A Conspiracy of Violence

A Conspiracy of Violence is the first novel by Susanna Gregory that I have read and it is her first with a new main character. Thomas Chaloner is a spy who used to work for Cromwell's spymaster John Thurloe but now finds himself unemployed. The action takes place in the third year of the Restoration. The newly enthroned Charles the second takes a very pragmatic attitude towards former supporters of Cromwell. Whilst those who had a hand in his father's death are remorselessly hunted down others are either hired by the new government or allowed to slide quietly into retirement. Thurloe is one of this latter category and is still consulted behind the scenes and uses his influence to recommend Chaloner to the Earl of Clarendon who sets him to work searching for treasure supposedly hidden in the Tower of London. Needless to say this only leads to more complex plots and danger for Chaloner. This is a very well written and researched novel which gave me hours of pleasure and I heartily recommend it.