Avon Street: A Tale of Murder in Victorian Bath

By Paul Emanuelli

One night, one rash act, one crime changed James Daunton’s life for ever. Robbed of everything he once had, and trapped in a merciless vendetta, James must now take on Nathaniel Caine and his gang to survive. Alone, he cannot hope to win, but to find allies he needs to learn to trust in a world of betrayal. Each of those who promise help has their own secrets, hidden in silences, half-truths and lies. And asked if it is fate, destiny, or simply chance that brings them together, each of them would have a different answer. Avon Street is an historical adventure story that takes the reader on a journey behind the Georgian façades of the city to expose the darker side of Victorian Bath. It is a book about the potential that lies, often unlocked or unrecognised, in all of us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The History Press
• Release date: Feb 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9780752477213

Reviews for Avon Street

[john257hopper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a novel about a gang of criminals and extortioners in Bath in 1850 and how their victims try to fight back against them, in the face of indifference or active corruption from the local police and high society. The characters are very well drawn and even minor ones, such as the three year old daughter of one of them, are three dimensional and convincing. It was interesting to read about streets and other places in the city (e.g. Milsom Street, the Circus, Pulteney Bridge) at the same time as being there (I started the novel during a visit to what is one of my favourite cities in England). The novel was a little slow at times and occasionally lacked a little narrative drive, but the plot ends were all resolved satisfactorily. A good read. 4.5/5