aBurntShip

             Another Thomas Tallant Mystery set in 1640's London  I was approached by author Michael Ward and asked to  review his third novel 'The Drums of War'.  I thought that Mr Ward's first novel  'Rags of Time' was excellent. Set in London in 1639 as the fault lines that would lead to war between Parliament and the Crown, are starting to emerge, Thomas Tallant from an enterprising spice merchant family, has to extricate himself from a false charge of murder brought by City magistrates . Displays so much knowledge  the whole dynamic of London  life of the time, how the metropolis functions.  His  constant companion is Elizabeth, who has a passion for scientific discovery and enjoys smoking a pipe. The second novel ' The Wrecking Storm' is a sequel set against the acceleration to war in 1641 and beyond. As Mr Ward said of his own writing in an interview with 'A Burnt Ship'  My aim in ‘Rags’ was to interl...

I thought that would share my opinion of  some recent 17th century related novels. Will be looking at 'The Wrecking Storm' , by Michael Ward, 'The Puritan Princess' by Miranda Malins, and 'The Last Protector' by Andrew Taylor.  Hopefully they will show the range of different views of the British Civil Wars that fiction authors are currently exploring.  'The Wrecking Storm' - Michael Ward  Michael Ward's first novel. introducing readers to  lead character Thomas Tallant  -'Rags of Time'-was excellent. Superb portrayal of London on the eve of the Civil War, with incredible tensions cutting across the lives of the Tallant merchant family with their strong links to the Dutch United Provinces. facing growing unrest amongst unruly apprentices and the clandestine radical printing presses are making an impact. A couple of murders emerge in all the chaos. Having Elizabeth as Thomas Tallant's love interest, with her fascination with science and smo...