4*’s
What do you know about the Spanish Armada or Queen Elizabeth I?
Ask me about Henry VIII and I can tell you loads including the helpful rhyme for remembering the fate of his six wives, divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived! But his second daughter Elizabeth, well I knew very little apart from she was the Virgin Queen and there was a big battle involving a huge number of Ships, Francis Drake was involved and there were lots of politics. And there is my gripe, I’m not a political person which is why although I love history, and yes probably knew a little bit more than I have stated here, I have never been motivated to learn more about this period.
So why did I choose this book? Well 2014 is the year when I am going to read more widely and so I took a chance!
This book by Rory Clements grabbed me from the start, this isn’t just a book about the endless politics, or the Spanish Armada it is about people, and I love reading about people and the lives they live, their hopes and their fears.
John Shakespeare is an investigator and we meet him investigating the murder a well-connected young woman, the mystery of which he delves into throughout the book. The Setting is Elizabethan England where the likeable John Shakespeare is supposed to be working with the notorious Richard Topcliffe. Shakespeare doesn’t approve of Topcliffe’s vicious methods and there is already bad-blood between the two men. This only increases as they are both chasing the same Jesuit priest around the web of London safe houses.
This is not a book for the squeamish, there is plenty of violence within the pages as I’m sure in such uncertain times this was indeed a reality of life. Within the pages there are whores, a stolen baby, the Queen vacillating whether to order Mary Queen of Scots to death and a determination to stamp out and the Catholics still brave enough to follow their faith in England.
This book is the first in a series of six books (the latest, The Queen’s Men is due to be published in January 2014) I will certainly continue reading as I enjoy a tautly plotted novel with plenty of action and as a bonus it is a fantastic way to learn more about this period of history.
I received a free copy of this book from lovereading.co.uk as I am part of their reader review panel, please use the link to see other reviewers opinions or to read an extract from the book.
Books by Rory Clements
Martyr
Revenger
Prince
Traitor
The Heretics (published in paperback February 2014)
The Queen’s Men (published in hardback January 2014)
Spanish Armada
Cleopatra Loves Books 
This sounds interesting. I am writing it down. I like the way you set the story up, Cleopatra.
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Oh thank you, I’m trying to vary the way I write my reviews so that has made my day!
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I’m so glad I let you know then. 😀
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Not as glad as I am 🙂
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😀
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. My blog was supposed to be book reviews too, but I’ve gotten away from that part of it. I keep thinking I’ll do an end of the year wrap up of my favorites from 2013, but it’s getting a little late. I always emjoy your reviews. You must read a lot of books!
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I think you should do your round up post. I really enjoy looking at those. Thank you for your very kind comments 🙂
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I love being surprised by a book I wasn’t sure I’d like. This sounds very interesting and the start of a wonderful series. Great review!
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I had put off reading it as it seemed like it was going to be a hard read and with the holidays I wanted light reading but I really engaged with the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you 🙂
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One author commented sometime ago, I don’t remember whom, we authors need to get our historical events as close to the truth as possible, because sometimes that is the only opportunity that a reader will have to learn anything about our past. Thanks for the book recommendation.
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You are very welcome and thank you. As a reader I don’t want to doubt what I am reading in that broadly the facts are correct. This was such a good read and so much was happening without being confusing!
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