Why a Booktrail?
1799: An artist is found murdered in his York home
Soot
What you need to know before your trail
In August 1799, an artist is found murdered in his home – stabbed with a pair of scissors. Matthew Harvey’s death is much discussed in the city. The scissors are among the tools of his trade – for Harvey is a renowned cutter and painter of shades, or silhouettes, the latest fashion in portraiture. It soon becomes clear that the murderer must be one of the artist’s last sitters, and the people depicted in the final six shades made by him become the key suspects. But who are they? And where are they to be found?
Later, in November, a clever but impoverished young gentleman called Fletcher Rigge languishes in the debtor’s prison, until a letter arrives containing a bizarre proposition from the son of the murdered man. Rigge is to be released for one month, but in that time, he must find the killer. If he fails, he will be incarcerated again, possibly for life.
Travel Guide
Travel BookTrail style to York
This book is an excellent guide to the city and its streets.
First Water Lane (fictional)
Captain Harvey’s House is here. “The house was at the botton of First Water Lane. Therefore, it was nearly in the river..”
Coney Street
The cobbled street which is full of shadows and darkness and where the artists is found murdered. The house is more or less where Waterstones the bookshop stands today. Buy the book from here for an extra thrill
Castle Green – Cliffords Tower
” Some of my fellow debtors huddled in the far end of the room , where a small quantity of coals burned in the very large hearth.” The debtors prison “looks out onto the collapsed Castle on the far side of the Green, which gives the prison compound its unwontedly romantic name”
Ogleforth
Fletcher has his rooms here but they don’t sound like a very nice place. Captain Harvey asks him about them and comments: “Ogleforth, that scruffy and unfrequented street full of barking dogs behind the Minster.” There are more slums in and around the Poundlane area.
Whip ma whop ma Gate
The best street name in town. This is where Jeremiah has rooms. The name alone should make you want to pay a visit.
BookTrail Boarding Pass: Soot
Destination: York Author/guide: Andrew Martin Departure Time: 1799
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