Such a clever idea! Deborah Swift's three 'Mr Pepys' books give us diarist Samuel Pepys as seen through the eyes of the women in his life. Deb Willet is hired as maid to Pepys's wife Elisabeth, but the old lecher soon has his eyes - and hands - on young Deb.

The 1660s were a turbulent time in London - and abroad. And with war with the Dutch looming, their spies are keen to find out what Pepys, an important man in naval administration, knows. Their spies will stop at nothing to find out his secrets, and soon Deb is caught up in the intrigue.

The research behind this book is superb, and applied with a light brush, so that we feel we're in the candlelit rooms and dirty streets of the capital. Deb is a likeable and believable character, as is Elisabeth, and it's hard not to root for them despite theirs flaws and mistakes. The story's pacy and gripping, with flashes of humour. It's a very satisfying read and I enjoyed it hugely.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great storyline with excellent characters. I would highly recommend this book as it was a great read.

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

Love this genre
First time author for me but will be keeping an eye out for them in future
Love the way this author writes

Well written and researched
a great read

a first by the author for me, and it did not disappoint. superbly researched, well plotted great sense of place, fast paced. a really good read. .

Abandoned to live with her Aunt, Deb Willet is educated but nothing else. Her aunt arranges for her to become companion/lady's maid to Elisabeth Pepys, wife of a civil servant in London. It is not long after the restoration of the monarchy and the great fire but London is an exciting place for a girl like Deb. However as time goes on she realises that friendships have their costs and reputations are easily lost.
The premise of this novel is a clever one, hidden in the pages of Pepys' diaries are references to various women that he chased and Deb Willet is one of the em. Little remains of her story but Swift has chosen to embroider a tale around it linking social unrest and espionage to the life of a maid. There's lots to really like about this book, the setting, the knowledge of London in the late 1660s etc. However I felt it dragged in places and the credibility of the plot was definitely stretched in places.

Set in 17th century London, this novel looks at the life and times of Samuel Pepys as seen through the eyes of two women in his life. Deborah Willet who is his wife's companion and Abigail Williams, an actress and mistress of a lord, Deborah and Abigail meet and are soon mixed up in a very dangerous world.
And what a world it is! Danger, spies around every corner not to mention a plaque and great fire. The way the author recreated all this on the page was admirable and very authentic. It was also very visual and this helped to put myself in the characters shoes.

I love a novel where there is a mix of past and present, fact and fiction. Samuel Pepys is so well known but this gave a unique insight into not just him but the world and people around him. Add to that a gripping plot, engaging writing and a cast of fascinating characters and you have a very good novel that I would have no bother about recommending!



The Author's Notes at the end of the book were quite a revelation, as I discovered I'd been reading more of a true story that I'd thought; I deliberately left them to the end. Pleasing Mr Pepys is one of those pieces of historical fact/fiction that makes you want to find out even more. :)