One of the best books I’ve read recently. Combines impeccably written and factually grounded historical fiction with action and humor. The interweaving of Pepys diary entries and the story of his brother in law searching New Haven and New York in the mid seventeenth century for fugitives from England is just plain fascinating and fun. Highly recommended. There are not enough books like this out ther.

Christopher Buckley’s back to historical adventures with his newest story. The idea is that he’ll write one for every century, the last one, absolutely terrific Relic Master was set in 16th, so this one takes us to 1664, the year New Amsterdam became New York, among other things. I’ve always appreciated Buckley’s writing, but ever since he’s somehow read my mind and turned his pen (keyboard) to these humorous irreverent historical romps, he’s really become something of a delight. Didn’t even need to read the plot summary for this one when it appeared on Netgalley, instant download, one day read, instant appreciation. The thing with Buckley is that he’s genuinely clever and funny, so his perspectives and reimaginings of the actual events and actual personages of the past are incredibly witty, amusing and erudite. It’s like the most entertaining historical lesson you can imagine, a subject proverbially written by the victors now taken on by a satirist. The recipe being…select an actual person of proven documented existence, but just obscure enough that no life story survives the time (in this case Baltasar St. Michel, known as Balty, a ne’er do well brother in law of the prolific diarist Samuel Peppys, pronounced Peeps, oddly enough) and set him on a quixotic adventure (in this case all the way across the Atlantic to the colonies, to hunt down two judges responsible for the regicide of King Charles a few year prior). Of course, to make this a proper quest Balty’s going to need an able protector and a love interest and a bevy of lively, interesting (made all the more so by being actual historical figures) characters. Stir, throw in large amounts of political intrigue, some action, some suspense, season with jokes (at one instance the Dutch entertain the idea of building a wall to prevent the British from getting in and have the British pay for it…classic), simmer and serve. So good. Can’t wait to see what Buckley does next with the 1700s. Thanks Netgalley.