This is a fascinating fast paced read. Filled with complex characters
It is a great Elizabethan setting
A fab read

An interesting read that I'm glad to have discovered. I'll definitely be seeking out more by this author.

Set in 1574 the lawyer turned sie master Dr Radcliff is ent out to discover who is producing counterfeit coins with his master, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester on them. He is now in a good position in Court but how will his investigation effect his atnding and that of his master? Who is harbouring treacherous intent against the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth and when women are being burned as witches on the word of a stranger how will he rescue his housekeeper from such a fate. He hopes to keep his relationship with Kat but will his investigations turn her against him? The novel protrays the world of Elizabeth with the paranoia that exsists alonside suprstitions and rumours. Beautifully crafted to make the world of that time come alive as he with his band of informants and spies seek to find the truth through the markets, drinking dens and brothels of the age. He gets to find through a very twisted way exactly who is leading these subversive acts and the tension is held to the very end.
A great historical "who done it"!

Winter 1574 and the City of London is in uproar, witches are being burned, slogans are daubed on houses and false coins are in circulation. It is the latter that concern the Earl of Essex as these coins show his family emblems and so he requests the assistance of Dr Radcliff. Radcliff himself also has problems, his new housekeeper has been accused of witchcraft and put in prison and his lover has finally refused to see him, accusing him of using the favours of a whore. Ell is just an informer but Kat is convinced otherwise. Radcliff's friend is killed and the chase after the perpetrators leads him to have to make to some difficult decisions.

This is a second outing for Dr Christopher Radcliff and his companions in Elizabethan London. It is a strong piece of historical fiction with a suitable twisty plot and some interesting characters. I particularly liked the consideration of the deformed, both in terms of the woman accused of witchcraft and the 'villain', both sympathetic characters in their own right but used as a device to illustrate prejudices amongst the people. An excellent tale, well told and rich with historical details which adds to and colours the story.

Historical crime novel set in the Elizabethan era and the second in the adventures of Christopher Radcliffe, lawyer turned spymaster for Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester and favourite of the Virgin Queen. There seems to be a plot against the Dudley family which is manifesting as a spate of forged coins and seditious slogans. The false coins are enough of a worry, undermining the efficient running of the economy, but they and the slogans are specifically suggesting that the Dudleys are part of the plot…We follow Radcliffe and his trusted network of contacts – from goldsmiths to prostitutes – as he tries to discover who is framing his employer. And, because no sleuth worth their salt is ever allowed to just solve the crime, he also needs to prevent his new housekeeper from being executed as a witch and to try and save his relationship with the rather prickly Kat. Between the rock of the Dudleys and the very hard place of a disgruntled lover Radcliffe is in danger of losing everything…

Good characters and solid historical knowledge made this a good read – perfect if you are looking for books in the vein of CJ Sansom or Rory Clements.

Winter 1574 and the City of London is in uproar, witches are being burned, slogans are daubed on houses and false coins are in circulation. It is the latter that concern the Earl of Essex as these coins show his family emblems and so he requests the assistance of Dr Radcliff. Radcliff himself also has problems, his new housekeeper has been accused of witchcraft and put in prison and his lover has finally refused to see him, accusing him of using the favours of a whore. Ell is just an informer but Kat is convinced otherwise. Radcliff's friend is killed and the chase after the perpetrators leads him to have to make to some difficult decisions.
This is a second outing for Dr Christopher Radcliff and his companions in Elizabethan London. It is a strong piece of historical fiction with a suitable twisty plot and some interesting characters. I particularly liked the consideration of the deformed, both in terms of the woman accused of witchcraft and the 'villain', both sympathetic characters in their own right but used as a device to illustrate prejudices amongst the people.

I really enjoyed how this was a mix of historical and mystery. The writing was done well and it was action-packed while still have slower and more thoughtful moments. The characters were all well rounded and they came across as believable, this could be down to the research the author did or the way they seemed layered and interesting. My only complaint was certain sections could have been edited a tiny bit more to make it 100% for me.

Dr Christopher Radcliff is enjoying his status at court after successfully stopping the Incendium plot. Life at the court of Queen Elizabeth can change in a whim and soon the good doctor is called on to use his considerable skills. Alongside his associates and shady informants, he is tasked to investigate a campaign of deception and treachery involving the Earl of Leicester.
A formidable foe is up against them and soon murder and chaos is all around.
Can Christopher succeed or are there powers up against him that even his considerable skills can’t stop?
This novel is just magnificent. The writing is so finely crafted and the characters are wonderful. There is also an air of suspense throughout that leaves the reader on edge until the very end with an incredible finale.
A.D Swanston is comfortably at the top of his field when it comes to historical fiction and this novel show his writing at its very finest. A true delight to read.

My second Swanston and again the sights, sounds and smells of 16th century London wrapped around me like a not-so-cosy blanket. Dr Radcliffe, the chief intelligencer of Robert Dudley Lord Leicester and his group of spies - a Jew, a whore and his girlfriend - are tasked to find the source of counterfeit coins, minted with the Dudley arms, causing unrest and inflation of everyday goods. Someone is intent on causing chaos.
Again, the story reads well. My personal let-down was that the female characters only played microscopic roles - I had high hopes for Doc Radcliffe’s plain maid to deliver the crucial clue to uncover the plot.. alas.
Also the reasoning of some characters, namely Simon Lovelace, was hard to follow. That said, still an entertaining piece of historical yarn.

Chaos follows two years after The Incendium Plot and whilst many themes from the first are touched upon in the second, I would recommend reading Incendium prior to Chaos.

The above synopsis fairly accurately sums up the storyline whereby Dr Christopher Radcliff - doctor of law, convicted killer and intelligencer for Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester - is again sent out by Leicester to find the source and reasoning behind a spate of counterfeiting for as we are told "... currency that cannot be trusted is more dangerous than an enemy in plain sight ...".

With mysterious slogans, funny money, pamplets, desecration, and murder, it is up to Radcliff and his rag-tag team of spies and informers to seek out "... perception and reality .. fact and rumour ..." before chaos does prevail. And like Incendium, just when you think that things are all neatly wrapped up, you realise there is still much more of the story that is in need of telling and that nothing really has been concluded.

Alan Swanston is a writer whose works I am becoming increasingly fond of to the point where I think I will invest in the series and add these (physical rather than kindle) books to my own personal library. Looking forward to the next instalment in this series.

There’s a lot of historical crime and spy fiction about at the moment – CJ Sansom, SG Maclean, CS Quinn and SJ Parris to name a few that I have enjoyed. I wonder why all of these authors choose to use both initials rather than their first names?

Chaos, the second novel by AD Swanston is a worthy addition to the list. Set in Elizabethan London, Dr Christopher Radcliffe (the Earl of Leicesters chief Intelligencer) is struggling to uncover the source of counterfeit coins that are causing panic and riot within the city. Strange messages start to appear on the walls of the city and then plague crosses are daubed on doors. Chaos is very close but Radcliffe and his informers are getting no closer to finding out who is responsible or why.

At the same time Radcliffe’s slightly unusual personal life is unravelling, his housekeeper is in Newgate accused of witchcraft and his paramour abandons him.

Chaos is very good, a pacy read with fascinating detail about Elizabethan London and politics.

This book seemed a long time coming because after the first I was impatient to continue the story of Christopher and his investigations set in the time of Elizabeth I. Once again the author has written a most enjoyable mystery that echoes the time the book is set in wonderfully. The mystery this time regarding counterfeit coins to begin with seemed very cut and dried however the way this storyline transpires is a genius piece of writing and the storyline including the persecution of innocent women on the pretext of being a witch seemed more a history lesson in fictional form. Please do not leave it so long for the third installment.

The Author is a master of bringing to life realities of life in the Elizabethan era , especially how 'Intelligencers' were deployed on behalf of the Crown .

Fake coins are in circulation causing the rise in price of many staples ………… the emblem on the coins is that of Earl of Leicester …………. a treasonous act or a double bluff ?
Dr Christopher Radcliffe , who's standing has increased after foiling the 'Incendium' plot , is tasked with finding out the truth of the situation . Using his team of spies and informants he tries to track down just who is responsible , who has the most to gain !

This is a fascinating fast paced read , full of complex characters and an entertaining puzzle for Christopher to solve .

I was given an arc of this book by the Publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

The second outing for Christopher Radcliff and as enjoyable as the first. False coins are circulating in London causing rising food prices and some disquiet, not helped by the strange appearance of painted messages and crosses on churches. Witchcraft is suspected and the Earl of Leicester is furious as his emblems are stamped on the false coinage threatening to damage his relationship with Queen Elizabeth. He tasks Dr Radcliff with finding out who is responsible and stopping them.

The background detail and relationships that are a feature of this kind of series continue to build, whilst not detracting from the plot. Definitely a good read. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy.

Thank you to Netgalley, Christopher and Penguin for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I'm a really big fan of Historical Fiction but I find with many novels that a romantic aspect creeps in that sours the historical detail for me. A D Swanston stays true to the Elizabethan setting with some fascinating details of how Intelligencers were deployed and what they did. Very like modern-day security services, it seems except for the threat of torture & drawing/quartering for forging banknotes which, thankfully, would be illegal today.

I also relished Christopher's relationships with women. There was respect there certainly but also a very authentic internal dialogue that captured his irritation with Katharine and his admiration of the beguiling Ell. There was a wee bit of a pacing problem during the middle third of the book - dragged slightly after Pryce's arrest and interrogation but finished very well and I thoroughly enjoyed this smart and descriptive novel. Definitely recommend.

Its been quite a wait for the follow up to Incendium, but luckily Chaos has made that wait worthwhile.

Initially, i felt like the plot was too thin, and it appeared that things were wrapping up far too quickly and simply. However as the book unfolds the plot thickens and the story broadens, and in the end we are left with a historical mystery book quite unlike anything i have read.

A D Swanston has written a mystery book that isnt actually all about the mystery. He writes Elizabethan London very well, and uses his knowledge to draw you into a story that actually unfolds surprisingly. This is a book, to me, that is about character relationships, and misinterpretation. About loyalty and lies and lack of trust. Its a brilliant book, and i really hope we get to see book 3.