UNCOVER THE VERY BEST IN CRIME AND THRILLER WRITING
‘Another amazing mystery that kept me turning the pages! . . . Wonderful!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The City of Light is about to turn dark . . .
Paris, 1883: The writer Oscar Wilde has come to the French capital to be inspired by fellow writers and artists, soon befriending a troupe of actors as they prepare for their opening night of Hamlet.
But when a member of the theatre’s crew is found dead, Wilde questions if this is in fact the accident it appears to be.
He begins to realise that dark secrets are waiting in the wings . . . And as the killer takes yet more innocent victims, the clock is ticking to catch them before the final curtain . . .
A wonderfully witty and gripping cosy historical mystery that uncovers the secrets lurking behind the glitz and glamour of Paris in the 1880s. Perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie and Richard Osman.
Readers are gripped by The Dead Man’s Smile:
‘Exciting and fast paced and full period detail this is another great novel’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This series continues to amaze me in the incredible level of biographical and historical detail of the lives and times . . . An intriguing and satisfying murder mystery’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I loved this book. If you admire a quick wit, a bit of history and a mystery, you might really enjoy this one’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Really fascinating! It combines Oscar Wilde with murder mysteries. It combines true facts with fantastic ones, and beautiful places in a wonderful era!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Gyles Brandreth proves himself again to be an excellent historian and lover of mystery . . . With a cast of vibrant stage actors, death after death and a mystery all tied up in the final pages, this makes for an excellent read for general lovers of murder mysteries and literature fans alike’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Previously published as Oscar Wilde and the Dead Man’s Smile.
The City of Light is about to turn dark . . .
Paris, 1883: The writer Oscar Wilde has come to the French capital to be inspired by fellow writers and artists, soon befriending a troupe of actors as they prepare for their opening night of Hamlet.
But when a member of the theatre’s crew is found dead, Wilde questions if this is in fact the accident it appears to be.
He begins to realise that dark secrets are waiting in the wings . . . And as the killer takes yet more innocent victims, the clock is ticking to catch them before the final curtain . . .
A wonderfully witty and gripping cosy historical mystery that uncovers the secrets lurking behind the glitz and glamour of Paris in the 1880s. Perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie and Richard Osman.
Readers are gripped by The Dead Man’s Smile:
‘Exciting and fast paced and full period detail this is another great novel’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This series continues to amaze me in the incredible level of biographical and historical detail of the lives and times . . . An intriguing and satisfying murder mystery’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I loved this book. If you admire a quick wit, a bit of history and a mystery, you might really enjoy this one’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Really fascinating! It combines Oscar Wilde with murder mysteries. It combines true facts with fantastic ones, and beautiful places in a wonderful era!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Gyles Brandreth proves himself again to be an excellent historian and lover of mystery . . . With a cast of vibrant stage actors, death after death and a mystery all tied up in the final pages, this makes for an excellent read for general lovers of murder mysteries and literature fans alike’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Previously published as Oscar Wilde and the Dead Man’s Smile.
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Reviews
The atmosphere and setting are lovely and exquisitely recreated by an author who has an intimate knowledge of the world he describes . . . I won't reveal the denouement, but I can assure readers that the author knows exactly what he's doing
It's a great book . . . there's enough wit and intelligence here to make it more than a 'guilty pleasure' . . . an intelligent read with good characterisation
Highly acclaimed Oscar Wilde series . . . excellent writing . . . it's a fun book that introduces you to many interesting characters . . . a light-hearted and entertaining murder mystery
An entertaining yarn - easy and pleasing to read - with an extensive set of vivid characters
Very funny
PRAISE FOR GYLES BRANDRETH
PRAISE FOR GYLES BRANDRETH'S MURDER MYSTERIES
One of the most intelligent, amusing and entertaining books of the year. If Oscar Wilde himself had been asked to write this book he could not have done it any better
One of the most enjoyable crime series around
The third in an enjoyable, well-researched series
Hugely enjoyable - reminds us just how enjoyable a well-told traditional murder mystery can be
This wickedly imagined and highly entertaining series . . . intelligent, jaunty and hilarious
Rather fun . . . Brandreth unashamedly wheels out a cast of historical characters to die for
A carnival of cliff-hangers and fiendish twists-and-turns . . . The joy of the book . . . is the rounded and compelling presentation of the character of Wilde . . . The imaginary and the factual are woven together with devilish ingenuity. Brandreth also gives his hero speeches of great beauty and wisdom and humanity
Pitch perfect. Great entertainment
Fabulous . . . The plot races along like a carriage pulled by thoroughbreds
Very entertaining
This excellent novel . . . I'd be staggered if you'd read many better whodunnits. Brandreth demonstrates supremely measured skill as a story-teller
Sparkling dialogue, mystery piled deliciously on mystery, a plot with pace and panache, and a London backdrop that would grace any Victorian theatre
Irresistible . . . Elegant . . . Rich . . . Enjoyable . . . A classic Agatha Christie-style whodunit
One of the most enjoyable crime series around . . . He slips easily into the 21st century, does this Oscar (imagine, if you can, an even higher-wattage Stephen Fry), just as, thanks to Brandreth, we as readers are able to travel effortlessly back to join him in his own age. It is well worth the journey - and I can't wait until the next one
The murders begin. Highly theatrical ones . . . Entertaining and meticulously researched
A cleverly plotted, intelligent and thoroughly diverting murder mystery. This novel is an educated page-turner, a feast of intriguing and light-hearted entertainment
Inventive . . . brilliant . . . marvellous . . . glittering . . . graceful . . . intricate . . . enthralling
The latest witty installment in Gyles Brandreth's hugely enjoyable series of Victorian murder mysteries
Gyles Brandreth succeeds magnificently. A plot that is intriguing throughout. A skilfully crafted story that goes all the way
What sets the novel apart is Brandreth's talent for conveying time and place. The barbarism of close confinement has rarely been so graphically and movingly portrayed
Gyles Brandreth's Murder Mysteries just get better and better . . . and this is the best so far
Brandreth has poured his considerable familiarity with London into a witty fin de siecle entertainment, and the rattlingly elegant dialogue is peppered with witticisms uttered by Wilde well before he ever thought of putting them into his plays
Classically twisty
Gyles Brandreth and Oscar Wilde seem made for one another . . . the complex and nicely structured plot zips along
An amiably enjoyable Victorian murder mystery
This is to be a series and if they're all as enjoyable as the first, they'll all be surefire best-sellers . . . The plot races along like a carriage pulled by thoroughbreds . . . So enjoyably plausible
This bounces along with vim and wit. Beautifully packaged
Both a romp through fin-de-siècle London . . . and a carefully researched portrait of Oscar Wilde . . . Very entertaining
Brandreth has the Wildean lingo down pat and the narrative is dusted with piquant social observations. A sparkling treat for fans of Wilde and Sherlock Holmes alike
Wilde as detective is thoroughly convincing . . . The period, and the two or three worlds in which Wilde himself moved, are richly evoked . . . an excellent detective story. I'm keenly looking forward to the rest of the series
Brandreth knows his Wilde . . . Candlelight Murders is an excellent read, and it seems the scene may be set for others in the same style -- and with the same lead character
This is not only a good piece of detective fiction in its own right, it is highly entertaining, spiced as it is with Wildean sayings, both real and invented and the imagined conversations and intellectual sparring between Wilde and Conan Doyle. Future tales in the series are something to look forward to
Brandreth's accomplishment is evident in the force of Wilde's personality, which fairly leaps off the page . . . readers will delight in the effortless characterization and deft portrait of late Victorian England
I always wanted to meet Oscar Wilde and now I feel that I have done, and shared a terrific, bizarre and frightening adventure with him. I recommend the experience
The rollocking tale . . . a witty and gripping portrayal of corruption in late Victorian London, and one of which Wilde and Sir Arthur would be proud
Not merely, like all the best after-dinner speakers, does he know how to spin a yarn; unlike most politicians, he has a touching access to the secrets of the human heart
A fine and sympathetic writer
He can tell a story in the way Daphne du Maurier could . . . He creates a world and keeps you there
The plot speeds to an exciting climax . . . Richly atmospheric. Very entertaining
