Holy Spy cover art

Holy Spy

John Shakespeare 7

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Holy Spy

By: Rory Clements
Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
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About this listen

For fans of C J Sansom and S J Parris, Holy Spy features the Queen's Intelligencer John Shakespeare in the latest of Rory Clements' acclaimed and best-selling series of Tudor spy thrillers.

Clements, winner of the Ellis Peters Historical Fiction Award, "does for Elizabeth's reign what C.J. Sansom does for Henry VIII's" (Sunday Times).

In London's smoky taverns, a conspiracy is brewing: a group of wealthy, young Catholic dissidents plot to assassinate Elizabeth, free Mary Queen of Scots - and open England to Spanish invasion. But the conspirators have been infiltrated by Sir Francis Walsingham's top intelligencer, John Shakespeare. Shakespeare, however, is torn: The woman he loves stands accused of murder.

In a desperate race against time, he must save her from the noose and the realm from treachery. And then it dawns that both investigations are inextricably linked - by corruption very close to the seat of power....

©2015 Rory Clements (P)2015 Hodder & Stoughton Historical Mystery England Fiction Espionage Tudor

Critic Reviews

"Clements has the edge when it comes to creating a lively, fast-moving plot." ( The Sunday Times)
"Enjoyable, bloody and brutish." ( Guardian)
"Real quality...faster moving than C. J. Sansom...very, very well done." ( Front Row, BBC Radio 4)
All stars
Most relevant  
This story uses as its spring the tragic plot by Anthony Babington and his Catholic friends to murder Elizabeth and put her cousin, Mary, on the English throne. The story is read with great intelligence - a wonderful success. This is probably my favourite Rory Clements novel. Thank you sincerely, Audible, for this gem.

A powerful story beautifully read

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