Why a Booktrail?
1846 -Return to the New York that we met in Gods of Gotham and step back in time once again to the streets of 1846 Manhattan. A booktrailer’s dream given the detail and the information and history alluded to in the story.
Seven for a Secret
What you need to know before your trail
An extremely atmospheric novel which evokes not only the history of New York in the 19th century but also the sights, sounds, smells and language of that time.
The New York Police Department has only been in existence for six months. The ongoing influx of immigrants continues including the escaped slaves from southern states as well as the free slaves of New York.
It is the story of the slaves – free or escape – who are caught by the slave catchers, those who stop at nothing to return slaves to their southern owners. Solomon Northup is perhaps the most well known story of this period told and is alluded to here although the greater problem that Wilde gets involved with.
Travel Guide
A fascinating account of the city at the moment that its police force was taking its first tentative steps. Use of the rogues language – the so-called Flash language is spoken throughout and a guide enhances the experience. It is a world that I was both sucked in by and swallowed up by as if it were a whirlwind of emotions and events spiralling out of control. Mesmerising in its detail and chilling double meanings. Extremely and utterly atmospheric.
The investigation brings Timothy Wilde, the protagonist to the attention to some dangerous people and the infamous Slave Underground Railway that operated in New York where he realises how ingrained and high up this corruption is in the city.
The novel finishes off 6 months after the first – Gods of Gotham – left off. And the city is still one of flux and confusion. Immigrants, trade, rats and now escaped slaves or free men from the southern states and beyond.
The Tenement Museum in New York is a great place for further research – tenement.org
Lindsay Faye has written the booktrail herself to showcase the areas of the novel and the real settings behind the real story.
Streetview Maps
1) NYC: Five Points
The Manhattan Center is a clue to its past
The Manhattan Center is a clue to its past
2) NYC - St Patrick's Cathedral
Timothy pays a visit to Father Sheehy.
Timothy pays a visit to Father Sheehy.
3) NYC - Ear Inn
Val lives near here
Val lives near here
5 ) NYC Trinity Cemetery, Washington Heights
George Matsell's Grave is here
George Matsell's Grave is here
Booktrailer Review
Susan @thebooktrailer:
Timothy Wilde – still based at the Tombs, the police headquarters of its day starts by investigating a stolen art work but soon stumbles onto another and more dangerous matter altogether. The story of the slave catchers was one I had come across before (Tracy Chevalier – The Last Runaway and of course 20 Years A Slave) but this was another angle and a very interesting one too.
Shocking how a city we know and love today could have started out in this way – but so many did all over the world and the slave trade was widespread.
There is so much punch and grit injected into this novel that you have to read it slowly to savour it all and not miss a thing. The history of New York comes alive before your very eyes and it’s quite the spectacle.
Booktrail Boarding Pass Information:
Twitter: @LyndsayFaye
Facebook: /authorlyndsayfaye
Web: lyndsayfaye.com
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