by Antonia Hodgson

4****

This first historical novel by Antonia Hodgson is well written, well researched and with a great cast of characters. It certainly kept me turning the pages late into the night. As a social commentary on the treatment of debtors, it’s horrifying – and all too believable. As a ‘detective story’ it’s less successful – I did lose the plot towards the end, probably because the motives were filtered through several people. But I found the narrator likeable and sympathetic despite his failings, and look forward to meeting him again!