The fourth of Gyles Brandreth's acclaimed series of Victorian mysteries starring Oscar Wilde - wit, dandy, professional playwright - and amateur sleuth . . .
Spring, 1890. A glamorous reception is hosted by theDuke and Duchess of Albemarle. All London's haut monde is there, including the Prince of Wales who counts the Albemarles as close friends. Although the heir apparent and the prince of aesthetes are friends, at the party Oscar appears more interested in a young actor, Rex LaSalle, who disarmingly claims to be a vampire.
What begins as a diverting evening ends in tragedy. As the guests are about to leave, the Duchess is found murdered in an anteroom, two tiny puncture marks in her throat. Desperate to avoid a public scandal, the Prince of Wales asks Oscar and his friend Arthur Conan Doyle to investigate the crime. What they discover threatens to destroy the royal family . . . and the reputation of Oscar Wilde.
Praise for Oscar Wilde and the Dead Man's Smile
'Brandreth's portrait of Oscar Wilde is entirely plausible; plots are ingenious and the historical backgroud is fascinating' - Scotsman
Cleverly plotted, intelligent and thoroughly diverting . . . This novel is an educated page-turner; a feast of intriguing and light-hearted entertainment - Good Book Guide
Praise for Oscar Wilde and the Ring of Death
'Hugely enjoyable' - Daily Mail
A cast of historical characters to die for - Sunday Times
A carnival of cliff-hangers and fiendish twists-and-turns . . . The joy of the book . . . is the rounded and compelling presentation of the character of Wilde . . . The imaginary and the factual are woven together with devilish ingenuity. Brandreth also gives his hero speeches of great beauty and wisdom and humanity - Sunday Express
Praise for Oscar Wilde and the Dead Man's Smile
'Brandreth's portrait of Oscar Wilde is entirely plausible; plots are ingenious and the historical backgroud is fascinating' - Scotsman
Cleverly plotted, intelligent and thoroughly diverting . . . This novel is an educated page-turner; a feast of intriguing and light-hearted entertainment - Good Book Guide
Praise for Oscar Wilde and the Ring of Death
'Hugely enjoyable' - Daily Mail
Gyles Brandreth is a writer, performer, former MP and government whip whose career has ranged from hosting Have I Got News For You to starring in his own award-winning musical revue in London's West End. Currently a reporter with The One Show on BBC1 and a regular on Radio 4's Just a Minute, his acclaimed Victorian detective stories - THE OSCAR WILDE MURDER MYSTERIES - are now being published in nineteen countries around the world and are currently in development for TV. All six books in the series, OSCAR WILDE AND THE CANDLELIGHT MURDERS, OSCAR WILDE AND THE RING OF DEATH, OSCAR WILDE AND THE DEAD MAN'S SMILE, OSCAR WILDE AND THE NEST OF VIPERS, OSCAR WILDE AND THE VATICAN MURDERS and OSCAR WILDE AND THE MURDERS AT READING GAOL are available from John Murray. You can find out more about the Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries at www.oscarwildemurdermysteries.com and about Gyles Brandreth at www.gylesbrandreth.net