Design: James S. Warren Youll

I have co-written, with Ian Dennis, the first in a new mystery series called Memoirs of a Bow Street Runner. The first volume was published by Delacorte under our joint pen name, T.F. Banks.

The Thief-Taker is set in 1815 on the eve of the battle of Waterloo. The main character is a Bow Street Runner. During those days, the police were semi-private, making their money from rewards for convictions and doing private work for individuals on the side. Prosecution of criminals for anything but murder had to be paid for by the people who'd been victimized. Prosecution Societies were formed by shop owners and others in order to afford to prosecute thieves, if they were robbed. If it was known that some shopkeeper was a member of such a society, and therefore could afford to prosecute, he would often be left alone. Everthing worked differently then in both the police and court systems.

We have been hard at work on a second installment. It is set a few weeks after the first concludes. Napoleon Bonaparte has surrendered to an English sea captain and is brought to England -- though much to the fallen emperor's surprise, he's kept aboard His Majesty's Ship, Bellerophon.   

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