Blood on the Strand

Susanna Gregory is the pseudonym of a Cambridge academic who was previously a coroner's officer. The author now has a number of excellent books to her name, primarily medieval mysteries featuring Matthew Bartholomew. This book is the second in a series featuring Restoration London and having the lead character Thomas Chaloner, a somewhat reluctant spy for the feared Secretary of State, John Thurloe, London is a bustling thriving City and there is much work for a man such as Chaloner. The year is 1663 and Thomas Chaloner a member of the King's intelligence service returns to London from Ireland, after assisting in thwarting a planned revolt in Dublin. Chaloner realises that feeling in the capital have changed since he left, there is a taste of rebellion in the London air. While investigating the shooting of a supposed beggar during a royal event, Chaloner discovers that far from being a beggar the man has links to the Company of Barber-Surgeons. Meanwhile is master, the Earl of Clarendon is involved in a feud with the Earl of Bristol and to cap it all an innocent man is about to take the long drop in Newgate prison. Chaloner has his work cut out trying to protect Clarendon, discover who murdered the supposed vagrant and try to save an innocent man from the executioner. The author's books are always so well researched and her characters endearing to the reader. This all helps to make her books both interesting, appealing and a joy to anyone interested in good historical fiction writing.