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Hunt & Hooke #3
The Bedlam Cadaver
In late 17th Century London rich young women are being kidnapped, then murdered. Harry Hunt, formerly of the Royal Society but now a rich gentleman, is falsely accused. To clear his name, he must rely on his abandoned scientific expertise and battle the full force of the British aristocracy.
1681. London cooks in summer heat. Bonfires are lit in protest against the King’s brother, James, heir to the throne but openly Catholic. Rumours abound of a ‘Black Box’, said to conceal proof the King’s illegitimate son is really the rightful heir.
When a wealthy merchant’s daughter is kidnapped and murdered—even though a ransom was paid—the King orders Harry Hunt of the Royal Society to help investigate.
A second woman goes Elizabeth Thynne, England’s richest heiress. Her husband has a ransom letter from the same kidnappers.
Pressured by powerful men to find the killers and rescue Elizabeth, Harry uncovers a disturbing link to Bethlehem Hospital, better known as Bedlam.
But he is falsely accused of the crimes.
To prove his innocence, he must find the real culprits. Harry’s search takes him from Rotherhithe to Whitehall Palace, and to the house of Sir Peter Lely, the famous portrait-painter, in Covent Garden.
And back to Bedlam.
He has the Monarchy’s future in his hands.
1681. London cooks in summer heat. Bonfires are lit in protest against the King’s brother, James, heir to the throne but openly Catholic. Rumours abound of a ‘Black Box’, said to conceal proof the King’s illegitimate son is really the rightful heir.
When a wealthy merchant’s daughter is kidnapped and murdered—even though a ransom was paid—the King orders Harry Hunt of the Royal Society to help investigate.
A second woman goes Elizabeth Thynne, England’s richest heiress. Her husband has a ransom letter from the same kidnappers.
Pressured by powerful men to find the killers and rescue Elizabeth, Harry uncovers a disturbing link to Bethlehem Hospital, better known as Bedlam.
But he is falsely accused of the crimes.
To prove his innocence, he must find the real culprits. Harry’s search takes him from Rotherhithe to Whitehall Palace, and to the house of Sir Peter Lely, the famous portrait-painter, in Covent Garden.
And back to Bedlam.
He has the Monarchy’s future in his hands.
432 pages, Paperback
Published June 18, 2024
21 people are currently reading
464 people want to read
About the author
Robert J. Lloyd
8 books75 followersI grew up in the London suburbs, south of the river, and then in Sheffield.
At school I wanted to be an artist, thinking I was going to be the next great English painter. I did a BA degree in Fine Art, in Coventry, but moved more into art theory, ideas, and writing.
It was during my study for an MA in the History of Ideas, in Newcastle, that I discovered Robert Hooke's Diary, detailing his work as Curator of Experiments of the Royal Society, and as architect of the new London, after the Fire. The ideas and characters that I came across stayed with me; years of tinkering resulted in The Bloodless Boy and its sequel, The Clockwork Assassins.
The Bloodless Boy uses real characters and real science, or 'experimental philosophy' as it was known. 17th century experiments in blood transfusion and preservation of bodies in a vacuum drag the young Observator of the Royal Society, Harry Hunt, (who was Robert Hooke's assistant), into the hysteria of the Popish Plot. It pits him against Titus Oates, Lord Shaftesbury, and a sinister villain called Lefèvre.
The sequel to The Bloodless Boy, The Clockwork Assassins, finds Harry in the Fens of Norfolk, and then in Paris, where he becomes embroiled in the machinations of the 'Affair des Poisons'. He uncovers a plot to kill Queen Catherine, and so has to race back to London - with many obstacles in his way.
Both books are to be published by Melville House Publishing. The new edition of The Bloodless Boy is due out in November 2021.
The self-published versions are no longer available, unless you can find them second-hand.
I'm represented by Gaia Banks at Sheil Land Associates literary agency. Many thanks are due to Gaia, who has championed both books with an astonishing energy and attention to detail.
I'm married, with three splendid children and a very lovely wife, and I live in the Brecon Beacons.
Follow me on Twitter as @robjlloyd.
On Facebook, I'm Robert J Lloyd.
I would love to hear from you if you've read all - or part - of the books. Reviews would be very welcome, too!
At school I wanted to be an artist, thinking I was going to be the next great English painter. I did a BA degree in Fine Art, in Coventry, but moved more into art theory, ideas, and writing.
It was during my study for an MA in the History of Ideas, in Newcastle, that I discovered Robert Hooke's Diary, detailing his work as Curator of Experiments of the Royal Society, and as architect of the new London, after the Fire. The ideas and characters that I came across stayed with me; years of tinkering resulted in The Bloodless Boy and its sequel, The Clockwork Assassins.
The Bloodless Boy uses real characters and real science, or 'experimental philosophy' as it was known. 17th century experiments in blood transfusion and preservation of bodies in a vacuum drag the young Observator of the Royal Society, Harry Hunt, (who was Robert Hooke's assistant), into the hysteria of the Popish Plot. It pits him against Titus Oates, Lord Shaftesbury, and a sinister villain called Lefèvre.
The sequel to The Bloodless Boy, The Clockwork Assassins, finds Harry in the Fens of Norfolk, and then in Paris, where he becomes embroiled in the machinations of the 'Affair des Poisons'. He uncovers a plot to kill Queen Catherine, and so has to race back to London - with many obstacles in his way.
Both books are to be published by Melville House Publishing. The new edition of The Bloodless Boy is due out in November 2021.
The self-published versions are no longer available, unless you can find them second-hand.
I'm represented by Gaia Banks at Sheil Land Associates literary agency. Many thanks are due to Gaia, who has championed both books with an astonishing energy and attention to detail.
I'm married, with three splendid children and a very lovely wife, and I live in the Brecon Beacons.
Follow me on Twitter as @robjlloyd.
On Facebook, I'm Robert J Lloyd.
I would love to hear from you if you've read all - or part - of the books. Reviews would be very welcome, too!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 12, 2024
This was my first book by this author and I was not disappointed. You will find yourself emerged in the time period with all its rich descriptions. I love a story with a great balance of dialogue and narrative and this book nailed it. Interesting characters and an intriguing tale - won't be the last I read by this author. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 23, 2024
This is the third in the addictive Hunt and Hooke series and I am here for it! Since reading The Bloodless Boy I have eagerly awaited the next book and have never been disappointed! They can all be read as stand alones but I’d recommend them all.
This one is set in the summer of 1681.
Rich in history with real people, places and events being woven through the fiction.
When the body of a young suicide victim is sent from Bethlehem Hospital - or Bedlam as it is better known - to be dissected in the interests of medical science, someone recognises the girl and it is not the suicide victim it should be. She is a murder victim.
Harry Hunt is commanded by the King to investigate the murder. Not only is there a murder to investigate; it turns out another woman has disappeared and her husband wants her found.
With two cases now to investigate, and with the initial assistance of the no messing about Justice, Sir John, Harry begins his investigations unaware he himself will be under suspicion.
He leaves his new, rich and privileged lifestyle and his potential fiancée behind and with no choice goes into hiding in the poor back streets of London with no money or possessions.
He uncovers conspiracies, lies, secrets and meets some very nasty people.
Robert excels at setting the scene and placing the reader right at the centre of the action. Sights, sounds and (bad) smells of London in 1681 are all described thoroughly.
He summarises the plot so far now and again through Harry’s thoughts, although I raced through the book so quickly I didn’t need it but it is very helpful to people who take more than a few days to read a book.
The short sharp chapters make for a fast paced read which completely immersed me.
An absolutely fantastic historical crime thriller and I can’t wait for the next one!
This one is set in the summer of 1681.
Rich in history with real people, places and events being woven through the fiction.
When the body of a young suicide victim is sent from Bethlehem Hospital - or Bedlam as it is better known - to be dissected in the interests of medical science, someone recognises the girl and it is not the suicide victim it should be. She is a murder victim.
Harry Hunt is commanded by the King to investigate the murder. Not only is there a murder to investigate; it turns out another woman has disappeared and her husband wants her found.
With two cases now to investigate, and with the initial assistance of the no messing about Justice, Sir John, Harry begins his investigations unaware he himself will be under suspicion.
He leaves his new, rich and privileged lifestyle and his potential fiancée behind and with no choice goes into hiding in the poor back streets of London with no money or possessions.
He uncovers conspiracies, lies, secrets and meets some very nasty people.
Robert excels at setting the scene and placing the reader right at the centre of the action. Sights, sounds and (bad) smells of London in 1681 are all described thoroughly.
He summarises the plot so far now and again through Harry’s thoughts, although I raced through the book so quickly I didn’t need it but it is very helpful to people who take more than a few days to read a book.
The short sharp chapters make for a fast paced read which completely immersed me.
An absolutely fantastic historical crime thriller and I can’t wait for the next one!
September 13, 2024
Prob a 3.5 for me. It was decent but a little confusing at times. I always love when a book includes a character list so bonus points for that.
September 13, 2025
A great series! Lots of action, a gripping plot involving some real (scientists) people, and very likeable characters. I enjoyed the well researched historical and scientific background, rendering this book both entertaining and interesting! Hopefully a fourth book will be written!
May 1, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley & Melville House Publishing
A murder mystery set in the 17th century that starts with the dissection of a lady from high society and rapidly turns into a series of misfortunes for our main character. This story interweaves the issues of the British throne and its aristocracy, the riots and wars happening over the crown with the horrific mistreatment of asylum patients and the disparity of riches. It has been a while since I read a book of its kind and I loved every minute of it.
A murder mystery set in the 17th century that starts with the dissection of a lady from high society and rapidly turns into a series of misfortunes for our main character. This story interweaves the issues of the British throne and its aristocracy, the riots and wars happening over the crown with the horrific mistreatment of asylum patients and the disparity of riches. It has been a while since I read a book of its kind and I loved every minute of it.
December 4, 2025
This was the first in the series that I read. Started off strong and loved most of it, but it seemed to fizzle out at the end. Would’ve appreciated a more dynamic ending. Probably could’ve been like 50 pages shorter…
August 12, 2025
I was a bit lost not gonna lie…but that’s probably my fault I’ll have to reread this book later on but I think I was just BORED?!?! Not sure but it was slow (in a way that nothing adds up) and kind of confusing
June 18, 2024
Having thoroughly enjoyed both The Bloodless Boy and The Poison Machine, the previous two novels in Robert J. Lloyd’s ‘Hunt and Hooke’ series of seventeenth-century scientific mysteries, I was delighted to get my hands on a copy of The Bedlam Cadaver, which sees the pair reluctantly re-unite to investigate the kidnapping and murder to several wealthy society ladies.
Although the central investigation of The Bedlam Cadaver provides a standalone mystery, I do think previous knowledge of the series – and especially of the events of The Poison Machine – would aid enjoyment of this novel. Both books are well worth a read and you’ll arrive into this novel with an awareness of the often complex journeys that the characters have undergone. This, in turn, makes the exploration of the somewhat fraught relationship between Harry Hunt, newly elevated to the status of a wealthy gentleman, and his former mentor, the esteemed scientist and architect Robert Hooke, all the more interesting.
Both men remain difficult characters to love at times – Harry, in particular, is more than a bit of a snob in this novel – but, for all their faults, they remain wonderfully human. I might not always have agreed with Harry’s actions but I always felt as if I understood them and that they made sense given the experiences he has had in the series to date.
Harry’s elevation in society results in the introduction of several new characters into a world already teeming with life. In addition to returning members of the Royal Society and the Court, we are introduced to Harry’s household and the fashionable Bloomsbury set that he now socialises within. As the novel progresses, the reader is also taken on a journey into the dark heart of the Bethlehem Hospital, better known as Bedlam, and the secrets that lie within.
As with previous novels in the series, the standout star is the vividly imagined world of seventeenth-century London. Lloyd has, once again, infused his world with the sights, sounds, and smells of the city (a word of warning: don’t read the opening chapter’s dissection scene during your lunch break!), all of which are anchored around real historical figures who flit between the fictional characters with ease. As well as cameos from King Charles II and his illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, The Bedlam Cadaver sees Hunt and Hooke make the acquaintance of one Sir Peter Lely, the King’s Painter in Ordinary. Several other notable seventeenth century figures appear within the pages, all of whom leap off the page.
The sense of the 1680s as being a time of uncertainty also comes across really well. For all the scientific and intellectual innovations of the period, the potential for political unrest remained high. The novel does an excellent job of conveying the machinations of the various factions jostling for position around Charles II, the Duke of Monmouth, and Charles’s Catholic brother James, and the plot makes excellent use of the potential for espionage and intrigue that arises as a result.
Whenever I read one of Robert J. Lloyd’s novels, I’m reminded of C. J. Sansom’s Shardlake series. Although set in very different periods of history, both authors have the ability to utterly transport their readers to the period they write about, and to blend history and fiction together convincingly. Fictional plots and characters are seamlessly incorporated into the real world which is on display to the reader, warts and all. Characters with extremely sharp edges – and even sharper tongues – are made empathetic and relatable, and even minor characters leap off the page and into the imagination. Sansom’s series is, thanks to its recent Disney+ adaptation, probably the better known at this point but I’d strongly urge anyone who loves those novels to pick up Lloyd’s series given the similarities in tone. Readers of Andrew Taylor’s Ashes of London series might also want to take note!
Overall, this is another well-realised addition to an already excellent historical mystery series. As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, the Hunt and Hooke novels tend to be a little bit denser than your standard crime novel but, personally, I don’t find that stops the pages turning. If you’re after immersive historical crime that offers you a deep-dive into the period whilst also providing a well-plotted mystery, you definitely can’t go wrong here!
NB: This review also appears on my blog at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpre... as part of the blog tour for the book. My thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Although the central investigation of The Bedlam Cadaver provides a standalone mystery, I do think previous knowledge of the series – and especially of the events of The Poison Machine – would aid enjoyment of this novel. Both books are well worth a read and you’ll arrive into this novel with an awareness of the often complex journeys that the characters have undergone. This, in turn, makes the exploration of the somewhat fraught relationship between Harry Hunt, newly elevated to the status of a wealthy gentleman, and his former mentor, the esteemed scientist and architect Robert Hooke, all the more interesting.
Both men remain difficult characters to love at times – Harry, in particular, is more than a bit of a snob in this novel – but, for all their faults, they remain wonderfully human. I might not always have agreed with Harry’s actions but I always felt as if I understood them and that they made sense given the experiences he has had in the series to date.
Harry’s elevation in society results in the introduction of several new characters into a world already teeming with life. In addition to returning members of the Royal Society and the Court, we are introduced to Harry’s household and the fashionable Bloomsbury set that he now socialises within. As the novel progresses, the reader is also taken on a journey into the dark heart of the Bethlehem Hospital, better known as Bedlam, and the secrets that lie within.
As with previous novels in the series, the standout star is the vividly imagined world of seventeenth-century London. Lloyd has, once again, infused his world with the sights, sounds, and smells of the city (a word of warning: don’t read the opening chapter’s dissection scene during your lunch break!), all of which are anchored around real historical figures who flit between the fictional characters with ease. As well as cameos from King Charles II and his illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, The Bedlam Cadaver sees Hunt and Hooke make the acquaintance of one Sir Peter Lely, the King’s Painter in Ordinary. Several other notable seventeenth century figures appear within the pages, all of whom leap off the page.
The sense of the 1680s as being a time of uncertainty also comes across really well. For all the scientific and intellectual innovations of the period, the potential for political unrest remained high. The novel does an excellent job of conveying the machinations of the various factions jostling for position around Charles II, the Duke of Monmouth, and Charles’s Catholic brother James, and the plot makes excellent use of the potential for espionage and intrigue that arises as a result.
Whenever I read one of Robert J. Lloyd’s novels, I’m reminded of C. J. Sansom’s Shardlake series. Although set in very different periods of history, both authors have the ability to utterly transport their readers to the period they write about, and to blend history and fiction together convincingly. Fictional plots and characters are seamlessly incorporated into the real world which is on display to the reader, warts and all. Characters with extremely sharp edges – and even sharper tongues – are made empathetic and relatable, and even minor characters leap off the page and into the imagination. Sansom’s series is, thanks to its recent Disney+ adaptation, probably the better known at this point but I’d strongly urge anyone who loves those novels to pick up Lloyd’s series given the similarities in tone. Readers of Andrew Taylor’s Ashes of London series might also want to take note!
Overall, this is another well-realised addition to an already excellent historical mystery series. As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, the Hunt and Hooke novels tend to be a little bit denser than your standard crime novel but, personally, I don’t find that stops the pages turning. If you’re after immersive historical crime that offers you a deep-dive into the period whilst also providing a well-plotted mystery, you definitely can’t go wrong here!
NB: This review also appears on my blog at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpre... as part of the blog tour for the book. My thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
June 25, 2024
London, 1681. Harry Hunt is now living the life of a gentleman, having been rewarded handsomely for his services to the Crown. Decked out in his new foppery, Hunt attends a dissection carried out by his former colleagues at the Royal Academy, only to discover that the cadaver apparently provided by Bethlehem (Bedlam) Hospital is actually the body of his wealthy Bloomsbury neighbour, Miss Diana Cantley. Once again, Hunt finds himself embroiled in a murky mystery at the behest of King Charles II. His task is to get to the bottom of how the body of a young society woman, who it seems had been kidnapped, ended up on a dissecting table instead of that of a Bedlam inmate - even though a sizeable ransom had been paid for her return.
When a second young woman goes missing, this time the heiress Elizabeth Tynne, the evidence points to her having been taken by the same kidnappers who killed Diana Cantley. Hunt beings to realise that there is more behind this business than demands for money: someone intends to railroad the future of the Monarchy, and they will stop at nothing to prevent him getting to the truth - even falsely implicating him in their crimes. Against the backdrop of a sweltering London that threatens to erupt into political turmoil, Hunt must clear his name and find the real culprits before it is too late...
The Bedlam Cadaver is the third gripping instalment of the Hooke and Hunt series, set in the vividly recreated setting of Restoration England (and occasionally further afield). The books can be read as standalone novels, but I highly recommend taking in books one and two as well, The Bloodless Boy and The Poison Machine, as they add wonderful texture to the characters and plot of this third book - and they are cracking reads!
In what is starting to be a pattern for Harry Hunt's life, he is once again landed with the difficult task of trying to foil a plot to destabilise the Monarchy, at the request of charismatic King Charles II. These missions have certainly been profitable, but have got him into more than a few scrapes with danger. This adventure is no exception to the rule.
In a rollicking tale full of twists and turns, the plot follows Hunt's investigation into the murder of Diana Cantley, then broadens into a multi-stranded mystery about kidnappings, murder, subterfuge with mortal remains, and the hunt for a 'black box' that holds documents vital to deciding the Succession. The inquiry takes Hunt all over a London sweating under sultry summer temperatures, leading him to palaces and parlours; houses of intellectual aspirations and dubious ambitions; and intriguingly, the sinister environs of Bedlam Hospital, in a side-plot based on unsettling fact. And as Hunt traces the threads of knotty puzzles to their shocking conclusions, via lovely episodes in the salons of a famous painter, and on the 'wrong' side of the river, he unexpectedly rediscovers himself under the guise of 'gentleman' he has been carefully trying to cultivate - with surprising developments on the romantic front too.
As in the earlier novels, Lloyd's considerable skill in blending fact and fiction means that Hunt's third adventure is just as spellbinding as I have come to expect from his writing. This thrums with delicious Alexandre Dumas-esque vibes, dripping with politically motivated plots within plots, and shines insightful light on fascinating history about Restoration England - in this instance, delving into the far-reaching consequences of Charles II's wanderings outside of the marital bed, when his illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, made a bid to be named heir to the throne. Lloyd also continues to bring the London of ideas and architecture of this period alive, as it is reborn from the ashes of the Great Fire of 1666, under the guiding hands of famous figures like Sir Christopher Wren and Hunt's close friend, and mentor, Robert Hooke. It is such fun tracing the origins of well-known parts of London that have become landmarks of this sprawling city, and the scientific developments that grew from the work of the Royal Society, and really connects you to the wealth of historical detail Lloyd includes in his novels.
I consumed this book from cover to cover. Lloyd just gets better with each Hooke and Hunt novel, and this is my favourite one yet. His books easily deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the great Andrew Taylor and Ken Follett, so if classy historical fiction is your bag then you really should check out this series. I cannot wait for book four!
When a second young woman goes missing, this time the heiress Elizabeth Tynne, the evidence points to her having been taken by the same kidnappers who killed Diana Cantley. Hunt beings to realise that there is more behind this business than demands for money: someone intends to railroad the future of the Monarchy, and they will stop at nothing to prevent him getting to the truth - even falsely implicating him in their crimes. Against the backdrop of a sweltering London that threatens to erupt into political turmoil, Hunt must clear his name and find the real culprits before it is too late...
The Bedlam Cadaver is the third gripping instalment of the Hooke and Hunt series, set in the vividly recreated setting of Restoration England (and occasionally further afield). The books can be read as standalone novels, but I highly recommend taking in books one and two as well, The Bloodless Boy and The Poison Machine, as they add wonderful texture to the characters and plot of this third book - and they are cracking reads!
In what is starting to be a pattern for Harry Hunt's life, he is once again landed with the difficult task of trying to foil a plot to destabilise the Monarchy, at the request of charismatic King Charles II. These missions have certainly been profitable, but have got him into more than a few scrapes with danger. This adventure is no exception to the rule.
In a rollicking tale full of twists and turns, the plot follows Hunt's investigation into the murder of Diana Cantley, then broadens into a multi-stranded mystery about kidnappings, murder, subterfuge with mortal remains, and the hunt for a 'black box' that holds documents vital to deciding the Succession. The inquiry takes Hunt all over a London sweating under sultry summer temperatures, leading him to palaces and parlours; houses of intellectual aspirations and dubious ambitions; and intriguingly, the sinister environs of Bedlam Hospital, in a side-plot based on unsettling fact. And as Hunt traces the threads of knotty puzzles to their shocking conclusions, via lovely episodes in the salons of a famous painter, and on the 'wrong' side of the river, he unexpectedly rediscovers himself under the guise of 'gentleman' he has been carefully trying to cultivate - with surprising developments on the romantic front too.
As in the earlier novels, Lloyd's considerable skill in blending fact and fiction means that Hunt's third adventure is just as spellbinding as I have come to expect from his writing. This thrums with delicious Alexandre Dumas-esque vibes, dripping with politically motivated plots within plots, and shines insightful light on fascinating history about Restoration England - in this instance, delving into the far-reaching consequences of Charles II's wanderings outside of the marital bed, when his illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, made a bid to be named heir to the throne. Lloyd also continues to bring the London of ideas and architecture of this period alive, as it is reborn from the ashes of the Great Fire of 1666, under the guiding hands of famous figures like Sir Christopher Wren and Hunt's close friend, and mentor, Robert Hooke. It is such fun tracing the origins of well-known parts of London that have become landmarks of this sprawling city, and the scientific developments that grew from the work of the Royal Society, and really connects you to the wealth of historical detail Lloyd includes in his novels.
I consumed this book from cover to cover. Lloyd just gets better with each Hooke and Hunt novel, and this is my favourite one yet. His books easily deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the great Andrew Taylor and Ken Follett, so if classy historical fiction is your bag then you really should check out this series. I cannot wait for book four!
June 4, 2024
The Bedlam Cadaver by Robert J. Lloyd will publish June 18th with Melville House. It is the third novel in the Hunt & Hooke series, following on from The Bloodless Boy and The Poison Machine. Both these books were incredibly researched, with fascinating insights into the New Philosophy, the scientific and medical thinking that laid the groundwork for many of the fundamentals of modern science. All three books are set during the Restoration era of late 17th century London and are a mix of fact and fiction, adding a great layer of authenticity to the series.
The term bedlam is a word that many of us associate with chaos with its roots stemming from the Bethlem Asylum in London. Originally it was called Saint Mary of Bethlehem, founded as a priory in the 13th Century, and rebuilt as, what was considered, a state of the art institution in the late 1600s. At the time visitors would drop by to view this architecturally striking building, but it was its residents that became the real attraction. The behaviour, the noise, the agitation and the pure unhinged characteristics of the inmates lead to the word bedlam becoming a moniker for the place and the word we all use so freely now to describe a disorganised and, almost lawless, scene.
Robert Hooke was the architect behind the design of the Bethlem hospital and he is again an instrumental character in this latest novel from Robert J. Lloyd. The Bedlam Cadaver opens with a cadaver dissection at Gresham College, home to the Royal Society of London for the Improving of Natural Knowledge. In attendance are approximately thirty Fellows, his Majesty the King, Sir Christopher Wren, Robert Hooke and ex-member of the society, Harry Hunt. With Wren in the lead, the dissection was about to reveal a brain and a spinal cord, with additional experimental work to be embarked upon, when a shocking discovery puts an abrupt stop to the examination.
Hooke and Hunt’s relationship is fractured following on from previous events, with Hunt now living a more luxurious life in Bloomsbury. But the pair are soon thrown together again when a plot to damage the King becomes apparent. With time not on their side, Hunt soon finds himself the centre of attention when circumstances transpire that seem to mark him as central to a murderous scheme. Running for his life, he attempts to uncover the truth and prove his own innocence while also hoping to capture a killer in the process.
With plenty of subterfuge, historical insights and atmospheric interludes, and featuring a cast of real and imagined characters, Robert J. Lloyd brings 1680s London alive to the reader. English society was on the cusp of chaos as the fight for the rightful King to sit on the thrown became more violent and coercive. With the possibility of a Catholic King, the populace was being encouraged to take sides, ensuing in civil unrest, espionage, revenge and murder.
Hunt has developed over the three books, with The Bedlam Cadaver revealing a person who is unsure of who they have become. Harry Hunt has changed over the years, as his confidence has grown, and his ability to solve conundrums has garnered him respect among certain elements of society. Hooke is clearly disappointed with Hunt and misses the relationship that once existed. Can they claw their way back to where they once were or has the chasm that has opened become too big?
Robert J. Lloyd excels in his research. I’m not English, therefore my knowledge of historical events and characters would be weak but in no way did this impact my reading experience. In many ways it probably improved it as I had no expectations or awareness of exacting timelines or the accuracy of plots etc. The Hunt & Hooke series are wonderful historical crime fiction novels with exciting and thrilling storylines set against the backdrop of intriguing scientific and medical references.
Immersing the reader in a time and place, The Bedlam Cadaver is a wonderful addition to this really compelling series that is pure perfection for all historical fiction fans. Extremely engaging and informative, with plenty of intricately woven plot twists, The Bedlam Cadaver is an exciting tale of adventure, mystery and science, a fabulously researched novel.
The term bedlam is a word that many of us associate with chaos with its roots stemming from the Bethlem Asylum in London. Originally it was called Saint Mary of Bethlehem, founded as a priory in the 13th Century, and rebuilt as, what was considered, a state of the art institution in the late 1600s. At the time visitors would drop by to view this architecturally striking building, but it was its residents that became the real attraction. The behaviour, the noise, the agitation and the pure unhinged characteristics of the inmates lead to the word bedlam becoming a moniker for the place and the word we all use so freely now to describe a disorganised and, almost lawless, scene.
Robert Hooke was the architect behind the design of the Bethlem hospital and he is again an instrumental character in this latest novel from Robert J. Lloyd. The Bedlam Cadaver opens with a cadaver dissection at Gresham College, home to the Royal Society of London for the Improving of Natural Knowledge. In attendance are approximately thirty Fellows, his Majesty the King, Sir Christopher Wren, Robert Hooke and ex-member of the society, Harry Hunt. With Wren in the lead, the dissection was about to reveal a brain and a spinal cord, with additional experimental work to be embarked upon, when a shocking discovery puts an abrupt stop to the examination.
Hooke and Hunt’s relationship is fractured following on from previous events, with Hunt now living a more luxurious life in Bloomsbury. But the pair are soon thrown together again when a plot to damage the King becomes apparent. With time not on their side, Hunt soon finds himself the centre of attention when circumstances transpire that seem to mark him as central to a murderous scheme. Running for his life, he attempts to uncover the truth and prove his own innocence while also hoping to capture a killer in the process.
With plenty of subterfuge, historical insights and atmospheric interludes, and featuring a cast of real and imagined characters, Robert J. Lloyd brings 1680s London alive to the reader. English society was on the cusp of chaos as the fight for the rightful King to sit on the thrown became more violent and coercive. With the possibility of a Catholic King, the populace was being encouraged to take sides, ensuing in civil unrest, espionage, revenge and murder.
Hunt has developed over the three books, with The Bedlam Cadaver revealing a person who is unsure of who they have become. Harry Hunt has changed over the years, as his confidence has grown, and his ability to solve conundrums has garnered him respect among certain elements of society. Hooke is clearly disappointed with Hunt and misses the relationship that once existed. Can they claw their way back to where they once were or has the chasm that has opened become too big?
Robert J. Lloyd excels in his research. I’m not English, therefore my knowledge of historical events and characters would be weak but in no way did this impact my reading experience. In many ways it probably improved it as I had no expectations or awareness of exacting timelines or the accuracy of plots etc. The Hunt & Hooke series are wonderful historical crime fiction novels with exciting and thrilling storylines set against the backdrop of intriguing scientific and medical references.
Immersing the reader in a time and place, The Bedlam Cadaver is a wonderful addition to this really compelling series that is pure perfection for all historical fiction fans. Extremely engaging and informative, with plenty of intricately woven plot twists, The Bedlam Cadaver is an exciting tale of adventure, mystery and science, a fabulously researched novel.
June 13, 2024
The Bedlam Cadaver is the third book in the Hunt and Hooke books by Robert J Lloyd and will be published on 20 June. Since reading the first book, The Bloodless Boy, I have become a huge fan of these books, and Harry Hunt, the main protagonist, in particular. In this book Hunt gets caught in the middle of a murder investigation, where he becomes the main suspect, and needs to solve the case whilst on the run. Add into this the search for a box that may or may not contain documents that could see Charles II succession go not to his brother but to his illegitimate son the Duke of Monmouth. Political intrigue, kidnap and murder weave together in this fast paced and compelling read.
I was really excited to be contacted by Melville House Press about being part of the blog tour for The Bedlam Cadaver , and I think this may be the best book yet. The main characters are now very familiar and Robert J. Lloyd always includes a wonderful blend of real and fictitious supporting characters. After the last book Hunt has gone up in the world, and it has definitely gone to his head. I loved this different side to Hunt, with his fashionable silk clothing, a new house with purple sofas and servants, and he has taken dancing lessons; it brought a wry smile to my face at how ridiculous he had become. He does however have the trust of King Charles II, who asks for his help not only in the murder investigation but aslo in the more personal matter of finding a box that could effect the succession of the throne. I always love Hunt’s personable character, he maybe dogged in his investigations but is always respectful to those he questions. As I mentioned there are a lot of colourful charaters in this book including Sir John Reresby, the blunt Justice of the Peace, who is the opposite of Hunt in every way, Karl Johann Von a Swedish count and his band of mercenaries, and the Duke of Monmouth himself. All bring their own personalities and stories to the plot.
What really shines through in these books is the descriptive prose and the journey through London that Robert J Lloyd takes the reader on. We go from The Royal Society where Sir Christopher Wren is going to do an experiment on a cadaver, to Bethlehem Hospital (Bedlam) and its inmates, to the salons of Covent Carden, home of artist Sir Peter Lely, and all of London inbetween. The sights, the smells come alive, both good and bad, and Robert J Lloyd captures the political and social atmosphere of London at this time as well. The plot is multi faceted, complex and totally immersive full of hsitorical detail and complex characters. There were so many different ways this plot was going before turning on its head and changing direction. The fast pace of the book and the suspense had me picking up this book at every opportunity, and going to bed extra early; proof my reading mojo is back.
I think that The Bedlam Cadaver is the best of the Hunt and Hooke books so far. I really lost myself in the pages of this book, the cultural and social norms of the period and in the lives of the characters. The murder mystery twists and turns, building suspense through to the very final pages. There is humour and wit mixed in with the murder investigation, adding a lightness to the tension. If you are a fan of the Shardlake series then I highly recommend the Hunt and Hooke series. Full of historical fact seamlessly mixed with fiction, this is another impressive and captivating read from Robert J Lloyd and I can’t wait to read the next book.
I was really excited to be contacted by Melville House Press about being part of the blog tour for The Bedlam Cadaver , and I think this may be the best book yet. The main characters are now very familiar and Robert J. Lloyd always includes a wonderful blend of real and fictitious supporting characters. After the last book Hunt has gone up in the world, and it has definitely gone to his head. I loved this different side to Hunt, with his fashionable silk clothing, a new house with purple sofas and servants, and he has taken dancing lessons; it brought a wry smile to my face at how ridiculous he had become. He does however have the trust of King Charles II, who asks for his help not only in the murder investigation but aslo in the more personal matter of finding a box that could effect the succession of the throne. I always love Hunt’s personable character, he maybe dogged in his investigations but is always respectful to those he questions. As I mentioned there are a lot of colourful charaters in this book including Sir John Reresby, the blunt Justice of the Peace, who is the opposite of Hunt in every way, Karl Johann Von a Swedish count and his band of mercenaries, and the Duke of Monmouth himself. All bring their own personalities and stories to the plot.
What really shines through in these books is the descriptive prose and the journey through London that Robert J Lloyd takes the reader on. We go from The Royal Society where Sir Christopher Wren is going to do an experiment on a cadaver, to Bethlehem Hospital (Bedlam) and its inmates, to the salons of Covent Carden, home of artist Sir Peter Lely, and all of London inbetween. The sights, the smells come alive, both good and bad, and Robert J Lloyd captures the political and social atmosphere of London at this time as well. The plot is multi faceted, complex and totally immersive full of hsitorical detail and complex characters. There were so many different ways this plot was going before turning on its head and changing direction. The fast pace of the book and the suspense had me picking up this book at every opportunity, and going to bed extra early; proof my reading mojo is back.
I think that The Bedlam Cadaver is the best of the Hunt and Hooke books so far. I really lost myself in the pages of this book, the cultural and social norms of the period and in the lives of the characters. The murder mystery twists and turns, building suspense through to the very final pages. There is humour and wit mixed in with the murder investigation, adding a lightness to the tension. If you are a fan of the Shardlake series then I highly recommend the Hunt and Hooke series. Full of historical fact seamlessly mixed with fiction, this is another impressive and captivating read from Robert J Lloyd and I can’t wait to read the next book.
May 28, 2024
The Bedlam Cadaver is the third volume in Robert J. Lloyd's Hunt and Hooke series—one of my go-to series when I want an intelligent historical mystery. Hooke, as in Robert Hooke, is an historical figure, a polymath (as many scientists were in the 17th Century), and is credited with inventing the microscope in order to study the smaller worlds around us. His book Micrographia represented a break-through moment in science. It was the first publication of Britain's Royal Society and became a best-seller. More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microgr...
To the best of my knowledge, Hunt is a creature of Lloyd's imagination. When the series begins, he is working as an assistant to Hooke, very conscious of his relatively poor origins and a bit of an outsider in the 17th Century scientific community, which was mostly populated by gentlemen of means, who could afford build their own elaboratories (the spelling at that time) and equipment. Between volumes two and three in the series, Hunt has become wealthy after doing investigative work for the king and a member of the court.
The newly wealthy Hunt is focused on learning to be a member of the upper classes and to have his change in social standing acknowledged by the scientific community. I don't think I'm quite as fond of this new, wealthy Hunt as I was of his poorer self. His focus on meeting a new social situation means he cares more about possessions and how he can be seen to use his money to make himself into a new man. He does, I'm glad to say, begin to questions his approach to life as the novel continues, and by the novel's end, I found him once more a deeply sympathetic character, which was an immense relief.
This new mystery explores two overlapping themes: the disempowerment of women in 17th Century society and the business of obtaining corpses for medical research and the then-popular public dissections. The three women who figure in this theme are an impoverished "patient" in bedlam, the abducted daughter of a wealthy merchant, and the missing wife of one of England's richest men (whose wealth has been greatly increased by his marriage to a young heiress). The reasons for her disappearance aren't clear. She may have run off with a lover, she may have been abducted, she may simply be hiding from a husband she didn't want. The plot quickly grows further complicated when Hunt becomes a suspect in these events.
The Bedlam Cadaver is one of those titles that rise above most of the fiction in the historical mystery genre. I'm not complaining here, just acknowledging that the historical mystery genre can sometimes be surface-level "historical," with more focus on the details of setting than on the details of the class and political hierarchies of the time in which they're set.
This is a book that will be enjoyed not only by genre fans, but by anyone interested in the Restoration period or the history of science. I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.
To the best of my knowledge, Hunt is a creature of Lloyd's imagination. When the series begins, he is working as an assistant to Hooke, very conscious of his relatively poor origins and a bit of an outsider in the 17th Century scientific community, which was mostly populated by gentlemen of means, who could afford build their own elaboratories (the spelling at that time) and equipment. Between volumes two and three in the series, Hunt has become wealthy after doing investigative work for the king and a member of the court.
The newly wealthy Hunt is focused on learning to be a member of the upper classes and to have his change in social standing acknowledged by the scientific community. I don't think I'm quite as fond of this new, wealthy Hunt as I was of his poorer self. His focus on meeting a new social situation means he cares more about possessions and how he can be seen to use his money to make himself into a new man. He does, I'm glad to say, begin to questions his approach to life as the novel continues, and by the novel's end, I found him once more a deeply sympathetic character, which was an immense relief.
This new mystery explores two overlapping themes: the disempowerment of women in 17th Century society and the business of obtaining corpses for medical research and the then-popular public dissections. The three women who figure in this theme are an impoverished "patient" in bedlam, the abducted daughter of a wealthy merchant, and the missing wife of one of England's richest men (whose wealth has been greatly increased by his marriage to a young heiress). The reasons for her disappearance aren't clear. She may have run off with a lover, she may have been abducted, she may simply be hiding from a husband she didn't want. The plot quickly grows further complicated when Hunt becomes a suspect in these events.
The Bedlam Cadaver is one of those titles that rise above most of the fiction in the historical mystery genre. I'm not complaining here, just acknowledging that the historical mystery genre can sometimes be surface-level "historical," with more focus on the details of setting than on the details of the class and political hierarchies of the time in which they're set.
This is a book that will be enjoyed not only by genre fans, but by anyone interested in the Restoration period or the history of science. I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.
June 26, 2024
‘The Bedlam Cadaver’ is the third book in the Hunt and Hooke series of historical crime novels. Harry Hunt is now a man of means, courtesy of his previous adventure, when he was richly rewarded for his investigative services. The eager young man we met before has now undergone a change in attitude as well as circumstance and he enjoys the finer things in life.
Nevertheless, Harry is still interested in the work of The Royal Society and whilst attending a demonstration, makes an alarming discovery. Having proved invaluable in solving another crime, the king tasks Harry to assist again. Hot on the heels of this mystery, another crime is committed, this time the kidnapping of Elizabeth Thynne, only surviving child of the late 11th Earl of Northumberland and heiress to the enormous Percy family estates and fortune. Scurrilous individuals conspire against Henry and he finds himself accused of the crimes and becomes a wanted man. Time as a fugitive also provides him with the opportunity for some soul-searching regarding his future; although if he cannot prove his innocence, he will certainly face a death sentence.
Utilising the same literary techniques and style as in his other successful novels, the author demonstrates his extensive knowledge of early dissection methods, providing a form of entertainment in the name of scientific discovery at The Royal Society in 17th Century London. He gives us a flavour of the hustle and bustle of the malodorous streets along with the ever-present danger from militant gangs. We are also reminded that an assortment of buildings were crowded together on either side of London Bridge.
Throw into the mix an abusive husband, an illegitimate son of the king, together with a Swedish count and we have an intriguing potpourri, particularly knowing the majority of the protagonists are real historical figures with many events being taken from recorded accounts. We are also made to face some unpleasant realities of the time, namely the treatment of the mentally impaired and references to the slave trade.
Mixing fact with fiction has formed the backdrop of another gripping adventure for Harry. I found it helpful to already know something of the political climate of the time and, in particular, the history of Elizabeth Percy. The idea that she may have had a slightly older friend in the fictitious Diana Cantley was an easy leap of faith.
Fans of historical fiction won’t be disappointed with this outing for the enigmatic Harry Hunt and the ageing Robert Hooke; hopefully the author can be persuaded to give them another mystery to test their mettle again soon. I award five well-deserved stars.
Nevertheless, Harry is still interested in the work of The Royal Society and whilst attending a demonstration, makes an alarming discovery. Having proved invaluable in solving another crime, the king tasks Harry to assist again. Hot on the heels of this mystery, another crime is committed, this time the kidnapping of Elizabeth Thynne, only surviving child of the late 11th Earl of Northumberland and heiress to the enormous Percy family estates and fortune. Scurrilous individuals conspire against Henry and he finds himself accused of the crimes and becomes a wanted man. Time as a fugitive also provides him with the opportunity for some soul-searching regarding his future; although if he cannot prove his innocence, he will certainly face a death sentence.
Utilising the same literary techniques and style as in his other successful novels, the author demonstrates his extensive knowledge of early dissection methods, providing a form of entertainment in the name of scientific discovery at The Royal Society in 17th Century London. He gives us a flavour of the hustle and bustle of the malodorous streets along with the ever-present danger from militant gangs. We are also reminded that an assortment of buildings were crowded together on either side of London Bridge.
Throw into the mix an abusive husband, an illegitimate son of the king, together with a Swedish count and we have an intriguing potpourri, particularly knowing the majority of the protagonists are real historical figures with many events being taken from recorded accounts. We are also made to face some unpleasant realities of the time, namely the treatment of the mentally impaired and references to the slave trade.
Mixing fact with fiction has formed the backdrop of another gripping adventure for Harry. I found it helpful to already know something of the political climate of the time and, in particular, the history of Elizabeth Percy. The idea that she may have had a slightly older friend in the fictitious Diana Cantley was an easy leap of faith.
Fans of historical fiction won’t be disappointed with this outing for the enigmatic Harry Hunt and the ageing Robert Hooke; hopefully the author can be persuaded to give them another mystery to test their mettle again soon. I award five well-deserved stars.
June 19, 2024
Time taken to read - In and out, as able, over 5 days
Pages - 432
Publisher - Melville House
Source - ARC
Blurb from Goodreads
In late 17th Century London rich young women are being kidnapped, then murdered. Harry Hunt, formerly of the Royal Society but now a rich gentleman, is falsely accused. To clear his name, he must rely on his abandoned scientific expertise and battle the full force of the British aristocracy.
1681. London cooks in summer heat. Bonfires are lit in protest against the King’s brother, James, heir to the throne but openly Catholic. Rumours abound of a ‘Black Box’, said to conceal proof the King’s illegitimate son is really the rightful heir.
When a wealthy merchant’s daughter is kidnapped and murdered—even though a ransom was paid—the King orders Harry Hunt of the Royal Society to help investigate.
A second woman goes Elizabeth Thynne, England’s richest heiress. Her husband has a ransom letter from the same kidnappers.
Pressured by powerful men to find the killers and rescue Elizabeth, Harry uncovers a disturbing link to Bethlehem Hospital, better known as Bedlam.
But he is falsely accused of the crimes.
To prove his innocence, he must find the real culprits. Harry’s search takes him from Rotherhithe to Whitehall Palace, and to the house of Sir Peter Lely, the famous portrait-painter, in Covent Garden.
And back to Bedlam.
He has the Monarchy’s future in his hands.
My Review
This is book three in the Hunt and Hooke book series, I normally say you can pick up the book and start reading as a standalone but to be honest I think you need to read the others. Purely because you really have gotten to know the characters and how they have gotten to where they are now so when things happen it has more impact and meaning. An autopsy of a patient who committed suicide from the local mental hospital is halted mid way as the patient is recognised not as who it should be but a missing local well to do woman Harry's world is rocked. Not only does he know her but soon Harry comes under fire and suspicion for murder and things go from bad to worse for poor Harry.
So the book deals with some pretty dark things, suicide, murder, kidnap, false accusations and amongst all of that the questioning and championing of the King on the throne! Ooft it is a busy book, royalty, the rightful Aire to the throne, murder, kidnap and all manners of skulduggery I have hinted it. It is all very serious but I did chuckle a wee bit at poor Harry, dare I call him a bumbling fool? I don't think that is fair but it is close like he makes so many dodgy mistakes and blunders, almost Frank Spencer "ooh Betty" moments, well not quite but again close.
We m=have met him since book one and see him come up in the world both professionally and now financially and see him commit rookie errors for one who has found himself in money. To the point it impacts on his relationship(s) and how he is/was previously. I do love seeing character development and growth and with Harry he shows how you can go about it the wrong way.
Finding himself on the wrong side of the law Harry gets into some sticky moments, one or two gasp worthy and at one point I was thinking he is never getting out of this one! Interesting characters, well paced, different threads of adventure and some seriously shocking behaviours and "oh no" moments. I do hope this is a long series because I enjoy what they offer, bit of learning, lots of adventure, historical setting/drama and of course some murder to keep you on your toes, 4/5 from us.
Pages - 432
Publisher - Melville House
Source - ARC
Blurb from Goodreads
In late 17th Century London rich young women are being kidnapped, then murdered. Harry Hunt, formerly of the Royal Society but now a rich gentleman, is falsely accused. To clear his name, he must rely on his abandoned scientific expertise and battle the full force of the British aristocracy.
1681. London cooks in summer heat. Bonfires are lit in protest against the King’s brother, James, heir to the throne but openly Catholic. Rumours abound of a ‘Black Box’, said to conceal proof the King’s illegitimate son is really the rightful heir.
When a wealthy merchant’s daughter is kidnapped and murdered—even though a ransom was paid—the King orders Harry Hunt of the Royal Society to help investigate.
A second woman goes Elizabeth Thynne, England’s richest heiress. Her husband has a ransom letter from the same kidnappers.
Pressured by powerful men to find the killers and rescue Elizabeth, Harry uncovers a disturbing link to Bethlehem Hospital, better known as Bedlam.
But he is falsely accused of the crimes.
To prove his innocence, he must find the real culprits. Harry’s search takes him from Rotherhithe to Whitehall Palace, and to the house of Sir Peter Lely, the famous portrait-painter, in Covent Garden.
And back to Bedlam.
He has the Monarchy’s future in his hands.
My Review
This is book three in the Hunt and Hooke book series, I normally say you can pick up the book and start reading as a standalone but to be honest I think you need to read the others. Purely because you really have gotten to know the characters and how they have gotten to where they are now so when things happen it has more impact and meaning. An autopsy of a patient who committed suicide from the local mental hospital is halted mid way as the patient is recognised not as who it should be but a missing local well to do woman Harry's world is rocked. Not only does he know her but soon Harry comes under fire and suspicion for murder and things go from bad to worse for poor Harry.
So the book deals with some pretty dark things, suicide, murder, kidnap, false accusations and amongst all of that the questioning and championing of the King on the throne! Ooft it is a busy book, royalty, the rightful Aire to the throne, murder, kidnap and all manners of skulduggery I have hinted it. It is all very serious but I did chuckle a wee bit at poor Harry, dare I call him a bumbling fool? I don't think that is fair but it is close like he makes so many dodgy mistakes and blunders, almost Frank Spencer "ooh Betty" moments, well not quite but again close.
We m=have met him since book one and see him come up in the world both professionally and now financially and see him commit rookie errors for one who has found himself in money. To the point it impacts on his relationship(s) and how he is/was previously. I do love seeing character development and growth and with Harry he shows how you can go about it the wrong way.
Finding himself on the wrong side of the law Harry gets into some sticky moments, one or two gasp worthy and at one point I was thinking he is never getting out of this one! Interesting characters, well paced, different threads of adventure and some seriously shocking behaviours and "oh no" moments. I do hope this is a long series because I enjoy what they offer, bit of learning, lots of adventure, historical setting/drama and of course some murder to keep you on your toes, 4/5 from us.
June 14, 2024
London, 1681.
A body of a woman is sent for dissection to the Royal Society of London for Improving of Natural Knowledge. The lady in question committed suicide, and she was an inpatient at the Bethlehem Hospital, also known as Bedlam, a psychiatric institution designed by Mr. Robert Hooke, who is the Secretary of the Royal Society.
Harry, who has come into some money and is now a gentleman, attends the autopsy. When he sees the face of the woman on the dissecting table, he shouts out that the woman wasn’t an inpatient at Bedlam’s; she was in fact his neighbour, Miss Diana Cantley.
Sir John Reresby, the Justice of Peace for Westminster and Middlesex, is called onto the scene. The King, Charles II, demands that Harry assist Sir John, much to the Justice of Peace’s dismay.
Miss Cantley was abducted, and a ransom letter was sent out to her father, Sir Benedict, who paid it in full. The wording and handwriting of the ransom letter suggest foreign kindappers, potentially of Scandinavian heritage.
Then, the second woman is kindnapped, Mrs. Elizabeth Thynne, the richest heiress in England. The ransom letter sent to her husband suggests the same kidnappers as those of Miss Cantley’s.
While this is happening, rumours are circulating around England about the existence of a ‘Black Box’, which contains a document proving that Duke of Monmouth, King’s illegitimate son, is in fact the rightful heir to the throne.
How is this all connected?
Then, as all the fingers start to point at Harry, he will have to use his wits to prove his innocence.
Although it’s the third book in the Hunt and Hooke series, you can still enjoy it as a standalone novel. As always, I recommend that you read the first two books in the series, as they are simply marvellous!
The Bedlam Cadaver didn’t disappoint! As always, we had a well-researched historical background, an intricate plot, and a plethora of historical characters.
I must admit that the newly found riches didn’t suit Harry at all, and he was quite spoiled. I am glad that he had to run away and hide in less-than-desirable places in London. I think that was a reality check for him.
However, I must say that I was surprised by the ending. I thought that he was set on marrying a certain someone, and now it looks as if that might have changed. Very interesting, indeed!
I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
A body of a woman is sent for dissection to the Royal Society of London for Improving of Natural Knowledge. The lady in question committed suicide, and she was an inpatient at the Bethlehem Hospital, also known as Bedlam, a psychiatric institution designed by Mr. Robert Hooke, who is the Secretary of the Royal Society.
Harry, who has come into some money and is now a gentleman, attends the autopsy. When he sees the face of the woman on the dissecting table, he shouts out that the woman wasn’t an inpatient at Bedlam’s; she was in fact his neighbour, Miss Diana Cantley.
Sir John Reresby, the Justice of Peace for Westminster and Middlesex, is called onto the scene. The King, Charles II, demands that Harry assist Sir John, much to the Justice of Peace’s dismay.
Miss Cantley was abducted, and a ransom letter was sent out to her father, Sir Benedict, who paid it in full. The wording and handwriting of the ransom letter suggest foreign kindappers, potentially of Scandinavian heritage.
Then, the second woman is kindnapped, Mrs. Elizabeth Thynne, the richest heiress in England. The ransom letter sent to her husband suggests the same kidnappers as those of Miss Cantley’s.
While this is happening, rumours are circulating around England about the existence of a ‘Black Box’, which contains a document proving that Duke of Monmouth, King’s illegitimate son, is in fact the rightful heir to the throne.
How is this all connected?
Then, as all the fingers start to point at Harry, he will have to use his wits to prove his innocence.
Although it’s the third book in the Hunt and Hooke series, you can still enjoy it as a standalone novel. As always, I recommend that you read the first two books in the series, as they are simply marvellous!
The Bedlam Cadaver didn’t disappoint! As always, we had a well-researched historical background, an intricate plot, and a plethora of historical characters.
I must admit that the newly found riches didn’t suit Harry at all, and he was quite spoiled. I am glad that he had to run away and hide in less-than-desirable places in London. I think that was a reality check for him.
However, I must say that I was surprised by the ending. I thought that he was set on marrying a certain someone, and now it looks as if that might have changed. Very interesting, indeed!
I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
September 10, 2024
Princess Fuzzypants here: It took me a bit longer to get up to speed with this story than others who had read the previous two books involving Hooke and Hunt. We find them, and others including The King and Christopher Wren, observing an experiment at The Royal Society. Harry recognizes that the corpse on the table is not a suicide from Bedlam but the daughter of his neighbour. This sets off an investigation as to how the bodies were switched and what evil plot lay behind the murder of an innocent young woman.
Harry finds himself in a deep quagmire of intrigues and duplicity. He is framed as the killer and must go on the run before he can clear his name. The book offers a rich tapestry of late 16th Century characters. It is a highly fictionalized version of them but the underlying stories are real. There was great consternation that James would be Charles II heir. The fear of Catholicism was growing and as future events would decide, it was something that was not going away. In the story Charles illegitimate son is desperate to find papers that can attest to the marriage of his mother and Charles, which would give him legitimacy. Charles is just as desperate that the papers not be made public. The papers have been something of a “hot potato” and have caused the death of one woman and the kidnapping of another.
It is all quite fascinating and believable. Harry does solve the mysteries and crimes, although not as Charles had envisioned he would. In the process he is forced to re-evaluate his life. He has gone from nothing to great wealth which he learns has not been to his advantage. We leave him determined to start afresh and anew. A very satisfying end to an entertaining book. Five purrs and two paws up.
Harry finds himself in a deep quagmire of intrigues and duplicity. He is framed as the killer and must go on the run before he can clear his name. The book offers a rich tapestry of late 16th Century characters. It is a highly fictionalized version of them but the underlying stories are real. There was great consternation that James would be Charles II heir. The fear of Catholicism was growing and as future events would decide, it was something that was not going away. In the story Charles illegitimate son is desperate to find papers that can attest to the marriage of his mother and Charles, which would give him legitimacy. Charles is just as desperate that the papers not be made public. The papers have been something of a “hot potato” and have caused the death of one woman and the kidnapping of another.
It is all quite fascinating and believable. Harry does solve the mysteries and crimes, although not as Charles had envisioned he would. In the process he is forced to re-evaluate his life. He has gone from nothing to great wealth which he learns has not been to his advantage. We leave him determined to start afresh and anew. A very satisfying end to an entertaining book. Five purrs and two paws up.
January 15, 2025
Robert J. Lloyd's The Bedlam Cadaver is book #3 in the "Hunt & Hooke" series. True to form, I am jumping in mid-stream, and it did not make an appreciable difference as this story stands on its own. The main character is Harry Hunt, formerly the Observator to the Royal Society of London for the Improving of Natural Knowledge. At novel's start, Harry--now Mr. Henry Hunt, Gentleman, as a result of generous rewards from both the Duchess de Mazarin and the King (Charles II) in a previous outing--arrives to observe a dissection and "experiment" at Gresham College. The dissectee, a recent Bedlam Hospital suicide, is quickly identified by Harry as none other than a neighbor and the case is off and running. In short order, a body is planted at Harry's home--newly acquired with his recent earnings and advancement in station--he comes under suspicion of murder of the original corpse, someone is clearly out to get him, the woman to whom he wishes to become engaged no longer cares for him given the "airs" he has assumed along with his newfound wealth, and an assortment of other inconveniences arise. All told, there's some quite fun period detail, a good bit of class commentary, a lesson for the reader about not thinking too much of oneself, and a readily anticipated but nonetheless enjoyable conclusion to the whole situation. All told, I rate it a 3 1/2-star read.
June 13, 2024
I thank NetGalley and Melville House for an advance reader copy of The Bedlam Cadaver. All opinions and comments are my own.
A momentous event; King Charles II has come to view a dissection at Gresham College, led by no less an august personage than Sir Christopher Wren. It is the body of a young woman, a suicide from Bedlam Hospital. Harry Hunt and Robert Hooke are there, our protagonists from the two earlier books in the series. Harry has come up in the world due to his services to King and Country. The King arrives, the attendees are ready, the dissection begins (note that you, the reader will also attend this autopsy; be advised). There is only one problem; Harry Hunt knows this young woman. She is no unknown, anonymous body, but a young girl from a prosperous family. Someone is in big trouble.
Thus begins The Bedlam Cadaver, a complex tale of murder, false accusations, and enduring friendship that will task the reader’s detective abilities alongside the fictional characters, a diabolical tale of death, greed and revenge, and the search for proof of a man’s right to rule. For that is very much a part of this book, a story of the political underpinnings of the time, complete with dangerous men ranged for and against a Protestant monarch who has a Catholic brother as his heir and an illegitimate son that says he has proof to his claim as the rightful next King of England.
Harry will find himself in personal danger, and it’s a near thing to finagle his way out of trouble. But finagle he does, with the help of old friends, an understanding King, and a knack for revealing the secret of swapped bodies that began the tale. The Bedlam Cadaver will leave you in no double that Robert J. Lloyd enjoys combining entertaining fiction with historical fact.
And the papers that will prove the truth of the Duke of Monmouth’s claim that he’s the true heir? The Author’s Note at the end of the book touches upon the real historical events, people and places used throughout the book. It is always required reading, of interest to those who enjoy history with their mystery books. And it will give you more information about the mysterious “black box,” the repository of those oh so important parenthood “papers.” Mr. Lloyd has Harry knowing a bit more about that, too. But you’ll have to read the book to find out what that may be.
A momentous event; King Charles II has come to view a dissection at Gresham College, led by no less an august personage than Sir Christopher Wren. It is the body of a young woman, a suicide from Bedlam Hospital. Harry Hunt and Robert Hooke are there, our protagonists from the two earlier books in the series. Harry has come up in the world due to his services to King and Country. The King arrives, the attendees are ready, the dissection begins (note that you, the reader will also attend this autopsy; be advised). There is only one problem; Harry Hunt knows this young woman. She is no unknown, anonymous body, but a young girl from a prosperous family. Someone is in big trouble.
Thus begins The Bedlam Cadaver, a complex tale of murder, false accusations, and enduring friendship that will task the reader’s detective abilities alongside the fictional characters, a diabolical tale of death, greed and revenge, and the search for proof of a man’s right to rule. For that is very much a part of this book, a story of the political underpinnings of the time, complete with dangerous men ranged for and against a Protestant monarch who has a Catholic brother as his heir and an illegitimate son that says he has proof to his claim as the rightful next King of England.
Harry will find himself in personal danger, and it’s a near thing to finagle his way out of trouble. But finagle he does, with the help of old friends, an understanding King, and a knack for revealing the secret of swapped bodies that began the tale. The Bedlam Cadaver will leave you in no double that Robert J. Lloyd enjoys combining entertaining fiction with historical fact.
And the papers that will prove the truth of the Duke of Monmouth’s claim that he’s the true heir? The Author’s Note at the end of the book touches upon the real historical events, people and places used throughout the book. It is always required reading, of interest to those who enjoy history with their mystery books. And it will give you more information about the mysterious “black box,” the repository of those oh so important parenthood “papers.” Mr. Lloyd has Harry knowing a bit more about that, too. But you’ll have to read the book to find out what that may be.
June 18, 2024
1681 Restoration London. The king’s brother James, a Catholic, is heir to the throne, but there is rumoured to be a ‘black box’ containing evidence that the king’s illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, is the rightful heir.
In the heat of summer, rich young women are being kidnapped and murdered. First is Diana Cantley, then Elizabeth Percy Thynne. Harry Hunt, formerly of the Royal Society, comes falsely under suspicion. Harry’s quest to clear his name takes him all over the 17th century city, to the doors of Bethlehem (Bedlam) Hospital, into the studio of royal mistress portrait painter Peter Lely.
It's a historical thriller, an interesting retelling of a real historical murder, with a cast of characters famous from history—King Charles II, Christopher Wren, Robert Hooke (architect of Bethlehem Hospital)—and other dignitaries introduced by the artful device of a dissection demonstration at Gresham College. But, it’s the wrong cadaver, which makes for a brilliant Inciting Incident.
This period of history is full of intrigue, with Protestants and Catholics vying to put their candidate on the throne.
On the run for his life and his reputation, Harry is swept by the Thames as far as Rotherhithe, affording us a tour of the Docklands area with all the infrastructure and the guilty detritus of colonialism and the slave trade. I love how he communicates with Hooke from a distance.
Harry finds the missing woman but doesn’t let us know until page 316. We also hear nothing about the ‘black box’ until this point.
The genius loci is beautiful, including even a public execution at Tyburn. The exposition of the political debates and events of the period is well done. There’s a lot to get across, and Lloyd does it mainly through dialogue, without sounding forced.
Book 3 in the Hunt & Hooke series.
This review originally appeared in Historical Novels Review.
In the heat of summer, rich young women are being kidnapped and murdered. First is Diana Cantley, then Elizabeth Percy Thynne. Harry Hunt, formerly of the Royal Society, comes falsely under suspicion. Harry’s quest to clear his name takes him all over the 17th century city, to the doors of Bethlehem (Bedlam) Hospital, into the studio of royal mistress portrait painter Peter Lely.
It's a historical thriller, an interesting retelling of a real historical murder, with a cast of characters famous from history—King Charles II, Christopher Wren, Robert Hooke (architect of Bethlehem Hospital)—and other dignitaries introduced by the artful device of a dissection demonstration at Gresham College. But, it’s the wrong cadaver, which makes for a brilliant Inciting Incident.
This period of history is full of intrigue, with Protestants and Catholics vying to put their candidate on the throne.
On the run for his life and his reputation, Harry is swept by the Thames as far as Rotherhithe, affording us a tour of the Docklands area with all the infrastructure and the guilty detritus of colonialism and the slave trade. I love how he communicates with Hooke from a distance.
Harry finds the missing woman but doesn’t let us know until page 316. We also hear nothing about the ‘black box’ until this point.
The genius loci is beautiful, including even a public execution at Tyburn. The exposition of the political debates and events of the period is well done. There’s a lot to get across, and Lloyd does it mainly through dialogue, without sounding forced.
Book 3 in the Hunt & Hooke series.
This review originally appeared in Historical Novels Review.
June 10, 2024
The book is set in the 17th Century and is about the kidnapping, of two very wealthy young women and the suicide of a young woman from Bethlehem Hospital (Bedlam). The body of the suicide has been donated to the Royal Society of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge and is
currently on the dissecting table with Sir Christopher Wren performing the dissection. A young gentleman (Mr Harry Hunt) from the audience suddenly stops the dissection when he recognises the woman on the table! This young woman is not the suicide but the wealthy young neighbour of Mr Harry Hunt and, as it just so happens, he was the last one to see her alive!!
Where has the woman from Bedlam gone, when were the bodies switched, who switched them and
why were they switched. Mr Hunt has suddenly found himself to be the prime suspect when he gets
an order from the King that he must assist in the investigation of the murdered woman and the
kidnapping of Mrs Elizabeth Thynne, England’s richest heiress who also happens to own a black box, that she could lose her life over if she doesn’t reveal its hidden location.
currently on the dissecting table with Sir Christopher Wren performing the dissection. A young gentleman (Mr Harry Hunt) from the audience suddenly stops the dissection when he recognises the woman on the table! This young woman is not the suicide but the wealthy young neighbour of Mr Harry Hunt and, as it just so happens, he was the last one to see her alive!!
Where has the woman from Bedlam gone, when were the bodies switched, who switched them and
why were they switched. Mr Hunt has suddenly found himself to be the prime suspect when he gets
an order from the King that he must assist in the investigation of the murdered woman and the
kidnapping of Mrs Elizabeth Thynne, England’s richest heiress who also happens to own a black box, that she could lose her life over if she doesn’t reveal its hidden location.
June 24, 2024
The story:
When the Fellows of the Royal Society attend a dissection, they expect to learn more about the workings of the human body. But when it begins, one member of the audience — Mr Harry Hunt, former assistant to scientist and architect Robert Hooke — recognises the body. She is not, as expected, a former inmate of the nearby Bethlehem Hospital (or Bedlam, to some)… She is a well-born lady, daughter of Sir Benedict Cantley. And she has been murdered.
How did she come to be there, and how was she killed? Entrusted by King Charles II himself to assist Justice Sir John Reresby, Harry is reluctantly pulled into the investigation. But when another woman is kidnapped and Harry is brought under suspicion, he must use all his skills to uncover the truth, on a path that leads him back to Bedlam…
My thoughts:
I'm pleased to be back in Restoration London for the third book in the Hunt and Hooke historical mystery series by Robert J Lloyd!
Since we last saw him, Harry Hunt has come up in the world. But once a murder comes to light, we see that the Harry of previous stories is still there underneath, as his questioning mind leads him deeper into the mystery that leads to the Bethlehem Hospital. Things are further complicated when another wealthy woman goes missing, and with increasing suspicion of Harry, the Justice investigating the cases goes as far as to arrest him, leaving Harry not just trying to solve the complex cases, but to clear his own name.
I think this is my favourite instalment in the series, and poor Harry is really put through the wringer! I love the way the author provides insight into real historical events, with this story set against the backdrop of turmoil in England over a Catholic heir to the throne.
Overall, this is an engrossing and hugely enjoyable read, with a great interaction between both the author’s characters and his imaginings of real historical figures. A must read for fans of historical mysteries!
When the Fellows of the Royal Society attend a dissection, they expect to learn more about the workings of the human body. But when it begins, one member of the audience — Mr Harry Hunt, former assistant to scientist and architect Robert Hooke — recognises the body. She is not, as expected, a former inmate of the nearby Bethlehem Hospital (or Bedlam, to some)… She is a well-born lady, daughter of Sir Benedict Cantley. And she has been murdered.
How did she come to be there, and how was she killed? Entrusted by King Charles II himself to assist Justice Sir John Reresby, Harry is reluctantly pulled into the investigation. But when another woman is kidnapped and Harry is brought under suspicion, he must use all his skills to uncover the truth, on a path that leads him back to Bedlam…
My thoughts:
I'm pleased to be back in Restoration London for the third book in the Hunt and Hooke historical mystery series by Robert J Lloyd!
Since we last saw him, Harry Hunt has come up in the world. But once a murder comes to light, we see that the Harry of previous stories is still there underneath, as his questioning mind leads him deeper into the mystery that leads to the Bethlehem Hospital. Things are further complicated when another wealthy woman goes missing, and with increasing suspicion of Harry, the Justice investigating the cases goes as far as to arrest him, leaving Harry not just trying to solve the complex cases, but to clear his own name.
I think this is my favourite instalment in the series, and poor Harry is really put through the wringer! I love the way the author provides insight into real historical events, with this story set against the backdrop of turmoil in England over a Catholic heir to the throne.
Overall, this is an engrossing and hugely enjoyable read, with a great interaction between both the author’s characters and his imaginings of real historical figures. A must read for fans of historical mysteries!
April 26, 2024
3 1/2 stars
There is much going on in this historical mystery involving British royalty and well off members of society in a tale based in truth of murder, madness and court politics. Members of society are invited to a viewed dissection (it was a thing back in 1681) but instead of a suicide victim the cadaver turns out to be a member of society. Because the newly rich Harry Hunt stops the procedure and claims it is his neighbor he is pinned for her demise. He escapes to find the real killer and clear his name which eventually leads him to Bedlam hospital and another missing woman. He has also been charged by the King to locate a black box that may contain very damaging information to the crown. The storyline is dark and mysterious and the author does a thorough job of setting the stage of 17th century London through colorful imagery and authentic language. I just wished there was a bit less of Harry's misadventures and more of Bedlam and the women's plight. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
There is much going on in this historical mystery involving British royalty and well off members of society in a tale based in truth of murder, madness and court politics. Members of society are invited to a viewed dissection (it was a thing back in 1681) but instead of a suicide victim the cadaver turns out to be a member of society. Because the newly rich Harry Hunt stops the procedure and claims it is his neighbor he is pinned for her demise. He escapes to find the real killer and clear his name which eventually leads him to Bedlam hospital and another missing woman. He has also been charged by the King to locate a black box that may contain very damaging information to the crown. The storyline is dark and mysterious and the author does a thorough job of setting the stage of 17th century London through colorful imagery and authentic language. I just wished there was a bit less of Harry's misadventures and more of Bedlam and the women's plight. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
August 21, 2024
This took a while longer to read than expected. Mainly issues with my Kindle and I purchased the paperback.
The third Lloyd book is a superb blend of Peter Ackroyd, Peter Greenaway and a good measure of Restoration shenanigans.
Opening with Christopher Wren performing a dissection to a science academy in London. It is discovered that the corpse hasn't come from the recently opened Bedlam Asylum but a woman of the upper class known to Charles II.
Harry Hunt a wealthy patron of the sciences is wrongly accused and sets out to clear his name. His search takes him to the house of Sir Peter Lely, the famous portrait-painter, in Covent Garden.
and eventually back to Bedlam.
This book is well paced, plenty of twists and Lloyd is a writer finding his pace and voice. The characters are richly defined and realised.
well worth investing your time in.
I cannot wait for the next installment
The third Lloyd book is a superb blend of Peter Ackroyd, Peter Greenaway and a good measure of Restoration shenanigans.
Opening with Christopher Wren performing a dissection to a science academy in London. It is discovered that the corpse hasn't come from the recently opened Bedlam Asylum but a woman of the upper class known to Charles II.
Harry Hunt a wealthy patron of the sciences is wrongly accused and sets out to clear his name. His search takes him to the house of Sir Peter Lely, the famous portrait-painter, in Covent Garden.
and eventually back to Bedlam.
This book is well paced, plenty of twists and Lloyd is a writer finding his pace and voice. The characters are richly defined and realised.
well worth investing your time in.
I cannot wait for the next installment
June 19, 2024
Brilliant storytelling. This is a gripping historical mystery that has Harry Hunt caught up in the very middle of it. I think this might be my favourite Hunt adventure yet - we’ve seen so much more of his character. Not just his inquisitive mind and clever questioning ability, but also his ability to lie low and work through his predicament.
The descriptions of London in the 17th century are vivid and detailed and the stories attached to the Bethlehem Hospital so graphic.
Each of the characters plays their part so well with Robert J Lloyd’s plot - whether working for or against the monarchy, we are given a detailed account of what life would have been like in the late 1600’s in London Town.
The descriptions of London in the 17th century are vivid and detailed and the stories attached to the Bethlehem Hospital so graphic.
Each of the characters plays their part so well with Robert J Lloyd’s plot - whether working for or against the monarchy, we are given a detailed account of what life would have been like in the late 1600’s in London Town.
August 1, 2024
The Bedlam Cadaver
This was okay. When I first picked it up off the new shelf at the library I didn't realize it was part of a series. Now that I've read it, I have no inclination to read more of the series.
It was a good mystery. A bit long, but I think it suited the book well. I did like Harry as a character, so that was a plus. It just wasn't an outstanding book to me. I'd recommend this to historical fiction/mystery lovers, as it's a solid story.
3.5 stars
R> absolutely no reason for that sex scene
This was okay. When I first picked it up off the new shelf at the library I didn't realize it was part of a series. Now that I've read it, I have no inclination to read more of the series.
It was a good mystery. A bit long, but I think it suited the book well. I did like Harry as a character, so that was a plus. It just wasn't an outstanding book to me. I'd recommend this to historical fiction/mystery lovers, as it's a solid story.
3.5 stars
R> absolutely no reason for that sex scene
September 5, 2024
Meticulously researched and full of 17th century atmosphere and intrigue — though I think there was at times too much and other times too little historical explanation & context, and the pacing felt off in places too. And although there was plenty of action, I felt strangely disconnected from Hunt — I guess I prefer my main character a bit more personable. Maybe first person narration would have helped me develop a bit more empathy with/ feeling for him.
August 6, 2024
I love these books, which is really all you need to know about this, the 3rd in the series. But, the very last page (418), in the Acknowledgements, gutted me. It was beautiful to read.
I should add that Harry's character arc has become a glorious wonder for me. I can't wait to see more of his evolution.
I should add that Harry's character arc has become a glorious wonder for me. I can't wait to see more of his evolution.
June 5, 2025
This book is kind of an "airplane novel"- a fast read, a book meant to be read at the start of a journey and consumed before the journey ended (as i did last week on a Flixbus) . The number of subplots and characters made it a bit hard to follow in spots, but it wasn't bad enough for me to stop reading.
June 17, 2024
Another great installment in the Hooke and Hunt series. hunt is less likeable in this due to a change of circumstances. The exploration of Bedlam was fascinating as was the main mystery of the novel. I’m intrigued about where the series will go next 4.5* from me
June 25, 2025
I sop up these stories every time. Love me a gothic, old world, dark academia vibe. This was the first one I read of the series and I'll have to go back and read the others.
Thank you NetGalley and Melville House for the ARC
Thank you NetGalley and Melville House for the ARC
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