The House of Lamentations

Damian Seeker #5

by S.G. MacLean

'One of the best historical crime series out there' Crime Review

'Could challenge CJ Sansom for dominion' Sunday Times

Summer, 1658, and the Republic may finally be the combined Stuart and Spanish forces have been heavily defeated by the English and French armies on the coast of Flanders, and the King's cause appears finished.


Yet one final, desperate throw of the dice is planned. And who can stop them if not Captain Damian Seeker?

The fifth gripping outing for Seeker in this acclaimed and award-winning series of historical thrillers. Will his legacy endure?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Historical, Thriller

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Aka Shona MacLean

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is 1658, and Cromwell's regime is going too far in its cruelty in its gruesome executions of Royalists, the public sickened by the inhumanity. Documenting all the terrors and the excesses in his paper is Elias, the only one holding the regime to account. He has reached the end of his tether, he can take no more, and is planning to move his family to Boston, Massachusetts, including sister Maria, for a new life. Cromwell himself is ill, struggling with his close personal losses, it is the beginning of the end, as SG MacLean's superior historical series, featuring the charismatic Damian Seeker, draws to an end. An air of despondency afflicts the Royalists, all their secret societies and plots have come to nought, betrayed at every turn, and the Stuart and Spanish invasion has been defeated on the Flanders coast. Believed to be dead in England, Seeker has been undercover as an agent, John Carpenter, for the spymaster, Thurloe, in Bruges in Belgium.

Seeker has been uncovering Royalist traitors and plots among the Royalists in the city and based at Bouchoute House, including Thomas Faithly, keeping his ear close to the ground as is his ingrained habit, a necessity too, if he is discovered, death is a certainty. The royalists know they have been betrayed by one of their own, and a woman is coming to discover the culprit. Arriving with her maid at Engels Klooster, the English Convent, is the elderly royalist Lady Hildred Beaumont, determined to give her money to Charles. Bartlett Jones is searching for his sister, Ruth, a woman in hiding from her abusive husband, protected at The House of Lamentations, a place of ill repute. In a narrative where Bruges is brimful of intrigue, murders and deception, Seeker wonders what connects the convent and the House of Lamentations, finding himself making common cause with an old foe, determined to get to the truth and uncover more than one killer as danger comes ever closer, whilst chaos and turbulence begin to takeover in England.

It is with a sense of loss that I read the final episode in this brilliant series, I have loved this well written and atmospheric series, a blend of fact and fiction that immersed me so effectively in the 17th century and Cromwell's England. I enjoyed the change of location to Bruges, appreciating the architecture of the city, and buildings such as the grim prison, the Oude Steen. Many of you will be aware that Cromwell is going to die and name his son, Richard, as his successor in 1658. Where does this all leave Seeker and his loyalties to Cromwell? Clearly, if the King returns, Seeker's prospects are dire, he is too well known, so effective as one of Cromwell's enforcers. A superb ending to a fantastic award winning series. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thrilling historical novel is the 5th and final volume, although in my view the book has an open end, so who knows, of the great "Captain Damian Seeker" series, from the formidable author, S(hona) G. Maclean.

At the back of the book you'll notice a very well documented Author's Note, in which the historical details concerning this historical story are superbly explained.

Story-telling is once again of a top-notch quality, all figures featuring in this historical novel, whether they are real historical or wonderful fictional, come vividly to life in this book, while also the hostile atmosphere and dangerous circumstances of Bruges in Flanders (now Belgium) are wonderfully pictured, and last but not least reading Dutch names of streets, convent (f e Engels Klooster instead of English Convent), churches, markets are like music to my ears.

The story is set in July-September in the year, AD 1658, during the final months of Oliver Cromwell's reign as Protector of England, and we find Captain Damian Seeker in Bruges, in an attempt to rescue a double-agent, Marchmont Ellis, who's living with three other Royalist Cavaliers, namely Sir Thomas Faithly, the Irishman, Evan Glenroe, and the Englishman Daunt, but mockingly called, Dunt.

When a she-intelligencer is sent to Bruges in an effort to eliminate the traitor within the four Royalist Cavaliers, she will be discovered somehow by Damian Seeker, and from that point on situations filled with peril and deadly encounters will enfold between Damian Seeker and his Royalist counterparts, and not to forget between him and the she-intelligencer.

Also important to note is that the famous and formidable Royalist, Lady Anne Winter, will make an appearance, while also Sister Janet of the Engels Klooster (English Convent), Madame Helene of the House of Lamentations (a brothel), and Major George Beaumont will all play a significant part in this astonishing gripping historical novel.

What will follow is a fascinating story about loyalty, betrayal, friendship, animosity, love and hate between Protectorate and Royalist, and where the boundaries of humanity and civility will be brutally broken, and where freedom and survival will mean everything whatever the cause, right until the end.

Highly recommended, for this is a terrific historical novel, sadly (although I hope he'll return someday) the last outing of Damian Seeker, and that's why I want to call this beautiful last episode: "A Superb (Temporary?) Conclusion of Great Series"!

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damian Seeker #5

Set in 1658: Damien has been exiled to Bruges to spy on the English royalists. He's working as a carpenter. Bruges is the home of loyalists to Charles II. Damien works for sypmaster, Thurloe on behalf of Cromwell who is on his deathbed.

I did not know that this was the fifth book in the series when i requested it. It's also the last book to be written about Damian Seeker. There is a lot of subplots within the story. The book as been well researched, filled with twists and well written. A well blended story of fact and fiction. I would liked to have read the other books in this series before i read this one. It did read well as a standalone.

i would like to thank NetGalley, Qurecus Books and the author S.G. MacLean for my ARC in exchange for exchange for an honest review.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction; 1650's; Cromwell in charge of GB as the King is "hiding out" where he can; the scene for the majority of this book is Bruge where the British factions played their roles under cover; the main character is Damian Seeker whose role to some is carpenter, allowing him entry to homes. The action is robust, the danger real as Royalists plot and continue to fail in their attempts to restore the king. And then Cromwell dies.
Following the actions and strategy of heroic and clever Seeker makes for a compelling read.

Kindle Bargain at 99 cents!

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

the final days of the protectorate and seeker is in the low countries hunting for a double agent, doesn't disappoint the final in the series as a few red herrings in the plot as well.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m definitely in a minority here, feeling a bit underwhelmed by the final book in the series. The majority of this story takes place in Bruges during the dying embers of Cromwell’s rule while Seeker, now John Carpenter continues his work for Thurloe keeping an eye on the remaining Cavaliers who have escaped to Bruges. I missed the London setting and all the familiar entourage of Seeker’s life in Britain. There is no doubt that the quality of the historical research remains high in this novel, but the details of what happens to Seeker and his family of friends is consigned to the epilogue, where I had been hoping for more. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

[Allie Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year is 1658 and we are nearing the end: both of Cromwell's life and our adventures with Damian Seeker. Beginning and ending in England, the bulk of the action in The House of Lamentations takes place in Bruges, to where many royalists have fled since the King and his court have taken refuge not far away.

As ever with MacLean, in addition to the main story, there are several intriguing subplots to get our teeth into. The book fairly hurtles along with its rich cast of characters and it is a most enjoyable ride.

While I am sorry to bid farewell to Seeker, MacLean has a new book in the offing and I look forward to meeting a new hero on its publication. Damian Seeker was a wonderful creation; this has been an entertaining series, brought to a satisfying conclusion. Recommended.

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damien Seeker! A definite hero of mine for all times. I love the cracks we see in his determined and hard facade. He keeps tangling with Ann Winters and they play a cat and mouse game of paying their dues to each other. The end of Cromwell’s time is drawing nigh and Damien is living under deep cover in Bruges. There’s scads of plots and counterplots. The door is left open for a return! I hope it comes.
I adored this series!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The enigmatic Damian Seeker is one of my favourite figures in historical fiction and I always look forward to these books. Sadly, The House of Lamentations, is the fifth in the series but also the last. This is a fine finale, however, and I loved it. I was fully immersed in its story and its setting, which is Bruges in 1658, the centre of the exiled Charles' court. Seeker is indeed in a nest of vipers but there is far more going on than even he might have thought. An excellent historical mystery, spy thriller and adventure which is, as always with this series, beautifully told. Review to follow very shortly on For Winter Nights.

[Pam Baddeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 5 of the Seeker series finds Seeker working on the continent. He has has been in Bruges, undercover as a carpenter (his original trade) for the past 18 months. Most people believe him to be dead, following the bear attack at the end of book 4, and he is now living on his wits and spying on the royalists in the town. His boss decided, after the near success of the conspiracy in the last book, that he needs Seeker on the spot in Flanders to thwart any further attacks. He is being economical with the truth though, not letting Seeker know that Oliver Cromwell is ailing - letters from Lawrence Ingoldby, the law student who is suitor to Seeker's daughter, have luckily been filling him in more on what is actually going on back in England.

Things are hotting up as the novel starts, with a report that an agent of the royalists, a she-intelligencer, is about to arrive to find out who is betraying the royalists in England. Four cavaliers are currently staying at the Bouchoute house - one is Sir Thomas, who previously worked as a spy with Seeker as his handler, but who returned to the King's service. He is desperate to conceal his former role in Cromwell's regime. Another man at the house is currently spying for the Commonwealth with Seeker as his handler, but Seeker senses that this man is becoming reluctant to continue, especially since he now fears exposure by the she-intelligencer - whoever that is.

To complicate things, Lady Hildred Beaumont, a royalist lady of rank arrives to hand over her wealth to the impoverished King Charles, and her maid doesn't quite seem to have a maid's attitude or credentials. A woman called Ruth is hiding at a brothel called the House of Lamentations, sent there to escape a man who is hunting her, by the cantankerous old English nun, Sister Janet, a leading light at the Engels Klooster, the English Convent. Seeker senses that Janet has dark secrets of her own. And a brother arriving to save his sister is soon murdered.

Seeker has more than enough to deal with, and time is running out for him to return to England as he has been warned by letter that Maria's brother intends for them and their extended family to emigrate to Massachussets on the last ship of the season which will be sailing at the end of the month. Seeker must uncover multiple secrets in time to return and prevent Maria from sailing.

I enjoyed this story which was a real pageturner. The whole espionage setup was very absorbing, with multiple agents at work, various murders and an escalation of tension throughout. The characters were convincing. There were one or two glitches - expressions such as 'blow your cover' or similar jarred rather as I can't even imagine the Victorians using that one. And I did think that the apparent reconciliation - a passionate one at that - between Seeker and Maria which occurred between books 4 and 5 would have been covered with a scene or two in flashback rather than a couple of lines, given the tension maintained for two books about whether they would ever get back together. But on the whole, I rate this at 4 stars.

[BookAddict · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series ending that's not quite an ending, hopefully, but perhaps just a pause. Either way this was a great finish to, what for me, didn't start as a great series. Action, skullduggery and loose ends gently tied up, to a degree. Again, the history is superb and the pacing equally so. I'm looking forward to whatever comes next.

[Keith Currie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Bruges

After the less than satisfactory ‘Bear Pit’ this final offering in the tale of Damien Seeker demonstrates a real return to form. Seeker is now Cromwell’s undercover agent in Spanish Flanders, spying on the vagabond Royalists gathered there. Cromwell himself has fallen ill and is on his death bed and this conjures a resurgence of hope in the exiled King Charles.

There are a number of intrigues bustling around in this new novel, all centring on the House of Lamentations, a brothel connected by an underground passage to the English Convent: a scarred runaway wife, horribly abused by her violent husband, a sinister Jesuit priest, the schemes of the indigent Royalists. In the midst is Seeker, disguised as a carpenter, beyond the notice of the Royalist elite as a common man, a mysterious Cromwellian officer estranged from his Royalist mother and, best of all, the return of Lady Anne Winter, Seeker’s most able adversary.

Now there are some flaws. It seems unlikely that Seeker could remain so unnoticed by Thomas Faithly, for example, and the resolution of the central intrigue is not hard to work out. But this is to nit-pick. I enjoyed this last novel in the sequence a lot. Indeed the absence of most of Seeker’s wider family for much of its length actually improved the story, as there was little need to work out who they all were, which I saw as a fault of the last novel. Despite being the last, it can be read as a standalone almost without reference to the others.

[Paul Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A benchmark for anyone thinking of writing an historical novel. The research is all present and correct but never showy, never impinging on the story. The setting is properly done mise en scene, colorful but not impeding the narrative flow. The characters are fleshed out and sympathetic, even the putative villains. Seeker himself walks the line between hard-arsed secret policeman and decent human being, difficult when he works for Oliver Cromwell, the warty faced Saxon psychopath and religious fanatic, may he rot in the deepest hell. (Did I mention I’m Irish?). The plot has its twists and turns, not too difficult to figure out really, but you come here more for the settings, the milieu, to dip your toe in some history rather than mystery solving.
This may be the last of Damian Seeker’s adventures for the Cromwellian gestapo, but wherever the author goes next, it will be well worth tagging along for the ride.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeker is living in Bruges under an assumed identity, feeding back information to Cromwell's spies in England. When a Royalist and her maid are attacked whilst travelling to the king, Seeker finds there is more going on in the city than meets the eye. This is the fifth and final book in the Seeker series and it was as excellent as the earlier novels. I was a bit worried that Seeker would have an absolute final end but I like how there's the possibility of more adventures.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Latest instalment for Seeker and I was sad for it to end as I'm not sure there will be another. Great escapism in gloomy lockdown! Cromwell's England is dangerous and unstable and Seeker has no one to trust. After the events of book no. 4 our hero is now in Bruges where things should be calmer - but they are not! Lots of twists and intrigue - great pace thoroughly enjoyable.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️

[Daniel Mole · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite book in what has been a brilliant series of books.

Damian Seeker has a change of scenery in this one. He’s placed in a Royalist - and therefore enemy - dominated Bruges. I was slightly skeptical about the change of scenery - the previous 4 books were excellent, but were all based in England. I needn’t have worried, the change of scenery only did the book favours, and improved the story.

There were throughout the book subtle references to the previous ones, but a reader could easily enter the series at this point - this would be an extremely successful standalone novel on its own.

Saying that, the prologue was what turned this book from a good one into one of the best I’ve ever read. The subtle references to previous stories and Seekers previous experiences made me feel so connected to Seeker and his experiences. Maclean was clearly sad to see such a brilliant character go - and Seeker is an excellent character - one of the best and most liked I’ve ever read. I look forward to reading the Winter List and reading further into this brilliant post Oliver Cromwell world that MacLean has set up.

I can only pray that this isn’t the end of Damian Seeker, but if it is, what a perfect end to his story.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book number 5 in the very enjoyable 'Seeker' series. At the end of the previous book Seeker, a Captain in Oliver Cromwell's guard, was declared dead. However, very far from dead he is now in Bruges working in his old trade as a carpenter. In this role he is assigned to keep a close eye on the Royalists living in the city in exile. four men of particular interest are planning to transport a large sum of money to Charles Stuart. One, however, is a traitor who reports to Seeker passing on information about Royalist activity in England. To staunch the flow of information, the Royalists send an assassin to identify the spy. This of course, puts Seeker's position in danger.
Bruges is a lively place and Seeker encounters nuns, Jesuit priests, a brothel, runaway woman, bored cavaliers and a pretty steep body count.
A very enjoyable read.

[Helen Cairns · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now read several S.G Maclean novels and have enjoyed them all .This is a historical novel in the Damien Seeker series, which, as usual, I haven't read in the correct order. However, despite this, the stories are independent enough to survive.
Damien Seeker is a middle-aged ex Roundhead soldier who is working as an agent in the Netherlands collecting information about the Royalists exiled there and passing it back to Cromwell's government in England. The Netherlands is awash with spies and intrigue, and the stakes are very high. Murder,betrayal, and deceit are the results, and Damien Seeker must follow his conscience as well as his cause. And as news filters through Cromwell's sickness and eventual death, very difficult decisions must be made.
Well drawn characters, a pacey plot, and great dialogue result in a page turner.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this last book in the series about Damian Seeker. Hope the author changes her mind and
brings him back so we can see what happens to him in America.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sad to see this outstanding series come to an end here, but this book was just as excellent as the earlier ones. New location of Bruges we a great addition to the storytelling.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly predictable on the plot side, but very nicely drawn characters.

[Lindsey Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Review Here

I had solid expectations for The House of Lamentations – fifth in the Captain Damian Seeker series by S.G MacLean. I’ve enjoyed the first four with their mysteries, characters and settings, so was certain I’d like this. It didn’t disappoint, delivering another whirlwind of a mystery that keeps you guessing.

Damian Seeker is one of my favourite historical fiction characters. I’ve explored his character in previous reviews: tough, firm exterior no one dares cross; biggest heart you’ll find under Cromwell’s reign. The fifth book is no different.

Isolated and alone, Seeker has time to reflect on what he wants. After four books battling love and duty, it’s satisfying watching him arrive at a conclusion. But I was cheering all the way as he – finally – puts love first, although the collapse of the regime helps.

It sums up Seeker’s character perfectly when it’s not the threat to his masters he’s worried about, but the fate of an unknown woman that haunts him.

New and old enemies appear as events result in plots and conspiracies. The narration mainly follows Seeker, but insights into secondary characters gives readers a few extra clues what’s going on – and who you should be rooting for.

More than any other genre, the plot has to work in a mystery to hold my attention. The House of Lamentations delivers this: you have hints and clues throughout, helped by snippets of other character’s point of views. But how it pulls together, how all the elements connect, remained completely hidden.

I love the balance between large-scale-threat-to-the-throne plot coupled with a small-scale personal mystery that affects three people. It provides a personal touch: you want Seeker to win, but you’re emotionally invested in the sub-plot. You get a feeling about some elements, but there’s enough curve-balls that you’re never certain.

MacLean’s writing has always captivated me. Despite studying it in school, this isn’t an era I remember a lot about, but I feel the history unfolding as we move through the books. It never feels like an information dump.

The same is true here. Despite being in a different country with names I can’t pronounce, you get a feel for the city, transporting you to where the characters are.

Likewise, her descriptions of the characters bring them to life. We know Seeker now, but even the secondary characters with a minor part are ones you can empathise and connect with.

House of Lamentations had a different pace to the previous books: slower and more in-depth due to Seeker’s isolation. However, I thoroughly enjoyed it: a new city, a mystery I couldn’t guess and an explosive climax that meant I couldn’t put the book down. Definitely recommendation for historical fiction fans.

[Sal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a disappointing outing for Damian Seeker.
It was interesting to get a glimpse of the life of the Stuarts in exile on the continent. However, with Seeker torn away from London we don't get to see any of the characters that normally inhabit these books.
What has always appealed to me about this series is that it covers a period not often seen in historical fiction, and it covers it from the point of view of Cromwell's side rather than the more romantic exiled King's.
We know that the Protectorate will come to an end and the King return, which was always going to make a happy ending tricky, but here it ends almost off stage with a whimper rather than a bang.
The excellent Ashes of London novels follow on from this period, showing the difficulties faced by the families that fought against the King. I was hoping to see what was happening at the heart of the Protectorate as Cromwell's health failed. What were the men in power doing to try to protect themselves and the country they fought to create? Instead Seeker is stuck in Belgium solving an improbable mystery involving nuns and Jesuits and a guest appearance by the King. This felt like a missed opportunity for a much more memorable story.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and excellent novel, unfortunately the last of the series! This time Seeker takes to Bruges to assist Thurloe in his pursuits of traitors to the Protectorate. It was fascinating and informative to learn about the life of Royalists abroad awaiting orders from their King and plotting about Cromwell. I have enjoyed the whole series very much: high quality writing, intricate plots and charismatic characters, particularly Seeker obviously! Highly recommended!

[Liz Titley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so keen to read this, the final in the series, that I failed to review the penultimate one. Both lived up to expectations. In the final years of Cromwell's life, our flawed hero still has integrity running through him like a stick of rock, so, as ever, he has to choose between duty and conscience. I will miss him.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I didn't enjoy this instalment quite as much as the others in the series - I was missing London - it was still a really good read and as a whole, the series is one of the best I've read for a long time.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Damien Seeker story which was hard to put down. Shame this is the last one.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of Book 4, 'The Bear Pit' (how to say this without giving up the ending?), we last saw Damian Seeker, weaponless, entrapped in a bear pit. On Cromwell's orders, the bear pits had been closed, and all the bears had been killed . . . or had they? Worse still, Damian's love, Maria Ellingsworth, has been shoved into the pit . . .

So, three years later, we find Damian in his old disguise as John Carpenter (he had been a traveling carpenter prior to becoming a soldier in the Civil War). London gossips believe that he was dead, but he has been sent to Bruges, where Charles Stuart had recently set up court. The would-be King of England has left, but Royalists determined to put him back on the throne are hard at work in Bruges. Cromwell has an agent who has successfully infiltrated the group, but Seeker's task is to find a female Royalist agent who has been sent to root out the double agent. He has vowed that this will be his last mission: he's homesick and longs to return to England and marry Maria. Among the suspects are Sister Janet, an elderly nun who fled England after her family was killed and settled in the town's English Cloister; Lady Hildred Beaumont, a royalist who has sold everything she owns and come to Bruges to donate the proceeds to the king's cause; Lady Hildred's maid; or Ruth Jones, a young Englishwoman whose brother has come to find her, only to learn that she seems to have disappeared. On the day of his arrival, Barlett Jones asks Seeker for directions to the cloister, and that same night, he is pulled from the river, dead. Seeker had taken a liking to the young man who, like himself, was a Yorkshireman, so he takes on the task of finding his killer as well.

This one is full of intrigue, twists, and turns. Damian suspects that Sister Janet is involved in some way in the Royalist plot but can't figure out just how. He's also wary of the Spanish priest, Fr. Felipé, who seems to hang around the cloister more than is necessary. He's quite sure that Ruth Jones, a foreign woman in a strange town, had indeed gone to the cloister, but he can't learn anything. And what is Sister Janet's connection to The House of Lamentations, a whorehouse frequented by the Royalists? Everyone he speaks with seems to be hiding something. When soldier George Beaumont, Lady Hildred's son, turns up (for reasons I won't give away), Damian enlists him to help sort everything out, even though he's not quite sure it's a wise move.

There's a LOT going on here, and it really pays off in the last few chapters. There's a fight near the end (isn't there always?) that had me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages wildly. As everything unravels and ties between the various characters become clear, there are even more unexpected turns to come as Damian sets out on his personal mission--which sets us up nicely for one more book in the series (which I am about to start!).

Five well deserved stars for The House of Lamentations!!!

[Charley Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine last hurrah for Damien Seeker (though given the contents of the book, I doubt he'd see it that way), and a fine ending for one of the best historical crime books I've read in a long while.

Bruges makes for an engaging and exciting setting, and Maclean does her usual brilliant job of setting up a web of interconnecting intrigues for both the characters and the readers to follow along and pull at. I think this might be the best of the mysteries that I've read in this series - featuring everything from Jesuits, blackmail, royalist plots, revenge, mistaken identity, and a huge amount of pilfered money.

Seeker is, as usual, an engaging and compelling narrator, but I also enjoyed the insights we got from the other characters, however brief, whose thoughts and actions feed into the story. Sister Janet was surprisingly complex and compelling, and one of my favourite inclusions, as was the ever delightful, determined and sneaky Anne Winter. Some readers might have missed input from Seeker's found family (who don't appear at all in this particular story), but I personally enjoyed the secondary cast hugely - and, must admit, enjoyed the story a lot more when it wasn't constantly being held up for domestic drama born of miscommunication and genre-specific obligatory presence.

It feels a bit of a bummer for Seeker himself to be so despondent at the end of the book, historically inescapable as that mood is, though the ending gives pretty clear indication that this is a) the best outcome for him and b) that he's heading for a happier future than he ever expected to get before. I'd have liked a bit more follow up on the fates of the rest of the cast - for all he's a weaselly little sneak, I was quite fond of Thomas Faithly, for instance - though, once again, one can make pretty reasonable guesses based on the fact that history itself quite conveniently tells us what happens next, and where our ragtag cast are likely to have fetched up as a result.

I hope Lady Anne got her herb garden. And that Seeker, heading over the sea to Massachussets, had plenty of time to assess whether or not the cats he met along the way were, in fact, as Royalist as he thinks they are.