Step into the shadowy streets of 1940s London, where Francis Hancock, a mixed-race undertaker haunted by his World War I past, unravels chilling mysteries amid the Blitz. Barbara Nadel’s Francis Hancock series blends historical grit with heart-pounding suspense, offering a fresh take on wartime crime fiction. Ready to dive into a world where trauma, prejudice, and resilience collide?
Hancock’s unique lens as both an outsider in a divided society and a witness to the Luftwaffe’s destruction makes this series a standout. With his PTSD-fueled nightmares and relentless drive to uncover truth, he’s no ordinary sleuth—think Sherlock Holmes with a hearse and a heavy heart.
How Francis Hancock Began
Barbara Nadel, a London-born author with a knack for vivid settings, launched the Francis Hancock series in 2005 with Last Rights. Drawing on her East End roots and a psychology background, Nadel crafted a protagonist who navigates the chaos of World War II while battling personal demons. Her inspiration? A desire to explore the human toll of war through a lens rarely seen in crime fiction—a mixed-race undertaker confronting both societal prejudice and his own trauma.
Nadel, already celebrated for her Inspector Ikmen series set in Turkey, brought her knack for cultural nuance to wartime London. The series, published by Headline, quickly gained praise for its atmospheric storytelling and unflinching look at history’s darker corners.
The Heart of Francis Hancock
The series spans four gripping novels, each set against the backdrop of a bombed-out East End. Last Rights (2005) introduces Hancock as he stumbles upon a man claiming to be stabbed—only to find his body days later, sparking a hunt for a killer amid air raids. After the Mourning (2006) sees Hancock investigate the murder of a gypsy girl in Epping Forest, uncovering a conspiracy tied to Nazi spies. Ashes to Ashes (2008) thrusts him into a terrifying abduction plot during the firebombing of St. Paul’s Cathedral, while Sure and Certain Death (2009) pits him against a serial killer evoking Jack the Ripper.
Nadel’s themes are as rich as her settings. Prejudice—racial, cultural, and social—threads through Hancock’s journey, reflecting his struggle as a half-Indian man in a xenophobic era. Trauma, especially PTSD, grounds the series in raw humanity, while resilience shines as Hancock faces both external chaos and internal torment. The vivid wartime setting, from rubble-strewn streets to gypsy encampments, immerses readers in a world where danger lurks in every shadow.
Nadel’s style is gritty yet poignant, blending taut mystery plots with deep character studies. Fans of Elly Griffiths or Nicola Upson will revel in the historical detail and moral complexity, while the series’ focus on marginalized voices adds a fresh twist to the genre.
Why Francis Hancock Resonates
The Francis Hancock series carved a niche in historical crime fiction by spotlighting underrepresented perspectives. Its blend of psychological depth and wartime intrigue earned accolades, including the Swedish Flintax Prize for Last Rights and Redbridge Big Red Read awards for Ashes to Ashes and Sure and Certain Death. Readers praise its unflinching portrayal of the Blitz and Hancock’s flawed, relatable heroism.
Though niche, the series endures for its bold storytelling and cultural insight. It’s a testament to Nadel’s skill that Hancock’s world feels both distant and deeply human, inviting readers to reflect on resilience in the face of adversity.
- First Book Published: Last Rights, 2005
- Total Books: 4
- Awards: Swedish Flintax Prize (Last Rights), Redbridge Big Red Read (Ashes to Ashes, Sure and Certain Death)
- Setting: 1940s London, primarily East End
Grab Last Rights and step into Francis Hancock’s haunting, thrilling world of wartime mysteries!