
Ruler of the Night
Thomas and Emily De Quincey, Book 3
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Narrated by:
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Neil Dickson
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By:
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David Morrell
About this listen
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.
©2016 David Morrell (P)2016 Hachette AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
Satisfying conclusion
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Ruler of the Night
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One of the best !!!
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Really captivating and satisfying
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Good Addition to the Series
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Any additional comments?
I enjoyed the story a lot. Kept me interested from the beginning. 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.
I enjoyed the story a lot. Very good narration.
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Loved
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The trilogy illustrates the disparity between those with money and the working class. It throws a spot light on the values and moral of the Victorian London. Through De Quincey’s investigating skills, he humbled demonstrated to Peers:
1. Intelligence is not equated with money.
2. Aristocrats are capable of the same sins as everyone else.
3. Clothing does not make a person above evil.
This finial story continues to illustrate many of the practices and deductive reasoning that are basic in crime investigating. This final crime revolves around the first passenger train in the 1800s and more of Quincey’s past is revealed. The action of the chase, suspense, and mystery are just as riveting as the first two books.
Emily went from being a spunky, unconventional to a very confident woman who is valued for her accomplishments. She is aware with her bloomer pants and medical knowledge many Peers view her with disdain. Her actions are emboldened by their prejudices. That confidence is demonstrated more in this installment.
Scotland Yard detectives Ryan and Becker have grown in confidence and skill in their investigating skills. They work together as a team instead of mentor and mentee. There is more of an exchange of knowledge instead Socratic method of education. There is a Starsky and Hutch exchange (hey man don’t beat the shit out of him. You will be the one in jail.) where one officer tamper the actions of his partner.
In the final installment, we find the Queen and many of the Peers hold De Quincey in high esteem. For unconventional Emily, who is devoted to her father and her modern views, there is love. De Quincey learns, you can never escape your past. After he finds the answers to his past, he and Emily leaves London. I will miss future stories about the opium eater.
I found this to be the best book. So much introductory information that is required to establish the story has already been accomplished in the previous stories.
Soo Good! The best story yet.
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history with mystery
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All three
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