Gaslight. Ghosts. Murder.

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Hastings Wimbury has always dreamt of playing Hamlet, but for now he works as a theatre gas-boy. Here, he tends to a gas chandelier so powerful it creates its own weather, and limelight machines that can throw a shadow onto a wall ten miles away.

    When Hastings suddenly disappears, his fiancée Flora sets out to find him with the help of Cassie, her rival in love who is more preoccupied with the ghosts terrorising the streets of London. Soon total darkness is imposed upon the city, and they realise that something far more sinister is at hand…

    Ladies aren’t supposed to solve mysteries, but this is a matter of life and death.

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My third novel, Nocturne with Gaslamps, was published by Neem Tree Press in 2024. Read an extract here.

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"This ghostly tale, set in Victorian London, is an atmospheric evocation of its nights of deep darkness - and the gaslamps lighting the streets play a starring role... Although the plot is one of high drama, it is almost secondary to Francis's descriptions of London, such as an otherwise pitch-dark city dancing in the Embankment's remaining light... An expertly re-created glimmer of old London's glorious eccentricity." Philippa Williams, The Lady.

 

"The characters – Hastings, doggedly continuing to convince himself of the increasingly impossible, Flora dealing with her intoxicated suitor, Cassie making her way in a man’s world – are not just convincing but engaging, and the atmosphere of nocturnal Victorian London really comes alive. It shouldn’t be regarded as a parody of Victorian Gothic, for that implies a slightly superior, even mocking, attitude to the genre, and this shows nothing but delight in it.  I found it a hugely enjoyable read." Sheenagh Pugh. 

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" A beguiling, hugely imaginative mystery that brings to life the gaslit world of late Victorian London. Matthew Francis' new novel takes us close to the burners and the light shows, the wonder and the danger of a newly-lit theatre scene, and the secret lives of those who hold the flames. But where there's a lamp there are shadows, and what's lurking in the darkness of the city's night is wonderfully strange. A sparkling romp that surprises and delights" (Katherine Stansfield.)

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"As we try to guess what is real and what is illusory and the connections between, we get immersed in a cleverly told story with fascinating descriptions of light and darkness that are atmospheric as well as philosophical. The dialogue, in particular is a delight; often humorous and sometimes laugh out loud funny. Pour a glass of your favourite tipple, curl up somewhere cosy late at night and immerse yourself. . ." Hanta.

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"Perfect for fans of quick-read mysteries with a dash of the supernatural. The story is steeped in intrigue, secrets, and hidden truths, all set against the evocative backdrop of a theater and the shadowy, gaslit streets of Victorian London." (Gina Rae Mitchell.)

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"A must-read for theatre fans with a penchant for the Victorian era. An entertaining mystery with a hint of the supernatural and a potloads of atmospheric descriptions." (Karla Black McClatchey.)

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"The author paints amazingly atmospheric scenes with his vivid words and the gripping mystery keeps the pages turning with a few shocks and surprises in store for the reader along the way ...an excellent historical crime novel and the perfect read for a dark and chilly night." (Michelle Ryles.)

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"Keeps me interested with new twists here an and there like a delicately sprinkled cupcake you cannot wait to get to the centre of to see if there is anything tasty there. Of course there is." (Jeanette Jensen.)

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"The book has some great characterisations and it was also refreshing to see that there were women working alongside the male characters, rather than being ignored... a highly enjoyable cosy read, it's moderately paced and was so easy to lose myself in for several hours." (Stacey Hammond.)

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" Once I felt that atmosphere, I couldn't stop turning the pages. The story came to life, and the characters with it. I enjoyed the theatrical theme too." (Kelly's Reviews.)

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"I loved the strength of character and independence of Cassie and Flora, something definitely frowned upon by society at the time. Just like me though, neither of them saw the twist at the end coming." (Beth's Bookcase.)

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"The perfect autumnal read especially if you like mysteries or things that go bump in the night." (Kerry Foyle.)

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"A great read for this time of year. Creepy with a hint of mystery and intrigue." (Never Enough Books...)

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"You can almost smell and feel the damp, dark and smokey London. I loved finding out about the workings of lime and gaslamps while having a ghostly murder mystery too... a wonderful tale,that keeps you guessing, I read it in one sitting." (Hipster.)

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"The eeriness of the gas lamps, the way the people dress, move and speak - it all added to this wonderful vibe that sucked me in right from the start. " (Kealyn's Reviews)

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"The ‘nocturne’ atmosphere, so prevalent throughout the plot in various ways. It was almost as if the author was playing with light and shadow through his words. Love how the era came alive, especially in the darkness scenes." (Rosh Reviews.)

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"Flora and Cassie are... strong willed and resourceful, if a little unsure just what they should be doing. Sometimes their uncertainty is taken to frankly comic lengths, as events unfold around them quite dramatically." (Bookwormhole.) 

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"This is a complex story and conveys the atmosphere of the late Victorian world and central London in particular, very well.  The descriptions of the boarding house and the life within is enough to chill any prospective tenant.... we are in a period where new technologies are being invented and women are starting to want more freedom, as well as often needing to earn a living. " (Margaret's Reading Shelf.)

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"This has a wonderful Victorian Gothic atmosphere created and as a theatre lover, this drew me into this read as well. I felt well absorbed into this world that had been created. Some good female characters too" (Bobs and Books.)

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"I do love a good crime novel and I also love gothic fiction so Nocturne with Gaslamps sounded like it was right up my street and I have to say it was... 

The other thing I liked about the novel was the autonomy the female characters were given, particularly in the time period. Despite this though Francis does capture a Victorian London with a hint of paranormal lurking in the shadows that was believable and enjoyable." (A Reader Lives a Thousand Lives.)

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"An atmospheric story glowing with Victorian gaslight, inspired by ‘Hamlet’, as a cunning criminal hooks the gullible and plans a spree."  (Good Night to Read.)

 

"Reasons to read Nocturne with Gaslamps: 

- Historical Fiction

 -Crime Fiction

- Atmospheric

- Some Scenes set in a Theatre

- London

- Strong Female Characters

- Ghosts."  (The Nutty Bookworm.)

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"A cleverly atmospheric read with paranormal elements that bring even more edge to the tale.... absorbing, atmospheric, and so enthralling. I finished it in no time at all. Another highly recommended novel, especially if you like your crime with a dash of the gothic!" (Sharon Rimmelzwaan.)

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