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Rags of Time
London.
1639.
Thomas Tallant, a young and ambitious Spice Merchant, returns from India to find his city in turmoil.
A bitter struggle is brewing between King Charles I and Parliament, as England slides into civil war. The capital is simmering with dissent. The conflict is ready to boil over.
But Thomas soon has other troubles to contend with. A wealthy merchant, Sir Joseph Venell, is savagely killed; then his partner Sir Hugh Swofford plunges to his death, in the Tallant household.
Suspicion falls on Thomas, who is sucked into a mire of treachery and rumour within the City of London. As the merchant struggles to clear his name, he becomes captivated by the enigmatic Elizabeth Seymour, whose passion for astronomy and mathematics is matched only by her addiction to the gaming tables.
Pursued by the authorities, Thomas races to unmask the real killer who claims a third victim to implicate him further, toying with his future in a deadly cat and mouse game.
In a desperate race against time, Elizabeth applies her powers of logic and deduction to unearth the clues that will point to the killer, but her way is barred by a secret message from the grave.
Can she crack its code before Thomas, now a wounded and exhausted fugitive, succumbs to the chase?
And, if she succeeds, has Thomas the strength to face his tormentor and win his life and reputation back?
Rags of Time is the first book in an engaging and entertaining new historical crime series, set during the upheaval of the 17th Century.
1639.
Thomas Tallant, a young and ambitious Spice Merchant, returns from India to find his city in turmoil.
A bitter struggle is brewing between King Charles I and Parliament, as England slides into civil war. The capital is simmering with dissent. The conflict is ready to boil over.
But Thomas soon has other troubles to contend with. A wealthy merchant, Sir Joseph Venell, is savagely killed; then his partner Sir Hugh Swofford plunges to his death, in the Tallant household.
Suspicion falls on Thomas, who is sucked into a mire of treachery and rumour within the City of London. As the merchant struggles to clear his name, he becomes captivated by the enigmatic Elizabeth Seymour, whose passion for astronomy and mathematics is matched only by her addiction to the gaming tables.
Pursued by the authorities, Thomas races to unmask the real killer who claims a third victim to implicate him further, toying with his future in a deadly cat and mouse game.
In a desperate race against time, Elizabeth applies her powers of logic and deduction to unearth the clues that will point to the killer, but her way is barred by a secret message from the grave.
Can she crack its code before Thomas, now a wounded and exhausted fugitive, succumbs to the chase?
And, if she succeeds, has Thomas the strength to face his tormentor and win his life and reputation back?
Rags of Time is the first book in an engaging and entertaining new historical crime series, set during the upheaval of the 17th Century.
221 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
August 3, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical mystery, set in the 1640's. The pace was fast enough for me to stay interested and I looked forward to picking it up again every time I had a chance.
I hope the next book in the series will come out soon.
I hope the next book in the series will come out soon.
October 26, 2020
What starts off with the murder of a rich merchant soon dissolves into more than just a crime investigation. As suspicions against Thomas mount, it soon becomes clear that he has more to worry about than the suggestion he was involved in this murder.
I believed the entire story would be focussed on finding out who killed the merchant, as detailed in the Prologue. However, Ward offers more to the narrative, set amidst the political turmoil of seventeenth century England. Having studied this period of history before, I was aware of the political unrest. Therefore, I found Ward’s descriptions incredibly vivid and believable; it felt like he had also done his research to reinforce such a historical setting.
The novel takes an unexpected turn as the focus moves to Thomas and his involvement in importing goods. I enjoyed reading about Thomas’s backstory involving the tulips, but I do wish that Ward had brought this into the story even further. Despite what is implied as crippling debt, his household seems to cope just about fine with not even a suggestion of difficult finances. As the story progresses, I found the opening murder to move into the background as Thomas becomes involved in the underground, illegal printing press – through no choice of his own! I appreciated this different plot strand but did find it difficult to see how this would marry to the opening story. It was only as the novel really started to give some answers that I could see the connections.
I appreciated how there were many facades to this story as it definitely made it more enjoyable and less dense to read. However, I do think this was at a detriment to other aspects. For example, despite what is implied in the blurb, I did not feel the narrative featured Elizabeth Seymour in enough detail. I was hoping for her to truly partner up with Thomas in his murder investigations, to prevent him from being framed. In the end, I thought she was more like a token female in a heavily dominated male narrative, who wafts in and out with a few clever bits of dialogue. Accordingly, I wanted to see her character developed further so I could warm to her more.
This was an enjoyable story, despite my misgivings. I enjoy reading books set in this period of history and think that Ward has done a fantastic job of recreating such troublesome times. I liked the fact that this was not too political and seemed to represent a broad spectrum of ideologies of the time – from politics, to shipping and even science and medicine.
It would appear that this is just the beginning of a series featuring Thomas. I hope Elizabeth makes her presence known in the next story and I would be interested to see what happens to Thomas next, especially with the prospect of Civil War looming.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I believed the entire story would be focussed on finding out who killed the merchant, as detailed in the Prologue. However, Ward offers more to the narrative, set amidst the political turmoil of seventeenth century England. Having studied this period of history before, I was aware of the political unrest. Therefore, I found Ward’s descriptions incredibly vivid and believable; it felt like he had also done his research to reinforce such a historical setting.
The novel takes an unexpected turn as the focus moves to Thomas and his involvement in importing goods. I enjoyed reading about Thomas’s backstory involving the tulips, but I do wish that Ward had brought this into the story even further. Despite what is implied as crippling debt, his household seems to cope just about fine with not even a suggestion of difficult finances. As the story progresses, I found the opening murder to move into the background as Thomas becomes involved in the underground, illegal printing press – through no choice of his own! I appreciated this different plot strand but did find it difficult to see how this would marry to the opening story. It was only as the novel really started to give some answers that I could see the connections.
I appreciated how there were many facades to this story as it definitely made it more enjoyable and less dense to read. However, I do think this was at a detriment to other aspects. For example, despite what is implied in the blurb, I did not feel the narrative featured Elizabeth Seymour in enough detail. I was hoping for her to truly partner up with Thomas in his murder investigations, to prevent him from being framed. In the end, I thought she was more like a token female in a heavily dominated male narrative, who wafts in and out with a few clever bits of dialogue. Accordingly, I wanted to see her character developed further so I could warm to her more.
This was an enjoyable story, despite my misgivings. I enjoy reading books set in this period of history and think that Ward has done a fantastic job of recreating such troublesome times. I liked the fact that this was not too political and seemed to represent a broad spectrum of ideologies of the time – from politics, to shipping and even science and medicine.
It would appear that this is just the beginning of a series featuring Thomas. I hope Elizabeth makes her presence known in the next story and I would be interested to see what happens to Thomas next, especially with the prospect of Civil War looming.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2019
This wonderful debut novel, by for me a new Indie-author with the penname, Michael Ward, is the 1st part of the "Thomas Tallant Mystery" series.
The book has certainly excelled my expectations, and so as a whole it has been a great pleasure to read this outstanding story.
At the beginning of the book you'll notice a well-drawn map of some place names within London at around the years AD 1639/1640.
Storytelling is of a superb quality, all the characters, whether they are great historical or wonderful fictional figures, come wonderfully to life within this tale of murder and intrigue, and not to forget the hostile treacherous atmosphere of London during the final days of the reign of King Charles I comes splendidly off the pages.
The book starts off with a short prologue, which is set on 21st October AD 1639, and the murder of wool-merchant, Sir Joseph Venell, in a meadow in Kensington, and this murder is the basis for the rest of this great historical mystery that will end at the 13th November AD 1640.
The main story continues straight on with the following day and life as normal in London, and from this point on we follow the adventures of spice-merchant, Thomas Tallant, newly arrived from India, when he's visited by investigator Robert Petty, who's investigating the death of Sir Joseph Venell, and his old friend, Edmund Dalloway.
From this point on Thomas Tallant's life will turn into turmoil, especially after the death of Sir Hugh Swofford, because he will become a hunted man, pursued by magistrate, Nathaniel Franklin, who's convinced that Thomas Tallant is the murderer.
What will follow is a thrilling mystery, brought to us in a most fascinating fashion by the author, where loyalty and treachery go hand in hand with political intrigue at the court of King Charles I, and most importantly people's selfish choices will make this story eventually end with a superb constructed plot.
Very much recommended, and I would like to say to all readers who like this kind of genre books, this is a magnificent start of a new series to follow from a great new Indie-author, and what this episode is concerned I like to call it: "A Marvellous Opening Scene"!
The book has certainly excelled my expectations, and so as a whole it has been a great pleasure to read this outstanding story.
At the beginning of the book you'll notice a well-drawn map of some place names within London at around the years AD 1639/1640.
Storytelling is of a superb quality, all the characters, whether they are great historical or wonderful fictional figures, come wonderfully to life within this tale of murder and intrigue, and not to forget the hostile treacherous atmosphere of London during the final days of the reign of King Charles I comes splendidly off the pages.
The book starts off with a short prologue, which is set on 21st October AD 1639, and the murder of wool-merchant, Sir Joseph Venell, in a meadow in Kensington, and this murder is the basis for the rest of this great historical mystery that will end at the 13th November AD 1640.
The main story continues straight on with the following day and life as normal in London, and from this point on we follow the adventures of spice-merchant, Thomas Tallant, newly arrived from India, when he's visited by investigator Robert Petty, who's investigating the death of Sir Joseph Venell, and his old friend, Edmund Dalloway.
From this point on Thomas Tallant's life will turn into turmoil, especially after the death of Sir Hugh Swofford, because he will become a hunted man, pursued by magistrate, Nathaniel Franklin, who's convinced that Thomas Tallant is the murderer.
What will follow is a thrilling mystery, brought to us in a most fascinating fashion by the author, where loyalty and treachery go hand in hand with political intrigue at the court of King Charles I, and most importantly people's selfish choices will make this story eventually end with a superb constructed plot.
Very much recommended, and I would like to say to all readers who like this kind of genre books, this is a magnificent start of a new series to follow from a great new Indie-author, and what this episode is concerned I like to call it: "A Marvellous Opening Scene"!
September 25, 2019
This is my favourite type of historical fiction- where the author has clearly done all the hard work researching a period and manages to impart that knowledge without any big information dumps. In this way I learned many new facts about this era with minimum effort and maximum entertainment! in terms of historical knowledge, there is a gap between the Tudors and the Restoration which this book happily fills for me.I enjoyed this book for several reasons. This is a time period that I haven’t read much of although I’ve been a fan of hf for a long time.. I enjoyed this because it was light on religious strife-and had more of a mercantile aspect. It also put the sailing of the Mayflower and the role of the Puritans into context. I enjoyed reading about the stirrings of trouble for Charles which would lead to the civil war. I liked the hapless MC, his family and Elizabeth. This book is offered on Kindle Unlimited and is well worth the read.
July 16, 2020
Rags of Time is a historical murder mystery set during the latter part of the reign of Charles I. Spice merchant Thomas Tallant is forced to turn investigator when he is implicated in the mysterious deaths of two wealthy businessmen who just happen to be prominent figures in the rival wool trade.
The author does a great job of conjuring up the sights, sounds and smells of 17th century London: its bustling, crowded streets full of traders selling their wares; the pungent aromas of brewing, tanning and other industries; the narrow, tenement-lined alleyways where trade of an entirely different nature takes place.
Thomas’s investigations take place against the backdrop of a time of unrest as relations between King and Parliament deteriorate and rumours of Papist plots abound. London is a city driven by fear. Apprentices are rioting on the streets, seditious pamphlets are circulating and war with the Scots is looming. “King or Parliament? King or Parliament? It’s time to choose” is the oft-heard cry.
Sir Ralph, Thomas’s father, performs the role of keeping the reader informed of wider events both at home and abroad. Meanwhile, Thomas finds himself drawn into the murky world of spies and informers, forced to make risky bargains to gain the information he needs to clear his name and restore his family’s reputation. However, he’s not the only one interested in getting to the bottom of the two deaths.
The spirited, pipe-smoking Elizabeth Seymour makes a great addition to the cast of characters. She’s a woman out of her time in many respects with an interest in astronomy, mathematics and the latest scientific theories. (Fast forward to the 1940s and she might well have been employed at Bletchley Park.) As well as knowing her poetry and loving the theatre, she, like Thomas, has experienced the thrill – and the consequences – of financial speculation. Cue the flowering of an instant mutual attraction between the pair.
The trade rivalry between the different merchant fraternities adds a sprinkling of spice to the mix, meaning there is no shortage of possible suspects and motives. But just what caused the two men’s deaths – was it the work of demons or of human hand? I’m pleased to say it’s Elizabeth’s logical mind that helps to provide the first key to unlocking the mystery.
Rags of Time is a well-crafted historical mystery with a satisfyingly intricate plot and plenty of period detail. I, for one, look forward to reading more of the adventures of Thomas Tallant.
The author does a great job of conjuring up the sights, sounds and smells of 17th century London: its bustling, crowded streets full of traders selling their wares; the pungent aromas of brewing, tanning and other industries; the narrow, tenement-lined alleyways where trade of an entirely different nature takes place.
Thomas’s investigations take place against the backdrop of a time of unrest as relations between King and Parliament deteriorate and rumours of Papist plots abound. London is a city driven by fear. Apprentices are rioting on the streets, seditious pamphlets are circulating and war with the Scots is looming. “King or Parliament? King or Parliament? It’s time to choose” is the oft-heard cry.
Sir Ralph, Thomas’s father, performs the role of keeping the reader informed of wider events both at home and abroad. Meanwhile, Thomas finds himself drawn into the murky world of spies and informers, forced to make risky bargains to gain the information he needs to clear his name and restore his family’s reputation. However, he’s not the only one interested in getting to the bottom of the two deaths.
The spirited, pipe-smoking Elizabeth Seymour makes a great addition to the cast of characters. She’s a woman out of her time in many respects with an interest in astronomy, mathematics and the latest scientific theories. (Fast forward to the 1940s and she might well have been employed at Bletchley Park.) As well as knowing her poetry and loving the theatre, she, like Thomas, has experienced the thrill – and the consequences – of financial speculation. Cue the flowering of an instant mutual attraction between the pair.
The trade rivalry between the different merchant fraternities adds a sprinkling of spice to the mix, meaning there is no shortage of possible suspects and motives. But just what caused the two men’s deaths – was it the work of demons or of human hand? I’m pleased to say it’s Elizabeth’s logical mind that helps to provide the first key to unlocking the mystery.
Rags of Time is a well-crafted historical mystery with a satisfyingly intricate plot and plenty of period detail. I, for one, look forward to reading more of the adventures of Thomas Tallant.
February 28, 2021
It’s a shame I had such high hopes for this book when I started it. Two murders very quickly and then it seemed to drift along with not a lot happening for a lot of pages. The other down side was there seemed to be a lot of characters and I had trouble keeping track of them all. It was actually a relief to finish this book in the end. This book could have been more exciting but unfortunately it wasn’t.
July 8, 2020
Tom Tallant and his companions (including pipe-smoking Elizabeth Seymour) are a welcome addition to the historical mystery genre in Rags of Time. Enjoyed this well-researched look at Stuart England as its inhabitants begin their rise against the king, and murder comes a'callin' for Tom to investigate, so that he can clear his own name of the crime(s).
August 10, 2020
Rags of Time opens in the crowded, bustling city of London in 1639. Thomas Tallant, son of a well-to-do merchant Sir Ralph Tallant, has returned from India with a cargo of valuable spices. There is no shore leave for Thomas, however. These are turbulent, dangerous times and before he can even get his land legs, Thomas is thrown into a murder inquiry, supposedly due to his knowledge of falconry. This death is followed by another wealthy merchant tumbling headlong down a flight of stairs claiming he was being attacked by demons. Then Thomas finds himself under suspicion of murder.
The crimes at the centre of this story are cleverly woven into the zeitgeist of the moment along with the problems facing city merchants, all of which relates back to the strife between King and Parliament, between the Old Religion, Protestantism and the rise of Puritanism.
The murder mystery is ingenious, but it has to be said that the author uses some rather long-winded, laden dialogue to convey the historical background. Michael Ward knows his epoch inside out and is anxious to share its detail: it is a complex period, nothing at the time was as clear cut as the manner in which the later Civil War is often presented. Having said that, Ward’s evocative description of the city and its inhabitants, the sights and smells of the teeming Thames basin brings the story to life. The inclusion of some famous and infamous real people such as the herbalist Thomas Culpeper and Henry Jermyn, Queen Henrietta Maria’s confidant, is an additional bonus.
Running alongside the mystery and intrigue, the political ins and outs, there is a plausible and charming love story as Thomas becomes enthralled by a highly intelligent, pipe-smoking young woman, who is also addicted to gambling. Can her smart thinking and mathematical mind solve the mystery and save Thomas from the gallows, though?
Rags of Time is a worthwhile and enjoyable read, and the ‘who-dunnit’ element should keep you guessing to the end. This is the first in a historical crime series and I look forward to reading the next.
Originally Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds
The crimes at the centre of this story are cleverly woven into the zeitgeist of the moment along with the problems facing city merchants, all of which relates back to the strife between King and Parliament, between the Old Religion, Protestantism and the rise of Puritanism.
The murder mystery is ingenious, but it has to be said that the author uses some rather long-winded, laden dialogue to convey the historical background. Michael Ward knows his epoch inside out and is anxious to share its detail: it is a complex period, nothing at the time was as clear cut as the manner in which the later Civil War is often presented. Having said that, Ward’s evocative description of the city and its inhabitants, the sights and smells of the teeming Thames basin brings the story to life. The inclusion of some famous and infamous real people such as the herbalist Thomas Culpeper and Henry Jermyn, Queen Henrietta Maria’s confidant, is an additional bonus.
Running alongside the mystery and intrigue, the political ins and outs, there is a plausible and charming love story as Thomas becomes enthralled by a highly intelligent, pipe-smoking young woman, who is also addicted to gambling. Can her smart thinking and mathematical mind solve the mystery and save Thomas from the gallows, though?
Rags of Time is a worthwhile and enjoyable read, and the ‘who-dunnit’ element should keep you guessing to the end. This is the first in a historical crime series and I look forward to reading the next.
Originally Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds
July 9, 2020
Series: Thomas Tallant Mysteries #1
Publication Date: (Original 7/9/19 – Re-Release soon)
*** 3.5 Stars ***
Historical mysteries are my favorite and the book-blurb sounded very interesting, so I was happy to get the opportunity to read it. I rarely read a book that takes place during this period – 1639-1640 – and those I have read have always been from Scotland’s side. Reading from the English perspective was quite interesting. The times were turbulent with the lead up to the English Civil War that would begin in 1642. The tensions between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians were moving into more strident and violent territory. The Puritans were fighting the changes in the church and there were riots everywhere. Poor Thomas Tallant chose this time to return to England from two years away and was immediately embroiled in the death of a fellow merchant. Things were definitely in the realm of mob rule and Thomas and his family were in mortal danger.
The prologue shows the murder of wealthy wool merchant Sir Joseph Venell – and a very strange murder it was. The man, Mr. Robert Petty, who is investigating the case more or less demands that Thomas look at the wounds and the scene to see if it could have been done by Peregrine Falcons. Thomas is bewildered because, while he has had exposure to hunting falcons, he doesn’t have any and assures the investigator that falcons couldn’t attack in that manner. The investigation goes on – more strange deaths occur – and Thomas is more and more under suspicion. The magistrate is determined to convict him, but the investigator is a bit more circumspect. As time goes along (over a year) they try to bring Sir Ralph Tallant, Thomas’s father, into the crimes. Luckily Tom has his best friend Edmund Dalloway to save him time and again.
Thomas also meets the lovely Elizabeth Seymour and is very attracted to her. Over the course of the year, they draw closer and closer. Elizabeth is a very smart lady who studies astronomy, mathematics, etc. and loves solving puzzles. That is a good thing because she’s going to need all of those skills to help save Thomas.
While I enjoyed the story, it was a very, very busy one. It definitely isn’t fast-paced and frankly, I didn’t care for most of the people who populated the pages. I really liked Thomas’s mother and I enjoyed Elizabeth’s intellect. I’m sure I was supposed to like and respect Sir Ralph, but I didn’t care for him. He seemed to support his radical son, Peter, in whatever he did, but he was always on Thomas’s case telling him how impulsive he was. To my view, the things Thomas did were all he could do in that situation and it wasn’t fair for his father to chastise him. I didn’t see Thomas as an investigator at all. He just floated along on the surface and let things happen to him and when they did, he let someone else save him – until Elizabeth finally handed him the solution on a silver platter. Perhaps Thomas will take a more hands-on approach to future investigations in the series.
I did enjoy reading the story because it was from a period about which I rarely read. The author conveys the tensions and dangers very well. Like the US Civil War, it was brother against brother – friend against friend – and never knowing who was on which side or who you could trust. It will be interesting to see this author’s second book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: (Original 7/9/19 – Re-Release soon)
*** 3.5 Stars ***
Historical mysteries are my favorite and the book-blurb sounded very interesting, so I was happy to get the opportunity to read it. I rarely read a book that takes place during this period – 1639-1640 – and those I have read have always been from Scotland’s side. Reading from the English perspective was quite interesting. The times were turbulent with the lead up to the English Civil War that would begin in 1642. The tensions between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians were moving into more strident and violent territory. The Puritans were fighting the changes in the church and there were riots everywhere. Poor Thomas Tallant chose this time to return to England from two years away and was immediately embroiled in the death of a fellow merchant. Things were definitely in the realm of mob rule and Thomas and his family were in mortal danger.
The prologue shows the murder of wealthy wool merchant Sir Joseph Venell – and a very strange murder it was. The man, Mr. Robert Petty, who is investigating the case more or less demands that Thomas look at the wounds and the scene to see if it could have been done by Peregrine Falcons. Thomas is bewildered because, while he has had exposure to hunting falcons, he doesn’t have any and assures the investigator that falcons couldn’t attack in that manner. The investigation goes on – more strange deaths occur – and Thomas is more and more under suspicion. The magistrate is determined to convict him, but the investigator is a bit more circumspect. As time goes along (over a year) they try to bring Sir Ralph Tallant, Thomas’s father, into the crimes. Luckily Tom has his best friend Edmund Dalloway to save him time and again.
Thomas also meets the lovely Elizabeth Seymour and is very attracted to her. Over the course of the year, they draw closer and closer. Elizabeth is a very smart lady who studies astronomy, mathematics, etc. and loves solving puzzles. That is a good thing because she’s going to need all of those skills to help save Thomas.
While I enjoyed the story, it was a very, very busy one. It definitely isn’t fast-paced and frankly, I didn’t care for most of the people who populated the pages. I really liked Thomas’s mother and I enjoyed Elizabeth’s intellect. I’m sure I was supposed to like and respect Sir Ralph, but I didn’t care for him. He seemed to support his radical son, Peter, in whatever he did, but he was always on Thomas’s case telling him how impulsive he was. To my view, the things Thomas did were all he could do in that situation and it wasn’t fair for his father to chastise him. I didn’t see Thomas as an investigator at all. He just floated along on the surface and let things happen to him and when they did, he let someone else save him – until Elizabeth finally handed him the solution on a silver platter. Perhaps Thomas will take a more hands-on approach to future investigations in the series.
I did enjoy reading the story because it was from a period about which I rarely read. The author conveys the tensions and dangers very well. Like the US Civil War, it was brother against brother – friend against friend – and never knowing who was on which side or who you could trust. It will be interesting to see this author’s second book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 10, 2021
What an enthralling adventure this was! I thoroughly enjoyed Rags of Time, the first in an historical crime series set in London during the mid-17th century. I’m not all that keen anymore on reading books that are part of a series – the commitment puts me off – but I’m quite certain I’ll make an exception with this one.
The sense of place is vividly realised throughout this novel, the historical detail intricate and immense; you simply feel as though you have stepped back in time whilst reading, right down the last meticulous detail. If at times the author is guilty of history ‘info-dumping’, he can be forgiven on the basis of how in-depth his story is. Set during a turbulent time in England, particularly London, with politics and religion converging into chaos; it was a dangerous time for all, suspicion rife, corruption prolific. The author utilises Thomas’s father, Sir Ralph, to keep the reader informed on what is going on at key points, but without these dialogues, I honestly wouldn’t have fully appreciated the history in all of its complexities. And this is a novel whereby the history is the anchor for the plot points, so context was necessary.
I enjoyed the characters within this novel, particularly Thomas and Elizabeth, but I also appreciated Thomas’s mother, whose presence offered much in terms of enlightening the reader to the softer side of Thomas’s personality. This is a novel where the characters were all well realised, individualised and devoid of stereotype. The groundwork has been laid well in terms of longevity if we are to follow these people along in subsequent books. Elizabeth was a woman who was very much outside of her own time, and I don’t mean that the author has placed a contemporary woman into an historical setting, rather, she had a thirst for knowledge, for breaking convention, a natural curiosity that led to a nurturing of her inner intelligence. I liked her a lot and am glad that the author has paved the way for her to appear as a regular in this series. The spark between her and Thomas was a welcome addition to the story but I liked how the author resisted turning his novel into an historical romance to accommodate it. This one is firmly historical crime fiction and I liked it all the more for it remaining that way.
In terms of the story and the crime/mystery aspect, this was also enjoyable, albeit, quite complex and I only had a hunch about the real perpetrator towards the end, about the same time at which Thomas discovered it. The manner in which Thomas was tied to the crimes he was accused of bordered on absurd – the characters acknowledged this within the novel – but he was still powerless to control the mounting campaign against him. Such were the times, really, where you were very much at the mercy of ‘the powerful people’. I’ll be interested to see what direction this series is headed. Thomas was not an investigator within this novel, he was only trying to clear his own name, so I’m not sure if he is going to turn into a sleuth, or if he will be accused of more crimes in the future and be once again investigating to clear his own name. Either way, I will be tuning in for the history; it really was an excellent realisation of the period.
Thanks is extended to the author, Michael Ward, for providing me with a copy of Rags of Time for review.
The sense of place is vividly realised throughout this novel, the historical detail intricate and immense; you simply feel as though you have stepped back in time whilst reading, right down the last meticulous detail. If at times the author is guilty of history ‘info-dumping’, he can be forgiven on the basis of how in-depth his story is. Set during a turbulent time in England, particularly London, with politics and religion converging into chaos; it was a dangerous time for all, suspicion rife, corruption prolific. The author utilises Thomas’s father, Sir Ralph, to keep the reader informed on what is going on at key points, but without these dialogues, I honestly wouldn’t have fully appreciated the history in all of its complexities. And this is a novel whereby the history is the anchor for the plot points, so context was necessary.
I enjoyed the characters within this novel, particularly Thomas and Elizabeth, but I also appreciated Thomas’s mother, whose presence offered much in terms of enlightening the reader to the softer side of Thomas’s personality. This is a novel where the characters were all well realised, individualised and devoid of stereotype. The groundwork has been laid well in terms of longevity if we are to follow these people along in subsequent books. Elizabeth was a woman who was very much outside of her own time, and I don’t mean that the author has placed a contemporary woman into an historical setting, rather, she had a thirst for knowledge, for breaking convention, a natural curiosity that led to a nurturing of her inner intelligence. I liked her a lot and am glad that the author has paved the way for her to appear as a regular in this series. The spark between her and Thomas was a welcome addition to the story but I liked how the author resisted turning his novel into an historical romance to accommodate it. This one is firmly historical crime fiction and I liked it all the more for it remaining that way.
In terms of the story and the crime/mystery aspect, this was also enjoyable, albeit, quite complex and I only had a hunch about the real perpetrator towards the end, about the same time at which Thomas discovered it. The manner in which Thomas was tied to the crimes he was accused of bordered on absurd – the characters acknowledged this within the novel – but he was still powerless to control the mounting campaign against him. Such were the times, really, where you were very much at the mercy of ‘the powerful people’. I’ll be interested to see what direction this series is headed. Thomas was not an investigator within this novel, he was only trying to clear his own name, so I’m not sure if he is going to turn into a sleuth, or if he will be accused of more crimes in the future and be once again investigating to clear his own name. Either way, I will be tuning in for the history; it really was an excellent realisation of the period.
Thanks is extended to the author, Michael Ward, for providing me with a copy of Rags of Time for review.
September 27, 2022
I was drawn to this series as it is set during the build up to the English Civil War, which is a period of history I find fascinating. That part of the book - the historical background, trade with Holland, squalor of overcrowded London and the political and religious tensions, which in those days were intimately related - were interesting.
However, I had some disappointments. I wasn't keen on the central character, Thomas Tallant, who is impulsive, hot-tempered and constantly lands himself in difficulties even where he acknowledges that he is doing what he didn't mean to. After a while, it got a bit irritating. His relationships with others come across as rather stilted, though possibly this is meant to convey the more restrained attitudes of the well off classes in the period. I couldn't really believe in a woman of the gentleman class smoking a pipe either - I could imagine a working class woman getting away with that but it didn't convince.
The murder mystery aspect rather dragged also and I had my suspicions about who was responsible long before Thomas himself. There were also some formatting issues in the Kindle copy I was reading such as spaces in the middle of scenes and the numbers 1 and 2 appearing in odd places within the text. More bothersome than this was the fact that the writer didn't really seem to understand tenses and often used simple past tense when the pluperfect was required. When discussing past actions, 'had' was required in a lot of places but wasn't used and in one or two cases the present tense drifted in when the whole book is in the past tense. I found that jarring. So given the issues I can only rate it as an OK 2 star read.
However, I had some disappointments. I wasn't keen on the central character, Thomas Tallant, who is impulsive, hot-tempered and constantly lands himself in difficulties even where he acknowledges that he is doing what he didn't mean to. After a while, it got a bit irritating. His relationships with others come across as rather stilted, though possibly this is meant to convey the more restrained attitudes of the well off classes in the period. I couldn't really believe in a woman of the gentleman class smoking a pipe either - I could imagine a working class woman getting away with that but it didn't convince.
The murder mystery aspect rather dragged also and I had my suspicions about who was responsible long before Thomas himself. There were also some formatting issues in the Kindle copy I was reading such as spaces in the middle of scenes and the numbers 1 and 2 appearing in odd places within the text. More bothersome than this was the fact that the writer didn't really seem to understand tenses and often used simple past tense when the pluperfect was required. When discussing past actions, 'had' was required in a lot of places but wasn't used and in one or two cases the present tense drifted in when the whole book is in the past tense. I found that jarring. So given the issues I can only rate it as an OK 2 star read.
May 29, 2020
Great mystery story. Set in England in the mid-17th century just before the civil war there, this mystery story is also a great adventure. Steady pacing and great characterization put their arms around your shoulders and pull you headlong into the chaos and confusion that have become the center of Thomas Tallent's life. Even the minor characters are interesting and endearing. Spectacular read. Looking for more.
October 10, 2022
A friend us not a friend!
A interesting story about love,religion, hate,family and friends, in London history. Well written how a young man is set up for not one murderer but there.
A interesting story about love,religion, hate,family and friends, in London history. Well written how a young man is set up for not one murderer but there.
May 1, 2021
Wool merchant Joseph Venell is strangely murdered on the countryside near London. Spice trader Thomas Tallant, just returned from India, is asked for his opinion on the case by an investigator. Against his will, the suspicion falls on him, even more when Venell’s business partner dies at the house of his parents. How can he prove his innocence? Luckily, Thomas gets some help from the intelligent but mysterious Elizabeth Seymour and his best friend Edmund.
The cover states that the murder was just the beginning of the affair and actually this is a great description. The story has many different plot lines that have nothing to do with the murder mystery. 17th century England under the reign of Charles I comes alive in this new historical mystery series (as I suspect there will be more books with Thomas and Elizabeth as main characters).
The 1630’s isn’t exactly a time period that I know a lot about. There’s a lot of historical context in the other plot lines, such as the religious uproar between the puritans and the Anglican followers of bisshop Laud, the protégé of the queen. We also get some insight in the world of the merchants working for the East-Indian Trading company. I especially loved the description of London, a city full of possibilities by trade. As a result many people move to London and the city is overcrowded, full of disease and with a strong stench of human filth.
There’s an enormous cast of characters. I liked Thomas Tallant, he’s no ordinary detective as in many mystery novels, but a spice trader who becomes involved in a series of strange events. This is quite an original starting point for the whole as Thomas doesn’t have any particular skills on how to catch a killer. However, he does have the skill to get himself into trouble 😅.
Elizabeth Seymour has a lot of potential as a character. She’s beautiful and witty, way ahead of her time and interested in science. She also has a gambling problem. But I believe she didn’t get enough ‘screen time’ in this novel to really flower.
At the end, it all comes together. For me the revelations felt a bit messy sometimes, especially the action scenes. I’m not yet sure if I’ll read any sequel though. Rags of time is an entertaining mystery novel with a great cast and an interesting historical setting.
Thanks to Michael Ward for a copy of his book in return for my honest opinion.
Dutch review:
De rijke wolhandelaar Joseph Venell wordt op een vreemde wijze vermoord op het platteland nabij Londen. Tom Tallant is net teruggekeerd uit India met een lading specerijen wanneer hij wordt gevraagd om zijn mening te geven. Maar tegen zijn wil in maakt hij zich zo verdacht, en net dan overlijdt de zakenpartner van Venell in het huis van zijn ouders. Gelukkig krijgt Tom hulp van de intelligente maar gokverslaafde Elizabeth Seymour en zijn beste vriend Edmund.
Dit is een historisch mysterie dat zich afspeelt tijdens de regering van James I. Het verhaal start als een moordmysterie, maar er zijn veel meer lagen in het verhaal.
Er is een enorme cast van personages. En is er de setting: de jaren 1640. De sfeer in Londen wordt fantastisch neergezet. Een drukke overbevolkte stad met oproer over religie tussen de puriteinen en de anglicaanse kerk van bisschop Laud, beschermeling van de koningin. Die historische setting is niet enorm aanwezig, het draait nog steeds rond Tallant, maar wel immer op de achtergrond.
Tom Tallant is een fijn hoofdpersonage maar hij werkt zich danig in de nesten. Stap voor stap ontdek je meer lagen in het verhaal. Ik moet toegeven dat het soms allemaal wat veel was en te snel ging ofzo.
Elizabeth Seymour is een personage met veel potentieel (ik ga er vanuit dat dit een serie wordt), maar het duurde even voor ik klikte met haar. Ze heeft ook net niet genoeg ruimte gekregen in dit verhaal.
Op het einde past alles wel in elkaar, maar werd het ook wat rommeliger. Ik ben ook niet zo bekend met deze periode dus het kan zeker daar aan liggen.
Al met al een fijn en entertainend mysterie met veel wendingen. Ik ben er alleen nog niet over uit of ik een volgend deel zou willen lezen.
Bedankt aan de auteur voor een exemplaar van dit boek in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.
The cover states that the murder was just the beginning of the affair and actually this is a great description. The story has many different plot lines that have nothing to do with the murder mystery. 17th century England under the reign of Charles I comes alive in this new historical mystery series (as I suspect there will be more books with Thomas and Elizabeth as main characters).
The 1630’s isn’t exactly a time period that I know a lot about. There’s a lot of historical context in the other plot lines, such as the religious uproar between the puritans and the Anglican followers of bisshop Laud, the protégé of the queen. We also get some insight in the world of the merchants working for the East-Indian Trading company. I especially loved the description of London, a city full of possibilities by trade. As a result many people move to London and the city is overcrowded, full of disease and with a strong stench of human filth.
There’s an enormous cast of characters. I liked Thomas Tallant, he’s no ordinary detective as in many mystery novels, but a spice trader who becomes involved in a series of strange events. This is quite an original starting point for the whole as Thomas doesn’t have any particular skills on how to catch a killer. However, he does have the skill to get himself into trouble 😅.
Elizabeth Seymour has a lot of potential as a character. She’s beautiful and witty, way ahead of her time and interested in science. She also has a gambling problem. But I believe she didn’t get enough ‘screen time’ in this novel to really flower.
At the end, it all comes together. For me the revelations felt a bit messy sometimes, especially the action scenes. I’m not yet sure if I’ll read any sequel though. Rags of time is an entertaining mystery novel with a great cast and an interesting historical setting.
Thanks to Michael Ward for a copy of his book in return for my honest opinion.
Dutch review:
De rijke wolhandelaar Joseph Venell wordt op een vreemde wijze vermoord op het platteland nabij Londen. Tom Tallant is net teruggekeerd uit India met een lading specerijen wanneer hij wordt gevraagd om zijn mening te geven. Maar tegen zijn wil in maakt hij zich zo verdacht, en net dan overlijdt de zakenpartner van Venell in het huis van zijn ouders. Gelukkig krijgt Tom hulp van de intelligente maar gokverslaafde Elizabeth Seymour en zijn beste vriend Edmund.
Dit is een historisch mysterie dat zich afspeelt tijdens de regering van James I. Het verhaal start als een moordmysterie, maar er zijn veel meer lagen in het verhaal.
Er is een enorme cast van personages. En is er de setting: de jaren 1640. De sfeer in Londen wordt fantastisch neergezet. Een drukke overbevolkte stad met oproer over religie tussen de puriteinen en de anglicaanse kerk van bisschop Laud, beschermeling van de koningin. Die historische setting is niet enorm aanwezig, het draait nog steeds rond Tallant, maar wel immer op de achtergrond.
Tom Tallant is een fijn hoofdpersonage maar hij werkt zich danig in de nesten. Stap voor stap ontdek je meer lagen in het verhaal. Ik moet toegeven dat het soms allemaal wat veel was en te snel ging ofzo.
Elizabeth Seymour is een personage met veel potentieel (ik ga er vanuit dat dit een serie wordt), maar het duurde even voor ik klikte met haar. Ze heeft ook net niet genoeg ruimte gekregen in dit verhaal.
Op het einde past alles wel in elkaar, maar werd het ook wat rommeliger. Ik ben ook niet zo bekend met deze periode dus het kan zeker daar aan liggen.
Al met al een fijn en entertainend mysterie met veel wendingen. Ik ben er alleen nog niet over uit of ik een volgend deel zou willen lezen.
Bedankt aan de auteur voor een exemplaar van dit boek in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.
July 13, 2020
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This story was just marvelous! A historical fiction masked with a murder mystery, where the lead is wrongfully accused? If you are a fan of either of these genres, it doesn’t get any better than this. I don’t think I have every read a historical murder mystery this good. I loved every minute of it and could not put it down!
The author is an amazing storyteller. The style of writing is simple, yet gripping. On one hand, he beautifully depicts the landscape of the 1600s and the mindset of the residents living in London during that time. The story also highlights the unrest and turbulent atmosphere that sparks the English Civil War. Although I know the highlights of the war, reading this book gave me a better understanding of it, and inspired me to further research it.
On the other hand, we have a gripping murder mystery where the lead is wrongfully accused. As the murders keep piling, Tom needs to investigate and clear his name before its too late. There are a lot of red herrings and possible suspects, which make the story very entertaining. You don’t know who the culprit is, and I was honestly shocked with the reveal.
The characters are also well written. Tom is stubborn and impulsive, but also determined and kind, and makes you root for him. I also loved Elizabeth. She steps away from the stereotype of the genre and is equally important in the story-line. She is smart, curious and energetic. I loved her passion for astronomy and science. The author also makes nice references to Galileo and William Harvey. It is clear that he has done significant research to the story, making it memorable. Overall, “Rags of Time” is just perfect and I loved it!
July 20, 2020
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Rags of Time promises a thrilling historical mystery and it delivers! I am so glad that I signed up for this tour! Historical fiction can be hard to read for people familiar with the history of the time period in which the novel is set. Readers will not have this problem with this book! I appreciated the care and research the author undertook in order to give the reader a novel grounded in historical fact, with a good amount of artistic license, but it didn't feel like the information was dumped on me while I read through. Good historical fiction puts the reader into the time period, but doesn't give the reader huge chunks of paragraph to read that describe in minute detail the grime and rodents that existed at that time.
The main character in this book is oftentimes getting into trouble, being the main suspect of the mystery contained in the book. He has a best friend who frequently bails him out of trouble. Their interplay is fun, witty, and well written. I love a novel with a headstrong female character and Rags of Time delivers with Elizabeth Seymour. She is intelligent, brave, cunning, and charming! A little bit of a Gentleman Jack flair! The story was very fast paced, with vivid scenes taking place one after another! I enjoyed the pace of the book being almost break-neck. It's not a slow historical mystery by any means!
Stuart England is a favorite of mine and I am so glad I was able to read and review this book! Overall, I found it to be a great addition to the genre of historical mystery and would encourage all readers who love this genre to pick this up! Another great indie novel to add to the collection!
Thank you to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours and Michael Ward for the opportunity to read and review this title! I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rags of Time promises a thrilling historical mystery and it delivers! I am so glad that I signed up for this tour! Historical fiction can be hard to read for people familiar with the history of the time period in which the novel is set. Readers will not have this problem with this book! I appreciated the care and research the author undertook in order to give the reader a novel grounded in historical fact, with a good amount of artistic license, but it didn't feel like the information was dumped on me while I read through. Good historical fiction puts the reader into the time period, but doesn't give the reader huge chunks of paragraph to read that describe in minute detail the grime and rodents that existed at that time.
The main character in this book is oftentimes getting into trouble, being the main suspect of the mystery contained in the book. He has a best friend who frequently bails him out of trouble. Their interplay is fun, witty, and well written. I love a novel with a headstrong female character and Rags of Time delivers with Elizabeth Seymour. She is intelligent, brave, cunning, and charming! A little bit of a Gentleman Jack flair! The story was very fast paced, with vivid scenes taking place one after another! I enjoyed the pace of the book being almost break-neck. It's not a slow historical mystery by any means!
Stuart England is a favorite of mine and I am so glad I was able to read and review this book! Overall, I found it to be a great addition to the genre of historical mystery and would encourage all readers who love this genre to pick this up! Another great indie novel to add to the collection!
Thank you to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours and Michael Ward for the opportunity to read and review this title! I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2021
First thoughts: I read this in pdf format, and referring back to the map at the beginning throughout the story wasn't easy, so locations were confusing at times...and the story is all over the area. The story is quite good with lots of action and even a bit of romance tucked into it. I think it could have been tightened up by about 20% and increased the pace and tension without taking anything away from the story. But it was an interesting historical period, one we don't often get in books, so it had unusual tidbits to teach us. The mystery was a total twist right up until the end, too. Recommended.
A Thomas Tallant Mystery #1
Michael Ward
Burnaby Press, July 2019
364 pages
Historical mystery
Provided by Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The cover is interesting and eye-catching all at the same time. The yellow and blue are heraldic colors that catch the eye easily. The use of the puzzle-shaping is related to the mystery as well as putting you in the mind frame of crowns, royalty, conspiracy. The ravens, of course, put you in mind of the English royal house and the Tower of London. The old London bridge with all its buildings, so close and overburdened. The rivers of blue are references to the Thames with its steady commerce of ships and more conspiracy. Perfect for this book of the 17th century, a period we don’t find often in our books. This book is jam-packed with interesting tidbits of the time.
The first thing in the book is a wonderful map of the whole area where the story unfolds. Unfortunately, I read this in pdf format, so referring to the map as I read it was not realistic. But having been to London several years ago, I have a mental picture of the old London from the tourist maps as well as the map in the book. And the story goes all over the area. This is a very active book with lots of intrigue and interesting historical tidbits as well as good characters, an excellently written mystery, and well-drawn scenery so that you could see what was happening. The crowded streets of old London actually came alive for you as the plot plays out.
The opening scene in the book is the unusual murder of a wealthy merchant. On nonexistent evidence, Tom is accused of the murder and the nastiest of magistrates, Nathaniel Franklin, is hot on his trail. Hunted by Franklin day and night, Tom is helped by a close friend and a woman he has only just met, Elizabeth Seymour. Miss Seymour is brilliant and interested in astronomy and mathematics as well as addicted to the gaming tables. These relationships are well-done and make for great reading. The three have to get quite creative in meeting without being discovered and keeping Tom from getting caught by Franklin. Some of their meeting places and Tom’s hiding places are unexpected to say the least. Some of the things Tom has to do to stay at liberty is unfortunate as well. We must remember that this is a much more primitive time in history, more brutal and innocence is cheap. Most people of the upper class carried some type of weapon with them, even if it was only as small as an eating knife. Even a lot of men of the lower classes would have access to some sort of weapon. There’s no lack of blood and brutality in this one.
I mentioned in my “first thoughts” in GoodReads about tightening up the book to create a bit more tension and shorten it a bit and I still feel that would help, though after reading others’ reviews I seem to be alone in that. Well, we’ll see how things go with the next installment of the Tom Tallant Mysteries. I highly recommend this first book to anyone who enjoys mysteries set in historical times.
Note: “Rags of time” is a figure of speech meaning that such things are passing and immaterial. “Love, all alike, no season knows nor clime, Nor hours, days, months, what are the rags of time”..John Donne Perhaps the author will leave us a note to tell us how he chose this for the title of this book…and when we may expect the next Tom Tallant mystery.
A Thomas Tallant Mystery #1
Michael Ward
Burnaby Press, July 2019
364 pages
Historical mystery
Provided by Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The cover is interesting and eye-catching all at the same time. The yellow and blue are heraldic colors that catch the eye easily. The use of the puzzle-shaping is related to the mystery as well as putting you in the mind frame of crowns, royalty, conspiracy. The ravens, of course, put you in mind of the English royal house and the Tower of London. The old London bridge with all its buildings, so close and overburdened. The rivers of blue are references to the Thames with its steady commerce of ships and more conspiracy. Perfect for this book of the 17th century, a period we don’t find often in our books. This book is jam-packed with interesting tidbits of the time.
The first thing in the book is a wonderful map of the whole area where the story unfolds. Unfortunately, I read this in pdf format, so referring to the map as I read it was not realistic. But having been to London several years ago, I have a mental picture of the old London from the tourist maps as well as the map in the book. And the story goes all over the area. This is a very active book with lots of intrigue and interesting historical tidbits as well as good characters, an excellently written mystery, and well-drawn scenery so that you could see what was happening. The crowded streets of old London actually came alive for you as the plot plays out.
The opening scene in the book is the unusual murder of a wealthy merchant. On nonexistent evidence, Tom is accused of the murder and the nastiest of magistrates, Nathaniel Franklin, is hot on his trail. Hunted by Franklin day and night, Tom is helped by a close friend and a woman he has only just met, Elizabeth Seymour. Miss Seymour is brilliant and interested in astronomy and mathematics as well as addicted to the gaming tables. These relationships are well-done and make for great reading. The three have to get quite creative in meeting without being discovered and keeping Tom from getting caught by Franklin. Some of their meeting places and Tom’s hiding places are unexpected to say the least. Some of the things Tom has to do to stay at liberty is unfortunate as well. We must remember that this is a much more primitive time in history, more brutal and innocence is cheap. Most people of the upper class carried some type of weapon with them, even if it was only as small as an eating knife. Even a lot of men of the lower classes would have access to some sort of weapon. There’s no lack of blood and brutality in this one.
I mentioned in my “first thoughts” in GoodReads about tightening up the book to create a bit more tension and shorten it a bit and I still feel that would help, though after reading others’ reviews I seem to be alone in that. Well, we’ll see how things go with the next installment of the Tom Tallant Mysteries. I highly recommend this first book to anyone who enjoys mysteries set in historical times.
Note: “Rags of time” is a figure of speech meaning that such things are passing and immaterial. “Love, all alike, no season knows nor clime, Nor hours, days, months, what are the rags of time”..John Donne Perhaps the author will leave us a note to tell us how he chose this for the title of this book…and when we may expect the next Tom Tallant mystery.
August 9, 2020
It is always good to find a new writer of historical novels which have been carefully researched and yet take you straight to the heart of a thrilling murder mystery. Set in the last few years leading up to the English Civil War, it is a dangerous time when, for religious reasons, you can never be quite sure who is your enemy and who is your friend. Tom, who has been travelling the world as a spice merchant for the Tallant family, is perhaps rather naïve in his judgement of others. He soon finds himself, unfairly incriminated in a strange murder and he desperately tries to find the real culprit. But his life is complicated by meeting Elizabeth, an educated young woman, who enjoys smoking a pipe and studying the planets at night. Will this enigmatic heroine be able to work out who is deliberately putting his life in danger?
The story gives us a vivid picture of mid-seventeenth century London life and the plot moves rapidly from one important event to the next. In addition to the complex politics of the day which Tom must navigate as an MP, we also learn about his time spent in Amsterdam during the tulip bulb boom and collapse. After many dramatic scenes and dangerous escapades, we learn the truth and I am thrilled to read that this is the first of a series of crime mysteries set in this fascinating historical era.
The story gives us a vivid picture of mid-seventeenth century London life and the plot moves rapidly from one important event to the next. In addition to the complex politics of the day which Tom must navigate as an MP, we also learn about his time spent in Amsterdam during the tulip bulb boom and collapse. After many dramatic scenes and dangerous escapades, we learn the truth and I am thrilled to read that this is the first of a series of crime mysteries set in this fascinating historical era.
May 11, 2020
If you like historical mysteries don’t miss this one. It really is first class.
The prologue gripped me; the following chapters led me into unpredictable schemes and power struggles in London and the ending was so tense, I had to forego my lockdown walk in order to keep reading to find out whodunnit and why.
Tom Tallant is a likeable chap but things don’t go right for him. He seems to be in the wrong place all the time. Even the tantalising joy of getting to know an exceptional woman is a difficult path.
Definitely a recommended read.
December 18, 2020
Finished reading: December 17th 2020
"What Tom thought was of no account. Even the truth was of no account. What really mattered was what people believed."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
May 16, 2020
In the days of King Charles I, our protagonist Thomas Tallant, spice merchant, has just returned from a long sea voyage only to find himself a prime suspect in a freaky murder of a wealthy wool merchant. He spends the rest of the book trying to free himself from suspicion, though inadvertently other mysterious incidents serve to make his situation worse rather than better. Innocents die—or get murdered—along the way as the plot thickens. It seems his nationality—he is Dutch—plays a big part in his misfortunes.
‘Tom, you must tread carefully and keep your wits about you, particularly in the City. Your mother has lived unmolested in this country for over twenty-five years. She feels at home in England. But the City can be a snake pit. It’s a world of its own, with its own rules. You must never forget that. People far cleverer than you and I have been chewed up and spat out, broken. Do you understand?’
Throughout, we get a good feeling for what life was like in 17th century London and the story line moves along quickly and smoothly. Although I admit I had trouble swallowing the ease with which the authorities accused Thomas of murder—the evidence was non-existent, frankly—I found the book interesting enough to finish. I didn’t guess who was manipulating events, so I was in “mystery” until the end.
‘Tom, you must tread carefully and keep your wits about you, particularly in the City. Your mother has lived unmolested in this country for over twenty-five years. She feels at home in England. But the City can be a snake pit. It’s a world of its own, with its own rules. You must never forget that. People far cleverer than you and I have been chewed up and spat out, broken. Do you understand?’
Throughout, we get a good feeling for what life was like in 17th century London and the story line moves along quickly and smoothly. Although I admit I had trouble swallowing the ease with which the authorities accused Thomas of murder—the evidence was non-existent, frankly—I found the book interesting enough to finish. I didn’t guess who was manipulating events, so I was in “mystery” until the end.
May 23, 2020
Rags of Time by Michael Ward
Published: July 2019
Publisher: Burnaby Press
Genre: Historical Fiction, England, 17th century
Available: ebook, paperback
pages: 364 paperback
Sequel: Yes, coming 2020
Sex: ❤ none
Violence: 😨 yes, its a murder mystery + incidental violence
Reviewers Note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Authors Bio: Writing has been central to Mike Ward’s professional life. On graduating from university he became a journalist, working in newspapers and for the BBC. He then went into journalism education, teaching and researching journalism practice before becoming head of the UK’s prestigious Journalism School at UCLan. For the last eight years he has run his own content creation company.
‘Rags of Time’ is Mike’s debut novel. Its sequel is due to be published late in 2020.
The Plot in Brief: (no spoilers) In 1639, Thomas, the son of wealthy spice merchant Sir Ralph and Lady Beatrix Tallant, returns home from a lengthy voyage to India. The city he returns to is changing. London is awash in violence and radical ideology has reached a boiling point. When two merchants die under unusual circumstances, suspicion falls on Thomas. Determined to prove his innocence, Thomas must decide who is friend and who is foe.
The Characters: Thomas Tallant and his cohorts are a well drawn and highly believable collection of dandies, oddballs and misfits. Thomas is engaging and we quickly get on his side and cheer for him. He develops a significant relationship with his neighbor, Elizabeth, a progressive independent young woman, the sort of which, I would like to believe actually existed in the real world. Thomas parent's and siblings are fully fleshed out and are presented as loving and kind, his mother especially. All the characters feel real.
What I really enjoyed and appreciated about the folks who inhabited the pages of this book was how their nature and past actions slowly unfold. They are not who we think they are. We come to understand their motivations, fears and desires as the layers of past actions are laid bare.
The History: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The 17th century was an amazing time in England. So much happened politically, economically and culturally. The religious divisions which led to the overthrown of a self-righteous king, firm in his belief of his divine right to rule, makes for a fantastic backdrop to literature. The author clearly knows his history and the book is chock-a-block with historical people and events. From the spice trade, the tulip debacle, the crisis of parliament, the rise of science and the scientific method, all is crammed into the story.
This is one of my favorite time periods and I really enjoyed the setting. I would love to have seen the inside of that house on London Bridge! 😉
The Writing: Told in 3rd person past tense, the writing is excellent as is the editing. Well paced, I found myself zipping through it. I didn't notice any slow spots which tend to make me set the book down and wander off for a cup of tea. It is wonderfully, but not overly descriptive. I felt fully immersed in 17th century London. Well done Michael Ward!
Overall: I found this book both engaging and highly enjoyable. The historical setting was perfect. My one complaint was with the mystery portion of the story. Potential spoiler alert! stop reading now! I never really felt that as the reader, I had a chance at figuring out the whodunit part. I had a vague sense of disappointment when the killer was revealed. Okay, all done. Mind you, it didn't ruin the story for me, just kinda ho hum, oh well. I was satisfied with the ending and I look forward to reading more about Thomas Tallant.
I give this book 4 1/2 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐✶
see all my reviews at www.thebookdelight.com
Published: July 2019
Publisher: Burnaby Press
Genre: Historical Fiction, England, 17th century
Available: ebook, paperback
pages: 364 paperback
Sequel: Yes, coming 2020
Sex: ❤ none
Violence: 😨 yes, its a murder mystery + incidental violence
Reviewers Note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Authors Bio: Writing has been central to Mike Ward’s professional life. On graduating from university he became a journalist, working in newspapers and for the BBC. He then went into journalism education, teaching and researching journalism practice before becoming head of the UK’s prestigious Journalism School at UCLan. For the last eight years he has run his own content creation company.
‘Rags of Time’ is Mike’s debut novel. Its sequel is due to be published late in 2020.
The Plot in Brief: (no spoilers) In 1639, Thomas, the son of wealthy spice merchant Sir Ralph and Lady Beatrix Tallant, returns home from a lengthy voyage to India. The city he returns to is changing. London is awash in violence and radical ideology has reached a boiling point. When two merchants die under unusual circumstances, suspicion falls on Thomas. Determined to prove his innocence, Thomas must decide who is friend and who is foe.
The Characters: Thomas Tallant and his cohorts are a well drawn and highly believable collection of dandies, oddballs and misfits. Thomas is engaging and we quickly get on his side and cheer for him. He develops a significant relationship with his neighbor, Elizabeth, a progressive independent young woman, the sort of which, I would like to believe actually existed in the real world. Thomas parent's and siblings are fully fleshed out and are presented as loving and kind, his mother especially. All the characters feel real.
What I really enjoyed and appreciated about the folks who inhabited the pages of this book was how their nature and past actions slowly unfold. They are not who we think they are. We come to understand their motivations, fears and desires as the layers of past actions are laid bare.
The History: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The 17th century was an amazing time in England. So much happened politically, economically and culturally. The religious divisions which led to the overthrown of a self-righteous king, firm in his belief of his divine right to rule, makes for a fantastic backdrop to literature. The author clearly knows his history and the book is chock-a-block with historical people and events. From the spice trade, the tulip debacle, the crisis of parliament, the rise of science and the scientific method, all is crammed into the story.
This is one of my favorite time periods and I really enjoyed the setting. I would love to have seen the inside of that house on London Bridge! 😉
The Writing: Told in 3rd person past tense, the writing is excellent as is the editing. Well paced, I found myself zipping through it. I didn't notice any slow spots which tend to make me set the book down and wander off for a cup of tea. It is wonderfully, but not overly descriptive. I felt fully immersed in 17th century London. Well done Michael Ward!
Overall: I found this book both engaging and highly enjoyable. The historical setting was perfect. My one complaint was with the mystery portion of the story. Potential spoiler alert! stop reading now! I never really felt that as the reader, I had a chance at figuring out the whodunit part. I had a vague sense of disappointment when the killer was revealed. Okay, all done. Mind you, it didn't ruin the story for me, just kinda ho hum, oh well. I was satisfied with the ending and I look forward to reading more about Thomas Tallant.
I give this book 4 1/2 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐✶
see all my reviews at www.thebookdelight.com
August 21, 2020
It is OK for a historical fiction, but also really quite trite. The resolution to the situation was rather fantastical, so not very solvable. The book was just about worth reading. Look for better like the Shardlake series or the Crowner John Mysteries, IMO.
December 22, 2019
Michael Ward's Rags of Time (2019)—is subtitled "A Thrilling Historical Murder Mystery Set in London on the Eve of the English Civil War." This is Ward's first book. It was received as a give-away and I'm inclined to support new authors in this age of democracy in publication. SO here goes.
The title is taken from a John Donne poem in which days, weeks, months and years are referred to as "rags of time." My assessment is that it is a well written historical fiction that shows remarkable depth in its historical research—17th century England has clearly captured Ward's heart and soul. It is a serviceable murder mystery but its strength is in the history. All in all, I found it a strong first offering.
It is London in 1639. England is in political and religious turmoil. Charles I, son of the Catholic James I/VI (James the First of England, James the Sixth of Scotland) is on the throne—in a decade he will be deposed and beheaded by Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentary forces, but for the moment Charles is resolute in his belief that he is chosen by God. Charles is a "high Anglican" and married to a Catholic. He is despised as a Papist by the Puritans who came to dominate Parliament. This long-standing conflict led to Charles's dissolution of Parliament a decade earlier, but now Charles wants to convene a new Parliament. His motive is not to quell the increasingly virulent Protestant opposition to his reign, but to obtain funds to field an army against the Scots, who are on the verge of invading England—only Parliament can approve the levy of taxes for the King.
We meet Sir Joseph Venell, Kensington landowner and spice merchant, as he walks briskly on his estate, unaware that he will be dead very soon. Sir Joseph is feeling good—his business is going well and his plan is working; he will soon be rich beyond imagining. But just as he thinks to himself,
As Sir Joseph Venell expires we turn to a warehouse on the Thames where Thomas Tallant, a spice merchant in his father's firm has just returned from the Moluccas. Tallant is getting his land legs back after a long voyage. He has found London in a sorry state, riven by unhappiness, unemployment, undernourishment, intolerance, and that heavy "London fog" that came with the shift from wood to coal. Only two days after arriving he is accosted by a pair of coppers—a London City magistrate named Nathaniel Franklin, a nastier and more vicious personality couldn't be imagined, and a more-reticent investigator named Robert Petty, who works for theMerchant Adventurers, the association of spice merchants. They are investigating the Venell death, and they have a theory that implicates Thomas Tallant.
Their theory is based solely on circumstantial evidence, which in those days when the devil was believed to walk the earth, was enough to convict. The grounds for their attention are: Tallant and Venell being in the same trade, Tallant recently returned to London, and Tallant's hobby is falconry. They found two falcon feathers near Venell's body and believe that Venell's invisible attacker was a falcon guided by Tallant. Tallant points out that falcon feathers are regularly found in the field where Venell died, and that being in the same business is not proof of murder. But in spite of the thin evidence, the two investigators—particularly Franklin—seem bent on pinning the death on Tallant. Of course, it doesn't make any difference if he did or did not: what matters to his reputation and business is that people think he did. And Tallant's reputation suffers badly from the suspicion.
Soon after this confrontation Tallant comes into contact with Sir Hugh Swofford, Venel's business partner. The first contact is at a party at Swofford's mansion—when Tallant arrives he is thrown out by Sir Hugh who loudly announces that no murderer will cross his threshold. The second is at a party hosted by Tallant's father, Sir Ralph Tallant. There the outcome is even more dire—Sir Ralph is showing Sir Hugh a medieval drawing of an angel fighting against demons when Sir Hugh begins batting at the air as if he is being attacked. Swofford steps backward and falls down the stairs to his death.
This seals public opinion against Thomas Tallant, who clearly controls demons and visits death on his business competitors. Still, Thomas does have his friends, among them are a lifelong friend named Edward Dalloway and the very attractive Elizabeth Seymour, an amateur scientist and a friend of Tallant's sister Ellen. Tallant discovers that Elizabeth is a gambling addict and tells her about a game he had encountered in Amsterdam, a game we now call the Tulip Mania. In this game people buy and sell future contracts on the next crop of tulip bulbs emerging from bulbs now available. If the product of the new bulbs are attractively colored, the value of those bulbs is high; if they are dull, it is very low.
[Note: We in the 21st century know that tulip bulb prices will soon plummet, but with no impact on the Dutch banking system or its economy—the winners and losers were confined to the gamers themselves. The reason is that futures contracts were not enforceable in Dutch courts, so banks would not lend on them as collateral and, having no skin in the game, would not suffer ensuing losses. But, for the novel's purposes, this trade of gambling information seals the relationship between Thomas Tallant and Elizabeth Seymour.
What follows is the development of a variety of social relationships between Tallant and others. Some relationships center on Tallant's efforts to disguise his unknowing role in aiding a group of dissenters by importing contraband that leaves Tallant open to charges of treason. Other relationships are more personal and reveal Thomas's softer side.
Ultimately, this trail of crumbs will lead us back to the demonic deaths of Sir Joseph Venell and Sir Hugh Swofford. The twist at the end is a bit of a reach—the author left no trail of crumbs that would support it. But there are far worse flaws in debut novels, and Ward survives the rags of time.
The title is taken from a John Donne poem in which days, weeks, months and years are referred to as "rags of time." My assessment is that it is a well written historical fiction that shows remarkable depth in its historical research—17th century England has clearly captured Ward's heart and soul. It is a serviceable murder mystery but its strength is in the history. All in all, I found it a strong first offering.
It is London in 1639. England is in political and religious turmoil. Charles I, son of the Catholic James I/VI (James the First of England, James the Sixth of Scotland) is on the throne—in a decade he will be deposed and beheaded by Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentary forces, but for the moment Charles is resolute in his belief that he is chosen by God. Charles is a "high Anglican" and married to a Catholic. He is despised as a Papist by the Puritans who came to dominate Parliament. This long-standing conflict led to Charles's dissolution of Parliament a decade earlier, but now Charles wants to convene a new Parliament. His motive is not to quell the increasingly virulent Protestant opposition to his reign, but to obtain funds to field an army against the Scots, who are on the verge of invading England—only Parliament can approve the levy of taxes for the King.
We meet Sir Joseph Venell, Kensington landowner and spice merchant, as he walks briskly on his estate, unaware that he will be dead very soon. Sir Joseph is feeling good—his business is going well and his plan is working; he will soon be rich beyond imagining. But just as he thinks to himself,
Had life ever been better?he feels a strong blow to his head. He turns to see the source but there's nobody there. Is an invisible demon attacking him? Additional blows from the invisible source end his life. Yes, Man Plans, and God Laughs!
As Sir Joseph Venell expires we turn to a warehouse on the Thames where Thomas Tallant, a spice merchant in his father's firm has just returned from the Moluccas. Tallant is getting his land legs back after a long voyage. He has found London in a sorry state, riven by unhappiness, unemployment, undernourishment, intolerance, and that heavy "London fog" that came with the shift from wood to coal. Only two days after arriving he is accosted by a pair of coppers—a London City magistrate named Nathaniel Franklin, a nastier and more vicious personality couldn't be imagined, and a more-reticent investigator named Robert Petty, who works for theMerchant Adventurers, the association of spice merchants. They are investigating the Venell death, and they have a theory that implicates Thomas Tallant.
Their theory is based solely on circumstantial evidence, which in those days when the devil was believed to walk the earth, was enough to convict. The grounds for their attention are: Tallant and Venell being in the same trade, Tallant recently returned to London, and Tallant's hobby is falconry. They found two falcon feathers near Venell's body and believe that Venell's invisible attacker was a falcon guided by Tallant. Tallant points out that falcon feathers are regularly found in the field where Venell died, and that being in the same business is not proof of murder. But in spite of the thin evidence, the two investigators—particularly Franklin—seem bent on pinning the death on Tallant. Of course, it doesn't make any difference if he did or did not: what matters to his reputation and business is that people think he did. And Tallant's reputation suffers badly from the suspicion.
Soon after this confrontation Tallant comes into contact with Sir Hugh Swofford, Venel's business partner. The first contact is at a party at Swofford's mansion—when Tallant arrives he is thrown out by Sir Hugh who loudly announces that no murderer will cross his threshold. The second is at a party hosted by Tallant's father, Sir Ralph Tallant. There the outcome is even more dire—Sir Ralph is showing Sir Hugh a medieval drawing of an angel fighting against demons when Sir Hugh begins batting at the air as if he is being attacked. Swofford steps backward and falls down the stairs to his death.
This seals public opinion against Thomas Tallant, who clearly controls demons and visits death on his business competitors. Still, Thomas does have his friends, among them are a lifelong friend named Edward Dalloway and the very attractive Elizabeth Seymour, an amateur scientist and a friend of Tallant's sister Ellen. Tallant discovers that Elizabeth is a gambling addict and tells her about a game he had encountered in Amsterdam, a game we now call the Tulip Mania. In this game people buy and sell future contracts on the next crop of tulip bulbs emerging from bulbs now available. If the product of the new bulbs are attractively colored, the value of those bulbs is high; if they are dull, it is very low.
[Note: We in the 21st century know that tulip bulb prices will soon plummet, but with no impact on the Dutch banking system or its economy—the winners and losers were confined to the gamers themselves. The reason is that futures contracts were not enforceable in Dutch courts, so banks would not lend on them as collateral and, having no skin in the game, would not suffer ensuing losses. But, for the novel's purposes, this trade of gambling information seals the relationship between Thomas Tallant and Elizabeth Seymour.
What follows is the development of a variety of social relationships between Tallant and others. Some relationships center on Tallant's efforts to disguise his unknowing role in aiding a group of dissenters by importing contraband that leaves Tallant open to charges of treason. Other relationships are more personal and reveal Thomas's softer side.
Ultimately, this trail of crumbs will lead us back to the demonic deaths of Sir Joseph Venell and Sir Hugh Swofford. The twist at the end is a bit of a reach—the author left no trail of crumbs that would support it. But there are far worse flaws in debut novels, and Ward survives the rags of time.
December 15, 2019
This is a good book, a very good plot setting and intriguing mystery all set in and around the time of Charles I s dispute with his parliament and the chaos that ensues. But there is a big but, the characters at times don’t feel real or fleshed out properly and the dialogue can be a bit too long and over the top. I also could not see the villain being the villain there were no clues and it all got a bit confused near the end. And at times it all felt too vaudevillesque. It was good but needs some work on developing characters and getting the right balance of speaking between characters.
November 19, 2020
A thriller (murder) mystery set in London in the 17th century. Story teaches you a lot or life in that century. The writer Michael Ward is a born storyteller while reading you can picture it. Exciting until the last moment and a very good storyline. Books can be compared to those of C.J. Samsom. Recommended
July 6, 2020
‘Rags of Time’ is the first book in a new series of historical novels by British-based author, Michael Ward. Our main protagonist is Thomas Tallant, the headstrong and impetuous younger son of a spice merchant and his Dutch wife. The book is written in the third person and the past tense. There is a helpful map and key at the beginning to give the reader a sense of the geography of London in the seventeen century.
Within days of Tom’s return from a two year voyage to India, a wool merchant dies in mysterious circumstances. At this time, there is no official police force, so an investigating agent is appointed by the Merchant Adventurers to discover the truth. Following another death, Tom find himself increasingly under suspicion and turns to enchanting and enigmatic scholar, Elizabeth Seymour, for help.
The backdrop to the allegation against Tom is the febrile atmosphere of England in the latter stages of the reign of Charles I. The capital, overcrowded and insanitary, is a dichotomy of political and social disconnection. The public mood turns ugly, with families and friendships torn apart as the fabric of society is threatened by radicals inciting violence. Brutal punishments are meted out for trivial or non-existent crimes and, seemingly unaware of the simmering cauldron his nation has become, is a monarch who’s increasingly losing his grasp. Spice merchants are now as wealthy as traditional wool traders, creating rivalry and jealousy, so maybe a brash Anglo-Dutch interloper is the perfect scapegoat on whom to pin two unexplained deaths? As the tensions between parliament and the king intensify, so the net closes around Tom.
Through carefully researched and cleverly written prose, the author takes us on a roller-coaster journey of intrigue, intolerance, injustice, guilt, blackmail and betrayal, contrasting with loyalty, love, compassion and honour.
The author has mixed fact and fiction in superb fashion. I knew of John Pym but found articles about Archbishop Laud, Jeremiah Horrocks and the Earl of Strafford. In addition, I read of the Madagascan tribe of Sakalava and the tulip bubble in the Netherlands.
Michael Ward employs many literary devices to develop his plot; similes and metaphors when used skillfully, help paint a vivid scene for the reader but I’m always delighted when an author elevates a story to a higher level by adding foreshadowing, misdirection, imagery, symbolism and thought-provoking pathos.
These were troubled times with the ever-present threat of an invasion from Scotland. Conversely, it was also a time of great discovery and in the character of Elizabeth Seymour, we are given someone whose mathematical mind is equal to the task of finding vital clues which will help Tom prove his innocence. However, what really gilds the lily, is the scattering of clues in plain sight. Something which seems like an innocent descriptive passage is revealed in the denouement to contain a vital piece of the jigsaw to help complete the picture.
If you are a fan of historical fiction, this multi-layered tale will capture your attention and deliver on its promise of a slick and satisfying whodunit, combined with a fascinating social history of the era. I congratulate the author on an excellent piece of work. I award 5 stars.
Within days of Tom’s return from a two year voyage to India, a wool merchant dies in mysterious circumstances. At this time, there is no official police force, so an investigating agent is appointed by the Merchant Adventurers to discover the truth. Following another death, Tom find himself increasingly under suspicion and turns to enchanting and enigmatic scholar, Elizabeth Seymour, for help.
The backdrop to the allegation against Tom is the febrile atmosphere of England in the latter stages of the reign of Charles I. The capital, overcrowded and insanitary, is a dichotomy of political and social disconnection. The public mood turns ugly, with families and friendships torn apart as the fabric of society is threatened by radicals inciting violence. Brutal punishments are meted out for trivial or non-existent crimes and, seemingly unaware of the simmering cauldron his nation has become, is a monarch who’s increasingly losing his grasp. Spice merchants are now as wealthy as traditional wool traders, creating rivalry and jealousy, so maybe a brash Anglo-Dutch interloper is the perfect scapegoat on whom to pin two unexplained deaths? As the tensions between parliament and the king intensify, so the net closes around Tom.
Through carefully researched and cleverly written prose, the author takes us on a roller-coaster journey of intrigue, intolerance, injustice, guilt, blackmail and betrayal, contrasting with loyalty, love, compassion and honour.
The author has mixed fact and fiction in superb fashion. I knew of John Pym but found articles about Archbishop Laud, Jeremiah Horrocks and the Earl of Strafford. In addition, I read of the Madagascan tribe of Sakalava and the tulip bubble in the Netherlands.
Michael Ward employs many literary devices to develop his plot; similes and metaphors when used skillfully, help paint a vivid scene for the reader but I’m always delighted when an author elevates a story to a higher level by adding foreshadowing, misdirection, imagery, symbolism and thought-provoking pathos.
These were troubled times with the ever-present threat of an invasion from Scotland. Conversely, it was also a time of great discovery and in the character of Elizabeth Seymour, we are given someone whose mathematical mind is equal to the task of finding vital clues which will help Tom prove his innocence. However, what really gilds the lily, is the scattering of clues in plain sight. Something which seems like an innocent descriptive passage is revealed in the denouement to contain a vital piece of the jigsaw to help complete the picture.
If you are a fan of historical fiction, this multi-layered tale will capture your attention and deliver on its promise of a slick and satisfying whodunit, combined with a fascinating social history of the era. I congratulate the author on an excellent piece of work. I award 5 stars.
August 10, 2020
I received a copy of Rags of Time by Michael Ward for free by the author in exchange for an honest review. This review is also available on Book, Blog & Candle: https://www.bookblogandcandle.co.uk
In Rags of Time we join our protagonist Thomas Tallant in the year 1639 as he returns to London after spending two years in India as a spice merchant. Upon his return, a prominent merchant close to the King has been murdered under strange and haunting circumstances. When asked for his help surveying the crime scene, Tom reveals a bit too much of his expertise and quickly becomes a prime suspect in the investigation. As he searches for the true culprit he gets caught up in conspiracies threatening a civil war, some family drama and an unexpected romance.
Tom is impulsive, modern thinking for the time period and charming. He'd prefer to just carry on with his life and his job but trouble keeps managing to find him wherever he goes. Deep down he has a caring heart and this is fully showcased when he becomes entranced with the enigmatic Elizabeth Seymour. With Elizabeth he opens up more and reveals the mistakes he's made in the past and wants to help her avoid the same path. On top of everything else he is also torn between becoming a Member of Parliament or being a spy for the King in the turbulent times where there are tensions between Parliament and the monarchy and the public are picking sides between the two and the country is on the precipice of a civil war.
I enjoyed the time period that this story was set in. It is a really unique setting and an interesting time in English history. If you're not familiar with this part of history it would definitely be worth looking it up alongside the book to fully immerse yourself in the tensions of the time between the parliamentarians and royalists and the build up to the civil war in the 1640's - just because it is fascinating however you can still enjoy and understand the story without it! I'm just a bit of a history nerd, I love it!
The story had a good flow and was jam packed with action! There was so much descriptive and colourful imagery that I felt like I could be walking the streets of London next to Tom. It was very well researched, intelligent and funny. It is a good read for those who liked These Lost & Broken Things which is another historical fiction that I reviewed a while back that has similar themes and also deals with gambling addiction issues. Additionally, if you love the TV show Father Brown (which is beloved by those in the UK especially me!) then you'll love this!
Rags of Time is a suspenseful murder mystery entwined with conspiracies and sides being chosen amidst the beginnings of a civil war and is definitely an interesting read!
In Rags of Time we join our protagonist Thomas Tallant in the year 1639 as he returns to London after spending two years in India as a spice merchant. Upon his return, a prominent merchant close to the King has been murdered under strange and haunting circumstances. When asked for his help surveying the crime scene, Tom reveals a bit too much of his expertise and quickly becomes a prime suspect in the investigation. As he searches for the true culprit he gets caught up in conspiracies threatening a civil war, some family drama and an unexpected romance.
Tom is impulsive, modern thinking for the time period and charming. He'd prefer to just carry on with his life and his job but trouble keeps managing to find him wherever he goes. Deep down he has a caring heart and this is fully showcased when he becomes entranced with the enigmatic Elizabeth Seymour. With Elizabeth he opens up more and reveals the mistakes he's made in the past and wants to help her avoid the same path. On top of everything else he is also torn between becoming a Member of Parliament or being a spy for the King in the turbulent times where there are tensions between Parliament and the monarchy and the public are picking sides between the two and the country is on the precipice of a civil war.
I enjoyed the time period that this story was set in. It is a really unique setting and an interesting time in English history. If you're not familiar with this part of history it would definitely be worth looking it up alongside the book to fully immerse yourself in the tensions of the time between the parliamentarians and royalists and the build up to the civil war in the 1640's - just because it is fascinating however you can still enjoy and understand the story without it! I'm just a bit of a history nerd, I love it!
The story had a good flow and was jam packed with action! There was so much descriptive and colourful imagery that I felt like I could be walking the streets of London next to Tom. It was very well researched, intelligent and funny. It is a good read for those who liked These Lost & Broken Things which is another historical fiction that I reviewed a while back that has similar themes and also deals with gambling addiction issues. Additionally, if you love the TV show Father Brown (which is beloved by those in the UK especially me!) then you'll love this!
Rags of Time is a suspenseful murder mystery entwined with conspiracies and sides being chosen amidst the beginnings of a civil war and is definitely an interesting read!
January 15, 2020
Overview
This historical mystery is set in the turbulent times just before the English Civil War.
Michael Ward has plunged us into a violent and unpredictable world where King Charles I is pitted against Parliament. The king wants money to pursue a war with Scotland over what the Protestant Scots see as an attempt to re-establish Catholicism. Many English also think the king is going too far with his ‘reforms’ of the Church and accuse him of being overly influenced by his queen and her mother, both Catholics.
Pamphlets against the king abound, and violence can flare up anywhere at any time.
Michael Ward takes us into this hot-bed and makes it real. His discussion of the politics of the time fits in beautifully with the plot, and doesn’t seem like a history lesson, even though I have come away with a clearer picture of the times.
Plot
Thomas Tallant is the son of a spice merchant based in London. He has just returned from a trip to India when he is asked for his expertise with falcons, gained on his travels.
An illustrious wool merchant has died in mysterious circumstances and falcon feathers have been found nearby. Soon, though, he finds himself accused of the murder.
He must try to prove his innocence through many turns of the plot to the twist at the end.
Characterisation
The author has created varied and believable characters, from the somewhat naïve Tomas to the intelligent, pipe-smoking Elizabeth.
Each character has his or her own voice as well as strengths and flaws.
Writing
There are a few slips in the writing—few typos and the odd grammar error. The version I read, an e-book, had some formatting errors. In one or two places a sentence broke off in the middle and a line space appeared before the sentence continued.
A bit
Like this.
But such was the excitement of the plot that it didn’t bother me.
Conclusion
In spite of those errors, mentioned above, this was a thoroughly engrossing book. I liked the characters I was supposed to like, and despised those I wasn’t supposed to like.
I found it to be an unputdownable book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries. I have given it 5 stars.
This historical mystery is set in the turbulent times just before the English Civil War.
Michael Ward has plunged us into a violent and unpredictable world where King Charles I is pitted against Parliament. The king wants money to pursue a war with Scotland over what the Protestant Scots see as an attempt to re-establish Catholicism. Many English also think the king is going too far with his ‘reforms’ of the Church and accuse him of being overly influenced by his queen and her mother, both Catholics.
Pamphlets against the king abound, and violence can flare up anywhere at any time.
Michael Ward takes us into this hot-bed and makes it real. His discussion of the politics of the time fits in beautifully with the plot, and doesn’t seem like a history lesson, even though I have come away with a clearer picture of the times.
Plot
Thomas Tallant is the son of a spice merchant based in London. He has just returned from a trip to India when he is asked for his expertise with falcons, gained on his travels.
An illustrious wool merchant has died in mysterious circumstances and falcon feathers have been found nearby. Soon, though, he finds himself accused of the murder.
He must try to prove his innocence through many turns of the plot to the twist at the end.
Characterisation
The author has created varied and believable characters, from the somewhat naïve Tomas to the intelligent, pipe-smoking Elizabeth.
Each character has his or her own voice as well as strengths and flaws.
Writing
There are a few slips in the writing—few typos and the odd grammar error. The version I read, an e-book, had some formatting errors. In one or two places a sentence broke off in the middle and a line space appeared before the sentence continued.
A bit
Like this.
But such was the excitement of the plot that it didn’t bother me.
Conclusion
In spite of those errors, mentioned above, this was a thoroughly engrossing book. I liked the characters I was supposed to like, and despised those I wasn’t supposed to like.
I found it to be an unputdownable book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries. I have given it 5 stars.
May 22, 2020
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Thomas Tallant is a promising young spice merchant who has a lot going for him. After all, he is personable, intelligent, and handsome, his father owns a thriving spice business, and he enjoys working in the family trade. Returning to London from a buying trip to India, however, he is shocked to find the city in a chaotic state. The religious and political struggles that will eventually explode into civil war are growing increasingly violent, and King Charles is too busy fighting with Parliament to intervene. Expecting to return to business as usual, Tom soon finds himself named the prime suspect in the bizarre deaths of two business rivals. As the evidence mounts against him, he becomes desperate to clear his name, aided only by his best friend and a beguiling young woman whom he has only just met.
Tom's search for justice gives us a broad view of London society in the 1630's - how to engage a Thames wherry man, attending opulent parties alongside powerful courtiers, political intrigue, crowded prison cells swamped in muck, tricks of the trade in falconry, the terrible inequalities of class.Ward clearly knows how to research for historical detail. Particularly memorable sequences include "shooting" London Bridge; the descriptions of "taking the clergy" while pleading in a court of law, and of training falcons to hunt in pairs, were also diverting. The murder case itself is satisfyingly intricate. The thinness of the evidence against Tom makes one wonder how the accusation could be taken seriously, but because thr charges were made by persons of influence, it was. (Some things never change.)
If you're wondering what "rags of time" means, check out the poetry of John Donne. If you're interested in murder mysteries set in historical times, check out Rags of Time.
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