‘Shadow of Treason’ by Peter Tonkin

Published by Sharpe Books,
16 May 2023.
ISBN:979-839490-807-1 (PB)

Robert Catesby is a staunch Catholic and is determined to bring Protestant England back to Catholicism. One day in 1603 he is approaching the gunpowder mills at Redriffe when there is a massive explosion. The mill disappears and the devastation is terrifying, houses have disappeared, and corpses lie everywhere. So is planted in Catesby’s mind a way to rid England of James the Protestant King.

It is not until the following year that he is able to put plans in place for he was recognised at Redriffe by Poley, King James’ Intelligencer, under Robert Cecil, and arrested. On his release in 1604, he begins to recruit several men to carry out his diabolical plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament when the King is present attending the opening.

He mainly needs an engineer and is introduced to Guido (as he is known) Fawkes.

Poley’s spies start to bring him disturbing information about Fawkes and other conspirators. So begins a desperate attempt to uncover what exactly Catesby and his plotters are planning. Things start to go to plan for Catesby and he is pleased when the definite date of 7^th February 1605 is decided on for the opening of parliament. Now he can plot in earnest.

Fawkes has the brilliant idea of digging a tunnel leading under the Parliament building in Westminster and work is started on it. Then a problem emerges, King James refuses to attend the State Opening in February as the plague is always rifer at that time of year. The date is rearranged for October3^rd 1605 so now digging of the tunnel is stopped and temporarily covered over.

Fawkes is aghast when he later reopens it only to discover it is flooded and the water has ruined barrels of gunpowder stored there. He comes up with another plan and it certainly now involves a more devious plot and means deceiving more people, especially one really close to him.

Can Poley and his men discover what devastation Catesby and his followers are planning in time?

Although we all know very well the outcome of “Gunpowder, Treason and Plot” the author has such a wonderful way of relating it that it almost seems like a fresh story. I found it thoroughly absorbing and the historical detail is outstanding. Plus, there is a completely unexpected and delightful twist on the very last page. Highly recommended especially for lovers of this country’s history.
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Reviewer: Tricia Chappell

Peter Tonkin was born 1 January 1950 in Ulster, son of an RAF officer. He spent much of his youth travelling the world from one posting to another. He went to school at Portora Royal, Enniskillen and Palmer's, Grays. He sang, acted, and published poetry, winning the Jan Palac Memorial Prize in 1968. He studied English with Seamus Heaney at Queen's Belfast. His first novel, Killer, was published in 1978. His work has included the acclaimed "Mariner" series that have been critically compared with the best of Alistair MacLean, Desmond Bagley and Hammond Innes. He has also written a series of Elizabethan mysteries. Since retiring from teaching he has written mysteries set in Ancient Rome and more recently a series set in Greece.

https://petertonkin.com/

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.