Release Date: 16/08/12
SYNOPSIS:
September 1566. William Harley, Clarenceux King of Arms, lives quietly with his family in London, with a document in his possession that could destroy the state. The aged Lady Percy, Countess of Northumberland, has not given up trying to find it. Nor has she forgotten how he betrayed her and the Catholic cause - she has spent the last two years planning her revenge. But then eloquent and adventurous courtier, John Greystoke suddenly seems most concerned for Clarenceux's safety. And why, on behalf of the government, does Francis Walsingham have spies watching Clarenceux's house day and night? When his wife and his daughter go missing, Clarenceux finds himself on the run with his other young daughter, hunted by Lady Percy's agents. He knows he must finally destroy the document, even if it should cost him his life - but how can he, until he has reunited his family?
REVIEW:
If you love historical fiction set in Tudor England that weaves the wonders of a spy thriller in a time where a wrong step either way could see your own side kill you just as much as your foe. Add a dark twist with the key characters wife and one of his daughters missing which leaves the reader in no doubt that it’s a game where one throw of the die is all you have. Live or die, conquer or fail, its all you have along with your wits.
What James also brings to the mix is a story that grips you from start to finish, brings the stench of the time to the readers nostrils and will have you watching your step with each new development. Finally throw into the mix solid pace, wonderful prose by an author who knows what the reader wants and all in its been a wonderful third outing.
Release Date: 16/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
A man of faith. A nation of fear. A world of secrets. 1564: Catholic herald William Harley, Clarenceux King of Arms, is the custodian of a highly dangerous document. When it is stolen, Clarenceux immediately suspects a group of Catholic sympathisers, the self-styled Knights of the Round Table. Francis Walsingham, the ruthless protege of the queen's Principal Secretary, Sir William Cecil, intercepts a coded message from the Knights to a Countess known to have Catholic leanings. He is convinced that Clarenceux is trying to use the document to advance the cause of the Catholic Queen. And soon Clarenceux enters a nightmare of suspicion, deception and conspiracy. Conflict and fear, compounded by the religious doubts of the time, conceal a persistent mystery. Where has the document gone? Who has it and who really took it? And why? The roots of betrayal are deep and shocking: and Clarenceux's journey towards the truth entails not just the discovery of clues and signs, but also the discovery of himself.
REVIEW:
If you like a title that’s has elements of historical fiction and backed up with a fantastical ride to discover a truth then this title could well be for you. Whilst it’s not historically accurate, the reader is treated to a story that has been edited to make it work for the author and generates such a thrilling ride that you’re more than happy to suspend the facts as the pages fly by.
Its creative, the characters just leap of the page larger than life (in particular Carew) and with a ruthless spymaster in the mix, it’s a tale that will weave its magic wonderfully into your imagination. Back that up with an author who know’s this time period backwards so that the full flavour hits you and all in it’s a great read.
BOOK BLURB:
A brilliant and enthralling debut historical thriller in the vein of C.J. Sansom. London, December 1563. England is a troubled nation. Catholic plots against the young Queen Elizabeth spring up all over the country. At his house in the parish of St Bride, the herald William Harley -- known to everyone as Clarenceux - receives a book from his friend and fellow Catholic, Henry Machyn. But Machyn is in fear of his life, claiming that the book is deadly...What secret can it hold? And then Clarenceux is visited by the State in the form of Francis Walsingham and his ruthless enforcers, who will stop at nothing to gain possession of it. If Clarenceux and his family are to survive the terror of Walsingham, and to plead with the queen's Secretary of State Sir William Cecil for their lives, Clarenceux must solve the clues contained in the book to unlock its dangerous secrets before it's too late. And when he does, he realises that it's not only his life and the lives of those most dear to him that are at stake...
REVIEW:
Whilst I loved the authors Medieval Travel Guide I did feel a little disappointed with this offering. The plot outline was reasonable and the historical part made you feel as if you were walking through the streets with the characters however whilst they were passable the dialogue felt forced and as such made me feel that it wasn’t as polished or as rounded as it could have been. The author is clever with what they’ve done and hopefully in future titles they’ll work on the dialogue aspect to help it come to life.
