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Daniel Pursglove #1
The Drowned City
1606. A year to the day that men were executed for conspiring to blow up Parliament, a towering wave devastates the Bristol Channel. Some proclaim God's vengeance. Others seek to take advantage.
In London, Daniel Pursglove lies in prison waiting to die. But Charles FitzAlan, close adviser to King James I, has a job in mind that will free a man of Daniel's skill from the horrors of Newgate. If he succeeds.
For Bristol is a hotbed of Catholic spies, and where better for the lone conspirator who evaded arrest, one Spero Pettingar, to gather allies than in the chaos of a drowned city? Daniel journeys there to investigate FitzAlan's lead, but soon finds himself at the heart of a dark Jesuit conspiracy - and in pursuit of a killer.
In London, Daniel Pursglove lies in prison waiting to die. But Charles FitzAlan, close adviser to King James I, has a job in mind that will free a man of Daniel's skill from the horrors of Newgate. If he succeeds.
For Bristol is a hotbed of Catholic spies, and where better for the lone conspirator who evaded arrest, one Spero Pettingar, to gather allies than in the chaos of a drowned city? Daniel journeys there to investigate FitzAlan's lead, but soon finds himself at the heart of a dark Jesuit conspiracy - and in pursuit of a killer.
496 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2021
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1569 people want to read
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January 10, 2024
“𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐝. 𝐈𝐭 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫. 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐚𝐫, 𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧”.
It’s the year 1606, and one year after the failed gunpowder plot, England is a divided country, when, on a cold and wintry January day, a devastating tidal surge travels at enormous speed up the Bristol Channel causing huge loss of life, with homes and businesses destroyed, and an economy in tatters. However, of more importance to King James, come rumours of treachery.
In Newgate prison, London, Daniel Pursglove receives an offer from Charles FitzAlan ( confidant of the King) - his freedom, if he can infiltrate an underground Catholic network and discover a conspirator, Spero Pettingar, who has so far escaped capture.
Daniel has to ingratiate himself into the daily lives of those who survived the drowned city of Bristol in order to bring Pettingar to justice and thereby secure his own freedom. This will be no easy task though, as danger is lurking in every nook and cranny.
Very atmospheric, with a storyline rich in detail of the intriguing, (yet dangerous), politics of the Jacobean Court, alongside spies, murderers, conspirators and sorcery. Although a little slow at times, this first outing for Daniel Pursglove shows great promise.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Headline, for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
It’s the year 1606, and one year after the failed gunpowder plot, England is a divided country, when, on a cold and wintry January day, a devastating tidal surge travels at enormous speed up the Bristol Channel causing huge loss of life, with homes and businesses destroyed, and an economy in tatters. However, of more importance to King James, come rumours of treachery.
In Newgate prison, London, Daniel Pursglove receives an offer from Charles FitzAlan ( confidant of the King) - his freedom, if he can infiltrate an underground Catholic network and discover a conspirator, Spero Pettingar, who has so far escaped capture.
Daniel has to ingratiate himself into the daily lives of those who survived the drowned city of Bristol in order to bring Pettingar to justice and thereby secure his own freedom. This will be no easy task though, as danger is lurking in every nook and cranny.
Very atmospheric, with a storyline rich in detail of the intriguing, (yet dangerous), politics of the Jacobean Court, alongside spies, murderers, conspirators and sorcery. Although a little slow at times, this first outing for Daniel Pursglove shows great promise.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Headline, for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
February 4, 2022
Daniel Pursgrove #1
3.5 rounded up
The book starts strongly with some excellent descriptions of a monstrous wave that surges up the Bristol Channel in January 1606. It’s passage is relentless, buildings crumble, trees are ripped from their roots, villages are destroyed and 2000 souls perish. This is an unnatural disaster in superstitious King James I’s opinion.
Switch location to Newgate Gaol in February 1606 which, as per the norm, is crammed with prisoners, the air is fetid and it’s freezing cold. Therein lies a prisoner, Daniel, who has little hope for his future until the King’s trusted advisor Charles FitzAlan pays a visit. Daniel is given a mission, to go west to ascertain if the flood is a natural occurrence or the devils work . Real or a fabrication? Is this a Jesuit plot, a pact with dark forces with the mysterious Spero Pettinger at the root of it? If his report pleases the king (or more likely Robert Cecil, Lord Salisbury, the Kings Secretary of State) he’ll receive a pardon. Daniel partly narrates and the rest is set in and around the court .
There are parts of this that are very enjoyable.
It’s well written and has an authentic 17th-century feel in the language used. There are some very colourful descriptions and it’s especially good on the beliefs and superstitions of the times and on the religious divisions. This is a time of great danger for catholic recusants and this comes across strongly post the failed Gunpowder Plot with the repercussions felt the length and breadth of the land. A shadowy scheming presence of Lord Cecil with his spies everywhere and his determination to capitalise on prior events is very well done. The potential conspiracy, the murder and mayhem that occurs make Bristol and elsewhere very dangerous places. You do feel the tension, the tone is ominous, Bristol is a seething mass but whether there is a Jesuit nest of vipers remains to be seen. There is a distinct air of menace in the city as you pick your way through the detritus left by the wave but there’s also the detritus of humanity who are intent on adding to the danger. I like the way the Spero Pettinger conundrum resonates throughout and is left an resolved question.
The portrayal of King James is very accurate and there are some vivid scenes at court that capture the imagination. The character of Daniel is less certain, he is definitely enigmatic that’s for sure I’d like to have been able to see him a bit more clearly.
However, there is a great deal of extraneous detail, it becomes a bit of a blow by blow account and you lose track of why Daniel is in Bristol. As a consequence the pace slows and the momentum is lost as do some of the interest levels. The customs of the time are portrayed vividly and are definitely not for the faint hearted. The ending is not too huge a surprise, it kind of had to be and it’s left a tad unresolved but nicely set up for number two.
Overall, it’s a meticulously researched historical novel that shows the schemes, plots, rumours and dangers that make navigating the court with your eyes front and back a necessity. I look forward to seeing what happens to Daniel next.
With thanks to NetGalleyShelf and Headline for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
3.5 rounded up
The book starts strongly with some excellent descriptions of a monstrous wave that surges up the Bristol Channel in January 1606. It’s passage is relentless, buildings crumble, trees are ripped from their roots, villages are destroyed and 2000 souls perish. This is an unnatural disaster in superstitious King James I’s opinion.
Switch location to Newgate Gaol in February 1606 which, as per the norm, is crammed with prisoners, the air is fetid and it’s freezing cold. Therein lies a prisoner, Daniel, who has little hope for his future until the King’s trusted advisor Charles FitzAlan pays a visit. Daniel is given a mission, to go west to ascertain if the flood is a natural occurrence or the devils work . Real or a fabrication? Is this a Jesuit plot, a pact with dark forces with the mysterious Spero Pettinger at the root of it? If his report pleases the king (or more likely Robert Cecil, Lord Salisbury, the Kings Secretary of State) he’ll receive a pardon. Daniel partly narrates and the rest is set in and around the court .
There are parts of this that are very enjoyable.
It’s well written and has an authentic 17th-century feel in the language used. There are some very colourful descriptions and it’s especially good on the beliefs and superstitions of the times and on the religious divisions. This is a time of great danger for catholic recusants and this comes across strongly post the failed Gunpowder Plot with the repercussions felt the length and breadth of the land. A shadowy scheming presence of Lord Cecil with his spies everywhere and his determination to capitalise on prior events is very well done. The potential conspiracy, the murder and mayhem that occurs make Bristol and elsewhere very dangerous places. You do feel the tension, the tone is ominous, Bristol is a seething mass but whether there is a Jesuit nest of vipers remains to be seen. There is a distinct air of menace in the city as you pick your way through the detritus left by the wave but there’s also the detritus of humanity who are intent on adding to the danger. I like the way the Spero Pettinger conundrum resonates throughout and is left an resolved question.
The portrayal of King James is very accurate and there are some vivid scenes at court that capture the imagination. The character of Daniel is less certain, he is definitely enigmatic that’s for sure I’d like to have been able to see him a bit more clearly.
However, there is a great deal of extraneous detail, it becomes a bit of a blow by blow account and you lose track of why Daniel is in Bristol. As a consequence the pace slows and the momentum is lost as do some of the interest levels. The customs of the time are portrayed vividly and are definitely not for the faint hearted. The ending is not too huge a surprise, it kind of had to be and it’s left a tad unresolved but nicely set up for number two.
Overall, it’s a meticulously researched historical novel that shows the schemes, plots, rumours and dangers that make navigating the court with your eyes front and back a necessity. I look forward to seeing what happens to Daniel next.
With thanks to NetGalleyShelf and Headline for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
June 16, 2024
Perilous
Karen Maitland's The Drowned City is a captivating historical mystery set against the backdrop of the catastrophic 1607 flood that devastated the Bristol Channel. Maitland’s meticulous research and evocative prose vividly recreate the chaos and fear that followed the disaster, immersing readers in a world where the boundary between reality and superstition is perilously thin. At the heart of this richly atmospheric novel is Daniel Pursglove, a compelling protagonist whose quest for truth navigates the treacherous waters of political intrigue, personal vendettas, and supernatural fear.
Daniel Pursglove is a fascinating and multifaceted character, making him a standout in Maitland's narrative. Recently released from prison, Pursglove is tasked by a shadowy figure in King James’s court to uncover the truth behind rumours of a Catholic Jesuit conspiracy tied to the flood. His journey to the submerged city of Bristol is fraught with danger and deception. Pursglove’s intelligence, resourcefulness, and moral complexity make him an engaging and sympathetic figure. His character embodies the tension between science and superstition, rationality and fear. Pursglove’s personal growth and relentless pursuit of truth add depth and intensity to the story as he navigates the wreckage and uncovers secrets.
While Maitland’s rich, descriptive language brings the 17th-century setting to life, some readers might find it overly elaborate. The detailed descriptions, though vividly painting the scenes, can occasionally slow the narrative pace and detract from the unfolding suspense. However, for those who appreciate lush, immersive storytelling, these descriptions enhance the novel’s atmospheric depth. The Drowned City excels in depicting a community fraught with suspicion and where natural disaster exacerbates existing tensions and fears. Despite its occasional wordiness, The Drowned City is a masterful blend of history and mystery, with Daniel Pursglove proving to be an unforgettable guide through its murky depths.
England is an amazing historical canvas that spawns many opportunities for rich atmospheric tales. I highly recommend this book, especially if you enjoy English historical fiction. I also want to thank Headline and NetGalley for providing a free ARC in return for an honest review.
Karen Maitland's The Drowned City is a captivating historical mystery set against the backdrop of the catastrophic 1607 flood that devastated the Bristol Channel. Maitland’s meticulous research and evocative prose vividly recreate the chaos and fear that followed the disaster, immersing readers in a world where the boundary between reality and superstition is perilously thin. At the heart of this richly atmospheric novel is Daniel Pursglove, a compelling protagonist whose quest for truth navigates the treacherous waters of political intrigue, personal vendettas, and supernatural fear.
Daniel Pursglove is a fascinating and multifaceted character, making him a standout in Maitland's narrative. Recently released from prison, Pursglove is tasked by a shadowy figure in King James’s court to uncover the truth behind rumours of a Catholic Jesuit conspiracy tied to the flood. His journey to the submerged city of Bristol is fraught with danger and deception. Pursglove’s intelligence, resourcefulness, and moral complexity make him an engaging and sympathetic figure. His character embodies the tension between science and superstition, rationality and fear. Pursglove’s personal growth and relentless pursuit of truth add depth and intensity to the story as he navigates the wreckage and uncovers secrets.
While Maitland’s rich, descriptive language brings the 17th-century setting to life, some readers might find it overly elaborate. The detailed descriptions, though vividly painting the scenes, can occasionally slow the narrative pace and detract from the unfolding suspense. However, for those who appreciate lush, immersive storytelling, these descriptions enhance the novel’s atmospheric depth. The Drowned City excels in depicting a community fraught with suspicion and where natural disaster exacerbates existing tensions and fears. Despite its occasional wordiness, The Drowned City is a masterful blend of history and mystery, with Daniel Pursglove proving to be an unforgettable guide through its murky depths.
England is an amazing historical canvas that spawns many opportunities for rich atmospheric tales. I highly recommend this book, especially if you enjoy English historical fiction. I also want to thank Headline and NetGalley for providing a free ARC in return for an honest review.
June 28, 2021
This delightful book is the 1st part of historical mystery adventures called, the "Daniel Pursglove" series from the author, K.J. Maitland, formerly known as Karen Maitland.
Story-telling is of a very good quality, the characters involved in this historical mystery adventure, whether they are real historical or entertaining fictional, come all superbly to life, while also the atmosphere, destruction and ruin of Bristol in AD 1606 (Old Style Calendar, Julian) after a kind of tsunami, are beautifully pictured and described in this fascinating story.
At the beginning of the book you'll find an Author's Note where we learn that the book is set in the Old Style (Julian) Calendar, for England began with the Gregorian calendar in AD 1752, while some countries on the mainland of Europe had already adopted this same Gregorian Calendar.
At the end of the book you'll notice a wonderful explanation of the historical details concerning this exciting tale, while there's also a very well documented Glossary.
The book starts off in January AD 1606, in the Bristol Channel, when all of a sudden a kind of tsunami strikes Bristol and great parts of its surrounding areas, which will finally reach much further inland for miles on end.
The main story starts with our protagonist, the magician Daniel Pursglove, in Newgate Goal in London, where he's visited by King James I of England and Scotland (King James VI) adviser Charles FitzAlan, and sent on a mission to Bristol to see if that place is harbouring Catholic traitors there, and bring good news back for King James I, and so hopefully to save his own skin in the process.
What is to follow is an intriguing and exciting historical murder mystery, where hate and retribution are galore between Catholics and Protestants, and where in the background the Secretary of State, Lord Salisbury, Henry Cecil, is scheming to catch as many Catholics and recusants as possible, and in which Daniel Pursglove will end up in Bristol, where he will meet his old tutor, Master Waldegrave, in a hotbed of conspiracy, betrayal and murder, and in these very dangerous environments Daniel must find a way towards the truth of these killings and the resulting culprit(s), so when he's back in London to give good news to FitzAlan and thus King James I.
Very much recommended, for this is an entertaining tale of murder, superstition, witchcraft and conspiracy, a world of madness and prosecution that is created by the irrational King James I and Henry Cecil, and so what this 1st episode is concerned, I like to call it: "A Very Enjoyable Daniel Pursglove Outing"!
Story-telling is of a very good quality, the characters involved in this historical mystery adventure, whether they are real historical or entertaining fictional, come all superbly to life, while also the atmosphere, destruction and ruin of Bristol in AD 1606 (Old Style Calendar, Julian) after a kind of tsunami, are beautifully pictured and described in this fascinating story.
At the beginning of the book you'll find an Author's Note where we learn that the book is set in the Old Style (Julian) Calendar, for England began with the Gregorian calendar in AD 1752, while some countries on the mainland of Europe had already adopted this same Gregorian Calendar.
At the end of the book you'll notice a wonderful explanation of the historical details concerning this exciting tale, while there's also a very well documented Glossary.
The book starts off in January AD 1606, in the Bristol Channel, when all of a sudden a kind of tsunami strikes Bristol and great parts of its surrounding areas, which will finally reach much further inland for miles on end.
The main story starts with our protagonist, the magician Daniel Pursglove, in Newgate Goal in London, where he's visited by King James I of England and Scotland (King James VI) adviser Charles FitzAlan, and sent on a mission to Bristol to see if that place is harbouring Catholic traitors there, and bring good news back for King James I, and so hopefully to save his own skin in the process.
What is to follow is an intriguing and exciting historical murder mystery, where hate and retribution are galore between Catholics and Protestants, and where in the background the Secretary of State, Lord Salisbury, Henry Cecil, is scheming to catch as many Catholics and recusants as possible, and in which Daniel Pursglove will end up in Bristol, where he will meet his old tutor, Master Waldegrave, in a hotbed of conspiracy, betrayal and murder, and in these very dangerous environments Daniel must find a way towards the truth of these killings and the resulting culprit(s), so when he's back in London to give good news to FitzAlan and thus King James I.
Very much recommended, for this is an entertaining tale of murder, superstition, witchcraft and conspiracy, a world of madness and prosecution that is created by the irrational King James I and Henry Cecil, and so what this 1st episode is concerned, I like to call it: "A Very Enjoyable Daniel Pursglove Outing"!
February 20, 2021
‘Hounds always have their masters, the plotters and the schemers, the creatures of mist and shadow, who quietly whisper the orders to kill, but never risk bruising their fists on their victims’ skulls’.
It’s 1606 and like a spider at the heart of a web, Robert Cecil- suspicious, detail orientated, and dangerously motivated- watches the realm for his master, James VI/I. A paranoid pair, they see threats everywhere, their fears fuelled by the Gunpowder Plot of the previous year. But now something is going on in the South and they’re determined to discover what it means. Bristol has been devastated by a freak tidal wave, leaving nothing but destruction and turmoil in its wake. And its date? An anniversary of sorts, the death day of those killed for their treasonous plotting. Rumour has it that the wave was witchcraft, that there’s no other possible explanation, and such is the mood in the city that God help the witches, because if they’re found in Bristol, nobody on this earth will do so. James himself is a believer (you might say that he has a bit of a thing about witches), but he’s also willing to consider other options. Like another Catholic conspiracy. To solve this puzzle, someone has to investigate, and they may have found just the man…
Daniel Pursglove is in a bit of a pickle. He’s landed himself in Newgate prison and now he’s all out of options….and hope. He knows that his very short future ends in a sturdy rope. That is until someone comes calling with an offer he can’t refuse (even if he wanted to). The job: go to Bristol and get to the bottom of what’s going on. Most importantly, find a seditious Jesuit priest who might have links to the Plot. Pursglove’s attitude towards investigation seems to be ‘turn up, cause trouble, see how things shake out’. It’s just his luck that he trips over a series of murders on top of everything else. This is very much an ‘if it can go wrong, it will go wrong’ kind of story. Or perhaps I should say, Pursglove is that kind of man. He’s certainly great fun to watch and it doesn’t hurt that he meets any number of memorable characters along the way. The city around him seethes with menace, finding the author of any misdeed is going to mean digging through the murk of humanity just as much as streets foul with detritus. But he’s (mostly) up to the job, if not in any conventional way you can imagine. It’s compelling stuff, full of intrigue and danger.
For those missing the blend of historical detail, down and dirty political manoeuvrings, and grim existence that the early Shardlake series did so well, The Drowned City is definitely one to try. There’s no doubt in my mind that this is the first meeting in what could be a long and fruitful relationship, should the author decide to pursue it. I can’t wait to see where trouble comes from next.
ARC via Netgalley
It’s 1606 and like a spider at the heart of a web, Robert Cecil- suspicious, detail orientated, and dangerously motivated- watches the realm for his master, James VI/I. A paranoid pair, they see threats everywhere, their fears fuelled by the Gunpowder Plot of the previous year. But now something is going on in the South and they’re determined to discover what it means. Bristol has been devastated by a freak tidal wave, leaving nothing but destruction and turmoil in its wake. And its date? An anniversary of sorts, the death day of those killed for their treasonous plotting. Rumour has it that the wave was witchcraft, that there’s no other possible explanation, and such is the mood in the city that God help the witches, because if they’re found in Bristol, nobody on this earth will do so. James himself is a believer (you might say that he has a bit of a thing about witches), but he’s also willing to consider other options. Like another Catholic conspiracy. To solve this puzzle, someone has to investigate, and they may have found just the man…
Daniel Pursglove is in a bit of a pickle. He’s landed himself in Newgate prison and now he’s all out of options….and hope. He knows that his very short future ends in a sturdy rope. That is until someone comes calling with an offer he can’t refuse (even if he wanted to). The job: go to Bristol and get to the bottom of what’s going on. Most importantly, find a seditious Jesuit priest who might have links to the Plot. Pursglove’s attitude towards investigation seems to be ‘turn up, cause trouble, see how things shake out’. It’s just his luck that he trips over a series of murders on top of everything else. This is very much an ‘if it can go wrong, it will go wrong’ kind of story. Or perhaps I should say, Pursglove is that kind of man. He’s certainly great fun to watch and it doesn’t hurt that he meets any number of memorable characters along the way. The city around him seethes with menace, finding the author of any misdeed is going to mean digging through the murk of humanity just as much as streets foul with detritus. But he’s (mostly) up to the job, if not in any conventional way you can imagine. It’s compelling stuff, full of intrigue and danger.
For those missing the blend of historical detail, down and dirty political manoeuvrings, and grim existence that the early Shardlake series did so well, The Drowned City is definitely one to try. There’s no doubt in my mind that this is the first meeting in what could be a long and fruitful relationship, should the author decide to pursue it. I can’t wait to see where trouble comes from next.
ARC via Netgalley
March 31, 2021
I have long been a fan of Karen Maitland and was keen to read the first in a new, historical series, by her. It is 1606 and a huge wave has destroyed much of Bristol. This disaster happens on the 13th January, an inauspicious date, as it is a year since the Gunpowder Treason Plotters received justice. King James - who has more than a passing interest in witchcraft - wants the event investigated. With many Catholics seeing the flood as revenge, he is asking himself whether the author of the flood was nature... or the devil?
Enter our hero, Daniel Pursglove, who has ended up in Newgate, chained to a wall and without many options. When it is suggested to him that he travel to Bristol to investigate a Jesuit conspirator known as Spero Pettingar, aided by a Catholic network of conspirators, he jumps at the chance to exit the prison walls. In Bristol he also finds that the papists are being blamed by the local population and wonders how, in the decimated town, he will be able to investigate anything...
Maitland is an excellent writer and she creates an excellent sense of time and place. Obviously, this is the first in a series and so much of this is an introduction to the characters, but I did feel that Pursglove needed to be fleshed out more. However, there are scenes, such as one where the King visits the Tower of London, or the beginning, in Newgate, where you can really imagine you are there. Hopefully, as the series continues, we will get to know the characters better.
Enter our hero, Daniel Pursglove, who has ended up in Newgate, chained to a wall and without many options. When it is suggested to him that he travel to Bristol to investigate a Jesuit conspirator known as Spero Pettingar, aided by a Catholic network of conspirators, he jumps at the chance to exit the prison walls. In Bristol he also finds that the papists are being blamed by the local population and wonders how, in the decimated town, he will be able to investigate anything...
Maitland is an excellent writer and she creates an excellent sense of time and place. Obviously, this is the first in a series and so much of this is an introduction to the characters, but I did feel that Pursglove needed to be fleshed out more. However, there are scenes, such as one where the King visits the Tower of London, or the beginning, in Newgate, where you can really imagine you are there. Hopefully, as the series continues, we will get to know the characters better.
Read
October 20, 2025Not working for me which I regret: the writing is good and the history interesting, but the pace is very slow and I haven't connected at all with the characters. Personal non click, mostly.
January 5, 2024
Maitland always manages to evoke a real sense of time and place but the plot was convoluted, the pacing was off, bogged down in detail and the character of Daniel Pursglove was not terribly compelling. Admittedly I might be missing her wonderful medieval stories.
April 26, 2021
I usually enjoy historical fiction and detective stories so thought I'd enjoy this. It gets off to a great start, setting the scenarios and introducing characters in an engaging manner however, this pace isn't maintained and everything slows down to a crawl, with great descriptions but little actually happening. I'm afraid I just didn't enjoy it and confess to giving up - life's too short to keep reading things you're not enjoying. I'm not sure if it was me that was just in the wrong frame of mind to enjoy it but this just isn't one for me. I may try it again at a later date but it is a book that I've repeatedly put down and not wanted to pick up again, so somehow doubt it. Thank goodness we don't all like the same things as I'm sure others will love it so don't let me put you off trying it.
Thank you to Amazon for my copy of this book which I voluntarily tried to read and have honestly reviewed.
Thank you to Amazon for my copy of this book which I voluntarily tried to read and have honestly reviewed.
April 7, 2021
Richly atmospheric and evocative tale of natural disaster, superstition, murder and tyranny in Bristol in the early years of the 17th century. My favourite scenes were those featuring the paranoid, witch-hating King James I. It is beautifully written, with the emphasis on Bristol and its people during this period of turmoil and persecution rather than on the plot, which meanders considerably. I listened to the audiobook, which is well read. 3.5 stars rounded up. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
October 6, 2021
dnf @ 25%. pacing & prose feel appropriately like slogging through mud
May 11, 2021
In the last days of January, 1606, a deadly tidal wave engulfed the city of Bristol. Two thousand people died.Homes and businesses were destroyed.Commerce was disrupted and food was scarce.Karen Maitland focuses on this natural disaster to create an atmospheric novel of murder and intrigue that is steeped in the paranoia and politics of the Jacobean era.
Daniel Pursglove is a magician and conjurer with no relatives and no political influence.His display of his talents in a time when sorcery and illusion are feared has resulted in his imprisonment.Awaiting his fate,Daniel is visited by one of King James’ emissaries who offers to release him from jail. A year earlier, a group of recalcitrant Catholic priests fomented a failed attempt to assassinate the King.Many of the conspirators were executed but some remain undetected. Bristol, a sea port, is a center of commerce and activity.It is also a hotbed of Jesuit plots. Daniel’s skills are suited to go undercover to unmask any dissidents hiding in Bristol.
The author has created a remarkable description of the atmosphere and physical setting that Daniel encounters in Bristol.There is an ever present miasma that seems to hover over the city.The air is fetid with the odor of rotted wood and goods. A pedestrian can break a limb stepping in mud that conceals a pothole. Infected with a sense of despair, residents accuse each other of disloyalty to Crown and Church. Broadsheets distributed in the streets inflame these passions. Murders are committed to obscure secrets and possibly exact revenge.
As Daniel pursues his task, events swirl at court. There are struggles between the English and Scottish lords. Schemes and plots are communicated in secret code.Events and alliances can be misconstrued and loyalties can shift. One royal advisor cautions Daniel that a loyal heart is not enough to keep a man from the gallows.
Employing prose that is both lush and detailed,Ms Maitland crafts a portrait of the political suspicion and personal fear that was rampant in the early Jacobean era. The echoes of this climate still reverberate today as we encounter social malaise and division worldwide.
Daniel Pursglove is a magician and conjurer with no relatives and no political influence.His display of his talents in a time when sorcery and illusion are feared has resulted in his imprisonment.Awaiting his fate,Daniel is visited by one of King James’ emissaries who offers to release him from jail. A year earlier, a group of recalcitrant Catholic priests fomented a failed attempt to assassinate the King.Many of the conspirators were executed but some remain undetected. Bristol, a sea port, is a center of commerce and activity.It is also a hotbed of Jesuit plots. Daniel’s skills are suited to go undercover to unmask any dissidents hiding in Bristol.
The author has created a remarkable description of the atmosphere and physical setting that Daniel encounters in Bristol.There is an ever present miasma that seems to hover over the city.The air is fetid with the odor of rotted wood and goods. A pedestrian can break a limb stepping in mud that conceals a pothole. Infected with a sense of despair, residents accuse each other of disloyalty to Crown and Church. Broadsheets distributed in the streets inflame these passions. Murders are committed to obscure secrets and possibly exact revenge.
As Daniel pursues his task, events swirl at court. There are struggles between the English and Scottish lords. Schemes and plots are communicated in secret code.Events and alliances can be misconstrued and loyalties can shift. One royal advisor cautions Daniel that a loyal heart is not enough to keep a man from the gallows.
Employing prose that is both lush and detailed,Ms Maitland crafts a portrait of the political suspicion and personal fear that was rampant in the early Jacobean era. The echoes of this climate still reverberate today as we encounter social malaise and division worldwide.
April 27, 2021
I admit I'm not the biggest fan of historical fiction. However, I loved the idea behind this one and was so excited to read it.
It has a strong opening and interesting characters. The pace started off well but soon slowed down and felt like I was forcing myself to turn the pages. There's great writing but very little actually happening.
The writing style was very verbose and I was no longer enjoying reading this. It may well be a book I try again at a different time as the writing wasn't bad, it just wasn't for me. When I don't feel the desire to pick the book up again and think about it whilst I'm not reading it then I know it hasn't hooked me. Especially when it feels like a chore to pick it up and read.
I'm sure other people will love this. I'm afraid this one just wasn't for me.
DNF.
It has a strong opening and interesting characters. The pace started off well but soon slowed down and felt like I was forcing myself to turn the pages. There's great writing but very little actually happening.
The writing style was very verbose and I was no longer enjoying reading this. It may well be a book I try again at a different time as the writing wasn't bad, it just wasn't for me. When I don't feel the desire to pick the book up again and think about it whilst I'm not reading it then I know it hasn't hooked me. Especially when it feels like a chore to pick it up and read.
I'm sure other people will love this. I'm afraid this one just wasn't for me.
DNF.
February 26, 2022
This is a book that falls into the category of "books that build up a complicated plot which in the end turs out to be false or unimportant". I felt it was really frustrating and I don't really get the idea of constructing a novel like that. I also becomes a bit too transparent a strategy to leave a lot of open ends just to motivate selling the next part in the series. I will not read it. Sad though to be disappointed, because I have really liked some of Maitland's earlier books, e.g A Company of Liars, The Owl Killers and Falcons of Fire and Ice.
July 6, 2021
3.5. The setting and historical details were fascinating, but I never found myself particularly attached to the characters or story. I guess I was expecting to feel more of a connection since I loved Maitland’s Company of Liars.
January 8, 2022
Excellent first in a series.
review pending
review pending
March 29, 2021
The Drowned City is the first in a new series, and under a new name, by historical mystery writer Karen Maitland.
A year to the day after the Gunpowder Plot, a towering wave in the Bristol Channel wreaked havoc across Bristol, Somerset and Devon, destroying homes and taking lives. The aftermath of the tragedy, however, presents an opportunity for some.
Daniel Pursglove, conjurer, itinerant, suspected Catholic, is suddenly freed from prison by one of King James I’s agents. Bristol is believed to be a hotbed of Catholics and his background and skills make him ideally placed to go undercover among them.
Pursglove’s task is to seek out the conspirator who is still at large, known by the pseudonym of Spero Pettingar. He travels to Bristol, where he encounters accusations of witchcraft, mob violence, the reappearance of figures from his past, and murder.
The Drowned City an atmospheric book, steeped in the period and the strange, otherworldly landscape of Bristol after the flood. Bodies are still being washed up, people are unable to know whether to grieve, unsure if their loved ones are drowned or have somehow escaped. Then there is the religious tension leading to conflict and cruelty between people who were once neighbours, and an over-reliance on the interpretation of symbols and omens.
Pursglove is a pleasingly enigmatic character, with his unusual background (which unfolds as the story develops), his ability to use his conjuring skills to further his investigation and an outsider status which allows him to look at all with a dispassionate but knowledgeable eye.
Pursglove’s point of view is alternated with scenes at court and with spymaster Cecil (now Salisbury) and his agents. This gives the wider context to the investigation on the ground: the tension between James I’s Scottish courtiers and the English nobles, the king’s own fascination with the supernatural, and the religious divisions which counterpoint the political and social divisions in the country.
There were a few elements that gave me pause. Pursglove’s investigation unfolds very slowly, so much so that I had to return to the blurb to remind me why he was in Bristol. This is in part because Maitland has a very wordy style, with substantial paragraphs of description. Although it’s well done, personally I prefer a few telling images to a near-photographic rendering of every scene, and I did skim a bit.
I also wondered why, after Pursglove’s backstory was slowly revealed by hints and inferences, there was suddenly a big chunk of exposition a quarter of the way into the book. It would have made more sense to either do that early on or trust the reader to piece it together.
These are quibbles, though. The Drowned City is a very rich and engaging read, and the strange landscape and atmosphere of Bristol in the wake of disaster is vividly evoked. The parallels with the pandemic are obvious, and Maitland has perfectly created that sense of a world that is both completely upended and yet oddly the same.
While the murder plot is resolved, Pursglove’s larger quest continues, and the political forces that will control his destiny continue to conspire and change. The Drowned City is an intriguing start to a promising new series.
*
I received a copy of The Drowned City from the publisher via Netgalley.
A year to the day after the Gunpowder Plot, a towering wave in the Bristol Channel wreaked havoc across Bristol, Somerset and Devon, destroying homes and taking lives. The aftermath of the tragedy, however, presents an opportunity for some.
Daniel Pursglove, conjurer, itinerant, suspected Catholic, is suddenly freed from prison by one of King James I’s agents. Bristol is believed to be a hotbed of Catholics and his background and skills make him ideally placed to go undercover among them.
Pursglove’s task is to seek out the conspirator who is still at large, known by the pseudonym of Spero Pettingar. He travels to Bristol, where he encounters accusations of witchcraft, mob violence, the reappearance of figures from his past, and murder.
The Drowned City an atmospheric book, steeped in the period and the strange, otherworldly landscape of Bristol after the flood. Bodies are still being washed up, people are unable to know whether to grieve, unsure if their loved ones are drowned or have somehow escaped. Then there is the religious tension leading to conflict and cruelty between people who were once neighbours, and an over-reliance on the interpretation of symbols and omens.
Pursglove is a pleasingly enigmatic character, with his unusual background (which unfolds as the story develops), his ability to use his conjuring skills to further his investigation and an outsider status which allows him to look at all with a dispassionate but knowledgeable eye.
Pursglove’s point of view is alternated with scenes at court and with spymaster Cecil (now Salisbury) and his agents. This gives the wider context to the investigation on the ground: the tension between James I’s Scottish courtiers and the English nobles, the king’s own fascination with the supernatural, and the religious divisions which counterpoint the political and social divisions in the country.
There were a few elements that gave me pause. Pursglove’s investigation unfolds very slowly, so much so that I had to return to the blurb to remind me why he was in Bristol. This is in part because Maitland has a very wordy style, with substantial paragraphs of description. Although it’s well done, personally I prefer a few telling images to a near-photographic rendering of every scene, and I did skim a bit.
I also wondered why, after Pursglove’s backstory was slowly revealed by hints and inferences, there was suddenly a big chunk of exposition a quarter of the way into the book. It would have made more sense to either do that early on or trust the reader to piece it together.
These are quibbles, though. The Drowned City is a very rich and engaging read, and the strange landscape and atmosphere of Bristol in the wake of disaster is vividly evoked. The parallels with the pandemic are obvious, and Maitland has perfectly created that sense of a world that is both completely upended and yet oddly the same.
While the murder plot is resolved, Pursglove’s larger quest continues, and the political forces that will control his destiny continue to conspire and change. The Drowned City is an intriguing start to a promising new series.
*
I received a copy of The Drowned City from the publisher via Netgalley.
April 7, 2021
Today is my stop on the blog tour for 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 by K J Maitland. Thank you to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for sending me a proof copy of the book and having me along on the tour.
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𝟏𝟔𝟎𝟔. 𝐀 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐩 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐚 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥. 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐆𝐨𝐝'𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞.
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The opening to The Drowned City is very cinematic, depicting the scene of the flood, and overall it is a very atmospheric novel. I loved the scene setting, and the descriptions that Maitland utilises, all themed to the watery environment.
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐲, 𝐰𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚, 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭����𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲-𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬.
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I especially enjoyed the focus on themes of religion, class structures, and corruption throughout the story. This added to the historical setting and made the story feel more engrossing, as it encouraged me to root for certain characters over others, and especially for the main protagonist, Pursglove.
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐝. 𝐈𝐭 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫. 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧.
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One aspect of religious zealousness that I always find interesting in historical fiction is the persecution of witches, and subsequent witch trails.
The fear and superstition surrounding the flood were well depicted, and felt really believable for the period setting.
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𝐈𝐟 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭, 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥'𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥 𝐚𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫.
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Daniel Pursglove himself is an interesting character. At the start of the novel he is incarcerated in Newgate Prison, expecting to be executed at any moment.
He is saved, however, when he agrees to take the job of visiting Bristol in the aftermath of the flood, and to investigate whether there is any underground activity and ongoing plotting, given the coincidental anniversary of the gunpowder plot.
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𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐬' 𝐬𝐤𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐬.
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Pursglove faces a number of challenges along the way, including being subjected to intimidation tactics, attacks, and finding himself in positions where he feels helpless.
Without giving away any of the plot points, he does meet some interesting characters along the way, including some he thought he had left in his distant past.
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𝐀 𝐩𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞, 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐭.
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The Drowned City is the first in a new series from K J Maitland, and so I suspect there is a lot more to come in terms of plot, mystery and intrigue.
It is perfect for fans of historical fiction, and traditional mysteries, and I'd definitely consider reading more from Maitland in the future.
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𝟏𝟔𝟎𝟔. 𝐀 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐩 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐚 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥. 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐆𝐨𝐝'𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞.
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The opening to The Drowned City is very cinematic, depicting the scene of the flood, and overall it is a very atmospheric novel. I loved the scene setting, and the descriptions that Maitland utilises, all themed to the watery environment.
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐲, 𝐰𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚, 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭����𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲-𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬.
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I especially enjoyed the focus on themes of religion, class structures, and corruption throughout the story. This added to the historical setting and made the story feel more engrossing, as it encouraged me to root for certain characters over others, and especially for the main protagonist, Pursglove.
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐝. 𝐈𝐭 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫. 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧.
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One aspect of religious zealousness that I always find interesting in historical fiction is the persecution of witches, and subsequent witch trails.
The fear and superstition surrounding the flood were well depicted, and felt really believable for the period setting.
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𝐈𝐟 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭, 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥'𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥 𝐚𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫.
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Daniel Pursglove himself is an interesting character. At the start of the novel he is incarcerated in Newgate Prison, expecting to be executed at any moment.
He is saved, however, when he agrees to take the job of visiting Bristol in the aftermath of the flood, and to investigate whether there is any underground activity and ongoing plotting, given the coincidental anniversary of the gunpowder plot.
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𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐬' 𝐬𝐤𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐬.
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Pursglove faces a number of challenges along the way, including being subjected to intimidation tactics, attacks, and finding himself in positions where he feels helpless.
Without giving away any of the plot points, he does meet some interesting characters along the way, including some he thought he had left in his distant past.
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𝐀 𝐩𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞, 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐭.
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The Drowned City is the first in a new series from K J Maitland, and so I suspect there is a lot more to come in terms of plot, mystery and intrigue.
It is perfect for fans of historical fiction, and traditional mysteries, and I'd definitely consider reading more from Maitland in the future.
March 4, 2022
In 1606 Bristol Channel is hit with a tidal surge causing huge loss to life, businesses and homes. Meanwhile in London, Daniel Pursglove is in prison where he’s visited by an advisor of the King James I with a deal, his freedom in exchange for information on whether or not there are Catholic traitors hiding out in Bristol. What follows is Daniel investigating every inch of what’s left in Bristol after the tidal surge, and finding trouble at every turn he takes in order to uncover the information needed to secure his freedom.
This book is very much a historical fiction heavily featuring the tensions between the Protestants and Catholics, and I’m not sure if I just missed it, but I was confused about Daniel’s freedom. He was sent to Bristol to find out this information to earn his freedom, but he was already out of the prison… so couldn’t he of just gone on the run?…. I might have missed something there. It was an enjoyable read none the less and I look forward to starting book two.
Thank you Headline and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my review.
This book is very much a historical fiction heavily featuring the tensions between the Protestants and Catholics, and I’m not sure if I just missed it, but I was confused about Daniel’s freedom. He was sent to Bristol to find out this information to earn his freedom, but he was already out of the prison… so couldn’t he of just gone on the run?…. I might have missed something there. It was an enjoyable read none the less and I look forward to starting book two.
Thank you Headline and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my review.
December 26, 2021
The Drowned City leaves me in a state of rejoicing because it's that rare creature: the first volume in what promises to be a very good, brand-new historical mystery series! And the next title is coming out in April!
Daniel Purselane, our "detective" is a street magician (among other things) who finds himself jailed in Newgate in James I's England accused of witchcraft. He's pulled from his cell and given a chance to save himself—by finding a recusant priest connected to the Gun Powder Plot and rumored to be hiding in Bristol before leaving England. But if he doesn't come back with results James finds acceptable he'll be in worse trouble than he was before.
The mystery quickly grows more complicated when Purselane arrives in Bristol. The city has been nearly destroyed by what was probably a tsunami (real-world historians are still debating this), Catholics and witches are being blamed for the catastrophe—and those suspected of either are at risk of mob violence. Defamatory broadsides abound. Then there's the unanticipated murderer branding corpses with IHS, a symbol of the Jesuits. Also a recusant priest (not the one Purselane is searching for) from Purselane's past. And pagan ritual. And a criminal cabal living in an abandoned castle. And...
Maitland weaves these many threads together deftly, keeping readers guessing until the end of the novel. If you like historical mysteries with solid mysteries at their heart that examine the politics and mores of the time they're set in, you're going to love this title. Seriously. You'll love it.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via HetGalley; the opinions are my own.
Daniel Purselane, our "detective" is a street magician (among other things) who finds himself jailed in Newgate in James I's England accused of witchcraft. He's pulled from his cell and given a chance to save himself—by finding a recusant priest connected to the Gun Powder Plot and rumored to be hiding in Bristol before leaving England. But if he doesn't come back with results James finds acceptable he'll be in worse trouble than he was before.
The mystery quickly grows more complicated when Purselane arrives in Bristol. The city has been nearly destroyed by what was probably a tsunami (real-world historians are still debating this), Catholics and witches are being blamed for the catastrophe—and those suspected of either are at risk of mob violence. Defamatory broadsides abound. Then there's the unanticipated murderer branding corpses with IHS, a symbol of the Jesuits. Also a recusant priest (not the one Purselane is searching for) from Purselane's past. And pagan ritual. And a criminal cabal living in an abandoned castle. And...
Maitland weaves these many threads together deftly, keeping readers guessing until the end of the novel. If you like historical mysteries with solid mysteries at their heart that examine the politics and mores of the time they're set in, you're going to love this title. Seriously. You'll love it.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via HetGalley; the opinions are my own.
May 25, 2021
I really wanted to like this. I've loved most of Maitland's other work that I've read and this just didn't have the same atmosphere that I've come to expect from her novels.
I didn't find Daniel a particularly relatable or memorable character and felt like a lot of the plot really dragged.
The book was also very... Skeptical? Most other Maitland novels either hint at or outright accept magic in the medieval English sense as being some level of real. Curses, spells, potions all seem to work on some level. This book doesn't have that and I think it felt hollow because of it.
Basically I feel like this book is pure historical fiction whereas previous Maitland books are historical fiction with magical realism in them.
Basically it's fine but it's not what I was expecting or hoping for and just wasn't my cup of tea.
I didn't find Daniel a particularly relatable or memorable character and felt like a lot of the plot really dragged.
The book was also very... Skeptical? Most other Maitland novels either hint at or outright accept magic in the medieval English sense as being some level of real. Curses, spells, potions all seem to work on some level. This book doesn't have that and I think it felt hollow because of it.
Basically I feel like this book is pure historical fiction whereas previous Maitland books are historical fiction with magical realism in them.
Basically it's fine but it's not what I was expecting or hoping for and just wasn't my cup of tea.
September 7, 2021
While the premise of this sounds interesting, the excessive and repetitive descriptions slow it to a dull crawl. Half way through, there have been a couple of murders but no indication of why these previously unknown people were victims, and because we know nothing about them except that they're dead, the author hasn't made me care about them or be interested enough to know who killed them or why. Abandoned at 53%.
January 1, 2021
Review to follow.
March 30, 2021
My Rating ~ 4.5*
The Drowned City by K.J. Maitland is published April 1st with Headline Fiction. The first book in a new series it is described as a ‘compelling historical thriller for fans of C.J. Sansom, Andrew Taylor’s Ashes of London, Kate Mosse and Blood & Sugar.'
On reading The Drowned City I was immediately struck by the stench off the pages with descriptions that were just so vivid. Set in 1606, Bristol city was decimated by a great flood that took the lives of over 2000 people. When K. J. Maitland came upon an old broadside news item describing the event it was to become her inspiration for a new series featuring Daniel Pursglove.
The cause of the flood was never fully established with witness statements featuring a giant wave.
‘In the open sea near the coast of North Devon, the wave was just under 13ft high, but as it entered the Bristol Channel and the Severn Estuary, the wave increased to 16 feet and was over 25 feet high by the time it reached the Monmouthshire coast with a speed of 38mph’
For the residents of Bristol many thought witchcraft was behind this and after the terror and fear following the Gunpowder plot many Catholics were the target of the towns anger and rage.
King James I is unsettled when he hears rumours of a possible resurgence of the Jesuits and, following a meeting with his advisor, Charles FitzAlan, Daniel Pursglove is sent to Bristol to uncover any possible threat that may be bubbling up there. Daniel Pursglove is a character with rather a veiled past. In Newgate prison he was awaiting an impending death among the chewing rats and the slime dripping walls of The Hole where ‘the air was clotted with the sweat of unwashed flesh, the fetid breath and farts from sour stomachs and the noxious clouds of tarry smoke’ But Daniel has skills that FitzAlan is in need of so he is removed from the horrors of Newgate and sent to Bristol on a mission to find Spero Pettingar, a man believed to be a conspirator against the Crown.
Daniel Pursglove arrives into Bristol with a cover story and a purse and sets about tracking down any valuable information and possible leads. He stays in a local hostelry, one of the few left standing but the poverty, the death, the destruction has decimated this once thriving port city. He is a blow-in, a man well-dressed with a few bob in his pocket and his presence soon raises suspicions. Bristol is a city in turmoil. Its people are crazed, starved by the devastation surrounding them. Many now homeless resort to begging as they trail along on legs seeping pores and bodies fit for nothing. The search for Pettingar becomes a struggle to survive as Pursglove soon finds himself immersed in a hotbed of thievery and mistrust. This is a community ravaged, one intent on laying the blame on someone. There are very visual depictions throughout The Drowned City that evoke a sense of sorrow and pain. Neighbours turned on neighbours, children were left starved and the criminal drove every opportunity to increase their foothold in this hell on earth.
K.J. Maitland has written a very absorbing book that is steeped in menace and political paranoia. Daniel Pursglove is a new protagonist full of mystery and intrigue, with enough revealed to demand more in a series that will be perfect for all fans of C.J. Sansom’s Shardlake series. Dark, disturbing, dank and atmospheric, The Drowned City will capture the imagination of every reader with its portrayal of a city on its knees. The historical background is fascinating with the depiction of this period brought so dramatically alive.
Deceit, murder and revenge abound making The Drowned City a very appealing launch for a new series with a very mysterious protagonist that needs to be explored further. With very violent and brutal descriptions that are exceptionally painted and remarkably conveyed to the reader, I would suggest that this is not a book to be read while eating!!!
The Drowned City by K.J. Maitland is published April 1st with Headline Fiction. The first book in a new series it is described as a ‘compelling historical thriller for fans of C.J. Sansom, Andrew Taylor’s Ashes of London, Kate Mosse and Blood & Sugar.'
On reading The Drowned City I was immediately struck by the stench off the pages with descriptions that were just so vivid. Set in 1606, Bristol city was decimated by a great flood that took the lives of over 2000 people. When K. J. Maitland came upon an old broadside news item describing the event it was to become her inspiration for a new series featuring Daniel Pursglove.
The cause of the flood was never fully established with witness statements featuring a giant wave.
‘In the open sea near the coast of North Devon, the wave was just under 13ft high, but as it entered the Bristol Channel and the Severn Estuary, the wave increased to 16 feet and was over 25 feet high by the time it reached the Monmouthshire coast with a speed of 38mph’
For the residents of Bristol many thought witchcraft was behind this and after the terror and fear following the Gunpowder plot many Catholics were the target of the towns anger and rage.
King James I is unsettled when he hears rumours of a possible resurgence of the Jesuits and, following a meeting with his advisor, Charles FitzAlan, Daniel Pursglove is sent to Bristol to uncover any possible threat that may be bubbling up there. Daniel Pursglove is a character with rather a veiled past. In Newgate prison he was awaiting an impending death among the chewing rats and the slime dripping walls of The Hole where ‘the air was clotted with the sweat of unwashed flesh, the fetid breath and farts from sour stomachs and the noxious clouds of tarry smoke’ But Daniel has skills that FitzAlan is in need of so he is removed from the horrors of Newgate and sent to Bristol on a mission to find Spero Pettingar, a man believed to be a conspirator against the Crown.
Daniel Pursglove arrives into Bristol with a cover story and a purse and sets about tracking down any valuable information and possible leads. He stays in a local hostelry, one of the few left standing but the poverty, the death, the destruction has decimated this once thriving port city. He is a blow-in, a man well-dressed with a few bob in his pocket and his presence soon raises suspicions. Bristol is a city in turmoil. Its people are crazed, starved by the devastation surrounding them. Many now homeless resort to begging as they trail along on legs seeping pores and bodies fit for nothing. The search for Pettingar becomes a struggle to survive as Pursglove soon finds himself immersed in a hotbed of thievery and mistrust. This is a community ravaged, one intent on laying the blame on someone. There are very visual depictions throughout The Drowned City that evoke a sense of sorrow and pain. Neighbours turned on neighbours, children were left starved and the criminal drove every opportunity to increase their foothold in this hell on earth.
K.J. Maitland has written a very absorbing book that is steeped in menace and political paranoia. Daniel Pursglove is a new protagonist full of mystery and intrigue, with enough revealed to demand more in a series that will be perfect for all fans of C.J. Sansom’s Shardlake series. Dark, disturbing, dank and atmospheric, The Drowned City will capture the imagination of every reader with its portrayal of a city on its knees. The historical background is fascinating with the depiction of this period brought so dramatically alive.
Deceit, murder and revenge abound making The Drowned City a very appealing launch for a new series with a very mysterious protagonist that needs to be explored further. With very violent and brutal descriptions that are exceptionally painted and remarkably conveyed to the reader, I would suggest that this is not a book to be read while eating!!!
March 31, 2021
The author has created an interesting character in Daniel Pursglove and I liked the way little details about his past were dropped in now and again, laying the groundwork for future books. I also liked that the book was set in Bristol - the "drowned city" of the title - not only because it made a change from the oft-used setting of London but also because it made sense from the point of view of the plot.
The writing was of the quality I've come to expect from other books I've read by the author. Some episodes that especially stood out included the dramatic prologue, a scene in which a Protestant mob attacks the house of a cordwainer and his family, and the New Year's Eve masque.
Like any good hero, Daniel has some narrow escapes from those out to stop him achieving his mission (including an adversary from his younger days) but always miraculously manages to turn up safely in his bed at his lodgings in the Salt Cat tavern. He also acquires a useful helper along the way whose knowledge of the city and ability to pass unnoticed aids Daniel's intelligence gathering.
It seems no historical novel set in the period is complete without an appearance by one of the Cecil family; in this case it's Robert Cecil. I felt some sympathy for him having to deal with the petulant and easily influenced James I the author presents in the book. Although, with the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot still within recent memory, perhaps the King can be forgiven for imagining assassins at every turn and being concerned that one of the conspirators may still be at large. (I confess that until I read the historical notes at the end of the book I hadn't realised Spero Pottingar was a real historical figure. For much of the book, I was convinced his name was an anagram!)
And there are still adherents of Catholicism to be dealt with as well as the Jacobean equivalent of fake news, spread via illicitly printed pamphlets or 'broadsides'. As Cecil warns the King, "Sire, even a superstition, if it takes hold of the imagination of the people, can be as powerful a weapon as any truth." Indeed.
The Drowned City has all the ingredients to make an absorbing historical thriller although I found it slow in parts. To be fair, it did pick up pace towards the end. As Daniel confides, 'The art of legerdemain is to make the audience look in the wrong place'. In my case, the author didn't quite manage that when it came to the identity of the culprit but I found enough to enjoy in The Drowned City to make me look out for future books in the series.
The writing was of the quality I've come to expect from other books I've read by the author. Some episodes that especially stood out included the dramatic prologue, a scene in which a Protestant mob attacks the house of a cordwainer and his family, and the New Year's Eve masque.
Like any good hero, Daniel has some narrow escapes from those out to stop him achieving his mission (including an adversary from his younger days) but always miraculously manages to turn up safely in his bed at his lodgings in the Salt Cat tavern. He also acquires a useful helper along the way whose knowledge of the city and ability to pass unnoticed aids Daniel's intelligence gathering.
It seems no historical novel set in the period is complete without an appearance by one of the Cecil family; in this case it's Robert Cecil. I felt some sympathy for him having to deal with the petulant and easily influenced James I the author presents in the book. Although, with the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot still within recent memory, perhaps the King can be forgiven for imagining assassins at every turn and being concerned that one of the conspirators may still be at large. (I confess that until I read the historical notes at the end of the book I hadn't realised Spero Pottingar was a real historical figure. For much of the book, I was convinced his name was an anagram!)
And there are still adherents of Catholicism to be dealt with as well as the Jacobean equivalent of fake news, spread via illicitly printed pamphlets or 'broadsides'. As Cecil warns the King, "Sire, even a superstition, if it takes hold of the imagination of the people, can be as powerful a weapon as any truth." Indeed.
The Drowned City has all the ingredients to make an absorbing historical thriller although I found it slow in parts. To be fair, it did pick up pace towards the end. As Daniel confides, 'The art of legerdemain is to make the audience look in the wrong place'. In my case, the author didn't quite manage that when it came to the identity of the culprit but I found enough to enjoy in The Drowned City to make me look out for future books in the series.
Read
February 14, 2022I had to DNF this at about 15%, so I won't be reviewing this. It's not at all a bad book, and Maitland's prose is beautiful, but the meandering slow tone is just not something I'm in the right headspace for.
To put it into perspective: this is a single sentence that appears on page 2 of the novel!
That isn't even the only example of those kinds of run-on sentences. It's a stylistic choice, but one that I definitely feel a reader needs to be in the right frame of mind for. I've no doubt this would be a rewarding read, but only for someone with the time and mental stillness to really commit to it.
To put it into perspective: this is a single sentence that appears on page 2 of the novel!
"The frost on the roofs of the cottages glittered in the sunshine and thin spirals of lavender-grey smoke rose from dozens of hearth fires as women began to bake the noonday’s bread and sweep the dust from their floors, while their menfolk, rags wound about their hands, stirred vats of boiling tar or sawed planks for new boats, some standing in deep pits so that only the tops of their heads showed above the ground, blizzards of sawdust already covering their greasy coifs."
That isn't even the only example of those kinds of run-on sentences. It's a stylistic choice, but one that I definitely feel a reader needs to be in the right frame of mind for. I've no doubt this would be a rewarding read, but only for someone with the time and mental stillness to really commit to it.
August 3, 2021
When a man makes his living from the sea, it stands to reason that sooner or later the sea will take its dues.
Beautifully described with evocative and stunning prose, The Drowned City is a book that transports you back to the 17th century, to the grim existence of those navigating the soot clogged streets, to the overpowering stench of burning wood; to villages and towns full of hysteria and suspicion. This exciting historical murder mystery is a powerful blend of political intrigue, witchcraft and conspiracy. (Oh, and lots of drowning, like, it's a lot. Which, by the way, I love.)
Daniel's story wraps up quite nicely in this novel, making it an excellent standalone. I had a few worries that the book would end on some cliffhanger, or make it painfully obvious that it was just a setup for a second book, but thankfully this book managed to avoid that. I'm always grateful when a part of a series can stand up on its own.
Beautifully described with evocative and stunning prose, The Drowned City is a book that transports you back to the 17th century, to the grim existence of those navigating the soot clogged streets, to the overpowering stench of burning wood; to villages and towns full of hysteria and suspicion. This exciting historical murder mystery is a powerful blend of political intrigue, witchcraft and conspiracy. (Oh, and lots of drowning, like, it's a lot. Which, by the way, I love.)
Daniel's story wraps up quite nicely in this novel, making it an excellent standalone. I had a few worries that the book would end on some cliffhanger, or make it painfully obvious that it was just a setup for a second book, but thankfully this book managed to avoid that. I'm always grateful when a part of a series can stand up on its own.
November 7, 2021
7 NOV 2021 - terrific beginning to a new series. Pursglove is a likable character and I look forward to his next adventure.
January 10, 2024
CWs: gore, past rape
November 9, 2021
Oh Rats!
So-so historical crime novel set in the reign of James 1, featuring religious sectarianism, murder, filth, mutilation, thievery, filth and rats. Daniel Pursglove, a young man with a mysterious past, is incarcerated in a rat filled prison. He is sent on a mission to Bristol, lately overwhelmed by an unnatural tidal wave. Was the disaster caused by witchcraft? Papist Jesuits? Puritan zealots? Daniel is to find out. Side-tracked by a series of odd murders, perhaps committed by Jesuits, or by witchcraft, Daniel finds himself flailing hither and thither, until all falls into place.
I found myself wondering as I read this: what sort of villains are now available for a novelist to use in these woke times? My conclusion: men (white and privileged, of course)….the British Royal family… ministers of Christian religion…and rats. There you have it.
So-so historical crime novel set in the reign of James 1, featuring religious sectarianism, murder, filth, mutilation, thievery, filth and rats. Daniel Pursglove, a young man with a mysterious past, is incarcerated in a rat filled prison. He is sent on a mission to Bristol, lately overwhelmed by an unnatural tidal wave. Was the disaster caused by witchcraft? Papist Jesuits? Puritan zealots? Daniel is to find out. Side-tracked by a series of odd murders, perhaps committed by Jesuits, or by witchcraft, Daniel finds himself flailing hither and thither, until all falls into place.
I found myself wondering as I read this: what sort of villains are now available for a novelist to use in these woke times? My conclusion: men (white and privileged, of course)….the British Royal family… ministers of Christian religion…and rats. There you have it.
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