Andrew Taylor has done it again .
Although this is the fourth book in the series it reads well as a stand alone novel. Once again we meet Cat and Marwood who are yet again pulled into political intrigue although they try to distance themselves from each other.
What I love about Andrew Taylor is how he weaves real historical events into his plot and this book is no exception.

Having read and loved the Ashes of London I was eager to see what Cat and Andrew had been up to, so thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Having not read books two and three in the series I was worried I would be missing out crucial elements of the plot, however it was easy to pick up. I’ll be going back to read the others in the series however, as I forgot how much I enjoyed Taylors style of historical fiction.

He captures the period wonderfully, and I love how the events of the story interweave perfectly with real events. One criticism would be that it took a while to get the story going, however once it did I stayed up late into the night to finish.

I didn’t realise when I requested this book that it was fourth in a series but it reads well enough as a stand alone. I now need to read the previous three to find out how Cat gets to this stage in her life.
The descriptions of people and places made me feel I know what it was like to live in those times just after Oliver Cromwell

The Last Protector by Andrew Taylor
Having read a number of books by Andrew Taylor one of his novels is always being published is an event to be celebrated. This book is the fourth to feature James Marwood and Cat Hakesby (Cat Lovett the daughter of the regicide). It opens with a duel fought between Buckingham and Shrewsbury and the disregard for the man who loses his life at this demonstrates the attitude of the upper classes to those further down the social scale.
Throughout we hear the thoughts of Ferrus and it is only near the end where the role he has to play becomes obvious. The relationship between Marwood and Cat is well drawn and not overly close. Cat finds herself drawn into the machinations of Elizabeth Cromwell who had been a childhood friend.
The sights and smells of London are very well evoked and the events are well grounded in historical fact. A thoroughly entertaining book and one which I shall be recommending to friends. Many thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A friend of mine recently recommended this series as he knows I enjoy the C.J. Sansom Shardlake series so when I saw this ARC available for request on NetGalley I immediately clicked the button.

Despite not having read the first three books I found it quite easy to follow the plot which relates to Charles II, the Duke of Buckingham and Richard Cromwell (son of Oliver and the Last Protector of the title).

Our hero/detective James Marwood is occasionally required to act as a spy for the King. His master, Joseph Williamson, the Under Secretary of State to Lord Arlington and Lord Arlington are desperate to find evidence (cough, manufacture) against the Duke of Buckingham and send James to spy on a duel between Buckingham and Lord Shrewsbury, which leaves one man dead and Lord Shrewsbury seriously injured.

Our heroine, Cat Hakesby, is married to an elderly architect and seems to be prospering when she runs across an old acquaintance, Elizabeth Cromwell, a meeting which turns out to be anything but coincidental. Drawn against her will into intrigue involving her husband, Buckingham and the Cromwells, Cat's world collides with James' (and not for the first time I understand).

Based on certain historical facts Andrew Taylor has woven a gripping tale of plots, favours and the sheer wretchedness of life for women, servants and the underclass. Learn about the Bawdy House riots, the half-life of the last Protector, the mazer-scourers, and how absolutely foul people can be to others.

A cracking read, I will get the previous books and read them shortly!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I hadn't read any of the books in this series but that didn't matter-I would go back and read them on the strength of this one.I loved all the period detail of life in Restoration London,including the descriptions of the sewers and the poor people who had to clean them.The two main characters,James Marwood and Cat Hakesby,are very likeable with good chemistry between them.The story, based on some true events,moves at a fast pace ,with lots of court intrigue and plotting.There are villains and heroes,and even Charles II puts in an appearance. The book held my attention throughout and I would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review which reflects my own opinions.

You don’t need to have read any of the previous books, but I would recommend getting hold of at least one of them – I can personally recommend The Ashes of London. Andrew Marwood works on behalf of the King through the system of patronage that was popular back then. So while he enjoys the protection of Joseph Williamson, Undersecretary of State and Lord Arlington, Secretary of State, he has incurred the enmity of the Duke of Buckingham, who is a powerful courtier and favourite of Charles II. When a duel is fought and Marwood is sent along to provide an eye-witness account of the outcome, he becomes the target for Buckingham’s henchmen.

While Cat Lovett, now married to the elderly and increasingly frail Simon Hakesby, is worried when a girl she knew only vaguely as a child, accosts her on the street, claiming a warm friendship and wanting to renew it. But Cat is having enough problems without Elizabeth Cromwell, granddaughter to the Protector and traitor, crashing into her life. I love the dynamic. This is the aftermath of the Civil War, during which families were torn apart as loyalties were divided and though time has passed, there are those with long memories who look back on the Protectorate with wistfulness, on seeing the King’s extravagant and ungodly lifestyle.

Taylor has depicted the time really well. Both main protagonists are sympathetic and behave appropriately within the constraints of their time. And as we also get a ringside seat into the wretched life of poor Ferrus, born with some congenital defect, the tension slowly winds up as the stakes continue to increase. The climax is brutal and explosive – I couldn’t put this one down until I’d finished it. And I’ve now got hold of the second book in the series, needing more of Cat and Andrew in my life. The quality of the writing and immersive, vivid feel of 17th century London reminds me of C.J. Sansom’s Matthew Shardlake series. Highly recommended for fans of good quality historical murder mysteries. The ebook arc copy of The Last Protector was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest opinion of the book.
9/10

loved this book - would 100% recommend and am looking forward to reading what this author writes next!

Another great book in this series. I have really enjoyed this series. It has brought a period in history that I studied at school to life. It has made events easier to imagine and people seem more real.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Another super addition to this series set after the Restoration. Marwood's position is secure but he is still at the mercy of the Duke of Buckingham and his thugs. Cat is married to Hakesby and is less than content when an old acquaintance, daughter of the Lord Protector Richard Cromwell, renews the friendship.

Cat and Hakesby are enlisted to assist Cromwell in recovering his roperty whilst Buckigham conspires to undermine the king and progress his own ambitions. Marwood must use his guile both to escape the attentions of Buckingham and to rescue Cat from the situation she has been drawn into.

The relationship between Marwood and Cat is understated and all the better for it. Other characters are convincing albeit generally one-dimensional and the atmosphere of late 1660s London is well conveyed through its smells and shady characters as well as the intrigues of the court. The story is well-paced and the resolution is pleasing.

More please!

I really enjoyed this book, set against real historical events and real characters, though the main characters are fictional.
The writing brings the period to life perfectly, from the first page.
I think the reader will get the most from this book if they have already read the first in the series. I hope there is another volume to come.

This is another in the series describing life in London during the period when the City was largely destroyed by the Great Fire and the political turmoil surrounding the early years of the restoration of the monarchy. This latest offering from Andrew Taylor does not disappoint. The description of life in the mid to late 1660s in this book, as in the previous novels in the series, is compelling and carefully incorporates famous figures from history and key incidents from the period. The ‘Last Protector, in the title refers to Richard Cromwell, son of Oliver Cromwell, who succeeded his father as Lord Protector during the last months of the Commonwealth. Andrew Taylor constructs a credible story around a fictional plot involving Richard Cromwell and the Duke of Buckingham.

Once again, readers who might enjoy being transported to the sights, sounds, and even smells of this fascinating period of British history will enjoy the book. The key characters of Cat and Marwood, introduced at the start of the series are again vividly brought to life as their stories intertwine and separate as events threaten to engulf them both.

Highly recommended.

I read the first book in this series some time ago, then gobbled up the next two to catch up. I'm thrilled that there's a fourth in the series. This book was rather unusual - quirky and compelling. It wasn't a traditional murder mystery, as I'd expected, at all, which was extremely refreshing. The setting is different, a blessing if you're getting bored of books set in Tudor England! The relationship between the two central characters is intriguing and the interplay between various character keeps you on your toes.

I really love this series, and this one may be the best yet. I can't wait for the next one!

17th century and an unlawful physical dual is a precursor to a struggle to topple the monarchy by those who favour a return to the days of “Old Ironsides”. The secret return of his exiled son, Richard, presents an opportunity for the opposition that leaves our central character, Marwood, establishment spy and general dogsbody, once again on the wrong end of sword, cudgel and hateful intent as he seeks to unravel the plot. For me this was as atmospheric as ever in that you don’t so much read as sit on the sidelines and watch. Good continuity of characters throughout the series gave this book a familiar feel as it ranged from sewer to sovereign and perhaps an opportunity for Marwood to finally sort his love life. My thanks to Harper Collins and Net Galley.

It's the first book I read in this series and now I must read all the other because it's excellent.
I loved this entertaining and gripping story, the vivid and well researched historical background and the well thought characters.
The plot flows and is full of twists and turns.
It was an excellent read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this, the third in series. Every school child in Britain will learn about the Great fire of London, as I did. But what happened afterwards? Well, London became an enormous building site as the city was more or less rebuilt. I found this very interesting. In addition, we’ve all heard of Oliver Cromwell and what happened to him. But what about his survivors? This becomes the central plot in this story. A very informative and entertaining read. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

A wonderfully atmospheric and engrossing book, as are the previous books in this series. Andrew Taylor paints vivid pictures of the places and people in the book and tells an engrossing story with consummate skill in his use of language. I don’t read much historical fiction but would recommend this book to all, with a suggestion that you read Ashes of London and The Fire Court first, so that you get to know the protagonist, James Marwood, his friends and enemies, and immerse yourself in 17th century London in all its gore and glory!

This book was a much better storyline than the previous book. Based around a story about Richard Cromwell and those who wanted a return to England as it was under Oliver Cromwell - pre-Charles II and his debauched society. A good steady tale with some interesting scenes, including poor James getting the rough end of it a couple of times. I am already looking forward to the next in the series. Wth thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first experience of Marwood and Lovett now Hakesby and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is so well researched and written, the characters so well drawn, one could almost imagine being in the grimy streets, the winding alleyways housing the bawdy houses and the clipclop of hooves. This was an enjoyable romp through the 17C and one I would love to repeat. I'll be looking out for the other novels in the series. Recommended.

I have enjoyed other novels by Andrew Taylor but haven't read any of the three novels in the series that precede this one. Unfortunately this meant that i just couldn't get to grips with this novel as there were too many unfamiliar characters and backstories. It felt like really hard work to work out who everyone was and what was happening. It was a pacy novel that i probably would have enioyed had i been more familiar with the series.