For a first novel, this is a cracker, a welcome addition to the ranks of historical detective fiction in the generally underwhelming sub-category of early Georgian.
Tom Hawkins (not, I have to say, the most imaginative name) is a theology student gone to the dogs in the best Hogarthian manner, the friend of bawds, a menace to his true friends, and an unsuccessful gambler. The latter, and an anonymous allegation that he was been enjoying the favours of his landlord's wife, lands him in the notorious titular debtors' prison. The Marshalsea in 1727 was at the height of its notoriety under the auspices of the butcher-turned-gaolkeeper Thomas Acton.
Another fallen gentleman, Captain Roberts (Hodgson really does have to spice up the names of her fictional characters) has recently died in the Marshalsea. The coroner has declared it suicide but the captain's friends and family insist he was murdered. The captain's widow has come into money since his death and has friends in high places. It is in everyone's best interests to have the matter cleared up. In the absence of a police force, it falls to Tom Hawkins to win his freedom by unmasking the killer.
Every good detective needs an amanuensis and Tom's is the imprisoned publisher and part-time spy Samuel Fleet, who just happens to have shared a room with Captain Roberts and is himself the prime suspect. This is where Hodgson's story really takes wings. Fleet is a wonderful character, utterly untrustworthy, surprisingly free with his cash. He is the Devil in the Marshalsea and revels in the notoriety.
Hodgson's other great strength is plotting. There is a quote from Mark Billingham on the cover - "Fiendishly plotted" - and he is spot on. There are so many twists and turns in the narrative, set against the ticking clock of the two days Tom is ultimately given to solve the case, that you really don't like to put the book down for fear you miss something. Who cares who really did it? That's never the critical factor in a whodunnit so long as someone did it. The denouement is acceptable, the way it is delivered exemplary.
A stunning debut, then. It says in the back that Hodgson is working on a successor. So where is it? Her website says nothing - in fact the site is useless and she really ought to take it down before it does harm.
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