The King's Evil

The King's Evil follows Cat Lovett and James Marwood in 1660s London as they become entangled in murder and political intrigue. When a dead body appears at Clarendon House, home to one of Charles II's most trusted advisors, Marwood must investigate while navigating dangerous waters between rival court factions. The story takes place against the backdrop of the Restoration period, with London rebuilding after the Great Fire. Cat and Marwood's paths intersect with historical figures including the king himself, as they pursue separate missions that lead them through the city's grand houses and menacing back alleys. The novel continues Andrew Taylor's Marwood and Lovett series, building on the complex relationship between its two protagonists while functioning as a standalone mystery. The period details and medical practices of the era, including the royal practice of touching for "the king's evil" (scrofula), are woven naturally into the narrative. This historical crime novel explores themes of loyalty, power, and the fine line between truth and deception in Restoration England. The story raises questions about whom to trust in a society where everyone wears a mask, literally during court masquerades and figuratively in their daily lives.

Readers describe The King's Evil as a slow-burning historical mystery that rewards patient reading. Many note it works best for those already familiar with the previous books in the series. Readers highlighted: - Period details and atmosphere of 1660s London - Complex, morally ambiguous characters - Historical accuracy and research - Integration of real historical figures Common criticisms: - Plot moves too slowly in first half - Too many characters to track - Requires knowledge of previous books - Political intrigue can be confusing Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (200+ ratings) Multiple readers noted struggling with the large cast - one Amazon reviewer wrote "I needed a character chart to keep track." Several Goodreads reviews mentioned the rich historical details, with one calling it "like time travel to Restoration London." A frequent comment was that while excellent, this is not a good entry point to the series.

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🔹 The King's Evil is part of the James Marwood & Cat Lovett series, set in Restoration London after the Great Fire of 1666, and gets its title from the historical practice of Royal Touch - where monarchs were believed to cure scrofula (tuberculosis of the lymph nodes) by touching afflicted subjects. 🔹 Author Andrew Taylor has won the Crime Writers' Association's Diamond Dagger award for lifetime achievement, joining ranks with legendary crime writers like P.D. James and Ruth Rendell. 🔹 The novel weaves real historical figures into its narrative, including the notorious duchess Barbara Villiers, one of Charles II's most influential mistresses who wielded significant political power at court. 🔹 Much of the book's action takes place in the Savoy district of London, an area that historically held special legal status as a "liberty," operating outside normal city jurisdiction and often harboring criminals and fugitives. 🔹 The story incorporates authentic period details about 17th-century medicine and early forensic practices, including the use of "sin-eaters" - people paid to eat bread passed over a corpse, symbolically absorbing the deceased's sins.