Fugitive from the Grave

Bow Street Rivals #4

by Edward Marston

1817. Clemency van Emden receives an anonymous terse message informing her that her estranged father is dead and buried. A chance encounter on a busy London street leads her to twin detectives Peter and Paul Skillen, who agree to help her unravel the mystery of her father's last days. However, Paul's attention is diverted away from London to Bath, as he seeks to thwart a daring band of highwaymen, one of whom appears to have more than just jewels on his mind.

When the body of Clemency's father is discovered to be missing from its casket, the twins embark on a chase of graverobbers, funerary agents and Good Samaritans to unearth the truth.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical

351 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 2018

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

A pseudonym used by Keith Miles
AKA A.E. Marston

Keith Miles (born 1940) is an English author, who writes under his own name and also historical fiction and mystery novels under the pseudonym Edward Marston. He is known for his mysteries set in the world of Elizabethan theatre. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book, a series of The Railway Detective and a series of The Home Front Detective.


Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy this series of book and this one doesn't disappoint

[Nigel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I looked all over this book searching for the words, Young adult. Unfortunately, my search was in vain. This can only mean that is intended to be a serious piece of literature aimed at grown adults.

It was poorly written, immature nonsense, that constantly stated the obvious and a dialogue that went round in circles. It also had ridiculous characters that had no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

I have never finished a book and only awarded it one star and I’m not quite sure how I did that, but if you think I’m being harsh I would point you to page 292 as one example of many I could choose. Peruse this drivel before you entertain starting.

Apparently Marston has written one hundred books, I shan’t be bothering with the other ninety nine.

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure if this is my last read in this series or not, and it has to do with the main characters: The Leader of the Bow Street Runners & the actress...

I'm tired of their over-inflated egos & nastiness towards other people.

There are 4 plots: A missing father, falsely reported dead; grave robbers; a slippery thief; & the Highwayman who is after the actress...

The 1st plot was good, which earned this a 2nd star and I enjoyed the thief.... Had it not been for the actress herself, the Highwayman's plot would have good as well.

[Helene Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review - I love the constant rivalry between the Skillens and the Bow Street Runners - the latter are determined that the Skillens won't triumph again, yet somehow they always do. The character of Micah Yeomans makes me laugh time and time again, and I love the Skillen brothers and the chemistry between them, but Hannah Granville is beginning to get on my nerves I have to admit, as she never seems to develop as a character.

Genre? - Crime / Historical / Mystery

Characters? - Peter Skillen / Paul Skillen / Charlotte Skillen / Clemency van Emden / Jan van Emden / George Parry / Hannah Granville / Cosgrove / Chevy Ruddock / Micah Yeomans

Setting? - London & Bath (England)

Series? - Bow Street Rivals #4

Recommend? – Yes

Rating - 18/20

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring. Too many plots, too many characters. No mystery everything was plain as day what was happening. The mistress actress is a thoroughly dislikable character. Last book I will read in this series.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young woman arrives in London from Holland with an escort. She is approached by Jem Huckvale and she tells him that her father is dead and she wants to see his grave. Jem takes the woman to the shooting gallery where he works with Gully Ackland and Peter and Paul Skillen.
During the course of the search for the woman's father's grave, the twins discover grave robbers. Hannah, Paul's actress partner, is in Bath to star in As You Like It. On the way there, highwaymen rob all the passengers on the stagecoach. Paul goes to Bath to solve the crime.
There is, as always, plenty of action and the Skillen brothers run rings around the Bow Street Runners, who always seem to prefer drinking and being lazy to actually doing a proper job. The Runners then wonder why they are constantly being censured by the Chief Magistrate.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do like Marston’s books and this with the twin detectives is good also. But I am wholeheartedly sickened by the behaviour of Paul’s very selfish and spoiled partner, Hannah the actress.
Just because you are an important actress doesn’t mean you think with emotions from one end of the scale to the next- sometimes in one breath! Sometimes I feel she needs a good slap!!!😁or Paul to just go and leave her to her drama queen periods.
The plot went back and forth between the brothers with two different cases. It was an interesting change, but sometimes took a bit of retracing steps to work out whose part of the story I was reading next.
So read it if you like Marston’s work but be warned of Miss Granville’s over the top spoiled behaviour!

[Robert Hepple · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 2018, 'Fugitive from the Grave' is the 4th in the 'Bow Street Rivals' series of detective novels set in Regency London so0n after the Napoleonic Wars. Whilst the 'Bow Street Rivals' are arguably the weakest of the various series of historical detective stories by Marston, this might be the best in the series - mainly due to it having several plots running side by side to maintain momentum. The characters remain as thinly developed as ever, except for Hannah Granville who grows more petulant this time around. A quick undemanding read.

[Cynthia Grove · Rating 4 out of 5]

It felt scrappy at the start but being a fan of Edward Marston's work I persevered.
The characters were enjoyable apart from the two unpleasant Bow St Runners and the plot worked well. Each character was drawn with a fair amount of depth enough to make one want to meet them- well the good ones at least. Even minor characters were well-drawn.
Several themes - a lost father, body-snatchers, a clever thief, highwaymen - were all skillfully interwoven and gave pace to the story.

[Andrea Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good fun period drama. The start of the Bow Street Runners continues to be explored against the back ground of private detectives. A natural rivalry one paid in coin the other in achieving promotion and the respect of their superiors, which will never happen. The chance encounter with a woman searching for her estranged father’s burial place leads to an empty grave. With both parties searching for grave robbers the clash of personalities Is inevitable.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Skillen brothers saga continues and once again, due the style of writing I was hooked from the first paragraph. At 350 pages I found this book a little too long for my liking. Although due to the amount of investigation being carried out by both the brothers and the Bow Street Rivals it would probably have been difficult to shorten the story. With 35 pages to read I was worried that the story would be continued but no the finalé was great

[Sol Regem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly I picked this book up while on holiday a few months ago. I bought it as an initial steering away from my usual, preferred genre of fantasy.

I have not been disappointed by this book, and I fully intend on searching out more books by Edward Marston. The private detective twins are admirable.

This book is highly enjoyable, there is highwaymen, grave robbery, bumbling police, a slippery burglar and the beauty and allure of firey theatrical femininity.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable entry in this series. Stagecoach robbery seems much more of an Old West story, but there were certainly Dennis Moores in England. There's much to reflect on as the plot twists and turns about how technology impacted the 19th century. And always the stage and Shakespeare is there to entertain.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great series from Edward Marston

Three for the price of one; three different plots tied into a excellent story involving highwaymen, a missing inventor who supposedly is deceased, and a crafty thief that is able to escape after locked in a cell. Keeps you guessing throughout. Highly recommended.

[James Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book in typical Edward Marston style. With several plots going along at the same time within the book, it was at first, difficult to keep up with all of the characters. Never the less, it was another good read.

[Sharon Hackett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book left several unanswered questions at the end which is very frustrating. Hopefully the author will give us the answers in the next book. If not I would recommend skipping this one.
The constant use of both first and surnames also becomes a little irritating.

[Annie Weatherly-Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great series of books. This one is no exception. Hats off to Mr Marston for another great series. Great plot brilliant in the way he develops its historical setting! Great characters and it always keeps you guessing. Loved it.

[Jeremy Jl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is the fourth in the Bow Street Rivals series, it's the first I've read. Identical twin freelance detectives Peter and Paul Skillen work on two non-identical problems each racing against time as the novel races to a thrilling climax. Will be looking out for more featuring this pair.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book and would have given it 5 stars but the character of Hannah Granville just grates on me.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining.

[Melanie Barbarito · Rating 3 out of 5]

It probably would have helped to have read the previous books. It was okay. A bit of light reading. I’m not particularly interested in reading the others.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't understand what the draw is with Hannah. She is a mess.

[Helen Mallett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr Marston, this is your best bow Street rivals yet. I loved the fact they were all working different cases and didn't get confused at all. More of that please!!!!

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant!

[Annette O'grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great read from this author

[Chris Peace · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book I’ve read by Edward Mastin. Although some of the storyline is a little hard to believe I still found it an enjoyable read. Will certainly look towards reading more from this author.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, clever, intriguing and enjoyable. I think this is my favourite in the series so far.

[Sharon Chase · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, but a little too pat. The good guys triumph with ease.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent mystery book, but not the most compelling. The story unfolded in a formulaic way, and there were no real 'shocker' moments. However, still a pleasant read.