Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Vicky from I’d Rather Be At The Beach who posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening. Feel free to grab the banner and play along.
Well I don’t know about you but this year seems to be rattling by and I am now looking at my superb selection of books due to be read in September – one of the ones most eagerly anticipated is Gallows Court by Martin Edwards which is due to be published on 6 September 2018.
Blurb
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. Amazon
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First Chapter ~ First Paragraph ~ Intro
There is a prologue which I am skipping dated 30 January 1919, not because it isn’t relevant, it is, but because I decided the main body of the book would give a better flavour of what is to come…
1
‘Jacob Flint is watching the house again.’ The housekeeper’s voice rose. ‘Do you think he knows about…?’
‘How could he?’ Rachel Savernake said. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll deal with him.’
‘You can’t!’ the older woman protested. ‘You don’t have time.’
Rachel adjusted her cloche hat in front of the looking glass. A demure face returned her gaze. Nobody would guess her nerve-ends were tingling. Was this how the judge felt when he put on his black cap?
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Well now I’ve read the first page I’m looking forward to this one even more. I love historical crime fiction and I know I can rely on Martin Edwards for a good plot.
What do you think? Would you keep reading?
Not necessarily purely based on the first paragraph but certainly having read the book blurb…it sounds great. Hope you enjoy it as much as you’re anticipating.
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Thank you Cathy 🙂
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I’m looking forward to reading this a well. I love Martin Edwards’ books.
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Considering I only started exploring his books in the last few years, he is fast becoming one of the authors I read most frequently.
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Oh yes! I’d read on!
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Excellent news!
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This sounds intriguing, I’d probably keep reading! I hope you enjoy it! Here’s mine this week: https://myendlessshelf.weebly.com/home/tell-me-something-tuesday-next-read-first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday-intros
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Thank you Kayleigh 🙂
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I like this intro.
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🙂
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What a great choice, Cleo! I would definitely read on. Edwards is so very talented, and this sounds like a great one. It’s most definitely on the wish list. I hope you’ll post a review when you’ve finished it.
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This does sound so good doesn’t it?
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This sounds like it might be quite gritty. Not sure whether I’d read more but, I am curious.
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Thanks for visiting Diane 🙂
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Sounds like it would be easy to get caught up in this one!
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I think I probably will 🙂
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I would! I especially like the line, “Nobody would guess her nerve-ends were tingling…” I love when characters don’t show what they’re thinking or feeling!
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Yes, I do enjoy more enigmatic characters too.
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This is a new to me author. The blurb is intriguing and I would keep reading.
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Yes, I’d definitely read on. I particularly like the bit when the housekeeper starts to say, “Do you think he knows about…?” and is cut off by Rachel so we don’t get to hear the rest. Very intriguing! I like Martin Edwards as a writer. In fact I’m reading one of his Lake District mysteries at the moment.
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I can feel the tension in that first paragraph. Sounds great. Enjoy!
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Sounds great. I love historical mysteries too. This week I have Through the Fire by Katie Ruggle from my review stack. Happy reading!
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I love the intensity of the opening lines. Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
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I could have just kept reading but I had to put it aside until I finish the ones I have – thanks for returning my call…
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I love opening hinting at things that have happened. The nosey side of me wants to know more!
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I’m not a huge fan of historical books but I do like crime. I’d read a bit more and then decide whether to continue.
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Yes, read on. It’s intriguing!
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Ooh, I have a copy of this one too – it sounds great! Spot the Agatha Christie tribute in his ‘tec’s name – Henrietta Savernake was one of the characters in The Hollow. I assume it’s intentional – can’t wait to see if I can spot any others… 😀
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I didn’t spot the AC tribute, probably because I’m rubbish at remembering names so you’ll have to keep a tally to share when you read it!
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Sounds interesting. See what we are featuring at Girl Who Reads
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