The Pearl of York, Treason and Plot

by Tony Morgan

The gripping new historical novel set in atmospheric Tudor York.
Winner of the Coffee Pot Book Club Highly Recommended award - "A heartbreaking book that grabs you from the first page and does not let you go until the last full-stop. I cannot praise this book enough. It was absolutely brilliant from beginning to end. This is an example of Historical Fiction at its most exquisite."
When Margaret Clitherow is arrested for illegally harbouring Catholic priests, her friends, led by a youthful Guy Fawkes, face a race against time to save her from the gallows. As events unfold, their lives, and our history, change forever.
What events could persuade a happily married woman to become a martyr or transform a young man into a terrorist?

Genres: Historical Fiction

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 1

About the author

Tony Morgan is a Welsh author living in Yorkshire in the UK, near to the birth place of Guy Fawkes.

His books have been described as a perfect read for lovers of the works of C.J. Sansom and S. J. Parris and anyone interested in how historic events have shaped our own times.

In addition to writing novels, Tony gives history on topics such as Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot and the life of Margaret Clitherow.

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing book has been my first experience with this Indie-author called, Tony Morgan, and I like to admit that it has been a very enjoyable one.

Historical details concerning this wonderful story can be found at the end of the book, where they are beautifully documented and explained by the author.

The author's story-telling is absolutely superb, all the figures, whether they are real historical or great fictional, come splendidly to life within this fantastic tale of treason and plot, and besides that the atmosphere and geography of York, England, are wonderfully pictured in the story as well.

The story starts off with Guy Fawkes, calling himself now John Johnson from Netherdale in Yorkshire, in the Tower of London on November 5th, 1605, while being tortured to death, and while undergoing terrible painful agonies he's narrating his own youthful tale of adventures in York, and those alongside the courageous Catholic woman, Margaret Clitherow.

Guy Fawkes, himself borne and raised a Protestant, somehow finds out about his mother being a secret Catholic while visiting Margaret Clitherow, this lady has been converted to Catholicism some years ago, and from that moment on he will encounter an urge to convert too and become a Catholic, while at school he learns that there are more secret Catholics, and who are afraid to be prosecuted because of that fact alone, during the reign of the Protestant Queen Bess.

More and more it will the case of them and us, and them being on the one hand immigrants and us English, while on the other hand there's us Protestants and them those damned Catholics.

What is to follow in this maelstrom of emotions, is that the devout courageous and pregnant, Margaret Clitherow, who's been given the name "The Pearl of York", will take a stand against her Protestant oppressors, resulting in her downfall in which she'll be condemned, and in the end prosecuted, and executed to death, and so becoming a Martyr of England and Wales, and for Guy Fawkes after having done everything he possibly could in an attempt to safe her the reassurance that his cause has not ended here, with Margaret Clitherow, but that he needs to fight on for the Catholic cause.

Very much recommended, because in my view this author has shown to me that a great book doesn't many pages to be wonderful, that's why I look forward to more of this kind books from this author in the future, and what this small fantastic volume is concerned I like to call it: "A Brilliant Little Masterpiece"!

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com

‘The Pearl of York, Treason and Plot’ is an historical thriller by Welsh-born author, Tony Morgan. He has taken, as his premise, the early life of Guy Fawkes and weaved a tale around what might have happened to him in his formative years. The story is told in the first person and the past tense, using the frame and flash-back technique.

Most of us know what happened to Guy Fawkes and the other gunpowder plotters, so instead of dwelling on those aspects, Morgan devotes most of the book to reminiscences. This focuses Fawkes’ mind on the past, rather than the torture he’s enduring at the hands of his captors. He believes if he can hold out for long enough, his cohort might have time to escape and continue in their plan to place a Catholic monarch on the throne. As the rack takes its terrible toll, Fawkes remembers his time at school, his family, his friends and his first love.

The author paints a vivid picture of Tudor England under Queen Elizabeth I, with its bustling markets and filthy streets. We also see the stark differences between the social classes and the vulnerability of anyone who crossed those in power. He captures the atmosphere of repression, suspicion and fear, prevalent throughout England. He also skilfully manages to evoke sympathy for the persecuted Catholics who refused to renounce their faith.

Morgan’s Fawkes is a hot-headed, impetuous young man who seems to court trouble yet at the same time, he is principled, honourable and committed to the welfare of those he loves. A lot of research has gone into the delivery of this story, so that fact and fiction blend seamlessly together.

We also meet Margaret Clitherow, the Pearl of York, whom may have been instrumental in Fawkes’ conversion to Catholicism. Her exposure and the manner of her barbaric death are detailed in a non-sensational, yet deeply moving way, which highlights the intolerance of the time. Of course, we will never know if these events in any way mirror reality but both these historical figures hail from York, so it’s possible their paths crossed.

There is much to admire in this story. I found myself frequently pausing to further my knowledge regarding the Council of the North, along with the backgrounds of the various historical characters mentioned. For the history enthusiast, this tale brings a new dimension to the life of Guy Fawkes and the febrile mood in England at this time. I thoroughly enjoyed it and believe it’s worth a full five stars.

[Helen Hollick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony Morgan has previously written about an alternate timeline where Guy Fawkes was successful in his endeavour to blow up Parliament, but in this novel he returns to the standard, accepted history of Guy Fawkes, albeit a younger version who is at school in York.

Guy lives with his mother and two sisters following the death of his father, and attends St Peter's school in the hopes of training in the law and working for the church, the new Protestant church as his father had done. But he happens upon his mother as she creeps across the city to attend a Catholic mass hidden in the house of a butcher's wife, Margaret Clitherow, an infamous Catholic who has been in and out of trouble over her choice of religion over the past few years, also known as the Pearl of York.

A new mayor, Mrs Clitherow's step-father, doesn't bring much relief because the sheriff of York is determined to stamp out all Catholics, including Mrs Clitherow. Guy uncovers the identity of other Catholics in York, some he knows, others he comes to know, and soon he doubts his own convictions and finds himself leaning towards the old religion, and befriending priests as he joins the struggle to save Margaret Clitherow's life when the sheriff arrests her.

Morgan's previous books have certainly been interesting, the image of the world as it might have been is fascinating to many of us, but despite this novel being more straight in its approach to history, it is his best so far. Writing in the first person is a new approach for Morgan and I feel this has helped him grow as an author, removing distraction and allowing the character of Guy to shine unhindered. The attention to the detail in York is equally impressive, as the author weaves a map of the city effortlessly so the reader has a mental image of places and buildings and where they are in relation to each other.

As before with his previous two novels, the proceeds of this go to charity, a hospice in York, so that is a pretty good reason to buy it. The cover is absolutely gorgeous, if you need another reason. If Tony Morgan improves at the same rate for his next novel, it is going to be extraordinary.

Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds

[Mary Yarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Hell is a place on Earth. It's located within a tower in London..."

I tell them only this — that I, John Johnson, from Netherdale in Yorkshire, wanted to blow *[1] you Scotch beggars back to your native mountains. I must not tell them the truth. I must hold strong even as they turn the screws, even as my body breaks. I am the most loyal of men. They will not hear the truth from me. I will not give them the names of my fellow conspirators. Nor will I tell them my real name.

I may not be able to escape their bonds or this tower, but my mind will always be free. I must take myself away from here, away from their questions and their torture. So, I will fly back to York, to the place where it all began and to the woman who inspired me.

Margaret Clitherow was the bravest woman I ever met, and so, in my time of suffering, I will think of her. Margaret, The Pearl of York, endured their torment. And so will I.

At times harrowing, The Pearl of York, Treason and Plot by Tony Morgan is the captivating story of a young Guy Fawkes as he stumbles precariously into a world of religious intolerance, torture, and martyrism.

Oh, how I invested my heart into this book. The emotional commitment that Morgan demands of his readers is absolute. The Pearl of York, Treason and Plot grabbed me from the opening sentence and as I cherished every syllable, every word, every sentence I could not help but wonder how I had never heard of one of England's greatest martyrs, Saint Margaret Clitherow — the Shining Pearl of York. Her story is one of religious piety. Her steadfast devotion to a religion that was illegal, her sham of a trial and her subsequent brutal execution has not only been brought vividly back to life, but it has also shed light on a foreign, shameful past, where the whims of a nation were as changeable as its weather.

Morgan describes this fraught and dangerous time through the eyes of Guy Fawkes, and he goes some way in explaining how a fifteen-year-old schoolboy went from a being a promising scholar who hoped to study the law to one of the most infamous and remembered conspirator in English history. As the fireworks light up the sky on November 5th, and as bonfires blaze with effigies of the man who was caught under the House of Lords with 36 barrels of gunpowder, the story of Guy Fawkes has endlessly fascinated generation after generation. James Sharpe, professor of history at the University of York once describe Fawkes as being *[2] "the last man to enter Parliament with honest intentions." Fawkes had always been clear of his goal — of course, the outcome was not what he would have wanted. But this book isn't about the night when the conspirators were betrayed. It is about a young man who is seduced by his mother's faith and becomes embroiled in the affairs of the small and hidden Catholic community that Margaret Clitherow created. This is a story of intolerance and hate, but it is also one of first love and survival against impossible odds. It is a book in a million. This novel is a hidden gem that one happily stumbles upon from time to time.

Morgan is determined to wring every last essence of emotions from his readers, and he has achieved his aims most admirably. This book made me cry, it made me smile, it made me angry, and it made me pensive. The Pearl of York, Treason and Plot is one of those books that once read you can never forget. The narrative is too enthralling, the prose is crisp, the characters are compelling, and the setting is as luxuriously detailed as it is lucid. Morgan has peeled away the layers of over 400 years of history and has written something fresh, vibrant and totally unputdownable.

The hours of research that Morgan has dedicated to this story has to be commended. No stone, it seems, has been left unturned while Morgan pieced together the history and what one might call the folklore which surrounds many of the characters in this book. Reading this book is like taking a step back in time. Words cannot describe how well Morgan has woven the history of this period with a tale that is not only vastly entertaining and compelling addictive but one that also makes the reader pause and ask, what were they thinking? And who came up with such terrible torturous punishments and executions? It is beyond comprehension. At the close of this book, I felt a very real sense of grief for Margaret and for Fawkes as well because we all know how his life ended — at least he fell from the ladder on his way to the noose and thus did not have to endure the agonising and protracted death of a traitor.

The Pearl of York, Treason and Plot by Tony Morgan is a heartbreaking book that grabs you from the first page and does not let you go until the last full-stop. I cannot praise this book enough. It was absolutely brilliant from beginning to end. This is an example of Historical Fiction at its most exquisite.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.

* [1] Cobbett, William (1857), A History of the Protestant Reformation in England and Ireland, Simpkin, Marshall and Company
* [2] Sharpe, J. A. (2005), Remember, Remember: A Cultural History of Guy Fawkes Day, Harvard University Press.

[Jean Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pearl of York; Treason and Plot by Tony Morgan
Published:1 March 2020
Self Published
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Thriller, England, 16th Century
Pages: 216
Available: paperback, ebook

Sex: 💗 none
Violence: 😱 torture and death scenes, nothing too graphic

Reviewer's Note: I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

Author Bio from his Amazon Author page: Tony Morgan is a Welsh author living in Yorkshire in the UK, near to the birth place of Guy Fawkes. His books have been described as a perfect read for lovers of the works of C.J. Sansom and S. J. Parris and anyone interested in how historic events have shaped our own times.

Debut novel REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE 6TH OF NOVEMBER is a new look at the story of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.

The Plot in brief: The Pearl of York is the story of two of York, England's most famous residents, the notorious Guy Fawkes who is celebrated each year on Bonfire Night and Margaret Clitherow, a catholic martyr and saint. In the tale, Guy is a young impressionable protestant schoolboy on the brink of manhood. Margaret, the wife of a well-to-do butcher, is a follower of the Old Religion, a Catholic. Catholicism was illegal and anyone suspected of harboring priests or allowing mass to be said was subject to arrest and worse as Margaret comes to find. Young Guy and other Catholics allies attempt to save Margaret from herself and prevent her death.

This is not the story of the Gunpowder Plot, but the tale of a young man who witnesses a brave unyielding woman go to a gruesome death in an effort to save her family. This is more the story of that woman, St. Margaret and the world in which they lived.

The History: The author, Tony Morgan, has clearly done his homework and done it well. The story is well researched and based on contemporary documents, accounts and records. Morgan has also done an excellent job of describing daily life in the city of York. One of the most difficult aspects of writing historical fiction is to fully immerse the reader in the past and I think this is accomplished here.

The Characters: Although both main characters, Margaret and Guy are well known for their part in the fabric of English history, not much is known about their early life and their motivations. A central question in each of their lives is why did they convert to Catholicism when it was much safer to remain in the religion of their parents. Morgan had to recreate the early life of Guy Fawkes and gives the reader a sense of what might have led him to conversion and the actions of his later years. Margaret Clitherow chose to die rather than make a plea. Why? Her inner thoughts remained her own. If anyone knew, it was not recorded. But the author provides a reasonable explanation for her choice. I found both Guy and Margaret to be well drawn, fully fleshed out and totally believable.

The Writing: The book is well written and well edited. There are no glaring typos or grammatical errors. The story is told in first person, Guy Fawkes is our narrator. The narrative is well paced and the book zips along. There is enough description to ensure the reader knows what and where but not too much to weigh the story down.

Overall: I really enjoyed this story. It's good to be reminded of the ugly side of Tudor history and that it's not all about Queen Elizabeth and her glittering court. And I believe it's important to remember that there was a time when we were not free to choose how or if to worship and that at times to be a practicing Catholic or Protestant was to be outside the law. Despite knowing how things were going to end for both Margaret Clitherow and Guy Fawkes, this book is more about the journey than the outcome. It humanizes a man whose actions are now an excuse for revelry and fun, which I guess is a good thing.

Recommendation: I think anyone who loves good historical fiction will enjoy this book as much as I did. Especially recommend to people who love the Tudor England as a backdrop to a story.

Special Note: Proceeds from books sold in 2020 will be donated to St. Leonard's Hospice in York.

I give this book 4 1/2 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⋆

[Mercedes Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Guy Fawkes started way before the Gunpowder Plot. Who was he? Where did he come from? Although in the first chapter we see that he is being tortured and his flashbacks are a means to block out the agony, in reality the book is not about the Gunpowder Plot at all (for that, I learned later, I need to read “Remember, Remember the 6th of November”). This is a different story—a sad and pitiful story—a tale about the persecution of Catholics and a martyr whose fate propels Fawkes to his destiny. Guy Fawkes didn’t start out as a revolutionary—nor did he start out as a Catholic. But he lived in a time where it was impossible to remain neutral when the normal laws were turned upside-down and your neighbor could be dragged away and tried for treason on the word of a child. The Pearl of York, as Margaret Clitherow came to be known, may have been guilty of harboring priests, but it didn’t follow that she deserved the most horrible of deaths. Fawkes and all of York are shocked at the miscarriage of justice, and they are helpless to save Mistress Clitherow, who would rather sacrifice herself than endanger others, or—god forbid—deny her faith. For Guy, the answers weren’t easy:

‘I was raised by my father to be with the Church of England,’ I replied. ‘He wanted me to follow him into the legal profession but the events of recent weeks have made this impossible. I’ve been expelled from school. I’ve attended Catholic Mass with my mother. The service had a powerful impression on me but I remain confused. The only thing I know for certain is that the Queen and her laws are wrong when they punish good honest folk like Mistress Clitherow. But whether I can commit myself fully to the Catholic Church or not, I don’t know yet. So much has happened, I need time to clear my head.’

Throughout the book, Guy wrestled with his feelings, but the inexorable Protestant powers forced him into a vengeful mindset. We follow his struggles every step of the way. Evolving from Protestant to Catholic was almost suicidal, and Guy wasn’t the ideal candidate. One suspects he would have been satisfied to remain Protestant if things had been different. But the book really wasn’t about Guy. It was about a brave and generous woman caught up in a controversy not of her own making, who took a stand and was prepared to die for it. It was about a martyr who deserves to be remembered and a time when the slightest slip-up could get anyone killed. It certainly helped explain why someone like Guy Fawkes could be driven to contemplate such a horrific deed as blowing up Parliament and his Protestant king. Was it worth all the sacrifice and danger for the sake of a mass? He probably wouldn’t have thought so.

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of catholic martyr Margaret Clitherow who was accused of harbouring priest and her friends including the youthful Guy Fawkes tried too save her from the gallows .........a great read

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pearl of York is not your typical historical novel. It's actually really brilliant. It's sometimes easy to forget that you're reading a historical novel because the characters are just SO relatable. I lost myself so quickly in the pages and I have to admit I was surprised to find that hours had passed when I finished. A story that thriller lovers will enjoy even if historical fiction isn't necessarily your thing.

[Mary Frain · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent account of the events in York surrounding Margaret Clitherow. I highly recommend to anyone interested in Tudor history, the history of York, or Catholic Martyrs.

[Gina Rae Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wanted to visit York in the Tudor era? This book is your chance. Tony Morgan's The Pearl of York: Treason and Plot will take you there from page one to the final

The words transport you so thoroughly, you feel the dirt, grime, terror and hopelessness of the poor, immigrants, and Catholics. The righteousness of the Protestants seeps through in every sneer and situation.

As you learn about what swept Guy Fawkes toward the Gunpowder Plot, you agonize over the choices that must be made by all involved. You also realize that many times we simply have no other alternatives.

Young romance in any era can be sweet and touching, yet so easily broken and tarnished.

We all know the eventual outcome of this story, but Mr. Morgan tells a wonderfully imaginative fictional tale of how the Pearl of York and Guy Fawkes arrived at that conclusion.

The amount of research that went into a book like this is astonishing. Every detail is accurate, and the plot moves you steadily toward the dramatic ending. The characters are vivid and well-written to enhance the story.

I highly recommend this story to all lovers of historical fiction, the Tudor era, and great storytelling.

I received a review copy of this book. My opinion is honest and unbiased.

[S.D. Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for an honest review. All expressed opinions, sarcastic or otherwise, are my own.

Oh, historical fiction, how we love thee. It’s always been one of those deceptively difficult genres to write in. Fantasy authors like myself tend to poo-poo it because it, on the surface, doesn’t require direct world building. But think about it a little deeper, and you realize that narrative is a misleading. Good historical fiction is both blessed and cursed by facts. On one hand you are buoyed by a real setting to ground your story in. On the other, the information we have on your chosen era may be incomplete, or just plain wrong. History is a living medium, and our knowledge of it is ever changing. Plus, licenses must be made to make it readable. In the end you are either going to tick off your average reader or be put into the crosshairs of a history nerd. Hard to win.

That out of the way, Tony Morgan’s A Pearl of York, Treason and Plot, is a respectable undertaking.
Guy Fawkes is looking back, reminiscing about his youth and one of the pivotal instances that put him on the path towards becoming a revolutionary. In this flashback he lives with his mother and sisters in York after the death of his father, where he attends St Peter’s law school. But late one night he discovers a secret that will turn his world upside down. Guy’s mother has been attending Catholic Mass – a highly illegal activity in that day and age – and one where in certain circumstances, is punishable by death. Enter Margaret Clitherow, the butcher’s wife, and host of these clandestine meetings. Religious beliefs will be challenged. Plots will be hatched. And many more secrets will be uncovered, as Guy Fawkes tries to save the life of Margaret, or as she has come to be known: The Pearl of York.

Morgan does most things right in his historical fiction. At the core, he understands characterization and how to use human emotion well, and this ties his book together. The prose is simple and understandable (though I personally prefer more complex styles), and the plot easy to follow. There Is little barrier to entry in this piece, and the setting seems authentic enough; sacrifices in the dialogue were made for readability. There are slow portions of the novel in the places where you’d expect. Personally, some of these chapters happen to be my favorite as they allow time for Morgan to chew the scene.

The Pearl of York, Treason and Plot is a solid historical fiction. It is skillfully written, and a narrative where you as the reader get to watch the writer really grow into his chops. I will be watching for new works from this author in the future, and you should as well.

[Emma B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical fiction about Guy Fawkes’ youth


Guy Fawkes is being interrogated after his failed attempt to blow up Parliament. To take his mind off his predicament he thinks back to his childhood, and so provides us with a fascinating insight into life at the end of the 1500s.

Set in, and around, York this novel is written from the point of view of Guy Fawkes and spans the years 1586 to 1605. It tells of his family, his schooling, his hopes and aspirations, as well as being a wonderful overview of life in York at that time. When Fawkes was in his teens Catholics were being persecuted and mass immigration was causing concern. Integrated with Fawke’s tale of his teenage years onwards, the reader also meets Margaret Clitherow, sometimes known as the Pearl of York, who was later canonised.

Just my sort of book! Historical fiction that gives insights into the life and times that Guy Fawkes grew up in, including legal practices of the time illustrated by the trial of Margaret Clitherow, all written in a very readable style. At the end of the book is an “Author’s Note” explaining which parts of the story are fact and which are fiction. 5*s from me.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating and captivating read, a very clever combination of historical facts and fiction. Set in the Tudor era it is the story of a young Guy Fawkes and we see society through his eyes with its religious persecution, repression and suspicion. Initially, Guy is a Protestant but anyone who is aware of the factual story of Fawkes knows that he becomes a Catholic. This novel chronicles the reasons for his conversion, most importantly the treatment of Margaret Clitherow, the Pearl of York, as she is tried for the offence of harbouring a Catholic priest. The descriptions of her trial and the manner of her brutal execution are deeply emotive and really highlight the intolerance of the period.

The narrative in this novel is engrossing, the characters are absorbing, and the setting is created beautifully. I really did get a sense of what York in Tudor times was like. The amount of research which must have gone into this book is very impressive. If you enjoy historical ‘faction’ I urge you to give this novel a go; all the proceeds of its sale go to a hospice in York.

I must thank the author very much for a gifted copy.

[Jonathan Posner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging story of the young life of Guy Fawkes.

A well written and thought-provoking tale of the early life of Guy Fawkes. It shows him as a likeable boy, gradually changing from the Protestantism of his late father, into the Catholic fanatic who would one day try to blow up parliament. I enjoyed the story and the excellent characterisation, and particularly the young love Guy has for Maria. I can recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Tudor history and wants to understand the all-pervasive influence of religion.

[Michael Bully · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable novel about the formative years of Guy Fawkes. The author uses his knowledge of local history well and evokes the 1580's Roman Catholic underground of York and the surrounding area quite successfully. The book culminates in the public crushing to death of Margaret Clitherow in 1586, a butcher's wife and Catholic convert, who refused to plead to charges of harbouring a priest: Refusing to plead meant that the authorities could not force members of her family, friends and servants to testify in court) .
Because this tale is so well written , caution is advised . Not much is known about the early life of Fawkes or when he converted to Catholicism, and how much impact the Clitherow case had on him. We don't know how involved Fawkes' mother Edith was involved with mistress Clitherow and her circle. Yes, his school- St Peters- did contain Catholic sympathisers. Fellow Gunpowder Plotters Jack and Kit Wright attended the same school and in the book they are already avid Catholic youths. In fact historians don't know when the Wright brothers converted, could have been as late as 1601 .

[Ian Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly good read. Very interesting historical novel made even better for me knowing the streets of York. Also Guy passed through my village on his way to and from Scotton.

[Stanley McShane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neither Guy Fawkes nor Mistress Margaret Clitherow was born a Catholic, but life has a way of unfolding an inexorable path down which we seem to be drawn. Guy Fawkes narration of his life and his introduction to Mistress Clitherow is revealed in his effort to escape the pain of torture.

In Tudor York, England, it is now a treasonable offense to remain Catholic and suddenly those who practice the "old religion" must do so in secrecy. AND, anyone caught harboring a priest was quickly brought up on the same stiff penalties as those caught performing Mass.

In a well-researched and plotted account of the story of St. Margaret Clitherow, the author weaves a plausible account of young Guy as he plots to save her after he discovers his mother had been sneaking out to Mass held under and beyond her residence. She has a kindly reputation and her husband is the neighborhood butcher, a Protestant, and elevated in social standing. After the house is raided, one of two priests is caught followed by the arrest of Mistress Clitherow.

The trial being a sham, she is sentenced to death. She appears to have no equitable way to save her own life and resolutely resigns herself to an unexpected and torturous punishment.

The author has done a tremendous job of creating a plausible explanation for her sacrifice as well as the lasting effects her death and the later death of Guy's own family that will change the course of his life.

If I had any quibbles, it was the subtle switches between Guy's retrospective to his current circumstances on the rack. Utterly engaging tale of suspicion, betrayal, brutality, survival, and faith. Deeply emotional and sympathetic characters, barbaric punishments, descriptions of Tudor streets vibrant with the sounds and fetid smells of crowded city life. Thoroughly entertaining, captivating prose.

We received this digital download from the author in the expectation of a review and these are our own opinions. Wholly recommended.

See our full reviews at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2020/...

[debora tinsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic historical novel

Really well written with lots of historically accurate detail. I didn’t know anything about this part of Guy Fawkes’ life and really enjoyed it.

[Andrew Hargreaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable once I got into the style of writing.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I highly recommend this book. I didn't know many details about Guy Fawkes. This book inspired me to find out more about him. The story of Margaret Clitherow was tragic.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this