Mary Lawrence (5)

A fitting end to a masterful Tudor Mystery series!

It's 1545 London and Bianca Goddard once again is called upon by Constable Patch to lend her skills, and finds herself in the midst of a troubling puzzle. Patch is of course unconcerned that these things are happening outside his jurisdiction. He's ambitious!
At two different times in differing places boys have been hung from neighbouring local church grotesques (gargoyles). Bianca is scared that her young friend Fisk who's been missing will show more meet the same fate.
Along with Bianca we find ourselves "in a world full of lost boys—abandoned children, of men killed in battle, men scarred from war, of boys who grow into petulant kings, and men who forfeit the gift of loving their children." (Part of a very poignant comment at the end of the novel.)
Meanwhile, over a year ago, Bianca's husband John Grunt had been dragged off with King Henry's army, intent on taking retribution against Scotland. England is winning, well actually raping, pillaging and burning across the borderlands to Edinburgh. Then comes Melrose Abbey and the profaned destruction of the Earl of Angus’s family tomb. The Scots would have their revenge. That came as a rout of the English Army at Ancrum Moor! Fleeing the carnage John struggles for home. A long and painful journey.
There's no media to give a blow by blow update, all Bianca and her friend Cammy can do is rely on passing newsmonger's rumor, "misconstrued by miles of weary couriers". I must admit to sometimes hating the immediacy of communications in our times, but when wondering about loved ones as here, it's a boon.
I love the cover of this book. The watchful poignancy of the young lad reflects that which the novel hints at for those caught up in circumstances beyond their control. Of wariness, helplessness and confusion, and trying to overcome the worst of circumstances.
Having read all previous titles in the series, this last novel was a fitting conclusion. I found that the caring Bianca (as an alchemist/ herbalist), despite her many woes and troubles, marches to the beat of her own drum in a way that fits with the times. She displays insight' courage and charity, alongside starts that occasionally make you scratch your head and wonder what the dickens she's up to. Journeying with her are a string of colorful characters, including a cat, that either enrichen and enliven, or disappoint and disappear.

A Red Puddle Print ARC via NetGalley show less

Bianca Goddard has been persuaded to cross the river from Southwark to the City to live above the forge of her husband's master, Boisvert. Boisvert is moving to the house of his betrothed Odile, a rich widow, and they are due to be married. On the day that Bianca and John move in there is a strange death at the nearby Church of St Vedast, a woman climbs to the top and throws herself off the roof, apparently possessed. When Odile starts to suffer fits Boisvert is concerned but when she dies show more shortly after their wedding he is arrested. In order to save their friend Bianca and John journey to a village outside London where similar afflictions have happened, but what is the link to St Vedast?

There is far less chemistry and far more sleuthing than in previous books in the series but that isn't really a concern. Lawrence has a good grasp of everyday life in Tudor times and here links this into the religious politics of a country that has seen a seismic shift from Catholicism and witnessed the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Bianca Goddard remains a great heroine, spiky and modern in attitude, and the plot is enjoyably convoluted. This is enjoyable rather than mentally taxing but a great entertaining read. show less

Alchemy conjures up for me the fantastic. Stories of dragons and knights or of wizards, ancient and contemporary. I had never given much thought to the idea that an alchemist may have been more than just a plot device in great fiction. The amount of detail about alchemy along with the science and spiritual standing of the time in question was staggering and added weight to the story beautifully.

I truly enjoyed reading “Death of an Alchemist” by Mary Lawrence. It is a book that is hard to show more place in a genre; historical fiction: Tudor England, to a fine degree, making the reader see, hear and mostly smell what it was like to live in that time period. A mystery thriller: with a thrilling mystery, without the egoistic grandstanding of typical mysteries, that never loses sight of the brilliant story underlying all. How about just great fiction.

Just as the textures of daily life are omnipresent in this novel, so are the contextual vagaries of the various relationships between the characters. Bianca and John are obviously in love, however the author doesn’t choose to sugar coat it, they are also a married couple with all the hills and valleys that implies. Parent/Child relationships are the crux of this tale. They are dysfunctional and imperfect, yet unbreakable bonds that lead parent and child to do the unexpected. The interactions between characters offered realistic presentation, that further conveyed the typical of the time period.

I have not read “The Alchemists Daughter,” book one of this series. This story stands alone quite nicely and all the information the reader needs to know is beautifully woven into this tale. I will make it a point to be on the lookout for anymore books forthcoming.


I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review show less

Alchemy and death!

I must admit to finding this Bianca Goddard novel puzzling even though I've read previous books.
It's 1544. Bianca, a disgraced alchemist's daughter who combines some aspects of alchemy with her herbal remedies has been leading a quieter life in a less salubrious part of Tudor London. Events however are escalating for Bianca. She is pregnant. John had failed to practice his archery which means he's been conscripted into the army as a pikesman. He is being sent to the show more Scottish border. Everyone knows that these foot troops suffer the worst losses in battle.
Albern Goddard discovered a powerful new element to do with fire and light that has been stolen from him. Albern wants Bianca to discover the thief. Unfortunately, the substance has attracted unwonted interest. This seems to have a direct correlation to the bodies piling up. Reportedly some of those bodies have an eerie green vapor released as they die. And now Bianca's nemesis, Constable Patch, has come a calling, demanding Bianca assists him with his enquirers. Bianca is so deeply mired in this controversy it's in her best interests to acquiesce.
Add to that the mysterious wraith that haunts the shadows of the Thames, it's interest focused on Bianca, but why fore?
An interesting and twisty Tudor murder mystery, unfolding slowly, amidst a dank and depressing description of the times and the areas that the tale moves through.
The plight of the poor is vividly sketched leaving the reader a colorful dance throughout the alleys, lanes and tracks throughout the town. Lost souls indeed!

A Kensington ARC via NetGalley show less