Sunday 29 April 2012

HISTORICAL THRILLER REVIEW: The Roots of Betrayal - James Forrester

Release Date: 16/02/12

SYNOPSIS:

A man of faith. A nation of fear. A world of secrets. 1564: Catholic herald William Harley, Clarenceux King of Arms, is the custodian of a highly dangerous document. When it is stolen, Clarenceux immediately suspects a group of Catholic sympathisers, the self-styled Knights of the Round Table. Francis Walsingham, the ruthless protege of the queen's Principal Secretary, Sir William Cecil, intercepts a coded message from the Knights to a Countess known to have Catholic leanings. He is convinced that Clarenceux is trying to use the document to advance the cause of the Catholic Queen. And soon Clarenceux enters a nightmare of suspicion, deception and conspiracy. Conflict and fear, compounded by the religious doubts of the time, conceal a persistent mystery. Where has the document gone? Who has it and who really took it? And why? The roots of betrayal are deep and shocking: and Clarenceux's journey towards the truth entails not just the discovery of clues and signs, but also the discovery of himself.


REVIEW:

If you like a title that’s has elements of historical fiction and backed up with a fantastical ride to discover a truth then this title could well be for you. Whilst it’s not historically accurate, the reader is treated to a story that has been edited to make it work for the author and generates such a thrilling ride that you’re more than happy to suspend the facts as the pages fly by.

Its creative, the characters just leap of the page larger than life (in particular Carew) and with a ruthless spymaster in the mix, it’s a tale that will weave its magic wonderfully into your imagination. Back that up with an author who know’s this time period backwards so that the full flavour hits you and all in it’s a great read.

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