Book synopsis
London 1642.
The King has fled London with the drums of war ringing in his ears. Across the country, lines are being drawn and armies raised.
Influential royalist Lady Carlisle switches sides and presses spice trader Thomas Tallant and his partner Elizabeth Seymour into Parliament’s service.
Soon Thomas faces double-dealing in his hunt for a lethal hoard of gunpowder hidden on the river, while Elizabeth engages in a race against time to locate a hidden sniper picking off Parliamentary officers at will in the city.
The capital also witnesses a vicious gang of jewel thieves take advantage of the city’s chaos to go on the rampage, smashing homes and shops, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. They hand pick their targets but refrain from selling any of their loot. There are more questions than answers.
When war finally erupts, Elizabeth is caught in the brutalising carnage of Edgehill while Thomas joins the Trained Bands in their defence of the city. As he mans the barricades at Brentford, in a desperate rearguard action to repel Prince Rupert’s surprise attack, he realises the future of London rests in the hands of him and a few hundred troopers.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth believes she has identified the jewel thief and goes underground to trace his hoard.
But all is not as it seems.
About the Author
Mike Ward is an English creator of historical fiction. Born in Liverpool, he was a BBC journalist and journalism academic before turning to non-factual writing.
His debut novel ‘The Rags of Time’ is located in London in 1639. It marks the start of a tumultuous 40 years – civil war, regicide, republic and royal restoration. Politics, religion, commerce, science, medicine – none are left untouched by this ferment of change.
Mike believes it’s the perfect setting for his hero Thomas Tallant’s series of adventures, starting first with ‘Rags’. Its sequel ‘The Wrecking Storm’ is now also available.
My review
The Drums of War book is the third one in the Thomas Tallant series. This is the first one I have read by this Author, so you can definitely read this as a stand alone as well as in the series.
This was a mixture of historical events, mystery and adventure. The historical figures were Parliamentarian John Pym, Lucy Countess of Carlisle, and physician William Harvey.
One of my favourite characters was Elizabeth Seymour. She is a pipe smoking strong and confident woman. The scenes of her a the Battle of Edge Hill where she was helping the wounded and dying was so vivid and I could really see the images that the Author was writing, truly wonderful.
Thomas was on his own adventure as his and Elizabeth’s storylines were quite separate at times.
The ending was perfect and hopefully there is more to come. I very much enjoyed The Drums of War with its historical elements, mixed with mystery, intrigue and great characters.
Purchase link – You can get the book in paperback and if you have kindle unlimited it is on there too at the moment.
Disclaimer – The Author sent me a copy of this book for my honest review, which this is.