Mystery and murder in 'the dunnest smoke of hell'

I picked this title not because of Andrew Taylor's awards for historical crime writing, but because it's read by Leighton Pugh. Having spent the first three months of last year mesmerised by Pugh's fantastic 116-hour unabridged narration of Samuel Pepys' Diary on Naxos (downloadable on Audible), I thought The Ashes of London set in Pepys' time read by Leighton Pugh had got to be a winner. And it is!

The backdrop is the Fire of London which has reduced the city around St Paul's to ashes amongst which James Marwood finds a dead body: not surprising, except that this one has had his thumbs tied together before being murdered. It is his job to uncover the crime. The ashy mud of the ruins still smouldering in places made me think of Lady Macbeth's prayer for the 'dunnest smoke of hell' to hide her regicide: in the same way the ash in this taut crime mystery is a cloak for murder and intrigue, a cover for eaves droppers and informants in these dangerous times of the Restoration. These are violent times and there are more murders and more deceit and cover-up.

No-one can be trusted - in politics, at court, in the ashy ruins picked over by desperate poor people- and least of all by blood relatives. Marwood is in danger because his father is a hunted regicide and young Cat Lovett, the parallel main character whose life becomes entwined dangerously with Marwood's, has fled following a scene of violence from the man she loathes whom her guardian uncle is forcing her to marry.

There are some magnificent filmic scenes throughout: Marwood's haunting memories of King Charles l's bleeding head held aloft at his execution, which he witnessed as a boy; the terrifying pursuit through stone passages to the roof-tops of St Paul's overlooking the devastation below which ends in more violence. A man is murdered whilst riding with his hounds, a man mistrusted by Cat. Why do the dogs wag their tails and not savage the murderer lurking in the bushes? The whole novel is intensely alive, teeming with visual and sensory detail, the historical background woven in seamlessly to heighten the tense atmosphere of threat, plot and intrigue.

And with his range of voices, mood and pace, Leighton Pugh drives forward the whole story in all its complexities. Definitely a winner!

64 people found this helpful

A riveting historical novel

The devastating fire of London in 1666 is the vivid backdrop to two main interweaving stories involving the daughter, Catherine Lovett, of a fugitive regicide, and those hunting him down. An atmosphere of fear pervades the time as the return of the monarchy threatens the Puritans, particularly the Fifth Monarchists who still strove to replace the monarchy by King Jesus. Caught in the middle is James Marwood, a government clerk who is enlisted to help with the investigation of a murdered man found in the ruins of St Paul’s cathedral.

More murders are discovered and a complex web of deceit unfolds that links Catherine and Marwood. Many additional characters are introduced, both real and imagined, whose actions contribute to this gripping novel mixing historical fact with intriguing fiction.

It took me a while to get into the story. I actually listened to the first 5 chapters twice, but after I became familiar with the main players I couldn’t stop listening eager to hear what happened to them.

The narrator does a first class job of dramatizing the story.

25 people found this helpful

Fire of London

Very enjoyable. Well researched. I learned quite a bit about this period. This is a neglected period of history. I liked the main character but was a little perturbed by the character of Catherine. I think she was as ruthless as her father in her own way. The reader was very good. The voice used is really important to me.

15 people found this helpful

not quite my cup of tea

I'm sure this will be a winner with lovers of historical fiction and the concept of a mystery set after the great fire of London was a good idea and it was well executed but I fund it a bit slow and had several attempts to get connected with the story, but that could just be me!

15 people found this helpful

Could not put it down

What did you like most about The Ashes of London?

It was full to the brim with everything. As this is currently topical I was aware of what happened but this book weaved a thrilling tale around it all.

What did you like best about this story?

Well written and factual

Which character – as performed by Leighton Pugh – was your favourite?

I couldn't single one out except to say that the women did not sound like pantomime dames which was excellent

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Virtually

Any additional comments?

Am trying desperately to find a similar book.

14 people found this helpful

The St Paul's of the Great Fire of London

The burning of the Cathedral of St Pauls and its subsequent re-buliding is an important part of this story. Characters with an agenda wrestle and plot to get their way doing harm and murder on their way.

This seemed a slight story with the destruction of cathedral as a back drop at the start of the story but it soon became a gripping tale of injustices done to the weak against the tyranny of the strong and powerful whose beliefs were sustained by the knowledge and certainty of having their God's blessing for their work.

It is a surprise that a seemingly dry topic can be so gripping and exciting.

12 people found this helpful

A great story. Really enjoyed it.

If you like historical fiction that throws new light on a familiar story, like the Great Fire of London, this book is well worth trying. Interesting characters and a carefully constructed plot which twists and turns until it reaches a satisfying end. A really good read.

11 people found this helpful

An excellent book

I felt as though I were living in that very place the author's descriptions areas so vivid SUPERB

9 people found this helpful

Very enjoyable!

I found both the writing and the reading of this book very involving and pleasing! The book had a convincing period feel, with some interesting twists and turns.

8 people found this helpful

Really great historical drama

Loved the characters and the description of London. Thoroughly engaging and very well read. Totally recommend this.

7 people found this helpful