Gyles Brandreth

Gyles Brandreth

Gyles Brandreth (Gyles Daubeney Brandreth) was born on March 8th, 1948 and is currently 78 years old. Gyles Brandreth was born in Wuppertal, Germany. Brandreth attended New College, Oxford where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Gyles Brandreth is a British broadcaster, author, and former politician. He has worked in theater, television, journalism, and publishing. He has authored books for both adults and children on words, Scrabble, puzzles, and jokes, and he also wrote for Games & Puzzles magazine.

Brandreth was a presenter on Good Morning Britain in the 1980s. He has appeared on the BBC’s The One Show and Channel 4’s Countdown. In 1992, he was elected as a Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Chester. However, in 1997, he lost his seat and returned to media work, speaking at events and writing books.

Brandreth’s 2007 book, Oscar Wilde and the Candlelight Murder, is a historical mystery set between 1889 and 1890, featuring Oscar Wilde as the protagonist. Wilde discovers the body of a young boy named Billy Wood, surrounded by candles.

He hesitates to report the crime, and when he returns to the scene, the body has mysteriously vanished. With no evidence, the police quickly dismiss the case, forcing Oscar and his friend, Robert Sherard, to investigate and uncover the truth themselves.

While the novel doesn’t feature heavy traditional detective work, its true highlight is Oscar Wilde himself. What makes the book memorable is Oscar’s sharp wit, charm, and interactions with famous figures, including Henry Irving and Arthur Conan Doyle.

The mystery unfolds at a steady pace, culminating in a classic drawing-room reveal. The historical details bring the Victorian era to life, fully immersing the reader in the setting. Though the plot is straightforward, the novel’s uniqueness lies in Oscar’s humor and the rich historical atmosphere. It is highly recommended for fans of historical mysteries.

Oscar Wilde and the Murders at Reading Gaol is the sixth book in the Oscar Wilde murder mystery series. Set in 1897, it follows Oscar as he struggles to survive the harsh conditions of imprisonment while mourning the loss of his creative outlet. But when the prison warden and chaplain are discovered brutally murdered, Oscar is drawn into solving the crime.

The murders are baffling, as they occur while all the prisoners are locked in their cells, eliminating the most obvious suspects. Wilde must use his amateur detective skills to uncover the killer before he becomes the next victim.

Oscar Wilde and the Murders at Reading Gaol masterfully blends the grim atmosphere of Victorian incarceration with a traditional locked-room mystery. The historical details vividly depict the harsh reality of 19th-century prison life, and the twists and turns keep the reader engaged from start to finish. Fans of Richard Osman, Agatha Christie, and Sherlock Holmes will find this a compelling read.

Related Authors

Fans of Gyles Brandreth also enjoy these authors:

1. Louise Penny, author of the Inspector Gamache Series.
2. Ann Cleeves, author of the Shetland Island Series.
3. James Patterson, author of the Alex Cross Series.
4. Alexander McCall Smith, author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series.
5. Richard Osman, author of the Thursday Murder Club Series.

Gyles Brandreth: F.A.Q