docholden's review
3.0
It was intriguing from the start but tended to drag on and there were few characters to like (which is best for me)- the day to day life as a civilian in England during the war was very interesting though and a perspective I'd never heard of before
fictionophile's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure what to expect when picked up "A Coin for the Hangman". It wouldn't have mattered what my expectations were, it would still have surprised me. This debut novel was actually a story, within a story, within a story.
The first narrative showcases Ralph Spurrier (coincidentally the same name as the author), an antiquarian book seller who put me in mind of the Cliff Janeway series by John Dunning. Then, when the protagonist from that story line buys an estate lot of books, he finds that he owns the book collection of one of the last public hangmen in Britain, Reginald Manley. Within that collection are the books and diaries of the last man Reg Manley executed, Henry Eastman.
Henry's story was my favourite of all and it is through the first protagonists interviewing of a childhood acquaintance of Henry, that the entire book springs. Though Reg's experiences during the war were very memorable - especially his reminiscences of the British liberation of the Belsen concentration camp in April of 1945. Also during the war years, Reg was acquainted with a fellow soldier, George Tanner, who comes to play a part in Henry Eastman's life story.
Yes, this was a murder mystery but it was so much more. It was historical fiction that bordered on the literary. That is not to say that it didn't have a few flaws - it was a debut novel after all. I found the true culprit, when revealed, seemed to have a not very powerful motive for his crime. Also, the linkage of the three story-lines seemed rather contrived, yet while reading the main story, I sort of forgot about the initial one, so perhaps it was effective after all.
All, in all, this was a memorable novel which will remain in my memory for quite some time. Recommended to those readers who enjoy historical mysteries and unique plots.
The first narrative showcases Ralph Spurrier (coincidentally the same name as the author), an antiquarian book seller who put me in mind of the Cliff Janeway series by John Dunning. Then, when the protagonist from that story line buys an estate lot of books, he finds that he owns the book collection of one of the last public hangmen in Britain, Reginald Manley. Within that collection are the books and diaries of the last man Reg Manley executed, Henry Eastman.
Henry's story was my favourite of all and it is through the first protagonists interviewing of a childhood acquaintance of Henry, that the entire book springs. Though Reg's experiences during the war were very memorable - especially his reminiscences of the British liberation of the Belsen concentration camp in April of 1945. Also during the war years, Reg was acquainted with a fellow soldier, George Tanner, who comes to play a part in Henry Eastman's life story.
Yes, this was a murder mystery but it was so much more. It was historical fiction that bordered on the literary. That is not to say that it didn't have a few flaws - it was a debut novel after all. I found the true culprit, when revealed, seemed to have a not very powerful motive for his crime. Also, the linkage of the three story-lines seemed rather contrived, yet while reading the main story, I sort of forgot about the initial one, so perhaps it was effective after all.
All, in all, this was a memorable novel which will remain in my memory for quite some time. Recommended to those readers who enjoy historical mysteries and unique plots.
More...