‘Shadow of Poison’ by Peter Tonkin

Published by Sharpe Books,
14 September 2024.
ISBN:979-833924242-0 (PB)             
It’s 1586 and Robert Poley, Queen Elizabeth’s intelligencer, is newly returned to England from war in Arnhem, Holland. He has only recently played a part in unmasking Anthony Babington’s plot to murder Queen Elizabeth, replace her with the Queen of Scots and return the country to Catholicism. On his return Poley is taken to Sir Owen Hopton, Lieutenant of the Tower of London, who tells him of a suspected plot to kill the Queen. He wants Poley to go under cover as a notorious poisoner to discover more. First, he is placed in a cell in the Tower with suspected plotters spreading the feeling among them that he really is a poisoner. Meanwhile, he learns a lot about different poisons from his “interrogators” when he is supposedly taken for questioning.

The main person coming under suspicion is the Queen’s physician Doctor Lopez, Poley finds this very hard to believe as he seems devoted to Her Majesty, and she thinks the world of him.

One day when Poley and other men are experimenting with different poisons, Archbishop Creagh is accidentally killed and Poley is blamed, leading to him being sent from England. While abroad he starts to investigate plans by King Philip of Spain who plots to poison Queen Elizabeth. The dethroned King of Portugal Dom Antonio also comes under suspicion along with countless spies.

Poley then uncovers more suspicions involving Doctor Lopez and he returns to England in1590 determined to find out more. On his arrival he is approached by Robert Cecil to join his spy network.

Meanwhile the Earl of Essex, recently humiliated on the field of battle, is determined to win the Queen’s favour once more and show himself to be the one to save her from the “poisoner” Doctor Lopez. He becomes a real thorn in the side of the Queen’s intelligencer. The more Poley delves into suspicious plots involving poisons and their poisoners the more confused he becomes, trying to tell friends from enemies. Plus, as much as he wants to believe in the innocence of the Doctor, events make him start to wonder. Can he really take the chance that Lopez may be plotting to poison Her Majesty? The whole affair becomes a real gamble for Poley. Will her doctor be found guilty or innocent, it takes four years for the decision to be made one way or the other.

A really all consuming, intriguing book full of double dealing and perilous plotting times. The story telling brings it all to life dramatically.

Very highly recommended for readers at all interested in the latter years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign with their unsettling events and outcomes.
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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.