‘A fast paced, intrigue-laden romp through Elizabeth’s twilight years. Written with wit, pathos, and style.’ Steven Veerapen, author of The Queen’s Spies1599.After years of arrogance, disobedience and failure, the Earl of Essex bursts into Queen Elizabeth’s private chambers at Nonsuch Palace, confronting her before she has even had time to dress. This is something the Queen can never forgive. Essex’s enemies, led by Secretary of State Robert Cecil, begin to plan his final downfall.Cecil turns to his Chief Intelligencer Robert Poley, the man whose undercover work exposed the Babbington plot and led to the beheading of Mary Queen of Scots. Poley is a man used to working in the shadows and his stock in trade is betrayal – something that is beginning to trouble his Catholic conscience.Even so, the spy must go under cover once more – into the powder keg that is Essex House. Poley’s mission is to provide the spark which will destroy the Earl and all his followers in one great treasonous explosion.The assignment is made doubly dangerous because Poley is known to the Earl’s spy-network, headed by the Bacon brothers – the bed-ridden Anthony and the ambitious Francis, newly-appointed Queen’s Counsellor Extraordinary.But Poley has constructed a convincing cover and has a slim chance of survival and success if he can enlist the unwitting help of just a few of the Earl’s allies.Essex believes that his only way to safety lies in leading an uprising against Queen and Council. Knowing that this will place him, like the Queen of Scots before him, beneath the shadow of the axe.But all is not as it seems.The first book in a new, major series from the acclaimed historical novelist, Peter Tonkin.Recommended for fans of CJ Samson, Andrew Taylor and John Pilkington.’A typically engaging and enjoyable work from Peter Tonkin… The author has taken the intrigue of a Le Carre novel and set it within the Elizabethan court.’ Richard Foreman, author of Turpin’s Assassin’Robert Poley is my kind of hero in this richly imagined and hugely enjoyable mystery, set in an Elizabethan London bursting with authentic sights, sounds and smells.’ Paul Walker, author of State of TreasonPeter Tonkin was born in Ulster, Northern Ireland and was raised in the UK, Holland, Germany, and the Persian Gulf. The son of an RAF officer, Tonkin spent much of his youth travelling the world from one posting to another. He is the author of the Richard Mariner Thriller Collection , Caesar’s Spies and the Tom Musgrave Mysteries.Praise for Peter ‘Another triumph from a master storyteller.’ Alistair Forrest, author of Nest of Vipers’Riveting tale full of fast action.’ Publishers Weekly’Entertaining crime fiction, set against a classical backdrop. For fans of Homer and Sherlock Holmes.’ Richard Foreman, author of Spies of Rome’Good technical detail, plus an exciting climax, makes this entertaining reading.’ Publishing News’A welcome aura of old-fashioned expertise.’ Publishers Weekly’A good thriller, recommended.’ Library Journal’Tonkin is a superb storyteller who creates big, brash, swashbuckling adventures with taut suspense, fast-paced action and tough, resourceful characters.’ Booklist’Equals the best of James Clavell.’ Daily Telegraph’A master of sea-going adventure. Enough taut suspense to satisfy any reader.’ Clive Cussler’Good technical detail, plus an exciting climax, makes this entertaining reading.’ Publishing News’Edge-of-the-seat terror on the high seas.’ Daily Post

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