Scan barcode
A review by wendyh65
Gallows Thief by Bernard Cornwell
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.