A Conspiracy Of Violence
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Product Description
Book Description
Susanna Gregory, creator of the Matthew Bartholomew series of mediaeval mysteries, has created another compelling fictional detective set in Restoration London.
Product Description
The dour days of Cromwell are over. Charles II is well established at White Hall Palace, his mistress at hand in rooms over the Holbein bridge, the heads of some of the regicides on public display. London seethes with new energy, freed from the strictures of the Protectorate, but many of its inhabitants have lost their livelihoods. One is Thomas Chaloner, a reluctant spy for the feared Secretary of State, John Thurloe, and now returned from Holland in desperate need of employment. His erstwhile boss, knowing he has many enemies at court, recommends Thomas to Lord Clarendon, but in return demands that Thomas keep him informed of any plot against him. But what Thomas discovers is that Thurloe had sent another ex-employee to White Hall and he is dead, supposedly murdered by footpads near the Thames. Chaloner volunteers to investigate his killing: instead he is despatched to the Tower to unearth the gold buried by the last Governor. He discovers not treasure, but evidence that greed and self-interest are uppermost in men's minds whoever is in power, and that his life has no value to either side.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A change of lead character, a change of century and a change from Cambridge to London. Will it work, is it too much too soon. The reader need have not fears Miss Gregory carries it all off with consummate ease. The book is still beautifully written, the character are strong and soon become like old friends and the author proves that she is as knowledgeable about restoration London as she is about 14th century Cambridge.
England at last has a monarch back on throne, Charles II is ensconced in his Whitehall Palace and the dreary, drab days of Oliver Cromwell are fast fading to a distant memory. The capital is starting to breathe again after the stifling days of the Protectorate. But those difficult days have left their mark on the Londoner's, many have lost their means of employment. One such man Thomas Chaloner has become a spy for John Thurloe, the feared Secretary of State.
Thomas has recently returned from the Low Countries and is in desperate need of employment Thurloe has many enemies at court and recommends Thomas for a post with Lord Clarendon. In return he expects to be kept informed of any plots against himself.
While there Thomas finds out that Thurloe has already sent one of his ex-employees to the court and the man is dead, supposedly by footpads.
Thomas begins to uncover the greed and corruption that is rife among the men of power and soon finds that his own life has little value in the court of Charles.
England at last has a monarch back on throne, Charles II is ensconced in his Whitehall Palace and the dreary, drab days of Oliver Cromwell are fast fading to a distant memory. The capital is starting to breathe again after the stifling days of the Protectorate. But those difficult days have left their mark on the Londoner's, many have lost their means of employment. One such man Thomas Chaloner has become a spy for John Thurloe, the feared Secretary of State.
Thomas has recently returned from the Low Countries and is in desperate need of employment Thurloe has many enemies at court and recommends Thomas for a post with Lord Clarendon. In return he expects to be kept informed of any plots against himself.
While there Thomas finds out that Thurloe has already sent one of his ex-employees to the court and the man is dead, supposedly by footpads.
Thomas begins to uncover the greed and corruption that is rife among the men of power and soon finds that his own life has little value in the court of Charles.
16 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was my first experience of Ms Gregory's work and I have to say I was impressed. She obviously enjoys her subject and era and this is apparent in the storytelling. The characterisation is excellent (with the possible exception of Keylng and his animal obsession) and the setting of Restoration London is richly drawn.
Setting and characters aside, the story moves along at a brisk pace with plenty of red herrings and spills and thrills. There are plenty of nice little asides and sub-plots, each of which adds to the atmosphere and tension and ultimately leads to a thrilling and satisfactory conclusion.
If you are looking for a good old fashioned ripping yarn that stimulates (and educates) then this is a book that encourages you to engage with its subject(s). Oh, and for the reviewer who thought it had "too many words" I suggest you look in the childrens section where you can find plenty of books you can colour in.
Hugely enjoyable and intelligently written, I look forward to more in the series.
Setting and characters aside, the story moves along at a brisk pace with plenty of red herrings and spills and thrills. There are plenty of nice little asides and sub-plots, each of which adds to the atmosphere and tension and ultimately leads to a thrilling and satisfactory conclusion.
If you are looking for a good old fashioned ripping yarn that stimulates (and educates) then this is a book that encourages you to engage with its subject(s). Oh, and for the reviewer who thought it had "too many words" I suggest you look in the childrens section where you can find plenty of books you can colour in.
Hugely enjoyable and intelligently written, I look forward to more in the series.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am a great fan of historic mysteries and the Bartholomew series is one of my favourites. I was hoping that this would be another series to enjoy with the same enthusiasm....but no. I found it lacking in atmosphere and i really did not get the feel of that period of history. Also there were so many characters at one time that I kept losing the plot. I did stick with it and kind of enjoyed it but felt that it could have been more concise. I will probably try the next one as it may have 'warmed up' and I will be more used to the key characters.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Brilliant!
I ordered this book with apprehension because of the time it is set in and because it is by a new author. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. A. L. Maddocks
Disappointing
I am a big fan of historical mysteries, especially the shardlake series, so was excited about this book/ series as it was a new century and character. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Book worm
disappointing
This book was long-winded, lacking in atmosphere, confusing and contained unbelievable situations which made me keep wanting to laugh or just give up. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Provocateur
Simply Brilliant!!
This book was recently purchased as part of a special offer in a local bookshop.
I started reading it a few days later..... And could NOT put it down!! Read more
I started reading it a few days later..... And could NOT put it down!! Read more
Published 21 months ago by Kiltie Chisholm
A spy thriller with no macguffin
Annoying film buffs like to show off and refer to 'the macguffin' when talking about plots. I can't think of another way of putting it, so I'm afraid I'll have to mention it... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Bookwoman
Romping great stuff!
I confess I was reluctant to start on the Chaloner novels, being a fan of her medieval Matthew Bartholomew series. Read more
Published 22 months ago by C. Aitken
Restoration London
Loved this book. Have read the next two in the series and read one of them in a day. Gripping drama in restoration London and kept you guessing right till the end. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Katie bushell
Like most turkeys, deserves roasting
Having enjoyed the Shardlake mysteries of C.J.Sansom, I acquired 'A Conspiracy of Violence' in the hope that I'd stumbled on something similarly plausible and entertaining. Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2010 by Sandro Clementi
Bartholomew v Chaloner
A good yarn. Many characters to get your head around. Chaloner will develop but will have to live up to the marvelous Mathew Bartholomew. Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2009 by C. Wilkinson
Restoration Turkey
I bought this book en route to Bodrum. Some 50 pages in a turkey appears to provide some necessary comic relief. Read more
Published on 2 July 2008 by Classicist
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