Unfortunately this book was not for me, it was a bit slower than I would like and it just didn't hold my attention. I am sure other people will love it!

So I really liked the mystery and suspense plot lines in this - but I really didn't like part of Cat's story - and I know it's going to be a problem for some other reader so Spoiler alert, but in the interest of not letting people in for stuff they don't want - there is an on page rape in this, which is over quickly but which forms part of Cat's motivation going forward. I know that the writer needed to get Cat away from her "home" but I wish it could have been done some other way. But I liked the Restoration, fire of London setting and the plot around the murders. I will read the next one to see what happens next and if people can start the story at book too and avoid the sexual violence against the female lead.

Set during the Great Fire of London, this fascinating book is full of twists and turns, intrigue, dishonesty and men labelled traitors for their part in the Civil War. The novel follows two main characters; the daughter of a regicide and the son of a man who spent years in prison for his beliefs, to which he still clings.

Without giving too much away, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical novels, crime, thrillers or mysteries. It is well written, characters are well developed and highly believable and the storyline is captivating. This is one of those books that you tell yourself you'll read just one more chapter before sleep, only to find nothing dawning and the book still being read.

It starts in the middle of the most awesome piece of English history, the Great Fire of London. Marwood is trying to reach someone he is due to meet at St Paul's, and the fire is driving him back. Miss Lovett is desperate to make an assignment with her father inside the cathedral itself. He struggles to pull her back, and she bites him on his hand for his presumption.

The author's description is marvellous.  Not just the fire itself, but the effects, the lead and silver (from the roof and ornaments) running in molten rivers through the cobbled streets, the rats fleeing along with the people... the St Pauls' rats caught in the molten metal - quite horrible.

Marwood's search for Miss Lovett leads him into several scrapes. Her situation in life is so uncertain, that she finds danger where she should be secure, and safety in the most dangerous of places. The chapters switch between the two protagonists, and showing both tangled in danger, intrigue and revenge. Eventually their worlds collide again...

Ashes of London is a pacy and convoluted story, but I never got lost in it. Sometimes I had to rack my brains to remember the general layout of London before the Fire, but that's only for the purists. Taylor's London should pass all historical tests with flying colours. A working knowledge of the lead-up to the English Civil War will help you engage fully with the conspiracy elements, but I'm sure they come across well anyway.

An exciting, realistic and atmospheric story.  Actually, it's awesome. Five stars from me, and on to the next in the series!

I know quite a lot about the Great Fire of London so this book drew me in instantly when I saw where and when it was set.

I was instantly transported back to September 1666 and I was hooked from the very first chapter.

James Marwood- He is a very interesting character. Not only is his father one of the men who was responsible of the beheading of Charles 1 but he is also trying to work with someone else to uncover the mystery of Thomas Lovett....the man who held up the dead Kings head.

Catherine Lovett was also just as interesting but I did find her actions a little over top- I understand you must be fearful of men after being raped but it doesn’t mean you have to stab every man who attempts to kiss you.

And I mean every man.

Overall, it’s a good mystery set in a historical setting I knew quite a lot about. I do wish Samuel Pepys and the bakery had been mentioned but this came from people who weren’t as much involved.

A good story!
I can’t wait to delve into the second one!

She killed two people.

I love historical fiction but this just didn't grab me somehow. I think it's the prose style, a bit chewy and long-winded. I felt disengaged from the characters and the story. DNF

I loved this book. There was a real sense of realism with the story, so often the protagonists seem capable of inhuman feats, but this story feels believable, relatable almost. Marwood & Catherine are the two central characters in the story. We follow each, Catherine, a young woman trying to form an independent identity under the shadow or a patriarchal society, avoiding the shame brought by her father who challenged and conspired against the ruling powers to bring about a religious rule. We also follow Marwood, a man who is trying to secure a place for himself in a world, where he has to carry the pains his own father brought on the family, and try and grow in the manipulating oppression formed by the ruling classes. Each character are trying hard to better themselves whilst being used as pawns in a game neither were willing to play a part in.

The backdrop of the story is fascinating. Taylor’s descriptions feel the senses, you can not read this book without smelling the smoke of London burning, feeling the heat from the fire and sensing the glow of the flames. The story held me in anguish to the end. I can not wait to read the sequel.

Praise for Andrew Taylor and his brilliant mind

The Fire of London traumatises the city and in the ruins, a new series is born with the tension of the recent Civil War always lurking in the background. Fantastic novel and great series.

I really enjoyed this mystery set amongst the ruin of London in the immediate aftermath of the Great Fire in 1666. I thought the two perspectives were well done and there was far more discussion of the the religious animosities of the time than I was expecting. This is quite a long book, but the pacing was such that it never felt long, particularly given that the perspective would shift between the two protagonists, often creating a mini-cliffhanger, which really helped to maintain the interest. Overall, this was a well crafted novel that was an exciting read and I will definitely carry on with the series.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Amazing storytelling with a wonderful historical setting. Filled with likeable characters who you easily become fond of. Can't wait to read the sequel.

I really didn't like this book. Nothing against the story/ Plot line itself but it was down to my personal tastes.
Still worth giving a try if you think you could like this book as I found the style of writing easy to read.

I had high hopes for this book, having read and adored the author’s Fallen Angel trilogy. Unfortunately, this book did not quite work for me. I enjoyed most of the historical details in the novel. These work really well. Taylor brings the past to vivid, memorable life. You are plunged into the past from the start of the book. The characters are well written. Still, something was missing for me. I felt the plot of The Ashes of London was rather lacking. Intrigue and mystery is built from the start when a body turns up during the fire, the corpse of someone who has clearly been murdered. This central premise never really goes anywhere. The book never really explains why the two men are murdered. The plot gets swallowed by the fantastic historical details. The suspense initially created sort of tapers out and disappears. However, there are some historical details that were just silly or inaccurate (people order cold beer in taverns when ice wasn’t invented at the time the novel is set). This jarred at times and gave a disjointed reading experience. The Ashes of London had a great premise but doesn’t always work.

A pleasantly entertaining read but not wildly gripping for me. The time period and the setting promised much but didn't achieve their full potential. I found the detailed descriptions of the routes the characters took and the inside of the ruined cathedral, while indicative of the quality of the author's research, began to drag a little and my attention drifted. In fact, the whole thing was just a little bogged down in borderline boring description. The big scene towards the end was totally derailed for me by the endless description of the cathedral. The characters were interesting but not hugely original and the intrigue was, well, intriguing and none too demanding. The ending was predictable but mildly satisfying. Overall, it was entertaining and nicely written. However, I'm not entirely sure I'd be reading the sequel if NetGalley hadn't supplied me with it.

I was sent a copy of The Ashes of London by Andrew Taylor to read and review by NetGalley.
I was expecting the story of how the great fire of London started and the lead up to this event but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is a novel set in the aftermath. It is told both in the first person when we are with the main protagonist James Marwood and third person with everyone else. For me this formula worked very well. There is plenty of tension and intrigue along with some great descriptions of London; the people and the city itself. The story is compelling and quite thrilling as it progresses and having finished the book I am immediately going to start reading the sequel The Fire Court – I’m completely hooked!

Great restoration mystery, encompassing the twisted loyalties of the post civil war period and those of the religious extremists on both sides. Well drawn characters, particularly the female characters, and a very satisfying denouement

1666 and a fire starts in London, soon to devastate the medieval City of London. Watching the flames, a young man notices a boy in a ragged shirt who is standing so close as to risk to his life. When he pulls the boy to safety, he finds it is not a boy but a young woman. She bites him and escapes, though he intends only to help. And so are introduced the two key characters in ‘The Ashes of London’ by Andrew Taylor. But this is not a novel about the Fire of London, rather a political mystery involving murder in the turbulent years following the execution of King Charles I, the English Civil War, the Commonwealth and subsequent Restoration of King Charles II.
In the ruins of St Paul’s a body is found, differing from other mortalities for its thumbs tied together behind the man’s back. This is the sign of those who committed Regicide by signing the death warrant of Charles I. Though in hiding, these traitors are still active, lurking in the shadows.
The account of London burning is written vividly, so vivid I could imagine myself there, smell the charred timber and smoke. We see it through the eyes of two people. James Marwood, clerk, son of a traitor, is required by his superiors to investigate on their behalf. Catherine Lovett, a wealthy young woman lodges with the family of her mother but secretly searches for her father, a Regicide. Her position becomes precarious when her uncle seeks to marry her to a suitable man, one she detests. She flees and, at risk of discovery, Cat hides her identity with a false name. She is a bright woman who adapts to her changing circumstances, has a great presence of mind and is not afraid to defend herself when threatened. I particularly enjoyed her interest in architecture, something which brings her into the wider circle of Master Hakesby and Dr (Christopher) Wren as the new design for St Paul’s takes shape. She has a skill of fine draughtsmanship, and helps Master Hakesby who suffers from the ague.
We learn the story as seen by Marwood and Cat; the author controls what we know and don’t know. As they are aware of other things happening outside their circle, but not of the detail – of surviving traitors helping each other, of powerful men borrowing and lending money, of the scientifically-minded Charles II and his circle of influencers – so the reader realizes more is going on behind the scenes than is written on the page. Which adds to the mystery. This was a complex political time. We watch Marwood tread a delicate path as he tries to protect his elderly weak-witted Regicide father from persecution whilst also obeying his employer, Master Williamson, editor of The London Gazette. It is a time of whispers, gossip in the coffee houses, of secret meetings and spies standing behind screens the better to eavesdrop.
The paths of Marwood and Cat almost cross a number of times and as neither knows the true identity or intentions of the other, the reader is in a privileged position. When they do meet, the outcome is unexpected.
This is not a page-turning thriller or a crime novel, more a historical mystery. Taylor takes time to develop his characters and to show his location, the Restoration context is fascinating. Though a slow-burn I read this book quickly, finishing it and wanting to read its sequel, ‘The Fire Court’. That is always a good sign.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I hadn't read any Andrew Taylor before, but I love anything to do with the Stuart period, and the Great Fire particularly, so this felt a good fit. I loved the characters, in particular the females, who are feisty and interesting. Off to read the follow up now :)

This was an interesting idea for a story which didn't really come off. Very slow moving although it takes place during the great fire of London in 1666. I couldn't really get involved with the book.

I love a good historical drama and this has got all the good bones for just that.
The great fire of London, a wealthy young girl being coerced into marriage by an unscrupulous uncle, sub plots and intrigue.
The story started of well but I started to struggle, speed read and get a little bored at the two thirds mark.
Glad I finished it as overall a pleasant read

Ashes of London and Fire Court are truly skillful historical fiction. Taylor might seem at times to be favoring setting over plot-advancing but this is a legit read. Not a single character was anachronistic in action, agency, or power yet Taylor brings to fore the natural danger of post-Great-Fire London to keep tensions high. Also, I was surprised, I had all but forgotten about the reality of the 5th Monarchists and just how bonkers they were (I was pleased I did remember the monarch they killed).