OSCAR WILDE AND THE CANDLELIGHT MURDERS Gyles Brandreth
In 1889 Oscar Wilde, poet and playwright, finds the mutilated corpse of a young boy in a candle lit room of a London back street. With his friend Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, he returns to the scene of the crime - the corpse has vanished! Scotland Yard has no interest in the case until remains of the body appear so meanwhile Oscar Wilde takes on the role of detective and sets about unravelling the mystery. He is a larger that life character - flamboyant, outrageous and witty. The London of his time is richly atmospheric; the sordid world of vice and violence is as convincing as the luxurious life of champagne and oysters. While other bizarre and brutal murders are uncovered, the plot speeds along to an exciting climax. The solution to the mystery is totally unforeseen and very satisfying. This novel is the first in a series; I hope the others are equally entertaining.