LoveReading Expert Review of The Silver Collar
Slavery and the very nature of evil is explored in this superbly plotted and thought-provoking novel.
A tremendously provocative yet entertaining historical crime thriller set in 1728, it’s worth noting that while this takes a journey through some very dark places, a light touch is on hand when needed. Thomas and Kitty find themselves in the happiest of times, until they discover that someone wants Thomas dead. I’ve always loved this series, which began with Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger award winning The Devil in the Marshalsea, and it has progressed with such vivid intensity. While I recommend starting at the beginning, you can actually read these as standalone novels. Thomas and Kitty definitely deserve double billing, each ensures a balance is maintained and allows the plot to really sing (and occasionally glower and smirk). Antonia Hodgson not only encourages us to see and feel the times, she also shows the difficulties that humankind still fall foul of to this day. We really don’t learn do we! Exploring love, friendship, revenge, and the very nature of evil itself, the ending sliced through my thoughts and stayed with me for some time. You can feel the research behind the story, and I delved into her historical notes at the end. The Silver Collar is a cracking and thought-provoking read, and comes as highly recommended in my Liz Robinson Picks of the Month.
If you enjoyed Andrew Taylor’s James Marwood and Cat Lovett series which started with The Ashes of London set in 1666 and The Jackdaw Mysteries Series by S. W. Perry which began with The Angel's Mark set in 1570 then you should most definitely check out The Thomas Hawkins Series.
The Silver Collar Synopsis
Autumn, 1728.
Life is good for Thomas Hawkins and Kitty Sparks in their home above the Cocked Pistol, Kitty's wickedly disreputable bookshop. But when Tom is attacked by a street gang, he discovers there's a price on his head.
Who wants him dead - and why?
For Tom and Kitty, the answer is only the beginning of the nightmare.
Powerful, deeply immersive, The Silver Collar is both a celebration of love and friendship, and a terrifying exploration of evil.
About This Edition
| ISBN: | 9781473615151 |
| Publication date: | 5th August 2021 |
| Author: | Antonia Hodgson |
| Publisher: | Hodder Paperback an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 336 pages |
| Primary Genre | Historical fiction |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
What To Read After The Silver Collar
Antonia Hodgson Press Reviews
Praise for The Silver Collar: The Silver Collar is a triumph, a fine addition to a historical crime series that gets better with every book. Antonia Hodgson gives us dark melodrama with wit, and a driving narrative with impeccable research. It's a rare combination, and it leaves the reader hungry for more - Andrew Taylor
Set at a blistering pace, The Silver Collar is a wholly entertaining thriller. Brimming with equal parts wit and evil, Antonia Hodgson's unforgettable characters leap into a dangerous adventure. I loved every tension-filled page - Kate Mayfield
Written with flair, sly wit, and a meticulous eye for detail . . . The Silver Collar takes us into the dark heart of colonial slavery, making this one of the most topical books of the year . . . Thrilling - Vaseem Khan
The inimitable Thomas Hawkins is back, and I am so glad he is. In Antonia Hodgson's tale of revenge, love, and the nature of evil, the reader is taken on a breath-taking journey into the darkest corners of Hogarthian London. At turns witty, savage, and deeply moving, this is a glorious book - I couldn't put it down - Sophia Tobin
A brilliant, moving novel that takes us to some very dark places in our history - but which also succeeds in being very witty and entertaining - SD Sykes
Not just a superb thriller but very topical too. Antonia's novels have cheered and entertained me like nothing else during lockdown, and the return to a plot about somebody in captivity felt appropriate as well. Her characters are so strongly drawn, and her feel for the period, sense of humour, compassion and ability to create heart-stopping suspense put her right up in the first division of historical crime - Amanda Craig
Beautifully written and packed with atmosphere, wit and historical details, I didn't want it to end. And in shining an uncomfortable light on colonial slavery, it's also timely and relevant - The Daily Mirror
This clever novel gives a brilliant picture of both London and Antigua in the early 18th century, when slavery provided huge profits for many Englishmen. . . There is humour as well as impressive research and convincing horror here - Literary Review
Hodgson once again shows what a skilful writer of historical thrillers she is - The Sunday Times
It has been a long wait, but fans of Thomas Hawkins and Kitty Sparks should rejoice as Hodgson makes a wonderful return with a dark tale of kidnap, slavery and seduction - The i
Fourth instalment of the wonderful Thomas Hawkins crime novels . . . [Fans] are in for a treat - this instalment is gripping - The Times
With bawdy humour and a breakneck pace set against a brilliantly evoked 18th-century backdrop, who needs a Tardis? Read this to feel like you're truly travelling back in time - The Sunday Times S Magazine
Throws readers right back into the grimy, stinking streets of 18th Century London - BBC History Magazine
Hodgson's rollicking Tom Hawkins novels are among the best crime series out there thanks to her irrepressible hero and his equally likeable partner, Kitty. This fourth book is a dark and addictive story of slavery and long-hidden secrets in which the often-harrowing central story is lightened by some great set pieces and acerbic one-liners. - iNews
This is a book to savour. A thrilling journey through the squalor & splendour of Georgian London, bristling with threat & memorable characters - Erin Young
Praise for Death at Fountains Abbey: A tale that more than matches its predecessors for pace and atmosphere. - The Sunday Times
Through an admirable amount of research the award-winning author has used real people, events and settings to create a delightfully enjoyable standalone thriller. It crackles with wit and charm and cements Hawkins' place as the most lovable rogue in historical fiction. - Express Online
I love Antonia Hodgson's slightly wicked sense of humour and it's put to good use here and her clear affection for Tom and Kitty and Sam, as well as her enthusiasm for the period, is infectious. This is such a strong series and I hope it goes on and on. - For Winter Nights
Antonia Hodgson weaves a fantastic tale of both fact and fiction and emerges with a thoroughly enjoyable romp of a story. - Nudge
A cracking murder mystery . . . The writing is clever, witty, eloquent and gripping, a real pleasure to read . . . you can almost feel that you are living in 18th century London. Historical fiction fans will lap this up, as did I. - Breakaway Reviewers
Other editions of this book
ISBN: 9781473615151
Publication date: 05/08/2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781473615137
Publication date: 06/08/2020
Format: Hardback
About Antonia Hodgson
Antonia Hodgson w as born and grew up in Derby and studied English at the University of Leeds. Her debut novel, THE DEVIL IN THE MARSHALSEA, won the CW A Historical Dagger in 2014 and was shortlisted for the John Creasey First Novel award. In the US, Publishers Weekly named it one of the top 10 Mystery/Thriller titles of the year. She was first introduced to the early Georgians while taking 'A' level History. Unfortunately the course focused almost exclusively on George II's ministerial reshuffles, a subject even George II found staggeringly dull. It was only later, on discovering Hogarth, The ...
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