The King's Evil

Christopher Redmayne #1

by Edward Marston

A PERILOUS INVESTIGATION IN THE HEART OF LONDON RAVAGED BY THE GREAT FIRE

September 1666. Meeting in the ashes of a devastated London, Christopher Redmayne, an architect with Cavalier instincts, and Jonathan Bale, a Puritan constable, are hardly kindred spirits. Redmayne dedicates himself to rebuilding the city that Bale believes was destroyed by its own inner corruption.

The two men are thrown together when they catch thieves who are stealing from the house that Redmayne has designed for Sir Ambrose Northcott. The foul murder of Sir Ambrose joins them again, albeit reluctantly, in a complex and dangerous investigation that takes them through the brothels and gaming houses of Restoration London, right to the heart of the King’s court.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Crime, 17th Century

340 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 5, 1999

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

A pseudonym used by Keith Miles
AKA A.E. Marston

Keith Miles (born 1940) is an English author, who writes under his own name and also historical fiction and mystery novels under the pseudonym Edward Marston. He is known for his mysteries set in the world of Elizabethan theatre. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book, a series of The Railway Detective and a series of The Home Front Detective.


Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, engaging and historically informative, I especially and gratefully appreciate how in the first of his Christopher Redmayne mysteries, how in The King's Evil author Edward Marston allows the friendship between the two main protagonists, between Christopher Redmayne and Jonathan Bale to progress slowly, organically, and yes, even at times very much much awkwardly, painfully (and therefore also totally realistically, considering their vast and at first almost insurmountable differences both socially and religiously), that there is not some sudden deus ex machina enlightenment of immediate companionship, of sympathy and compatibility of character discovered as if by magic (or by divine grace). And indeed, both Redmayne and Bale are conceptualised by the author as realistically, with both having (like generally and naturally most individuals would) their good points, their laudable character traits as well as their faults (and while there are indeed scores of potential villains presented by Edward Marston throughout The King's Evil, even they for the most part and generally appear as human beings, and not as monster types or caricatures, which in my opinion actually tends to render their villainy not only more believable but also more potentially frightening upon discovery).

Now the only personally annoying quibble I do have with regard to The King's Evil is that like with most if not actually all of Edward Marston's historical mysteries I have read to date, I would definitely have appreciated a bit more length and description in The King's Evil (as Marston's historical fiction novels always do have such massively interesting premisses and themes, but for me, are usually or at least often rather annoyingly short, with not nearly enough background information presented, or rather worse and frustratingly, background details that are enticingly hinted at, but do not ever quite fully materialise). Still The King's Evil presents a more than promising start to an interesting series, and is highly recommended for fans of historical fiction and historical mysteries (especially mysteries set in the rather limited time frame of the British Restoration, in the aftermath of the Great Fire of London, the reign of King Charles II, who is both amusingly and in many ways, very much delightfully accurately portrayed).

[Stevie Carroll · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about this one. The mystery was interesting enough, but I couldn't quite believe in Christopher as a man of his time. Not a series that I'm desperate to keep following.

[P.D.R. Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘The King’s Evil’ is a reprint of the first of the Christopher Redmayne novels, a historical mystery series set in Restoration England. This is one of Edward Marston’s five historical series and each series has a devoted readership. I’m particularly fond of the Victorian Railway Detective, Inspector Robert Colbeck, and the Elizabethan stage manager, Nicholas Bracewell. Marston has a solid grip on his craft and all his books are well written, well researched and a most enjoyable read.

‘The King’s Evil’, first published in 1999, sets the Redmayne series off with a cracking plot and two main characters who are delightfully mismatched. The novel begins with the fire of London slowly taking hold, and Jonathon Bale, the strong minded, monarch-disapproving puritan constable, at work defending his area from its ravages. Christopher Redmayne, the Dean of Oxford’s son, newly qualified architect, supporter of the restored monarchy, arrives after the fire, and hopes to rebuild a better, more beautiful London. The pair meet when hunting thieves stealing building materials from the house Redmayne designed, and when Redmayne’s employer is murdered they work together to catch the murderer.

It’s a nicely convoluted plot, guessing whodunit or whydunnit is not easy, and the ending leaves the reader looking for the next in the series, if only to see how poor Jonathon Bale copes now he has to work for the King. One of the joys of Marston’s novels is that light touch of humour and Bale and Redmayne reacting to each other can make a reader laugh out loud. Highly recommended.

[Karen Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

The King’s Evil is the first in a series by Edward Marston (who wrote the marvellous Nicholas Bracewell series set in Elizabethan England) set during the Restoration and the early years of Charles II’s reign. The year is 1666, immediately after the Great Fire has decimated London and rebuilding is commencing. The book introduces the reader to young and aspiring architect Christopher Redmayne, while the series follows his fortunes and misfortunes. Though blessed with great talent, Redmayne’s greatest misfortune appears to be his brother, Henry, a Cavalier reprobate. He’s also lumbered with a God-fearing Dean for a father, a man Henry at least, fears more than the Lord Himself.
When thieves are caught ransacking materials from a house Redmayne has been commissioned to build, he’s thrown into the company of Jonathan Bale, a Puritan constable who has no time for the likes of Redmayne, let alone his brother. Forced to work together, Redmayne and Bale must solve, not only the mystery of the thieves, but also find who’s responsible for murdering the owner of the house Redmayne is building, the rather obnoxious, Sir Ambrose.
Forced to venture into houses of ill-repute – brothels and gaming – wander the crowded, dirty and dangerous streets, endure listening to lies and evasions, and encounter all types of citizens from the highest to the lowest, a grudging respect grows between Bale and Redmayne who find that, despite their wishes, if they want to bring this investigation to a close, two heads are better than one, particularly if they want to remain intact.
Well-written, Marston has a flair for capturing the period and this book is no exception. While Redmayne and Bale are well drawn, the brother, Henry tends to verge on caricature and some of the dialogue lacks the bawdy joy of his earlier series and can be long-winded and forced. Nonetheless, it was a very enjoyable read and I immediately downloaded the next one in the series.

[Vicky Thomasson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Marstons work before (I absolutely love the Elizabethan theatre series) so was looking forward to sinking my teeth into this. I wasn't disappointed, it is a well written novel laced with action and mystery. I love the two unlikely heroes, Christopher and Jonathan and I thought Henry was brilliant. Those who enjoy Historical fiction and action will love this.

[Moravian1297 · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having enjoyed the Dillman and Masefield series, for the most part, by author Edward Marston, I decided to give another series from his vast catalogue a bash, the Restoration set, Christopher Redmayne series.

About half way through however, I was still in a quandary on whether I'd be carrying on in the series, after I'd finished this first book, 'The King's Evil' ('The King's Evil' is the terminology given to the ritual act of the King touching an afflicted, usually with scrofula, subject, and allegedly curing them). This is because, up until that point, the story so far had been pretty linear and seemingly one dimensional, with not much in the way of subplots branching out along the way.

Obviously, the tale has the Restoration and the Great Fire of London as it's backdrop, where we even start proceedings in Pudding Lane, where the Great Fire had started, and which set the tone for the book's fairly decent era atmospherics. But having read quite a few historical fiction series and novels set in this time period recently (see my reviews of the 'Marwood & Lovett' series by Andrew Taylor, the 'Damien Seeker' series by S.G. MacLean and the 'Act of Oblivion' stand alone novel by Robert Harris), you're really gonna have to go some, to grab my attention and keep pace with those timeless modern classics! But even although there's really not much going on, besides the main plot's two murders and the conspiracy lying behind them, by the time I'd finished the book, it was the pleasingly fast pace, which was its saving grace, and which ultimately made me decide that I would continue on in the series.

Other factors which helped me come to this endeavor, was obviously the fact that I liked most of the main characters haha!
There were the three principle protagonists, Christopher Redmayne, his brother Henry Redmayne and Jonathan Bale. Fledgling architect Christopher, was indeed a thoroughly likeable chap, very much happy go lucky, and seemed to be progressive enough in his views, particularly for the era in which he lived. The polar opposite of his hedonistic brother, Henry, who's self indulgence and vanity seemed to perpetually propel him to his downfall. Who's veneer of respectability and propriety was paper thin, especially when easily seen through and put in his place by his brother, or indeed, King Charles II himself! Like when the three main protagonists had had an audience with the restored monarch on completion of their mission, which saw the murderers exposed and the Catholic plot at their heart foiled, and where they were to be congratulated and rewarded. However, whenever Henry said something to the group, that was plainly insincere or self serving, he was told to shut up or given a menacingly stern look by the King, as if he were an errant schoolboy! Along with Christopher and Jonathan Bale, I found those end scenes highly amusing indeed.
As mentioned there, we have the third primary character, the extremely pious and curmudgeonly puritan, Jonathan Bale. The local constable and family man, who's son's are named after Oliver and Richard Cromwell, which tells you everything you need to know about the man. Needless to say, he very much gets off on the wrong foot when he first encounters the architect Christopher Redmayne. Much to the architect's puzzlement, dismay and chagrin, the constable despises Redmayne after their first and several proceeding encounters, who seems to embody everything that Bale loathes about the Restoration. An attitude which, for the life of him, Christopher just can't fathom, as he's been nothing but pleasant toward Bale. Unbeknownst to Redmayne however, it’s precisely his seemingly amiable and brotherly bonhomie, that the constable finds so ingratiatingly insufferable. But, I'm pleased to tell you, by the time the tale is finishing, and both protagonists have saved each others lives, on more than one occasion, Jonathan Bale's wife is teasing him, that he now, does indeed like Christopher Redmayne!? Bale however, will only concede, that he doesn't not like him! Haha!

Nevertheless, as I've mentioned, we have the main plot, which is the murder of Henry's friend and Christopher's employer, corrupt businessman, Sir Ambrose Northcott, and eventually his obnoxious, Dickensian sounding lawyer, Solomon Creech. Whom, along with the Madame of one of Sir Northcott's brothels, Molly Mandrake, were unwittingly or otherwise pulled into a nefarious French Catholic plot to assassinate Charles II. The murderous plan being the brain child of a particularly Machiavellian intriguer named Jean-Paul Charentin. This, along with Henry Redmayne being a well acquainted customer of Madame Mandrake and her brothel, threw up this uproariously amusing line that I'd like to get off my chest,

'Jean-Paul Charentin?' Christopher asks his brother. 'Do you know the man?'
'Yes!' Sneered Henry. 'A contemptible Frenchman!'
'His name has came to my attention.' Replied the other.
'Wait until Molly's paps come to your attention! Mountains of pure joy. You will have no interest in a scurvy foreigner when they are bobbing away before your eyes. I could watch them for hours!'

This certainly appealed to my schoolboy sense of humour, and raised a titter or two with me, and it also really gives you the measure of the somewhat seedy man you're dealing with, and just what he likes to keep abreast of! Ooft! I'll get me coat.

So then, besides that, there are only really a couple of semi-subplots kicking about to any degree. There’s Christopher Redmayne's love interest, which is, once she shakes off her highly egregious and wholly detestable fiancé, George Strype, Sir Ambrose Northcott's daughter, Penelope Northcott. Whom, despite her being otherwise engaged, you just knew from the outset, was going to eventually get it on with Christopher!
And last but by no means least, we have Jonathan Bale's bizarrely named, Quaker neighbour, Jesus-Died-To-Save-Me Thorpe and his wife Hail-Mary. Now, if you thought Bale and his puritan protestant religious views were fanatical, they have absolutely nothing on this fellow from the ’Society of Friends’! Jesus-Died-To-Save-Me's extreme fundamentalist thinking, is seemingly so self righteous and bigoted, they’re simply off the feckin’ charts, and you'd think that I'd hate, or at least dislike the character to some degree, wouldn’t you? But strangely no, I found that I somewhat liked him, haha! I may not have agreed in much of what he believed, being a dyed in the wool atheist, and a beyond saving sinner, but I really admired his stoicism and indefatigability. His willingness to stand alone, and not compromise his beliefs (reminding myself there, of Ian Bannen's Robert the Bruce Sr line from the 1995 Mel Gibson movie ’Braveheart’, 'Uncompromising men are easy to admire. He has courage, so does a dog. But it is exactly the ability to compromise that makes a man noble' haha!), was very much commendable, and is a trait I definitely find attractive, in a comradery sense that is. Especially when he was publicly pilloried, and I'd like to think, just as Jonathan did, I'd also have helped him ease his suffering. Unfortunately, Jesus-Died-To-Save-Me and his wife, were shipping off to the New World and Massachusetts, before he ends up being imprisoned or transported for his inability to toe the line. So unfortunately, I doubt he'll be in the next story, which after writing this review, I'm now feeling nostalgic for haha, and I am very much looking forward to the next installment! And much to Jonathan Bale's dismay, King Charles II has warned him, along with the Redmayne brothers, Christopher and Henry, to be on their toes, as a new Restoration adventure awaits, where much intrigue will no doubt ensue! The King is dead! Long live the King! Woohoo!

[Joanne Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest it's more 4and a half but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. An enjoyable mystery and characters I rather liked but the solution, while feasible, was a bit of a stretch from the information we had.
I shall, nevertheless, be moving on to the next book with all speed. lol

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bleargh. Life is too short to read this book.

[John William Boundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable book, good pace, well developed plot. Look forward to the rest of the series.

[Mostly Murders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 in the Christopher Redmayne series.

Christopher Redmayne, the talented, handsome, younger Redmayne son, has yet to find his calling in life, but after the Great Fire of London ravages the city, he decides to embark on a career as an architect. Helped along by his older brother Henry, an incurable hedonist with many contacts throughout the higher echelons of London, Redmayne secures a commision for Sir Ambrose Northcott, an influential man of both wealth and title and a Member of Parliament.

But as Redmayne begins working on Sir Ambrose’s house, he is hindered first by a string of thefts of building materials, and then, even more catastrophically, by the murder of Sir Ambrose. Determined to track down the killer, Christopher teams up with Jonathan Bale, a puritan constable who is wholly dedicated to his work and instantly dislikes and distrusts Christopher.

A historical mystery with an amateur sleuth/official police constable duo set in London in 1666. The unlikely pairing of the suave, modern thinking Christopher Redmayne and the strict and traditional Jonathan Bale is interesting and entertaining, and the depiction of London and its resident in both upper and lower society is descriptive and engaging.

[M.H. Thaung]

This historical mystery is set mainly in 17th century London, against a background of the Great Fire's aftermath and political and religious tension. Christopher Redmayne secures his first commission as an architect, but his job becomes more complicated when he has to deal with theft and then murder. Constable Jonathan Bale is involved from a different angle, and the two men are forced to pool their efforts.

I'm not normally keen on lavish descriptions, but I thought they worked well here to give a good sense of the historical period. The plot moved along nicely. I felt towards the end that the author was being obtrusively coy with concealing things from the reader (ie being vague about something specific a character noticed when it was right in front of them). Additionally, although the banter between characters was fun, it became a bit overdone towards the end.

Overall, an enjoyable light read with some interesting historical details.

[Robert Hepple · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published in 1999, 'The King's Evil' is the first in a series of mysteries set in restoration London and featuring the architect Christopher Redmayne. This novel spends a lot of time introducing the regular characters of the series, before getting down to the mystery element of the plot. The setting is immediately post fire of London in late 1666-1667, and makes good use of conflicts between characters caused by their beliefs in Puritan or Cavalier principles. I cannot vouch for the historical accuracy of the novel - the characters seem to have way too much 20th century behaviour to be believable as genuine creatures of the Restoration - but it is a great yarn as well as a superb intro to the series.

[Rachel Glass · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. Although this book kept me reading and I liked getting to know Christopher and Jonathan and the surrounding cast, it took a long time to get going, and by the end I didn't really feel I understood how the mystery had been unravelled or what the solution really was. I would read the next book in the series, though, to see if it improves, as the historical setting is interesting and fairly well evoked.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book contained a tale that held my interest throughout. The intermittent fights that took place were not edge of the seat exciting, nor was the action or storyline in the remainder of the book. However, when Edward Marston writes it is difficult for the reader not to get enthralled in the story or the period. The reader will also be made aware of some terrible things that occurred during the 1666 Great Fire Of London

[Misty Gardner · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a well-written story with good characters but I felt it did not sit happily in its historical era. If the reader is not familiar with the Restoration period then they will almost certainly enjoy it, but many of the attitudes and situations jar with anyone having a detailed knowledge of this time as they simply would not have happened...

[Kirstin · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was a pretty good read indeed. I loved the setting in London in 1666 just after the Great Fire when London was in such a turmoil and our two unlikely heroes, the Upper Class architect Christopher Redmayne and Lower Class Police Constable Jonathan Bale combined forces to hunt down a murder. It was well written, well researched and I am looking forward to reading more featuring these two chaps

[Stephen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a fan of this one.

I like to get lost in historical mysteries, but this one doesn't manage to conjure up the sense of time and place - Restoration London - that is so important to feel one can immerse oneself in.

Add on implausibly motivated characters and a frankly silly conspiracy plot and I will give this author a miss in future.

[M. Sprouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edward Marston does a fine job of getting you to feel the particular time and place, London, 1866. I enjoyed reading this book as I did #2, "The Amorous Nightingale". I was hoping for also a bit of a whodunit, and the book fails in that respect. To many late clues and lately mentioned suspects. An interesting read, yes! A good mystery, no!

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to a new series for me. I really enjoy reading about a new period in history SBD always learn a lot as well as enjoy a good mystery. I’m looking forward to the next book: The Amorous Nightingale. 👍

[Michael MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had found this book at a second hand sale and only got it because I had enjoyed the Home Front series by the same author. I was initially sceptical that I would like it but once I started reading all doubts were dispelled. I thoroughly enjoyed it and devoured it in quick time.

[Judy Huemiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good read

Christopher Redmayne keeps you wanting more he is a very good moral man who cares about solving crimes. I found this book to be intriguing it kept me on the edge of my seat I will continue with the next one in the series.

[Teri-K · Rating 2 out of 5]

A surprisingly easy read, I liked the two MCs quite a lot. However, as the book continued the plot began to feel far-fetched and melodramatic. Plus, I found the ending pretty unsatisfying. All in all, a disappointing read, though I might try another some day.

[Commander Law · Rating 2 out of 5]

That was alright; a romp through restoration London post fire. Nearly laid the book aside on the first chapter when mention on using dynamite was made. I was also sceptical about pocket watches and a mortuary at the time period.
A light non-demanding read.

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

8

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great easy to read detective story. I am definitely in for the series! I loved the language it's written in, the story and the characters. Highly recommended.

[Tim Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a great fan of Edward Marsdon's other books, but this is the first of the Christopher Redmayne series that I've read. Took a bit of getting used to, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Tina Ambury · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this unlikely partnership between a Royalist and a Parliamentarian.
No doubt a series to explore 😁

[ELzabeth Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

A really good introduction to the new characters and adventures. Not actually read much about the Charles 11 period but this is a good start!

[Alison Rayner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining historical detective story

[[ J o ]]

[ read the third book in the series, 'The Repentant Rake' and did not enjoy so will not be continuing with the series ]