Name: The Ashes of London (James Marwood & Cat Lovett, Book 1)
ISBN: 9780008119065

Andrew Taylor

The first book in the No. 1 Times bestselling series ‘This is terrific stuff’ Daily Telegraph ‘A breathtakingly ambitious picture of an era’ Financial Times ‘A masterclass in how to weave a well-researched history into a complex plot’ The Times

The Ashes of London (James Marwood & Cat Lovett, Book 1)

From the No.1 best-selling author of The American Boy and The Silent Boy comes a brand new historical thriller set during the time of the Great Fire of London. The first of an exciting new series of novels. London, September 1666. The Great Fire rages through the city, consuming everything in its path. Even the impregnable cathedral of St. Paul s is engulfed in flames and reduced to ruins. Among the crowds watching its destruction is Richard Marwood, son of a disgraced printer, and reluctant government informer. In the aftermath of the fire, a semi-mummified body is discovered in the ashes of St. Paul s, in a tomb that should have been empty. The man s body has been mutilated and his thumbs have been tied behind his back the sign of a Regicide, one of those who signed Charles I s death warrant. Under orders from the government, Marwood is tasked with hunting down the killer across the devastated city. But at a time of dangerous internal dissent and the threat of foreign invasion, Marwood finds his investigation leads him into treacherous waters and across the path of a determined, beautiful and vengeful young woman."

Ashes of London

Cerys

A rather enjoyable novel. I will definitely be reading the second instalment of this series to see how the relationship between Marwood and Lovett progresses. The descriptions of this period fully immersed me into the era and allowed me to feel as though I was in the novel. It could be said that the novel is rather slow but as this is the first instalment of a series I wonder if this is just to set up the character development and backstories. However, I would recommend this book to some people as it was an enjoyable read.

Les Reynolds

The setting was fascinating, if dreary. The characters were compelling, and the story was satisfying.

Eleanor 

Marc Pitty

From the No.1 bestselling author of The American Boy and The Silent Boy comes a brand new historical thriller set during the time of the Great Fire of London. The first of an exciting new series of novels. A CITY IN FLAMES London, 1666. As the Great Fire consumes everything in its path, the body of a man is found in the ruins of St Paul's Cathedral - stabbed in the neck, thumbs tied behind his back. A WOMAN ON THE RUN The son of a traitor, James Marwood is forced to hunt the killer through the city's devastated streets. There he encounters a determined young woman who will stop at nothing to secure her freedom. A KILLER SEEKING REVENGE When a second murder victim is discovered in the Fleet Ditch, Marwood is drawn into the political and religious intrigue of Westminster - and across the path of a killer with nothing to lose...

The Ashes of London (James Marwood & Cat Lovett, Book 1)

Reviews

Highlights