Set in London at the beginning of the 18th century, Widow Trotter runs a very successful chocolate house, where men come to chat and gossip and hope to hear scurrilous rumours. She decides to branch out and run a basset gambling game upstairs, but the night of her first venture brings disaster, as a man sweeps the board, leaving her and the dealer well out of pocket. Matters get worse when the winner is found dead, and she is drawn into a world beyond her comprehension - of gambling, of riding the stock exchange, and learning first hand how easily fortunes were made and lost.

Her young friend has taken a severe hit at a disreputable gaming house, and his promissory note is found on the body. Both he and Widow Trotter find themselves without funds and creditors at the door - will she have to give up her beloved chocolate house?

Given that I have little or no interest in cards, the stock exchange or politics, I was pleased to be so entertained by this very authentic story, set in the turbulent years of the war in Europe, the siege of Lille by the Duke of Marlborough and the demise of the prince. It makes for a fascinating, historically accurate read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Matador for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third book in David Fairer’s Chocolate House Mysteries series, and although it stands on its own, it’s also a real pleasure to delve back into the world of the wonderful Mary Trotter and her friends.
Both the Bay Tree Chocolate House and several people’s lives come under threat as the worlds of finance, gambling, and politics draw the Bay Tree friends frighteningly close to disaster.
I would read these books just to enjoy the character of Mary – she’s clever, warm, resourceful, and more than capable of holding her own against the intrigues and plots of the dangerous men who populate this tale of scandal, speculation and intrigue. But in addition to Mary, we’re given a carefully woven and well researched tale of intrigue and deception.
Fairer’s story of unregulated speculators is fascinating and cleverly told, and, as with the earlier books, he sets it all in a very believable version of C18th London with a vivid recreation of its sights, smells and atmosphere.
It is a fairly long book and some of the financial details were a little tricky to follow, hence the 4 stars, but overall this is a great read featuring familiar and likeable heroes.
I hope that more books are planned in this series, and if so, I think it’s time for a little romance in Mary’s life.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I received advanced copy from publisher through NetGalley. I had not read the previous two books in this series, so I came in cold. There were numerous characters that participated in lively action, initially being played out in gaming houses where the price might include your life. Initially it revolved around a widow lady (the chocolate house owner) Mrs. Trotter and some young men who were her friends. The time is early 1700's and the other action centers on financials and potential bank failures. It is a very long book, but the reader becomes invested in the fate of Mrs. Trotter and others...so one must read on, admittedly to the point of exhaustion.

David Fairer, for his third book situated in London beginning of the 18th century, has achieved a masterpiece. It is possible to read this book without the need to read the previous ones. Everything is perfect. The intrigue, the chase, the suspense, the ending. It is not a time travel book yet the descriptions of the atmosphere, the sounds, the people is a pure joy. Also, ingeniously, the author is not writing about a detective agency; The characters have some huge cases to solve, but they do not act as in the 21st century. They work altogether, treading their way through the issues of their century with the manoeuvres at their disposal. This makes the book all the more appealing. A lot is to be learnt through the story in a very exciting way. The opening scene of anthology sets the pace for the whole book. At mid-path between Alexandre Dumas and Ian Flemming, the author writes with nerves, and he explores the birth of the financial system in the City with gusto. This is a book to be read by any student in economics and finance, and anyone interested in how to avoid being misled when investing ! Fun with great quality of information about how to be suspicious !

This is the second book I read in this historical mystery series and enjoyed it.
A well plotted and compelling plot, a solid mystery that kept me guessing, a vivid historical background.
Entertaining and well written.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine