Wicked Lady?

 So much has been written and broadcast about the Tudors that Henry VIII’s courtiers seem stars in their own right.  We know their acts and allegiances, their loves and lies, their foibles and (often terrible) fates. Yet one lesser-known figure often lurks near the centre of court machinations while remaining beyond the spotlight.  She is Jane Rochford, the focus of Philippa Gregory’s latest novel ‘The Boleyn Traitor’.

The Final Count Down

'The Count of Monte Cristo' by Alexandre Dumas (Translated by Robin Buss)

Like any normal person, there's only so much nagging I can take.  "You must read 'The Count of Monte Cristo'!" my friend kept telling me.  In the end, I cracked.  When it arrived, too big to fit through the letter box, I wondered what on Earth I'd let myself in for.  Turned out to be 1300 pages of intrigue, adventure and revenge.

Hell Hath No Fury

'The Devil's Blade' by Mark Adler (Gollancz, 2020)

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" goes the old saying, and there is no fury like Julie D'Aubigny's in 'The Devil's Blade' by Mark Alder.

17th Century France: When wannabe diva Julie D'Aubigny is summoned to perform in a forest near Paris, she believes it's the opportunity to find a great patron and finally realise her dream of joining the city's Opera.  Instead, she finds herself cornered by a secret society of aristocratic satanists, who sacrifice her beautiful voice at the point of a sword.  Wronged and refusing to be silenced, Julie makes her own pact with the Devil and begins to hunt down and slaughter the men who stole her future.  But can she find them before the year is out?  Will the Devil keep to their bargain?  Can she save her own soul from the fires of Hell?

Apocalypse Then

As you may have noticed, there's been a bit of a blogging drought recently.  Having had a brilliant start to the year, all of a sudden I found that I couldn't settle to anything in particular.  I'm currently part way through eight books.  Even for me, that's not unusual!  Desperate for an inspirational read, I spotted a tweet from Allen and Unwin (@AllenandUnwinUK) about 'The Last Hours' by Minette Walters.  They were looking for bloggers to review it, but would it be the answer to my prayers?

'The Last Hours'
by Minette Walters
(Allen & Unwin, 2017)

It's summer 1348 when the Black Death arrives in England via the Dorset port of Melcombe.  Before the population realises the danger, this most heinous disease is spreading rapidly across the county, slaying young and old with no regard for money or status.  On the estate of Develish, the compassionate and resourceful Lady Anne decides to take the bold step of bringing the estate's two hundred serfs within the manor house walls, much to the distress of her teenaged daughter Eleanor.  They may be safe from the pestilence, but soon become prey to internal conflicts as the social order shifts and even faith in God is challenged.  Under threat from without and within, how long can the people of Develish last?

Suspicious Minds

I've finally got around to reading another book in Philippa Gregory's Cousins' War series, 'The White Princess'.  About time, I'm only about four books behind...

'The White Princess' sweeps the veil of Tudor propaganda aside and suggests an alternative story of the dynasty's founding couple, Henry VII, only child of the ambitious Lancastrian Margaret Beaufort, and Elizabeth of York, eldest daughter of the late King Edward IV and sister to the famed Princes in the Tower.  When her usurper uncle Richard III is defeated at the Battle of Bosworth Field, Elizabeth once again finds herself the unhappy victim of another dramatic change of circumstance, one of many that has seen the wheel of fortune turn her from princess to pauper and back again many times. With few options open to her, Elizabeth is forced to become a pawn in the power games between the new rulers and her mother, the widowed Elizabeth Woodville, While Henry VII and Margaret Beaufort weave a public story of strength, unity and authority, Elizabeth sees the threadbare truth of a family wracked with fear and eaten away by suspicion, a situation that reaches breaking point when a pretender marches on the kingdom claiming to be Elizabeth's missing younger brother, Richard of York...

The difficulty with Philippa Gregory is that all of her work is of such a consistently high standard that each book really has to work hard to stand out from the others.  I'll admit that I haven't enjoyed many in the Cousins' War series so far because I think they often suffer from two common historical novel issues.  Number one: if you have an aristocratic female lead, then they don't get to do much, which can get quite frustrating, especially if they don't hear about what's going on in the outside world through a spy network or letter writing relations.  Number two: the writer is constrained by having to hit certain known historical events to retain authenticity, but consequently loses some control over pace and don't have full creative freedom.  The minute a historical novelist of  Gregory's supreme talent is able to flex her muscles with a less well known historical figure, the difference is obvious and, for me, the results are always better.

The strength of 'The White Princess' is that it provides a different perspective on the traditional story of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York.  Usually portrayed as the rather romantic way that the Wars of the Roses ended and a genuine love match, Gregory successfully suggests an alternative view that seems more plausible and reminds the reader not to take everything they think they know about the past for granted.

Overall, this is a worthy addition to the Cousins' War series of books and hasn't stopped me wanting to read more, but unlike 'The Other Boleyn Girl', 'The Other Queen' or 'The Lady of the Rivers', I doubt I'll want to read this again.

Now, what next...?

Related Posts

'The Lady of the Rivers' (Cousins' War Book I)
'The White Queen' (Cousins' War Book II)
'The Red Queen' (Cousins' War Book III)
'The Kingmaker's Daughter' (Cousins' War Book IV)

'The Virgin's Lover'
'The Other Queen'

There's No Place Like Home

So, from a female-dominate historical novel, I moved on to a male-dominated one!  I've just finished reading 'The Flame Bearer' by Bernard Cornwell, the tenth book in the Last Kingdom series.

It's 917 and a fragile peace exists between the kingdoms of Britain.  The tables have turned on the
invading Norsemen, once so mighty it looked like they would wipe out the Anglo-Saxon population, but now corralled in the north-western lands of Northumbria, cautious and wary of the enemies that surround them.  In the absence of war, an aging Lord Uhtred has turned his attentions back to his lifelong dream, to regain the formidable fortress at Bebbanburg, his by right of inheritance, stolen by his uncle and now ruled by his cousin.  But fate has other ideas.  Factions in Wessex and Mercia have a dream of their own, to destroy Northumbria and unite the Saxon peoples in one country, 'Englaland'.  Caught up once more in dark politics and devious plots, before Uhtred can secure Bebbanburg, he must first secure peace.

'The Flame Bearer'
by Bernard Cornwell
(HarperCollins, 2016)

It's nice to see Uhtred stopping a fight rather than starting one for a change!  But don't think that this book isn't as battle-filled and bloodthirsty as the others in this series.  It wouldn't be Uhtred's story otherwise!

I really enjoyed this book.  Cornwell demonstrates once again how a master story teller creates tension and puts the reader right at the heart of the action.  As Uhtred ages, he's also becoming more reflective, and the passages in 'The Flame Bearer' in which he muses on the side of battle nobody talks about add a whole new dimension to our aging hero.

I also love the cast of characters that Cornwell juggles in the Last Kingdom novels.  Unfortunately, there's not much for the girls to do in this book, but it's hard not to enjoy the camaraderie and humour that comes from playing Uhtred's band of warriors off each other.

Overall, as always, if you've enjoyed Cornwell's other novels, you'll probably like this one!  It's a tale of adventure and heroes, action and friendship and will doubtless leave you (war) crying out for more!

Now, what next...?

Related Posts

'Warriors of the Storm'
'The Empty Throne'
'The Pagan Lord'
'Death of Kings'
'The Burning Land'
'Sword Song'

A Crowning Achievement

Firstly, an apology.  I meant to have published this blog post by now, but unfortunately I caught one of the many bugs going around at the moment, so I've been out of action for a while.  Hope you can forgive me and that this was worth the wait!

Late last year, the lovely people at Bantam Press kindly sent me a copy of 'The Shogun's Queen', the latest novel in the Shogun Quartet by Lesley Downer, a story of women, politics and change in 19th century Japan.

'The Shogun's Queen'
by Lesley Downer
(Bantam Press, 2016)

Growing up in rural Japan, the daughter of a minor Samurai nobleman, Okatsu, learns to be bold, clever and headstrong at a time when girls should be meek, polite and obedient, much to the despair of her mother.  But, unknown to Okatsu, the qualities that make her different from other women will also set her on a unique path that will make her a vital player in a complex game of politics and power.  Her feudal lord, Shimazu Nariakira, Prince of Satsuma and second in power only to the Shogun himself, plans to make her central to a plot to bring about much needed change in a country that is struggling to find its place in the modern world.  As ships arrive from Holland and America, bringing traders who demand more and more from the ancient and very private culture, Okatsu finds she must sacrifice the life she knew in order to ensure the survival of the country she loves...

I have to be honest and say that I didn't take to Okatsu - or Princess Atsu as she's more frequently called in the book - straight away, but it wasn't really her fault.  The trouble is that headstrong, fiery yet beautiful female characters seem a bit of cliche and there's part of me that wants to hear about the ugly people!  But I was determined to stick with her and I'm glad that I did.  This is a story of perspectives (particular of insiders and outsiders) and as Downer takes us with Atsu on her journey to the Women's Palace, we see her vulnerabilities as well as her strengths.  I felt for her as she struggled with the demands of Lord Nariakira, etiquette and her own desires, finding excuses as well as untapped sources of strength as she matures into the queen of the title.  By the end of the novel, she was a person, not a cliche and I was sorry to leave her.

I've said before that I prefer historical stories of political intrigue over romance, and 'The Shogun's Queen' stuck the right chord for me.  There was enough emotion to make Atsu relatable and human and enough plotting and competing motivations to keep it interesting.  It read like the best books by Philippa Gregory and I feel that fans of Gregory would very much enjoy 'The Shogun's Queen'.

While Gregory's work is firmly rooted in her excellent knowledge of English history, Downer's superlative knowledge of Japanese culture gives 'The Shogun's Queen' wonderful depth and texture.  Once again she performs the perfect balancing act, giving us enough information so we can inhabit Atsu's world but without overwhelming the reader and distracting from the story being told.  The beautiful fabrics, ever changing landscapes, labyrinthine buildings, formalised speech, delicate foodstuffs - all combine to give us a three dimensional world that's easy to slip in to.

'The Shogun's Queen' features an interesting cast of characters, but once we're secluded in the Women's Palace, it's the Lady Dowager Honju-in, the Shogun's mother, who dominates.  Talk about the mother-in-law from Hell!  Representing an unsustainable desire to resist change and using every devious trick she's got to keep her power and influence, Lady Honju-in is a fantastic villain, the perfect contrast to the naive and uncertain Atsu.

I'd thoroughly recommend this book to any fans of historical fiction looking for something set outside of the UK.  To be honest, I'm a bit sick of stories about the Tudors, so this was perfect for me - the same high quality, but telling me about a time and a place I knew little about.  Downer skilfully crafts Atsu's story, wearing her knowledge lightly and offering a new perspective on a fascinating culture.  I'm really looking forward to reading other books in the series.

Now, what next...!

Secrets and Lies and a Man to Despise

I've now read six of Winston Graham's twelve Poldark novels, the latest being 'The Four Swans' and I'm already chomping at the bit for both the next book and BBC series.

'The Four Swans'
by Winston Graham
(2008, Pan Macmillan)

Still waters run deep in 'The Four Swans'.  While his mine's prosperity should mean the end of all Ross Poldark's worries, instead the political machinations of others and a naval officer's infatuation with his wife Demelza give him much cause for concern.  George Warleggan looks like he's reaching the heights of power and influence, but Aunt Agatha's final curse has made him doubt the woman he prized and married.  Meanwhile, Demelza's unfortunate brothers Sam and Drake are naively trying to live quiet lives and the lecherous Rev. Osborne Whitworth is failing to practise what he preaches.  As truth, love and lies tangles each relationship, will anyone break free to find happiness?

By its very nature, a series of books must be populated by a swathe of characters otherwise there just aren't enough plot lines to go around.  But it does make summarising what happened in one particular novel quite challenging!  The paragraph above barely hints at what's going on, but, to be fair, all you really need to know is that if you enjoyed the previous books, you'll enjoy this one.

Although...  If you thought Rev. Whitworth couldn't get any worse, it turns out he can.  Never have I wanted a character to come to a sticky end as much as Rev. Whitworth.  I keep being told by people who've read the whole series that he'll get his comeuppance, but I'm not sure how much longer I can wait for it to happen!  I know that Graham is representing 18th century attitudes to women, but rarely has a character made me so angry.  Goodness knows how the BBC are going to cope with his plot line in series three bearing in mind what happened with 'that scene' in series two!

Anyway, overall, 'The Four Swans' is of the same, high quality as the previous Poldark novels and will give fans much to mull over.  It's as engrossing as the other books and progresses the stories of all the key characters.  I ended it wanting more, but that's fine because there are another six books to go!

Now, back to the shelves!

Related Posts

'Ross Poldark' (Book One)
'Demelza' (Book Two)
'Warleggan' (Book Four)
'The Black Moon' (Book Five)

Moon, Light, Shadow

It's been a while since I last read a Poldark novel ('Warleggan' back in July 2014).  I knew that I wanted to read them all, preferably before they're all filmed by the BBC, but was so appalled and shocked by Ross' behaviour in book four that I couldn't quite bring myself to do it.  I have now, however, finished 'The Black Moon' by Winston Graham.  It was so good, I've pretty much gone straight on to book five.

'The Black Moon' begins with Elizabeth, lost love of Ross Poldark and now wife of his enemy George Warleggan, giving birth to a baby boy.  While George rejoices at having

'The Black Moon' by
Winston Graham
(Pan Books, 2008)

 a son, the ancient Aunt Agatha quickly points out that the child has been born under an ominous black moon, a very bad omen.  But for the time being the bad luck shadows others in the household.  Elizabeth's cousin, Morwenna, tutor to Elizabeth's son from a previous marriage, falls in love with Drake Carne, brother of Ross' wife Demelza, sparking a new enmity between the Poldarks and Warleggans.  And Ross has much on his mind already, including the fate of the unfortunate Dr Enys imprisoned in revolutionary France...

This, like the other Poldark novels I've read so far, is absolutely absorbing.  Reading Winston Graham's work is like being launched through time and space into rural Cornwall, but without the travel sickness and overcrowding by holiday-makers.

Having said that, there's always a risk with family saga novels that, as they progress, the number of characters becomes a bit overwhelming and you start needing a list in order to keep track.  I did begin to feel a bit like this when reading the first few books, but Graham seems to have recognised the potential problem and there was enough explanation of who's who to jog my memory without over doing it.  To be fair, there were 20 years between 'Warleggan' and 'The Black Moon', so original readers would have needed some help too!

'The Black Moon' had me on the edge of my seat.  I laughed at Demelza's encounter with French exiles at a dinner party, I sighed at Drake and Morwenna's falling in love, I cheered as Ross sought justice once more, I cried and I gasped at... well, I don't want to give all the details away.  Suffice it to say the fact I couldn't stop myself heading straight for the next book says a lot.  I'm just relieved that I don't have to wait as long as fans in the '70s!

It's Raining, Men!

It's been a busy month!  Hot on the heels of 'Jeremy and Amy', I finished Bernard Cornwell's latest Saxon Story, 'Warriors of the Storm', featuring the ever cantankerous warlord Uhtred of Bebbanburg.

'Warriors of the Storm'
by Bernard Cornwell
(HarperCollins, 2015)

Holed up in the fortress at Chester,Uhtred awakes to news of smoke spotted on the horizon.  Driven across the sea from Ireland, the formidable Ragnall Ivarson has begun an invasion, but things are not as they seem.  As Mercia's future hangs in the balance once more, many questions are raised.  Has Uhtred's son-in-law, Ragnall's brother, joined this fight?  Will Uhtred's loyal lieutenant Finan's Irish connection prove a blessing or a curse as his countrymen join the would-be conqueror?  Will the aging Uhtred's luck hold as tries to predict his enemy's next move?  As his oathsworn mistress, Aethelflaed of Mercia, and King Edward of Wessex, her brother, are slow to act, Uhtred finds himself the only man ready to take a stand against this latest Norse threat to the fledgling England.

First of all, I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but I bloody love the imagery used on this one.  It's almost 3D!  I could practically hear the sound of weapons being struck against shields just by looking at it, so I was understandably desperate to get started on this latest Cornwell novel.

'Warriors of the Storm' is a good adventure story, although I did feel that it wasn't one of the best in the series.  I thought it took a while to get going, but once it did, boy was it on form.  The narrative has reached a maturity so that this no longer feels like Uhtred's story alone,  It's become an ensemble piece of warriors, family and enemies, all familiar characters that are great to spend time with and root for or curse.  As the royals take a back seat, this emerges as a more personal tale, one of alliances and ambitions closer to Uhtred's heart rather than those of his masters.  

There are many references to Uhtred's ageing and our growling hero is in reflective mood.  After a lifetime longing for what is rightfully his - the formidable fortress of Bebbanburg - the author seems to be finally revealing how Uhtred could end up exactly where he's always wanted to be.  In previous books, sections have suggested that he does achieve his aim, and, to be honest, it's only going to be a matter of time before it becomes impossible for readers to ignore how unlikely it is for Uhtred to still be alive.  Let's face it, he should've snuffed it by now, whether in war or through illness.

So, unusually perhaps, this book ended on a note of hope rather than relief.  Normally, we want to cheer as yet another foolish Jarl gets his comeuppance on the battlefield, but in 'Warriors of the Storm' I both wanted to celebrate and read on as for the first time I felt Uhtred was finally going to get his just reward for a lifetime of service.  Hopefully I'm not just being sentimental.  Let's face it, Bernard Cornwell would reach Downton Abbey Christmas Special bastard levels if he blithely led us through nine books then didn't let Uhtred win his prize.  Call me soft, but I think that would even make Uhtred cry.

Anyway, despite a slow start and a relatively small scale, 'Warriors of the Story' is a great historical adventure story, up to Bernard Cornwell's usual high standards.  A fantastic way to escape modern realities between episodes of 'The Last Kingdom' on BBC 2.  Just can't get away from the aersling lately...

Related Posts

'Sword Song' by Bernard Cornwell (Saxon Story Four)

'The Burning Land' by Bernard Cornwell (Saxon Story Five)

'The Death of Kings' by Bernard Cornwell (Saxon Story Six)

'The Pagan Lord' by Bernard Cornwell (Saxon Story Seven)

'The Empty Throne' by Bernard Cornwell (Saxon Story Eight)

Crowning Conspiracies

Hello darlings!  Have you missed me?  Know I've missed you, so let's get cracking.

I recently finished reading 'The Kingmaker's Daughter' by Philippa Gregory, the fourth instalment in her Cousins' War series covering the conflict often called the Wars of the Roses.  It took me a while to get around to reading this because, although I loved the first book ('The Lady of the Rivers'), I didn't enjoy the next two novels as much, so rather lost the impetus to keep reading.  With so much publicity around a new book by Ms. Gregory, however, I was reminded how much I enjoy her work and decided to go back to the 1400s and see what was happening.

'The Kingmaker's Daughter'
by Philippa Gregory
(Simon and Schuster, 2012)

Anne Neville is the youngest daughter for the great Earl of Warwick, known as the Kingmaker for his part in bringing Edward IV to the throne.  But fortune's wheel is always turning and when the King secretly marries Elizabeth Woodville rather than the French princess Warwick has negotiated for him, he realises he's losing both the power and influence for which he fought.  Resourceful and cunning, Warwick decides to use all his assets to regain his status, including his only children, daughters Isabel and Anne.  The girls become pawns in a risky struggle, used by power-hungry men in a game of high stakes and ultimate prizes.  But in a world where people will stop at nothing to win a crown, is anyone truly safe?

Reading this book proves a theory mentioned in my blog about 'The Red Queen', the previous title in this series.  I'd found the novel dull partly because I'd only just read 'The White Queen', which covered the same-ish time period, just from a different character's perspective.  I found it harder to keep reading because I knew what was going to happen.  By 'The Kingmaker's Daughter', however, I'd forgotten the details of the earlier books and found my interest once again piqued by Gregory's choice of narrator and perspective, as well as her superlative skill in conjuring a sense of time and place.

I've always preferred reading historical novels that explore the politics of an era and this is a key theme of 'The Kingmaker's Daughter'.  Though pretty powerless, Anne and her sister are often at the centre of plots and counter-plots that see allegiances change and their status rise and fall.  They get used so often by the men around them over their lifetimes that paranoia takes hold and, even when they do achieve their aims, they are unable to enjoy it or think of anything other than keeping hold of their positions.  As such, this book is full of a tension that kept me reading right until the end.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  It's even made me want to go back and give its predecessors a second chance.  But I do have another one or two books to read first!

Now, what next..?

Related Posts

Cousins' War Novels

'The Lady of the Rivers'
'The White Queen'
'The Red Queen'

Also by Philippa Gregory

'The Other Queen'
'The Virgin's Lover'

Our House

Earlier this week, I finished reading 'The Miniaturist' by Jessie Burton.  Burton's first book has caused quite a stir, gaining many passionate fans and winning the Waterstones' Book of the Year title.  This should've reassured me, but I couldn't ignore the niggle in the pit of my stomach telling me not to get my hopes up too much...

'The Miniaturist' by Jessie Burton
(Picador, 2014)

'The Miniaturist' is set in late 1600s Amsterdam at a time when capitalism, faith and superstition are in constant conflict, building walls and expectations between people and families. Eighteen year old Nella arrives in the city eager to begin life with her new husband, the merchant Johannes Brandt. But her reception is unexpectedly cold; Johannes is absent and neither her aloof sister-in-law Marin nor the household servants Cornelia and Otto make her welcome.  Before long, Nella feels unwanted and useless, a mere bauble to demonstrate her husband's success, her hopes of children and love whithering away.  In an attempt at kindness, Johannes buys her a cabinet containing a replica of their own home, perhaps hoping to paint over the cracks in their relationship.  With little else to do, Nella decides to furnish it and begins placing orders with a miniaturist.  But when unrequested furniture and figurines start arriving which suggest more is going on in the real household than Nella realises, she determines to find out more about the elusive artisan...

I'm delighted to say that 'The Miniaturist' is an excellent book.  It's easy to identify with Nella, the stranger in a strange city, and I found it impossible to abandon her, especially once the web of secrets surrounding the Brandt household began to unravel.  Events are heartbreaking and raw, but the young bride is made of sterner stuff than even she realises and the reader roots for her to the very last page.

The story is expertly crafted, full of characters with public images often at odds with their private passions and grand designs.  Despite everything, the book manages to end with hope.  In the hands of a lesser writer, it could easily have become depressing.  Instead, it has all the tension of a thriller, the tenderness of a romance and the texture of an historical drama.

Complex, unexpected and sometimes shocking, 'The Miniaturist' is a book for people who like ideas and stories which make them think, stories which leave room for mystery and don't necessarily answer every question.  If that sounds like you, then it is highly recommended.

It's hard to believe that this is Ms Burton's first novel and I eagerly await her next.  Although I really do need to read a few more books first!

Now for a trip back to Anglo-Saxon Englaland with everyone's favourite war lord...

Caught between the Devil and the Marshalsea...

Late last year, I knew I'd had a bit more time on my hands than usual, so applied for a couple of prize draws on the Waterstones website.  Last weekend, two books turned up... Whoops.

The first arrival was absorbing historical crime novel 'The Devil in the Marshalsea', Antonia Hodgson's first book.

'The Devil in the Marshalsea'
by Antonia Hodgson
(Hodder & Stoughton, 2014)

Tom Hawkins is in the worst possible trouble.  Unable to resist the lure of London, its coffeehouses, brothels and gambling dens, relying luck and living life to the full, he finds himself not just penniless but in debt and heading towards the feared Marshalsea debtors' prison.  Estranged from his vicar father, not knowing who to trust and reliant on his best friend Charles Buckley, he soon realises he has no hope of raising either the money to pay his debt or fund his stay in the Master's side of the prison.  Just as he thinks all hope is lost and he is destined for death from jail fever in the Common Side, Hawkins is thrown a lifeline.  A murder has taken place at the Marshalsea and Buckley's rich patron promises Hawkins his freedom if he finds the killer.  But to do so, he must negotiate the prison's complex web of truth, lies and alliances.  Can he do it before he becomes the Marshalsea's latest victim?

To begin with, I absolutely loved 'The Devil in the Marshalsea'.  Ms Hodgson has used her research well and did a fantastic job of evoking this time and a place.  Equally, Hawkins is an easy character to become attached to.  He's impulsive and flawed but hard not to like and identify with.  After all, we're all only human.

Although I felt that this was a good read overall, I felt that the ending was disappointing.  I can't go into detail because I don't want to give away the mystery at the heart of the novel, but I felt that both the murderer and motive were a bit cliched and disappointing after such a well crafted set up.  I say cliched because it seems that the murderer has two attributes that keep reappearing in TV crime dramas and seem to say more about modern attitudes than having anything to do with good plotting.  What happened to the good old days when characters killed each other for lust, greed or revenge?

It took me a while to work out what the other thing that bothered me was.  Quite near the end of the book, as Hawkins looses all faith and becomes dehumanised by the brutality he has both seen and suffered, he begins to change quite dramatically.  By the end of the book, however, he seems to have forgotten what he's been through and back to his happy-go-lucky ways, neither looking back nor thinking what he might be able to do to help those left behind, even on the ghastly Common Side of the prison.  I could understand a character just wanting to run away and leave the Marshalsea and its inhabitants behind a mental as well as physical locked door, but I just found it hard to believe someone who is supposed to be "honourable" would not in the very least want to do something to help those still trapped in the notorious prison, even if they couldn't do much.

Overall, I think this book is let down by the ending, which is a real shame, especially as the writer is such a friendly presence on Twitter.  Putting the ending to one side, 'The Devil in the Marshalsea' was well written, absorbing and taught me about a time and place I wouldn't have otherwise visited.  I certainly hope to see more from this writer and hope that there is much better to come.