Good, but a slightly disappointing addition to the series
I was hooked as soon as I read “Nicholas Shelby is back “ Thoroughly enjoyed the first three books in the series and was sure this one would be no different.
Newly married to apothecary Bianca Merton Dr Nicolas Shelley, is as ever in trouble. Notwithstanding his service to Sir Robert Cecil, Elizabeth I’s spy master, ( or perhaps because of this) he is facing a charge of treason. This is following the horrendous execution of the Queen’s physician, Dr Lopez on entirely fictitious charges.
Nicholas escapes execution...for the while anyway and we have his exile to Padua to look forward to. These books are immensely well researched and written but somehow this one failed to quite hit the Mark.. I suppose there are a limited number of plots against Queen Elizabeth to write and this one aimed for something different. While I enjoyed the story around the ‘master of the spheres’ and the portrait of Galileo, the plot involving Hella Maas failed to convince but only to irritate. The story of the Moncktons was much more engaging..in both senses of the word. Still streets ahead of other novels set in this era which is why it has four stars, but as I say mildly disappointing. If this series is new to you, I would recommend reading them in order.
Newly married to apothecary Bianca Merton Dr Nicolas Shelley, is as ever in trouble. Notwithstanding his service to Sir Robert Cecil, Elizabeth I’s spy master, ( or perhaps because of this) he is facing a charge of treason. This is following the horrendous execution of the Queen’s physician, Dr Lopez on entirely fictitious charges.
Nicholas escapes execution...for the while anyway and we have his exile to Padua to look forward to. These books are immensely well researched and written but somehow this one failed to quite hit the Mark.. I suppose there are a limited number of plots against Queen Elizabeth to write and this one aimed for something different. While I enjoyed the story around the ‘master of the spheres’ and the portrait of Galileo, the plot involving Hella Maas failed to convince but only to irritate. The story of the Moncktons was much more engaging..in both senses of the word. Still streets ahead of other novels set in this era which is why it has four stars, but as I say mildly disappointing. If this series is new to you, I would recommend reading them in order.