Gallows Thief: A Novel Audiobook By Bernard Cornwell cover art

Gallows Thief: A Novel

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Gallows Thief: A Novel

By: Bernard Cornwell
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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About this listen

The year is 1820 and England has fought its last victorious battle against the French. Rider Sandman, a hero of Waterloo, has finally returned to London to wed his young bride. But instead of being able to settle down to his fame and glory, he finds himself penniless in a country where unemployment and social unrest are raging high, and where men - innocent or guilty - are hung for the merest of crimes. Thus, when the Home Secretary offers him a job as private investigator - to re-open the case of a death-row candidate accused of murder - Sandman readily accepts, as much for the money as for a chance to see justice being done in a country gone to ruins. Soon, however, he is up to his elbows in grisly a murder plot that keeps thickening as Sandman makes his way through gentleman’s clubs and shady taverns, aristocratic mansions and fashionable painters studios, unerringly determined to rescue the innocent young man from the rope. But someone doesn’t want the truth revealed...

©2002 Bernard Cornwell (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers
Historical Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense England France Fiction
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What listeners say about Gallows Thief: A Novel

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Interesting Historical Fiction

This seems like a post-war tale of Richard Sharpe with the Sargent cast as Watson and Sharpe recast as a less discerning Holmes. Nonetheless it is a good book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I really look forward to Bernard Cornwell novels

Jonathan Keeble makes them better. Another suspenseful novel by Cornwell with a hero, heroine and sidekick that is well written and well read. Can't wait to dive into his next one.

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Wow!

Cornwell is on form! The history, intrigue, and brash spirit of 18th century England dances off the page in this one. With Keeble at the microphone this book couldn’t get any better. 5 stars without a doubt!

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Cornwell's Funniest! So good.

Cornwell not really known for his humor, but anyone who has read Sharpe knows he can be very funny. I think this is his funniest. So enjoyable.
The narrator may not get voices right much of the time (age, etc) but he has great comedic timing.

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Excellent

A will Dawn story from start to finish. I couldn’t be more pleased. It’s everything I have learned to expect from the author.

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Post-Waterloo era crime thriller in England

4.5 of 5 stars.

I picked this up based on my fondness for Cornwell's historical military novels. "Gallows Thief" is a standard wrong-man convicted murder mystery whose strength lies in Cornwell's ability to describe English society in the aftermath of Waterloo and the lack of proper due process in the legal system.

The characters were interesting enough, and the resolution satisfying enough for there to have been a follow-up novel (and it seemed as if that was the setup with the conclusion). Unfortunately, as the novel was first pushed 21 years ago at the time of this writing, it seems unlikely we'll see another installment.

Jonathan Keeble is the perfect narrator for Bernard Cornwell's characters and dialogue. This was no exception.

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I never tire of listening to this story

I like it all. The narrator did wonderful acting for this story. I felt like I was Rider Sandman’s shadow and watching it all happen. The ending was intense but satisfying. Though I wish there was another story of Captain Sandman and his crew. He makes a great detective!

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great

very interesting book truly enjoyed it what can I say good story good good good

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Bernard is a wonderful storyteller

Another Cornwell classic. Excellent story with a believable hero. Would love to read a sequel.

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Love it

One of the very best of Bernard Cornwall’s novels! Do not hesitate just buy it. The narrative was as wonderful as the story. I was lucky to have chosen this story.

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