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Christopher Redmayne #3
The Repentant Rake
'London is a veritable cesspool...A swamp of corruption and crime' When Sir Julius Cheever's son, a notorious rake, goes missing, and a blackmailer begins terrorising London's most dissolute fops, it seems plausible that the two events are connected. Divided by politics but united in a desire to see justice done, Christopher Redmayne and Jonathan Bale must combine forces once again. But how can they hope to find those who exploit the scandal of others, when the victims themselves will do anything to maintain their anonymity? And what of Sir Julius's son? Most feel he must have been the victim of his own, debauched appetites, but a few talk of his repentance. So where is the repentant rake? And, with only lies, rumours and gossip to work with, can Redmayne and Bale ever hope to find him?
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2001
20 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Edward Marston
227 books467 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
A pseudonym used by Keith Miles
AKA A.E. Marston
Keith Miles (born 1940) is an English author, who writes under his own name and also historical fiction and mystery novels under the pseudonym Edward Marston. He is known for his mysteries set in the world of Elizabethan theatre. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book, a series of The Railway Detective and a series of The Home Front Detective.
Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
A pseudonym used by Keith Miles
AKA A.E. Marston
Keith Miles (born 1940) is an English author, who writes under his own name and also historical fiction and mystery novels under the pseudonym Edward Marston. He is known for his mysteries set in the world of Elizabethan theatre. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book, a series of The Railway Detective and a series of The Home Front Detective.
Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 17, 2018
This novel in Edward Marston's Restoration series teams architect, and amateur sleuth, Christopher Redmayne up once more with police officer Jonathan Bale and the duo set out to discover why Sir Julius Cheever's son, Gabriel, a notorious rake and man about town, has unexpectedly disappeared.
They begin their investigations with Redmayne involved because he had just agreed a deal with Sir Julius to design a town house for him and while they are struggling to get any leads at all, a blackmailer pops up to terrorise London's most dissolute fops. Redmayne and Bale wonder whether the two incidents are connected but they have no evidence to suggest that they are.
They have even greater difficulty in tying the two events together because most of the victims of the unknown blackmailer do not want to admit that they are on the list for such treatment. So Redmayne and Bale are working in the dark. Gradually, over a period of time, as they interrogate folk about young Cheever's disappearance, evidence as to who is being blackmailed seeps out.
But this does not seem to help with the enquiries about Gabriel Cheever until a startling piece of information is discovered that puts a whole new complex on the case. By the time this happens Sir Julius is beginning to lose patience with the investigation and considers bringing someone else in to undertake the task. But his daughter Susan speaks up for Redmayne and persuades her somewhat reluctant father to allow him to continue his investigations. And while doing so Christopher Redmayne discovers facts about his rakish brother Henry Redmayne, and this leads him and Bale into even more difficult situations.
Lies, rumours and gossip fed to the pair by the people involved does not help matters but clever and diligent work eventually pays off and not only is Gabriel Cheever found but the blackmailer is also exposed in an exciting climax … and in addition some romance is in the air!
'The Repentant Rake' is, as almost always with Edward Marston, a first-rate thriller and the Restoration period setting, admirably portrayed, makes it even more exciting.
They begin their investigations with Redmayne involved because he had just agreed a deal with Sir Julius to design a town house for him and while they are struggling to get any leads at all, a blackmailer pops up to terrorise London's most dissolute fops. Redmayne and Bale wonder whether the two incidents are connected but they have no evidence to suggest that they are.
They have even greater difficulty in tying the two events together because most of the victims of the unknown blackmailer do not want to admit that they are on the list for such treatment. So Redmayne and Bale are working in the dark. Gradually, over a period of time, as they interrogate folk about young Cheever's disappearance, evidence as to who is being blackmailed seeps out.
But this does not seem to help with the enquiries about Gabriel Cheever until a startling piece of information is discovered that puts a whole new complex on the case. By the time this happens Sir Julius is beginning to lose patience with the investigation and considers bringing someone else in to undertake the task. But his daughter Susan speaks up for Redmayne and persuades her somewhat reluctant father to allow him to continue his investigations. And while doing so Christopher Redmayne discovers facts about his rakish brother Henry Redmayne, and this leads him and Bale into even more difficult situations.
Lies, rumours and gossip fed to the pair by the people involved does not help matters but clever and diligent work eventually pays off and not only is Gabriel Cheever found but the blackmailer is also exposed in an exciting climax … and in addition some romance is in the air!
'The Repentant Rake' is, as almost always with Edward Marston, a first-rate thriller and the Restoration period setting, admirably portrayed, makes it even more exciting.
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January 8, 2016
Well, this book was interesting. I should seriously stop judging books solely by covers and buying them because it's pretty.
The characters were possibly the only saving grace. They were pretty well-rounded and well-thought through characters, with the exception of maybe one or two minor characters.
The writing style was pretty bland, it reminded me at times of someone telling you a story in a pub. Often the grammar was off and the paragraph structure was abismal. I'm not even sure if it was even necessary for the story to be set in the 17th Century, those characters could have fallen into any century and adapted well - though the archtectural employment of the protagonist fits in well.
Not much else to say, the plot wasn't exactly guessable but it wasn't specifically enticing, either. All in all, a bit of a disappointment.
The characters were possibly the only saving grace. They were pretty well-rounded and well-thought through characters, with the exception of maybe one or two minor characters.
The writing style was pretty bland, it reminded me at times of someone telling you a story in a pub. Often the grammar was off and the paragraph structure was abismal. I'm not even sure if it was even necessary for the story to be set in the 17th Century, those characters could have fallen into any century and adapted well - though the archtectural employment of the protagonist fits in well.
Not much else to say, the plot wasn't exactly guessable but it wasn't specifically enticing, either. All in all, a bit of a disappointment.
July 21, 2014
I feel that this series of novels is starting to hit its stride now - the friendship between Redmayne and Bale is starting to get stronger and finally their is a proper love interest for Christopher. As always though it is the picture of London in the years after the Great Fire that really keep me reading.
December 3, 2017
This really is a fantastic series, well drawn characters, sneaky plots, great suspense, it has it all, even romance! I've been reading the books backwards in the series as I find them. PLEASE Mr. Marston, write the next volume soon? I have to know what happens with Christopher and Susan!
Read
August 23, 2015Good old mystery, Complex plot keeps you guessing
January 2, 2026
I have to say, that 'The Repentant Rake' has been the least enjoyable story so far, in this Christopher Redmayne series.
Not that the writing style or the main protagonists have taken a dip to any degree, no, nothing as drastic as that.
I just found that the plot was ever so slightly on the boring side, obviously, not the main plot either, which was the murder of Christopher Redmayne's new client, Sir Julius Cheever's son, Gabriel Cheever.
No, it was the sub-plot featuring the blackmail of Henry Redmayne and his friends, precipitated by the murder of Gabriel Cheever and the theft of his salacious 'kiss and tell' type diary which I found a tad tedious. Because although it was scandalously ruinous for those involved, at the time, for contemporary sensibilities however, it was all rather trivial, and it seemed a pretty tame affair all told! And to be perfectly honest, I'm not even sure it would have warranted a Netflix drama or a Prime documentary, if it were to happen today, haha!
As for those who were being blackmailed? Henry Redmayne besides, I just couldn't stand any of them, to a man! No, I found them all really quite detestable and I just couldn't build up any empathy or sympathy with or for the likes of Arthur Lunn, Peter Wickens, Gilbert Sparkish or indeed, Sir Marcus Kemp.
A bigger bunch of vain, self-serving, self-indulgent popinjays as you're ever likely to meet, and after being interviewed by Jonathan Bale, coming out with comments like, "The lower orders are an affront to decency!" Just made me recoil in disgust.
Jeezo! It's no wonder I had little, if any affinity for such people, I'd just as likely have left them to stew in their own juices, and by the sounds of it, they had plenty juices in which to stew.
There was also romance in the air for Christopher, involving Sir Julius's daughter, and Gabriel's sister, Susan Cheever. Now, I know there was a romantic interest for Christopher in the first book also, but fortunately it wasn't as intense as this affair, and ultimately, it came to nothing. But unfortunately here, the architect and Miss Cheever were constantly fluttering eyes at each other, to the point of total and utter distraction. I don't know if it is just down to my dislike for romance in stories, but the pair's constant flirting really did seem to detract from the main story, and I'd definitely say that it spoiled the tale, like vinegar dripping into and contaminating a water supply. Bleurghugh!
Fortunately for Henry though, it didn't distract Christopher Redmayne enough to let the culprits slip through his fingers. As per usual, the villains were eventually rounded up and caught with the minimum of fuss.
But, as well as using Gabriel Cheever's indecently open and lewdly frank diary, the blackmailers had also gotten their hands on a billet-doux that Henry Redmayne had penned and sent to the married, Lady Amelia Ulvercombe.
In the wrong hands, the unfettered love letter could have had highly egregious consequences for the lusty sender and it’s love starved recipient. And could have easily seen the amorous, yet cowardly Henry challenged to a duel by the cuckolded Lord Ulvercombe.
So, when Christopher confronted one of the blackmailers, Celia Hemmings about Henry's 'love letter', their conversation really gave me a giggle,
Christopher: "Why did you pick on him? Henry has his vices but he's essentially harmless."
Celia: "Your brother is an idiot!"
"No." Said Christopher defensively. "He's a flawed man who has occasional moments of idiocy. Just like the rest of us."
Speaking as a somewhat flawed person myself and a confirmed idiot to my boots, I wholeheartedly concur with Christopher’s sentiments there!
I also couldn’t believe, that when Christopher Redmayne finally got his hands on Gabriel Cheever’s lascivious, but well written diary at the end of the story, he blimmin’ burnt it!
Bye, bye, what could have been, a bawdy best selling book! An act I considered to be all out criminal! Cultural vandalism at the very least, for that journal could have easily became, only the seventeenth century sensation, that Samuel Pepys’s diary could have been!
All throughout the book, Henry had been pulling his hair out, delirious with stress and anxiety, at the blackmail and it's would be consequences. But once the three miscreants had been caught and were banged to rights, safely behind bars, and mainly thanks to his brother, constable Jonathan Bale and a dog called Sam, Henry's bravado was hilarious, with boastful claims that he'd always suspected Celia Hemmings!
Fantastic stuff from Henry, shameless revisionism indeed, but I just wish the rest of the tale had been slightly more interesting. Let's hope we're back to full throttle next time!
Not that the writing style or the main protagonists have taken a dip to any degree, no, nothing as drastic as that.
I just found that the plot was ever so slightly on the boring side, obviously, not the main plot either, which was the murder of Christopher Redmayne's new client, Sir Julius Cheever's son, Gabriel Cheever.
No, it was the sub-plot featuring the blackmail of Henry Redmayne and his friends, precipitated by the murder of Gabriel Cheever and the theft of his salacious 'kiss and tell' type diary which I found a tad tedious. Because although it was scandalously ruinous for those involved, at the time, for contemporary sensibilities however, it was all rather trivial, and it seemed a pretty tame affair all told! And to be perfectly honest, I'm not even sure it would have warranted a Netflix drama or a Prime documentary, if it were to happen today, haha!
As for those who were being blackmailed? Henry Redmayne besides, I just couldn't stand any of them, to a man! No, I found them all really quite detestable and I just couldn't build up any empathy or sympathy with or for the likes of Arthur Lunn, Peter Wickens, Gilbert Sparkish or indeed, Sir Marcus Kemp.
A bigger bunch of vain, self-serving, self-indulgent popinjays as you're ever likely to meet, and after being interviewed by Jonathan Bale, coming out with comments like, "The lower orders are an affront to decency!" Just made me recoil in disgust.
Jeezo! It's no wonder I had little, if any affinity for such people, I'd just as likely have left them to stew in their own juices, and by the sounds of it, they had plenty juices in which to stew.
There was also romance in the air for Christopher, involving Sir Julius's daughter, and Gabriel's sister, Susan Cheever. Now, I know there was a romantic interest for Christopher in the first book also, but fortunately it wasn't as intense as this affair, and ultimately, it came to nothing. But unfortunately here, the architect and Miss Cheever were constantly fluttering eyes at each other, to the point of total and utter distraction. I don't know if it is just down to my dislike for romance in stories, but the pair's constant flirting really did seem to detract from the main story, and I'd definitely say that it spoiled the tale, like vinegar dripping into and contaminating a water supply. Bleurghugh!
Fortunately for Henry though, it didn't distract Christopher Redmayne enough to let the culprits slip through his fingers. As per usual, the villains were eventually rounded up and caught with the minimum of fuss.
But, as well as using Gabriel Cheever's indecently open and lewdly frank diary, the blackmailers had also gotten their hands on a billet-doux that Henry Redmayne had penned and sent to the married, Lady Amelia Ulvercombe.
In the wrong hands, the unfettered love letter could have had highly egregious consequences for the lusty sender and it’s love starved recipient. And could have easily seen the amorous, yet cowardly Henry challenged to a duel by the cuckolded Lord Ulvercombe.
So, when Christopher confronted one of the blackmailers, Celia Hemmings about Henry's 'love letter', their conversation really gave me a giggle,
Christopher: "Why did you pick on him? Henry has his vices but he's essentially harmless."
Celia: "Your brother is an idiot!"
"No." Said Christopher defensively. "He's a flawed man who has occasional moments of idiocy. Just like the rest of us."
Speaking as a somewhat flawed person myself and a confirmed idiot to my boots, I wholeheartedly concur with Christopher’s sentiments there!
I also couldn’t believe, that when Christopher Redmayne finally got his hands on Gabriel Cheever’s lascivious, but well written diary at the end of the story, he blimmin’ burnt it!
Bye, bye, what could have been, a bawdy best selling book! An act I considered to be all out criminal! Cultural vandalism at the very least, for that journal could have easily became, only the seventeenth century sensation, that Samuel Pepys’s diary could have been!
All throughout the book, Henry had been pulling his hair out, delirious with stress and anxiety, at the blackmail and it's would be consequences. But once the three miscreants had been caught and were banged to rights, safely behind bars, and mainly thanks to his brother, constable Jonathan Bale and a dog called Sam, Henry's bravado was hilarious, with boastful claims that he'd always suspected Celia Hemmings!
Fantastic stuff from Henry, shameless revisionism indeed, but I just wish the rest of the tale had been slightly more interesting. Let's hope we're back to full throttle next time!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2019
A straightforward pleasant historical crime novel. Christopher Redmayne, architect and Jonathan Bale, constable make for an interesting team with their different backgrounds and perspectives on the Restoration. The various women in the story get to play real parts, and the family relationships are interesting. Bale is investigating a murder, Redmayne, initially, a blackmailing and I had some wry smiles about the very few details slipped out - the misuse of a coal scuttle put me in mind of more contemporary scandals that people seem to be riding out.
November 12, 2019
First published in 2001, 'The Repentant Rake' is the third in the 'Christopher Redmayne' series of detective novels set in post-Restoration London. The plot concerns the murder of the disowned rake son of a rich landowner, and the way in which the murder is connected with the blackmail of other rakish individuals in the city. Some familiar plot devices are at work here, but the plot is really character driven like all of Marston's novels. This makes the story great fun and very quick to read.
April 23, 2023
Significantly superior to the first two in the series, The Repentant Rake has more suspense, action and is a bonafide mystery. Edward Marston gives us a feel for old England and the events after the Great Fire of London and the late 1600s. As usual the main protagonist, Christopher Redmayne is clever but realistic and his low life brother Henry and friends keep us amused. A good series, but a little patience is needed with the first two installments.
January 12, 2025
Murder, blackmail, violence and romance, all will be found in this book. We all know that towards the end of a good book we tend to read faster to get to the climax of a great novel. With this book you get that feeling as you approach the end of most chapters, such is the excitement and desire to know what occurs next. It is one of those books that satisfies all of your desires in a literary sense. Very enjoyable as were the two preceeding books.
March 12, 2020
I really enjoy all books by this author. This period in history is one I like reading about and his descriptions of the day to day life of his characters are very atmospheric. It's an extremely easy quick read. What I think of as an in between read. In between anything rather more meaty.
November 23, 2024
Excellent story based on the time after Cromwells years, and finally, Christopher Redmayne has a love interest. The story of revenge and jealousy is partly based on the Royalist and Puritan beliefs and the need for remaing quiet about being a Catholic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2018
Very good book with enjoyable characters. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
October 28, 2021
Excellent
Once again a cleverly blended tale with the well matched constable and architect. Jogs the memory of that period in our history. Looking forward the next adventure!
Once again a cleverly blended tale with the well matched constable and architect. Jogs the memory of that period in our history. Looking forward the next adventure!
June 25, 2023
Another good yarn featuring our unlikely duo, architect Christopher Redmayne and constable Jonathan Bale. The story flows easily and has a few good twists and turns.
December 12, 2020
3. Blackmail spreads in dissolute circle of brother Henry. Cnst. Jon finds well-dressed body; wife Sarah calls Chris. Chris smiles with client Cheever's daughter Susan.
Web of clues lead to rake victim, killers. People develop in details. History, religion scary part of life.Typo: 13 monopolsing
Web of clues lead to rake victim, killers. People develop in details. History, religion scary part of life.Typo: 13 monopolsing
January 20, 2011
it was ok. ok to read, not the best style, but enough to keep me interested. fairly straightforward crime, straightforward characters, characterisations and writing. occasionally bordering on the bleating obvious.
i was also not aware that this was the third one in a series but that did not hinder my understanding in any way. however, i was repeatedly thinking that i doubted that the people back then would have spoken / acted that way, also not sure if there was an organised police force back in the 17th century but then i did not study that area so i will be happily corrected.
a pleasant enough historical crime novel.
i was also not aware that this was the third one in a series but that did not hinder my understanding in any way. however, i was repeatedly thinking that i doubted that the people back then would have spoken / acted that way, also not sure if there was an organised police force back in the 17th century but then i did not study that area so i will be happily corrected.
a pleasant enough historical crime novel.
August 24, 2014
Good Read. An interesting plot twist too. I enjoyed this immensely. 1 murder, 1 romance, 1 family feud, and several very unlikely friendships. A little bit of history has been thrown in too. set just after the fire of London, Christopher Redmayne is about to secure the biggest contract of his life without the aid of his brother. His commission links him inextricably with the murdered body that is found by the local constable, and then involves his brother in a blackmail plot. This keeps you guessing all the way to the end. An enjoyable read, and the characters are so believable and real will makes you connect with them.
December 28, 2011
As I'm currently struggling with another historical mystery set in London, it was a pleasure to read Marston's straight forward style. His characterisations are interesting and believable, and although this is a very quick read, it is still enjoyable as there is sufficient pertinent colour to make it compelling and entertaining. I found the plot to be rather thin in places, but I still awarded it five stars as it is something I enjoyed reading, would read again and is well-written.
August 2, 2011
This was an agreeable restoration crime novel. The characters were compentently described, but I wasn't particularly interested in any of them. The plot was a little weak in places, in particular at the end, but it was OK. Overall, it was a pleasant undemanding book to read, but I am unlikely to remember it in about a month's time.
February 18, 2012
I have really enjoyed this series so far, partly because the plots are not overly complex thereby making the story easier to follow than some other authors. The characterisation is excellent taking in a range of the political, social and religious backgrounds that were such a feature of the Restoration.
October 14, 2014
I'm giving this one the benefit of the doubt, it may only be a 4 1/2 star book. The story clipped along at a fine pace and kept me interested and I'm anxious to start the next in the series to see where the romantic angle is going. That being said I'm not sure the evidence was as compelling as it was made out to be, it felt half-a-star's worth of forced.
Despite that I'm off to start the next!
Despite that I'm off to start the next!
July 9, 2016
Love this series and this was my favorite book of the series so far. My only complaint (and it's a small one and also applies to many other books) was that there were a lot of typos, spelling errors, etc. throughout the book. I wish that publishers would do a better job of proof-reading.
June 28, 2013
Lots of twists and turns in the plot and a good read
September 26, 2013
See write up on the first book of this six novel series, The Kings Evil.
May 5, 2015
If you like the other books in the series you will like this one too.
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October 12, 2017Christopher Redmayne and Jonathan Bale are a formidable team again. Another set of mysteries, seemingly unrelated at the start, are solved and the criminals brought to justice. Jonathan Bale's staunch Puritanism can sometimes get a bit tiring from my point of view, as not all people (in books, as in life) have that strong a faith. However, this is balanced against the more relaxed views of Christopher Redmayne.
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