Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

Welcome to our discussion of The Devil in the Marshalsea by Antonia Hodgson, which is part of our Spring/Summer Collection Group Reads. Your discussion leader is Lisa.
___________________________________________
About spoilers

Please use the spoiler formatting; it can be found on the top right of the comment box in the "(some html is ok)" menu.
___________________________________________

Summary

London, 1727, and Tom Hawkins is about to fall from his heaven of card games, brothels and coffee-houses into the hell of a debtors' prison.

The Marshalsea is a savage world of its own, with simple rules: those with family or friends who can lend them a little money may survive in relative comfort. Those with none will starve in squalor and disease. And those who try to escape will suffer a gruesome fate at the hands of the gaol's rutheless governor and his cronies.

The trouble is, Tom Hawkins has never been good at following rules - even simple ones. And the recent grisly murder of a debtor, Captain Roberts, has brought further terror to the gaol. While the Captain's beautiful widow cries for justice, the finger of suspicion points only one way: to the sly, enigmatic figure of Samuel Fleet.

Some call Fleet a devil, a man to avoid at all costs. But Tom Hawkins is sharing his cell. Soon, Tom's choice is clear: get to the truth of the murder - or be the next to die.

A twisting mystery, a dazzling evocation of early 18th Century London, The Devil in the Marshalsea is a thrilling debut novel full of intrigue and suspense.

Hi everyone! I started this one last night. So far, great setting (even though it’s a gaol, I find it interesting) and a cool premise. Once again, I’m learning as I read this historical fiction - I had not known what a debtors’ prison was, or how it worked. It’s a strange concept, and I’m going to do some more research. Still trying to picture and understand exactly what the layout is like and what the rules are. And there seems to be two levels of society within, sort of like a white collar and blue collar prison in a single establishment.

hi, I've got my copy and shall start in a couple of days.

Sounds good, Leena. Just starting Chapter 7. It's a bit of an odd combo of seriousness and levity - well, maybe not levity, but our hero maintains a bit of humor among his dire circumstances. I'd say the style works, though, and I suppose it mirrors his surroundings, which are a strange juxtaposition of drinking, games, and comradery and horrible, squalid, confined living. At least on the Masters' side. The Common side seems like pure horror. Anyone else started yet?

I'm so far behind ... I'm 20% through and am hoping to finish today. 😬

Pam wrote: "I'm so far behind ... I'm 20% through and am hoping to finish today. 😬"

Hi Pam, I'm also lagging on this one. I'm enjoying it, but it's a bit slow for me, and I've found myself picking up my other current reads first. I'm at about 50%, and shooting to be done by Fri. What do you think so far?

Hi, Lisa ... Am I right that the young 13-year-old was whipped by his father until he is near death and not expected to make it through the night?

Pam wrote: "Hi, Lisa ... Am I right that the young 13-year-old was whipped by his father until he is near death and not expected to make it through the night?"

No, Acton is not Jack's father, he's the father of Henry, the young boy (like 2 or 3) who ran out into the yard while Acton was beating Jack, the 13-year-old prisoner. I had to reread that part myself.

I caught up with you at 50-something % ... You are so right about the slowness of it. 😬

Pam wrote: "I caught up with you at 50-something % ... You are so right about the slowness of it. 😬"

Lol right? You made some progress today though!

The environment and practices in debtors' prisons are just bizarre. I keep looking up information on them as I'm reading. The idea of locking people up for their debts while charging them further under the threat of torture, starvation, and death...it's just unbelievable. And yet it happened, and for many years.

I spent the summer I was 13 years old with my grandparents in Council Bluffs, IA. The first book I was handed to read was Little Dorrit / Charles Dickens. I loved it then and I am repeatedly reminded of it while reading this book.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_...

That title came up several times when I was looking up info on debtor's prisons. Other than A Christmas Carol, I haven't read any Dickens. I sure need to...this year, I'm going to knock at least one down.

Finished last night. Pam, how far along are you?

I finished it a few days ago; I hope to finish reading On a Quiet Street (at 29% now) before reading Dead Man's Blues.