This Oscar Wilde mystery, by Gyles Brandreth, was just published in 2013.
In actual life, Oscar sued a British Lord for libel, lost the case, and went to prison for 2 years at hard labor because of his gay relationship with the Lord’s son.
This book is a terrifying look at the British prison system under Queen Victoria – no speaking at all to other prisoners, or to prison officials unless asked a direct question. Can you imagine 2 years of that? I cannot. And wearing a veil over one’s face, being known only as a number.
Much of the information here comes from Oscar’s own writings. The mystery is another layer of this excellent book. And it is intricate and intriguing. Who killed the Warder? How did the padre die? What is
Atitis-Snake actually up to? A yummy book, interspersed with Wilde quotes and writings.
So I’m now – unfortunately! – up to date on these terrific novels – murder mysteries and historic fiction (though almost all the characters are real!). And there’s no word on when the next one might appear. There is, however, a hint in the notes at the back of this one that it might well be about Jack the Ripper. And, in the London of that time, Oscar knew all of the famous suspects. So we can look forward to that!