Whether true or not, the famous British writer Gyles Brandreth uses this fascinating premise as the basis for an utterly riveting and intriguing murder mystery based during the time that Oscar Wilde is sentenced and imprisoned for two years of hard labour in 1895 for gross indecency. What a shock to this highly intelligent and witty gentleman used to only the finer things to be had - books, writing, languages, travel, theatre, exquisite food and other pleasures as per his station in life.

Now, Oscar is utterly reduced to being a lowly prisoner, forced to painful labour and needing to take the constant goading of brutal guards in utter silence as per the rules of the new "penitentiary" or separation gaols that literally drove many to madness. Based on the research and interviews done by Wilde's good friend and first biographer Robert Sherard, the story of this dark period comes to immediate life in all its stark and brutal details of this frightful time come immediately to life as the story is told from Oscar's perspective. How will he ever endure it? As he learns to use his ears as eyes, can he determine what or who is behind the death of two despicable turnkey guards who has been relentlessly cruel to him?

OSCAR WILDE AND THE MURDERS AT READING GAOL is the sixth book in a series of Victorian murder mysteries written by the famous author and theatre producer Gyles Brandreth. Each of these books is compelling as a stand-alone story or can be read in any order according to the author. Brandreth is so skilled at blending in his meticulous historical research along with imaginative speculation of how things might be that the story has a strong sense of authenticity and immediacy. One can see the dark and grimy conditions, taste the thinness of the gruel and feel the assaults to the human spirit and the suffering of the Oscar Wilde and other prisoners.

In OSCAR WILDE AND THE MURDERS AT READING GAOL, Brandeth quickly develops a strong and compelling storyline with realistically described characters whose vocabulary, attitudes and mannerisms ring true to Victorian times. This is wonderfully evident in the scene where Oscar is asked to use his intellect as if he were a detective like Sherlock Holmes. What is almost as fascinating as the story itself is the background information provided on Wilde as well as on the Reading Gaol at the back of the book as well as on the website at http://oscarwildemurdermysteries.com/. Fans who like this genre will not want to miss this dramatic and captivating story, so grab a copy and have a thrilling read!

Book Summary