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Thomazine and Major Russell #2
A Deceitful Subtlety: A thrilling journey through the Restoration
Thomazine and Major Thankful Russell are back! Perfect for fans of C. S. Quinn, S. G. MacClean and Alison Weir.
How far can you rely on a woman’s intuition…?
Thomazine and Major Thankful Russell should be enjoying married life.
With one teething baby and another on the way, life at the newly-rebuilt house at Four Ashes in the Chilterns is never dull, and they’re hoping to put the debauchery of Restoration London behind them.
But then the indomitable poetess Mistress Aphra Behn arrives at their door…
Aphra claims to have promised to marry respectable merchant William Scot, who she met on a previous spying mission in Belgium. But he never turned up for the wedding.
She’s determined to discover his fate – and she wants Thankful to help her search Bruges.
Which may be how married couples behave in sophisticated London society, but there’s no way Thomazine is letting her husband loose on his own with the lovely, flirtatious Mistress Behn.
It looks like the couple will once again have to put domestic bliss aside to unravel this intriguing mystery…
A Deceitful Subtlety is the second book in the Thomazine and Major Russell Thriller series, compelling historical mysteries with a dash of romance, set in seventeenth century England.
‘Thomazine and Thankful Russell live in an era very different to ours, but their passions are the same, which is, I think, what makes this book so compelling . M.J. Logue paints people in words as beautifully as Vermeer created portraits. Each character is an intriguing individual – Aphra Behn is a gem – and the plot twists and turns, with revelations and heart-stopping moments . This all adds up to a book which is a ‘keeper’ on my bookshelf and one I heartily recommend.’ – S. J. Haxton, author of The Pendennis Trilogy
THE THOMAZINE AND MAJOR RUSSELL THRILLER
BOOK An Abiding Fire
BOOK A Deceitful Subtlety
How far can you rely on a woman’s intuition…?
Thomazine and Major Thankful Russell should be enjoying married life.
With one teething baby and another on the way, life at the newly-rebuilt house at Four Ashes in the Chilterns is never dull, and they’re hoping to put the debauchery of Restoration London behind them.
But then the indomitable poetess Mistress Aphra Behn arrives at their door…
Aphra claims to have promised to marry respectable merchant William Scot, who she met on a previous spying mission in Belgium. But he never turned up for the wedding.
She’s determined to discover his fate – and she wants Thankful to help her search Bruges.
Which may be how married couples behave in sophisticated London society, but there’s no way Thomazine is letting her husband loose on his own with the lovely, flirtatious Mistress Behn.
It looks like the couple will once again have to put domestic bliss aside to unravel this intriguing mystery…
A Deceitful Subtlety is the second book in the Thomazine and Major Russell Thriller series, compelling historical mysteries with a dash of romance, set in seventeenth century England.
‘Thomazine and Thankful Russell live in an era very different to ours, but their passions are the same, which is, I think, what makes this book so compelling . M.J. Logue paints people in words as beautifully as Vermeer created portraits. Each character is an intriguing individual – Aphra Behn is a gem – and the plot twists and turns, with revelations and heart-stopping moments . This all adds up to a book which is a ‘keeper’ on my bookshelf and one I heartily recommend.’ – S. J. Haxton, author of The Pendennis Trilogy
THE THOMAZINE AND MAJOR RUSSELL THRILLER
BOOK An Abiding Fire
BOOK A Deceitful Subtlety
251 pages, Paperback
Published August 28, 2019
9 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Logue
25 books35 followersWriter, mad cake lady, re-enactor, historian.
Been slightly potty about the clankier side of Ironside for around 20 years, and lists amongst my heroes in this unworthy world Sir Thomas Fairfax, Elizabeth Cromwell and John Webster (for his sense of humour.)
When not purveying historically-accurate cake to various re-enactment groups across the country, M.J. Logue can usually be discovered practising in her garden with a cavalry backsword.
Been slightly potty about the clankier side of Ironside for around 20 years, and lists amongst my heroes in this unworthy world Sir Thomas Fairfax, Elizabeth Cromwell and John Webster (for his sense of humour.)
When not purveying historically-accurate cake to various re-enactment groups across the country, M.J. Logue can usually be discovered practising in her garden with a cavalry backsword.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 3, 2019
A new book by M J Logue is always a joyous event, and the latest adventure for Major Thankful Russell and his wife Thomazine is no exception to this rule.
We find the Russells enjoying married life at the newly-rebuilt Four Ashes, with their small son. Thomazine is expecting their second child and Thankful is preparing to tiptoe his way through the emotional minefield that is a pregnant Thomazine, when their lives are disrupted by the arrival of the poetess Aphra Behn who seems to have mislaid her husband-to-be somewhere in Belgium.
This second book in the Russell series is a headlong tumble into intrigue, espionage and murky canals in seventeenth century Bruges, as Thankful and Thomazine are pulled into another mystery. As always, there is a astonishing amount of historical detail, drawn with such a light touch that it forms a perfect backdrop to the story without ever weighing it down.
Ms Logue populates the book with a host of characters who range from the comic to the truly appalling and includes the worst dog in Europe, with whom I am already in love. The story moves at a good pace and is satisfyingly pulled together, and the dialogue is clever and often very funny. I particularly love the author’s gift for finding the bare bones of a historical story and weaving fact and fiction together until it is hard to know where one ends and the other begins.
But the joy of these books are the two main characters. Thankful and Thomazine Russell are real enough to walk out of the pages and have a conversation with. Ms Logue has created two believable people, with all their doubts, uncertainties and downright irritating qualities. They are likeable, human, witty and touching and I love both of them and will always want to read more about them.
This is an excellent historical mystery series, and I would recommend them to anybody. Brilliant.
We find the Russells enjoying married life at the newly-rebuilt Four Ashes, with their small son. Thomazine is expecting their second child and Thankful is preparing to tiptoe his way through the emotional minefield that is a pregnant Thomazine, when their lives are disrupted by the arrival of the poetess Aphra Behn who seems to have mislaid her husband-to-be somewhere in Belgium.
This second book in the Russell series is a headlong tumble into intrigue, espionage and murky canals in seventeenth century Bruges, as Thankful and Thomazine are pulled into another mystery. As always, there is a astonishing amount of historical detail, drawn with such a light touch that it forms a perfect backdrop to the story without ever weighing it down.
Ms Logue populates the book with a host of characters who range from the comic to the truly appalling and includes the worst dog in Europe, with whom I am already in love. The story moves at a good pace and is satisfyingly pulled together, and the dialogue is clever and often very funny. I particularly love the author’s gift for finding the bare bones of a historical story and weaving fact and fiction together until it is hard to know where one ends and the other begins.
But the joy of these books are the two main characters. Thankful and Thomazine Russell are real enough to walk out of the pages and have a conversation with. Ms Logue has created two believable people, with all their doubts, uncertainties and downright irritating qualities. They are likeable, human, witty and touching and I love both of them and will always want to read more about them.
This is an excellent historical mystery series, and I would recommend them to anybody. Brilliant.
October 7, 2019
Thomazine and Major Thankful Russell are enjoying their life with their baby and are anticipating the arrival of their second child. Then an old friend of Thankful arrives and says a man who she was supposed to marry didn’t show up for the wedding. The poetess Aphra Behn asks for Thankful’s help in finding William Scot, who she met on a previous spying mission in Belgium. Thomazine doesn’t trust Aphra and says she will accompany the two of them to Belgium. It’s soon apparent Aphra is keeping secrets, but neither Thomazine nor Thankful realize just how dangerous their mission will be.
This book takes place in June 1666 during the Restoration period in England, and is the second book in the series. I like the characters of Thomazine and Thankful and the love they have for each other. Although the story takes place in the 17th century, their love story is timeless. I am not very knowledgeable about this time in history, but in the first book it didn’t matter. The book had a murder mystery and a love story at its center, so the author’s note (which I read first) caught me up with what I needed to know to understand the story. In this book, political intrigue takes center stage and my lack of knowledge about this time in history was a definite disadvantage. The plot didn’t grab me and on top of that, there were too many scenes in the book that didn’t move the story forward. The middle of the book was hard for me to get through, but luckily things picked up after that.
There is another informative author’s note at the end of this book which is helpful. I learned the character of Aphra is based on a real person who sounds like an interesting person. Unfortunately, I didn’t care for the fictional version of Aphra and even when Thomazine and Thankful saw the good in her, I couldn’t connect with her. M.J. Logue is a very good writer, though, and this book is very well researched. Thomazine and Thankful are often quite witty in their dialogue and those conversations are entertaining. This is a well-written book, and I like how everything turns out in the end. There is a little too much history and not enough mystery for my taste, but I would still recommend the book for fans of this author. My rating for the book is 3.5 stars.
I received this book through the courtesy of Sapere Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
This book takes place in June 1666 during the Restoration period in England, and is the second book in the series. I like the characters of Thomazine and Thankful and the love they have for each other. Although the story takes place in the 17th century, their love story is timeless. I am not very knowledgeable about this time in history, but in the first book it didn’t matter. The book had a murder mystery and a love story at its center, so the author’s note (which I read first) caught me up with what I needed to know to understand the story. In this book, political intrigue takes center stage and my lack of knowledge about this time in history was a definite disadvantage. The plot didn’t grab me and on top of that, there were too many scenes in the book that didn’t move the story forward. The middle of the book was hard for me to get through, but luckily things picked up after that.
There is another informative author’s note at the end of this book which is helpful. I learned the character of Aphra is based on a real person who sounds like an interesting person. Unfortunately, I didn’t care for the fictional version of Aphra and even when Thomazine and Thankful saw the good in her, I couldn’t connect with her. M.J. Logue is a very good writer, though, and this book is very well researched. Thomazine and Thankful are often quite witty in their dialogue and those conversations are entertaining. This is a well-written book, and I like how everything turns out in the end. There is a little too much history and not enough mystery for my taste, but I would still recommend the book for fans of this author. My rating for the book is 3.5 stars.
I received this book through the courtesy of Sapere Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2019
The second book in the series and we find Major Russell settled in their family home with his young pregnant wife Thomazine and their young son. All is happy until Aphra Behn appears at their door looking for the major to help to find her lost fiance who just happens to be in Bruges. Although well into the pregnancy, Thomazine has no intention of letting her husband head off with Aphra on his own!
What I like about the series in the historical content and how it is woven into the novels, along with some very interesting characters. We get lots of intrigue, wheeling and dealing, murders (attempted and fatal) plus the struggle of Thomazine to be accepted into a group who have known her husband for a very long time and not look on her as a young wife and mother but their equal.
In this book however I did struggle a bit with all the Flemish names used, which are necessary although perhaps a quick guide to pronunciation would be helpful! I know I am being a bit pedantic here but because of the amount used in the book, I personally would find it advantageous. Still it is a good story.
Thanks to Sapere Books for the ARC to review.
What I like about the series in the historical content and how it is woven into the novels, along with some very interesting characters. We get lots of intrigue, wheeling and dealing, murders (attempted and fatal) plus the struggle of Thomazine to be accepted into a group who have known her husband for a very long time and not look on her as a young wife and mother but their equal.
In this book however I did struggle a bit with all the Flemish names used, which are necessary although perhaps a quick guide to pronunciation would be helpful! I know I am being a bit pedantic here but because of the amount used in the book, I personally would find it advantageous. Still it is a good story.
Thanks to Sapere Books for the ARC to review.
November 17, 2019
I've read all of M.J.Logue's books about the English Civil War and enjoyed every one of them. This is the second book in the Thomazine and Major 'Thankful' Russell Thriller series and for those who haven't read M.J.Logue's 'An Uncivil War' series, Thomazine is the daughter of the redoubtable Hollie Babbitt, one of Cromwell's stalwarts in the Civil War.
Whilst recovering from their previous adventures in London at their country home, the poetess Mistress Aphra Behn. a former spy and associate of Thankful's, arrives on their doorstep. Her husband to be didn't turn up for their wedding and Aphra wants Thankful's help in finding him. Aphra a former spy and associate of Thankful's met William Scot a respectable merchant whilst on a spying mission in Belgium and Aphra believes he is still somewhere there.
There's no way Thomazine is letting her husband loose with the flirtatious and lovely Aphra and although heavily pregnant with her second child, travels with her husband to Belgium to search for Scot. I won't spoil the plot, but many adventures in 17th century Bruges follow. Nothing is how it appears and Thomazine and Thankful face danger at every turn, whilst searching for the errant husband to be. A great read and one I recommend.
Whilst recovering from their previous adventures in London at their country home, the poetess Mistress Aphra Behn. a former spy and associate of Thankful's, arrives on their doorstep. Her husband to be didn't turn up for their wedding and Aphra wants Thankful's help in finding him. Aphra a former spy and associate of Thankful's met William Scot a respectable merchant whilst on a spying mission in Belgium and Aphra believes he is still somewhere there.
There's no way Thomazine is letting her husband loose with the flirtatious and lovely Aphra and although heavily pregnant with her second child, travels with her husband to Belgium to search for Scot. I won't spoil the plot, but many adventures in 17th century Bruges follow. Nothing is how it appears and Thomazine and Thankful face danger at every turn, whilst searching for the errant husband to be. A great read and one I recommend.
September 26, 2019
The second in the delightful Thomazine and Major Thankful Russell mystery series set just after the English Civil War. This one sees our intrepid duo travelling to Bruges on the hunt for a missing person.
I very much enjoyed the first book, An Abiding Fire, so was looking forward to reading this one and I can honestly say it didn’t disappoint. It’s entertaining and fun! Historical fact is cleverly combined with fiction to tell an intriguing and engaging story and it’s written in the author’s individual, amusing and quirky style. Thomazine and Thankful are fantastic characters and I am becoming quite invested in their lives. I can’t wait to find out what life throws at them next! If you enjoy tales set during the Restoration/King Charles II era, why not give this series a try! You’ll be glad that you did.
I very much enjoyed the first book, An Abiding Fire, so was looking forward to reading this one and I can honestly say it didn’t disappoint. It’s entertaining and fun! Historical fact is cleverly combined with fiction to tell an intriguing and engaging story and it’s written in the author’s individual, amusing and quirky style. Thomazine and Thankful are fantastic characters and I am becoming quite invested in their lives. I can’t wait to find out what life throws at them next! If you enjoy tales set during the Restoration/King Charles II era, why not give this series a try! You’ll be glad that you did.
October 10, 2019
1666. Thomazine and Major Thankful Russell are enjoying their married life at Four Ashes in the Chilterns with one son and another child on the way.
But then Mistress Aphra Behn arrives with a 'request' - her soon to be husband, merchant William Scot, failed to arrive for the wedding and wants Thankful to find him in Bruges.
Thankful soons realises that anything to do with Aphra is not straightforward, and may have brought the Russells into danger.
An enjoyable and well-written mystery with these likeable and complex characters
But then Mistress Aphra Behn arrives with a 'request' - her soon to be husband, merchant William Scot, failed to arrive for the wedding and wants Thankful to find him in Bruges.
Thankful soons realises that anything to do with Aphra is not straightforward, and may have brought the Russells into danger.
An enjoyable and well-written mystery with these likeable and complex characters
September 27, 2019
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"What I especially enjoyed was the subtle detail of life in 1666 in England and Bruges. Ms Logue has a knack of taking her readers into a time-travel experience - we are there, watching the characters live their lives..."
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"What I especially enjoyed was the subtle detail of life in 1666 in England and Bruges. Ms Logue has a knack of taking her readers into a time-travel experience - we are there, watching the characters live their lives..."
September 25, 2019
From SAPERE BOOKS, in exchange for a honest review. Thank you.
A brilliant follow on in the lives of Major Russell and his wife Thomazine, a very good read and yet again, great characters, fully recommend this 2nd book in the series, more please!
A brilliant follow on in the lives of Major Russell and his wife Thomazine, a very good read and yet again, great characters, fully recommend this 2nd book in the series, more please!
May 1, 2020
This novel follows Tomasine and Major Russell to Brussels, not in as an homage to Russell's exile or spying days, but to try and locate Aphra Behn's wayward fiancee who should have returned to Blighty to whisk her off her feet and make an honest woman of her. The scamp left her at the altar (if indeed there ever was an altar).
This sounds like a simple jaunt across the Channel to pick up a rascal and drag him back to church, but it never quite that simple for the poor Russells. They fall headlong into the heart of the exiled commonwealth where no-one is what they seem. An incredible book full of beautiful characters.
I do have one slight issue with the book though. Considering it is set in the beautiful city of Bruges, you don't hear enough about the architecture of the city, the canals and the various religious institutions there. It made me miss it so much I'm tempted to book another weekend to Belgium (COVID dependent, obviously!).
This sounds like a simple jaunt across the Channel to pick up a rascal and drag him back to church, but it never quite that simple for the poor Russells. They fall headlong into the heart of the exiled commonwealth where no-one is what they seem. An incredible book full of beautiful characters.
I do have one slight issue with the book though. Considering it is set in the beautiful city of Bruges, you don't hear enough about the architecture of the city, the canals and the various religious institutions there. It made me miss it so much I'm tempted to book another weekend to Belgium (COVID dependent, obviously!).
November 2, 2021
More,please
I really enjoyed this book for my usual reasons..I love the historical period, and the actual characters of this series. My only impatience with this particular novel was the incessant crying of Thomazine and the seeming uncertainty of maturity...is she the "strong, Essex daughter of her mother", or a chronically weeping pregnant 22year old? This confusion didn't keep me from enjoying the book, but I found it annoying at times. I Had the pleasure of meeting this couple in a Christmas Short story before I found the books...That version of both characters earned my affection immediately! I can't wait to read more of their adventures.
I really enjoyed this book for my usual reasons..I love the historical period, and the actual characters of this series. My only impatience with this particular novel was the incessant crying of Thomazine and the seeming uncertainty of maturity...is she the "strong, Essex daughter of her mother", or a chronically weeping pregnant 22year old? This confusion didn't keep me from enjoying the book, but I found it annoying at times. I Had the pleasure of meeting this couple in a Christmas Short story before I found the books...That version of both characters earned my affection immediately! I can't wait to read more of their adventures.
January 11, 2021
Restoration intrigue
This book wears its historic background lightly and the story and characters thrill and engage. A good read and made me want to know more.
This book wears its historic background lightly and the story and characters thrill and engage. A good read and made me want to know more.
November 12, 2019
This is Book 2 in the Thomazine and Major Russell thrillers.
I enjoyed the first in the series so decided to read this one next.
It starts with Russell and Thomazine sharing married life and starting a family. I constantly got the feeling that Thomazine doesn’t feel very secure in their marriage she seems very jealous of anyone who comes near her husband.
So it seems Russell is sent on a wild goose chase to find a man who was once interested in mistress Behn.
I found the overall plot a little flimsy to be honest and the writing seemed to go off on random tangents which confused me.
It did pick up pace a little later in the story and I started to enjoy it but it took an awfully long time for it to pique my interest!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews