The Bells of Westminster

Well drawn characters and a page turning tale as well. I couldn't ask for anything better than a really engaging book. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the novel.

This book is an absolute triumph. It’s irreverent, funny, creepy, packed with characters and on the face of it, utterly implausible, but it works. It’s based on a real event, but Nattrass, with a keen eye for historical detail, has created a real drama from the opening of a sarcophagus. Events are ably narrated by Susan Bell, the daughter of the Dean of Westminster and right from the start, it’s easy to find clever humour. Even Cuthbert the parrot has a role. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this title, but it’s priced a delight from start to finish. Original and memorable.

This great novel is published in mid October as Halloween beckons and there are some ghostly goings-on within the walls of the majestic Westminster Abbey in the 18th century. In fact his Majesty King George III ('what, what') enjoys the unravelling travails of Dean Bell and his clergy in what was known as his own Royal Peculiar (his own local church) at the time of this tale in 1774.
It was interesting to discovery that in reality the tomb of King Edward I was opened and that Antiquarians were desperate to discover the mummified royal body.. But the author has fictionalised the truth with a mystery murder and the theft of golden royal sceptre and crown.
The characters are brilliant - all names very Dickensian - eg Mr Suckling, Robert Delingpole and the parrot Cuthbert is great fun.
The Dean's daughter Susan is our narrator and within the plot the author of the tale - as NASUS BELL! She is both inquisitive and likeable as well as of the time suffering the attentions of the Deanery who view her spinster status with gossip.
The Abbey is a character in itself and wonderfully described with its soaring architecture. I love a novel about a magnificent religious building! But there is also discussion of science (the new electricity) magic lanterns and with murder- tricks and exorcisms as religion clashes with new ideas.
The 'ragged regiment' of bodies stored in such places - especially at Westminster Abbey is still there for us to see still at the heart of English history. Restoring and recording those statues added to the whole novel - Blake is based on William Blake the poet/artist and is a lovely character but the plot takes many a turn with red herrings until the dramatic reveal of the culprit (s).
Loved it as a read. Leonora has produced another historical gem here and I'm sure readers will delight in entering those lofty heavenly walls of Westminster.