Gallows Court - Martin Edwards

Gallows Court by Martin Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There are some books that just seem to grab your imagination. While you're reading them, you just can't put them down and then when you finally do have to put them down for a bit, you can't stop thinking about them. Gallows Court by Martin Edwards is certainly one of those.
Set in the 1930's the book manages to capture the era well and the book certainly has the feel of those books from the golden age of crime writing. Having said that, the fact that it is told by a modern author certainly adds an element to this book that is missing from most of the books that were written in that era. There is a certain sophistication and also a depravity that doesn't tend to feature in books of that time. It gives a depth to the book that elevates it from a homage to the classic crime novels and gives us a gripping thriller.
There are plenty of twists and turns in this story and it was that which kept me on the edge of my seat. Not sure where things would head next or who was to be trusted. Like all good characters, there is a certain blurring of the lines between the good and the bad. Although, the baddies really do turn out to be baddies of the worst kind.
While I did manage to see where things were going once or twice, I will admit that I was taken by surprise on a number of occasions. Things that I really hadn't seem coming, but that made perfect sense once they were revealed caught me by surprise on a number of occasions.
The story itself is told as we follow young journalist Jacob Flint. He's enthusiastic, tenacious but ultimately naive and as an investigating lead makes an interesting person to follow. The standout character in this book though, is Rachel Savernake, although I'm not entirely sure that we ever see her as she actually is.
I thoroughly enjoyed Gallows Court. I suspect that it will be one of those books that I think about for some time to come. It certainly covered enough ground to keep the little grey cells entertained for a while.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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