Chocolate House Treason

by David Fairer

Covent Garden, January 1708. Widow Trotter has big plans for her recently-inherited coffee house, not suspecting that within days her little kingdom will be caught up in a national drama involving scandal, conspiracy and murder...

Queen Anne’s new “Great Britain” is in crisis. The Queen is mired in a sexual scandal, spies are everywhere, and political disputes are bringing violence and division. The treasonous satirist “Bufo” is public enemy number one and the Ministry is determined to silence him. Drawn into a web of intrigue that reaches from the brothels of Drury Lane to the Court of St James’s, Mary Trotter and her young friends Tom and Will race against time to unravel the political plots, solve two murders, and prevent another.

The first in a projected series of "Chocolate House Mysteries", the novel presents the London of Queen Anne in all its brilliance and filth, its violence, elegance and wit. The book moves among a rich cast of characters, ranging from the life of the streets and the "nymphs" of Drury Lane to the conspiratorial world of Queen Anne's Court. At its heart is the Bay-Tree Chocolate House, Covent Garden, where Widow Trotter presides as she does over the novel itself, with good humour, fierce integrity, and resolute determination.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

541 pages, Paperback

Published September 28, 2019

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rare historical fiction for the period of Queen Ann's reign. The action is early 1700's as storm clouds gather between political factions leading up to the Queen's Birthday celebration when London comes alive with parties and fireworks and a final conflict that leads to a bartered solution after a series of crimes.
We are introduced to a lively trio of characters who take center stage and we can hope will continue to live on in further books by this author. A young lawyer Will and his poet friend Tom both have important family connections that figure in this drama where it takes a coalition of three dedicated to bring justice to a falsely accused publisher. Their landlady Mary Trotter, a widow running a coffee shop where she hopes intellectual pursuits will be the norm steers the ship, organizing their efforts.
It is a long book, but how can it be too long when it is filled with historical detail of London?

I am grateful to NetGalley for this book and happy to see it is available from Amazon.

[Hannelore Cheney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Matador for the eARC. It took me a while to get into the rhythm of this book, but once I did, I couldn't put it down.
This is a rich, well plotted novel with an intense feel of early 1700's London and the machinations of Queen Anne's reign. The three characters who are trying to save the life of the imprisoned publisher are well drawn and extremely likeable. Hopefully they will return as part of a series.
You can feel, smell and hear the city and the visit to Newgate and its fetid smells and deplorable conditions are particularly memorable. The delicious descriptions of the Chocolate House however made me brew some coffee and wish I had some chocolate sweetmeats!
Here's hoping I will meet Tom, Will and Widow Trotter again.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this book! I find that it did take a while to find a rhythm (close to 100 pages for me), but once it did, I couldn't put it down. As someone fascinated by Queen Anne, I loved that Robert Harley was a featured character, as it truly grounded this novel in history for me. It is obvious that Fairer has put an extensive amount of effort into researching this book and it paid off. Restoration London and the few decades that followed after are largely forgotten in both history (though we are seeing a resurgence of interest) and in literature. Fairer has built a rich and complex London for us to dive into. The mystery is a bit twisty, but still interesting to follow along!

[Sandy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing debut novel from David Fairer. I am very interested in late Stuart and Georgian English history so this intrigued me. The book's blurb drew me in and when it arrived I was a little daunted by the size but nevertheless I got stuck in and enjoyed every page. I was transported to early eighteenth century London by the finely drawn description - I could see the sights, taste the food and smell the streets. The central, and secondary, characters were beautifully written. Each have their distinct voice and personalities. Mr Fairer avoided the clichés that a lot of historical novelists dish up - his London was neither filthy and impoverished or encumbered by too much 'just right' historical description. He has obviously done his research and the result is that I could imagine what living there would have been like for all classes. This unobtrusive backdrop complemented the storyline and the characters actions. The story is both complex but easy to follow and the ending was satisfying but left the door open for further Chocolate House intrigues. Please do write more - I will happily read them!

[Debra Davidson-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book jam-packed with period detail - you can almost taste the coffee, smell Newgate prison and feel the fear of a time and place where the merest hint of sedition could land you in serious trouble. I felt that a little too much time was spent in scene-setting and character building before the story really got going, but once it did, it then moved along at a cracking pace. Thanks to having seen 'The Favourite' I had some idea of the politics and intrigues of Queen Anne's era but perhaps a brief introduction summarising the situation would help people get to grips with this before getting caught up in the detail of the narrative. The author, David Fairer, is a professor of C18th literature and his expertise makes this a fascinating and really enjoyable read. The characters are all believable and as I warmed to several of them, I hope this book might be the start of a series in which they feature. To summarise - if you enjoy stories of political and courtly intrigue, excellent characterisation and a good murder mystery then you will love this book.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

1708 England was an interesting time. Queen Anne's reign was anything but routine and scandal was rife. There were spies everywhere. The celebrations for the Queen's birthday are all being planned and with a big fireworks display as well.

In Covent Garden we have a coffee house newly opened and Mary Trotter at the helm hoping that this house will lead the way for intellectuals to gather to have discourse and conversations on a higher level. She did not expect to face the problems she did.

Full of historical detail of a period not very often found, it was an interesting account of the times. The characterization was very good with three people trying to help out a publisher falsely accused. Not easy in these times.

[Mentatreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seems to have come as a consequence of the film, The Favourite. Indeed without that film I would have been lost regarding the underlying characters involved; that period of English history is not commonly known to Americans as, for example, the period and characters of Henry VIII or Elizabeth I. I was familiar with the writers, Addison, Steele, and Pope, but not of their political selves.

As such, it could have used an introduction detailing the political situation at the time, perhaps as a conversation between two Coffee House patrons with quoted excerpts from pamphlets of the time.

The mystery as a whole was complicated and well done. I felt some of the action scenes were extraneous.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this time period of English history so I was thrilled to be deflected to read this book. I so enjoyed the movie The Favorite about Queen Anne’s reign, a period of history that is so very rarely covered - whether in books, documentaries or films. The author did a fantastic job creating interested fully developed characters and an interesting plot. I loved it!

[Jane Bohannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read histroical political could be true book, enjoyed the scenes set and the language and wit, sometimes a bit lengthy.



Covent Garden, January 1708. Widow Trotter has big plans for her recently-inherited coffee house, not suspecting that within days her little kingdom will be caught up in a national drama involving scandal, conspiracy and murder...

[Alison Pilkington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A period of history I’m not that familiar with so it took a little while to get to grips with the ‘real’ political characters but it very quickly became very absorbing and very hard to put down. The main players felt real and you could see them and their world. Will be definitely reading any future works by the author.

[Emma Berridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Descriptive without becoming boggy, allowed full discovery of facts for the case giving you every opportunity to discover whodunnit and you get to discover everything with the characters. A wonderful adventure you can see, hear and sometimes smell in the quest for justice.

[Monika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Toooooo boring. Couldn't finish it.

[Anindyta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literature is not mere words. Poem, for example, could be deathly political weapon; it could bring the state in a turmoil. Like what I read in this book, poems from an anonymous writer found illegally spreading in the coffee houses brought us to a bizarre murder case which leads a publisher as a suspect. Mr. Emmet who worked in a publishing company, killed in his own office, clutching this poem in his hand. His boss, Mr. Morphew is the only suspect for this since he was found in the same office in a complete disarray and blood all over his clothes. Most people believed this is the case, but our heroes, Tom Bristowe, Will Lundy, and Widow Trotter didn’t. They determined to find the answer for this murder case and save the publisher life. The three went on investigations in the middle of Queen Anne’s England, 1708.

I could say this is kind of long story for a mystery. The tempo is slow and it’s full of historical facts. I do admire this side, the history side which the writer choose to write. He choose to write about Queen Anne’s Robert Harley situation in 1700ish and it is a whole new information for me. I’m not really familiar of England’s history and I feel a little hard to adapt at the beginning. You know, I kept forgetting who’s who, and I did searching and do my own research of the Whig and Tory for the book’s sake. But really, the book has a remarkable details. I always loved if the book is deeply researched like this.

The writing is nice, I like the words the author used. The mystery itself is so confusing and need some deliberation. Politic is everywhere and the book made me think twice to be in that politic world (no, actually I’m never into politics :p). The issue about political writings also made me think how powerful words are. I like the ending, I like the main characters, they are likeable even the little characters like Jem, but my favorite is Will Lundy, hehe. I even found myself hoping that this book is going to be a mystery series from the author.

Thank you Netgalley and Matador for the opportunity to read this book.

[Soozee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book; set in the London of Queen Anne, the country is in political turmoil (with the machinations of Whig and Tory we can still recognise today!).

Mrs Trotter runs a coffee house, and with her tenant, a budding poet Tom Bristowe, and his lawyer friend Will she becomes embroiled when one of the coffee house's patrons, a printer called Morphew, is accused of murder. The trio are determined to prove his innocence, and their efforts threaten to bring down the government as secret letters and satirical pamphlets abound.

There are elements of this book that show incredibly skilled writing - the author depicts life in the early 18th century incredibly well, and the sketches of the coffee house culture, the 'beau monde' on display and the horrors of the prison are handled extremely well. The characters are well drawn and very believable.

However, the book is far too long. It could easily have been reduced by a third and been a better read for that. The first half seemed very ponderous and I had to force myself to carry on. Once I was drawn into the story, it was very enjoyable.

Overall, well worth pursuing and a very entertaining portrait of Anne's London.

Thank you to NetGalley and Matador for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Diane Edbauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing mystery set in the early 1700s 'Chocolate House Treason' by David Fairer is full of suspense. The fascinating characters are likable and well developed. Three amateur sleuths: Widow Trotter (coffee house proprietor), Tom Bristowe (poet) and Will Lundy (Lawyer), set out to free their friend Mr Morphew of murder charges by solving the murder. As the plot builds, the reader finds that many of the government officials are corrupt. The trio of investigators don't know who to trust. A new conspiracy is found everywhere they turn often misdirecting the investigation.
I found this book intriguing because it has many parallels to our time. Government corruption of our era is out of control much like it was in the early 1700s. Incorrigible government officials were bending laws to meet their needs back then as they are today.
Give this book a chance. It took about four chapters before it gripped my full attention. After that, I could not put it down. I recommend this book because it is both thought-provoking and has every quality of a good mystery. Chocolate House Treason is a great read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect mystery for readers who enjoy history well delivered, that history in fine detail, as well. This is not a light mystery, full of fluff. It has teeth. If you like authors such as Anne Perry and Paul Doherty who give the reader a time travel adventure into London of old, please give this book a try. Yes, it is long and often it is more talk than action but the immersion into the days of the reign of Queen Anne is worth every word. London is alive, complete with the sights, sounds and, yes, the smells of the 1700's.
The main characters are a likable trio of Mary Trotter, owner of a coffee shop. She is landlady to Will, a lawyer and his friend, Tom, a poet. The politics of the period are woven through their efforts to defend a wrongfully accused publisher. It's history with a mystery included rather than the other way around. I really enjoyed my visit to this period of London history.
My thanks to the publisher Matador and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[S.E. Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and erudite novel. It vividly brings to life the political intrigues that swirled through the coffee houses of Queen Ann’s London. The author relishes the detail which brings grimy sordid alleyways to life as much as the homes and palaces of the aristocracy.
I guess I’d characterize it as a literary novel, which does for the Restoration and Queen Anne’s England something between what Hilary Mantel does in Wolf Hall and what CJ Samson’s Shardlake does in Tudor England.
I enjoyed the book but would say it wasn’t an early page-turner, hence my referring to Mantel. It does take a little while to become engrossing, but it is well worth sticking with it, (ditto Wolf Hall). You can absolutely tell the author knows this period inside out and lives every moment with his characters.
Should add, the book is quite topical in that if you enjoyed the film "The Favourite" with Olivia Coleman this sets more of the background.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1708 and Widow Trotter has plans for her Good Fellowship Coffee House. But a politcal scandal with connections to the crown and Queen Anne is brewing. Mary Trotter with her friends Thomas Bristowe (an aspiring satirist), Will Lundy of the Middle Temple and Constable Elias Cobb are drawn into the intrigue. But when a body is discovered and the wrong man accused, the group of friends are determined to find the guilty party and save their friend from the gallows.
It took awhile for me to get drawn into this long book, its story and the characters, and the politics of the Torys and Whigs. An era which I don't know a lot about but just enough.
Overall an enjoyable if somewhat involved read and I look forward to hopefully reading more of the adventures of this group of likeable characters.
A NetGalley Book

[Sherry Chiger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sad to say that I simply could not finish this. It was simply too static for me. Rather than showing most of the action, the author has the characters talk about it to one another in a fashion that I suspect was verbose even for the 18th century. The reason I'm sad is that the writing evoked the time and place beautifully, and the author certainly knows the era. But when I found myself about a third of the way in and making excuses not to continue reading, I knew it was not the book for me.

Thank you, NetGalley and Matador Books, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope this is going to be a series because it was a highly enjoyable and entertaining read.
The book is well written and the historical background is well researched and vividly described.
The cast of characters is interesting and well written and realistic.
The plot is not very fast paced but once you are hooked you won't stop reading till the end.
An excellent read, highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.