Peace of mind is beginning to return to the recently widowed Apothecary John Rawlings, but it is short lived when a child disappears at the Hellstone Country Dance. On the trail of the missing girl, it seems that John's footsteps are dogged by a mysterious blind musician. Matters take a decidedly darker turn when a courtesan meets an untimely end and practitioners of the occult are unearthed on his travels. The discovery that his own daughter is in deadly peril leads John to a dramatic finale...
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'The Queen of the Georgian historical mystery' THE TIMES 'Meticulously researched, this is a series that brings the past to colourful life' GUARDIAN
--This text refers to an alternate
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About the Author
Deryn Lake is the pseudonym of the popular historical novelist Dinah Lampitt. Born in Essex and raised in London, she currently lives close to the famous battle-field of 1066.
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Spring had come: the Apothecary knew it as soon as he opened his eyes. Read the first page
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Spring had come: the Apothecary knew it as soon as he opened his eyes. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By N. Bennett
Format:Hardcover
The John Rawlings mysteries may not be the most complex puzzles or the most accurate historical novels, but they make for a few hours pleasant reading. (Those seeking a more substantial read should try Bruce Alexander's novels about Sir John Fielding, set in the same era.)
Perhaps the novels' best feature is their fallible hero, who always has a keen eye for a pretty face, even when he is considering a second marriage.
This latest has the Helston Floral Dance as a starting point, and uses it to provide local atmosphere without letting it overpower the rest of the story. There is a disappearance and a murder in the book, and although they do eventually prove to be connected it's in an unexpected way. As usual the plot hurries along, providing lots of red herrings and other colourful characters, and at the end everything except John's personal life is resolved.
Perhaps the novels' best feature is their fallible hero, who always has a keen eye for a pretty face, even when he is considering a second marriage.
This latest has the Helston Floral Dance as a starting point, and uses it to provide local atmosphere without letting it overpower the rest of the story. There is a disappearance and a murder in the book, and although they do eventually prove to be connected it's in an unexpected way. As usual the plot hurries along, providing lots of red herrings and other colourful characters, and at the end everything except John's personal life is resolved.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've read all of the books in this series and personally feel that Rawlings is at his best nosing his way through the misty back-streets of London, but this one does have its moments. The apothecary's tiresome love life is to the fore here though, and this time it's the 'enigmatic' Elizabeth Di Lorenzi who toys with his emotions - next time out I'm sure it'll be the return of that irksome actress, Coralie Clive. The increase in the 'romance' factor isn't doing the series any real favours, but the mystery element is quite well handled. Rawlings and his daughter are visiting Helston(e) in Cornwall when a rather unpleasant little girl goes missing and Rawlings feels compelled to investigate. There are some nicely drawn characters (as always) and one or two genuinely exciting passages as Rawlings uncovers a canker below the surface of the quiet Cornish town. The ending is well done, and Lake's writing style is as excellent as always...on the down side there's very little involvement for Sir John Fielding and his runners and I hope we see a return to the capital and its environs in the next volume. Having said that, Samuel Swan is blessedly absent from this one as well ! A little less about the apothecary's love-life in future and a bit more period 'grit' would be welcome next time out - the title suggests that 'The Hellfire Club' may play a part, and I'll look forward to that.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Jasperlin
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Oh what a disappointment this book is. I have read all eleven of the mysteries so far and have generally enjoyed the rest immensely, with just some slight reservations about Romney Marsh.
The stories are at their absolute best when based in London with the "Blind Beak", the "Beau Monde", Grandfather and the rest. Once outside London, they lose their delight and interest. This tale was boring and unbelievable and will not find a place on my "keep" shelf.
One for the charity shop I think.
I shall read the synopsis of each book carefully in future and will eagerly buy any based in London, but none based elsewhere.
The stories are at their absolute best when based in London with the "Blind Beak", the "Beau Monde", Grandfather and the rest. Once outside London, they lose their delight and interest. This tale was boring and unbelievable and will not find a place on my "keep" shelf.
One for the charity shop I think.
I shall read the synopsis of each book carefully in future and will eagerly buy any based in London, but none based elsewhere.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've loved this series up to now. I like the very believable atmosphere of the time that Ms Lake creates, but this one was a big disappointment. The plot seemed contrived and unbelievable and the scene setting read as if it was being quoted from a guide book/history book of the area.
In fact it read as if Ms Lake had had a jolly good holiday in Helston and had subsequently decided to set one of John Rawlings adventures there, just not very convincingly, I'm afraid.
Not one I'll be reading again!
In fact it read as if Ms Lake had had a jolly good holiday in Helston and had subsequently decided to set one of John Rawlings adventures there, just not very convincingly, I'm afraid.
Not one I'll be reading again!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By J. Chippindale
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
Deryn Lake is a pseudonym of a well know historical novelist. Among the books she has written are the popular John Rawlings Mysteries, Death in the Peerless Pool, Death at the Apothecaries' hall, Death at the Devil's Tavern and others. As all of the titles are preceded by the word death, (unusual to say the least), this is a pretty good indication regarding the contents of the books and very good historical murder mysteries they are. `Deryn Lake' live near Hastings, in East Sussex
The character of John Rawlings has grown into an old and trusted friend and the author's clear and concise writing style makes the pages fly by. The books are good, well researched historical murder mysteries. They are easy reading and a welcome change from the crash, bang wallop of many of the books being published today. Good escapism for the reader, away from the bumps and grinds of everyday life.
It is the Spring of the year 1765 and John Rawlings, apothecary and amateur solver of mysteries is slowly starting to recover from the loss of his wife. A trip to Hellstone to witness the local dancing, with his young daughter Rose and his lady friend Elizabeth de Lorenzi seems like a good idea. But while there they encounter and intriguing group of fellow visitors, among them are a blind musician, a young child who disappears and to add to the plot a beautiful woman, found dead and a coven.
On top of all of this subterfuge while John is in the process of attempting to solve the mystery, the threat widens to include his daughter Rose . . .
The character of John Rawlings has grown into an old and trusted friend and the author's clear and concise writing style makes the pages fly by. The books are good, well researched historical murder mysteries. They are easy reading and a welcome change from the crash, bang wallop of many of the books being published today. Good escapism for the reader, away from the bumps and grinds of everyday life.
It is the Spring of the year 1765 and John Rawlings, apothecary and amateur solver of mysteries is slowly starting to recover from the loss of his wife. A trip to Hellstone to witness the local dancing, with his young daughter Rose and his lady friend Elizabeth de Lorenzi seems like a good idea. But while there they encounter and intriguing group of fellow visitors, among them are a blind musician, a young child who disappears and to add to the plot a beautiful woman, found dead and a coven.
On top of all of this subterfuge while John is in the process of attempting to solve the mystery, the threat widens to include his daughter Rose . . .
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By J. Chippindale
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Deryn Lake is a pseudonym of a well know historical novelist. Among the books she has written are the popular John Rawlings Mysteries, Death in the Peerless Pool, Death at the Apothecaries' hall, Death at the Devil's Tavern and others. As all of the titles are preceded by the word death, (unusual to say the least), this is a pretty good indication regarding the contents of the books and very good historical murder mysteries they are. `Deryn Lake' live near Hastings, in East Sussex
The character of John Rawlings has grown into an old and trusted friend and the author's clear and concise writing style makes the pages fly by. The books are good, well researched historical murder mysteries. They are easy reading and a welcome change from the crash, bang wallop of many of the books being published today. Good escapism for the reader, away from the bumps and grinds of everyday life.
It is the Spring of the year 1765 and John Rawlings, apothecary and amateur solver of mysteries is slowly starting to recover from the loss of his wife. A trip to Hellstone to witness the local dancing, with his young daughter Rose and his lady friend Elizabeth de Lorenzi seems like a good idea. But while there they encounter and intriguing group of fellow visitors, among them are a blind musician, a young child who disappears and to add to the plot a beautiful woman, found dead and a coven.
On top of all of this subterfuge while John is in the process of attempting to solve the mystery, the threat widens to include his daughter Rose . . .
The character of John Rawlings has grown into an old and trusted friend and the author's clear and concise writing style makes the pages fly by. The books are good, well researched historical murder mysteries. They are easy reading and a welcome change from the crash, bang wallop of many of the books being published today. Good escapism for the reader, away from the bumps and grinds of everyday life.
It is the Spring of the year 1765 and John Rawlings, apothecary and amateur solver of mysteries is slowly starting to recover from the loss of his wife. A trip to Hellstone to witness the local dancing, with his young daughter Rose and his lady friend Elizabeth de Lorenzi seems like a good idea. But while there they encounter and intriguing group of fellow visitors, among them are a blind musician, a young child who disappears and to add to the plot a beautiful woman, found dead and a coven.
On top of all of this subterfuge while John is in the process of attempting to solve the mystery, the threat widens to include his daughter Rose . . .
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