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'You must understand that we are not dealing with petty thieves or one of your backyard murderers, Cribb. We are fighting a secret society pledged to wrench Ireland from Her Majesty's dominion by every means at its disposal.' The year is 1884. London is being terrorised by a series of bomb blasts - even within Great Scotland Yard! Reluctantly, Sergeant Cribb attends a course in the science of infernal machines in a bid to gain expert knowledge of explosives and beat the criminals at their own game. With Constable Thackeray the prime suspect, Cribb feels bound for professional and personal reasons to track down the truth at any cost. And very soon he is abducted at gunpoint by an Irish-American hammer-thrower and finds himself an unwilling but vital member of the Dynamite Party...The year is 1884 and a series of bomb blasts has caused mayhem in London. The perpetrators are Irishmen seeking independence. One of the “infernal machines” has even bombed the CID office at Scotland Yard. Worse, Constable Thackeray is suspected of conspiring with the terrorists.Reluctantly Sergeant Cribb attends a course in the science of bomb-making and infiltrates the Dynamite Party. Based on the real events in London in 1884-5, the story had its own resonance ninety years on
Sergeant Cribb must infiltrate a dangerous Irish nationalist secret society to stop a wave of bombings terrorizing 1884 London. Tasked with investigating a series of explosions that have reached the heart of Scotland Yard, Cribb undergoes specialized training in explosives to understand his adversaries. The narrative follows his efforts to clear his colleague, Constable Thackeray, who has become a prime suspect in the conspiracy. The story utilizes a third-person perspective to track Cribb's forced abduction and his subsequent undercover role within the militant group.
Readers frequently highlight the meticulous historical detail that grounds the narrative in the specific political climate of the late 19th century. Discussion often centers on the balance between the procedural investigation and the mounting tension of the undercover operation. Critics appreciate the author's ability to weave real-world events into a compelling mystery without sacrificing character development. Many note that the pacing remains steady, effectively building suspense as the protagonist faces increasing danger. The work is often praised for its authentic portrayal of Victorian police methods and the social anxieties of the era.
Page Count:
176
Publication Date:
1981-04-30
Publisher:
Penguin Books
ISBN-10:
0140040293
ISBN-13:
9780140040296
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