Bibliography

1 October 2001

Date first published
ISBN Number	0 007 12715 4
Page Count	277 h/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

Rider Sandman is down on his luck. Of wealthy parentage, this has all been wiped away with his fathers death, following discovery that he has been cheating his clients.

Now living in a 'Flash' house, he is wondering where his life is going, when he is summoned to the Home Office, and asked to investigate the murder of the Countess of Avebury. A man has been convicted and is due to hang in seven days. The Home Secretary, is not worried that justice has not been done, but the Queen has shown an interest.

Rider never having carried out an investigation, is not sure, but the idea of a salary however brief persuades him to take the case. After all he only has to visit the condemned man and get a confession, and his money will be well earned.

Rider visits the prison, and although disliking the convicted man, sees that the man might be innocent, and so reluctantly embarks on a journey to find the truth, and perhaps save a man from the gallows.

Review

I like the story, and whilst not the greatest, it is still a good story, and like all of Cornwell's books full of evocative language, and descriptions. Where the book falls down is in the lack of action, which tends to lift his stories. Unlike most of the books, this story meanders it's way through proceedings, and never really explodes into action.

Should this be taken as a criticism, I'm not sure. The story is well written, and the conclusion is reached in a logical manner, and like most of his books the hero gathers a band of mismatched helpers to help in his mission. Perhaps it is just the slow pace of the book, which is quite a change from the Sharpe novels and his other series, which has made me mark the story down.

The book is full of excellent detail, especially the procedure leading the unfortunates from the death cell to the short drop on the gallows. For in those days, death was a drawn out by strangulation and not the quick sharp drop resulting in a broken neck.

The story is set at a time of great upheaval, food prices rising, the start of industrialisation, and of course the revolution in France is still fresh in the minds of the authorities. Stealing, is a way of life for many, and the only hope of surviving in an uncaring world.

The story is reflects the attitude of Society, to those who have returned from war. Those that have returned from Waterloo, find that no-one cares. The only ones that do care, are those who were unable, or unwilling to fight at the battle.

Like all of Cornwell's books the text is littered with the language of the times (and some of it quite fruity!), however it all lends to the building of the picture, to the point you can almost smell the stench of Newgate Prison where the condemned await the final walk.

An intriguing story, about a period of English History, which I'm appalled to say I don't know much about. if you are not keen on his various war series, then this might be the book for you. However be prepared for the execution sequences, which highlight the dark and barbaric side of man through the ages.

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