Cover Image: The King’s Evil

The King’s Evil

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Member Reviews

The third in a series, it combines a murder mystery with well researched historical detail. The characters are well developed and you end up really caring what happens to them. There are multiple layers to the book, it engages you throughout the book

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A gripping book with a great premise! Andrew Taylor writes well, and I enjoyed the political focus. I’ve not read the other books in this series, so I’m looking forward to checking them out soon!

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Why has it taken so long for me to read this series? It is excellent, a gripping historical novel with a satisfying conclusion to a crime or two. The period detail is spot on and the main characters are rounded and likeable. I shall definitely be reading more of James Marwell and co in the future.

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Another novel with James Marwood and Cat Lovell in the times of Charles the Second. The writing is beautifully crafted bringing to life the time after Charles came to the throne when intrigue and politics were centre stage. A murder has happened andthe body has been found in Clarendon House and Marwood is tasked by his masters to find who did it, but the King and his courtiers believe it is the dead man's cousin, Cat Lovett. It is Marwood's aim to disprove this theory and clear her name and bring the real murder to justice. The detail of Marwood servants, Sam and his wife Margaret makes the reader believe they are living in those fateful times. The pace of the novel is fast and the cast of characters are skillfully handled bringing the tale to a surprising end.

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I am finally catching up with this series. Number three was another good tale of Restoration England based around James Marwood and the feisty Cat. Plenty of action, and an interesting plot. Looking forward to number 4 now andhoping to get the review in on time for publication date.

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I loved the first two books in this series and was hoping for more of the same. These books are beautifully written and evoke a real sense of life at the time of Charles II, particularly the intrigue and secrets surrounding the Court.

In this book, Marwood is once again called upon by the powers in Whitehall to help solve a problem troubling the King. A nobleman, Alderley, has been killed and his body hidden in a well belonging to Lord Clarendon, an important courtier. The King needs the mystery solved. However, Marwood's job is far from simple - Alderley was a cousin to Cat Lovett, Marwood's friend and investigative partner from the previous books, and she had good reasons for wanting him dead. Marwood finds himself caught between both trying to clear her name and find out the truth in a dangerous and shifting political landscape.

There was much to enjoy here, as in the previous books, but I'm afraid I found it to slow and convoluted for my tastes. The focus was more political this time round, when I really prefer the dynamics of the Marwood and Cat relationship. Indeed, Cat - easily the most interesting character, I think - was really not as heavily featured as I wanted.

Its impossible to deny that the book is excellently plotted and packed full of political intrigue that will definitely keep readers on the edge of their seats. However, this time, this just wasn't one for me.

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Andrew Taylor writes gripping historical novels and this series just keeps getting better and better. He makes you feel you are living in the potentially perilous times he described so vividly and the politics and players of the time are clearly set out as a natural part of the tale. Couple this with engaging characters and menacing villains and you have the perfect historical thriller. Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for providing me with this free ARC and a riproaring read.

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Tremendous read! Thoroughly enjoyed this one . Politics , desire and disease ... you can almost smell the dank Thames and feel the chill of the Cambridgeshire fenland

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Another great outing in this so far trilogy concerning the great fire period in London. This was much easier to read than the rest and the pace much better. However doesn’t really work as a standalone. Fully recommend.

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a lovely historical novel set in the 17th century . very well researched to the actual facts and turned into fiction well done

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Intrigue, drama, a will they ever realise plot plus an evocative all add up to make this a great read. Andrew Taylor has long been a favourite of mine, ever since the Lydmouth series, but what I find especially fantastic is his ability to bring the past to life, and so many different eras. Does this lead to historical inaccuracies? I neither know nor care - if I want a history book I'll hit a David Starkey book. What this is is great crime fiction that transported me to another world. What more can I ask? The only reason I gave it 4 rather than 5 stars is the first two in the series are better. This, however, feels very much like there are more great stories to follow.

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It's 1667, Charles II is on the throne and London is still recovering from the Great Fire. A body is discovered in a pavilion belonging to Lord Clarendon and James Marwood is tasked with investigating the murder. There's one big problem, the victim is Edward Alderley, cousin to an acquaintance of Marwoods, Cat Lovett.

Cat and Edward have a bad history.  Was she responsible? The King and his courtiers seem to think so. Can Marwood uncover the truth before Cat is arrested?

This is a fast paced murder mystery with a lot of twists and plots including a major twist at the end.
The characters are perfect in their roles and you can't help but like them, especially Sam and Margaret, servants to Marwood.

I really enjoyed this and totally did not expect the final twist! I won't say any more as I hate to ruin books for others but I recommend this for anyone looking for a great mystery!

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The Marwood and Lovett novel series continues one year after the Great Fire of London.

James Marwood investigated a corpse which was found in the well at Clarendon House belonging to Edward Hyde, the Earl of Clarendon and the former Lord Chancellor of England. That dead man was Edward Alderley. He was the cousin of Cat Lovett who wanted Alderley dead.

Cat Lovett had to vanish because she was accused of murdering Alderley. He was also the stepson of Lady Quincy. Marwood was ordered to cover up the murder by Whitehall Palace. He tried to clear Cat from being framed as the murderer.

The time was against everyone in the King’s Court. Marwood could cause the scandal in Whitehall Palace if he made a mistake while investigating the crime.

I love this historical 'sleuth' story, and it is on par with Lindsey Davis’s Falco and Alba novel series.

Columbpoirot

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

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This is the third in the historical fiction series by Andrew Taylor set in the turbulent times after the Restoration of the Monarchy and the Great Fire of London. With the exception of a few instances, when the author succumbs to the temptation of putting prescient words into the mouths of his characters that hint at developments and inventions that are centuries away, The Kings Evil is as enjoyable an authentic feeling as the first two in the series. Mr Taylor is skilled at creating an atmosphere that seems ‘right’ for this busy period of British history, whilst not labouring the reader with too much historical detail. The two key protagonists, Cat and Marwood, introduced in the earlier books continue to lead lives that seem destined to weave around each other, and the reader is again teased with what might just develop between them. The plot is credible and the denouement is satisfying; couple that with a writing style that seems authentic when telling a story set in the late middle seventeenth century and the ingredients are all there for an engaging and enjoyable read. Highly recommended.

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This is the third in the series set in the Reformation, with Marwood and Cat Lovett involved in the investigation of a murder which in turn is part of a complex plot. It is a long and satisfying read, full of historical detail with a particular focus on scrofula, the 'King's Evil' of the title, and two children who have this disease.
As is often the case with long running series part of the pleasure is seeing the ongoing character development and relationships, though I do hope that Marwood and Lovett's relationship progresses a little faster in the next one of the series.

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Having enjoyed the first two books in this series, I found this one more difficult to get into. There seems to just be a lot of faffing about, with no great plot or character development, until the final reveal of whodunnit was a bit of a low-key disappointment. Cat spends the entire book moving from one place to another to stay undercover, except when she does something vaguely stupid to blow it, and Marwood spends the whole book going from one committee or paymaster to another and back again.

So I'm afraid for me the book didn't really evoke the feel of the period, and read more like a gap filler to the next in series (hope something significant happens in that one).

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Another instalment in this great series. This story is really good historical fiction and an enjoyable read.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy. .

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This is the third book that follows the story of James Marwood and Cat Lovett. Marwood is ordered to investigate the death of Edward Alderly after he is found drowned at Clarendon House. Chief suspect is Alderlys cousin, Cat Lovett - and whilst Marwood knows she is capable of murder he is fairly confident she is innocent. Drawn into secret meetings with Lady Quincy, trips to Cambridgeshire and being followed/threatened by two strangers, Marwood struggles to untangle the web that is weaving tighter around him.

Another great read and can't wait to see if there is a next encounter

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The King's Evil is the third in the series of novels set during the period of Charles 11 and featuring the King's civil servant/investigator Marwood and the enigmatic, trainee architect Cat Lovell. Following on from the events which led to Marwood being injured and scarred, Marwood investigates when Cat's cousin and rapist is found drowned. Rich with period detail, sympathetic and interesting, well written characters this novel teaches the reader about a chapter in history whilst also a fast moving thriller.

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I loved this book! I love the tension between Marwood and Cat. The storyline was great, the characters were flawless and the book was a very easy read. A must read!

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