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Blackdown
It is 1817, Regency England. Thomas Blackdown, a thieftaker and ex-soldier, receives word that his brother and father are in deep trouble and need his help. But Blackdown is a man that harbours bitter memories; a man banished from his homeland because of a terrible accident, and so is reluctant to return to his ancestral home in Somerset.
However, once there he discovers that his brother has been savagely murdered – torn to shreds, some say by a mythical creature the locals call the Blackdown Beast. Thomas Blackdown does not believe in any creature of fantasy, and is determined to bring to justice his brother’s murderer, encouraged by his brother’s fiancé, Julianne Tresham, and aided by the faithful servant Addison.
But Blackdown is quickly drawn deep into a complicated web of deceit, power, greed and murder involving Lord Tresham – Julianne’s father – and the cold Sir Peter Lansdowne. What is the mysterious Lupercal Club? Why do ex-soldiers go missing from Commodore Pettigrew’s travelling theatre? What strange thing is happening in Devilbowl Wood where Blackdown’s brother was found mutilated? And does a savage, hellish creature really prowl the night?
Soon, Blackdown must fight for his own life and face up to his demons both imaginary and real. He will need all his wits and skills to survive if he is ever to discover the shocking truth behind the evil that has penetrated as far as the government itself.
However, once there he discovers that his brother has been savagely murdered – torn to shreds, some say by a mythical creature the locals call the Blackdown Beast. Thomas Blackdown does not believe in any creature of fantasy, and is determined to bring to justice his brother’s murderer, encouraged by his brother’s fiancé, Julianne Tresham, and aided by the faithful servant Addison.
But Blackdown is quickly drawn deep into a complicated web of deceit, power, greed and murder involving Lord Tresham – Julianne’s father – and the cold Sir Peter Lansdowne. What is the mysterious Lupercal Club? Why do ex-soldiers go missing from Commodore Pettigrew’s travelling theatre? What strange thing is happening in Devilbowl Wood where Blackdown’s brother was found mutilated? And does a savage, hellish creature really prowl the night?
Soon, Blackdown must fight for his own life and face up to his demons both imaginary and real. He will need all his wits and skills to survive if he is ever to discover the shocking truth behind the evil that has penetrated as far as the government itself.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2013
150 people are currently reading
715 people want to read
About the author
D.M. Mitchell
23 books52 followersD. M. Mitchell has been compared to Ruth Rendell, Martina Cole, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Linwood Barclay, Dickens and even the Bronte sisters! This wide array of writing styles is appropriate - though Mitchell is known for his psychological thrillers, he is determined that each of them will be different, so they might be set in different eras, may be straightforward thrillers or have a supernatural or horror twist, and he avoids like the plague the standard and unimaginative serial killer format! You'll find he uses different styles of writing to suit different types of books - it also keeps him from getting bored...
D. M. Mitchell was born into a small mining community in Yorkshire, England. His career advisor said he had two options - go down the mines or become a policeman. Being scared of the dark and never having much meat on his bones, he declined both and in his early years bounced like a pinball from job to job - warehouses, cinema projectionist, market trader, salesman - you get the picture. He sort of made a success of himself and now lives in a money-pit of a cottage in a tiny village in the cream tea heart of the South West of England.
His first remembered attempt at pushing the boundaries of creative writing was during a school lesson at the age of nine. Titled simply 'Rain' his proud masterpiece began with 'It started to rain' then there followed eight pages of nothing but the words 'pitter-patter', concluding with 'and then it stopped'. It was handed over and duly reviewed by his brick wall of a teacher, whose eyebrows flickered up and down ominously, his cheeks flushing bright red, before declaring it total rubbish. He tore it up into ribbons, showered him with his first, and no doubt only tickertape ceremony, and gave him a meaty slap around the head (they could do that sort of thing in 1967). He made him write 'I will not write stupid things for eight pages' for eight pages. Thus he learnt a number of valuable early lessons - the meaning of irony, writing is very subjective, everyone's a critic, and no-one likes a smart-arse.
He persevered, his first novel appearing in 1986 and disappearing into the attic the same year. It's still up there. Many manuscripts later he used to save the piles of rejection slips to paper his bare walls. So the adage is, keep at it, in these times of economic depression you'll soon have the house fully redecorated. Nowadays, writing is the one thing he feels totally comfortable with, except perhaps for a cup of Horlicks on a cold winter's night when the rain goes pitter-patter against the window panes (there it is again...).
Characterisation is an important and noticeable aspect of all Mitchell's novels. It allows him to be whoever he wants to be when he gets fed up of being himself, which is quite often. So too is a sense of mystery and the exploration of the darker side to humanity. There are always strong elements of a complex puzzle to be solved in a D M Mitchell novel, many disparate parts ultimately coming together, tragedy and comedy sitting side by side. As in life, nothing is as it first seems. He takes a keen interest in history, a thread which runs through his writing, whether it's the 1960s or 1970s, as in 'Max' and 'Pressure Cooker', or the Victorian 1880s, as in 'The House of the Wicked'.
His favourite novelists include Barry Unsworth, Thomas Hardy, John Steinbeck and Graham Swift. Top two favourite historical books: Culloden, by John Prebble and The Face of Battle by John Keegan. He also collects first edition novels and takes a keen interest in anything old, tatty and in need of love and restoration. His wife says he needs to get out more.
He has three grown children and also enjoys photography, painting and walking the Blackdown Hills with his wife and an overly excitable Border Terrier - or is that an overly-excitable wife and a Border Terrier... One of the two.
He'd like to thank his growing legion of fans for allowing him to practice being
D. M. Mitchell was born into a small mining community in Yorkshire, England. His career advisor said he had two options - go down the mines or become a policeman. Being scared of the dark and never having much meat on his bones, he declined both and in his early years bounced like a pinball from job to job - warehouses, cinema projectionist, market trader, salesman - you get the picture. He sort of made a success of himself and now lives in a money-pit of a cottage in a tiny village in the cream tea heart of the South West of England.
His first remembered attempt at pushing the boundaries of creative writing was during a school lesson at the age of nine. Titled simply 'Rain' his proud masterpiece began with 'It started to rain' then there followed eight pages of nothing but the words 'pitter-patter', concluding with 'and then it stopped'. It was handed over and duly reviewed by his brick wall of a teacher, whose eyebrows flickered up and down ominously, his cheeks flushing bright red, before declaring it total rubbish. He tore it up into ribbons, showered him with his first, and no doubt only tickertape ceremony, and gave him a meaty slap around the head (they could do that sort of thing in 1967). He made him write 'I will not write stupid things for eight pages' for eight pages. Thus he learnt a number of valuable early lessons - the meaning of irony, writing is very subjective, everyone's a critic, and no-one likes a smart-arse.
He persevered, his first novel appearing in 1986 and disappearing into the attic the same year. It's still up there. Many manuscripts later he used to save the piles of rejection slips to paper his bare walls. So the adage is, keep at it, in these times of economic depression you'll soon have the house fully redecorated. Nowadays, writing is the one thing he feels totally comfortable with, except perhaps for a cup of Horlicks on a cold winter's night when the rain goes pitter-patter against the window panes (there it is again...).
Characterisation is an important and noticeable aspect of all Mitchell's novels. It allows him to be whoever he wants to be when he gets fed up of being himself, which is quite often. So too is a sense of mystery and the exploration of the darker side to humanity. There are always strong elements of a complex puzzle to be solved in a D M Mitchell novel, many disparate parts ultimately coming together, tragedy and comedy sitting side by side. As in life, nothing is as it first seems. He takes a keen interest in history, a thread which runs through his writing, whether it's the 1960s or 1970s, as in 'Max' and 'Pressure Cooker', or the Victorian 1880s, as in 'The House of the Wicked'.
His favourite novelists include Barry Unsworth, Thomas Hardy, John Steinbeck and Graham Swift. Top two favourite historical books: Culloden, by John Prebble and The Face of Battle by John Keegan. He also collects first edition novels and takes a keen interest in anything old, tatty and in need of love and restoration. His wife says he needs to get out more.
He has three grown children and also enjoys photography, painting and walking the Blackdown Hills with his wife and an overly excitable Border Terrier - or is that an overly-excitable wife and a Border Terrier... One of the two.
He'd like to thank his growing legion of fans for allowing him to practice being
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
January 18, 2014
Like an action movie with an antique setting
If you traded our hero, Thomas, lately a Captain in the British Military fighting in the Napoleonic Wars and replace him with Bruce Willis in Die Hard, you get where I'm going with this - different time period, song remains the same. Everyone keeps telling Thomas we can use a guy of your talents, fearlessness and use of weapons. Does that sound like an action movie set up or what? Thomas also solves most of his problems by punching, shooting, stabbing, pistol whipping or a combination of all four. He is not the great philosopher.
He gets called home with a letter from his brother asking for help; saying that he and their Father are in serious trouble. When he gets home, everything has changed, nefarious plots are at work, relatives are dead and others are dying. What is a violent soldier to do? Plus there is a mythical beast in the forest ripping people and sheep to shreds. If you are mythical, can you physically rip anything?
The story was fun, if a little light on imagery, characterization and plot. The injury count is high, including final ones. If you have a few hours to spare, like history and action movies, you may find this right up your alley.
If you traded our hero, Thomas, lately a Captain in the British Military fighting in the Napoleonic Wars and replace him with Bruce Willis in Die Hard, you get where I'm going with this - different time period, song remains the same. Everyone keeps telling Thomas we can use a guy of your talents, fearlessness and use of weapons. Does that sound like an action movie set up or what? Thomas also solves most of his problems by punching, shooting, stabbing, pistol whipping or a combination of all four. He is not the great philosopher.
He gets called home with a letter from his brother asking for help; saying that he and their Father are in serious trouble. When he gets home, everything has changed, nefarious plots are at work, relatives are dead and others are dying. What is a violent soldier to do? Plus there is a mythical beast in the forest ripping people and sheep to shreds. If you are mythical, can you physically rip anything?
The story was fun, if a little light on imagery, characterization and plot. The injury count is high, including final ones. If you have a few hours to spare, like history and action movies, you may find this right up your alley.
May 7, 2016
In 1817 England, Thomas Blackdown, and ex-soldier and now a thieftaker receives a letter from his brother to finally come home and help solve the problems of his father.
But Blackdown is soon surrounded by murder, lies and power hungry men.
Really enjoyed this book and hope for more.
But Blackdown is soon surrounded by murder, lies and power hungry men.
Really enjoyed this book and hope for more.
February 26, 2021
I loved the book. Kept you busy trying to figure out what the heck was going on. Good characters,, excellent plot. The only problem I had was the thorougly twisted ending. There were so many twisted plots within the plot and I had to go back and read through parts of the end again. I think all the evil people got caught and BLACKDOWN helped a lot of people, and he himself found a new life to go too. It really did have several twists. You can't really solve all the mysteries, there are so many. At the end there are so many bad people and good people it's really hard to keep up.
It did start out kind of slow and I took awhile to really get into it. Well, like I said there are so many plot twists it will make your dizzy!!! That's the real attention grabber that keeps you reading!!!
I am sure I will read more of his books, but right now I am in the process of absorbing all the Emperor books. Great history in those!
Vmitchell 74711@aol.com
It did start out kind of slow and I took awhile to really get into it. Well, like I said there are so many plot twists it will make your dizzy!!! That's the real attention grabber that keeps you reading!!!
I am sure I will read more of his books, but right now I am in the process of absorbing all the Emperor books. Great history in those!
Vmitchell 74711@aol.com
March 5, 2021
Blackdown ... but not out!
Darkly atmospheric enough to satisfy any gothic fan, this adventure is certainly a roller coaster of violence and treachery that kept me interested in the fates of all involved. Although the denouement felt somewhat contrived, it was a satisfying drawing together of the twisting plot threads. Initially Blackdown's character borders on the morose at times but we are given chinks of insight into his character that are redeeming, and it was not difficult to become invested in his survival as he was led repeatedly to the brink of disaster. Beautifully constructed and atmospheric descriptions of the settings were a bonus. A little trouble with the editing here and there - mostly in conversation - was easy to overlook. I am interested to check out more of this author's work. Nicely done.
Darkly atmospheric enough to satisfy any gothic fan, this adventure is certainly a roller coaster of violence and treachery that kept me interested in the fates of all involved. Although the denouement felt somewhat contrived, it was a satisfying drawing together of the twisting plot threads. Initially Blackdown's character borders on the morose at times but we are given chinks of insight into his character that are redeeming, and it was not difficult to become invested in his survival as he was led repeatedly to the brink of disaster. Beautifully constructed and atmospheric descriptions of the settings were a bonus. A little trouble with the editing here and there - mostly in conversation - was easy to overlook. I am interested to check out more of this author's work. Nicely done.
May 27, 2020
Loved the book. Loved the writing, the flow, the characters, though the principal one can be a pain in the behind from time to time, and liked the final surprise, though I kind of thought it could be like that. The only part I found too easy and too quick to be solved is the scene between father and son at almost the end of the book. I'm a very speedy reader and in fact, I finished this book in one day, it was so interesting. This is my first book by the author, but will continue reading his work.
August 29, 2017
What a Surprise!
It is rare that I select a book from this period of time. It is even more rare that I really enjoy a book from this period of time. It was, however, an excellent book. I will gladly read more books books by this author. The book was well written and quite a page -turner. The story was one surprise after another.
It is rare that I select a book from this period of time. It is even more rare that I really enjoy a book from this period of time. It was, however, an excellent book. I will gladly read more books books by this author. The book was well written and quite a page -turner. The story was one surprise after another.
May 24, 2018
Enjoyable book
I have read some other books by this author and admire the way he can switch writing styles between genres. I look forward to catching up with hero Thomas Blackdown in follow-up novels. Will say no more to avoid spoilers!
I have read some other books by this author and admire the way he can switch writing styles between genres. I look forward to catching up with hero Thomas Blackdown in follow-up novels. Will say no more to avoid spoilers!
October 9, 2025
This was a book on my kindle which I got in 2014, I am truly trying to get through my books.
This was a good book about the scurge of war and bad families.
I wouldn't be averse to reading more of Blackdown's adventures.
This was a good book about the scurge of war and bad families.
I wouldn't be averse to reading more of Blackdown's adventures.
September 3, 2017
Great Read
Outstanding, very exciting and very well written, keeps you in suspense,an waiting for the next turn. I will be looking for more by Mr. Mitchell!
Outstanding, very exciting and very well written, keeps you in suspense,an waiting for the next turn. I will be looking for more by Mr. Mitchell!
September 3, 2017
Good read
Keeps you in suspense. Have to keep reading I enjoyed it very much. Looking forward to more of his books.
Keeps you in suspense. Have to keep reading I enjoyed it very much. Looking forward to more of his books.
June 22, 2018
Really couldn't get into it, so didn't finish.
January 31, 2019
A very good read indeed
February 4, 2019
Gripping!
Right from the first page I was engrossed in this tale. Non stop intriguing mystery and action. Wonderfully written. This author made it to my list of favorites!
Right from the first page I was engrossed in this tale. Non stop intriguing mystery and action. Wonderfully written. This author made it to my list of favorites!
July 23, 2020
Great read!
This was a good book and an interesting story. It is well written and very entertaining! I will read more of this man's books.
This was a good book and an interesting story. It is well written and very entertaining! I will read more of this man's books.
October 9, 2020
Could use some editing/
March 17, 2024
It was a mystery that wanted to be historical. The writing was slow and disjointed but the last 5th set up the possibility of a series that could include the mystical.
January 27, 2016
Excellent mystery thriller. This was a most enjoyable book. Thomas Blackdown, ex-soldier and disgraced son, returns home against his better judgment and after decades in exile. An urgent plea for help from his only brother is the only thing that could draw him home again. But upon his return, he finds circumstances are worse than he could have possibly imagined...
Thomas Blackdown is an immediately likable character for fans of wrongly disgraced gentlemen, soldiers or spies, theiftakers, and men of questionable skill sets in general. Blackdown is the kind of guy who rents an empty room beside his own at an inn just in case, and leaves a feather in the keyhole to catch unwanted intruders. Fans of David Liss's Benjamin Weaver books will appreciate Blackdown. The villains and schemers are also expertly crafted. Any readers of historical mystery fiction will enjoy the action and intrigue of this book.
The book is extremely well-written and well-plotted. There are plenty of twists and turns and secret clubs and legends of the supernatural to keep you guessing, and if anyone had it all figured out before the end, I'd be surprised. I'm very excited to see that there are more Blackdown books to come!
Thomas Blackdown is an immediately likable character for fans of wrongly disgraced gentlemen, soldiers or spies, theiftakers, and men of questionable skill sets in general. Blackdown is the kind of guy who rents an empty room beside his own at an inn just in case, and leaves a feather in the keyhole to catch unwanted intruders. Fans of David Liss's Benjamin Weaver books will appreciate Blackdown. The villains and schemers are also expertly crafted. Any readers of historical mystery fiction will enjoy the action and intrigue of this book.
The book is extremely well-written and well-plotted. There are plenty of twists and turns and secret clubs and legends of the supernatural to keep you guessing, and if anyone had it all figured out before the end, I'd be surprised. I'm very excited to see that there are more Blackdown books to come!
October 22, 2013
As far as mysteries go, this book was well written and captivating. The mechanics of good writing were fine. Initially, I rated the book three stars because this is not my favorite genre, and the plot was a little lame and just shy of being predictable. Then I started thinking about the supporting characters who totally believed that half-human monsters actually roamed the earth. Being uneducated,or lacking common sense, they believed the explanations espoused by the upper class as to such evil mysteries. A book that causes a reader to think beyond the parameters of the written word deserves four stars. I liked how the author fully explained the action through the characters. Also I liked the several mysteries being played out concurrently. Now, just what was behind that? was a question I frequently asked myself as I read the book. If I don't end this review here, I may think myself into giving the book another star.
Thank you, Mr. Mitchell, for a good read.
Thank you, Mr. Mitchell, for a good read.
January 23, 2014
BLACKDOWN It is 1817, Regency England following the end of the Napoleonic wars, Blackdown is a place that has been in the family for hundreds of years. In early 19th Century England there are still pagan rituals and myths. After the war there are many hardships for the disenfranchised. Some find relief in drink and yearly circuses. D. M. Mitchell wrote a compelling semi-historical story, and I enjoyed reading it; since I read purely for enjoyment = 5 stars. There are not so many characters that I had any difficulty keeping tract, and each one was well defined. As the story progressed I became more and more interested as to how the protagonist would get out of the next situation he encountered. There's several levels of conspiracy, plot twists that are actually believable, and lots of action and adventure. And I did not solve the mysteries before they were revealed in the pages of the book ! ! !
January 25, 2014
England 1817. Ex-soldier Thomas Blackdown returns home. Why? He received a cry for help from his younger brother Jonathan Blackdown. His return set the wheels in motion.
After reading the first quarter of the story I thought it was too predictable. Despite that I liked the fact, that the reader did not know more than the main character. So far it was a solid story.
But that changed.
The more Thomas Blackdown discovered, the more interesting the story got. The predictability vanished in a net of unforeseen revelations.The characters are a cornucopia of emotions and blood sweat and tears are no foreign words.
There is a real end to the story which leave enough room for sequels.
I would like to read more books starring Thomas Blackdown.
After reading the first quarter of the story I thought it was too predictable. Despite that I liked the fact, that the reader did not know more than the main character. So far it was a solid story.
But that changed.
The more Thomas Blackdown discovered, the more interesting the story got. The predictability vanished in a net of unforeseen revelations.The characters are a cornucopia of emotions and blood sweat and tears are no foreign words.
There is a real end to the story which leave enough room for sequels.
I would like to read more books starring Thomas Blackdown.
September 2, 2016
Set in 1817, Thomas Blackdown returns to England. He is a former officer, and currently a thieftaker. He gets a letter from his brother that his family is in trouble. But the letter is 2 years old and Thomas was banished from his family home after accidentally shooting his mother when he was 13. Thomas travels home and starts poking around. Sometimes with a bayonet.
So many of the historical fiction of this period focuses on ballrooms in London. Or at least on people who want to be in ballrooms in London. This book is set in small town and you get a lot more of the common people. Ex soldiers are treated more like annoyances than heroes.
I particularly liked the twist at the end.
So many of the historical fiction of this period focuses on ballrooms in London. Or at least on people who want to be in ballrooms in London. This book is set in small town and you get a lot more of the common people. Ex soldiers are treated more like annoyances than heroes.
I particularly liked the twist at the end.
February 12, 2014
I think that this could have been a better book if the author had not tried so hard to write in the style of the times in which it is set. The writing was quite laborious in parts, overly descriptive, and unnecessarily complex at times. I would find my attention drifting as it went through boring descriptions that weren't necessary.
I found some of the twists predictable, and the writing of female characters not entirely convincing. However, there was enough there to hold the story line together, and to keep the interest up. I see that Mitchell changes his style regularly, so I will probably look at another of his books in a different time setting.
I found some of the twists predictable, and the writing of female characters not entirely convincing. However, there was enough there to hold the story line together, and to keep the interest up. I see that Mitchell changes his style regularly, so I will probably look at another of his books in a different time setting.
December 31, 2015
It takes a thief to catch a thief...
...except Blackdown is more thieved against. What was most interesting about this book was the way all the characters bore psychological scars and how they fought them or yielded to them. The political issues were interesting as well. Is it "My country right or wrong," or is disobedience or even revolt a duty? If I could believe the superficial motives of the "bad guys" were the "real" ones, I would likely side with them. I need to know more about society and politics in the pre-Victorian era.
...except Blackdown is more thieved against. What was most interesting about this book was the way all the characters bore psychological scars and how they fought them or yielded to them. The political issues were interesting as well. Is it "My country right or wrong," or is disobedience or even revolt a duty? If I could believe the superficial motives of the "bad guys" were the "real" ones, I would likely side with them. I need to know more about society and politics in the pre-Victorian era.
October 22, 2013
This is a very entertaining thriller set just after the Napoleonic war in Britian. Engaging characters, excellent build of tension throughout the book and it avoids many thriller cliches. The only reason I did not rate it a four is that the ending was a bit over the top. However it is a very promising start to what seems to be shaping into a fantastic mystery thriller series. Can`t wait for the next one.
January 20, 2014
I'm rapidly becoming a fan of D.M. Mitchell. This book is set in 1817, shortly after the Battle of Waterloo. Thomas Blackdown returns to the home he was banished from many years ago to find out who murdered his brother, and is soon deep in a mess of greed, lies, power, and murder. I would have read this book in one sitting, but simply had to get some sleep. So I took two days to read it - the last chapters simply would not let me put the book down.
March 6, 2015
Great
I was a bit taken back by the slow development of the plot, but sticking with it offered untold rewards. There were twists and turns right and left that had me rooting out loud for the protagonist, Thomas, a soldier looking for the answers to his brother's murder. The characters come to life on the pages and you will be mightily invested in their activities. Don't be swayed away. Finish this book to the swashbuckling end. You will be glad you did.
I was a bit taken back by the slow development of the plot, but sticking with it offered untold rewards. There were twists and turns right and left that had me rooting out loud for the protagonist, Thomas, a soldier looking for the answers to his brother's murder. The characters come to life on the pages and you will be mightily invested in their activities. Don't be swayed away. Finish this book to the swashbuckling end. You will be glad you did.
August 22, 2014
Which is worse. A brutal beast or beastly brutes?
Secrets upon secrets.Lives entwined by lies and half truths. Greed, lust, and the desire for power. unchanged through the centuries. Thomas Blackdown is an ancient prototype of James Bond minus the technology. An ever changing plot line and intriguing support characters make this an exciting twisted and turning read.
Secrets upon secrets.Lives entwined by lies and half truths. Greed, lust, and the desire for power. unchanged through the centuries. Thomas Blackdown is an ancient prototype of James Bond minus the technology. An ever changing plot line and intriguing support characters make this an exciting twisted and turning read.
April 12, 2016
Murder...by beast?
I absolutely loved reading this book. The author kept the reader interested in the characters and just when you think you know what happened and who did it, you find out you're wrong! Awesome storyline-many twists, turns, and growing characters throughout this book!
I absolutely loved reading this book. The author kept the reader interested in the characters and just when you think you know what happened and who did it, you find out you're wrong! Awesome storyline-many twists, turns, and growing characters throughout this book!
January 8, 2014
I could not believe all the good reviews! This book is in dire need of a good edit. The author's style is much too wordy, with poor sentence construction that was utterly distracting. I could not get past chapter 1.
April 27, 2014
More like 3.5 stars, but i rounded up in this case. A little on the dark side initially and a little gruesome to begin with, but it really was a fairly well written book with many plot twists and turns. One of the better free books I've gotten from amazon for sure!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews