Goodnight Sweet Prince (Lord Francis Powerscourt)

by David Dickinson

Mystery surrounds the death of Queen Victoria's grandson England, 1892.
Victoria, Queen and Empress, is in the 54th year of her reign, when her grandson Prince Eddy, eldest son of the Prince of Wales, is found slaughtered in his bed at Sandringham. Terrified of more royal scandal, the Prince of Wales and his spindoctors decide to cover up the facts and the murder is disguised as death by influenza.


Lord Francis Powerscourt, an Irish investigator, is privately asked to find the killer. His quest takes him on a journey through the prince's debauched and dissolute past, across Europe to the misty waterways of Venice where, amidst scandal and suicide, Powerscourt finally unravels themystery of the sweet prince's last goodnight.


PRAISE FOR THE BOOK


" 'In this excellent novel, Dickinson weaves a tale of blackmail and murder among the royals late in Victoria's reign& [his] knowledge of the arts, history and literature is nothing if not exhaustive, and adds enormously to the overall background& One hopes to see more of Lord Powerscourt and his friends in the near future.' - Publishers Weekly


" 'This is detective fiction in the grand style; the characters and the plot soar upwards and carry us in their wake. Powerscourt's debut in this intoxicating book is the start of a gilded life in the archives of crime.' - James Naughtie

• ISBN10: 184529498X
• ISBN13: 9781845294984
• Publish Date: 25 January 2007 (first published 18 December 2001)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
• Imprint: Constable
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

[tellemonstar]

There was indeed controversy surrounding Queen Victoria's grandson, Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale (otherwise known as Prince Eddy). In particular surrounding his sexuality, intellect and sanity. According to the history books he died of influenza, but what if he didn't? THat's what David Dickinson's compelling historical mystery is all about.

The story follows Lord Francis Powerscourt and his intriguing investigation into the death of Prince Eddy, said to be a very naughty young man - involved in homosexual brothels, and the spreading of a particuarly nasty veneral disease through a bunch of young sailors. It is this particular indisgression that Lord Francis fears may be responsible for Prince Eddy's brutal murder.

The twist of history surrounding a figure who is known or at least suspected to have gotten up to all sorts of mischief is a good premise - a great one when researched and handled properly. David Dickinson has managed to pull of an immensely intriguing story, fleshing it out with characters appropriate of the time period and creating a likeable main character in Lord Francis.

Goodnight Sweet Prince was well researched and there was enough of a mystery to keep you guessing at various stages throughout. Some parts you could figure out staight away and others took a while longer, and some you didn't know the answer to until all was revealed. A definite recommendation to anyone who likes mystery and historical fiction.