The Desperate Remedy: Henry Gresham and the Gunpowder Plot

Henry Gresham #1

by Martin Stephen

Thief. Informer. Double-dealer. Pimp. Will Shadwell may not be the most moral of men, but to gentleman spy Henry Gresham he is invaluable. During the reign of King James I a man must know his enemies to survive and Shadwell is one of Gresham’s best sources.

Then Shadwell is discovered brutally murdered. And before Gresham is able to establish why, he is summoned by the man he fears Robert Cecil, the King’s Machiavellian Chief Secretary. Cecil wants Gresham to investigate Sir Francis Bacon’s private life. When Gresham begins his inquiries, he uncovers a plot so audacious it is scarcely a conspiring clutch of Catholic lords and a trail of gunpowder underneath the Houses of Parliament.

From the court of King James to the deadly underworld of Jacobean London, Martin Stephen’s superb debut novel is as rich in atmosphere as it is in tension. Historical fiction of the highest order, The Desperate Remedy is a thrilling tale of courtly machinations.

Genres: Historical, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Crime, Historical Fiction, Mystery

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

George Martin Stephen is High Master of St Paul's School,London, and ex-High Master of The Manchester Grammar School. He is the author of 16 academic titles on English literature, modern naval history and war poetry, as well as the highly-acclaimed Henry Gresham historical crime novels, set in the London and Cambridge of Elizabeth I and James I.

Reviews

[Rosemary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Historical thriller about the plot to blow up the House of Lords in 1605. Interesting in some ways but rather slow. I certainly wasn't gripped.

[Alan Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a bad book by any means but, apologies for the dreadful pun, it just didn't light my fuse.

The skeleton of a great story is there, and the author demonstrates his strong knowledge of history, but as he attempts to bend the historical facts into a fictional story, he gets exposed as a storyteller.

Expanding upon the original gunpowder plot, weaving the original story and theories is an interesting idea with potential.

The key characters could have been really interesting and should be a good platform to build on, however I felt they lacked real depth and were superficial and one dimensional. Despite liking the characters, I wanted more emotional attachment to them.

I was left feeling this was very bubblegum fiction, the lead hero Gresham was created in the mould of a historical James Bond, with money, wealth, intelligence, wit, etc. You feel he's always one step ahead of everyone, and never really threatened or in true peril.

One scene that really disappointed me was when Gresham infiltrated the Catholic group disguised as a Scotsman. The dreadful Scottish dialogue may have been intended to be humorous, but it just ended up cringingly bad.

It's a real shame as I wanted to like this book a lot more than I actually did. I didn't find it bad, it just could have been a lot better and left me feeling this was a missed opportunity.

[Michael Bully · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry Gresham is fast becoming my favourite Jacobean murder-solver. Cynical, but principled, fights anyone and everything to get at the truth, and feuds with Secretary of State Robert Cecil in the process.
Some great scenes featuring Gresham, his partner Jane, his trusty servant Mannion .Meeting Francis Bacon, going to a masque at the Court of James I. There are some great comic moments, such as when Gresham and Jane meet up with Ben Johnson.
And being 1605, they caught up in the Gunpowder Plot. As have been reading a lot about the 'Plot was intrigued to see how this author would portray the conspirators themselves. Martin Stephen portrays them as a fringe apocalyptic cult with dubious motives and treats them less sympathetically then many writers. He pursues the line that Cecil had intelligence of the 'Plot for some time and was determined to string them along for maximum personal advantage which is a familiar line. But jolly good fun to see how Gresham,in turn, tries to also play the 'Plotters to outwit Cecil. And some surprising twists occur. Won't say any more to avoid spoilers. but a most entertaining novel.

[Julie]

I couldn't connect, and some weird writing kept throwing me out (calling a current monarch James the First, for example).

[M.E · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the potential for a great story line and a catchy blurb, I was thoroughly disappointed with this novel. Henry Gresham himself is one of the most pretentious, egotistical character I have ever come across. I was also extremely detached from the other characters as well, not caring whether they lived or died. I found myself wondering whether Gresham's thoughts and voices were a tad too 'modern', using some phrases that weren't even invented during the Stuart Period!

I struggled and soldiered on through the novel though, as I wanted to give it a chance. I finished it with a grim determination to never EVER pick up another novel like it again.

[Windy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fictional spy Henry Gresham uncovers the Gunpowder Plot and takes an active part in the capture of all those involved. The sections of the book involving Gresham and his associates were light hearted and witty but the sections involving historical detail were tedious and in some ways annoying (eg referring to Queen Elizabeth the First - surely just Queen Elizabeth at this time). I felt the whole story was dragged out more than necessary and the poor editing made it a slow and clumsy read.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're English or ever lived there, you will know at the end of the prologue what story you are reading... But it is still good fun, even if you have known the outcome of that particular one, since you were a child. London is dark, the bad guys are sinister and the hero is not just black and white, but has plenty of gray shades as well.

[Batsap · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was better written than I expected and I enjoyed reading it.
It drew me in straight away and kept me hooked. I liked all the twists and turns that the plot took.
This book is quite similar to my favourite series - Matthew Shardlake by C.J. Sansom, but not as good. An entertaining read though.

[Vivien · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I read by Martin Stephen and I really liked it. It took me a while to get my head around all the different people and events that go on but I love the way the author has made a fictional story around events and people that actually happened/existed.

[Sarah Foxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. A action packed spy novel for those of us with an interest in the past. Well written and I just couldn't wait to read the rest of the series.

[Kristyh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good historical information, I am generally more a Tudor girl, but was nice change to have a go at the Stuarts. Language was too melodramatic in places and the love interest unnecessary IMO.

[Fiona Hyland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book of plot and counter-plot: it keeps you on your toes and demands you pay attention.

[Michael Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this (all too short) series.

[Jack Zhong · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think i read someone's review before i started the read. As i recalled, the review said, the names are hard to remember, indeed.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far too many characters - I got confused.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book any person who wants to read fiction about the early 17 century and late 16 century concerning england this is a must collection very well written

[Kellyanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. It did get a little confusing once or twice as there is a lot of characters.
I thought it was well written and it seemed to be researched well.