Due to a passing in the family a few years ago and my subsequent health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for years after the bereavement. Thank you for the opportunity.

A fun and impressively researched snapshot of history.

I enjoyed this book immensely, though it won’t be right for everyone. The mystery itself is just okay (tropey and fairly easy to parse early on in the story), but the real star of the book is Oxford and the daily life elements of the city and the university in the late 17th century.

The story moves slowly and much of it is descriptive content that isn’t necessarily relevant to the central plot. If you love history, particularly the religious/political climate of the era and/or socio-contextual content about daily life, you’ll love Lynch’s account of Oxford circa 1681.

I found the novel to be a delightful trip into the past, and the historical elements are accurate to the best of my knowledge. It’s a slow rolling story, to be sure, but in the best way.

In the 17th century Oxford hosted the English Parliament with King Charles II. Into this turbulent city Luke Sandys Chief of the Bailiffs must find the murderer of one of the MP’s Harbord who was not what he seemed. The story brings together real historical events with fictional to great effect. Luke and his deputy Robshaw are two good characters that would develop well in future stories. I was given an ARC by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

" .. politics is a world in which nothing is quite as it seems .."

In England, in 1681, the shine is beginning to wear off the reign of Charles II. There are plots against the king; treasonable rumblings; kidnappings; religious dissent; spies and secret clubs; and finally murder. And it is against the backdrop of Parliament's sitting in Oxford that this story is set.

The story is told over the course of a week; it rumbles on slowly before the pace quickens towards the end. For me, it was an easy read - I enjoyed the characters and their alternating narratives; the gradual unraveling of events kept me interested to the point that I read on; and the historical note at the end (always a favourite part for me - especially when dealing with events a little left of centre) was much appreciated. This put both the events and characters into real historical perspective.

All in all - a fairly decent start to a possible series .....

March 1681. Oxford is hosting the English Parliament and King Charles the Second with his whole court. The country is in an uproar over the supposed Papist Plot and the king seems too lenient towards his Catholic brother according to some. Do keep in mind that a few generations ago Bloody Mary burned the protestants.

In this powder keg that is about to explode a Member of Parliament is found stabbed to death and Luke Standys, Chief Officer of the Oxford Bailiffs and brother of one of the king's officers has to solve the case and diffuse the situation.

This is not an easy novel. It is full with British English period words. So if you are an American who cannot survive anything away from your own American English do not complain just skip. For all the people up for a challenge: I liked having to look things up with the online dictionary or Wikipedia. Yes English is not my mother language but nevertheless I am near native. The novel also paints an extensive background of the culture, the landmarks and the political situation in those days in Oxford. Not surprisingly because the novel is written by an academic from Oxford.

The novel made me feel like I timetravelled because it paints the situation so vividly. The writer also described Luke in detail. You really get to know him.

But all of this make it a novel that reads slowly. So if you were looking for just an easy who-done-it that you can finish in a few hours look elsewhere. If you are really interested in history you will like the novel.

A 5 stars out of 5 and the novel is very cheap on Amazon

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC. I saw this was involving King Charles II and I was in! I will admit that I am not a history expert, or even close. I barely know anything about history. That's why historical fiction and nonfiction alike I find so compelling. This was a great book! It was so interesting! The plot, writing, characters, historical setting, all of it drew me in. I loved this one!

I will admit I do not know that much about King Charles II or his time on the throne. However, while reading this book I felt like I was in the story watching every thing take place. It starts off when an MP is murdered while King Charles II is about to open up Parliament. It falls to Luke Sandys, The Chief Officer of the Bailiffs to solve the crime. This book is wonderfully written and I highly recommend this to anyone that likes Historical Fiction.

Blood On The Stone is a historical fiction mystery set in 1861 Oxford. When the King and his entourage visit, Luke Sandys, The Chief Officer of the Baliffs, has his hands full with security. When a MP is found murdered one night, Sandys needs to wade through political and religious unrest of the time to solve this murder.
I liked the pace of Blood On The Stone once I got used to the language. I really liked his main characters but Cate was my favourite and I wish we had more of her storyline. The author notes at the back show how much research and history was embedded in the story as well, which I always love to read about later.

A great combination of a couple of my favourite genres. I really enjoyed reading this mystery and learning more about a timeframe in history I know little about along the way.

17th March 1681 and King Charles II has arrived in Oxford. But Oxford is a place of conflict and tensions and soon a Member of Parliament is found dead. It is the duty of Luke Sandys, Chief Officer of the Oxford Bailiffs, to investigate, with the help of his deputy Robshaw.
The story contains background information on the daily lives of Oxford inhabitants which for me enhances the mystery.
An enjoyable well-written story with a varied cast of characters, likeable and not so.