Based on a true story! This is a spy thriller/espionage type book that features William Melville, the head of Britain's Special Branch and the personal bodyguard to the Queen. He later (not in this book), goes on to be the head of MI6. The Queen has just died and Melville uncovers a plan to assassinate the Queen's nephew, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, at her funeral procession. Melville works with the Kaiser's bodyguard, Steinhauer, to find the anarchist and spoil the assassination. However, not all is as it seems. The anarchist is always one step ahead of Melville and he can't help to think that someone on the inside is working with the enemy.

This is an action packed page turner and I absolutely loved it. This isn't your typical spy thriller, because it's based on a true story and took place in the early 1900s. Melville is very "Bond'-ish, but old school, no fancy gadgets or cars. Highly recommend.

What an amazingly well researched and written account. Niall Leonard does an outstanding job in creating an authentic atmosphere surrounding this historical moment.
The Victorian era has just ended and the Edwardian is about to begin.
William Melville, first chief of the British Secret Service Bureau and Bodyguard to members of the royal family as needed, is presented with information that an anarchist wants to assassinate Kaiser Wilhelm during Queen Victoria's funeral procession. Europe is in a state of civil unrest and even a rumor could ignite a war. Melville is to handle the threat as quietly as possible, along with Kaiser Wilhelm's own Bodyguard Gustav Steinhauer, a young German officer with a mysterious background of his own. As the investigation rushes closer to the critical moment Melville realizes that his quarry is remaining several steps ahead and must be getting inside information. Who is the leak and who can Melville trust?
Thank you to Pantheon Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this thrilling e-ARC

This book and I were not a good match. I am sure many others are going to absolutely love it, but unfortunately I was not one of them. Thank you for the opportunity to read

*star review only as I have to leave one*

For me, the sign of a successful historical fiction is this: does it make me want to learn more about the people, place, or time with which it’s taken creative liberties? Niall Leonard’s M, King’s Bodyguard accomplishes this and piqued my interest about a man and an event that would have otherwise remained in the shadows of history.

The novel follows William Melville, royal bodyguard and Detective Chief Superintendent of Britain’s Special Branch as he attempts to thwart an anarchist attack at Queen Victoria’s royal funeral procession. It runs the gamut from police procedural to espionage thriller, and even has its “buddy cop” moments with the arrival of Gustav Steinhauer, bodyguard to Kaiser Wilhelm, who assists Melville in his manhunt around Edwardian London.

There are no Sherlockian high theatrics of deduction in this, just a depiction of honest detective work, and Niall has given Melville a compelling narrative voice that shares the hits as well as the misses and their consequences, with the reader. Overall, this is a read that will leave you curious about what future cases await Melville and will have you happily googling to learn more about our protagonist and this cast of characters.

I had the opportunity to get an advanced reading of this book, M. King's Bodyguard by Niall Leonard. The book is historical fiction, based on true events from the time of Queen Victoria's death. I thought this was a very decent book and did keep my attention throughout the entire thing; with intrigue, mystery, history, and a little action wrapped into one book. While there were predictable moments within the book there were also unexpected twists.

The novel is loosely based on a the true story of William Melville, personal bodyguard to Queen Victoria and future MI5 agent. He along with his counterpart Gustav Steinhauer, bodyguard to the Kaiser, track down and put an end to an anarchist plot hellbent on assassinating the Kaiser during Victoria's funeral.

The two men respect one another but don't fully trust one another. Melville and Steinhauer must navigate a web of mystery, adultery, and intrigue to get to the bottom of the plot. Even then questions remain. Was this an inside job? Who sent him?

Written in true gumshoe detective fashion, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Reminded me a bit of Philip Kerr and his Bernie Gunther series. While not a gritty as Bernie, Melville is still a fine detective. I look forward to what I hope is a long lasting series from Niall Leonard. Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC for review.

Based on a true story, about one detective’s work to preserve the life of his king and prevent an assassination in Edwardian London.

William Melville is the head of Britain’s Special Branch, personal bodyguard to Queen Victoria and her family. Through his tenacity and low cunning he has risen from beat constable to Detective Chief Superintendent, “champion of British justice – or notorious thug, depending on which papers you read.”

There is a brewing threat to anarchy. Fenians’ passion for independence turns to be a bit radical, as they seek independence or self-rule with no respect for democracy or the rule of law. Their conviction of trying to kill enough emperors, kings, and ministers convinced them to believe that it’s the way to let the common people rise up and be free of monarchy or any kind of chins of bondage.

When Queen Victoria passes away in January 1901, among many royals the German Emperor Wilhelm comes to attend her funeral. There are anarchists who might be plotting to assassinate him, and during the nine day preparations for the royal funeral, William receives a young Italian lady at Scotland Yard. She has some information about some plot.

While trying to solve the plot, William questions one of his informants, Jakob Piotr, who is a revolutionary socialist, but he is not one of the cruel fanatics. William’s skillful interrogation brings something new to the surface. Something he recognizes more from Jakob’s behavior rather than his answers.

William is on a chase after someone who was trained by professionals, speaks multiple languages fluently and shifts between identities. He might be an agent of the Okhrana – Russian Tsar’s secret police.

And then there is a French agent who puts some doubt into William’s mind. Is he imagining conspiracies where there are none? The time is clicking. There are three days left until the funeral.
With brisk prose and great sense of humor, this novel brings an interesting lead character. He has risen from humble beginnings of being a baker in Ireland to being a chief detective. With his natural instinct and valuable experience, he can quickly catch someone spinning a yarn. His work takes readers on a thrilling journey of confronting anarchists, tracking down villains, and solving cases.

The historical background is informative and to the point. It gives the investigative story a nice texture. Beneath the engaging dialogue and humor, there is a twisty-plot keeping a reader on a high alert and making one continuously guessing the answer. A thrilling page-turner.

Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com

Honestly I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book as much as I did. But this was such a great book.
This book is based on a true story. This book.was a bit thriller and mystery.
I loved the authors writing and the story plot. All done so incredibly well.

In classic Niall Leonard style, the author takes us on a page turning adrenaline ride through 1901 London. A fast paced, action packed history lesson, along the River Thames, that keep the reader riveted to every word. A behind the scenes historical seat alongside legendary detective, William Mellville and what it will take to save a monarchy against enemies foreign...and domestic. From the Kings chambers to the seedy streets, power and corruption are not bound by station or class. As readers, we find out why James Bonds boss is called M. This novel is based on a true story, which only adds to its intrigue! I am excited for the next adventure with Mellville and Leonard.