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A review by gooders
Gallows Thief by Bernard Cornwell
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!