The Firemaster's Mistress

The only detail that really disappointed about this novel was the author's choice of a happy ending, which didn't agree with mine - although Christie Dickason knows her characters better than the reader, this romantic conclusion was rather a let down.

Other than that, I found this an entertaining, historically informative read - the story is based on a 'conspiracy theory' angle of the Gunpowder Plot (by Antonia Fraser), and weaves fact and fiction well. The plot is well constructed, the pace rarely flags, the dialogue is believable (particularly the shogging swear words!), but it's the characters who really shine through. Firemaster Francis Quoynt, the golden boy lead by his desire for Lady Gunpowder into espionage and treason; his show more father Boomer; the practical but cynical Kate Peach, whose backstory allows her to wear breeches with conviction - all are sympathetic in their behaviour, human in their faults, and attractive to the reader. Especially Francis - yes, he's handsome, headstrong, talented and very masculine, but it works! show less

I really enjoyed learning about this bit of history along with a nice tale of Kate Peach, Francis Quoynt, and Boomer Quoynt. The characters are really lovable and interesting.

The story has a nice back drop of Brighthelmstone (Brighton, West Sussex) by the sea. And the family home, Powder Mote (fictional) of Francis (son) and Boomer (father) Quoynt. The story also takes place in London where many of the Inns mentioned were authentic Inn, one in particular was recommended by Shakespeare (The Elephant Inn Southwark).

Oh the places you'll go! This was a fun and interesting read. Kate has lost her family and is alone in the streets of London. She had been love with Francis in the past but after their love affair ended, she was all alone with show more no family or friends. In order to stay off the streets, she is being kept by a lover who is also caught up in the scheme of the rebellion and Kate ends up on the wrong side of the law. She is forced to flee and ends up in an interesting place. She is of the Catholic faith which has been banned by the English government. Francis is being used by Robert Cecil as a spy and/or traitor to the crown.

Most of the book you are in suspense as to who is on what side. Francis himself is a perplexed on what is happening and who he can trust. Kate doesn't know who to trust either. Boomer is a steadfast and admirable character but there is question into his abilities as he is getting older and side effects of the "Firemaster" business. So with all this going on, I kept reading with interest to find out the destiny of these great characters and I am glad I did.

A few times the book had a few elements that read a little "romancey." In the beginning I was thinking, uh...hum...a bit much on the "heavy desire" for me, but it didn't last too long, and the rest of the story was lively and interesting. The author used some fun terms like "snog off!" And Francis even said, "friggin."

Just when you think you know what will happen next, the end is full of surprises, adventure, and drama.

Over all, this is how I like my History. A little drama, steam and reality. Have fun with this book.

Featured at the end is : The History behind the Story. Always a nice feature in a Historical Fiction book. show less

The Firemaster’s Mistress is set against the rich backdrop of 1605 England. In the spring of that year, an explosion took place in London that was a harbinger of a far larger plot: the Gunpowder Plot, in which a number of Catholics planned to blow up Parliament and King James I, and put a Catholic on the throne of England.

Francis Quoynt is a firemaster (someone who creates explosions), who is enlisted by William Cecil, Secretary of State, to spy for him. Quickly, Quoynt ingratiates himself among a number of men (including one who calls himself “Guido”) who are deeply involved in the plan to kill the king. Francis’s father, Boomer Quoynt, is a former firemaster who lives in what is now Brighton, at the family home, Powder show more Mote.

Kate Peach is a glovemaker and secret Catholic, whose family perished during an outbreak of the plague in the summer of 1604. Her lover, Hugh Traylor, uses her for his own nefarious deeds, including hiding Catholic priests in Kate’s home at a time when to do so is synonymous with treason. One of her other tasks is to find Francis Quoynt, who used to be her lover before her left her. Very soon, the pair finds themselves on opposite sides of the law: one to assist in the Gunpower Plot, the other to stop it from going forward. Despite their past, however, Kate and Francis find themselves being drawn inexorably towards one another once again.

Historical fact and fiction are seamlessly integrated in this lively, fast-paced novel (although over 500 pages long, I completed it in jut three days. The first twenty or so pages are a little bit difficult to get through, but very soon, you find yourself immersed in a world where treason and treachery are commonplace, and where each of the characters would do well to worry about who to trust. Even the reader has a hard time figuring out where to place their loyalty. As a result, I got emotionally involved with Kate and Francis’s story, such as it exists in the first half of this novel.

The story abruptly (maybe too abruptly?) turns from romance to thriller a third of the way through; and the ending of Kate’s story comes from left field and felt a little a little tacked-on to me. However, this is a well-researched, well-thought-out novel, reminiscent of Philippa Gregory’s novels, especially Earthly Joys. The author’s interpretation (and in some cases, fictionalization) of events is highly believable. Christie Dickason relied heavily on Antonia Fraser’s The Gunpowder Plot to write The Firemaster’s Mistress, reminding me that I should probably take my copy of that book down from my bookshelf and actually read it sometime. show less

This book was an unexpected pleasure. I purchased it for £1 in the UK over a year ago at this amazing bargain bookshop that I found, and which has now closed. I’ve been putting off reading some of them because one of the first books I read from there was terrible and is one of the few books I’ve given away. With this book, on the other hand, I got a good deal!

The book follows the tale of two people, mainly, Francis Quoynt and Kate Peach. They were lovers before Francis left Kate a ruined woman two years before the novel’s beginning. Kate has had to do all that she can to survive, while Francis has been at war for England as a firemaster - someone who makes gunpowder and sets off “controlled” explosions. Not surprisingly, as show more the country’s premier firemaster, Francis is sent to London and ordered to ingratiate himself among a group of men who plan to kill the king. This is the famous Gunpowder Plot of 1605, and all the plotters aside from Quoynt are real historical figures. Francis finds himself involved with Kate, who is a secret Catholic like the plotters, and confusion ensues as he isn’t sure where his loyalties lie while she attempts to adjust to having the Quoynt family back in her life.

I surprisingly particularly enjoyed this book. It was well-plotted, though a bit slow in the beginning, and I was hooked only a little way in. I could really empathize with Francis and Kate because the author gave me a great perspective right into their heads. Even Francis’s father, Boomer, was done well. The subject matter is as ever interesting and I felt was handled pretty well. The only thing that dissatisfied me was part of the ending, which constitutes a spoiler.

*spoiler warning*

I did not like that Kate ended up with Boomer. After all of Francis’s effort, I felt that he really deserved the girl, especially when he loved her so. I couldn’t see their relationship at all, and this change marred what was a really good book.

*end spoiler*

So, in the end, the quality of the book was quite good and it’s certainly up there with many other historical fiction authors, so I’m not quite sure why it was so cheap! I’d recommend it to other historical fiction readers. In fact, I see it’s coming out in the US this September, so I hope Ms. Dickason gets more attention! I certainly intend to pursue her other works. In all, an absorbing worthy read.

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Kate Peach, a young woman who was orphaned by the plague, has been forced to serve as Hugh Traynor’s kept woman and servant-girl in London to gain his protection so that she can use her glove making skills to make an income without being part of the guild. Prior to her wretched existence under Hugh’s thumb, she was involved with Francis Quoant, a firemaster who left Kate alone in England when he went to work his gunpowder magic against the French. Although he left her, she still feels fondly of him, especially given her current circumstance. Hugh uses her past to get Kate to set up a meeting with Francis. Soon after their reunion, their lives in London become too dangerous and Francis escorts Kate to his home, where his father, show more Boomer Quoant, still lives and works with gunpowder. But are they really safe even so far away from King James‘ London? Will the specter of Hugh Traynor and Francis’ growing connection with a plot to kill the King and much of parliament result in their own deaths?
What appealed to me the most was that Catholic characters were portrayed as human beings. Yes, they were flawed people, but not all of them felt that violence was the answer to return England to a Roman Catholic kingdom. It must have been difficult in those days to have the way to practice one’s faith dictated to you by a revolving set of Tudor monarchs who alternated between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism. Christie Dickason did a wonderful job of bringing that frustration to life in this novel. England will forever be an example of how each individual should determine how or whether he or she worships, not the state.
As a fan of Tudor related Historical Fiction, I was very excited to read this novel as it continues on where Queen Elizabeth I left off. The British Catholics at that time were excited as well in hopes of being able to practice their faith in the open once again. When King James proved to be a disappointment for the Catholics, a group of men decided to take matters in their own hands in order to bring a Catholic monarch back to the throne of England. Thus the Gunpowder Plot was born. Despite knowing the eventual outcome, I was certain that this novel would be a compelling read. Unfortunately, I didn’t find it to be so. Once Francis and Kate left London, the story dragged for me. The potential for drama was high with characters like Guy Fawkes in the mix, but it was very dry for me. I finished this novel, but it took me nine days - a very long time for me. I am glad that I finished the novel, but I have no interest in reading The Principessa, the sequel.

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I enjoyed this book which is set in the months leading up to the Gunpowder Plot. The main characters, whilst fictitious, are well drawn, believable and likeable. You already feel you know the history of the famous conspirators, but you are led to see a more rounded version of their caricatures and a broader picture of the politicial situation in 1605 than is, perhaps, taught in school.

Like the previous reviewer, I found the romance conclusion odd and out of sync with the previous chapters. Overall though, a pleasant meander through the highly dramatic times of the Gunpowder Plot.

This was a fine wine of a historical fiction. You need time to breathe and savor the political and religious treachery that you become submersed within. I enjoyed the glovemaking and the description of Powder Mote made me want to explore there myself. You will have lived a lifetime by the end of this book. It's like watching all the Star Wars episodes back to back.