1541 the Cataclysm is the first of three books in the Micklegate series telling the tale of ordinary and well known characters negotiating a disaster in Tudor York… Five years since the northern rebellion against the Reformation, a rebel monk trying to survive Henry VIII’s purge of their ringleaders learns about a conspiracy that could rip apart the fabric of faith in England. Alerted by the monk, an undercover team assemble in York to gather clues before dispersing throughout England to stop the conspiracy whilst Henry, his wife of less than a year, Catherine Howard, make their way to York. The offbeat team fighting against the impending Cataclysm includes Edward Fawkes, two sisters posing as washerwomen, a delusional and accident-prone adventurer, a mysterious hero and, curiously, a mouse that talks. If you enjoy quirky historical fiction combining humour, mystery, engaging and unpredictable characters as well as historical figures you know well and love (or hate!) then this is for you Rob’s writing has been compared to Tom Sharpe, Philip Pullman, Denis Potter, Ben Elton and C J Sansom. And, has been described as ‘Blackadder meets Doctor Who’ by one reviewer and ‘Horrible Histories meets assassins creed!’ by another. These phrases have been used to describe the series: Transported back in time Superbly researched Light and easy to read Touched my heart Opened a window to the past Imaginative Slow burner Literary Excellent People like you and me Full of love You will resonate with their spirits Good old English tale (or tail?) Lots of humour Laugh out loud Inclusive Quirky Who says history is dull?