Reviews

A Conspiracy of Violence by Susanna Gregory

lakesbecky's review

4.0

I read book 2 of this series years ago so was delighted to find book 1 and 3 in a charity shop! This book sets the scene as to how Thomas Chaloner has to reestablish himself as a spy in London after years of spying in the Netherlands. Its not easy being the nephew of a regicide and a former employee of Oliver Cromwell to get a job working for Charles II...

A whole host of intriguing Restoration England characters from fanatical Puritans to debauched Royalists. Thomas must learn to tell friend from foe and solve several mysteries and murders to earn his place working for the Earl of Clarendon Lord Chancellor of England.

Restoration London is a dirty, dangerous city and she really brings it alive in these stories. Lots of twists and turns so towards the end I couldn't put the book down as we learned who did what and how. A roller coaster introduction to this mystery solving man.

meganstreb's review

4.0

Really enjoyed it, particularly the descriptions of London daily life, but struggled to keep track of about 20+ characters.

pam_pam_85's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

roshk99's review

4.0

Fantastic convoluted mystery involving the intrigue of London after the Restoration. An excellent time period for a spy and the ending was completely unexpected and thrilling

msjaquiss's review

3.0

An interesting period of history to explore through fiction but the mystery was almost too convoluted to be enjoyable.

belabart71's review

4.0

I love the historical fiction genre, and this is no exception! Well written, a bit confusing at times to keep straight with the number of characters, yet a great beach read!

galaxysmashsmash's review

Dry, boring, badly written 

majkia's review

5.0

Genre: Historical Mystery

Rating: Very Good

A complexly woven mystery set in the aftermath of the Restoration. Tomas Chaloner was a spy for Therloe, the spymaster for the now dead and not missed Cromwell. Charles II is firmly in place but there is still much thoughts of revenge and suspicion regarding those who were seen as helping Cromwell and killing the King when he took power.

Chaloner is newly returned from Holland where he’d been spying on the Dutch, and is now penniless and masterless. He becomes sucked into conspiracies, or at least perceived conspiracies and finds himself unable to trust anyone but his Dutch lover.

Then things get even more complicated.

Colorful and detailed settings, well developed characters and a mystery that keeps one guessing throughout most of the book.

gawronma's review

3.0

It was a nice historical novel about Restoration England. Ms. Gregory certainly knows how to weave historical fact with an intteresting tale.

cmbohn's review against another edition

2.0

I gave up on this one. I got halfway through and realized I wasn't enjoying it at all. I like her other series better.