This is fourth novel in the Jackdaw Mysteries, which focus on physician Nicholas Shelby who works for spymaster Robert Cecil, and his new wife Bianca, landlady of the Bankside tavern, The Jackdaw. There are some references to past novels within this story, but it can be read without having read the previous books.
Set during the latter years of Elizabeth I’s reign, life is dangerous with political intrigue and betrayal rife. And this is the case for Nicholas who is accused of trying to poison the Queen. With help from Robert Cecil, Nicholas and Bianca flee England. But with high tensions between Protestants and Catholics everywhere in Europe no where is safe. The couple decide to make their way to Padua, Bianca’s home, and are joined by Hella Maas, a fervently religious women. The first half of the novel focuses on their journey on the route from England to the Italian state. Although not full of action there is a sense of danger as the couple do not know who to trust and there are occasions that cause them to move quickly on. The story starts with quite a slow pace but picks up as the story heads to Padua. Nicholas and Bianca are strong characters, and highly likeable. They’re both intelligent and empathetic and have a wonderful relationship.
The author has clearly researched this period well, and I love the details within this book. The descriptions of Bankside in London, the journey on the Pilgrimage trail and into the Italian states are so vivid that they’re easy to picture. I always enjoy novels that mix fictional characters with real historical people, which this does, as it brings Galileo into the story in Padua. At this time science, astronomy and astrology were being discussed and debated and this book also focuses on these new ideas, whilst also showing how dangerous they could be.
This book introduces the character of Hella, a fervently religious women who joins Nicholas and Bianca on their journey. Her character is a frustrating one, as readers don’t know who she is, except that is trying to cause divisions between Nicholas and Bianca, but she makes a good antagonist against the couple on their long journey.
Rich in detail and with an interesting plot this a good book for fans of historical mysteries.
Thank you to Readers First, Atlantic and Corvus Books for this copy.
Set during the latter years of Elizabeth I’s reign, life is dangerous with political intrigue and betrayal rife. And this is the case for Nicholas who is accused of trying to poison the Queen. With help from Robert Cecil, Nicholas and Bianca flee England. But with high tensions between Protestants and Catholics everywhere in Europe no where is safe. The couple decide to make their way to Padua, Bianca’s home, and are joined by Hella Maas, a fervently religious women. The first half of the novel focuses on their journey on the route from England to the Italian state. Although not full of action there is a sense of danger as the couple do not know who to trust and there are occasions that cause them to move quickly on. The story starts with quite a slow pace but picks up as the story heads to Padua. Nicholas and Bianca are strong characters, and highly likeable. They’re both intelligent and empathetic and have a wonderful relationship.
The author has clearly researched this period well, and I love the details within this book. The descriptions of Bankside in London, the journey on the Pilgrimage trail and into the Italian states are so vivid that they’re easy to picture. I always enjoy novels that mix fictional characters with real historical people, which this does, as it brings Galileo into the story in Padua. At this time science, astronomy and astrology were being discussed and debated and this book also focuses on these new ideas, whilst also showing how dangerous they could be.
This book introduces the character of Hella, a fervently religious women who joins Nicholas and Bianca on their journey. Her character is a frustrating one, as readers don’t know who she is, except that is trying to cause divisions between Nicholas and Bianca, but she makes a good antagonist against the couple on their long journey.
Rich in detail and with an interesting plot this a good book for fans of historical mysteries.
Thank you to Readers First, Atlantic and Corvus Books for this copy.