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Christopher Radcliff #0.5
The River: A Christopher Radcliff Short Story
A FREE short story introducing readers to Elizabethan academic and intelligencer Dr Christopher Radcliff, hero of the historical thriller, The Incendium Plot . . . Cambridge on the morning of a day in April, the year of Our Lord 1569.And Christopher Radcliff, Doctor of Civil Laws at Pembroke Hall and recruiter of clever young men to the service of the Earl of Leicester, is amongst a crowd of excited townsfolk and university scholars gathered on a field to watch a game of foot ball. It is to be played between the apprentices of the town and pupils of the colleges and it is hoped it will reconcile differences between town and gown. Bets are placed, wagers made. On the field long-standing animosities surface and violence breaks out but not before the college team is victorious, thanks to the skill of a Pembroke Hall man, John Groom.Later that day, Radcliff is summoned to the senior tutor’s rooms. It transpires that John Groom has been locked up on a serious charge of assault – he’d nearly caused a cobbler’s apprentice to drown. If found guilty, Groom would be expelled from college and face imprisonment. But Christopher smells a rat. He believes the charge to be the fabrication of someone with a serious grudge against the young man, and yet it does seem as if Groom is hiding something. Enlisting the help of his friend Edward Allington and his wife Katherine, Dr Radcliff knows the truth lies somewhere within the infamous den that is Slegge’s gaming house…
81 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2018
35 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
A.D. Swanston
4 books32 followersAka Andrew Swanston.
Andrew Swanston read Law at Cambridge University, and held various positions in the book trade, including being a director of Waterstone & Co, and chairman of Methven’s plc, before turning to writing. Inspired by a lifelong interest in seventeenth century history, his ‘Thomas Hill’ novels are set during the English Civil Wars, and the early period of the Restoration. He lives with his wife in Surrey, near to their three children and two grandchildren. His interests include golf, gardening, and drawing.
Andrew Swanston read Law at Cambridge University, and held various positions in the book trade, including being a director of Waterstone & Co, and chairman of Methven’s plc, before turning to writing. Inspired by a lifelong interest in seventeenth century history, his ‘Thomas Hill’ novels are set during the English Civil Wars, and the early period of the Restoration. He lives with his wife in Surrey, near to their three children and two grandchildren. His interests include golf, gardening, and drawing.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 18, 2022
4,5 stars - English Ebook
Quote: He was much looking forward to the game, having never before seen foot ball played. At bowls and jeu de paume he was experienced and adept, but as for foot ball, he knew only that, as the name suggested, the rules precluded the use of the players’ hands. Today he would learn more.-
Quote: "And how did you manage that?" demanded Edward. Katherine pushed back her hood. Her cheeks were flushed and her green eyes sparkled. "It was not difficult, dear husband. I simply followed you from the town. You were too intent upon the silly game to notice me." She curtsied to Christopher. -
Quote: While Edward Allington and Henry Wreke hoisted Flint to his feet and held him by the arms, Katherine Allington stood to one side, smiling and waving to Christopher. "A remarkable effort for a man who cannot swim, don’t you agree, Christopher?" she called out. "How fortunate that we were here with Mr Wreke to witness it."-
Lovely short novella with a beginning, middle and end. Historical decor and positions well described. There more books in the series. I hope it will give more insides of the characters whom are put to the stage in this short novella.
Quote: He was much looking forward to the game, having never before seen foot ball played. At bowls and jeu de paume he was experienced and adept, but as for foot ball, he knew only that, as the name suggested, the rules precluded the use of the players’ hands. Today he would learn more.-
Quote: "And how did you manage that?" demanded Edward. Katherine pushed back her hood. Her cheeks were flushed and her green eyes sparkled. "It was not difficult, dear husband. I simply followed you from the town. You were too intent upon the silly game to notice me." She curtsied to Christopher. -
Quote: While Edward Allington and Henry Wreke hoisted Flint to his feet and held him by the arms, Katherine Allington stood to one side, smiling and waving to Christopher. "A remarkable effort for a man who cannot swim, don’t you agree, Christopher?" she called out. "How fortunate that we were here with Mr Wreke to witness it."-
Lovely short novella with a beginning, middle and end. Historical decor and positions well described. There more books in the series. I hope it will give more insides of the characters whom are put to the stage in this short novella.
May 28, 2021
Nice short introduction to Christopher Radcliffe series I intend to go forward with.
May 2, 2021
Very Short
A good story introducing us to Dr Christopher Radcliff at Cambridge, before the incident that leads to him having to leave. Good to see an early Katherine, still married, and the story is nice and simple. It's was just a pity it wasn't a bit longer but it was free.
A good story introducing us to Dr Christopher Radcliff at Cambridge, before the incident that leads to him having to leave. Good to see an early Katherine, still married, and the story is nice and simple. It's was just a pity it wasn't a bit longer but it was free.
December 1, 2022
A free short story
This is a free very short story of approximately thirty pages to introduce Christopher Radcliff the main character in the Authors Historical novel series. Atmospheric with a feel of time and place.
This is a free very short story of approximately thirty pages to introduce Christopher Radcliff the main character in the Authors Historical novel series. Atmospheric with a feel of time and place.
January 17, 2019
Disappointed as the story was only too short
I was so disappointed to find there was only 37% was the actual story and the remainder was a sample of the new novel called Incendium
I was so disappointed to find there was only 37% was the actual story and the remainder was a sample of the new novel called Incendium
February 25, 2019
I was barely into the book when it finished and the new novel Incendium began. I felt I was cheated.
The Bridge had the beginnings of something much more, very disappointed.
The Bridge had the beginnings of something much more, very disappointed.
March 19, 2020
A nice introduction to Christopher Radcliff. It has made me interested to read more of this series.
January 9, 2021
Good
Started off well in the first part but the leap to the following episode was confusing and the change in the main character not very interesting.
Started off well in the first part but the leap to the following episode was confusing and the change in the main character not very interesting.
July 10, 2021
The River: a Christopher Radcliff short story
Too brief to write a proper review of it. I may check out some of the other books by this author.
Too brief to write a proper review of it. I may check out some of the other books by this author.
October 23, 2021
Interesting
An interesting book which held my attention. I liked the setting and the characters. Sadly it was not long enough.
An interesting book which held my attention. I liked the setting and the characters. Sadly it was not long enough.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews