The Scoundrel Harry Larkyns and his Pitiless Killing by the Photographer Eadweard Muybridge
SHORTLISTED FOR THE HWA NON-FICTION CROWN
Diamond thief, guerrilla fighter, spy, decorated hero, bohemian rogue and lover of several notorious women – all describe Major Harry Larkyns. Yet he has long been dismissed as merely a liar and a cheat, famous only for being shot dead in 1874 by the unnerving photographer Eadweard Muybridge. But has history properly understood either the killer or his victim? Part biography, part crime investigation, THE SCOUNDREL HARRY LARKYNS uncovers some extraordinary truths, and is historical detective work at its finest.
‘One of the best books of the year’ Irish Times
‘Strange, brilliant, quirky and illuminating’ Country Life
‘A story that is as eventful as it is tragic’ Guardian
‘A masterpiece of historical detective work’ Keith Lowe
Diamond thief, guerrilla fighter, spy, decorated hero, bohemian rogue and lover of several notorious women – all describe Major Harry Larkyns. Yet he has long been dismissed as merely a liar and a cheat, famous only for being shot dead in 1874 by the unnerving photographer Eadweard Muybridge. But has history properly understood either the killer or his victim? Part biography, part crime investigation, THE SCOUNDREL HARRY LARKYNS uncovers some extraordinary truths, and is historical detective work at its finest.
‘One of the best books of the year’ Irish Times
‘Strange, brilliant, quirky and illuminating’ Country Life
‘A story that is as eventful as it is tragic’ Guardian
‘A masterpiece of historical detective work’ Keith Lowe
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Reviews
Rebecca Gowers's gripping tale of a 19th century rogue is a masterpiece of historical detective work
Gripping, cinematic, tragic and tender, THE SCOUNDREL HARRY LARYNS is a belated contender for one of the best books of the year
Harry Larkyns's life at times reads like fiction . . . Full marks to Rebecca Gowers for bringing this contradictory and little-known figure properly under the lens
There's much to enjoy in this painstakingly researched account of a forgotten and troubled ne'er-do-well; it's a story that is as eventful as it is tragic
This is a cold case investigation into a true crime of passion with a family history twist that more than 140 years later finally puts the unlucky Larkyns' side of the story
Strange, brilliant, quirky and illuminating, books such as this remind us, if we need reminding, that books matter. Nothing else can take you away, take you back, take you to places you've never known, to meet people you would never meet
Enthralling writing . . . this is a book that stays with you
Gowers has taken the cold embers of Harry's life and rekindled them to create a portrait of a fascinating, contradictory figure
A fascinating piece of historical detective work . . . that brings the extraodinary Larkyns to life