funnyonion's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
jmatkinson1's review
5.0
Cat Hakesby has a new admirer and Marwood is disquieted. Partly because the man is Dutch and has dubious connections, partly because he is under investigation after the death of one of Marwood's colleagues. There seems to be a link to a merchant who lives in a house with a lion in his stable but also how does this fit in with the proposed visit of the King's sister, sister-in-law of Louis of France?
I love this series of novels by Andrew Taylor. He has always been a terrific writer of historical fiction but this series is a joy to read. The plots are not too convoluted but challenge the reader, the characters are brilliantly drawn and the research and understanding of Restoration London is amazing.
I love this series of novels by Andrew Taylor. He has always been a terrific writer of historical fiction but this series is a joy to read. The plots are not too convoluted but challenge the reader, the characters are brilliantly drawn and the research and understanding of Restoration London is amazing.
binaryslate's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
beckys_book_blog's review against another edition
4.0
Right from the first page of this book you are transported back to the sights, smells and sounds of 17th Century London: a period of history that I love. The political intrigue begins immediately. Who is Abbott and was he murdered? What secrets was he covering up? Is there a conspiracy behind the murders? Marwood, assistant clerk to Lord Arlington together with Cat Hakesby, a young female architect begin to slowly unravel the mystery.
I absolutely loved this book. Although I have read Andrew Taylor books before (The American Boy being one of my favourite ever books) this is the first I have read in this series. These books can be read as stand alone books. I am now desperate to continue my journey with Marwood and Hakesby (the two main characters in each book) and start at the beginning of this fantastic series with the Ashes of London. If you love historical fiction with a slowly unfolding mystery then these are the books for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC.
I absolutely loved this book. Although I have read Andrew Taylor books before (The American Boy being one of my favourite ever books) this is the first I have read in this series. These books can be read as stand alone books. I am now desperate to continue my journey with Marwood and Hakesby (the two main characters in each book) and start at the beginning of this fantastic series with the Ashes of London. If you love historical fiction with a slowly unfolding mystery then these are the books for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
This is the second book I read in this excellent series and I loved it.
It's an excellent historical mystery, I think that James and Cat are two interesting and well developed characters.
The historical background is vivid and well researched, the mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's an excellent historical mystery, I think that James and Cat are two interesting and well developed characters.
The historical background is vivid and well researched, the mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
thebooktrail88's review
5.0
Discover the locations in the novel The Royal Secret
.A real treat for historical fiction fans. The plot is juicy and detailed, the characters very real and authentic and the attention to detail with regards to the history and scene setting is second to none. I never feel I can do these books justice with a review so this is a short one filled with admiration and a thank you to the author for such a wonderful reading experience.
booklarking's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Not much of a royal secret, as it was obvious from page 2 who the villain was and what they had done. However it was an enjoyable romp through Restoration London and I like to keep up with the slow burning relationship between Marwood and Cat, a 17th Century Strike and Robin!
heyxemililah's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Dishonor on the dust jacket editors who chose not to mention at any point that this is in fact the FIFTH BOOK IN A SERIES. It is, at least, the kind of series where you don’t need to have read the others in order to follow it, but good lord it makes me crazy when they make it impossible for us to know. The main characters kept alluding to “adventures [they’d] had together” and I was screaming “BUT WHAT WERE THEY?!?!”
Anyways, this book was fine. I learned some things about European history I didn’t know before and the mystery was entertaining enough.
There has to be a reason that the author writes in third person for all perspectives but the Marwood character, but it felt really odd to me, especially since it’s not as if we didn’t have any look into the inner thoughts of the other characters.
Anyways, this book was fine. I learned some things about European history I didn’t know before and the mystery was entertaining enough.
There has to be a reason that the author writes in third person for all perspectives but the Marwood character, but it felt really odd to me, especially since it’s not as if we didn’t have any look into the inner thoughts of the other characters.
amelia_shakes's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25