The Conjuror’s Apprentice: (The Tudor Rose Murders Book 1)
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‘Thoroughly engaging… beautifully written’ Zoe Sharp
‘Engaging and compelling’ Mark Ellis
‘A rollicking tale with just the right pinches of sex and humour’ Shots Magazine
Finding the battered body of a young boy was not unusual in Bloody Mary’s cruel England. However, the stabbed tongue, a false seal and strange letter implicate Princess Elizabeth, threatening to bring down the Tudor Dynasty.
Doctor John Dee and his secret apprentice, Margaretta, using his brilliant mind and her strange abilities, embark on a perilous journey to solve this brutal murder. Before their work can really begin, another body is found.
As Dee and Margaretta delve deeper into their investigation, they uncover a web of deceit, political intrigue and treachery that threatens to engulf them both. When more bodies are discovered and arrests are made, time is running out. With rumours of witchcraft and treason swirling around them, can they untangle the mystery before it’s too late?
‘The beginning of a wonderfully different Tudor crime fiction series’ Alis Hawkins
‘A wonderful debut’ Jules Swain
‘Absolutely spellbinding… alive with atmosphere and realism’ Chris Lloyd
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Additional information
| Publisher | Legend Press (29 Sept. 2023) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 352 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1915643414 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1915643414 |
| Dimensions | 12.9 x 2.24 x 19.81 cm |
by kathie
Historical fiction with strong characters – looking forward to the next book
by Amazon Customer
I love reading historical fiction and this book did not disappoint.
This historical murder mystery kept me interested from start to finish. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery this story brought.
I can not wait to carry on the adventures in book 2.
by Sarah, Beckenham
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical thriller. The characters were enthralling and the description of the sights and smells of life in London in Tudor times brought the characters and setting to life. The way the author weaves in real events and people gave the book realism and educated me to the political and social influences of the time. A great read for those who love historical fiction with a good dose of suspense and political intrigue thrown in
by Jen
Before I start my review, I feel I should confess that The Conjuror’s Apprentice is my very first historical crime read. I’m happy to say, it won’t be my last.
Our main characters are Dr John Dee, a learned man who has fallen out of favour with court. Bloody Mary being a formidable, lethal Monarch for those not sharing her religious beliefs, or those using what was considered unbiblical practices, such as Dee.
Margaretta Morgan to outward appearances, is Dee’s maid. In reality, Margaretta is far more than that, she has perceptive powers, being able to feel the emotions of others in close proximity. An ability which makes her invaluable to Dee, but also would have her sitting on one of Mary Tudor’s pyres, if this became known by the wrong person.
Tudor England is not a safe time to stand out from the crowd, suspicion and mistrust are rife.
I mistakenly thought historical crimes would be simpler, less complex somehow, but having read the book it feels anything but simple. The modern motivations of greed and power, are age old.
In current times we take free speech for granted in the West. In this time, merely having an alternative opinion was hugely dangerous, let alone voicing those thoughts. The fear experienced by the characters runs deep, it is a constant. In a time of such mistrust, knowing who is an ally is a life or death judgement.
The author’s writing brought the characters to life in my mind, I could feel their fear and desperation. The supporting cast are richly drawn.
The settings were vividly described, I could see, and smell them.
Having read the Historical Notes, I see how skilfully the author blended fiction with historical facts, into the engaging fictional story I have just read. It is such an interesting time in history, and if the author writes any further books featuring these characters, I look forward to reading them.
Having finished The Conjuror’s Apprentice, I did some further reading on Dr John Dee. It brought a smile to see he married Katherine Constable, and also to see him referred to as the original 007.
I would like to thank GJ Williams for kindly giving me a copy of her book, and also thank author Chris Lloyd for introducing us earlier this year.
by Markell
I thoroughly enjoyed this debut historical crime novel by GJ Williams. It is the first in a planned series featuring the imagine investigations of a real historical character and his fictional assistant or apprentice. The real person, and the conjuror of the title, is the fascinating Elizabethan polymath, astronomer, alchemist and occultist John Dee. I say Elizabethan, but in this first story, the sitting monarch is Mary Tudor, presiding over a fierce pogrom of Protestants and struggling to provide herself and her husband, Philip of Spain, with an heir. Dee’s assistant is a young Welsh woman, Margaretta, who is blessed with advanced intuitive skills which are of use to her master. Dee is charged by William Cecil, Elizabeth’s future Secretary of State and right-hand man, with investigating a violent death which is rapidly followed by a string of connected others. The plot winds its way through various gripping twists and turns towards a satisfactory conclusion. Engaging and compelling, this looks like being a series which will be well worth following.
by michael j kendrew
I don’t know where this debut author has been hiding but I hope GJ Williams is planning a long series. The Conjuror’s Apprentice transports you into Tudor London and the political intrigues of the time. A clever and very well-written crime mystery which combines real people with wonderful imagined characters as they go through the building tension of murders and threats. Fast paced, full of action and great twists. As captivating as the Shardlake mysteries. Bring on the second in the series please!
by Rob
I have always been fascinated by Dr. Dee, thus was eager to read this novel. I wasn’t disappointed! A superb story which captured the scheming, anxiety and uncertainty during the reign of Mary. The esoteric Dr and his assistant, the scheming courtiers, from zealots to survivors, all come to life in this wonderful tale! The descriptions are superlative; indeed, one can smell the streets, taste the fear and uncertainty as the characters attempt to uncover a diabolical plot. I will certainly be ready to pre-order the next episode!
by Miss E J Bryne
I love this period of history and have read extensively around Tudor England. It was immediately clear the author had a love and passion for it too – the research was meticulous. The plot and characters were really believable (whether of the fictional or historical kind) and I was hooked from the first page. Finished it in two days flat! Thoroughly recommend. Can’t wait for the next in the series. I love CJ Sansom’s Shardlake series and this is in the same league! Well done GJ Williams.