'A fast paced, intrigue-laden romp through Elizabeth’s twilight years. Written with wit, pathos, and style.' Steven Veerapen, author of The Queen’s Spies 1599. After years of arrogance, disobedience and failure, the Earl of Essex bursts into Queen Elizabeth’s private chambers at Nonsuch Palace, confronting her before she has even had time to dress. This is something the Queen can never forgive. Essex’s enemies, led by Secretary of State Robert Cecil, begin to plan his final downfall. Cecil turns to his Chief Intelligencer Robert Poley, the man whose undercover work exposed the Babbington plot and led to the beheading of Mary Queen of Scots. Poley is a man used to working in the shadows and his stock in trade is betrayal – something that is beginning to trouble his Catholic conscience. Even so, the spy must go under cover once more - into the powder keg that is Essex House. Poley's mission is to provide the spark which will destroy the Earl and all his followers in one great treasonous explosion. The assignment is made doubly dangerous because Poley is known to the Earl’s spy-network, headed by the Bacon brothers - the bed-ridden Anthony and the ambitious Francis, newly-appointed Queen’s Counsellor Extraordinary. But Poley has constructed a convincing cover and has a slim chance of survival and success if he can enlist the unwitting help of just a few of the Earl's allies. Essex believes that his only way to safety lies in leading an uprising against Queen and Council. Knowing that this will place him, like the Queen of Scots before him, beneath the shadow of the axe. But all is not as it seems. The first book in a new, major series from the acclaimed historical novelist, Peter Tonkin. Recommended for fans of CJ Samson, Andrew Taylor and John Pilkington. 'A typically engaging and enjoyable work from Peter Tonkin... The author has taken the intrigue of a Le Carre novel and set it within the Elizabethan court.' Richard Foreman, author of Turpin's Assassin 'Robert Poley is my kind of hero in this richly imagined and hugely enjoyable mystery, set in an Elizabethan London bursting with authentic sights, sounds and smells.' Paul Walker, author of State of Treason 'A really absorbing book full of treachery and treason...' Mystery People Magazine Peter Tonkin was born in Ulster, Northern Ireland and was raised in the UK, Holland, Germany, and the Persian Gulf. The son of an RAF officer, Tonkin spent much of his youth travelling the world from one posting to another. He is the author of the Richard Mariner Thriller Collection, Caesar's Spies and the Tom Musgrave Mysteries. Praise for Peter ‘Another triumph from a master storyteller.’ Alistair Forrest, author of Nest of Vipers 'Riveting tale full of fast action.' Publishers Weekly 'Entertaining crime fiction, set against a classical backdrop. For fans of Homer and Sherlock Holmes.' Richard Foreman, author of Spies of Rome 'Good technical detail, plus an exciting climax, makes this entertaining reading.' Publishing News 'A welcome aura of old-fashioned expertise.' Publishers Weekly 'A good thriller, recommended.' Library Journal 'Tonkin is a superb storyteller who creates big, brash, swashbuckling adventures with taut suspense, fast-paced action and tough, resourceful characters.' Booklist 'Equals the best of James Clavell.' Daily Telegraph 'A master of sea-going adventure. Enough taut suspense to satisfy any reader.' Clive Cussler 'Good technical detail, plus an exciting climax, makes this entertaining reading.' Publishing News

Richmond Palace, March 1603. Queen Elizabeth lies dying, surrounded by her Privy Council led by Robert Cecil. Even on her death-bed, she refuses to name a successor. But Cecil has already commissioned Queen’s Intelligencer Robert Poley and his spies to ensure a smooth succession for James VI of Scotland and the removal of anyone who might stand between Cecil and the new king. Soon a ring is being carried north to King James. The ring is a message in itself: the queen is dead. But the succession is not formally settled to everyone’s satisfaction. The ring-carrier only survives an assassination attempt because he is being shadowed by one of Poley’s operatives. Alerted by the incident, the agent redoubles his efforts. And he uncovers plot after plot, pushing a dangerous array of alternative candidates, supported and financed by Protestant England’s most implacable enemies. James places his trust in Cecil and begins to progress southward towards London surrounded by allies and possible enemies. As Poley unmasks one traitor after another and sends them to the Tower of London for interrogation, the intelligencer realises that the fate of James - and the kingdom - rests in his hands.

‘Tonkin has used his knowledge of the period and craft as a thriller writer to produce a new take on the familiar story of the gunpowder plot. One of the historical crime novels of the year.’ Richard Foreman, author of Spies of Rome. Redriffe, London, Wednesday 27 April 1603. A gunpowder mill explodes, causing death and destruction. A passer-by becomes involved in helping victims but is recognised and arrested – for he is a wanted man. The arresting officer is Spymaster Robert Poley, Queen Elizabeth’s Chief Intelligencer under Francis Walsingham and now King James’s under Robert Cecil. The fugitive is the Catholic Robert Catesby. Catesby is imprisoned. On his release, he secretly begins to recruit a group of desperate associates. Some form of a plot - and an act of violence - is afoot. Poley turns his attention towards the conspirators. His intelligencers target an expert in gunpowder and explosives. His name? Guy Fawkes. And so a desperate game of cat and mouse unfolds as Poley races to discover exactly what the conspirators are planning. Gunpowder, treason and plot. Peter Tonkin was born in 1950 in Ulster, Northern Ireland and was raised in the UK, Holland, Germany, and the Persian Gulf. The son of an RAF officer, Tonkin spent much of his youth travelling the world from one posting to another. He is also the author of the Richard Mariner thriller series. Praise for Peter ”Riveting tale full of fast action.” Publishers Weekly. ”Good technical detail, plus an exciting climax, makes this entertaining reading.” Publishing News. “A welcome aura of old-fashioned expertise.” Publishers Weekly. “A good thriller, recommended.” Library Journal. “Tonkin is a superb storyteller who creates big, brash, swashbuckling adventures with taut suspense, fast-paced action and tough, resourceful characters.” Booklist. ”Equals the best of James Clavell.” Daily Telegraph. ”Edge-of-the-seat terror on the high seas.” Daily Post.