What a rollicking romp Jemahl Evans created with This Deceitful Light. I haven't yet read book one (The Last Roundhead) of the adventures of Blandford "Sugar" Candy, but from the first page I was drawn into the bawdy, riotous and often dangerous world of 17th century London. I confess to not being deeply interested in the Civil War period (my fault; not the author's) but I certainly enjoyed the characters, dialog and slang of the period, especially the insults, some of which I plan to use at the first available opportunity.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for a fair review.

“The scribes of history would have you believe in two sides, King or Parliament, but in truth, there were only factions – factions within and factions without, Royalists, Parliamentarians, Independents and Presbyterians, moderates and radicals, aristocrats, merchants, and yeoman, every rank and every trade grasped for power in the absence of authority. The only result was confusion and bitterness – a nation collapsing in upon itself.”

This great quote from the book describes the situation in the book perfectly! There are many factions and many sides, as well as many motivations. Whom to trust? Blandford knows not.

It begins with a murder, and from then on, Blandford Candy, the Golden Scout, has to deal both with civil war and with investigating the murder of an actor, a friend. In the background, there is still a civil war going on. It brings confusion and bitterness and wondering. Who is leaving the anonymous messages? Who murdered the actor? Who smuggles gold to the king? Who will turn sides?

The Puritans have many leaders and many factions so that it sometimes seems it will not end up well for them. What I found surprising, is the fact that I have actually liked Cromwell as he is portrayed in the book. As someone who is decidedly against Oliver Cromwell, this was extremely unusual.

The story is interrupted with letters from different people or from one Candy sister to another, and the historical notes at the end of the book are not just educational but also easy to read.

All in all, this sequel is a great continuation of another great book and I am looking forward to hearing more of Blandford, hopefully.