May,
1665, and Mercia Blakewood embarks from the ship that has
brought her home from America. She hopes that now she has
fulfilled the King’s mission she will have her home
restored to her, but such is not to be. The King has a new
mission, given to her by his mistress, Barbara Castlemaine,
and for this one she must be installed at court. Posing as
the mistress of Sir William Calde, she must unmask a woman
who is spying for the Dutch, with whom Britain is now at war…
Britain’s rocky relationship with various European countries
strikes a topical note in this historical novel, showing that
nothing really changes. Mercia is once again in the thick
of it with her trusty manservant, Nicholas, at her side, but
not knowing who else to trust. One moment she thinks she has
worked out who the spy “Virgo” is and who is on
her side, the next everything has changed and she must start
again.
All this
makes for an exciting read, a thriller more than a mystery,
with a constantly changing backdrop. Mercia experiences the
luxury and scheming of the court, prowls the seedy backstreets
and docks of London and more, while the King and his council
plan their war, and the first cases of plague tentatively
appear. I really felt I was back in the 1660s with all the
splendor, squalor and uncertainties that made life precarious.
This third entry in the series has standalone elements, but
for best results it ought to be read after the first two (Birthright
and Puritan). I am always complaining that there are not enough
books set during the 17th century, but this exciting series
shows that even if you cannot have quantity at least here
is some quality.
Reviews
of previous titles in this series
Birthright
#1
Puritan
#2
Traitor
#3
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