2008-05-16 The Infamous Hellfire Club

Deryn Lake is a pseudonym of a well know historical novelist. Among the books she has written are the popular John Rawlings Mysteries, Death on the Romney Marsh, Death in the Peerless Pool, Death at the Apothecaries' hall, Death at the Devil's Tavern and others. As all her titles are preceded by the word death, this is a pretty good indication regarding the contents of the books and very good historical murder mysteries they are. `Deryn Lake' live near Hastings, in East Sussex

Death in Hellfire is the 12th book in the popular John Rawlings mysteries. When Rawlings is asked to investigate some strange happenings at a secret club he is initially unaware that the club in question is the famous or infamous Hellfire club. A club to which many of the most famous names in Georgian society are members. The club established by Sir Francis Dashwood after his return from a Grand Tour of Europe.

Dashwood had been educated at Eton where he came into contact with William Pitt the elder and he even had connections with Royalty, some of whom were said to frequent the club. Rawlings knew that he would have to move very carefully if he was not to tread on the toes of some of the most important people in London society

In disguise Rawlings manages to befriend Sir Dashwood and weedle his way not only into Dashwood's home, but also gains the friendship of his family including a lady from his own past. But danger lurks for John Rawlings. The Hellfire Club had gained a reputation and there was good reason for that. John was putting his friend Sam Swann and himself in great danger, even more danger than even he realised . . .