Poor Man at the Gates

This classic historical fiction novel follows the rise of Tom Andrews to the fringes of political power and social respectability. All seems to be going smoothly until a dangerously demented farmer has to be dealt with, and a shady character from Tom's dubious days in New York at the time of The Revolutionary War, unexpectedly turns up in London.

Erstwhile smuggler, Caribbean privateer and now a wealthy but unscrupulous businessman, Thomas Andrews is married with teenage children. He exerts increasing influence in the corridors of power. His wife Lady Verity plans to see daughter Charlotte wed to a suitable match. Both Tom's and partner Joseph Star's sons venture out into the world as a rite of passage into adulthood. Family members become involved in dubious adventures and misadventures in post-Revolutionary War, America. Although a land of opportunity, being an Englishman in the States in the years following the bitter war doesn't come without its perils. Two of Joseph's boys find themselves on different sides in a battle at sea.

Tom and Lady Verity intend to place their dynasty in a position of economic, social and political leadership in England. Captain Matthew Star returns to England and makes a love match with their daughter, Charlotte, much to her mother's displeasure. There is social unrest in the country and riots become commonplace. The problem of unemployment in and around Tom's estate is solved by encouraging a shipload of local families to immigrate to America. Henry Star continues to prosper in New Orleans, operating mostly on the fringes of legality. Tom's life seems idyllic until tragedy strikes.

Tom Andrews and Joseph Star's sons enjoy success in the world of commerce. In America, Henry Star is growing wealthy from illicit deals, but is implicated in a murder. Meanwhile, the settlers in New York State are facing dangers as disease strikes. There are shady dealings in Bombay involving slaves and opium-running.

The Depression is over and fears of revolution have subsided, but there is still resentment over the previous year's hangings. Robert is carrying out some very controversial actions on behalf of the government under cover of his bank's business in America. Mad King George finally dies and a new reign appears to offer the possibility of change, but the realities of political and economic existence remain unaltered. William Rumpage rises in the world, to his own, and his wife's trepidation. Business in India shows a profit, and Captain John starts to repair his fortunes.

Tom becomes involved in the sordid suicide of Lord Castlereagh, the Foreign Secretary, and plays a major part in the cover up, earning much political gratitude for the whole family. Meanwhile, James marries well and begins to lay the foundations of a political career. The hunt for Tom's attacker, Godby Fletcher, leads to America. Joseph, busy with his inventions, faces tragedy which may be too much for him. There are shocks in store for both families that will herald great changes.

It is a new era and the children must establish themselves as the next generation of the families. Still mourning the loss of his wife and new-born child, Joseph seems to be on course for spectacular failure, and a serious mining accident adds to his sense of desolation. Overseas, Henry Star flourishes in the corrupt world of the Southern States.

After the introspective years following Tom's death, events take a very dramatic turn. There's a devastating cholera outbreak in India, Luke Star is dicing with death as a mercenary in Greece, while in New Orleans, Henry Star has a potential troublemaker ruthlessly disposed of... and the villainous John Star continues to pose a danger to both families. Meanwhile, haunted by past misdeeds, one of the settlers in Upstate New York panics when he spots a familiar face in town, leading to a bloody encounter.

George IV dies and the rambunctious age of the Regency passes with him. Joseph Andrews is determined to atone for his weakness, in doing so he risks family unity. George Star flourishes in his ruthless money-making ventures, while the Railway Age is born, to the profit of some and dismay of others. In India, Wolverstone learns of a sinister plot involving poison, and Luke Star is facing unexpected danger in America.

Lord Frederick Masters is rescued from his folly in Belgium and is sent to obscurity on a plantation in Virginia. Ireland is starting the downhill slide that leads to the Great Famine of the 1840s, and cholera sweeps through London, claiming many lives. In the United States Henry Star is still profiting and brother Luke is taking the Protestant sword to the Mexicans in Texas. Stavros is desperately hoping for an opportunity to exact revenge on Luke.

The families face new challenges as the Victorian Age arrives. It is a new era but many of the old problems persist; food prices remain high, the poor remain hungry, and the threat of civil unrest is ever-present. Furthermore, the health of the people is endangered as the cities grow but are unable to cope with swelling populations. The overcrowding increases the risk of deadly diseases, and wealth and social standing afford no guarantee of immunity.