Another fine addition to this series (which I somehow managed to forget to review when I read it a year ago). At least when I picked it up thinking I hadn't read it before, as soon as I started the first chapter it came right back. That's something, anyway. It was a fast and very enjoyable read. ( )

Note: There are necessarily spoilers for previous books in this series.

This is the fifth novel in this historical crime fiction series that began in London in September 1666, during London’s Great Fire. This book begins in 1670, four years since the two main characters met, James Marwood and Catherine “Cat” Lovett, now Hakesby.

After Cat’s husband, the architect Simon Hakesby, passed away, Cat took over his business, and in this book she receives a new assignment to construct a poultry house for Princess Anne, sister of King Charles Stuart, now living in France as the wife of her cousin Philippe I, Duke of Orléans. Cat is asked to travel to France to show the princess the plans.

Marwood still works for Joseph Williamson, Undersecretary to Lord Arlington, Secretary of State for the South and one of the King’s most powerful ministers who also gathers intelligence for the government. Marwood is increasingly called upon by Arlington to investigate dicey matters that are of consequence to the king. Thus he is still caught between the sometimes competing demands of the two ambitious and powerful men. As in the previous books, Marwood makes observations about the prerogatives and arbitrariness of power, and how he must somehow navigate through these shoals to remain safe. In Whitehall, Marwood notes, “it is one thing to like a man, but quite another to trust him.” In this book, both Cat and Marwood are particularly subject to that attribute of power which is “the ability to force others to wait patiently on your convenience.”

As the author explains in a historical note at the end, the story in this episode revolves around the Secret Treaty of Dover that was signed in May, 1670 between England and France and against the Dutch Republic. Marwood’s role comes in with the need to investigate the spies and foreign agents bent on thwarting the treaty. In particular, he is assigned to look more closely into one Henryk Van Riebeeck, a Dutchman who is not only involved in some suspicious activities and deaths that have been occurring, but is also courting Cat, much to Marwood’s chagrin.

Cat has been assuming Marwood is after some prostitute, Meg Daunt, because she has seen him often in her company. We readers know this is a misunderstanding; it is Marwood’s colleague Gorvin that likes Meg, and he drags Marwood along as an excuse to get close to her. In any event, Cat herself won’t admit that she is jealous; she attributes her hostile attitude toward Marwood to a concern over his character. This makes her more receptive to the overtures of Van Riebeeck.

Nevertheless, as in the previous books, James and Cat find themselves working together to get themselves out of mortal danger. The ending has some surprises, including in the ever evolving nature of the relationship between Cat and Marwood.

Evaluation: The politics of the time can be a bit confusing to follow as all the intrigue and double-dealing that actually happened can make a person dizzy. Nevertheless it is also fascinating, as are the historical details. And the two main characters are quite appealing, in spite of their self-absorption and stubbornness. This only serves to make them more human. ( )

Cat Hakesby has a new admirer and Marwood is disquieted. Partly because the man is Dutch and has dubious connections, partly because he is under investigation after the death of one of Marwood's colleagues. There seems to be a link to a merchant who lives in a house with a lion in his stable but also how does this fit in with the proposed visit of the King's sister, sister-in-law of Louis of France?
I love this series of novels by Andrew Taylor. He has always been a terrific writer of historical fiction but this series is a joy to read. The plots are not too convoluted but challenge the reader, the characters are brilliantly drawn and the research and understanding of Restoration London is amazing. ( )