Walsingham’s spies are being killed and hunted. It’s up to Nick to find out who is behind the attempts on his life and others. He is sent to work with the Queens current favorite Essex and his spy ring. Just when he believes he know who the murderer is, another attack takes place.
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A well-written second book in a historical mystery series that is set in London during the reign of Elizabeth I. I did not read the first book but plan on going back for it as I really enjoyed the characters in this novel, especially Nicholas Holt. Nicholas is a spy in the Queen's court. I enjoy the inclusion of several real life characters in this novel, especially William Shakespeare, who is featured as a younger man who is struggling to become a playwright. The author obviously researched historical detail and the setting of London during those days, as everything is well described and documented.

Ms. Wolfe does a wonderful job with plot and character development, which creates a very entertaining read.

I would like to thank the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and exchange for a fair and honest review.

I am a voracious reader of Elizabethan, Tudor, and all things royal, This was a fun mystery starring all the real historical figures along with the fictional characters.
Nicholas Holt is involved in trying to uncover the treasonous spies amid all the rival factions. The story is interesting and intriguing. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and the author, Suzanne M Wolfe, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of The Course of All Treasons in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Elizabethan England comes alive in the narrative of this book.
The storyline was well plotted with intriguing characters. The settings were highly descriptive and captivating. Will definitely be reading more from this author. 3.5 stars
Well worth a read.

The Course of All Treasons is a historical mystery thriller set in the mid-Elizabethan era, featuring a fictional aristocratic spy, Nicholas Holt, mixing with famous characters from that period. It’s the second in a series, and I had intended to read A Murder by Any Name first, but felt it was relatively expensive for an ebook by an unknown (to me) author so waited, hoping the price would come down, then ran out of time as my review was already a month overdue. As it happens it is easily read as a stand-alone, and while Holt’s previous case is referred to frequently, there are no major spoilers.

London, 1586. Nick Holt, the younger son of an earl in a family of secret Catholics, works reluctantly as a spy for Queen Elizabeth I under the direction of Sir Francis Walsingham and Sir Robert Cecil (both real people.) Elizabeth’s crown is under threat from both the Spanish and factions within England who would rather return to Catholic rule under her cousin, the imprisoned Mary Queen of Scots. While on a mission to tail a suspected Spanish agent, Holt is attacked, and saved only by the intervention of Edmund, an acquaintance from his youth now working for a rival agency set up by the Queen’s new favourite at court, Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex (also real.) Suspecting that Essex had a had hand in the attacks on both Holt and other of his spies, Walsingham sends Nick to work for the spoiled arrogant Essex, putting both him and his friends in danger.

This is a well-written historical romp with a modern flavour - including contemporary language that some will find jarring - the author explains the reasons for this in the afterword and it will either bother you - in which case find another book, or it won’t. Reminiscent of CJ Samson’s Shardlake novels, but lighter (and shorter) I found this to be a well paced mystery with appealing characters and a good sense of place with it’s atmospheric descriptions of Tudor life. Nick Holt is an appealing hero, like a cross between James Bond and Jon Snow - complete with his giant loyal dog - and I enjoyed the surrounding characters, especially his Jewish physician friends Eli and Rivkah. (Perhaps no surprise that I was particularly interested in the medical aspects.)

I’ve read a reasonable amount of Tudor fiction so had a reasonable idea of the main players, but there is a helpful character list at the start - in a time where most of the men are called either Robert or John, this is very useful. I liked the way the author brought in Shakespeare as an unknown playwright putting on a first version of Hamlet, and the depiction of the ageing Elizabeth as a vain and anxious but resolute monarch was consistent with previous portrayals.
I guessed the identity and motives of the antagonist relatively early but this didn’t spoil it at all for me and I liked the way the reveal tied things back into true events. I’d definitely be keen to continue this series and probably will go back and read book 1 when my TBR reduces enough to justify buying it!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc which allowed me to give an honest review, and apologies that it is late. The Source of All Treasons is available now.

“The Course of All Treasons” by Suzanne M. Wolfe is set in Elizabeth the First’s reign, when treasonous plots seemed to be the norm rather than the exception – all centered around Mary of Scotland.

The book starts out with a death. Nicholas Holt – Nick to his friends -- is employed in the spy business and hopefully has a little longer life to look forward to. The spy game is hot and heavy in the England of the time, with Spain and France threatening and a Catholic plot around every corner. And since Nick’s family is recusant Catholic, he has to be especially careful – it’s basically the reason he’s doing what he’s doing.
Someone is killing Walsingham’s agents – and Nick’s been “loaned” out to a rival spy network headed up by the Earl of Essex—the Queen’s latest favorite. Nick has been sent in to find out to discover what’s going on. He’s definitely not happy about it. This after almost being assassinated himself. Thus begins “The Course of All Treasons,” the second in the series of Elizabethan spy thrillers.

Court politics! What everlasting fun! Spanish spies! Irish beauties that are spies! Tricksters abound. And Nick as a double agent. The end result – to discredit the Earl of Essex, because he is getting too powerful so close to the Queen.

Revenge, hatred abound. And at the center of it all, plots and counterplots against Elizabeth as they have ever been, as long as a protestant Queen rules and a Catholic Queen is imprisoned.

The book is enjoyable enough, but what turned me off was the use of modern language and modern word usage (one character is described as another’s bagman, for instance, an “occupation” which didn’t come into use until the 1800s. Another word that jarred me -- “toffs” – not used until the 1850s.). The author has an explanation of sorts at the end of the book, but I feel that doing this detracts from the essence of what a historical mystery is.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for a copy of this book, in exchange for this review.

When I picked up this book, I was honestly shocked to find myself in Medieval England. I had completely forgotten why I originally selected this one and I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it. It turns out that this story took me on a rollicking adventure across London. And the tour was guided by the handsome Nicholas Holt. This is a different kind of investigation because it's in medieval times and Nicholas doesn't have all the fancy tools that we have today but it forces you to pay more attention to the characters and their motives. My favorites were Nicholas and Rivkah. I also really enjoyed Annie as a counterpoint to Nick. The author did an excellent job of bringing Nicholas's part of London alive and incorporating the differences between wealthy parts of the city and the impoverished parts. I found the politics of the time that influence the events to be really interesting too. This story is very much driven by the characters themselves, no gun fights or high speed chases, but that's why it was such a good read.

This was an enjoyable mystery, set in London during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. I loved the historical detail re: spy’s in the court, and learned so much from this. I will be seeking the first book in this series.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

One of the reasons I enjoy this series is the protagonist, Nicholas Holt. Nick is the younger son of a minor noble in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. Due to the fact that his family are secretly Catholics, Nick has been coerced into spying for Robert Cecil and Walsingham. As part of his cover, Nick runs The Black Sheep tavern with his childhood friend John and John’s wife, Maggie. Nick also has a loyal partner in the form of a gigantic Wolfhound named Hector.

Nick continues to be both empathetic (especially to those in the lower classes), but also cunning and deadly. I hate stupid characters that blunder their way from one adventure to the next but Nick can definitely hold his own. But he’s not perfect – he has several flaws – but that makes him more endearing to me.

I found this story to be a bit more confusing than the first one. However, I think all the plots and subplots were deliberate in order to add to the confusion and paranoia that I think was typical of life at the court of Elizabeth I. There were spies everywhere and everyone was suspect. Trying to unravel who was plotting with who, who was loyal and who was treasonous could make anyone’s head swim.

Just as in the first book, some of the well-known historical characters (Walsingham, Essex, Cecil, etc) play important parts, but were secondary to the main characters like Nick and John. And that’s completely fine with me. I enjoy how Wolfe has the bigger-than-life figures nudge the action along, but then they fade into the background.

Wolfe does a terrific job of setting up the environment and atmosphere of Elizabeth’s court. There’s just enough historical reference to put you in the right frame of mind but really, it’s the characters and their personal stories that I’m here for. Fingers crossed that there’s more adventures with Nick Holt on the horizon!

* Thank you to the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, for providing me with an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

1586. Nicholas Holt, younger brother of Robert, Earl of Blackwell, and spy for Sir Francis Walsingham, is on the trail of a Spanish agent. He follows del Toro to Oxford. But in the process while travelling with an old neighbour they are ambushed. Meanwhile back in London, another of Walsingham's spys is killed. But events start to accelerate, and who's pawn is Holt.
I enjoyed this well-written historical mystery which can easily be read as a standalone story. The plots takes many turns to keep me guessing who is on the side of right, if there is one. The secondary characters are well-developed and so add to the story.

An historical mystery set in London during the reign of Elizabeth the first, and it also turns out to be the second in a series. I have not read the first but this one was fine to read as a stand alone.

Having said that I will be looking out for book one as I much enjoyed the characters, especially Nicholas Holt who is a spy at the Queen's court. A number of real life characters appear, notably William Shakespeare in his younger years struggling to become a playwright. There is a huge amount of well researched historical detail and the setting of London in the days before sanitation is well pictured.

Couple this with a convoluted mystery which results in some macabre deaths and a number of near misses, and you have a very readable and entertaining book.

I admit to being a fan of the first novel, which I thought hit many points about the complex Elizabethan period without going too deep - I spent some time googling as I was reading and I appreciated the author's notes. Nick Holt works for Sir Francis Walsingham, and thus for the Queen, and in this outing he's been charged with uncovering the murderer of another of Walsingham's men. I don't know how to describe what happens but suffice it to say, the characters are good, the plot engaging, and you might like me, learn something. I was pleased to see his friends Eli and Rivkah return in this installment (and kept crossing my fingers for them). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of historical mysteries- what's better than one set in 1568?

It's the second book I read in this series and I think it improves with each instalment.
The plot is engrossing and keeps you hooked till the end, the cast of characters is well written and interesting, the mystery kept me guessing.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. The Course of All Treasons is the second title to feature the Honorable Nicholas Holt, spy for Elizabeth I, but it can easily be read as a stand alone. Set during the later days of Queen Elizabeth, the author does a wonderful job of conveying the times , including the real fear that recusant Catholics faced and what life was like for the common people. Real life figures from the era are sprinkled throughout the story including Sir Robert Cecil, Robert Devereaux (Earl of Essex), Sir Francis Walsingham, and even Will Shakespeare. Nick finds himself in Oxford following a Spanish agent, but quickly loses him. After running into Edmund, a former classmate and neighbor of Nick's, he finds himself trapped into traveling back to London with Edmund; Nick always found Edmund to be a trial as a youth and quickly determines he hasn't changed much with age. The pair are unexpectedly attacked but are able to fend off the assailants. Upon his return to London, Nick finds that the attack on him may be part of a broader attack on Walsingham's spies. After having to tell Cecil of his lack of success with his mission, Nick is assigned to attempt to infiltrate a rival spy network run by the Earl of Sussex in the hope that Cecil will be able to discredit his much hated childhood nemesis and current rival with the queen.

What follows is a well written mystery with many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing throughout. I love how we get to see glimpses into both life in the palace as well as the more common parts of London where Nick's pub is located. Secondary characters are well-written and developed and add much to the story. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for Nick and his friends in the next title in the series.

This follows on from "A Murder By Any Name" - and the first book is referenced throughout (in case, like me, you are starting this one first).

I found it an enjoyable read - having read much about Elizabethan England and the spy network, it was not hard for me to follow the storyline. Elizabethan England was a melting pot for all sorts of plots and treasonable activities, with a good dose of religious turmoil added for good measure. And it wasn't just threats from abroad that Elizabeth's spymaster Walsingham had to focus on, but also those from within.

This period in English history provides the historical fiction writer with so much, from events around which to entwine a plot, to a cast of many from whom to draw either a central or a secondary one to tie a fictional one to. It was a time leading up to what is now as the Spanish Armada; Mary Queen of Scots, whilst a prisoner of Elizabeth, was a rallying point for those looking to replace the aging queen; and on a religious note, the new Protestant order was being challenged by the displaced Catholics. You could not ask for a better backdrop!

Wolfe chose to focus on the Elizabethan spy network which was not just run by Elizabeth's chief spymaster Walsingham, but also (independently of the Crown) by a number of well-connected nobles, including two of Elizabeth's favourites - Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex, and Robert Cecil, son of Elizabeth's chief minister, Lord Burghley.

" ... the case reeked not only of agents double crossing each other but of court politics, the nastiest smell of all ..."

As one agent is killed, and others targeted, Nicholas Holt, younger brother of the Earl of Blackwell—spy, rake, and owner of the infamous Black Sheep tavern in the seedy district of Bankside - is sent by Robert Cecil to investigate. Wolfe's style has an easy flow, and is almost conversationally. There is enough tension and double dealing to keep the reader captivated. What I did enjoy was the author's notes wherein she enlightens the reader to a bit of artistic licence (no spoiler alert here).

" ... the historical novelist is like a camera trying to focus on the distant scene of the past ..."

The Course of All Treasons was a pretty good read. I look forward to more by Suzanne M Wolfe in the future. I give this one four stars.

I started reading this book thinking since it was a historical fiction genre that I could get into it. I was completely wrong unfortunately. I don't think it was how the author wrote the book, but more the story line that I couldn't follow very well. I would gladly try another book from this publisher and from the author, however, this specific book just did not work out for me.

This story walks the line on several key topics: religion (Protestant v. Catholic), loyalty (competing spy masters) and friends that aren’t friends (or, are they?). The historical setting was one of great upheaval and change, and the main character has to find his way through all of it, and still come out breathing. This tension is maintained throughout the book, while moving the characters’ stories forward as well. I felt it was nicely balanced between the historical accuracy that supports the plot and thoughts of the times with modernized characters that are more easily relatable to us modern-day readers. A well-done murder mystery with overlays of political intrigue and historical fact. I give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

The copy of The Course of All Treasons that I received via NetGalley does not match the title described on this book's page. The case described on the book's page is an earlier case that's referenced in The Course of All Treasons.

That said, I enjoyed the book a great deal—and am, frankly, glad that I'll be able to track down at least one more title in the series. The book balances historical detail with the kind of character development modern readers expect. As one reads, the overall nature of some characters—good, evil, etc.—seems to move back and forth. The resolution to the mystery ties things up well.

The big theme here is the competition between the spies of Walsingham and Essex, which is fascinating. There's also a bit of a look forward to the plight of Mart Queen of Scots.

(I'm waiting to post on good reads until I find out if the title I received was The Course of All Treasons or a different volume in the series.)

In a world of detective novels, Nordic noir and thrillers set in modern time it was nice to read a story set in Elizabethan times. Wolfe use the real network that underlined the court of Queen Elizabeth I, which is exciting as this network of spies was a real force in the Elizabethan society, I was however, sadly, underwhelmed with the overall story. It felt like it was the second book in a series, which as far as I gather, it’s not. It felt like there was lots of information and events that were referenced that I as a reader should know of. The storytelling, however, was interesting with many twists and turns which made the plot interesting even though it did feel like the second book in a series.

We follow Nicholas Holt, son of an Catholic earl owner of a public house, trying to prove his loyalty to the new Protestant hegemony and its Queen. This storyline was the one I’d hope would be a larger part of the story as this was a prominent part of religious life in the 1500s, but I felt it was underdeveloped within the story – especially considering the major storyline concerning the Irish character Annie O’Neill. I also felt like the Jewish characters, Eli and Rivkah and their story was interesting and it would be a great way to also expand the universe Wolfe is creating.

The story takes off from the start with the assault and murder of an agent employed by the same lord as Holt, and the story itself is about the whodunnit of this said murder – alongside with another storyline about the rivalry between Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart, one Protestant, one Catholic. Cousins and queens. So the tensions between The Church of England and the Catholic is present, but the story would be more immersive if this tension between both queens and their countries where put more to light – but not drop the overall murder mystery.

All in all, this was an okay book. It wasn’t really for me, but I’m sure other readers will like it more than I did. I did not feel like picking it up again when I put it down.