Bride of Newgate

by John Dickson Carr

Book Overview

Carr, master of the classic detective novel, is also a master of the historical mystery. Here is a thrilling novel of 1815 London and the incredible characters that made up its world of fashion--and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0881842192
• ISBN13: 9780881842197
• Release Date: January 1986
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf Publishers
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Carr's First Historical Novel

Carr's first historical detective novel-and one of his finest. Every conceivable aspect of 1815 that could lend itself to excitement, tragedy or melodrama is so used: the Battle of Waterloo, the last-minute repeal of an accused murderer married not one hour before to an ice maiden, the duels with sabre and with pistol, and a riot at the Opera. Throughout, the reader is kept wondering about the identity of the murderer of Lord Orford and of the coachman wrapped in graveyard mould. Superb misdirection, and a particularly clever solution to the locked room, although the murderer's identity is, although hardly suspected, perhaps too unsuspected to prevent a slight anti-climax.

Attention Regency romance fans

Take notice, Georgette Heyer fans. This is perfect for a rainy day read. From the opening clatter of carriage wheels over cobblestones and the bawling news of Napoleon's defeat, we are whisked into a clever mystery embellished with a wealth of period detail. The heroine is elegant, the hero dashing, and they spar back and forth admirably. So why isn't Bride of Newgate better known among Regency romance fans? and why is it out of print?

Good mix of suspensefulmystery and historical romance

I read an original version of this about 10 years ago and found it a really satisfying read that I would go back to every few years and reread. I moved, so after several years I wanted to reread it, and tried interlibrary loan. I was happy to find it was being republished. The mystery is puzzling, the historical details are realistic, informative, and tie into the plot . The romance is tempestuous but humorous and engaging, and you come to care about all of the people involved. It's a book with solid writing, yet not heavy. It's fun, interesting, and a pleasurable read. Suspenseful but not at all dark. In a word, satisfying.

Well done historical mystery

Here we are back in 1815,just after Waterloo.It is one of the best historical mystery from J.D.Carr (with "the devil in velvet" and "fire,burn").It is richly written,with plenty of comments about this period and the action moves at tremendous speed. The plot is well tight,with tricky situations and neat twists.And there is a very special locked-room resulting from a bet between Carr and his friend Clayton Rawson.In summary,there is all the ingredients to satisfy the astute reader.