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The Bride of Newgate
Dick Darwent brooded in a dark cell of Newgate Prison - waiting to be hanged. Lady Caroline Ross, rich, cold and beautiful, prepared a champagne breakfast to celebrate her marriage. How were the fates of these two people intertwined? And how were their lives changed by a shot through a bathroom window, a riot at the opera, a pistol duel at dawn, and a mysterious coachman whose cloak was stained with graveyard mold?
John Dickson Carr, master of the detective novel, is also master of the historical mystery. This is a thrilling novel of London in 1815 and the incredible characters that make up its world of fashion, and its underworld.
John Dickson Carr, master of the detective novel, is also master of the historical mystery. This is a thrilling novel of London in 1815 and the incredible characters that make up its world of fashion, and its underworld.
308 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1950
40 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
John Dickson Carr
427 books499 followersAKA Carter Dickson, Carr Dickson and Roger Fairbairn.
John Dickson Carr was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1906. It Walks by Night, his first published detective novel, featuring the Frenchman Henri Bencolin, was published in 1930. Apart from Dr Fell, whose first appearance was in Hag's Nook in 1933, Carr's other series detectives (published under the nom de plume of Carter Dickson) were the barrister Sir Henry Merrivale, who debuted in The Plague Court Murders (1934).
John Dickson Carr was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1906. It Walks by Night, his first published detective novel, featuring the Frenchman Henri Bencolin, was published in 1930. Apart from Dr Fell, whose first appearance was in Hag's Nook in 1933, Carr's other series detectives (published under the nom de plume of Carter Dickson) were the barrister Sir Henry Merrivale, who debuted in The Plague Court Murders (1934).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 26, 2019
Una lettura veramente piacevole, forse qualitativamente più da 3 stelle che da 4 ma gode di quella bellezza semplice e genuina che si riscontra nelle pellicole in bianco e nero, questo gli è valso il voto in più. Mi spiace solo che non sia stato approfondito un ambiente suggestivo come quello di New Gate ma per il resto si è rivelato una buona lettura.
July 4, 2021
Dick Darwent has been tried for and found guilty of murder--having been accused of having the gall to kill a nobleman in a duel. Of course, in the early 1800s dueling was perfectly okay--for the gentry. But for an untitled nobody to kill one of his betters...that can only mean death at the end of a rope. He's due to be hanged in just a day's time. Lady Caroline Ross is a head-strong young woman nearing her 25th birthday. She's used to having her way and has vowed never to become the chattel of some man--she's also due to come into an inheritance from her grandfather. Provided she's legally married before she turns twenty-five. Lady Caroline comes up with a daring plan--to convince the condemned man to marry her before facing the gallows. The letter of the law will be fulfilled and she will never have to submit to a husband's tyranny nor see her inheritance become his under the law. Desperate to leave a something for actress he believes he loves, Darwent agrees to do the deed for 50 pounds (enough to keep the actress for a whole year).
But fate has a different ending in mind. As the war with Napoleon comes to an end, Darwent's uncle, the Marquess of Darwent, suffers died of a heart attack and his two cousins (all that stand between him and the title) were killed in battle--just the day before the supposed duel took place (more on supposed in moment)--which means that Dick's trial was illegal. At the time he was tried, he was in truth a nobleman and should have been tried in the House of Lords--if at all. News reaches Newgate just in time to save him from the scaffold and commute his trial to the House of Lords. Well, needless to say, Lord Darwent is found not guilty and his release finds him to mete out justice to those who put him in Newgate in the first place.
You see...Darwent claims that he never fought a duel, but was set up in an elaborate scheme. He and his lawyer, Mulberry, and a few loyal servants work hard to find out who the "man in the graveyard cloak" was who drove a ghostly carriage that carried Darwent to a house with a dead man in it. Meanwhile there are others who seem out for Darwent's blood--he'll be forced to duel in truth and will have to fight his way out of murderous riot at the opera house. There's also the mystery of the missing room to solve. And all the while he's also trying to determine whom he really loves...his actress Dolly or his current wife, Lady Darwent--a woman who seems to him to care only for the money she has now inherited and yet...there's this attraction between them that he cannot ignore.
I've said in the past that I haven't enjoyed Carr's historical novels nearly as much as I have his Gideon Fell and Sir Henry Merrivale mysteries. And when I first started this one, I was sure that trend was going to continue. But once we got Darwent out of prison and started him off on the hunt for the cloaked coachman, I was hooked. The adventures along the way to the solution are very enjoyable. Mr. Mulberry seems to me to be a somewhat less boisterous combination of Fell and Merrivale. He does have a few quirky exclamations (just as the other gentlemen do) and he does have a way of seeing all the nuances of the mystery that no one else can. The solution to the mystery of missing room was well done and I have to say that Carr played quite fairly. When Mulberry details the clues that were sprinkled along the way (and that he saw and this reader did not), I was forced to admit that I missed a great many of them. The best of the historical mysteries I've read by Carr to date. ★★★★
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission to repost portions of review. Thanks.
But fate has a different ending in mind. As the war with Napoleon comes to an end, Darwent's uncle, the Marquess of Darwent, suffers died of a heart attack and his two cousins (all that stand between him and the title) were killed in battle--just the day before the supposed duel took place (more on supposed in moment)--which means that Dick's trial was illegal. At the time he was tried, he was in truth a nobleman and should have been tried in the House of Lords--if at all. News reaches Newgate just in time to save him from the scaffold and commute his trial to the House of Lords. Well, needless to say, Lord Darwent is found not guilty and his release finds him to mete out justice to those who put him in Newgate in the first place.
You see...Darwent claims that he never fought a duel, but was set up in an elaborate scheme. He and his lawyer, Mulberry, and a few loyal servants work hard to find out who the "man in the graveyard cloak" was who drove a ghostly carriage that carried Darwent to a house with a dead man in it. Meanwhile there are others who seem out for Darwent's blood--he'll be forced to duel in truth and will have to fight his way out of murderous riot at the opera house. There's also the mystery of the missing room to solve. And all the while he's also trying to determine whom he really loves...his actress Dolly or his current wife, Lady Darwent--a woman who seems to him to care only for the money she has now inherited and yet...there's this attraction between them that he cannot ignore.
I've said in the past that I haven't enjoyed Carr's historical novels nearly as much as I have his Gideon Fell and Sir Henry Merrivale mysteries. And when I first started this one, I was sure that trend was going to continue. But once we got Darwent out of prison and started him off on the hunt for the cloaked coachman, I was hooked. The adventures along the way to the solution are very enjoyable. Mr. Mulberry seems to me to be a somewhat less boisterous combination of Fell and Merrivale. He does have a few quirky exclamations (just as the other gentlemen do) and he does have a way of seeing all the nuances of the mystery that no one else can. The solution to the mystery of missing room was well done and I have to say that Carr played quite fairly. When Mulberry details the clues that were sprinkled along the way (and that he saw and this reader did not), I was forced to admit that I missed a great many of them. The best of the historical mysteries I've read by Carr to date. ★★★★
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission to repost portions of review. Thanks.
March 12, 2018
One may think one is getting a mystery set in historical fiction when one starts to read The Bride of Newgate. Yet, fans of swashbuckling will find their share of derring-do and desperate courage in this novel. It starts with the tale of a hanging, but readers are quickly ushered into the lodging of a wealthy young woman, Caroline Ross. The reader also gets a whiff of the first mystery (which doesn’t stay a mystery long), why this lovely young woman wants to marry the condemned prisoner. The second mystery involves the “murder” itself. The murderer claims to be innocent, but how could it be proved within the time allotted. And, since the hanging is to occur on the morning after Napoleon’s defeat, what could that joyous event (at least from the perspective of the English) accomplish that might affect the execution.
There are other mysteries, too. The condemned man (aka “bridegroom”) believes that he has been framed for the murder, but he can’t imagine anyone who could be enemy enough to plan such a thing. At another point, a pistol shot plows a hole through Lady Ross’ hat, but the shooter cannot be found. And even when the circuitous route to the nemesis is found, the murderer isn’t the one the reader would expect.
The Bride of Newgate is an adventure, historical-fiction with lovely (and some, not-so-lovely) period detail, and mysteries within mysteries like Ezekiel’s wheels within wheels. Instead of a locked room mystery, Carr has treated his readers to a hidden room or missing room mystery. I read it in one day. It’s that exciting.
There are other mysteries, too. The condemned man (aka “bridegroom”) believes that he has been framed for the murder, but he can’t imagine anyone who could be enemy enough to plan such a thing. At another point, a pistol shot plows a hole through Lady Ross’ hat, but the shooter cannot be found. And even when the circuitous route to the nemesis is found, the murderer isn’t the one the reader would expect.
The Bride of Newgate is an adventure, historical-fiction with lovely (and some, not-so-lovely) period detail, and mysteries within mysteries like Ezekiel’s wheels within wheels. Instead of a locked room mystery, Carr has treated his readers to a hidden room or missing room mystery. I read it in one day. It’s that exciting.
January 31, 2019
Il finale mi ha lasciata un po' interdetta e il mistero è molto semplice da comprendere, ma nonostante tutto lo stile di questo scrittore mi ha affascinata, tanto che ho messo in tbr altro di suo e sicuramente proverò qualche altro romanzo giallo. Questo, poi, mi pare anche abbia elementi del cappa e spada, genere che a me piace molto, nonostante scada a volte nella scontatezza. In generale una buona lettura, un po' rovinata da un finale così affrettato e banale, ma nel complesso piacevole e che lascia un buon ricordo.
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December 29, 2022I mean, trashy, deeply silly, yes, but listen, I had a grand old time. Pulpy as it is, it's still a good, well-structured mystery, with decent grounding in historical context. Also, did you guys know that uhmm...John Dickson Carr can write scenes that are kind of sexy?
I feel like I got out of this book whatever the Bridgerton girlies get out of Bridgerton. If you enjoy a good Regency Romance with a girlboss heroine and a tormented hero, I recommend hunting down a copy.
I feel like I got out of this book whatever the Bridgerton girlies get out of Bridgerton. If you enjoy a good Regency Romance with a girlboss heroine and a tormented hero, I recommend hunting down a copy.
August 28, 2011
John Dickson Carr was known as the master of the locked room mystery and with this book in 1950, the inventor of the mystery in a historical setting. I read all his historicals and this was the first, and to my mind, the best.
The story involves a fencing master accused of murdering a lord. Although the lord's body and Dick Darwent were both found in an alley, Darwent claims he saw him pinned to a chair with a sword, in a locked room in the lord's house. The chair and room show no sign violence. He is tried and sent to Newgate for hanging only to be married to a young heiress who needs a husband quick. A husband she can easily dispose of and a condemned mam will fill the bill nicely. However, our condemned man will soon be free.
Dick Darwent is now the Marquess of Darwent, thanks to Napoleon and war, and sets out to claim his bride, find the coachman he claims transported him to the locked room, find the room, find the murder and move his mistress to a suitable dwelling. There are all the trappings to make this a Regency as well as a mystery. It is great fun.
This was the first historical fiction I read. I was in high school and came across a paper back copy with a lurid cover picture of the haughty Caroline standing over a scowling Dick Darwent with blood seeping out of a cut on his cheek. What high school girl could resist that? I have re-read it often. The paperback has long since crumbled but I was delighted to find a hard bound copy at a book sale. Nothing heavy but good fun and Carr's murderers are not easily spotted.
The story involves a fencing master accused of murdering a lord. Although the lord's body and Dick Darwent were both found in an alley, Darwent claims he saw him pinned to a chair with a sword, in a locked room in the lord's house. The chair and room show no sign violence. He is tried and sent to Newgate for hanging only to be married to a young heiress who needs a husband quick. A husband she can easily dispose of and a condemned mam will fill the bill nicely. However, our condemned man will soon be free.
Dick Darwent is now the Marquess of Darwent, thanks to Napoleon and war, and sets out to claim his bride, find the coachman he claims transported him to the locked room, find the room, find the murder and move his mistress to a suitable dwelling. There are all the trappings to make this a Regency as well as a mystery. It is great fun.
This was the first historical fiction I read. I was in high school and came across a paper back copy with a lurid cover picture of the haughty Caroline standing over a scowling Dick Darwent with blood seeping out of a cut on his cheek. What high school girl could resist that? I have re-read it often. The paperback has long since crumbled but I was delighted to find a hard bound copy at a book sale. Nothing heavy but good fun and Carr's murderers are not easily spotted.
August 29, 2018
A breathless, swashbuckling historical melodrama, with a fairly perfunctory mystery thrown in for good measure. The heart of the book is its vivid evocation of the swaggering, dandified Regency era – that, and a nigh-operatic romanticism that's all but irresistible.
October 25, 2021
The wealthy and very cold, arrogant Caroline Ross is forced to get married in order to hold on to a hefty inheritance. But, since she has no desire whatsoever to be saddled with a husband, Caroline chooses to marry a man due to be hanged: mere hours before he will be executed for killing a man (in a duel), Dick Darwent, once a fencing instructor, marries Caroline in exchange for a sum of money.
Only, Dick doesn’t die. And, along with the lawyer, Mr Mulberry, he sets out to find out who had framed him for murder, and why.
I have to admit I’ve never read a John Dickson Carr novel before, and only knew of him through a few short stories. But of course, I know of his formidable reputation as a writer of crime fiction, which is why the beginning of The Bride of Newgate astonished me. This trope, of a woman marrying a prisoner on death row in a marriage of convenience, only to have him be pardoned, is something I’ve come across more than once before, in romantic fiction. How would Carr swing this?
While your average romance writer, writing primarily from the point of view of the heroine, would focus on the romance, Carr writes from Dick Darwent’s point of view—and builds up a pretty interesting mystery, an adventure through Regency London. There are lots of interesting historical figures (do read the author’s note at the book to understand what’s fact and what’s fiction), and some intriguing details about the period that even I, otherwise priding myself on being fairly well-informed about Regency England, didn’t know.
That said, the romance does fall a little flat; the lust is there, the love is inexplicable. I couldn’t see at all why both Caroline and Darwent, who seemed to hate each other so much (and had reason to) did such drastic about-turns. There was no logic to that so-called ‘love’.
But since this wasn’t billed as a romance, that’s not a problem. This was a mystery, and on that count, it ticked all the boxes.
Only, Dick doesn’t die. And, along with the lawyer, Mr Mulberry, he sets out to find out who had framed him for murder, and why.
I have to admit I’ve never read a John Dickson Carr novel before, and only knew of him through a few short stories. But of course, I know of his formidable reputation as a writer of crime fiction, which is why the beginning of The Bride of Newgate astonished me. This trope, of a woman marrying a prisoner on death row in a marriage of convenience, only to have him be pardoned, is something I’ve come across more than once before, in romantic fiction. How would Carr swing this?
While your average romance writer, writing primarily from the point of view of the heroine, would focus on the romance, Carr writes from Dick Darwent’s point of view—and builds up a pretty interesting mystery, an adventure through Regency London. There are lots of interesting historical figures (do read the author’s note at the book to understand what’s fact and what’s fiction), and some intriguing details about the period that even I, otherwise priding myself on being fairly well-informed about Regency England, didn’t know.
That said, the romance does fall a little flat; the lust is there, the love is inexplicable. I couldn’t see at all why both Caroline and Darwent, who seemed to hate each other so much (and had reason to) did such drastic about-turns. There was no logic to that so-called ‘love’.
But since this wasn’t billed as a romance, that’s not a problem. This was a mystery, and on that count, it ticked all the boxes.
September 28, 2025
This was really good! You feel like you've taken a trip back in time to Regency England! There's plenty of action, suspense, mystery, murder, riots, duels, several brushes with death, some history of the times and a bit of romance thrown in (as well as jealousy, accusations, pride, misunderstandings, and all those things that go with a love story), so there are no dull moments in this book!
I would have liked some more scenes with Dick Darwent and Caroline (his bride turned "widow" turned bride again), but this wasn't a romance novel, after all. Even at the start, when she seems cold and mercenary, you sense that there's more to Caroline's character than that. I felt bad for Dolly (the other woman in the story) but things turned out the way they were meant to.
And despite some clues, I didn't guess whodunit!
I would have liked some more scenes with Dick Darwent and Caroline (his bride turned "widow" turned bride again), but this wasn't a romance novel, after all. Even at the start, when she seems cold and mercenary, you sense that there's more to Caroline's character than that. I felt bad for Dolly (the other woman in the story) but things turned out the way they were meant to.
And despite some clues, I didn't guess whodunit!
June 22, 2019
Un bel romanzo storico di Carr, in cui una volta tanto non ci sono delitti impossibili o camere chiuse, ma solo l'apparente inghippo di come una stanza possa trasformarsi nel giro di poco tempo da ammobiliata e pulita in polverosa e non usata da anni. In questo romanzo si riesce in parte a capire dove Carr voglia andare a parare, tanto che ho intuito parte della soluzione. Ma la scrittura del romanzo è talmente piacevole che l'enigma resta secondario una volta tanto e mi spinge a dare 4 stelle.
January 15, 2018
Da amante dei romanzi e gialli storici, ho apprezzato molto l'ambientazione con la descrizione di luoghi e personaggi.
Il giallo invece è meno 'carriano' del solito: è incentrato soprattutto sull'inganno dei sensi. Niente camere chiuse. Il colpevole: pensandoci bene, si può intuire per tempo dato che si capisce che il personaggio nasconde qualcosa.
Il giallo invece è meno 'carriano' del solito: è incentrato soprattutto sull'inganno dei sensi. Niente camere chiuse. Il colpevole: pensandoci bene, si può intuire per tempo dato che si capisce che il personaggio nasconde qualcosa.
August 31, 2022
There’s a reason this book is still in print. It’s indeed a masterpiece recreating the Regency in England as well as placing a curious and complex mystery within its mores. Love the dry humor as well. Don’t miss the author’s notes. Now, should I follow Mr. Carr’s advice and NOT read a book from the Minerva Press?
May 21, 2024
Largely Unremarkable Pulp
Contains three solid action-sequences (two duels and a full-on fight, all tensely and inventively executed), but has little else to recommend it. The prose is purple, the mystery contrived, the women treated awfully by the protagonist and narrative alike.
Contains three solid action-sequences (two duels and a full-on fight, all tensely and inventively executed), but has little else to recommend it. The prose is purple, the mystery contrived, the women treated awfully by the protagonist and narrative alike.
July 6, 2018
Historical mystery
This was a great historical mystery. It was a complex mystery. It had a good many twists and was very fast paced. However, I didn't feel justice was completely served by the ending.
This was a great historical mystery. It was a complex mystery. It had a good many twists and was very fast paced. However, I didn't feel justice was completely served by the ending.
August 2, 2018
Perhaps the historical novel by Carr I have read most times -and it deserves it. It is a classic Carr -mixture of mystery and history with a little love between a man and a woman who really starts hating each other -untill the last ages.
November 29, 2020
My fav Carr ever, even though it’s certainly not his best written, nor best mystery. But, it’s a romance and a surprise that it is one. A model for Thomas Pitt, William Monk, and recently found Sebastian St. Cyr. Wonderful.
April 25, 2022
A long time ago I remember reading JDC’s Gideon Fell mysteries and liking them, but never knew that he also wrote Regency swashbuckler mysteries. This was, phew, over the top! Good surprising ending, though.
December 9, 2017
Connie
Not one of Mr Carr's best for me!!!!! A bit over the top!!!! Not as enjoyable as I had expected!!!
Not one of Mr Carr's best for me!!!!! A bit over the top!!!! Not as enjoyable as I had expected!!!
September 21, 2020
This is one of those swashbuckling, historical JDCs.
August 5, 2021
A step back in time
An interesting concept and a fun way to unravel a mystery. The book does get bogged down at times. It will be interesting to read more of this author.
An interesting concept and a fun way to unravel a mystery. The book does get bogged down at times. It will be interesting to read more of this author.
August 23, 2022
Pretty awful. If the romance aspect had been even remotely plausible its historical details and verve would have redeemed it.
September 12, 2022
This was an interesting read and rather a switch from usual reading in the genre.
January 1, 2023
Once again Carr wrote a compelling, tense historical novel that inspired so many other books. It’s more than worth your time.
May 10, 2024
3.5/5
ভালোই ছিলো!
ভালোই ছিলো!
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October 17, 2024Interesting premise, but fairly unpleasant characters
March 17, 2017
3,5 stjärnor.
Det här var förr en av mina favoritböcker. Nu var det länge sen sist som jag läste den men den var fortfarande bra. Författaren är skicklig på att blanda det som verkligen har hänt med fiction. Likadant med personerna. Det blir trovärdigt. En trivsam bekantskap.
Det här var förr en av mina favoritböcker. Nu var det länge sen sist som jag läste den men den var fortfarande bra. Författaren är skicklig på att blanda det som verkligen har hänt med fiction. Likadant med personerna. Det blir trovärdigt. En trivsam bekantskap.
June 14, 2013
Oh dear!
I do wish people would not send me books like these to review. My feet are firmly planted on the ground. I have no time for candy floss reading based on silly premises. I have a lively and varied enough life not to need a fantasy life acquired through fiction.
I'm sure the novel is wildly popular with those who love romances. It is not for people like me who do not believe in magic wands and 'happily ever after' fairy tales. I found the plot idea - a typical romance one - so irritatingly stupid, and the characters so typically romance style that I wonder why people keep reading this kind of novel. But they do and enjoy them.
So I am sure lovers of romance will enjoy the novel. Please don't send me any more like this to review!
I do wish people would not send me books like these to review. My feet are firmly planted on the ground. I have no time for candy floss reading based on silly premises. I have a lively and varied enough life not to need a fantasy life acquired through fiction.
I'm sure the novel is wildly popular with those who love romances. It is not for people like me who do not believe in magic wands and 'happily ever after' fairy tales. I found the plot idea - a typical romance one - so irritatingly stupid, and the characters so typically romance style that I wonder why people keep reading this kind of novel. But they do and enjoy them.
So I am sure lovers of romance will enjoy the novel. Please don't send me any more like this to review!
September 21, 2009
Much like a Heyer. Fun and frothy with a bit of mystery thrown in. How can you NOT like the haughty Caroline and the incredibly talented Dick Darwent. Just writing this makes me want to read it all over again and I've read it many times.
*Update* Just re-read it this weekend. I have been reading a lot of Heyer's lately and rereading this one made me realize that this is a lot darker than a Heyer and even less romance. Still good, still Regency period, still very worth reading. I still love Dick Darwent.
*Update* Just re-read it this weekend. I have been reading a lot of Heyer's lately and rereading this one made me realize that this is a lot darker than a Heyer and even less romance. Still good, still Regency period, still very worth reading. I still love Dick Darwent.
October 26, 2014
Really enjoyed the swashbuckling element, and the set up, the two of which made a sort of Sabatini-Heyer mash-up. Also enjoyed the mystery. Not so much the "romance". Will our dauntless hero choose the loyal Dolly (easy virtue and heart of gold) or the proud Caroline (cruel society beauty)? Do I care? Some great sword fights, duels etc kept me turning pages and pretty much made up for the bits in which the hero can't decide which silly female he lusts for more. Would read more Carr in a heartbeat if I could be sure of finding one without the same flaw.
September 15, 2007
This is absolutely the first murder mystery set in a historical time period. It was published in 1950, a year ahead of Josephine Tey´s Daughter of Time. The time is 1815, just after Waterloo. I loved this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews