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A Murderous Affair
The year is 1588.
The Spanish Armada has recently been defeated, and Queen Elizabeth rides in triumph through a celebrating London
But even in peace, the city has a deadly underbelly.
When the body of a Portuguese nobleman turns up on the banks of the Thames with a seal around his neck all fingers point towards Lord Rokesby as the murderer - particularly as the foreigner was last seen at a dinner party at his house the night before.
Yet there is more to this murder than meets the eye. John Lovat, Lord Rokesby's illegitimate brother, is called in to dig deeper into the events surrounding the death.
And the more he uncovers, the more complex the crime becomes.
Soon Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth’s chief counsellor and spy-master, takes an interest in the case.
And Lovat finds himself caught up in 'A Murderous Affair' - one that involves murder, betrayal and infidelity and which will take him from grand houses to the mean streets of Elizabethan London as he tracks down the truth.
'A Murderous Affair' is a fast-moving historical murder mystery that combines meticulous research with gripping story-telling.
'A compelling piece of work that kept me turning the pages.' - Robert Foster, best-selling author of 'The Lunar Code'.
Jonathan Digby is a British writer, who lives in Camden, North London. When not writing, he can be found performing under his stage name John Exell, or creating music with his indie band, Boxgrove Pseudomorph. A Murderous Affair is his first novel.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher.
The Spanish Armada has recently been defeated, and Queen Elizabeth rides in triumph through a celebrating London
But even in peace, the city has a deadly underbelly.
When the body of a Portuguese nobleman turns up on the banks of the Thames with a seal around his neck all fingers point towards Lord Rokesby as the murderer - particularly as the foreigner was last seen at a dinner party at his house the night before.
Yet there is more to this murder than meets the eye. John Lovat, Lord Rokesby's illegitimate brother, is called in to dig deeper into the events surrounding the death.
And the more he uncovers, the more complex the crime becomes.
Soon Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth’s chief counsellor and spy-master, takes an interest in the case.
And Lovat finds himself caught up in 'A Murderous Affair' - one that involves murder, betrayal and infidelity and which will take him from grand houses to the mean streets of Elizabethan London as he tracks down the truth.
'A Murderous Affair' is a fast-moving historical murder mystery that combines meticulous research with gripping story-telling.
'A compelling piece of work that kept me turning the pages.' - Robert Foster, best-selling author of 'The Lunar Code'.
Jonathan Digby is a British writer, who lives in Camden, North London. When not writing, he can be found performing under his stage name John Exell, or creating music with his indie band, Boxgrove Pseudomorph. A Murderous Affair is his first novel.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2013
288 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
April 11, 2014
This is a combined murder-mystery/political thriller/historical novel all rolled together in a page-turning romp through the streets of Elizabethan London.
John Lovat, the very likeable hero and detective in this story, was born on the wrong side of the sheets, much to his detriment. His father was titled, his mother a maid, and his half-brother, Robert, got the fortune and the title when their father died. In Robert’s domain, his illegitimate half-brother’s status is below his servants in the pecking order. Following the murder of a guest at his brother’s house, John is called upon to use his detective skills to solve the murder. John is drawn into a dangerous web of political intrigue and treachery.
Not many writers would be so bold as to combine so many genres in one story but Johathan Digby achieves this with aplomb. Mystery, suspense, humour, romance, and fabulous historical detail; this novel has them all. That this is the author’s debut novel makes his achievement all the more remarkable. The quality and quantity of historical detail woven seamlessly into the story is exceptional. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
John Lovat, the very likeable hero and detective in this story, was born on the wrong side of the sheets, much to his detriment. His father was titled, his mother a maid, and his half-brother, Robert, got the fortune and the title when their father died. In Robert’s domain, his illegitimate half-brother’s status is below his servants in the pecking order. Following the murder of a guest at his brother’s house, John is called upon to use his detective skills to solve the murder. John is drawn into a dangerous web of political intrigue and treachery.
Not many writers would be so bold as to combine so many genres in one story but Johathan Digby achieves this with aplomb. Mystery, suspense, humour, romance, and fabulous historical detail; this novel has them all. That this is the author’s debut novel makes his achievement all the more remarkable. The quality and quantity of historical detail woven seamlessly into the story is exceptional. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
April 22, 2014
This novel is an excellent first book. It is very well researched and bravely takes on a past era with flourish and conviction. The plot is convincing, although a little laboured and repetitive at times, but this is outweighed by a wealth of great characters who bring it to life. I would have given it five stars if it had been a truly indie effort, but since it has been published through Endeavour Press, it should have benefitted from a far better proofreading and editing. While it kicks off with a number of good Elizabethan words and phrases, a rather annoying number of 21C words and expressions have been allowed in - adrenaline and morphed are two examples that screamed at me. There was also a raised that should have been razed and a misused myriad that no decent proofreader/copy editor should have allowed. Again, just two examples, but there are rather too many others. From my own indie endeavours I know just how hard it is to eliminate mistakes, but when a book has been through a publisher's mill, these sorts of errors are inexcusable.
Despite all that, I should highly recommend A Murderous Affair to anyone who likes a good page-turning yarn with some great self-deprecating humour on the part of the main character - the book is written in the first person. I hope that Jonathan Digby follows up with a sequel - John Lovat is a likeable character about whom I'd enjoy reading much more.
Despite all that, I should highly recommend A Murderous Affair to anyone who likes a good page-turning yarn with some great self-deprecating humour on the part of the main character - the book is written in the first person. I hope that Jonathan Digby follows up with a sequel - John Lovat is a likeable character about whom I'd enjoy reading much more.
February 25, 2018
This was a fun page-turner that kept me engaged throughout, despite its evident flaws in setting in language. Early in the book and periodically throughout, the author threw in a lot of undefined obscure 16th-century words, which even my Webster’s Third Unabridged couldn’t help me with. Some that were in my trusty Webster’s showed a first known use of well after the book’s stated time period. There were some good descriptive passages that set the scene, but other passages that seemed overdone. After the first few chapters, either I got used to the in-your-face approach to communicating we were in the Elizabeth era, or it faded somewhat, and as the book went on I more often felt that the characters were behaving and speaking in a remarkably modern manner.
That said, I enjoyed the characters, and the plot was engaging and fun. So, a fun read with some caveats.
That said, I enjoyed the characters, and the plot was engaging and fun. So, a fun read with some caveats.
August 11, 2014
A gritty glimpse into the brutal reality of daily life in Elizabethan times, especially if, like the hero, you happen to be born on the wrong side of the blankets. Murder, intrigue, revenge, the book has it all.
If you like your mysteries with a touch of historical reality, give A Murderous Affair a go.
If you like your mysteries with a touch of historical reality, give A Murderous Affair a go.
February 20, 2017
Couldn’t finish. An alright story – not good, not bad – in need of an edit. The characters weren’t enough to hold my attention and the plot is just not interesting enough to keep me reading. It’s a shame, because it looked like my kind of thing.
July 25, 2019
Compelling, difficult to put down.
I read this novel in one session. It was impossible to put down. Character development is superb and action is non-stop.
I read this novel in one session. It was impossible to put down. Character development is superb and action is non-stop.
December 28, 2019
This is a light "whodunnit" story which I found in my Kindle feed while waiting (interminably) for a medical appointment. Having said that, I will add that because I don't use the kindle every day or even every week, it took me some time to forge through this story.
It's light. The plot is good, but I was slow to recall every little detail. I'm writing that off because I had a little trouble every now and then picking up where I'd left off. That's my fault not the author certainly.
So in the story, there are the usual suspects, a sibling-rivalry power play, (elder brother, Robert, firstborn son within a legal marriage, thus he has inherited the title, estates, money, etc. while John, the younger brother, born outside of marriage, is a bastard with a paltry inheritance who is treated as less than a household servant-but realistically enough, still treated better than women). There is the victim, Don Alphonse, a Portuguese noble and merchant, whose mutilated body washes up on a strip of beach known as cuckold point. Hmmm. No shame there, right? Wrong. The cast of characters goes on as John has been instructed by his brother to find out who has killed his alleged friend, Don Alphonse. It is enriched by the additional mystery when Sir Francis Walsingham, the Queen's spymaster becomes involved, urging John to dig deeply for all the information. Sir Francis doesn't tell John precisely why he's interested, only that he is willing to pay John for solving the murder in haste.
The story widens from the point of Johns finding the first clue. More wickedness has been suspected. This is not a simple murder. Who wanted Don Alphonse done to death?
The plot thickens and thins as clues are discovered, there are stealthy nighttime skirmishes and ambushes, raging fires that destroy evidence and more suspects are noted. Plans for a spying mission are formulated and the journey to discover the full truth begins in earnest. Everything is known in due time as John brings the villains to light and the facts of the matter eventually win out. But I am troubled. Here's why.
When I write reviews I don't reveal plots or try to make the ending an easy guess. I write reviews to share what I enjoyed about the book and sometimes if I find my credulity strained beyond endurance, I will simply pass on the title and shelve it.
What I do NOT do, however, is bash an author because the E-version has errors in spelling. I don't tarnish someone's effort towards publication because I found a sentence cumbersome or some archaic word has been incorrectly referenced. I don't postulate the absurd position that if the author had a real knowledge of the period, they wouldn't have used this word or the other....so someone gets to knock down an effort based on the concept that they could have done it better.
To those people, and you know who you are-I say "fine". If you could write a better story and manage to have it published, then please do so. Let the rest of the world see your brilliance as proof everyone else has done it incorrectly.
My point is that no one is perfect. We live, since the advent of the internet, in a supercilious world. Everyone who can log on to any site is automatically an expert. People write reviews as though theirs are only opinions which matter. "Everyone else is wrong and because I am so wonderfully knowledgable I will now pass harsh judgment on your effort since I found a mistake in syntax, grammar, spelling (really?) or I recognize an anachronistic error which ruins the total effort.
I think that's very sad. If I write a positive review, it's because I found the book entertaining. Enjoyable, and worth reading. If I can't leave a positive review then I leave a 'star' but I take a pass on detailing my thoughts. There are enough negativity and hate in this world already. If the individuals who believe themselves to be the only true persons with any opinions of import think it's all-too-easy to catch every little gaff or error, then they should author and publish their own work. It isn't easy nor is it something everyone can do successfully. If it were, those armchair experts wouldn't have anything to do to pass time.
Isn't it time we begin to be a little kinder to each other? In this case, it's a simple story, yes but someone worked hard on it, and was able to see it published. Why do people think it's okay for them to pretend to be better? I will never begin to understand such behavior
Summing up, I enjoyed reading this book. And I recommend it as a light read, which held my interest and left me feeling happy and ready to read the sequels. I hope there are many.
It's light. The plot is good, but I was slow to recall every little detail. I'm writing that off because I had a little trouble every now and then picking up where I'd left off. That's my fault not the author certainly.
So in the story, there are the usual suspects, a sibling-rivalry power play, (elder brother, Robert, firstborn son within a legal marriage, thus he has inherited the title, estates, money, etc. while John, the younger brother, born outside of marriage, is a bastard with a paltry inheritance who is treated as less than a household servant-but realistically enough, still treated better than women). There is the victim, Don Alphonse, a Portuguese noble and merchant, whose mutilated body washes up on a strip of beach known as cuckold point. Hmmm. No shame there, right? Wrong. The cast of characters goes on as John has been instructed by his brother to find out who has killed his alleged friend, Don Alphonse. It is enriched by the additional mystery when Sir Francis Walsingham, the Queen's spymaster becomes involved, urging John to dig deeply for all the information. Sir Francis doesn't tell John precisely why he's interested, only that he is willing to pay John for solving the murder in haste.
The story widens from the point of Johns finding the first clue. More wickedness has been suspected. This is not a simple murder. Who wanted Don Alphonse done to death?
The plot thickens and thins as clues are discovered, there are stealthy nighttime skirmishes and ambushes, raging fires that destroy evidence and more suspects are noted. Plans for a spying mission are formulated and the journey to discover the full truth begins in earnest. Everything is known in due time as John brings the villains to light and the facts of the matter eventually win out. But I am troubled. Here's why.
When I write reviews I don't reveal plots or try to make the ending an easy guess. I write reviews to share what I enjoyed about the book and sometimes if I find my credulity strained beyond endurance, I will simply pass on the title and shelve it.
What I do NOT do, however, is bash an author because the E-version has errors in spelling. I don't tarnish someone's effort towards publication because I found a sentence cumbersome or some archaic word has been incorrectly referenced. I don't postulate the absurd position that if the author had a real knowledge of the period, they wouldn't have used this word or the other....so someone gets to knock down an effort based on the concept that they could have done it better.
To those people, and you know who you are-I say "fine". If you could write a better story and manage to have it published, then please do so. Let the rest of the world see your brilliance as proof everyone else has done it incorrectly.
My point is that no one is perfect. We live, since the advent of the internet, in a supercilious world. Everyone who can log on to any site is automatically an expert. People write reviews as though theirs are only opinions which matter. "Everyone else is wrong and because I am so wonderfully knowledgable I will now pass harsh judgment on your effort since I found a mistake in syntax, grammar, spelling (really?) or I recognize an anachronistic error which ruins the total effort.
I think that's very sad. If I write a positive review, it's because I found the book entertaining. Enjoyable, and worth reading. If I can't leave a positive review then I leave a 'star' but I take a pass on detailing my thoughts. There are enough negativity and hate in this world already. If the individuals who believe themselves to be the only true persons with any opinions of import think it's all-too-easy to catch every little gaff or error, then they should author and publish their own work. It isn't easy nor is it something everyone can do successfully. If it were, those armchair experts wouldn't have anything to do to pass time.
Isn't it time we begin to be a little kinder to each other? In this case, it's a simple story, yes but someone worked hard on it, and was able to see it published. Why do people think it's okay for them to pretend to be better? I will never begin to understand such behavior
Summing up, I enjoyed reading this book. And I recommend it as a light read, which held my interest and left me feeling happy and ready to read the sequels. I hope there are many.
March 28, 2023
The Elizabethan equivalent of Inspector Morse, John Lovat has many similar attributes. Essentially this is a murder mystery with many very dangerous facets which fans of this time period will recognise.
Anyone who has enjoyed such comparable works as The Shardlake series by C J Sansom or The William Constable series by Paul Walker will not be disappointed with this tale set in the Elizabethan era.
Jonathan Digby creates some very believable characters in John Lovat and his associates, particularly the portrayal of Sir Francis Walsingham who, anyone with an interest in history will know to have been a formidable character.
As always in the Tudor years, citizens of England walked a tightrope between fact and popular belief. John Lovat is no exception, torn between loyalty to Walsingham, to his brother and to the truth. The knowledge that he could face dire consequences merely for uncovering the truth just heightens the drama and anticipation which builds as you read. This is a well-paced tale, delivered with beautifully written prose painting a vivid picture of 16th Century London and the varied inhabitants thereof.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading the next outing in the John Lovat series, A Traitor in Paris is on my TBR list. Definitely highly recommend both this book and its author.
Anyone who has enjoyed such comparable works as The Shardlake series by C J Sansom or The William Constable series by Paul Walker will not be disappointed with this tale set in the Elizabethan era.
Jonathan Digby creates some very believable characters in John Lovat and his associates, particularly the portrayal of Sir Francis Walsingham who, anyone with an interest in history will know to have been a formidable character.
As always in the Tudor years, citizens of England walked a tightrope between fact and popular belief. John Lovat is no exception, torn between loyalty to Walsingham, to his brother and to the truth. The knowledge that he could face dire consequences merely for uncovering the truth just heightens the drama and anticipation which builds as you read. This is a well-paced tale, delivered with beautifully written prose painting a vivid picture of 16th Century London and the varied inhabitants thereof.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading the next outing in the John Lovat series, A Traitor in Paris is on my TBR list. Definitely highly recommend both this book and its author.
July 25, 2024
Wordy!
An interesting story, with vivid, realistic characters, and extremely well-researched with regard to Elizabethan times (although the author obviously knows nothing about women’s hairstyles in that era, LOL), Most of the book seemed very true to the era, making the rare modern turn of phrase all the more jarring. However, the book is SO long and, well, perhaps verbose is the word I’m searching for. It was actually almost two books: one, the story of John Lovat, illegitimate son of a nobleman, and the other the story of the father of Don Alphonse. I found myself skimming large portions of the story, especially those related to the diary, because it dragged. Still, not a bad book, although I won’t rush to read further entries in the series.
An interesting story, with vivid, realistic characters, and extremely well-researched with regard to Elizabethan times (although the author obviously knows nothing about women’s hairstyles in that era, LOL), Most of the book seemed very true to the era, making the rare modern turn of phrase all the more jarring. However, the book is SO long and, well, perhaps verbose is the word I’m searching for. It was actually almost two books: one, the story of John Lovat, illegitimate son of a nobleman, and the other the story of the father of Don Alphonse. I found myself skimming large portions of the story, especially those related to the diary, because it dragged. Still, not a bad book, although I won’t rush to read further entries in the series.
December 10, 2019
Would make a fun movie
It starts slowly but soon moves into an interesting tale full of familiar tropes of Elizabethan fiction: bastard brothers, dodgy foreigners, unscrupulous men, pirates and fair maidens. There is enough here to keep a reader turning pages if only to find out how our hero, said bastard brother, will get out of his latest scrape. I can't help thinking that this would make a fun movie along the lines of The Princess Bride. Read it and see what I mean..."You killed my father..."
It starts slowly but soon moves into an interesting tale full of familiar tropes of Elizabethan fiction: bastard brothers, dodgy foreigners, unscrupulous men, pirates and fair maidens. There is enough here to keep a reader turning pages if only to find out how our hero, said bastard brother, will get out of his latest scrape. I can't help thinking that this would make a fun movie along the lines of The Princess Bride. Read it and see what I mean..."You killed my father..."
November 24, 2016
November 1588 and the body of a Portuguese nobleman Don Alphonos de Sousa. With evidence pointing to Sir Robert Rokesby, he charges his illegitimate brother John Lovat to investigate. Lovat is also persuaded to this endeavour by Sir Francis Walsingham.
Matters can only get more complicated as we have mystery and suspense, with a very likeable character in Lovat, and an enjoyable tale and a good writing style.
Hoping there is more to come
Matters can only get more complicated as we have mystery and suspense, with a very likeable character in Lovat, and an enjoyable tale and a good writing style.
Hoping there is more to come
July 3, 2019
Excellent historical mystery!
Murder mystery in 1588 ,England. The Spanish Armada has just been defeated. The country is celebrating but a visiting Portuguese nobleman is murdered in a celebration evening. This involves lots of people, many locations, and a murder that becomes more and more complicated. It contains much interesting history, customs and relationships among the classes, and a very unusual solution.
Murder mystery in 1588 ,England. The Spanish Armada has just been defeated. The country is celebrating but a visiting Portuguese nobleman is murdered in a celebration evening. This involves lots of people, many locations, and a murder that becomes more and more complicated. It contains much interesting history, customs and relationships among the classes, and a very unusual solution.
September 16, 2019
A real winner from a gifted author
This is a captivating murder mystery that includes intrigue and drama along with nice humor and wit. The characters are great, especially in action scenes. The medieval setting in sixteenth century England is a real plus with period language, settings, and ways of life. It is somewhat drawn out at places, but overall it is a real winner from a gifted and learned author.
This is a captivating murder mystery that includes intrigue and drama along with nice humor and wit. The characters are great, especially in action scenes. The medieval setting in sixteenth century England is a real plus with period language, settings, and ways of life. It is somewhat drawn out at places, but overall it is a real winner from a gifted and learned author.
October 21, 2022
A Rattling Good Read
This was one of the most entertaining historical thrillers I have ever read. The plotting is intricate and I was carried along by the skill of the writing. The characters, both central and supporting, are all engaging and the many diversions from the main plot are excellent,especially the scenes in The Theatre. I will definitely be reading more of this author’s work, if possible.
This was one of the most entertaining historical thrillers I have ever read. The plotting is intricate and I was carried along by the skill of the writing. The characters, both central and supporting, are all engaging and the many diversions from the main plot are excellent,especially the scenes in The Theatre. I will definitely be reading more of this author’s work, if possible.
July 27, 2017
A gripping read, with plenty of twists and turns and an engaging central character. There were times when I had to go back and re-read sections, as there was a lot of cross reference to the fine detail of earlier events, and times when I felt it slipped out of the Tudor period, but overall a very entertaining book.
June 28, 2019
This was a really good book. Many of the historical fiction books I read are written fairly simplistically, this book was written much better, I really enjoyed the higher level of writing. The story was also very good with characters developed in such a way that you could have feelings (good or bad) for them. I look forward to reading other works by Jonathan Digby.
February 9, 2024
Captivating
Not a lot I can say from a life long reader of both historical fiction & non fiction. The setting, in the Elizabethan era, the Spy Master, an ignored relative, a murder, treason & darin do is pretty standard fare.
I nearly gave up in the early chapters, but pleased I didn't. It was an enthralling, well constructed plot & character portrayals. Read it in a couple settings.
A good read? Absolutely. The next adventure for this newly manipulated young spy, caught in the tentacles of Elizabeth 's Spymaster awaits.
Not a lot I can say from a life long reader of both historical fiction & non fiction. The setting, in the Elizabethan era, the Spy Master, an ignored relative, a murder, treason & darin do is pretty standard fare.
I nearly gave up in the early chapters, but pleased I didn't. It was an enthralling, well constructed plot & character portrayals. Read it in a couple settings.
A good read? Absolutely. The next adventure for this newly manipulated young spy, caught in the tentacles of Elizabeth 's Spymaster awaits.
February 4, 2018
This story held my attention throughout and I was given a good insight into how London looked during the reign of the first Elizabeth. The ending was slightly predictable, but this did not detract from the main story
March 6, 2018
Really enjoyed this, best described as part historical novel, part crime thriller novel.
Start with a body found in the Thames, via the Amarda, the African slave trade, jewish persecution, and hidden catholics. The illegitimate son makes good in the end.
Start with a body found in the Thames, via the Amarda, the African slave trade, jewish persecution, and hidden catholics. The illegitimate son makes good in the end.
November 16, 2018
Short review: do not bother!
Longer review: This book has so little to recommend it. No wonder it was offered free on Kindle Unlimited (thank goodness I didn't part with even 99p to read it!). It's just dull...and worse, it's dull and far far too long. Yawn. The characters were so thin, there was just no substance to any of them; the plot was overly complicated and yet the premise was completely uninteresting; the writing style was excruciatingly mediocre and amateurish - spent AGES dragging things out and then hastily wrapped up everything with a lengthy (Poirot-style, let me gather everyone in a room) explanation in the last few pages. If you really want a good historical fiction combined with a detective / murder mystery, seek out C.J. Sansom's excellent Shardlake series instead.
Longer review: This book has so little to recommend it. No wonder it was offered free on Kindle Unlimited (thank goodness I didn't part with even 99p to read it!). It's just dull...and worse, it's dull and far far too long. Yawn. The characters were so thin, there was just no substance to any of them; the plot was overly complicated and yet the premise was completely uninteresting; the writing style was excruciatingly mediocre and amateurish - spent AGES dragging things out and then hastily wrapped up everything with a lengthy (Poirot-style, let me gather everyone in a room) explanation in the last few pages. If you really want a good historical fiction combined with a detective / murder mystery, seek out C.J. Sansom's excellent Shardlake series instead.
July 1, 2019
Interesting period
Not many stories of this period focus so well on the midle class folk. Most focus on the very high or low class. This the story is interest insight to the period.
Not many stories of this period focus so well on the midle class folk. Most focus on the very high or low class. This the story is interest insight to the period.
September 17, 2019
Excellent book
This was one of the best novels that I have read in quite a long time. It was well written with excellent characters and a terrific plot.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to other novels by the author.
This was one of the best novels that I have read in quite a long time. It was well written with excellent characters and a terrific plot.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to other novels by the author.
October 26, 2023
Really enjoyed this book, fast paced, gripping with the right level of historical detail to transport you to Elizabethan London . Good choice for anyone who loves a good historical mystery.... Definitely recommend..
January 7, 2025
Very complex mystery. Kept you guessing until the end. Very slow until the last few chapters, though, so it didn't keep my attention and almost led to my stopping completely.
Note: swearing, drinking, and violence
Note: swearing, drinking, and violence
Read
February 24, 2025Long, but loved it!
What a great book! At first I was sceptical as to whether I'd like the book and had a slow start. After a few chapters, I could hardly put the book down. It was great! I hope there will be a sequel.
What a great book! At first I was sceptical as to whether I'd like the book and had a slow start. After a few chapters, I could hardly put the book down. It was great! I hope there will be a sequel.
March 17, 2017
Lots of derring do ! Very entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable .
December 25, 2017
Historical fiction lovers' delight. Some very good characters. Superb narration. However, some words such as "adrenaline" are asynchronous given it is a first person narration.
March 16, 2018
So many twists
Altogether a good read even though it took a long time getting there. The solution to the plot was saved for the very end which made it a good read.
Altogether a good read even though it took a long time getting there. The solution to the plot was saved for the very end which made it a good read.
July 27, 2019
Set in Elizabethan England, the illegitimate brother of a British aristocrat is summoned to investigate a mysterious murder. As he investigates, the plot deepens. Well-written and a page turner!
May 24, 2014
Quite in the mood for a puzzler, particularly one set in Elizabethan England, I was happy to discover Digby's A MURDEROUS AFFAIR. The affair referred to is the death of one Don Alfonse, a Portuguese merchant and nobleman, whose battered body fetches up against Cuckold Point on a marshy piece of land near London. Brought in to find the murderer is John Lovat, illegitimate younger brother of an ambitious peer, who is trying not to run afoul of Sir Francis Walsingham, the Queen's First Secretary.
There is intrigue aplenty with smugglers and murderers, politicians on the take, and decades-old quests for revenge. As one might expect, Digby treats the reader to some famous names, including playwrights Thomas Kyd and Christopher Marlowe, among others. There's also derring-do, fair ladies, and secret passages. Through Lovat and other characters, Digby gives us some understanding of a time when the Spanish Armada had just been defeated, being a Catholic could get you killed and illegitimate sons had less rights than servants, though perhaps more rights than most women.
Digby's characters are fairly engaging, but there are quite a number of them for a book this size and some play center stage for a short time only to be manhandled offstage a little while later. The women in the story have their parts to play but at times Lovat's reaction to them seemed to get in the way of the story - not that he played a James Bond-like charmer; he mostly found them attractive and wondered about them a lot.
At times, Digby seemed to forget he was writing about Elizabethan England. At the beginning, there were descriptions of London, sprinklings of words and phrases, reference to foods and such that were commonplace then. But towards the end, there were slips. I think my favourite was when Lovat is being interrogated and starts to sound a lot like Sam Spade, wisecracks and all, rather than a citizen of London in the 1500s.
Although it starts out as a mystery, A MURDEROUS AFFAIR ends up as more of a thriller. Lovat does solve Don Alphonse's killing but Digby leaves a lot of loose ends hanging loose, which is definitely how it goes in the real world, but generally not how we like things in a mystery novel.
It was enjoyable but it could have been more so.
There is intrigue aplenty with smugglers and murderers, politicians on the take, and decades-old quests for revenge. As one might expect, Digby treats the reader to some famous names, including playwrights Thomas Kyd and Christopher Marlowe, among others. There's also derring-do, fair ladies, and secret passages. Through Lovat and other characters, Digby gives us some understanding of a time when the Spanish Armada had just been defeated, being a Catholic could get you killed and illegitimate sons had less rights than servants, though perhaps more rights than most women.
Digby's characters are fairly engaging, but there are quite a number of them for a book this size and some play center stage for a short time only to be manhandled offstage a little while later. The women in the story have their parts to play but at times Lovat's reaction to them seemed to get in the way of the story - not that he played a James Bond-like charmer; he mostly found them attractive and wondered about them a lot.
At times, Digby seemed to forget he was writing about Elizabethan England. At the beginning, there were descriptions of London, sprinklings of words and phrases, reference to foods and such that were commonplace then. But towards the end, there were slips. I think my favourite was when Lovat is being interrogated and starts to sound a lot like Sam Spade, wisecracks and all, rather than a citizen of London in the 1500s.
Although it starts out as a mystery, A MURDEROUS AFFAIR ends up as more of a thriller. Lovat does solve Don Alphonse's killing but Digby leaves a lot of loose ends hanging loose, which is definitely how it goes in the real world, but generally not how we like things in a mystery novel.
It was enjoyable but it could have been more so.
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