The Devil in the Marshalsea by Antonia Hodgson - 4 stars

[Jen K]

Tom Hawkins is living his life in London, 1727, far from the shadow and expectation of his father to follow in his footsteps as a rural pastor. After a night of impressive gambling, Tom manages to win just enough to keep him out of the infamous debtors' prison at Marshalsea when his luck turns on him. Soon Tom is escorted to the the horrors of Marshalsea prison with nothing but his charm and wits to keep him from a horrible death on the commoners side even if it means a deal with the devil to solve a supposed locked room murder of the previous man who slept in his bed. Tom uncovers the inhumane side of a nasty place trying to stay alive and on a path out of the prison.

Tom is a bit of a pawn with more confidence that he ought to have but the mystery was interesting and the historical research is impressive. Many of the characters and story were based on real people and events of the time which is quite impressive. I might try the next in the duology.