The second book in the James Marwood series set immediately after the Great Fire of London. The story centres on the court dealing with the reconstruction of London after the fire. Taylor creates a vivid picture of life at the time. Unfortunately the plot is a bit thin and it is difficult to imagine the King and other power brokers relying on a weak character such as Marwood. However, because of Taylor's detailed descriptions, it would make a brilliant 2 or 3 part television drama.

I enjoyed The Fire Court slightly more than the first book in the series, The Ashes of London, which is unusual. 

The setting of seventeenth-century London is immersive and the book is full of historical detail which is exactly what you'd want from this type of book. It's clear that a lot of work has been put into making sure that things are as historically accurate as possible. I also really liked the plot of this book. It's an engaging story with thrilling plot twists and interesting characters. It's very interesting and clever.

Once again, it was the writing style that didn't sit well with me. I did enjoy the differing points of view because it adds variety to the book and it really lets you get to know the characters in the novel. However, some of the language choices seemed a bit odd and the writing was a bit harsh in places. It just seemed to pull me out of the plot because it felt too modern and slightly out of place.

Overall, I did like this book. It's wonderfully descriptive with a great setting and interesting characters and it has an exciting plot. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction because it really does have a well thought out setting and it features a lot of historical detail.

A most interesting historical novel set in the 17th century after the great fire of London and the aftermath of the restoration of the monarchy. The two central characters is of a government agent with an elderly renegade father who has been pardoned and released from prison and a young woman who aspires to be an architect with a father who still being hunted for treason. Both have had their fathers assets confiscated for their crimes and so they penniless doing their best to find a living. Through circumstances they become involved when the agent is instructed to investigate a crime that impinges on government interests. Therein follows a rich tapestry of family relationships, embezzlement, power struggles over land ownership, murder, deaths and political plots involving the design and rebuilding of London from its ashes. It provides a insight into the culture and manners of the day when women are just chattels only valued by the position of their husband or the size of their dowry. The lady architect struggles to prove the exception to the rule which makes an interesting counter point. A fascinating story in total.

This sequel to The Ashes of London is a rarity in that it is even better! I love the characters of James and Cat and the time period it is set in. 17th century London is brought to life and current day political intrigues pale into insignificance when compared to the daily struggle to choose your allegiances wisely and one wrong word could see you imprisoned or worse.
James and Cat are again drawn together when bodies start turning up once more.
I hope there may be more books in this series.
My thanks to Netgalley for this copy.

Absolutely blown away by this vivid, fast paced and intriguing historical thriller set in post Great Fire London. Andrew Taylor has created memorable characters and with skilful and intricate plotting, he's drawn a number of storylines together into a satisfying Restoration drama.

The Fire Court is the second book in a series and whilst it works as a standalone, to understand the nuances of character and plot development, I'd recommend reading The Ashes of London first. London is rebuilding after the fire. One of the great strengths of this series is the sense of time and place. I was totally engrossed and immediately thrown into a fire ravaged city, filled with confusion and fear. A murderer is in the midst. James Marwood and Cat Lovett (now working as a maid to an architect and with an assumed name) central characters in the first book, are drawn into resolving a number of mysteries and deaths.

This is top rate storytelling backed up with impeccable research about the aftermath of Civil War and retribution for regicide. The pacy narrative never falters and I'm really looking forward to the next in the series.

My thanks to Harper Collins for a review copy via Netgalley.

Marwood returns in The Fire Court and I must say I enjoyed this more than Ashes of London. Set in 1667, we return to the intrigue of Charles II court and Marwood whose fortunes have improved has the ear of powerful men. When a woman is murdered he is asked to investigate her death which appears to be linked to the Fire Court proceedings, where judgements are made which will lead to the rebuilding of London.

This to me had more pace, we learn more of Marwood, getting to know him better as well as Cat who is now aiding the architect Hakesby.

I read this immediately after Ashes of London and it's a worthy sequel and another corking read. We learn more about the two central characters and their developing relationship - I always enjoy detective series where the setting and character are as important as the plot and this matches the best in this regard. London at the time of the Restoration and the aftermath of the great fire is vividly brought to life once again.
I'll look forward to more in this series.

I had already met the characters in the previous book but this book would stand alone. This is a fascinating study of a crime in a little written about period. Human nature though is exactly the same and the supposedly incorruptible can be swayed for the right inducement. A good page turner of a book.

This is a dark gritty historical fiction full of intrigue that will keep you turning the page. I enjoyed book one The Ashes of London, but I think The Fire Court is even better.
James Marwood is the son of a traitor - a man who claims to have stumbled upon a murdered woman, James thinks it's just his father's failing mind. But suspicion starts to creep in as he starts to investigate.
Marwood eventually turns to Cat Lovett - THe daughter of a despised regicide for help and it's not long before both their lives are in danger.

Best read as a sequel to The Ashes of London, this continues the story of James Marwood and Catherine Lovett, now going by the name of Jane Hakesby, and what happens after the Great Fire of London.
We know about Charles II and Restoration England through the accounts of the upper classes and the landed gentry,but precious little about the little people,the servants and artisans who lost their property rights and were reduced to camping out on common ground in the ruined streets of London. The Fire Court was set up by the King, to sort out property disputes,freehold and leaseholds in order that the rebuilding of London was not unnecessarily delayed. There were three judges who dealt with these cases and this book concerns the Dragon Yard project. Depending upon who owns the majority of freehold and leasehold properties,would find themselves to be very rich and able to influence the construction of new streets and fireproof houses in London.
I learnt much from this book. Just as the Dutch had a code in the language of flowers in the Second World War , there was a code of courtly love as demonstrated through the use and position of face patches, used by courtesan ladies. The mere shape and position of such devices told a man how willing the lady was in matters of love.
I would not have wished to be a female in such times however. A lack of rights and to be considered a husbands property, and dependant upon his favour,would irk me. To be married off to a man of position,and then ignored and possibly be usurped by his mistress,that was the fate of those who married into property rich and cash strapped families
This book is full of richly researched historical detail. It is an intriguing story and exciting and fast paced. I loved it! I have been eagerly anticipating this sequel, and I was not disappointed . I have posted this review to Goodreads today with a five star rating. Most enjoyable!!

I have read the first book inn the series "Ashes of London" so I was aware of the characters. I feel that both stories took me to London just after the great fire and the plague. The geography is interesting clearly demonstrating the much smaller area of the City that Londoners had access to. I enjoyed the book and felt that it moved along quickly maintaining progress towards solving the mystery. It is a dramatic story with danger around every corner and the main character certainly suffers mental and physical attacks. There is a hint of love interest between the two main characters and as this did not reach a conclusion I guess that another story in the series will be forthcoming. I happily recommend this book.

Another excellent story set in the time of Charles 11 with our hero and heroine involved in murder and mayhem once again in post fire London. A suitably involved plot twists and turns around the court that rules on the rebuilding of the city. A suitably action packed ending with a twist in the tail to shock one is an excellent addition to its predecessor.

Andrew Taylor takes us back to the 17th century in the aftermath of the Great Fire of London in The Ashes of London, to the setting up of The Fire Court with 3 judges, designed by the king to get London rebuilt, resolving land and property disputes that have have arisen due to the fire. James Marwood is doing relatively well with two clerkships under two different masters, and served by the loyal and courageous Sam and Margaret, his housekeeper. His religious father, Nathaniel, has not recovered from his years in prison, is afflicted with dementia, this has him thinking he is following his dead wife, Rachel, to the Clifford's Inn, where he sees a dead sinful woman, he assumes to be a whore. A disbelieving James puts this tale down as a product of his father's failing mental health. The death of his father has him descending to a stupor of grief, compounded by guilt when he realises Nathaniel was telling the truth.

Marwood is driven to find out what is going on, which leads him to encountering the sinister Lucius Gromwell of Clifford's Inn and Sir Philip Limbury bent on acquiring the lucrative rights to plan and rebuild Dragon's Yard, but they are opposed by other tenants and leaseholders, primarily led by Roger Poulson. Cat Lovett is living under the radar as maid, Jane Hakesby, with family member, Simon Hakesby, a struggling architect and builder. Marwood draws Jane into his investigations which bring considerable danger to the two of them. The dead woman turns out to be wealthy widow Celia Hampney, the niece of Poulson, with a considerable stake in Dragon's Yard, with the capacity to impede Limbury's plans for the place. Celia's murder is the first of many, and Marwood finds himself caught between court and political chicanery, corruption and intrigue, forced to choose between Joseph Williamson and William Chaffinch who has the ear of the King. Marwood pays a heavy price for continuing to search for the truth as he finds himself scarred for life, and Cat is drawn into the web of danger as she seeks to help Marwood.

Taylor writes compelling historical fiction, evoking a London undergoing tumultuous change, where survival is a struggle, poverty is everywhere and the only rights that count are those of the aristocracy and those with political power. It is to be expected that many ambitions, rivalries and jealousies are rampant, with many looking to make a pretty penny through their connections and corruption. Taylor captures this exquisitely with the picture he paints of a London where, thanks to the fire, much is at stake and peoples' lives are hanging by a mere thread. Marwood and Cat are enterprising and determined central characters, compelling and charismatic. The acute deprivations and lack of rights suffered by women applies across the classes as can be seen by the treatment that Jemima undergoes at the hands of her husband. This is brilliant historical fiction, a worthy sequel to the wonderful The Ashes of London. Highly recommended! Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.

After reading Ashes of London. I immediately started The Fire Court hoping for a more detailed and interesting story and I am happy to say that my wishes came true. Fire Court was, for me, much better all round with the main characters taking on more depth and the overall storyline was more developed and convoluted. Thus it was a more enjoyable read than Ashes. With hindsight, I would now rate Ashes as 3 rather than 4 stars and offer a well-earned 4 stars for Fire Court.

Andrew Taylor's follow up to The Ashes of London is a hugely enjoyable read. Set a couple of months after the dramatic and catastrophic events of the Great Fire of London, The Fire Court picks up the tale of Marwood and Cat Lovett. Its a thrilling and dramatic read, entwining a number of plot strands throughout the fire ravaged City, as we're faced with murder, suspicion and intrigue.

As with all his novels, Andrew Taylor's research is meticulous, and he brings 17th London vividly to life.

I really do hope there are more stories left in this series. It feels like the significant personal events that happen to both the main characters in this novel pave the way for further hardships, and it will be great to see them come together again to tackle these.

A brilliant read!

This is the sequel to Ashes of London in that the the action takes places a short time later and we meet the same characters getting on with their lives in any way they can. It is a wonderfully well paced detective story set in the turbulent times just after the English Civil War in the months following the Great Fire of London. Times are difficult anyway but made so much worse after the fire. London needs to be rebuilt and competition to be the ones that gain from it is intense. Our hero is trying to make the best of his situation but as always is torn between his past and the masters of his present. I loved the characters - I really cared about them and the wonderful suggestion in the final moments of the story leaves a satisfying wish to know more of what happens next.. I look forward to the next story of Marwood and Cat.