This fourth book in this romp through Restoration England deals with Richard Cromwell , the late protectors son. It seems he was not as successful or capable as his father, and he doesn't seem to be such a compelling character! He has been in exile in France, but has become homesick for his family, and has returned very surreptitiously to London, as once back home, he is closely spied upon by the King's watchers
Cat Lovett, now Mrs. Hakesby, was a friend and playmate of Richard's daughter, Elizabeth. Cats parents were wealthy and great friends of the Cromwell family, and when Elizabeth gets in touch with Cat, she is suspicious of her motive for doing so. It appears that both Richard and Elizabeth are searching for hidden treasure hidden in the old Royal apartments in Whitehall, and they need the plans from Cats husband, Simon Hakesby, who is an architect. To access the location of this treasure, we are introduced to the less than fragrant world of the Mazer Scourer, named Ferrus. This name and occupation was totally unknown to me, and you could almost smell the odours rising off the pages!! We were also introduced to Bawdy houses, riots against such establishments and the Duke of Buckingham is still being less than trustworthy, as we see him fighting duels, and being involved in many nefarious schemes. James Marwell becomes involved in the action, by being a friend to Cat, rescuing a young prostitute, and not for the first time, being knocked unconscious.!
One of the central characters dies, which may work out very favourably to two of our much loved personages in this series of books.
I really enjoy improving my scanty knowledge of this period of history, not covered when I was at school in the 1960's. The amount of detail is well researched and never becomes dry in tone. By concentrating upon familiar characters, we are free to comprehend the issues of social morality, the schemes of so called gentlemen, and the lifestyle of the women, both titled and those engaged in the oldest profession!!
These stories are set in the 1600's, and therefore, we have the rebuilding of St. Paul's Cathedral, and the completion of the Dragon Yard to look forward to!! I do hope there are more adventures in store.
It is the mark of a good book, that the minute I have finished reading it, I am immediately hankering for the next one to come my way. I have bought the first three books for my youngest son's birthday, and they and he are on their way to the Falkland Islands for the next six months. I hope they will occupy and educate him, so we can discuss them on his return. I have also recommended them to my U3A group, as a possible book to explore later this year. I will leave a feedback on Goodreads later tonight, as a five star read.

Reviewing as a stand-alone not having read the previous three books relating it would appear to the main characters. A well researched and well written historical novel but one which steered away from the overload of historical facts which often appear in similar type books.
While the 'cameo' character was the mute and abused Ferrus, the sewer cleaner, I am not sure the change of writing style used for his 'speech' was necessary. Quite amusing but a little grating (no pun intended) at times . Nevertheless an interesting and enjoyable read.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the chance to write an unbiased review.

The final (?) book in Taylor’s 17th C Marwood series, set against the machinations of Cromwellian England. This was everything I’ve come to expect from the series. Detailed and effortless historical worldbuilding. Fast paced and twisting plots and engaging character interactions. A great series that bears revisiting.

Once again Andrew Taylor brings alive the past in this 17th century setting of the fourth book in this series. With James Marwood and Cat Lovett involved in the world of intrigue in the reign of Charles the Second with the Duke of Buckingham and the late Protector Richard Cromwell the focus in the beautifully crafted plot. He romps along with the tale fitting in the every day characters of life at that time, be they the aristocrats or the lowest level of society Ferris a sewer scraper.. Without overpowering detail the past is brought alive to make a wonderful story that will engage the reader from the first page!

Really enjoyed this tale of life in 17th century. Although a work of fiction, it gave us an insight into the history of the day and how life was lived and it must have been hard.
I found myself feeling very sorry for some of the characters and the life they led; in particular, the poor creature Ferrus and his only friend - the dog Windy. Despite this, the book teems with life and is colourful and eventful.
Our history is an amazing thing and books such as this, help us to peel back the veils of time and feel it for ourselves. Highly recommended.

The latest book in the series featuring James Marwood and Cat Lovett/Hakesby lives up to the high standard set by previous installments. The characters range from King Charles II & the Duke of Buckingham to Ferrus, assistant to a mazer scourer (cleaner and maintainer of sewers with minimal tools and no PPE (personal protective equipment), dealing with the 17th century equivalent of fat-bergs, amongst other things). The Last Protector of the title is Richard Cromwell, who briefly took over from father Oliver before having to flee the country at the time of the Reformation.
The sights and sounds of London are, once again, brought vividly to life, with smells also added this time out.
Cannot wait for the next novel in the series.

A good romp through 17th Century Stuart England! Were there intelligence offices in a Scotland Yard as early as this? Well who cares, it makes for a good premise for this exciting tale of the brash, bold and bullying character that was my Lord Buckingham and his henchmen! The author has a clever way of making us ‘almost’ like him! Thankfully our hero Marwood soon sees the man for what he is, though he himself is not the bravest or the most handsome, he is very human and decent, the kind of man we would like to know better. Charles himself appears briefly as a rather innocuous character certainly overshadowed by the larger than life Buckingham! Waiting in the shadows, that he appeared to constantly live in, is Oliver Cromwell’s son Richard, a pale rather feeble character compared to his father. His daughter Elizabeth is made of slightly stronger stuff. However, she fails to impress our heroine Cat, a woman of the future - an excellent romantic foil for our spy - she is her own person and I certainly hope we hear more of her perhaps in the next instalment of Marwood and his adventures!
The only mildly irritating character is Ferrus who is pure Tolkien! His appearances changing the tense, person and flow were unnecessary - perhaps an Artful Dodger would have been preferable!
Loved it - more please!

The latest in Andrew Taylor's 'The Ashes of London'. historical crime series continues with James Marwood and Cat Hakesby, nee Lovett, involved in another secret mission for Charles II's government. Richard Cromwell, son of the famous Oliver, is back in Britain and stirring up trouble. Meanwhile, the disreputable Duke of Buckingham is involved in a duel in which a man is killed. Taylor's books have a real sense of time and place. You feel as though you're living in the 17th century through the characters, in their dirty London streets. Their friends and acquaintances are a mixed bunch from flighty Elizabeth Cromwell to down to the delightfully-name Ferrus, a mute mazer-scourer's labourer (don't ask!). Works well as a stand-alone novel, but it's well worth reading the rest of this fascinating series.

This is the fourth book in the series. I haven’t read any of the previous books but that isn’t a problem because the plot is standalone. You can see from the writing that there are prior relationships and events that have happened to the central characters, which are alluded to, but it doesn’t matter if you haven’t read them as the characters stand on their own two feet.
It is set in 1668 in Restoration England. The plot rolls along with spies and intrigue at the highest echelons of society, with King Charles II making an appearance, alongside Dukes, Lords, and Richard Cromwell and his daughter Elizabeth.
It is around the Cromwell’s that the plot centres, along with the Duke of Buckingham. James Marwood and Cat Hakesby (nee Lovett) are the erstwhile ‘goodies’, our protagonists who are trying to go about their lives, but somehow seem to get sucked into the intrigue (although Marwood’s job is essentially one of intrigue anyway).
A variety of characters all play their part in the plot, including servants, mazer scourers who clean the sewers, prostitutes with a good heart, and the general workers of London.
Action scenes can be difficult to get right in a book, but the action scenes here were very well written and I could visualise what was happening.
The final few chapters worked well and pulled different aspects of the story together.
I enjoyed this book and will catch up now with the previous ones in the series.

Completely wonderful .. the devious court after Cromwell's death, and his odious family .. the wife of much older architect figures out the Cromwell family ruse and with assistance of smart clerk, Marwood, manages to fix them all and save income and livelihood. Realky smart with cliff hangers every chair and a half, great characters .. (all have bowel problems!) Illegality abounds among high and mighty right up to the king. Excellent...

The fourth in Andrew Taylor's crime series set in Restoration London, The Last Protector, depicts a population rapidly losing its infatuation with the extravagant and lascivious Charles II. Against this background, the Duke of Buckingham seeks to manipulate both parliament and monarch by courting those who look back fondly to the firm government of Oliver Cromwell. By chance his machinations draw in Cat Lovett and James Marwood, the protagonists of the previous three books, and we watch as they struggle like flies in his web.

It's a hugely entertaining tale, solidly built and gripping, but it's also a convincing portrait of an era. The research is meticulous but never intrudes. Some of the detail is delightful, my favourite being the application by doctors of a brace of freshly killed pigeons to a wound. All the characters are strongly drawn, even minor ones like Buckingham's thugs, or Ferrust he unfortunate mazer-scourer (that's a sewer cleaner to you and me).

Full of colour and atmosphere, the Last Protector depicts a world in which life is cheap, and the powerful have no regard for those who stand in the way of their schemes. But at the heart of his story, and what really gives it its power, is the relationship between Marwood and Lovett delicately shifting back and forth through a barely acknowledged emotional register .

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher HarperCollins UK for the ARC.
A perfect blend of fact and fiction makes this a most enthralling read. I really enjoyed it, although I haven't read any of the previous books in the series, that didn't present a problem.

Set in 17th century England, eighteen months after the Great Fire of London, King Charles II is on the throne and Richard Cromwell - the Last Protector, who succeeded his father Oliver, is in exile on the continent. Richard could never return to England because he was being held personally responsible for the Protectorate's debts. However, in disguise, he is lodging with his daughter Elizabeth in London where he wants to trace some valuables left to him by his late mother, but he needs access to now disused sewers on land owned by the Duke of Buckingham.

Catherine (Cat) Hakesby and husband Simon are surveyors and architects; Cat is also a childhood playmate of Elizabeth, Richard's daughter. In order to execute a plan to reclaim the valuables Cat and Simon have to become involved, much against Cat's better judgment.

James Marwood, a Government Agent, cannot help but to become involved, especially as Whitehall is concerned about the murmurings of the Duke of Buckingham and his friends - all of whom hanker after "the good old days" (in Oliver's time). Amidst fears of a renewed uprising against the King's wishes in Parliament. He also has a past protective relationship with Cat.

The writing flows beautifully; the author conveys the sights and sounds of a filthy, stinking London which is gradually being rebuilt. There's menace along the dark cobbled streets and the dirt tracks - you can almost smell the grime and poverty. The watermen on the Thames, the prostitutes in bawdy houses.
This is a complex and intriguing plot woven around thoroughly researched historical facts

Highly recommended.

The series continues with Marwood and Cat on good form. Very enjoyable period detail and good writing and plot, although the behaviour of some of the characters - and that they are allowed to get away with it - is a bit unbelievable.

The next instalment and just as great in brining to life the streets of London in the Restoration. Intrigue, plots and twists. Perfect.

I have been fortunate to have all three previous books in this series. I have enjoyed them all and this is no exception. The relationship between the two characters goes from strength to strength and its story line is woven into a well researched story set just after the Great Fire of London. I am not sure how well this will be received as a stand alone story. I feel you need to know the back story

The fourth book in this excellent series featuring James Harwood and Cat Lovett. Andrew Taylor is such a good writer, the narrative flows effortlessly. The historical detail of the seventeenth century is superb. The tense relationship between Harwood and Cat really drives the story along. A very good read.

Another solidly crafted book in this fabulous series . Dripping in atmosphere and historical detail .

Andrew Taylor's latest addition to his 17th century series featuring James Marwood and the daughter of the regicide, Cat Lovett, captures the dangerous and turbulent times under the restored King. Whilst at the beginning the King proved to be popular, replacing the last protector,son of Oliver Cromwell, Richard, this is no longer the case, there is now a ground swell of antipathy and hostile feelings towards the King. There is unhappiness at his extravagance, the licentiousness and immorality of the court, there is a growing nostalgia of the past golden age of the Protectorate, and many who would welcome its return. There are those amongst the King's circles who are willing to play with fire, ostensibly claiming allegiance and loyalty, but planning and engaging in treacherous activities.

Richard Cromwell, in exile in Europe, fleeing his considerable debts is deemed to no longer to be a threat, but he has returned in disguise, missing his home, family and country, and the potential horrors of another Civil War hang in the air. Cat, now married to the elderly architect, Simon Hakesby, is finding married life is not the safe and secure prospect she had envisaged, Simon is less appreciative of her strengths, his health is failing, and his poor decision making places their lives at risk. She finds herself ensnared in the dangerous intrigues of others with Elizabeth Cromwell, Richard's daughter, renewing her acquaintance with Cat, Richard wants access to Simon's plans of Whitehall palace gardens to get hold of a parcel hidden by his mother. Simon falls over himself to help Richard, paying little regard to Cat's desperate worries, but she is held back from asking for help from Marwood, feeling a misplaced loyalty to Simon. Marwood is tasked to spy on a forbidden duel, which makes him a target of the King's favourite, the Duke of Buckingham, an entitled, powerful, influential, confident and ambitious man. In a narrative where Cat and Marwood face the possibility of treason charges, a country's fate hangs in the balance.

Wilson's impressive research ensures that the London and England he depicts has a strong sense of authenticity, with its brothel houses, the political intrigues, the sewers and their maintenance, the poverty, and a Parliament unwilling to play ball with a King desperate for money. Marwood finds himself in the line of fire, given he is working for Joseph Williamson, the Under Secretary of State to Lord Arlington, who are trying to bring down Buckingham and the power he wields with the King. He is going to have use all his wits and intelligence to ensure Cat's safety and that he himself survives the plots and secrets rife in London. This is a wonderful historical series that I have followed from the beginning, it is atmospheric, and captures the period details beautifully. This will appeal to those who love their well written historical fiction and particularly to those who are interested in 17th century England. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.

Another rollicking episode in the James Marwood series. This time involving the Duke of Buckingham and Richard Cromwell, son of The Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell. It begins with Oliver's widow leaving a strange letter to her son living in exile at the time. He returns and with his daughter seeks a mysterious legacy which eventually involves Marwood and his longtime "friend" Cat Hakesby. Lots of blood letting ensues and along with political games a complex web is woven. Splendid entertainment!

The political manoeuvring of the 17th century is brought to life vividly in the latest Marwood book from Andrew Taylor. The story wends through palaces, parks, streets, up and down-river, into bawdy houses and even down sewers. The list of characters from duelling Dukes to ageing architect, Lord Protector to mazer’s boy are engagingly written, and draw you into the plots and intrigues of the time. This is a thoroughly enjoyable series and this latest instalment definitely doesn’t disappoint!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.