The Royal Secret: The latest new historical crime thriller from the No 1 Sunday Times bestselling author (James Marwood & Cat Lovett, Book 5)
£2.80
From the No.1 bestselling author of The Last Protector and The Ashes of London comes the next book in the phenomenally successful series following James Marwood and Cat Lovett during the time of King Charles II.
Over 1 Million Andrew Taylor Novels Sold!
A Times Best Paperback of 2022
Two young girls plot a murder by witchcraft. Soon afterwards a government clerk dies painfully in mysterious circumstances. His colleague James Marwood is asked to investigate – but the task brings unexpected dangers.
Meanwhile, architect Cat Hakesby is working for a merchant who lives on Slaughter Street, where the air smells of blood and a captive Barbary lion prowls the stables. Then a prestigious new commission arrives. Cat must design a Poultry House for the woman that the King loves most in all the world.
Unbeknownst to all, at the heart of this lies a royal secret so explosive that it could not only rip apart England but change the entire face of Europe…
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Additional information
| Publisher | HarperCollins (29 April 2021) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 2418 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 476 pages |
by Dorothy M R
Having now read the whole series with James Marwood and Cat Lovett, I’ve really enjoyed them all.
I found Royal Secret a bit disjointed, it didn’t seem to ‘flow’ as well as the previous books… maybe because the Author knew this would be the last in the series? Or not? The ending I felt almost left it open for another some time…. To catch up on the pair’s future relationship… did she ever get any inheritance… does he get promoted so he’s the one giving the orders…?
by V. O’Regan
‘The Royal Secret’ by Andrew Taylor is the fifth book in Taylor’s highly successful series of historical thrillers set in Restoration Britain featuring government agent, James Marwood, and his architect friend, Cat Lovett. I combined reading with its unabridged audiobook edition, narrated by Leighton Pugh.
As the title indicates at the heart of this novel lies an explosive royal secret that could not only rip apart England but change the entire face of Europe.
It opens with two young girls plotting murder by witchcraft. Soon afterwards a government clerk, the stepfather of one of the girls, dies painfully. His colleague James Marwood is asked to investigate and finds that he is not the only one looking for answers. Once again he is plunged into unexpected dangers.
Meanwhile, architect Cat Hakesby (formerly Lovett) has been employed by a wealthy merchant who lives on Slaughter Street where he keeps a captive Barbary lion locked in his stables. His daughter was married to the aforementioned clerk, who had died under mysterious circumstances.
Then Cat is asked to undertake a prestigious new commission; the design of a Poultry House as a gift for the woman that King Charles II loves most in all the world.
Cat and James spend much of the book hardly speaking to one another following a rather amusing misunderstanding during a visit to the theatre, though inevitably their paths do keep crossing.
Andrew Taylor’s historical political thrillers are just superb; combining impeccable historical research with his storytelling skills that brings the Restoration period vividly to life.
I enjoy reading of Marwood’s adventures though he is certainly no James Bond and likely closer to one of George Smiley’s agents. I also admire Cat and her determination to be independent and recognised as an architect in her own right. There is great characterisation throughout, though there was also sadness. I really felt for Caliban, the lion kept in deplorable conditions for the amusement of a wealthy merchant.
‘The Royal Secret’ proved a highly engaging political thriller set in this fascinating period of European history. Its publication continues to strengthen Andrew Taylor’s position as a master of the genre.
Highly recommended.
by gerardpeter
Solid historical fiction from an accomplished writer, and a page turner.
This is the fifth in the series set in Restoration England. The King’s Secret refers to the Treaty of Dover of 1670 which tied Charles II to Louis XIV. Certain clauses in the terms were concealed and unknown for more than a century. A good subject to exercise our two protagonists, James Marwood and Cat Hakesby.
Cat’s architectural talents take her to France, allowing Taylor to describe the court of the Sun King. Back in London Marwood tracks his quarry, a Dutch spy, through rather less glamourous surroundings. Apart James and Cat continue to wonder what they mean to each other, especially now Cat is a widow. A subplot runs alongside international intrigue, concerning an embittered servant girl and a lion.
The wide cast includes many familiar to the reader – Marwood’s household servants and slave, his bosses in Whitehall, Cat’s colleague, Brennan, and her servant, Jane Ash. Taylor shows how hard life was for children without family or means, treated badly by master and mistress alike.
Without being tedious the author tells the reader so much about daily life – food and drink (and poison), travel by coach and carriage, the torment of crossing the channel. We learn how getting about London was easier by rowing boat, the job of waterman being as necessary then as parcelforce today.
The Royal Secret is an exciting and well-paced novel, even as I knew much of the actual history. Previous Marwood adventures would have been easier to follow with a good map of Restoration London. Now I am more familiar with Bread Street Hill and Puddle Wharf, so when I say “I got lost in this novel”, it is for all the right reasons.
by mr d purcell
Excellent series …. Really good read from start to finish. Loved the characters and the development of relationship
by Mrs. G. A. Chesney-Green
… I do wish authors wouldn’t stretch the bounds of probability. Cat not picking up that the Dutchman was up to something and steadfastly ignoring Marwood was irritating, even if it was part and parcel of the plot.
by MRS D
Very interesting story can’t wait for the next.
by Stuart G
If you like historical novels, detective stories and a little bit of romance, yes I know a bit formulaic, but a great read. Read from the beginning, Ashes of London and enjoy.
by Robinl15
This series is exciting, easy to read and compelling. I have read every book in the series and can’t wait for the new book to be released. There is a strong female character at a time when women were expected to be wives and mothers. Cat Lovett is an architect and strong, independent woman. I recommend reading the whole series as it just gets better!