Scan barcode
sch91086's review against another edition
4.0
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.
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.
tashabye's review against another edition
4.0
Can't compare this to the Saxon Series but still a good read.
dgrachel's review against another edition
4.0
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.
zubenelgenubi's review against another edition
5.0
Epic as always from BC. Such a distinctive style in all his writing plus plenty of fun ye olde words.
brian's review
4.0
A standalone novel from Bernard Cromwell for a change. Set after Waterloo, a Captain comes back to England to find his fortunes changed, his family name in disrepute and their fortunes vastly depleted.
While slumming it in a cheap tavern/inn he is recommended as an investigator into a possible miscarriage of justice.
Realising that high society doesn't really care if there was or wasn't, he digs until he finds out the truth, despite attempts to keep him away from it.
Overall it was a good read, especially tense in the last chapter. The characters are well written.
As usual it's been well researched, but at times it's like reading Dick Van Dyke's "How to talk like a Londoner" crib-sheet, with all the common types throwing slang around and then having to explain it to the more gentrified folk around them.
While slumming it in a cheap tavern/inn he is recommended as an investigator into a possible miscarriage of justice.
Realising that high society doesn't really care if there was or wasn't, he digs until he finds out the truth, despite attempts to keep him away from it.
Overall it was a good read, especially tense in the last chapter. The characters are well written.
As usual it's been well researched, but at times it's like reading Dick Van Dyke's "How to talk like a Londoner" crib-sheet, with all the common types throwing slang around and then having to explain it to the more gentrified folk around them.
rogerb's review
3.0
Borrowed in Malawi.
Page turner OK, but too contrived, especially as he nears the climax. He's written much better.
Page turner OK, but too contrived, especially as he nears the climax. He's written much better.
More...