Reviews

The Black Friar sees readers back in London, January 1655 - so roughly two months after the events of the first book. Trouble is in the air once again as discord is brewing within Cromwell's army even as he's on the verge of doing away with Parliament. Danger is also ever present on the outside from the Royalists and the Fifth Monarchists, both of which have plots and schemes afoot. As if this wouldn't be enough to keep Damian Seeker, Cromwell's Captain of the Guard, busy 24/7, Seeker also has to contend with the discovery of a body bricked up in a wall, a missing servant girl, and difficulties in his personal life (what little he has of one).

This was an excellent follow-up to the author's award winning first book. In Damian Seeker she has created a layered character who manages to be extremely sympathetic despite his absolute loyalty to the dictator-like government of Oliver Cromwell. And once again the author has managed to take several seemingly separate story threads and weave them together into a complete whole. My only disappointment lies with the developments in Seeker's personal life. Although they may make sense, it's left me rather depressed and I can't quite shake it. I'm hoping for more books in the series though I haven't been able to find anything at all in my internet searches. The ending for this book could serve as a ending to Seeker's story if this is only meant to be a duology though, in my case, it's only left me wanting more.

**ETA: There will be a third book, available July 2018 in the UK: [b:Destroying Angel|36122452|Destroying Angel (Damian Seeker #3)|S.G. MacLean|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1505617428s/36122452.jpg|57715915]. Yay!!**

"That may well be, my lady, but what you and your like will not understand, and what has been the defeat of you all, is that men who come from nothing need not end as nothing."

cookewitch's review against another edition

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medium-paced

4.25

This is the second book in the series, really enjoyed the first one and think this one was even better!

Given that I prefer standalone books and this is not an era that grabs me I think it telling that I want, and am looking forward, to reading the next one!

📖👀📖

debrup_bhattacharya's review

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dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

jmatkinson1's review

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5.0

London in the 1660s and politics and insurrection are everywhere. The Fifth Monarchists are threatening Cromwell's authority in England - they believe that he should be launching an offensive against the Pope and the Catholic Church in Europe. Meanwhile in the Low Countries, Charles Stuart is plotting a return aided by Royalist sympathisers in London. One of Cromwell's spies is found dead, bricked up in an old priory, and one the streets a number of children ave disappeared. Damien Seeker is tasked with solving the mystery of the death and the disappearances but in doing so he puts at risk the lives of those he can call friends.

The is a second outing for MacLean's Parliamentarian anti-hero and the novels go from strength to strength. Seeker is driven by strong morals but is also ruthless in his pursuit of right. The setting is wonderfully imagined with London populated by interesting characters, in this case Samuel Pepys makes an appearance and there is a return for Lady Anne Winter. All in all a really enjoyable read.

siria's review

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4.0

A solidly readable historical mystery, The Black Friar is set in Cromwellian London where an agent of the Protectorate has been found, walled up alive inside an abandoned monastery in the habit of a monk. Damian "Seeker" is put on the case. S.G. MacLean clearly knows the period well, and even if things get a little convoluted towards the end, the characterisation is strong enough to pull the reader through at a good clip. I'd definitely look out for the next book in the series.

jrenee's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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