This book was a joy to read. Based on a true situation in the court of James I, the book is written from the point of view of Francis Bacon, Attorney General, who jostles for power and influence with the rest of the court.

The book wears its history lightly as it unveils a story of love, desire and power, all three of which could get you hanged or worse in a Jacobean court built on the whims of an unsympathetically portrayed King and Queen.

The descriptions of the world and the characters are very real, the path we follow with Bacon is fraught with danger and disgrace, and it is a thrilling journey to take that feels very personal.

Although the book lacks the breathless giddiness of Blackmore's previous book about Mr Lavelle, it does create a raucous and believable account of events that may or may not have happened, and it has a steadiness and a sadness behind growing old and power waning that is very touching.