I was sent a copy of The King’s Evil by Andrew Taylor to read and review by NetGalley.
I was really excited to be reading another historical novel by Andrew Taylor with characters James Marwood and Cat Lovett, protagonists from his previous two brilliant novels The Ashes of London and The Fire Court. While I really enjoyed this novel for me it didn’t have quite the same intensity and strength that the previous two had. The story was good but the intrigue didn’t seem quite so compelling and while it was well written there were times when the author reiterated previous passages in further chapters which I thought could have been hinted at rather than fully explained – I don’t like to be spoon fed! Don’t get me wrong I read this book at every available opportunity and finished it within a couple of days and would definitely recommend it but it didn’t quite match the 5 star rating that I previously gave the other two.

Having read the first two books in the series and enjoyed them I had high expectations for volume three. I did enjoy the continuing story but not quite as much as expected. That aside, the, thus far, trilogy continues to provide a fascinating look at some aspects of life in 17th Century England. In some ways, not that different from the 21st Century where politics, religion and sex still play a seemingly disproportionate part in everyday life.

The characters and their circumstances continue to be realistically drawn and so, if you enjoy historical fiction, this series is certainly worth reading.

Historical murder investigation along similar lines to the C J Samson series but a different time in history. Interesting story which brings the streets of London to life following the Great Fire. Some good characters, intrigue, blackmail and involvement of King Charles 11 with the laying on of hands.

My thanks to Harper Collins U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of Andrew Taylor’s ‘The King’s Evil’ in exchange for an honest review.

London 1667. When a body is found in a pavilion in the grounds of Clarendon House, the palatial home of one of Charles II’s highest courtiers, James Marwood is ordered to cover up the murder. Yet when the identity of the victim is revealed suspicion falls upon his friend Cat Lovett. Marwood investigates and also becomes involved in other intrigues associated with the Royal Court.

This is the third in Taylor’s Marwood and Lovett series set in Restoration England. While I had bought the previous books, ‘The Ashes of London’ and ‘The Fire Court’, I haven’t read them yet so was kicking myself a little once I realised this novel was part of a series and found that I had no time to catch up.

However, this proved no barrier to my enjoyment as Taylor has provided enough background and included a very handy list of main characters with occupations at the beginning.

I was astonished by how excellent this novel was. Throughout I felt totally immersed in the storyline and the period. Restoration London came vividly alive through his words.

I enjoyed it so much and found it very hard to put down. I also find that I have become very attached to both Cat and Marwood though of course now have the pleasure of reading both of the earlier novels. I am also hoping for further books in this series. Certainly highly recommended.

I think that I wouldn't have picked this up if I had realised it is part of a series- I often found myself floundering not understanding the already established relationships based on previous situations. The cast of characters is also vast, so I did find it difficult keeping up with the assorted nobles, servants and courtiers in various locations. For me things seemed to move at glacial pace, especially in the first half of the book but still I persevered, drawn in by intrigue. The King's Evil is a well written yarn all the same and I would probably happily revisit the English Restoration period again.

The third book in the historical series featuring James Harwood and Cat Lovett. The historical setting is really well done. The plot is exciting, tense and intriguing with multiple plot twists. The story flows well and the characters are well-developed. Possibly the best book yet in the series. Andrew Taylor's writing is, as always, beautiful and intelligent. Highly recommended.

This is the third book in the brilliant historical fiction series featuring Marwood and Cat Lovett. This time Marwood investigates a highly sensitive murder which also includes a journey outside of London to Cambridge. The last 2 books have been addictive reading and this book does not disappoint. The relationship between Marwood and Cat continues to develop even though Marwood is unsure how involved Cat is in the series of events this book covers. This series has become one of my favourite historical crime fiction books, in part because the period this covers 1667 is not as well known as the Tudor period that is so commonly written about. If you are looking for a fantastic read that keeps you guessing till the end then look no further than these wonderful books by Andrew Taylor. I cannot recommend enough.

This is the 3rd in the excellent historical fiction series by Andrew Taylor featuring the traitor's son, James Marwood and Cat Lovett, set in the reign of Charles II in 1667 in London. Marwood has been left with the scars of the fire on one side of his face after events that occurred in the last book. He is still serving two masters, he is clerk for William Chiffinch, a powerful man close to the King, and Joseph Williamson, Under Secretary for the Secretary of State for the South. Lord Clarendon has fallen out of favour in the Royal Court, his opulent home, Clarendon House, is the source of much resentment, but he still has influence, his daughter married the King's brother, James, the Duke of York. Marwood has been sent to Clarendon House where a dead body has been found in the well. The murdered man is Edward Alderley, Cat's cousin, and a man she despises for good reason.

It is Marwood's dangerous task is to investigate this highly politically sensitive murder, that is to threaten the King himself, and places unwelcome pressure on a Marwood caught between the machinations, scandal and intrigue amongst the most powerful and ruthless people in London. Lady Quincy, a woman Marwood yearns for, advises Marwood to warn Cat that Alderley knows of her whereabouts, and to tell her to go into hiding. Cat is deemed to have killed Alderley, although Marwood is not so convinced. The King's Evil is the restitution of a ceremony to heal those afflicted with scrofula (tuberculosis) by the touch of Charles II which reinforces the divine right of the king. Lady Quincy has an black African child as her servant who has the disease, wanting him to be admitted to the ceremony. With Cat nowhere to be found, Marwood seeks to look out for her, knowing that to do so places him in danger. Marwood accompanies the manipulative Lady Quinn on a secretive expedition to Cambridge and the remote Fens, where he begins to get an inkling of what is going on behind the scenes in his most challenging of cases.

This is an excellent addition to this series, the historical period is wonderfully depicted with its rich descriptions of London, Cambridge and the Fens. The characterisation is stellar in its development as we see Marwood infatuation with Lady Quincy play out and the complicated position it puts him in, whilst his compassion and loyalty to his friends and acquaintances marks him out as a man of substance. Cat's role is smaller here, but no less significant in the action that takes place, plus she is marrying her elderly employer, Simon Hakesby, architect and builder, in an effort to counter the precariousness of her position. This is a hugely compelling piece of historical fiction, which shows a politically adept monarch utilising the adage of keeping his enemies close, and a Marwood subject to the whims and orders of those with substantially more power than him, requiring all his skills to negotiate his way through the political quagmire he is faced with. Highly recommended. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.