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Black Drop - Laurence Jago (Paperback)
Leonora Nattrass (author)Published: 12/05/2022
Redolent of the febrile revolutionary atmosphere of late eighteenth-century London, Nattrass' masterly debut crime thriller revolves around an opium-addicted clerk and a letter which could destroy the British army were it uncovered.
This is the confession of Laurence Jago. Clerk. Gentleman. Spy. July 1794, and London is filled with rumours of revolution. The war against the French is not going in Britain's favour, and negotiations with America are on a knife edge.
Laurence Jago, Foreign Office clerk, is ever more reliant on opium - the Black Drop - to ease his nightmares. A highly sensitive letter, whose contents could lead to the destruction of the British Army, has been leaked to the press and Laurence is a suspect. Then he discovers the body of a fellow clerk - a supposed suicide - and it seems clear where the blame truly lies. But Laurence is certain both of his friend's innocence, and that he was murdered. But after years of hiding his own secrets from his powerful employers, can Laurence find the true culprit without ending up on the gallows himself?
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd
ISBN: 9781788165938
Number of pages: 416
Weight: 320 g
Dimensions: 196 x 128 x 30 mm
Edition: Main
MEDIA REVIEWS
Excellent... Filled with memorable characters, Black Drop offers first-class entertainment - Sunday Times
A strikingly assured and intelligent first novel about power, conspiracy and the lengths to which the influential will go to ensure their survival. Nattrass is confident enough in her knowledge of the period to avoid loading her narrative with explanations - Literary Review
A fine debut that weaves the complex politics of 18th-century Britain into a gripping murder mystery - The Times
As nimbly realised as by the genre's master, Andrew Taylor - Financial Times
This opium-fuelled gem is a murderous romp through the tangled roots of British democracy - Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEAL
A joy from start to finish... giving a real sense of the intrigues behind closed doors. Jago is a very sympathetic hero - Andrew Taylor, author of THE ASHES OF LONDON
A thrilling slice of pitch-dark historical fiction, led by a superbly engaging narrator... Deserves to be huge - Emma Stonex, author of THE LAMPLIGHTERS
Foreign Office clerk Laurence Jago has been accused of being a traitor, but when a colleague dies, blame shifts. Thrilling - Crime Monthly
A gripping, intricate story of Georgian high politics and low life. Leonora Nattrass's historical spy novel is top notch - W.C. Ryan, author of A HOUSE OF GHOSTS
A riveting political thriller, set at a fulcrum-point in global history. The setting is viscerally immersive and the characters spring to life from the page. This masterful narrative of deception, intrigue and heroism unfolds with compelling pace, wry humour and acute psychological observation. Gripping, moving and utterly engaging - Philippa East, author of LITTLE WHITE LIES
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“Clever and twisty”
Laurence Jago hides a secret from his employers. As a government clerk in a time where England and France are becoming enemies, Jago does not want it known that he is half-French and fluent in the language. However... More
“Atmospheric and very enjoyable!”
It’s the year 1794, and right from the start, we know that Laurence Jago (clerk to the Foreign Office) has secrets - the kind of secrets that, (should he be found out), would result in his head being placed on a spike... More
“great historical spy thriller”
I received a free review copy from Serpent’s Tail/Viper/Profile in exchange for my honest, unedited feedback.
In 1794, Laurence Jago is an ambitious clerk at the Foreign Office but has a secret- well a few secrets-...
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