By the Knife by Steve Partridge

is subtitled Love, Hate and Madness..."

It tells the appalling story of the life of John Carter.

Born in the worst of the slums of the London of the eighteen century, to a prostitute mother who sold him into male prostitution at the age of nine, John Carter never had a chance.

An attack by a drunkard who was attempting to rape him led John Carter to kill him with the knife that he always carried about his person.

This simple act of self-defence brought a change to John Carter.
Soo after his first murder he had murdered a client, a wealthy magistrate, and he discovered within him a love for torturing his victims to death with his knife.

He flees London with the Dutch captain of a ship and sets off for a life of maritime adventures and ruthless, psychopathic murders.

David Fletcher is a somewhat different person. He is the son of a rural school teacher. Upon the death of his father, David Fletcher is sent to join the Royal Navy, in which he is to become a member of the Royal Navy officer class.

Eventually he is promoted to the position of Lieutenant.

Eventually, the paths of these two very different young men cross and John Carter attacks David Fletcher, opening a terrible wound across his chest.

But that is not the end of the matter. Does John Carter succeed in his attempts to murder Lieutenant David Fletcher? Or does Lieutenant David Fletcher get the best of John Carter?

Resd this truly engrossing book to find out!

The book touches on many issues such as the dreadful treatment of sailors, the iniquitous slave trade and takes a look at eighteenth century life that is gritty and realistic.

It is very well researched and it is a very worthwhile book by Steve Partridge.

It is published by Matador in paperback at the very reasonable price of £12.99.

The ISBN is 978-1-78462-163-6.

www.troubador.co.uk/matador