Great historical politics and intrigue

 

⭑⭑⭑⭑  What better than a novel expertly mixing history, politics, espionage and murder? It's all here in Black Drop, a rather impressive feat of research and invention. It is 1794 and our man Laurence Jago is a low ranking clerk in the English Foreign Office. An unassuming young gentleman, he has more than a few secrets to safeguard if he doesn't want to find himself executed for treason.

The world is out of sorts – the war with the French is not going well and negotiations with the freshly independent Americans is on equally tenuous footing when a sensitive letter is leaked from the office. Add to that one of Laurence's colleagues is found hanging in his flat. Suicide or murder staged to look like suicide? Laurence is keen to find out to protect himself.

The characters and sense of place are utterly delightful in Black Drop with great turns of phrase as you might expect from this period. Gentlemanly conduct is of utmost importance when dealing with people of all stations, women and slaves included. I loved it. Society had a code of conduct and civility ruled the day...more often than not. Much better than our modern ways.

This was a fun read full of intrigue and danger and feels very much like the start to a new series. Let's hope that is the case!