The Winter List

Damian Seeker #6

by S.G. MacLean

S. G. MacLean returns to the world of Damian Seeker, but Cromwell is dead and Charles Stuart restored to the throne. Men who supported the Protector must be hunted down as traitors. Perfect for fans of Robert Harris and Andrew Taylor.'S. G. MacLean can make any historical period sing with life' Antonia HodgsonBy the summer of 1660 the last remnants of the Republic have been swept away and the Stuarts have been restored under their king, Charles II. A list of regicides believed to be involved in the death of Charles I is drawn up. Gruesome executions begin to take place and the hunt intensifies for those who have gone into hiding at home or abroad.Although not a regicide, staunch Republican Damian Seeker is on a list of traitors to the king. Royalist spy, Lady Anne Winter, is employed to find evidence of guilt or innocence among the names on this Winter List. Seeker has fled England but his beloved daughter Manon remains, married to Seeker's friend, the lawyer Lawrence Ingolby, and living in York.As the conduit to her father and to others on the Winter List and surrounded by spies and watchers, Manon lives in constant danger and fear of discovery. One of those spies is closer than even she could have imagined.

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

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Aka Shona MacLean

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

So lovely to be back with this series- when I’d thought it was all over. This was excellent! Until recently I had known nothing about the Act of Oblivion- yet another huge gap in my knowledge- and I was grateful to learn more from S G MacLean. What a perfect way to switch up the storyline from hunter to hunted. I loved the fact that many of the characters were familiar and also where the story ends up geographically. I’m hoping there will be more to come. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had started this series a while ago and when I found the books to be available in one Kindle edition I was delighted to have so much rich historical detail in one volume. I did lose a bit of sleep as I found it hard to put down. The 1660's in Great Britain would have been a very difficult era to live through, but the very strong character Damian Seeker provides a way through chaos. It was wonderful to find so much historical detail in one volume.

Kindle Unlimited

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

latest in the Damian Seeker series found this one different as its more Seekers family in York and the troubles post restoration but still an interesting crime thriller novel though

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, the latest in the Seeker series of novels. Although Damian Seeker is not the main protagonist in this story, he casts a long shadow, with recurring characters from previous books carrying the story. York is beautifully described, as is day to day life there during perilous times. Historical fiction fans are in for a treat. With thanks to NetGalley for an early copy, I loved it.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book is a bit like going to watch a Spurs game only to realise that Harry Kane has left and is plying his trade overseas. Similarly, the hero of this series, Damian Seeker, has left the UK and is now in America and as a consequence the book is about those back in the UK.
Since the previous book, much has changed - Cromwell is dead and King Charles II is on the throne. Parliament has approved the Indemnity and Oblivion Act in 1660. The Act allowed for mass pardon of most of those who had supported Cromwell during and after the Civil War, but with a few exceptions. The major exceptions were for those who were involved in the regicide of Charles I. For them, the ‘Act of Oblivion’ applied (and as per Robert Harris’ recent excellent book), and there was no escape from death. Others though, nominally exempt, were still the subject of much suspicion and investigation. Seeker was, of course, Captain of Cromwell’s guard hence his decision to depart for foreign shores.
The story is set in York where Seeker’s little known about daughter Manon resides with her family. Various parties are trying to find Seeker by uncovering the relationship between Seeker and Manon, including Seeker’s nemesis, Lady Anne Winter.
Just like Spurs, this book seems to work just as well without the principal character and is a very enjoyable read.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my new spirit of generosity, 3, really 2.5. Not really grabbing, felt done by rote.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apart from a brief glimpse at the end, Damian Seeker doesn't actually appear in this book, but as other reviewers have noted, he casts a long shadow. This was a good read, but really, I just wanted more Seeker.

[Moravian1297 · Rating 4 out of 5]

When my daughter had informed me that she'd ordered the new S.G. MacLean book for my Xmas from her work, I'd excitedly enquired as to whether it was a stand alone like "The Bookseller Of Inverness", or a surprise next instalment of either the Alexander Seaton series, or better still and fingers crossed, hopefully a new chapter in the life and times of Damien Seeker?
She then informed an over the moon me, that it was indeed the former and was a stand alone novel, although tinged with an ever so slight disappointment, as I'd have loved to have had further reading on the continuing adventures of Captain Seeker, I did however console myself to the fact that I also very much so enjoyed Ms. MacLean's other stand alone outing, the afore mentioned Jacobite thriller, "The Bookseller Of Inverness".

So, when Christmas morning finally came and I unwrapped the gift, imagine my, UTTER, UTTER DELIGHT!! as I read the book's synopsis and discovered my daughter had got it unimaginably wrong and the novel I had in front of me was indeed the sixth book in the Captain Damien Seeker series!
Woohoo! My cry could be heard at the end of the street and my neighbours must have thought, Santa has been good to someone!

Technically the fifth installment in the series had been allegedly the last. With the restoration of Charles II, it had came to a somewhat natural conclusion, but having read a number of books recently that dealt with the hunt and executions of the regicides, namely Robert Harris's excellent "Act Of Oblivion" and Andrew Taylor's wonderful "Marwood & Lovett" series, I did think an opening was laid bare for the DS novels to continue, and thankfully they had!

This new chapter sees all the relevant characters from where we last left off reprise their roles as before.
The lawyer Ingolby is now married to Seeker's daughter Manon, while they raise his granddaughter Lizzy with another on the way.
The lawyer is also working for the amiable, if somewhat mercurial Thomas Faithly, who just seems to want to win back his inherited estate, with the help of Ingolby and live out a quiet life and leave behind his duplicitous former world. But events around the two friends quickly spiral out of control, leading to much murderous intrigue!
We also see the return of the much loved (by me) and peripatetic character of Lady Anne Winter, who's fairness and loyalty are still a joy to behold.
She is now accompanied by the introduction of a welcome Scottish character, who's dour Covenanter frugality is only matched by her sharp North East of Scotland wit. Delightful writing!

It’s wonderful to have Captain Damien Seeker back and long may it continue!

[KOMET · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Winter List takes us from 1660 to 1663. The Restoration is well underway in England with the return of Charles Stuart in 1660 as King Charles II, following the death of Oliver Cromwell two years earlier. While some of those persons who had served in high positions in Cromwell's Protectorate are amnestied and allowed to resume normal lives in England, there are others who are deemed beyond the pale for having taken direct roles in the regicide against Charles II's father in 1649. They are to be hunted down near and far so that they will face justice and be punished.

There is one official - a certain Roger L'Estrange, highly ambitious and covetous of greater power and influence at court - who is determined to find Damian Seeker (who has fled England for a new life in America) and ensure that he is brought back to England, put on trial for regicide, and executed. To help him find Seeker, L'Estrange enlists Lady Anne Winter (a former nemesis of Seeker in the days of the Protectorate) to go north to York, England, where Seeker's daughter (whose identity is a closely guarded secret to protect her from possible retribution) lives with her husband (Lawrence Ingolby, a lawyer on the rise) and their young daughter Lizzie, to ascertain if there is a link tying Ingolby and one of his close friends and clients (Sir Thomas Faithly, a Royalist veteran of the English Civil War, who had a past relationship with Damian Seeker) to Seeker himself.

As was the case with the previous 5 novels in the Seeker Series, intrigues abound in snowy York, and the reader is made aware of how cyphers and codes were used in terms of reporting intelligence on various groups and people in Restoration England. To say more would be to give away too much. Suffice it to say, The Winter List packs a stinging punch.

[Clbplym · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did miss Damian Seeker and would love to see more of him but this book focuses on his daughter. Charles II has returned to the throne and there are those would who like to punish more than the regicides he has sentenced to death. Ann has become involved in this mission and someone is looking to use Manson, Seeker’s daughter, to find him. It took me longer than I expected to get into this but enjoyed the ending very much.

[Sal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't really a Damien Seeker book, but he casts a long shadow.

I wasn't sure I would enjoy a book focused on the support characters, but I really enjoyed this story. The tension built up nicely, and there were some good twists and turns as loyalties become tested in the post-Cromwell world.

Having been a long-time fan of Andrew Taylor's 'Ashes of London' series, this is familiar territory. I kept expecting Marwood and Cat to wander into the story! It's a little corny bringing in lots of famous people, but I did rather like having Sam Pepys and Andrew Marvell involved again, and the Duke of Buckingham is always a larger than life addition.

All in all, it's an enjoyable story, and I wonder if there is potential in a Seeker the next generation series?

[Susan Ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series!

[David Boddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting Regicide hunt in Restoration York. A Regicide riddler.

[Daphne Sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

London 1660, King Charles the second, is on the English throne, but he is not yet the “Merry Monarch”, or the forgiving type. Under the Kings Act of Indemnity and Oblivion, he orders that all those who put their signature to his late father’s death warrant, especially the executioner’s, be hunted down and returned to London to face summary justice. That’s at least 59 people who are hiding on the continent or have taken refuge in the New World of America.
Damian Seeker is rumoured to have been one of the executioners and he is believed to be in Massachusetts, keeping a safe distance from his daughter Manon, her husband Lawrence Ingoldby, who is a solicitor in York, and their daughter, especially as Manon is pregnant again.
Lady Anne Winter makes a welcome reappearance, she is the widow of a Cromwellian officer, yet is a faithful servant to the new King, how very Vicar of Bray! A spymaster tasks Anne with finding traitors on a particular list, as each name is uncovered, the next name to be identified will be given to her. There are secrets panels and letters, cyphers to be read and acted upon, double agents and spies, murder in a Cathedral, who can be trusted in these uncertain times of such fear and danger?.
This is another worthy addition to my collection of Seeker books, this time, although Damian is absent, his presence continues to be felt, as spies and traitors combine in their efforts to cast blame elsewhere. It is a well constructed story and makes the city of York really come to life. It conveys the atmosphere of fear and mistrust that must have been prevalent amongst all the inhabitants, not to mention the varied smells of the city streets and various ale houses, not forgetting those unwashed bodies!!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Quercus books for my advance digital copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review.
I will leave reviews to Goodreads and Amazon UK later. A five star rating.

[Silja Remes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book in the Seeker series was a treat that I didn't want to finish. At first, I felt disappointed when I began to see the hero wouldn't be seen much and that the Ellingworths and Kent's coffee house wouldn't play a part. Nevertheless, the Ingolby household and York, with my old favourites Lady Anne Winter and sir Thomas Faithly and some new figures like Griselda Duncan and Madge Penmore, were quite enough. I never suspected Jed for a moment before the muffler was mentioned by Lady Anne, though I usually am better at guessing. I think I was fooled to look for a person who had come recently to York. I dreaded some final catastrophe happening to someone, but it ended nicely. And even the Seeker was finally met in his new surroundings, which I'm thankful for.

Now there remains the problem of finding a substitute for this series to read and love.

[AJW · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Damien Seeker series are based in a period of British history I find fascinating. MacLean not only does her research, she makes history come alive with sounds and smells. York is a city I love to explore, and much of it looks the same as it did in the 17th century. The only thing that’s missing is Damien Seeker himself.

The story revolves around Seeker’s daughter and her lawyer husband, and a friend of theirs who is murdered. No spoilers here. But the plot is well written and had me guessing with a shoal of red herrings that bamboozled me.

[Jori Spangler · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

I really enjoyed the way this story tied together so many of the different threads from the previous books. There were also several twists and turns I did not see coming. I hope there’s another book because I want to find out what happens next.

Spoiler alert.

I want Lady Ann and Thomas to get together!

[Susanna Duffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder, intrigue and bloody revenge as Charles Stuart is restored to the throne

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘The Winter List’ is Book 6 in S. G. MacLean’s Damian Seeker series of historical political thrillers set in the mid-17th Century.

By the summer of 1660 the last remnants of the Republic have been swept away and Charles II has been restored to the throne. The Indemnity and Oblivion Act of 1660 had granted a general pardon for everyone who had committed crimes during the English Civil War and Commonwealth period. However, one of the exceptions to the general pardon were for those who had been involved in the regicide of Charles I.

Executions have already begun and the hunt is on for those who have gone into hiding at home or abroad. Although not a regicide, Damian Seeker had been a staunch Republican and his name is on the Winter List, which contains the names of those considered traitors to the king.

While Seeker’s whereabouts are unknown Manon, his beloved daughter, is living in York and is married to Seeker's friend, the lawyer Lawrence Ingolby. As a possible conduit to her father and to others on the Winter List, Manon lives in constant danger and fear of discovery.

Royalist spy Lady Anne Winter has been employed to find evidence of guilt or innocence among the names on the Winter List. In October 1662 Lady Winter arrives in York, though she is not the only spy seeking to get close to the Ingolbys.

I initially had difficulty getting into this novel as I hadn’t read any of the previous five books in the series, so had no idea of who was who or their backstories. However, having read both fiction and nonfiction set during the early years of the Restoration I had some knowledge of the political and social issues of the day.

From past experience I was also aware of S. G. MacLean’s skill as a writer of historical fiction and her ability to effortlessly recreate the period setting. So, it wasn’t long until I found myself caught up in the narrative, getting to know the various characters, and seeing how its plot lines played out. The Epilogue was particularly satisfying and hopefully indicates that a further Damien Seeker book is forthcoming.

I also appreciated the cameos of historical figures of the day, such as Samuel Pepys and John Milton. While aware of their contributions to literature I hadn’t appreciated their roles in the political events of these turbulent times in history.

Overall, ‘The Winter List’ proved a highly engaging historical thriller with strong characterisations and an immersive setting. I am now keen to return to the beginning and read the series in order.

[Paromjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wonderful SG MacLean returns to this series with familiar and new characters, it is 166o, Charles II is restored to the throne, with the last remnants of the Republic being swept away. With gripping and vibrant style, this turbulent historical period comes alive, the King's Act of Indemnity and Oblivion sees many Republicans being hunted down and executed. However, there is a feeling in some quarters that too many are being granted mercy, and there is an unofficial list circulating that has lawyer Lawrence Ingolby, married to Damian Seeker's daughter, Manon, move from London to Yorkshire. They now have a young daughter, Lizzie, and Manon is heavily pregnant with their second child, but they are far from safe as danger and spies continue to surround around them.

Lady Anne Winter arrives in a cold and freezing Yorkshire with her 'maid' the able Scottish Griselda Duncan, 2 widows who have forged a strong friendship amidst a background of adverse circumstances, working below the radar, going through a list, and investigating names thought to have been engaged in Republican activities. Winter is delighted to renew her acquaintance with Manon and getting to like a Lawrence that is suspicious of her. Fear grows in the Ingolby household when Lizzie is discovered locked in a coal shed, a murder is committed in the Cathedral crypt, there are sinister strangers, break ins and an attempted abduction. Anne offers the services of Grizel to help Manon, but betrayal lurks far too close to home, raising the question whether Seeker is safe from enemy forces in Massachusett, where he has established his home and family.

Seeker may not be present in the novel, but he remains a strong presence, having made powerful enemies intent on getting their revenge, and the belief is that it is through the Ingolbys that they will be able to track him down. Winter and Grizel make a formidable pair of investigators, whilst Lawrence will do all that he can to protect Manon, his friend Thomas Faithly is facing his own pressures working under a ambitious Buckingham. This latest addition to this 17th century series just drips with intrigue and mystery in an England where some Royalists are going to some lengths to hunt down wanted Republicans. A brilliant historical series that I highly recommend. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Charles Stewart returns triumphant as king, Damian Seeker leaves London to join his beloved Maria Ellingsworth in Massachusetts. He doesn't appear until the very end of 'The Winter List,' although his character is central to the plot. Although the new king granted clemency to Cromwell supporters in general, he later made exceptions for former Royalists who cooperated with the Puritan government. Now he is out to find, arrest and execute those known to have had or are even suspected of playing a part in the execution of the his father, Charles I. The Winter List is a list of their names, and the list continues to grow. An ambitious Royalist spy named L'Estrange hopes to win favor with the king by adding the name of Damian Seeker, spreading the rumor that he was the executioner who swung the axe that beheaded Charles I--an absurd claim since, as everyone knows, Damian's extraodinary size would have given him away. Also on L'Estrange's list is Sir Thomas Faithly, a Royalist who cooperated with Seeker in two previous books in the series. He has been given a position in York by the king's favorite, the Duke of Buckingham--a position in which he has little interest, but he is happy to be back home in York, where he hopes to reclaim his grandmother's estate.

Three years after the Restoration of Charles II, Seeker's daughter Manon has married Lawrence Ingolby, a young lawyer who, along with Sir Thomas, had assisted Seeker in 'The Bear Pit.' The Ingolby family, which now includes toddler Lizzie, has moved to York, and Lawrence has remained good friends with the nobleman. Word reaches Ingolby that a spy has been sent to York to try to find out where Damian Seeker has gone. Is Lady Anne Winter, who has recently shown up with a Scottish maid, Grizelda Duncan, involved? Or is it someone else that the family wouldn't know or suspect? Either way, it soon becomes clear that the Ingolbys are someone's target.

The story starts with Lady Anne in London but quickly moves to York and the mysterious murder of one of Ingolby's clients, and there are plenty of thrills along the way. I wish we had seen more of Damian Seeker, but, of course, it would be difficult to keep a story going on two continents, not to mention that Seeker's goal in joining Maria in Massachusetts was to find peace and anonymity. I'm sorry that this will be the last in the series, but I'm looking forward to reading more by S.G. MacLean.

[Martin Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of Damien Seeker won't be disappointed in this glorious tale.

Following the events of "The House of Lamentations", it's 166o and Charles II has been restored to the throne. Cromwell's Republic and its supporters have been swept away, and in his generosity, Charles has offered clemency to some of those involved in the death of his father. But he has also issued an Act of Indemnity and Oblivion and a select few face the death sentence. Although not a regicide, Republican Damian Seeker is on a list of traitors to the king and so Royalist spy, Lady Anne Winter is employed to find evidence of guilt or innocence among the names on the list. Seeker has fled England for the Colonies but his daughter Manon remains, married to Seeker's friend, the lawyer Lawrence Ingolby. Lady Winter's search leads her to York, where Seeker's daughter now lives.

And so begins a most vivid and satisfying tale which will almost certainly appease those fans of Damien Seeker who begged for more. And while Seeker himself only makes a brief appearance, those people who readers have met before, and whose friendship and help kept Seeker alive, are all present. It's nice to see them shine in their own light rather than reflected in Seeker. Manon, pregnant for the second time, fears for her safety, that of her child, and her Father. The story faultlessly shows the influence and lasting effect Seeker has had on so many lives. A few threads from the series are tied up, and even Seeker gets some closure.

Lady Winter and her gloriously competent maid feature large in this book, which pleased me no end. We see glimpses of her, only hinted at previously, and there's even hope for a happy ending for her. The city of York also has a starring role, and I dare anyone who hasn't been there, not to want to visit after reading this book.

The story also dovetailed nicely with a book I read recently, Robert Harris' "Act of Oblivion", which follows two of the escaped regicides across America. As with that book, "Winter List" captures perfectly the climate which existed in Britain in the years following Cromwell's fall, and the research is impeccable.

Fans of the Seeker books won't be disappointed in this glorious tale of revenge and retribution. Highly recommended.

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This eventful historical novel is the 6th volume of the "Captain Damian Seeker" series, but you may see and read this book as a standalone for Damian Seeker appears only at the very end, and I said it last time with its predecessor "The House of Lamentations" and I say it again that this book is probably the last in the series although it has an open end, so who knows.

At the beginning of the book you'll find a well-drawn map of York, England, in the year AD1662.

Storytelling is excellent, all characters are very believable and lifelike in this period of history of the Restoration, while the atmosphere of danger for and persecution of regicides come very much to the forefront in this great tale.

The story is set between August AD1660 and February AD1663, and first we find the regicide manhunter Roger L'Estrange and an important informer of his, who will manifest himself later on in this book, in conversation about the lawyer Lawrence Ingolby and his connection to Damian Seeker, while shortly beforehand Lady Anne Winter got instructions to pursue past activities of Sir Thomas Faithly.

The reason for haunting and infiltrating the household of lawyer Lawrence Ingolby and his wife Manon, and daughter Lizzie, is with the help of this infiltrator to find evidence about the whereabouts of Damian Seeker in Massachusetts, so Roger L'Estrange come bring him to justice and get his revenge for humiliations in the past caused to him by this same Damian Seeker.

Along in York are Lady Anne Winter and her maid Grizel Duncan, also informers of Roger L'Estrange, and they are set for looking for any kind of treasonous behaviour Sir Thomas Faithly might have committed against the now reigning, King Charles II.

What is to follow is a superb historical novel, full with intrigue and backstabbing, loyalty and betrayal, and where the Ingolby family are at the heart of things and have to suffer the most, for they discover who the traitor within the family is, but will survive in the end, and all this is brought to us is a most fascinating fashion by the author.

Highly recommended, for this is a terrific addition to this marvellous series, and that's why i like to call this thrilling episode: "A Captivating Historical Manhunt"!

[Jo-anne Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

1660 and the Stuarts are restored to the throne. Despite initially pardoning many supporters of the Commonwealth, Charles II is hellbent on revenge against those who signed his father's death warrant. Also on this list is the name of Damian Seeker, falsely accused of being the axeman by L'Estrange, someone he had thwarted in the past. Seeker is in New England but his whereabouts are known by his daughter Manon and her husband, now living in York. Anne Winter meanwhile is charged to go to York to reassure L'Estrange of the innocence or guilt of another of his enemies and she stumbles across the plot to find Seeker.
I have loved the Seeker novels to date and was sad that the last one appeared to be the finale however Maclean has produced a story which is in essence a Seeker tale but one in which he only appears fleetingly at the end. Here the focus is on those left behind and it's a great tale. Set in a familiarly wintery York and introducing a cast of new additions, the story develops the characters of Faithly, Ingolby and Anne Winter in new directions. Just great historical fiction.

[MaryJo Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another great read for anyone who enjoys the combination of a murder mystery and historical fiction. The author draws on brutal times once again in this novel, where the restoration of the British throne with Charles II means payback for those who in Cromwell's short time of leadership escaped execution or exile by falling in line. Now there is another round of executions and certain individuals apart from the monarch who want some revenge.

I really liked the realistic settings, characterizations, and how the entire story played out. Everything isn't always black and white, good guy or bad guy. A young lawyer is desperately trying to protect his family in the midst of the witch hunts. A gentle former landowner only wants his lands restored to him, but could lose everything including his life, due to a misjudgement years earlier. An aristocratic woman who with her loyal maid engages in spying to ferret out those who betrayed the monarchy almost 2 decades earlier has to decide where to draw the line. The Scottish maid has some secrets of her own, and the end result of that is a great twist at the very end of the story.

[Charles Bevan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book on World of Books under historical fiction with a high rating and a few citations exclaiming it’s brilliance. First time with this author for me and I have to say what a letdown! I reached half way through the book and nothing had happened of any note or interest just the same story repeating itself from different characters viewpoints with lots of preposterous happenings that just had to work to keep the story going. So far fetched are the situations that the main so-called sleuths happened across by accident? are made up to look like they are plausible - when in fact I found myself laughing out loud at the incredulous audacity that the author has to think the reader would swallow such tripe!! Totally unbelievable and manufactured rubbish. I couldn’t take it as a serious interesting story but started looking for all the unbelievable situations that just had to happen to justify the storyline. One of the citations says “Maclean can make any historical period sing with life” well this one needs life support! I won’t trouble to seek this author out again but stick to real storytelling authors who know how to do it. C.J Sansom you have nothing to worry about here!

[Fiona Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous book. After a diversion to introduce us to The Bookseller of Inverness, S.G MacLean takes us back to the late 1600s, Charles II is on the throne and chickens are coming home to roost post Cromwell. Damian Seeker is safely away in Massachusetts but the rest of the characters we have met through those previous books are making their way in this new world. The main story takes place in York, brought brilliantly to life by the author as we wend our way through snickets and roads around the Minster and other assorted churches. There is murder, there is intrigue, there is revenge, all aplenty to keep us entertained...and it is a very well paced plot, supported by a cast of characters who are allowed to develop through the tale. Lots of new characters as well plus Samual Pepys pops up. Lawrence Ingolby and his family, Manon and Lizzie, with Sir Thomas Faithly are closely connected in York...but mischief is not far away as Lady Anne Winter is on a mission, connected to the Winter List - to find out more, you need to read the book!

[DrJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Group Book.

Unabridged audio e version read by Jonathan Keeble and purchased the ebook version too.

Very cross that one of our members chose a novel that was 6th in a series. I don't like being dumped into the middle of a series where I have no idea what's going on and who is who. The ending makes it clear that the saga will continue going forward too so there was very little catharsis.

But the positives were that the author created a very accurate and authentic C17th York which included a murder mystery and it wasn't just about the politics of the Restoration world. Although tbf you do need to understand the context and get that people were not secure in their monarchy to fully appreciate the machinations.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy to see that a new novel set in the book of the Seeker was going to be published.
Even if Damian is not present all the characters belong to the world of the previous stories and it was a pleasure to catch up with them
Shona McLean deliver another strong story full of political intrigue and the changes of the time after the Stuart were back. There’s murder and there’s the life of characters I love.
I hope one day we will read another book featuring Damian (and also the bookseller of Inverness).
I loved this story that kept me hooked.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! I loved the Damien Seeker novels, they are all fabulous and so was very happy to see that there was a new one (this is number 6) as I think the plan was to finish after number 5… this follows the aftermath of the Restoration of the Monarchy (number 5 ended with Seeker leaving for the Americas- as a leading agent in Cromwell’s regime he would not be welcome in England anymore). The setting is mostly in York and involves key characters from the other novels such as Anne Winter and Mannon- Seeker’s daughter. As always with SG MacLean, the story was delightfully twisty, laced with humour and the characters are well developed. Highly recommend, but read the other five books first!