This is the follow-up novel to Donald’s “Blood’s Game”. Holcroft Blood is the son of the infamous Captain Blood who tried to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. Holcroft has returned to London after working as a spy in the French artillery and is now firmly entrenched on His Majesty’s Ordnance based in the Tower of London. He becomes involved in various plots, with the French on one side interfering in English politics to ensure the Catholic James II remains on the throne; and senior political and military men who wish to see the Protestant William of Orange as King. The year is 1688 and change is coming.

A rattling good story and a very evocative depiction of London life for both rich and poor at this time. I think some of the minor characters are drawn too thinly, which is a shame. I wanted to hear more about and from Jack Churchill, Bishop Mews of Winchester and, especially, Holcroft’s seemingly insatiable wife. Conversely, Holcroft is a little too god to be true, an expert in pretty much everything he turns his hand to.

Nevertheless, a very enjoyable book and I will be looking for future instalments in the series. ( )