Has anyone heard of Henry Turner, novelist?

[Rosinish]

Yes, I saw that. But an independent filmmaker now living in California didn't write a book in 1877. So I don't know what is going on there.

I don't understand it either i.e. I didn't comment but thought it worth pointing out as it's a bit of a conundrum 

Annie

[jonw65]

Perhaps a hopeful sign? Contemporary review of Renruth
"contains some references to the Civil Service, which are probably based on experience"

[Forfarian]

Thanks, everyone, for all that information.

Where was he in 1881?

77 Earls Court Road, Chelsea, London

1871 Marriage: to Catherine Wilson OSWALD took place in Mordington, Berwickshire, Scotland (where Catherine was born).
What were the details on that marriage as to his parents - did it name them as the pair you believe are his parents, William Turner and Mary Alsey

Yes.

Renruth .... Grace .... contains some references to the Civil Service

I think you've cracked it.

I did look up Wikipedia and found the one in California. Obviously the wrong person!

[Forfarian]

Yes, I saw that. But an independent filmmaker now living in California didn't write a book in 1877. So I don't know what is going on there.

I don't understand it either i.e. I didn't comment but thought it worth pointing out as it's a bit of a conundrum 

Classic bit of disinformation - "Fact 1: Henry Turner is the author of Renruth and Grace .... Fact 2: there's a writer named Henry Turner from Baltimore living in California .... Fallacious deduction: therefore Henry Turner from Baltimore who lives in California is the author of Renruth and Grace".

[hepburn]

Here's the 1877 book.

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01kz4/

[hepburn]

Oh crikey,it's the Baltimore man again

[Forfarian]

Hmmm. 'The Graphic' on 31 March 1877 reported receipt of Renruth by H Turner and Done in the Dark, author of Zoe's Brand etc.

I have found three reviews of Grace, one of which damns it with faint praise and the other two slate it with no holds barred. Haven't found any reviews of Renruth yet.

[Mabel Bagshawe]

Both are in the British Library, if you're really curious!

[Forfarian]

After reading the reviews, I am not sure that I am curious enough to sit and read them in the BL reading rooms