Book Blurb:
James Bentley was born and raised in a brothel as the son of a spurned courtesan. Now established as a conman of the highest quality, entrepreneur and respected businessman, he harbours a dark side, a penchant for abducting and abusing virgins to work in his brothels. Cold and heartless he is indifferent to the chaos and ruin he leaves in his wake, including his son, Malachi.
By chance, James is introduced to alcoholic, womanising Patrick Curtis with the opportunity to acquire premises on The Strand for a high-class brothel and further funding for his fictitious projects. In so doing he meets Patrick's domestically abused wife Lilly. The pair are instantly drawn to each other and after James' disclosures of his past, the relationship is cemented. They have a problem, Patrick.
Malachi coming of age at sixteen is told of his origins and whilst offered the position of clerk to the Bow Street Magistrate he exposes secrets of those he loves and those he will come to love.
Will Lilly and James enjoy life together or will the spectre's of his past come back to haunt him and with what consequences?
Buy Link: https://geni.us/J0lXtfS
Author Bio:
Peter Baggott is an author with a deep interest in history particularly Roman. He has served in three uniformed employments and is very familiar with Roman tactics which are still used in everyday life.
Peter chose for his writing this Roman historical genre because of his innate interest in the subject and having been born in the Roman city of Lindvm, modern-day Lincoln.
In his teens, on a daily basis, while delivering newspapers, Peter traversed the exposed Roman remains from The Steep to the Newport Arch, the only full Roman archway in Great Britain.
Peter has also visited numerous Roman sites, both in the UK and in Europe and has used original Roman historical sources of Tacitus, Suetonius and Dio, Google Maps for distancing and location, Wikipedia and several archaeological online sources. Thus, he tries to keep abreast with new finds upgrading his work accordingly.
His new Crime-based project is centred around Covent Garden at the turn of the 17/18th centuries prior to the establisment of the Bow Street Runners. He chose period crime writing rather than write about his own Police experiences. He has an interest in the origins of the Police and what led up to its establishment.
The period chosen reflects many of the same problems we face and suffer today.
With thanks to Michael Terence Publishing www.mtp.agency
Please message at: peterbaggott_author@hotmail.com
Twitter: @baggott_scot
FRENCH:
Peter Baggott est un auteur qui s’intéresse profondément à l’histoire, en particulier romaine. Il a occupé trois postes en uniforme et connaît très bien les tactiques romaines qui sont encore utilisées dans la vie quotidienne.
Peter a choisi pour son écriture ce genre historique romain en raison de son intérêt inné pour le sujet et d’être né dans la ville romaine de Lindvm, aujourd’hui Lincoln.
À l’adolescence, tous les jours, alors qu’il livrait des journaux, Peter parcourait les vestiges romains exposés de The Steep à l’arche de Newport, la seule arche romaine complète en Grande-Bretagne.
Peter a également visité de nombreux sites romains, à la fois au Royaume-Uni et en Europe et a utilisé des sources historiques romaines originales de Tacite, Suétone et Dio, Google Maps pour la distanciation et l’emplacement, Wikipedia et plusieurs sources archéologiques en ligne. Ainsi, il essaie de se tenir au courant des nouvelles trouvailles améliorant son travail en conséquence.
Son nouveau projet basé sur le crime est centré sur Covent Garden au tournant des 17/18ème siècles avant la création des Bow Street Runners. Il a choisi l’écriture de crimes d’époque plutôt que d’écrire sur ses propres expériences policières. Il s’intéresse aux origines de la police et à ce qui a conduit à sa création.
La période choisie reflète bon nombre des mêmes problèmes que nous affrontons et souffrons aujourd’hui.
Merci à Michael Terence Publishing www.mtp.agency
S’il vous plaît envoyer un message à: peterbaggott_author@hotmail.com
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/peter.baggott.10
Twitter : @baggott_scot
GERMAN:
Peter Baggott ist ein Autor mit einem tiefen Interesse an Geschichte, insbesondere an Roman. Er hat in drei uniformierten Anstellungen gedient und ist sehr vertraut mit römischen Taktiken, die immer noch im Alltag verwendet werden.
Peter wählte für sein Schreiben dieses römische historische Genre wegen seines angeborenen Interesses an dem Thema und seiner Geburt in der römischen Stadt Lindvm, dem heutigen Lincoln.
Als Teenager durchquerte Peter täglich, während er Zeitungen auslieferte, die freigelegten römischen Überreste von The Steep bis zum Newport Arch, dem einzigen vollständigen römischen Torbogen in Großbritannien.
Peter hat auch zahlreiche römische Stätten sowohl in Großbritannien als auch in Europa besucht und originale römische historische Quellen von Tacitus, Sueton und Dio, Google Maps für Distanzierung und Standort, Wikipedia und mehrere archäologische Online-Quellen verwendet. So versucht er, mit neuen Funden Schritt zu halten, die seine Arbeit entsprechend aufwerten.
Sein neues Crime-based Projekt dreht sich um Covent Garden an der Wende des 17./18. Jahrhunderts vor der Gründung der Bow Street Runners. Er entschied sich für das Schreiben von Historischen Verbrechen, anstatt über seine eigenen Polizeierfahrungen zu schreiben. Er interessiert sich für die Ursprünge der Polizei und was zu ihrer Gründung geführt hat.
Der gewählte Zeitraum spiegelt viele der gleichen Probleme wider, mit denen wir heute konfrontiert sind und leiden.
Mit Dank an Michael Terence Publishing www.mtp.agency
Bitte senden Sie eine Nachricht an: peterbaggott_author@hotmail.com
Twitter: @baggott_scot
Editorial Review:
The Covent Garden Mysteries: Enigma by Peter Baggott tells the story of James Bentley, an unsavory character. Raised in brothels, Bentley has learned to run his own criminal schemes and has an obsession with drugging and abducting young virgins for his own pleasures. When Bentley is introduced to Patrick Curtis, an alcoholic and womanizer, and a business relationship is born, Bentley soon meets Curtis’ wife, Lilly, and things begin to escalate. Even though Lilly is a married woman, Bentley still finds himself attracted and drawn to her, and, to Bentley’s delight, Lilly feels the same way but Patrick stands in the way of them being together. Bentley’s past indiscretions also seem to be catching up with him. His illegitimate son, Malachi, has come of age and learned who his father is. Things become more and more complicated as Lilly and Bentley try to build a life together.
“His driver, Daniel, jumped down and approached the begging hands, encouraging the gathered to the blind side of the carriage while Bentley, unnoticed, carried a semi-conscious young woman to his room.”
One of the gems of The Covent Garden Mysteries: Enigma is that the author really develops his characters and their backgrounds. It is done incredibly seamlessly and is built into the story nicely so that the reader barely even notices how much information they know about each character. The majority of the characters are engaged in some sort of unsavory work which can make them hard to connect with for many readers. Even though James is clearly the antagonist, his criminal behavior sometimes makes it difficult to truly like him.
“Bentley arrived shortly thereafter on foot greeting the poor with a smiling face and copper coins winning their admiration and silence with his magnanimity. Abishai lay like a discarded doll on fresh sheets serviced by Molly. Bentley undressed Abishai, admiring her as he secured her hands and feet. Rape was not a word he understood or countenanced. Abishai bit down on the gag as Bentley forced himself on her.”
Set in eighteenth-century London, Baggott explores the darker and less glamorous side of London during this time period. The novel is focused almost solely on prostitutes, conmen, and criminals. His interest in the time period and the sex industry of the time is obvious from the topic and content of the book. London was also a bustling place during this time period, and the book demonstrates that nicely. Baggott seems to have done his research and maintained historical accuracy. The beginning of the book even has a section of information about the time as well as a small glossary with terms specific to the time period and content. This also helps the readers to understand the story better.
“The cellar was a dark uninviting place; damp ran down the walls and only a single oil lamp flickered, moved by an unknown breeze. A large black rat emerged from its hiding place under the floor; it was not the sour smell of old urine or the musky sex-stained mattresses, but the smell of fresh blood that drew it.”
Baggott’s writing is wonderful. It is easy to read and understand. The pacing is also done well so there are really no places that feel like the story is dragging. The book is also free of grammatical errors, making it easy to read. It is also well-formatted and readers shouldn’t have any trouble navigating the book.
“A preoccupied Patrick drank heavily throughout the meal, calling for brandy when he suggested that they move to the parlour, whereas Lilly and James savoured their glasses. Lilly offered chocolate or coffee as an alternative to the brandy.”
The intended audience for The Covent Garden Mysteries: Enigma is most likely those who prefer historical fiction set in England in the eighteenth century. Those who enjoy mysteries and a touch of romance will also find this book enjoyable. It is easy to understand and is not overly long so it would be a good choice for first-time historical fiction readers.
“Once in her room, Lilly slumped onto her bed filled with thoughts of Bentley. She wiped away rogue tears turning her thoughts to preparing the room next door, while Patrick ranted over his loss and drowned his sorrows before the large parlour fire.”
The Covent Garden Mysteries: Enigma does contain content, such as rape, drugs, and abductions, that many readers will struggle with. While this content is pertinent to the plot of the book, they can still be difficult topics to read about and these scenes certainly add to the unlikeability of several of the characters. A warning at the front of the book for more sensitive readers might be a beneficial addition.
“With his looks and bearing, he had become a magnet to prostitutes, young and old. The banter was friendly but sexualised, often 206 leading to intervention by the older market women for the embarrassed young man they had taken into their hearts.”
Overall, great writing, a touch of romance, mystery, and historical accuracy earn The Covent Garden Mysteries: Enigma a 3.5 rating. Some readers may struggle to connect with or find redeeming qualities in the characters. It offers a refreshing change of pace, however, from more traditional eighteenth-century British tales. It’s a unique take on the dark side of London during the eighteenth century that will intrigue readers and keep their attention all the way to the last page.
******
“The Covent Garden Mysteries – Enigma” by Peter Baggott receives 3.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
Posted with permission from the author.
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