A new hero to rival Richard Sharp (Gallows Thief - Bernard Cornwell)

Name: JamesConnolly75

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Product:	Gallows Thief - Bernard Cornwell
Date:	25/08/06 (83 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A new twist from Cornwell but in a familiar format

Disadvantages: A one off - so don't get too attached to the characters

Introduction
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With authors as prolific a Bernard Cornwell who have well-established characters and an established following, we occasionally see a digression from the norm and a venture into something unfamiliar and new. This is the case with Gallows Thief, in which we see Cornwell abandon Sharpe et al and their military backdrop for something a bit different. Gallows Thief is in essence a mystery/detective novel at heart although by setting the book in the period just after the end of the Napoleonic Wars he has allowed himself scope to utilise his core skills of writing historical fiction. (Perhaps a wise move given his past ventures into mystery writing in a non-historical setting have not exactly been hailed a stunning success's). The book introduces a new character in the form of Rider Sandman, an ex-captain of the 52nd Foot and a somewhat famous cricketer with a fiery temper but a strong sense of duty and morality. Cornwell uses his customary skill of characterisation to really bring Captain Sandman to life and couples this with a strong plot and excellent descriptive writing to set his character in the vivid and colourful backdrop of 1820's England. This period in English history is when the Gallows where at their busiest, the country was simmering with unrest and the law was dispensed quickly and ruthlessly with many an innocent man and woman hanged - enter Captain Sandman.

Story (without spoiling)
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Captain Rider Sandman is a man of some military and sporting fame crippled with the burden of his families' debts after the suicide of his father. In London looking for work Sandman finds himself appointed to the position of temporary investigator for the Home Secretary. The job of investigator involves investigating the case of Charles Corday, a painter due to be hanged in Newgate Prison for the Murder of Lady Avebury. Corday's mother a seamstress to the Queen has petitioned the Queen to investigate her son's case and as such a token investigation must be undertaken to placate the Queen. Thus the task is given to Sandman with instructions to look into the case with the minimum of effort given Corday has already been found guilty in a court, and report back in a week. Sandman intends to do the minimum required to earn his money until he visits Corday and begins to believe he is innocent. This prompts Sandman to look further into the case and he soon he finds himself mired in a web of plots, lies, deceit and bribery involving all levels of society. When faced with this intricate conspiracy Sandman's strong morality and need to do the right thing takes over and he risks his life and what is left of his reputation in a race to save Corday from the Gallows and death.

Views
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While the genre is something away from the norm for Cornwell the characters and setting feels comfortably familiar allowing the reader to try a new twist to Cornwell's writing without too much change. The characters are as usual strong and Sandman is a character I would definitely like to see again however Cornwell has no plans for another book with this character. The story was very entertaining and gripping as well as being very informative on 1820's London, and for all you mystery lovers there are plenty of twists and turns. We see many familiar clichés from Cromwell's other books such as the corrupt or bumbling aristocrat, the street smart and capable sergeant, the honest lower class girl and the working class antihero however these were strengths for me as Cromwell uses a formula that works and amends it to fit a new format. Overall I thought this book was excellent and a nice change from Sharpe - definitely another string to the bow Mr Cornwell.

Other info:
Price: £5.59 Amazon or you can pick it up on E-Bay for £2- £3.
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
Language English
ISBN: 0007127162

An additional piece of info on this book I have just came across is that two 90 minute dramatisations of this book are currently in development with picture place (the makers of Shape) and presumably once these are completed they will be screened on ITV or BBC.

Summary: An original detective story set in the 1820's