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The Thief Taker #2
Fire Catcher
1666. London burns. And a killer tracking a dangerous secret fuels his own deadly blazes…
Charlie Tuesday is the city’s best thief taker. And as fire ravages London he’s on the hunt for a killer fanning the flames. But time is running out. Each death brings the murderer closer to the ultimate prize—a fabled chest with the power to destroy London.
As flames ravage the city, the thief taker must track the murderer into London’s blackest heart, where smugglers trade and sorcerers conjure. What Charlie begins to unravel is more ancient and powerful than he ever dreamed. Could the Thief Taker hold the key to the dark alchemy of a lost Brotherhood? Only the killer can reveal the truth. But Charlie must find him before fire outruns them both.
This is the second book in the Thief Taker Series but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story.
Charlie Tuesday is the city’s best thief taker. And as fire ravages London he’s on the hunt for a killer fanning the flames. But time is running out. Each death brings the murderer closer to the ultimate prize—a fabled chest with the power to destroy London.
As flames ravage the city, the thief taker must track the murderer into London’s blackest heart, where smugglers trade and sorcerers conjure. What Charlie begins to unravel is more ancient and powerful than he ever dreamed. Could the Thief Taker hold the key to the dark alchemy of a lost Brotherhood? Only the killer can reveal the truth. But Charlie must find him before fire outruns them both.
This is the second book in the Thief Taker Series but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story.
568 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2015
About the author
C.S. Quinn
9 books286 followersC.S. Quinn is a travel and lifestyle journalist for The Times, The Guardian and The Mirror, alongside many magazines. Prior to this, Quinn's background in historic research won prestigious postgraduate funding from the British Art Council. Quinn pooled these resources, combining historical research with first-hand experiences in far-flung places to create The Thief Taker's London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
October 22, 2015
Description: Hidden in London is a legendary power. A fabled chest guards secrets more precious than gold. But in 1666 secrets are deadly, and London is burning…
Charlie Tuesday is the city’s best thief taker. But one case still eludes him, a mysterious key entrusted by the mother he barely knew. The key opens a chest of priceless papers—papers said to hold the dark alchemy of a lost Brotherhood.
As flames ravage the city, the thief taker must track the chest into London’s blackest heart, where smugglers trade and sorcerers conjure. What Charlie begins to unravel is more ancient and powerful than he ever dreamed. But time is running out and fire is the greatest purge of all.
Opening: London is a city of half-timbered houses and wooden shacks.
An exciting story. The best bit is that you don't have to have read book one to enjoy Fire Catcher.I found The Thief Taker overly long for its content and that situation is exacerbated by 110 pages with Fire Catcher.
NB: The Sealed Knot was a secret Royalist association which plotted for the Restoration of the Monarchy during the English Interregnum (wiki-sourced)
3.5* The Good Thief
3.5* Fire Catcher
January 8, 2017
After my harrowing experience reading The Thief Taker (as detailed in my review of it), I promised myself I'd never spend money on another novel by C S Quinn. However, this popped up free on Kindle Unlimited so I thought I'd see whether she had improved at all. And the answer is a big fat no, another ludicrous insult to anyone with the remotest interest in or knowledge of 17thC history, let alone London.
The characters are again cartoonish and devoid of any depth or subtlety, the plot is convoluted and improbable, the descriptive writing overdone. What really gets my goat, though, is the apparently wilful disregard for historical, scientific, and even grammatical fact, things that take a second to check, though anyone with her apparent credentials should not need to do so. Here are just a few howlers:
Magnus Opus
Ouch! Even ice-cream makers know it's a MagnuM Opus.
Foundling Orphan Home: she hasn't corrected the mistake she made in the first book. There was no Foundling Hospital in pre-Fire London. There were two City Orphanages and they weren't run by nuns.
Louise 'Keroulle': Another grotesque mistake repeated from the first book. The author doesn't even
spell her name correctly. Louise de Keroualle was not the King's Mistress until after 1670. She had no brother George. and was made Duchess of Portsmouth in 1673.
There was no Earl of Clarence in 1666.There was a rather famous Earl of Clarendon, whose daughter was married to James, Duke of York.
Lucy Walter died in 1658. She was only about ten years older than Barbara Palmer, nee Villiers (who of course was never known as Barbara Castlemaine. Lady Castlemaine, yes).
Lord Mayor Sir Thomas Bloodworth is never mentioned, though it was his indecision that allowed the fire to spread. The author betrays a deep ignorance about the City altogether.
Her knowledge of London itself is very sketchy, though she appears to have found a map since writing the first book. However, a very quick glance at wikipedia would have told her Bedlam was never anywhere near the Bridewell. It was governed by the Bridewell board, but they were two entirely different buildings separated by half of London. Nor did either of them abut the Strand.
Fleet weddings didn't start until 1696.
And London Stone - she knows that it was always in Cannon Street, so why does she suddenly place it in Poultry, streets away? It's even marked quite clearly on Pre-Fire maps of London.
But perhaps the silliest part of the book has to do with alchemy. The sheer mess of allusion to what was a highly sophisticated and well-documented procedure is not worth untangling. The Sealed Knot symbol is not an alchemical one; the symbol resembling a 4 is Jupiter, or tin, not caustic potash; the chymical wedding is the whole alchemical process which she is either too lazy to research or doesn't think her readers are capable of understanding. And dropping the Kabala into this unholy brew is frankly just not on. I suppose we should be grateful she didn't gift us with a Golem.
I wouldn't have minded quite so much if she'd declared this was an alternative history, though to make that work you do have to be a bit cleverer than this (and using the Kabala as a lame plot device is cheap in any case). For a really good alternative historical novel set in the 17thC and featuring essential alchemy, read Neal Stephenson's Baroque Trilogy. Please.
The characters are again cartoonish and devoid of any depth or subtlety, the plot is convoluted and improbable, the descriptive writing overdone. What really gets my goat, though, is the apparently wilful disregard for historical, scientific, and even grammatical fact, things that take a second to check, though anyone with her apparent credentials should not need to do so. Here are just a few howlers:
Magnus Opus
Ouch! Even ice-cream makers know it's a MagnuM Opus.
Foundling Orphan Home: she hasn't corrected the mistake she made in the first book. There was no Foundling Hospital in pre-Fire London. There were two City Orphanages and they weren't run by nuns.
Louise 'Keroulle': Another grotesque mistake repeated from the first book. The author doesn't even
spell her name correctly. Louise de Keroualle was not the King's Mistress until after 1670. She had no brother George. and was made Duchess of Portsmouth in 1673.
There was no Earl of Clarence in 1666.There was a rather famous Earl of Clarendon, whose daughter was married to James, Duke of York.
Lucy Walter died in 1658. She was only about ten years older than Barbara Palmer, nee Villiers (who of course was never known as Barbara Castlemaine. Lady Castlemaine, yes).
Lord Mayor Sir Thomas Bloodworth is never mentioned, though it was his indecision that allowed the fire to spread. The author betrays a deep ignorance about the City altogether.
Her knowledge of London itself is very sketchy, though she appears to have found a map since writing the first book. However, a very quick glance at wikipedia would have told her Bedlam was never anywhere near the Bridewell. It was governed by the Bridewell board, but they were two entirely different buildings separated by half of London. Nor did either of them abut the Strand.
Fleet weddings didn't start until 1696.
And London Stone - she knows that it was always in Cannon Street, so why does she suddenly place it in Poultry, streets away? It's even marked quite clearly on Pre-Fire maps of London.
But perhaps the silliest part of the book has to do with alchemy. The sheer mess of allusion to what was a highly sophisticated and well-documented procedure is not worth untangling. The Sealed Knot symbol is not an alchemical one; the symbol resembling a 4 is Jupiter, or tin, not caustic potash; the chymical wedding is the whole alchemical process which she is either too lazy to research or doesn't think her readers are capable of understanding. And dropping the Kabala into this unholy brew is frankly just not on. I suppose we should be grateful she didn't gift us with a Golem.
I wouldn't have minded quite so much if she'd declared this was an alternative history, though to make that work you do have to be a bit cleverer than this (and using the Kabala as a lame plot device is cheap in any case). For a really good alternative historical novel set in the 17thC and featuring essential alchemy, read Neal Stephenson's Baroque Trilogy. Please.
October 7, 2018
3.25 stars
The second book in the Thief Taker series is set during the great London fire of 1666. In fact, the fire itself is used here as a plot to destroy England and bring down King Charles II. This time Charlie Tuesday has to team up with Lily Boswell, a cunning and resourceful gyspy woman, to ferret out the source of the plot. They each have their own reasons but decide that pooling their talents is better than going it alone.
Charlie's love interest from the first book, Maria, seems to be out of the picture and that suits me just fine. I never warmed to her and Lily seems like a much better match for Charlie and his lifestyle. Not that romance is a real factor in this book since both Charlie and Lily spend most of the story on the run and little things like survival are priority #1. For Charlie's part, I was relieved that there was no pining for Maria and not even a real sense of remorse at the loss of her. He seems to know that it was for the best, for both of them.
Much like the Matthew Corbett series, this series seems to be shaping up to have more of a focus on action-adventure than your straight-up mystery is wont to have. It's told in third person and offers more than just Charlie's POV. That's actually a negative for me with this story because I was most interested in following Charlie and Lily as they raced around London. But we also get the villain's third person POV as well as the goings-on in King Charles' castle. I understand needing the villain's POV, weird as it is, but I could've done without all the behind-the-scenes cattiness of the multiple royal mistresses. There are some events in the story that belie believability but it's still entertaining.
The second book in the Thief Taker series is set during the great London fire of 1666. In fact, the fire itself is used here as a plot to destroy England and bring down King Charles II. This time Charlie Tuesday has to team up with Lily Boswell, a cunning and resourceful gyspy woman, to ferret out the source of the plot. They each have their own reasons but decide that pooling their talents is better than going it alone.
Charlie's love interest from the first book, Maria, seems to be out of the picture and that suits me just fine. I never warmed to her and Lily seems like a much better match for Charlie and his lifestyle. Not that romance is a real factor in this book since both Charlie and Lily spend most of the story on the run and little things like survival are priority #1. For Charlie's part, I was relieved that there was no pining for Maria and not even a real sense of remorse at the loss of her. He seems to know that it was for the best, for both of them.
Much like the Matthew Corbett series, this series seems to be shaping up to have more of a focus on action-adventure than your straight-up mystery is wont to have. It's told in third person and offers more than just Charlie's POV. That's actually a negative for me with this story because I was most interested in following Charlie and Lily as they raced around London. But we also get the villain's third person POV as well as the goings-on in King Charles' castle. I understand needing the villain's POV, weird as it is, but I could've done without all the behind-the-scenes cattiness of the multiple royal mistresses. There are some events in the story that belie believability but it's still entertaining.
October 22, 2015
this was given to me by net galley for a honest review.
easy going read but the character seemed more progressed than the first novel but this sequel was better than the first book as we continue the saga of charlie tuesday in search of his heritage with the great fire of london as the backdrop, liked the new character of lily as charlie's sidekick.
easy going read but the character seemed more progressed than the first novel but this sequel was better than the first book as we continue the saga of charlie tuesday in search of his heritage with the great fire of london as the backdrop, liked the new character of lily as charlie's sidekick.
August 14, 2018
In this second installment of Quinn’s Thief Taker series, Charlie Tuesday finds himself on the hunt for a sea chest which contains papers that have the potential to bring civil war back to England. He and his reluctant new sidekick, a young Gypsy woman name Lily, have to race to find the papers before they burn in the Great Fire of London.
I cheerfully confess that I began reading this series because the first installment, The Thief Taker, was all about the bubonic plague. We all know I have an unhealthy fascination with plague. But this book was kind of a meandering mess. Charlie and Lily run from one clue to another, the fire destroys stuff, the bad guy Blackstone gets badder and crazier, and eventually they find what they are looking for and figure out the mystery. It was actually quite long and rather boring for what could have been a much more interesting story.
I don’t know a ton about that time period – I’m a medievalist, so the 1660s are too modern for me! – but I think this was not a very accurate book. The descriptions of the city didn’t mesh with what I know of historic London. I also don’t know about the Duke of Clarence.
Also, it’s magnum opus, not magnus opus. Jesus.
The pacing was another problem for me. While I enjoy a fast-paced book as much as anyone, things happened in this book too fast and without any real purpose. It was like that movie Speed, just too much going on and most of it was eye-roll worthy.
The narrator, Napoleon Ryan, literally was all that kept me listening to this. He did a fantastic job, doing different voices and accents. I could listen to him narrate a lot of things, even if the story isn’t all that compelling.
I cheerfully confess that I began reading this series because the first installment, The Thief Taker, was all about the bubonic plague. We all know I have an unhealthy fascination with plague. But this book was kind of a meandering mess. Charlie and Lily run from one clue to another, the fire destroys stuff, the bad guy Blackstone gets badder and crazier, and eventually they find what they are looking for and figure out the mystery. It was actually quite long and rather boring for what could have been a much more interesting story.
I don’t know a ton about that time period – I’m a medievalist, so the 1660s are too modern for me! – but I think this was not a very accurate book. The descriptions of the city didn’t mesh with what I know of historic London. I also don’t know about the Duke of Clarence.
Also, it’s magnum opus, not magnus opus. Jesus.
The pacing was another problem for me. While I enjoy a fast-paced book as much as anyone, things happened in this book too fast and without any real purpose. It was like that movie Speed, just too much going on and most of it was eye-roll worthy.
The narrator, Napoleon Ryan, literally was all that kept me listening to this. He did a fantastic job, doing different voices and accents. I could listen to him narrate a lot of things, even if the story isn’t all that compelling.
September 5, 2019
The second book in the series is not much better. It might even be worse than the first book.
I do not have much knowledge about London in time of Charles II, nor of London in general (well, a bit more than the "common" German, but far from any Londoner or historian), but even I was struck by a few things that made me research the situations a bit, and then cringe inwardly. The one that I found most annoying was situating Bedlam directly next to (or in the same building as) Brideswell prison. Then there was all the muddled Alchemy stuff, and the Gog and Magog thing. But there are so many more I did not know about, it is staggering.
Of course, there is a disclaimer at the beginning of the book: "This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously." However, I think that is a poor excuse. Yes, of course this is fiction, but it aims at being historical fiction, and as such it should have certain (research) standards. And not go and say "hey, sorry that things are not realistic, or would be plain wrong, but you know what? - it's all just make-believe anyway, so I can save myself a lot of grief and additional work, and just do as I please".
Unfortunately, that is not why I think this book is worse than the first. In the first novel, there were a lot of coincidences and favourable turns of events that made sure the story stayed interesting or moved along. Now, in the second novel, an image begins to form as to why the first novel was the way it was. What these novels tell are actually two stories - the story of Charlie Tuesday and his background (lost in the past), as well as the story of a historical (let's still call it that, even if - well, disclaimer mentioned above) event or episode. That is not uncommon. What is, however, unfortunate, is that these two stories vie for attention, fight for the spotlight, and drag one another down. They clash and clang into each other, and they just do not gel. In the long run none of those really gets the attention it deserves. And that is a pity, because it makes these stories just...
...well, just not work. What we have is a story about a protagonist that the author strongarmed into consecutive interesting historical events, so that the framework is not "just another tale of Stuard times", but "wow, a tale set at one of the most harrowing events in London history".
Not to mention the change that the antagonist undergoes, including basically retconning his personality traits emergent in the first novel, to better fit the character needed in this one. To be honest, I am glad this is over and done with (at least I hope so). Because, as audio-book fast food goes, these books are okay, but if I hear one more Frankensteined Blackstone version, I'm gonna give up on the rest of them.
I do not have much knowledge about London in time of Charles II, nor of London in general (well, a bit more than the "common" German, but far from any Londoner or historian), but even I was struck by a few things that made me research the situations a bit, and then cringe inwardly. The one that I found most annoying was situating Bedlam directly next to (or in the same building as) Brideswell prison. Then there was all the muddled Alchemy stuff, and the Gog and Magog thing. But there are so many more I did not know about, it is staggering.
Of course, there is a disclaimer at the beginning of the book: "This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously." However, I think that is a poor excuse. Yes, of course this is fiction, but it aims at being historical fiction, and as such it should have certain (research) standards. And not go and say "hey, sorry that things are not realistic, or would be plain wrong, but you know what? - it's all just make-believe anyway, so I can save myself a lot of grief and additional work, and just do as I please".
Unfortunately, that is not why I think this book is worse than the first. In the first novel, there were a lot of coincidences and favourable turns of events that made sure the story stayed interesting or moved along. Now, in the second novel, an image begins to form as to why the first novel was the way it was. What these novels tell are actually two stories - the story of Charlie Tuesday and his background (lost in the past), as well as the story of a historical (let's still call it that, even if - well, disclaimer mentioned above) event or episode. That is not uncommon. What is, however, unfortunate, is that these two stories vie for attention, fight for the spotlight, and drag one another down. They clash and clang into each other, and they just do not gel. In the long run none of those really gets the attention it deserves. And that is a pity, because it makes these stories just...
...well, just not work. What we have is a story about a protagonist that the author strongarmed into consecutive interesting historical events, so that the framework is not "just another tale of Stuard times", but "wow, a tale set at one of the most harrowing events in London history".
Not to mention the change that the antagonist undergoes, including basically retconning his personality traits emergent in the first novel, to better fit the character needed in this one. To be honest, I am glad this is over and done with (at least I hope so). Because, as audio-book fast food goes, these books are okay, but if I hear one more Frankensteined Blackstone version, I'm gonna give up on the rest of them.
September 13, 2021
Fire Catcher (The Thief Taker Series, Book 2), by C. S. Quinn, (Thomas & Mercer), 542 pages, release date 10 November, 2015
A little over a year ago, I reviewed the first book in C. S. Quinn’s Thief Taker series (titled, not surprisingly, The Thief Taker). My response to the title was mixed. It offered an interesting protagonist and was set in a fascinating historical period. On the other hand, it read as a romance more than anything else and—despite an interesting premise—didn’t do as much with the time period as it might have.
Fire Catcher picks up not long after The Thief Taker ended and marks a real improvement in the series. This time the book is set during London’s Great Fire of 1666. As the details of his background slowly emerge, the protagonist, Charlie Tuesday, is becoming a richer presence. The tensions between Protestants and Catholics at the time receive greater emphasis. Quinn also involves more historical figures, including many members of the court. In other words, Quinn is now making use of the potential of this historical period, rather than using it as a faintly painted backdrop.
Fire Catcher offers readers a central plot that’s both twisted and compelling. Blackstone, the villain, is a former Catholic radical who was active in the effort to return King Charles to the throne. However, he feels he’s been betrayed by his confederates and is determined to destroy all of London (and to accomplish some rather creepy dark magic at the same time) by fire bombing the city’s many guild halls. This plot plays rather freely with history, but it works—and Quinn’s depictions of the fire’s ravages are striking, even if the fire’s cause is improbable.
When I finished The Thief Taker, I was uncertain about this series. Having read Fire Catcher, I’m now most definitely looking forward to the next opportunity to spend some time with Charlie Tuesday.
A little over a year ago, I reviewed the first book in C. S. Quinn’s Thief Taker series (titled, not surprisingly, The Thief Taker). My response to the title was mixed. It offered an interesting protagonist and was set in a fascinating historical period. On the other hand, it read as a romance more than anything else and—despite an interesting premise—didn’t do as much with the time period as it might have.
Fire Catcher picks up not long after The Thief Taker ended and marks a real improvement in the series. This time the book is set during London’s Great Fire of 1666. As the details of his background slowly emerge, the protagonist, Charlie Tuesday, is becoming a richer presence. The tensions between Protestants and Catholics at the time receive greater emphasis. Quinn also involves more historical figures, including many members of the court. In other words, Quinn is now making use of the potential of this historical period, rather than using it as a faintly painted backdrop.
Fire Catcher offers readers a central plot that’s both twisted and compelling. Blackstone, the villain, is a former Catholic radical who was active in the effort to return King Charles to the throne. However, he feels he’s been betrayed by his confederates and is determined to destroy all of London (and to accomplish some rather creepy dark magic at the same time) by fire bombing the city’s many guild halls. This plot plays rather freely with history, but it works—and Quinn’s depictions of the fire’s ravages are striking, even if the fire’s cause is improbable.
When I finished The Thief Taker, I was uncertain about this series. Having read Fire Catcher, I’m now most definitely looking forward to the next opportunity to spend some time with Charlie Tuesday.
September 22, 2019
Great historical fiction book with well developed characters
April 30, 2022
A nice tidy ending to the back stories and a surprise history treat at the end of the book
June 15, 2020
I like historical fictions that revolve around real events or people so this was a pretty good book, ill def continue to read this series!
November 10, 2015
My Review: This was a well-researched historical mystery set within an interesting era - the great London fire in the 17th century. It also focuses on London's underbelly of alchemy, treacherous and lecherous government officials and Charlie Tuesday, a Thief Taker, who is trying to find out the mysteries surrounding his family.
While there is a lot of political intrigue (not my cuppa tea) it was the storyline surrounding Charlie trying to figure out his own past that kept me reading this book. He's a fun and charming character who has a lot of energy and, as a Thief Taker, scurries all over London capturing thieves and returning lost merchandise. Lily, a young gypsy spy with a penchant for trouble herself, holds her own with Charlie and is a great sidekick of sorts as the two of them tackle some rather big and scary adversaries in their quest to find out the truth.
Action lovers will enjoy many high action scenes and while there is a fantasy aspect it is in the background but I feel that it fit well with the overall plot and era. It was the continued antics of court life and some of their scheming that I didn't enjoy. It went on for too long and negatively influenced the pace and my interest in the book. The book also felt overly long and could have been cut down a bit.
This is actually the second book in a series but even though I had never read the first book, The Thief Taker, I found this to be an easy book to get into and I never felt like I was missing anything. People who like a healthy dose of history, intrigue and some solid main characters should enjoy this book.
My Rating: 3/5 stars
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary e-book copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
**This book review can also be found on my blog, The Baking Bookworm (www.thebakingbookworm.blogspot.ca) where I share hundreds of book reviews and my favourite recipes. **
While there is a lot of political intrigue (not my cuppa tea) it was the storyline surrounding Charlie trying to figure out his own past that kept me reading this book. He's a fun and charming character who has a lot of energy and, as a Thief Taker, scurries all over London capturing thieves and returning lost merchandise. Lily, a young gypsy spy with a penchant for trouble herself, holds her own with Charlie and is a great sidekick of sorts as the two of them tackle some rather big and scary adversaries in their quest to find out the truth.
Action lovers will enjoy many high action scenes and while there is a fantasy aspect it is in the background but I feel that it fit well with the overall plot and era. It was the continued antics of court life and some of their scheming that I didn't enjoy. It went on for too long and negatively influenced the pace and my interest in the book. The book also felt overly long and could have been cut down a bit.
This is actually the second book in a series but even though I had never read the first book, The Thief Taker, I found this to be an easy book to get into and I never felt like I was missing anything. People who like a healthy dose of history, intrigue and some solid main characters should enjoy this book.
My Rating: 3/5 stars
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary e-book copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
**This book review can also be found on my blog, The Baking Bookworm (www.thebakingbookworm.blogspot.ca) where I share hundreds of book reviews and my favourite recipes. **
December 3, 2015
The story bounces along and carries the reader with it.
This is the second in the Thief Catcher series of the adventures of Charlie Tuesday but can be read and enjoyed by those who haven’t read the first book. I hadn’t and didn’t feel I had missed anything.
The story focuses on Charlie and his exploits. His past is central to the plot which revolves around the fire of London in 1666 and who might benefit from the destruction of the city. The villain of the piece is Master Blackstone who knew Charlie’s mother. She gave Charlie a key when he was very young and what it unlocks is central to the novel. It seems that everyone wants to get their hands on it.
The story is very atmospheric and perfectly depicts the division between aristocracy and the plebs. King Charles and his court play a major role in the action and add to the feeling that this book, as well as being well written, has also been well researched. I learned many things I didn’t know before which is always a bonus.
Anyone who knows London even a little will feel right at home in the streets as Charlie dashes from one crisis to another accompanied by Lily, his romantic foil. Can he trust her though or is it just his key she is after?
The denouement takes place in the only possible location – St Paul’s (pre Wren) – and what an ending. The pace of the story leaves the reader almost breathless and the action relentlessly keeps on coming. I will be reading the first in the series and look forward to the next. First class. Highly recommended.
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received an advanced copy of the book to review.
This is the second in the Thief Catcher series of the adventures of Charlie Tuesday but can be read and enjoyed by those who haven’t read the first book. I hadn’t and didn’t feel I had missed anything.
The story focuses on Charlie and his exploits. His past is central to the plot which revolves around the fire of London in 1666 and who might benefit from the destruction of the city. The villain of the piece is Master Blackstone who knew Charlie’s mother. She gave Charlie a key when he was very young and what it unlocks is central to the novel. It seems that everyone wants to get their hands on it.
The story is very atmospheric and perfectly depicts the division between aristocracy and the plebs. King Charles and his court play a major role in the action and add to the feeling that this book, as well as being well written, has also been well researched. I learned many things I didn’t know before which is always a bonus.
Anyone who knows London even a little will feel right at home in the streets as Charlie dashes from one crisis to another accompanied by Lily, his romantic foil. Can he trust her though or is it just his key she is after?
The denouement takes place in the only possible location – St Paul’s (pre Wren) – and what an ending. The pace of the story leaves the reader almost breathless and the action relentlessly keeps on coming. I will be reading the first in the series and look forward to the next. First class. Highly recommended.
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received an advanced copy of the book to review.
March 16, 2016
Amazing book. Loved it from start to finish. Must admit to being biased when I chose to read this as I've read the first in this series awhile back, and fell in love with the narrative. The characters are so witty and tug at your heartstrings even the villain of the story Thomas Blackstone.
In this book, I loved the introduction of the royal family - namely Charles and James Stuart, King of England and Duke of York, their escapades with women and how they came to be back in London after living in Holland for so long.
Definitely recommending this one to all my book-loving friends.
You can find a longer review at my blog:
https://whereathousandwordspaintapict...
In this book, I loved the introduction of the royal family - namely Charles and James Stuart, King of England and Duke of York, their escapades with women and how they came to be back in London after living in Holland for so long.
Definitely recommending this one to all my book-loving friends.
You can find a longer review at my blog:
https://whereathousandwordspaintapict...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2016
Implausible hero who survives anything. Setting interesting and an adventurous tale. I got tired of the hero.
December 31, 2019
This book picks up some time after Thief Catcher, but many of our characters return. This time around, Charlie is pulled into a mystery surrounding his key as the Great Fire sweeps through London.
Fire Catcher feels overly long. In the beginning, the cliffhanger chapters provided a nice way of building suspense and keeping intrigue. However, towards the end, this ploy is maddening, feeling more as an attempt to stretch the book to its final length. Also, there are plenty of characters who I feel have now become unnecessary - if we’re focused on this “great secret”, why do we need to know about the king and his court? In the end, they hardly provide anything towards the plot.
The two main characters felt very one dimensional. Our hero Charlie is also a man without flaw. Every time he runs into an obstacle, he figures out how to overcome it relatively quickly. There’s never a true moment where he’s completely defeated and struggling to rise again. For example, when he comes to after knocking himself out, he’s instantly picked up and directed to a prison that conveniently imprisoned Lily.
Lily herself seems like an interesting character. However, she’s like a female version of Charlie - not a thief taker, but she is a thief armed with knives and instantly providing information whenever Charlie can’t figure something out.
Now with our villain, I’m quite surprised to find out his role in the Great Fire. His motivations appear solid - he wants to purify his wife’s soul. Maybe it’s because his sister’s death unhinged him, but why didn’t he attempt to do this before in The Thief Taker?
Finally, the pacing. The biggest problem I have is that it doesn’t feel like there’s a fire happening. I normally think of fire as fast moving, and yet it feels like the fire is happening at a snail’s pace. Charlie points it out so we have an idea of where it’s happening and so that it builds up tension, but the characters spend so much time doing their task that it feels like the fire is miles away. Reading through the chapters, I noticed a formula starting to emerge:
1. Charlie notes where the fire is and determines he has time to finish his task.
2. They go in, look around, mull over what they find.
3. The fire reaches them and they have to devise a cunning way to escape.
This formula happens over and over again, and what results is another (but longer) cat-and-mouse chase with a lackluster payoff. I did not particularly enjoy what the great secret was since I was expecting something completely different and completely about Charlie’s bloodline.
Fire Catcher feels overly long. In the beginning, the cliffhanger chapters provided a nice way of building suspense and keeping intrigue. However, towards the end, this ploy is maddening, feeling more as an attempt to stretch the book to its final length. Also, there are plenty of characters who I feel have now become unnecessary - if we’re focused on this “great secret”, why do we need to know about the king and his court? In the end, they hardly provide anything towards the plot.
The two main characters felt very one dimensional. Our hero Charlie is also a man without flaw. Every time he runs into an obstacle, he figures out how to overcome it relatively quickly. There’s never a true moment where he’s completely defeated and struggling to rise again. For example, when he comes to after knocking himself out, he’s instantly picked up and directed to a prison that conveniently imprisoned Lily.
Lily herself seems like an interesting character. However, she’s like a female version of Charlie - not a thief taker, but she is a thief armed with knives and instantly providing information whenever Charlie can’t figure something out.
Now with our villain, I’m quite surprised to find out his role in the Great Fire. His motivations appear solid - he wants to purify his wife’s soul. Maybe it’s because his sister’s death unhinged him, but why didn’t he attempt to do this before in The Thief Taker?
Finally, the pacing. The biggest problem I have is that it doesn’t feel like there’s a fire happening. I normally think of fire as fast moving, and yet it feels like the fire is happening at a snail’s pace. Charlie points it out so we have an idea of where it’s happening and so that it builds up tension, but the characters spend so much time doing their task that it feels like the fire is miles away. Reading through the chapters, I noticed a formula starting to emerge:
1. Charlie notes where the fire is and determines he has time to finish his task.
2. They go in, look around, mull over what they find.
3. The fire reaches them and they have to devise a cunning way to escape.
This formula happens over and over again, and what results is another (but longer) cat-and-mouse chase with a lackluster payoff. I did not particularly enjoy what the great secret was since I was expecting something completely different and completely about Charlie’s bloodline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2019
As with her previous book, “Thief Taker”, C S Quinn has done a sterling job of combining thorough historical research with readable characters to create a story that grabs hold and does not let go until it is finished.
The story picks up with Charlie Tuesday several months after Thief Taker. He witnesses a young woman, a high-class prostitute, stealing from a wealthy client. In chasing her, it becomes apparent that she knows the secret - or at least part of it - of the key that his long-dead mother left with him, that he wears around his neck. And so begins a game of cat-and-mouse between them, set against the backdrop of the Great Fire of London.
Meanwhile, a dangerous man, who has connections with and protection from the guilds, is the one setting London on fire around them. This is the man that she had been working for, but whose intentions are now showing more signs of madness, terror and destruction than simple greed.
Gradually they realise that they have to work together if they are to survive and save even some of the people of London.
As they are racing across London, the newly reinstated King Charles II is trying to find out what is happening in his capital, but is being distracted and thwarted by his well-meaning courtiers and the man’s agents.
As I mentioned earlier, this book has been so well researched. It is very clear that the detail that Ms Quinn puts in has been picked from its archaeological and historical setting, cleaned, polished and put together into a fresh reconstruction which does it justice, and makes for a very exciting, well-plotted, well-paced novel.
I loved this book and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or a crime thriller.
The story picks up with Charlie Tuesday several months after Thief Taker. He witnesses a young woman, a high-class prostitute, stealing from a wealthy client. In chasing her, it becomes apparent that she knows the secret - or at least part of it - of the key that his long-dead mother left with him, that he wears around his neck. And so begins a game of cat-and-mouse between them, set against the backdrop of the Great Fire of London.
Meanwhile, a dangerous man, who has connections with and protection from the guilds, is the one setting London on fire around them. This is the man that she had been working for, but whose intentions are now showing more signs of madness, terror and destruction than simple greed.
Gradually they realise that they have to work together if they are to survive and save even some of the people of London.
As they are racing across London, the newly reinstated King Charles II is trying to find out what is happening in his capital, but is being distracted and thwarted by his well-meaning courtiers and the man’s agents.
As I mentioned earlier, this book has been so well researched. It is very clear that the detail that Ms Quinn puts in has been picked from its archaeological and historical setting, cleaned, polished and put together into a fresh reconstruction which does it justice, and makes for a very exciting, well-plotted, well-paced novel.
I loved this book and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or a crime thriller.
September 29, 2021
The second outing for Charlie the Thief taker has him racing through a London burning in the Great Fire trying to figure out why there seems to be someone fanning the conflagration by judicious explosions trying to direct the path of the fire. There seems to some strange connection between the fire starter's action and Charlie himself or rather the key that represents his only link with the past. What does the key fit? Why would any one try to obtain it from him? What is the connection with the lost "Brotherhood?" Some reviewers of the first novel had problems with the historical accuracy and I admit I noticed a few error, the fact that Lucy Walter is in England and tolerated by Charles II is one that comes to mind, but the historical elements that are known about the slums of London at the time are few and far between yet the essence of what common peoples lives were like is so convincing and atmospheric that I didn't mind. After all in creating a mystery out of historical events often rely on tweaking the facts a bit. I have certainly read more egregious examples not only in historical mysteries but novels that were based on much more well known individuals. I do read actual history books by reputable authors and have read works that have had worse errors. In those I feel free to nitpick all I want but novels like movies or television shows I expect to employ a certain suspension of disbelief. Watch the "The Tudors" or "Reign" or don't if historical inaccuracy bugs you. At least "Game of Thrones" didn't purport to be history although it was based on the War of Roses.
February 25, 2020
This second book featuring Charlie Tuesday sees him chasing leads to the mystery of his key through smoke and flames as London burns.
It's 1666 and a small fire in Pudding Lane has taken hold and started to spread, devastating the city. Alongside Lily, a young gypsy woman who recognises the symbol on his key, Charlie is looking for the monster of his childhood and the papers he remembers his mother hiding before she was killed.
As the fire rampages through London, Charlie draws on his network of friends and helpers, using his wits and his extraordinary memory to map a way through the burning city before the flames destroy everything.
Alongside Charlie's desperate quest, we also get glimpses of the royal court as Charles II, his brother James, several of the king's mistresses and one of his generals and ministers also face the reality of the capital being consumed by flames.
The author draws a vivid picture of the Great Fire of London. It burns, crackles and sears off the page. As a former cinder thief, Charlie has knowledge of how fires work to rival a modern-day firefighter. It helps him twist and turn through the burning streets, staying little more than one step and a jump away from a fiery death.
It's interesting to learn more about Charlie's history and there is more story to be explored there. He's a great character, brave, resourceful and practical, and Lily is a feisty addition to the cast of characters. The only thing I do wonder about Charlie though is why he never hides his key inside his shirt. So many people have an interest in it, it would seem sensible to hide it!
It's 1666 and a small fire in Pudding Lane has taken hold and started to spread, devastating the city. Alongside Lily, a young gypsy woman who recognises the symbol on his key, Charlie is looking for the monster of his childhood and the papers he remembers his mother hiding before she was killed.
As the fire rampages through London, Charlie draws on his network of friends and helpers, using his wits and his extraordinary memory to map a way through the burning city before the flames destroy everything.
Alongside Charlie's desperate quest, we also get glimpses of the royal court as Charles II, his brother James, several of the king's mistresses and one of his generals and ministers also face the reality of the capital being consumed by flames.
The author draws a vivid picture of the Great Fire of London. It burns, crackles and sears off the page. As a former cinder thief, Charlie has knowledge of how fires work to rival a modern-day firefighter. It helps him twist and turn through the burning streets, staying little more than one step and a jump away from a fiery death.
It's interesting to learn more about Charlie's history and there is more story to be explored there. He's a great character, brave, resourceful and practical, and Lily is a feisty addition to the cast of characters. The only thing I do wonder about Charlie though is why he never hides his key inside his shirt. So many people have an interest in it, it would seem sensible to hide it!
January 16, 2019
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one, it seemed to drag a bit and have far too many extraneous characters that didn't particularly add a lot to the world-building or the story.
But once I got into it this was enjoyable, as with the first book with the plague victims, the description of London burning around Charlie was done well and I was able to easily imagine that I was there with these wooden houses on fire and smoke filling the air.
I didn't enjoy Lily as much as I did Maria, but in terms of fit I can see Lily being in a longer term relationship with Charlie as they share the same lifestyle. I do hope Lily stays around for the remaining two books as if we have a new 'love interest' each book I'd be rather unimpressed.
Blackstone is back as the villain of the piece but I much preferred his more hidden presence in the first book than the obvious villain he is in this. And as for the mystery of the sea chest and the hidden papers... for me this was too easily resolved considering the build up over two books. I'm interested to see if it is brought up again in the coming books given the resolution here as it just feels too neat and tidy.
Not a strong second entry in the series but not a terrible book either. I think describing this as 'meh - it's ok' is about right but I'll be generous and give it three stars as I did like it in the end.
But once I got into it this was enjoyable, as with the first book with the plague victims, the description of London burning around Charlie was done well and I was able to easily imagine that I was there with these wooden houses on fire and smoke filling the air.
I didn't enjoy Lily as much as I did Maria, but in terms of fit I can see Lily being in a longer term relationship with Charlie as they share the same lifestyle. I do hope Lily stays around for the remaining two books as if we have a new 'love interest' each book I'd be rather unimpressed.
Blackstone is back as the villain of the piece but I much preferred his more hidden presence in the first book than the obvious villain he is in this. And as for the mystery of the sea chest and the hidden papers... for me this was too easily resolved considering the build up over two books. I'm interested to see if it is brought up again in the coming books given the resolution here as it just feels too neat and tidy.
Not a strong second entry in the series but not a terrible book either. I think describing this as 'meh - it's ok' is about right but I'll be generous and give it three stars as I did like it in the end.
September 11, 2023
Hooked - again! :)
Ok, this book (just like the first masterpiece in this series), was experienced through my headhones, via audio book, and i have to say that from all the books i've read or listened to, (which is a lot over approx a 20yr period of 'solid' book devotion), this is possibly only the 2nd time ever that i have found myself compelled to talk to the characters in the story -- out loud -- warning them of some danger ahead or walking them through some emotion they don't know they were feeling yet... (The 1st time was while reading Jude the Obscure...my outbursts were justified then too).
My family were briefly concerned about me having these 'one-way conversations' but they quickly adjusted to this being the new norm.
The way the story & the characters are written, 'force' you to become involved.
Once again, I was hooked.
Charlie, and his heart of gold, needs to (or rather, i need him to), have some good fortune now, whether that be financially or through love...he's just too good & kind not to get some good stuff going his way :)
Thank you to C.S Quinn, for another excellent adventure!
Ok, this book (just like the first masterpiece in this series), was experienced through my headhones, via audio book, and i have to say that from all the books i've read or listened to, (which is a lot over approx a 20yr period of 'solid' book devotion), this is possibly only the 2nd time ever that i have found myself compelled to talk to the characters in the story -- out loud -- warning them of some danger ahead or walking them through some emotion they don't know they were feeling yet... (The 1st time was while reading Jude the Obscure...my outbursts were justified then too).
My family were briefly concerned about me having these 'one-way conversations' but they quickly adjusted to this being the new norm.
The way the story & the characters are written, 'force' you to become involved.
Once again, I was hooked.
Charlie, and his heart of gold, needs to (or rather, i need him to), have some good fortune now, whether that be financially or through love...he's just too good & kind not to get some good stuff going his way :)
Thank you to C.S Quinn, for another excellent adventure!
July 21, 2017
I did not love this book as much as the first installment. I found the fiction in historical fiction to be truer. There are events, places, people that are referred to in this book that are not accurate. Having said this, I thought the story was entertaining if you can let go of "fake history" and just enjoy the story. The realism of the characters is also over the top for me in this book. In the first book Charlie does make some leaps in knowledge that would not have been afforded to someone of his breading in the 17th century. This book leaps even taller buildings. I found myself saying...how could you know that in 17th C England? I enjoyed the book enough to keep the third one on my to read list, but I am much more leery. I did enjoy the female character more in this book than in the first one. I would not read this book again...although I rarely re-read books.
December 4, 2017
This was an okay book. I have kindle unlimited free for three months, and thought I would give this a go, as the audiobook version was free.
The narrator is fantastic, his voices were all distinct and his female voices were great.
The plot follows the first book, which I vaguely remember reading a few years ago
I think you could read this one okay without reading the first book. The first book is set in London during the plague, and then this follows during the great fire of London.
Charlie Tuesday is the hero, with a new character, a gypsy called Lily. They are both really resourceful, so much so that it's hard to feel any real fear for them, as they do so well at escaping from danger.
The book could easily have been 100 pages shorter, as at times it dragged.
Due to the great narrator, I will probably listen to the final book while I have unlimited for free.
The narrator is fantastic, his voices were all distinct and his female voices were great.
The plot follows the first book, which I vaguely remember reading a few years ago
I think you could read this one okay without reading the first book. The first book is set in London during the plague, and then this follows during the great fire of London.
Charlie Tuesday is the hero, with a new character, a gypsy called Lily. They are both really resourceful, so much so that it's hard to feel any real fear for them, as they do so well at escaping from danger.
The book could easily have been 100 pages shorter, as at times it dragged.
Due to the great narrator, I will probably listen to the final book while I have unlimited for free.
February 22, 2020
I’m not sure what to make of this book. It rattles along at a fast pace and is easy to read. It doesn’t give much time to character development and I found this to be a weakness. The Fire of London is used in a plot to unseat the king. The main character Charlie shows an amazing and at times unbelievable ability to overcome all obstacles, aided by Lily a gypsy woman with a way with knives and cards. I felt the novel has a good feel for the mayhem and panic that the fire must have engendered, with lynching of Catholics, Dutch and French who were accused of starting the fire. There were certainly a lot more deaths than were recorded, mostly among the poor and vulnerable. But for a historical novel there are glaring errors. For instance, Lucy Walter died 8 years before she is depicted here. Also I believe the London Stone was not where the novel says. This is disappointing.
March 3, 2020
As historical events would have it, this one deals with The Great Fire of London. After a few months together, Maria left Charlie on account to their differing definitions of 'stability' and Maria's conflicting and confused knowledge of Charlie's character... she did not really know him otherwise she would not have wanted to change him. Contrary to what Charlie thought about Blackstone, he did not die of the plague though he got infected by it and his plan of punishing the king for his betrayal have taken a convoluted and diabolical plot involving young disassociated apprentices from the different guilds by luring them into his secret society of the oppressed and giving them food, kindness and purpose while taking their passwords to gain entry into their premises and plant gunpowder to be ignited by said sacrificial lambs using Blackstone's own 'blue fire' that he learned while dabbling in alchemy and joining the Soapmakers Guild. Blackstone's marriage and the contents of the Dutch chest would also be revealed. This is full of blistering adventure and heated anticipation to the answers of the mysteries surrounding Charlie and his connection to Blackstone and Royal plots... at least some mysteries were no longer mysteries.
September 12, 2024
I received this ARC from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for a free and honest review.
The second book in the thief taker series is set during the great fire of London. The book follows multiple characters, with the main protagonists being Charlie and Lily (a thief) who work together to solve the mystery of Charlie's origin and a long the way discover a dangerous secret. There is also a new charismatic leader who has created a new sect and is setting fires. In addition, there is a good blend between fictional and real events. Overall, a good sequel and I am eager to continue to the third instalment. Would highly recommend.
The second book in the thief taker series is set during the great fire of London. The book follows multiple characters, with the main protagonists being Charlie and Lily (a thief) who work together to solve the mystery of Charlie's origin and a long the way discover a dangerous secret. There is also a new charismatic leader who has created a new sect and is setting fires. In addition, there is a good blend between fictional and real events. Overall, a good sequel and I am eager to continue to the third instalment. Would highly recommend.
August 18, 2017
Fire Catcher is the second book in the Thief Taker series. This time Charlie meets up with Lily, a gypsy girl with an agenda of her own. Charlie is determined to find out what Blackstone is up to, and to stop him, as well as to find out the secrets in his own past.
Fire Catcher is similar to The Thief Taker, but instead of plague, Charlie is dealing with the London fire, which Fire Catcher postulates was deliberately set by someone with their own agenda. It's suspenseful, moves quickly, and Charlie and Lily are very engaging. If you enjoyed The Thief Taker, you'll enjoy Fire Catcher.
Fire Catcher is similar to The Thief Taker, but instead of plague, Charlie is dealing with the London fire, which Fire Catcher postulates was deliberately set by someone with their own agenda. It's suspenseful, moves quickly, and Charlie and Lily are very engaging. If you enjoyed The Thief Taker, you'll enjoy Fire Catcher.
June 1, 2018
I love this series but somehow I had missed this volume. Some things were not as suspenseful after reading the subsequent novels (ie. you know someone is not going to die, no matter how bad it gets, because the character appears later), but it fills in some details that I had missed. Especially the introduction of my favorite character! Again, I know nothing about the history of England so I have no idea how accurate the plot is but I loved it and the descriptions are so vivid that I think I singed my hair reading about the Great Fire of London. Very entertaining.
August 9, 2018
I enjoyed the first of this series, but this one not quite as much. It kind of seems like a rehash, with fire instead of plague, and a different girl. But she's a lot like the first girl in the first book. This book continues the series about Charlie Tuesday, the thief-taker, he's kind of like a private detective. He's still looking for his elusive family, and they are even chasing the same villain as in the first book; he managed to survive the plague and is now setting fires all over London. This book just did not hold my attention like the first one, I'm sorry to say.
September 7, 2019
Fire Catcher
The second book in the Thief Taker series finds Charlie Tuesday joining forces with Lily a gypsy girl. As the fire of London takes hold Charlie learns more about his past as he and Lily risk their lives to stop London from being destroyed completely.
If the first book in the series was good then this second book is even better. C. S. Quinn has written a book that held me from first page to last. The descriptions of the fire are amazing and so real they jump off the page.
Highly recommended.
The second book in the Thief Taker series finds Charlie Tuesday joining forces with Lily a gypsy girl. As the fire of London takes hold Charlie learns more about his past as he and Lily risk their lives to stop London from being destroyed completely.
If the first book in the series was good then this second book is even better. C. S. Quinn has written a book that held me from first page to last. The descriptions of the fire are amazing and so real they jump off the page.
Highly recommended.
June 3, 2025
I was hoping for more from this book. It didn’t help that I couldn’t not find a Book 1 “Thief Taker” for the series, so it felt like I was missing info, which I was. At times I found it hard to keep track of the characters, never like it when characters have similar names; Charlie and Charles. Author didn’t always put “King” in front of Charles, and well they basically are the same name but in this book two different characters.
I am reading book 3 only because I already bought it. Not looking for it to be any better
I am reading book 3 only because I already bought it. Not looking for it to be any better
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