It's my turn on the BlogTour for The Angel's Mark by S.W. Perry. It's an intricately plotted piece of historical detective fiction.This author is one to keep an eye on.
About the Author
S. W. Perry was a journalist and broadcaster before retraining as an airline pilot. He lives in Worcestershire with his wife and two spaniels.
Follow @swperry_history @CorvusBooks on Twitter #TheAngelsMark
Buy The Angel's Mark
About the book
A fantastic, high class debut murder mystery set in Elizabethan London.
LONDON, 1590. Queen Elizabeth I's control over her kingdom is wavering. Amidst a tumultuous backdrop of Spanish plotters, Catholic heretics and foreign wars threatening the country's fragile stability, the body of a small boy is found in the City of London, with strange marks that no one can explain.
When idealistic physician Nicholas Shelby finds another body displaying the same marks only days later, he becomes convinced that a killer is at work, preying on the weak and destitute of London.
Determined to find out who is behind these terrible murders, Nicholas is joined in his investigations by Bianca, a spirited tavern keeper. But when their inquiries lead them to the fearsome attentions of the powerful Robert Cecil, Nicholas is forced into playing to Cecil's agenda, and becoming a spy...
As more bodies are discovered, the pair find themselves caught in the middle of a sinister plot. With the killer still at large, and Bianca in terrible danger, Nicholas's choice seems impossible - to save Bianca, or save himself...
Most periods in English history are darkened by either war, conflicts about the who sits on the throne, and of course religion. The Elizabethan era is no exception, and is defined not only by the strong female monarch, but also by the religious friction caused by Henry VIII and his merry-go-round of wives and mistresses.
Heresy is a felony, and there are plenty of people willing to whisper in the ears of the authorities to rid themselves of someone they dislike or feel slighted by. A dangerous time when you consider the punishment doesn't in any way fit the crime or the alleged crime. Torture, death, healers being burnt at the stake for witchcraft. Denouncements are a sign of the times.
The main character is a physician called Nicholas Shelby, who finds evidence of a murder, but there is a lack of interest in his discovery. Before he can find out why a crippled child has been thrown in the river like trash, he suffers a horrific personal tragedy that changes his entire outlook on life.
Gone is the curious man of science, the man dedicated to healing and understanding diseases. Faded is the husband and the admired man of the medical community. A chance encounter draws him back into the world of a ruthless killer, who goes unseen because the destitute and homeless are invisible. Nobody notices when the expendable members of society turn up dead.
Perry writes a good mystery. It's a slow burner, however I personally think it's exactly the right way to go when it comes to historical fiction. The ambience, surroundings and historical context set the stage for a murder story, which is hopefully just the beginning for Nicholas Shelby. Hint, hint, write another one.
It's definitely reminiscent of C.J. Sansom, but with more of a Ken Follett pace, meticulous plotting and a Frankenstein Chronicles vibe. Perry has definitely made his mark with this book. Intricate plotting with authentic characters and the potential for further ventures into the life of the heartbroken physician make this a great read.
Buy The Angel's Mark at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
So pleased you enjoyed this one Cheryl. Thanks for the Blog Tour support x
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