Product Description

A compelling whodunit set in the eighteenth century from the acclaimed author of The Grenadillo Box and The Serpent in the Garden.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #329873 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-02
• Binding: Paperback
• 409 pages

Synopsis
Agnes Meadowes is cook to the Blanchards of Foster Lane, the renowned silversmiths. Her quiet world of culinary activity, preparing jugged hare, oyster loaves, almond soup and other delicacies for the family, is a happy refuge from the hustle and bustle of 1750s London. But in a single night everything is to change: the Blanchards' most prestigious and expensive commission, a giant silver wine cooler destined for the house of Sir Bartholomew Grey, is stolen and a sinister chain of events is set in motion. A young apprentice is murdered and a young maid, Rose, disappears. Are these portentous happenings connected? Called upon by her master to investigate 'below stairs', Agnes enters a dark world of hidden secrets, jealousy and murderous intent. Before the game is played out she will be forced to act as mouse to the infamous Thief Taker's cat as she is drawn into a seamy underworld of London crime. And the truth comes at a high price: she must decide how big a sacrifice she is prepared to make to bring the villains to justice. Boasting a heroine who's going to win a multitude of admirers, THE THIEF TAKER is a spellbinding novel of crime, chicanery and cooking.

About the Author
Janet Gleeson:
Janet Gleeson was born in Sri Lanka, where her father was a tea planter. After taking a degree in History of Art and English she joined Sotheby's, and later worked for Bonhams Auctioneers. In 1991 she joined Reed Books, where she was responsible for devising and writing Miller's Antiques and Collectibles. She is the author of the Sunday Times non-fiction bestsellers The Arcanum and The Moneymaker. She is also the author of three novels, The Grenadillo Box, The Serpent in the Garden and The Thief-Taker.

Customer Reviews

Great read!
I picked this book up on a whim because on the surface it fit the bill, historic London. It didn't disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about life "downstairs" and learning about the trade of the silversmith, the research into both of these areas really added to the texture of the story. This was the first book by Janet Gleeson that I've read and has made me want to read more by her.

Story doesn't cook as it should
Pushed as a gastronomic historical adventure, this is more a peek at the 18th century silversmith industry. A sympathetic yet unexciting heroine, reasonably inventive plot and a flurry of interesting historical facts result in a novel suitable for a rainy day read. Not quite enough to make the reader boil with excitement, however.