Time to catch up here, as I have a couple of historical novels to add which I have read during the last few weeks. Firstly, the latest novel by Susanna Gregory in her series about the seventeenth century character Thomas Challoner, who is a spy for the Earl of Clarendon and supporter of the King. This novel, the eleventh in the series, sees Thomas sent to Chelsea by the Earl to investigate suspected fraud and theft at a private asylum there. Before Thomas arrives a female inmate is strangled whilst sitting in the gardens. Further murders ensue so Thomas's investigations become more widespread and complicated. Also in Chelsea is an old theological college which has currently been requisitioned to hold Dutch prisoners of war, but there are suspicions about the actual goings on there. Coupled to this are the antics at the notorious Buckingham House, scene of debauchery and late night parties amongst the titled and wealthy who are seeking to escape the Plague which is rampaging across London.
I found that there were too many characters, for me, in this convoluted plot which is not without its share of red herrings. At one point Challoner has up to ten suspects for the first murder making the first half of the book rather slow going as the reader attempts to assimilate all the names and remember their place in the story (or stories). As is usual in this series there are a number of genuine historical characters, with some of whom the author takes liberties by embroiling them in situations which they never would have encountered. There is no doubt that the author conducts a great deal of historical research to clothe her stories but to my taste it was all rather laboured. The episode in which Thomas attempts to escape from the prison, which he managed to sneak into to check out the strange goings on, becomes quite gripping as the reader becomes quite involved with his struggle but after this, the story slows down again.
I liked the map of the area and much of the historical background but, as this isn't the usual period I like to read about, I probably won't try another one.
