HISTORICAL FICTION REVIEW: The Watermen - Patrick Easter

Release Date: 07/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

In the dark and slimy streets of Wapping a prostitute is beaten half to death, a not uncommon fate in late 18th century London. So begins this gripping tale set in 1798 in the Port of London: a cruel villain holds sway over the underworld. His name is Boylin. His face is scarred by lime and his back by the two hundred lashes he received following a naval court martial. He holds Captain Tom Pascoe responsible for his suffering. They meet again when Pascoe becomes River Surveyor for the newly formed marine police. They've had orders to investigate a sudden fall in government revenue that is affecting the nation's ability to fight the war against Napoleon and stem the rising tide of Irish rebellion. Pascoe knows that Boylin is behind it, but he can't prove anything, yet. THE WATERMEN follows these two adversaries across London as they try to outwit one another. Working alongside Pascoe is Sam Hart, a Jewish immigrant with his own agenda, Pascoe throws the rule-book out the window, scouring East London and the docklands in search of information. But fate takes a cruel twist when the two men find themselves involved with the same woman - there's much more at stake than the fate of the nation.


REVIEW:

If you’ve enjoyed the stories of Matthew Hawkwood by James McGee then you may well want to give this title by Patrick Easter a go. Whilst the jacket text isn’t exactly thrilling, the title within is definitely worth the time as our hero has a realistic feel, has come fully fledged from a former Met Water Police Officers imagination and the sailing terms whilst there are kept to a minimum so as not to confuse the reader.

Add to this a great arch villain for Tom Pascoe to battle against, a woman torn between our two principle protagonists and you know that it’s a book that will go all out in a no holds barred battle of the law vs criminality. A great title all in and one that really did keep me entertained with its great prose, decent dialogue and outstanding characters. A real triumph from this authors fictional debut.