The year is 1820. Rider Sandman, a hero of Waterloo, returns to London to wed his fiancée. But instead of settling down to fame and glory, he finds himself penniless in a country where high unemployment and social unrest rage, and where men—innocent or guilty—are hanged for the merest of crimes.When he’s offered a job as private investigator to re-open the case of a painter due to be hanged for a … hanged for a murder he didn’t commit, Sandman readily accepts—as much for the money as for a chance to see justice done in a country gone to ruins.
Soon, however, he’s mired in a grisly murder plot that keeps thickening. Sandman makes his way through gentlemen’s clubs and shady taverns, aristocratic mansions, and fashionable painters’ studios determined to rescue the innocent young man from the rope. But someone doesn’t want the truth revealed.
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I enjoyed this all the way through. It really opened your eyes on the ‘old England’ prison system.
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 …
How can you not love a book by this author?
This is not Bernard Cornwell best historical novel; nonetheless it is up to his high standard of historical accuracy and solid storytelling with a his usual twists in plot. (I would give it 3.2 stars, but I rated it 4 stars, because of all the garbage I see rated at 5-stars, and this is definitely worth a read). As a long-time Cornwell reader, I …
I really enjoyed this book, until almost the very end it was it was a terrific yarn. The only difficulty I had was with very end. I really feel as though the last five pages were not nearly in keeping with the rest of the book. Almost like it was written by a different author, they were thoroughly some great ways to end it at word utilized. …
Excellent
In a fan of his work and this aboriginal and left me wanting more
Seemed that Cornwell had a view to promote: all should be stolen from the gallows.
Love Bernard’s books. They are always worth the read!!
Okay but not great.
Fun read, was hoping the author was developing it into a series… don’t know if he did.
Not to his normal standards also probably not my favorite time in history
Bernard Cornwell is one of my favorite authors of historical fiction, bringing those historical eras to life with rich, vivid characters in their environments. That said, The Gallows thief fell far short of the high bar I have come to expect from Cornwell’s work.
Although the settings and the action were captivating, his characters were …
Good historical fiction about early 19th century England. Depicts the class struggles and life of the period.