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Thomas Chaloner #13
Intrigue in Covent Garden: The Thirteenth Thomas Chaloner Adventure
By January 1666 the plague has almost disappeared from London, leaving its surviving population diminished and in poverty. The resentment against those who had fled to the country turns to outrage as the court and its followers return, their licentiousness undiminished. While most of Thomas Chaloner's attention is on the continuing threat of the war with the Dutch, he is aware of a growing restlessness among Londoners, and of shadowy forces which are directing this anger against the King's profligacy and his plans to commemorate his father's execution.
The death of a well-connected physician, the mysterious sinking of a man-of-war in the Thames and the disappearance of a popular courtier are causing concern to Chaloner's employer. When instructed to investigate them all he is irritated that he is prevented from gaining intelligence on the military preparations of the Dutch. Then he discovers common threads to all the cases, which seem linked to those planning to set a match to the powder keg of rebellion in the city.
Against the background of a ferocious winter storm that causes serious damage to London's fabric, Chaloner has to battle the elements in a race against time to prevent the weakened city from utter destruction.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2018
44 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Susanna Gregory
89 books433 followersSusanna Gregory is the pseudonym of Elizabeth Cruwys, a Cambridge academic who was previously a coroner's officer. She is married to author Beau Riffenburgh who is her co-author on the Simon Beaufort books.
AKA Simon Beaufort
She writes detective fiction, and is noted for her series of mediaeval mysteries featuring Matthew Bartholomew, a teacher of medicine and investigator of murders in 14th-century Cambridge.
These books may have some aspects in common with the Ellis Peters Cadfael series, the mediaeval adventures of a highly intelligent Benedictine monk and herbalist who came to the Benedictine order late in an eventful life, bringing with him considerable secular experience and wisdom combined with a deal of native wit. This sets him apart from his comparatively innocent and naíve monastic brethren. His activities, both as a monk and a healer, embroil him in a series of mysterious crimes, both secular and monastic, and he enthusiastically assumes the rôle of an amateur sleuth. Sceptical of superstition, he is somewhat ahead of his time, and much accurate historical detail is woven into the adventures. But there any resemblance to the comparatively warm-hearted Cadfael series ends: the tone and subject matter of the Gregory novels is far darker and does not shrink from portraying the harsh realities of life in the Middle Ages. The first in the series, A Plague on Both Your Houses is set against the ravages of the Black Death and subsequent novels take much of their subject matter from the attempts of society to recover from this disaster.
These novels bear the marks of much detailed research into mediaeval conditions - many of the supporting characters have names taken from the documentation of the time, referenced at the end of each book - and bring vividly to life the all-pervading squalor of living conditions in England during the Middle Ages. The deep-rooted and pervasive practice of traditional leechcraft as it contrasts with the dawning science of evidence-based medicine is a common bone of contention between Matthew and the students he teaches at Michaelhouse College (now part of Trinity College, Cambridge), whilst the conflict between the students of Cambridge and the townsfolk continually threatens to escalate into violence.
Another series of books, set just after the Restoration of Charles II and featuring Thomas Chaloner, detective and former spy, began with A Conspiracy of Violence published in January 2006, and continues with The Body in the Thames, published in hardback edition January 2011.
AKA Simon Beaufort
She writes detective fiction, and is noted for her series of mediaeval mysteries featuring Matthew Bartholomew, a teacher of medicine and investigator of murders in 14th-century Cambridge.
These books may have some aspects in common with the Ellis Peters Cadfael series, the mediaeval adventures of a highly intelligent Benedictine monk and herbalist who came to the Benedictine order late in an eventful life, bringing with him considerable secular experience and wisdom combined with a deal of native wit. This sets him apart from his comparatively innocent and naíve monastic brethren. His activities, both as a monk and a healer, embroil him in a series of mysterious crimes, both secular and monastic, and he enthusiastically assumes the rôle of an amateur sleuth. Sceptical of superstition, he is somewhat ahead of his time, and much accurate historical detail is woven into the adventures. But there any resemblance to the comparatively warm-hearted Cadfael series ends: the tone and subject matter of the Gregory novels is far darker and does not shrink from portraying the harsh realities of life in the Middle Ages. The first in the series, A Plague on Both Your Houses is set against the ravages of the Black Death and subsequent novels take much of their subject matter from the attempts of society to recover from this disaster.
These novels bear the marks of much detailed research into mediaeval conditions - many of the supporting characters have names taken from the documentation of the time, referenced at the end of each book - and bring vividly to life the all-pervading squalor of living conditions in England during the Middle Ages. The deep-rooted and pervasive practice of traditional leechcraft as it contrasts with the dawning science of evidence-based medicine is a common bone of contention between Matthew and the students he teaches at Michaelhouse College (now part of Trinity College, Cambridge), whilst the conflict between the students of Cambridge and the townsfolk continually threatens to escalate into violence.
Another series of books, set just after the Restoration of Charles II and featuring Thomas Chaloner, detective and former spy, began with A Conspiracy of Violence published in January 2006, and continues with The Body in the Thames, published in hardback edition January 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 10, 2019
This very thrilling read is the 13th volume of the delightful "Thomas Chaloner" series from the author Susanna Gregory.
At the end of the book you'll notice a very accurate researched and explained Historical Note by the author, with real historical figures and events that actually lived and happened during the AD1660s.
While at the beginning of the book you'll be presented with a well-drawn map of Chaloner's Restoration London, during the reign of, King Charles II.
Story-telling is once again of a superb quality, the storyline is perfectly worked out, all the characters come vividly to life within this gripping mystery at the court of King Charles II, the dark mood, atmosphere and places in and around London really come lifelike off the pages, and besides that this adventure will end with a fantastic plot.
The book, after a short interesting prologue with events which are set in AD 1665, sets off as from 21 January, AD 1666, in London, and its there where our main fictional character of this series, Thomas Chaloner, will have to face and fight his next dangerous and murderous opponents and challenges.
While King and his court are returning to London from the Plague, which held sway in the year before, AD 1665, resentment is growing within the surviving population, especially after the death of a well-connected physician, the mysterious sinking of a man-of-war, and the disappearance of a popular courtier, and so immediately after these events Thomas Chaloner is instructed to investigate all these cases by his employer, Lord Clarendon.
While investigating, Thomas Chaloner, discovers common threads in all cases, linking them to people who are planning to set a match to the powder keg of rebellion in the city, in an attempt to wreak havoc and insurrestion.
What will follow is for Thomas Chaloner a race against time in his quest to save London from utter destruction, but before he's able to manage that feat he will have to face a lot of hardships and struggles from opponents from various sides, before finally achieving his ultimate goal.
Highly recommended, because this is another gripping mystery, one of many of this very exciting historical series, and what this particular volume is concerned, I like to call it: "A Truly Captivating Thomas Chaloner Adventure"!
At the end of the book you'll notice a very accurate researched and explained Historical Note by the author, with real historical figures and events that actually lived and happened during the AD1660s.
While at the beginning of the book you'll be presented with a well-drawn map of Chaloner's Restoration London, during the reign of, King Charles II.
Story-telling is once again of a superb quality, the storyline is perfectly worked out, all the characters come vividly to life within this gripping mystery at the court of King Charles II, the dark mood, atmosphere and places in and around London really come lifelike off the pages, and besides that this adventure will end with a fantastic plot.
The book, after a short interesting prologue with events which are set in AD 1665, sets off as from 21 January, AD 1666, in London, and its there where our main fictional character of this series, Thomas Chaloner, will have to face and fight his next dangerous and murderous opponents and challenges.
While King and his court are returning to London from the Plague, which held sway in the year before, AD 1665, resentment is growing within the surviving population, especially after the death of a well-connected physician, the mysterious sinking of a man-of-war, and the disappearance of a popular courtier, and so immediately after these events Thomas Chaloner is instructed to investigate all these cases by his employer, Lord Clarendon.
While investigating, Thomas Chaloner, discovers common threads in all cases, linking them to people who are planning to set a match to the powder keg of rebellion in the city, in an attempt to wreak havoc and insurrestion.
What will follow is for Thomas Chaloner a race against time in his quest to save London from utter destruction, but before he's able to manage that feat he will have to face a lot of hardships and struggles from opponents from various sides, before finally achieving his ultimate goal.
Highly recommended, because this is another gripping mystery, one of many of this very exciting historical series, and what this particular volume is concerned, I like to call it: "A Truly Captivating Thomas Chaloner Adventure"!
June 27, 2020
Not a book I'd have chosen myself (it was a Christmas gift), so I wasnt sure I'd enjoy it. The first few paragraphs were slow to get going but I am stubborn and never give up on a book.
I couldn't put it down in the end (Badge, I know you'll read this and be surprised)! At one point, nearly everyone could have been the villain!
The Historical Note at the end of the book was also very interesting!
I couldn't put it down in the end (Badge, I know you'll read this and be surprised)! At one point, nearly everyone could have been the villain!
The Historical Note at the end of the book was also very interesting!
August 12, 2020
This is the first Susanna Gregory book that I have read, but I will probably read more. It is set in the Recency period, just after the plague. The historical research, attention to detail and atmosphere are all very good, and completely held my interest. In this particular book the pace was a bit slow, but there was just enough intrigue to keep me reading. Well worth reading for fans of historical crime fiction.
August 7, 2022
Very enjoyable
April 7, 2019
I have generally liked the Chaloner series and have given most of the books four stars, but this one was a disappointment. I had a hard time staying interested and had to force myself to continue reading. I just couldn't make myself care "who dunnit" and the numerous characters (many with similar sounding names) made it difficult to follow the plot. If there is a fourteenth book in the Chaloner series I will definitely read it, but if it isn't more interesting than this book, it will be my last.
October 21, 2019
Maybe a dedicated follower of the Chaloner series would find this more to their liking. Found it difficult to keep all the characters in my head. Very convoluted plot. Liked that a lot of it was based on actual people and events -- with a few tweaks.
August 24, 2024
Intrigue may be too tame a word considering all that goes on here. As the plague finally subsides the newly restored king and his courtiers return to London from the relative safety of the country, Surviving Londoners, who couldn’t afford such a luxury, are seething with resentment. Rebellion is in the air. Could there be a 2nd civil war? Oh yeah, England is at war with the Dutch. So, espionage is also in the air. Poisonings, kidnapping, bludgeoning, explosions, a seditious troupe of performers, a naval ship mysteriously sinks right there on the Thames, a hurricane, a mass drowning of unpaid sailors, and constant court debauchery, are just a few of the intrigues swirling around. It was also interesting that many of these people and events actually are part of the history of this Restoration period.
Our main character, Thomas Chaloner, has been given a multitude of tasks by the Earl of Clarendon, his employer. Tasks that range from what happened to that ship to finding a stolen silver trumpet. It’s no wonder he is lame and exhausted by the end. Now there’s a couple of things I couldn’t quite get a handle on. I didn’t quite understand where Chaloner was coming from. Protecting royalty with life and limb, but with great sympathy for the anger of the common folk. Why? The second is there were so many dang characters! I sure could have used a player roster like at a ball game. Now, I strongly suspect these problems are, at least in part, my doing rather than the book’s. This was my first read in this series and it happens to be book #13. So, I accept that several of these characters may have been introduced in the dozen books prior to “Intrigue in Covent Garden.” Most certainly there must have been a ton of backstory for Thomas Chaloner to round out his character. Since I enjoyed much of this novel, I also accept the responsibility of going back to the earlier books to complete my enjoyment.
Our main character, Thomas Chaloner, has been given a multitude of tasks by the Earl of Clarendon, his employer. Tasks that range from what happened to that ship to finding a stolen silver trumpet. It’s no wonder he is lame and exhausted by the end. Now there’s a couple of things I couldn’t quite get a handle on. I didn’t quite understand where Chaloner was coming from. Protecting royalty with life and limb, but with great sympathy for the anger of the common folk. Why? The second is there were so many dang characters! I sure could have used a player roster like at a ball game. Now, I strongly suspect these problems are, at least in part, my doing rather than the book’s. This was my first read in this series and it happens to be book #13. So, I accept that several of these characters may have been introduced in the dozen books prior to “Intrigue in Covent Garden.” Most certainly there must have been a ton of backstory for Thomas Chaloner to round out his character. Since I enjoyed much of this novel, I also accept the responsibility of going back to the earlier books to complete my enjoyment.
March 1, 2020
This is the 13th title in the Thomas Chaloner series. Set in 1666, the start of the year sees the king, court, and any other wealthy people returning to London after the end of the plague. Common folk are grumbling because the king, court, and government just abandoned London at it’s hour of need, leaving no clear plan of action in how the plague epidemic should be handled, and also because they repeatedly see the rich frivolously wasting money on merriments which has been taxed from the poor.
The death of a well loved courtier, the sinking of Assurance, one of the naval war ships, the murder of a court physician, and the pending war with Holland are all hanging over the people of London. Clarendon tasks Chaloner to solve the murders, the mystery surrounding the sudden sinking of the ship despite her being docked in London at the time, an impending uprising from the disgruntled people of London in protest for the behaviour of king and court, and also the disappearance of a valuable silver trumpet. As always, nothing is ever simple. Chaloner tears across London at break neck speed in a bid to solve these mysteries and crimes. And, as always, Gregory has researched her storyline impeccably.
The death of a well loved courtier, the sinking of Assurance, one of the naval war ships, the murder of a court physician, and the pending war with Holland are all hanging over the people of London. Clarendon tasks Chaloner to solve the murders, the mystery surrounding the sudden sinking of the ship despite her being docked in London at the time, an impending uprising from the disgruntled people of London in protest for the behaviour of king and court, and also the disappearance of a valuable silver trumpet. As always, nothing is ever simple. Chaloner tears across London at break neck speed in a bid to solve these mysteries and crimes. And, as always, Gregory has researched her storyline impeccably.
December 12, 2021
3.5 Enjoyable, but it would have been better if it was a tad shorter to allow the story to move along at a faster pace. Nicely historic, easy to read and I liked the main character which is why I persisted and finished it, to find I did actually really enjoy it!
Authors note at the end
This advised some characters and events were based on notations found in Samuel Pepys Diary which means this author might just squeeze into my top twenty to go to for an authentic historical hit in future.
Authors note at the end
This advised some characters and events were based on notations found in Samuel Pepys Diary which means this author might just squeeze into my top twenty to go to for an authentic historical hit in future.
September 13, 2019
This was my first Tom Chaloner read and I have to admit that I found it slightly disappointing. The plot was intriguing enough, and cleverly twined around real events. My main concern that Tom’s character remained fairly opaque; this may be my fault for starting halfway through the series. Nevertheless, it was a satisfying read and I may try again, from the start of the series.
November 26, 2019
I think the series portrays the peoples resentment to Charles 2nd government.The perceived cowardness of the court.The corruption of the civil service.Made worse by Charles wanting to acknowledge his fathers execution.Thomas finds he has to once again solve a murder.He quietly gets on with the job but is becoming more diasalusioned with London.
August 16, 2018
Another cracker as usual!
August 18, 2018
Brilliant
As always brilliant, I have read every book in this series and will impatiently wait the next one. Never dissapointed
As always brilliant, I have read every book in this series and will impatiently wait the next one. Never dissapointed
September 12, 2018
This was damned superb! Can't wait for the next one.
July 6, 2019
Held my interest. I like the main character, keeps me coming back. Plotting a little murkey in the last 1/3 but kept me hanging on to see how things worked out. The resolution was great.
August 18, 2019
I’ve enjoyed this series a lot (this is the 13th) but I can’t believe that a book written in 2018 would have featured “dwarf tossing” as a plot point 🙄
September 28, 2019
Entertaining. But I have never really gotten into the protagonist altho the plots are historically accurate and enlightening
March 20, 2021
Kept me guessing until the end.
November 2, 2021
almost as good as the C J Sansom's Shardlake series but not quite, but I love the character of Thomas Challoner and have followed his exploits in a similar way to those of Shardlake.
January 11, 2022
Never read this series before. Enjoyed it and found it interesting, but wouldn't hurry to find more
September 1, 2022
Nicely convoluted without being unduly confusing. Could follow the plot. Don't think I've read a book by this author previously and will have no hesitation about doing so in future.
August 8, 2024
Read this for a crime book group. Found it too long and a bit of a drag to read.
June 27, 2025
bit of a slow start, great historical knowledge, I felt I was there. thank you.
January 13, 2022
"Intrigue in Covent Garden" by Susanna Gregory - this is the 13th in the Thomas Chaloner series, set in Restoration London and takes place over Christmas and January 1665/66. Chaloner, a spy, finds himself investigating several cases, the most important one being a plot which will at best cause riots and at worst might well be another attempt to take out the King (the restored Charles II) and as many of his courtiers as possible. A troupe of actors has arrived in the City and seems intent on stirring up rebellion, along with a self styled preacher Urban, who wants the protests to be peaceful but is planting more seeds of provocation amongst the ordinary people of the City, those who survived the plague, and are furious at the King for fleeing the City during the outbreak, and for living a life of debauchery and flamboyance ever since his Restoration. There's also the ongoing hostility with the Dutch, including a disastrous battle, and the mysterious sinking of a British warship whilst at anchor in London, the murder of 2 physicians, removing a Dutch spy to safety, hunting for a missing courtier's wife, and bizarrely, searching for a missing trumpet which will play an important part at the forthcoming Fast, which supposedly will commemorate and remember Charles I's execution. So Chaloner is pretty busy, and soon becomes caught up in the endless plotting and various machinations of the Court, and then a known assassin decided he wants to help him with his inquiries! This was a very convoluted plot, and it took me a while to work out who everyone was, but once I got that straight I quite enjoyed it, although it did flag a little at times and felt a bit repetitive. But it certainly got eventful, with subterfuge, explosions and a vast list of characters, most of whom, according to the author's note, really existed, so it covers a fascinating area of history too. And Chaloner is, as always, an engaging likeable character, even though sometimes he has to do some very unsavoury things. 7.5/10
June 22, 2020
In Restoration London, professional spy Thomas Chaloner unravels a plot against the dissolute king and the court. Well-researched and credible, but overlong to sustain suspense.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews