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Seething Lane: The Samuel Pepys Mysteries
January 1670. London is enduring its worst winter in decades.
But for Samuel Pepys, the darkest days are yet to come. Reimagining one of Britain's greatest historical figures through a 21st century lens, Seething Lane sees the return of infamous diarist Samuel Pepys, complete with his trademark audacious wit, keen eye for observation and gripping historical adventure. When a strange young man turns up at his office on Seething Lane asking for help, Samuel Pepys is too distracted to take him seriously. Nell Gwyn is about to make her scandalous return to the stage and he wouldn't miss it for all the world.
But in the cold of a winter's dawn, tragedy strikes. Called upon to investigate the brutal murder of a libertine aristocrat, Pepys discovers that the dead man is connected to his mysterious visitor in the most shocking way possible.
A trail of secrets leads Pepys from the backstreets of London to the glamorous world of the theatre, where nothing is quite as it seems. But whatever the dangers, he may find that the deadliest threat lies closer to home…
Praise for Jack Jewers "Book of the month... A zestful imagining of the lost late memoirs of one of Britain's great historical chronicles." – THE INDEPENDENT
"One of the best historical fiction novels of the year." – THE SUNDAY TIMES
"Impressive." – THE TIMES
"Jewers excels in both his assiduous research and the characterisation of his hero... this is a splendid adventure with the promise of more to come." – THE FINANCIAL TIMES
"Hard to imagine Samuel Pepys being any more interesting than he already was, but Jack Jewers has done it for him, imaginatively, brilliantly, convincingly, in the now plural (praise be!) Samuel Pepys Mysteries." – REV. RICHARD COLES
"Jewers' reimagining of Pepys as sleuth in the heady days of the Restoration is a blinder - what's not to like? Palace intrigue, the roar of the greasepaint and our Samuel's eye for detail. A wonderful combo artfully reimagined." – JASPER FFORDE
"A page-turning crime thriller. Jewers, like the best historical novelists, has done his research. He recreates the world of 1669 in a vivid, realistic and natural way… his characters are as relevant today as they were 350 years ago." – THE SUNDAY INDEPENDENT
"There is a palpable sense of dynamism to the rapidly changing city of 1670, yet the danger and deceit remains lurking menacingly in the shadows. It is a joy - compelling, exciting, moving and like all the best murder-mysteries, with enough twists and turns to keep the reading guessing to the very end." – JAMES HOLLAND
"Outstanding. Wonderfully researched and rich in period detail, Seething Lane is absorbing and moving, as both a crime novel and as a portrait of the times." – PHILIP GWYNNE JONES
"A thrilling and atmospheric historical adventure which brilliantly reimagines infamous diarist Samuel Pepys and conjures up the world of London theatre in 1670. Reminded me in the best way of Antonia Hodgson's Devil in the Marshalsea. Hugely entertaining." – ANNA MAZZOLA
"Jack Jewers has no scruples. He revels in such phrases as 'bull's pizzle' and delves into as many décolletés as are to hand... His rip-roaring yarn is also a bodice-ripper. There is something for everyone." – THE IRISH EXAMINER
"Swashbuckling action-packed drama." – WOMAN AND HOME
"The genius of Samuel Pepys brilliantly channelled by the genius of Jack Jewers in an exciting, heartfelt 17th century adventure." – GREG MOSSE
But for Samuel Pepys, the darkest days are yet to come. Reimagining one of Britain's greatest historical figures through a 21st century lens, Seething Lane sees the return of infamous diarist Samuel Pepys, complete with his trademark audacious wit, keen eye for observation and gripping historical adventure. When a strange young man turns up at his office on Seething Lane asking for help, Samuel Pepys is too distracted to take him seriously. Nell Gwyn is about to make her scandalous return to the stage and he wouldn't miss it for all the world.
But in the cold of a winter's dawn, tragedy strikes. Called upon to investigate the brutal murder of a libertine aristocrat, Pepys discovers that the dead man is connected to his mysterious visitor in the most shocking way possible.
A trail of secrets leads Pepys from the backstreets of London to the glamorous world of the theatre, where nothing is quite as it seems. But whatever the dangers, he may find that the deadliest threat lies closer to home…
Praise for Jack Jewers "Book of the month... A zestful imagining of the lost late memoirs of one of Britain's great historical chronicles." – THE INDEPENDENT
"One of the best historical fiction novels of the year." – THE SUNDAY TIMES
"Impressive." – THE TIMES
"Jewers excels in both his assiduous research and the characterisation of his hero... this is a splendid adventure with the promise of more to come." – THE FINANCIAL TIMES
"Hard to imagine Samuel Pepys being any more interesting than he already was, but Jack Jewers has done it for him, imaginatively, brilliantly, convincingly, in the now plural (praise be!) Samuel Pepys Mysteries." – REV. RICHARD COLES
"Jewers' reimagining of Pepys as sleuth in the heady days of the Restoration is a blinder - what's not to like? Palace intrigue, the roar of the greasepaint and our Samuel's eye for detail. A wonderful combo artfully reimagined." – JASPER FFORDE
"A page-turning crime thriller. Jewers, like the best historical novelists, has done his research. He recreates the world of 1669 in a vivid, realistic and natural way… his characters are as relevant today as they were 350 years ago." – THE SUNDAY INDEPENDENT
"There is a palpable sense of dynamism to the rapidly changing city of 1670, yet the danger and deceit remains lurking menacingly in the shadows. It is a joy - compelling, exciting, moving and like all the best murder-mysteries, with enough twists and turns to keep the reading guessing to the very end." – JAMES HOLLAND
"Outstanding. Wonderfully researched and rich in period detail, Seething Lane is absorbing and moving, as both a crime novel and as a portrait of the times." – PHILIP GWYNNE JONES
"A thrilling and atmospheric historical adventure which brilliantly reimagines infamous diarist Samuel Pepys and conjures up the world of London theatre in 1670. Reminded me in the best way of Antonia Hodgson's Devil in the Marshalsea. Hugely entertaining." – ANNA MAZZOLA
"Jack Jewers has no scruples. He revels in such phrases as 'bull's pizzle' and delves into as many décolletés as are to hand... His rip-roaring yarn is also a bodice-ripper. There is something for everyone." – THE IRISH EXAMINER
"Swashbuckling action-packed drama." – WOMAN AND HOME
"The genius of Samuel Pepys brilliantly channelled by the genius of Jack Jewers in an exciting, heartfelt 17th century adventure." – GREG MOSSE
- GenresHistorical Fiction
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Published September 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 3, 2026
For nine years during the start of the Stuart restoration Samuel Pepys wrote his now infamous diary. His wry observations on life are regarded as one of the most remarkable first hand experiences of life in London between 1660 and 1669.
This clever series of historical novels takes up the pen in 1670 and uses this as a starting point to bring to us Samuel Pepys in his role as an investigator looking into the curious and rather gory death of two people, one victim is known to be a friend of King Charles II’s illegitimate son the Duke of Monmouth and the other is a mysterious young person who initially came to Pepys to ask for his help. In being drawn into this complex murder investigation Pepys and his assistant, Will Hewer, become increasingly involved in a dark and dangerous world, from clandestine business meetings with shady characters, to back stage shenanigans at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Pepys and Hewer get drawn into a complicated subterfuge which proves to be both dangerous and exhilarating.
The author has a real skill for recreating this decadent and rather shadowy world, a world which is lavishly opulent, as in dining on fine fare in the King’s room at Whitehall, or alive with theatre gossip and the creeping unease of the actors’ dressing room of the Theatre Royal. There is much to discover amongst the great and the not so good of restoration London and I have thoroughly enjoyed walking in Samuel Pepys’s footsteps, he’s an agreeable raconteur, a proficient intelligencer working on behalf of the King and as entertaining a character as he is diarist. Cleverly written and alive with intrigue Seething Lane is a fascinating addition to this historical mystery series.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Seething Lane is the second book in the author's historical mystery series featuring famous diarist Samuel Pepys. In reality Samuel Pepys kept a diary for almost ten years but then suddenly stopped for reasons that are unknown but have been the subject of much speculation. As in the first book, The Lost Diary of Samuel Pepys, the author imagines the events Pepys might have recorded in his diaries had he continued.
This is an unsettled period in English history. King Charles II is without a legitimate heir, despite fathering numerous children with his equally numerous mistresses, thus creating uncertainty about the succession. Without an heir, Charles's brother James will inherit the throne but he is a Catholic which threatens a return to civil unrest. London is a city being rebuilt in the wake of the Great Fire of London but theatres have re-opened and, scandalously for some, women can now appear on the stage. The author cleverly incorporates elements of these into a plot that involves murder, conspiracy, treachery and political intrigue whilst at the same time being a rip-roaring adventure.
The focus for much of the action is the Drury Lane Theatre. Pepys is a dedicated theatre-goer but unexpectedly finds himself playing a role in a production of Shakespeare's As You Like It, sponsored by the King as a vehicle for his current mistress, Nell Gwyn. Nell is an accomplished actress with the ability to bring the house down with a cheeky wink or unscripted double entrendre. I loved Nell's bawdy wit and her realism, understanding that her position as the King's mistress will only be temporary so she better make the most of it while it lasts.
As imagined by the author, Samuel Pepys is not only a diligent diarist but an intrepid investigator, a faithful friend and someone with an unexpected taste for adventure. He also proves to be doggedly determined but dangerously impulsive at times. However, his focus on the investigation he has been tasked with means he's distracted from events at home.
The book immerses the reader in the London of the period in all its grimy and fetid detail. The streets and alleyways are places of danger and desperate poverty. For many it's a miserable existence. In contrast, the theatre is a magical place, transformed from empty auditorium to a scene of spectacle once the players take to the stage.
The book includes some great characters, many based on real individuals, including Pepys' longtime assistant Will Hewer. Some things we learn about characters made me think 'Surely that's an invention?' but it turned out it was rooted in fact. The book contains beautifully drawn maps and floor plans of key locations.
By the end of the book, it's clear there are some things that, for reasons of state, must be kept under wraps. As for Pepys, well, certain events have changed his life forever.
With its combination of intriguing plot, colourful characters and great period atmosphere, Seething Lane will definitely appeal to fans of historical crime mysteries.
This is an unsettled period in English history. King Charles II is without a legitimate heir, despite fathering numerous children with his equally numerous mistresses, thus creating uncertainty about the succession. Without an heir, Charles's brother James will inherit the throne but he is a Catholic which threatens a return to civil unrest. London is a city being rebuilt in the wake of the Great Fire of London but theatres have re-opened and, scandalously for some, women can now appear on the stage. The author cleverly incorporates elements of these into a plot that involves murder, conspiracy, treachery and political intrigue whilst at the same time being a rip-roaring adventure.
The focus for much of the action is the Drury Lane Theatre. Pepys is a dedicated theatre-goer but unexpectedly finds himself playing a role in a production of Shakespeare's As You Like It, sponsored by the King as a vehicle for his current mistress, Nell Gwyn. Nell is an accomplished actress with the ability to bring the house down with a cheeky wink or unscripted double entrendre. I loved Nell's bawdy wit and her realism, understanding that her position as the King's mistress will only be temporary so she better make the most of it while it lasts.
As imagined by the author, Samuel Pepys is not only a diligent diarist but an intrepid investigator, a faithful friend and someone with an unexpected taste for adventure. He also proves to be doggedly determined but dangerously impulsive at times. However, his focus on the investigation he has been tasked with means he's distracted from events at home.
The book immerses the reader in the London of the period in all its grimy and fetid detail. The streets and alleyways are places of danger and desperate poverty. For many it's a miserable existence. In contrast, the theatre is a magical place, transformed from empty auditorium to a scene of spectacle once the players take to the stage.
The book includes some great characters, many based on real individuals, including Pepys' longtime assistant Will Hewer. Some things we learn about characters made me think 'Surely that's an invention?' but it turned out it was rooted in fact. The book contains beautifully drawn maps and floor plans of key locations.
By the end of the book, it's clear there are some things that, for reasons of state, must be kept under wraps. As for Pepys, well, certain events have changed his life forever.
With its combination of intriguing plot, colourful characters and great period atmosphere, Seething Lane will definitely appeal to fans of historical crime mysteries.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A wonderful tale with Samuel Pepys at the heart of a cobwebbed mystery story. As someone who adores a West End trip to London, it was great to see Theatre Royal Drury Lane in its glory back in the 1600s and I soon felt very immersed into this dark London world.
I like Pepys as the protagonist poking his nose in London's business and finding all sorts. This is a read on the longer side and had moments of a slower pace, but soon picked back up again and I wanted to know and see more.
Vivid, exciting and immersive reading.
I like Pepys as the protagonist poking his nose in London's business and finding all sorts. This is a read on the longer side and had moments of a slower pace, but soon picked back up again and I wanted to know and see more.
Vivid, exciting and immersive reading.
September 3, 2026
a wonderful historical drama
Jewers combines historical depth with dazzling story-telling and introduces the reader to a rich tapestry of actors, beggars, nobility - and Mr Samuel Pepys. Set in a London struggling to recover from plague and fire, the conspiracy that threatens a royal secret is all-absorbing.
Jewers combines historical depth with dazzling story-telling and introduces the reader to a rich tapestry of actors, beggars, nobility - and Mr Samuel Pepys. Set in a London struggling to recover from plague and fire, the conspiracy that threatens a royal secret is all-absorbing.
September 14, 2026
I was eager to read the second in the series, having really enjoyed the first book. I have no problem with it at all except one tiny detail. The author describes Elizabeth Pepys as not enjoying her French lessons, whereas she was French, although born in England, and would have spoken the language. A small mistake but very irritating..
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews