Blood on the Thames

A gripping true-crime tale of murder, ambition, and the birth of modern detective work set amid the intrigue and spectacle of Georgian London.

'A brilliantly compulsive read' The Times
'As twisty as any whodunnit' The Telegraph
'A page-turner' Literary Review

On an autumn night by the London docks, shipyard magnate Isaac Blight is found shot dead in his own armchair. Within hours, rumours spread across London and all fingers point to his business partner, Richard Patch. But Patch has an alibi, he has no obvious motive, and the crime scene is anything but clear.

Enter three men who will change the face of British justice: brilliant young surgeon Astley Cooper, relentless magistrate Aaron Graham, and courtroom superstar William Garrow. Together, they help forge the foundations of modern detective work.

What unfolds next is the trial no one wants to miss. Cabinet ministers angle for seats, British royals flock to the gallery, and the future king of France watches from the wings as the court case takes twist after twist.

Blood on the Thames races through the backstreets and courtrooms of Georgian London, blending vivid history with the taut suspense of a classic crime novel. A true story of greed, intrigue and a death that would echo far beyond the docks.

Praise for Thomas Morris:

'A true-crime masterclass: meticulous, vivid and as compelling as any thriller' Philip Gray
' The research that has gone into this book is simply staggering' Daily Telegraph