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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Loved the characters, loved the writing, loved the research that went into the book.
London, 1727: The young gentleman Tom Hawkins is as inclined to women and alcohol as he is to gambling. Become a country parson like his dear father? Pah, the very idea is abhorrent to him! However, when Tom's extravagant lifestyle lands him in the notorious London debtors' prison, 'The Marshalsea' – a behemoth of intrigue, corruption, and abuse of power –, he must fight for his very life.
To secure his survival in this unforgiving world, Tom strikes a deal with the prison authorities to act as a hidden investigator in a murder case involving another inmate. Success promises him debt relief, while failure threatens torture and death. His cellmate Fleet, feared as much as the devil himself, surprisingly takes a liking to assisting him in the investigation, but can Tom trust him?
What sets «The Devil in the Marshalsea» apart is its skillful fusion of historical setting and detective fiction. It offers a compelling, well-researched insight into the English criminal justice system of the time and the cruel conditions under which particularly the lower-class prisoners had to exist. With rich, atmospheric writing, the author paints the world of this prison in all its terrifying reality.
Cleverly constructed, the novel builds intense suspense that is hard to resist, especially since Tom himself is never certain whom to trust.
The characters are multifaceted and finely craftet, though all of them valid reasons to keep their cards close to their chests. Tom, in particular, surprised me: Initially, he didn't come across as particularly likable, but he ultimately revealed himself as a protagonist I could empathize with. Behind his vices lie compelling inner conflicts that add depth to his character.
To secure his survival in this unforgiving world, Tom strikes a deal with the prison authorities to act as a hidden investigator in a murder case involving another inmate. Success promises him debt relief, while failure threatens torture and death. His cellmate Fleet, feared as much as the devil himself, surprisingly takes a liking to assisting him in the investigation, but can Tom trust him?
What sets «The Devil in the Marshalsea» apart is its skillful fusion of historical setting and detective fiction. It offers a compelling, well-researched insight into the English criminal justice system of the time and the cruel conditions under which particularly the lower-class prisoners had to exist. With rich, atmospheric writing, the author paints the world of this prison in all its terrifying reality.
Cleverly constructed, the novel builds intense suspense that is hard to resist, especially since Tom himself is never certain whom to trust.
The characters are multifaceted and finely craftet, though all of them valid reasons to keep their cards close to their chests. Tom, in particular, surprised me: Initially, he didn't come across as particularly likable, but he ultimately revealed himself as a protagonist I could empathize with. Behind his vices lie compelling inner conflicts that add depth to his character.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the kind of books that proves that browsing a library or bookstore bookshelf is the perfect way to find agood read. Recently I have relied on advice from friends and new titles in favorite maystery series. However, I came across this book on the library shelf and was intrigued by the title and premise. The book didn't disappoint me. I found it a very credible and well-paced tale of intrigue. Lots of red herrings and all the nuggets and factoids a historical fiction fan could want. I did suggest it to some other readers, as it explored a situtaion with which I was not very familiar in a world and time period that I enjoy.
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A rake is thrown into a debtor's prison--Marshalsea--in the 1700s. All he has to do to pay his debts is solve a murder.
This should have been exactly my kind of book; unfortunately, while it technically checked off a lot of boxes, it never really committed to them. The style is *very* cute and modern for a book about injustice, torture, and murder; even the darkest moments come across as having a cheerful tone. The mystery isn't particularly mysterious or relevant, although there are a couple of nice red herrings. By the time the author has explained everything you need to know in order to appreciate what's going on in the story, the book is very nearly ended. The characters are slight, the setting described without atmosphere, and the plot contrived. It felt like a very "designed" book, rather than one written with freshness and sincerity. A reasonable page-turner, but not at all what the book marketing promised, or what I was looking for.
Recommended if you like light historicals.
This should have been exactly my kind of book; unfortunately, while it technically checked off a lot of boxes, it never really committed to them. The style is *very* cute and modern for a book about injustice, torture, and murder; even the darkest moments come across as having a cheerful tone. The mystery isn't particularly mysterious or relevant, although there are a couple of nice red herrings. By the time the author has explained everything you need to know in order to appreciate what's going on in the story, the book is very nearly ended. The characters are slight, the setting described without atmosphere, and the plot contrived. It felt like a very "designed" book, rather than one written with freshness and sincerity. A reasonable page-turner, but not at all what the book marketing promised, or what I was looking for.
Recommended if you like light historicals.
I'll be making an effort this year to write a short review of my books as in the past I typically have not. This was a book that I'd give three and a half stars to if I could. I enjoyed it very much, so three doesn't feel quite right. There are lots of fun twists in the third act and the mystery is compelling for the majority of the novel. However, the dialogue and overall writing were very hit or miss for me, I never really connected with or cared too much about the central character and narrator, and the romantic angles fell flat for me. Still, start to finish, a very enjoyable ride that I thought would lend itself very well to a film adaptation.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Tom Hawkins is just drifting along having fallen out with his family over his abandonment of their career path of choice for him. Hawkins is just so never going to be a country parson! He likes wine, women and the tables - but, frankly, he’s not that good at any of them. So he ends up in the Marshalsea - England’s notorious debtor’s prison and that proves a convenient placing to solve a murder.
Antonia Hodgson writes beautifully and her work is so well researched. The author’s notes are full of sources and the list of characters who she traced in the historical sources is terrific.
If you have heard references to the Marshalsea yet know little of its horrors this will open your eyes. Some is not for the faint-hearted! If you like C J Sansom, Shirley Mackay or Andrew Taylor’s works you’ll enjoy this.
Antonia Hodgson writes beautifully and her work is so well researched. The author’s notes are full of sources and the list of characters who she traced in the historical sources is terrific.
If you have heard references to the Marshalsea yet know little of its horrors this will open your eyes. Some is not for the faint-hearted! If you like C J Sansom, Shirley Mackay or Andrew Taylor’s works you’ll enjoy this.
I didn't realise until I finished that many of the characters are based on real people. This and the level of historical detail make it a really interesting read. On top of that it's so much fun! The pace is breakneck and the mystery unfolds in a wonderfully satisfying way.