Blood on the Strand

by Susanna Gregory

Book Overview

Susanna Gregory, author of the Matthew Bartholomew series of medieval mysteries, has created another compelling fictional detective set in Restoration London.

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The second adventure in the Thomas Chaloner series.

Rebellion is in the air of London in the spring of 1663.

Thomas Chaloner, spy for the King's intelligence service, has just returned from thwarting...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0751537594
• ISBN13: 9780751537598
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Little Brown and Co. (UK)
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.5" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

A "Cut" Above the Standard Mystery

Its 1663, Charles II has been restored to the throne of England for 3 years. Cromwell's tenure as head of the country has entered the possibility of rebellion into the public consciousness. Thomas Chaloner finds himself once more in England after a decade of spying on the powerful Dutch nation. We follow in his wake as he reacquaints himself with London's denizens inhabiting intellectual coffee houses, bawdy houses, the barber surgeon's dissection theater, and the palace of Whitehall itself. A man dressed as a beggar tries to pass information to Chaloner as he secures the area for a royal visit. The man is murdered before he can finish speaking. Thus begins an engaging historical mystery set in the London of Samuel Pepys. The mystery deserves 5 stars for the fresh location and well researched detail that transports us to another world distinct from our own but with many of the same problems we face in our modern world. My rating for the book falls to 4 stars due to an overly contrived ending, but the journey there was far to fun to miss.

Espionage in 17 century England.

This book is set in London in the spring of 1663. This is near the beginning of the Restoration when all of the United Kingdom is trying to get over Cromwell's Puritan reign. Charles II is back as monarch, and he and his entourage are involved in all kinds of intrigue. The quarrel between the Earl of Clarendon and the earl of Bristol was at its height at this time, and there is more than enough work for Chaloner as he spies for the Earl of Clarendon. It is also a time of great public interest in the science of disection. Barber/Surgeons went to great lengths to get the cadavers that they required for their studies. Chaloner finds himself in the middle of intrigue, body snatchers, and murder and mayhem. The best thing about Ms. Gregory's books is the historical fact that she builds her fiction around, and that is very apparent here. She makes Restoration England come alive under her pen. This is not an era that has a lot of fiction built around it, so it is interesting to see what life was like then.

Espionage in 17 century England.

This book is set in London in the spring of 1663. This is near the beginning of the Reformation when all of the United Kingdom is trying to get over Cromwell's Puritan reign. Charles II is back as monarch, and he and his entourage are involved in all kinds of intrigue. The quarrel between the Earl of Clarendon and the earl of Bristol was at its height at this time, and there is more than enough work for Chaloner as he spies for the Earl of Clarendon. It is also a time of great public interest in the science of disection. Barber/Surgeons went to great lengths to get the cadavers that they required for their studies. Chaloner finds himself in the middle of intrigue, body snatchers, and murder and mayhem. The best thing about Ms. Gregory's books is the historical fact that she builds her fiction around, and that is very apparent here. She makes Restoration England come alive under her pen. This is not an era that has a lot of fiction built around it, so it is interesting to see what life was like then.

The Author's books are Always a Joy to Read

Susanna Gregory is the pseudonym of a Cambridge academic who was previously a coroner's officer. The author now has a number of excellent books to her name, primarily medieval mysteries featuring Matthew Bartholomew. This book is the second in a series featuring Restoration London and having the lead character Thomas Chaloner, a somewhat reluctant spy for the feared Secretary of State, John Thurloe, London is a bustling thriving City and there is much work for a man such as Chaloner. The year is 1663 and Thomas Chaloner a member of the King's intelligence service returns to London from Ireland, after assisting in thwarting a planned revolt in Dublin. Chaloner realises that feeling in the capital have changed since he left, there is a taste of rebellion in the London air. While investigating the shooting of a supposed beggar during a royal event, Chaloner discovers that far from being a beggar the man has links to the Company of Barber-Surgeons. Meanwhile is master, the Earl of Clarendon is involved in a feud with the Earl of Bristol and to cap it all an innocent man is about to take the long drop in Newgate prison. Chaloner has his work cut out trying to protect Clarendon, discover who murdered the supposed vagrant and try to save an innocent man from the executioner.