The Hocus Girl
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
Thief-taker Simon Westow must save one of his closest friends from a grim fate at the hands of the government in this compelling historical mystery.
Leeds, May 1822. Thief-taker Simon Westow owes Davey and Emily Ashton everything – the siblings gave him sanctuary when he needed it most. So when Davey is arrested for sedition and Emily begs Simon for help, he starts asking questions, determined to clear his friend. Are the answers linked to rumours of a mysterious government spy in town?
Davey’s not the only one who needs Simon’s help. Timber merchant George Ericsson has been ‘hocussed’ by a young woman who spiked his drink and stole his valuable ring and watch. Who is she, and how does she know one of Simon's assistant Jane’s deepest secrets? The path to the truth is twisted and dangerous. Simon and Jane encounter murder, lies, betrayal and a government terrified of its own people as they attempt to save Davey and find the hocus girl.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Set in 1822 Leeds, British author Nickson's outstanding sequel to 2019's The Hanging Psalm finds thief-taker Simon Westow helping Emily Ashton and her brother, Davey Ashton, who rescued Simon from the streets in the previous book. When Davey is arrested on sedition charges, Emily fears Davey could be transported to Australia for life under a new law enacted out of the British government's fear of domestic unrest. An ambitious local magistrate accuses Davey of seven instances of incitement, including one for which Simon knows Davey is innocent. As the investigator looks into what lies behind the accusations, aided by his capable and deadly young assistant, Jane, the inquiry turns violent. Simon also lands an affluent client, a timber merchant who was fleeced of his valuables by a "hocus girl," who drugged his drink, and who becomes more of a threat when Jane learns that the mystery girl has identified Jane's most vital secrets. The clever plot, which doesn't center on a whodunit, is based on real events. Historical mysteries don't get much better than this.
