency or pardon asking the Home Secretary to investigate more carefully and to assure Her Majesty that justice is being done. Captain Sandman is surprised to find himself summoned to the Home Office to be granted the appointment as investigator. Of course, as a very upright, disciplined officer with an extremely well-established sense of duty and obligation, he takes the task much more seriously than the rather cynical instructions he received upon the appointment - "I suggest your work need not be laborious. There is no doubt of the man's guilt. Corday is a rapist, a murderer, and a liar, and all we need of him is a confession. You will find him in Newgate, and if you are sufficiently forceful then I have no doubt he will confess to his brutal crime and your work will then be done." I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that just isn't the way the story unfolds at all ...
A historical piece set in the height of the Regency period, GALLOWS THIEF is a thoroughly enjoyable lightweight mystery that will not fail to amuse Cornwell's legion of fans. Although not entirely devoid of narrative description, much of the flavour of the period is derived from other areas - the nature of the plot and the intense explanation of the judicial "process", imprisonment and hanging; a colourfully described side dish of London's recreational pursuits such as hunting, cricket and the theatre; absolutely sparkling, witty dialogue that is brilliantly differentiated depending on the class, wealth and occupation of the speaker and listener; the earthy, often racy, "flash" vocabulary of the criminal and lower class; the camaraderie of the military; the overbearing, stuffy sense of entitlement that is unique to London's wealthy gentry; the amorality, corruption and decadence of a London gentleman's club that is, in fact, a very sleazy bordello; and the politics of marriage.
Sandman's partners in the investigation - Sally Hood, an actress and nude model, Sergeant Rex Barrigan, also a veteran of the Battle of Waterloo and his ex-fiancée, Eleanor Forrest - are characterized brilliantly with an abundant serving of warmth, love, life and humour. We can but hope that they'll all make appearances in future novels penned by the very talented Bernard Cornwell. Two thumbs up!
Paul Weiss
Captain Rider Sandman, a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars and the Battle of Waterloo, has returned to England to find a civilian life in shambles. As a matter of personal honour, Sandman has sold his commission to raise cash to help repay a portion of the debts left behind by his disgraced father when he committed suicide. Now unemployed and with no income or prospects, his fiancée's family have cancelled their wedding plans and Sandman finds himself forced to lodge in an attic room in the Wheatsheaf Tavern in London's Drury Lane, a known criminal "flash" haunt of rather shady repute.
Charles Corday, an up and coming young artist and portrait painter to London's moneyed class, sits on death row in Newgate Prison awaiting imminent execution for the murder of the Countess of Avebury. His mother, a seamstress to Queen Charlotte has successfully begged the Queen's intervention to support a letter of petition for clemency or pardon asking the Home Secretary to investigate more carefully and to assure Her Majesty that justice is being done. Captain Sandman is surprised to find himself summoned to the Home Office to be granted the appointment as investigator. Of course, as a very upright, disciplined officer with an extremely well-established sense of duty and obligation, he takes the task much more seriously than the rather cynical instructions he received upon the appointment - "I suggest your work need not be laborious. There is no doubt of the man's guilt. Corday is a rapist, a murderer, and a liar, and all we need of him is a confession. You will find him in Newgate, and if you are sufficiently forceful then I have no doubt he will confess to his brutal crime and your work will then be done." I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that just isn't the way the story unfolds at all ...
A historical piece set in the height of the Regency period, GALLOWS THIEF is a thoroughly enjoyable lightweight mystery that will not fail to amuse Cornwell's legion of fans. Although not entirely devoid of narrative description, much of the flavour of the period is derived from other areas - the nature of the plot and the intense explanation of the judicial "process", imprisonment and hanging; a colourfully described side dish of London's recreational pursuits such as hunting, cricket and the theatre; absolutely sparkling, witty dialogue that is brilliantly differentiated depending on the class, wealth and occupation of the speaker and listener; the earthy, often racy, "flash" vocabulary of the criminal and lower class; the camaraderie of the military; the overbearing, stuffy sense of entitlement that is unique to London's wealthy gentry; the amorality, corruption and decadence of a London gentleman's club that is, in fact, a very sleazy bordello; and the politics of marriage.
Sandman's partners in the investigation - Sally Hood, an actress and nude model, Sergeant Rex Barrigan, also a veteran of the Battle of Waterloo and his ex-fiancée, Eleanor Forrest - are characterized brilliantly with an abundant serving of warmth, love, life and humour. We can but hope that they'll all make appearances in future novels penned by the very talented Bernard Cornwell. Two thumbs up!
Paul Weiss
rojo25's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this. Thought it was Cornwall at his best. I like the fact it’s a stand alone story although it could be made into a series. The historical background of 1820 London was well researched and my favorite part of the story.
Rider Sandman is a Napoleonic War veteran who broke after selling his commission to take care of his mother and sister. His father had debts and committed suicide. He’s hired to investigate a murder of a woman. In a week the murderer is scheduled to hang and nobody seems to care if the man is innocent or not.
It’s incredible.
Rider Sandman is a Napoleonic War veteran who broke after selling his commission to take care of his mother and sister. His father had debts and committed suicide. He’s hired to investigate a murder of a woman. In a week the murderer is scheduled to hang and nobody seems to care if the man is innocent or not.
It’s incredible.