I am a big fan of Robert Harris and I did enjoy this very much particularly as it is about a period of history that I am unfamiliar with. The last 50 pages are tension filled and it bacame a true page turner and though the fast pace of the end wasn’t matched throughout the book it is a good read.

An enthralling historical thriller about two of the regicides of Charles I and their pursuer. The story is well-researched and expertly told. I particularly enjoyed the characterisation of the central characters, my sympathies were definitely divided. Unbelievably, this is the first book I have read by Robert Harris, but I have enjoyed this one so much that I shall be reading more of his books as soon as possible. Highly recommended.

Robert Harris is the ultimate storyteller. Based on fact but using his mastery of fiction the story of two men who signed the death warrant of King Charles 1 takes the chase across New England, back to England and then back to New England. A novel that brings history to life.

Robert Harris is one of my go-to authors as he rarely disappoints. And this book certainly doesn't disappoint, in fact I think it is one of his best. I enjoy historical fiction based on true events as I usually learn about something that I knew little or nothing about. That is certainly true of the hunt for the regicides after the restoration of the monarchy in England. The cat and mouse chase kept me reading and the utter belief and faith of the Puritans had me in awe. A very good read with a very good ending. And a good bibliography for those who want to read further into this fascinating period in English history. With thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for a e-ARC of this title to read and review.

In this re-imagining of history, Harris tells the story of how Richard Naylor travels Britain, Europe and USA following the death of Oliver Cromwell, chasing fugitives Whaley and Goffe. This is a cat and mouse type story, and though the characterisation are, as you'd expect from Harris, good, I don't know... there was something missing for me. Whalley and Goffe hide in New England, periodically letting their families know they're still alive, and of course there is a level of suspense that carries the narrative forward, but I found it hard to get into. This, I think, is more to do with my personal taste rather than the skill of writer. I'm sure that many readers will devour this novel.

My grateful hanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.

I am trying to get more into historical fiction as it is not generally a genre that I read too much. However, I will always read Harris's books therefore I was delighted to get an ARC of Act of Oblivion.

This book tells the story of William Goffe and his father in law, Edward Whalley who are wanted for regicide - the killing of the King. Their adventures take them away from their families off across America as they run from Richard Nayler who has been commissioned to hunt them down - dead or alive.

I have to say I really enjoyed this book. Like I say, I am not a history buff or a lover of historical fiction but this book made me want to understand this period of time so much more. The stories of Goffe and Whalley, based in reality, were excellent and both characters leapt of the page.

The ending was also excellent and brought a long novel to a very satisfying and entertaining conclusion.

As usual Robert Harris rarely disappoints. The story of regicides Ned Whaley and Will Goffe who escaped a traitors death only to spend the rest of their lives on the run in a strange country. An intriguing tale about a period of history that I know little about. Having said that I’m not sure who were the goodies and who were the baddies but you instinctively wanted Whaley and Goffe to get away and live freely. Fans of Robert Harris will not be disappointed with this book.

Oliver Cromwell is dead, Britain has returned to being a monarchy and Richard Naylor is hell bent on bringing to justice all of Cromwell's men who signed the death warrant of Charles I. Naylor travels the lengths of Britain, forays into Europe and twice travels to America in pursuit of the people who have fled to evade justice. Even when ordered to give up on the pursuit, Naylor can't let it rest as he has a personal grievance against two particular fugitives.

Colonel's Whalley and Goffe have made their escape to America and are in hiding in New England. Relentlessly pursued by the dogged Naylor. Whalley and Goffe spend much of their life in hiding and moving from place to place. Even sending letters home to reassure their wives and children that they are alive and safe is too risky and they go long periods with no word from the outside world.

Robert Harris does what he does best, by reimagining history and building a fictional story from factual events. A cracking read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Act of Oblivion takes us back to the 17th century. Charles I has been put to death and, as the fickle world of politics, church and monarchy ebb and flow, it is decreed that those responsible for the trial and death of the former King must be found.

Colonels Whalley and Goffe are among those who flee their homes and leave behind their family. Running from Naylor, clerk to the Privy Council and someone with a personal grudge against Whaley and Goffe which will drive him to hunt them down at all costs. Unlike others who head for Europe, our protagonists head west across the Atlantic to New England. There they must keep their wits about them, aware that there is a bounty on their head and a manhunt led by Naylor is under way.

Robert Harris had used his impeccable skill of taking historic events and building a skin around the facts. Act of Oblivion is a riveting read. The characters are well rounded and the plot zips along. There was however (aligned with the times) a little too much scripture for me - but that’s because it sets my teeth on edge.

Gritty and real I absolutely loved this book. Thanks to Random House Cornerstone and Netgalley for an ARC.

Robert Harris's latest offering is a gripping piece of historical fiction, a blend of fact and fiction that imagines the turbulent period of history after the Restoration. It is 1660 and the monarchy in the form of Charles II has been returned to power, Colonel Edward Whalley and his son-in-law, Colonel William Goffe are wanted for the execution of King Charles I, a consequence of the English Civil War, followed by the rule of Oliver Cromwell. They board a ship to cross the Atlantic to America and the New England colonies, where many Puritans reside, sympathetic to their plight, landing in Boston. They are on the run and wanted for the killing of Charles I, with the royalists demanding a savage retribution. Under the provisions of the Act of Oblivion, 59 men who signed Charles I's death warrant have been found guilty in absentia of regicide and high treason.

Harris argues that there must have been someone who served the role of the fictitious Richard Nayler that he has created here, in London he is the secretary of the regicide committee of the Privy Council, he has the responsibility of tracking down the traitors. He is implacable in his pursuit of Whalley and Goffe, driven by a strong personal motivation, and willing to do whatever it takes, including manipulating the Duke of York. A huge reward of £100 each hangs over their heads for their capture, dead or alive. In a richly detailed and immersive narrative, Whalley and Goffe's predicament is given life beautifully, at first finding support and living openly amongst the community, but its not long before they are forced into hiding, having to move, facing betrayal as danger draws ever nearer. They have to survive in an inhospitable, if magnificent, unknown wilderness and harsh weather conditions, living under a cellar in virtual imprisonment, having to develop survivalist skills, learning from and bartaring with Native American Indians.

They desperately miss their loved ones back home, with Frances Goffe, Whalley's daughter and Goffe's wife, under close surveillance, and Whalley draws on his memories to try and write a memoir of his experiences of the Civil War and his relationship with Oliver Cromwell and Charles I. Will they be able to escape the powerful forces arraigned against them? One of the highlights for me was the stellar characterisations and the skills deployed in evoking Whalley and Goffe's challenging experiences in the New World, and showing how both sides believed they had God on their side. I have no doubt Harris's enthralling novel will be a success, it covers such a fascinating period of English history, it is very well written with a surprising twist at the end. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

You’re looked after with a Robert Harris book: solid prose, graspable characters, twists galore, and plenty of historical intrigue. Focusing on the darker side of the Restoration, Act of Oblivion delivers everything you want from a Harris historical thriller, while also mixing in intriguing samples of the folk horror of The Second Sleep (the past erupting into the present with horrific results) and the bloodthirsty satire of The Ghost (Lady Castlemaine picking out expensive wallpaper while the plague ravages London is not an accidental aside). Even after 30 years, Harris is a writer who continues to synthesise and evolve in his work; his books may be a comfort, but they’re still surprising.

Richard Nayler, an important official in the court of King Charles II, has an obsession to track down those who were responsible for the execution of the previous King Charles. He counts them off one by one as he accomplishes what he calls justice but others would call simply revenge. The pursuit takes the reader across two continents as he pursues two of his victims who are colonels in hiding in the American colonies. One of them uses his time to record his experiences in Cromwell’s court giving the reader further extended historical insights. There is no question that this book is a masterpiece of historical research and analysis. The outcome is part of history so for the reader there is no nail biting waiting for the finale. That is already known. The book is a very long read and while ibis an important contribution to historical records, it is an academic contribution rather than a riveting read.

Using real events, dates and locations as well as real characters (except for one), Robert Harris has written a recreation of the true story of the tracking down of the killers of Charles 1, in what was the biggest manhunt of the 17th century.

It’s 1660, and Colonel Edward Whalley and his son-in-law Colonel William Goffe, take flight from England across the Atlantic. Supporters of Oliver Cromwell, there’s a price on their heads of £100 each - dead or alive, for they have been convicted in absentia of high treason. They are regicides, guilty of the murder of Charles 1.

There were 59 signatories on the death warrant for Charles 1, and there is one man determined to bring them all to justice.

Richard Nayler, Secretary of the regicide committee of The Privy Council in London is tasked with tracking down all of the fugitives, but he has personal reasons to want Whalley and Goffe dead, and he will literally follow them across oceans, prairies, forests and mountains in his pursuit. Nowhere will be safe for them - Nayler will make sure of that!

And so begins what is an epic journey, in a strange land far away from everything and everyone the fugitives have ever known. Their journey takes them from one community to another as they find sympathisers willing to give them shelter, whilst at the same time, there are others who would be happy to give them up for the £100 each on their heads. A breathless, frightening, claustrophobic way of life, much of it spent in hiding, is what awaits the fugitives every step of the way, never knowing how long it will be before they have to go on the run again, where they will next lay their heads.

This was a very turbulent time in history, dominated as it was by religion and politics, vile atrocities on both sides, and Harris’s research brings it very much to life. This is a master storyteller at work. An exceptional, exciting, and suspenseful chase, a magnificent piece of historical fiction, very difficult to put down, and in my humble opinion, an absolute must read.

Goodness - I feel as if I have lived through the aftermath of the Civil War having read this book. At times it is long and gruelling; the descriptions of the executions are not for the faint hearted. Two of the main characters are compelled to spend most of their time in attics or cellars so their lives are not fast paced, however their story and their religious zeal make for an interesting tale.
Robert Harris is an excellent researcher and uses his talents to present history in a palatable story form. Thankfully towards the end of the book he diverts from the history lesson and gives us an old fashioned love story.

I have read many Robert Harris books and this was one of his best. A great storyline that emphasizes his great skill in combining historical fact with fiction and turning them into a fast paced tale. It centres around the death of Cromwell and the return of Charles II and his attempts to capture and prosecute all those responsible for his fathers execution. Many twists and turns in the story makes for an interesting and enjoyable page turning read.

Well I’m not disappointed, such a well written detailed book, the attention to detail is brilliant. A fantastic read

Act of Oblivion is yet another cracking good read from the master storyteller Robert Harris. Whatever period of history he turns his attention to, Harris manages not only to tell a wonderfully researched tale, but also to seamlessly blend in his own imagined but believable events and characters.
In Act of Oblivion Harris has written a recreation of the true story of the tracking down of the men behind the execution of Charles 1, in what must have been the biggest manhunt of the 17th century. In doing so he has turned this historical event into a thrilling page-turner.
There were 59 signatories on the death warrant for Charles 1, but, in 1660, with the monarchy restored, the tables have dramatically turned, and the search is on to track down and punish all those who signed. Two of these regicides flee to America and Harris creates a wonderful character, Richard Naylor, secretary of the regicide committee of the Privy Council, who for very personal reasons is determined to bring them to justice.
There was considerable cruelty, violence, and evil on both sides in the English Civil War and in its aftermath, so this book is not a battle between obvious ‘goodies’ and ‘baddies’. Both sides honestly believe that God is on their side, and it’s almost painful to watch as one of the regicides begins to question the past, when he asks how, if winning their early battles was a side that God was on their side, how should they interpret their eventual defeat?
It's a real testament to Harris’ skills that he humanises both the hunter and the hunted, so you are never entirely sure whose side you are on.
Act of Oblivion is clever, gripping, insightful, and hugely entertaining and yet another success for this champion of the intelligent thriller.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Following the restoration of the Monarchy in 1660 the Act of Oblivion was passed to prosecute those who had signed the death warrant of Charles I.

Two such men, Colonels Whalley and Goffe, left England to hide for a time in America. However, the Atlantic was not far enough to stop a search for them by the regicide hunter, Nayler, who was determined to track them down.

A great piece of historical fiction Harris weaves what was known to have happened together with what might have happened to fill the gaps that no one knows, to tell the story of the hunter and the hunted.

Thank you to the author, Cornerstone and NetGalley for this advance readers copy. All opinions are my own.

Robert Harris has done it again; woven a riveting tale around real people and events in a realistic reimagining of history. The title is taken from an Act of Parliament which arose following the Civil War. Many were pardoned but those who were directly involved as signatories to the regicide of Charles 1 were hunted down and executed. I’ve read a couple of excellent non fiction books about this period by Charles Spencer. Act of Oblivion, as a fiction, adds real substance to the people and events and it’s a fast paced page turner.

This is a fascinating and unprecedented historical period. A King was executed after a farcical ‘trial’ and Cromwell governed until the monarchy was reinstated and Charles II crowned. Parliament ‘ruled’ but it was an unsettled time with widespread repercussions when Charles took back the throne. This story concentrates on all those directly involved in hunting down traitors and bringing them to justice. Two escaped to America and the exploits of Whalley and Goffe are documented. Their life as fugitives given refuge is incredibly realistic. America was a new colony and Harris really captures that feeling of new settlers trying to carve out a life in a strange land. They left families in England and the sense of distance and loss is well depicted. Alongside this is the story how the families in England were affected and the actions that were underway to track down and bring to justice ( execution) those most wanted.

This is a rollicking adventure. Robert Harris is a gifted storyteller who brings everything so vividly to life. It’s the thrill of the chase filled with remarkable individuals and an eye for rich detail that makes this a truly outstanding read. I wish I still had it to look forward to! In summary and absolutely incredible but true tale of revenge that kept me gripped from start to finish. Highly recommended.

My thanks to the publisher for a review copy via Netgalley.

Act of oblivion

Robert Harris is a master story teller and in this book he recreates the escape from justice of two of the regicides culpable in the execution of Charles I. Richard Naylor is the hunter, Colonels Whalley and Goffe, the fugitives who escape to America. The historical background is filled in nicely as the story progresses and motives are explored.The story is exciting and fast paced as it switches from the obsessive Nayler's painstaking investigations in London to the concealment of Whalley and Goffe within the fearful puritan communities of Cambridge and New Haven. I particularly liked the way that the fortunes of the family left behind was woven into the story. I was struck by the support the fugitives received, their willingness to undergo long periods in the wilderness and by Naylor's dogged persistence and methods. The characters were very well drawn and I felt I got to know them but didn't particularly warm to them in part due to their religious fervour and beliefs but I was drawn into their story. In the latter half of the book as time has passed and the pressure of pursuit has lessened somewhat Whalley begins to reflect on the life of Cromwell and his own contribution to Cromwell's dreams and ambitions. This I found less interesting although rich in historical detail as it lacked the action and pace of the earlier narrative. But the author kept a great fictional twist up his sleeve to round the story off which I very much enjoyed.
It is a great adventure story very well told and all the more surprising because of the truth of the history behind it.