1664 and Major Thankful Russell and his new bride, Thomazine, have recently arrived in London. But soon the rumours start. Rumours that he had finally murdered his sister, and then there are the rumours of treason. They must determine the who and why of the matter to save their reputations and bring justice to the guilty party.
An enjoyable Restoration historical mystery with, thankfully, just a hint of romance. A very good solid start to this new series and overall I like the characters. ( )

This is the first in the Thomazine and Thankful Russell historical thrillers set in Restoration London. In this enjoyable mystery Thankful finds himself under suspicion of murder and treason and the race is on to clear his name.

An exciting and entertaining romp set during, in my opinion, a hugely interesting time in history. I love the characters of the spirited Thomazine and her stoic and lovable husband, Thankful - they are a delight and very memorable! The style of writing is lively, engaging and amusing. There is also a good sense of time and place. This is a good introduction to what promises to be, I’m sure, a dynamic new detective duo and I look forward to reading more of the Russells’ fascinating adventures. ( )

Intriguing Restoration mystery!

Fascinating mystery set during the Restoration times of 1663. Charles II is on the throne and expectations are somewhat murky for all parties.
The two leading characters are unusual. The battle scarred Major Thankful Russell and his newly wedded younger wife, Thomazine Babbitt.
Thankful is an ex-Roundhead and now a King's Intellegencer. The time has come for him to marry and he casts his hopes on the girl he knew as a young child. Many years his junior, Thomazine (Tibby) has loved Thankful since she was a child and sees only the Thankful she's grown up with, not his scars. "She’d considered him her especial property since she was two years old and he twenty-one."
Thankful has decided they will make their home in the manor house of Four Ashes, Buckinghamshire, where he grew up with his sister, a nasty piece of work, rigorously Puritan, married to the idea of works and punishment. Grace is not a concept she even understood.
Fly-Fornication Coventry had died in a house fire and Thankful has decided to rebuild the manor for himself and Thomazine. What he doesn't know is that Fly was murdered. And that first killing was only the beginning.
Thankful and Thomazine find themselves shunned by polite society in Buckinghamshire, (rumors of Thankful having somehow started the fire seem to have spread) and so return to London.
It's here, on the less salubrious edges of Charles II's court that Thankful and Thomazine find themselves in even more danger.
Logue has given us a fascinating insight into Restoration times, the day-to-day rigors of life, the political undercurrents, and the beginnings of the wars with the Low Countries. I recommend her Historical Notes for more and pertinent comments on the Anglo-Dutch Wars.
I really enjoyed Thankful and Thomazine as characters. Thankful with his understated strengths, a soldier turned Intellegencer-courtier, where the soldier is not far below the surface, and Thomazine, with her willingness to dangerously rush into things, her red hair and her temper that sometimes will just 'out'.
I'm looking forward to their future.

A Sapere ARC via NetGalley ( )

An Abiding Fire by M.J. Logue
Murder Mystery in Restoration London
A Thomazine and Major Russell Thriller #1

Intriguing and educational this book set in 1664 mentioned history that I may have forgotten or never known and also had me wondering what it must have truly been to live in that era. I wondered how a king was toppled, others ruled for awhile and then a new king was put on the throne. I wondered what caused Major Thankful Russell’s recurring illness that created fever and tried to kill him – was it malaria or a disease that began with the bite of an insect. I wondered about the names given to people who were “plain” and was glad I did not have some of the names mentioned in this story. I wondered about the wars with the Dutch and the myths created about people not one’s own and I contemplated why people were the way they were and did what they did.

That said...I really enjoyed this book. It is the first book I have read by this author and I am eager to read more. The “voice” of the telling was new and smoothly flowing. I loved the way the characters were presented and the strengths of both Thankful and Thomazine and the close relationship they shared. The aspect of family and friends was strong and warm. The desire to right wrongs was one I could relate to and eagerly followed as the H/h couple worked to find out who had killed his sister and clear his name. The one time that I questioned the wisdom of Thomazine’s action(s) I decided to put it down to her age and lack of social awareness but boy did at least one of those times cause her and Thankful severe difficulties.

I believe that Thankful and Thomazine make a wonderful couple and their future is one that I would like to hear more about as this series continues.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sapere Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )