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Blood & Sugar
'A page-turner of a crime thriller . . . This is a world conveyed with convincing, terrible clarity'
C. J. Sansom
Blood & Sugar is the thrilling debut historical crime novel from Laura Shepherd-Robinson.
June, 1781. An unidentified body hangs upon a hook at Deptford Dock – horribly tortured and branded with a slaver’s mark.
Some days later, Captain Harry Corsham – a war hero embarking upon a promising parliamentary career – is visited by the sister of an old friend. Her brother, passionate abolitionist Tad Archer, had been about to expose a secret that he believed could cause irreparable damage to the British slaving industry. He’d said people were trying to kill him, and now he is missing . . .
To discover what happened to Tad, Harry is forced to pick up the threads of his friend's investigation, delving into the heart of the conspiracy Tad had unearthed. His investigation will threaten his political prospects, his family’s happiness, and force a reckoning with his past, risking the revelation of secrets that have the power to destroy him.
And that is only if he can survive the mortal dangers awaiting him in Deptford...
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2019
497 people are currently reading
7593 people want to read
About the author
Laura Shepherd-Robinson
8 books1,007 followersLaura Shepherd-Robinson was born in Bristol in 1976. She has a BSc in Politics from the University of Bristol and an MSc in Political Theory from the London School of Economics. Laura worked in politics for nearly twenty years before re-entering normal life to complete an MA in Creative Writing at City University. She lives in London with her husband, Adrian.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 783 reviews
January 11, 2019
**4.5 stars **
Deptford dock June 1781, and in the summer breeze, a body gently sways from a hook above the dock, but there was nothing gentle about this unfortunate man’s death - he had been horribly tortured and branded with a slaver’s mark.
War hero Captain Harry Corsham receives a visit from the sister of his abolitionist friend Tad. Tad is a lawyer, and his sister says he had travelled to Deptford to expose a secret of enormous proportions, one that would hopefully help bring to an end the British slaving industry, but he’d been due home some days ago, and she fears that some ill may have befallen him. He’d already made enemies - some of them holding positions of importance in very high places, and they had much to lose financially, should Tad’s investigations lead to the abolition of slavery.
Harry decides to visit Deptford to see if he can find Tad, but he knows that by becoming involved, he faces the loss of his political career, not to mention his family’s happiness and good standing in London. However, he has no idea of the dangers that he is about to face!
This was a beautifully written book that captured the 18th century perfectly - the grime, the stench , the greed and lack of morals and compassion, that were essential to work in the slave industry. The horrors of the slave ships are told in graphic detail, but it’s not gratuitous violence for the sake of it, but rather to illustrate the reality of the situation that these poor people faced.
Captain Harry Corsham was a great character, the plot was complex, but utterly absorbing, and I could see this transferring to the small screen without any problem. A wonderful debut novel!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for my ARC. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
Deptford dock June 1781, and in the summer breeze, a body gently sways from a hook above the dock, but there was nothing gentle about this unfortunate man’s death - he had been horribly tortured and branded with a slaver’s mark.
War hero Captain Harry Corsham receives a visit from the sister of his abolitionist friend Tad. Tad is a lawyer, and his sister says he had travelled to Deptford to expose a secret of enormous proportions, one that would hopefully help bring to an end the British slaving industry, but he’d been due home some days ago, and she fears that some ill may have befallen him. He’d already made enemies - some of them holding positions of importance in very high places, and they had much to lose financially, should Tad’s investigations lead to the abolition of slavery.
Harry decides to visit Deptford to see if he can find Tad, but he knows that by becoming involved, he faces the loss of his political career, not to mention his family’s happiness and good standing in London. However, he has no idea of the dangers that he is about to face!
This was a beautifully written book that captured the 18th century perfectly - the grime, the stench , the greed and lack of morals and compassion, that were essential to work in the slave industry. The horrors of the slave ships are told in graphic detail, but it’s not gratuitous violence for the sake of it, but rather to illustrate the reality of the situation that these poor people faced.
Captain Harry Corsham was a great character, the plot was complex, but utterly absorbing, and I could see this transferring to the small screen without any problem. A wonderful debut novel!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for my ARC. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
January 24, 2019
Laura Shepherd-Robinson's debut is an impressively researched piece of 18th century historical fiction that proves to be an atmospheric, viscerally gut wrenching depiction of the realities and horrors of the slave trade within Britain, London and the wider British Empire. This is not for the faint hearted as its brutal portrayal spares the reader none of the heinous details of the era, providing an indelible and heartbreaking stain of unforgettable shame on British history. It took me a little while to get into this novel, but once I did, I was fiercely glued, turning the pages ever faster, until I had finished. It is London 1781, Captain Harry Corsham has returned a hero from war in the US, suffering PTSD. His marriage to Caro, from a powerful and wealthy banking family, is experiencing difficulties, and he has a young son, Gabriel, whom he adores. He is on the cusp of becoming an elected parliamentarian, buttressed by establishment support, especially his employer. He receives a visit from Amelia, the sister of lawyer Thaddeus 'Tad' Archer, a friend from his Oxford days who meant everything to him until their friendship splintered apart for some reason. Amelia, who ran off with a married man, is a pariah, shunned by London society.
Amelia is a distraught and worried woman, Tad, a totally committed abolitionist, is missing in Deptford, a slaving port, having informed his sister that he was about to expose a secret that would bring down the slave trade, but he was being followed, threatened, and in danger of being killed. A powerful establishment group, including those in government, slave traders and the West India Company are determined to ensure the profitable slave trade continues unabated, willing to do whatever it takes to squash any meaningful opposition. In the midst of the river's miasmic Devil's Breath at Deptford dock, a man's body hangs on a hook, gruesomely tortured as slaves are, branded with a slaver's mark. Harry goes in search of his friend in the mean streets of Deptford, guilt ridden, walking in Tad's footsteps to find out what happened to him. His efforts to investigate are not welcomed, and before long he too finds himself in the same dangers that befell his dear friend. Despite all the obstacles, he is driven by an inner need to atone, not even the prospect of losing everything that matters, including his glittering future, nothing can stop him, not even the fear of his own death.
The author captures the murky poverty stricken streets of London, the cruel horrors of its underbelly of crime, abuse and the dehumanising business of slavetrading, and those at the sharp end of it. The massacre that took place in 1778 on the appropriately named ship, The Dark Angel, is fictitious, but this nightmarish practice really did occur at this time on slave transport ships heading towards the sugar plantations across the Atlantic. So many of the characters that Harry meets in Deptford or London turn out to be not what they seem, with an unholy tangle of twisted intrigue, politics, and slavetraders, the narrative slowly reveals deception, massacre, conspiracy to defraud, murders, entrenched racism, greed, and the mental health issues that plagued those that had been enslaved. Harry's characterisation had depth and is complex, the true nature of his love for and relationship with Tad is poignant and emotionally affecting, whilst societies harsh attitudes to such relationships is a reflection of the historical period. The British slave trade continued until 1807, although this made little inroads into slavery and it was only outlawed in the British Empire in 1833. I found this atmospheric novel an enthralling read, outlining what abolitionists faced when it came to instigating change and shifting perceptions of the people. This is a fantastic debut. Many thanks to PanMacmillan for an ARC.
Amelia is a distraught and worried woman, Tad, a totally committed abolitionist, is missing in Deptford, a slaving port, having informed his sister that he was about to expose a secret that would bring down the slave trade, but he was being followed, threatened, and in danger of being killed. A powerful establishment group, including those in government, slave traders and the West India Company are determined to ensure the profitable slave trade continues unabated, willing to do whatever it takes to squash any meaningful opposition. In the midst of the river's miasmic Devil's Breath at Deptford dock, a man's body hangs on a hook, gruesomely tortured as slaves are, branded with a slaver's mark. Harry goes in search of his friend in the mean streets of Deptford, guilt ridden, walking in Tad's footsteps to find out what happened to him. His efforts to investigate are not welcomed, and before long he too finds himself in the same dangers that befell his dear friend. Despite all the obstacles, he is driven by an inner need to atone, not even the prospect of losing everything that matters, including his glittering future, nothing can stop him, not even the fear of his own death.
The author captures the murky poverty stricken streets of London, the cruel horrors of its underbelly of crime, abuse and the dehumanising business of slavetrading, and those at the sharp end of it. The massacre that took place in 1778 on the appropriately named ship, The Dark Angel, is fictitious, but this nightmarish practice really did occur at this time on slave transport ships heading towards the sugar plantations across the Atlantic. So many of the characters that Harry meets in Deptford or London turn out to be not what they seem, with an unholy tangle of twisted intrigue, politics, and slavetraders, the narrative slowly reveals deception, massacre, conspiracy to defraud, murders, entrenched racism, greed, and the mental health issues that plagued those that had been enslaved. Harry's characterisation had depth and is complex, the true nature of his love for and relationship with Tad is poignant and emotionally affecting, whilst societies harsh attitudes to such relationships is a reflection of the historical period. The British slave trade continued until 1807, although this made little inroads into slavery and it was only outlawed in the British Empire in 1833. I found this atmospheric novel an enthralling read, outlining what abolitionists faced when it came to instigating change and shifting perceptions of the people. This is a fantastic debut. Many thanks to PanMacmillan for an ARC.
November 19, 2025
South East of London, at the Deptford Dock, an eviscerated tortured white male corpse is found hung by a hook with a slaver's mark branded to him! American War of Independence war hero, now veteran, Captain Harry Corsham seeks to find the truth of what happened to his abolitionist one-time friend, Tad Archer; Corsham finds himself drawn deep into what appears to be a wider and engrained conspiracy within the slave trade industry and gradually realises that he is walking down the exact path taken by Tad!
This a stunning debut historical novel because not only does it have a wonderfully well thought out and plotted criminal, political and wider conspiracy, not only does it have a real-feeling characterisation of free and enslaved Africans in 16th century England, not only does it have a unforeseeable world class twist, but it also illustrates the reach and power of the slave trade and how it fundamentally underscored the long-term dominance and wealth of England. A book I only started reading because I live not too far from Deptford, became a treasure trove of new insights on 16th century England, and of how the London we know today is an amalgamation of multiple towns including Deptford. Above all it revealed to me the dark fact that slaves were used to primarily be exchanged for/to buy sugar! Blood & sugar! A Four Star, 9 out of 12 read.
2025 read
This a stunning debut historical novel because not only does it have a wonderfully well thought out and plotted criminal, political and wider conspiracy, not only does it have a real-feeling characterisation of free and enslaved Africans in 16th century England, not only does it have a unforeseeable world class twist, but it also illustrates the reach and power of the slave trade and how it fundamentally underscored the long-term dominance and wealth of England. A book I only started reading because I live not too far from Deptford, became a treasure trove of new insights on 16th century England, and of how the London we know today is an amalgamation of multiple towns including Deptford. Above all it revealed to me the dark fact that slaves were used to primarily be exchanged for/to buy sugar! Blood & sugar! A Four Star, 9 out of 12 read.
2025 read
September 26, 2019
Good solid historical read, starting in the eighteen's century, June 1781, describing the dark and brutal practices of the slave trade. A first for me, this theme, in the historical genre. The story features Captain Harry Corsham, a war hero investigating the disappearance and death of his former friend and abolitionist Tad Archer, getting involved in a very dark and political plot.
Came across this book in Edinburgh Waterstones. Yes, definitely an interesting and worthwhile read, good writing, intriguing and harsh story.
June, 1781, an identified body hangs upon a hook at Deptford Dock- horribly tortured and branded with a slaver's mark. Captain Harry Corsham, a war hero embarking upon a promising parliamentary career, is visited by the sister of an old friend. Her brother, passionate abolitionist Tad Archer, had been about to expose a secret that he believed could cause irreparable damage to the British slaving industry. To discover what happened to Tad, Harry is forced to pick up the threads of his friend's investigation, delving into the heart of the conspiracy Tad had unearthed...
Came across this book in Edinburgh Waterstones. Yes, definitely an interesting and worthwhile read, good writing, intriguing and harsh story.
June, 1781, an identified body hangs upon a hook at Deptford Dock- horribly tortured and branded with a slaver's mark. Captain Harry Corsham, a war hero embarking upon a promising parliamentary career, is visited by the sister of an old friend. Her brother, passionate abolitionist Tad Archer, had been about to expose a secret that he believed could cause irreparable damage to the British slaving industry. To discover what happened to Tad, Harry is forced to pick up the threads of his friend's investigation, delving into the heart of the conspiracy Tad had unearthed...
June 20, 2022
This incredible plot-driven historical crime and thriller fiction book has blown me away! Be prepared to step into the 1700s Deptford, and experience the very hustling and bustling slaving port, rife with sneaky corruption and crime - all from the very first page!
It starts when a murdered man is found hanging in the docks at Deptford. A few days later a woman is worried about her missing brother and seeks out the reputable returned war hero, Captain Corsham to help find her brother, Thaddeus Archer (Tad). She recalls and shares the conversation she had with Tad the night before he travelled from London to Deptford – that he had found a way to put an end to slavery. How preposterous and hugely exaggerated this claim sounds, but is it?!!
As Captain Corsham follows Tad’s paths to learn about the murder in Deptford and the intentions of the killer, his line of enquiry, with revelations and twists at each step made the plot leap out the pages, grab me and take me for a ride in Deptford! Oh my there’s an abundance of questions as if solving a huge puzzle, and equally, plenty of characters being elusive and with lots to hide!
Before you know it, you begin to see a gradual reveal of the interweaved politics of the North Atlantic Slave Trade and the corruption that covertly extends from Deptford into the “gentlemen” side of English society in Whitehall/London. It’s fantastic how the author has so thoroughly researched this time period and spotlighted some very nuanced perspectives on the slave trade, and brought to life a particular atrocious/monstrosity of an incident which has been glazed over lightly and superficially in history. I am stunned at how craftily the plot exposes the hypocrisy of what England stood for in the 1700s.
Not a short book, but fully captivating, a page turner in fact, with several subplots where every mystery is wrapped into the central mystery, giving you all the vibes of a suspenseful thriller. And more importantly, the book offers perspectives that opens my heart with sadness and empathy, but also twists my heart with fear and anger as the plot exposes the monstrosity of greed that had consumed England and the cruel fate on its victims.
A fascinating book and hard to believe it was the author’s debut novel!
It starts when a murdered man is found hanging in the docks at Deptford. A few days later a woman is worried about her missing brother and seeks out the reputable returned war hero, Captain Corsham to help find her brother, Thaddeus Archer (Tad). She recalls and shares the conversation she had with Tad the night before he travelled from London to Deptford – that he had found a way to put an end to slavery. How preposterous and hugely exaggerated this claim sounds, but is it?!!
As Captain Corsham follows Tad’s paths to learn about the murder in Deptford and the intentions of the killer, his line of enquiry, with revelations and twists at each step made the plot leap out the pages, grab me and take me for a ride in Deptford! Oh my there’s an abundance of questions as if solving a huge puzzle, and equally, plenty of characters being elusive and with lots to hide!
Before you know it, you begin to see a gradual reveal of the interweaved politics of the North Atlantic Slave Trade and the corruption that covertly extends from Deptford into the “gentlemen” side of English society in Whitehall/London. It’s fantastic how the author has so thoroughly researched this time period and spotlighted some very nuanced perspectives on the slave trade, and brought to life a particular atrocious/monstrosity of an incident which has been glazed over lightly and superficially in history. I am stunned at how craftily the plot exposes the hypocrisy of what England stood for in the 1700s.
Not a short book, but fully captivating, a page turner in fact, with several subplots where every mystery is wrapped into the central mystery, giving you all the vibes of a suspenseful thriller. And more importantly, the book offers perspectives that opens my heart with sadness and empathy, but also twists my heart with fear and anger as the plot exposes the monstrosity of greed that had consumed England and the cruel fate on its victims.
A fascinating book and hard to believe it was the author’s debut novel!
December 17, 2020
An astonishing and accomplished debut. *Note to self* read everything this author writes. The horrors of the slave trade are brought to life and captured in all its grim and tainted detail amidst the docks of Deptford and London. Secret dealings and trade of ‘black gold’ was extremely lucrative and had its protectors in the legal system, the political system and amongst the merchants of the time. We also see the rise of the abolitionists and their commitment to ending slavery. All historical fiction fans, step this way.
January 25, 2019
So I read this SUPER early and have been sitting on my hands waiting to talk about it – not being the BIGGEST fan of historical fiction I wondered how I’d find it – turns out that in my opinion Blood and Sugar is one of the best books I’ve read in the last decade.
Impeccably researched and beautifully written, this novel is so incredibly descriptive that it places you firmly in its setting to the point you can practically live it. The story itself is utterly gripping, dark and twisty but always authentic, mixing fiction with reality, a literary delight to read from start to finish.
The characters pop, a diverse and fascinating set of people living in a time of change, Laura Shepherd Robinson weaves together a tangled web of relationships and events that never once falters. It is a beautiful thing to behold.
Criminally good and difficult to do justice to in a review, Blood and Sugar should be on all book lovers lists this year- get yourself back to 1700’s Deptford, you won’t regret it – A huge talent has just arrived on the scene fellow book worms, everyone else is going to have to up their game.
Highly Recommended.
Impeccably researched and beautifully written, this novel is so incredibly descriptive that it places you firmly in its setting to the point you can practically live it. The story itself is utterly gripping, dark and twisty but always authentic, mixing fiction with reality, a literary delight to read from start to finish.
The characters pop, a diverse and fascinating set of people living in a time of change, Laura Shepherd Robinson weaves together a tangled web of relationships and events that never once falters. It is a beautiful thing to behold.
Criminally good and difficult to do justice to in a review, Blood and Sugar should be on all book lovers lists this year- get yourself back to 1700’s Deptford, you won’t regret it – A huge talent has just arrived on the scene fellow book worms, everyone else is going to have to up their game.
Highly Recommended.
December 17, 2018
what a debut!! I really loved this. I often bemoan the fact in period fiction, specifically when set in London or in port towns that the stories are so white. This one is not. Such a rich picture of London and especially Deptford in the 18th century when it had been an important port for overseas trade including that of human beings. An abolitionist is found murdered and his estranged best friend starts to ask questions. I loved how the author made the main character constantly having to chose between what is easy and what is right. If you like historical mysteries then this is top drawer.
July 8, 2025
This is quite possibly the most boring book I have ever read.
January 13, 2019
Fairly pedestrian historical crime thriller, in the mode of The Alienist, in which a white man learns that Slavery Is Bad.
There are some interesting side characters, but I found the narrator's voice -- and, frankly, almost everything about him -- rather bland. The book exposes some of the horrors of the 18th Century British slave trade, but the mystery plot is convoluted and more than a little bloated.
And then, rather to my disgust, the murderer turns out to be
The overall message of the book--Slavery Is Bad and Evil White Men Go Unpunished--is a hard one to argue with, but I have to take issue with the grace and thoughtfulness with which it is conveyed here.
There are some interesting side characters, but I found the narrator's voice -- and, frankly, almost everything about him -- rather bland. The book exposes some of the horrors of the 18th Century British slave trade, but the mystery plot is convoluted and more than a little bloated.
And then, rather to my disgust, the murderer turns out to be
The overall message of the book--Slavery Is Bad and Evil White Men Go Unpunished--is a hard one to argue with, but I have to take issue with the grace and thoughtfulness with which it is conveyed here.
January 23, 2019
Blood & Sugar is the thrilling debut historical crime novel from Laura Shepherd-Robinson, and boy is this a cracking debut! It highlights, as a fictional story, the horrifying ubiquity of slave ownership and trade in eighteenth-century Britain, and the exploration of this topic within the context of the story is what pushed this from a four-star cracker to a five-star must-read. This subtly nuanced and intricately plotted tale keeps you very much on your toes but is more profound than a lot of historical crime fiction I have gorged on previously and that was most welcome and refreshing. This is raw, powerful, heart-on-your-sleeve drama with a great wadge of suspense and is thought-provoking and profound in parts too.
Everything just gelled together superbly, and I can't wait to read more of this young and talented writers work when it's released. There is something here for everyone: conspiracy, injustice, poverty, identity, racism, criminality, love, and loss; by all means, it's quite didactic. I can say with a high level of certainty, a rarity this early on in the reading year, that this will definitely feature in my best fiction of 2019. Yes, indeed it is that astonishing. Beautifully written with some of the finest descriptions I've come across in years; Ms Shepherd-Robinson is one to watch. Her prose really is vivid; I could smell the scents, hear the sounds and see the sights throughout the entirety of the story and brings a transformational richness which never ran out of steam.
When I properly consider it, the atmosphere created by the author beggars belief for a first novel: it's intense, suspenseful and darkly claustrophobic. Thoroughly recommended.
Many thanks to Mantle for an ARC.
Everything just gelled together superbly, and I can't wait to read more of this young and talented writers work when it's released. There is something here for everyone: conspiracy, injustice, poverty, identity, racism, criminality, love, and loss; by all means, it's quite didactic. I can say with a high level of certainty, a rarity this early on in the reading year, that this will definitely feature in my best fiction of 2019. Yes, indeed it is that astonishing. Beautifully written with some of the finest descriptions I've come across in years; Ms Shepherd-Robinson is one to watch. Her prose really is vivid; I could smell the scents, hear the sounds and see the sights throughout the entirety of the story and brings a transformational richness which never ran out of steam.
When I properly consider it, the atmosphere created by the author beggars belief for a first novel: it's intense, suspenseful and darkly claustrophobic. Thoroughly recommended.
Many thanks to Mantle for an ARC.
July 24, 2024
It's an excellent if harrowing read. Historical fiction at its finest concentrating on the murder of Tad Archer and his friend Captain Henry (Harry) Corsham investigating what happened. The murder whilst gripping was a side story to the slave trade and the goings on of the 18th century. Very evocative, brilliantly written, and you could smell the unpleasant smells of London and particularly the slave ships in Deptford. Bringing into focus the bribery and corruption of the time at all levels of society. Racism, child abuse, classism, and homophobia are explored. There are particularly unpleasant characters, with very few nicer characters that made you back Harry throughout his exploration of the murder of his friend. It was interesting, and in particular, the British involvement of the slave trade is laid unpleasantly bare. It packs its punches. Superbly researched and written, an investigation of a murder not for the faint-hearted. Excellent stuff
February 15, 2019
This new historical mystery – Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s first novel – deals with one of the darkest subjects in our history. Set in 1781, it follows the investigations of former army officer Captain Harry Corsham into the disappearance of his friend, the lawyer and abolitionist Tad Archer. It seems that Tad had been about to uncover a secret that, once exposed, could damage the reputations of those involved in the British slave trade. Could someone have killed Tad to prevent him from telling what he knows?
Captain Corsham is determined to find out what has happened to his friend, but to do so he will need to continue Tad’s enquiries into a shocking incident which took place onboard a ship carrying slaves across the Atlantic. This brings him into conflict with some very powerful men who could destroy his hopes of a political career. But Harry Corsham is a man with principles and even when he, like Tad before him, begins to receive threatening letters and warnings, he refuses to walk away until he has discovered the truth.
There are many things I liked about Blood & Sugar. The setting and atmosphere are wonderful; with the action taking place partly in London, where Harry Corsham lives with his wife, Caro, and their young son, and partly in the nearby slaving port of Deptford, we see Harry move between both locations in search of answers to his questions. I loved the contrasting descriptions of Deptford, from the elegant homes of the wealthy slave merchants to the notorious dockside alleys with their brothels and opium dens.
We also meet a wide range of characters from very different backgrounds, including magistrates, politicians, mayors and surgeons, prostitutes, innkeepers, sailors and servants. Many of the latter group are black, which is interesting because I think we tend to forget (or are not aware of) how many black people there were living in eighteenth century Britain. It is estimated that there were more than twenty thousand in London alone, yet they rarely appear in fiction set during that period. As for the slavery aspect of the story, there are parts that are not easy to read, as you can probably imagine – particularly when we hear about what happened on the ship, something which is based on a real incident. But unpleasant as it is, we can’t ignore the fact that slavery did happen and I think it’s important that we remember and learn from it.
I was very impressed with this book at the beginning. I liked Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s writing, the mystery seemed intriguing and I was starting to draw comparisons with one of my favourite historical crime authors, Andrew Taylor. However, as the plot continued to develop, I thought it became far too complicated and I struggled to remember who had said what to whom and what the various motives of the characters were. Towards the end, there were so many threads to tie up that everything seemed to take forever to be resolved (and there were one or two revelations which added very little to the overall story and weren’t really necessary, in my opinion). I also felt that as there were so many characters to keep track of, they really needed to be better defined – instead, I thought they were thinly drawn and not very memorable.
I’m disappointed that I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I thought I would at first, but I still think there were more positives than negatives and as this is the author’s first novel I would be happy to read more.
Captain Corsham is determined to find out what has happened to his friend, but to do so he will need to continue Tad’s enquiries into a shocking incident which took place onboard a ship carrying slaves across the Atlantic. This brings him into conflict with some very powerful men who could destroy his hopes of a political career. But Harry Corsham is a man with principles and even when he, like Tad before him, begins to receive threatening letters and warnings, he refuses to walk away until he has discovered the truth.
There are many things I liked about Blood & Sugar. The setting and atmosphere are wonderful; with the action taking place partly in London, where Harry Corsham lives with his wife, Caro, and their young son, and partly in the nearby slaving port of Deptford, we see Harry move between both locations in search of answers to his questions. I loved the contrasting descriptions of Deptford, from the elegant homes of the wealthy slave merchants to the notorious dockside alleys with their brothels and opium dens.
We also meet a wide range of characters from very different backgrounds, including magistrates, politicians, mayors and surgeons, prostitutes, innkeepers, sailors and servants. Many of the latter group are black, which is interesting because I think we tend to forget (or are not aware of) how many black people there were living in eighteenth century Britain. It is estimated that there were more than twenty thousand in London alone, yet they rarely appear in fiction set during that period. As for the slavery aspect of the story, there are parts that are not easy to read, as you can probably imagine – particularly when we hear about what happened on the ship, something which is based on a real incident. But unpleasant as it is, we can’t ignore the fact that slavery did happen and I think it’s important that we remember and learn from it.
I was very impressed with this book at the beginning. I liked Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s writing, the mystery seemed intriguing and I was starting to draw comparisons with one of my favourite historical crime authors, Andrew Taylor. However, as the plot continued to develop, I thought it became far too complicated and I struggled to remember who had said what to whom and what the various motives of the characters were. Towards the end, there were so many threads to tie up that everything seemed to take forever to be resolved (and there were one or two revelations which added very little to the overall story and weren’t really necessary, in my opinion). I also felt that as there were so many characters to keep track of, they really needed to be better defined – instead, I thought they were thinly drawn and not very memorable.
I’m disappointed that I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I thought I would at first, but I still think there were more positives than negatives and as this is the author’s first novel I would be happy to read more.
October 17, 2020
A recommendable historical novel about the slave trade in England in the 18th century.
Starting with the murder of a man in an English slaver’s port the author tells us an intriguing tale of murder, greed, violence, lies and destroyed lives and souls.
I enjoyed this read and found it very educating.
3.5 stars upgraded to 4.
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Weit davon entfernt ein perfekter Roman zu sein enthält dieser historische Krimi eindeutig eine überdurchschnittlich interessante Geschichte.
Ein enger Jugendfreund des Protagonisten Captain Henry Corsham wird in Deptford, einem Hafenstädtchen nahe London, in grausigem Zustand ermordet aufgefunden.
Corsham setzt nun alles daran, den Mord aufzuklären und eckt so ziemlich überall damit an. Weder seine Vorgesetzten im Kriegsministerium noch seine wohlhabende Frau, mit der er in einer ziemlich zerrütteten Ehe lebt, sind sonderlich begeistert von seinen Aktivitäten. Noch weniger begeistert zeigen sich die braven Bürger von Deptford, eine Horde von Reedern, die mit Sklavenschiffen allerbeste Geschäfte machen, und die Westindienlobby, die aus einflussreichen Investoren besteht, die den Sklavenhandel finanzieren.
Es hat mich nun nicht sonderlich überrascht, dass die Engländer tief im Sklavenhandel verstrickt waren, aber mir war bis dato völlig unbekannt, dass es wohl gang und gäbe war auch in England schwarze Sklaven zu halten.
Neben den Ermittlungen im erwähnten Mordfall beschreibt die Autorin ziemlich drastisch die Lebensumstände der afrikanischen Sklaven und Freigelassenen sowie die Einstellung und das Verhalten der weißen englischen Bevölkerung.
Der Kriminalfall zeichnet sich durch viele überraschende, aber dennoch plausible Wendungen aus, das Buch ist flüssig geschrieben und gut lesbar, gegen Ende hin sogar ziemlich spannend.
Ich habe viel über einen wenig ruhmreichen Aspekt der englischen Geschichte gelernt und obwohl mir ein bitterer Geschmack im Mund zurückbleibt, bin ich dennoch froh es gelesen zu haben.
In meinen Augen ein empfehlenswerter Roman. 3,5 Sterne aufgerundet auf 4.
Starting with the murder of a man in an English slaver’s port the author tells us an intriguing tale of murder, greed, violence, lies and destroyed lives and souls.
I enjoyed this read and found it very educating.
3.5 stars upgraded to 4.
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Weit davon entfernt ein perfekter Roman zu sein enthält dieser historische Krimi eindeutig eine überdurchschnittlich interessante Geschichte.
Ein enger Jugendfreund des Protagonisten Captain Henry Corsham wird in Deptford, einem Hafenstädtchen nahe London, in grausigem Zustand ermordet aufgefunden.
Corsham setzt nun alles daran, den Mord aufzuklären und eckt so ziemlich überall damit an. Weder seine Vorgesetzten im Kriegsministerium noch seine wohlhabende Frau, mit der er in einer ziemlich zerrütteten Ehe lebt, sind sonderlich begeistert von seinen Aktivitäten. Noch weniger begeistert zeigen sich die braven Bürger von Deptford, eine Horde von Reedern, die mit Sklavenschiffen allerbeste Geschäfte machen, und die Westindienlobby, die aus einflussreichen Investoren besteht, die den Sklavenhandel finanzieren.
Es hat mich nun nicht sonderlich überrascht, dass die Engländer tief im Sklavenhandel verstrickt waren, aber mir war bis dato völlig unbekannt, dass es wohl gang und gäbe war auch in England schwarze Sklaven zu halten.
Neben den Ermittlungen im erwähnten Mordfall beschreibt die Autorin ziemlich drastisch die Lebensumstände der afrikanischen Sklaven und Freigelassenen sowie die Einstellung und das Verhalten der weißen englischen Bevölkerung.
Der Kriminalfall zeichnet sich durch viele überraschende, aber dennoch plausible Wendungen aus, das Buch ist flüssig geschrieben und gut lesbar, gegen Ende hin sogar ziemlich spannend.
Ich habe viel über einen wenig ruhmreichen Aspekt der englischen Geschichte gelernt und obwohl mir ein bitterer Geschmack im Mund zurückbleibt, bin ich dennoch froh es gelesen zu haben.
In meinen Augen ein empfehlenswerter Roman. 3,5 Sterne aufgerundet auf 4.
February 23, 2019
The extensive dramatis personae at the start of the book alerts readers to the fact there will be a large cast of characters (with some colourful names) and that they will need to keep their wits about them. Can I add that I always love a book with a map at the front!
Harry’s investigation puts him – and, it transpires, those close to him – in danger because he’s up against individuals who don’t like people asking questions and who have no scruples about preventing them asking more. Harry soon finds there are things people are simply too scared to talk about for fear of retribution and it becomes increasingly evident there are vested interests whose reach extends into the highest places of society and government. What he discovers will eventually force Harry to make some difficult moral choices. ‘It was one of those moments on which a man’s future turns. On one side certain ruin. On the other a woman’s life, a dead man’s memory, and a gentleman’s ability to live with himself.’
The first person narration allows the reader inside the mind of Harry, complete with his traumatic war memories, guilt at past actions and sadness at the state of his marriage to wife, Caroline, who nowadays seems to find society parties more attractive than his company. Even their young son seems incapable of bringing them together. Harry and Caroline do form a useful alliance towards the end of the book that temporarily seems to offer some hope for their future. ‘We were like two allied generals advancing towards a common enemy, with only ancient treaties to define us.’ Personally, I would have liked more of Caroline as her brief appearance suggests an astute and intelligent mind behind the glamorous exterior.
The author does a great job of conjuring up the atmosphere of 18th century London – the sights, sounds and smells – and of the neighbourhoods that surround it. Anyone familiar with the urban sprawl of today’s London may find it hard to imagine a time when Deptford (‘a drunken doxy, ungainly sprawled on the banks of the Thames’) was considered ‘out of the city’ and it took two hours to travel the five miles from there by carriage to Bethnal Green.
The evil and inhumanity of the slave trade is the ever-present backdrop to the book and the long-term consequences for those who were abused (and, in some cases, for the abusers themselves – although they of course deserve it). As one character remarks, ‘But slaving men are a breed apart. It’s the trade that does it to them. Deadens the goodness in the soul’.
Blood & Sugar is a compelling historical crime mystery, replete with period atmosphere and featuring an elaborate plot, full of twists and turns, that will keep readers guessing until the final pages. It’s an impressive debut.
I received a review copy courtesy of publishers, Mantle, and NetGalley.
Harry’s investigation puts him – and, it transpires, those close to him – in danger because he’s up against individuals who don’t like people asking questions and who have no scruples about preventing them asking more. Harry soon finds there are things people are simply too scared to talk about for fear of retribution and it becomes increasingly evident there are vested interests whose reach extends into the highest places of society and government. What he discovers will eventually force Harry to make some difficult moral choices. ‘It was one of those moments on which a man’s future turns. On one side certain ruin. On the other a woman’s life, a dead man’s memory, and a gentleman’s ability to live with himself.’
The first person narration allows the reader inside the mind of Harry, complete with his traumatic war memories, guilt at past actions and sadness at the state of his marriage to wife, Caroline, who nowadays seems to find society parties more attractive than his company. Even their young son seems incapable of bringing them together. Harry and Caroline do form a useful alliance towards the end of the book that temporarily seems to offer some hope for their future. ‘We were like two allied generals advancing towards a common enemy, with only ancient treaties to define us.’ Personally, I would have liked more of Caroline as her brief appearance suggests an astute and intelligent mind behind the glamorous exterior.
The author does a great job of conjuring up the atmosphere of 18th century London – the sights, sounds and smells – and of the neighbourhoods that surround it. Anyone familiar with the urban sprawl of today’s London may find it hard to imagine a time when Deptford (‘a drunken doxy, ungainly sprawled on the banks of the Thames’) was considered ‘out of the city’ and it took two hours to travel the five miles from there by carriage to Bethnal Green.
The evil and inhumanity of the slave trade is the ever-present backdrop to the book and the long-term consequences for those who were abused (and, in some cases, for the abusers themselves – although they of course deserve it). As one character remarks, ‘But slaving men are a breed apart. It’s the trade that does it to them. Deadens the goodness in the soul’.
Blood & Sugar is a compelling historical crime mystery, replete with period atmosphere and featuring an elaborate plot, full of twists and turns, that will keep readers guessing until the final pages. It’s an impressive debut.
I received a review copy courtesy of publishers, Mantle, and NetGalley.
June 16, 2019
This book fell short of the mark for me. It wasn't bad by any means but it could (and should) have been so much better. For a start, I found it a bit overstuffed. There were a lot of characters and themes introduced and not all of them were fleshed out or explored properly. For example, it's hinted that the main character, a former soldier in the American War of Independence, is suffering from PTSD. This could have been a fascinating character aspect to explore but unfortunately it never went further or deeper than mere hints. To be honest, I found him pretty insipid and unremarkable throughout. He did get a little better as the story progressed but it was not enough to make him really shine or stand out. A handful of secondary characters were not developed fully either, resulting in them being little more than names on the page. With regards to the pacing and plot, the pacing was generally okay, although there were times when things became a bit repetitive, and there were certain events that seemed to pass by with little impact or repercussions. In other words, it all felt a bit too easy and convenient. There was also no real sense of danger. We kept on being told that people were at risk from harm but it never really felt that way. It was a classic case of telling rather than showing.
Now that the negatives are out of the way, let's move on to the positives. Laura Shepherd-Robinson clearly did her research for this book and she certainly doesn't shy away from the brutality of slavery or life in general in the 18th century, thus creating a fairly realistic picture of what life was like for many back then. The central mystery was also quite entertaining in and of itself and I didn't guess who the murderer was. I was on the right track but still settled on the wrong person. It's always nice when you don't manage to correctly guess "whodunit".
When all is said and done, this was a perfectly readable book and I would recommend checking it out if you enjoy historical fiction or mysteries. It wasn't great by any means but it's certainly not the worst book I have ever read either. One thing I will add is that I keep on seeing this get compared to the 'Shardlake' series by C.J. Sansom. I personally don't think these comparisons do this any favours as they create high expectations which sadly were not met. I think the best way to approach this is with a clear and open mind, free from expectations and comparisons, and just see how you get on. Was my enjoyment of this book clouded by preconceived ideas and expectations? Possibly. Would I have enjoyed it more without hearing C.J. Sansom comparisons? Possibly, although most of my problems with it stem from issues I have with the book and writing itself rather than how it compares to Sansom's work.
Now that the negatives are out of the way, let's move on to the positives. Laura Shepherd-Robinson clearly did her research for this book and she certainly doesn't shy away from the brutality of slavery or life in general in the 18th century, thus creating a fairly realistic picture of what life was like for many back then. The central mystery was also quite entertaining in and of itself and I didn't guess who the murderer was. I was on the right track but still settled on the wrong person. It's always nice when you don't manage to correctly guess "whodunit".
When all is said and done, this was a perfectly readable book and I would recommend checking it out if you enjoy historical fiction or mysteries. It wasn't great by any means but it's certainly not the worst book I have ever read either. One thing I will add is that I keep on seeing this get compared to the 'Shardlake' series by C.J. Sansom. I personally don't think these comparisons do this any favours as they create high expectations which sadly were not met. I think the best way to approach this is with a clear and open mind, free from expectations and comparisons, and just see how you get on. Was my enjoyment of this book clouded by preconceived ideas and expectations? Possibly. Would I have enjoyed it more without hearing C.J. Sansom comparisons? Possibly, although most of my problems with it stem from issues I have with the book and writing itself rather than how it compares to Sansom's work.
January 16, 2019
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Intricate, well-researched story about the slave trade, corruption and murder.
I do enjoy a good 'who-dunnit' style book, and the unusual backdrop of the UK's slave-trade definitely appealed. It's good to write about the atrocities committed, rather than seek to brush them under the carpet of history...
For the most part, I was engrossed; though the ending caused me some issues. More on that later.
Captain Harry Corsham is a man on the rise, until he learns that his old childhood chum, Tad, has been murdered in Deptford. Upon inspection of the body, it becomes obvious that this was no ordinary killing. Tad's body bears the mark of a slave-owner and shows signs of torture.
Harry suspects that Tad's abolitionist activities may have angered the wrong people, and he's hellbent on discovering who murdered his friend...even when his own life is as stake.
So, let's start with the things I enjoyed. The author's depiction of Deptford is rich, involved and 100% convincing. I could literally smell the foul, corrupt streets and envisage the buildings there. It's evident that the author really has done her research and it paid off big-time. This also lends itself to the overall 'feel' of the book - which was claustrophobic, unsettling and unpredictable.
The characters were likewise intriguing, with some standing out more than others. Beguiling Cinnamon, who was aboard the doomed ship The Dark Angel, is notable, as is Caesar John. They all came together to form a cast of ne'er-do-wells and shady types that again, added to that super creepy, tense ambiance.
As mentioned before, the one element I wasn't keen on was the end.
But this aside, I was really impressed. Some beautiful writing, a good old twisty-turny plot-line and a lot of impressive research. Definitely well worth reading.
Intricate, well-researched story about the slave trade, corruption and murder.
I do enjoy a good 'who-dunnit' style book, and the unusual backdrop of the UK's slave-trade definitely appealed. It's good to write about the atrocities committed, rather than seek to brush them under the carpet of history...
For the most part, I was engrossed; though the ending caused me some issues. More on that later.
Captain Harry Corsham is a man on the rise, until he learns that his old childhood chum, Tad, has been murdered in Deptford. Upon inspection of the body, it becomes obvious that this was no ordinary killing. Tad's body bears the mark of a slave-owner and shows signs of torture.
Harry suspects that Tad's abolitionist activities may have angered the wrong people, and he's hellbent on discovering who murdered his friend...even when his own life is as stake.
So, let's start with the things I enjoyed. The author's depiction of Deptford is rich, involved and 100% convincing. I could literally smell the foul, corrupt streets and envisage the buildings there. It's evident that the author really has done her research and it paid off big-time. This also lends itself to the overall 'feel' of the book - which was claustrophobic, unsettling and unpredictable.
The characters were likewise intriguing, with some standing out more than others. Beguiling Cinnamon, who was aboard the doomed ship The Dark Angel, is notable, as is Caesar John. They all came together to form a cast of ne'er-do-wells and shady types that again, added to that super creepy, tense ambiance.
As mentioned before, the one element I wasn't keen on was the end.
But this aside, I was really impressed. Some beautiful writing, a good old twisty-turny plot-line and a lot of impressive research. Definitely well worth reading.
November 2, 2024
I say I’ve finished this book ….. I didn’t…… I gave up with about 5 chapters to go…… it is not a “page turner of a crime thriller” at all. It was all just too boring for me.
I was tempted to persevere to see if it got better but then I thought why waste my time when I could be onto something else I could be really enjoying.
Magnificent, Astonishing, Powerful and Enthralling are certainly not the adjectives that I would use to describe it.
Boring, dull, mind numbing and slow would be more fitting.
I was tempted to persevere to see if it got better but then I thought why waste my time when I could be onto something else I could be really enjoying.
Magnificent, Astonishing, Powerful and Enthralling are certainly not the adjectives that I would use to describe it.
Boring, dull, mind numbing and slow would be more fitting.
January 27, 2019
2.5, perhaps. This book has left me feeling more than slightly troubled; some elements of the ending I found particularly unpalatable. I can’t specify what without spoilers, but let me say that the reveal about Brabazon was poorly treated in my view, and I felt that the fate of Amelia Bradstreet was thrown away like it was nothing.
Of the rest I admired some of the writing, and I thought the dialogue in the early parts of the book was excellent. The thematic weight was there: the perverse moral logics of slavery in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries; the compromises that people make to square their self-interest with their principles; and the ways the lives and choices of individuals are limited by social mores. But there were sections where the narrative was very ‘join-the-dots’, with our protagonist zipping from one place to the next, the action only linked together by the repetition of rhetorical questions. The ideas and the action wasn’t truly brought together, so that I never forgot that I was reading something that someone had made up.
Of the rest I admired some of the writing, and I thought the dialogue in the early parts of the book was excellent. The thematic weight was there: the perverse moral logics of slavery in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries; the compromises that people make to square their self-interest with their principles; and the ways the lives and choices of individuals are limited by social mores. But there were sections where the narrative was very ‘join-the-dots’, with our protagonist zipping from one place to the next, the action only linked together by the repetition of rhetorical questions. The ideas and the action wasn’t truly brought together, so that I never forgot that I was reading something that someone had made up.
February 16, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan Mantle for the free copy
War hero captain Harry Corsham is flung into the role of detective when his estranged friend goes missing and leaves a mysterious message with his sister. His quest leads him to Deptford, the slave trade home town on the Thames that has it's own rulers and laws. Slave trade, abolition, trade, insurance, sex, voodoo, opium, nothing is what it seems, stories and motives change, friends are foes and foes are friends. very atmospheric, one can smell the water and hear the ropes and sails on the ships.
War hero captain Harry Corsham is flung into the role of detective when his estranged friend goes missing and leaves a mysterious message with his sister. His quest leads him to Deptford, the slave trade home town on the Thames that has it's own rulers and laws. Slave trade, abolition, trade, insurance, sex, voodoo, opium, nothing is what it seems, stories and motives change, friends are foes and foes are friends. very atmospheric, one can smell the water and hear the ropes and sails on the ships.
October 15, 2022
This is a hard-hitting historical mystery set in 1781 in Deptford, UK.
The protagonist is Captain Harry Corsham whose former friend is murdered and he embarks on a mission to find out who mudered him regardless of the threats to his life and the risk to his burgeoning political career... this is because his friend was an abolitionist who had allegedly found evidence in Deptford to end slavery.
Harry continues his friend's investigation and has to confront the dangers of being opposed to slavery, the horrors that have befallen the slaves and the realities of his relationship with his former friend.
This was an excellent read and recommended to all historical mystery fans.
I listened to this on audio by one of my favourite audio narrators Ben Onwukwe.
The protagonist is Captain Harry Corsham whose former friend is murdered and he embarks on a mission to find out who mudered him regardless of the threats to his life and the risk to his burgeoning political career... this is because his friend was an abolitionist who had allegedly found evidence in Deptford to end slavery.
Harry continues his friend's investigation and has to confront the dangers of being opposed to slavery, the horrors that have befallen the slaves and the realities of his relationship with his former friend.
This was an excellent read and recommended to all historical mystery fans.
I listened to this on audio by one of my favourite audio narrators Ben Onwukwe.
October 9, 2018
This is one of those books that I doubt I could do justice to in a review - without doubt one of the very best books I've read this year and it'll most certainly be one to watch in 2019. A great action-packed story (blimey, this book is hard to put down!), a fascinating array of characters (including a complex, driven main character who I felt a deep attachment to), wonderfully written - but also a stark, honest, devastating depiction of slavery in Britain (focusing on the dockyard of Deptford) in the later part of the 18th century. Do not miss this. Review to follow closer to publication on For Winter Nights.
November 28, 2020
Gripping historical thriller. Come for the gruesome murder, stay for the vivid account of Deptford capital of the 18 C slaving industry. An updated and compelling “Red Harvest”!
January 24, 2019
visit the locations in the novel
This is one impressive novel. Impressive for the writing, the subject, the level of detail and research and the overall reading experience. This novel is on another level. The best way I can describe this is similar to an experience of a interactive museum – like Beamish, or the Yorvik Centre where you are guided around mock ups of historical houses, Viking villages etc. You can taste, see, smell and feel the setting, the emotions and everything in between.
The pace suits the novel well as it’s suitably slower when setting the scene and then…whoosh, the pace ramps up and the action kicks in. It’s like being on one of those ships with the ups and downs and the tossing and turning the plot takes you in. The study of this place and its people is fascinating. Laura has obviously done her research yet it’s not dumped in the book. The story flows like the river Thames and the plot eases itself from one port of call to another as the story weaves its gritty and grotty tale.
Adventures aside however, this book looks at a dark period in British history. The novel opens as we are at the height of the slave trade. A slave trade which is deemed a success by politicians and leaders as it provides the fuel for the success of the British Empire. When you find out that the murdered man at the start of the book was deeply against this trade, intrigue immediately kicks in. You just know that Captain Harry Corsham is not going to flavour of the month. His investigations into the truth are going to lead him to trouble.
Deptford – that small pocket of London today, but the beating brutal heart of London’s trade in the 1700s. This riveting read took me back to a time and place I’ve read about, but never experienced in this way before. I was immersed from the very first page and felt I needed a wash by the end of it all. The insight in to the British slave trade was heartfelt as it was cruel but utterly realistic and sad. How people had to live back then and what must it have been like to have come aboard the London docks from a ship, and then find your life go from bad to worse?
It’s a complex tale and historically fascinating. More please Laura!
July 13, 2019
Historical crime fiction is quickly becoming my new favourite genre!
It’s the summer of 1781. At Deptford Dock, the body of a man is found hanging from a hook. He’s been tortured, branded with a slaver’s mark and had his throat cut. A few days later, our main protagonist Captain Harry Corsham receives a visit from the sister of an old friend. She tells him her brother, Tad, a fierce abolitionist who is convinced he’s found a way to expose a secret that will pave the way to put an end to slavery, has gone missing.
Colour me incredibly ignorant, but I had no idea England had a slave history too. For some reason, when slavery is mentioned I always think of America. Slavery is a lucrative business so how do you go about tackling the injustice of it all when the people who are making so much money from it are also in power? Needless to say, some of the events in this book are quite uncomfortable to read. Slaves were not seen as humans, but as property; goods to be sold and resold, treated like dirt.
There are quite a few characters to come to grips with in this story, none of whom could be trusted. I had a bit of a struggle getting them all straight in my head but once that happened, it was smooth sailing. As Harry digs deeper into all the things that are going on in Deptford to try and find out what happened to Tad, danger lurks around pretty much every corner. I couldn’t at all figure out who was behind Tad’s murder or who was trying to stop Harry from finding out the truth.
Blood & Sugar is a compelling, tense and brilliantly written historical crime fiction novel. It oozes atmosphere, has a wide range of intriguing characters and all the while, it shines a spotlight on a horrible era in England’s past. An impressive debut from Laura Shepherd-Robinson, for sure.
It’s the summer of 1781. At Deptford Dock, the body of a man is found hanging from a hook. He’s been tortured, branded with a slaver’s mark and had his throat cut. A few days later, our main protagonist Captain Harry Corsham receives a visit from the sister of an old friend. She tells him her brother, Tad, a fierce abolitionist who is convinced he’s found a way to expose a secret that will pave the way to put an end to slavery, has gone missing.
Colour me incredibly ignorant, but I had no idea England had a slave history too. For some reason, when slavery is mentioned I always think of America. Slavery is a lucrative business so how do you go about tackling the injustice of it all when the people who are making so much money from it are also in power? Needless to say, some of the events in this book are quite uncomfortable to read. Slaves were not seen as humans, but as property; goods to be sold and resold, treated like dirt.
There are quite a few characters to come to grips with in this story, none of whom could be trusted. I had a bit of a struggle getting them all straight in my head but once that happened, it was smooth sailing. As Harry digs deeper into all the things that are going on in Deptford to try and find out what happened to Tad, danger lurks around pretty much every corner. I couldn’t at all figure out who was behind Tad’s murder or who was trying to stop Harry from finding out the truth.
Blood & Sugar is a compelling, tense and brilliantly written historical crime fiction novel. It oozes atmosphere, has a wide range of intriguing characters and all the while, it shines a spotlight on a horrible era in England’s past. An impressive debut from Laura Shepherd-Robinson, for sure.
September 16, 2019
Honestly, it was okay, no more. It's an interesting case, but the solution doesn't make that much sense and the ending is very rushed and confused. That was due to the character's fever, but the reader should still be able to figure out the murderer's motive without thinking about it for half an hour and reading the confession two more time. The plot also relies on someone being treated so badly that they become an unrepentant torturer and enjoy killing. I always like my murders to have a little more motive than that. It also seems sketchy to me to have the tortures and murders of black men and abolitionists in this book all be carried out by a black man, and much, much more brutally than the murders committed by white people. The author also seems to use the n-word a lot more often than seems warranted even in a historical novel set at a time in which it was in common use. To conclude, actually, I wouldn't even say this book was okay. An interesting premise, terrible execution.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2019
I gather by the star ratings on this book I'm fairly alone in my criticism but, hear we go.
First of all the setting is so Dickensian it's artificial. This book was set in 1781 but the language was more upper class 19th century. How a local sherrif (magistrate in the book) understands the meaning of Occam's Razor is beyond me.
The pace was slow. 100 pages in and we're still following out hero galloping from town to town. It took way too long to get to the heart of the novel.
The characters were quite 2 dimensional. Very black and white (pardon the pun) and even the "Mulatto" girl was, by definition, ambiguous. It was like Mansfield Park in places but without the scenery.
Apologies to those of you who liked it but it didn't do anything for me.
First of all the setting is so Dickensian it's artificial. This book was set in 1781 but the language was more upper class 19th century. How a local sherrif (magistrate in the book) understands the meaning of Occam's Razor is beyond me.
The pace was slow. 100 pages in and we're still following out hero galloping from town to town. It took way too long to get to the heart of the novel.
The characters were quite 2 dimensional. Very black and white (pardon the pun) and even the "Mulatto" girl was, by definition, ambiguous. It was like Mansfield Park in places but without the scenery.
Apologies to those of you who liked it but it didn't do anything for me.
August 26, 2020
Excellent book on the docks and the English end of the slave trade. Our man gets dragged somewhat against his will into investigating the goings on a Deptford docks. Deptford in the 18 th century appears a dangerous and corrupt place, no one is trustworthy and there are multiple villains with multiple motives.
Gripping and gritty.
Gripping and gritty.
February 26, 2020
enjoyed this historical crime novel based in the late 18th century Deptford based with the backdrop of slavery, had many twists and turns and also a new voice in crime novels too but felt the book could of been slightly shorter though but overall liked it.
February 9, 2020
1.5 rounded up
I think I only finished this to prove a point to myself as I seem to be DNFing almost everything I start at the moment. I don’t read a whole lot of historical fiction but this had so much hype that I thought I’d give it a try - a nice, long book to get my teeth stuck into over a long weekend away. Instead I found myself skim reading the latter half, getting increasingly frustrated as the author seemed to lose her grip on the already slightly preposterous narrative. There was way too much going on here and it felt impossible to care about any of the characters.
Not the worst book in the world - the first 30% or so was quite readable, hence the rounding up - but most definitely not the book for me.
I think I only finished this to prove a point to myself as I seem to be DNFing almost everything I start at the moment. I don’t read a whole lot of historical fiction but this had so much hype that I thought I’d give it a try - a nice, long book to get my teeth stuck into over a long weekend away. Instead I found myself skim reading the latter half, getting increasingly frustrated as the author seemed to lose her grip on the already slightly preposterous narrative. There was way too much going on here and it felt impossible to care about any of the characters.
Not the worst book in the world - the first 30% or so was quite readable, hence the rounding up - but most definitely not the book for me.
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