Chocolate House Treason

I love this time period of English history so I was thrilled to be deflected to read this book. I so enjoyed the movie The Favorite about Queen Anne's reign, a period of history that is so very rarely covered - whether in books, documentaries or films. The author did a fantastic job creating interested fully developed characters and an interesting plot. I loved it!

Bravo Mr Fairer! I thoroughly enjoyed this historical romp through Queen Anne's London. I must admit to being a little daunted by the size of the book but I enjoyed every page of this interesting debut novel. The description of early eighteenth century life was beautifully drawn, just enough detail to set the scene and make the reader engage with the characters and the backdrop. The characters themselves were both believable and likeable - nobody was a complete villain - and I was drawn into the political machinations of the last Stuart court where nobody could be trusted and everyone had their own agendas. It felt so relevant and yet so distant at the same time. I confess to googling Robert Harley as this is a period I'm hazy on, between Restoration and Enlightenment. The language was beautiful and accessible too, there was never a moment of jarring narrative or modern idioms and it was very readable. I think this would make a fantastic Netflix mini series akin to Harlots? Please write another! I would happily revisit The Bay Tree Chocolate House.

1708 England was an interesting time. Queen Anne's reign was anything but routine and scandal was rife. There were spies everywhere. The celebrations for the Queen's birthday are all being planned and with a big fireworks display as well. In Covent Garden we have a coffee house newly opened and Mary Trotter at the helm hoping that this house will lead the way for intellectuals to gather to have discourse and conversations on a higher level. She did not expect to face the problems she did. Full of historical detail of a period not very often found, it was an interesting account of the times. The characterization was very good with three people trying to help out a publisher falsely accused. Not easy in these times.

An intriguing mystery set in the early 1700s 'Chocolate House Treason' by David Fairer is full of suspense. The fascinating characters are likable and well developed. Three amateur sleuths: Widow Trotter (coffee house proprietor), Tom Bristowe (poet) and Will Lundy (Lawyer), set out to free their friend Mr Morphew of murder charges by solving the murder. As the plot builds, the reader finds that many of the government officials are corrupt. The trio of investigators don't know who to trust. A new conspiracy is found everywhere they turn often misdirecting the investigation. I found this book intriguing because it has many parallels to our time. Government corruption of our era is out of control much like it was in the early 1700s. Incorrigible government officials were bending laws to meet their needs back then as they are today. Give this book a chance. It took about four chapters before it gripped my full attention. After that, I could not put it down. I recommend this book because it is both thought-provoking and has every quality of a good mystery. Chocolate House Treason is a great read.

This is the perfect mystery for readers who enjoy history well delivered, that history in fine detail, as well. This is not a light mystery, full of fluff. It has teeth. If you like authors such as Anne Perry and Paul Doherty who give the reader a time travel adventure into London of old, please give this book a try. Yes, it is long and often it is more talk than action but the immersion into the days of the reign of Queen Anne is worth every word. London is alive, complete with the sights, sounds and, yes, the smells of the 1700's. The main characters are a likable trio of Mary Trotter, owner of a coffee shop. She is landlady to Will, a lawyer and his friend, Tom, a poet. The politics of the period are woven through their efforts to defend a wrongfully accused publisher. It's history with a mystery included rather than the other way around. I really enjoyed my visit to this period of London history.