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Gallows Thief
Rider Sandman, a hero at Waterloo, returns home to a country where both corruption and social unrest run rampant, and where "justice" is most often delivered—to those whose primary crime is poverty—at the end of a hangman's noose.
Penniless, Sandman accepts a job investigating the case of a painter due to be hanged for a murder he didn't commit. In a race against the clock, Sandman moves from the hellish bowels of Newgate prison to the perfumed drawing rooms of the aristocracy—and in the process begins to peel back the layers of an utterly corrupt penal system that pits him against the wealthiest and most ruthless men in Regency England.
514 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
About the author
Bernard Cornwell
542 books19.4k followersCornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden name, Cornwell.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 500 reviews
December 10, 2020
One of Cornwell's finest. It is London in 1820, an England of much poverty, social injustice and social ills, and the gallows are busier than they have ever been in England with men and women hung for a variety of crimes without distinction between foul murder and petty theft.
A tragic scene at the beginning of the novel made a great impression on me, where an innocent young girl, a maidservant, is hung for having allegedly stolen a pearl necklace and her protestations of innocence ignored. This was one of the saddest scenes I have read in an historical novel.
Enter , Captain Rider Sandman, formerly of His Majesty's 52nd Regiment of Foot, who is commissioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate a case where a young homosexual artist, Charles Corday has been sentenced to death for the murder of the Countess of Avebu, but he is innocent of the crime,. Sandman has fallen on hard times, and has seen his engagement to a young countess, Eleanor, broken off due to his reduced circumstances, He enlists the help of a beautiful young cockney actress, Sally Hood, the rough and ready Sargeant Berrigan and Sandman's fiancee Eleanor to help him solve this case and save Corday from the gallows. He is set up against a sinister gang of aristocrats known as the Seraphim Club, who will stop at nothing to prevent him revealing the truth,
This is a fine, fast paced, action packed, intriguing, well crafted and page turning cracker of a historic detective novel. As well as this it gives us a penetrating look in social issues of the Regency Period, such as Capital Punishment, social ills, and rank money and influence.
A tragic scene at the beginning of the novel made a great impression on me, where an innocent young girl, a maidservant, is hung for having allegedly stolen a pearl necklace and her protestations of innocence ignored. This was one of the saddest scenes I have read in an historical novel.
Enter , Captain Rider Sandman, formerly of His Majesty's 52nd Regiment of Foot, who is commissioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate a case where a young homosexual artist, Charles Corday has been sentenced to death for the murder of the Countess of Avebu, but he is innocent of the crime,. Sandman has fallen on hard times, and has seen his engagement to a young countess, Eleanor, broken off due to his reduced circumstances, He enlists the help of a beautiful young cockney actress, Sally Hood, the rough and ready Sargeant Berrigan and Sandman's fiancee Eleanor to help him solve this case and save Corday from the gallows. He is set up against a sinister gang of aristocrats known as the Seraphim Club, who will stop at nothing to prevent him revealing the truth,
This is a fine, fast paced, action packed, intriguing, well crafted and page turning cracker of a historic detective novel. As well as this it gives us a penetrating look in social issues of the Regency Period, such as Capital Punishment, social ills, and rank money and influence.
November 13, 2024
Hoțul de spînzurătoare este, bineînțeles, un thriller istoric. Acțiunea se petrece în 1817. Există o traducere românească, care s-a publicat în 2007 la Reader's Digest. Eu am cules cartea din magazia cu vechituri a internetului. Romanul e accesibil, deci, celor dispuși să citească o carte într-un PDF amărît. Ca de obicei, numele traducătorului lipsește.
Un pictor e condamnat pe nedrept la spînzurătoare. Căpitanul Rider Sandman trebuie să demonstreze că nu pictorul Charles Corday e vinovatul. Are la dispoziție o săptămînă. Mai mult nu pot să divulg.
În treacăt fie spus, scriitorii se împart în două specii. Unii vor să compună capodopere (acele cărți dificile pe care nu le cumpără nimeni) și să ia premii (eventual premiul Nobel), alții au scopuri mult mai „mărunte”: să facă bani și să trăiască în huzur. Bernard Cornwell (ca și Ken Follett, ca și Arturo Pérez-Reverte, ca și Matteo Strukul etc.) ilustrează a doua categorie. Și-a propus să fie un scriitor „popular” și a devenit. Nu scrie deloc rău, nu-i niciodată strident, păstrează măsura, e - altfel spus - un meseriaș onorabil. Nu l-aș condamna.
În concluzie, nu mi-e deloc rușine că am parcurs acest roman. Nimeni nu citește doar capodopere...
Un pictor e condamnat pe nedrept la spînzurătoare. Căpitanul Rider Sandman trebuie să demonstreze că nu pictorul Charles Corday e vinovatul. Are la dispoziție o săptămînă. Mai mult nu pot să divulg.
În treacăt fie spus, scriitorii se împart în două specii. Unii vor să compună capodopere (acele cărți dificile pe care nu le cumpără nimeni) și să ia premii (eventual premiul Nobel), alții au scopuri mult mai „mărunte”: să facă bani și să trăiască în huzur. Bernard Cornwell (ca și Ken Follett, ca și Arturo Pérez-Reverte, ca și Matteo Strukul etc.) ilustrează a doua categorie. Și-a propus să fie un scriitor „popular” și a devenit. Nu scrie deloc rău, nu-i niciodată strident, păstrează măsura, e - altfel spus - un meseriaș onorabil. Nu l-aș condamna.
În concluzie, nu mi-e deloc rușine că am parcurs acest roman. Nimeni nu citește doar capodopere...
October 14, 2017
I really enjoyed this! From about halfway through, I was checking to see if this could be the first in a series, as there was plenty of opportunity and story material for one, but alas, no. Set in the Regency period, this story places the spotlight on hanging as corporal punishment. Between 1816 and 1820 was a particularly busy time for hangings in England and more than 500 were carried out in that time. Apparently, this was only about a tenth of the number sentenced to be hung, but through a rigorous and quite common system of petitioning, many of these sentences were commuted.
I liked Rider Sandman as the main character, once of the upper class, but whose fortune has been lost by his gambling father. A good man, he has bought his way out of the army (he fought at Waterloo) and attempting to support his mother and sister. Lacking employment, he is summoned to the Home Secretary and offered a one off investigative task, looking into the case of a condemned man whose family had been able to petition the Queen through family connections. The investigation is undertaken and the outcome is predicted by the title! Descriptions of Newgate and then the Old Bailey, where the hangings occurred were vivid and grimly fascinating.
Recommended.
I liked Rider Sandman as the main character, once of the upper class, but whose fortune has been lost by his gambling father. A good man, he has bought his way out of the army (he fought at Waterloo) and attempting to support his mother and sister. Lacking employment, he is summoned to the Home Secretary and offered a one off investigative task, looking into the case of a condemned man whose family had been able to petition the Queen through family connections. The investigation is undertaken and the outcome is predicted by the title! Descriptions of Newgate and then the Old Bailey, where the hangings occurred were vivid and grimly fascinating.
Recommended.
March 28, 2026
A thrilling race against London's hangman!
Captain Rider Sandman, a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars and the Battle of Waterloo, has returned to England to find a civilian life in shambles. As a matter of personal honour, Sandman has sold his commission to raise cash to help repay a portion of the debts left behind by his disgraced father when he committed suicide. Now unemployed and with no income or prospects, his fiancée's family have cancelled their wedding plans and Sandman finds himself forced to lodge in an attic room in the Wheatsheaf Tavern in London's Drury Lane, a known criminal "flash" haunt of rather shady repute.
Charles Corday, an up and coming young artist and portrait painter to London's moneyed class, sits on death row in Newgate Prison awaiting imminent execution for the murder of the Countess of Avebury. His mother, a seamstress to Queen Charlotte has successfully begged the Queen's intervention to support a letter of petition for clemency or pardon asking the Home Secretary to investigate more carefully and to assure Her Majesty that justice is being done. Captain Sandman is surprised to find himself summoned to the Home Office to be granted the appointment as investigator. Of course, as a very upright, disciplined officer with an extremely well-established sense of duty and obligation, he takes the task much more seriously than the rather cynical instructions he received upon the appointment - "I suggest your work need not be laborious. There is no doubt of the man's guilt. Corday is a rapist, a murderer, and a liar, and all we need of him is a confession. You will find him in Newgate, and if you are sufficiently forceful then I have no doubt he will confess to his brutal crime and your work will then be done." I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that just isn't the way the story unfolds at all ...
A historical piece set in the height of the Regency period, GALLOWS THIEF is a thoroughly enjoyable lightweight mystery that will not fail to amuse Cornwell's legion of fans. Although not entirely devoid of narrative description, much of the flavour of the period is derived from other areas - the nature of the plot and the intense explanation of the judicial "process", imprisonment and hanging; a colourfully described side dish of London's recreational pursuits such as hunting, cricket and the theatre; absolutely sparkling, witty dialogue that is brilliantly differentiated depending on the class, wealth and occupation of the speaker and listener; the earthy, often racy, "flash" vocabulary of the criminal and lower class; the camaraderie of the military; the overbearing, stuffy sense of entitlement that is unique to London's wealthy gentry; the amorality, corruption and decadence of a London gentleman's club that is, in fact, a very sleazy bordello; and the politics of marriage.
Sandman's partners in the investigation - Sally Hood, an actress and nude model, Sergeant Rex Barrigan, also a veteran of the Battle of Waterloo and his ex-fiancée, Eleanor Forrest - are characterized brilliantly with an abundant serving of warmth, love, life and humour. We can but hope that they'll all make appearances in future novels penned by the very talented Bernard Cornwell. Two thumbs up!
Paul Weiss
Captain Rider Sandman, a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars and the Battle of Waterloo, has returned to England to find a civilian life in shambles. As a matter of personal honour, Sandman has sold his commission to raise cash to help repay a portion of the debts left behind by his disgraced father when he committed suicide. Now unemployed and with no income or prospects, his fiancée's family have cancelled their wedding plans and Sandman finds himself forced to lodge in an attic room in the Wheatsheaf Tavern in London's Drury Lane, a known criminal "flash" haunt of rather shady repute.
Charles Corday, an up and coming young artist and portrait painter to London's moneyed class, sits on death row in Newgate Prison awaiting imminent execution for the murder of the Countess of Avebury. His mother, a seamstress to Queen Charlotte has successfully begged the Queen's intervention to support a letter of petition for clemency or pardon asking the Home Secretary to investigate more carefully and to assure Her Majesty that justice is being done. Captain Sandman is surprised to find himself summoned to the Home Office to be granted the appointment as investigator. Of course, as a very upright, disciplined officer with an extremely well-established sense of duty and obligation, he takes the task much more seriously than the rather cynical instructions he received upon the appointment - "I suggest your work need not be laborious. There is no doubt of the man's guilt. Corday is a rapist, a murderer, and a liar, and all we need of him is a confession. You will find him in Newgate, and if you are sufficiently forceful then I have no doubt he will confess to his brutal crime and your work will then be done." I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that just isn't the way the story unfolds at all ...
A historical piece set in the height of the Regency period, GALLOWS THIEF is a thoroughly enjoyable lightweight mystery that will not fail to amuse Cornwell's legion of fans. Although not entirely devoid of narrative description, much of the flavour of the period is derived from other areas - the nature of the plot and the intense explanation of the judicial "process", imprisonment and hanging; a colourfully described side dish of London's recreational pursuits such as hunting, cricket and the theatre; absolutely sparkling, witty dialogue that is brilliantly differentiated depending on the class, wealth and occupation of the speaker and listener; the earthy, often racy, "flash" vocabulary of the criminal and lower class; the camaraderie of the military; the overbearing, stuffy sense of entitlement that is unique to London's wealthy gentry; the amorality, corruption and decadence of a London gentleman's club that is, in fact, a very sleazy bordello; and the politics of marriage.
Sandman's partners in the investigation - Sally Hood, an actress and nude model, Sergeant Rex Barrigan, also a veteran of the Battle of Waterloo and his ex-fiancée, Eleanor Forrest - are characterized brilliantly with an abundant serving of warmth, love, life and humour. We can but hope that they'll all make appearances in future novels penned by the very talented Bernard Cornwell. Two thumbs up!
Paul Weiss
July 1, 2025
Bernard Cornwell is a great writer that has written a standard murder mystery plot where the killer is a seemingly innocent man in the big reveal. I was hoping the killer was from the Seraphim club of rich men who think they are above the law and are also fortunate sons that avoided serving in the Napoleonic wars. Those men should have gotten their just desserts because it would have made for a better ending for those entitled bastards in a world where the poor get strung up as a warning by the powers that be to behave. The executions in this book were a major attraction for the crowds that brought the whole family to see someone die. Many could be sent to the gallows for stealing a watch or for a crime they did not commit with the justice system back then. The main character Rider Sandman could be a hero for standing up for principle or a fool by some for going against some powerful men. I feel that this book was well written but should have been more historical fiction than a standard murder mystery my mother used to read by the ton.
August 1, 2018
This is damn good! Usually if it's not one of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe or Saxon series books I'm not interested. But man, this was quite interesting!
Gallows Thief follows the beginnings of the post-Napoleonic War career of Captain Rider Sandman, who has been commissioned to investigate a murder. A man has been framed and is condemned to die. Will Sandman find the evidence to save him in time?!
Most of the story takes place in and around Regency London. Cornwell has always excelled at period details and he doesn't falter here. I would say he even exceeds himself this time in the creation of his characters. From guttersnipe to lord, all are brought to life beautifully in character description and colorful dialogue. It's a true pleasure to read!
The story as a whole is a pleasure, actually. Detective fiction and murder mystery fanatics will not be blown away by a diabolically difficult puzzler here, but if you're looking for quality genre fiction set in this time period, I can't recommend Gallows Thief enough!
Gallows Thief follows the beginnings of the post-Napoleonic War career of Captain Rider Sandman, who has been commissioned to investigate a murder. A man has been framed and is condemned to die. Will Sandman find the evidence to save him in time?!
Most of the story takes place in and around Regency London. Cornwell has always excelled at period details and he doesn't falter here. I would say he even exceeds himself this time in the creation of his characters. From guttersnipe to lord, all are brought to life beautifully in character description and colorful dialogue. It's a true pleasure to read!
The story as a whole is a pleasure, actually. Detective fiction and murder mystery fanatics will not be blown away by a diabolically difficult puzzler here, but if you're looking for quality genre fiction set in this time period, I can't recommend Gallows Thief enough!
July 8, 2015
A "poor" aristocrat takes a job on with the gallows in London and is exposed to the underbelly of noble society while trying to save a man from execution who he suspects is innocent.
It has the usual Bernard Cornwell quality.
Audio Go presents this one and Sean Barrett delivers a wonderful variety of "British" voices.
OVERALL GRADE: B plus.
It has the usual Bernard Cornwell quality.
Audio Go presents this one and Sean Barrett delivers a wonderful variety of "British" voices.
OVERALL GRADE: B plus.
July 9, 2017
One of Cornwell's finest. It is London in 1820, an England of much poverty, social injustice and social ills, and the gallows are busier than they have ever been in England with men and women hung for a variety of crimes without distinction between foul murder and petty theft.
A tragic scene at the beginning of the novel made a great impression on me, where an innocent young girl, a maidservant, is hung for having allegedly stolen a pearl necklace and her protestations of innocence ignored. This was one of the saddest scenes I have read in an historical novel.
Enter , Captain Rider Sandman, formerly of His Majesty's 52nd Regiment of Foot, who is commissioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate a case where a young homosexual artist, Charles Corday has been sentenced to death for the murder of the Countess of Avebu, but he is innocent of the crime,. Sandman has fallen on hard times, and has seen his engagement to a young countess, Eleanor, broken off due to his reduced circumstances, He enlists the help of a beautiful young cockney actress, Sally Hood, the rough and ready Sargeant Berrigan and Sandman's fiancee Eleanor to help him solve this case and save Corday from the gallows. He is set up against a sinister gang of aristocrats known as the Seraphim Club, who will stop at nothing to prevent him revealing the truth,
This is a fine, fast paced, action packed, intriguing, well crafted and page turning cracker of a historic detective novel. As well as this it gives us a penetrating look in social issues of the Regency Period, such as Capital Punishment, social ills, and rank money and influence.
A tragic scene at the beginning of the novel made a great impression on me, where an innocent young girl, a maidservant, is hung for having allegedly stolen a pearl necklace and her protestations of innocence ignored. This was one of the saddest scenes I have read in an historical novel.
Enter , Captain Rider Sandman, formerly of His Majesty's 52nd Regiment of Foot, who is commissioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate a case where a young homosexual artist, Charles Corday has been sentenced to death for the murder of the Countess of Avebu, but he is innocent of the crime,. Sandman has fallen on hard times, and has seen his engagement to a young countess, Eleanor, broken off due to his reduced circumstances, He enlists the help of a beautiful young cockney actress, Sally Hood, the rough and ready Sargeant Berrigan and Sandman's fiancee Eleanor to help him solve this case and save Corday from the gallows. He is set up against a sinister gang of aristocrats known as the Seraphim Club, who will stop at nothing to prevent him revealing the truth,
This is a fine, fast paced, action packed, intriguing, well crafted and page turning cracker of a historic detective novel. As well as this it gives us a penetrating look in social issues of the Regency Period, such as Capital Punishment, social ills, and rank money and influence.
April 25, 2024
1817, Londen. Een gravin is vermoord, en de jonge schilder die haar portret schilderde, is aangehouden voor de moord en zal worden opgehangen. Hij beweert echter dat hij onschuldig is.
Rider Sandman, een soldaat die nog bij Waterloo gevochten heeft, en van hoge komaf is, is momenteel werkloos. Zijn vader heeft door te gokken het familiekapitaal verloren en zelfmoord gepleegd. De familie is dus uit de gratie bij de adel, en heeft veel schulden.
Rider krijgt van hogerhand het verzoek om de schuld van Charles Corday, de schilder, na te gaan, want zijn moeder is in dienst van de koningin en heeft haar een verzoekschrift gestuurd. Rider neemt de job aan, hij heeft tenslotte geld nodig.
De tijd dringt echter, binnen een week zal de jongen terechtgesteld worden. Samen met een meisje uit een taveerne, en een sergeant die bewondering krijgt voor Sandman, kan hij op het spoor komen van een getuige van de momenten vlak na de moord; de dienstmeid van de Gravin. Het meisje is spoorloos verdwenen, en was volgens de schilder aanwezig bij de Gravin als chaperonne.
Sandman wordt ook nog tegengewerkt door de leden van de Serafijn club, een louche allegaartje hoge heren die interesse hebben in allerlei, vooral sexuele, escapades. Het portret van de Gravin, gekleed geposeerd, maar naakt geschilderd, zou namelijk door één van hen besteld zijn, om in hun club tentoon gesteld te worden.
Rider en zijn vrienden moeten tot het uiterste gaan om Charlie van de galg te redden, maar zullen ze nog op tijd komen?
Spannend boek tot het einde. Zoals de schrijver in zijn nawoord zegt, geeft hij in de proloog een zeer nauwkeurige beschrijving van hoe een ophanging in die tijd eraan toe ging. Ook worden er regelmatig gebeurtenissen uit de oorlogen waarin Sandman gevochten heeft, verteld. Dus ook historisch gezien is het boek interessant.
Prettige leeservaring.
Rider Sandman, een soldaat die nog bij Waterloo gevochten heeft, en van hoge komaf is, is momenteel werkloos. Zijn vader heeft door te gokken het familiekapitaal verloren en zelfmoord gepleegd. De familie is dus uit de gratie bij de adel, en heeft veel schulden.
Rider krijgt van hogerhand het verzoek om de schuld van Charles Corday, de schilder, na te gaan, want zijn moeder is in dienst van de koningin en heeft haar een verzoekschrift gestuurd. Rider neemt de job aan, hij heeft tenslotte geld nodig.
De tijd dringt echter, binnen een week zal de jongen terechtgesteld worden. Samen met een meisje uit een taveerne, en een sergeant die bewondering krijgt voor Sandman, kan hij op het spoor komen van een getuige van de momenten vlak na de moord; de dienstmeid van de Gravin. Het meisje is spoorloos verdwenen, en was volgens de schilder aanwezig bij de Gravin als chaperonne.
Sandman wordt ook nog tegengewerkt door de leden van de Serafijn club, een louche allegaartje hoge heren die interesse hebben in allerlei, vooral sexuele, escapades. Het portret van de Gravin, gekleed geposeerd, maar naakt geschilderd, zou namelijk door één van hen besteld zijn, om in hun club tentoon gesteld te worden.
Rider en zijn vrienden moeten tot het uiterste gaan om Charlie van de galg te redden, maar zullen ze nog op tijd komen?
Spannend boek tot het einde. Zoals de schrijver in zijn nawoord zegt, geeft hij in de proloog een zeer nauwkeurige beschrijving van hoe een ophanging in die tijd eraan toe ging. Ook worden er regelmatig gebeurtenissen uit de oorlogen waarin Sandman gevochten heeft, verteld. Dus ook historisch gezien is het boek interessant.
Prettige leeservaring.
March 13, 2012
I never thought I'd say this about a Cornwell book, but here it goes: this was crap. I can't quite bring myself to hate one of his books, so I guess 2 stars is more than enough for the cheap thrills and predictable plot.
My biggest peeves? Right of the bat (cricket pun intended) is te hero of the hour: Captain Rider Sandman, or as I like to call him, Captain Awesome McCoolname. Cpt Mcname here is, indeed, awesome. He is a former cricket superstar, memorable figure of the Waterloo battle, and so righteous I wanted to knife him in his damn holier-than-thou face. He lives penniless to care for his undeserving mother and sister! He is outraged by the corruption brought by money into sports! He WILL DO EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD to save a man from the gallows! He will gallantly lace up the dress of a platonic-but-hot lady friend! Oh, but he needs a flaw, so he has a bad temper that only flares up around bad people. And he's dirt poor. Eventually I had to stop rolling my eyes at the man out of eyelid exhaustion.
(By the way, he had a fiancée who is supposed to be all super intellectual and modern and what-not, but the only thing you see her talking are demands, gossips and garbles about twue wove. Sooo... yeah, that didn't convince me.)
Anyway, super ex-soldier goody two-shoes is hired to check on a claim that a man condemned to the gallows might be innocent, uh-oh. But the execution is in a week! GASP! Can you tell who is going to be rescued at the very very last minute? SUSPENSE!
Hilariously there are, of course, rich young men full of evil who are in a secret society doing evil things, because I guess that's what everyone did for entertainment back in the day. And because they are SO EVIL, our hero spends the whole time convinced one of them is the real killer. Red herrings? Who said anything about red herrings? Not me, that's for sure.
Don't be mad at me if you think I have given away a spoiler, because as soon as the character-who-would-be-killer is introduced, you peg him. Why? Because apparently all good men are beautiful righteous creatures of the Lord, and the bad ones are weak and annoying. So when you are introduced to the weakest, most annoying snivelling creature of the lot, you know he's the murderer.
What's worse is that I usually suck at figuring out murder mysteries - seriously, I've read everything Holmes-y and know Poirot by heart and still couldn't solve a murder if the killer confessed - yet I was halfway through the book and not only had pegged out the culprit, but also how it happened and how the stupid book was going to end. So that does not bode well for people who are actually good at this. If you're one of those people, you'll probably figure it out by the end of the first chapter, because that's how subtle it is.
There are two things where Cornwell usually shines, and why I love him: his description of battles and his insanely deep historical research. Sadly, here you are only treated to tiny throw-away lines about Waterloo, and the historical research is kind of... meh. According to the postface, the research was about the epoch's penal system and the slang used by the criminal mob. The former is used as mere context for the story, while the latter is presented in a For Dummies format, to the point where terms are actually listed in dialog and then immediatly explained in an awkward manner. It's weird and it doesn't work and it's a damn shame, because it actually seemed a pretty cool idea. But then all of the action took place among the gentry so not only was it weirdly shoe-horned, it was damn useless.
If you're a die-hard Cornwell fan, this book will only break your heart. If you like historical murder mysteries go read something with Matthew Shardlake or Brother Cadfael. If you want to waste away an afternoon in light entertainment, then sure, read this one, or you could go bake something sweet to snack on while you read a better book later.
My biggest peeves? Right of the bat (cricket pun intended) is te hero of the hour: Captain Rider Sandman, or as I like to call him, Captain Awesome McCoolname. Cpt Mcname here is, indeed, awesome. He is a former cricket superstar, memorable figure of the Waterloo battle, and so righteous I wanted to knife him in his damn holier-than-thou face. He lives penniless to care for his undeserving mother and sister! He is outraged by the corruption brought by money into sports! He WILL DO EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD to save a man from the gallows! He will gallantly lace up the dress of a platonic-but-hot lady friend! Oh, but he needs a flaw, so he has a bad temper that only flares up around bad people. And he's dirt poor. Eventually I had to stop rolling my eyes at the man out of eyelid exhaustion.
(By the way, he had a fiancée who is supposed to be all super intellectual and modern and what-not, but the only thing you see her talking are demands, gossips and garbles about twue wove. Sooo... yeah, that didn't convince me.)
Anyway, super ex-soldier goody two-shoes is hired to check on a claim that a man condemned to the gallows might be innocent, uh-oh. But the execution is in a week! GASP! Can you tell who is going to be rescued at the very very last minute? SUSPENSE!
Hilariously there are, of course, rich young men full of evil who are in a secret society doing evil things, because I guess that's what everyone did for entertainment back in the day. And because they are SO EVIL, our hero spends the whole time convinced one of them is the real killer. Red herrings? Who said anything about red herrings? Not me, that's for sure.
Don't be mad at me if you think I have given away a spoiler, because as soon as the character-who-would-be-killer is introduced, you peg him. Why? Because apparently all good men are beautiful righteous creatures of the Lord, and the bad ones are weak and annoying. So when you are introduced to the weakest, most annoying snivelling creature of the lot, you know he's the murderer.
What's worse is that I usually suck at figuring out murder mysteries - seriously, I've read everything Holmes-y and know Poirot by heart and still couldn't solve a murder if the killer confessed - yet I was halfway through the book and not only had pegged out the culprit, but also how it happened and how the stupid book was going to end. So that does not bode well for people who are actually good at this. If you're one of those people, you'll probably figure it out by the end of the first chapter, because that's how subtle it is.
There are two things where Cornwell usually shines, and why I love him: his description of battles and his insanely deep historical research. Sadly, here you are only treated to tiny throw-away lines about Waterloo, and the historical research is kind of... meh. According to the postface, the research was about the epoch's penal system and the slang used by the criminal mob. The former is used as mere context for the story, while the latter is presented in a For Dummies format, to the point where terms are actually listed in dialog and then immediatly explained in an awkward manner. It's weird and it doesn't work and it's a damn shame, because it actually seemed a pretty cool idea. But then all of the action took place among the gentry so not only was it weirdly shoe-horned, it was damn useless.
If you're a die-hard Cornwell fan, this book will only break your heart. If you like historical murder mysteries go read something with Matthew Shardlake or Brother Cadfael. If you want to waste away an afternoon in light entertainment, then sure, read this one, or you could go bake something sweet to snack on while you read a better book later.
October 4, 2021
Read this book in 2005, and its a story about Rider Sandman, a hero of Waterloo but now with family debts, takes on to investigate a case of murder on behalf of the accused.
Set in the 1820s, and what should be a glorious and righteous England has become a nation divided between the rich and the poor.
While investigating this case of murder, others try to bribe him to look the other way, and what Rider Sandman will encounter furher is a klose-nit aristocratic society where any body will do anything for any of them.
What is to follow is an intriguing story, where conspiracy of silence and of minds are common within the aristocratic world, and in this rotten world of power and abuse Sandman must somehow seem to survive, but most of all he must stay focused and solve this case before an innocent man is going to be hanged.
Highly recommended, for this is a tremendous story about the corruption within the English aristocratic society, and that's why I like to call this book: "A Most Captivating 1820s Read"!
Set in the 1820s, and what should be a glorious and righteous England has become a nation divided between the rich and the poor.
While investigating this case of murder, others try to bribe him to look the other way, and what Rider Sandman will encounter furher is a klose-nit aristocratic society where any body will do anything for any of them.
What is to follow is an intriguing story, where conspiracy of silence and of minds are common within the aristocratic world, and in this rotten world of power and abuse Sandman must somehow seem to survive, but most of all he must stay focused and solve this case before an innocent man is going to be hanged.
Highly recommended, for this is a tremendous story about the corruption within the English aristocratic society, and that's why I like to call this book: "A Most Captivating 1820s Read"!
September 29, 2014
As witnessed by my 5 start rating I thought this was a fabulous book. I am not sure if listening to it in audio form rather than reading it affected my enjoyment but when a book makes you put in extra time at the gym so you can listen to more, it's gotta be good.
Set in 1817, two years after the Battle of Waterloo, Rider Sandman is no longer engaged to the woman he loves, has given up his commission in the army and no longer enjoys the privilege that money affords. Not being able to support himself on what he makes from playing cricket, he accepts a job from the home secretary to confirm the guilt of a convicted murderer.
The story is filled with references to cricket and even though I don't understand the game at all, it only added to the story. Whether characters had large or small parts they were all memorable, though you have to wait for the last half of the book to get much action. It is not a deep or complicated mystery but the end is satisfying.
I would be happy to have Bernard Cornwell continue this series though at present it looks to stay a stand alone book.
Set in 1817, two years after the Battle of Waterloo, Rider Sandman is no longer engaged to the woman he loves, has given up his commission in the army and no longer enjoys the privilege that money affords. Not being able to support himself on what he makes from playing cricket, he accepts a job from the home secretary to confirm the guilt of a convicted murderer.
The story is filled with references to cricket and even though I don't understand the game at all, it only added to the story. Whether characters had large or small parts they were all memorable, though you have to wait for the last half of the book to get much action. It is not a deep or complicated mystery but the end is satisfying.
I would be happy to have Bernard Cornwell continue this series though at present it looks to stay a stand alone book.
June 8, 2012
In 1820 London where you could be executed by the hangman for petit thief, Rider Sandman is asked to investigate a condemned man's guilt.An artist is convicted of murder. Sandman is no detective but he needs the money so he gladly accepts the work. Sandman is a captain who fought at Waterloo but on his return to England his family is disgraced by his father's misdeeds and subsequent suicide. The murder investigation leads to Rider uncovering scandalous behavior in the aristocracy and a corrupt penal system and someone is out to kill Sandman to keep him from discovering the truth.
An excellent adventure and historical mystery that keeps the reader engaged with wonderful characters, vivid descriptions of executions, flashback of war, and life of all classes in London. Well paced action, romance and my favorite thing, men with swords and tight britches. Everything I need in a good book. Highly recommended.
An excellent adventure and historical mystery that keeps the reader engaged with wonderful characters, vivid descriptions of executions, flashback of war, and life of all classes in London. Well paced action, romance and my favorite thing, men with swords and tight britches. Everything I need in a good book. Highly recommended.
March 30, 2020
London 1817, Newgate where the crowds gather to watch the death throes of people on the gallows. Charles Corday, a portrait painter, is sentenced to hang but is he guilty? Rider Sandman, who fought at Waterloo, sets out to prove his innocence. But can he do so before the hangman slips the noose? A tremendous, exciting read with the ambience of London of the early 1800s brilliantly captured.
April 15, 2019
Great characters and historical setting. I enjoyed the journey from start to finish. The only parts I skimmed without really reading were descriptions of cricket games.
July 24, 2015
Review in Portuguese from Desbravado Livros:
Dessa vez, resolvi apostar em um gênero diferente de um dos meus autores favoritos. Nesse livro, Bernard Cornwell deixa um pouco de lado os seus (magníficos) romances históricos e investe em um gênero muito peculiar entre os leitores: o romance policial. E a narrativa dele continua primorosa, diga-se de passagem...
Somos apresentados ao capitão Rider Sandman, que volta para casa depois de ter lutado contra os franceses na batalha de Waterloo e depara-se com uma cidade corrompida pelo poder e também precisa cuidar de seus familiares. Mas nada será muito fácil, pois o gênio do protagonista é inconstante e a qualquer hora ele pode estourar.
"Rider Sandman sempre tivera pavio curto. Sabia disso e tentava se controlar, porque temia seu próprio temperamento, mas nem todas as preces, razões e cortesias tinham eliminado os maus modos. Seus soldados sabiam de existência de um demônio no capitão Sandman. Era um demônio real e eles sabiam que aquele não era um homem a ser contrariado, porque tinha um mau humor tão súbito e feroz quanto uma tempestade de verão com raios e trovões."
Um dia, ele recebe uma carta do visconde de Sidmouth pedindo ajuda para investigar o assassinato de uma condessa da cidade. Tudo será aparentemente tranquilo, até Sandman descobrir que não está sozinho nessa busca e que precisará contar com a ajuda de alguns amigos para resolver o mistério e, acima de tudo isso, lutar pela própria vida.
Recheado de sarcasmo e humor, me peguei rindo em várias partes dos livro. Você, leitor, certamente irá gostar bastante dos personagens Alexandre Pleydell e Sally Hood, que rendem várias conversas engraçadas ao longo da narrativa. Isso sem contar que o nosso protagonista também precisa cuidar da sua vida amorosa, já que a sua ex-noiva aparece do nada e causa um turbilhão no coração de Sandman.
"O amor, assim como a rejeição, é uma rota para o ódio."
O livro, apesar de não contar com a maestria dos romances históricos de Bernard Cornwell, é bem intrigante, prende a atenção do leitor do começo ao fim e faz com que não larguemos a leitura até descobrirmos quem matou a condessa.
Pontos fortes: descobrir o(a) verdadeiro(a) assassino(a) somente no final do livro.
Pontos fracos: não é o gênero que o autor sabe explorar melhor.
Dessa vez, resolvi apostar em um gênero diferente de um dos meus autores favoritos. Nesse livro, Bernard Cornwell deixa um pouco de lado os seus (magníficos) romances históricos e investe em um gênero muito peculiar entre os leitores: o romance policial. E a narrativa dele continua primorosa, diga-se de passagem...
Somos apresentados ao capitão Rider Sandman, que volta para casa depois de ter lutado contra os franceses na batalha de Waterloo e depara-se com uma cidade corrompida pelo poder e também precisa cuidar de seus familiares. Mas nada será muito fácil, pois o gênio do protagonista é inconstante e a qualquer hora ele pode estourar.
"Rider Sandman sempre tivera pavio curto. Sabia disso e tentava se controlar, porque temia seu próprio temperamento, mas nem todas as preces, razões e cortesias tinham eliminado os maus modos. Seus soldados sabiam de existência de um demônio no capitão Sandman. Era um demônio real e eles sabiam que aquele não era um homem a ser contrariado, porque tinha um mau humor tão súbito e feroz quanto uma tempestade de verão com raios e trovões."
Um dia, ele recebe uma carta do visconde de Sidmouth pedindo ajuda para investigar o assassinato de uma condessa da cidade. Tudo será aparentemente tranquilo, até Sandman descobrir que não está sozinho nessa busca e que precisará contar com a ajuda de alguns amigos para resolver o mistério e, acima de tudo isso, lutar pela própria vida.
Recheado de sarcasmo e humor, me peguei rindo em várias partes dos livro. Você, leitor, certamente irá gostar bastante dos personagens Alexandre Pleydell e Sally Hood, que rendem várias conversas engraçadas ao longo da narrativa. Isso sem contar que o nosso protagonista também precisa cuidar da sua vida amorosa, já que a sua ex-noiva aparece do nada e causa um turbilhão no coração de Sandman.
"O amor, assim como a rejeição, é uma rota para o ódio."
O livro, apesar de não contar com a maestria dos romances históricos de Bernard Cornwell, é bem intrigante, prende a atenção do leitor do começo ao fim e faz com que não larguemos a leitura até descobrirmos quem matou a condessa.
Pontos fortes: descobrir o(a) verdadeiro(a) assassino(a) somente no final do livro.
Pontos fracos: não é o gênero que o autor sabe explorar melhor.
March 28, 2018
I am a big fan of Bernard Cornwell and have read many of his novels, 'The Last Kingdom series' and 'The Sharpe Series' being my particular favourites. This novel is set in the period following the Battle of Waterloo and the end of the Napoleonic War. Rider Sandman, a hero of Waterloo, is given the near impossible task of proving the innocence of a man condemned to death by hanging, for the murder of the aristocrat he was painting. I won't give the plot away, but the story kept me enthralled and I sincerely hope that this is not a standalone novel, but the start of a new series.
October 28, 2010
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, I thought it was great fun. This is the first book I've read by Bernard Cornwell and I specifically chose this one because it was set in England during the reign of King George III and it wasn't as dominated by war like the majority of Cornwell's other novels.
I liked that this seemed to be equal parts historical fiction and mystery. I love when I'm reading a mystery that has characters I care enough about to make the mystery an added element of enjoyment rather than a necessity for moving the story forward. That's how I felt about Rider Sandman the hero of our story, his voluptuous downstairs neighbor Miss Sally Hood and several other characters Cornwell created for this novel.
The mystery was interesting and well paced, the action scenes were exciting and believable, especially since our hero is a soldier. And I did enjoy learning about the English criminal justice system during the nineteenth century. The author's historical note at the end of the book was interesting and frightening, I recommend reading it before you read the book.
I loved the 'Flash Vocabulary' incorporated into this story and I can recall having read only two other novels that used as much of the 'Flash' as Cornwell did here, one being Joseph O'Conner's 'Star of the Sea' and the second, Jennifer Donnelly's 'The Winter Rose'. Cornwell stated in his Historical Note that James Hardy Vaux compiled his 'Vocabulary of the Flash Language' in 1812 during his involuntary exile in Australia.
I would be very happy if Cornwell turned this into a series. If someone reading this discovers that he does so could you post a comment to let me know that, please.
Thanks very much.
I liked that this seemed to be equal parts historical fiction and mystery. I love when I'm reading a mystery that has characters I care enough about to make the mystery an added element of enjoyment rather than a necessity for moving the story forward. That's how I felt about Rider Sandman the hero of our story, his voluptuous downstairs neighbor Miss Sally Hood and several other characters Cornwell created for this novel.
The mystery was interesting and well paced, the action scenes were exciting and believable, especially since our hero is a soldier. And I did enjoy learning about the English criminal justice system during the nineteenth century. The author's historical note at the end of the book was interesting and frightening, I recommend reading it before you read the book.
I loved the 'Flash Vocabulary' incorporated into this story and I can recall having read only two other novels that used as much of the 'Flash' as Cornwell did here, one being Joseph O'Conner's 'Star of the Sea' and the second, Jennifer Donnelly's 'The Winter Rose'. Cornwell stated in his Historical Note that James Hardy Vaux compiled his 'Vocabulary of the Flash Language' in 1812 during his involuntary exile in Australia.
I would be very happy if Cornwell turned this into a series. If someone reading this discovers that he does so could you post a comment to let me know that, please.
Thanks very much.
August 12, 2025
A gripping and atmospheric historical thriller. Set in 19th-century London, featuring a compelling protagonist, Rider Sandman. Cornwell’s storytelling is tight and engaging, with strong pacing and sharp dialogue. While the mystery follows familiar lines, it’s delivered with confidence and style. A thoroughly enjoyable read that proves Cornwell excels beyond his renowned military fiction. A strong, satisfying novel. I'd like to see more of Rider Sandman.
April 24, 2017
Soo... Captain Rider Sandman. I think this is one of the greatest fictional character names ever. Captain Sandman. How could he not be cool with a name like that? He didn't disappoint. There was a lot of Uhtred peeking through him, but in an age where the gallows rules and cares not whether the man is guilty or innocent (they're all innocent in the end, aren't they?) he contains his temper better than Uhtred, which also gave him a gentleman like sense of respectability. Accompanying Captain Sandman on his journey is the rogue Sergeant Barrigan, whom you never could trust until the end, and Sally Hood (who happens to be Robin Hood's sister, how cool is that?!), and the cricket obsessed but mystifyingly philosophical Lord Alexander. The characters in this book were great. I mean really great, and it was a rare kind of book where you even sort of liked the villains. (Don't ask why but I loved Lord Robin Holloway, despicable man that he is.)
This book is unique in that it's a historical mystery, with some definite Sherlocking involved. Rider Sandman, disgraced and bankrupt lord, and ever a noble Captain at Waterloo, needs a job because his father turned out to be a conman and committed suicide rather than face bankruptcy, disgrace and the gallows. So Sandman is hired as an Investigator for the Home Secretary in regards to the murder of the Countess of Avebury. His job is to get a confession from the man who's been found guilty for the satisfaction of Her Majesty, the Queen. Except it isn't that simple, everyone's pretty sure the painter didn't do it. Dun dun dun...
Ever the honest man (perhaps directly in spite of his father) Sandman decides, after being reasonably convinced that the accused is innocent, he will not simply get a confession, but find the man who is actually guilty, or at least someone who can prove the man's innocence. Hence, his job is to thieve a man from the gallows (Gallows Thief- get it?).
The action is almost non stop. Someone is always pointing a pistol at Sandman and he often only escapes by his spotless reputation as a Captain at Waterloo or a famous cricketer. Though I won't spoil anything, through the ending you can almost see the sand in the hourglass ticking away the last moments of Corday's life, which made for an unputdownable ending.
What always amazes me is the amount of research Cornwell puts into his books, and this one is no different. It's filled with authentic 19th century slang, and the names of men who actually held certain positions (Keeper of Newgate, the Hangman, Home Secretary Viscount Sidmouth, etc.) in the year this book is set, and I ate it up. Also- the lovely Sally Hood provides wonderful and well timed translations that work perfectly in their context so the reader is never too lost. The particular story of Captain Sandman and Charles Corday is not actual fact, but the setting itself and the actions of the characters are very authentic.
I'd recommend to anyone interested in the period or general historical fiction, and certainly any fans of Cornwell.
This book is unique in that it's a historical mystery, with some definite Sherlocking involved. Rider Sandman, disgraced and bankrupt lord, and ever a noble Captain at Waterloo, needs a job because his father turned out to be a conman and committed suicide rather than face bankruptcy, disgrace and the gallows. So Sandman is hired as an Investigator for the Home Secretary in regards to the murder of the Countess of Avebury. His job is to get a confession from the man who's been found guilty for the satisfaction of Her Majesty, the Queen. Except it isn't that simple, everyone's pretty sure the painter didn't do it. Dun dun dun...
Ever the honest man (perhaps directly in spite of his father) Sandman decides, after being reasonably convinced that the accused is innocent, he will not simply get a confession, but find the man who is actually guilty, or at least someone who can prove the man's innocence. Hence, his job is to thieve a man from the gallows (Gallows Thief- get it?).
The action is almost non stop. Someone is always pointing a pistol at Sandman and he often only escapes by his spotless reputation as a Captain at Waterloo or a famous cricketer. Though I won't spoil anything, through the ending you can almost see the sand in the hourglass ticking away the last moments of Corday's life, which made for an unputdownable ending.
What always amazes me is the amount of research Cornwell puts into his books, and this one is no different. It's filled with authentic 19th century slang, and the names of men who actually held certain positions (Keeper of Newgate, the Hangman, Home Secretary Viscount Sidmouth, etc.) in the year this book is set, and I ate it up. Also- the lovely Sally Hood provides wonderful and well timed translations that work perfectly in their context so the reader is never too lost. The particular story of Captain Sandman and Charles Corday is not actual fact, but the setting itself and the actions of the characters are very authentic.
I'd recommend to anyone interested in the period or general historical fiction, and certainly any fans of Cornwell.
September 28, 2013
This is likely my favorite book that I've read by Bernard Cornwell.
Although he always writes well-researched historical novels, many of
them are just a little bit too masculine and military-focused for my
taste. With this historical mystery set in 19th century London, he
achieves a more balanced milieu.
Rider Sandman returns to London a veteran of the Battle of Waterloo
expecting the respect given a military hero. However, he finds that in
his absence, his father gambled the family fortune away, and then
committed suicide, leaving him penniless and with an indelible stain
upon his reputation. To make things worse, his mother and sister
expect him to keep them in their accustomed idle and luxurious
lifestyle - they can't even imagine the shame of becoming working
women.
On top of all this, Sandman's planned wedding seems to definitely be off.
Sandman's only source of income is now to play cricket matches -
something he's luckily good at. But is certainly not enough money to
sustain him, and so when Lord Sidmouth recommends him for a job, he's
quick to take it. It seems an easy commission - a portrait painter is
accused of raping and murdering a wealthy lady as she sat for her
portrait. It's sure that he's guilty, but an investigation needs to be
done - purely as a formality - before the man can be hanged.
Unfortunately, when Rider embarks upon his investigation, he quickly
becomes certain that the portrait painter is innocent. For one thing,
he's gay, so it seems very unlikely he would have murdered a woman in
a crime of passion, as it is being alleged. For another thing, the
maid who would have been able to confirm the painter's alibi has
mysteriously disappeared.
Against Lord Sidmouth's wishes, the upright and honest Sandman
involves himself in a race against time to discover the truth before
the young painter is hanged...
Lots of dramatic tension and unexpected plot twists keep the book
exciting, as Cornwell takes the reader on a tour of the gritty,
realistic underside of London's criminal justice system.
Although he always writes well-researched historical novels, many of
them are just a little bit too masculine and military-focused for my
taste. With this historical mystery set in 19th century London, he
achieves a more balanced milieu.
Rider Sandman returns to London a veteran of the Battle of Waterloo
expecting the respect given a military hero. However, he finds that in
his absence, his father gambled the family fortune away, and then
committed suicide, leaving him penniless and with an indelible stain
upon his reputation. To make things worse, his mother and sister
expect him to keep them in their accustomed idle and luxurious
lifestyle - they can't even imagine the shame of becoming working
women.
On top of all this, Sandman's planned wedding seems to definitely be off.
Sandman's only source of income is now to play cricket matches -
something he's luckily good at. But is certainly not enough money to
sustain him, and so when Lord Sidmouth recommends him for a job, he's
quick to take it. It seems an easy commission - a portrait painter is
accused of raping and murdering a wealthy lady as she sat for her
portrait. It's sure that he's guilty, but an investigation needs to be
done - purely as a formality - before the man can be hanged.
Unfortunately, when Rider embarks upon his investigation, he quickly
becomes certain that the portrait painter is innocent. For one thing,
he's gay, so it seems very unlikely he would have murdered a woman in
a crime of passion, as it is being alleged. For another thing, the
maid who would have been able to confirm the painter's alibi has
mysteriously disappeared.
Against Lord Sidmouth's wishes, the upright and honest Sandman
involves himself in a race against time to discover the truth before
the young painter is hanged...
Lots of dramatic tension and unexpected plot twists keep the book
exciting, as Cornwell takes the reader on a tour of the gritty,
realistic underside of London's criminal justice system.
December 25, 2020
On a train ride from Chicago to West Glacier, Montana, I finished the book I'd been reading, and sought a replacement. I'd heard of Bernard Cornwell as one of the best historical fiction authors around, so when I saw Gallows Thief on a very sad Take-a-Book-Leave-a-Book shelf at a whistle stop, I thought I'd give it a go.
The book follows the absurdly-named Rider Sandman, a recently impoverished former officer and cricketer who now has to (gasp!) find a job. He takes a commission as an investigator for the British government to verify the guilt or prove the innocence of a young man condemned to death (despite the fact that he has no real skills in this line of work, and it took a thinly veiled mcgufffin to get him involved in it). In the course of his investigation, he meets clichés who say and do cliché things, and suffers harrowing plot points and an inevitable, unsurprising final twist.
But that's not all you get! Your conceptions of traditional manliness and superiority over those jerks in the past will be reinforced. You'll be reminded that all ugly people are wicked, and gay people are weak. You'll get your necessary quota of manly violence and stumbling romantic dialogue, as well as some clumsy and half-hearted Christian Values.
If this isn't enough to make you wet your pants with anticipation, all this can be yours for the low low price of FREE! All you have to do is pick it up from the Williston, North Dakota train station, where I threw it forcefully as soon as the train stopped.
The book follows the absurdly-named Rider Sandman, a recently impoverished former officer and cricketer who now has to (gasp!) find a job. He takes a commission as an investigator for the British government to verify the guilt or prove the innocence of a young man condemned to death (despite the fact that he has no real skills in this line of work, and it took a thinly veiled mcgufffin to get him involved in it). In the course of his investigation, he meets clichés who say and do cliché things, and suffers harrowing plot points and an inevitable, unsurprising final twist.
But that's not all you get! Your conceptions of traditional manliness and superiority over those jerks in the past will be reinforced. You'll be reminded that all ugly people are wicked, and gay people are weak. You'll get your necessary quota of manly violence and stumbling romantic dialogue, as well as some clumsy and half-hearted Christian Values.
If this isn't enough to make you wet your pants with anticipation, all this can be yours for the low low price of FREE! All you have to do is pick it up from the Williston, North Dakota train station, where I threw it forcefully as soon as the train stopped.
March 9, 2017
I read this earlier in the week and failed to move from my reading cove and visit my laptop to write my thoughts on this book. I am a big fan of Cornwell's Sharpe and Saxon series, and with this departure and short visit to the Regency Period he did the usual - created one honorable though flawed hero...one you want to read more of. For now, it seems, there is just one Sandman book. If another appears, I will read it. Why did I award only 3 stars? Hmmm...
Having read every Georgette Heyer book more times than I should publicly admit, how could I help but compare? Cornwell succeeded in writing a guy's version, or perhaps a view from the other side of the street. Yes, there are some lords in this tale, but they are thoroughly nasty and have their own club where some x-rated behavior is the mode. It was somewhat interesting to have many new flash/kant expressions added to my dictionary.
OK, I now have to change the stars up a notch because I cannot fault Cornwell's writing or this new and different look at what those without money did to maintain a form of gentility after Waterloo. In this case Captain Sandman was given a task for pay to investigate a murder, and he did manage a rescue in a very entertaining series of events.
Having read every Georgette Heyer book more times than I should publicly admit, how could I help but compare? Cornwell succeeded in writing a guy's version, or perhaps a view from the other side of the street. Yes, there are some lords in this tale, but they are thoroughly nasty and have their own club where some x-rated behavior is the mode. It was somewhat interesting to have many new flash/kant expressions added to my dictionary.
OK, I now have to change the stars up a notch because I cannot fault Cornwell's writing or this new and different look at what those without money did to maintain a form of gentility after Waterloo. In this case Captain Sandman was given a task for pay to investigate a murder, and he did manage a rescue in a very entertaining series of events.
May 13, 2009
I enjoy Cornwell. He kind of got me into historical novels. Louis L'Amour once said, the easiest way to learn history is through reading historical novels. I agree.
Gallow's Thief is a well researched mystery novel that took place in 1800's England. Let me say, that I'm glad that I live in 21st century America.
It is a good read, check it out.
Gallow's Thief is a well researched mystery novel that took place in 1800's England. Let me say, that I'm glad that I live in 21st century America.
It is a good read, check it out.
September 7, 2024
First Cornwell book did not disappoint. This guy can write some great characters. Very much historically accurate which made this story even more satisfying. Overall, a great historical fiction/mystery story. Can’t wait to get into some of his series.
February 18, 2015
Bernard Cornwell, English-born and now American, is probably the most prolific author of arguably the greatest historical potboilers in the English language (except, of course, the inestimable Patrick O’Brien). Certainly Cornwell’s range is the greatest—-eighteen novels on the 18th century British army (the Sharp Stories); three Arthurian Britain novels (the Warlord Chronicles); eight novels about pagans (Norsemen and Saxons) and Christians in 12th century Britain (the Saxon Tales, see reviews); four novels about a 14th century search for the Holy Grail (the Grail Quest series); and four novels about the American Civil War (the Starbuck Chronicles). In addition, there are a number and a number of stand-alones like the Penobscot Bay debacle in the War of 1812 (see review) when Paul Revere turned the nascent American fleet and ran away, the construction of Stonehenge in the 20th century BC, and this novel. Enuf said!
The Gallows Thief (2002) is an unusual Cornwell—-historical fiction only in the sense that the events occurred long ago, hanging very lightly on an historical frame. Probably the best novel he’s written, it begins at Newgate Prison in early 19th century England, soon after the Battle of Waterloo. The hanging of four condemned prisoners is about to start at Old Bailey, adjacent to Newgate—-one highwayman, two murderers, and a young girl. Our attention is (of course) on the young girl, who fruitlessly repeats that she didn’t steal her mistress’s necklace. She’s not a happy camper, but no matter—she’s condemned, and the King’s justice will be done.
Several luminaries are gathered for the event, brought not by the excitement but by duty and by the traditional post-gallows deviled kidney breakfast. Chief among them are: Sir Henry Forrest, squeamish banker and London alderman, there to determine if the hangman needs the assistant he’s requested; Captain Rider Sandman, heroic Waterloo veteran and ace cricketer who was betrothed to Forrest’s daughter, Eleanor, until Sandman’s family suddenly went poor; Jemmy Botting, ugliest hangman ever; and Dr. Horace Cotton, cleric to the about-to-die and a man happy in his work.
That introduction is just the prologue. The tale begins when the Home Secretary gives Sandman the task of investigating the case of Charles Conday, an eighteen-year old apprentice painter recently condemned to death for the rape and murder of the lovely and promiscuous Countess of Avebury, a one-time actress, and a full-time blackmailer. Sandman’s charge is not to determine whether Conday is innocent—-if he was convicted he couldn’t be innocent. Rather, the Queen has taken an interest in the case and Sandman’s job is to squeeze a confession from Conday so the Queen can be assured of his guilt. Thus works the King’s justice.
But Sandman didn’t read the memo. He interviews Conday at Newgate and, instead of extracting a confession, he comes away with doubts about his guilt—-Conday presumably murdered the Countess while he was painting her portrait in her boudoir, a task was assigned him by his famous but now old-drunken-and-palsied master. But, Conday reports, a lady’s maid was always present, and she can attest to his innocence. Furthermore, Conday bats for the other team. But, regrettably, the maid had disappeared by the time of Conday’s trial so she couldn’t confirm his story; hence, the death penalty. So Sandman sets off to find the maid—and the truth. If he gets Conday off, Sandman will be a “gallows thief” and the Home Office will be much pissed. If Conday hangs, Sandman will have done a good job.
Sandman’s search uncovers the seamy underbelly of London: a gentlemen’s club of aristocratic neer-do-wells, kidnappers, and rapists, who try to bribe him to stop his investigation; a former army sergeant who remembers Sandman’s courage at Waterloo and changes allegiance to become Sandman’s ally; the ancient Earl of Avebury, who bitterly regrets his marriage to the deceased, has a taste for the maidservants, and is obsessed with the Battle of Waterloo.
Cornwell has thoroughly researched the spirit, culture, and vernacular of 19th century England. The writing style is consistent with (my imagination of) the style of the times, and we learn “Flash,” the language of the criminal class, so we are authorized to tell people to stay away from our “saltbox cly.” We also learn something about Waterloo, cricket, and the 19th century. Where but in a Cornwell novel can you get this kind of information? Where can you ever use it?
Will Sandman get the perpetrator? Will Conday become a corpse or a famous painter? Will Sandman and Eleanor reunite? Will the Home Office acknowledge injustice? Will Sandman ever be forgiven by the Home Office? Will this become the Sandman Series?
Five stars.
The Gallows Thief (2002) is an unusual Cornwell—-historical fiction only in the sense that the events occurred long ago, hanging very lightly on an historical frame. Probably the best novel he’s written, it begins at Newgate Prison in early 19th century England, soon after the Battle of Waterloo. The hanging of four condemned prisoners is about to start at Old Bailey, adjacent to Newgate—-one highwayman, two murderers, and a young girl. Our attention is (of course) on the young girl, who fruitlessly repeats that she didn’t steal her mistress’s necklace. She’s not a happy camper, but no matter—she’s condemned, and the King’s justice will be done.
Several luminaries are gathered for the event, brought not by the excitement but by duty and by the traditional post-gallows deviled kidney breakfast. Chief among them are: Sir Henry Forrest, squeamish banker and London alderman, there to determine if the hangman needs the assistant he’s requested; Captain Rider Sandman, heroic Waterloo veteran and ace cricketer who was betrothed to Forrest’s daughter, Eleanor, until Sandman’s family suddenly went poor; Jemmy Botting, ugliest hangman ever; and Dr. Horace Cotton, cleric to the about-to-die and a man happy in his work.
That introduction is just the prologue. The tale begins when the Home Secretary gives Sandman the task of investigating the case of Charles Conday, an eighteen-year old apprentice painter recently condemned to death for the rape and murder of the lovely and promiscuous Countess of Avebury, a one-time actress, and a full-time blackmailer. Sandman’s charge is not to determine whether Conday is innocent—-if he was convicted he couldn’t be innocent. Rather, the Queen has taken an interest in the case and Sandman’s job is to squeeze a confession from Conday so the Queen can be assured of his guilt. Thus works the King’s justice.
But Sandman didn’t read the memo. He interviews Conday at Newgate and, instead of extracting a confession, he comes away with doubts about his guilt—-Conday presumably murdered the Countess while he was painting her portrait in her boudoir, a task was assigned him by his famous but now old-drunken-and-palsied master. But, Conday reports, a lady’s maid was always present, and she can attest to his innocence. Furthermore, Conday bats for the other team. But, regrettably, the maid had disappeared by the time of Conday’s trial so she couldn’t confirm his story; hence, the death penalty. So Sandman sets off to find the maid—and the truth. If he gets Conday off, Sandman will be a “gallows thief” and the Home Office will be much pissed. If Conday hangs, Sandman will have done a good job.
Sandman’s search uncovers the seamy underbelly of London: a gentlemen’s club of aristocratic neer-do-wells, kidnappers, and rapists, who try to bribe him to stop his investigation; a former army sergeant who remembers Sandman’s courage at Waterloo and changes allegiance to become Sandman’s ally; the ancient Earl of Avebury, who bitterly regrets his marriage to the deceased, has a taste for the maidservants, and is obsessed with the Battle of Waterloo.
Cornwell has thoroughly researched the spirit, culture, and vernacular of 19th century England. The writing style is consistent with (my imagination of) the style of the times, and we learn “Flash,” the language of the criminal class, so we are authorized to tell people to stay away from our “saltbox cly.” We also learn something about Waterloo, cricket, and the 19th century. Where but in a Cornwell novel can you get this kind of information? Where can you ever use it?
Will Sandman get the perpetrator? Will Conday become a corpse or a famous painter? Will Sandman and Eleanor reunite? Will the Home Office acknowledge injustice? Will Sandman ever be forgiven by the Home Office? Will this become the Sandman Series?
Five stars.
April 12, 2018
After reading/listening to Cornwell's Fools and Mortals, a mystery told through the point of view of William Shakespeare's brother who is in his theatrical company prior to Shakespeare quite mastering his craft and gaining significant success, I had to seek out more Cornwell. Since he's so prolific, I was confronted with a confusion of choices. And since so much of what he writes is in series, it made it even more difficult to decide which series to use to begin.
Then I noticed this--Gallows Thief--and that it is a standalone book set in Regency England. Since I am writing in that same era and love it so, my choice was made.
Cornwell doesn't embrace the language of the era in the way that Naomi Novik does when writing about Temeraire, and certainly not like Austen or Heyer. So the parts of the story that are amongst t he aristocracy are written in a straightforward contemporary English for the most part. However, most of the story takes place amongst characters who live in the Regency underworld and all sorts of colorful cant comes into usage there. I especially adore Sally Hood, the struggling young actress, whose language is a delight to read.
I also learned more about one Regency fashion than I knew before, which may be more about a hole in my knowledge than true of others who read a lot of historical fiction in that era. The greatcoats with many layers that were so fashionable amongst aristocratic young men were copied from the greatcoats worn by coach drivers. Skilled coach drivers were much admired and were never without employment. The young bucks with their various equipages aspired to be as good, and thus liked wearing elegant clothes inspired by the coach driver's garb.
All of his characters are effective. I was listening to the audiobook and Jonathan Keeble does a great job of narrating a rollicking tale.
And now I am back where I began. Which Cornwell to read next?
Then I noticed this--Gallows Thief--and that it is a standalone book set in Regency England. Since I am writing in that same era and love it so, my choice was made.
Cornwell doesn't embrace the language of the era in the way that Naomi Novik does when writing about Temeraire, and certainly not like Austen or Heyer. So the parts of the story that are amongst t he aristocracy are written in a straightforward contemporary English for the most part. However, most of the story takes place amongst characters who live in the Regency underworld and all sorts of colorful cant comes into usage there. I especially adore Sally Hood, the struggling young actress, whose language is a delight to read.
I also learned more about one Regency fashion than I knew before, which may be more about a hole in my knowledge than true of others who read a lot of historical fiction in that era. The greatcoats with many layers that were so fashionable amongst aristocratic young men were copied from the greatcoats worn by coach drivers. Skilled coach drivers were much admired and were never without employment. The young bucks with their various equipages aspired to be as good, and thus liked wearing elegant clothes inspired by the coach driver's garb.
All of his characters are effective. I was listening to the audiobook and Jonathan Keeble does a great job of narrating a rollicking tale.
And now I am back where I began. Which Cornwell to read next?
May 24, 2009
This Regency-period mystery yarn from Sharpe writer Cornwell is a tour-de-force of a novel, containing as it does a little of everything: real, raw romance; some gripping action and a detective-style plot that twists and turns all over place until the final, shocking denouement.
As a story, it deals with some pretty unpleasant subject matters: we get to see what life in prison for the condemned was like, whilst the final dance of the gallows bookends the novel in excruciating detail.
Within the pages, though, are true-to-life characterisations that stand out from the page, among them the genteel Sally Hood, the rough Sergeant Berrigan and the scholarly Lord Alexander.
Towering over these, though, is Rider Sandman, the rugged lead, and it is he as the novel’s pivotal character that makes it thoroughly engaging: a hot-tempered, multi-layed personality with plenty of charm and experience to recommend him.
With sprightly dialogue and well-researched description to recommend it, this is a story that doesn’t flag or falter for a second, remaining thoroughly believable throughout.
As a story, it deals with some pretty unpleasant subject matters: we get to see what life in prison for the condemned was like, whilst the final dance of the gallows bookends the novel in excruciating detail.
Within the pages, though, are true-to-life characterisations that stand out from the page, among them the genteel Sally Hood, the rough Sergeant Berrigan and the scholarly Lord Alexander.
Towering over these, though, is Rider Sandman, the rugged lead, and it is he as the novel’s pivotal character that makes it thoroughly engaging: a hot-tempered, multi-layed personality with plenty of charm and experience to recommend him.
With sprightly dialogue and well-researched description to recommend it, this is a story that doesn’t flag or falter for a second, remaining thoroughly believable throughout.
September 25, 2007
Decent historical adventure/mystery, obviously very well researched. Good characters and period detail are marred by an excess of sexual references/slang (nothing graphic, but it gets fairly crude) and an unsatisfying resolution. I'll try more of Cornwell's stuff in the future, but I don't _particularly_ recommend this one, despite an awesome hero.
June 8, 2021
Novela histórica situada en el Londres de principios del XIX. El capitán Rider Sandman, a su regreso de Waterloo y ante una precaria situación económica, decide aceptar el encargo de recabar pruebas que confirmen la culpabilidad de un joven pintor en la muerte de una aristócrata que estaba retratando.
Enseguida se da cuenta de la inocencia del joven y tiene solo una semana para demostrarla ya que será colgado en ese plazo.
Un libro trepidante, ameno y ágil, que refleja con un peculiar humor, y de forma detallada y fidedigna el sistema penal con la ley escocesa, en la que hicieras lo que hicieras, la pena era la horca o la deportación a Australia.
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