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Martin Marbeck #1
Marbeck and the Double-Dealer
1600: a new century dawns. War with Spain has dragged on for fifteen years, the conflict in Ireland for six. Unease stalks England in the dying years of Elizabeth I’s reign, and Elizabethan intelligencer Martin Marbeck is bored. Then a message from his spymaster, Sir Robert Cecil the existence of a spy has been discovered, code-named Morera, and Marbeck must uncover the true identity of this traitor quickly, before rumours of the young King Philip III forming a new Armada prove themselves to be true.
188 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2013
About the author
John Pilkington
31 books78 followersJohn Pilkington wrote radio plays back in the 1980s before stepping things up a notch and scribbling down television scripts for the BCC. He then went onto write historical mystery novels for children.
Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 21, 2022
This series appeals to me as I enjoy reading books portraying life during reign of Elizabeth, and in this case featuring the intelligencer Marbeck working for Cecil. It is unlike others I have read from this period with the level of rough treatment, swordplay, violence and total lack of support or security for anyone working for Cecil. Marbeck is indeed lucky to still be alive at the end of this book and I shall follow him on to the second installment. Much effort is spent in learning of Spanish plots of the time.
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October 7, 2015
I enjoyed the fast paced action and twisting plot of this novel. Not having read the first three books in this series, I had no trouble jumping into the story and getting to know the characters. Marbeck is a protagonist that the reader roots for, even if not all of his actions are completely honorable.
Marbeck receives his instructions from an underling of Secretary Cecil, who rose to power under Queen Elizabeth I and continues under the new Stuart king. As an intelligencer, which sounds so much more sophisticated than spy, Marbeck is becoming disillusioned with his unsettled life, various aliases, and doubt that his reports are always used for the best.
Before he can consider another type of life, he is caught up in a meandering investigation that begins with the ravings of a madman and the vague hints of a Jesuit priest. Marbeck is sure that gunpowder is being hoarded but struggles to determine where or why.
This is an action packed adventure centered on one of the best known historical events of the early 17th century. Marbeck has a bad feeling about the Parliament meeting scheduled for the 5th of November, but more than one force is working against him.
My only complaint? The ending isn't really an ending. I'll have to wait to learn Marbeck's fate in Pilkington's next tale.
I thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel. Opinions expressed are my own.
Marbeck receives his instructions from an underling of Secretary Cecil, who rose to power under Queen Elizabeth I and continues under the new Stuart king. As an intelligencer, which sounds so much more sophisticated than spy, Marbeck is becoming disillusioned with his unsettled life, various aliases, and doubt that his reports are always used for the best.
Before he can consider another type of life, he is caught up in a meandering investigation that begins with the ravings of a madman and the vague hints of a Jesuit priest. Marbeck is sure that gunpowder is being hoarded but struggles to determine where or why.
This is an action packed adventure centered on one of the best known historical events of the early 17th century. Marbeck has a bad feeling about the Parliament meeting scheduled for the 5th of November, but more than one force is working against him.
My only complaint? The ending isn't really an ending. I'll have to wait to learn Marbeck's fate in Pilkington's next tale.
I thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel. Opinions expressed are my own.
September 26, 2022
Decent historical mystery. Its kind of light on historical details and flavor, but strong on political and espionage themes. The plot is somewhat complicated, but linear, with fairly well defined and distinct characters. The main character Martin Marbeck (among other names) is not particularly likable or interesting, but he's not annoying either.
There were no jarring anachronisms that jumped out on me and no modern sensibilities forced on the story and characters. There's a remarkable lack of religious sensibility (other than one deliberately unlikable puritan type) as in only one character is remotely religious or makes any pious references, when it was incredibly common back then; so there are some historically shaky parts.
Its a pretty well-written book without stumbles and typical writing errors.
There were no jarring anachronisms that jumped out on me and no modern sensibilities forced on the story and characters. There's a remarkable lack of religious sensibility (other than one deliberately unlikable puritan type) as in only one character is remotely religious or makes any pious references, when it was incredibly common back then; so there are some historically shaky parts.
Its a pretty well-written book without stumbles and typical writing errors.
July 4, 2013
A bit too convoluted but good historical tie-ins.
April 7, 2019
Couldn’t put it down!
February 10, 2021
Swashbuckling fun. It's about 2/3rds of the way in before the series of events gains a true focus.
January 14, 2022
⭐️3.5⭐️
June 28, 2021
ohn Pilkington’s “ Marbeck and the Double Dealer” is the first of a series featuring Martin Marbeck who is employed by Lord Cecil, Queen Elizabeth First ‘s spymaster.I had read Mr. Pilkinton’s Justice Wellbeck series with pleasure. , and looked forward to starting a new series.
The yeas is 1600. Rumors and fear abound that Spain is assembling another Armada to sail on England, perhaps to lanD first at Ireland to load Irish Rebels to invade England. Marbeck is given the task of ferreting out certain men living in London who are furthering Spanish goals. The book is short, with a fast moving plot that has the hero going from England to France following various leads . Marbeck soon finds trouble . Sword fights, nasty scrapes and treachery on all sides keep him busy.
Despite all that I thought that the book never really caught fire. Marbeck is not a particularly interesting character and the nefarious Spanish spymaster at the center of the tale is a bit bland, also. Furthermore, as one who enjoys the genre of historical mysteries of this period, the author should have more to give this reader a sense of time and place as he did in the Wellbeck books. The novel was ok , and easy read, enjoyable and a quick read, but a bit bland- IMO.
The three star review is more of a two and a half star one.
The yeas is 1600. Rumors and fear abound that Spain is assembling another Armada to sail on England, perhaps to lanD first at Ireland to load Irish Rebels to invade England. Marbeck is given the task of ferreting out certain men living in London who are furthering Spanish goals. The book is short, with a fast moving plot that has the hero going from England to France following various leads . Marbeck soon finds trouble . Sword fights, nasty scrapes and treachery on all sides keep him busy.
Despite all that I thought that the book never really caught fire. Marbeck is not a particularly interesting character and the nefarious Spanish spymaster at the center of the tale is a bit bland, also. Furthermore, as one who enjoys the genre of historical mysteries of this period, the author should have more to give this reader a sense of time and place as he did in the Wellbeck books. The novel was ok , and easy read, enjoyable and a quick read, but a bit bland- IMO.
The three star review is more of a two and a half star one.
August 20, 2021
⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️
July 23, 2021
I'm a big fan of Pilkington's Thomas the Falconer series so was looking forward to starting a new series.
Marbeck is an agent working for Robert Cecil and the first in the series sees him thrown into action it's discovered there may be a traitor in the midst, working for the Spanish and providing false information to the spy master. As Marbeck is dispatched to uncover the identity of the traitor he finds himself in danger both at home and abroad.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, full of adventure and twists and I'd recommend to those who enjoy historical fiction.
Pilkington is brilliant at setting the scene, describing surroundings and of course any action scenes. There is some humour in this which had me laughing at some points.
The characters are great especially Marbeck and Cecil and I enjoyed how their relationship was explained throughout.
This is certainly a series I will be continuing with especially after I enjoyed the Thomas the Falconer series so much, I have high hopes for the rest of this one and am looking forward to Marbeck's next adventure.
Marbeck is an agent working for Robert Cecil and the first in the series sees him thrown into action it's discovered there may be a traitor in the midst, working for the Spanish and providing false information to the spy master. As Marbeck is dispatched to uncover the identity of the traitor he finds himself in danger both at home and abroad.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, full of adventure and twists and I'd recommend to those who enjoy historical fiction.
Pilkington is brilliant at setting the scene, describing surroundings and of course any action scenes. There is some humour in this which had me laughing at some points.
The characters are great especially Marbeck and Cecil and I enjoyed how their relationship was explained throughout.
This is certainly a series I will be continuing with especially after I enjoyed the Thomas the Falconer series so much, I have high hopes for the rest of this one and am looking forward to Marbeck's next adventure.
March 1, 2025
Marbeck is an intelligencer, a spy and he answers to Spymaster Sir Robert Cecil who answers to Queen Elizabeth. Marbeck is an ace with the sword and he is canny and clever but as we find in this book he sometimes makes the wrong decisions which spoil his well thought plans.
At first we are shown his deftness with swordplay and his wit but throughout this gritty tale he is occasionally out thought. He is ordered to find a double agent named Mulberry and bring him to justice. The trail which is fraught with danger takes him to France and then again back to England and along the way there are many twists and turns which all add to the entertainment.
I think John Pilkington has found a likeable character here and I look forward to reading more of Martin Marbeck. This is the first time that I have read one of his books and it seems that he has also written other series and this book entices me to have a look at those also. I give this a meritable 4/5.
At first we are shown his deftness with swordplay and his wit but throughout this gritty tale he is occasionally out thought. He is ordered to find a double agent named Mulberry and bring him to justice. The trail which is fraught with danger takes him to France and then again back to England and along the way there are many twists and turns which all add to the entertainment.
I think John Pilkington has found a likeable character here and I look forward to reading more of Martin Marbeck. This is the first time that I have read one of his books and it seems that he has also written other series and this book entices me to have a look at those also. I give this a meritable 4/5.
February 16, 2024
Marbeck and the Double Dealer was very readable, if somewhat far fetched in places, namely Marbeck's escape from capture aboard the Spanish ship!
The author also goes slightly overboard with his use of the phrase "the other" when there's more than one person about, used what felt like in every second sentence!
But my biggest criticism would be that the book is just too damn short! There just isn't enough time to build up a proper rapport with Martin Marbeck, never mind any of the secondary characters.
Unlike other Elizabethan intelligencer characters like John Shakespeare or Giordano Bruno, there just isn't enough space or time here to get properly invested in the character of Marbeck.
However, the story as presented is still pretty solid and I'd say it's fifty/fifty as to whether I'll continue on with the next instalment from Martin Marbeck or just find another Tudor detective type, one with a little more meat and substance!
The author also goes slightly overboard with his use of the phrase "the other" when there's more than one person about, used what felt like in every second sentence!
But my biggest criticism would be that the book is just too damn short! There just isn't enough time to build up a proper rapport with Martin Marbeck, never mind any of the secondary characters.
Unlike other Elizabethan intelligencer characters like John Shakespeare or Giordano Bruno, there just isn't enough space or time here to get properly invested in the character of Marbeck.
However, the story as presented is still pretty solid and I'd say it's fifty/fifty as to whether I'll continue on with the next instalment from Martin Marbeck or just find another Tudor detective type, one with a little more meat and substance!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2021
As I adored John Pilkington's Thomas the Falconer series, I was so pleased to come across a different series by this author.
Marbeck, the debonair urban spy, is a very different sort of character and the first couple of chapters were so intensely plotted that I had to go back and re-read them, just to get the gist of the plots and counterplots. I'm glad I did as this was a fast-paced, exciting read with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader enthralled.
I really enjoy the way the author immerses us in a historical setting, rather than describing or explaining. It's very immediate and the research that goes into making a historical era feel real for the reader must be staggering. Another terrific series!
Marbeck, the debonair urban spy, is a very different sort of character and the first couple of chapters were so intensely plotted that I had to go back and re-read them, just to get the gist of the plots and counterplots. I'm glad I did as this was a fast-paced, exciting read with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader enthralled.
I really enjoy the way the author immerses us in a historical setting, rather than describing or explaining. It's very immediate and the research that goes into making a historical era feel real for the reader must be staggering. Another terrific series!
April 4, 2023
Definitely a series worth following through.
Marbeck, a spy and agent under Robert Cecil for Elizabeth I, is bored and broke. Once rumours of a spy sending false information come to light, Marbeck is sent off to flush the rogue out. The Spanish are supposedly plotting another invasion, but will they land in Ireland, Plymouth, or elsewhere? Resources are stretched as the war with France lumbers on and enemies are all around.
Pilkington gives his novel good pace and believable context in the streets of London as well as in Paris and beyond. The body count is high and the double dealings come thick and fast, culminating in a satisfying ending.
I'll be looking out for more of Mr Pilkington's books, and I see he has a number of series which should keep me busy for a while.
Marbeck, a spy and agent under Robert Cecil for Elizabeth I, is bored and broke. Once rumours of a spy sending false information come to light, Marbeck is sent off to flush the rogue out. The Spanish are supposedly plotting another invasion, but will they land in Ireland, Plymouth, or elsewhere? Resources are stretched as the war with France lumbers on and enemies are all around.
Pilkington gives his novel good pace and believable context in the streets of London as well as in Paris and beyond. The body count is high and the double dealings come thick and fast, culminating in a satisfying ending.
I'll be looking out for more of Mr Pilkington's books, and I see he has a number of series which should keep me busy for a while.
July 29, 2022
Quick romp thru the ENGLISH/Spanish intrigues in late Elizabethan times
A good read, although a little predicable at times, with an emphasis on action and ‘the chase’ more than in depth context or motivation. Perhaps the most interesting part, for me, was the clear detail of Tudor London’s streets, inns and back alleys. Need to get a map, as many have now disappeared. Will read next book in series, hoping for a little more character development.
A good read, although a little predicable at times, with an emphasis on action and ‘the chase’ more than in depth context or motivation. Perhaps the most interesting part, for me, was the clear detail of Tudor London’s streets, inns and back alleys. Need to get a map, as many have now disappeared. Will read next book in series, hoping for a little more character development.
October 18, 2022
If you like fast-paced action and much fighting, you will really enjoy this adventure. Marbeck is a very good spy (intelligencer as they were called then) working for Sir Robert Cecil at the end of Elizabeth I reign. He weaves his way through London and Dover to uncover double agents in this first book of the series. It reads like a ten-color jigsaw puzzle, once you have the colors figured out, putting them together is easier.
April 13, 2026
This didn't quite hook me. It was short and fun for the most part, but I also thought it was a little convoluted with maybe too many characters and twists for the very short length of the novel. I would have liked a bit more character development as well. Just didn't find myself reaching for this but I liked it well enough. Probably 2.5 stars, and I'm not interested enough to read the rest of the series.
December 11, 2021
A Tudor tale of espionage, mayhem & duplicity
I enjoyed this introduction to a Tudor 007. Written well, a thriller with pace, little padding and thus kept me enter and engaged. I really now must get back to deal with unanswered emails and outstanding reports.
Before I do however, I must immediately download book 2, the emails can wait!
I enjoyed this introduction to a Tudor 007. Written well, a thriller with pace, little padding and thus kept me enter and engaged. I really now must get back to deal with unanswered emails and outstanding reports.
Before I do however, I must immediately download book 2, the emails can wait!
June 13, 2022
I miss the falconer
This series, featuring Marbeck, an jnfelligencer or spy in Queen Elizabeth's service, or more directly that of Robert Cecil, is much less interesting than the falconer series. Everything Marbeck does he regrets, in hindsight misunderstanding everything. I have given up halfway through the first book.
This series, featuring Marbeck, an jnfelligencer or spy in Queen Elizabeth's service, or more directly that of Robert Cecil, is much less interesting than the falconer series. Everything Marbeck does he regrets, in hindsight misunderstanding everything. I have given up halfway through the first book.
September 8, 2022
This was ok but Marbeck pales by comparison with other protagonists of Tudor espionage fiction such as Shardlake and Giordano Bruno. The book is full of swashbuckling action but short on characterisation and I found it hard to engage with any of the characters or, indeed, to remember who most of them were.
July 7, 2019
This is an okay novel which I found more enjoyable to read than the last one. The characters are all good and the language and history is easier to understand. The plot moves along quite well and kept my interest.
February 26, 2023
A real Swashbuckling adventure.
Even though only partially on the sea the description applies. Going all over this country and the continent. I look forward to continuing to meet the characters in this series and others.
Even though only partially on the sea the description applies. Going all over this country and the continent. I look forward to continuing to meet the characters in this series and others.
March 14, 2023
Marbeck and the double dealer by John Pilkington
Very enjoyable historical romp. Plenty of twists and turns and historical accuracy to keep the reader interested. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Very enjoyable historical romp. Plenty of twists and turns and historical accuracy to keep the reader interested. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
July 30, 2023
Not very jmpressed
I am usually a big fan of historical books however on this occasion I was disappointed. I found the book a little boring and was glad to have finished it. I will probably not read another by the same author.
I am usually a big fan of historical books however on this occasion I was disappointed. I found the book a little boring and was glad to have finished it. I will probably not read another by the same author.
December 11, 2024
I quite enjoyed this book as it made a change from the genre of books that I have got into the habit of reading recently. However there are numerous typos peppered throughout the Kindle version that I was reading which affected my enjoyment of the book.
February 2, 2025
Good read. Slow at times. Exciting adventures.
The characters were interesting the story intriguing but straight forward in purpose. Good history lessons. A good mix off learning and adventure.
The characters were interesting the story intriguing but straight forward in purpose. Good history lessons. A good mix off learning and adventure.
March 17, 2025
spy adventure
Politics in the past very similar to the politics of today. Lies, double dealing betrayals. Strange how similar it all is when civilization is supposed to have advanced so far. Never discuss religion or politics with anyone you don’t know
Politics in the past very similar to the politics of today. Lies, double dealing betrayals. Strange how similar it all is when civilization is supposed to have advanced so far. Never discuss religion or politics with anyone you don’t know
September 1, 2025
Marbeck and the Double Dealer
This book is not the genre that I normally read, but I really enjoyed it. It had a good feel of the era. I really like the intrigue and mystery. I very much look forward to reading more if John Pilkintons work.
This book is not the genre that I normally read, but I really enjoyed it. It had a good feel of the era. I really like the intrigue and mystery. I very much look forward to reading more if John Pilkintons work.
June 11, 2021
Excellent read and a new author to me. I'll enjoy reading more about Marbeck and the reign of Queen Elizabeth I - a fascinating time period.
March 5, 2022
Plot is relatively good but I didn’t like the characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews