The Audible narrator was not great. Though he was proficient with the numerous accents required of him, he droned on and on. I would listen for about 40 minutes, then realize I had no idea what was happening in the story. So, I would either re-listen, or play catch up at home with the physical book. This was not helped by the fact that numerous characters are introduced within each chapter and from chapter to chapter making a poor narrator a significant challenge. In the end, I gave this 3 stars (rather than 2) because anything less than 3 usually means it was consigned to my DNF list.

I confess I was glad of the cast list at the start of the book as there are quite a few names to retain. However, following on from The Bloodless Boy, in The Poison Machine, the main characters become more distinct to the reader. I especially liked the development of Grace because she refuses to conform to the norms of the times. She’s a well balanced combination of strength and vulnerability that makes her feel all the more real. I’m not sure I could endure some of her adventures with quite such equanimity!The book has different story paths and we go along with Harry on his as well as getting insight into the shady bad guys and their dastardly plans, murder/robbery and darker still. King, Queen and all manners of important people are throughout the book as well as a stint in one of the jails, ooft I really felt for the person at that point. The author really paints a vivid picture of the horrific conditions and depending on your imagination, quite boak worthy.

I'm represented by Gaia Banks at Sheil Land Associates literary agency. Many thanks are due to Gaia, who has championed both books with an astonishing energy and attention to detail. The mystery itself was not as engaging as in The Bloodless Boy. I pegged at least one of the people "whodunit" pretty early on, so it was no surprise. I DID like the inclusion of Grace Hooke as a bigger part of the story than in The Bloodless Boy. I’ve never read a mystery set in this time period, & it was really fun! I enjoyed learning a bit about how the English justice system handled murder inquiries at the time. The setting was also decently written, & the scenes on the water were especially interesting.

The Poison Machine

The Poison Machine” is the second book of author Robert J Lloyd, and the second installment in his Hunt & Hooke series. As with the first book, this is wonderfully written, with historical detail painting a vivid picture of London and Paris in 1679. Look what's happening while I'm talking to you," Aharish interrupted the broadcast in front of Almog Boker.

In a thrilling sequel to The Bloodless Boy —a New York Times Best New Historical Novel of 2021 —featuring real historic characters such as Christopher Wren and Issac Newton, early scientists Harry Hunt and Robert Hook of the Royal Society stumble on a plot to kill the Queen of England . . .London, 1679-A year has passed since the attempt to murder King Charles II, but London is still a viper's nest of rumored Catholic conspiracies, and of plots against them in turn. When Harry Hunt-estranged from his mentor Robert Hooke-is summoned to the remote and windswept marshes of Norfolk, he is at first relieved to get away from the place. London, 1679 — A year has passed since the sensational attempt to murder King Charles II, but London is still a viper’s nest of rumored Catholic conspiracies, and of plots against them in turn. When Harry Hunt — estranged from his mentor Robert Hooke — is summoned to the remote and windswept marshes of Norfolk, he is at first relieved to get away from the place.

After witnessing Hudson’s body and confirming his identity, Hunt sets off from The Fens on an incredible journey that takes him to Paris, a city as rife with spies and plots as the one he left behind. There are multiple obstacles put in his way but Harry Hunt is a tenacious individual, unwilling to let anything deter him from his final goal. The Poison Machine takes place a year after the end of the previous book, The Bloodless Boy and follows Harry Hunt, as he becomes estranged from his mentor, Robert Hooke, early in the book and gets involved in international mysteries and assassination plots.Harry, despite some rash & oblivious behavior, is a sympathetic character & I was rooting for him to succeed. Anyone who enjoyed the first book or is a disciple of Tudor-Stuart fiction won’t be disappointed with this story. After a strong start, I got slightly bogged down but became totally engaged once Harry found himself in an almighty scrape in Paris. I award five well-deserved stars. London, 1679— A year has passed since the attempt to murder King Charles II, but London is still a viper's nest of rumored Catholic conspiracies, and of plots against them in turn. When Harry Hunt—estranged from his mentor Robert Hooke—is summoned to the remote and windswept marshes of Norfolk, he is at first relieved to get away from the place. The Bloodless Boy uses real characters and real science, or 'experimental philosophy' as it was known. 17th century experiments in blood transfusion and preservation of bodies in a vacuum drag the young Observator of the Royal Society, Harry Hunt, (who was Robert Hooke's assistant), into the hysteria of the Popish Plot. It pits him against Titus Oates, Lord Shaftesbury, and a sinister villain called Lefèvre. The hunt for the impersonator takes Harry to Paris, full of conspiracies, intrigues, plots to kill the Queen and catholic members of the court.