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 leaves the reader hungry for more - Andrew Taylor

The next rip-roaring thriller from Antonia Hodgson, featuring Thomas Hawkins

Autumn, 1728. Life is good for Thomas Hawkins and Kitty Sparks. The Cocked Pistol, Kitty's wickedly disreputable bookshop, is a roaring success. Tom's celebrity as 'Half-Hanged Hawkins', the man who survived the gallows, is also proving useful.

Their happiness proves short-lived. When Tom is set upon by a street gang, he discovers there's a price on his head. Who on earth could want him dead - and why?

With the help of his ward, Sam Fleet, and Sam's underworld connections, Tom's investigation leads to a fine house in Jermyn Street, the elegant, enigmatic Lady Vanhook and an escaped slave by the name of Jeremiah Patience.

But for Tom and Kitty, discovering the truth is only the beginning of the nightmare.

A powerful, deeply immersive thriller, The Silver Collar is both a celebration of love and friendship, and a terrifying exploration of evil.

'Hodgson once again shows what a skilful writer of historical thrillers she is' The Sunday Times

Praise for Antonia Hodgson

'In a tale that more than matches its predecessors for pace and atmosphere, Hawkins is forced into confrontation with a psychopathic killer . . . hugely enjoyable' - The Sunday Times

'One of the most impressive practitioners of the historical crime genre' - Independent

About the Author

Antonia Hodgson's first novel, The Devil in the Marshalsea, won the 2014 CWA Historical Dagger and was shortlisted for the Theakston's Crime Novel of the Year.

The Silver Collar is the fourth in her bestselling Thomas Hawkins series, all of which can be read as standalone thrillers. Her work has been selected for the Richard & Judy and Waterstones book clubs and has been translated into several languages.

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 *



Book Information
ISBN 9781473615137
Author Antonia Hodgson
Format Hardback
Page Count 336
Imprint Hodder & Stoughton
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 540g
Dimensions(mm) 236mm * 158mm * 34mm