Instruments of Darkness
Published on 14. May 2009
Book
Hardback
384 pages
978-0-7553-4839-8 (ISBN)
Description
Daphne du Maurier meets CSI in this exhilarating debut
Thornleigh Hall, seat of the Earl of Sussex, dominates its surroundings. Its heir is missing, and the once vigorous family is reduced to a cripple, his whore and his alcoholic second son, but its power endures.
Impulsive Harriet Westerman has felt the Hall's menace long before she happens upon a dead man bearing the Thornleigh arms. The grim discovery cries out for justice, and she persuades reclusive anatomist Gabriel Crowther to her cause, much against his better judgement; he knows a dark path lies before those who stray from society's expectations. That same day, Alexander Adams is killed in a London music shop, leaving his young children orphaned. His death will lead back to Sussex, and an explosive secret that has already destroyed one family and threatens many others.
Thornleigh Hall, seat of the Earl of Sussex, dominates its surroundings. Its heir is missing, and the once vigorous family is reduced to a cripple, his whore and his alcoholic second son, but its power endures.
Impulsive Harriet Westerman has felt the Hall's menace long before she happens upon a dead man bearing the Thornleigh arms. The grim discovery cries out for justice, and she persuades reclusive anatomist Gabriel Crowther to her cause, much against his better judgement; he knows a dark path lies before those who stray from society's expectations. That same day, Alexander Adams is killed in a London music shop, leaving his young children orphaned. His death will lead back to Sussex, and an explosive secret that has already destroyed one family and threatens many others.
Reviews / Votes
'[An] extremely impressive debut...a story, told by Robertson with great panache, of jealousy, greed and unkindness among the upper classes. She has a light touch and, best of all, does not burden the reader with a surfeit of dry research' * <i>The Times</i> * 'An irresistible debut - stylish, enigmatic and wonderfully atmospheric. Imogen Robertson's murder mystery evokes the squalor and grandeur of Georgian England, from dingy Soho rooms to sinister Sussex mansions, so vividly and compellingly that I half-wondered if this was really fiction or hidden history. It's a story of secrecy and shame, reason and passion, that resonates long after you reach the final page' * Francis Wheen * 'Poetic, enchanting, and chillingly memorable. Imogen Robertson is an exquisite writer, and this is an extraordinary thriller' * Tess Gerritsen * 'Wit and energy make it an enjoyable read' * <i>Literary Review</i> * 'Makes you want to read every word...the plot is serpentine and satisfying, with enough false trails and distractions to create a genuine mystery' * <i>Telegraph</i> * 'The doings of her characters may be darker than pitch but my lady's craftsmanship is beyond doubt' * <i>Time Out</i> * 'A well-written and multilayered story, which kept me engaged from the first to the last page' * <i>Historical Novels Review</i> *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Headline Publishing Group
Dimensions
Height: 247 mm
Width: 182 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
648 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7553-4839-8 (9780755348398)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
04/2010
Headline Review
€3.99
Available for download
Person
Imogen Robertson is a TV, film and radio director. She grew up in Darlington, then studied Russian and German at Cambridge University, and now lives in London. She worked for a children`s production company for eight years before becoming a freelance director. She directs the hit Cbeebies show Numberjacks for TV and radio, and won an RTS award in 2006 for one of her episodes. She has also worked on short documentaries for Teachers` TV and continuity pieces for Cbeebies. Instruments of Darkness is her first novel.