BUTCHER OF SMITHFIELD

One of my favourite authors. I love a good historical mystery. I'm not even half way through this, but it grips the imagination. An excellent storyteller, she gives all her characters life. Haven't started the other two I bought. Something to look forward to in the New Year.

Well written and entertaining; love to read the adventures of Thomas Chaloner. Geat author.

Susanna Gregory kept me guessing and intrigued about how the Butcher of Springfield could control so many people and be involved in such suspicious events. Chaloner's problems continue in dealing with the fickle Earl. Even though he's unrewarded, his dedication to his tasks continues as he puzzles though the clues - eventually unmasking the culprit. An added bonus is the details of how news and reporting differs somewhat to today's. Gregory offers rich descriptions and insight into the life in towns and areas around London as she highlights the different social classes, rivalries and secret bargains during that period.

Tom Chaloner, newly arrived in London from a four month spying stint in Portugal, finds himself in deep trouble with his employer, the Earl of Clarendon, who is impatiently awaiting his return. In order for Chaloner to receive his back pay which he urgently needs, he must now embark on another task for the Earl to find the killer of Tom Newburne. The victim was a wealthy solicitor in the employ of Ellis Crisp, the butcher of Smithfield, head of a feared gang known as the Hectors. Newburne's death is linked to a half-eaten cucumber found in his chambers and thought to be poisonous. To add to the mystery there will be several more murders - some of which will also feature a suspect cucumber.Chaloner, aka Tom Heyden, and his coterie of familiar characters are again on board for the action. John Thurloe, his former handler and Cromwellian spymaster ever at the ready to assist Tom, as is his friend, William Leybourne. Temperance, a former Puritan, who now runs a bordello for wealthy courtiers is someone who Tom can depend on for aid in difficult times. The author spins off an impressive number of historical figures who have been plucked from obscurity to interact seamlessly with fictional characters. It soon becomes apparent that there are a host of spies in play: regular spies, part-time spies, double agents, and perhaps triple agents.A further thread is the competition between two newspapers of the day. One is the printed Newsbook, government controlled, which makes its most money running ads for stolen horses. The other is the popular handwritten Newsletter which deals with news unrestricted by government. The rivalry between these two newspapers will figure in the investigation providing further clues.Chaloner, our very capable spy, will find himself engaged in several sword rattling bouts as well as escaping death in a variety of mind-numbing episodes. Although starving most of the time due to lack of his pay, he will relentlessly continue his mission despite lack of sleep, persistent rain, and flooding of the Thames. Using Tom as a link between dissimilar groups, the author brings into focus the contrast between the opulent depravity of Charles II' s court and the poverty and squalor of the people of London. There is relief from the gloom, however, with liberal sprinklings of wit and humor throughout the narrative.Chaloner is indeed a remarkable character; but in spite of his super skills, he is not always aware of the secret pursuits of the government. This was a wild ride of entertainment - a bit cluttered with characters and situations, but well worth reading.

Susanna Gregory writes an exciting, if VERY complicated, story and I enjoy the fact that the character's WHY LIGHT?Tonight is the first of the eight days of the “Jewish Festival of Lights”, Hanukkah. We light one candle (or oil wick, as more traditional and historical) on the first night, Two on the second and so on till all are lit on the eighth night.Why do l do it?There are several answers, from the religious to the historical to the traditional.....but l also light with an additional idea in mind.I am a Jew living away from my spiritual homeland , and simultaneously,a Jew living every day in my real and actual homeland, Gibraltar. I find no conflict with this. If you can be a Christian in any country, a Muslim, a Buddhist .... whatever... in any country, why not a Jew? The fact that there is a Jewish homeland is testament to our origins not our present nationality.And with this in mind too, l will light.I will light openly and even place my Hanukkiah (the candelabra itself, which is not a Menorah) by my window. Why?As a salute to my fellow Gibraltarians.True , that is not the tradition. The tradition is placing it elsewhere in the home. But as l say, l place it visibly from the outside as a salute to Gibraltar. We are seeing more and more antisemitism sprouting like a virus around Europe. Extremist politics and just plain extremists are fanning the flames of hatred .... and Jews are an easy target. Jews are a “safe “ target. Unlike others, we do not fight back violence with violence. Jews just pack up and leave.And here is my salute.....I live in Gibraltar and Gibraltar shows no violence, no antisemitism, no hatred, no extremism.Gibraltar shines with the same light as each of my candles. And l pray that just as these candles, with their blessed lights, increase night by night, that we, all Gibraltarians, will be increasingly blessed.Whether a believer or not, may these ancient biblical words always hold true:“...and l will bless those who bless you...”terms are (loosely) based on actual people. This is another intriguing andenjoyable tale, though it might be helpful to make notes as you go.,