Death at the Priory - Tapa dura

The Times of 1876 called it "the most disgusting exhibition ever witnessed in this generation": the beautiful and popular Florence Ricardo married Charles Bravo, a promising young barrister. The marriage appeared to be happy, but, one night, shortly after the wedding, Bravo collapsed. For the next 55 hours, with some of London's most distinguished physicians in attendance, Bravo suffered a slow and agonizing death. All the doctors concurred: Bravo had been poisoned. The scandalous investigation that ensued was covered in sensational detail by the press. It eclipsed coverage of the Prime Minister's negotiations with Egypt and the Prince of Wales' Indian tour. The finger of suspicion pointed at various times at suicide, at Mrs Cox, at George Griffiths, a stableman with a grudge, and at the remarkable figure of Florence Bravo herself. Ruddick's meticulous recreation of the case brings its main characters and their times to vivid life. The brilliant conclusion draws on new evidence unearthed by the author himself to demonstrate for the first time who really murdered Charles Bravo.

In 1875, the beautiful and vivacious widow Florence Ricardo wedded Charles Bravo, a daring barrister. The marriage seemed a happy one, although society gossips whispered that Bravo had married Florence for her fortune. Yet behind this charming public persona, Charles Bravo was a brutal and vindictive man, who dismissed Florence's steadfast companion Mrs Cox, and who regularly subjected his wife to violent abuse. One night, four months after the wedding, Bravo collapsed. For the next 55 hours, with some of London's most distinguished physicians in attendance, Charles suffered a slow and agonizing death. All the doctors agreed: Charles Bravo had been poisoned. The dramatic investigation that followed was covered in sensational detail by the press. It eclipsed coverage of the prime minister's negotiations with Egypt, the Prince of Wales' Indian tour and the conflict in the Balkans. The finger of suspicion pointed at various times at suicide, at Mrs Cox, at George Griffiths, a stableman with a grudge against Bravo, and at the remarkable figure of Florence Bravo herself. This work provides a meticulous recreation of the case, bringing its main characters and their times to vivid life. The conclusion draws on new evidence unearthed by the author himself to demonstrate for the first time who really murdered Charles Bravo.