The Winter List follows on from the culmination of the Damien Seeker series, this time focussing on his daughter, and a host of other minor characters.

Its an enjoyable mystery book, as always written with incredible attention to detail which draws the reader straight into Restoration England.

However apart from a small cameo at the end from Seeker, the book lacks something that the previous books had, and it falls a bit flat because of it.

I don’t know if this counts as a whole new series or a continuation of the Damien Seeker series, I also don’t know if it matters. In the Winter List we follow Seekers married daughter Manon and her lawyerly husband as they navigate their way through the changing political minefield that is restoration England. Lady Anne Winter is reinstated, working for the crown rooting out those still loyal to Cromwell and bringing them to justice, with the help of her trusty Scottish maid. Seeker is on the list and Anne means to find him through Manon and her husband.
This was a really interesting read, especially if you’ve read the previous books where our loyalty lay with Seeker and his work for Cromwell. The script has been flipped now that Charlie’s back in charge and suddenly Seeker and his ilk are the enemy. Loyalties switching all over the place and actually most people just want to be left alone to get on with things. There’s a sub plot with the Scottish maid that I didn’t really care for, I didn’t really care for the maid so maybe that’s why. The character of Manon seemed a bit thin too, I wanted a bit more from her which may come if there are more books. But as always MacLean is a quality read.

I really enjoyed this, the latest in the Seeker series of novels. I now wish I had read it far sooner as I started it originally but delayed finishing it for some time, than when I restarted reading it I was entranced and found it a joy and couldn't put it down again until the final page Damian Seeker is not the main protagonist in this story, but is mentioned frequently. reoccurring characters from previous books carry the story. . Historical fiction fans should really enjoy this story and as it it is mainly based in and around York interest in that city should increase . I was absolutely gripped by it and I strongly recommend it
With thanks to NetGalley for an early copy,

Thanks to netgalley for providing this advanced copy for the purpose of review.

This was a well written historical read filled with lots of intrigue and action. I found it to be a really interesting time in history.

So lovely to be back with this series- when I’d thought it was all over. This was excellent! Until recently I had known nothing about the Act of Oblivion- yet another huge gap in my knowledge- and I was grateful to learn more from S G MacLean. What a perfect way to switch up the storyline from hunter to hunted. I loved the fact that many of the characters were familiar and also where the story ends up geographically. I’m hoping there will be more to come. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

1660 and the Stuarts are restored to the throne. Despite initially pardoning many supporters of the Commonwealth, Charles II is hellbent on revenge against those who signed his father's death warrant. Also on this list is the name of Damian Seeker, falsely accused of being the axeman by L'Estrange, someone he had thwarted in the past. Seeker is in New England but his whereabouts are known by his daughter Manon and her husband, now living in York. Anne Winter meanwhile is charged to go to York to reassure L'Estrange of the innocence or guilt of another of his enemies and she stumbles across the plot to find Seeker.
I have loved the Seeker novels to date and was sad that the last one appeared to be the finale however Maclean has produced a story which is in essence a Seeker tale but one in which he only appears fleetingly at the end. Here the focus is on those left behind and it's a great tale. Set in a familiarly wintery York and introducing a cast of new additions, the story develops the characters of Faithly, Ingolby and Anne Winter in new directions. Just great historical fiction.

It's a bold move to return to a much-loved series after sending your main character off to start a new life and pick up the story with only the supporting characters to carry it, as SG MacLean has seemingly done with her follow-up to the Damian Seeker series, The Winter List.

And if anyone can carry it off, Shona MacLean can. This tightly-plotted, engaging book focuses on some of her - and her readers' - favourite characters in a new setting, York, where Seeker's daughter, Manon, lives with her husband, Lawrence Ingolby.

Unfortunately for them, now the Republic has fallen and Charles II is restored to the throne, there are some who want to settle old scores. A spymaster has compiled a secret list and Royalist Lady Anne Winter is tasked with finding out the guilt or innocence of those on it, which include the likeable, if feckless, Thomas Faithly. Unknown to her, the spymaster is also planning to track down Damian Seeker through his daughter.

This book is a delight. The characters are engaging and believable, the scene-setting is vivid - I could almost feel my feet getting soaked as we trudge (or run) through the wet of a Yorkshire winter. Her research is, as you'd expect, impeccable and the dialogue flows like the Ouse on a Spring morning.

The reveal at the end took me completely by surprise and now I want to go back and read it again to pick up the clues. Masterful.

Clever, witty, compelling, this is a must-read.

A well written and enjoyable historical fiction set after the Restoration. Spies and intrigue and an interesting cast of characters all kept my attention.

‘The Winter List’ is Book 6 in S. G. MacLean’s Damian Seeker series of historical political thrillers set in the mid-17th Century.

By the summer of 1660 the last remnants of the Republic have been swept away and Charles II has been restored to the throne. The Indemnity and Oblivion Act of 1660 had granted a general pardon for everyone who had committed crimes during the English Civil War and Commonwealth period. However, one of the exceptions to the general pardon were for those who had been involved in the regicide of Charles I.

Executions have already begun and the hunt is on for those who have gone into hiding at home or abroad. Although not a regicide, Damian Seeker had been a staunch Republican and his name is on the Winter List, which contains the names of those considered traitors to the king.

While Seeker’s whereabouts are unknown Manon, his beloved daughter, is living in York and is married to Seeker's friend, the lawyer Lawrence Ingolby. As a possible conduit to her father and to others on the Winter List, Manon lives in constant danger and fear of discovery.

Royalist spy Lady Anne Winter has been employed to find evidence of guilt or innocence among the names on the Winter List. In October 1662 Lady Winter arrives in York, though she is not the only spy seeking to get close to the Ingolbys.

I initially had difficulty getting into this novel as I hadn’t read any of the previous five books in the series, so had no idea of who was who or their backstories. However, having read both fiction and nonfiction set during the early years of the Restoration I had some knowledge of the political and social issues of the day.

From past experience I was also aware of S. G. MacLean’s skill as a writer of historical fiction and her ability to effortlessly recreate the period setting. So, it wasn’t long until I found myself caught up in the narrative, getting to know the various characters, and seeing how its plot lines played out. The Epilogue was particularly satisfying and hopefully indicates that a further Damien Seeker book is forthcoming.

I also appreciated the cameos of historical figures of the day, such as Samuel Pepys and John Milton. While aware of their contributions to literature I hadn’t appreciated their roles in the political events of these turbulent times in history.

Overall, ‘The Winter List’ proved a highly engaging historical thriller with strong characterisations and an immersive setting. I am now keen to return to the beginning and read the series in order.

This is a well paced mystery with endearing characters and some interesting twists and turns. Damian Seeker is conspicuous by his absence which as this is my first book in this series left me feeling I had missed something so perhaps best to be read in order. However it is still and entertaining and enjoyable read and I will be checking out the other's in the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was so happy to see that a new novel set in the book of the Seeker was going to be published.
Even if Damian is not present all the characters belong to the world of the previous stories and it was a pleasure to catch up with them
Shona McLean deliver another strong story full of political intrigue and the changes of the time after the Stuart were back. There’s murder and there’s the life of characters I love.
I hope one day we will read another book featuring Damian (and also the bookseller of Inverness).
I loved this story that kept me hooked.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

London 1660, King Charles the second, is on the English throne, but he is not yet the “Merry Monarch”, or the forgiving type. Under the Kings Act of Indemnity and Oblivion, he orders that all those who put their signature to his late father’s death warrant, especially the executioner’s, be hunted down and returned to London to face summary justice. That’s at least 59 people who are hiding on the continent or have taken refuge in the New World of America.
Damian Seeker is rumoured to have been one of the executioners and he is believed to be in Massachusetts, keeping a safe distance from his daughter Manon, her husband Lawrence Ingoldby, who is a solicitor in York, and their daughter, especially as Manon is pregnant again.
Lady Anne Winter makes a welcome reappearance, she is the widow of a Cromwellian officer, yet is a faithful servant to the new King, how very Vicar of Bray! A spymaster tasks Anne with finding traitors on a particular list, as each name is uncovered, the next name to be identified will be given to her. There are secrets panels and letters, cyphers to be read and acted upon, double agents and spies, murder in a Cathedral, who can be trusted in these uncertain times of such fear and danger?.
This is another worthy addition to my collection of Seeker books, this time, although Damian is absent, his presence continues to be felt, as spies and traitors combine in their efforts to cast blame elsewhere. It is a well constructed story and makes the city of York really come to life. It conveys the atmosphere of fear and mistrust that must have been prevalent amongst all the inhabitants, not to mention the varied smells of the city streets and various ale houses, not forgetting those unwashed bodies!!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Quercus books for my advance digital copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review.
I will leave reviews to Goodreads and Amazon UK later. A five star rating.

Set in York shortly after the restoration of Charles II to the throne this is a Damian Seeker novel without the man himself. Instead the key protagonists are Seeker’s daughter Manon, who is pregnant with her second child, and her husband Lawrence. Some old friends like Lady Anne Winter make appearances.

The King’s men are searching out anyone who was aligned to Cromwell, particularly those involved in Charles I execution. One man has a particular grudge against Seeker and hopes to bring him to the gallows. More mystery and murder occurs with the streets of York almost being another character in the novel as they are drawn so vividly.

It was gripping, but I did miss Seeker as a central character and felt for this reason the novel doesn’t quite match earlier ones.

A very welcome addition to the Damian Seeker series. The reader feels in safe hands with both the vivid depiction of this historical setting, and the plotting of a well constructed story where secrets and intrigue rule. A joy to read!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this title.

The Winter List by S G MacLean is the latest in the Seeker series. Damian Seeker is on a list of traitors to the king and has escaped from England for the Colonies. The book is set in York following the restoration of Charles II to the throne and is another enjoyable historical thriller in the series.

The Winter List
Damian Seeker is gone but Lawrence Ingolby and his wife Manon, Seeker’s daughter, must try to make a life. They are in York now as London is too dangerous. The King is reinstated and there is no forgiving and forgetting. There has already been blood spilt but now there is another list. The Winter List will look for anyone who served Cromwell’s cause. They are particular interested in Seeker and his friends. Lady Anne Winter has been charged to find those who might yet be considered traitors.
This is another great plot from Mclean. The period detail which immerses the reader in the everyday of the period is superb. The incredible amount of research sits lightly on the page. You will simply live in York with its awe inspiring Minster and dung strewn streets. The cold will permeate your bones and the fear of all your life being thrown away on the whim of a king will increase that chill. The joy of the everyday life for these people is tempered by the necessary secrets and they have a habit of being found out. Although this is a historical fiction these people and their concerns are made real by the detail. There is a moral ambiguity to some characters that nevertheless make them intriguing and we are never told exactly what to think about anyone. The story has a measured pace which fits with its setting. There are lighter moment too that remind us that sometimes the world is not full of pain and fear. This is a rich and fully story that warrants full attention and will linger when it is done; history it might be but people are people then and now.

Fans of Damien Seeker won't be disappointed in this glorious tale.

Following the events of "The House of Lamentations", it's 166o and Charles II has been restored to the throne. Cromwell's Republic and its supporters have been swept away, and in his generosity, Charles has offered clemency to some of those involved in the death of his father. But he has also issued an Act of Indemnity and Oblivion and a select few face the death sentence. Although not a regicide, Republican Damian Seeker is on a list of traitors to the king and so Royalist spy, Lady Anne Winter is employed to find evidence of guilt or innocence among the names on the list. Seeker has fled England for the Colonies but his daughter Manon remains, married to Seeker's friend, the lawyer Lawrence Ingolby. Lady Winter's search leads her to York, where Seeker's daughter now lives.

And so begins a most vivid and satisfying tale which will almost certainly appease those fans of Damien Seeker who begged for more. And while Seeker himself only makes a brief appearance, those people who readers have met before, and whose friendship and help kept Seeker alive, are all present. It's nice to see them shine in their own light rather than reflected in Seeker. Manon, pregnant for the second time, fears for her safety, that of her child, and her Father. The story faultlessly shows the influence and lasting effect Seeker has had on so many lives. A few threads from the series are tied up, and even Seeker gets some closure.

Lady Winter and her gloriously competent maid feature large in this book, which pleased me no end. We see glimpses of her, only hinted at previously, and there's even hope for a happy ending for her. The city of York also has a starring role, and I dare anyone who hasn't been there, not to want to visit after reading this book.

The story also dovetailed nicely with a book I read recently, Robert Harris' "Act of Oblivion", which follows two of the escaped regicides across America. As with that book, "Winter List" captures perfectly the climate which existed in Britain in the years following Cromwell's fall, and the research is impeccable.

Fans of the Seeker books won't be disappointed in this glorious tale of revenge and retribution. Highly recommended.

Set in York after the restoration of Charles II to the throne, the family and friends of Damian Seeker are beset with spies and burglars, all hoping to benefit from the exposure of the followers of Cromwell. This is a gentle paced mystery with endearing characters and some interesting twists. Damian Seeker is conspicuous by his absence and leaves a hole that is difficult to fill. Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable read but not as good as the previous books.

The wonderful SG MacLean returns to this series with familiar and new characters, it is 166o, Charles II is restored to the throne, with the last remnants of the Republic being swept away. With gripping and vibrant style, this turbulent historical period comes alive, the King's Act of Indemnity and Oblivion sees many Republicans being hunted down and executed. However, there is a feeling in some quarters that too many are being granted mercy, and there is an unofficial list circulating that has lawyer Lawrence Ingolby, married to Damian Seeker's daughter, Manon, move from London to Yorkshire. They now have a young daughter, Lizzie, and Manon is heavily pregnant with their second child, but they are far from safe as danger and spies continue to surround around them.

Lady Anne Winter arrives in a cold and freezing Yorkshire with her 'maid' the able Scottish Griselda Duncan, 2 widows who have forged a strong friendship amidst a background of adverse circumstances, working below the radar, going through a list, and investigating names thought to have been engaged in Republican activities. Winter is delighted to renew her acquaintance with Manon and getting to like a Lawrence that is suspicious of her. Fear grows in the Ingolby household when Lizzie is discovered locked in a coal shed, a murder is committed in the Cathedral crypt, there are sinister strangers, break ins and an attempted abduction. Anne offers the services of Grizel to help Manon, but betrayal lurks far too close to home, raising the question whether Seeker is safe from enemy forces in Massachusett, where he has established his home and family.

Seeker may not be present in the novel, but he remains a strong presence, having made powerful enemies intent on getting their revenge, and the belief is that it is through the Ingolbys that they will be able to track him down. Winter and Grizel make a formidable pair of investigators, whilst Lawrence will do all that he can to protect Manon, his friend Thomas Faithly is facing his own pressures working under a ambitious Buckingham. This latest addition to this 17th century series just drips with intrigue and mystery in an England where some Royalists are going to some lengths to hunt down wanted Republicans. A brilliant historical series that I highly recommend. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

What a joy to be reunited with Damien Seeker, I was delighted to see Shona McLeans' new book was revisiting this marvellous series of books. Here the story focusses on Manon and Ingoldsby and their lives in York. Familiar characters surround them, Thomas Faithly and Ann Winters are welcome returns. Although Seeker is not present here, his personality breathes throughout the book. A brilliant story as usual, full of murder, political wrangling and general skulduggery.
A worthy continuation of this series, if you haven't discovered the Seeker yet I urge starting from the beginning. Many thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for allowing me the pleasure of reading this advance copy of The Winter List. The audiobook s of this series are excellent also.