Ruler of the Night

by David Morrell Narrated by Neil Dickson

Overview

THE NOTORIOUS OPIUM-EATER RETURNS IN THE SENSATIONAL CONCLUSION TO DAVID MORRELL'S ACCLAIMED VICTORIAN MYSTERY TRILOGY.

Like David Morrell's previous De Quincey novels, Ruler of the Night blends fact and fiction to an exceptional degree, this time focusing on a real-life Victorian murder so startling that it changed the culture-in this case, the first murder on an English train. The brutality of the crime stoked the fears of a generation who believed that the newly invented railway would "annihilate time and space."

In Ruler of the Night, listeners feel they're actually on the harrowing fogbound streets of 1855 London as the brilliant Opium-Eater, Thomas De Quincey, and his irrepressible daughter, Emily, confront their most ruthless adversary. The stakes couldn't be greater: both the heart of Victorian society and De Quincey's tormented soul.

The fast-paced narrative matches the speed with which the railway changed Victorian life. It brings back Scotland Yard detectives Ryan and Becker, along with Lord Palmerston, Queen Victoria, and Prince Albert, and introduces a host of new characters from this fascinating era. Master storyteller David Morrell transports listeners back in time, away from the modern world and into the dangerous shadows of the past.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

★ 09/05/2016
Set in 1855, Edgar-finalist Morrell’s spectacular third and final whodunit featuring opium addict and author Thomas De Quincey (after 2015’s Inspector of the Dead) finds De Quincey and Emily, his 22-year-old daughter and partner in detection, traveling by train from London to the Lake District, where he hopes to stop a landlord to whom he owes money from auctioning his beloved books. When lawyer Daniel Harcourt, who’s also a passenger on the train, is strangled, the De Quinceys become involved in the subsequent investigation. With railway travel relatively new, the first murder ever on an English train causes an uproar and makes a speedy solution essential to restoring public trust. The powers that be, many of whom utilized the dead man’s services, limit access to Harcourt’s client files in a determined effort to cover something up. The narrative builds to a powerful but bittersweet ending that will leave readers hoping that Morrell eventually chooses to resurrect this superb series. Agent: Jane Dystel, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. (Nov.)

From the Publisher

"Stellar writing and storytelling. . . . Real historical figures mix with the heroes, and the thriller elements are both terrifying and grotesque. Morrell's impeccable research shines. . . . Readers will feel transported to Victorian London with all of the sights and sounds that go with it."—Jeff Ayers, Associated Press

"An elegant and sumptuously entertaining journey into Victorian London highlights this superb thriller by the end of Rambo. Wondrously gothic, Morrell's concluding chapter of his trilogy centering on the exploits of historical figure Thomas De Quincy will appeal to old-school mystery fans of Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle, as well as mainstream thriller audiences. A truly rare and special read."—Jon Land, Providence Journal

"An absolutely terrific series"—Dean Koontz

"I love this series. Ruler of the Night actually made me believe I'd stepped into Victorian London. It's an exciting blend of high-thriller and Dickens, with parallels to our own time that are both fascinating and unsettling. I've been a Morrell fan for years, and Ruler of the Night is as gripping as anything he's done."—John Sandford, author the New York Times-bestselling Extreme Prey

"Spectacular . . . The narrative builds to a powerful but bittersweet ending."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Morrell's deft hand with thriller plotting provides copious chills and procedural satisfaction, but it is his mastery of character, shrewd exploitation of Victorian details and attitudes, and tonal sophistication that seduce and delight. . . . It's a cracking yarn, irresistible as an emergency bottle of laudanum secreted in a shabby coat pocket. Richly detailed and engrossing; Morrell animates the Victorian era and delivers genre thrills with rare style and panache."—Kirkus Reviews

"A joy to read. . . . [Morrell] expertly immerses us in another country and another time, while delivering characters so real they could be living next door to us right now. . . . For all its Victorian trappings, Ruler of the Night is a novel that feels as timely as ever."—Betty Webb, Mystery Scene

"A complex, top-notch mystery, with a large cast of characters and multiple, interwoven plotlines.... Philosophical, uncannily perceptive De Quincey competes well with Sherlock Holmes for brilliance.... You don't have to read this series in order, but you'll want to read every volume."—Booklist

"Morrell excels at constructing historically accurate mysteries with enough melodrama to satisfy any lover of Victorian novels. His protagonists are fascinating and entertaining; aficionados of the trilogy are going to miss De Quincey and company."—Library Journal

"With Ruler of the Night, David Morrell concludes the most compelling, devious and fascinating mystery trilogy in decades. They'll be reading these De Quincey novels for generations. Bravo!"—Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Kill Switch and Ghost Road Blues

Library Journal

06/15/2016
In this conclusion to the 1850s London-set trilogy starring the Opium-Eater (e.g., the manifestly brilliant Thomas De Quincey) and his sprightly daughter, Emily, Morrell brings back Scotland Yard detectives Ryan and Becker to investigate an actual case: the first murder on an English train. ITW Thriller Master Morrell will receive a 2016 Anthony Lifetime Achievement Award; with a 35,000-copy first printing.

MARCH 2017 - AudioFile

Narrator Neil Dickson delivers Victorian sensibilities with quiet assurance. David Morrell’s conclusion to his 1850s trilogy features ingenious real-life opium-eater Thomas De Quincey and his partner in sleuthing, daughter Emily. The two are traveling by train from London to the Lake District, when a grisly murder, the first ever on this newfangled conveyance, threatens to sway an already dubious public against rail travel. Dickson provides both principal and secondary characters with unique personalities that reflect the buttoned-up moral scruples of the period. He delivers rich details, descriptions, and plummy accents when called for, and he is completely believable in imparting Morrell’s informative background on the tragic occurrence that led the real De Quincey to opium addiction. To get the most out of them, listen to these three engaging mysteries in order. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173841643
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	11/15/2016
Series:	Thomas and Emily De Quincey , #3
Edition description:	Unabridged

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