Name: The King’s Evil
ISBN: 9780008119171

Andrew Taylor

From the No.1 bestselling author of The Ashes of London and The Fire Court comes the next book in the phenomenally successful series following James Marwood.

The King’s Evil

From the No.1 bestselling author of The Ashes of London and The Fire Court comes the next book in the phenomenally successful series following James Marwood. A royal scandal that could change the face of England forever... London 1667. In the Court of Charles II, it's a dangerous time to be alive - a wrong move may lead to disgrace, exile or death. The discovery of a body at Clarendon House, the palatial home of one of the highest courtiers in the land, could therefore have catastrophic consequences. James Marwood, a traitor's son, is ordered to cover up the murder. But the dead man is Edward Alderley, the cousin of one of Marwood's acquaintances. Cat Lovett had every reason to want her cousin dead. Since his murder, she has vanished, and all the evidence points to her as the killer. Marwood is determined to clear Cat's name and discover who really killed Alderley. But time is running out for everyone. If he makes a mistake, it could threaten not only the government but the King himself...

The King's Evil

Cerys

** spoiler alert **
           Thoroughly enjoyable. In comparison to the other books in this series, the ability to place the reader into a different time period and place that Taylor possesses is unbelievable. Some may say that the way Taylor explains is longwinded and causes his novels, especially in this series, to be longwinded and unnecessary. However, for me, I find this a brilliant balance in terms of how far Taylor can describe the world around the characters and find balance in order for the reader to not be too overwhelmed by the wordiness. However, the relationships between the main characters have changed slightly, I am not surprised by the way this went but still, it was not over the top and too easy to see. As well, this novel touches upon elements of a different nature that can be found within this time period such as the use of young black boys from Africa as servants/slaves to wealthy women of high social standing, as well as the beliefs of seventeenth-century people and 'sodomy' and the gay community. I believe that these elements were actually touched upon with a sense of decency and sympathy as well as portraying the beliefs of the period without it seeming too stereotypical and boarding on homophobic/racist. I commend Taylor for his writing within this third instalment.

Thoroughly enjoyable. In comparison to the other books in this series, the ability to place the reader into a different time period and place that Taylor possesses is unbelievable. Some may say that the way Taylor explains is longwinded and causes his novels, especially in this series, to be longwinded and unnecessary. However, for me, I find this a brilliant balance in terms of how far Taylor can describe the world around the characters and find balance in order for the reader to not be too overwhelmed by the wordiness. However, the relationships between the main characters have changed slightly, I am not surprised by the way this went but still, it was not over the top and too easy to see. As well, this novel touches upon elements of a different nature that can be found within this time period such as the use of young black boys from Africa as servants/slaves to wealthy women of high social standing, as well as the beliefs of seventeenth-century people and 'sodomy' and the gay community. I believe that these elements were actually touched upon with a sense of decency and sympathy as well as portraying the beliefs of the period without it seeming too stereotypical and boarding on homophobic/racist. I commend Taylor for his writing within this third instalment.

From the No.1 bestselling author of The Ashes of London and The Fire Court comes the next book in the phenomenally successful series following James Marwood at the time of King Charles II. A royal scandal... In the Court of Charles II, it's a dangerous time to be alive - a wrong move may lead to disgrace, exile or death. The discovery of a body at the home of one of the highest courtiers in the land could therefore have catastrophic consequences. A shocking murder... James Marwood, a traitor's son, is ordered to cover up the killing. But the dead man is known to Marwood - as is the most likely culprit, Cat Lovett. The stakes have never been higher... Marwood is sure Cat is innocent so determines to discover the true murderer. But time is running out. If he makes a mistake, it could threaten the King himself... Praise for Andrew Taylor 'One of the best historical crime writers today' The Times 'If you like C. J. Sansom, or Hilary Mantel, you'll love Andrew Taylor' Peter James 'Effortlessly authentic...gripping...moving and believable. An excellent work' C. J. Sansom 'This is historical crime fiction at its dazzling best' Guardian 'One of the best historical novelists around' Sunday Times 'A breathtakingly ambitious picture of an era' Financial Times 'A masterclass in writing for the genre' Ann Cleeves 'Andrew Taylor is one of our finest storytellers' Antonia Hodgson 'Vivid and compelling' Observer 'A novel filled with intrigue, duplicity, scandal and betrayal, whose author now vies with another master of the genre, C. J. Sansom' Spectator 'Taylor brings the 17th century to life so vividly that one can almost smell it' Guardian 'A most artful and delightful book, that will both amuse and chill' Daily Telegraph

The King’s Evil

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