Synopsis: Charlie Tuesday makes his living tracking villains and cut-purses. But in these dangerous times of Charles II’s debauched court, all is not what it seems. The thief taker was orphaned with a key to a chest of secrets; mysteries even his brilliant detecting has so far failed to uncover.
But something has awoken in England. Ancient blood-spells will rise again. And as plague and fire ravage London, what was locked must be freed.
This is a brilliant series set in Restoration London - King Charles II has returned to England (1660), many years after the execution of his father Charles I and the reign of the Protectorate under Cromwell. After a decade under Puritan rule, Charles' court is a mix of frivolity and hedonsim, and also of political (and religious) intrigue as he made no secret of the fact he intended to hunt down and punish those responsible for the death of his father. His reign was dominated by his mistresses and his numerous progeny, the Anglo-Dutch wars, the Plague and the Great Fire. The perfect setting for a series such as this ... and what we are left with as always is ... what next?
The Thief Taker:
London 1665: the black death ravages London, a serial killer stalks the streets, and Charlie Tuesday is in pursuit. Framed for murder, Charlie must prove his innocence by catching the killer. Ghosts of the (English) civil war emerge as the plot unravels. The story held me spellbound - I couldn't see how after 200 pages, Quinn could maintain the momentum, but she does so, and successfully. I literally could not wait to start on the second in the series.
Fire Catcher:
London 1666: it is the year of the Great Fire. An old foe is still alive. Charlie teams up with another who wants revenge whilst the King's mistresses play at politics with both King and Court. Family secrets intertwine as Charlie is in possession of a key to a mysterious box. Can he find it before it all goes up in flames.
Dark Stars:
London 1666: one month after the great fire. resurgence of a series of gruesome murders and a prophecy about an all-seeing eye send Charlie Tuesday and gypsy girl Lily Boswell on a hunt. The past is resurrected by a new cast of characters. Will Charlie solve the mystery surrounding his family as old foes emerge as old enemies. As Charlie's family secrets are slowly being teased out, Quinn reveals just enough to tantalise us with the prospect of further adventures. Nailbiting to the end!
The Changeling Murders:
London 1667: Plots against the crown, while Amesbury (court politician and military man) plays a dangerous double game. Lady Castlemaine, the King's mistress, is not simply out for whatever she can get for her children by the king but also playing a solo hand. In the midst of all this drama, Charlie must find out what has happened to former love, Maria. As always, the action / drama is non-stop; intrigue and guile rule; revenge and long dead secrets rear their heads when they should have been lying low. Another well-crafted tale in the series.
Another tome in the series is "Death Magic" a short story set in 1663 with Charlie investigating the death of a maid-servant. I've not read this one, but do look forward to.
I would also recommend
Andrew Taylor's Marwood & Lovett series set in the same period
SG MacLean's The Seeker series set in the Cromwellian period
Andrew Swanston's Thomas Hill series set in the reign of Charles I
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