The cover gives an impression of a action packed, dark, twisty novel set some time ago. Then the except comfirms the setting as charles II reign, perfect I think having just finished philippa gregory's the white queen. I wouldn't normally pick a historical novel but enjoyed that and would try another. The first chapter is well written and starts by building the characters personality. What I am keen to read next is a plot driven novel with indepth characters and a lot of action. This is not a bad time of release considering the publicity of the gunpowder plot bbc drama!