The Betrayal of Thomas True by AJ West

I know I've been very quiet on here - just life stuff, I'm afraid, but aiming to do better! And, oh my heart, it's an emotional one in the blog today! Welcome to my stop on the tour for The Betrayal of Thomas True by AJ West. I hadn't read The Spirit Engineer, the author's debut novel, so didn't know what to expect, but the blurb looked fascinating. I wasn't disappointed. Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me on the tour and to the publisher for sending my review copy.

The Blurb

It is the year 1710, and Thomas True has arrived on old London Bridge with a dangerous secret. One night, lost amongst the squalor of London's hidden back streets, he finds himself drawn into the outrageous underworld of the molly houses.

Meanwhile, carpenter Gabriel Griffin struggles to hide his double life as Lotty, the molly's stoic guard. When a young man is found murdered, he realises there is a rat amongst them, betraying their secrets to a pair of murderous Justices.

Can Gabriel unmask the traitor before they hang? Can he save hapless Thomas from peril, and their own forbidden love?

Set amidst the buried streets of Georgian London, The Betrayal of Thomas True is a brutal and devastating thriller, where love must overcome evil, and the only true sin is betrayal.

 

My Review

Thomas True arrives in London, just 18 and fresh faced. Very handsome too. He has left home to escape his strict parents and to find his true self. But it was such a rush he left in he's forgotten his luggage and when he is accidentally thrown from the carriage he has no idea where he is, what to do, or how to get to his cousin's house. Fortunately, someone is on hand to help and Thomas is introduced to the world of molly houses, specifically Mother Clap's Molly House, the biggest, the busiest, the best and the most colourful. And here Thomas meets Gabriel and both their lives change forever... 

Well, this is a real rollercoaster of emotions! From the moment Thomas arrived in London we're taken on a journey with him full of ups and downs. Naive, innocent and a little frightened when he arrives, he knows there is something different about him, and London is the place where he comes into his own. Seeing him find himself, and the freedom that comes with that is an utter joy. But the freedom isn't a real one, as his love is forbidden and illegal. And there are viscous gangs and a couple of nasty law men determined to put an end to such filth (in they die opinion). Reading about some of the men seeking out medical treatments to try to suppress their urges was heart breaking. 

But behind the doors of Mother Clap's Molly House the men could truly be themselves. The descriptions of the place are so vivid and colourful - the set up, the dancers, the costumes, the alter egos - it's some place! And Mother Clap herself - a woman providing a safe haven for all these men - brilliant. And so many fabulous characters - Jack, Fump, Vivian, the Duchess and, of course, Gabriel. Oh, he especially, tugged at my heart strings. So tortured, so sad, but so beautifully written. And trying to do the right thing, even when it might be the worst thing for him... Gabriel was my standout character in this book. An honourable mention for Harry, Gabriel's long time friend and a decent, stand up kind of guy.

I loved all the descriptions of London, the filth, the smells, the colours, the places and the people. So well illustrated and easy to picture. The story itself made me angry, happy,  grief stricken, filled my heart with joy, broke it, made me cry. I was telling someone today that I had cried at this book and she commented that I must have a good imagination to feel that way. Maybe, but for me, it's because of was so beautifully written that I really didn't have to try too hard to picture it all. 

The Betrayal of Thomas True is a truly emotional read - it's violent and brutal in places, gentle and loving in others. It will make you angry, so angry, in places, then make your heart soar in others, right up to its bittersweet ending. I was left in tatters. It's definitely one to beg, borrow or buy - I promise you, you will be moved. Highly recommended. I'm off to find a copy of The Spirit Engineer...

The Author

A.J. West's bestselling debut novel The Spirit Engineer won the Historical Writers'
Association Debut Crown Award, gaining international praise for its telling of a long forgotten true story.

An award winning BBC newsreader and reporter, he has written for national newspapers and regularly appears on network television discussing his writing and the historical
context of contemporary events.

A passionate historical researcher, he writes at The London Library and museum archives around the world.

To connect with AJ and discover more about his research, visit www.ajwestauthor.com


Bookshop Tour