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The Fate of the Kings
1793. As the Terror begins to cast a great shadow over France, Thomas Pryce, the new Vicar of Deal, crosses the Channel to find the missing parents of his beautiful French wife. Facing grave dangers, he makes his way to Brittany where he not only discovers the fate of his in-laws but also uncovers a plot which threatens to topple the British monarchy. Fighting against a sinister secret society in a race against time, Pryce battles to thwart the plans of a Parisian spymaster and his agents in London. The Fate of Kings is the first in a series of gripping spy thrillers that will engross readers of C.J. Sansom, Dan Brown, as well as the many avid watchers of Poldark and Grantchester. In the first years of the British Secret Service, Thomas Pryce truly is the original James Bond.
336 pages, Paperback
First published November 3, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 28, 2018
This novel is set during the French Revolution after the death of King Louis XVI. It’s a very interesting plot surrounding not just events in France but the desire of certain French and British people to spread republicanism over the Channel and do away with the British monarchy.
It seems to be very well researched with masses of historical detail of people, places, clothing, food, ships and weaponry as well as the rather interesting if a little far fetched episode involving Montgolfier taking the protagonist Thomas Pryce by balloon from Jersey to landing in Hyde Park, London.
The plot speeds along following both the French intent on their ‘dastardly deeds’ of overthrowing the British crown aided and abetted by Lord Charles Stanhope, and the British eager to stop them. Events move from the guillotine in Paris to Brittany and thence on to Jersey while in England much of the drama is based in Deal or revolves around Regency London.
It is certainly an exciting read but I did find the supererogatory and florid prose a little trying. The dialogue felt as if it was neither authentic to 18th century France and Britain nor very realistic in any age.
The novel gave a great insight into the fearful life during the Terror of France when people faced arrest or even the guillotine for nothing more than being royalists or Catholic priests.
I look forward to the further adventures of Thomas Pryce.
It seems to be very well researched with masses of historical detail of people, places, clothing, food, ships and weaponry as well as the rather interesting if a little far fetched episode involving Montgolfier taking the protagonist Thomas Pryce by balloon from Jersey to landing in Hyde Park, London.
The plot speeds along following both the French intent on their ‘dastardly deeds’ of overthrowing the British crown aided and abetted by Lord Charles Stanhope, and the British eager to stop them. Events move from the guillotine in Paris to Brittany and thence on to Jersey while in England much of the drama is based in Deal or revolves around Regency London.
It is certainly an exciting read but I did find the supererogatory and florid prose a little trying. The dialogue felt as if it was neither authentic to 18th century France and Britain nor very realistic in any age.
The novel gave a great insight into the fearful life during the Terror of France when people faced arrest or even the guillotine for nothing more than being royalists or Catholic priests.
I look forward to the further adventures of Thomas Pryce.
February 9, 2020
An exciting and well-told story set at the time of the French Revolution, when the relationship between France and England was probably comparable to that between the West and the so-called Islamic State today.
Thomas Pryce, vicar of Deal, volunteers to travel to France to try and save his French wife's relatives. After a dangerous and vividly-described sea voyage through the Goodwin Sands, Thomas arrives in France and finds himself on a perilous journey, witness to savage killings and in constant personal danger.
He gathers allies, conducts rescue operations and confronts enemies, in the time-honoured way of thrilling story-telling. This story opened my eyes to the reality of revolutionary France during what is known as The Terror in 1793. It made me realise afresh how vile civil war is, for in that situation it seems the worst cruelties are practised and the most fanatical extremism;; we have witnessed it again and again, in the English Civil War, in modern Syria, and in many other conflicts both historical and contemporary.
A highly recommended book, with a very likeable main protagonist, who will go forward into a sequel, as promised by the authors Mark Stibbe & GP Taylor.
Thomas Pryce, vicar of Deal, volunteers to travel to France to try and save his French wife's relatives. After a dangerous and vividly-described sea voyage through the Goodwin Sands, Thomas arrives in France and finds himself on a perilous journey, witness to savage killings and in constant personal danger.
He gathers allies, conducts rescue operations and confronts enemies, in the time-honoured way of thrilling story-telling. This story opened my eyes to the reality of revolutionary France during what is known as The Terror in 1793. It made me realise afresh how vile civil war is, for in that situation it seems the worst cruelties are practised and the most fanatical extremism;; we have witnessed it again and again, in the English Civil War, in modern Syria, and in many other conflicts both historical and contemporary.
A highly recommended book, with a very likeable main protagonist, who will go forward into a sequel, as promised by the authors Mark Stibbe & GP Taylor.
December 23, 2024
This was an enjoyable historical fiction adventure set during the days of the French Revolution. It was well written and very well researched, particularly with regards to the events in Britanny. It was nice to glimpse the rarely seen Royalist perspective from within Revolutionary France and there were many surprising and delightful details. However, the plot was a bit predictable at times, and hero Thomas Pryce, far from being the "original James Bond", was in fact a bit of a wet blanket: most of his resourcefulness in fact came from his friends and his moral scruples, while understandable, made him a reluctant and not very convincing spy.
September 20, 2020
Uneven
I found that parts of this book were interesting and easy to read and other parts were long and boring. As much as I love reading about this time period, I don’t think I will be reading other books in the series.
I found that parts of this book were interesting and easy to read and other parts were long and boring. As much as I love reading about this time period, I don’t think I will be reading other books in the series.
March 21, 2018
Spies
I don't normally read spy books however I do like historical stories. This book is a bit of both. I enjoyed it.
I don't normally read spy books however I do like historical stories. This book is a bit of both. I enjoyed it.
October 29, 2018
This is another of my book club reads and I must say I was grateful for it. This is right up my street as a historical novel with a lot of underlying factual content but a fictional plot.
The characters were believable, in the time the novel is set, I doubt they'd stand up in today's society but they don't have to. I enjoyed the constant moral conflict of Tom throughout the book, and although I don't share his religious convictions it did make me consider my own thoughts on the problems he faces.
The story of the refugees running from conflict and being treated poorly by officials in Britain rang very true with the way society is today and this made me a little sad. It goes to show that no matter what happens in the past we don't seem to learn from history. I think Stibbe portrayed this brilliantly. He wasn't preaching and he isn't trying to change the world, it is a simple reflection on known historical facts. But enough for me to draw conclusions that we will never learn.
There was exactly the right amount of murder and violence, and it was done in a non glorified way which was good.
All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have even passed it on to a colleague at work as I feel it needs to be shared. I am looking forward to the next installment as I doubt that Tom Pryce is quite finished saving the world!
The characters were believable, in the time the novel is set, I doubt they'd stand up in today's society but they don't have to. I enjoyed the constant moral conflict of Tom throughout the book, and although I don't share his religious convictions it did make me consider my own thoughts on the problems he faces.
The story of the refugees running from conflict and being treated poorly by officials in Britain rang very true with the way society is today and this made me a little sad. It goes to show that no matter what happens in the past we don't seem to learn from history. I think Stibbe portrayed this brilliantly. He wasn't preaching and he isn't trying to change the world, it is a simple reflection on known historical facts. But enough for me to draw conclusions that we will never learn.
There was exactly the right amount of murder and violence, and it was done in a non glorified way which was good.
All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have even passed it on to a colleague at work as I feel it needs to be shared. I am looking forward to the next installment as I doubt that Tom Pryce is quite finished saving the world!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews