The Dead Man's Smile

The atmosphere and setting are lovely and exquisitely recreated by an author who has an intimate knowledge of the world he describes . . . I won't reveal the denouement, but I can assure readers that the author knows exactly what he's doing * Tangled Web *
The atmosphere and setting are lovely and exquisitely recreated by an author who has an intimate knowledge of the world he describes . . . I won't reveal the denouement, but I can assure readers that the author knows exactly what he's doing * Tangled Web *
It's a great book . . . there's enough wit and intelligence here to make it more than a 'guilty pleasure' . . . an intelligent read with good characterisation * Scotsman *
It's a great book . . . there's enough wit and intelligence here to make it more than a 'guilty pleasure' . . . an intelligent read with good characterisation * Scotsman *
Highly acclaimed Oscar Wilde series . . . excellent writing . . . it's a fun book that introduces you to many interesting characters . . . a light-hearted and entertaining murder mystery * Irish Post *
Highly acclaimed Oscar Wilde series . . . excellent writing . . . it's a fun book that introduces you to many interesting characters . . . a light-hearted and entertaining murder mystery * Irish Post *
An entertaining yarn - easy and pleasing to read - with an extensive set of vivid characters * Gay Times *
An entertaining yarn - easy and pleasing to read - with an extensive set of vivid characters * Gay Times *
Very funny * Independent on Sunday *
Very funny * Independent on Sunday *
The murders begin. Highly theatrical ones . . . Entertaining and meticulously researched * Washington Post *
The murders begin. Highly theatrical ones . . . Entertaining and meticulously researched * Washington Post *
A cleverly plotted, intelligent and thoroughly diverting murder mystery. This novel is an educated page-turner, a feast of intriguing and light-hearted entertainment * Good Book Guide *
A cleverly plotted, intelligent and thoroughly diverting murder mystery. This novel is an educated page-turner, a feast of intriguing and light-hearted entertainment * Good Book Guide *
The third in an enjoyable, well-researched series * Sunday Mercury *
The third in an enjoyable, well-researched series * Sunday Mercury *
PRAISE FOR GYLES BRANDRETH
PRAISE FOR GYLES BRANDRETH
Not merely, like all the best after-dinner speakers, does he know how to spin a yarn; unlike most politicians, he has a touching access to the secrets of the human heart * The Times *
Not merely, like all the best after-dinner speakers, does he know how to spin a yarn; unlike most politicians, he has a touching access to the secrets of the human heart * The Times *
A fine and sympathetic writer * The Times Literary Supplement *
A fine and sympathetic writer * The Times Literary Supplement *
He can tell a story in the way Daphne du Maurier could . . . He creates a world and keeps you there * Sunday Express *
He can tell a story in the way Daphne du Maurier could . . . He creates a world and keeps you there * Sunday Express *
PRAISE FOR GYLES BRANDRETH'S MURDER MYSTERIES
PRAISE FOR GYLES BRANDRETH'S MURDER MYSTERIES
One of the most intelligent, amusing and entertaining books of the year. If Oscar Wilde himself had been asked to write this book he could not have done it any better * Alexander McCall Smith *
One of the most intelligent, amusing and entertaining books of the year. If Oscar Wilde himself had been asked to write this book he could not have done it any better * Alexander McCall Smith *
One of the most enjoyable crime series around * Scotsman *
One of the most enjoyable crime series around * Scotsman *
Hugely enjoyable - reminds us just how enjoyable a well-told traditional murder mystery can be * The Scotsman *
Hugely enjoyable - reminds us just how enjoyable a well-told traditional murder mystery can be * The Scotsman *
This wickedly imagined and highly entertaining series . . . intelligent, jaunty and hilarious * The Good Book Guide *
This wickedly imagined and highly entertaining series . . . intelligent, jaunty and hilarious * The Good Book Guide *
Rather fun . . . Brandreth unashamedly wheels out a cast of historical characters to die for * Lucy Atkins, Sunday Times *
Rather fun . . . Brandreth unashamedly wheels out a cast of historical characters to die for * Lucy Atkins, Sunday Times *
A carnival of cliff-hangers and fiendish twists-and-turns . . . The joy of the book . . . is the rounded and compelling presentation of the character of Wilde . . . The imaginary and the factual are woven together with devilish ingenuity. Brandreth also gives his hero speeches of great beauty and wisdom and humanity * Sunday Express *
A carnival of cliff-hangers and fiendish twists-and-turns . . . The joy of the book . . . is the rounded and compelling presentation of the character of Wilde . . . The imaginary and the factual are woven together with devilish ingenuity. Brandreth also gives his hero speeches of great beauty and wisdom and humanity * Sunday Express *
Pitch perfect. Great entertainment * Booklist *
Pitch perfect. Great entertainment * Booklist *
Fabulous . . . The plot races along like a carriage pulled by thoroughbreds * The Scotsman *
Fabulous . . . The plot races along like a carriage pulled by thoroughbreds * The Scotsman *
Very entertaining * Literary Review *
Very entertaining * Literary Review *
This excellent novel . . . I'd be staggered if you'd read many better whodunnits. Brandreth demonstrates supremely measured skill as a story-teller * Nottingham Evening Post *
This excellent novel . . . I'd be staggered if you'd read many better whodunnits. Brandreth demonstrates supremely measured skill as a story-teller * Nottingham Evening Post *
Sparkling dialogue, mystery piled deliciously on mystery, a plot with pace and panache, and a London backdrop that would grace any Victorian theatre * Northern Echo *
Sparkling dialogue, mystery piled deliciously on mystery, a plot with pace and panache, and a London backdrop that would grace any Victorian theatre * Northern Echo *
Irresistible . . . Elegant . . . Rich . . . Enjoyable . . . A classic Agatha Christie-style whodunit * Yorkshire Evening Post *
Irresistible . . . Elegant . . . Rich . . . Enjoyable . . . A classic Agatha Christie-style whodunit * Yorkshire Evening Post *
One of the most enjoyable crime series around . . . He slips easily into the 21st century, does this Oscar (imagine, if you can, an even higher-wattage Stephen Fry), just as, thanks to Brandreth, we as readers are able to travel effortlessly back to join him in his own age. It is well worth the journey - and I can't wait until the next one * The Scotsman *
One of the most enjoyable crime series around . . . He slips easily into the 21st century, does this Oscar (imagine, if you can, an even higher-wattage Stephen Fry), just as, thanks to Brandreth, we as readers are able to travel effortlessly back to join him in his own age. It is well worth the journey - and I can't wait until the next one * The Scotsman *
Inventive . . . brilliant . . . marvellous . . . glittering . . . graceful . . . intricate . . . enthralling * Booklist *
Inventive . . . brilliant . . . marvellous . . . glittering . . . graceful . . . intricate . . . enthralling * Booklist *
The latest witty installment in Gyles Brandreth's hugely enjoyable series of Victorian murder mysteries * Daily Mail *
The latest witty installment in Gyles Brandreth's hugely enjoyable series of Victorian murder mysteries * Daily Mail *
Gyles Brandreth succeeds magnificently. A plot that is intriguing throughout. A skilfully crafted story that goes all the way * Daily Mail *
Gyles Brandreth succeeds magnificently. A plot that is intriguing throughout. A skilfully crafted story that goes all the way * Daily Mail *
What sets the novel apart is Brandreth's talent for conveying time and place. The barbarism of close confinement has rarely been so graphically and movingly portrayed * Daily Mail *
What sets the novel apart is Brandreth's talent for conveying time and place. The barbarism of close confinement has rarely been so graphically and movingly portrayed * Daily Mail *
Gyles Brandreth's Murder Mysteries just get better and better . . . and this is the best so far * The Sherlock Holmes Journal *
Gyles Brandreth's Murder Mysteries just get better and better . . . and this is the best so far * The Sherlock Holmes Journal *
Brandreth has poured his considerable familiarity with London into a witty fin de siecle entertainment, and the rattlingly elegant dialogue is peppered with witticisms uttered by Wilde well before he ever thought of putting them into his plays * Sunday Times *
Brandreth has poured his considerable familiarity with London into a witty fin de siecle entertainment, and the rattlingly elegant dialogue is peppered with witticisms uttered by Wilde well before he ever thought of putting them into his plays * Sunday Times *
Classically twisty * Observer *
Classically twisty * Observer *
Gyles Brandreth and Oscar Wilde seem made for one another . . . the complex and nicely structured plot zips along * Daily Telegraph *
Gyles Brandreth and Oscar Wilde seem made for one another . . . the complex and nicely structured plot zips along * Daily Telegraph *
An amiably enjoyable Victorian murder mystery * Sunday Times *
An amiably enjoyable Victorian murder mystery * Sunday Times *
This is to be a series and if they're all as enjoyable as the first, they'll all be surefire best-sellers . . . The plot races along like a carriage pulled by thoroughbreds . . . So enjoyably plausible * The Scotsman *
This is to be a series and if they're all as enjoyable as the first, they'll all be surefire best-sellers . . . The plot races along like a carriage pulled by thoroughbreds . . . So enjoyably plausible * The Scotsman *
This bounces along with vim and wit. Beautifully packaged * Bookseller *
This bounces along with vim and wit. Beautifully packaged * Bookseller *
Both a romp through fin-de-siècle London . . . and a carefully researched portrait of Oscar Wilde . . . Very entertaining * Literary Review *
Both a romp through fin-de-siècle London . . . and a carefully researched portrait of Oscar Wilde . . . Very entertaining * Literary Review *
Brandreth has the Wildean lingo down pat and the narrative is dusted with piquant social observations. A sparkling treat for fans of Wilde and Sherlock Holmes alike * Easy Living *
Brandreth has the Wildean lingo down pat and the narrative is dusted with piquant social observations. A sparkling treat for fans of Wilde and Sherlock Holmes alike * Easy Living *
Wilde as detective is thoroughly convincing . . . The period, and the two or three worlds in which Wilde himself moved, are richly evoked . . . an excellent detective story. I'm keenly looking forward to the rest of the series * The District Messenger, Journal of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London *
Wilde as detective is thoroughly convincing . . . The period, and the two or three worlds in which Wilde himself moved, are richly evoked . . . an excellent detective story. I'm keenly looking forward to the rest of the series * The District Messenger, Journal of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London *
Brandreth knows his Wilde . . . Candlelight Murders is an excellent read, and it seems the scene may be set for others in the same style -- and with the same lead character * Gay Times *
Brandreth knows his Wilde . . . Candlelight Murders is an excellent read, and it seems the scene may be set for others in the same style -- and with the same lead character * Gay Times *
This is not only a good piece of detective fiction in its own right, it is highly entertaining, spiced as it is with Wildean sayings, both real and invented and the imagined conversations and intellectual sparring between Wilde and Conan Doyle. Future tales in the series are something to look forward to * Leicester Mercury *
This is not only a good piece of detective fiction in its own right, it is highly entertaining, spiced as it is with Wildean sayings, both real and invented and the imagined conversations and intellectual sparring between Wilde and Conan Doyle. Future tales in the series are something to look forward to * Leicester Mercury *
Brandreth's accomplishment is evident in the force of Wilde's personality, which fairly leaps off the page . . . readers will delight in the effortless characterization and deft portrait of late Victorian England * Stephanie Barron *
Brandreth's accomplishment is evident in the force of Wilde's personality, which fairly leaps off the page . . . readers will delight in the effortless characterization and deft portrait of late Victorian England * Stephanie Barron *
I always wanted to meet Oscar Wilde and now I feel that I have done, and shared a terrific, bizarre and frightening adventure with him. I recommend the experience * Anne Perry *
I always wanted to meet Oscar Wilde and now I feel that I have done, and shared a terrific, bizarre and frightening adventure with him. I recommend the experience * Anne Perry *
The rollocking tale . . . a witty and gripping portrayal of corruption in late Victorian London, and one of which Wilde and Sir Arthur would be proud * Livewire *
The rollocking tale . . . a witty and gripping portrayal of corruption in late Victorian London, and one of which Wilde and Sir Arthur would be proud * Livewire *
The plot speeds to an exciting climax . . . Richly atmospheric. Very entertaining * Woman & Home *
The plot speeds to an exciting climax . . . Richly atmospheric. Very entertaining * Woman & Home *