top of page

Gallows Court


Gallows Court by Martin Edwards Head of Zeus Historical Fiction , Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 06 Sep 2018

Review

The police were unwilling to listen when Rachel Severnake identified the brother of a prominent politician as the Chorus Girl Murderer. His death followed, along with evidence of his crimes, much to Scotland Yard’s embarrassment. As Jacob Flint, an eager young newspaper reporter, discovers, Rachel Severnake is somehow involved in the deaths of certain prominent men linked to her father, Judge Severnake. Rachel’s secrets are many, and being connected to her is dangerous. For Jacob Flint, the mystery is too compelling to ignore.

Rarely have I encountered a female lead whose nature is so deliciously enigmatic, defying gender expectations as well as heroic tropes. Is Rachel Severnake a cunning murderer, or is she an avenging angel ensuring justice is done outside of the courts? Martin Edwards challenges the reader, along with reporter Jacob Flint, to delve deep to find the truth. The deceptive nature of appearances plays a central role throughout Gallows Court. Evil can be easily hidden so long as expectations are met. What does a woman’s refusal to meet expectations mean?

Gallows Court is an unforgettable work of classic, character driven suspense. Martin Edward’s knowledge of Golden Age works clearly influences this cunningly plotted mystery. If you enjoy classic mysteries, you will be captivated by Edwards’s Gallows Court.

5 / 5

I received a copy of Gallows Court from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

— Crittermom

Description

'Superb' LEE CHILD. LONDON, 1930. Sooty, sulphurous, and malign: no woman should be out on a night like this. A spate of violent deaths – the details too foul to print – has horrified the capital and the smog-bound streets are deserted. But Rachel Savernake – the enigmatic daughter of a notorious hanging judge – is no ordinary woman. To Scotland Yard's embarrassment, she solved the Chorus Girl Murder, and now she's on the trail of another killer. Jacob Flint, a young newspaperman temporarily manning The Clarion's crime desk, is looking for the scoop that will make his name. He's certain there is more to the Miss Savernake's amateur sleuthing than meets the eye. He's not the only one. His predecessor on the crime desk was of a similar mind – not that Mr Betts is ever expected to regain consciousness after that unfortunate accident... Flint's pursuit of Rachel Savernake will draw him ever-deeper into a labyrinth of deception and corruption. Murder-by-murder, he'll be swept ever-closer to its dark heart – to that ancient place of execution, where it all began and where it will finally end: Gallows Court. 'Gripping' Peter Robinson. 'Satisfyingly twisty' Simon Brett. 'Dark, yet dazzling' Peter Lovesey. 'Superb – a pitch-perfect blend of Golden Age charm and sinister modern suspense, with a main character to die for. This is the book Edwards was born to write' Lee Child.

Featured Posts
Recent Posts
Archive
Follow Us
  • Facebook Basic Square
  • Twitter Basic Square
  • Google+ Basic Square
bottom of page