Black Friar

Damian Seeker #2

by S.G. MacLean

Rebellion in the city, and a Royalist spy in his own ranks - Damian Seeker, Captain of Oliver Cromwell's guard, must eradicate both in this twisty, action-packed historical thriller for fans of CJ Sansom, Rory Clements and The Three Musketeers. 'MacLean skilfully weaves together the disparate threads of her plot to create a gripping tale of crime and sedition in an unsettled city' Sunday TimesLondon, 1655, and Cromwell's regime is under threat from all sides. Damian Seeker, Captain of Cromwell's Guard, is all too aware of the danger facing Cromwell. Parliament resents his control of the Army while the Army resents his absolute power. In the east end of London, a group of religious fanatics plots rebellion. In the midst of all this, a stonemason uncovers a perfectly preserved body dressed in the robes of a Dominican friar, bricked up in a wall in the crumbling Black Friars. Ill-informed rumours and speculation abound, but Seeker instantly recognises the dead man. What he must discover is why he met such a hideous end, and what his connection was to the children who have started to disappear from around the city. Unravelling these mysteries is challenging enough, and made still harder by the activities of dissenters at home, Royalist plotters abroad and individuals who are not what they seem...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Crime, Historical Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Audiobook

432 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2016

About the author

Aka Shona MacLean

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus books for my ARC, for which I have given a fair and honest review*

I love it when I can immerse myself in the sights, sounds, and 'feel' of a particular period in history without having actually experienced it. Something that S G Maclean manages to achieve effortlessly.

London 1655, and Oliver Cromwell is ruler and Lord Protector of the Commonwealth, but there are spies afoot and rebels plotting the downfall of Cromwell and his army. The Fifth Monarchists (former followers of Cromwell) are planning an uprising but they are up against Cromwell's Captain of the guard Damian Seeker. The charismatic Seeker has eyes and ears in every part of London and he will go to any lengths to keep Cromwell safe.

In the midst of all this uncertainty a body is discovered in the crumbling Blackfriars monastery. The body is dressed in the robes of a Dominican monk and has been bricked up alive in a wall. Seeker is sent for and immediately recognises the body as one of his undercover agents. And so begins the intricate tale of how and why Carter Blyth suffered such an horrific death.

This is a wonderfully constructed novel that clearly took an immense amount of research, and it really does show. If you like historical novels with a clever and mysterious plot then you're gonna love this one.

[Paromjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having loved The Seeker, I was really looking forward to reading this. For me, this is almost better than the first in that the level of complexity has risen and Damian Seeker becomes a more knowable character. The level of plots and dissenters in Cromwell's England in 1655 is overwhelming and coming from a myriad of directions. This makes Seeker's work more challenging and his private life more difficult to maintain. MacLean brings alive the London of the time effortlessly with her descriptions and her characters. We encounter various characters that are familiar, Anne Winter, Elias, Maria, Grace and others, along with some new ones. Amongst the chief groups troubling the regime are the Fifth Monarchists, who fought with Cromwell, but are seeking Christ as their leader. They see Cromwell as their sworn enemy and want him deposed. The Royalists, supported by Anne Winter, are becoming bolder, and organised around the secret society that is the Sealed Knot. To counter these threats, the network of the regime's spies has grown.

Damian is called out to see a body dressed as a black friar, bricked into a wall alive, in the crumbling Blackfriars. He recognises the man as Carter Blyth, an undercover agent operating as Gideon Fell, who was infiltrating the Fifth Monarchists and residing with the Crowe family. So begins a difficult and intricate investigation for Seeker. This leads Seeker to befriend and protect the young Nathaniel, reviled by the hard faced preacher Elizabeth and her cruel daughter, Patience Crowe. Nathaniel turns out to be a mine of information particularly with regard to Gideon Fell's activities. Fell seemed to be aware of the growing number of missing children that are orphans and he was watching the home of Anne Winter. Chief Secretary Thurloe, Seeker's boss, has taken ill and his position is covered by Meadowe, who is barely adequate to the tasks required of him, nor of handling the politically ambitious figures such as George Downing. Parliament has been dissolved due to its inability to do as Cromwell wants. Shadrock Jones, a recent arrival to London, is viewed with suspicion by Seeker and seems to have connections with the missing children. Anne Winter's household, which includes The Rat, operating as her bodyguard, give rise to concern.

There are outright street battles and to my delight, Samuel Pepys and the poet Andrew Marvell have significant roles in the novel. This is a superbly constructed and well researched novel. The plotting is intricate and complicated. The towering figure of the charismatic Seeker is someone you get emotionally engaged with and cannot help but like enormously. A lot rests on his shoulders and his remarkable skills and gifts. The character development is expertly done. I cannot wait for the next one! A fantastic and absorbing read. Highly recommended. Thanks to Quercus for an ARC.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was slow to get into but once I was in,it was a compelling read that I found hard to put down. I don’t know much about Cromwell’s era but learn a great deal through this series.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Black Friar sees readers back in London, January 1655 - so roughly two months after the events of the first book. Trouble is in the air once again as discord is brewing within Cromwell's army even as he's on the verge of doing away with Parliament. Danger is also ever present on the outside from the Royalists and the Fifth Monarchists, both of which have plots and schemes afoot. As if this wouldn't be enough to keep Damian Seeker, Cromwell's Captain of the Guard, busy 24/7, Seeker also has to contend with the discovery of a body bricked up in a wall, a missing servant girl, and difficulties in his personal life (what little he has of one).

This was an excellent follow-up to the author's award winning first book. In Damian Seeker she has created a layered character who manages to be extremely sympathetic despite his absolute loyalty to the dictator-like government of Oliver Cromwell. And once again the author has managed to take several seemingly separate story threads and weave them together into a complete whole. My only disappointment lies with the developments in Seeker's personal life. Although they may make sense, it's left me rather depressed and I can't quite shake it. I'm hoping for more books in the series though I haven't been able to find anything at all in my internet searches. The ending for this book could serve as a ending to Seeker's story if this is only meant to be a duology though, in my case, it's only left me wanting more.

**ETA: There will be a third book, available July 2018 in the UK: Destroying Angel. Yay!!**


"That may well be, my lady, but what you and your like will not understand, and what has been the defeat of you all, is that men who come from nothing need not end as nothing."

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a strong series - set during the mid 1650s and featuring the extraordinarily charismatic figure of the Seeker. The second book did not disappoint.

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 4 out of 5]

February 1655, London England. Damian Seeker is not a happy camper. The weather is nasty, the Royalists are plotting, fervent preachers are predicting the coming of Christ to rule England, and Seeker's boss, Thurloe, is deathly ill, his office in disarray.
Into this chaos comes Lady Anne Winter, known Royalist, to ask a favor of Seeker--would he please look into the disappearance of her teenage maid, a young girl who went out on a routine errand and never came back. Lady Anne insists she did not run away.
As Seeker looks into several other issues he discovers that three more young people from the same area have likewise vanished.
One of those other issues involves the 'Black Friar' of the title. His real identity is known to Seeker and Thurloe, who sends Seeker out to trace that man's last days. Then there are the two men from Massachusetts, one a prominent member of Cromwell's bureaucracy, one a lowly schoolteacher; both of whom are wary of attracting Seeker's attention. And Seeker keeps tripping over Andrew Marvell-- poet, lowly member of Thurloe's office, former royalist. (I loved seeing him here). Oh, yes, on the personal front, Seeker's romance life(what little there is of it) has hit a major snag.
The author juggles all the various plot balls with great skill. I had a hard time putting the book down to deal with Real Life. By the end all is resolved, to varying levels of Seeker's satisfaction. This reader was very satisfied and is all set for the next book, Destroying Angel.

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This intriguing mystery is the 2nd volume of the fantastic "Damian Seeker" series from the Scottish author S(hona) G. MacLean.
Story-telling, just like its predecessor is of a top-notch quality, with all the figures involved coming superbly to life, whether they are real historical or wonderful fictional characters, within this fascinating mystery, and not to forget the hostile atmosphere of this period in history comes wonderfully chillingly off the pages.
At the beginning of the book you'll notice a well-drawn map of London, "Seeker's City".
The story is set in the year, AD 1655, which is the 7th Year of the English Commonwealth and the 2nd Year of the Reign of Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector.
The main character of this series is, Damian Seeker, a man no one knows what's his real name is, but all know that he's dangerous, but at the same time also a righteous Agent of the Lord Protector.
The mystery is interwoven into two puzzles for Damian Seeker to solve, with at the centre of this mystery the discovery of a "Black Friar", dressed in the robes of a Dominican, bricked up in the wall in the crumbling Blackfriars Monastery, and this Black Friar seems to have been murdered, and it will fall to the "Seeker" to investigate this death with all its political implications, simply because these could have devastating consequences for the future of the Protectorate itself, and while during his investigations into this murder children seem to be disappearing from all kinds of background.
What will follow is an intriguing and exciting mystery, one to find the murderer of the Black Friar and two to find the abducted missing children, while at the same time Cromwell is under threat from all sides, from Parliament as well as from the Army for his control and power, and in this dangerous environments Damian Seeker has to deal also with religious fanatics, dissenters and plotters, before he's going to succeed in his quest to uncover the truth behind the Black Friar's death and the case of the missing children.
Fully recommended, for this is another brilliant book by this author, and one that I would like to call as: "A Superb Seeker Sequel"!

[Keith Currie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holding the balance
For Damian Seeker, captain of security of the English Commonwealth, the stability of the state is the greatest good; one might imagine him saying ‘The state is our safety’. Therefore there are no compromises or half-measures in his defence of the regime, on the one hand against Royalist plots in favour of the exiled Charles Stuart, on the other, the revolutionary activities of Ranters, Levellers and Fifth Monarchists who see Cromwell as a betrayer of the revolution. Seeker’s actions, a sometimes brutal defence of a sometimes brutal regime, can be understood only in the context of the English Civil War with its breakdown of stability and civilised values. Perhaps too, they must be placed against Seeker’s own past, which this second novel in the series still keeps obscure and secret with only the occasional tantalising revelation of a troubled and violent betrayal.
Seeker however is not a man without a heart and it is a mark of just how good a novel this is that in an investigation into the death of an agent of the state, which involves royalists and extreme republicans, another more insidious crime slowly becomes evident, the abduction and disappearance of a number of children – a crime which Seeker is determined to solve.
I remain in awe of Maclean’s skill in writing: her evident and deep knowledge of the period, her sharp portrayal of a wide range of different characters, the complex and intricate plot strands which she draws together into an exhilarating and exciting narrative, and not least her obvious familiarity with the extreme religious views of the time, as evidenced by the astute quotation of (mainly Old Testament) Biblical verses, generally proclaiming blood, destruction and the imminent apocalypse.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed this latest in the seeker series and brings to light the paranoid feelings of the protectorate as tensions grow between different fractions and seeker set to work to find the murderer of a government agent but like the plot as it takes many turns

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Seeker continues his work for Cromwell. A man is found entombed in a wall. Who was he? There’s always a Royalist plot to restore Charles 11. But what has the disappearance of various children have to do with anything? The Seeker is besieged on all sides. Another fab. Historical mystery with heart!

[Bart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating: 5.00

[Allie Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with this series. Seeker is a fabulous, multi faceted character. Plotting is superb - kept me guessing till the end. Her historical research is generally brilliant, but occasionally she takes liberties to serve the narrative. For example, Danislaus, who died in 1649 (according to Wikipedia) makes a cameo appearance despite it being set in 1655. Properly wonderful. Must read the next one now! It would also make a splendid TV series.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the first book, Seeker was a bit of an enigma but in this second book, he really comes into his own. I adored this. Brilliant read.

[Mark Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb addition to The Seeker series as Damian tries to discover who killed a monk bricked into a wall space. Rapidly he is dealing with political intrigue, assassins, missing children and the possible return of a king in exile. Beautifully paced, lots of returning characters and some very clever twists. Loved this and love this series.

[KOMET · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Black Friar, Damian Seeker is tasked with solving the murder of an agent of the Protectorate, whose body was found in the robes of a Dominican friar bricked up in a crumbling London monastery. The agent (Carter Blythe aka Gideon Fall), who had spent considerable time in Europe spying on Royalist groups therein as well as having thoroughly integrated himself in living among the Dutch, had come to England to infiltrate a religious group in London critical of Cromwell's government known as the Fifth Monarchists. This group, which had supported Cromwell during the English Civil War in defeating King Charles I and installing a republic, soon became disenchanted with Cromwell's rule. (They were set on establishing a government with Christ as its head. Cromwell, they felt, had made himself a de facto king and for that reason, conspired against him.)

This novel soon becomes steeped in layers of intrigue from various persons Seeker encounters in the course of his investigations, including Lady Anne Winter, a Royalist, who prides herself on keeping a low profile. She is someone Seeker knew well when he had earlier investigated the murder of her husband, who had been a close aide to Cromwell himself.

At some point in the novel, Seeker is caught up in an abortive coup and manages to bring one of its ringleaders - after wounding him in a frenzied fight --- into prison. Several real life historical figures also come to the fore, including George Downing, the Exchequer Secretary (England's equivalent of the U.S. Treasury Secretary, whose residence would later become the home and place of business for future Prime Minsters); John Thurloe (Seeker's boss) who was England's spymaster and Cromwell's Secretary to the Council of State; and Andrew Marvell, a poet who worked as a clerk for the government. Marvell and Seeker, both hailing from Northern England, developed a collaborative relationship through Marvell's work as an agent, ingratiating himself with Lady Anne and her coterie of Royalist friends at a gathering on her estate.

This is the second novel in the series and, like the first, I've enjoyed the experience. I hadn't realized how Cromwell's hold on England wasn't as secure as I had earlier been led to believe from the scant reading I had previously done about this era of English history. It was also fascinating to learn how the Fifth Monarchists encouraged and supported women, some of whom acted as preachers and played active, non-traditional roles within that group in English society.

[Fiona Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series, which is effectively a police procedural set in Cromwellian London. Some of the old characters appear here, as well as some new ones, and there are further revelations about Seeker's mysterious past.

[Susan in NC · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars, really enjoying this excellent historical mystery series, set in London, 1665, under Cromwell’s Protectorate. Very exciting, and at the end, Damian Seeker is being sent home to Yorkshire. I look forward to seeing what adventures he gets up to there!

[Grant S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second instalment in S.G. Maclean's English Civil War era spy novels.
And not a bad read.
This one fleshes out the character of the hero Damian Seeker a little more. He seems less one dimensional this time around.
He has a burgeoning love interest and we learn some more of his back story.
Once again he has to thwart a Royalist plot. This time to get Charles Stuart 2nd into the country.
A good read set in an interesting time period with some good characters. My one complaint, this seemed a bit over long to me. But it's definitely a series I want to continue with.
Looking forward to the next book that follows.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Great thriller set in Oliver Cromwell's London. The plot was complex and I did not see the twists coming. Loved the details MacLean evoked the time period very well. The author really seems to know her history, but doesn't let that get in the way of the story.

[Liz Titley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do like Damien Seeker. "A good man's effort to navigate an honest path through treacherous times" (Historical Novel Society).
Cromwell's England is a period I'm not familiar with. He's a man with a job to root out groups opposed to Cromwell, both royalist and those even more puritanical than the Protector. In this, the second of the series, we start with the discovery of a body, which is not as it first appears. Spies, missing children, a plot to restore Charles II, all drawn together.

[Trevor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the excellent 'Seeker' series and is as satisfyingly complex as the first. The Hero, Damian Seeker, a Captain of Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell's guard, is a enigmatic hero - tough, uncompromising and fierce but with just the merest glimmer of a softer side that occasionally shines through - sometimes to his cost.
The book is set in difficult times. Although Cromwell serves (or maybe rules?) as Lord Protector, there are Royalist plots aplenty as well as much dissatisfaction among the various religious groups that although originally aligned to Cromwell's cause, are increasingly dissatisfied with how he is conducting national business. It is within the swirl and interplay of Royalist scheme and religious fervour that this story sits.
Highly recommended.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although part of a series this read as a good stand alone novel. The character of Damian Seeker is engaging and I liked the interweaving of real and fictional characters.

Shona MacLean's descriptions of London under Cromwell's Protectorate are vivid and full of interesting historical detail.

The story rattled along at a good pace with a satisfying ending while leaving me wanting to read the next instalment of Seeker's adventures.

[Alaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of characters - I almost need a chart to keep track of them! I lived the book and the way in which the author brings the history of the time to bear, both the physical settings and the political ones. looking forward to the next one.

[Sandra Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series of books and the writing is good. An interesting and enjoyable historical murder mystery .

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Colin Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having previously read the first book in this series, I found this one in my local library. Damien Seeker is still the Captain of the Guard in Oliver Cromwell's London but works closely with Thurloe, the spy master. He is seeking out Royalists and other rebellious groups, when he also follows the lead of a murdered undercover agent in looking for some missing children—a very good plot highlighting the insecurities of the Commonwealth. Seeker is a man of his time and can be liked or loathed; he does however, have a softer side.

A good read. 3 stars.

[Franziska Self Fisken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting plot. City of London setting during Cromwell's reign. Engrossing.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my review at Reading World

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm loving this series! Well written with a brilliant sense of time and place and a flawed, but wonderfully human main character.
4.5 stars.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️