After the Fire

Betsy Brand #1

by John Pilkington

A young actress with a role in a Shakespeare tragedy finds herself investigating real-life murders

 

In 1670, in the turbulent time following the Great Fire, a series of chilling murders shakes Restoration London. All are linked to the new Dorset Gardens Theatre where feisty young Betsy Brand is playing First Witch in Macbeth. It seems that a shadowy figure called The Salamander, who haunted London during the Fire, has returned to wreak cruel revenge on his enemies. With the authorities utterly baffled, Betsy takes on a new role as an investigator. She reasons that perhaps a clever, courageous actress can unravel the deepening mystery. But soon she faces a more terrible foe than ever stalked upon a stage—and finds her own life is at stake.

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

John Pilkington wrote radio plays back in the 1980s before stepping things up a notch and scribbling down television scripts for the BCC. He then went onto write historical mystery novels for children.


Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Reviews

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looks like another book by John Pilkington

[JJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story set way way back in London nearly twenty years after the Great Fire.
Betsy Brand is an actress with the Duke’s Company. She was well brought up and educated. When a strange death befalls someone she knows and then another follows quickly after right before her eyes her enquiring mind compels her to find out what is going on and luckily her friend a landlord is a doctor.
More deaths follow and Betsy and the company are looking at ruin if they can’t find out who is behind the deaths.
The book seems to finish well before the end but Betsy is aware there is more to uncover.
The story moved along well and life around London and the theatre are well drawn. I’ll look out for book two.

[Ann Kingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!!!

Since I love a good mystery, I thought I would try something new and different for me. Here was a historical murder mystery with a woman as the main character! In keeping with the restrictions of the time, she hunts for answers with help from sometimes reluctant men!!! Betsy discovers clues by using her brain and her wiles!!!😀 Well worth your time, even if this isn't your usual cup of tea!!!😁

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars here! I thought the background of London slowly recovering from the devastation of the Great Fire contrasted with the buoyant Restoration Theatre scene was a terrific setting.

I did find the doctor more of an interesting and convincing character than Betsy, but I enjoyed the book, all the same.

[AjB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it but it was a 'slow burn'!

[Peter Gorton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as polished as the Thomas the Falconer stories, but an interesting concept that bodes well for future stories. I am about to start Book 2!

[Zosia Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set not long after the Great Fire of London, Betsy is an actress who becomes involved in solving mysterious deaths - assisting her landlord (a doctor). Good sense of time and place.

[Graham Tallents · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting murder mystery from way back in late 1600's London. Just when you think it's over, there's a surprising plot twist. Well worth reading.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trying too hard to get the period detail right and the story simply didn't grip me.