Theft of Life - Softcover

Imogen Robertson

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0755390164 ISBN 13: 9780755390168

Publisher: Headline Review, 2014

Synopsis

London, 1785. When the body of a West Indies planter is found pegged out in the grounds of St Paul's Cathedral, suspicion falls on one of the victim's former slaves, who was found with his watch on the London streets. But it seems the answer is not that simple. The impact of the planter's death brings tragedy for Francis Glass, a freed slave now working as a bookseller and printer in the city, and a painful reminder of the past for William Geddings, Harriet Westerman's senior footman. Harriet is reluctant to be drawn in to the difficult and powerful world of the slave trade, but she and her friend, reclusive anatomist Gabriel Crowther, begin to understand the dark secrets hidden by the respectable reputation of London's slave owners. Together, they negotiate the interests of the British government, the secrets of the plantation owners, and a network of alliances stretching across the Atlantic. And they must confront the uncomfortable truth that some people are willing to do great evil when they believe their cause to be just.

About this title

About the Author

Imogen Robertson grew up in Darlington, studied Russian and German at Cambridge, and now lives in London. She directed for TV, film and radio before becoming a full-time author, and also writes and reviews poetry. Imogen won the Telegraph's 'First thousand words of a novel competition' in 2007 with the opening of Instruments of Darkness, her first novel.

Review

Robertson makes a welcome return to 18th Century England and the historical mystery genre... The author does an especially terrific job with day-to-day detail... a juicy read * Herald, Dublin * The Paris Winter is in another class altogether... The vivid description of life in the Belle Epoque - whether of the rich upper classes and their servants; or students, artists and members of the Parisian underworld - the plausible plot, and a sensitive understanding of art and artists make this a fascinating novel that I read in a single sitting and admired greatly * Literary Review * Deliciously chilling and dangerous. The plot and characters are absolutely mesmerising, drawing you in to their world like the opium itself -- Karen Maitland, author of Company of Liars Stylish, enigmatic and wonderfully atmospheric. It's a story of secrecy and shame, reason and passion, that resonates long after you reach the final page -- Francis Wheen The pleasure lies in the steady unfurling of a period crime series (1871) that doesn't rely on declamatory villains and rhubarbing local colour -- Christopher Fowler A true force in historical fiction * Daily Mail * [A] gripping blend of the Georgian gothic and the forensic thriller * Independent * From the first Robertson's books have combined intricate plotting with vivid reconstruction of Georgian society. This one is no exception * The Sunday Times *

Edition details

• Publisher: Headline Review
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0755390164
• ISBN 13: 9780755390168
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 352