It is Spain in 1605. The tensions between the Moors and the Christians are running high. Antonio Hidalgo, a wandering musician, hears from a mistress of a plot to kidnap and ransom the king. What should he do with this crucial knowledge? Should he report it or ignore it? Why should he put his own life at risk? But he has little choice... Antonio recognizes the Moor who makes the threat. He has seen him before but where? Who is this well-dressed man? The king is horrified. Could they try to kill him, as in Guy Fawkes’ attempt on James I? Gordon L. Thomas’s third novel is a spy story, packed with adventure, intrigue, scandal, jealousy and romance. It is a tale of man's inhumanity to man and a stark reminder of a shameful period in Spanish history which many would prefer to forget.
Gordon Thomas was brought up in Parkstone, Dorset, in the south of England. He is proud of his late father, a postman. In 1969 Gordon gained a PhD in nuclear physics and in 1972 became employed in the UK Home Office where he and his team conducted some of the original work in fingerprint science. After taking a range of administrative and scientific posts he retired in 2003. At 66 he was one of our oldest 'debut' novelists with the unique and beautiful story of 'The Harpist of Madrid'. His second novel, 'The Emerald of Burgos', a prequel to the first was published in 2014 and a third novel, 'Expulsion' was published in 2017. He's just published his fourth, an historical thriller called 'Return to Madrid'! He lives with his wife, Janet, in Worcester Park in the London Borough of Sutton.
I loved it, an enjoyable and interesting historical spy novel. Lots of adventure and romance, the main character is my hero. Recommend to anyone who enjoys historical spy romance novels.
Once again, Gordon Thomas has written an enjoyable account of life in 17th century Spain. The book is extremely well researched and it kept my interest all the way through while providing a history lesson about the Expulsion of the Moors from Spain. I couldn't help thinking about how pertinent the themes of bigotry and intolerance were for todays world. I found myself really liking the protagonist who, in my opinion, is a model of secular morality. Well done!