Marbeck and the King-in-Waiting

Martin Marbeck #2

by John Pilkington

Spring, 1603: Queen Elizabeth is dying, and England waits anxiously. The Virgin Queen hasn’t named an heir, refusing even to speak. Her cousin James, King of Scotland, is assumed to be her successor, but will the transition be peaceful? Sir Robert Cecil, Secretary of State, fears insurrection and has brought troops to the capital. But from where might the danger come – overseas, or from malcontents closer to home?

Meanwhile Marbeck, Cecil’s best intelligencer, is under a cloud, wrongly suspected of shady dealings with the Spanish. So when the son of his friend Lady Celia Scroop joins a fanatical Puritan sect, he’s glad to leave London to try and find the wayward youth. But events move fast and Marbeck finds himself in a forced to confront plots from two directions, that threaten not only the peace of the nation but the very fabric of England itself . . .

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery

192 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

John 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.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very much enjoying Marbeck and his derring-do and plan to continue with the series while I can to the end of my Kindle Unlimited subscription end of month. Marbeck's status with Cecil is on shaky ground and he must find his way around enemies and those he can trust in following his determination to stop those who plan to kill the new king. Elizabeth's death is part of the timeline in this adventure of the life of an intelligencer. There are some fairly outlandish and impossible action scenes involving explosives and barely escaping with his trusty horse Cobb, so I must say Marbeck is an action figure rather than a romantic lead though he does have some little success in that arena when time allows. I am finding this series to be a fun and imaginative historical read.

Kindle Unlimited

[Bonnie Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very lightweight book, OK for an afternoon's read but not at all compelling. Marbeck is an "intelligencer" - a spy for the English Royals in 1603 as Elizabeth dies and James of Scotland comes to the throne. The writing is not bad but is pretty pedestrian. It is action-oriented, without much depth in terms of fleshing out the landscape in any sense - people, mores, environment, culture.

A personal nit-pick not at all important to the story but indicative of the paucity of authentic-seeming detail - the author describes a character's mount as a "thoroughbred." The first known use of the word is one-hundred years later, and the breed did not exist in 1603 (the first of the three "foundation stallions" did not arrive in England until around 1680).

I would read another of these if it came my way and I had nothing else on hand, but won't be seeking them out.

[Teresa Bower · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really want to give this book a two and a half star rating. A bit disappointing actually and nowhere near as good as The Jackdaw series by S.W. Perry which I was hoping it would emulate. There was a little too much detail about what Marbeck had to eat, where he stayed on his journeys and sometimes I couldn't work out who was speaking. Also the plot, such as it was, was given away at the very beginning of the story and was a bit pathetic. It made a change to read about James 1st rather than Elizabeth 1st although there wasn't very much information. I won't be reading any more from this author.

[Peter Barrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read.

[Brandon Nordin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another thrilling chase during turbulent Tudor-Stuart transition

I read this in close succession with the first book in this series, thought it was an improvement, perhaps as I becoming more invested in lead character. High drama and intrigue around foreign meddling in the transition. (Remember this is the James that Guy Fawkes tried to blow up years later, as part of the Centuries long wars of religion between Catholics and Protestants). Plus those grim and fanatical Puritans are beginning to make their mark.

We get a little more back story on Marbeck and his intelligencer cronies and a little more background into his semi illicit relationship with the now conveniently widowed, Lady Cecilia. Spymaster Cecil, one of the more fascinating characters in British history, remains frustratingly elusive for both Marbeck and the reader.

[Mrs Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

This second book in the Marbeck series was just as good as the first. Marbeck is a likeable character and I find myself warming to him the more I read. He and all the characters in the book are well-drawn and the author has obviously done a lot of research. I haven’t read much about the very beginning of the 17th century so it makes a nice change to read it here. I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series and the only pity is that there’s only 4. But I see the author has written a couple of other series I would be interested in, so one of those will be next when I’ve finished this one. Highly recommended.

[Charley Robson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as strong as the first - the narrative felt a little more fractured, and anyone with even a passing knowledge of this point in history may find the stakes leave a little to be desired after the mid-point - but still a thoroughly enjoyable tale. I enjoyed the returning cast, and several of the new ones, and the author's sense of humour and tasteful deployment of historic detail are still highlights.

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the second book in this terrific series! The transition between the reign of Elizabeth I to James I with attendant threats was really well told, with hints of shifts in power and policy. As always, Marbeck is a man of action, but I enjoyed that his mission was not only political but had a personal element that gave a real sense of emotional tension. Another cracking read!

[Peter Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A return to Marbeck

A good story well crafted, with the character Marbeck working in the shadows on behalf of the new king and hoping to once again achieve employment as a intelligencer for his master Cecil. I found it hard to root for him as I have with characters like Shardick, but still a good read.

[Rayann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical mystery series is a fun and entertaining read with many dangerous twists and turns. Marbeck is a complex and admirable hero, and I enjoy spending time in his company. When I finish one book in the series, I long to pick up with the next one and continue with the unfolding story.

[Daniel Wood]

I’m finally going to achieve my Goodreads annual reading goal. All I had to do was start adding my trash reads. I’m gonna finish this 4 volume series and then start Caro’s 4 volume Johnson bio… probably maybe.

[Veronica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the historical information is interesting, at times the plot got bogged down by details. The characters were okay.

[Truls Ljungström · Rating 2 out of 5]

Denna hade en mycket trög början - de första 80 sidorna kändes som en prolog, och även om de återstående var intressanta, så var det för få. Nej, jag kan inte rekommendera denna.

[Alan Budd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant as usual

As usual the storyteller captivates you from beginning to the end. Historically vaguely accurate but an expertly placed tale in England's turbulent past

[Brian Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold on to your feather

Heck of a page turner, twists, turns, treachery round every corner. A fast moving journey around England. Great stuff, roll on Marbeck three.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1603 Elizabeth has died but plots are in progress to change the succession. Marbeck becomes involved even though an enemy has accused him of treason.
An entertaining thriller/mystery

[Joe Corso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book - Great Series

John Pilkington has very quickly become one of my favorite authors. I’ve read books 1 - 3. If there’s a book 4 I’ll buy it as soon as I complete this review, and then it’s another night of little sleep. One thing is for sure… I will read this authors other books. If you haven’t read the authors Marbeck books, I suggest you get the first book in the in this exciting series, you won’t be disappointed.

Joe Corso
Author of The Last Gun-Shark

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good historical mystery starring a spy for Queen Elizabeth (Marbeck the Intelligencer) at the moment of her death and before the coronation of James Stuart. It is a general time of upheaval, but Marbeck also finds himself on political outs; someone has denounced him to his boss the spymaster and he is persona non grata until his loyalty can be proven. As a diversion (and to get away from London) he promises an old flame that he will investigate her son, who, while at Cambridge, has fallen in with a fanatical Puritan group. But that turns out to be both harder and of more consequence than previously imagined.

[Dave Hoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A change in reading. The Queen (Elizabeth) has died, and she named King James of Scotland to succeed her but troubles are brewing as other contenders for the Crown abound. Marbeck is an intelligencer, sort'a FBI,NSA and general snoop for the Crown. A taste of fiction history, written well.

[Chris simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

V.G Mr Pilkington writes with a good feeling for the period and this is an accomplished follow up series to his excellent Thomas the Falconer books.
I will purchase all historical novels by this author in the future

[Michell Karnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this new series. Marbeck is a likeable character and I love the Elizabeathean period which in this book moves into the new reign of James the first.

[Kathy Darroch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 Marbeck Mystery

First class page turner, as are all Marbeck Mysteries, well thought out and completely implausabl but very readable, Kathy Darroch