Why a Booktrail?
1800s: A historical puzzle set at the heart of 19th century London taking in Newgate Prison, Putney and the dark side of the capital.
The Testimony of the Hanged Man (Lizzie Martin 5)
What you need to know before your trail
A man condemned to die for one crime, confesses to having witnessed another crime. He gives an account of something, a murder, in such detail and in a way that Inspector Ben Ross believes that it actually could be true.
Problem is the crime happened 17 years ago and well, of course it comes from the mouth of a condemned man. Wouldn’t such a person say anything to try and save his own skin? And who would believe someone with nothing to lose by telling such a tale?
But then on the other hand, it could be true…and certain details are starting to bug the Inspector..
Travel Guide
London 19th century
London in the 19th century is cold, ark and uninviting – Newgate Prison has a smell that takes ages to wash away according to Inspector Ben Ross. The prison is he says smells of ‘the sourness of humanity’ pervading everything in its wake.
The only good news here is macabre – for he comes to talk to a man set to hang the very next day and to get an account of a crime which occurred in Putney more than 17 years ago. And the good news for the man
“You are among the first to benefit from the recent ruling by the government that hangings shall no longer take place in public.”
From this happy news, we sink further into the life of the man and the crime set to hang. The investigation in to the witnessed murder is the main thrust of the story however and takes us deep into the dark side of Putney – Putney Heath and Putney Bridge. This area was a haven for vagabonds and thieves –
The criminal element that used to be a feature of it still hadn’t forsaken it sixteen years ago. I calculate that I wasn’t far from the Portsmouth road”
The crime seems so detailed and unusual to come from the mouth of a man travelling past on his horse that he is believed and so the investigation starts in earnest. With the clock ticking for his demise, the race is on to try and get to the truth.
This is the moment where we delve deeper into foggy, dark and dank London. The inspector visits the dens of the Embankment and smells the ‘acrid tang above the smoke from the great engines on the other side.”
The people he meets there – the poor of the capital – reveal a London that has forgotten them, a poor law that in place to help those most in need but which misses the most desperate…..society is gathered here in every form and the Embankment reveals it secrets slowly.
London becomes ugly and dangerous. The hanging is one aspect f this as is the murder witnessed. Al this culminates in a revelation about the sense of justice, women’s rights, the death penalty and poverty – issues still relevant today.
Booktrail Boarding Pass Information: The Testimony of the Hanged Man (Lizzie Martin 5)
Author/ Guide: Ann Granger Destination: London Departure Time : 1800s
Web: anngranger.net
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