Spring of Hope - (Gaslight Mystery) by Cora Harrison (Paperback)

About the Book

March, 1859. During an exhibition to showcase London's top engineers' plans to solve the 'Great Stink' of sewage from the River Thames, proceedings are disrupted by an agonised scream - and the discovery of a blood-soaked body. Charles Dickens is convinced of foul play, and once again he and Wilkie Collins set about uncovering the shocking truth.

Book Synopsis

When an exhibition featuring London's top engineers results in sudden, violent death, Victorian writer-sleuths Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens investigate.

"Victorian whodunits don't get much better than this" - Publishers Weekly Starred Review

March, 1859. After the 'Great Stink' of the previous summer when Parliament was overwhelmed by the stench of sewage from the River Thames, and with cholera running rife throughout the city, Charles Dickens has a new enthusiasm. Having formed a firm friendship with Joseph Bazalgette, he is assisting the ambitious young engineer in his efforts to find a solution to London's pollution problem.

Dickens' friend and fellow writer Wilkie Collins meanwhile is distracted by thoughts of his pretty new housekeeper and her charming daughter. But what does he really know of his new employee's past - and just who - or what - is making her so frightened?

During an exhibition to showcase London's top engineers' plans to solve the sewage issue, proceedings are disrupted by a high-pitched, agonised scream - and the discovery of a blood-soaked body; the result - it would appear - of a terrible accident. Dickens, however, is convinced of foul play, and once again he and Wilkie Collins set about uncovering the shocking truth.

Review Quotes

A surprising conclusion, coupled with vivid characters, authentic period details, and a constantly zigzagging plot, makes this a good choice for fans of historical murder mysteries-- "Booklist on Season of Darkness"

An inspired premise and compelling characters make the third in this series the best to date-- "Kirkus Reviews on Summer of Secrets"

Subtle humor, period ambience, skulduggery, larger-than-life characters, a clever plot, and a satisfying ending-- "Booklist on Summer of Secrets"

Superior plotting and characterization ... Fans of Harrison's Burren mysteries will be pleased-- "Publishers Weekly on Winter of Despair"

The Victorian atmosphere is thick enough to cut with a knife. The real triumph is Harrison's Dickens: sublimely conceited, short-tempered, self-dramatizing, often bombastic-- "Kirkus Reviews on Season of Darkness"

About the Author

Cora Harrison has written over 50 book for adults and children, including the Burren mysteries. She lives near the Burren in the west of Ireland.