Books 164-165: Blood on the Strand and Remarkable Creatures
Book 164: Blood on the Strand (Thomas Chaloner #2) .
Author: Susanna Gregory, 2007.
Genre: Historical Fiction. Restoration London. Spy Thriller.
Other Details: Paperback. 464 pages.
Rebellion is in the air of London in the spring of 1663. Thomas Chaloner, spy for the King's intelligence service, has just returned from thwarting a planned revolt in Dublin, but soon realises that England's capital is no haven of peace. He is ordered to investigate the shooting of a beggar during a royal procession. He soon learns the man is no vagrant, but someone with links to the powerful Company of Barber-Surgeons. He master, the Earl of Clarendon, is locked in a deadly feud with the Earl of Bristol, and an innocent man is about to be hanged in Newgate. Chaloner is embroiled in a desperate race against time to protect Clarendon, to discover the true identity of the beggar's murderer, and to save a blameless man from the executioner's noose. - synopsis from UK publisher's website.
Even though Thomas is a fictional character, his family are not and in this series Gregory brings into play a cast of characters who were part of the actual political intrigues taking place in Restoration England. Her writing is quite dense and so demanded close attention for the period detail, plot complexity and the number of characters. After the text she includes notes on the historical figures. I was especially interested to discover that Aphra (Effray) did exist and was one of the few female spies during the period. This is a terrific series that I look forward to continue reading more of Thomas' exploits.
Book 165: Remarkable Creatures.
Author: Tracy Chevalier, 2009
Genre: Historical Fiction. 19th Century England. Natural History.
Other Details: Large Print Paperback. 384 pages.
In the early nineteenth century, a windswept beach along the English coast brims with fossils for those with the eye. Remarkable Creatures is Tracy Chevalier's stunning new novel of how one woman's gift transcends class and gender to lead to some of the most important discoveries of the nineteenth century. Above all, it is a revealing portrait of the intricate and resilient nature of female friendship. - from W. F. Howes website.
I first read this book in 2010 (see 2010 Book 36 for more detailed synopsis) and welcomed the opportunity to revisit in when it was selected for my library reading group. I enjoyed it even more the second time around, which for me is the hallmark of a good book.
It was very well received by all members of the group present at the meeting.
Tracy Chevalier's page on 'Remarkable Creatures' - contains further information and fossil gallery.
Cross-posted to 50bookchallenge.