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1 Times bestselling series
The son of a traitor, James Marwood is a reluctant government informer, forced to hunt the killer through the city's devastated streets. 'This is terrific stuff' Daily Telegraph The King’s EvilIn the Court of Charles II, it’s a dangerous time to be alive – a wrong move may lead to disgrace, exile or death. Preloved - good At a time of dangerous internal dissent, Marwood’s investigation will lead him into treacherous waters – and across the path of a determined and vengeful woman. When a second murder victim is discovered in the Fleet Ditch, Marwood is drawn into the political and religious intrigue of Westminster. Not the crackling of the flames, not the explosions and the clatter of falling buildings, not the shouting and the endless beating of drums and the groans and cries of the crowd: it was the howling of the fire. 'A breathtakingly ambitious picture of an era' Financial Times
The first book in the No.
Reviews
GJohnD
Candy for everyone's imagination. Praise for Andrew Taylor and his brilliant mind The many descriptions of the fires 'glowing' in the distant darkness and smouldering London are tantalizing, terrifying – 'fuegos fatuos' (fool's fire), a mirage of ghostlike flares that often appear over marshes under stormy conditions due to a combination of combustible gasses in the air which XVII c.
R. Coane
folklore attributed to rising spirits of the dead – heat you can feel and smoke you can't breathe. We also follow Marwood, a man who is trying to secure a place for himself in a world, where he has to carry the pains his own father brought on the family, and try and grow in the manipulating oppression formed by the ruling classes. Each character are trying hard to better themselves whilst being used as pawns in a game neither were willing to play a part in. Drama action and mystery packed; graphic detail.
We follow each, Catherine, a young woman trying to form an independent identity under the shadow or a patriarchal society, avoiding the shame brought by her father who challenged and conspired against the ruling powers to bring about a religious rule. While there is a single story line and the characters reappear, they are sufficiently independent to not strictly follow the publishing order. Accurate geographic descriptions of the ruined city and factual account of the times.
That did not in any way hamper my understanding or enjoyment of the plot. Gorgeous language beautifully written! Engrossing.
I can describe them as a series of modern day 'detective stories' involving some of the same characters but not necessarily following linear action. The backdrop of the story is fascinating.
There was a real sense of realism with the story, so often the protagonists seem capable of inhuman feats, but this story feels believable, relatable almost. Finely drawn, believable characters.
Marwood & Catherine are the two central characters in the story. ! The story held me in anguish to the end. I happened to discover #3, The King's Evil, first and read it first.
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