In June 1781, Henry Corsham, an ex-war hero embarking on a parliamentary career, is approached by an old friend’s sister. She reveals that her brother, Tad Archer, has been missing for a few days and seeks Corsham’s help. Henry investigates Archer’s disappearance and soon discovers that his old friend had a plan which sought to derail the British slave trade. Risking his career, family, and reputation, Henry has to uncover what this plan entailed, and who is behind the mysterious killings taking place across Deptford.
For a debut historical novel, this book had me gripped from start to finish. The theme of slavery within Britain is perhaps a tough period to explore, especially due to our intensive involvement in such horrific acts. Henry Corsham represents the minority throughout this time period due to his opposition to the trade but shows how not everyone could or wanted to be vocal about their opinions. I immediately felt sympathy for Corsham, who had to balance his personal stance on slavery and avenging his friend Tad, with his future career and his family. Despite Corsham’s apparent death wish on returning to Deptford, a town which revolved heavily around the slaving industry, I found myself continuously egging him on to solve the mystery of the crimes which had taken place.
My involvement in the book is emphasised by how frustrated I got by pretty much every single character in Deptford. Their arrogance, naivety and ‘clique’ attitude was sometimes unbearable but helped to add to the sense of conspiracy built throughout the novel. It is also perhaps representative of what abolitionists at the time had to face towards the beginning of the anti-slavery movement.
Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s debut novel is a great way to delve into the theme of abolition and slavery in an easy and engaging way, especially for those who know little about the subject. It’s mysterious, thrilling, and hard to put it down once you’ve started. The ongoing theme of the novel is what particularly stuck with me, as it’s still important today – how people are persecuted for voicing their opinions. Only when we learn from our previous mistakes will we be able to move past our own history.
And a final congratulations to Laura for winning the HWA’s Gold Crown Award, which I had the pleasure of attending.
Favourite quotes:
“Just as a wise man does not walk into a bear’s cave and poke him with a stick, nor does he stride into a slaving town crying liberty.”
“Why should a man have to hide his true self away? Only by accepting our differences would we find a better way to live.”
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