Man's Loving Family by
Keith Heller
pbk out March 99
(Headline)
at £5.99
It has been over ten years since Keith Heller's books about George Man of London's Parish Watch. When he wrote this book back in 1986, history mysteries were few and far between. Since then there has been a tremendous upsurge of interest in this genre - obviously leading to this reprinting. Set around the time of the coronation of King George II in October 1727, George Man is currently unemployed following a dispute with a corrupt but powerful man. Offered a job safeguarding the son of a wealthy London merchant, Abraham Sinclair. An almanac has prophesied that the son will die in November. Unfortunately, this proves to be true. A tavern brawl takes place leading to the murder happening in front of George Man's eyes. Worse still, The perpetrator is a friend of Man's. However, Man's curiosity has been aroused - everything fits together just a little too closely. Was the son's death really forecast - or was it planned? If so, who by? Was it really Richard Savage's hand which carried out the crime? Then there is Abraham Sinclair's strange household - who controls who? And who is the mysterious old lady? The climax comes amid a masked ball held in the Haymarket. Heller's story is based on actual events - the murder and trial did take place. The pace is good, and the atmosphere of eighteenth century London is well recreated. The script is almost a little detached, in the same way that you feel detached when reading a novel written during this period. Definitely worth reading.
Man's Loving Family by
Keith Heller