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Marwood and Lovett #1
The Ashes of London
From the No.1 bestselling author of The American Boy and The Silent Boy comes a brand new historical thriller set during the time of the Great Fire of London. The first of an exciting new series of novels.
A CITY IN FLAMES
London, 1666. As the Great Fire consumes everything in its path, the body of a man is found in the ruins of St Paul's Cathedral – stabbed in the neck, thumbs tied behind his back.
A WOMAN ON THE RUN
The son of a traitor, James Marwood is forced to hunt the killer through the city's devastated streets. There he encounters a determined young woman, who will stop at nothing to secure her freedom.
A KILLER SEEKING REVENGE
When a second murder victim is discovered in the Fleet Ditch, Marwood is drawn into the political and religious intrigue of Westminster – and across the path of a killer with nothing to lose ...
A CITY IN FLAMES
London, 1666. As the Great Fire consumes everything in its path, the body of a man is found in the ruins of St Paul's Cathedral – stabbed in the neck, thumbs tied behind his back.
A WOMAN ON THE RUN
The son of a traitor, James Marwood is forced to hunt the killer through the city's devastated streets. There he encounters a determined young woman, who will stop at nothing to secure her freedom.
A KILLER SEEKING REVENGE
When a second murder victim is discovered in the Fleet Ditch, Marwood is drawn into the political and religious intrigue of Westminster – and across the path of a killer with nothing to lose ...
497 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2016
About the author
Andrew Taylor
58 books674 followersAndrew Taylor (b. 1951) is a British author of mysteries. Born in East Anglia, he attended university at Cambridge before getting an MA in library sciences from University College London. His first novel, Caroline Miniscule (1982), a modern-day treasure hunt starring history student William Dougal, began an eight-book series and won Taylor wide critical acclaim. He has written several other thriller series, most notably the eight Lydmouthbooks, which begin with An Air That Kills (1994).
His other novels include The Office of the Dead (2000) and The American Boy (2003), both of which won the Crime Writers’ Association of Britain’s Ellis Peters Historical Dagger award, making Taylor the only author to receive the prize twice. His Roth trilogy, which has been published in omnibus form as Requiem for an Angel (2002), was adapted by the UK’s ITV for its television show Fallen Angel. Taylor’s most recent novel is the historical thriller The Scent of Death (2013).
His other novels include The Office of the Dead (2000) and The American Boy (2003), both of which won the Crime Writers’ Association of Britain’s Ellis Peters Historical Dagger award, making Taylor the only author to receive the prize twice. His Roth trilogy, which has been published in omnibus form as Requiem for an Angel (2002), was adapted by the UK’s ITV for its television show Fallen Angel. Taylor’s most recent novel is the historical thriller The Scent of Death (2013).
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March 25, 2024Murder mystery set during the Great Fire, which is a great idea. No idea if it works because approximately chapter 3 there is an on page rape of the viewpoint character (unwarned for, obv), and I have a shelf called "men explain it sucks to be women" for a reason. DNF at however percent it was.
October 25, 2019
I chose to return to this book again, having had a mediocre audiobook experience last summer. Andrew Taylor’s series of historical fiction was sure to be exciting, based on the little I know before starting. The cover and title drew me in while I was walking through the library on one occasion and I could not wait to see if it lived up to my expectations. It’s September of 1666 and London is burning! The Great Fire began sweeping through the city and people are dying en masse as buildings fall. Smoke and ash pepper various streets, including the massive structure of St. Paul’s Cathedral, thought to be impregnable. Amongst the debris found within this great church is a body, badly charred and with its hands pushed behind the back, thumbs tied. James Marwood serves as a government informer and reluctantly agrees to begin searching for what might have happened so that the killer can be apprehended. Marwood struggles, as he seeks to shed himself of his father’s shadow, a former printer and admitted plotter in the death of the former king. England is still shaking off the shackles of their Civil War and Cromwell’s time as head of the government, though sentiments are still divided. As Marwood investigates, more bodies with similar thumb bindings are found, forcing him to explore numerous motives. With calls to bring those guilty of Regicide to justice, there is a theme of the End of Days as well, pointing to the ‘666’ in the current year. All the while, one of on the Regicide list includes the father of one Catherine ‘Cat’ Lovett. Marwood seeks to locate her. While some seem to know of her, it would seem that she and Marwood have an inadvertent past when Lovett lifted one of his cloaks during an earlier skirmish. Might England be preparing for an ecclesiastical event, begun with a raging fire? Marwood explores all his options while others are wrestling with issues of their own and London comes to terms with the devastation, seeking to rise from the ashes and rebuild in short order. Marwood and Lovett soon join forces to find answers before the murderer stricken again, or so they hope. Taylor propels readers into this interesting piece, full of drama, mystery, and history. Recommended to those who enjoy English history and murder, blended into a strong piece of fiction.
As this was my first novel by Andrew Taylor, I was unsure what I ought to expect. He gives the reader little time to acclimate, as the history comes flooding in on the opening page. While some may be put off by the immediate slide into the past, there is no better way to get involved than to toss the reader off the literary deep end. Taylor uses a handful of strong characters to lay the groundwork for this novel, now known to be the first in a series. James Marwood is an interesting protagonist, taking the reader along on this complex journey through both formal duties and personal struggles. Taylor portrays Marwood as a man who seek to balance his life, though there are stains upon his character that he cannot remove, carrying the Marwood name. Cat Lovett is an equally interesting character, coming from the opposite side of the coin. She serves as a lowly savant, but has a history she wishes no one to discover. She seeks to dodge those who might finger her as the daughter of one of England’s most sought-after criminals. Still, some underlying themes in character development showed me that others had interesting instances of personal growth. The story was sound and I enjoyed some of the historical references and banter, as well as appearances by those who played a key role in shaping London after the fire. The political and regal influences within the narrative were also of great interest to me, as was the religious undertones hinted at throughout. I knew of the Great Fire, but had not given it much thought, at least until reading Taylor’s piece. I will read the second in the series, as reading a digital copy proves more feasible than the audio version. I hope the potential reader will choose what works best for them.
Kudos, Mr. Taylor for an entertaining read. I found myself much more entertained this time around.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
As this was my first novel by Andrew Taylor, I was unsure what I ought to expect. He gives the reader little time to acclimate, as the history comes flooding in on the opening page. While some may be put off by the immediate slide into the past, there is no better way to get involved than to toss the reader off the literary deep end. Taylor uses a handful of strong characters to lay the groundwork for this novel, now known to be the first in a series. James Marwood is an interesting protagonist, taking the reader along on this complex journey through both formal duties and personal struggles. Taylor portrays Marwood as a man who seek to balance his life, though there are stains upon his character that he cannot remove, carrying the Marwood name. Cat Lovett is an equally interesting character, coming from the opposite side of the coin. She serves as a lowly savant, but has a history she wishes no one to discover. She seeks to dodge those who might finger her as the daughter of one of England’s most sought-after criminals. Still, some underlying themes in character development showed me that others had interesting instances of personal growth. The story was sound and I enjoyed some of the historical references and banter, as well as appearances by those who played a key role in shaping London after the fire. The political and regal influences within the narrative were also of great interest to me, as was the religious undertones hinted at throughout. I knew of the Great Fire, but had not given it much thought, at least until reading Taylor’s piece. I will read the second in the series, as reading a digital copy proves more feasible than the audio version. I hope the potential reader will choose what works best for them.
Kudos, Mr. Taylor for an entertaining read. I found myself much more entertained this time around.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
June 15, 2016
Thanks so much to Killer Reads for sending this one out,as part of a Goodreads giveaway but I just couldn't finish this one.I really wanted to but I couldn't force myself to pick the book back up.I'm a massive fan of historical fiction but this one just wasn't for me as it was not what I expected.
It centres around the London fires and an unexpected body that turns up which clearly has been killed.I thought the story sounded intriguing but it was a different story when I began reading it.I felt the writing dragged out scenes and so much could have been cut as there was nothing really happening.Also,I thought the book could have focused more on the actual fire as it's only in the opening chapters.
I found the characters incredibly boring as they made no impact on me and I think they lacked depth and perhaps a distinguishing factor.A lot of the time, I zoned out from what I was reading and I had to keep going back over pages.The actual writing was good and I liked the descriptions but some chapters just felt pointless to have.
Maybe I'll come back to this one and finish it but for the moment I'm leaving it.Thanks to Killer Reads for sending this one out but unfortunately I only enjoyed the writing.
It centres around the London fires and an unexpected body that turns up which clearly has been killed.I thought the story sounded intriguing but it was a different story when I began reading it.I felt the writing dragged out scenes and so much could have been cut as there was nothing really happening.Also,I thought the book could have focused more on the actual fire as it's only in the opening chapters.
I found the characters incredibly boring as they made no impact on me and I think they lacked depth and perhaps a distinguishing factor.A lot of the time, I zoned out from what I was reading and I had to keep going back over pages.The actual writing was good and I liked the descriptions but some chapters just felt pointless to have.
Maybe I'll come back to this one and finish it but for the moment I'm leaving it.Thanks to Killer Reads for sending this one out but unfortunately I only enjoyed the writing.
August 23, 2016
I liked the historical details in this book involving the aftermath of the great fire in London in 1666, but I felt that the book was missing a compelling central mystery and it all seemed rather pointless.
The story followed two characters whose lives intersected at various points in the book. James Marwood held a junior clerk position which barely enabled him to support himself and his father who was developing dementia. His father had been involved in a conspiracy to murder the King and was imprisoned in 1661 and was now a pariah following his release from prison. Catherine Lovett was a 17-year-old girl whose father had been involved in the same conspiracy. She was now being forced to marry a man that she didn't love. However she was no shrinking violet, she aspired to be an architect and sometimes she was a little too quick to use her knife. Two dead bodies turned up in London and the murders of the victims also seemed to be linked to the old conspiracy. An aide to the King asked Marwood to help with the investigation of these murders.
My problem with the book was that there was no suspense. I never got a sense of what was at risk or what the stakes were. Even at the end of the book, I still didn't understand why the two men were murdered, and I didn't particularly care. I like historical fiction and I wasn't bored by the book, but as crime fiction it missed the mark.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
The story followed two characters whose lives intersected at various points in the book. James Marwood held a junior clerk position which barely enabled him to support himself and his father who was developing dementia. His father had been involved in a conspiracy to murder the King and was imprisoned in 1661 and was now a pariah following his release from prison. Catherine Lovett was a 17-year-old girl whose father had been involved in the same conspiracy. She was now being forced to marry a man that she didn't love. However she was no shrinking violet, she aspired to be an architect and sometimes she was a little too quick to use her knife. Two dead bodies turned up in London and the murders of the victims also seemed to be linked to the old conspiracy. An aide to the King asked Marwood to help with the investigation of these murders.
My problem with the book was that there was no suspense. I never got a sense of what was at risk or what the stakes were. Even at the end of the book, I still didn't understand why the two men were murdered, and I didn't particularly care. I like historical fiction and I wasn't bored by the book, but as crime fiction it missed the mark.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
March 20, 2018
I really enjoyed this even though it was pretty slow going and there wasn’t too much of a story! The main characters were fairly sketchily portrayed and hard to rout for. So how can this be you ask..well..I loved all the historical details. I’ve read a little around the Restoration period so know the basic timeline, but it all made so much more sense within the context of the fire of London- the scrabbling for funds to start clearing up and rebuilding London; the competition for contracts to redesign prominent buildings; the caution still necessary in discussing politics or religion; switched allegiances from Cromwell to monarchy. Do you become a Regicide for political reasons or because you wish to replace the monarch with King Jesus and the cause of religious fanaticism... I’m not normally interested in the monarchy as such in historical fiction, but the author does a good job of presenting Charles II in a human light. Recommended for the history if you can handle a slow burn on the story.
September 28, 2017
A "historical novel" set in 1666. About a Scotland Yard "detective". Scotland Yard and public policing in England by the way were instituted in 1829 through the Metropolitan Police Act. Prior to that law enforcement was haphazard and duties performed partially by community watchmen, partially by King's constables. While Taylor writes well, and as fascinating as I may find the setting - whatever merits this story may have had are entirely eclipsed by the glaring historical inconsistencies and anachronisms.
The fact that the entire premise is about policing and detecting in a time and place in which such a thing did not exist is only the beginning of it - characters ooze modern sensibilities, while the details of daily life described are more similar to the 21st century than to the 17th. For example, people are described as eating salad (???) and ordering cold beer at taverns (ice is an invention of the 1800s); they also seem versed in modern medical terminology, for example our "detective" contemplates how "exercise [helps him] digest more quickly." I started making a list of these ridiculous references (ugh - another favorite is characters' relationship to time, i.e. referring to what happened "only 10 minutes later" and such). But, why recount all, my time is better spent finding a better book to read.
Overall: story may be good; writing may be good; but, given the lack of attention to historical accuracy, this novel reads as a story staged against an artificial set/background. Which completely defeats the purpose of it as a historical novel.
The fact that the entire premise is about policing and detecting in a time and place in which such a thing did not exist is only the beginning of it - characters ooze modern sensibilities, while the details of daily life described are more similar to the 21st century than to the 17th. For example, people are described as eating salad (???) and ordering cold beer at taverns (ice is an invention of the 1800s); they also seem versed in modern medical terminology, for example our "detective" contemplates how "exercise [helps him] digest more quickly." I started making a list of these ridiculous references (ugh - another favorite is characters' relationship to time, i.e. referring to what happened "only 10 minutes later" and such). But, why recount all, my time is better spent finding a better book to read.
Overall: story may be good; writing may be good; but, given the lack of attention to historical accuracy, this novel reads as a story staged against an artificial set/background. Which completely defeats the purpose of it as a historical novel.
February 12, 2021
After the great fire of 1666 James Marwood must find his way through the rubble, literally and figuratively. After several bodies have been found he is caught up in the schemes that seem to surround these deaths. I enjoyed it so on to the next installment!
May 29, 2017
Ive given this a B+ at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars.
The Ashes of London is an absorbing, intricately plotted historical mystery set in Restoration London in the aftermath of the Great Fire; indeed the book opens with one of the main characters – lowly clerk, James Marwood – standing amid the crowds one night in early September 1666 watching in horror as St. Paul’s Cathedral is burned almost to the ground. He saves the life of a boy by dragging him away from the flames, only to discover that “he” is a “she” when she struggles, bites his hand and then makes off with his cloak. It’s a seemingly innocuous encounter, but one that will very soon start to assume importance for Marwood as it becomes clear that the young woman may somehow be linked to a series of murders.
The story takes place over the few months following the fire, and is told through two different viewpoints. We meet James Marwood first of all, a young man eking out a living as a clerk in the employ of Master Williamson, the editor and publisher of The London Gazette – a man of influence whose position gives him access to governmental circles. Marwood is caring for his ailing father, a staunch supporter of Cromwell and the Commonwealth who refused the new king’s offer of clemency after the Restoration and was imprisoned as a result. After several attempts, Marwood managed to have his father released – on condition that he lives quietly away from London. Marwood senior is becoming ever more confused and subject to the wandering of his wits (we would probably today recognise this as dementia), making it sometimes very difficult for his son to make sure he adheres to the terms of his release.
The other narrator in the story is a young woman, Catherine Lovett, the niece of Henry Alderley, one of the wealthiest men in London. Her name is tainted in the same way as Marwood’s; her father is a Regicide – one of the men who had been directly instrumental in the execution of King Charles I – and a wanted fugitive. Catherine – Cat – is just seventeen and dreams of becoming a draughtsman or architect and is desperate to avoid the marriage her uncle has arranged for her with a man much older than herself. It seems, however that there is no way out – until one night, her cousin Edward forces himself upon her, and, after attacking him with a knife, Cat flees the house with the help of her father’s most trusted old servant, Jem.
Not long after these events, Marwood is summoned by Williamson and taken to view a body that was discovered among the remains of St. Paul’s – but the death was not caused by the fire. The corpse’s arms are bound at the back by the thumbs and the head pierced by a thin blade at the back of the neck – clearly this is murder, and when he realises that the dead man had worn the livery of a servant in the Alderley household, things begin to fall into place. Henry Alderley is an alderman of the city as well as a goldsmith; reputed to be enormously wealthy, even the King himself is rumoured to be one of his principal debtors, and the murder of a member of Alderley’s household could lead to embarrassment for the crown. When another body is found some days later, murdered in the same way and also in some way connected to the Alderleys, Marwood finds himself drawn further and further into a mystery that reaches far beyond the dead bodies themselves and stretches back to the reign of the previous king and his successor, Oliver Cromwell.
The Restoration is a fascinating period of English history, and Andrew Taylor brings it brilliantly to life, his descriptions of the burned out shell of the once-proud St. Paul’s and the city around it so vivid as to make it seem as though London itself is another character in the book. His research into the period has obviously been extensive, but at no time was I subjected to info-dumps or large sections of exposition that felt like a history lesson; everything is smoothly woven through the story and the scholarship is never put on show. I particularly enjoy historical fiction in which politics and intrigue play a large part, so I was captivated by the author’s explorations of the precarious political situation and of the still present religious divide which had, two decades earlier, set Englishman against Englishman in a bloody civil war.
Woven in, out and around the murder mystery are a couple of other plotlines; one relating to the King’s determination to find the remaining Regicides and the other to what becomes of Cat after she leaves her uncle’s house. Mr. Taylor weaves these various stories together with great skill, bringing them inexorably closer together with Marwood narrating his side of the tale in the first person while the parts he doesn’t know about are filled in by Cat, whose narrative is in the third person. It might seem an odd juxtaposition, but I found that it worked extremely well and was surprised how much I liked it.
The two central characters are intriguing, with Marwood probably being the more likeable of the two. He’s a fairly young man and wants nothing more than to be able to live down the notoriety of his name, make his way in the world and better himself – but it seems he’s unable to free himself of the shadows of the past as he finds himself dragged back into the murky world of old scandal and political chicanery. His father can be somewhat of a trial to him, yet his love for the older man shines through in his patience and tender care of him, leading to some of the most touching moments in the book.
Cat, on the other hand, is a little more difficult to warm to, even though her actions are understandable given what happens to her at the beginning. She’s unusual in her interest in draughtsmanship and architecture, which were, of course, not professions open to women, or even thought to be interests fitting for the fairer sex; but I really enjoyed that aspect of her character, and seeing her find an outlet for her particular talents.
The one real criticism I have of the book is that while these two characters are fairly-well drawn, I didn’t really feel as though I got to know either of them particularly well and I was left wanting to know a bit more about them. But this is billed as the first of a new series of books, so perhaps that was intentional and if, as I hope, we will see more of them in future novels, we will also get to know them better as the series progresses.
In spite of that, however, I was completely engrossed in the book from beginning to end, so I’m wholeheartedly recommending The Ashes of London to anyone who likes a gritty, strongly written, tightly-plotted historical mystery in which the historical aspect is of key importance to the story.
The Ashes of London is an absorbing, intricately plotted historical mystery set in Restoration London in the aftermath of the Great Fire; indeed the book opens with one of the main characters – lowly clerk, James Marwood – standing amid the crowds one night in early September 1666 watching in horror as St. Paul’s Cathedral is burned almost to the ground. He saves the life of a boy by dragging him away from the flames, only to discover that “he” is a “she” when she struggles, bites his hand and then makes off with his cloak. It’s a seemingly innocuous encounter, but one that will very soon start to assume importance for Marwood as it becomes clear that the young woman may somehow be linked to a series of murders.
The story takes place over the few months following the fire, and is told through two different viewpoints. We meet James Marwood first of all, a young man eking out a living as a clerk in the employ of Master Williamson, the editor and publisher of The London Gazette – a man of influence whose position gives him access to governmental circles. Marwood is caring for his ailing father, a staunch supporter of Cromwell and the Commonwealth who refused the new king’s offer of clemency after the Restoration and was imprisoned as a result. After several attempts, Marwood managed to have his father released – on condition that he lives quietly away from London. Marwood senior is becoming ever more confused and subject to the wandering of his wits (we would probably today recognise this as dementia), making it sometimes very difficult for his son to make sure he adheres to the terms of his release.
The other narrator in the story is a young woman, Catherine Lovett, the niece of Henry Alderley, one of the wealthiest men in London. Her name is tainted in the same way as Marwood’s; her father is a Regicide – one of the men who had been directly instrumental in the execution of King Charles I – and a wanted fugitive. Catherine – Cat – is just seventeen and dreams of becoming a draughtsman or architect and is desperate to avoid the marriage her uncle has arranged for her with a man much older than herself. It seems, however that there is no way out – until one night, her cousin Edward forces himself upon her, and, after attacking him with a knife, Cat flees the house with the help of her father’s most trusted old servant, Jem.
Not long after these events, Marwood is summoned by Williamson and taken to view a body that was discovered among the remains of St. Paul’s – but the death was not caused by the fire. The corpse’s arms are bound at the back by the thumbs and the head pierced by a thin blade at the back of the neck – clearly this is murder, and when he realises that the dead man had worn the livery of a servant in the Alderley household, things begin to fall into place. Henry Alderley is an alderman of the city as well as a goldsmith; reputed to be enormously wealthy, even the King himself is rumoured to be one of his principal debtors, and the murder of a member of Alderley’s household could lead to embarrassment for the crown. When another body is found some days later, murdered in the same way and also in some way connected to the Alderleys, Marwood finds himself drawn further and further into a mystery that reaches far beyond the dead bodies themselves and stretches back to the reign of the previous king and his successor, Oliver Cromwell.
The Restoration is a fascinating period of English history, and Andrew Taylor brings it brilliantly to life, his descriptions of the burned out shell of the once-proud St. Paul’s and the city around it so vivid as to make it seem as though London itself is another character in the book. His research into the period has obviously been extensive, but at no time was I subjected to info-dumps or large sections of exposition that felt like a history lesson; everything is smoothly woven through the story and the scholarship is never put on show. I particularly enjoy historical fiction in which politics and intrigue play a large part, so I was captivated by the author’s explorations of the precarious political situation and of the still present religious divide which had, two decades earlier, set Englishman against Englishman in a bloody civil war.
Woven in, out and around the murder mystery are a couple of other plotlines; one relating to the King’s determination to find the remaining Regicides and the other to what becomes of Cat after she leaves her uncle’s house. Mr. Taylor weaves these various stories together with great skill, bringing them inexorably closer together with Marwood narrating his side of the tale in the first person while the parts he doesn’t know about are filled in by Cat, whose narrative is in the third person. It might seem an odd juxtaposition, but I found that it worked extremely well and was surprised how much I liked it.
The two central characters are intriguing, with Marwood probably being the more likeable of the two. He’s a fairly young man and wants nothing more than to be able to live down the notoriety of his name, make his way in the world and better himself – but it seems he’s unable to free himself of the shadows of the past as he finds himself dragged back into the murky world of old scandal and political chicanery. His father can be somewhat of a trial to him, yet his love for the older man shines through in his patience and tender care of him, leading to some of the most touching moments in the book.
Cat, on the other hand, is a little more difficult to warm to, even though her actions are understandable given what happens to her at the beginning. She’s unusual in her interest in draughtsmanship and architecture, which were, of course, not professions open to women, or even thought to be interests fitting for the fairer sex; but I really enjoyed that aspect of her character, and seeing her find an outlet for her particular talents.
The one real criticism I have of the book is that while these two characters are fairly-well drawn, I didn’t really feel as though I got to know either of them particularly well and I was left wanting to know a bit more about them. But this is billed as the first of a new series of books, so perhaps that was intentional and if, as I hope, we will see more of them in future novels, we will also get to know them better as the series progresses.
In spite of that, however, I was completely engrossed in the book from beginning to end, so I’m wholeheartedly recommending The Ashes of London to anyone who likes a gritty, strongly written, tightly-plotted historical mystery in which the historical aspect is of key importance to the story.
April 13, 2017
DNF
The writing was bland, I got no real sense of 1666, the characterization was flat, and we had two protagonists, who had no real connection to each other. I wasn't particularly interested in either of them. For a supposed mystery, getting over 10% through without even a hint of a dead body, or some other crime to investigate, was a very leisurely pace. And then and I was out.
Very disappointing.
The writing was bland, I got no real sense of 1666, the characterization was flat, and we had two protagonists, who had no real connection to each other. I wasn't particularly interested in either of them. For a supposed mystery, getting over 10% through without even a hint of a dead body, or some other crime to investigate, was a very leisurely pace. And then and I was out.
Very disappointing.
July 27, 2024
The Ashes of London
Another historical novel and again in the seventeenth century, this time just after the Civil War. It is the first in a series. Andrew Taylor has written several series of historical novels and this is the latest. This one is set during and just after the Great Fire of London.
There are two main characters. James Marwood is a general dogsbody who works for a civil servant doing a variety of tasks. His father was a printer and a Fifth Monarchist who was jailed following a failed revolt in 1661. James is now looking after him as he is showing signs of dementia.
The other main character is Cat Lovett. She is a sort of heiress living with relatives who don’t always treat her well. Her father Thomas Lovett was one of those who signed the death warrant of Charles the first and so now he is on the run. Cat is to be married off to an aging aristocrat.
They are both sucked into a series of events, intrigues and deaths that eventually mean their paths cross. Marwood’s account is in the first person; Cat’s in the third. That does grate a little after a while. It is a bit of a slow burner, but as a historical novel it is interesting, especially as I am on a bit of a Civil War kick at the moment. The descriptions of the fire and its aftermath all work well. It had some entertainment value last thing at night.
Another historical novel and again in the seventeenth century, this time just after the Civil War. It is the first in a series. Andrew Taylor has written several series of historical novels and this is the latest. This one is set during and just after the Great Fire of London.
There are two main characters. James Marwood is a general dogsbody who works for a civil servant doing a variety of tasks. His father was a printer and a Fifth Monarchist who was jailed following a failed revolt in 1661. James is now looking after him as he is showing signs of dementia.
The other main character is Cat Lovett. She is a sort of heiress living with relatives who don’t always treat her well. Her father Thomas Lovett was one of those who signed the death warrant of Charles the first and so now he is on the run. Cat is to be married off to an aging aristocrat.
They are both sucked into a series of events, intrigues and deaths that eventually mean their paths cross. Marwood’s account is in the first person; Cat’s in the third. That does grate a little after a while. It is a bit of a slow burner, but as a historical novel it is interesting, especially as I am on a bit of a Civil War kick at the moment. The descriptions of the fire and its aftermath all work well. It had some entertainment value last thing at night.
September 28, 2023
Halloween Bingo 2023
London during and after the Great Fire of 1666. Dangerous, dirty, destroyed. James Marwood watches the fire when he should be headed to work at Whitehall. He rescues a small person who he initially assumes to be a boy, but turns out to be a girl in disguise. She seizes his cloak, bites his hand to get him to let go, and flees into the crowd.
Catherine Lovett is the daughter of a Regicide, one of the men who supported Oliver Cromwell. It is she who bit James Marwood. She is living with an uncle and aunt in London while her father is in exile, but it becomes obvious that this arrangement is reaching its end. She is forced to rely on the network of her father's former associates, various nebulous alliances.
Marwood’s life is not entirely his own. His father, another Regicide, has been released from prison, but has dementia with a tendency to both wander and babble. The older man requires care which his son cannot provide. James is indebted to his employer(s) and is set the task of solving a set of murders all done in the same way. His path and that of Cat Lovett continue to cross, intriguing him and worrying her.
It took 62 pages for the first body to be found. I was starting to wonder if this was a book for me. (Have I mentioned how short my attention span had become since Covid started?) But at that point, the plot picks up speed and complexity, keeping me reading steadily. Not a book that I will ever likely reread, but I'm not sorry that I read it.
I read this to match the Darkest London square on my bingo card.
London during and after the Great Fire of 1666. Dangerous, dirty, destroyed. James Marwood watches the fire when he should be headed to work at Whitehall. He rescues a small person who he initially assumes to be a boy, but turns out to be a girl in disguise. She seizes his cloak, bites his hand to get him to let go, and flees into the crowd.
Catherine Lovett is the daughter of a Regicide, one of the men who supported Oliver Cromwell. It is she who bit James Marwood. She is living with an uncle and aunt in London while her father is in exile, but it becomes obvious that this arrangement is reaching its end. She is forced to rely on the network of her father's former associates, various nebulous alliances.
Marwood’s life is not entirely his own. His father, another Regicide, has been released from prison, but has dementia with a tendency to both wander and babble. The older man requires care which his son cannot provide. James is indebted to his employer(s) and is set the task of solving a set of murders all done in the same way. His path and that of Cat Lovett continue to cross, intriguing him and worrying her.
It took 62 pages for the first body to be found. I was starting to wonder if this was a book for me. (Have I mentioned how short my attention span had become since Covid started?) But at that point, the plot picks up speed and complexity, keeping me reading steadily. Not a book that I will ever likely reread, but I'm not sorry that I read it.
I read this to match the Darkest London square on my bingo card.
February 15, 2017
Let’s time travel back to 1666 and the Great Fire of London, in Andrew Taylor’s The Ashes of London, where the body of a man is found in the smoking ruins of St Paul’s Cathedral, stabbed in the neck, with his thumbs tied behind his back. So far, so good, and what unfolds from this is a delicious and vivid exploration of London society, and through a world of cheats and traitors, class and gender oppression, and a damn fine murder mystery. Absolutely central to my enjoyment of this book, apart from the perfectly realised period detail, was the character of Catherine ‘Cat’ Lovett, a young gentlewoman, and daughter of a notorious regicide, condemned to live with grasping relatives. As a result of an attack on her person, she goes on the run, assuming the position of a housemaid, but is drawn into the sphere of the men charged with redesigning London, but into further danger due to her father’s reappearance having plotted against the former king. Cat is a mercurial and striking character, compartmentalized by society by virtue of her gender and class, but with a keen mind and inquisitive spirit which reveals itself in her aptitude for, and interest in the world of architecture. Equally, she is feisty and brave, and has a determination to track down and confront her father at odds with the demeanour that society expects from her being of a certain social class. Taylor’s characterisation throughout is lively and reminiscent of the band of good natured fellows and absolute rotters that inhabit the works of Dickens for example. Outright villains sit cheek by jowl with characters you root for throughout, particularly those labouring for acceptance in the shadow of the sins of their fathers. Taylor conjures up all the sights, smells and atmosphere of the period with aplomb, and provides an intriguing and twisty murder mystery into the bargain too. Recommended.
July 19, 2023
4.25 stars. Andrew Taylor is a terrific writer, and I think characterization is his strong suit. This historical mystery is the first of a series. It opens while London is burning in 1666 (which kept me away from this one for years because history was probably my worst subject). I wish I’d tried it sooner. It was captivating.
I would encourage anyone looking for a good historical novel that will hook them from the start to try this. There are brief moments of violence - it is a mystery, after all. But Andrew Taylor’s characters are so real. They stay with me. This may be my summer of Taylor. He can immerse me in another time and place, with people who feel real, and he makes this look so easy.
The audiobook was terrific as well. I alternated between the page and the audio, and the performance by Leighton Pugh was wonderful. He narrates the entire series, but unfortunately my library only owns the first one. I am tempted to use my Audible credits for the others.
Note: This is not a thriller. It is relatively slow-moving, as the crime genre goes. I wouldn’t take this series on vacation, either. It requires time and patience but in my opinion, there is a payoff. I really enjoyed meeting the two main characters, whose paths, incidentally, cross very little in this volume. I especially like Cat, and I’m looking forward to seeing where her life goes in book two.
I would encourage anyone looking for a good historical novel that will hook them from the start to try this. There are brief moments of violence - it is a mystery, after all. But Andrew Taylor’s characters are so real. They stay with me. This may be my summer of Taylor. He can immerse me in another time and place, with people who feel real, and he makes this look so easy.
The audiobook was terrific as well. I alternated between the page and the audio, and the performance by Leighton Pugh was wonderful. He narrates the entire series, but unfortunately my library only owns the first one. I am tempted to use my Audible credits for the others.
Note: This is not a thriller. It is relatively slow-moving, as the crime genre goes. I wouldn’t take this series on vacation, either. It requires time and patience but in my opinion, there is a payoff. I really enjoyed meeting the two main characters, whose paths, incidentally, cross very little in this volume. I especially like Cat, and I’m looking forward to seeing where her life goes in book two.
July 2, 2022
I didn't know what to expect from this book at all (which of course is perfect) and I loved it.
You could feel the heat of the buildings as they smoldered still from the Great Fire, along with the filth of the streets and the hardship of the people of London.
A wonderfully written, historical thriller that had me hooked from the first chapter. Who is the mudered man in the ruins of St Paul's, what is the link to the King and most importantly why is there a dog called Bare Arse in this book 😅
You could feel the heat of the buildings as they smoldered still from the Great Fire, along with the filth of the streets and the hardship of the people of London.
A wonderfully written, historical thriller that had me hooked from the first chapter. Who is the mudered man in the ruins of St Paul's, what is the link to the King and most importantly why is there a dog called Bare Arse in this book 😅
May 16, 2016
In The Ashes of London, Andrew Taylor continues to demonstrate that he is England's most outstanding creator of historical mystery thrillers. In his three most recent novels his settings have been New York in the War of American Independence, France & England in the early days of the French Revolution, & now Restoration London in the aftermath of the Great Fire of 1666. For purely personal reasons, I found this last was the slowest, but then I used to pass for a student of Restoration & 18th-century English literature & this is a very familiar patch I had to re-examine carefully - every time we entered a coffee house I expected to encounter Mr. Dryden or Mr. Pepys. (It wasn’t too early for Lord Rochester or Nell Gwyn, either.) But our sole famous contemporary personage is Dr. (later Sir Christopher) Wren (tho 'Master Chaffinch' - pronounced Chaffin - was indeed a real person even worse than Taylor presents him.) But except for some passages in Bleeding Heart Square, I don't believe Taylor has created such vivid descriptions before, especially the account of London burning - with the lead melting & the rats literally cooking - & the thriller denouement in the night atop the ruins of old St. Paul's high over London.
I must mention the writing because the dialogue offered the greatest obstacle for me. Tho’ linguistic scholars date the inception of Modern English from about 1500, the Restoration is the earliest period when today’s English was spoken. Here is an except from Dryden, writing about Shakespeare:
‘He was the man who of all Modern, and perhaps Ancient Poets, had the largest and most comprehensive soul. All the Images of Nature were still present to him, and he drew them not laboriously, but luckily: when he describes any thing, you more than see it, you feel it too. Those who accuse him to have wanted learning, give him the greater commendation: he was naturally learn'd; he needed not the spectacles of Books to read Nature; he look'd inwards, and found her there. I cannot say he is every where alike; were he so, I should do him injury to compare him with the greatest of Mankind. He is many times flat, insipid; his Comick wit degenerating into clenches; his serious swelling into Bombast. But he is alwayes great, when some great occasion is presented to him: no man can say he ever had a fit subject for his wit, and did not then raise himself as high above the rest of the Poets,’
‘You more than see it, you feel it too.’ Could appear in an online movie review today. Modernise the spelling & capitalisation & there’s nothing archaic about the passage, tho’ you’d have to warn readers today “wit” means ‘imagination’, not just funny stuff. So whilst I back the decision to let the characters speak current English, Taylor might easily avoided obvious anachronisms, such a character describing someone as ‘between a rock & a hard place’ (I thought that expression sounded illiterate and comical when I 1st heard it in Texas in the 1950s), ‘loaned’ for ‘lent’ & describing himself as ‘nauseous’ when he didn’t mean he was so disgusting he made others want to vomit.
I also thought Taylor over used the clue that a dog didn’t bark. He should be embarrassed (yes, when you know the canine’s name you’ll see a ‘clench’) to repeat an allusion several times (ending with ‘the dog did nothing’!) that any mystery story reader in world should catch the 1st time. Yes, I am being what Dryden would call a ‘hyper-critick’ but as the co-captain (with my GR & real life friend Jan) of the Andrew Taylor Cheer Squad (North American Branch), I want him to write even better next time. (Given a fortnight, I’ll volunteer as a beta reader.) Otherwise I rank this one alongside The Scent of Death & slightly ahead of The Silent Boy amongst five-star historicals. If you want to learn all about Roundhead religious fanaticks - this is your painless guide. The character Catherine Lovett is extremely brave & attractive, & tho’ she doesn’t deserve some of the bad things that happen to her, I love the suggestion @ the end of her future accomplishments. I’ll never look @ the ‘new’ Saint Paul’s cathedral in quite the same way again. Si puellae monumentum requires . . . &c.
I must mention the writing because the dialogue offered the greatest obstacle for me. Tho’ linguistic scholars date the inception of Modern English from about 1500, the Restoration is the earliest period when today’s English was spoken. Here is an except from Dryden, writing about Shakespeare:
‘He was the man who of all Modern, and perhaps Ancient Poets, had the largest and most comprehensive soul. All the Images of Nature were still present to him, and he drew them not laboriously, but luckily: when he describes any thing, you more than see it, you feel it too. Those who accuse him to have wanted learning, give him the greater commendation: he was naturally learn'd; he needed not the spectacles of Books to read Nature; he look'd inwards, and found her there. I cannot say he is every where alike; were he so, I should do him injury to compare him with the greatest of Mankind. He is many times flat, insipid; his Comick wit degenerating into clenches; his serious swelling into Bombast. But he is alwayes great, when some great occasion is presented to him: no man can say he ever had a fit subject for his wit, and did not then raise himself as high above the rest of the Poets,’
‘You more than see it, you feel it too.’ Could appear in an online movie review today. Modernise the spelling & capitalisation & there’s nothing archaic about the passage, tho’ you’d have to warn readers today “wit” means ‘imagination’, not just funny stuff. So whilst I back the decision to let the characters speak current English, Taylor might easily avoided obvious anachronisms, such a character describing someone as ‘between a rock & a hard place’ (I thought that expression sounded illiterate and comical when I 1st heard it in Texas in the 1950s), ‘loaned’ for ‘lent’ & describing himself as ‘nauseous’ when he didn’t mean he was so disgusting he made others want to vomit.
I also thought Taylor over used the clue that a dog didn’t bark. He should be embarrassed (yes, when you know the canine’s name you’ll see a ‘clench’) to repeat an allusion several times (ending with ‘the dog did nothing’!) that any mystery story reader in world should catch the 1st time. Yes, I am being what Dryden would call a ‘hyper-critick’ but as the co-captain (with my GR & real life friend Jan) of the Andrew Taylor Cheer Squad (North American Branch), I want him to write even better next time. (Given a fortnight, I’ll volunteer as a beta reader.) Otherwise I rank this one alongside The Scent of Death & slightly ahead of The Silent Boy amongst five-star historicals. If you want to learn all about Roundhead religious fanaticks - this is your painless guide. The character Catherine Lovett is extremely brave & attractive, & tho’ she doesn’t deserve some of the bad things that happen to her, I love the suggestion @ the end of her future accomplishments. I’ll never look @ the ‘new’ Saint Paul’s cathedral in quite the same way again. Si puellae monumentum requires . . . &c.
January 30, 2018
A rather average murder/mystery set against the Great Fire of 1666. And of course, there will be plots and counter-plots from ex-Cromwell followers and Royalists.
I guess it's entertaining enough whilst driving in the car but I would have been simply bored if I had read this. At no point did I experience the nail biting excitement of An Instance of the Fingerpost. Though, admittedly, any book set in the same period with a similar premise would have had a difficult time at this point.
The narration was okay. I've listened to worse.
I guess it's entertaining enough whilst driving in the car but I would have been simply bored if I had read this. At no point did I experience the nail biting excitement of An Instance of the Fingerpost. Though, admittedly, any book set in the same period with a similar premise would have had a difficult time at this point.
The narration was okay. I've listened to worse.
November 6, 2021
“One grey cloak is much like another, just as all cats are grey in the dark."
Set in restoration England, this story takes place with the backdrop of the terrible fire of London in 1666. This is a story about the daughter of an infamous regicide and the son of a demented printer who has just been released from prison. Cat Lovett lives worlds away from James Marwood but they meet on the edges of their narratives. Cat is forced into a marriage that wouldn't make anyone but her uncle and aunt happy and she would much rather be with her father, who is a fugitive because of his crimes during the civil war. She runs away from her family to find her father after an incident with her cousin but fails to find safety anywhere. James Marwood is a simple printer's son, who cannot believe his luck in getting an apprenticeship with the formidable Master Williamson. He soon discovers it is not entirely down to his skill or luck and his position might be more costly than he signed up for.
FINALLY! Finally, I found an historical fiction series worth investing in. There are five books in total so I feel like I can actually get attached to these people. It wasn't until the scene on top of St. Paul's that I released I was on the edge of my seat, genuinely invested in the characters. The real promise in this book is that it touches upon tropes (running away from home, arranged marriage to a hideous character, long lost father is back in the picture) but then turns them upside down. You would almost expect something to happen between James and Cat but nothing does, their storylines are too separate. I was grateful for it, because that would have been far too cliche for me. And I know the summary I give doesn't sound very spectacular but trust me, if I say much more, it is just giving away too much.
Another thing that really does Andrew Taylor credit is writing this story is the character of Thomas Lovett, Cat's father, who you'd almost expect to be this valiant, kind-hearted person but the more realistic version is true. Finally, the story is completely unpredictable. There are some frustrating scenes where pieces of the plot are repeated but none of it was predictable. I questioned everyone all the time. Was it entirely realistic? No, not really but I didn't mind the less likely bits. This is a good story, with well-developed characters who are neither good nor bad but somewhere inbetween. I can't wait to read the next one, not really sure why this series isn't more popular than it is. It deserves more of a spotlight, in my opinion.
Set in restoration England, this story takes place with the backdrop of the terrible fire of London in 1666. This is a story about the daughter of an infamous regicide and the son of a demented printer who has just been released from prison. Cat Lovett lives worlds away from James Marwood but they meet on the edges of their narratives. Cat is forced into a marriage that wouldn't make anyone but her uncle and aunt happy and she would much rather be with her father, who is a fugitive because of his crimes during the civil war. She runs away from her family to find her father after an incident with her cousin but fails to find safety anywhere. James Marwood is a simple printer's son, who cannot believe his luck in getting an apprenticeship with the formidable Master Williamson. He soon discovers it is not entirely down to his skill or luck and his position might be more costly than he signed up for.
FINALLY! Finally, I found an historical fiction series worth investing in. There are five books in total so I feel like I can actually get attached to these people. It wasn't until the scene on top of St. Paul's that I released I was on the edge of my seat, genuinely invested in the characters. The real promise in this book is that it touches upon tropes (running away from home, arranged marriage to a hideous character, long lost father is back in the picture) but then turns them upside down. You would almost expect something to happen between James and Cat but nothing does, their storylines are too separate. I was grateful for it, because that would have been far too cliche for me. And I know the summary I give doesn't sound very spectacular but trust me, if I say much more, it is just giving away too much.
Another thing that really does Andrew Taylor credit is writing this story is the character of Thomas Lovett, Cat's father, who you'd almost expect to be this valiant, kind-hearted person but the more realistic version is true. Finally, the story is completely unpredictable. There are some frustrating scenes where pieces of the plot are repeated but none of it was predictable. I questioned everyone all the time. Was it entirely realistic? No, not really but I didn't mind the less likely bits. This is a good story, with well-developed characters who are neither good nor bad but somewhere inbetween. I can't wait to read the next one, not really sure why this series isn't more popular than it is. It deserves more of a spotlight, in my opinion.
April 3, 2016
What can I say, I love historical thrillers, and this book is interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Have found a new author to add to my list, and look forward to more novels in this series.
Will recommend to everyone who, like me, love historical crime.
I won this novel in the Goodreads Firstread giveaway.
Have found a new author to add to my list, and look forward to more novels in this series.
Will recommend to everyone who, like me, love historical crime.
I won this novel in the Goodreads Firstread giveaway.
January 8, 2016
A murder mystery set in the aftermath of the Great Fire of 1666 and the political turmoil left in the wake of the Civil War, the failed Commonwealth and the restoration of the monarchy. The Puritans have grown older but they have not gone away and some of the more fanatical, the ‘Fifth Monarchists’, still seek to do away with the king and pave the way for ‘King Jesus’. The story pivots on two characters: Cat Lovett, the daughter of a fugitive regicide; a spirited teenager who dreams of becoming an architect and escaping the marriage her aunt and uncle have arranged for her - and Marwood, the son of another old puritan, whose only desire is to live down his notorious name, put his tainted past behind him and make his way in the world. The historical research is nicely woven into the cloth of the tale, there are no irritating info-dumps, nor is the historical detail ever on show (as it is far too often in historical fiction). The provenance is obvious to anyone who has ever read Pepys but there’s nothing wrong with that (what better source could there be?) and it never gets in the way of the tale. The story behind the means of murder was original and surprising (and led me down some interesting historical byways when I looked further into the subject of the Fifth Monarchists), as was the true history of these religious fanatics left behind by history. The characterisation was nicely done too, none of the characters – not even the truly wicked and despicable - felt caricature or over-egged; everyone felt real, as if they really belonged in this world. James Marwood is the best-drawn character; the everyman with a notorious father, trying to do the right thing, trying to advance in the world and trying to advance his position while being constantly dragged down into the murky world of murder, plots and political secrets. I was especially fond of Marwood’s old father, the former Puritan printer now suffering from dementia. James’s gentle loving care for his frequently frustrating old father felt very real and true and touchingly human; these were some of the best parts of the tale for me. Cat Lovett was a revelation too; this is no shrinking, fainting, silk-bodiced slip of a girl but a vengeful creature filled with a murderous violence that surprised and horrified me by turns.
There’s nothing stand-out or special about The Ashes of London, it’s just a darn good yarn with some memorable characters that kept me turning the pages; I rattled through its 489 pages in three days. The ending satisfied but still felt slightly open, like a sequel might be in the offing (one can hope). In short, this is a quick and riveting read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I would definitely like to read more about James Marwood, to see where he goes next.
There’s nothing stand-out or special about The Ashes of London, it’s just a darn good yarn with some memorable characters that kept me turning the pages; I rattled through its 489 pages in three days. The ending satisfied but still felt slightly open, like a sequel might be in the offing (one can hope). In short, this is a quick and riveting read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I would definitely like to read more about James Marwood, to see where he goes next.
February 9, 2023
'The Ashes of London' looked most promising when I bought it and at the beginning, the descriptions of London burning and the devastation that the fire left behind promised well. However the storyline was developing rather slowly and, to me anyway, a little bewilderingly. And I continued to be bewildered as I progressed, despite, yet more great descriptive scenes of fire-wracked London.
A murder with the body found in the ruins of St Paul's, the victim not only stabbed to death but with his thumbs tied behind his back. What did that mean? James Marwood, the son of a traitor, is designated to track down the killer.
A woman servant is attacked by one of the residents where she works, she causes him damage and runs away and is taken in elsewhere with a change of name helping to protect her true identity. Then a second murder victim turns up in the Fleet Ditch and Marwood's task is made that much more difficult.
How difficult I am not too sure because about this time I began to lose interest as the story rambled along, as I say, despite the great setting. I persevered but in the end I decided that I had better books to read and I did not want to continue with one that left me wondering why I was reading it. So, I am sorry Andrew Taylor, I abandoned it. I realise that the cover tells me it was 'The No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller' so I suppose that says something about me rather than the book, in which, I imagine they eventually caught the killer ... who knows? I certainly don't.
A murder with the body found in the ruins of St Paul's, the victim not only stabbed to death but with his thumbs tied behind his back. What did that mean? James Marwood, the son of a traitor, is designated to track down the killer.
A woman servant is attacked by one of the residents where she works, she causes him damage and runs away and is taken in elsewhere with a change of name helping to protect her true identity. Then a second murder victim turns up in the Fleet Ditch and Marwood's task is made that much more difficult.
How difficult I am not too sure because about this time I began to lose interest as the story rambled along, as I say, despite the great setting. I persevered but in the end I decided that I had better books to read and I did not want to continue with one that left me wondering why I was reading it. So, I am sorry Andrew Taylor, I abandoned it. I realise that the cover tells me it was 'The No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller' so I suppose that says something about me rather than the book, in which, I imagine they eventually caught the killer ... who knows? I certainly don't.
June 10, 2018
3.5 that I’m rounding up. Great historical detail, but the plot and the characters didn’t thrill me.
November 14, 2023
4.5 stars. Andrew Taylor brings London to life, during and in the aftermath of the 1666 Great Fire, better than any author I’ve read. His descriptions of the refugee masses, the sights, sounds and smells of the fire itself and the ruins left behind, including St Paul’s, are brilliantly described and clearly very well researched, as are all the details in this book. Although this is essentially a murder mystery, the historical setting was fascinating. I didn’t know anything about Venner’s Rising or the Fifth Monarchists, a Protestant sect that believed the death of King Charles I would usher in the Second Coming.
Although some of the scenarios are quite far fetched, in my opinion, I really enjoyed the two strands of the story and how they came together. It was rarely predictable and although the ending felt a little bit flat, it tied up all the loose ends. A promising first in the series. I’m really looking forward to reading the next, The Fire Court, which I’m happy to say is already on my bookshelf.
Although some of the scenarios are quite far fetched, in my opinion, I really enjoyed the two strands of the story and how they came together. It was rarely predictable and although the ending felt a little bit flat, it tied up all the loose ends. A promising first in the series. I’m really looking forward to reading the next, The Fire Court, which I’m happy to say is already on my bookshelf.
October 7, 2017
First Sentence: The noise was the worst.
A raging fire has destroyed part of London, including St. Paul’s Cathedral. In the remains is found a body. Not a victim of the fire, but someone who has been mutilated and with his thumbs tied together behind his back: a sign of those who committed Regicide by signing the death warrant for Charles I. Richard Marwood, a reluctant government informer and the son of one of those who committed treason, is charged with finding the killer. Cat Lovett, whose missing father was also part of the treasonous group, desires to be an architect but instead is struggling to survive.
The author’s notes at the beginning of the book are not only important to understanding the background of the story, but are also quite fascinating. The story’s opening is evocative, visual and immediately captivating. Into the midst of it all, we are introduced to our first surprise followed by a revelation about one of our two protagonists.
Taylor creates fascinating characters and intermingles them with actual historical figures, yet without ever allowing the fictional characters to be overshadowed. As well as carrying the story, they facilitate the conveying of historical facts about which we may never have heard, such as the group known as the Fifth Monarchists. Still, it is Richard, Cat, Mrs. Alderley, Master Hakesby who play critical roles. Mrs. Alderly, in particular, is an interesting character. There is much more to her than we first believe.
Taylor is very good at giving one the sense that much is going on behind the scenes that neither we, nor our protagonist, is aware. Although the fire is not a major focus of the story, the destruction of whole areas, and the impact on people’s lives, as well as the planning of rebuilding does play, in part, an important role. We are also reminded that some things haven’t really changed in 600 years; women are still held responsible for men’s indiscretions, and that environs of sanctuary are not a new concept.
Taylor is very good at moving between the storylines of Richard and Cat. He brings the two tantalizingly close, then separates them, then a bit closer still. When the two threads do meet, it is tense and very dramatic.
“Ashes of London” is a very good read filled with “ashes and blood,” history, excellent characters, startling revelations and a twist one doesn’t see coming.
ASHES OF LONDON (Hist. Mys-Richard Marwood – London – 1666) - VG
Taylor, Andrew – 1st of trilogy
Harper Collins – Jan 2017
A raging fire has destroyed part of London, including St. Paul’s Cathedral. In the remains is found a body. Not a victim of the fire, but someone who has been mutilated and with his thumbs tied together behind his back: a sign of those who committed Regicide by signing the death warrant for Charles I. Richard Marwood, a reluctant government informer and the son of one of those who committed treason, is charged with finding the killer. Cat Lovett, whose missing father was also part of the treasonous group, desires to be an architect but instead is struggling to survive.
The author’s notes at the beginning of the book are not only important to understanding the background of the story, but are also quite fascinating. The story’s opening is evocative, visual and immediately captivating. Into the midst of it all, we are introduced to our first surprise followed by a revelation about one of our two protagonists.
Taylor creates fascinating characters and intermingles them with actual historical figures, yet without ever allowing the fictional characters to be overshadowed. As well as carrying the story, they facilitate the conveying of historical facts about which we may never have heard, such as the group known as the Fifth Monarchists. Still, it is Richard, Cat, Mrs. Alderley, Master Hakesby who play critical roles. Mrs. Alderly, in particular, is an interesting character. There is much more to her than we first believe.
Taylor is very good at giving one the sense that much is going on behind the scenes that neither we, nor our protagonist, is aware. Although the fire is not a major focus of the story, the destruction of whole areas, and the impact on people’s lives, as well as the planning of rebuilding does play, in part, an important role. We are also reminded that some things haven’t really changed in 600 years; women are still held responsible for men’s indiscretions, and that environs of sanctuary are not a new concept.
Taylor is very good at moving between the storylines of Richard and Cat. He brings the two tantalizingly close, then separates them, then a bit closer still. When the two threads do meet, it is tense and very dramatic.
“Ashes of London” is a very good read filled with “ashes and blood,” history, excellent characters, startling revelations and a twist one doesn’t see coming.
ASHES OF LONDON (Hist. Mys-Richard Marwood – London – 1666) - VG
Taylor, Andrew – 1st of trilogy
Harper Collins – Jan 2017
March 5, 2017
This is a murder mystery set in the aftermath of the Great Fire of London. The story is split between James Marwood and Cat Lovett.
James is a young man struggling to keep a roof over his ailing father's head, recently released from prison for backing the wrong horse in the Restoration. He finds work with a government official but soon finds himself hunting for a young woman and her wanted father for an altogether more lofty personage.
Cat is a prickly young woman engaged to be married to a man she barely knows and doesn't much like. Her father is a Regicides still on the loose, and every man and his dog appear to be hunting him.
James' story is told in the first person, but Cat's is told in the third person, which I found odd.
It's interesting to see the aftermath of the Great Fire, its effects on the city and the citizens. London itself is alive in this book. The author has obviously researched the period thoroughly. However, the story itself is just a little dull. For me, it never really sparked to life. It rambles without much focus and takes ages to go anywhere. Even the final showdown plods. Such a shame, because this had great potential.
James is a young man struggling to keep a roof over his ailing father's head, recently released from prison for backing the wrong horse in the Restoration. He finds work with a government official but soon finds himself hunting for a young woman and her wanted father for an altogether more lofty personage.
Cat is a prickly young woman engaged to be married to a man she barely knows and doesn't much like. Her father is a Regicides still on the loose, and every man and his dog appear to be hunting him.
James' story is told in the first person, but Cat's is told in the third person, which I found odd.
It's interesting to see the aftermath of the Great Fire, its effects on the city and the citizens. London itself is alive in this book. The author has obviously researched the period thoroughly. However, the story itself is just a little dull. For me, it never really sparked to life. It rambles without much focus and takes ages to go anywhere. Even the final showdown plods. Such a shame, because this had great potential.
August 9, 2016
Thank you Killer Reads for sending me a proof copy as part of the Goodreads Giveaway. The Ashes of London refers to the location of this historical murder mystery as it is set during the Great Fire of London of September 1666, and the months immediately after the fire. However the title also alludes to a country suffering the ashes and blood following the turmoil of the Civil War, the killing of Charles 1, and the failed Republic.
The author weaves an intriguing tale capturing the suspicion and fear of a people seeking stability after years of blood and privation. You can smell and taste Restoration London.
An interesting cast of characters illustrate the changing condition of everyone living in London wrapped in a murder mystery. If you enjoy CJ Sansom you will like this.
The author weaves an intriguing tale capturing the suspicion and fear of a people seeking stability after years of blood and privation. You can smell and taste Restoration London.
An interesting cast of characters illustrate the changing condition of everyone living in London wrapped in a murder mystery. If you enjoy CJ Sansom you will like this.
November 10, 2017
Trigger warnings: rape, murder, gore, fire, eyeball trauma.
3.5 stars.
This book was gripping in the first couple of chapters. And then it got dull. And then it got exciting again. And then it got very dull. And then it picked up again towards the end. But for a decent chunk of the story, I kind of had to force myself to keep reading because I just wasn't that interested.
The premise is great - after the Great Fire of London, a body is found in St Paul's Cathedral with its hands tied behind its back, so clearly foul play was involved - but I was far more interested in Cat's story than I was in James' story.
There were certainly some unexpected plot twists towards the end, but that didn't make up for the incredibly dry sections of the story that I just didn't give a shit about.
3.5 stars.
This book was gripping in the first couple of chapters. And then it got dull. And then it got exciting again. And then it got very dull. And then it picked up again towards the end. But for a decent chunk of the story, I kind of had to force myself to keep reading because I just wasn't that interested.
The premise is great - after the Great Fire of London, a body is found in St Paul's Cathedral with its hands tied behind its back, so clearly foul play was involved - but I was far more interested in Cat's story than I was in James' story.
There were certainly some unexpected plot twists towards the end, but that didn't make up for the incredibly dry sections of the story that I just didn't give a shit about.
October 24, 2016
The first book in a new series by Andrew Taylor set in Restoration London.
James Marwood is the son of a traitor, and employed by the man who runs the London Gazette. When a dead body turns up in the burned out ruins of St Paul's Cathedral, James must work with his master, and those above him, to find out what happened at why.
James is lead deeper and deeper into a maze of lies, deceit, and treason - will he be able to get out, or will his father be back in the Tower for treason, and this time, James will be with him.
Fantastic book. It's the first one in a new series. I seriously cannot wait for book two.
Highly recommended.
James Marwood is the son of a traitor, and employed by the man who runs the London Gazette. When a dead body turns up in the burned out ruins of St Paul's Cathedral, James must work with his master, and those above him, to find out what happened at why.
James is lead deeper and deeper into a maze of lies, deceit, and treason - will he be able to get out, or will his father be back in the Tower for treason, and this time, James will be with him.
Fantastic book. It's the first one in a new series. I seriously cannot wait for book two.
Highly recommended.
May 29, 2018
This was a quick read, but I agree with many of the other reviews on here:
1.) There isn't much of a mystery, I agree;
2.) There is a weird disconnect, or problems with the flow in the writing. At first there was plenty of rich, beautiful writing with amazing descriptions. And then that seems to fall away for the rest of the book? And there were times when it was a jarring kind of change in topic on the page...it would start a new part, or change the topic so quickly it shocked the flow of reading.
It was okay, but I really did like the characters, and it was a fast-paced story and I will more than likely read the next in the series.
1.) There isn't much of a mystery, I agree;
2.) There is a weird disconnect, or problems with the flow in the writing. At first there was plenty of rich, beautiful writing with amazing descriptions. And then that seems to fall away for the rest of the book? And there were times when it was a jarring kind of change in topic on the page...it would start a new part, or change the topic so quickly it shocked the flow of reading.
It was okay, but I really did like the characters, and it was a fast-paced story and I will more than likely read the next in the series.
July 25, 2019
Really enjoyed this crime thriller based against the backdrop of the great fire of london and the restoration and the many twists and turns of 17th century london
July 27, 2019
Recently, I’ve been on the look-out for more historical crime fiction as it’s a genre I’ve been enjoying quite a bit lately. The Ashes Of London caught my eye as it’s an era I’m not especially familiar with. I had heard of The Great Fire though, so that’s something as that is where this story starts.
The Great Fire of London in 1666 caused quite a few deaths. But St. Paul’s holds another body that didn’t perish in the fire. This victim was murdered before the fire got to them. As James Marwood watches the devastating fire roar, he helps a boy to safety. A boy who later turns out to be a young girl. This girl, Catherine, is trying to find her father. Could he be the murder victim?
For some reason, I couldn’t quite get to grips with this one. While I found it interesting to see the devastation the fire caused across the city, how it affected some but not others and the way it seemed to rain ashes for days on end, I mostly picked this book because I’m a crime fan. And the crime fan in me will always be way more intrigued by the murder investigation. This seemed to often take a bit of a backseat though in this story. There is a lot of walking through the streets, soaking up the atmosphere, a rather big cast of characters which sometimes confused me, conversations of which I felt they didn’t really bring much to the table and a rather slow pace where I was expecting more tension and “oomph”.
The story switches between James and Catherine. Unfortunately for me, neither of these two characters particularly held my interest and I often found my attention wandering. This story of conspiracies and revenge didn’t quite do it for me. I actually have the other books on my shelves and I will be giving them a go at some point. But for now, when I need a historical crime fiction fix, I will return to the Shardlake series by C.J. Sansom which, in my most humble opinion, is far more superior.
The Great Fire of London in 1666 caused quite a few deaths. But St. Paul’s holds another body that didn’t perish in the fire. This victim was murdered before the fire got to them. As James Marwood watches the devastating fire roar, he helps a boy to safety. A boy who later turns out to be a young girl. This girl, Catherine, is trying to find her father. Could he be the murder victim?
For some reason, I couldn’t quite get to grips with this one. While I found it interesting to see the devastation the fire caused across the city, how it affected some but not others and the way it seemed to rain ashes for days on end, I mostly picked this book because I’m a crime fan. And the crime fan in me will always be way more intrigued by the murder investigation. This seemed to often take a bit of a backseat though in this story. There is a lot of walking through the streets, soaking up the atmosphere, a rather big cast of characters which sometimes confused me, conversations of which I felt they didn’t really bring much to the table and a rather slow pace where I was expecting more tension and “oomph”.
The story switches between James and Catherine. Unfortunately for me, neither of these two characters particularly held my interest and I often found my attention wandering. This story of conspiracies and revenge didn’t quite do it for me. I actually have the other books on my shelves and I will be giving them a go at some point. But for now, when I need a historical crime fiction fix, I will return to the Shardlake series by C.J. Sansom which, in my most humble opinion, is far more superior.
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