The Murder of Henry VIII

Boniface #1

by Simon Cann

When the author of a book about England’s most famous Tudor monarch is murdered, Boniface realizes that handling the press and publicity for the book launch demands more than he expected. And when the man he is talking with is shot, then he witnesses as a third person is forcibly drowned, and he finds he is being pursued by a former Russian Special Forces soldier, Boniface runs.

He delays his death by trading the only thing of value he can offer his would-be assassin: details of a 500-year-old cover-up. The only difficulty in making the trade is that Boniface can’t prove what he knows is true—yet.

If he finds and hands over the proof, the murderer has no incentive to keep him alive. If he lives, Boniface has to explain the transaction for his life to his capricious paymaster.

Boniface needs to unwrap what the dead author found, figure out why he was killed, protect his client’s interests, and stay alive.

270 pages, Paperback

First published June 25, 2014

About the author

Simon Cann is the author of the Boniface, Montbretia Armstrong, and Leathan Wilkey books.

In addition to his fiction, Simon has written a range of music-related and business-related books, including the How to Make a Noise series, the most widely ready series about synthesizer sound programming, and Made it in China, about entrepreneurs building businesses in China. He has also worked as a ghostwriter on a number of books.

Before turning full-time to writing, Simon spent nearly two decades as a management consultant, where his clients included aeronautical, pharmaceutical, defense, financial services, chemical, entertainment, and broadcasting companies.

He lives in London.

Reviews

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I've been a bit tied up!"
Courduroy suited academic and historian, Professor Nigel Trudgett, has a theory - and has written a book about it. Russian oligarch, Kuznetsov, wants to be Britain's president, but this can't happen whilst the country is still a kingdom. So he is championing a call for a referendum to abolish the monarchy. He sees in Nigel's book a way of undermining the royal family's claim to the throne by showing that the obese tyrannical Henry VIII of history was not the actual true monarch, but Wolsey, who had murdered the younger, slim, fun loving king and taken his place and a PR man, Boniface, is appointed to launch the book successfully. Then further evidence is revealed, to Nigel's delight. But soon the bodies start piling up, not always the right ones ...

This is a delightful book, engagingly written, amusing, with great character development, fast action and quick thinking, especially by Boniface. The basic premise of Nigel's book, Henry's death and replacement, is gently explored and, though flawed, makes fascinating reading. And the author takes us on a visually exciting tour around the Hampton Court areas of South London, complete with little anecdotes and observations as Boniface and media expert, Professor Ellen Armstrong, are pursued by a bloodthirsty killer. By the use of snappy sentences and frequent immediate repetition, clear pictures are formed very quickly in the reader's mind.

Great characters, visual writing, a 'comedy of errors' which drives the whole story, and the slow revealing of the mystery of the succession, makes this a thrilling, often funny book. My thanks to Book Review 22 who gifted me a copy: it was very enjoyable.

[Vlada · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads*

Can't call it a detective story, but what a page turner it is!
Everything was there to make it an entertaining read: a little bit of history, enough of plot twists, a witty protagonist and a crazy Russian spetznaz soldier who kept on snapping necks till the very end of the book (really, how many people did he kill barehanded?!)

The only thing that was bothering me (as a Russian native speaker) was the last name of the above mentioned soldier.
But I guess most of the future readers won't even notice (or know) the weirdness of it ;)

Anyway thank you for a free copy. And sorry for my poor English :)

[Anthony]

Before I entered this drawing for the giveaway, I went to the link provided by the author. I read it, and I was surprised. The author has an extremely good use of the English, and demonstrates it with his choices of words, and descriptions. I would recommend reading the first paragraph and seeing for yourself. Here is the link;
http://simoncann.com/the-murder-of-he...

This will be a definite pick-up even if I do not win, and I will be sure to give a more detailed review, once finished

[Sharyl Saromines · Rating 4 out of 5]

**** This book is given to me by the author through Goodreads Giveaway.


Well written and brilliantly researched work of fiction depicting one of history's conspiracy theories. The writing is so vivid yet simple to understand. The plot's twist and turns are undeniably good and leading. I enjoyed the book and I'm looking forward to the next two sequels.