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Daniel Pursglove #4
A Plague of Serpents
K.J. Maitland's gripping Jacobean historical thriller series comes to a dramatic conclusion...'What a wonderful storyteller Maitland is' THE TIMES'Find Spero Pettingar, discover what he means to do and bring the report of it to me, before Cecil's men find him'Daniel Pursglove has one last chance to spare himself from the horrors of Newgate Gaol - or worse. But as two circles of conspirators gather in London, who is plotting to kill the King and who seeks to ensnare Daniel in their dark web?**Pre-order the final novel in K. J. Maitland's Daniel Pursglove series** PRAISE FOR THE DANIEL PURSGLOVE SERIES'Dark and enthralling' ANDREW TAYLOR'Colourful and compelling' SUNDAY TIMES'Full of tension and danger... powerfully atmospheric' JENNIFER SAINT'Goes right to the heart of the Jacobean court' TRACY BORMAN'Spies, thieves, murderers and King James I? Brilliant' CONN IGGULDEN'There are few authors who can bring the past to life so compellingly... Brilliant writing and more importantly, riveting reading' SIMON SCARROW'A beautifully crafted thriller... Breathtaking and bone-chilling' MANDA SCOTT'Maitland is a superlative historical novelist' REBECCA MASCULL'Devilishly good' DAILY MAIL'The intrigues of Jacobean court politics simmer beneath the surface in this gripping and masterful crime novel' KATHERINE CLEMENTS'Beautifully written with a dark heart, Maitland knows how to pull you deep into the early Jacobean period' RHIANNON WARD
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Published April 25, 2024
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January 9, 2025
**Read 4.5 STARS!**
The first thing I would like to mention to you is the fact that this novel is the 4th and sadly the final volume of the wonderful mini-series about Daniel Pursglove.
Firstly I like to say that at the beginning of the book you'll find some declarations about Treason and an Author's Note about the Julian and Gregorian Calendar, while at the back you'll notice a Behind the S1cenes of this Novel, where the historical details and certain persons concerning this period of history are superbly documented, followed by a well explained Glossary.
Secondly I like to mention that the author's storytelling is excellent, all characters, real historical and fictional, come vividly to life in this tale about loyalty, deceit, plotting, and Catholic versus Protestant during the reign of King James I, and not to forget about the hostile and lethal atmosphere during this time in London and elsewhere in England.
The book is mainly set in London, during April and August AD1608, and we find Daniel Pursglove again manipulated from various sources to persuade him to kill the King, and this all in an attempt to start a New World.
Daniel Pursglove, a man who must forcibly infiltrate a secret Catholic group called the Serpents, a group who want to kill King James I, but during this infiltration Daniel will come face to face with his nemesis from childhood, Richard Fairfax, until right till the end when Daniel comes head to head with Richard in his final trick, while several other forces are also conspiring towards the King's downfall.
What is follow as a whole is an intriguing and exciting historical novel, where Daniel Pursglove will have to enter a nest of Serpents, only to be used by them and several other parties too as their daredevil, until ultimately he's taken and tortured by Robert Cecil, and made to confess the names of many of his fellow conspirators, and by doing so eventually saving his own skin and someone he won't mention but who's very dear to him, while condemning others while the life and reign of King James I goes on.
Highly recommended, for this is an excellent conclusion of this great mini-series, and that's why I like to call this last episode: "An Emotionally Striking Finale"!
The first thing I would like to mention to you is the fact that this novel is the 4th and sadly the final volume of the wonderful mini-series about Daniel Pursglove.
Firstly I like to say that at the beginning of the book you'll find some declarations about Treason and an Author's Note about the Julian and Gregorian Calendar, while at the back you'll notice a Behind the S1cenes of this Novel, where the historical details and certain persons concerning this period of history are superbly documented, followed by a well explained Glossary.
Secondly I like to mention that the author's storytelling is excellent, all characters, real historical and fictional, come vividly to life in this tale about loyalty, deceit, plotting, and Catholic versus Protestant during the reign of King James I, and not to forget about the hostile and lethal atmosphere during this time in London and elsewhere in England.
The book is mainly set in London, during April and August AD1608, and we find Daniel Pursglove again manipulated from various sources to persuade him to kill the King, and this all in an attempt to start a New World.
Daniel Pursglove, a man who must forcibly infiltrate a secret Catholic group called the Serpents, a group who want to kill King James I, but during this infiltration Daniel will come face to face with his nemesis from childhood, Richard Fairfax, until right till the end when Daniel comes head to head with Richard in his final trick, while several other forces are also conspiring towards the King's downfall.
What is follow as a whole is an intriguing and exciting historical novel, where Daniel Pursglove will have to enter a nest of Serpents, only to be used by them and several other parties too as their daredevil, until ultimately he's taken and tortured by Robert Cecil, and made to confess the names of many of his fellow conspirators, and by doing so eventually saving his own skin and someone he won't mention but who's very dear to him, while condemning others while the life and reign of King James I goes on.
Highly recommended, for this is an excellent conclusion of this great mini-series, and that's why I like to call this last episode: "An Emotionally Striking Finale"!
May 17, 2024
A Plague of Serpents is the fourth and final book in the author’s Daniel Pursglove series comprising The Drowned City, Traitor in the Ice and Rivers of Treason. The author is renowned for constructing complex plots and this book is no exception. In addition there are many characters to get to know, not all of whom may be what they profess to be, and the true identity of others remains shrouded in mystery. For these reasons I think it would be a struggle to fully enjoy the book without having read the previous three. To be honest, I struggled a bit for a time and I have read all three! (If you don’t have the time or inclination to read the series from the beginning but would like to experience the author’s work then I’d suggest trying one of her standalone historical novels such as The Plague Charmer set in the time of the Black Death.)
The thread that runs through all the Daniel Pursglove books is the search for Spero Pettingar, the only conspirator involved in the Gunpowder Plot who is still at large. As I mentioned in my review of the first book in the series, it wasn’t until I read the historical notes at the end of the book that I realised Spero Pettingar was a real historical figure. For much of the book, I was convinced his name was an anagram! Although having said that, perhaps there is some significance to his peculiar name after all…
King James remains conscious of the continued threat to his life, taking elaborate precautions to prevent being poisioned. He’s right to be vigilant because there are at least two groups who would like to see him dead, either to put their own choice of successor on the throne or to have no monarch at all. And if one group does the job for the other, all well and good.
It’s not just in the Royal court that there exists an atmosphere of mistrust. It’s the same in wider society as well, especially if you’re secretly practising the Catholic faith. ‘Friends, neighbours, brothers, servants, even your own children were not to be trusted. Anyone could be bribed or threatened.’
Daniel makes a spirited hero who’s handy with a dagger, able to blend into the shadows and an expert at ‘charming’ locks. Although the master of narrow escapes, even he makes the odd mistake with the result that he finds himself in some dangerous situations. There are lots of people who want to find out exactly what he knows and don’t have any compunction in using force to do so.
Natural phenomena have provided the background to all the books. In The Drowned City it was a devastating wave in the Bristol Channel, in Traitor in the Ice it was the Great Frost of 1607 and in Rivers of Treason it was the impact of the previous two on the livelihoods of the population: farmland ruined by salt from the flood, cattle and sheep drowned or frozen and winter wheat wiped out by frost. This time the Black Death is making a stealthy return and no-one is safe from that.
As always, the author conjures up the sights, sounds and smells of London – the latter being invariably unpleasant. We’re taken to familiar places like taverns and markets, but also introduced to occupations such as palterer, gong farmer and clank napper. If you’ve no idea what the last three are, check out the Glossary in which you’ll find the answers along with definitions of things such as ‘stool ducketts’, ‘muggets’ and ‘furuncles’. Oh, and whether you should take offence if you’re called a ‘snoutband’ or a ‘princock’.
As the book moves towards its close, we finally learn more about the events in Daniel’s past that have haunted his dreams and left him with an overwhelming sense of guilt for so long. There is also a final reckoning involving two key figures in Daniel’s life. However, the author resists the temptation to tie everything up leaving the reader to imagine for themselves what the future holds for some of the characters we’ve got to know.
The thread that runs through all the Daniel Pursglove books is the search for Spero Pettingar, the only conspirator involved in the Gunpowder Plot who is still at large. As I mentioned in my review of the first book in the series, it wasn’t until I read the historical notes at the end of the book that I realised Spero Pettingar was a real historical figure. For much of the book, I was convinced his name was an anagram! Although having said that, perhaps there is some significance to his peculiar name after all…
King James remains conscious of the continued threat to his life, taking elaborate precautions to prevent being poisioned. He’s right to be vigilant because there are at least two groups who would like to see him dead, either to put their own choice of successor on the throne or to have no monarch at all. And if one group does the job for the other, all well and good.
It’s not just in the Royal court that there exists an atmosphere of mistrust. It’s the same in wider society as well, especially if you’re secretly practising the Catholic faith. ‘Friends, neighbours, brothers, servants, even your own children were not to be trusted. Anyone could be bribed or threatened.’
Daniel makes a spirited hero who’s handy with a dagger, able to blend into the shadows and an expert at ‘charming’ locks. Although the master of narrow escapes, even he makes the odd mistake with the result that he finds himself in some dangerous situations. There are lots of people who want to find out exactly what he knows and don’t have any compunction in using force to do so.
Natural phenomena have provided the background to all the books. In The Drowned City it was a devastating wave in the Bristol Channel, in Traitor in the Ice it was the Great Frost of 1607 and in Rivers of Treason it was the impact of the previous two on the livelihoods of the population: farmland ruined by salt from the flood, cattle and sheep drowned or frozen and winter wheat wiped out by frost. This time the Black Death is making a stealthy return and no-one is safe from that.
As always, the author conjures up the sights, sounds and smells of London – the latter being invariably unpleasant. We’re taken to familiar places like taverns and markets, but also introduced to occupations such as palterer, gong farmer and clank napper. If you’ve no idea what the last three are, check out the Glossary in which you’ll find the answers along with definitions of things such as ‘stool ducketts’, ‘muggets’ and ‘furuncles’. Oh, and whether you should take offence if you’re called a ‘snoutband’ or a ‘princock’.
As the book moves towards its close, we finally learn more about the events in Daniel’s past that have haunted his dreams and left him with an overwhelming sense of guilt for so long. There is also a final reckoning involving two key figures in Daniel’s life. However, the author resists the temptation to tie everything up leaving the reader to imagine for themselves what the future holds for some of the characters we’ve got to know.
May 15, 2024
This is the fourth and final book in the Daniel Pursglove series by KJ Maitland (who has also published under the name Karen Maitland). Although I’ve done my best to avoid spoilers in this review, I wouldn’t recommend starting with this book anyway; the plots are complex and there are lots of characters to keep track of, so this is a series that should really be read in order, beginning with The Drowned City and moving on to Traitor in the Ice and Rivers of Treason.
This fourth novel, A Plague of Serpents, is set in the spring of 1608. It’s been three years since the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a failed attempt on the life of King James I of England and VI of Scotland by Catholic conspirators. One of the escaped conspirators, a man known only as Spero Pettingar, remains unidentified and uncaptured, but Daniel Pursglove is still on his trail. The King’s man, Charles FitzAlan, who released Pursglove from Newgate Prison on the condition that he would hunt down Spero Pettingar in return, is growing impatient; the longer Pettingar remains on the loose, the longer the King’s life remains at risk.
In search of answers, Daniel infiltrates a secret group of Catholics known as the Serpents who are plotting another assassination attempt. However, he has also become aware of a second group, the Wyverns, who are planning to use the Serpents as pawns and then seize control of the throne for themselves. To make things even more dangerous for Daniel, there are people within both factions who know too much about him and are prepared to threaten and blackmail him to get what they want.
Unlike the previous three novels, which took us to Bristol, Sussex and Yorkshire respectively, this one is set in London and while floods, frosts and thaws played a big part in those three books, the natural environment is less significant in this one. Instead of extreme weather conditions, this time the public have an outbreak of plague to deal with. I’ve always found the plague an interesting topic to read about, even more so since our own recent pandemic, but it doesn’t actually form a very big part of the book despite the title and prologue which made me think otherwise! Other than that, Maitland does her usual excellent job of creating an immersive and believable 17th century world. Rather than breaking the flow of the story to explain the meanings of terms and phrases, she saves these for a glossary at the end of the book, so if you want to know what a bene-feaker is, what a palterer does or what a cracknel tastes like, you’ll have your chance to find out.
The characters in the novel are a mixture of real and fictional; some, like Robert Cecil, are well known historical figures, but others are more obscure – I was surprised to find that the brothel-keeper Donna Britannica Hollandia really existed! With this being the last in the series, the storylines for the characters who have been with us for several books are wrapped up in one way or another and I was pleased to see that my theory about one particular character was proved correct.
Although I did enjoy A Plague of Serpents, I felt that it, like the earlier books, was far more complicated than it really needed to be. With several different groups of conspirators and others at court working with or against each other for their own purposes, it was difficult at times to remember who was on which side and who knew what. Otherwise, this was a perfect ending to the series and I will be interested to see whether Maitland continues to write historical mysteries/thrillers like these or goes back to the kind of standalone historical novels she wrote earlier in her career.
This fourth novel, A Plague of Serpents, is set in the spring of 1608. It’s been three years since the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a failed attempt on the life of King James I of England and VI of Scotland by Catholic conspirators. One of the escaped conspirators, a man known only as Spero Pettingar, remains unidentified and uncaptured, but Daniel Pursglove is still on his trail. The King’s man, Charles FitzAlan, who released Pursglove from Newgate Prison on the condition that he would hunt down Spero Pettingar in return, is growing impatient; the longer Pettingar remains on the loose, the longer the King’s life remains at risk.
In search of answers, Daniel infiltrates a secret group of Catholics known as the Serpents who are plotting another assassination attempt. However, he has also become aware of a second group, the Wyverns, who are planning to use the Serpents as pawns and then seize control of the throne for themselves. To make things even more dangerous for Daniel, there are people within both factions who know too much about him and are prepared to threaten and blackmail him to get what they want.
Unlike the previous three novels, which took us to Bristol, Sussex and Yorkshire respectively, this one is set in London and while floods, frosts and thaws played a big part in those three books, the natural environment is less significant in this one. Instead of extreme weather conditions, this time the public have an outbreak of plague to deal with. I’ve always found the plague an interesting topic to read about, even more so since our own recent pandemic, but it doesn’t actually form a very big part of the book despite the title and prologue which made me think otherwise! Other than that, Maitland does her usual excellent job of creating an immersive and believable 17th century world. Rather than breaking the flow of the story to explain the meanings of terms and phrases, she saves these for a glossary at the end of the book, so if you want to know what a bene-feaker is, what a palterer does or what a cracknel tastes like, you’ll have your chance to find out.
The characters in the novel are a mixture of real and fictional; some, like Robert Cecil, are well known historical figures, but others are more obscure – I was surprised to find that the brothel-keeper Donna Britannica Hollandia really existed! With this being the last in the series, the storylines for the characters who have been with us for several books are wrapped up in one way or another and I was pleased to see that my theory about one particular character was proved correct.
Although I did enjoy A Plague of Serpents, I felt that it, like the earlier books, was far more complicated than it really needed to be. With several different groups of conspirators and others at court working with or against each other for their own purposes, it was difficult at times to remember who was on which side and who knew what. Otherwise, this was a perfect ending to the series and I will be interested to see whether Maitland continues to write historical mysteries/thrillers like these or goes back to the kind of standalone historical novels she wrote earlier in her career.
March 15, 2024
I received an eARC from the publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
A PLAGUE OF SERPENTS finishes off this series with plots within plots, and Daniel caught in the middle with everyone threatening to see him dead if he doesn't comply.
Both the plotters and the king are expecting Daniel to serve them, either to ensure the next plot to kill James succeeds or fails. I liked that the entire way through it was hard to know which side he'd ultimately end up on. He has no reason to like either side and both are threatening to kill him (and might well kill him even if he did comply.) It leaves you guessing just how true what he says is.
There are plots within plots within plots here, different people trying to orchestrate the different sides or trying to out manoeuvre someone else. Not only is Daniel trying to work out the identity of the elusive Spero but he's also dodging people who don't know enough - or know too much. It's a really nice snare to unravel as a reader, and the answers do come by the end (which was nice, though one was less satisfying than I'd have liked, if realistic.)
This book also continues the brutality of the world, with a very chilling scene toward the end with Daniel and Cecil. I liked that it didn't shy away from showing this, even if it is a more mild version of the possibilities.
The book's climax consists of tying up Daniel vs Fairfax and Daniel vs Waldegrave, one of which ends as you'd expect while the other is much more emotionally charged and unexpected. It was a nice way to finish it off, full of the same uncertainty their relationship has always had. The book then ends with the world of spies and the precarious nature of it all, which felt like a nice way to underscore the times.
A PLAGUE OF SERPENTS finishes off this series with plots within plots, and Daniel caught in the middle with everyone threatening to see him dead if he doesn't comply.
Both the plotters and the king are expecting Daniel to serve them, either to ensure the next plot to kill James succeeds or fails. I liked that the entire way through it was hard to know which side he'd ultimately end up on. He has no reason to like either side and both are threatening to kill him (and might well kill him even if he did comply.) It leaves you guessing just how true what he says is.
There are plots within plots within plots here, different people trying to orchestrate the different sides or trying to out manoeuvre someone else. Not only is Daniel trying to work out the identity of the elusive Spero but he's also dodging people who don't know enough - or know too much. It's a really nice snare to unravel as a reader, and the answers do come by the end (which was nice, though one was less satisfying than I'd have liked, if realistic.)
This book also continues the brutality of the world, with a very chilling scene toward the end with Daniel and Cecil. I liked that it didn't shy away from showing this, even if it is a more mild version of the possibilities.
The book's climax consists of tying up Daniel vs Fairfax and Daniel vs Waldegrave, one of which ends as you'd expect while the other is much more emotionally charged and unexpected. It was a nice way to finish it off, full of the same uncertainty their relationship has always had. The book then ends with the world of spies and the precarious nature of it all, which felt like a nice way to underscore the times.
February 22, 2024
This is the final book in a quartet set in the Jacobean period, in the years following the failure of the Gunpowder Plot. The story revolves again around Daniel Pursglove, who has one last chance to save his own life by infiltrating the plotters and unearthing the missing conspirator, Spero Pettingar, before another attempt is made on the life of King James. The story is a little complicated and there are a lot of characters to keep track of, but I really enjoyed this.
The historical setting is one of the most convincing I've read. London is brought to life and there is a real sense of the noise, the smell, the crowds of people, and above all the fear that lurks everywhere. Not only is there political unrest but the plague is starting to reappear and everyone lives in dread. The failed attempt on the King's life means that there are spies everywhere and nobody can be trusted. It's increasingly difficult to escape the city and the repercussions for being caught are horrifically violent. The atmosphere builds throughout and the sense of time and place is excellent. I always enjoy when an author manages to build the historical period almost as a character in itself but what made this really special to me was that it was also very natural and believable and never got in the way of the story with excessive descriptions. Instead the characters just felt like they really belonged in the period and that's not always the case with historical fiction.
I also very much enjoyed the details of the real life people who had been used as characters in this book. It's always fascinating to me that what can appear to be the most over the top or extreme stories are often the ones based in fact and make you want to know more.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
The historical setting is one of the most convincing I've read. London is brought to life and there is a real sense of the noise, the smell, the crowds of people, and above all the fear that lurks everywhere. Not only is there political unrest but the plague is starting to reappear and everyone lives in dread. The failed attempt on the King's life means that there are spies everywhere and nobody can be trusted. It's increasingly difficult to escape the city and the repercussions for being caught are horrifically violent. The atmosphere builds throughout and the sense of time and place is excellent. I always enjoy when an author manages to build the historical period almost as a character in itself but what made this really special to me was that it was also very natural and believable and never got in the way of the story with excessive descriptions. Instead the characters just felt like they really belonged in the period and that's not always the case with historical fiction.
I also very much enjoyed the details of the real life people who had been used as characters in this book. It's always fascinating to me that what can appear to be the most over the top or extreme stories are often the ones based in fact and make you want to know more.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
July 17, 2024
This is the final book of four in the excellent ‘Daniel Pursglove’ series, and like the previous three, it is thick with plot, mystery and intrigue. It is set in the Jacobean period, in the years following the Gunpowder Plot. Once again, Daniel is given the chance to save his own life by infiltrating a group of plotters and finding the mysterious Spero Pettingar, the only gunpowder plotter still alive.
The author is very good on period atmosphere and the descriptions of the times are very compelling. There is a real sense of noise, crowd, poverty, bustle and filth, added to which the plague is making a reappearance.
As Daniel is drawn in deeper it becomes less clear who is a plotter, and for which side they plot and who is a double-dealer and to which side they really give their allegiance.
The King is aware of the serious threats to his life and takes elaborate precautions to remain safe. His caution is well founded and at least two groups plot to do him down as the battle for Protestant and Catholic supremacy continue to range in an environment of hate, suspicion and persecution.
Daniel is a compelling hero who is adept at getting himself into scrapes and getting out of them again. Themes and loose ends from earlier books are brought together as the book concludes.
Another excellent and exciting read. I recommend starting the series from the start.
The author is very good on period atmosphere and the descriptions of the times are very compelling. There is a real sense of noise, crowd, poverty, bustle and filth, added to which the plague is making a reappearance.
As Daniel is drawn in deeper it becomes less clear who is a plotter, and for which side they plot and who is a double-dealer and to which side they really give their allegiance.
The King is aware of the serious threats to his life and takes elaborate precautions to remain safe. His caution is well founded and at least two groups plot to do him down as the battle for Protestant and Catholic supremacy continue to range in an environment of hate, suspicion and persecution.
Daniel is a compelling hero who is adept at getting himself into scrapes and getting out of them again. Themes and loose ends from earlier books are brought together as the book concludes.
Another excellent and exciting read. I recommend starting the series from the start.
April 29, 2024
A Plague of Serpents is the fourth Daniel Pursglove mystery in KJ Maitland’s excellent Jacobean series. Complex plots and counterplots abound as Daniel treads the dangerous tightrope between warring factions. The secret identity of Spero Pettingar may finally be revealed!
A highly recommended read, I was sad to finish it.
A highly recommended read, I was sad to finish it.
February 20, 2024
This is the final book in the Jacobean series set in the years immediately after the Gunpowder Plot featuring Daniel Pursglove and his search for the missing conspirator Spero Pettingar. I loved the first two books in the series but was a bit disappointed by the last book, Rivers of Treason, so I hoped that this final episode would finish the series off in style.
I did enjoy A Plague of Serpents but it didn’t blow me away as much as I had hoped. The plotting was very complicated and I actually found the ending a bit unsatisfactory.
The weather has played a major role in all the previous books but in this final book, it is the recurrence of the plague that is impacting on people’s lives. The story opens with a plague heavy prologue but it didn’t actually play as large a part in the book as I expected. Unlike all of the other books, this one is definitely centred on London with Daniel being charged with infiltrating a group of conspirators who are plotting to kill James VI. K J Maitland is second to none at historical detail and descriptive writing and she really brings the backstreets and rooms of 17th century London to life.
The story was quite heavy going to begin with. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and it was quite difficult at times to understand what was going on. There was a lot of plotting and intrigue with two separate plots against the king as well as Daniel trying to escape from the repercussions of his past actions. It did improve as it went on and built up to an exciting climax which I definitely didn’t expect.
I would recommend this series to lovers of Historical Fiction involving plotting and political intrigues. However, I think that it might be difficult to enjoy this one without having read the previous books.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers, Headline for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I did enjoy A Plague of Serpents but it didn’t blow me away as much as I had hoped. The plotting was very complicated and I actually found the ending a bit unsatisfactory.
The weather has played a major role in all the previous books but in this final book, it is the recurrence of the plague that is impacting on people’s lives. The story opens with a plague heavy prologue but it didn’t actually play as large a part in the book as I expected. Unlike all of the other books, this one is definitely centred on London with Daniel being charged with infiltrating a group of conspirators who are plotting to kill James VI. K J Maitland is second to none at historical detail and descriptive writing and she really brings the backstreets and rooms of 17th century London to life.
The story was quite heavy going to begin with. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and it was quite difficult at times to understand what was going on. There was a lot of plotting and intrigue with two separate plots against the king as well as Daniel trying to escape from the repercussions of his past actions. It did improve as it went on and built up to an exciting climax which I definitely didn’t expect.
I would recommend this series to lovers of Historical Fiction involving plotting and political intrigues. However, I think that it might be difficult to enjoy this one without having read the previous books.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers, Headline for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 23, 2024
3.5 stars.
I need to think a bit on how to articulate how I feel about this book and its end. I found the ending unsatisfying but I don't think there was really a better way to do it.
I've been a fan of Maitland for a long time (I think I read Company of Liars in 2012 or 2013, which was my first book of hers) and it was interesting to see her write a series instead of standalones (she did a few Medieval Murderers books but those don't follow the same characters beyond even a few chapters, nevermind over four books) and to really build up these characters and their relationships with others.
However I do miss that hint of 'magic as it's understood in the period I'm writing about is ambiguously implied to exist in some form' that is in so many of her other books but fully absent from this series and I'm excited to see what she brings us next!
I need to think a bit on how to articulate how I feel about this book and its end. I found the ending unsatisfying but I don't think there was really a better way to do it.
I've been a fan of Maitland for a long time (I think I read Company of Liars in 2012 or 2013, which was my first book of hers) and it was interesting to see her write a series instead of standalones (she did a few Medieval Murderers books but those don't follow the same characters beyond even a few chapters, nevermind over four books) and to really build up these characters and their relationships with others.
However I do miss that hint of 'magic as it's understood in the period I'm writing about is ambiguously implied to exist in some form' that is in so many of her other books but fully absent from this series and I'm excited to see what she brings us next!
May 30, 2024
Firstly I would like to thank Netgalley and Headline review (Publisher) for the free e-copy of this historical thriller.
The conclusion of this series set in the Jacobean period this time in London is as exciting as it is satisfying and wraps up the plots and plotters skillfully. When you read this series you enter the 17th Century world of political intrigue and the England of that period. The plotters are many and the interwoven plots and suspects are a challange for our protagonist Daniel Pursgrove. and his life depends on the outcome.
There are not that many authors that can bring history alive as well as K J Maitland does in this series I was reminded of C J Sansom and his historical fiction. I highly recommend this book without prejudice. My only problem is I have finished this series and there are no more stories f Daniel to follow
The conclusion of this series set in the Jacobean period this time in London is as exciting as it is satisfying and wraps up the plots and plotters skillfully. When you read this series you enter the 17th Century world of political intrigue and the England of that period. The plotters are many and the interwoven plots and suspects are a challange for our protagonist Daniel Pursgrove. and his life depends on the outcome.
There are not that many authors that can bring history alive as well as K J Maitland does in this series I was reminded of C J Sansom and his historical fiction. I highly recommend this book without prejudice. My only problem is I have finished this series and there are no more stories f Daniel to follow
January 17, 2025
My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
Absolute quality this is the fourth book in this excellent series, it is beautifully written and observed so you feel a part of the story, so atmospheric and descriptive, and at times gut wrenchingly gruesome, but always entertaining from first to last page. There are numerous references to our heroes previous escapades but explained so that they can be read as a standalone story.
For some reason I kept avoiding this book in my To Be Read pile without knowing why as I have so enjoyed the series. Maybe I somehow knew the terrible bad news to come in the Authors notes, namely this is the last in the series.
NO NO more please!
Completely and utterly recommended.
Absolute quality this is the fourth book in this excellent series, it is beautifully written and observed so you feel a part of the story, so atmospheric and descriptive, and at times gut wrenchingly gruesome, but always entertaining from first to last page. There are numerous references to our heroes previous escapades but explained so that they can be read as a standalone story.
For some reason I kept avoiding this book in my To Be Read pile without knowing why as I have so enjoyed the series. Maybe I somehow knew the terrible bad news to come in the Authors notes, namely this is the last in the series.
NO NO more please!
Completely and utterly recommended.
May 6, 2024
We are finally at the denouement of the Daniel Pursglove series by K. A. Maitland and I have loved every second of this series so far (you can read my reviews of The Drowned City, Traitor in the Ice and Rivers of Treason here) and was really excited to find out how it all pans out. I wasn’t disappointed.
If you read my review of Rivers of Treason, you will recall I mentioned a few threads that were left hanging and characters who did not seem to have a defined purpose in the story. Well, everything becomes clear here, particularly the appearance of Daniel’s loathed foster brother in the tale. This book is much more tightly plotted with the action galloping along at a furious pace and treachery around every corner. This is a story that acquires concentration to keep a hold of all the threads of the different plots and counter-plots, but it is well worth the effort. Daniel is walking a dangerous tightrope here, playing different factions off against one another in order to save himself and maintain such principles as he has managed to hang on to through all of his trials, and waiting to see if he is successful kept me hooked throughout.
The real joy in this books is how vividly they bring to life the world of Jacobean England, both the upper echelons of the nobility and the dark, murky bowels of life amongst the vagrants and ne’erdowells, where Daniel mainly operates. He is the conduit between one and the other and is well placed to demonstrate the contrast between the two. The book is rich with detail, evoking the sights, sounds and smells of the city in all its gory glory. You can almost taste the squalor, should you wish to do such an unhygienic thing! In this book, plague is stalking the city, bringing even more filth and peril to the streets and the author milks every moment of it to bring the setting to life for the reader, it is wonderful.
This is a very complex book with lots to unpack and the ending has many twists, turns and complicated double crosses and the ending is surprising, as well as leaving questions that the reader must answer for themselves. Having entered the world of Daniel Pursglove and Jacobean England with very little knowledge (being more of a Wars of the Roses fanatic), I have been left with a deep curiosity about the period and a sense of having taken a trip through a fascinating time that I’d like to know more about. If you like historical fiction that is rich and illuminating, and you haven’t picked up the Daniel Pursglove books yet, I have no hesitation in urging you to do so now.
If you read my review of Rivers of Treason, you will recall I mentioned a few threads that were left hanging and characters who did not seem to have a defined purpose in the story. Well, everything becomes clear here, particularly the appearance of Daniel’s loathed foster brother in the tale. This book is much more tightly plotted with the action galloping along at a furious pace and treachery around every corner. This is a story that acquires concentration to keep a hold of all the threads of the different plots and counter-plots, but it is well worth the effort. Daniel is walking a dangerous tightrope here, playing different factions off against one another in order to save himself and maintain such principles as he has managed to hang on to through all of his trials, and waiting to see if he is successful kept me hooked throughout.
The real joy in this books is how vividly they bring to life the world of Jacobean England, both the upper echelons of the nobility and the dark, murky bowels of life amongst the vagrants and ne’erdowells, where Daniel mainly operates. He is the conduit between one and the other and is well placed to demonstrate the contrast between the two. The book is rich with detail, evoking the sights, sounds and smells of the city in all its gory glory. You can almost taste the squalor, should you wish to do such an unhygienic thing! In this book, plague is stalking the city, bringing even more filth and peril to the streets and the author milks every moment of it to bring the setting to life for the reader, it is wonderful.
This is a very complex book with lots to unpack and the ending has many twists, turns and complicated double crosses and the ending is surprising, as well as leaving questions that the reader must answer for themselves. Having entered the world of Daniel Pursglove and Jacobean England with very little knowledge (being more of a Wars of the Roses fanatic), I have been left with a deep curiosity about the period and a sense of having taken a trip through a fascinating time that I’d like to know more about. If you like historical fiction that is rich and illuminating, and you haven’t picked up the Daniel Pursglove books yet, I have no hesitation in urging you to do so now.
June 30, 2025
Het laatste deel in de fantastische Pursglove serie. Daniel wordt opnieuw gedwongen te infiltreren in een ondergrondse geheime groep die James I om zeep willen helpen en het Katholieke geloof in ere te herstellen. Hij krijgt te maken met zijn wrede halfbroer, een jonge opstandige vrouw die hij keer op keer moet redden en de mysterieuze Spero die hem steeds ontglipt. De auteur weet de intriges aannemelijk te maken door de sfeer, plaatsen en personages in detail te beschrijven. Meeslepende historische literatuur.
January 28, 2024
I have enjoyed immensely the previous books in this series, however I did struggle with this one at times, but I am unable to determine why. That aside I did persevere and finished the book and did enjoy it however it did seem overly long this time round. The story continues the exploits of Daniel and friends/foes, and this I did enjoy, however I found some of the newer characters lacking in substance.
All in all a good read.
All in all a good read.
January 28, 2024
I have enjoyed immensely the previous books in this series, however I did struggle with this one at times, but I am unable to determine why. That aside I did persevere and finished the book and did enjoy it however it did seem overly long this time round. The story continues the exploits of Daniel and friends/foes, and this I did enjoy, however I found some of the newer characters lacking in substance.
All in all a good read.
All in all a good read.
April 23, 2025
So glad I gave this a go, excellent book full of all the twists and turns you would want in a historical espionage novel, would definitely recommend and will be reading more of this author.
October 24, 2025
As with the other books in this series they were quite a hard read, but I did enjoy the history and the story.
May 7, 2025
For a series that took its sweet time getting to the point, I have to admit i found this quite an unsatisfying conclusion. Should have trusted my gut after book 2
September 3, 2024
“A Plague of Serpents” by Daniel Pursglove showcases the author’s talent for crafting intricate and atmospheric historical fiction. However, jumping into the series at the fourth book made it challenging to follow the plot and characters without prior knowledge of the earlier installments. While Pursglove’s writing is undoubtedly skilled, the lack of context from the previous books left me struggling to fully engage with the story. This novel likely would have been more enjoyable with the foundation laid by reading the earlier entries in the series.
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