PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
Antonia Hodgson was born and grew up in Derby and studied English at the University of Leeds. Her debut novel, THE DEVIL IN THE MARSHALSEA, won the CWA Historical Dagger in 2014 and was shortlisted for the John Creasey First Novel award. In the US, Publishers Weekly named it one of the top 10 Mystery/Thriller titles of the year. She was first introduced to the early Georgians while taking 'A' level History. Unfortunately the course focused almost exclusively on George II's ministerial reshuffles, a subject even George II found staggeringly dull. It was only later, on discovering Hogarth, The Beggar's Opera and Moll Flanders, that she became fascinated by an often-neglected period of British history. Her favourite quote about London in the 1720s comes from a disapproving Swiss traveller, who complained that 'debauch runs wild with an unblushing countenance'. Antonia lives in London, where she works as an editor.
She is one of the most impressive practitioners of the historical crime genre. Independent online A fast-paced adventure that places Hawkins amongst criminals, court intrigue and conspiracies. Woman & Home A rattling, rakish romp through Georgian London. More please! -- William Ryan, author of The Constant Soldier Dark, twisting and witty. Dripping with 18th century intrigue - from the slums to the palaces of London. -- S D Sykes, author of PLAGUE LAND Hodgson has again married immaculate research to the rip-roaring pace of the modern thriller and come up with a triumphant slice of historical fiction. The Independent on Sunday [A] rip-roaring historical thriller ... I look forward to seeing what scurries out of the dark and grimy streets in Hodgson's next masterpiece. Daily Express Intelligent and engrossing reading. The Sunday Times A rip-roaring ride through Georgian London's back streets ...wonderfully atmospheric and entertaining Good Housekeeping A fun, twisting, shock-riddled masterpiece The Bookbag Full of character, suspense and atmosphere. Woman & Home Tom Hawkins, The most engaging rake to appear in a historical novel since George Macdonald Fraser's Flashman. This is history brought brilliantly to stinking, screaming life. Sunday Express A terrific swash-and-buckle story set in grimy, rumbustious London streets, the pace and plot never flag, the detail is a revelation -- Elizabeth Buchan, Daily Mail Georgian London in all its gritty reality seeps from the pages of this exciting historical mystery. Told in flashbacks, it has plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader intrigued. Choice A lively plot, an engaging hero and a vividly recreated city with all its stench and pleasures. Great fun. The Times This magnificent story with its multiple twists and turns, part social history with an informative afterword, an exploration of many faces of evil, with a genuine romantic hero and heroine, is a book to linger over Crime Review Antonia Hodgson has a real feel for how people thought and spoke at the time - and God knows, that's a rare talent -- Andrew Taylor, author of The Fires of London Something new in the world of historical crime fiction, with mesmerising detail and atmosphere Financial Times Hodgson has a knack for convincing dialogue that crackles with period cadence and flavour Daily Mail Hodgson shows the seamy underbelly of Georgian London, and does for this era what C.J. Sansom and Rory Clements have done for Tudor times Historical Novel Society Historical fiction just doesn't get any better than this -- Jeffrey Deaver At times Hodgson even rivals Dickens Daily Express Any historical fiction enthusiast who isn't a Tom Hawkins fan, has probably just not read any yet The Bookbag
