‘The Butcher of Smithfield’ by Susanna Gregory. Published by Little Brown. January 2008. ISBN: 978-1-84744-062-4.

The Butcher of Smithfield is the third book in the series to feature the reluctant spy Thomas Chaloner.  Having just returned from a covert expedition to Spain and Portugal on behalf of Queen Elizabeth I many things appear to have changed since he left.  Tax has been introduced by the Government on printed newspapers and only hand written reports of the news are exempt.  This gives rise to a bitter rivalry between the makers of the two means of disseminating the news.  The combat to be the first with the latest and hottest news leads to violent occurrences taking place.  When a number of people (and specifically a lawyer) who have eaten cucumbers die rather brutally, Chaloner is asked to look into the matter.  Chaloner finds himself investigating the “Butcher of Smithfield” a shady trader whose bunch of criminals go around terrifying all and sundry.  As he delves into the manner in which news is obtained he finds that his own safety is on the line as he endeavours to breach the barrier encircling the Butcher of Smithfield and reveal his true identity.

The Butcher of Smithfield takes place after the period of Oliver Cromwell the Lord Protector and readers are drawn into a fascinating period of history with a character that must certainly have his wits about him unless he wants to find himself losing his head.  The series is wonderfully evocative of the time and the author has most certainly cemented her reputation with this series as an inventive writer who is adept at capturing the essence of the period.  Chaloner is a Restoration spy and is a character that has gone from strength to strength as the series has progressed and while this may only be the third book in the series I am in no doubt that he will soon garner a legion of fans who will undoubtedly want to read more about him.  Readers who enjoy well written historical crime fiction with a sense of danger would do well to add this series to their reading list.

------

Ayo Onatade