The Traitor's Blade (The Blackthorn Key #5) by Kevin Sands - Starting June 8, 2021

[Leah]

Christopher’s homecoming takes a sinister turn when a murderous conspiracy is uncovered in this fifth novel of the award-winning Blackthorn Key series.

Christopher, Tom, and Sally are back in London at last. Everyone is relieved at their return—the plague has ended, and the king, pleased with their service, offers a surprising reward. But trouble has followed them home...

First, an old friend is ambushed and left for dead. Then an anonymous letter arrives at Blackthorn—a mysterious warning hidden inside a riddle and secret code. As Christopher and his friends begin to investigate, they soon discover they’ve stumbled upon a plot to kill the king...and anyone else who dares stand in the traitors’ way.

[Leah]

Chapters 1-14:
(view spoiler)[Christopher, Tom, and Sally are back in London. Sally is now a ward of the king. Christopher is a spy for the king. His friend Simon has been stabbed, and two maids have been killed. Christopher is working on the first riddle. (hide spoiler)]

[Leah]

Chapters 15-28:
(view spoiler)[The first riddle led to a banqueting house next to the castle. Another riddle was left there. The three of them went to a secret library to get more information on the Templars. The riddle was solved. Sally stayed with the librarian to do more research and to help him. Christopher and Tom are at the cathedral to get the next riddle. A man has pulled a dagger on them. (hide spoiler)]

[Leah]

Chapters 29-42:
(view spoiler)[The man got away. They figured out the next riddle and found a secret room and passage. They tested the sugar on a rat, which died from poisoning, which is what they suspected would happen. A third riddle has been found. It has a map on it. The king is at another castle for protection. (hide spoiler)]

[Leah]

Chapters 43-55:
(view spoiler)[The map lead to key which opened a room in the castle. The letter there implicated the head of the guard. He wasn't the traitor. That person is still unknown. The Raven is still alive and plotting. He set up everything that happened, including the deaths of the London Templars. Sally is the librarian's apprentice. Simon is still healing. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

I'm up to Chapter 14.


(view spoiler)[A code was left. He tried to decipher it but had trouble. Although, he thinks he has it figured out. Simon was stabbed but should live. (hide spoiler)]

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

Leah wrote: "Chapters 1-14:
[spoilers removed]"


I hope Simon will be okay.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

I'm up to Chapter 28.


(view spoiler)[More letters and puzzles were received. They aren't sure if The Raven is really dead. Simon is doing better. (hide spoiler)]

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

Leah wrote: "Chapters 15-28:
[spoilers removed]"


It will be interesting to see why he is doing it.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

I'm up to Chapter 42.


(view spoiler)[Christopher figures out that the king is going to be killed. He tries to warn him. He received more messages. Now they are going to try and stop it. (hide spoiler)]

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

Leah wrote: "Chapters 29-42:
[spoilers removed]"


I was mad he got away.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

I'm finished.


(view spoiler)[We find out that The Raven didn't die. He is the one behind all of this. They did save the king which was nice. Hopefully in the next book they will finally catch The Raven. (hide spoiler)]

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

Leah wrote: "Chapters 43-55:
[spoilers removed]"


Hopefully in the next book he will be caught.

[Leah]

☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 14.
[spoilers removed]"

I enjoy the riddles. I'm glad he should be okay.

[Leah]

☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 28.
[spoilers removed]"

I had hoped he was gone. I thought this part of the series was over.

[Leah]

☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 42.
[spoilers removed]"

This was interesting. There's a lot going on right now.

[Leah]

☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "I'm finished.
[spoilers removed]"

I'm glad the traitor wasn't who they thought it was. I also hope that it gets figured out before the end of the next book.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

Leah wrote: "☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "I'm finished.
[spoilers removed]"

I'm glad the traitor wasn't who they thought it was. I also hope that it gets figured out before the end of the next book."


Me too. I hate when authors drag stuff like this out too long.