Published
by Endeavour Quill,
23 February 2019.
ISBN: 978-1-91144569-2 (PB)
23 February 2019.
ISBN: 978-1-91144569-2 (PB)
The year is 1864 and Victorian
London is a place divided by social rank and by wealth. While some of the
population are rich and respectable a large number of people are struggling to
survive poverty and violence, often harassed by predatory gangs who threaten
the poor into yielding the little that they have. Tom Wasp is a chimney sweep
who struggles each day to keep a roof over his head and food on the table for
himself and his young apprentice, Ned. Nevertheless, when his friends need help
Tom is always willing to provide it and among his dearest friends are Clara,
the kind and comely landlady of Dolly’s Chop House; Hetty, Clara’s beautiful,
innocent but flirtatious daughter; and street entertainer Phineas Snook. When
one of Clara’s regular patrons, Mr Arnold Harcourt, is found murdered after
leaving the Chop House, Phineas is in danger of being sent to the gallows for
the crime. Tom has to discover the truth, even at great risk to his own life
and, far worse, placing Ned in danger.
The
dead man was a member of the Tarlton Ordinaries, a group of literary gentlemen
who gather together at Dolly’s Chop House to celebrate the life and achievements
of Richard Tarlton, the king of clowns at the court of Queen Elizabeth I, who
was also reputed to be a friend of Shakespeare. It is fortunate that Tom has
some education, paid for by a kind lady who rescued him when he was a climbing
boy, for Harcourt’s murder is tied to his acquisition of a mysterious
manuscript, The Seven Deadly Sins, which may have been written by Richard
Tarlton. Tom needs all his knowledge and courage to untangle the deadly knot
without losing his own life or the lives of those dear to him.
Tom
Wasp and the Seven Deadly Sins is the third book featuring Tom Wasp. It is a
lively depiction of life on the poor streets of Victorian London, with some
fascinating period detail. The plot is interesting and the central characters
are very engaging, most noticeably Phineas Snook’s magnificent, street-wise
tabby, Cockalorum, ‘a lean and learned cat.’ Tom Wasp is a thoroughly likeable
protagonist, as are the friends that he is determined to protect. Tom Wasp and
the Seven Deadly Sins is a very enjoyable book with an unusual view of
Victorian life. I recommend it.
-------
Reviewer: by Carol
Westron
Amy
Myers worked as a director in a
London publishing firm, before realising her dream to become a writer. Her
first series featured detective, August Didier, a half French, half English
master chef in late Victorian and Edwardian times. She writes a series with her
American husband James Myers, featuring Jack Colby, car detective, there are 5
books in the series. Her most recent series is set post WW1 and the first book
is Dancing With Death, published January
2017. Amy also writes historical novels
and suspense under the name Harriet Hudson.
Carol Westron is a successful short story writer and a Creative
Writing teacher. She is the moderator
for the cosy/historical crime panel, The Deadly Dames. Her crime novels are set both in contemporary
and Victorian times. The Terminal Velocity of Cats the first in her Scene of Crimes novels,
was published July 2013. Carol recently gave an interview to Mystery People. To
read the interview click on the link below.
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