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Apprentice Spy
When young actor Thomas Mapperley faces dire punishment for seducing the daughter of an aristocrat he is saved by an unlikely champion, Francis Walsingham, spymaster to Queen Elizabeth.Mapperley is soon dispatched to the Low Countries where William, Prince of Orange is engaged in a deadly struggle against the powerful forces of the Spanish Crown. If he loses the war, the Low Countries will remain part of the Spanish Empire. If he wins, the Low Countries may become a new nation.Mapperley finds he is both pawn and player in the turbulent times ahead, captured by the Spaniards, used as an agent by William and finally witnessing the terrible sack of Antwerp, the wealthiest city in Europe. And every moment, his life hangs in the balance.Perhaps being a spy was a bad move. Perhaps he should have remained an actor.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2020
7 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Martin Lake
42 books148 followersHello, I'm Martin Lake. I've been writing fiction since the age of eleven when our inventive English teacher Mr Johnson asked us to imagine that we were a Guy on a Guy Fawkes bonfire. I discovered the thrill of words and character.
My favourite authors when I was young were historical novelists like Rosemary Sutcliff and Henry Treece and a galaxy of science fiction writers. Later on I discovered the Flashman novels by George McDonald Fraser which I still consider the best of historical fiction.
I studied English Literature and History at UEA.
I have written all my life and had my first success with another story about 5th November, 'The Guy Fawkes Contest.' This was broadcast on radio and I spent more than my fee on celebrating my success.
Then one morning; revelation. I love writing and I love history. I decided to combine the two and wrote a novel about the Elizabethan spy network. There was some interest in this from publishers but not enough and it languishes still in a drawer.
I had a bad accident and could no longer drive nor turn over a paper-back book without dropping it and having to ask my wife to pick it up. My wife bought me an e-reader and shortly afterwards I discovered that I could self-publish my novels.
That was it. My life-long ambition was about to take off.
I have a series of novels set in the years following the Norman Invasion of England: The Flame of Resistance, Triumph and Catastrophe, Blood of Ironside and In Search of Glory.
I have also written four novels about the Viking Invasions of England: Wolves of War, To the Death, Land of Blood and Water and Blood Enemy.
Outcasts is about the fall of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Third Crusade.
ALove Most Dangerous and the sequel Very Like a Queen tell the tale of Alice Petherton, a mistress of King Henry VIII.
I have four World War Two novels: Cry of the Heart and Ties of the Heart and Brave, Bold Spirit and The Turn of the Tide.
You can find my blog at martinlakewriting.wordpress.com
Twitter @martinlake14.
Email: martinlake14@gmail.com
My favourite authors when I was young were historical novelists like Rosemary Sutcliff and Henry Treece and a galaxy of science fiction writers. Later on I discovered the Flashman novels by George McDonald Fraser which I still consider the best of historical fiction.
I studied English Literature and History at UEA.
I have written all my life and had my first success with another story about 5th November, 'The Guy Fawkes Contest.' This was broadcast on radio and I spent more than my fee on celebrating my success.
Then one morning; revelation. I love writing and I love history. I decided to combine the two and wrote a novel about the Elizabethan spy network. There was some interest in this from publishers but not enough and it languishes still in a drawer.
I had a bad accident and could no longer drive nor turn over a paper-back book without dropping it and having to ask my wife to pick it up. My wife bought me an e-reader and shortly afterwards I discovered that I could self-publish my novels.
That was it. My life-long ambition was about to take off.
I have a series of novels set in the years following the Norman Invasion of England: The Flame of Resistance, Triumph and Catastrophe, Blood of Ironside and In Search of Glory.
I have also written four novels about the Viking Invasions of England: Wolves of War, To the Death, Land of Blood and Water and Blood Enemy.
Outcasts is about the fall of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Third Crusade.
ALove Most Dangerous and the sequel Very Like a Queen tell the tale of Alice Petherton, a mistress of King Henry VIII.
I have four World War Two novels: Cry of the Heart and Ties of the Heart and Brave, Bold Spirit and The Turn of the Tide.
You can find my blog at martinlakewriting.wordpress.com
Twitter @martinlake14.
Email: martinlake14@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 13, 2021
BLURB
When young actor Thomas Mapperley faces dire punishment for seducing the daughter of an aristocrat he is saved by an unlikely champion, Francis Walsingham, spymaster to Queen Elizabeth.
Mapperley is soon dispatched to the Low Countries where William, Prince of Orange is engaged in a deadly struggle against the powerful forces of the Spanish Crown. If he loses the war, the Low Countries will remain part of the Spanish Empire. If he wins, the Low Countries may become a new nation.
Mapperley finds he is both pawn and player in the turbulent times ahead, captured by the Spaniards, used as an agent by William and finally witnessing the terrible sack of Antwerp, the wealthiest city in Europe. And every moment, his life hangs in the balance.
Perhaps being a spy was a bad move. Perhaps he should have remained an actor.
REVIEW
A thoroughly enjoyable tale of a period/topic of history that was unfamiliar to me. The Dutch versus The Spanish for control of the low countries of Europe. Thomas is an actor, but once he's 'drafted' into the realm of Walsingham's spy network, he develops the skills necessary to survive what I feel is the real villain in this tale - The Spanish Inquisition. During the course of this page turning tale, Thomas and his companions (wonderful characters in themselves especially Angel) are faced with many challenges - another of the author's strengths are the details of the places and events in this well-researched piece of European history. Emotionally charged, entertaining dialogue, and an edge of the seat drama make Apprentice Spy a pleasure to read...something I've come to expect from this author and I have yet to be disappointed. 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
When young actor Thomas Mapperley faces dire punishment for seducing the daughter of an aristocrat he is saved by an unlikely champion, Francis Walsingham, spymaster to Queen Elizabeth.
Mapperley is soon dispatched to the Low Countries where William, Prince of Orange is engaged in a deadly struggle against the powerful forces of the Spanish Crown. If he loses the war, the Low Countries will remain part of the Spanish Empire. If he wins, the Low Countries may become a new nation.
Mapperley finds he is both pawn and player in the turbulent times ahead, captured by the Spaniards, used as an agent by William and finally witnessing the terrible sack of Antwerp, the wealthiest city in Europe. And every moment, his life hangs in the balance.
Perhaps being a spy was a bad move. Perhaps he should have remained an actor.
REVIEW
A thoroughly enjoyable tale of a period/topic of history that was unfamiliar to me. The Dutch versus The Spanish for control of the low countries of Europe. Thomas is an actor, but once he's 'drafted' into the realm of Walsingham's spy network, he develops the skills necessary to survive what I feel is the real villain in this tale - The Spanish Inquisition. During the course of this page turning tale, Thomas and his companions (wonderful characters in themselves especially Angel) are faced with many challenges - another of the author's strengths are the details of the places and events in this well-researched piece of European history. Emotionally charged, entertaining dialogue, and an edge of the seat drama make Apprentice Spy a pleasure to read...something I've come to expect from this author and I have yet to be disappointed. 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
November 9, 2020
Highly recommended
A thoroughly enjoyable book. It was an apprenticeship that was completed, a very practical one - with all the violence, cruelty, and horror of war accompanying it!
A thoroughly enjoyable book. It was an apprenticeship that was completed, a very practical one - with all the violence, cruelty, and horror of war accompanying it!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews