This started off well, the scene was set, the characters were introduced. But the pacing slowed down after the introduction phase.

The writing is good, but very verbose, which slogged down the already slow plot even more.

I'm late to this one as I read it to read the second in the series. But I'm very glad to have found this. Its pace is somewhat slow but it suits the style and helps us absorb all the historical details and plot elements. An engrossing read with a very interesting main character.

My Rating - 3.5/5

My exact thoughts after reading the prologue of this book were "Wow, what an opening!" It was immediately gripping and set up the perfect starting mystery for the book, as well as the overall tone. From the intial search into the suspected witchcraft to the subsequent murder investigation, each twist kept me on my toes and guessing as to what would happen next. The misdirects as well as the ever-growing tension made this book very hard to put down.

The book is quite slow paced, which I found worked in its favour, it allowed for several lines of investigation to be followed that made the payoff of the reveal all the more satisfying to the reader. My one criticism of the plot would be that often I found that instead of the main character Daniel Pursglove initiating the plot events, it felt as if the plot just happened to him. For all his investigation, all important pieces of evidence just seemed to land in his lap. However, the mystery was still an intruiging one and the investigation had plenty of tense and gripping high-stakes moments.

There is not much for me to say about the characters. The plot is the main focus of the book, and whilst Daniel Pursglove is given a fleshed out backstory (that still leaves plenty of questions that I look forward to reading about in the sequel), very few other characters are. Rachel, another character introduced very early on, is given very little page time, and just pops up from time to time, adding very little to the scenes she is in often. There was also a very brief romantc plotline thrown in that was very out-of-the-blue and never went anywhere, which felt very out of place. I did love the cut-away scenes that followed Cecil, James, and FitzAlan through courtlife in London, they were placed incredibly well for the overall pacing of the book, and I very much look forward to seeeing the continuation of the plots that they introduced. And of course, Myles, who was a wonderful addition to the cast and was probably my favourite for the mischief he caused.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, and I look forward to reading the sequel to see where these chracters go, and what becomes of the loose ends of plot!

A gripping thriller which has both brilliant writing and more importantly, riveting reading. WOW!!! Explosive page-turner with so many twists and turns! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Set in a particularly intriguing period in English history, Daniel , our protagonist is lolling in prison. However by happy misfortune he is chosen to carry out a mysterious assignment incorporating a tsunami, religious unrest and a highly superstitious king! All the makings of a great series. I can highly recommend this book for its great research, high intrigue and a jolly interesting leading man. There is a lot of detail and the story plods slightly in some parts but it is worth the effort. My grateful thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and the Author for an ARC of this book. I am anticipating the next one already.

This is my first book by this Author and based on the quality of this story it won't be my last

In the aftermath of the failed "Gunpowder Plot " rumours of treachery once again reaches the Kings's ear .
An investigation into the rumours falls to Daniel Pursgood , currently residing in Newgate Prison , awaiting trial for Witchcraft - in exchange for his freedom he must travel to Bristol and uncover the conspirators .
Bristol however has been devastated by a tidal surge with loss of lives and damage to properties - it is against this background that Daniel must use his skills to infiltrate the various groups ............. Jesuits , Catholics and Protestants ............ who can he trust - for him failure is not an option .

This is a well written historical thriller set in a time of flux in Jacobean England - I felt transported to 1606 with all its plots
within the various factions . A thoroughly enjoyable read .

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

In 1606 Bristol Channel is hit with a tidal surge causing huge loss to life, businesses and homes. Meanwhile in London, Daniel Pursglove is in prison where he’s visited by an advisor of the King James I with a deal, his freedom in exchange for information on whether or not there are Catholic traitors hiding out in Bristol. What follows is Daniel investigating every inch of what’s left in Bristol after the tidal surge, and finding trouble at every turn he takes in order to uncover the information needed to secure his freedom.

This book is very much a historical fiction heavily featuring the tensions between the Protestants and Catholics, and I’m not sure if I just missed it, but I was confused about Daniel’s freedom. He was sent to Bristol to find out this information to earn his freedom, but he was already out of the prison… so couldn’t he of just gone on the run?…. I might have missed something there. It was an enjoyable read none the less and I look forward to starting book two.

Thank you Headline and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my review.

This is the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last as it's a brilliant and dark historical mystery.
The storytelling is excellent, the plot flows, great characters, and a vivid historical background.
I can't wait to read another book by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

Loved this
Addictive and couldn't put down

Religious persecution, fear of witchcraft and political unrest lie at the heart of this tale of espionage in the seventeenth century. The powers that be, namely a king originally from Scotland, and his men are keen to uncover plotters following the 5th November gunpowder plot. The field of action is a flood devastated Bristol, suspected of being a hotbed of Jesuits and certainly a place ripe with criminal gangs and all kinds of lowlife, into which the king’s spy must root out information and proof of resistance to him.
This is a well researched book, with actual events and certainly convincing detail in the language and characterisation of England in the time of the Stewarts. I was almost longing for some light relief from the rats, mud and general filth described relentlessly, with a heavy smattering of imminent danger and violence lurking in every foul street. The ending was sufficiently open to invite quite a bit more of the same in a sequel featuring our gallant hero.

DNF at 27%

Unfortunately while I enjoyed the first few chapters of this book, the mystery didn't grab me and the pacing was very slow. It does have beautiful prose and feels very authentically medieval, but it just wasn't for me. This book may work better for someone who loves feeling immersed in a medieval world and isn't as interested in a mystery or other action based plot.

I don't give star ratings for books that I do not finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Loved loved loved this book! I was instantly transported back in time, and could picture every scene very vividly in my head whilst reading. Read this one way too quickly.

I received this book as a free download when I requested the second in the series. So the review is several months after publication. Loved the intriques and the plot and looking forward to reading #2 in time for publication. Pursglove is a great character

The first book in a thrilling and beautifully researched series, I have so enjoyed this.!!
Set in Jacobean England, the opening of this story is exciting, as we experience a Tsunami in Bristol, that utterly devastates the harbour area and makes inroads into the depths of the countryside, sweeping people and buildings away. As one warehouse collapses, the corpse of a young woman is exposed, she evidently has been murdered. I didn’t know that Bristol had experienced a Tsunami, so that one piece of research I had to check up on before I carried on reading. Amazing!
Daniel Pursglove is in Newgate prison awaiting trial accused of witchcraft, he is a known street magician ( think David Blaine ), and King James the first, is not a fan of such activities. He is rather harsh to those he considers in league with the Devil, or in any way connected with the Dark Arts, so, when Daniel is offered the chance to be released from prison to do some detective work in finding the traitors who are still in hiding and the recusant priests , who were involved in the failed Gunpowder Plot, he agrees, especially when he believes that if he finds answers that the King will like, he will be pardoned.
Daniel is rapidly thrust into a world of suspicion and deception. Who can he trust, and what story should he make up, in order to investigate such sensitive matters? We have Jesuits murders, Catholic Popery, murders in abundance, the sheer harshness of life, poverty, the stews , markets and the public houses, all meticulously researched and described, that are so delightful to read, you could almost imagine you are there, walking alongside Daniel. He is kind to the destitute young boy, whom he employs as a spy, he comes into contact with his old tutor, who used to bully and harshly punish Daniel as a scholar, he is respectful to women, but throughout, he feels the sense of being followed, and we too recognise the uneasiness that Daniel experiences.
I liked the fact that real historical figures were used. Sir Robert Cecil, son of Lord Burghley, carried on the magnificent spy network created by his father and Walsingham. King James the first , wrote a book , Daemonologie about witches, he was a strange creature, born of a Catholic mother and a bisexual father, no wonder he thought he was cursed.
This is going to be an exciting series, and I have the second book to read, enjoy and review. Life doesn’t get much better!!
I have previously read books by this author, The Owl Killers, Company of Liars, The Ravens Head, and I know the high standard of her books.
I have given this book a five star rating. I am happy to recommend to readers and will leave reviews to Goodreads and Amazon.
My thanks go to Netgalley and the publishers Headline, for my digital copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Although the aesthetic of the book is well done, it definitely felt like being transported to the 17th century with the dialogue and language the author used, the details were far too much for my liking. They bogged down the pace and the characterization. I found myself wanting to skim paragraphs far too much. I don't think it's a bad book, but it's just not up to my tastes. I like much faster pacing.

I knew nothing about what happened in Bristol in 1606, but I feel as though I’ve lived through it now. The author has obviously done extensive research and beautifully combines the events in Bristol, the feel of the era with a well plotted story of intrigue and murder. I love the use of real historical events and figures, such as the Kings spymaster Robert Cecil, with characters like Daniel Pursglove. The stench of poverty comes through the writing so well it makes the story come alive. Even if you have no interest in history, this is well worth a read. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Daniel Pursgrove #1

3.5 rounded up

The book starts strongly with some excellent descriptions of a monstrous wave that surges up the Bristol Channel in January 1606. It’s passage is relentless, buildings crumble, trees are ripped from their roots, villages are destroyed and 2000 souls perish. This is an unnatural disaster in superstitious King James I’s opinion.
Switch location to Newgate Gaol in February 1606 which, as per the norm, is crammed with prisoners, the air is fetid and it’s freezing cold. Therein lies a prisoner, Daniel, who has little hope for his future until the King’s trusted advisor Charles FitzAlan pays a visit. Daniel is given a mission, to go west to ascertain if the flood is a natural occurrence or the devils work . Real or a fabrication? Is this a Jesuit plot, a pact with dark forces with the mysterious Spero Pettinger at the root of it? If his report pleases the king (or more likely Robert Cecil, Lord Salisbury, the Kings Secretary of State) he’ll receive a pardon. Daniel partly narrates and the rest is set in and around the court .

There are parts of this that are very enjoyable.
It’s well written and has an authentic 17th-century feel in the language used. There are some very colourful descriptions and it’s especially good on the beliefs and superstitions of the times and on the religious divisions. This is a time of great danger for catholic recusants and this comes across strongly post the failed Gunpowder Plot with the repercussions felt the length and breadth of the land. A shadowy scheming presence of Lord Cecil with his spies everywhere and his determination to capitalise on prior events is very well done. The potential conspiracy, the murder and mayhem that occurs make Bristol and elsewhere very dangerous places. You do feel the tension, the tone is ominous, Bristol is a seething mass but whether there is a Jesuit nest of vipers remains to be seen. There is a distinct air of menace in the city as you pick your way through the detritus left by the wave but there’s also the detritus of humanity who are intent on adding to the danger. I like the way the Spero Pettinger conundrum resonates throughout and is left an resolved question.

The portrayal of King James is very accurate and there are some vivid scenes at court that capture the imagination. The character of Daniel is less certain, he is definitely enigmatic that’s for sure I’d like to have been able to see him a bit more clearly.

However, there is a great deal of extraneous detail, it becomes a bit of a blow by blow account and you lose track of why Daniel is in Bristol. As a consequence the pace slows and the momentum is lost as do some of the interest levels. The customs of the time are portrayed vividly and are definitely not for the faint hearted. The ending is not too huge a surprise, it kind of had to be and it’s left a tad unresolved but nicely set up for number two.

Overall, it’s a meticulously researched historical novel that shows the schemes, plots, rumours and dangers that make navigating the court with your eyes front and back a necessity. I look forward to seeing what happens to Daniel next.

With thanks to NetGalleyShelf and Headline for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

It is 1606, just at the early years of the 17th century and after the Gunpowder plot has failed to kill the king when he addressed Parliament. This very slow burning historical thriller works its way into your psyche very slowly being told in the first person mainly by protagonist Daniel Pursglove. Daniel is really getting desperate whilst imprisoned in Newgate Prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He is interviewed by Charles FitzAlan, close confidant of King James, who will grant his freedom - if Daniel can infiltrate the underground Catholic network in Bristol and unmask the one conspirator still at large. Daniel over the space of 10 days rides his horse to Bristol to start his investigation.

Atmospheric and deftly plotted-characters are richly drawn the details of the book are fascinating-gives a very vivid picture of life at this time-I was transported every time I picked up this highly imaginative story to the time described-masterly story telling-highly imaginative and wonderfully evocative of Tudor times.

The author has written one of the most truly atmospheric historical thrillers that I have read this year and amazing that it is such a strong book from a new author. I can’t wait to see what she next writes and I look forward to reading her next book. I very strongly recommend this book as one of the best that I have ever read. I look forward to reading the next book very soon.

“𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐝. 𝐈𝐭 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫. 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐚𝐫, 𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧”.

It’s the year 1606, and one year after the failed gunpowder plot, England is a divided country, when, on a cold and wintry January day, a devastating tidal surge travels at enormous speed up the Bristol Channel causing huge loss of life, with homes and businesses destroyed, and an economy in tatters. However, of more importance to King James, come rumours of treachery.

In Newgate prison, London, Daniel Pursglove receives an offer from Charles FitzAlan ( confidant of the King) - his freedom, if he can infiltrate an underground Catholic network and discover a conspirator, Spero Pettingar, who has so far escaped capture.

Daniel has to ingratiate himself into the daily lives of those who survived the drowned city of Bristol in order to bring Pettingar to justice and thereby secure his own freedom. This will be no easy task though, as danger is lurking in every nook and cranny.

Very atmospheric, with a storyline rich in detail of the intriguing, (yet dangerous), politics of the Jacobean Court, alongside spies, murderers, conspirators and sorcery. Although a little slow at times, this first outing for Daniel Pursglove shows great promise.

An intriguing new direction for this author and her usual exhaustive research shines through, without ever taking over the plot. And what a plot! Daniel Pursglove tries to navigate his way through his own murky past and new threats to the stability of British society.