Ruler of the Night
by David Morrell
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Pub Date Nov 15 2016 | Archive Date Dec 15 2016
Description
The notorious Opium-Eater returns in the sensational climax to David Morrell's acclaimed Victorian mystery trilogy.
1855. The railway has irrevocably altered English society, effectively changing geography and fueling the industrial revolution by shortening distances between cities: a whole day's journey can now be covered in a matter of hours. People marvel at their new freedom.
But train travel brings new dangers as well, with England's first death by train recorded on the very first day of railway operations in 1830. Twenty-five years later, England's first train murder occurs, paralyzing London with the unthinkable when a gentleman is stabbed to death in a safely locked first-class passenger compartment.
In the next compartment, the brilliant opium-eater Thomas De Quincey and his quick-witted daughter, Emily, discover the homicide in a most gruesome manner. Key witnesses and also resourceful sleuths, they join forces with their allies in Scotland Yard, Detective Ryan and his partner-in-training, Becker, to pursue the killer back into the fogbound streets of London, where other baffling murders occur. Ultimately, De Quincey must confront two ruthless adversaries: this terrifying enemy, and his own opium addiction which endangers his life and his tormented soul.
Ruler of the Night is a riveting blend of fact and fiction which, like master storyteller David Morrell's previous De Quincey novels, "evokes Victorian London with such finesse that you'll hear the hooves clattering on cobblestones, the racket of dustmen, and the shrill calls of vendors" (Entertainment Weekly).
1855. The railway has irrevocably altered English society, effectively changing geography and fueling the industrial revolution by shortening distances between cities: a whole day's journey can now be covered in a matter of hours. People marvel at their new freedom.
But train travel brings new dangers as well, with England's first death by train recorded on the very first day of railway operations in 1830. Twenty-five years later, England's first train murder occurs, paralyzing London with the unthinkable when a gentleman is stabbed to death in a safely locked first-class passenger compartment.
In the next compartment, the brilliant opium-eater Thomas De Quincey and his quick-witted daughter, Emily, discover the homicide in a most gruesome manner. Key witnesses and also resourceful sleuths, they join forces with their allies in Scotland Yard, Detective Ryan and his partner-in-training, Becker, to pursue the killer back into the fogbound streets of London, where other baffling murders occur. Ultimately, De Quincey must confront two ruthless adversaries: this terrifying enemy, and his own opium addiction which endangers his life and his tormented soul.
Ruler of the Night is a riveting blend of fact and fiction which, like master storyteller David Morrell's previous De Quincey novels, "evokes Victorian London with such finesse that you'll hear the hooves clattering on cobblestones, the racket of dustmen, and the shrill calls of vendors" (Entertainment Weekly).
A Note From the Publisher
The final book in Morrell's bestselling and award-winning Thomas De Quincey series.
The final book in Morrell's bestselling and award-winning Thomas De Quincey series.
Advance Praise
“I love this series. Ruler of the Night actually made me believe I’d stepped into Victorian London. It’s an exciting blend of high-thriller and Dickens, with parallels to our own time that are both fascinating and unsettling. I’ve been a Morrell fan for years, and Ruler of the Night is as gripping as anything he’s done.” —John Sandford, author the New York Times-bestselling Extreme Prey
“Spectacular . . . The narrative builds to a powerful but bittersweet ending.” —Publishers Weekly (starred)
“Morrell’s mastery of character, shrewd exploitation of Victorian details and attitudes, and tonal sophistication seduce and delight. . . . It’s a cracking yarn, irresistible as an emergency bottle of laudanum secreted in a shabby coat pocket. Richly detailed and engrossing; Morrell animates the Victorian era and delivers genre thrills with rare style and panache.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A complex, top-notch mystery, with a large cast of characters and multiple, interwoven plotlines . . . Philosophical, uncannily perceptive De Quincey competes well with Sherlock Holmes for brilliance. . . . You don’t have to read this series in order, but you’ll want to read every volume.” —Booklist
“Spectacular . . . The narrative builds to a powerful but bittersweet ending.” —Publishers Weekly (starred)
“Morrell’s mastery of character, shrewd exploitation of Victorian details and attitudes, and tonal sophistication seduce and delight. . . . It’s a cracking yarn, irresistible as an emergency bottle of laudanum secreted in a shabby coat pocket. Richly detailed and engrossing; Morrell animates the Victorian era and delivers genre thrills with rare style and panache.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A complex, top-notch mystery, with a large cast of characters and multiple, interwoven plotlines . . . Philosophical, uncannily perceptive De Quincey competes well with Sherlock Holmes for brilliance. . . . You don’t have to read this series in order, but you’ll want to read every volume.” —Booklist
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780316307901 |
| PRICE | $27.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 352 |
Featured Reviews
Rosemary S, Librarian
Opium addict Thomas De Quincey is back in the final installment of Morrell’s Victorian London trilogy. De Quincy and his very intelligent daughter, Emily are traveling by rail when they discover that a man has been brutally stabbed to death is his locked, first class compartment. They join forces with Scotland Yard Detective Ryan and his new partner, Becker. They follow leads into London where a series of mysterious murders are being committed. As De Quincy tracks a killer, he must also face his most dangerous and frightening challenge – his opium addiction, which is on track to lead him to madness and certain death. Morrell places readers firmly in Victorian England, the sights and sounds of a bygone era come alive. I’m going to miss this series!
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