This historical novel by an English writer covers a turbulent period of British history from the 1640s, 50s, 60s and 70s. This includes the beheading of King Charles I in 1649, the turbulent and violent Parliamentary rule by Oliver Cromwell and the roundheads thereafter until 1660 when monarchy was restored under Charles II of Scotland.
The title refers to the prolonged search for the killers of the king, as they scattered around the world. The Great Fire of London in 1666 and the complicated first English Civil War between 1642 and 1646 are all described in detail.
Most of the plot is concerned with the vengeful search for General Edward Whalley and his son-in-law, Colonel Wm. Goffe who flee to what is now New England and are moved around surreptitiously in hiding by a variety of Puritanical compatriots who seem to all be convinced that they are doing God’s work and tote and quote bible verses extensively. The date of the second coming that they predict from reading and interpreting passages from the book of Revelations passes without Christ’s appearance to the consternation of many.
Some of the geography and a few street names were familiar to me, having lived in New Haven for three years; at one point it was considered to be a separate colony from Connecticut.
This audiobook narrator did not do a great job of conveying the imagined conversations of female characters.
This book may be of great interest to dedicated history buffs, and provides a vivid picture of the era.
3/5
The Passionate Reader 