An Honourable Thief by Douglas Skelton (Book Beginnings & Friday56)

 

Title: An Honourable Thief

Author: Douglas Skelton

Publication: 22 September 2022

Format: Kindle eARC via Canelo & NetGalley

Amazon Description

1715. Jonas Flynt, ex-soldier and reluctant member of the Company of Rogues, a shady intelligence group run by ruthless spymaster Nathaniel Charters, is ordered to recover a missing document. Its contents could prove devastating in the wrong hands.

On her deathbed, the late Queen Anne may have promised the nation to her half-brother James, the Old Pretender, rather than the new king, George I. But the will has been lost. It may decide the fate of the nation.

The crown must recover it at all costs.

The trail takes Jonas from the dark and dangerous streets of London to an Edinburgh in chaos. He soon realises there are others on the hunt, and becomes embroiled in a long overdue family reunion, a jail break and a brutal street riot.

When secrets finally come to light, about the crown and about his own past, Jonas will learn that some truths, once discovered, can never be untold…

 

Ramble-y Teaserish Stuff

I felt a little strange about the timing of this since I started it about an hour before learning of Queen Elizabeth II's passing … and it begins with the passing of Queen Anne. I kind of just let it sit and stew for a few days while I grieved and tried to wrap my head around things. 

Of course, the two women were wildly different. QEII left a legacy that spanned almost a century … as well as a line of legitimate heirs. Anne's reign was far shorter (a mere ___ years) and there were no surviving children for easy succession. There was, however, a half-brother in Scotland and rumor of a secret will that would give him the throne. The brother, of course (well, "of course" if you're as much of a nerd about such things as I am), was James Francis Edward Stuart. 

Jonas Flynt, a former soldier and current member of the clandestine Company of Rogues, was tasked with finding the will … assuming it even existed … and this is our story.

Oh, what a story it is!

Flynt is amazing. He's cynical and snarky and will fight for what and whom he believes in … and, if paid enough, even for what and whom he doesn't.

‘Tell me, Flynt, you do not believe in kings or princes,’ said Charters. ‘You do not believe in nobles or politicians. Not the law nor the judiciary. Not God nor clergy. Is there anything in this world that you do believe in?’ 

Flynt thought for a moment before he answered. ‘I believe in Tact and Diplomacy, Colonel.’ He picked up his slender silver stick from where it rested against the arm of his chair. ‘And when that fails, Surprise.’

Tact and Diplomacy are Flynt's pistols.

Surprise is the blade hidden in his cane.

I love this man.

All sorts of Bernard Cornwell vibes were going on when I was reading and that is never a bad thing. There's quite a lengthy backlog of Skelton books on Goodreads and I may venture into some of his other non-historical series at some point, but even if this is all I ever read I will still call myself a fan.

****************************************************************

Friday 56 (share a blurb from the 56th page or 56% mark) is hosted at Freda's Voice 

& Book Beginnings (share the first few sentences) is at Rose City Reader