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Product Description
Book Description
An atmospheric mystery set in Regency Bristol
Product Description
The Georgian terraces are rising.
In the aftermath of the abolition of the slave trade, the port of Bristol is awash with the commercial gains of the Empire. But in the midst of all the grand building projects something is rotten at the heart of the city.
The first victim is discovered.
News of the mutilated body speads quickly. And as further horrifically charred corpses are found, the new streets are gripped with a primal sense of fear. The city fathers decide to step in to suppress the rising panic.
An innocent is drawn into the tangled net.
A lowly legal clerk with a taste for coffee, Inigo Bright has been charged with investigating customs fees in the great port. Yet this routine investigation will drag him down in a net of violence and deception that puts not only his life but that of those closest to him in deadly danger...
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
With this novel, Mr Wakling has staked a convincing claim to his place in refreshingly new literary territory.
I am not troubled by historical novels, and don't read thrillers, but this superb mystery story, set among the corrupt docks of Georgian Bristol, had me turning the pages at a frantic rate.
It's not just that the book is so well-plotted, the lead character so compelling or the supporting cast so well delineated. It's the quality of the writing. Entirely accessible, it is nevertheless rarely less than elegant.
There's plenty of humour - farcical, and also black. But it's woven into scenes of affecting horror with great skill.
More than anything, I was impressed by the conclusion. The narrator confirms your worst fears, but never spells them out. You are left alone with them.
'Tour de force' is a profoundly irritating and over-used cliche, but in this case it's hard to come up with a better phrase. Let's just say: 'a damn good book'.
It's only a matter of time before you see Rufus Sewell, or someone similar, in the screen version. The book will translate to cinema without effort, and without losing any of its power to intrigue and move you.
Do read it.
I am not troubled by historical novels, and don't read thrillers, but this superb mystery story, set among the corrupt docks of Georgian Bristol, had me turning the pages at a frantic rate.
It's not just that the book is so well-plotted, the lead character so compelling or the supporting cast so well delineated. It's the quality of the writing. Entirely accessible, it is nevertheless rarely less than elegant.
There's plenty of humour - farcical, and also black. But it's woven into scenes of affecting horror with great skill.
More than anything, I was impressed by the conclusion. The narrator confirms your worst fears, but never spells them out. You are left alone with them.
'Tour de force' is a profoundly irritating and over-used cliche, but in this case it's hard to come up with a better phrase. Let's just say: 'a damn good book'.
It's only a matter of time before you see Rufus Sewell, or someone similar, in the screen version. The book will translate to cinema without effort, and without losing any of its power to intrigue and move you.
Do read it.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I really wasn't sure about this at first. A friend who reads Wakling in The Independent gave it to me. Historical novels are not really my thing and if you'd told me I was about to enter the world of a junior law clerk scratching his Noddy Holder mutton chops over a book-keeping anomaly in Bristol 150 years ago I would have probably re-wrapped and re-gifted . But...3 pages in and it wouldn't let go. The pace of the story is extraordinary. Characters walk on-scene and immediately you know them and believe in them. Who knows what and how? And just when you think you've got a fix on the intrigue the cards fall again. Really, I thought I'd solved the plot right until the last chapter but er... I hadn't. Also, the writing is gorgeous. And I mean consistently and all the way through. You might cut an author with such mastery of the technical a bit of slack in the actual delivery but no need. e.g. Just as, unknowingly, the main character Inigo speeds in a carriage to diabolical events in Bath he sees gulls:'They wheeled lazily above the field and speared into the crows, assassins amongst muggers, spurring the crows to flap up and away like litter blown down a lane.'
Isn't that just lovely? And I don' even like sea gulls! I spent a wondrous two days with this book. Bet you anything you're going to see a Guided Walk of all the Bristol landmarks from this story soon.
Isn't that just lovely? And I don' even like sea gulls! I spent a wondrous two days with this book. Bet you anything you're going to see a Guided Walk of all the Bristol landmarks from this story soon.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This story is both exciting and thought provoking. You can imagine the streets of Bristol, the docks, the cafe and the characters as if you had been there and met them yourself. The author has a way of making it all seen familiar even though it is set in a time long gone. There are some seriously harrowing scenes, which I suspect are dangerously accurate. There is also compassion and sensitivity. I found myself reading it long past bed time.... Brilliant.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A good story spoiled
OK, its an interesting plot and sheds light on a relatively little known and thoroughly disreputable part of our history, and that gets it my three stars. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Steamdreamer
I heart Inigo
This is a brilliant and exciting novel, that sweeps you away to 18th C. Bristol, with a sophisticated and artfully told plot. I enjoyed every page, and could not put the book down. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ah Carel
Compelling read
This book was recommended to me, by another resident Bristol writer. Living locally I was able to visualize the plot more vividly. Read more
Published 9 months ago by kevin
Beautifully contstructed and entertaining
Chris Wakling has the essential skill of the thriller writer in his ability to construct a plot that manages to surprise the reader with its unpredictability without irritating in... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Rassendyl
Atmospheric and gripping, highly recommended
I was not the sort to read crime fiction, let alone historical crime, but this book has swayed me completely. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Tania Hershman
The Devil's Mask
This fast moving book offers an incite into life in Bristol in the early 1800's.
It's characters are colourfully portrayed and the descriptions vivid. Read more
It's characters are colourfully portrayed and the descriptions vivid. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Jill
Really powerful.
My friend suggested this author to me. This book reminded me why I love hisorical novels. It showcased gripping storytelling, incredible language and charaters that are complete... Read more
Published 11 months ago by J. Hart
Excellent, timely historical thriller
As a resident of Bristol, where this book is set, and being an occasional contributor to the local and national press, I was lucky enough to be sent an advance copy. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Peter Blackman
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