Rider Sandman has returned from the Napoleonic Wars and had been expecting to marry but with his father's disgrace and subsequent suicide, Rider's name is blackened and the wedding is off. Rider needs to earn money to support his mother and sister and takes the job of Investigator for the government. His job is to investigate the petitions sent in by families and friends of convicted criminals awaiting execution. We meet Rider as he begins to investigate the case of rape and murder of a titled lady against a young painter. As Rider's investigation progresses, he uncovers the corrupt justice system that ruled England with a blood-thirsty fist, where corruption ruled and men in power were ruthless. The painter is so obviously innocent and the chase to the end left me wondering if he would be saved in time.

The book is set during a period of time when England executed as many people as possible to deter criminality, knowing that some would be innocent. It's not a pleasant read, particularly the opening prologue which follows a very young girl as she is sent to the gallows protesting her innocence.

The book was written in 2002 and yet I still found the description of women uncomfortably sexually unnecessary. Having just read The Warlow Experience by Alix Nathan set in the same time period, I am aware of how much our language towards women has moved on and long may that last.

Cornwell weaves a good, if a little predictable, mystery/adventure set at the end of the Napoleonic wars. As you'd expect from Cornwell, the period detail is brilliant, and this particular book has thematic echoes of Pratchett's Watch books. The characters are excellently crafted, even if some of them are only there as extras designed to further the plot. I found it very enjoyable, especially towards the end, and there was a part of me that didn't WANT to finish it, I was enjoying it that much.

If I have one small criticism, its that the climax feels a bit rushed, and maybe a short epilogue would have done wonders.

Characters: 4
Plot: 4
Setting/world building: 4
Atmosphere: 4
——
4

Well written adventure from the author of the Sharpe novels. I have a huge weakness for down-at-the-heels gentlemen, especially when they are too smart for their own good.

Soo... Captain Rider Sandman. I think this is one of the greatest fictional character names ever. Captain Sandman. How could he not be cool with a name like that? He didn't disappoint. There was a lot of Uhtred peeking through him, but in an age where the gallows rules and cares not whether the man is guilty or innocent (they're all innocent in the end, aren't they?) he contains his temper better than Uhtred, which also gave him a gentleman like sense of respectability. Accompanying Captain Sandman on his journey is the rogue Sergeant Barrigan, whom you never could trust until the end, and Sally Hood (who happens to be Robin Hood's sister, how cool is that?!), and the cricket obsessed but mystifyingly philosophical Lord Alexander. The characters in this book were great. I mean really great, and it was a rare kind of book where you even sort of liked the villains. (Don't ask why but I loved Lord Robin Holloway, despicable man that he is.)

This book is unique in that it's a historical mystery, with some definite Sherlocking involved. Rider Sandman, disgraced and bankrupt lord, and ever a noble Captain at Waterloo, needs a job because his father turned out to be a conman and committed suicide rather than face bankruptcy, disgrace and the gallows. So Sandman is hired as an Investigator for the Home Secretary in regards to the murder of the Countess of Avebury. His job is to get a confession from the man who's been found guilty for the satisfaction of Her Majesty, the Queen. Except it isn't that simple, everyone's pretty sure the painter didn't do it. Dun dun dun...

Ever the honest man (perhaps directly in spite of his father) Sandman decides, after being reasonably convinced that the accused is innocent, he will not simply get a confession, but find the man who is actually guilty, or at least someone who can prove the man's innocence. Hence, his job is to thieve a man from the gallows (Gallows Thief- get it?).

The action is almost non stop. Someone is always pointing a pistol at Sandman and he often only escapes by his spotless reputation as a Captain at Waterloo or a famous cricketer. Though I won't spoil anything, through the ending you can almost see the sand in the hourglass ticking away the last moments of Corday's life, which made for an unputdownable ending.

What always amazes me is the amount of research Cornwell puts into his books, and this one is no different. It's filled with authentic 19th century slang, and the names of men who actually held certain positions (Keeper of Newgate, the Hangman, Home Secretary Viscount Sidmouth, etc.) in the year this book is set, and I ate it up. Also- the lovely Sally Hood provides wonderful and well timed translations that work perfectly in their context so the reader is never too lost. The particular story of Captain Sandman and Charles Corday is not actual fact, but the setting itself and the actions of the characters are very authentic.

I'd recommend to anyone interested in the period or general historical fiction, and certainly any fans of Cornwell.

Can't compare this to the Saxon Series but still a good read.

I often struggle with Cornwell, if only because his books are different from what I expect based on the blurbs. I went into Gallows Thief with low expectations having picked it because the audiobook is narrated by Jonathan Keeble who is phenomenal. As expected, Keeble does a fantastic job narrating. He has one of those voices that I could listen to all day, even if he's reading something as dull as the phone book. But, I was pleasantly surprised by the story itself. This is a historical mystery, which was well done. I didn't guess the resolution, and while the ending was comically predictable, it was still a joy to listen to and it makes me wish that Cornwell would do an entire series staring Rider Sandman. Great characters, a solid plot, and beautiful narration make this an all around winner and one I can recommend without reservation.

Epic as always from BC. Such a distinctive style in all his writing plus plenty of fun ye olde words.

3.5