I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a historical murder mystery, and as usual for this author the attention to historical detail is excellent.

The book is set in Bristol, when the Bristol Channel flooded and numerous people and livestock drowned and farmland destroyed (a real event), and as so often happens when inexplicable, devastating events occur, it was seen as an act of God (during an unsettled religious period). I enjoy the mix of fiction and historical fact, it adds both authenticity and interest and enabled me to learn more about the little known Bristol 'tsunami'.

The book is the first in a series featuring Daniel Pursglove, a magician in prison in Newgate accused of witchcraft. He is given the chance to be freed if he goes to Bristol, during the flood, to find a priest accused of involvement in the Gunpowder Plot, who is thought to be hiding in the beleaguered city. However, he ends up investigating several murders, which leaves him vulnerable and in danger.

The mixture of mystery, murder and intrigue, set against a historical backdrop which is a mixture of fact and fiction is a winner for me. I liked Daniel, he was a compelling character, in fact all of the characters are well-drawn and interesting. However, the best part of the novel was the sense of time and place, both of which were so incredibly crafted, they appealed to all of my senses and I felt that I was walking alongside Daniel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I would highly recommend it.

NetGalley and Headline for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

The Drowned City by K.J. Maitland is a Jacobean mystery and the first in a planned new series featuring Daniel Pursglove., The year is 1606, and rumours of Catholic treachery and rebellion abound in the court of King James. When a devastating tidal wave sweeps through the Bristol Channel destroying much of the city, the superstitious King seems sure that witchcraft is to blame, and that a catholic conspiracy lies at the heart of it all.
Pursglove is freed from his cell in Newgate prison by FitzAlan, a confidante of the King , on condition that he goes to Bristol and tries to flush out the conspirators, but when he arrives he finds a city that is on its knees, an old familiar face and a murderer on the loose.
This book is rich in historical detail, the writer really brings the sights, and often the smells of the era to life for the reader, and really draws you into another time. Daniel is an intriguing character, over the course of the book there are revelations about his past that suggest rather a storied history. The pacing is on the slower side, which I personally did not mind, but some readers may struggle with. The mystery at the heart of the story is well thought out, and there is a real sense of menace and danger that kept me turning the pages.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this first book in the new series and I am happy to read book 2 soon.

What I liked the most was that the book is set mostly outside of London and in a time period that is NOT Tudor. There were some niggles for me with this book. Some lengths in the middle, I didn't really feel I got to know the main character that well and his background was hinted at but he is a bit of a "man of mystery". The conclusion of the mystery did feel a bit unfair with the introduction of one of the suspects so late. Still. I did enjoy reading it a lot.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Headline for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first outing with KJ Maitland and it's safe to say I will now be picking up more from her. This was a gripping historical thriller pitched absolutely perfectly. The writing was both menacing and masterful, and I want more!

The first in a series, I'm going to dive straight into book 2.

4.5 atmospheric and compelling stars

Very good. I liked this historical mystery for it's characters, the engaging plot, and the setting. I seemed uneven in places, but solid overall.

Thanks very much for the free review copy!!

3.5 Stars
This is the first book in the Daniel Pursglove series and was an ok read for me. A historical mystery, The Drowned City started well but I felt some things were a bit drawn out in the middle and then regained its momentum towards the end leaving you wanting to know what comes next. I will read the next book as I am eager to read more and I would recommend to readers of this genre.

Accused of witchcraft, a man lies forgotten in prison until a supposed member of King Janes' inner circle offers him a way out. Taking the name Daniel Pursglove he rides to Bristol where a huge wave has destroyed half the town and the rumours of witchcraft are rife. Pursglove is tasked to find the remaining 'Gunpowder' plotter but soon realises that Jesuits have few friends in this drowned city.
I had shied away from Maitland's recent books as I found the magic and superstition elements too much in the early novels I had read. However I was attracted to this book due to the change in setting and particularly because of the beautiful cover, I was not disappointed. There are many, many historical 'crime fiction' novels on the market and some are better than others. I really enjoyed this one, the setting is incredibly atmospheric and the cast of characters believable, the twist in the story is good and the knowledge of the early years of James' reign are excellent. I look forward to the next in this series.

I love historical mystery series and this didnt disappoint, it would be a great read for fans of Kate Mosse and C.S Sansom. It was well written with great characters and a great storyline. it was mysterious, dark, suspenspeseful and unpredictable. It was a gripping read that had me engaged right from the beginning to the very end. I cannot wait for the next one in the series.

The Drowned City leaves me in a state of rejoicing because it's that rare creature: the first volume in what promises to be a very good, brand-new historical mystery series! And the next title is coming out in April!

Daniel Purselane, our "detective" is a street magician (among other things) who finds himself jailed in Newgate in James I's England accused of witchcraft. He's pulled from his cell and given a chance to save himself—by finding a recusant priest connected to the Gun Powder Plot and rumored to be hiding in Bristol before leaving England. But if he doesn't come back with results James finds acceptable he'll be in worse trouble than he was before.

The mystery quickly grows more complicated when Purselane arrives in Bristol. The city has been nearly destroyed by what was probably a tsunami (real-world historians are still debating this), Catholics and witches are being blamed for the catastrophe—and those suspected of either are at risk of mob violence. Defamatory broadsides abound. Then there's the unanticipated murderer branding corpses with IHS, a symbol of the Jesuits. Also a recusant priest (not the one Purselane is searching for) from Purselane's past. And pagan ritual. And a criminal cabal living in an abandoned castle. And...

Maitland weaves these many threads together deftly, keeping readers guessing until the end of the novel. If you like historical mysteries with solid mysteries at their heart that examine the politics and mores of the time they're set in, you're going to love this title. Seriously. You'll love it.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via HetGalley; the opinions are my own.