Scan barcode
ashking6's review against another edition
mysterious
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? No
4.0
howardbatey's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
msgrant81's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
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? Yes
4.0
markopalski's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
lmmountford's review against another edition
3.0
If you love the Sharpe, Uthred, Grail or Arthur Novels... this is probably not the book for you.
This is unlike any other Cornwell book i've read. It's very heavy and very slow. The cover is also very misleading, while i Understand the placement of the portrait, a silhouette of the hangman's nose would be much more accurate and atmospherical given the only swordplay is brief and inconsequential.
That being said it's not a bad read, only different to anything I've experienced from the author before and not what i was expecting.
If, however, you enjoy the works of Agatha Christie, then this will be for you. This is a mystery more than anything else, only with Bernard Cornwell's unique ability to create set a scene.
This is unlike any other Cornwell book i've read. It's very heavy and very slow. The cover is also very misleading, while i Understand the placement of the portrait, a silhouette of the hangman's nose would be much more accurate and atmospherical given the only swordplay is brief and inconsequential.
That being said it's not a bad read, only different to anything I've experienced from the author before and not what i was expecting.
If, however, you enjoy the works of Agatha Christie, then this will be for you. This is a mystery more than anything else, only with Bernard Cornwell's unique ability to create set a scene.
murdrean's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
uncle_vanya's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
great writing, informative historical fiction with compelling mystery
wendyh65's review against another edition
4.0
This was my review for Kaiwaka Library...
Rider Sandman, late Captain of the 52nd Regiment of Foot, is a hero of Waterloo but now finds himself rather poor and without future prospects. He struggles to support his mother and sister in a modest style, given the luxury they once lived in before their father and husband ripped off many in the aristocracy and then killed himself.
Rider sold his Army commission and therefore is not entitled to the half pay other former officers receive. He's a man of honour, if not cash. He makes some money by gambling, but detests bribery and corruption. He will not take a bribe to loose a game of cricket, at which he excels; he does get paid to play the game, though, which helps.
The Home Office offers Rider a temporary position as Investigator, to look into a case where an artist apparently raped and murdered the Countess he was painting - the artist's aunt has the ear of the Queen, and that cannot be ignored, but it is entirely expected that the investigation will confirm the guilty verdict and hanging sentence. He has a week before the sentence is to be carried out.
And then as he starts to ask questions, life starts to get interesting...
If you've followed my book reviews in the past, you may be aware that I've read a few books by Bernard Cornwell before, and have enjoyed them very much. This one does not disappoint, and is a great adventure from start to finish.
Rider Sandman, late Captain of the 52nd Regiment of Foot, is a hero of Waterloo but now finds himself rather poor and without future prospects. He struggles to support his mother and sister in a modest style, given the luxury they once lived in before their father and husband ripped off many in the aristocracy and then killed himself.
Rider sold his Army commission and therefore is not entitled to the half pay other former officers receive. He's a man of honour, if not cash. He makes some money by gambling, but detests bribery and corruption. He will not take a bribe to loose a game of cricket, at which he excels; he does get paid to play the game, though, which helps.
The Home Office offers Rider a temporary position as Investigator, to look into a case where an artist apparently raped and murdered the Countess he was painting - the artist's aunt has the ear of the Queen, and that cannot be ignored, but it is entirely expected that the investigation will confirm the guilty verdict and hanging sentence. He has a week before the sentence is to be carried out.
And then as he starts to ask questions, life starts to get interesting...
If you've followed my book reviews in the past, you may be aware that I've read a few books by Bernard Cornwell before, and have enjoyed them very much. This one does not disappoint, and is a great adventure from start to finish.
gooders's review against another edition
4.0
Before I even write about this book I need to say that I’ve just found out that this is the author who wrote the Sharpe series! My grandad loved Sharpe, so I think I may download one to see what it’s like.
This book was very good! Set in the 1800s, it’s main theme is the use of hanging as corporeal punishment. We follow the fortunes of Rider Sandman; once a gentleman of wealth, he has fallen on hard times after his father lost all of their money and then died, leaving Rider and his family penniless and their lives changed. Rider was engaged to be married to a lady, but since losing his gentlemanly status, her mother forbids it.
We also learn that Rider is a very accomplished cricketer, to the point where he is quite famous, but he refuses to participate in rigged matches, and so rarely plays.
Furthermore, Rider was a captain in the army and fought at Waterloo, as well as many other places.
It is while he’s down on his fortunes that the Home Secretary summons him to investigate the sentencing of a young artist, Corday. Corday has been found guilty of murdering a lady while she sat for him, but due to his mother (who is in the Queen’s court) petitioning the Queen, it has to be investigated to be sure that Corday is guilty.
The story follows Rider’s search for the truth, lots of historical facts (over 500 people were hung between 1816 and 1820, but this was only around a tenth of the actual number of people who were sentenced to hang, as people petitioned and then sentences were commuted), and a lot of grim, vivid detail about Newgate and The Old Bailey where the hangings happened.
Very interesting, would recommend!
This book was very good! Set in the 1800s, it’s main theme is the use of hanging as corporeal punishment. We follow the fortunes of Rider Sandman; once a gentleman of wealth, he has fallen on hard times after his father lost all of their money and then died, leaving Rider and his family penniless and their lives changed. Rider was engaged to be married to a lady, but since losing his gentlemanly status, her mother forbids it.
We also learn that Rider is a very accomplished cricketer, to the point where he is quite famous, but he refuses to participate in rigged matches, and so rarely plays.
Furthermore, Rider was a captain in the army and fought at Waterloo, as well as many other places.
It is while he’s down on his fortunes that the Home Secretary summons him to investigate the sentencing of a young artist, Corday. Corday has been found guilty of murdering a lady while she sat for him, but due to his mother (who is in the Queen’s court) petitioning the Queen, it has to be investigated to be sure that Corday is guilty.
The story follows Rider’s search for the truth, lots of historical facts (over 500 people were hung between 1816 and 1820, but this was only around a tenth of the actual number of people who were sentenced to hang, as people petitioned and then sentences were commuted), and a lot of grim, vivid detail about Newgate and The Old Bailey where the hangings happened.
Very interesting, would recommend!