| Publisher | Hemlock Press |
|---|---|
| Date Published | 15 February 2024 |
| ISBN-10 | 0008494177 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0008494179 |
| Format | paperback |
| Pages | 480 |
| Price | £ 9.99 |
The Shadows of London
by
A body is discovered on a building site in 17th century London and architect/builder Cat Hakesby is horrified when the local JP puts a stop to all work on the site. Cat seeks out her friend, James Marwood, to help her save her business.
Review
In London in the 17th century, architect Cat Hakesby has just begun a major project to build alms houses when a body is discovered. The local JP immediately stops all building work and it soon becomes apparent that two men have gone missing. Cat, fearful for her livelihood, seeks the help of her boss for this project, Robert Hadgraft, and her friend James Marwood, clerk to Lord Arlington. James has influence in court, and so sets out to discover the identity of the missing people.
Meanwhile a young French woman, Louise de Keroualle, is being prepared to join the royal party on their Progress through Suffolk. Louise, a member of the Queen’s household who had previously caught the eye of King Charles II had remained in London, recovering from a malady but has now been invited to join the court whilst they are in Suffolk.
The plot takes numerous twists and turns through the streets and houses of London and Newmarket as well as in Lord Arlington’s recently built Euston Hall on his Suffolk estate. James Marwood turns out to be a clever, kind but rather accident-prone investigator who has a soft spot for women and who lives with his very ordinary staff in his own simple house in London, not far from the building site on which Cat is living and working. The story is set only about five years after the Fire of London and so there are plenty of reminders of the devastation it caused.
The great strengths of this book lie firstly in its historical detail such as the descriptions of places and clothing, and secondly in its exploration of people’s habits and feelings. The places range from Cat’s combined office to the much grander residence of Robert Hadcraft and Grace, his beautiful daughter. The book shines a light on the staff who serve, and in some cases try to protect their employers, and highlights the dangers of the streets of London and the everyday fears experienced by such folk. In stark contrast, we see the privileged life available to favoured people in places such as Euston Hall, owned by senior court officials like Lord Arlington.
The vulnerability and exploitation of young attractive women is explored in detail in such contexts, as is the precariousness of life for business people and the state’s lower level employees. A helpful list of characters at the start is a useful reading aid.
The Shadows of London provides both a very enjoyable immersion in the life of the 17th century as well as a reminder that whilst times change, people fundamentally remain the same.
Meanwhile a young French woman, Louise de Keroualle, is being prepared to join the royal party on their Progress through Suffolk. Louise, a member of the Queen’s household who had previously caught the eye of King Charles II had remained in London, recovering from a malady but has now been invited to join the court whilst they are in Suffolk.
The plot takes numerous twists and turns through the streets and houses of London and Newmarket as well as in Lord Arlington’s recently built Euston Hall on his Suffolk estate. James Marwood turns out to be a clever, kind but rather accident-prone investigator who has a soft spot for women and who lives with his very ordinary staff in his own simple house in London, not far from the building site on which Cat is living and working. The story is set only about five years after the Fire of London and so there are plenty of reminders of the devastation it caused.
The great strengths of this book lie firstly in its historical detail such as the descriptions of places and clothing, and secondly in its exploration of people’s habits and feelings. The places range from Cat’s combined office to the much grander residence of Robert Hadcraft and Grace, his beautiful daughter. The book shines a light on the staff who serve, and in some cases try to protect their employers, and highlights the dangers of the streets of London and the everyday fears experienced by such folk. In stark contrast, we see the privileged life available to favoured people in places such as Euston Hall, owned by senior court officials like Lord Arlington.
The vulnerability and exploitation of young attractive women is explored in detail in such contexts, as is the precariousness of life for business people and the state’s lower level employees. A helpful list of characters at the start is a useful reading aid.
The Shadows of London provides both a very enjoyable immersion in the life of the 17th century as well as a reminder that whilst times change, people fundamentally remain the same.
Reviewed 09 September 2024 by Sylvia Maughan
