*A big thank-you to Steve Ragnall, Matador, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
Based on Linconshire history of the 17th century, this book brings to life a little forgotten figure of John Webster, a man of many trades but of integrity. I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction, character-driven novel with its meticulously done research and author's imagination added. Enganing and intelligent!

A captivating and truculent fictional journey through the early hours of the Civil War in Lancashire recounted by John Webster, a defrocked cleric and schoolmaster, who tries to unmask the person responsible for siphoning off money from his school's treasury. But as he closes in on the supposed fraudster
the political situation, so volatile throughout the country in the early 1640's, threatens to dangerously get out of control....

A swashbuckling tale of murderous shenanigans, betrayals and martial violence set at the beginning of the civil conflict that engulfed England in the mid 17th century, A sea of contumely offers us a magnificent fictional tapestry of the early confrontational encounters between the Royalists and the Parliamentary forces in Northern England.

Cleverly plotted with lots of twists and turns, sparkling dialogues full of wry humor and blessed with a terrific cast of exquisitely drawn characters, this highly entertaining historical romp deserves to be discovered and enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever!

Many thanks to Matador and Netgalley for this fabulous ARC!