Welcoming Paul Walker and his book - The Queen's Devil (William Constable Spy Thriller Book 3) - to my blog

 Today I'm welcoming Paul Walker and his book - The Queen's Devil (Book 3 of the William Constable Spy Thriller series) - to my blog as part of the blog tour hosted by The Coffee Pot Book Club (founded by Mary Anne Yarde). 

 I'm delighted to be able to share a review with you, but first I'll introduce the book.

The Queen's Devil by Paul Walker

 

1583.

William Constable, recently married astrologer and mathematician, has settled into routine work as a physician when he is requested to attend two prisoners in the Tower of London. Both are accused of separate acts treason, but their backgrounds suggest there may be a connection.

Sir Francis Walsingham and Lord Burghley urge William to discover further intelligence from the prisoners while tending their injuries from torture.

The agent's investigations lead him to the French Embassy, which lies at the heart of a conspiracy which threatens the nation.

Through his enquiries, an unsuspecting William becomes entangled in a perilous web of politicking and religious fervour.

The threat comes from one the most powerful men in the English court – one referred to as the Queen’s Devil.

William faces a race against time to unpick these ties, climaxing in a daring raid on the Embassy.

Praise for Paul Walker:

“Walker skilfully creates a treacherous world of half-truths, plots and duplicity... simmering with impending danger.” Michael Ward, author of Rags of Time.

"A gripping and evocative page-turner that vibrantly brings Elizabeth's London to life." Steven Veerapen, author of A Dangerous Trade.

"Full of convincing characters both historical and imagined." Peter Tonkin 

Publication date: 27 July 2020

Genre: Historical Fiction / Historical Thriller

Publisher: Sharpe’s Books

Print Length: 274 pages

You can get your copy via the following link. The book is free with Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Amazon

Now for the review -

I enjoy everything Tudor, so I was really looking forward to reading Paul Walker’s fabulous new book, The Queen’s Devil. I was a little bit concerned because this is book 3 in A William Constable Spy Thriller, but I was assured that this book did stand alone, and I have heard such wonderful things about the other two books in the series that I thought, why not?

Dear Reader, I am so glad I did. This novel is filled with espionage and conspirators, secrets and lies. The fact that the men who found themselves in the Tower were based upon historical people made this book even more gripping in its delivery.

The story follows Dr William Constable, who is a physician, an astrologer and mathematician, but he is also a husband, a friend and a son. William is a likeable character, and I immediately connected with him. But oh my, the things he goes through! He certainly does not have an easy time.

There are many historical characters in this book, and I was really fascinated by how Mr Walker approached each one. They were so well fleshed and authentic in the telling, as is the historical backdrop of this story. This is a book that screams Elizabethan England, the history oozes from the pages.

The one thing that really fascinated me with this book is the depiction of Scoliosis and how it was viewed in the Elizabethan era and how it was treated. Robert Cecil is in a great deal of pain, he has trouble breathing, but is helped by William who has devised a brace for him to wear, which in itself causes pain from rubbing. I thought Mr Walker approached Robert Cecil depiction with a great deal of care and knowledge for the condition.

If you love historical thrillers, then I can assure you that you will enjoy this book. If this book is anything to go by, then I will certainly be adding the rest of the series to my to-read list.

Paul Walker

Paul is married and lives in a village 30 miles north of London. Having worked in universities and run his own business, he is now a full-time writer of fiction and part-time director of an education trust. His writing in a garden shed is regularly disrupted by children and a growing number of grandchildren and dogs.

Paul writes historical fiction. He inherited his love of British history and historical fiction from his mother, who was an avid member of Richard III Society. The William Constable series of historical thrillers is based around real characters and events in the late sixteenth century. The first two books in the series - State of Treason and A Necessary Killing - were published in 2019. The third book, titled The Queen's Devil, was published in the summer of 2020.

You can connect with Paul Walker via - 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PWalkerauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paul.walker.923171

Amazon Author Page: http://author.to/PaulWalkerbooks

 

I hope you will check out Paul Walker's work.

Till the next time.

Take care Zoe