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The Samuel Pepys Mysteries #9
Jacob’s Last Standish
It all ends here: the reckoning.
Jacob Standish believes his father is alive, and would die to prove it. With such treachery afoot, it may come to that.
Colonel Blood is back, vowing vengeance, and Samuel Pepys’s inquisitors, Abby and Jacob, face their greatest investigation divided.
Each has a score to settle. Each a price to pay.
Old enemies return. Familiar faces. Long-outstanding debts are finally called in.
Who will live? And who will die?
Jacob Standish believes his father is alive, and would die to prove it. With such treachery afoot, it may come to that.
Colonel Blood is back, vowing vengeance, and Samuel Pepys’s inquisitors, Abby and Jacob, face their greatest investigation divided.
Each has a score to settle. Each a price to pay.
Old enemies return. Familiar faces. Long-outstanding debts are finally called in.
Who will live? And who will die?
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2026
About the author
Ellis Blackwood
16 books61 followersEllis Blackwood writes very British historical mysteries: fiendish whodunits packed with singular characters, vivid period detail and plenty of wit. His completed nine-book Samuel Pepys Mysteries series is set in 17th century London. He is currently working on the Quill & Page Victorian Mysteries, featuring a found family of East End misfits investigating the crimes of the upper classes who cast them out.
A former journalist, Ellis wrote features for the UK's most popular national newspapers and magazines before escaping to Cornwall with his wife, two daughters and Spike the dog. He holds an MA in Comedy Writing, which explains a lot.
He grew up on The Hardy Boys and Three Investigators, graduated to Sherlock Holmes, and has never quite recovered from Columbo. He prefers writing female sleuths, with the odd chap thrown in, and is firmly convinced that historical settings are simply more fascinating.
"Absolutely fabulous, reek of authenticity, full of intrigue and fun" – Amazon review of the Samuel Pepys Mysteries
A former journalist, Ellis wrote features for the UK's most popular national newspapers and magazines before escaping to Cornwall with his wife, two daughters and Spike the dog. He holds an MA in Comedy Writing, which explains a lot.
He grew up on The Hardy Boys and Three Investigators, graduated to Sherlock Holmes, and has never quite recovered from Columbo. He prefers writing female sleuths, with the odd chap thrown in, and is firmly convinced that historical settings are simply more fascinating.
"Absolutely fabulous, reek of authenticity, full of intrigue and fun" – Amazon review of the Samuel Pepys Mysteries
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 8, 2026
Of course this one gets 5 stars too, not suprised as I have loved the other books as well. This book felt a lot more suspenseful as it was deeply personal for both Jacob and Abby. Rather then focus on a case that revolves around another person this time it was Jacob finding himself in a mystery. Really good end to the series but will miss following them on new cases.
May 25, 2026
Really enjoyed the whole series and this was a satisfying conclusion - although a little sad to say goodbye to characters I've enjoyed so much. Good plots, endearing characters and lots of period detail, combined with some really skilled, evocative writing...liked them a lot.
May 8, 2026
Wonderful series of Books I will miss reading about Jacob and Harriet and what a Great Final Book please bring them back in the Future
May 24, 2026
Once started couldn't put it down. Fun series of books to read with a perfect ending, loved them.
August 5, 2026
Sadly the last of the series, very enjoyable easy read historical mystery books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you love historical mystery and suspense as much as I do, you’ll love the swashbuckling adventure that is Jacob’s Last Standish, the final installment of author Ellis Blackwood’s incredible Samuel Pepys Mysteries.
This brilliant series follows acclaimed diarist Samuel Pepys’ intrepid inquisitors, Pepys’ former maid, Abigail Harcourt, and Jacob Standish, whom Pepys gave a job as a deathbed pledge to Jacob’s father, Sir Miles Standish, investigating everything from witch trials, to plague-masked killers, murders of royal mistresses, protecting the king, the Crown Jewels, as well as the pair’s own personal quests.
Inspired by Pepys’ actual diaries, Blackwood has exquisitely crafted a pop-up picture book in the reader’s mind of 17th century London, where the nine volumes of whodunits take place over four months time, from the fall of 1666, as the embers of the Great Fire are taking hold in the city that had been besieged with the plague just the previous year, through January 1667, holding pace and tension from one book to the next with deftly woven mysteries and intrigue that keep you guessing.
In Jacob’s Last Standish, plagued by self-doubt, the titled character needs to draw up every ounce of breath and bit of confidence he has, to overcome himself, go after the murderous, treasonous Colonel Blood, avenge the death of a young woman who saved his life, and in his mind, prove his worth as his father’s son.
After Abby receives a letter from her brother, Will, who feared for his life, she ignores admonitions from Pepys and Jacob to stay away from him. When last Pepys and the inquisitors had seen Will, who at one time had been in league with a fanatical Puritan group, he had threatened them all.
How I wish I could tell you more without giving spoilers away!
Suffice it to say, there were tears in my eyes during Pepys’ speech near the end. I am ever so grateful to have spent time with Abby and Jacob, cheer them on and watch them grow over these past two years, thanks to Blackwood’s prolific writing. I also enjoyed the author’s rich variety of colorful characters, who would pop into plots throughout the series.
I will miss them all. (Hopefully, until they make their way on screen.)
I highly recommend Jacob’s Last Standish to fans of historical fiction, historical mysteries and British mysteries. I received an advance reader’s copy of Jacob’s Last Standish, courtesy of the author and Vintage Mystery Press.
This brilliant series follows acclaimed diarist Samuel Pepys’ intrepid inquisitors, Pepys’ former maid, Abigail Harcourt, and Jacob Standish, whom Pepys gave a job as a deathbed pledge to Jacob’s father, Sir Miles Standish, investigating everything from witch trials, to plague-masked killers, murders of royal mistresses, protecting the king, the Crown Jewels, as well as the pair’s own personal quests.
Inspired by Pepys’ actual diaries, Blackwood has exquisitely crafted a pop-up picture book in the reader’s mind of 17th century London, where the nine volumes of whodunits take place over four months time, from the fall of 1666, as the embers of the Great Fire are taking hold in the city that had been besieged with the plague just the previous year, through January 1667, holding pace and tension from one book to the next with deftly woven mysteries and intrigue that keep you guessing.
In Jacob’s Last Standish, plagued by self-doubt, the titled character needs to draw up every ounce of breath and bit of confidence he has, to overcome himself, go after the murderous, treasonous Colonel Blood, avenge the death of a young woman who saved his life, and in his mind, prove his worth as his father’s son.
After Abby receives a letter from her brother, Will, who feared for his life, she ignores admonitions from Pepys and Jacob to stay away from him. When last Pepys and the inquisitors had seen Will, who at one time had been in league with a fanatical Puritan group, he had threatened them all.
How I wish I could tell you more without giving spoilers away!
Suffice it to say, there were tears in my eyes during Pepys’ speech near the end. I am ever so grateful to have spent time with Abby and Jacob, cheer them on and watch them grow over these past two years, thanks to Blackwood’s prolific writing. I also enjoyed the author’s rich variety of colorful characters, who would pop into plots throughout the series.
I will miss them all. (Hopefully, until they make their way on screen.)
I highly recommend Jacob’s Last Standish to fans of historical fiction, historical mysteries and British mysteries. I received an advance reader’s copy of Jacob’s Last Standish, courtesy of the author and Vintage Mystery Press.
November 2, 2026
Jacob’s Last Standish (Book 9)
A definite five 🌟’s review 👍🏼
Oh well, we’ve come to the come to the conclusion of our Inquisitors adventures, and what an ending. Our author doesn’t disappoint, Jacob is on a mission to find out if his father is really dead, Quigley is back to help him, well more or less, Quigley only helps on his own terms. Abby is searching answers regarding her brother and while grieving she’s determined to find the answers, I think this is definitely the best book yet, but unfortunately it’s the last for our inquisitors. I shall miss them.
But never fear our author has a new series and it’s excellent, The Quill and Page Murder Mysteries set in Victorian London. So I’m looking forward to that, and then there’s also the joy of rereads 👍🏼
A definite five 🌟’s review 👍🏼
Oh well, we’ve come to the come to the conclusion of our Inquisitors adventures, and what an ending. Our author doesn’t disappoint, Jacob is on a mission to find out if his father is really dead, Quigley is back to help him, well more or less, Quigley only helps on his own terms. Abby is searching answers regarding her brother and while grieving she’s determined to find the answers, I think this is definitely the best book yet, but unfortunately it’s the last for our inquisitors. I shall miss them.
But never fear our author has a new series and it’s excellent, The Quill and Page Murder Mysteries set in Victorian London. So I’m looking forward to that, and then there’s also the joy of rereads 👍🏼
May 1, 2026
I have read every one of the Samuel Pepys books and followed the inquisitors through each of their mysteries. So you can imagine how gutted I must be to find that this is the last in the series. These books are absolutely fabulous, they reek of authenticity and are full of intrigue and fun. I cannot recommend them enough - start with book 1 and start enjoying yourself!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews