Cromwell's Blessing

Tom Neave Trilogy #2

by Peter Ransley

The price for a country. The price for a King. The price for a marriage. The dramatic story of Tom Neave continues… The second book in the Tom Neave Trilogy, ‘Cromwell’s Blessing’ sees Tom still determined to fight for his principles – democracy, freedom and honour – despite the growing threat to his young family, as England finds itself in the throes of bloody civil war. The year is now 1647. The King has surrendered to Parliament. Lord Stonehouse, to show his loyalty to Parliament, has named grandson Tom as his successor. But Lord Stonehouse’s son, Richard, is also Tom’s estranged father and a fervent Royalist. If the King reaches a settlement with Parliament Richard will inherit… Parliament itself is deeply divided with those demanding a strict Puritan regime pitted against more liberal Independents like Cromwell. King Charles, under house arrest, tries to exploit the divisions between them. When Richard arrives from France with a commission from the Queen to snatch the King from Parliamentary hands, he and Tom are set on a collision course. Caught between his love for his wife Anne and their young son, and his loyalty to the new regime, Tom must struggle to save both his family and the estate.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, 17th Century, Mystery

384 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 2012

About the author

Peter Ransley has written extensively for television. His BBC adaptation of Sarah Waters's 'Fingersmith' was nominated for a BAFTA for best series in 2006 and his ITV drama 'Falling Angel', starring Emilia Fox and Charles Dance, was screened in 2007. He is a winner of the Royal Television Society's Writer's Award.

Reviews

[Kevin Greenhalgh · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I found with Plague Child, this book left me wondering do I like or even care about Tom? A lot has changed but he is still not the master of his own life, drifting from one event to the other, manipulated by forces such as his wife, who herself is being manipulated by another mysterious bit player in the book, and she is one of many acting on Tom the entire time.

What does not help, is at times... especially toward the end, the book accelerates at warp speed through periods of time, which left me feeling a little disorientated. What is clear is that Tom does not belong anywhere, which may force me to buy the next book, just to find out if he resolves that. I think he needs to move to the new world, America...

What I do like about this book are the environments, Peter does a great job describing the world of Tom Neave/Stonehouse, to a point that you can almost smell and hear where he is...

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this without having read the first novel in this trilogy but it worked ok as a stand alone story.
The main character Tom Neave/Stonehouse is moderately annoying but since he is only in his mid twenties he can perhaps be forgiven his moments of idiocy and grand gestures. The story seemed to develop a bit more solidity as it progressed, so much so that by the end of the book I grew to quite like it, but Tom himself did not grow on me. He remains volatile, immature and not very likeable.

My main reason for reading this was to learn a bit more about the English Civil War, and this novel did fill in some gaps in my knowledge. 3*

[Pauline Chamberlain · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good historical book set during the last few years of the English civil war

[Alan Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will not be reading the 3rd in the series....

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this portrayal of some of the events of the English Civil War, and will likely read more about this period in British history.
This volume is the second of a trilogy, and follows Tom Neave, aka Tom Stonehouse, through his time as an officer in Cromwell's New Model Army. Tom is a complex character, and while in general I felt fairly sympathetic towards him, there are times when he behaves in a fashion distinctly les than desirable.
I'm looking forward to reading the third book of the trilogy.

[Linda Humberstone · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is more gripping than Plague Child now that Tom Neave knows his true identity and gives quite a vivid description of what the Civil War must have been like for those living through it. It was a constant worry whether you were on the right side or not and whether the side you did support was right in its beliefs and actions. This book illustrates for me particularly how the bigotry of the religious factions complicated things beyond belief and were responsible for much of the conniving,bloodshed and suffering. Things don't change much do they?! I now look forward to reading the next book to this trilogy when it is published.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this as much as volume 1 -- three stars instead of four. Ransley knows his period well and includes lots of plausible detail. But the whole thing is rather too gung-ho, with too many confusing twists and turns. Plus there are too many characters who are not well enough drawn, so I started to lose track of who was who. It was a real shame that he didn't end this volume with the attempt on the king, because the last chapter was a rushed summary of several years' events, that would seem more appropriate for a third volume -- if that third volume ever appears! Overall, a bit of a disappointment, but I would still read a third volume.

[Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have an interest in the period and I thought the level of detail and feel to be very good. How ever, by the end I was growing weary of the tale of the hero jumping from common man to young lord and back on a frequent basis, and the implausible force fitting of him into signing Charles I death warrant.

[Margaret Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story picks up where Plague Child left off. Tom is leading his, somewhat confusing, double life as Tom Neave and Thomas Stonehouse. Whilst this was a good plot line I found it difficult to keep up with it.
I was, however fascinated with the historical plot to dethrone King Charles and the intricacies surrounding it.

[Lisa Vlieg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the story, but found myself disliking the main character that was the reason I decided to read the second in the triology. Though I'll probably still read the third to find out how it all ends.

[Sandie · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I love historical fisction I just did not like this book. I found it too confusing and at points, well, pointless. Unfortunately I did not care for the style of writing either. too bad.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only got 1/4 of the way through...was hard to follow and no where near as good as the first book.