Just read Gallows Thief which I thought excellent. But then I have read all of your books. Well done. I was interested in your comments about the number of folks who were hung in the late 18th and early 19th century. A direct ancestor of mine and his father were both hung drawn and quartered for opposition to the Hanovians ie during the Old Pretender ( James 3rd ) and Bonnie Prince Charlie ( Charles 3rd) rebellions. Both were called Thomas Syddall and executed, of course, 30 odd years apart. The latter Thomas Syddall along with James Dawson, Francis Townley and George Fletcher were hung drawn and quatered on July 30th 1746 at Kennington and their bodies, except for the heads, interned in Nelson’s Burying Grounds which is now St George’s Gardens. Such was the public outcry over this form of execution that this was one of the last carried out. I suppose the whole event proved that the Duke of Cumberland had more men even if his father had a lesser right to the throne. Keep up your standards. All the best for 2004, Derreck Siddell