Thomas Chaloner in great shape - Rated 
'Blood on the Strand' is the second novel by Susanna Gregory featuring the 'intelligence agent' Thomas Chaloner set in Restoration London. The year is 1633, Charles II is back on the throne since (only) 3 years and London is still a hotbed of dissenters and ex-Cromwellians. Thomas has been unable to secure a job with the government's spymaster Joseph Williamson and now works for the Earl of Clarendon, Lord Chancellor. When a government agent readily shoots a 'beggar' and the latter turns out to be nothing less than a master-surgeon, Chaloner is asked to investigate and soon finds himself in the midst of a hornet's nest of warring factions at court, all of which are ready to kill to further their aims...
Although I personally like the Matthew Bartholomew-series by Susanna Gregory slightly better, there's no denying that this is a very good historical detective novel, set in a different era than most (I sometimes have the impression 90% of historical novels are set in either the middle ages or Elizabethan times). The descriptions of Restoration London and its sounds and smells are very well done, there's a whole host of colourful and well-developed characters (many of them historical, such as the Duke of Buckingham and Lady Castlemaine), and the story moves along at a brisk pace, with lots of twists and turns.
A joy to read, and I for one am looking forward to the further adventures of Thomas Chaloner!
Cracking story - Rated 
Susanna Gregory has pretty much mined the Bartholoomy stories to death but has hit a tremendous now seam with the stories about Thomas Challoner. This is the second and it is every bit as good as the first. Both are historically interesting and push on with a pace which renders the book difficult to put down. There is something for everyone in here including her usual complicated ending.
This Author's Books Are Always a Joy - Rated
Susanna Gregory is the pseudonym of a Cambridge academic who was previously a coroner's officer. The author now has a number of excellent books to her name, primarily medieval mysteries featuring Matthew Bartholomew. This book is the second in a series featuring Restoration London and having the lead character Thomas Chaloner, a somewhat reluctant spy for the feared Secretary of State, John Thurloe, London is a bustling thriving City and there is much work for a man such as Chaloner.
The year is 1663 and Thomas Chaloner a member of the King's intelligence service returns to London from Ireland, after assisting in thwarting a planned revolt in Dublin. Chaloner realises that feeling in the capital have changed since he left, there is a taste of rebellion in the London air. While investigating the shooting of a supposed beggar during a royal event, Chaloner discovers that far from being a beggar the man has links to the Company of Barber-Surgeons.
Meanwhile is master, the Earl of Clarendon is involved in a feud with the Earl of Bristol and to cap it all an innocent man is about to take the long drop in Newgate prison. Chaloner has his work cut out trying to protect Clarendon, discover who murdered the supposed vagrant and try to save an innocent man from the executioner.
The author's books are always so well researched and her characters endearing to the reader. This all helps to make her books both interesting, appealing and a joy to anyone interested in good historical fiction writing.
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