Synopses & Reviews
The debut novel from the bestselling author of The Arcanum transports readers to eighteenth-century Georgian England for an intricate, romantic tale of murder and intrigue. On New Year's Day, 1755, the life of Nathaniel Hopson, journeyman to the great cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale, takes a chilling turn. While working at the home of Lord Montfort, Nathaniel stumbles upon his patron's lifeless body in his grand, new library. The gunshot wound begs an obvious conclusion: Montfort, burdened with debts and recently possessed of a melancholic nature, must have taken his own life. Nathaniel, however, remains unconvinced. The gun near Montfort's hand suggests suicide, but what about the blood on the windowsill and the footprints on the library floor? And another strange detail: Lord Montfort was discovered clutching a small and elaborately carved box of grenadillo wood. Does the answer to this most baffling of mysteries lie within this unusual keepsake? No sooner does Nathaniel become the unlikely investigator than another body is found, frozen and mutilated. Nathaniel knows this victim well--but what was he doing on Montfort's estate? The investigation takes him from the drawing rooms of the aristocracy to the slums of Fleet Street in search of the key to the grenadillo box. But someone has already killed to keep this secret, and every step Nathaniel takes is a step further into danger. A thrillingly ingenious first novel, The Grenadillo Box is a gripping, deliciously old-fashioned detective tale crafted with all the intricacy and care of a Chippendale cabinet.
Synopsis
New Year's Day, 1755 The life of Nathaniel Hopson, journeyman to the illustrious cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale, is about to take a chilling turn. He has been sent to Cambridge to install a new library at the country home of Lord Montfort. Moments after the foul-tempered Montfort storms away from the afternoon dinner, a gunshot is heard. Hopson runs to the library to find him dead. His nephew and lawyer believe the conclusion is obvious: Montfort, burdened with gambling debts, must have taken his own life. The gun near Montfort's hand suggests suicide, but there are bloody footprints on the library floor. And there is a strange detail: he is clutching a small, elaborately carved box of rare grenadillo wood.
No sooner does Nathaniel become the unlikely investigator than another body is found, mutilated and frozen in the pond. Nathaniel knows this victim well -- but what was he doing on Montfort's estate? The search for answers takes Nathaniel from the slums of Fleet Street to the silk-draped rooms of the aristocracy that roil with jealousy and secrets. And he meets Madame Trenti, the alluring and mysterious Drury Lane actress and client of Chippendale's, who seems to have known not only Montfort but the dead man in the pond as well.
An ingenious first novel, "The Grenadillo Box" is a deliciously old-fashioned detective story, crafted with all the intricacy and polish of a Chippendale cabinet.
About the Author
Janet Gleeson, author of the bestselling The Arcanum, was born in Sri Lanka and has degrees in art history and English. She has worked in the Impressionist paintings department at Sotheby's and was an art and antiques correspondent for House & Garden for seven years. She is also the author of Millionaire: The Philanderer, Gambler, and Duelist Who Invented Modern Finance. This is her first novel. She lives in London.