The Murders at Reading Gaol

The curse of fictionalising well-known characters is having to manoeuvre within the facts, but Brandreth manages it superlatively. This is light stuff, but energetic, and Brandreth clearly has Wilde at heart * Financial Times *
The curse of fictionalising well-known characters is having to manoeuvre within the facts, but Brandreth manages it superlatively. This is light stuff, but energetic, and Brandreth clearly has Wilde at heart * Financial Times *
A flight of imagination that partners Oscar Wilde and Arthur Conan Doyle in a deadly pursuit to the heart of the Eternal City merits a round of applause for sheer chutzpah . . . Gyles Brandreth succeeds magnificently . . . The relationship between the two writers is drawn so convincingly, but there is also dialogue of the period without any Victorian heaviness and a plot that is intriguing throughout. Brandreth's research is impeccable. Literary and theological references merge easily into a skilfully crafted story that goes all the way to meet the standards set by his two eminent protagonists * Daily Mail *
A flight of imagination that partners Oscar Wilde and Arthur Conan Doyle in a deadly pursuit to the heart of the Eternal City merits a round of applause for sheer chutzpah . . . Gyles Brandreth succeeds magnificently . . . The relationship between the two writers is drawn so convincingly, but there is also dialogue of the period without any Victorian heaviness and a plot that is intriguing throughout. Brandreth's research is impeccable. Literary and theological references merge easily into a skilfully crafted story that goes all the way to meet the standards set by his two eminent protagonists * Daily Mail *
Brandreth has always delighted in puzzles, in the quirks of both the past and present, and in the gloriously camp wit of Oscar Wilde. Here all of these things come together in a story that reminds us how enjoyable a well-told traditional murder mystery can be * The Scotsman *
Brandreth has always delighted in puzzles, in the quirks of both the past and present, and in the gloriously camp wit of Oscar Wilde. Here all of these things come together in a story that reminds us how enjoyable a well-told traditional murder mystery can be * The Scotsman *
Brandreth's deftly plotted, entertaining escapades double as historical novels of considerable merit . . . Brandreth is a deft hand at weaving plot, historical atmosphere and entertaining characters * Historical Novels Review *
Brandreth's deftly plotted, entertaining escapades double as historical novels of considerable merit . . . Brandreth is a deft hand at weaving plot, historical atmosphere and entertaining characters * Historical Novels Review *
Even the conventional crime novel has its pleasures * Scotsman *
Even the conventional crime novel has its pleasures * Scotsman *
Packed with colourful characters and unlikely adventures . . . this latest instalment in Brandreth's clever and unapologetically entertaining Oscar Wilde series will not disappoint * Good Book Guide *
Packed with colourful characters and unlikely adventures . . . this latest instalment in Brandreth's clever and unapologetically entertaining Oscar Wilde series will not disappoint * Good Book Guide *
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 *
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
Brandreth's portrait of Oscar Wilde is entirely plausible; plots are ingenious and the historical background is fascinating * Scotsman *
Brandreth's portrait of Oscar Wilde is entirely plausible; plots are ingenious and the historical background is fascinating * 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 *
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 *
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 *
The murders begin. Highly theatrical ones . . . Entertaining and meticulously researched * Washington Post *
The murders begin. Highly theatrical ones . . . Entertaining and meticulously researched * Washington Post *
Excellent - a light-hearted and entertaining murder mystery * Irish Post *
Excellent - a light-hearted and entertaining murder mystery * Irish 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 *
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 *
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 *
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 *
Genius . . . Wilde has sprung back to life in this thrilling and richly atmospheric new novel . . . The perfect topography for crime and mystery . . . magnificent . . . an unforgettable shocker about sex and vice, love and death * Sunday Express *
Genius . . . Wilde has sprung back to life in this thrilling and richly atmospheric new novel . . . The perfect topography for crime and mystery . . . magnificent . . . an unforgettable shocker about sex and vice, love and death * Sunday Express *
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...