Murder, plots and civil unrest in 1681 Oxford!

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Blood On The Stone by Jake Lynch    

Amidst the turmoil of these Restoration times King Charles II (and his two mistresses, Nell Gwynn and the Duchess of Portsmouth, Louise de Kérouaille, known as "the Catholic whore") come to Oxford. Charles has declared the sitting of the Whig parliament should take place here. Charles has taken extraordinary security measures with his Royal Guard.
Of course this brings troubles to that city.
BTW I loved that Lynch included the famousline Nell Gwynn is reported to have called to the rambunctious crowd, “Calm yourselves, good people… I am the Protestant whore!”
Luke Sandys, is the Chief Officer of the Oxford Bailiff and it's he who is in charge of the city side of protecting the king against troublemakers.
And trouble comes to one Luke cares for. When William Harbord, the Member for Thetford, an agitator of the Popish Plot, is found murdered, overnight the city sits a knife edge of explosive flash points. Popular option escalates towards the murder being part of the Catholic plot. Men are turning up sporting small green ribbons. It seems they're rabidly anti papist and intent on bringing pressure to bear in support for the Exclusion Bill to be discussed by Parliament. (A Bill for "the exclusion of James, Duke of York from the line of succession." James was seen as a Catholic supporter. For those wishing to read further, all this and more is explained in the highly informative author's Historical Notes.)
Although married Luke cannot leave aside his feelings for Cate Napper, the Mitre Inn landlord's daughter and a secret Catholic.
When Cate disappears Luke must bring all his skill and knowledge to bear to find her.
Beyond the story Lynch has gifted us with a fascinating and detailed look at everyday life in these times. Everything from living conditions, work practices, social behaviour, political historical, to religious historical questions. Even information ranging from how cheese was made to the current popular theater offerings.
I wondered if there were perhaps too much daily life information to the detriment of the story line. I decided not. If anything the historical aspects supported and enriched the tale.
Just the right amount of mystery, history and intrigue!

 A NetGalley ARC

*****

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