Lady Lydia Farrell has summoned Dr. Thomas Silkstone to her estate at
Boughton near Oxford. She wants him to exam an Irish man, who stands
eight feet tall. Charles Byrne is the man in question and Silkstone is
sure that his health is waning. Along with Count Josef Boruwlaski, she
has freed Byrne from the freak show he worked in.
When Silkstone listens to Byrne’s lungs, he is sure that he suffers from
tuberculosis. It is Count Boruwlaski’s intent to show Byrne to the
aristocracy for a substantial fee, which will then be used towards
getting a royal pardon for Byrne’s father who had been falsely hung for
the death of a woman in Ireland.
Meanwhile the renowned Dr. John Hunter also has his eyes on Charles
Byrne, but for different reasons. It is the former that orders a couple
of his lackeys to beat up the latter.
Knowing that he is dying, and not wanting to be cut up, Byrne asks that
his body be laid to rest at sea. Boruwlaski and Silkstone agree to
arrange that.
Author Tessa Harris’ second historical novel in this series is partially
based on what happened to Charles Byrne and Dr. John Hunter. It is
full of plot twists and surprises. A very enjoyable read.
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