This is a great book and it's unbelievable that it is a first novel by this author. The writing flowed well; characters were described almost 3 dimensional! Martin Stephen took an historical event, albeit a very disturbing one, and made it so real that it was hard to put this book down. I also give it 5 stars and highly recommend it!

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The Desperate Remedy: by Martin Stephen was recommended to me.

It takes place during the reign of James I of England and VII of Scotland, and revolves around the thwarted Gunpowder Plot which was an attempt to blow up Parliament, by Catholics who are trying to bring England back into the fold of Mother Church.

The main characters are Sir Henry Gresham, a master spy who has as many enemies known and unknown. His mistress Jane who is a young woman he rescues from an abusive grandfather years before, and his faithful servant Mannion.

The historical cast of characters are Robert Cecil, James I secretary and Spy Master, Sir Walter Raleigh, Guy Fawkes and a whole cast of historical conspirators.

Without giving to much away Stephen weaves Henry's story within the dirty world of ambition and corruption in the court. There are twists and turns, and murders and lies you move through the under belly of early 17th century

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A fun read based on historical happenings.

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