A Treasonous Path

There's a continuum of historical mysteries that ranges from probably-should-just-categorize-this-as-fantasy to so-carefully-researched-that-it-reads-like-nonfiction. C.P. Giuliana's A Treasonous Path leans toward the second of those two, but never loses the kind of engagement fiction can elicit. For me, that's a sweet spot on the continuum.

In the afterword, Guiliani takes the time to discuss which characters are and aren't based on historical figures and where he has and hasn't played with the historical narrative as it's currently understood. This is Guiliani's second Tom Walsingham novel, and the central character is becoming more astute and experienced. Giuliani allows us many glimpses into Tom's thought process as he tries to work show more through the puzzle presented in A Treasonous Path, which is a complex one.

Young Tom Walsingham—a historical figure, but one whom little is known about—works for his second cousin, Francis Walsingham, a much better-known historical figure who created and ran an international espionage service for Elizabeth I. Mary Queen of Scots is being held in England. Her son, James, is a child king struggling to break free of the powerful man attempting to control James' actions. English is Protestant and deeply concerned about incursions and treasons from Catholic France and Spain. France and Spain are colluding with and also spying on one another. Scots who travel into England are unknown entities: do the embrace Protestantism like King James or are they secret Catholics hoping to give his mother the throne of England—or at least to return her to the throne of Scotland.

The novel opens with two very different murders (later followed by a third) that may or may not be related. An anonymous informant in the French embassy is offering information to Francis Walsingham, but is this offer genuine or a double cross? And who is this informant? The French Ambassador' Secretary? His Scribe? His Catholic chaplain? His widowed cousin-in-law? Someone trying to stop smugglers of Catholic texts or one of those smugglers who has decided he'd like to profit by betraying those working with him? The Scotsman who's become friendly with the Ambassador?

Solving this puzzle leads Tom down many paths, none of them certain and all of the dangerous. The author doesn't play coyly, letting Tom know things the reader doesn't. Instead, he allows readers a window into Tom's calculations—and even with this window, the puzzle remains knotted until the book's end.

If you like historical mysteries that provide an adventurous read and also some examination of historical and religious minutiae, you'll be delighted by the Tom Walsingham series and its second volume.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Net Galley; the opinions are my own. show less

Thomas Walsingham is charged with investigating the author of letters sent from the French Ambassador's residence in London. Given the state of relations between the two countries and the interference of various Scottish ex-pats, this is not an easy task but Tom is keen to impress his cousin, the Master Secretary himself.
This is a much better novel than the first in the series and the author shows real promise in a very packed field. The character of Tom Walsingham is developing nicely, there is sensitivity to the fact that he is young and naive to an extent and very aware of his reduced social status. The plot is very twisty and all the more impressive that it is based on the true story of an unknown letter-writer.