This is the third book in the Jackdaw Mysteries series set in late 16th-century London (and other places). Reluctant spy Nicholas Shelby and innkeeper Bianca Merton are caught up again in Robert Cecil's machinations, this time sending Shelby to Morocco to investigate the disappearance of one of Cecil's spies.

I enjoyed the description of Marrakesh. But unfortunately I can't get into this series. Maybe it's because I don't find Nicholas or Bianca characters I can root for; maybe it's because they remind me too much of SJ Parris's Bruno series, which I much prefer. That's not the author's fault, of course, it's just a matter of personal taste.

It's fast-moving and set in a fascinating period and I'm sure other readers will love it.

I haven't read the previous novels in this series but this did work as a standalone. I enjoy books that fictitiously link with historical facts. The Elizabethan periods is one of my favourites and I really enjoyed this edition.

A good follow-up to the previous books in the series, taking Bianca and Nicholas to new and exotic places and driving them further apart, and then bringing them back together. Robert Cecil sits like a spider at the heart of this series, and the historical detail is well worth the read. Recommended.

We are taken back into the world of 1593 London in this series. Dr Nicholas Shelby and Bianca one of the first women apothecary’s reside in Bankside with their friends in the Jackdaw. Nicholas turns down Robert Cecil the Queens spymaster when he is asked to journey to Marrakesh and find out why the messages have stopped from the current undercover agent. When Bianca’s livelihood is threatened Robert Cecil will get his way and Nicholas will undertake the perilous journey.
Marrakesh is a dangerous place for Nicholas he is an outsider, who can he trust, his very life is on the line. The plotting will even reach back to Bianca in London where the Falconer roams amongst the plague ridden streets of Bankside.
There is good tension and pace in this book it is a page turner that will keep you up well into the night.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Maverick physician Nicholas Shelby is content working amounts the poor of Bankside, recovering from the loss of his wife and child, falling in love with apothecary and tavern-owner Bianca Merton and avoiding Robert Cecil. However Cecil has other ideas and wants Shelby to travel to Marrakech where one of his informers has gone silent. As plague threatens to engulf London, Shelby finds himself blackmailed by Cecil and travelling to Morocco living his loved ones in danger at home.
I really liked the setting of this story. The trade links that England forged with North Africa during the 16th century are a not particularly well-known part of history but are hugely important. Here the relative sophistication of life in Marrakech is contrasted with the dirty and squalid life in London and the advances in medicine that were known to the Arab world are compared with Western ideas. The plot bounces along at a good pace and satisfies in terms of twists and turns but it is the time and place that really wins out here.

Nicholas Shelby has once again been put in a situation by Robert Cecil where he has to do something he doesn't really want to do. This time he has to put himself in danger again and travel to Morocco as Robert Cecil's spy. If he doesn't do it then Bianca and her livelihood will suffer.
The atmosphere of Morocco is captured perfectly and makes the reader aware of the importance of Morocco both as a trade partner and in terms of their medical knowledge, which I prviously knew nothing about. Similarly I knew very little about the plague of 1563 (where in this book Bianca puts her shop into lockdown) where a quarter of the population of London died.
I've read the other two books in the series and enjoyed them both, but I think this is the best one. I really hope there are more to come in the series.

This is a fascinating period in our history and Perry takes us deep into the heart of Elizabethan society (both high and low) with this latest novel in the collection. Perry has the skill of using fact with fiction to weave gripping stories while increasing my desire to learn more and more about that time - and making me very grateful that I live in this one!

The Saracen’s Mark by S W Perry
This is the third in the Jackdaw series and follows The Angel’s Mark and The Serpent’s Mark. It is set in a Bankside area where the theatres are closed and Queen Elizabeth has retired to Windsor for fear of the pestilence which stalks London and as such was prescient of what is currently occurring worldwide – social distancing for fear of the virus.
Having read the two previous novels I was already familiar with the characters of Nicholas Shelby and Bianca Merton. He is a free thinking doctor who has previously worked for Sir Robert Cecil and has care for his two year old son and she is female apothecary and also runs The Jackdaw tavern. The story however opens in Morocco with the death of an agent of the English crown and so we know this is where Nicholas Shelby will be bound sometime soon. Before he sets off however there is intrigue and mystery on home soil. Farzad the cook in the Jackdaw Tavern disappears and Solomon, a Jackdaw regular, is tortured and killed. In addition we have the happier tale of the marriage of Ned and Rose; characters we met in previous books.
The sights and smells of the period are wonderfully evoked and the story draws you along to its conclusion and it makes a good addition to the vast number of books set in the Tudor period.
I would recommend it to reading groups and thoroughly enjoyed this third adventure with the characters. Many thanks to the publishers and to Net Galley for the opportunity to read the book in return for an honest review.

This is the third in Perry’s Jackdaw Mysteries, a series of historical thrillers set in Elizabethan England and whilst it can be read as standalone I recommend reading the previous books .

The year is 1593, Nicholas Shelby a physician and reluctant spy, is pressured by Robert Cecil into travelling to the Moorish city of Marrakech to investigate the disappearance of one of Cecil’s agents.
Meanwhile back in London Bianca manages her pub and apothecary shop in Southwark - her position is precarious in the unsettled times ...…………… it also looks as they the Black Death has returned .
AS Nicholas's investigations continue - Bianca also finds herself inexplicably investigating the same murderous plot after one of her customers , Solomon Mandel , is found dead . These murders must both be solved to ensure that the Queen and Country survive a catastrophic outcome .
Is an international conspiracy to blame / will England's security be at risk ?
The twists and turns of the plots and the outcomes will keep a reader fully invested in the story .

This Author is one of the best in the genre - able to write about the times , the politics , the important players all the while addressing the ordinary lives affected by the decisions of their 'betters' .

I look forward to reading more in this series from this outstanding Author .

I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Really good, unusual characters, set in Elizabethan England.. doctor Selby and his Italianate friend, Bianca .. also a healer in her way, and controversially tavern owner and Catholic .. get into trouble .. and out .. a terrific trip to Morocco for selby.. terrific because it's well presented .. and knowledge of importance of Arabic culture/ medicene known then too .. while Bianca battles plague and a murder .. this is part of a series, I will seek out. Top notch

I really enjoyed this book. History was brought to life and it was easy to immerse myself in the story. I read into the night. I could not put it down. This is an obviously well researched book and it is really well written.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

My thanks to Atlantic Books for an eARC via NetGalley of S.J. Perry’s ‘The Saracen’s Mark’ in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third in Perry’s Jackdaw Mysteries, a series of historical thrillers set in Elizabethan England. While background is provided for new readers, it’s a great series and well worth reading in order, especially to see the development of its characters and enjoy Perry’s vivid descriptions of Elizabethan England.

The series focuses on continuing tensions between the Catholic and Protestant faiths. The year is 1593, Nicholas Shelby is a physician and reluctant spy. Here he is pressured by Robert Cecil into travelling to the Moorish city of Marrakech to investigate the disappearance of one of Cecil’s agents. This journey also provides Shelby with an opportunity to meet with Moorish physicians, as he his well aware of the debt that Western medicine owes to Islamic medicine.

Back in London Bianca Merton, mistress of the Jackdaw tavern, is concerned about the return of the plague to the city. Her position as a single woman, a healer, and a Catholic is precarious given the bias against all three in Elizabethan society.

This proved another excellent foray into the late 16th century with the addition of Nicholas’ dangerous journey to Morocco. Elements of the sea journey were quite harrowing.

In the Historical Note Perry writes: “it seemed the ideal time to write a little about the debt Western medicine and science owe to the world of historical Islam. And then I discovered the extraordinary alliance between England and Morocco that began in the latter part of the sixteenth century.”

I have to admit that I hadn’t heard of this alliance so was quite intrigued to read about it. As with the previous books in the series, the narrative is peppered with historical figures. Perry also details who is who and where he has exercised creative licence in the Historical Note and provides a number of non fiction sources that may be of interest to his readers.

I always appreciate when an author of historical fiction has this level of dedication in terms of researching their period and the skill to weave these details into an immersive tale.

Overall, a highly enjoyable historical thriller that I loved. Certainly hoping that Perry will be writing more books in this excellent series.

Imagine your most comfy shoes and your cosiest jumper - this is were I find myself back in the third Nicholas Shelby/Bianca Merton story by S. W. Parry.
The characters have developed but thankfully not beyond recognition and the plot is as engaging as ever. A pinch of spice is added with the setting of part of the story in Marrakech and the twists are as subtly hinted as ever.
You will go on a sensory journey, taking you from the sights, smells and sounds of London’s Bankside to the exotic world of the Moors.
Parry is superb at dropping people’s idiosynchrasies into the narrative, a twitch, a furrowed brow, a furtive sideways glance. He plays with the reader, setting traps, red herrings and cliff hangers like so many expertly cast spells.
A highly, highly alluring read!

The book is set in a plague-ridden London and a mysterious and intriguing Marrakech, during the reign of Elizabeth the First.
The author authentically captures the historical mood and idioms of both cities during that period. The main protagonists, Nicholas Shelby and Bianca Merton are well rounded yet complex characters.
The story is absorbing with many unexpected twists to keep the reader fully immersed in the story. I was previously unaware of the important trade between the Arab world and Europe, especially in Saltpetre – a vital component of gunpowder.
SW Perry, the author, gives a thought-provoking description of London in the midst of a plague epidemic. We can perhaps make comparisons to the current period of mankind being devastated by the Covid-19 virus pandemic, with no known cure. Of course, social distancing in Elizabethan England was not possible except for the very wealthy.
I understand that there are two more novels in this series, which I intend to read in the future.
To summarise, the Saracen's Mark is a good read for those who enjoy historical novels, well researched, a fascinating plot and totally absorbing.

The Saracen’s Mark is the third book in the Nicholas Shelby and Bianca Merton series set in the late 1500s England.

Set to a background of pestilence and conspiracy this is a very engaging and enjoyable historical fiction book that kept me hooked from the first page until the last one.

The author, S. W. Perry, clearly knows his subject and he brings sixteenth century London to life without drowning out the underlying storyline.

Shelby is requested by the Queen’s spymaster, Robert Cecil, to undertake a difficult and dangerous mission overseas whilst Merton has to fight both the plague and other threats at home.

There are a number of twists and turns throughout this novel which is definitely one that I would fully recommend.

I loved all the instalments in this series and this one was no exception.
The plot is full of twists and turns and it's well told as usual. There's a lot of character development and the historical background is vivid and well researched.
It was an engrossing and entertaining read, strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I love these books a lot! I read the first two and if you like historical fiction they are totally recommended.
This one also didn't disappoint. Well written, intriguing, well researched and it's a joy to go back in time with these characters.

Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.

London 1593. While Bianca manages her pub and apothecary shop in Southwark, her physician partner Nicholas is ordered by Robert Cecil to sail to the Barbary Coast to study Islamic treatment methods.
From here the story alternates between Britain and Morocco, allied government dealings, conspiracies and different cultures. In London the pestilence holds the city hostage, in Morocco the slave trade is in full operation.

The Sarencen's Mark is an action packed historical novel moving at a slow pace, giving the reader a lot of time to contemplate the events and take in all the sights and smells.

Thank you Netgalley and Atlantic Books for the ARC.

This is set in the Elizabethan time. It is the third book in a series written by the same author with the original characters.

Just like the other books, this book follows Nicholas Shelby, an unusual English physician who also helps those in power solve conspiracy theories.

In this book, Nicholas must help Robert Cecil find out what had happened to his acquaintance, Adolfo Sykes in Marrakech. Despite refusing to go as he intends to wed Bianca Merton, an apothecary who helps him and others in the poorer area by the Thames also the impending plague. He is coerced in doing Robert's bidding.

The book is well written with vivid descriptions and dialogues. I liked how it made references to areas near the Thames in London and Marrakech in Morocco, places that I know. I don't really read books set in the Elizabethan Era so I didn't like some of the old terms that were used as I didn't quite understand them but it makes the story more realistic and other readers may find it more engaging.

Another great adventure of Nicholas Shelby and Bianca Merton from S.W. Perry. This time Nicholas is again pulled in Robert Cecil's spying game despite trying to get out of it but Cecil is a persuasive man. This time it takes him to Morocco while Bianca finds herself deeply involved in something that she has no understanding of back home in Bankside. Both surviving brushes with death by a millimetre. I loved this story as with all S.W. Perry's books and this one is as good if not better than others. I couldn't put it down: many hours of being deeply engrossed in the 16th century and in the fascinating world in Morocco.