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Thomas Chaloner #6
The Body in the Thames
London swelters in a heatwave in the summer of 1664, and in the corridors of power the temperature is equally high as an outbreak of war with the Dutch threatens to become a reality, in the sixth Chaloner mystery
In the dilapidated surroundings of the Savoy, a delegation from the government in the Netherlands is gathered in a last ditch attempt to secure peace between the two countries. Thomas Chaloner, active in Holland during Cromwell's time, is horrified at the violent aggression and hatred shown to the Dutch by ordinary Londoners, but is more worried by the dismissive attitude with which they are greeted by the King's ministers and officials—he has experienced the futilities of war at first hand and has no wish to witness another. When the body of his former brother-in-law is found in the Thames, Chaloner discovers the dead man has left enigmatic clues to a motivation for his murder. These clues may be linked to a plot to steal the crown jewels, or to a conspiracy to ensure that no peace is secured between the two nations. Whichever it proves to be, Chaloner knows he has very little time to decipher the pointers left to him.
In the dilapidated surroundings of the Savoy, a delegation from the government in the Netherlands is gathered in a last ditch attempt to secure peace between the two countries. Thomas Chaloner, active in Holland during Cromwell's time, is horrified at the violent aggression and hatred shown to the Dutch by ordinary Londoners, but is more worried by the dismissive attitude with which they are greeted by the King's ministers and officials—he has experienced the futilities of war at first hand and has no wish to witness another. When the body of his former brother-in-law is found in the Thames, Chaloner discovers the dead man has left enigmatic clues to a motivation for his murder. These clues may be linked to a plot to steal the crown jewels, or to a conspiracy to ensure that no peace is secured between the two nations. Whichever it proves to be, Chaloner knows he has very little time to decipher the pointers left to him.
468 pages, Hardcover
First published December 12, 2010
29 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Susanna Gregory
87 books433 followersSusanna Gregory is the pseudonym of Elizabeth Cruwys, a Cambridge academic who was previously a coroner's officer. She is married to author Beau Riffenburgh who is her co-author on the Simon Beaufort books.
AKA Simon Beaufort
She writes detective fiction, and is noted for her series of mediaeval mysteries featuring Matthew Bartholomew, a teacher of medicine and investigator of murders in 14th-century Cambridge.
These books may have some aspects in common with the Ellis Peters Cadfael series, the mediaeval adventures of a highly intelligent Benedictine monk and herbalist who came to the Benedictine order late in an eventful life, bringing with him considerable secular experience and wisdom combined with a deal of native wit. This sets him apart from his comparatively innocent and naíve monastic brethren. His activities, both as a monk and a healer, embroil him in a series of mysterious crimes, both secular and monastic, and he enthusiastically assumes the rôle of an amateur sleuth. Sceptical of superstition, he is somewhat ahead of his time, and much accurate historical detail is woven into the adventures. But there any resemblance to the comparatively warm-hearted Cadfael series ends: the tone and subject matter of the Gregory novels is far darker and does not shrink from portraying the harsh realities of life in the Middle Ages. The first in the series, A Plague on Both Your Houses is set against the ravages of the Black Death and subsequent novels take much of their subject matter from the attempts of society to recover from this disaster.
These novels bear the marks of much detailed research into mediaeval conditions - many of the supporting characters have names taken from the documentation of the time, referenced at the end of each book - and bring vividly to life the all-pervading squalor of living conditions in England during the Middle Ages. The deep-rooted and pervasive practice of traditional leechcraft as it contrasts with the dawning science of evidence-based medicine is a common bone of contention between Matthew and the students he teaches at Michaelhouse College (now part of Trinity College, Cambridge), whilst the conflict between the students of Cambridge and the townsfolk continually threatens to escalate into violence.
Another series of books, set just after the Restoration of Charles II and featuring Thomas Chaloner, detective and former spy, began with A Conspiracy of Violence published in January 2006, and continues with The Body in the Thames, published in hardback edition January 2011.
AKA Simon Beaufort
She writes detective fiction, and is noted for her series of mediaeval mysteries featuring Matthew Bartholomew, a teacher of medicine and investigator of murders in 14th-century Cambridge.
These books may have some aspects in common with the Ellis Peters Cadfael series, the mediaeval adventures of a highly intelligent Benedictine monk and herbalist who came to the Benedictine order late in an eventful life, bringing with him considerable secular experience and wisdom combined with a deal of native wit. This sets him apart from his comparatively innocent and naíve monastic brethren. His activities, both as a monk and a healer, embroil him in a series of mysterious crimes, both secular and monastic, and he enthusiastically assumes the rôle of an amateur sleuth. Sceptical of superstition, he is somewhat ahead of his time, and much accurate historical detail is woven into the adventures. But there any resemblance to the comparatively warm-hearted Cadfael series ends: the tone and subject matter of the Gregory novels is far darker and does not shrink from portraying the harsh realities of life in the Middle Ages. The first in the series, A Plague on Both Your Houses is set against the ravages of the Black Death and subsequent novels take much of their subject matter from the attempts of society to recover from this disaster.
These novels bear the marks of much detailed research into mediaeval conditions - many of the supporting characters have names taken from the documentation of the time, referenced at the end of each book - and bring vividly to life the all-pervading squalor of living conditions in England during the Middle Ages. The deep-rooted and pervasive practice of traditional leechcraft as it contrasts with the dawning science of evidence-based medicine is a common bone of contention between Matthew and the students he teaches at Michaelhouse College (now part of Trinity College, Cambridge), whilst the conflict between the students of Cambridge and the townsfolk continually threatens to escalate into violence.
Another series of books, set just after the Restoration of Charles II and featuring Thomas Chaloner, detective and former spy, began with A Conspiracy of Violence published in January 2006, and continues with The Body in the Thames, published in hardback edition January 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 8, 2021
Read this book in 2012, and its the 6th volume of the splendid "Thomas Chaloner" series.
This tale is set in June, of the year AD 1664, and a Dutch delegation has arrived in London to negotiate a peace between Holland and England.
Thomas Chaloner, in his former days a spy to John Thurloe, during Cromwell's regime, is witness by the dismissive attitude which they are greeted by the King's ministers and officials, and experienced the futilities of war he has no wish to witness another.
But when the lifeless body of his brother-in-law is found in the Thames, Thomas will find clues left by the man as to why he was murdered.
Several motivations can be the cause of this death, and one being a conspiracy to thwart the peace between the two nations.
What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling mystery, in which Thomas Chaloner will need to tread carefully in his investigation of this murder, and when he does so and by using his cunning he will certainly make significant progress, and after some twists and turns , followed by a superbly executed plot, he will be able to solve this case in a very satisfying manner for both Holland and England.
Highly recommended, for this is an excellent addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Marvellous Body In The Thames"!
This tale is set in June, of the year AD 1664, and a Dutch delegation has arrived in London to negotiate a peace between Holland and England.
Thomas Chaloner, in his former days a spy to John Thurloe, during Cromwell's regime, is witness by the dismissive attitude which they are greeted by the King's ministers and officials, and experienced the futilities of war he has no wish to witness another.
But when the lifeless body of his brother-in-law is found in the Thames, Thomas will find clues left by the man as to why he was murdered.
Several motivations can be the cause of this death, and one being a conspiracy to thwart the peace between the two nations.
What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling mystery, in which Thomas Chaloner will need to tread carefully in his investigation of this murder, and when he does so and by using his cunning he will certainly make significant progress, and after some twists and turns , followed by a superbly executed plot, he will be able to solve this case in a very satisfying manner for both Holland and England.
Highly recommended, for this is an excellent addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Marvellous Body In The Thames"!
January 27, 2013
I can't comment on the point that others have made about it seemingly being the same thing over and over again, but one thing I will say, is that when the reader has as much info as the spy, and has figured out who the baddie is half way through the book, and yet the spy doesn't for a loooong time after.... I couldn't help wondering if I was an awesome detective or if Chaloner is just a rubbish spy!
I knocked off one star for this reason, and one more for the fact that I almost gave up around page 200, as it really started to feel like it was dragging. Yes, we are supposed to be travelling through the investigation with Chaloner, but I felt my attention wandering on a few occasions. I'm glad I stuck with it though, as it picked up the pace and had a good ending.
all in all I'm not sorry I read it, and will most probably pick up another of Susanna Gregory's novels in the future, but perhaps I'll start at the beginning of the series...
I knocked off one star for this reason, and one more for the fact that I almost gave up around page 200, as it really started to feel like it was dragging. Yes, we are supposed to be travelling through the investigation with Chaloner, but I felt my attention wandering on a few occasions. I'm glad I stuck with it though, as it picked up the pace and had a good ending.
all in all I'm not sorry I read it, and will most probably pick up another of Susanna Gregory's novels in the future, but perhaps I'll start at the beginning of the series...
December 26, 2012
The further into this series I get the less I enjoy. I only got to chapter 3 and thought I'd read it all before. The storylines get a bit same-old after a while. Disappointment.
March 29, 2018
I got onto Susanna Gregory via her Matthew Bartholomew series. I have them all to date (16), but the series was getting a mite predictable and the murder rate in Cambridge was getting as high as that in Morse's Oxford and Barnaby's Midsummer. So I tried her Thomas Chaloner when I saw one in the special bin at a local bookshop.
I have an interest in the English Civil War (King v Parliament) but, as a firm Commonwealth man, an admirer of Oliver Cromwell and a disliker of the two faced, disorganised and promiscuous Charles II, I tend to avoid Restoration novels.
However, this book is a decent read and it does shew the problems of one of Cromwell's intellegencers in that period, one who had worked for the efficient John Thurlow, Cromwell's Spymaster, rather than Charles' II's incompetent replacement. The story is around the efforts being made to avoid a war with the Netherlands, one which all, bar the King and his cronies, know cannot be won, unlike that under the Commonwealth. Spies, here, spies there and no-one quite what they seem.
I did guess who the main killers were before the end but, to quote Charles' Spymaster, Williamson "The clues were there, but we were too blind to see them." Indeed, the clues are few and not easily seen and my own guesswork was based on character, rather than hidden clues. The book, to my mind, is an adventure rather than a "who done it" and the answers and action do not arrive till around page 410 of a 463 paged book.
I know the author uses her characters to disprove some of the slander thrown at Cromwell but the book does contain some un-truths about the man: he did not approve, let alone take part in, desecration of churches; Sir Thomas Fairfax did not serve under Cromwell - it was the other way round with Fairfax as Lord General of the New Model Army, with Cromwell as his Lieutenant-General and cavalry commander; Cromwell was never a republican and the founding of one was not his idea.
I have an interest in the English Civil War (King v Parliament) but, as a firm Commonwealth man, an admirer of Oliver Cromwell and a disliker of the two faced, disorganised and promiscuous Charles II, I tend to avoid Restoration novels.
However, this book is a decent read and it does shew the problems of one of Cromwell's intellegencers in that period, one who had worked for the efficient John Thurlow, Cromwell's Spymaster, rather than Charles' II's incompetent replacement. The story is around the efforts being made to avoid a war with the Netherlands, one which all, bar the King and his cronies, know cannot be won, unlike that under the Commonwealth. Spies, here, spies there and no-one quite what they seem.
I did guess who the main killers were before the end but, to quote Charles' Spymaster, Williamson "The clues were there, but we were too blind to see them." Indeed, the clues are few and not easily seen and my own guesswork was based on character, rather than hidden clues. The book, to my mind, is an adventure rather than a "who done it" and the answers and action do not arrive till around page 410 of a 463 paged book.
I know the author uses her characters to disprove some of the slander thrown at Cromwell but the book does contain some un-truths about the man: he did not approve, let alone take part in, desecration of churches; Sir Thomas Fairfax did not serve under Cromwell - it was the other way round with Fairfax as Lord General of the New Model Army, with Cromwell as his Lieutenant-General and cavalry commander; Cromwell was never a republican and the founding of one was not his idea.
November 9, 2019
This is the sixth book in the Thomas Chaloner series, and yet again I really enjoyed it. It starts off at the wedding of Thomas and Hannah, where an old acquaintance of Thomas’s is found dead at the back of the church, with a note pinned to his back saying “do not interfere”. Very cryptic. Thomas decides that he’s going to try dig around and find out why the man was murdered, and who the note was aimed at. Meanwhile, the Earl of Clarendon has misplaced some important papers, although he’s adamant they’ve been stolen. He won’t tell Thomas what the papers contained, but he does want Thomas to track the thief down and get the papers back. Also, a large delegation of Dutch people are in London, trying to work out a peace agreement between their country and England. This delegation includes Thomas’s sister-in-law and her husband. Jacoba is the sister of Thomas’s dead first wife. One evening a body is pulled from the Thames, and that body belongs to Jacoba’s husband. He has also left cryptic messages sewn into his stockings. After researching the meaning of the messages, Thomas begins to believe that the two deaths are possibly linked to a plot to steal the Crown Jewels. As he digs further into the plot, more murders come to light. Thomas knows he must solve this mystery to prevent the failure of the peace treaty between Holland and England, and also to put a stop to the dangerous serial killer before more lives are lost.
I suspected the murderer originally, but as the book progressed, I changed my mind so many times. Another brilliant mystery.
I suspected the murderer originally, but as the book progressed, I changed my mind so many times. Another brilliant mystery.
February 18, 2017
An excellent book, that kept the reader's interest in every single page, evenly paced, with different plots that evolved in the same pace and interacted in a very supporting to each other plot way with many different historical details and made me "live" in Restoration London hobnobbing with the high and mighty of the time as well as soiling my feet with the hoi polloi! Almost 500 pages of historical adventure - mystery and not a minute of boredom or impatience to be over! I will certainly try and find more Chaloner books as I loved this one. What a pity that the one Matthew Bartholomew book of the same writer that I have read was a total disappointment...
June 3, 2018
This was my first Thomas Chaloner book. I wasn't aware it was a series, I was taken by the name of the book and that it was set during the early years of the English Restoration. I really liked it up until the last 50-60 pages. I had to solve the mystery of course, and I never considered not finishing it. But the plot went so fast and threw so much at the reader when most of the book had offered a more measured pace. It is still a good read and I would recommend it, but I wish the ending hadn't seemed so forced and rushed.
September 7, 2018
I happened upon this book in a charity shop though had no idea that it is part of a series. I generally enjoy historical fiction and found the depiction of London life in this period quite fascinating. However in this case the plot was slightly tedious with a vast number of characters, and I didn’t really warm to Chaloner. Overall I thought that the book was just too long and could have been edited to about 3/4 of its current length. Unfortunately I don’t think that Susanna Gregory novels are for me.
March 9, 2018
I enjoyed this. It finds Thomas Challoner newly married to a woman he can't quite bring himself to tell that he loves and meanwhile on the trail of the mysterious Falcon who is killing off various people and jeopardising the Anglo-Dutch peace talks. As ever the history is good and the story engaging. It really doesn't matter whether you have read the earlier books in the series or not.
May 11, 2021
This one is a different series from the other series I read. This one is set in 17th C England, and is more spy thriller than mystery, with jeopardy throughout for the spy for hire in the upper echelons of English nobility, who must solve a mystery before its solution kills him and all dear to him.
March 27, 2023
Thought I would try this historical murder series. I found it a bit trying. The hero, Chaloner, dashes around, hides in the shadows to eavesdrop, and climbs over back fences to break into places, but does not seem to have the quick wit of a true spy. Nor does he even come close to solving the mystery until the very end. I would have liked a few more clues along the way.
January 4, 2021
A good start to a new year, you can't beat a little historical fiction in the format of a whodunit. Kept me guessing literallyvyo the final page. Lots of twists and turns, bluffs and double bluffs etc.
January 19, 2021
This rattled right along, and the twists kept me guessing until the end.
December 9, 2022
I enjoyed this one, and even thought I'd solved it partway through, but I was wrong. I'm a pretty terrible detective.
March 14, 2023
I just read these because I enjoy the gentle stories. But it’s very same-y with the other books.
November 13, 2023
The title was not very inticing. Isn't there always a body in the Thames? A complex plot with myriads of characters.
October 24, 2021
I did something I rarely do. I shelved a book before finishing it. Unfortunately, this was the book. It was a struggle to get into the characters and the story. I blamed myself thinking that I just had too much on my mind. I am involved in a bookclub and read a couple of books between monthly book club selections. This was my “betweener”. As the book club date closed in I decided to put this to the side and begin the other book. I finished the new book in two days.
Death on the Thames, it’s not me it’s you. I had to break up with you because you were not adding anything to my life. You had too many people in and out of your story and you did not allow me to get to really know them. They seemed fleeting. In one sentence we were visited with a set of characters and in the next sentence you were somewhere else talking to somebody else. It happened a lot. I just couldn’t keep track. The chapters went on an on with many jumps within each. My head was spinning.
I am sure you will find an audience that appreciates you much more than I did. I wish you the best. I am moving on to my literary soul mates. Just wasn’t you.
Death on the Thames, it’s not me it’s you. I had to break up with you because you were not adding anything to my life. You had too many people in and out of your story and you did not allow me to get to really know them. They seemed fleeting. In one sentence we were visited with a set of characters and in the next sentence you were somewhere else talking to somebody else. It happened a lot. I just couldn’t keep track. The chapters went on an on with many jumps within each. My head was spinning.
I am sure you will find an audience that appreciates you much more than I did. I wish you the best. I am moving on to my literary soul mates. Just wasn’t you.
March 23, 2012
This book is a page turner for sure. Susanna Gregory does it again with this sixth book in the Thomas Chaloner series. As it is with her other historical mystery series (Matthew Bartholomew), Ms. Gregory cleverly mixes a lot actual historical fact with her fictional characters. Chaloner is a spy during Restoration England, and is well used to living by his wits. He has served many masters from both sides of the political spectrum, and he knows his 16 century London with all its squalor, taverns, boltholes, and colourful people. This book was a surprise from the beginning as we try with Thomas to try to determine who the person is who is causing so much death and destruction during one hot English summer. I thought I had it figured out, but I was not right and didn't even guess who it might be until I read Ms. Gregory's startling pages at the end of the book. But Thomas is fighting to keep his loved ones and friends safe, as well as himself, while he is being assaulted on all sides. He knows how important it is to unmask the person known as Falcon. HIs life, his wife's life, his dear friends lives and his kinfolk are all dependent on him. The pace is fast and furious in the book, and it had me quickly turning pages (or in this case, moving pages in my Kindle) until the last possible line. I highly recommend this series, but it is best enjoyed from the beginning book which is "A Conspiracy of Violence".
August 24, 2015
In The Body in the Thames, Thomas Chaloner is on another harrowing adventure, not sure on whom he can rely, making enemies, uneasy in his new second marriage, and trying to protect the fragile peace between the Dutch and the English in 1664 Restoration England, where the mood is one of relishing war, and it’s dangerous for a Dutchman to be out on the the streets in London.
Weeks late in returning to England due to constant violent weather, Chaloner only arrives just in time for his wedding to Hannah, lady in waiting to the queen. The storm competes with shouted wedding vows, rain leaks through the roof, and an uninvited acquaintance who has slipped in to the back of the church has a knife with a message slipped between his shoulder blades. An ominous beginning, followed quickly by Thomas’ brother-in-law, a member of the peace delegation from the Hague, being the “body in the Thames”.
This is a typically intricate Susanna Gregory novel where Chaloner has several seemingly impossible tasks to resolve and more than one person trying to discredit him and sidetrack his enquiries. His dedication leads him into many dangerous situations and, often, his assistance or betrayal comes from surprising sources. While he questions whether what he feels for Hannah is love, he does know that he would protect her with his life — which he may well have to do. A rip-roaring, swashbuckling adventure that will keep you guessing right to the end.
Weeks late in returning to England due to constant violent weather, Chaloner only arrives just in time for his wedding to Hannah, lady in waiting to the queen. The storm competes with shouted wedding vows, rain leaks through the roof, and an uninvited acquaintance who has slipped in to the back of the church has a knife with a message slipped between his shoulder blades. An ominous beginning, followed quickly by Thomas’ brother-in-law, a member of the peace delegation from the Hague, being the “body in the Thames”.
This is a typically intricate Susanna Gregory novel where Chaloner has several seemingly impossible tasks to resolve and more than one person trying to discredit him and sidetrack his enquiries. His dedication leads him into many dangerous situations and, often, his assistance or betrayal comes from surprising sources. While he questions whether what he feels for Hannah is love, he does know that he would protect her with his life — which he may well have to do. A rip-roaring, swashbuckling adventure that will keep you guessing right to the end.
March 6, 2016
One of the things I liked about this book is that is does not take place in the over popular Tudor era, but in the times of Charles II. Cromwell died and the king returned. This creates a different setting than the overall known Tudor court. Second, being Dutch, the story evolves around the peace talks (1664) between the English and the Dutch. There is a huge anti-Dutch sentiment in England. A Dutch delegation stays in Savoy House and one Dutchman ends up dead in the Thames.
Downside of this book is that in the first half not much happens. Chaloner is presented with a number of difficulties, but is not making much progress in his research. Than, suddenly everything comes together, the book gets pace and all story lines are concluded.
All in all a very nice read. This was my first Chaloner book I ever read. It clearly makes me curious about the other ones.
Downside of this book is that in the first half not much happens. Chaloner is presented with a number of difficulties, but is not making much progress in his research. Than, suddenly everything comes together, the book gets pace and all story lines are concluded.
All in all a very nice read. This was my first Chaloner book I ever read. It clearly makes me curious about the other ones.
February 15, 2013
I've been working my way through Susanna Gregory's Chaloner books, and I've been enjoying them.
Yes, they get a bit samey - in the way a series often does - but I'm picking up a 'feel' for a period I knew nothing about.
One thing I'd question in this book is the use of the terms 'hawks' and 'doves' in relation to warmongering or peace brokering. It strikes me as rather anachronistic. I'm familiar with the two used together for cold war politics, and 'war hawks' was used in the early 19thC in America, but I can't find any references earlier than that of their use in this way.
Yes, they get a bit samey - in the way a series often does - but I'm picking up a 'feel' for a period I knew nothing about.
One thing I'd question in this book is the use of the terms 'hawks' and 'doves' in relation to warmongering or peace brokering. It strikes me as rather anachronistic. I'm familiar with the two used together for cold war politics, and 'war hawks' was used in the early 19thC in America, but I can't find any references earlier than that of their use in this way.
April 13, 2015
Published: 01/04/2011
Author: Susanna Gregory
Recommended for: fans of historical murder fiction
Another great book in the Thomas Chaloner series of medievil murder mystery books. Susanna Gregory once again mixes real historical facts with fictional characters. This book keeps you guessing as to who it is that is causing so much death. It is fast paced and you may think while reading the book that you know who it is but once you get to the end you'll realise that you got it wrong ( as I did) .
Author: Susanna Gregory
Recommended for: fans of historical murder fiction
Another great book in the Thomas Chaloner series of medievil murder mystery books. Susanna Gregory once again mixes real historical facts with fictional characters. This book keeps you guessing as to who it is that is causing so much death. It is fast paced and you may think while reading the book that you know who it is but once you get to the end you'll realise that you got it wrong ( as I did) .
September 14, 2011
I came across Thomas Chaloner sometime last year after finishing the latest book in another Susanna Gregory series, and I wasn't disappointed. Once again Ms. Gregory has created a captivating character, combining the best qualities of the mystery and historical genres, to produce a novel that will keep you guessing to the very end and leave you looking forward to your next encounter with this intriguing spy.
January 4, 2013
I was disappointed in this: I was hoping to find myself a new author, but I found myself having to force myself to read it. Why did I finish it then? Well, the plot itself ok, but there were too many sub plots and people and I just got fed up with them all: it was too, well, busy. Also, I felt the story was dragged out a bit. All in all I was frustrated. I borrowed two titles by this author, but took the other back unread. Grrr. Moving on...
March 31, 2014
I love Susanna Gregory's ability to weave intricate historical tales through accurate historical fact but sometimes I do get lost with the narrative and then lose interest in reading. This is the third of Thomas Chaloner series I've read and again I found myself picking it up and reading a couple of pages and then putting it down again. It would be a can't get into it story but because of my interest in history I find myself persevering.
November 25, 2015
This book was not exactly what I expected. Slower than I thought it would be and that was annoying. The story was interesting -- all the fascinating historical aspects were there. The character is not so appealing. I hate it when people are not nice to the spouses they willingly married. He also seems kind of plodding and lacks some of the swash-buckling i would expect from him. Maybe I will find it in another title. I have a few more, so I will give it a shot!
October 31, 2016
While the novel is well researched, it is extremely slow to start and labors to propel the narrative forward. The characters are interesting, but are introduced too quickly and overwhelm the reader within the first few pages. The story-line is compelling and highly developed, but because the characters are many, it labors as a casual read. Though enjoyable, I'm not sure I would recommend the book to a friend.
May 13, 2012
This is the first Thomas Chaloner book I've read and I have to admit, I enjoyed it immensely. It in twinned two of my favourite subjects, history and murder mystery, into a face paced, page turner. It gave me a real sense of what it was like to live in the 17th century and it kept me guessing right up until the end. I will definitely be reading Thomas Chaloner's other adventures.
November 28, 2014
I hadn't read any of this series before and was impressed by the historical and spy versus spy action. Post-Cromwellian England in the throes of peace negotiations with the Dutch isn't the period that immediately comes to mind as a setting for a mystery. But it works. It's a dense, twisted plot with a lot of period color in the setting.
January 6, 2017
I was not sure about the book at the beginning, it is set in a period of time I d not know much about and there were so many characters, however by the end of the book I was gripped. The historical note at the end was interesting as Gregory had managed to weave in as many 'real' characters as possible. I shall have to read some more in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews