Tom Hawkins is in trouble.  He has been thrown into the Marshalsea, 18th century London’s infamous and perilous debtor’s prison.  Hawkins' only chance of release is to solve the murder of an influential prisoner.  This is a dangerous task, especially as his new roommate, the deadly and enigmatic Samuel Fleet, is the prime suspect.

This is an entertaining debut from Hodgson who has produced an intriguing story that combines mystery and adventure with a small amount of humour.  The real strength of the novel lies in the depiction of Marshalsea, a dark and brooding piece of London’s history.  The reader’s connection to the old prison is also enhanced by the inclusion of real inmates as supporting characters.  Strongly recommended.

CURSED IN THE ACT
By Raymond Buckland.  Berkley Prime Crime.  295pp.  $19.99.

London, 1881: when the star actor of the Lyceum is poisoned and his understudy is mowed down by a carriage, manager Bram Stoker believes someone is out to ruin the theatre.  Stage manager Harry Rivers is tasked with solving the case, but as he tours the backstreets of London he encounters dark players and sinister motives.

This is an interesting murder mystery with supernatural elements and the humorous inclusion of Bram Stoker as a supporting character.  Buckland makes the most of Stoker’s character including a number of references to his future work and obsession with the occult.  Although it suffers from a predicable plot twist this is an entertaining mystery that blends a number of historical elements.

CICADA
By Moira McKinnon.  Allen & Unwin.  390pp.  $29.99.

In a remote farm in Western Australia heiress Emily Lidscombe has given birth to a black baby.  Her husband goes into a murderous rampage killing the baby and the father.  Scared for her life Emily flees into the desert with her Aboriginal maid, Wirritjil.  Closely pursued, the two women must flee from stockmen, trackers and troopers in order to survive.

Set shortly after the Great War, the book’s dark and emotional depth is heightened by the vivid descriptions of the landscape, from the beautiful to the dangerous.  A powerful story that explores the human desire to survive and the injustices performed on our indigenous population.  Cicada is a passionate and powerful debut.