One Single Ticket
A gripping Victorian detective mystery based on historical facts
Brunel's most creative vision - travel from London to New York on one single ticket
Revealing the Anatomy of a Victorian Drama
Brunel’s vision was of a seamless journey from London into New York Harbour via Bristol on one single ticket. It was an extraordinary concept and like all great pioneering ideas, was way of ahead of its time. From east to west by land and sea. Fantastic! But somebody wanted to prevent this vision and the question is why?.
In the late 1840s, Brunel devised a brilliant and innovative plan which would have arrested Bristol’s decline from maritime and commercial supremacy for at least a generation.
The Portbury Pier and Railway Company
Isambard Kingdom Brunel was very aware of the topographical restrictions of the River Avon in Bristol; which appeared on the face of it, to be unsolvable.
But he had the solution. Why not construct a massive deep water harbour and pier at Portbury? A railway spur from Temple Meads Station would link the two together for a continuous journey.
And so a plan was in place. It was secured not only by an Act of Parliament, but also by a very substantial financial investment and share capital amounting to £200,000 from the Bristol Merchants – a fortune in those days.
Why then was the project abandoned inexplicably in 1852? Who and what force was behind a project that would have brought so much additional prosperity to this city? It made no sense.
Many of the real answers lay concealed in the mists of time, but 18 months of extensive research have revealed some of the secrets and mysteries of this compelling piece of Bristol history. And they form the perfect ingredients for Brunel’s Vision: One Single Ticket, a Victorian drama set in and around the city. Clifton would inevitably play a central role in the telling of this story.
What Readers Think
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From left to right: Stuart Amesbury, Robert Wallace, Steve Yabsley BBC Radio Bristol
The Research
As we know, Brunel’s Portbury scheme never came to fruition and was abandoned inexplicably in 1852. There is no clue as to the truth; but the notion of vested interest and double-dealing seems obvious from the historical documents we have uncovered. Or more aptly from the documents we have been unable to discover.
So what exactly did happen back then? Why did such a viable enterprise simply disappear? The cost of lost opportunity to Bristol would have been huge. The mail service contract alone would have been hugely valuable, let alone the passenger and cargo business.
In my story I had to invent an explanation to fit in with the facts. But one thing was for certain, there was one document I desperately wanted to find in order to discover whether a planned rail route actually existed. Brunel was a thorough, meticulous man…
This document was The Portbury Pier and Railway Company, Plan and Section 1845. Engineer – I.K. BRUNEL.
But surely neither this nor any of the other original documents could possibly have survived intact for those intervening 168 years. How would we find one? Where do we start? Nobody even seemed to know about them, let alone where they were! And so the game was afoot.
Stuart Amesbury, an old friend and Bristol historical researcher began the hunt; meticulously searching websites, old auction catalogues and museum databases. Finally, after months of work, his tenacity paid off.
The plan showed Brunel’s projected line from the Bristol and Exeter Railway at Bedminster; through Southville – Clift House – Rownham Ferry – Abbots Leigh – Pill and on to the proposed Pier development site. We had actual physical proof!
There is also a fascinating Railways Abandonment document (dated February 5, 1852). And although this describes names of fictitious parties, share under-subscription, huge payments and parliamentary expenses, no actual explanation is given. It remains a total mystery to this day.
It is rumoured that Brunel rode the entire length of the proposed route on horseback, before it was built, imagining and planning in his mind the completed broad-gauge line.
What Readers Think
Surely this will make a great film!
When war or the threat of war is “over there”, we care, sure, but then we grab an ale and decide on dinner. When we face an invasion HERE, though, every citizen becomes a bit of a hero. The boy delivering an apple to the old woman next door. The young girl helping to sew blackout curtains. The lorry driver making his or her vital rounds under threat of another bombing run. This is a novel with a hero, or two, but the large picture is that every man and woman had a part to play in preserving the freedom of a country and a continent. From the start, this story conveys that sense of time and place, blending actual characters from our history with fictional, but wholly plausible, characters. It does not detail the horrors of war; there are no close ups of trauma, so to speak. We have seen enough, I say. A great beauty of Mr. Wallace’s writing is that those details aren’t required. This not to say that the trauma isn’t there. It is, but we are placed in a world where wartime is implicit, along with an optimism that simply must exist. As you read this book, try to imagine what actors could play the lead roles in a major motion picture release. Surely this will make a great film.A fast paced WW2 spy thriller that combines credible characters with the Nazi notorious. Chapter 2 of the book is called "hooked" and by then I was! The twists and turns in the plot kept me engaged throughout and I'm looked forward to the next book in the series.
5.0 out of 5 stars Can’t wait for the next book!
I really enjoyed the book , the brothers characters were convincing and likeable. The way the story draws you in and the terrible plan that starts to unfold makes it an exciting read . I’m looking forward to the next book .You have given the book extra depth ...
... with this narration of your adventures during the writing of Valentines Cup.
https://robertwallace.media/2022/03/21/my-journey-to-zermatt-episode-1/
The book itself gives such detail as to imagine yourself there with them, the whole package is such a pleasurable read, fabulous
1943 Alastair Valentine, a covert operative for British intelligence in Nazi Germany, discovers a threat to Britain so deadly that he must risk his life to get the information back to his spymaster in London.. From London, Brimblecome the spy master controls and manipulates his agents, but all is not as it seems and deception is found in the most unlikely places - Alastair discovers that he is not the only one good at keeping secrets.... This is a fast moving and meticulously researched plot - a good read with unexpected twists that make you keep turning the pages. Don't read before bedtime if you want a good nights sleep!
A detective story told at a breathless pace, with a Richard Hannay type hero straight out of a John Buchan thriller, and it goes with a swing
The plot is so interesting, and the setting so well done; a delight to get a scenic picture of this special event in history.
What a wonderful book, loved every second of it. Very much looking forward to now reading One Single Ticket by the same writer
Robert Wallace and his researchers have done it again! Historical accuracy combined with gripping, creative fiction authorship makes One Single Ticket a must read. If you liked Richard Hannay's The 39 Steps you'll love this!
This thriller is a convincing, well-researched account of a Nazi plot to demoralise Britain through the use of poison gas. Two brothers find themselves involved in the fast-moving narrative. In order to act effectively together they need to resolve a misunderstanding which has soured their relationship. The other members of the brothers' team are similarly charismatic: outwardly charming, but deadly. The book's historical background is authentic, revealing dissent among the Nazi leaders and the crucial role of German industrialists in financing their terrifying plans for Britain. The plot involves a pleasing amount of bluff and double bluff, culminating in a spectacular showdown in Windsor. The "Royal" episode is an inspired touch. Robert Harris had better look to his laurels!
Set in the 1850s, this is an engaging story and, as the 'blurb' suggests, quite fast paced, "A Single Ticket" involves Isambard Kingdom Brunel (ISK) and his dreams of a railway services and boat services joining London-Bristol-New York by means of railway lines that he has engineered using liners he has designed. Not only would such an uninterrupted service bring prestige to IKB, it would also be quicker and more economical for passengers and traders to use ISK's services via Bristol than to use others via Liverpool or Glasgow in connecting with America. Big, steady profits would be made if he could win government postal contracts offering a streamlined train and liner service. But, ah-ha! there are unscrupulous businessmen - in Britain? In America? - unwilling to let ISK enter the north Atlantic passenger and freight liner routes. This story, grounded in historical facts, is a good yarn; a literate, intelligent, well paced yarn.
This was a fast moving story, that kept my attention. there was mystery, romance and adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel is one of my heroes and this book tells a story which was completely unknown to me. Robert Wallace certainly has done his research and his knowledge of Brunel and Bristol shines through his writing and the contemporary illustrations enhance the reading experience. If you are interested in Bristol, Brunel, railways or just like a good yarn this is a book for you.
I really enjoyed this. Really good mix of fact & fiction that blended seamlessly. Living in Bristol I knew a little about IBK, SS Great Britain GWR etc., but I now know a great deal more, and every time I drive past the SS Great Britain, I shall be thinking about what could have been!
A very good read , it was written in a way that you imagine people of the time would write . It was a good plot with a lot of historical fact . Students who were studying Brunel would find this an interesting read alongside their course studies. If you like John Buchan books you’ll enjoy this one.
I loved the idea of basing this pretty strong story around Brunel's work. Though distracted by what occasionally felt like an uneasy style, I was hooked until the end, wondering who to cast in the film! That's always a good sign and it's a good book.
This book was recommended to me even though historic works are not usually among my reading material. It did not disappoint. The plot is a fusion of historical characters and events with a plausible fictional extension. The narrative has intrigue, pace, was tinged with a wry humour and all enveloped in a dialogue that truly captured the atmosphere of the mid 19th century. The main character could have been an early version of Bond but with a knuckleduster instead of a DB5 and the gadgetry. If you are looking at this review and like something a bit different this book is well worth a read.
A work of fiction that contains so many facts about the period that you start to wonder where the dividing line is. Thoroughly believable and entertaining.
I liked the character of Harry Brooke , who is a Victorian detective hired by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the famous engineer to solve a mystery. Brooke’s task is to identify the person or persons trying to destroy his vision: a seamless journey from London via Bristol to New York on One Single Ticket. The novelty of the tale is combining real-life and imagined characters. I thought the atmosphere of Victorian England was deep in solid facts, which the author obviously had researched in great depth. The story opens and closes on Brunel’s ship, the SS Great Britain on her maiden voyage to Australia in August 1852, where Brooke recounts his story to a mystery lady. But who is she? Why is she there? And what surprises does she bring. I like the fact that the book includes real as well as imagined characters.
Although the great Victorian engineer Brunel is at the centre of this story, the real intrigue lies elsewhere. At the heart of this tale are Brooke and Bishop, hired by Brunel to investigate strange occurrences in his business empire. Brooke and Bishop are a curious couple; they remind you of Holmes and Watson. But it is their interaction with real historical figures - Brunel and Guppy - that makes the story so interesting. I found the action and the pace made it quite a page flicker. The careful research and the illustrations of Victorian Britain give the perfect atmosphere to a compelling narrative. An enjoyable read!
A marvellous book featuring one of the iconic engineers of our time. The intense dramatisation of the victorian period with all it's social decadence yet undercurrent of dodgy dealings and who to trust makes this book a fabulous page turner The fiction is so well weaved in historical fact the reader is left wondering if this really happened - we will never know!
An intriguing tale of mystery, romance and action set against a vivid backdrop of Victorian times, and brought to life with great detail and accuracy. The characters are colourful and engaging and the book is beautifully illustrated. The story unfolds at a fast pace leading to a surprising but most satisfactory conclusion. A highly recommended read!
Really enjoyed this book - an intriguing tale was well written - look forward to more works of this author
A seamless blend of historic facts and well constructed fiction. It is easy to imagine that the events described in the book really did take place, particularly as the fictional characters are very believable and interact convincingly with their real life counterparts and places. The plot moves along at a goodly pace with some interesting twists and turns. Well worth reading.
Robert Wallace and his researchers have done it again! Historical accuracy combined with gripping, creative fiction authorship makes One Single Ticket a must read. If you liked Richard Hannay's The 39 Steps you'll love this!
A page turner of a novel, with twists and turns to envelop you in the Victorian era. The inventiveness of IKB and his contemporaries only outshone by their imaginations and engineering genius. All the time trying to out-do each other by fair means or foul!
Fascinating tale at a rip roaring pace! Historical accuracy is a trademark of the author, This his latest work does not disappoint.
Historically interesting with a fast paced plot. Historical figures, romance, intrigue, twist in the tail. All in all a great read.
Although the great Victorian engineer Brunel is at the centre of this story, the real intrigue lies elsewhere. At the heart of this tale are Brooke and Bishop, hired by Brunel to investigate strange occurrences in his business empire. Brooke and Bishop are a curious couple; they remind you of Holmes and Watson. But it is their interaction with real historical figures - Brunel and Guppy - that makes the story so interesting. I found the action and the pace made it quite a page flicker. The careful research and the illustrations of Victorian Britain give the perfect atmosphere to a compelling narrative. An enjoyable read!
Love this version, and so glad to be able to read it again, bits I'd forgotten! Masterfully assembled story, with narrative and language appropriate to the time/era and a lively, pacing story that flowed. Pictures a a great idea... Research extensive and accurate! Well done Roberto!
An intriguing tale of mystery, romance and action set against a vivid backdrop of Victorian times, and brought to life with great detail and accuracy. The characters are colourful and engaging and the book is beautifully illustrated. The story unfolds at a fast pace leading to a surprising but most satisfactory conclusion. A highly recommended read!
A seamless blend of historic facts and well constructed fiction. It is easy to imagine that the events described in the book really did take place, particularly as the fictional characters are very believable and interact convincingly with their real life counterparts and places. The plot moves along at a goodly pace with some interesting twists and turns. Well worth reading.
