I’m very happy to host The Queen’s Devil on my blog today as a part of the book tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Following is a bit about the book and the author, Paul Walker. You’ll find my review toward the bottom.

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

1583.

William Constable, recently married astrologer and mathematician, has settled into routine work as a physician when he is requested to attend two prisoners in the Tower of London. Both are accused of separate acts treason, but their backgrounds suggest there may be a connection.

Sir Francis Walsingham and Lord Burghley urge William to discover further intelligence from the prisoners while tending their injuries from torture.

The agent’s investigations lead him to the French Embassy, which lies at the heart of a conspiracy which threatens the nation.

Through his enquiries, an unsuspecting William becomes entangled in a perilous web of politicking and religious fervour.

The threat comes from one the most powerful men in the English court – one referred to as the Queen’s Devil.

William faces a race against time to unpick these ties, climaxing in a daring raid on the Embassy.

BOOK DETAILS:

Publication date: 27 July 2020

Genre: Historical Fiction / Historical Thriller

Publisher: Sharpe’s Books Print Length: 274 pages

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Praise for Paul Walker:

“Walker skilfully creates a treacherous world of half-truths, plots and duplicity… simmering with impending danger.” Michael Ward, author of Rags of Time.

“A gripping and evocative page-turner that vibrantly brings Elizabeth’s London to life.” Steven Veerapen, author of A Dangerous Trade.

“Full of convincing characters both historical and imagined.” Peter Tonkin

Author Bio: Paul Walker

Paul is married and lives in a village 30 miles north of London. Having worked in universities and run his own business, he is now a full-time writer of fiction and part-time director of an education trust. His writing in a garden shed is regularly disrupted by children and a growing number of grandchildren and dogs.

Paul writes historical fiction. He inherited his love of British history and historical fiction from his mother, who was an avid member of Richard III Society. The William Constable series of historical thrillers is based around real characters and events in the late sixteenth century. The first two books in the series – State of Treason and A Necessary Killing – were published in 2019. The third book, titled The Queen’s Devil, was published in the summer of 2020.

TOUR SCHEDULE

MY REVIEW:

Third in the William Constable spy series, The Queen’s Devil follows the escapades of Dr. William Constable in 1583 under Queen Elizabeth’s reign. 

Several men of high position ask William, trusted doctor, mathematician, and astrologer, to treat the wounds of several prisoners in the Tower of London. But all is not as it seems as those in authority leverage William to try to get the prisoners to spill forth what torture has not succeeded in revealing. 

Suspicions run high, and an adversary warps William’s religious and medical theologies to their own ends. He must rely upon friends to help flush out The Queen’s Devil. 

An ever increasing depth of espionage entrenches William to seek for answers that will convict those guilty of treason but also free someone whom he holds most dear. 

Based upon the lives of real people, this hearty, spy drama will satisfy those who relish a meaty novel. I recommend The Queen’s Devil to those who enjoy historical, literary, and spy fiction. 

I give it four out of five stars:

I found the story and characters a bit hard to track with at first. I kept having to turn back to try to get an understanding who the side characters were. The long paragraphs made it difficult to be easily read; I had to pay careful attention to stay with the story and understand who was speaking. I disliked the use of single quotation marks for dialogue instead of the traditional double quotes. 

But all in all, I enjoyed the book and am happy to recommend to other readers!

Happy Reading! J

NOTE: This post contains purchase links for the convenience of my readers.