The Last Protector is the fourth book in the James Marwood and Cat Lovett series. It is set in the 17th century, just after the Restoration of King Charles II. The main protagonists are James Marwood (a government agent) and Cat Lovett (the much younger wife of an elderly architect). Both characters have fathers who are considered traitors to the Crown, so they have to tread carefully. Although they are good friends, rather than work together to solve crimes (as I expected) they usually become involved in the same mystery from different ends.

In this story James has been instructed to spy on the Duke of Buckingham, a wealthy, influential and supposed friend of the King - but just as likely to betray him! Cat, meanwhile, has been contacted by a childhood friend - the daughter of Richard Cromwell, the last Lord Protector of the British Isles. The Cromwell family is down on their luck but Richard believes his mother left something of substantial value hidden in her former lodgings at the Palace of Whitehall. Can Cat's husband help them find it?

I do love a good treasure hunt and it was this, combined with the amount of atmospheric historical detail, that really made this story for me. Cat is my favourite character because she is so proactive, although I loved the scene where the more cautious James inadvertently ends up hiding in a brothel!

The Last Protector would suit anyone who loves a cracking good historical mystery and I can't wait to read the next one in the series!


Thank you to Andrew Taylor and HarperCollins for my copy of this book, which I requested from NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.

Another excellent story from this author who transports you back in time. Definitely recommended to those readers who enjoy reading historical mysteries.

The Last Protector is a historical thriller set during the Restoration and after the Great Fire of London and the latest novel featuring government agent James Marwood and architect Cat Hakesby. The return of Oliver Cromwell's son Richard, the Last Protector involves James and Cat in more intrigue and danger. Restoration England is brought to life vividly and I look forward to the next novel in this series.

I love the Marwood series and the stories that revolve around Cat and Marwood are so well written that you are pulled into history with all its politics and the intrigue. I keep hoping that this would be the book where my favourite characters finally get their act together and see how they are perfect for each other but I think Ill have to wait for the next one! The characters, plot and the style keeps one engaged and entertained. Highly recommended!

I do tend to enjoy a bit of historical fiction, and this was no exception. This is the fourth book of the series, which I didn’t realise, as I don’t tend to pick up books halfway through, however, this was completely standalone and on finishing it now I’ve only just discovered it’s is number 4!

It’s a very fast paced, well written and exciting storyline. I did get myself lost off a few times as to who was who and what connected with what but that’s not unusual for me and it didn’t spoil the book for me.

Overall, a really good read.

My thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the copy.

Fourth in the 17th century crime series by Andrew Taylor, ‘The Last Protector’ sees the return to London of Richard, Oliver Cromwell’s son, and last Protector of England before the restoration of the king in 1660. And it also heralds the central plot return of Cat Lovett. Ever since the first book in the series, I have waited for Cat to have a key role in the plot again.
The story begins as James Marwood, clerk to the Under secretary of State to Lord Arlington, is sent to secretly observe a duel between two lords. Meanwhile Cat, now Mistress Hakesby and married to a frail elderly architect, meets a childhood acquaintance in the street. This is Elizabeth Cromwell, daughter of Richard. Remembering their friendship as a fleeting thing, Cat is confused by Elizabeth’s eagerness to rekindle their relationship. Until, visiting Elizabeth at her godmother’s house, she is introduced to a fellow guest John Cranmore. But a peculiar habit of tapping a finger on the table brings back memories for Cat, to the time when she and her father moved in elevated political circles, and she realizes Cranmore is a false name. Elizabeth, it becomes clear, is seeking a precious object hidden by her grandmother. The object is hidden in the Whitehall sewers beneath The Cockpit, site of the cockfighting pit, theatre and jumble of additional buildings. The Hakesbys have the architectural drawings and Elizabeth needs Cat’s help to instigate her search.
In the bigger picture, Easter holiday riots attacking brothels seem to be politically motivated. Holidays are notorious times for brawls by apprentices, but these riots by the Levellers seem encouraged by bawdy newssheets of questionable origin. The Levellers shout ‘we have been servants, but we will be masters now’. Marwood is attacked and chased around the back alleys of the City while Cat, helping Elizabeth retrieve the mysterious package, is chased and escapes with the help of Ferrus, a mazer scourer, the lowest of the low who clears blockages in the sewers.
Marwood and Cat share little page time but their separate stories and chases become entwined as the troublesome history of Cat’s dissenter father puts her in grave danger. And affecting everything are the political machinations and arguments between crown and government.
An excellent page-turner.
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The second instalment in Taylor's series revisits James Marwood and Cat Lovett as London is virtually rebuilt in the wake of the Great Fire. After Oliver Cromwell passed away, his son, Richard, became the next Lord Protector of England in his place. Lacking respect and authority, he left the post less than a year after succeeding his father and began a life in voluntary exile. But now he has returned to London in disguise, on a mission to recover a mysterious package from the palace gardens of Whitehall that was supposedly hidden there by his mother.

Cat, a regicide's daughter, is now married to elderly architect and surveyor, Simon Hakesby. When Richard Cromwell and his daughter approach Hakesby and ask him for his blueprints of Whitehall to aid in their hunt for the hidden treasure, Cat has her reservations. Her husband's failing health and loyalty to the late Lord Protector means he's willing to put their finances - and lives - at risk by agreeing to help him. With James Marwood being tasked with uncovering the truth behind Richard's motives, he is torn between his loyalty and friendship to Cat, and carrying out his duty.

I really enjoyed this, and have been enjoying historical fiction more on the whole recently, too! Both this title and The Ashes of London are incredibly well-researched and the attention to detail is brilliant, right down to the intricate layout of the streets surrounding Covent Garden and the Strand. There is a lot of literature and information in general about the capital at the time of the Great Fire of London, but little that documents the city and its inhabitants in the years that followed. I found it impossible to predict what was going to happen, and couldn't put the book down as I approached the end! Despite being set over 350 years ago, it wasn't a difficult or dense read. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction, or historical murder mysteries!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Cromwell’s Return

I have enjoyed all the previous novels in the series and this is no exception. I especially enjoy the interplay between the feisty Cat Lovett and the insecure Morwood, both of them damaged by their association with the Cromwellian Commonwealth. And this association is what implicates them again, with the return of Thomas Cromwell, incognito, to England, an impoverished and weak man, attempting to regain a treasure which will restore his fortunes. Add to the mix the populist Duke of Buckingham, totally untrustworthy, a man who manipulates society to his own advantage, as scorning of the king as of his own supporters. Cromwell and Buckingham will involve Cat and Marwood, as well as Cat’s elderly husband Hakesby, in a dangerous conspiracy.

The story takes Marwood and Cat to palace and brothel, through intrigue and violence to a conclusion in the putrid sewers of London. Once again an enjoyable and entertaining read.

Great read! Haven’t been able to put this one down! I’ve really enjoyed reading this one. Completely different from my usual genre but a great read.

This is the fourth book in Andrew Taylor’s series featuring James Marwood, a government agent and Cat (Catherine) Lovett, set in Restoration England. The year is 1668 and the exiled Richard Cromwell, son of Oliver, heavily in debt, has returned in disguise to England.

Charles’ extravagant life style and licentious behaviour has now lost him the support of the people and many are hankering after the old days under Oliver Cromwell and then his son, Richard as Lord Protectors. He needs Parliament to vote him the funds to pay off his debts, maintain his court and fund the expansion of the navy and is relying on the Duke of Buckingham for support. However Marwood’s masters suspect that Buckingham is secretly conspiring against the King and assign him to spy on him.

Cat, a regicide’s daughter, is married to Simon Hakesby, an elderly and ailing surveyor and architect. She knew Richard’s daughter Elizabeth as a child and finds herself drawn into the Cromwells’ plan to recover a package Richard’s mother had hidden in the Cockpit in the gardens of the Palace of Whitehall just before her death; a package Richard hopes would be sufficient to clear his debts. He turns to the Duke of Buckingham for support in gaining access to the Cockpit. Buckingham is keen to use Richard in his plans to gain power. Cat, who now is unhappy in her marriage, resentful of Simon’s demands on her, is reluctant to get involved but unfortunately for her Simon is eager to help, and they soon find themselves in great danger. She is reluctant to ask for Marwood’s help fearing they could be charged with treason.

Like the earlier books in the series this is a gripping story, full of historical detail, complications, intrigue and danger. The characterisation is brilliant with memorable characters such as Ferrus, a mazer-scourer’s labourer, who lives a terrible life, forced to sleep in a kennel with Windy, a vicious dog that guards the kitchen yard at the Cockpit. Treated brutally by his master, Ezra Reeves, his job is to clean the sewers. He is starved so he can squeeze himself down unto the foul stinking mess of the sewers, bending his long thin arms and legs. The stench of London comes across very vividly in this novel. Then there is Chloris, the kind-hearted prostitute, who helps Marwood.

This is a book full of action too, with a swiftly moving plot and a climatic ending. It is full of suspense and surprises. Andrew Taylor is a supreme storyteller, combining fact and fiction – his novels are full of historical details that slot seamlessly into his stories.

I’ve read all the earlier books and loved them too. It is not necessary to read the earlier books as I think they all work well as standalones, but I think it really helps if you do.

Many thanks to the publishers, HarperCollins for my review copy.

Fans of Andrew Taylor's previous Lovett and Marwood novels are unlikely to be disappointed in this latest outing.

The early years of the Restoration are packed with intrigue, corruption and adventure. In The Last Protector, James and Cat are both drawn into the problematic (and fictional) return to England of Richard Cromwell--for whom the book is named--and the scheming of the untrustworthy royal favourite, the Duke of Buckingham. The intrigues are believable and engaging, with James's divided loyalties between his awkward friendship with Cat and his employer Williamson propelling the latter half of the novel.

It's not quite a five-star novel for me - the first half lacks pace, and Cat's husband's character has changed since the last novel in a way I didn't find convincing - but there is so much that's good that I'll still be at the front of the queue to read the next one.

Marwood and his damned wigs! The fourth instalment of the Lovett and Marwood series brings more plotting and schemings in the court of Charles II as the Last Protector, the son of Cromwell, secretly comes back to London on a mission to help clear his debt by finding a heirloom his mother hid in the sewers of London.
The story picks up threads left from the last book as the Duke of Buckingham and his henchmen - one tall and thin, the other short and fat - strive to make both Cat and Marwood’s lives difficult. It is different in that it is not a murder that fuels the story (murder however does occur later make no mistake) and it is Cat rather than Marwood who is at the centre of things from the beginning.
Cat and Marwood are both wonderfully rounded and at times both of them betray acutely unlikable traits. Cat is haughty and sharp, she snaps at people is often rude and unforgiving not without reason, she’s had a lot thrown at her in the past few years. Marwood is often pompous and priggish, he is easily pricked and is a self confessed coward but both of them when it comes to the crunch want to do the right thing. I love them both for their delicious failings, for overcoming them and bowing to their better natures.
In this book both of them seem to grow up and begin to look up to see the people around them this is perhaps more significant in Cat who, because of the event of her past, finds it difficult to trust. She also has the laser like ability see through to people’s true natures, she will suffer no fools gladly. She has shackled herself to a sick elderly husband who she thought she could control. She quickly finds herself fiercely resenting him both for how he treats her and dragging her into treasonous plots through his own weakness but she has no interest in and pitying him for his illness and the loss of the man he used to be. Marwood is quickly gathering a houseful of strays and I wonder how he will provide for them and buy a new wig with each adventure.
Those poor wigs they never survive. They are the true victims.

James Marwood is back and once again getting himself into trouble. Duke Buckingham and his men are still making trouble for him. Cat and her husband have got themselves involved in a situation with Richard Cromwell a man exiled from England but back to find something. Can James make sense of it all and keep himself and those he cares about safe.

Another brilliant story and as usual Marwood is getting himself injured. He doesnt have much luck in that area. Another dramatic and well built story. The plot is interesting and had me desperate to know what would happen next. The ending was very good too. It tied the story off well yet leaving me wanting more from James and Cat. I enjoy the world being created in this and the link to the history of the time. The writing is descriptive and allows the places to come alive. A great read.

The Last Protector is the 4th book in this excellent historical thriller series set in Restoration London. Once again It features traitor’s son turned Government agent James Marwood and Cat Lovett the regicide’s daughter. Andrew Taylor has given us another wonderfully atmospheric tale of scandal, duplicity, scandal and secrets.
I think that this series gets better as we grow to know and like the two main characters, and so although the story stands on its own, I think an appreciation of character development and backstories is probably enhanced if you read this after the rest of the series, especially as the previous 3 books are all very good.
Andrew Taylor is a master of creating a really believable sense of time and place. His writing is entertaining but also delivers a detailed and convincing portrayal of the period.
I don’t want to give away any plot details, as so much of this book depends on not knowing who everyone is, or what their motives are, but you won’t be disappointed with a setting that encompasses everything from brothels and sewers to disguised exiles, aristocratic duels, and intrigue within royal circles.
With thanks to Netgalley for a free copy of this book in return for an honest review

this the latest in the marwood and Lovett series felt was the weakest so far in the series and was really slow to get going and wasn't that exciting, maybe in the future Lovett can play a larger role in further plots.

My thanks to Harper Collins U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Last Protector’ by Andrew Taylor in exchange for an honest review. It was published on 2 April.

As I started reading after its publication date I obtained its audiobook edition, narrated by Leighton Pugh, and listened alongside reading the eARC.

London 1668. No one wants a return to the bloody days of the Civil War. However, when Oliver Cromwell’s son, Richard, quietly returns back to England from exile it could prove catastrophic.
 
James Marwood, a traitor’s son turned government agent, is given the assignment of uncovering Cromwell’s motives. Yet this is complicated by the discovery that his friend, Cat Lovett, was close to the Cromwells as a child. Elizabeth Cromwell, sister to Richard, seems especially keen to renew their friendship.

Both Marwood and Cat have mysteries to uncover. Yet they are walking a fine line as their activities could easily lead to them being charged with treason.

This is the fourth in Taylor’s James Marwood and Cat Lovett series set in Restoration England. Last year I read and reviewed ‘The King’s Evil’ so had some familiarity with the characters and setting.

Due to an estrangement Cat and Marwood have very little contact throughout the novel even if they are both involved with the Cromwells. Marwood’s chapters are narrated by him, while those detailing Cat’s activities are told in the third person.

Andrew Taylor does such a brilliant job of bringing the streets (and the sewers) of Restoration London vividly to life. I loved this novel and appreciated his Historical Note following the text that highlighted the historical events that he incorporated into the story. He also provides at the start a very useful list of the main and supporting characters and their occupations.

A highly recommended book and series.

Andrew Taylor takes you back to the 17th century London again and it's always a welcome visit here. The King has been restored but at what cost? Turbulent times are here and here to stay it would seem. Cromwell is still on everyone's minds and the cost and consequences of that are yet to be seen. It's like stepping inside not just a history book, but the real thing and it's a marvel how a writer can do this and yet still drive along a cracking plot.

There's revenge, plotting, hatred, loyalty, battles for power and much more besides. You couldn't make this stuff up - much of it happened or is based on real fact and what isn't I don't imagine is far from what probably did happen.

Now this, rather than Hilary Mantel is how I like my royal books. Much more interesting and immersive. This is an historical adventure!

Although this is the fourth book in a series, it can be read as a standalone. Great intrigue and very gripping reading too!

I was sent a copy of The Last Protector by Andrew Taylor to read and review by NetGalley.
I always enjoy Andrew Taylor’s Marwood and Lovett books, being very readable and quite compelling. I did find however, that this novel lacked a little of the intensity of the first two books in the series. It was rather more in line with The King’s Evil, the author’s third offering. The Last Protector was still full of intrigue and well-rounded characters and I did keep wanting to continue reading but there still wasn’t the spark that ignited the first in the series. Still worthy of 4 stars and a recommendation to read it from me though!

I've followed this series from the start and was keen for my next installment of Marwood's adventures as government agent in Restoration London. I did struggle a little more with the last book but was pleased that this one was (for me) a more enjoyable and pacy read.

The story opens with a duel being fought by the Duke of Buckingham, a powerful man but one that needs keeping on side for the king. Added into the messy aftermath of the duel is the return of Richard Cromwell to London, another potential problem in a society divided in so many ways. Marwood is sent on various tasks in order to unravel the potential threats to law and order, but his loyalties are tested due to his friendship with Cat Lovett (now Hakesby), the daughter of a regicide. In a London where everyone has secrets, Marwood has to work out who to trust and avoid those who have their sights on stopping him at any cost.

This is another meticulously-researched and beautifully written installment in the series. The relationship between Marwood and Cat is presented engagingly, being based on mutual trust but also as fragile and tentative as they try to support each other in treacherous times. The supporting characters are also well-written and credible and the plot twists keep coming. Highly recommended, but if you are new to the series then best to start at the beginning of the series as there is much to enjoy throughout.