The Shrouded Coast
1881. Henry Gough’s daughter is due to get married in Cornwall. Before he sets off from London to attend the nuptials, he pays a visit to his friend and colleague Albert Woodward, head of the excise detectives, to ask for information about a disturbing news report concerning his future son-in-law. Albert fills him in on the history of smuggling in Borwenstow and tasks him with investigating any current activity there.
Henry arrives in Cornwall and discovers a village caught up in legends and family feuds. However, he soon finds himself back in London – his daughter’s wedding having been postponed after the vicar inexplicably dropped dead in front of the family party at the wedding rehearsal. This is a mystery he cannot solve alone.
This is a compelling and well-written novel; it is atmospheric, with legends of ghosts and smugglers and an almost Dickensian cast of characters, and the Cornish coastline is vividly depicted. The main character is based on the author’s great-grandfather, a man with a complicated personal life, who really was a hansom cab proprietor in Marylebone. The character’s involvement with the excise detectives was inspired by the author’s own fascinating career. Apart from coming across a small handful of proofing errors and, bizarrely (from a British author), some slightly distracting Americanisms, I was fully absorbed in this book.
I think the style and pacing of this novel would appeal to fans of C.J. Sansom’s Shardlake series. Highly recommended.
