The fourth John Grey historical mystery
1666. London has been destroyed by fire and its citizens are looking for somebody, preferable foreign, to blame. Only the royal Court, with its strong Catholic sympathies, is trying to dampen down the post-conflaguration hysteria. Then, inconveniently, a Frenchman admits to having started it together with an accomplice, whom he says he has subsequently killed.
John Grey is tasked by Secretary of State, Lord Arlington, with proving conclusively that the self-confessed fire-raiser is lying. Though Grey agrees with Arlington that the Frenchman must be mad, he is increasingly perplexed at how much he knows. And a body has been discovered that appears in every way to match the description of the dead accomplice.
Grey’s investigations take him and his companion, Lady Pole, into the dangerous and still smoking ruins of the old City. And somebody out there – somebody at the very centre of power in England – would prefer it if they didn’t live long enough to conclude their work…
Praise for L.C. Tyler
‘Tyler juggles his characters, story wit and clever one liners with perfect balance’ The Times
‘A cracking pace, lively dialogue, wickedly witty one-liners salted with sophistication . . . Why would we not want more of John Grey?’ The Bookbag
‘A dizzying whirl of plot and counterplot’ Guardian
‘I was seduced from John Grey’s first scene’ Ann Cleeves
‘Unusually accomplished’ Helen Dunmore
‘Literate, witty, and huge fun’ Irish Independent
1666. London has been destroyed by fire and its citizens are looking for somebody, preferable foreign, to blame. Only the royal Court, with its strong Catholic sympathies, is trying to dampen down the post-conflaguration hysteria. Then, inconveniently, a Frenchman admits to having started it together with an accomplice, whom he says he has subsequently killed.
John Grey is tasked by Secretary of State, Lord Arlington, with proving conclusively that the self-confessed fire-raiser is lying. Though Grey agrees with Arlington that the Frenchman must be mad, he is increasingly perplexed at how much he knows. And a body has been discovered that appears in every way to match the description of the dead accomplice.
Grey’s investigations take him and his companion, Lady Pole, into the dangerous and still smoking ruins of the old City. And somebody out there – somebody at the very centre of power in England – would prefer it if they didn’t live long enough to conclude their work…
Praise for L.C. Tyler
‘Tyler juggles his characters, story wit and clever one liners with perfect balance’ The Times
‘A cracking pace, lively dialogue, wickedly witty one-liners salted with sophistication . . . Why would we not want more of John Grey?’ The Bookbag
‘A dizzying whirl of plot and counterplot’ Guardian
‘I was seduced from John Grey’s first scene’ Ann Cleeves
‘Unusually accomplished’ Helen Dunmore
‘Literate, witty, and huge fun’ Irish Independent
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Reviews
Tyler at his entertaining best . . . a Restoration romp delivered with aplomb and verbal artistry, a delicious slice of history in all its dark, dank and deadly reality, and a veritable stage show of witty one-liners wrapped up in an enthralling mystery adventure
There are moments that made me laugh out loud and moments that had me on the edge of my seat . . . The ins and outs of the conspiracy and Grey's adventures as he struggles to find the truth kept me gripped from beginning to end . . . highly recommended
A fast-paced tale of double-crossing and double agents during a tumultuous period in English history .... the humour running through the book is a delight
This is fine writing and the tension and danger of the mystery is complemented by the humour of the narrative and dialogue. The mystery is such a good one and the setting in London's smouldering ruins is richly evocative . . . I can't wait for the next
A historical thriller, but one written with tongue firmly in cheek . . . Tyler is a witty writer, and this third outing for Grey is great fun
