Synopses & Reviews
Spring, 1603: Queen Elizabeth is dying, and England waits anxiously. The Virgin Queen hasn't named an heir, refusing even to speak. Her cousin James, King of Scotland, is assumed to be her successor, but will the transition be peaceful? Sir Robert Cecil, Secretary of State, fears insurrection and has brought troops to the capital. But from where might the danger come - overseas, or from malcontents closer to home?
Meanwhile Marbeck, Cecil's best intelligencer, is under a cloud, wrongly suspected of shady dealings with the Spanish. So when the son of his friend Lady Celia Scroop joins a fanatical Puritan sect, he's glad to leave London to try and find the wayward youth. But events move fast and Marbeck finds himself in a maelstrom: forced to confront plots from two directions, that threaten not only the peace of the nation but the very fabric of England itself . . .
Review
The fast-moving plot is never dull, making the prospect of more Marbeck welcome Publishers Weekly
Review
The second in this fine series provides all the derring-do and historical interest needed to keep readers entranced Kirkus Reviews
Review
"If further novels are as good as this one, the series could have a long run." Booklist
Synopsis
Elizabeth I is dying, and her cousin James, King of Scotland, is her successor, but will the transition be peaceful? The Secretary of State, fears insurrection and has brought troops to the capital. Meanwhile, Marbeck is helping a friend find her son, but events move fast and Marbeck finds himself in a maelstrom that threatens the peace of England.
About the Author
John Pilkington has written plays for radio and theatre as well as television scripts for the BBC. Born in Lancashire, he now lives in Devon.