Hangman's Corner

by Peter King

In 1870 London, hansom cab driver Ned Parker assists the police in the search for the person who murdered one of his customers, who was a suspect in the theft of church valuables.

Genres: Mystery, Historical, Historical Mystery

275 pages, Hardcover

First published April 16, 2008

About the author

Peter King is an English born author of mystery fiction, a Cordon Bleu trained chef and a retired metallurgist and aerospace scientist. Before writing full time, he operated a tungsten mine, prospected worldwide and worked on rocket engines for NASA Apollo missions. After retiring in 1991, he began writing fiction and is best known for the Gourmet Detective series and the Jack London historical mysteries. His work blends culinary detail, historical research and classic whodunit storytelling.

Reviews

[Lisa Reads & Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

The basic story outline was interesting enough. This is a mystery novel so I won't give the plot away, but it had legs and a historical backdrop. However, the novel as a whole had little flesh. A little more work and editing would have been useful. For example, I find myself irritated by repetitious references to a character's nosiness, rather than actions to that effect. The ambiance of Victorian age struck me as little more than a wink. Although the protagonist is a hansom cab driver, much of the dialogue and actions felt modern--he could have been driving a cab. The Jack-in-the-box villains popped up out of nowhere so many times that I had to laugh. The character interior conflict and development was a thread instead of a plot driver. In all, a story that could have been gripping was okay.

[Darlene · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a very well written mystery...and now I wonder if the historical facts are suspect. Just doesn't hang together. But I read it all because I'm just reading light books these days.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining, historical mystery

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read. I liked all the historical detail about 1870's London.

Ned Parker is an engaging character; a hansom driver that can't seem to keep his nose out of mysteries as he drives his cab around London. He's a step above the other cabbies, interested in the world and people around him. Taking an interest in people and noticing details can be a hazard though, as he always seems to be on the edge of trouble, with both the police and crime bosses breathing down his neck. I'll be looking for the next book in the Ned Parker series.

[Cassandra Banks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the setting of 1870s London and tone of the book. It was a nice story. I enjoyed the font of the book as well, elegant and easy on the eyes. Could have been a bit more to the story, but not bad...I loved the relationship between the cabbies and their horses.

[Gigi]

mysteryscene

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK, and an easy read. Not spectacular.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh - it was okay

[Dolldiva]

This was not a well written novel. The story was very choppy and disjointed. I was disappointed with this author.

[Doc]

A good historical mystery. A new book by one of my Liars Club buddies.