Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we accidentally become a French spy embedded in the English government. Such is the predicament of Laurence Jago, a clerk in the Foreign Office during the late 18th century, a time when said government is navigating a diplomatic negotiation with America, war with France (which is itself mid-Reign of Terror), and the impending London trial of political radical/shoemaker Thomas Hardy.

All this and more Jago must navigate. Black Drop is, largely, his written confession for treason, which he is technically guilty of - but in perhaps the most hapless way imaginable. He’s a man about whom friends would probably say things like “oh, Laurence means well,” if he had more than approx. three friends - which restrained number is quickly reduced by a suicide that turns out to be a framed murder.

Jago is set on a tense adventure of political intrigue, where some plots are real and some imaginary. Nattrass has made a spellbinding if unreliable narrator of Jago, not because he is deliberately concealing things, but because he is unaware of his own biases and relative lack of importance, and because he writes with some authority as an audience we remain largely on his side. In particular Jago seems not to notice that he is high on the titular Black Drop opiate quite a lot of the time, until it reaches the point that he’s completely off his gourd.

You view the rest of the rambunctious cast (some fictionalised-ish versions of real historical figures, like the future PM Canning) through Jago’s eyes, and the story subtly changes in line with his opinions. The supporting characters are excellent, putting me in mind of period political cartoons of the 18th century, with a firm favourite being proto-tabloider Philpott, simultaneously farcical and shred, genial and calculating.

But I shouldn’t be too mean to poor old Jago. There are so many twists and turns and layers to the mystery and murder in Black Drop that it would bamboozle anyone - and certainly did me. In the end it was more than enough to take a romp - an overused word, but entirely correct in this case - through a historical London teeming with life, in the way a dog's fur can be teeming with fleas. Nattrass gives you all the smells, sights and sounds so you can really wallow in the grimness of it all. And though it is undoubtedly very dark, Black Drop is also funny, hopeful, and at times almost as much a comedy of manners as it is a political thriller. Nattrass is a deft and witty writer who cuts a dashing swathe through historical London and leaves you wanting more.

The final decade of the 18th century is a time of revolution and political upheaval; in 1794, the year in which Black Drop is set, Britain is both at war with France – a country still in the grip of the Reign of Terror – and trying to negotiate a treaty with the recently independent America. Our narrator, Laurence Jago, is a London clerk working in the Foreign Office and facing the difficult task of trying to advance in his career while also hiding a secret that, if discovered, would lead to accusations of treason.

When details of Britain’s military plans are leaked to the press, suspicion falls at first on Jago – but then the blame shifts to another clerk, Will Bates, who is found to have hanged himself in his room. Was Will really the traitor or is he being used as a convenient scapegoat? Jago is sure he was innocent and that his death was actually murder rather than suicide so, with the help of his friend, the journalist William Philpott, he sets out to discover the truth.

I enjoyed this book, although it was more political thriller than murder mystery and I occasionally felt that the plot was becoming more complicated than it really needed to be; I struggled to keep track of all the characters, their roles within the government and which of them may or may not be a spy. Overall, though, it was a fascinating period to read about, with so much going on in the world at that time – not only the French Revolutionary Wars and American treaty mentioned above, but also the fight for political reform led by the British shoemaker Thomas Hardy (not to be confused with the author of the same name!) and the growing debate over slavery and abolition.

Laurence Jago is a great character and the sort of flawed hero I love. The ‘Black Drop’ of the title refers to the laudanum Jago depends upon to get through the day and to ease the fear of his secrets being discovered. As his addiction worsens, it begins to affect the way he judges people and situations and leads the reader to question whether or not everything he is telling us is completely reliable. Despite this, I liked him very much and connected with his narrative style immediately. Jago is one of several fictional characters in the novel whom we see interacting with real historical figures such as Thomas Hardy, Lord Grenville, the Foreign Secretary, and John Jay, the American envoy. I knew nothing about any of these people before reading this book; it’s always good to learn something new!

Black Drop is Leonora Nattrass’ first novel. The way this one ended made me think there could be a sequel, but if not I will be happy to read whatever she writes next.

I think I'm going to suggest that this historical/political novel is a little like 'Yes Minister'. Of course we're in the time of Lord Grenville as Prime Minister and (as ever) we're concerned about the threats from France alongside the developments of America turning from a colony to its independence.
How weird I spent a day recently at Firle Place - once the abode of Grenville so can picture him out of Westminster around his country residence but the delight of this novel is the way we are in the offices, corridors and slightly dirty (both physically and morally) venues of the politicians of those days.
Jago is a superb narrator. As he has a French mother - safe in Cornwall he hopes....his work as a spy within this society has a nasty turn when the cunning Canning (later as Lord also to be Prime Minister) is in the role of 'baddie' and maybe involved in leaking valuable documents to the enemies through that dodgy mechanism- the press!
There are so many parallels with politics today (and always) yet because of the close proximity of Jago to the main characters we feel totally immersed in the intrigue.
I also liked the character of William Philpott and his lovely (if bolshy) wife and family who take Jago in when the events concerning the tragic death of his friend Will Benson unravel. This makes the thread of the murder story which evolves well alongside the politics of the era and the lack of justice for many.
There is a love element with Anne Aust but Jago doesn't seem to fit into those strait jacketed echelons of 'higher society and moves within Covent Garden with the ladies/whores where the 'impulses of men' can destroy a political career (um - isn't that familiar too?)
Overall well written and atmospheric. Brought to life (and death) the atmosphere of the early years of the 19th century and the importance of the discussions around the abolition of slavery that eventually was abolished in 1807.
Lots of humour too. I loved the scenes at the menagerie amongst the 'tigers and elephants. There was much fun in a time of poverty and as always those in power trying to enhance their own lives at the cost of the majority. Nowt changes! Super read.

A pleasant enough book that I felt was too long by half. I had to read a lot of pages before discovering what I felt to be the "story". Worth a read if you have nothing more pressing.

I really enjoyed this book, it was beautifully written and researched. It is set in London in 1794 when the city is awash with the talk about capture and the upcoming trial of Thomas Hardy, charged with treason, who is held prisoner in the Tower. These are also precarious and uncertain times, as Britain is involved in the war against revolutionary France and as you can imagine, people hold somewhat unfriendly notions towards the French.

Amongst all this is Laurence Jago, a clerk working in the Foreign Office. He is of unusual appearance, as he wears green spectacles (he needed glasses after contracting measles) - something that made him stand out against other members of the public. He is also addicted to opium. Firstly, he was taking Godfrey's Cordial, which was commonly used in babies to treat colic and other affliction, however, the opium dose was not very potent. The pharmacist recommends Kendal's Black Drop, much stronger than the cordial, and soon Jago is under Black Drop's spell.
Jago tries to hide his parentage: his father is from Cornwall, however, his mother is French. Jago speaks fluent French, but because of the war and his employment, he doesn't disclose this fact to anyone. The only person who knows Jago's secret is Aglantine, a Jacobin spy. Jago met her a while back and became entangled in her web of nefarious activities. He doesn't want to be her spy but she has a knack of finding him and extracting information. She informs Jago of a hearsay that soon he will be promoted to a position of a senior clerk, a rumour that quickly proves to be true.
In this book we meet a plethora of historical characters, such as William Pitt who was Britain's Prime Minister at the time; George Canning, MP and Pitt's protégé in Number 10 (Jago becomes very distrustful of him in the book); Lord Grenville, a Whig Foreign Secretary, and George Aust, an Under-Secretary to the British Foreign Office. Aust has a soft spot for Jago and often vouches for him, when things start to go wrong for him - and they do...
Jago witnesses Canning sacking his clerk, Will Benson and he begins to wonder why Benson was treated this way. Shortly after, one of Pandora's key is missing - a ministerial strong box containing secrets and Benson becomes a suspect. Jago is sent to investigate and when he goes to Benson's lodgings, he finds the man dead. It seems that Benson hanged himself. Was his death a suicide or did someone murder him?
Afterwards, the action quickly accelerates. Sunday Observer publishes a top-secret note, which must have been leaked by someone from the Foreign Office. Only three people knew of this note: Lord Grenville, George Canning and Laurence Jago. Jago remembers giving the note to Canning, something that the man vehemently denies. As Canning and Grenville are Jago's seniors, it soon becomes apparent that Jago will become a scapegoat for this action. Jago becomes frantic with worry and has to prove his innocence. He is adamant that Canning leaked the information and starts to follow him around London.
However, the blame is laid upon Benson, a dead man, much to Jago's astonishment. Benson's parents arrive in London from the country and ask Jago to find out where their son was buried. In those times people who committed suicide were laid in unmarked graves. Jago discovers that Benson's body was donated to a surgeon for dissection. The surgeon indiscreetly reveals that Benson was killed first and hanged afterwards. With this shocking disclosure, Jago is adamant he must find Will's murderer.
In one of his meetings with Aglantine, she informs him that she has a spy at the Foreign Office. Jago immediately thinks of Canning... but is he right? Is Canning really a spy for the French? Or could it be someone else?
I am afraid that I must stop here as I don't want to reveal too much. I recommend this book to all fans of fiction, Nattrass wondrously transports us back to 1794's London and through the streets of Fleet Street, Whitehall and Covent Garden, we are taken on a journey full of twists and surprises.
You can find my review at my blog: https://wordpress.com/post/monikareads.wordpress.com/137

A historical novel written as a memoir of Jago a lowly foreign office clerk during the reign of King George III and PM Pitt. The story gives a good insight into those turbulent times of public unrest after losing the war of American independence and the influence of the French revolution. Jago being on the fringes of political plots and negotiations with an US envoy is out of his depth and must use opium to cope when suspicions arise of treachery that touches him and a fellow clerk who seemingly commits suicide. When he learns of the evidence of murder, his naive attempts while befuddled with drugs to win justice for his friend only digs his own grave. How he gets involved with a treason trial and his involvement with French spies and so ending up as a scapegoat but finds salvation with a new life makes an interesting story.

Set in London during the French Revolution, this is one heck of an immersive read which takes you into the bowels of that time. Jago is the main character who works at the Foreign office as a clerk. He used to spy for France but now is loyal to England. But is it that straight forward? The cast of characters here, the time and setting and the way the world comes to life is really good and I loved the whole experience. There are a few characters so I did get a little mixed up but I was soon back to normal.

Loved the way the author brought real events and mixed them with fictional intrigue. Recommended!

1794 London is the setting for this novel. Laurence Jags is a clerk addicted to Black Drop, which he takes to cope with his stressful life. A reluctant spy whose life is in danger, so life is complicated and on an edge.
A book full of political intrigue and action set in a time of upheaval. Read to see if Jacob can find a way out.

I always admire an author who can pull off a really authentic sounding historical novel but in Black Drop I believe the author, Leonora Nattrass, has managed it.
Not a period I know much about, 1794 is one of the most turbulent periods in history with revolution in France, independence in America, abolitionists frighting for slave freedom, and political in fighting for the rights of man in the UK. Against this back drop and with no organised police force, very little in the way of a proper judicial system, and a considerable amount of mob violence, many crimes must have gone undetected.
It is in this environment that Laurence Jago, a clerk in the foreign office, is trying to survive. He finds himself accused of leaking a highly sensitive letter to the press and then he discovers the apparent suicide of a colleague, another clerk. Suspicion for the leak is passed to this unfortunate clerk but then Jago discovers his suicide is not actually such, for his skull was battered before he was strung up. Which ever way he looks things appear bleak for Jago, and he must at all costs keep secret his parentage, because he could be accused of being a spy for the French.
A great deal of history is woven into this novel and a huge amount of research must have been done to bring alive the city of London, which the author does very well, but I found there was perhaps too much information making it was hard to focus on the plot and blocking the narrative flow.
It is overall, well researched and covers a very different period in history to most books. I might have found it easier going if I knew more about the period - so perhaps the fault is mine - but as it was I kept having to stop to consider what was going on, and that took away from the enjoyment of what is really a 'who done it'.
With thanks to Netgalley and Serpent's Tail / Viper / Profile Books for a free arc in return for an honest review.

Excellent historical crime and intrigue based on real characters and events in late 18th century England. Lawrence Jago is a great character who is totally believable, a good sense of humour and clever with it. Life is hard for anyone not from a titled family and Jago has to use all his faculties to survive and satisfy his sense of justice. A satisfying read with all the hallmarks of good historical fiction.

I couldn’t put this book down. A historical thriller set in 1794 featuring Laurence Jago, a reluctant spy addicted to Black Drop, trying to survive in London on the edge of violence.
I received a free review copy from Serpent’s Tail/Viper/Profile in exchange for my honest, unedited feedback.
In 1794, Laurence Jago is an ambitious clerk at the Foreign Office but has a secret- well a few secrets- which could lead to him being tried for treason. He becomes a suspect when a highly sensitive letter is leaked to the press which could cause a major blow to the British Army's war effort When Laurence discovers the body of another clerk, the blame is conveniently shifted but he knows the clerk is innocent. Can Jago find the true culprit without incriminating himself or falling into addiction?

I couldn’t put this book down and found myself hooked into reading late into the night with each new revelation and twist of which there are many!
We know from the start that this is the written confession of Laurence Jago, in 1794, who has succeeded in keeping his spying and his French ancestry a secret from the Foreign Office. The confession adds an extra layer of peril and tension to the story as Jago's fate is difficult to predict through the course of the book.
Jago is a flawed character, impulsive and rushing headlong into danger, opens his mouth when he shouldn’t and is full of repressed emotions which he tries to ease with the help of Laudanum. He is not the usual slick, sophisticated spy but is more human, sympathetic and all too realistic. His slow descent into addiction was realistically described.
The author seamlessly blends historical and fictional characters with their own agenda confounding poor Jago. Philpott and Theodore Jay provide humour and enhance this potentially dark story, I was fascinated by the author’s note at the end of the book about Lord Grenville and his networks of spies but also how some of the stranger events in the book were based on true events.
The writing clearly evocates the atmosphere of 1794 London and I could almost feel the grime and filth of the streets of London. The descriptions bring to life the differences between the offices of Downing Street and the seediness of the back streets of London and a rural, pre-industrial England. I haven’t read much fiction based in this time so the French revolution’s impact on England, the signing of a treaty between Britain and the new USA and the Anglo-French war felt fresh and new, Unfortunately, the xenophobia and prejudice sound all too familiar.1794, was a time when far too few people were allowed to vote and the political struggle to try and change this form another important strand in the book and neatly dovetails into the main plot.
Content warning
Hanging, references to suicide and addiction.
Perfect for fans
Who like spy thrillers or historical crime in a historical setting with plenty of twists and turns. This reminds me of some of the earlier books in the Shardlake Series by C.J Ransome.
Summary
Five stars- I loved this book and I would happily read more books by this author particularly if they are about Lord Grenville’s spies and his spy network.

Although this is clearly meticulously researched and throws the reader straight into a world of political intrigue in the dangerous days of revolution in Europe and the corridors of power in Georgian London which is evocatively drawn so the reader lives and breathes in the atmosphere. But the pace of this left me wishing for something "more" to happen. It felt a little repetitive in places and just didn't keep me gripped.

Black Drop is set in one of the most turbulent periods of history: the French Revolution in Europe, the independence of America and political campaigns in Britain for the rights of man and representation in government.
Set amongst all this political shenanigans and with no police force to investigate cases, seemingly unsuspicious deaths can easily be carried out by factions and foreign agents that alter the course of history..
The story has great potential and a lot of true history is woven into the plot but I found it difficult to remain focused on the murder thread due to so much else happening. They were almost incidental to what was happening to the main character, Jago, a foreign office worker and agent for French forces as he fights to keep his secret and his life.
I was looking for present day echoes with current political and societal history and I suppose there are similar xenophobic fears and a feeling of underrepresentation and concern for the poor and disadvantaged in our current government but maybe I was trying too hard to find some common ground.
The characters are well drawn and the plot moves on apace, so a good historical read.

Sometimes spy novels can come off as a bit dry and full of their own importance. I'm not going to name any names, but the book I'm thinking of rhymes with Shmiley's Shmeeple. The same can be said of historical fiction, which ranges from the bodice ripper to the dry quasi-textbook. It can be hard to find books in these genres that balance a good story with accuracy and a decent sense of humour -- the 'would like to meet' of books, if you will.

Black Drop ticked all of these boxes for me. Set in London during the French Revolution, Black Drop is about Laurence Jago, a lowly clerk at the Foreign Office who used to spy for France, but now desperately wants to remain loyal to England. Unfortunately, things are not that straightforward, and Jago is dragged into a game of politics and espionage where it's almost impossible to tell who is on which side.

I think the thing that really makes Black Drop is its wide cast of supporting characters. I really loved Philpott, a bombastic journalist who seems to change his passionate opinions as quickly as the wind; and Anne Bellingham, Laurence's love interest who is stuck with the lot of a high society woman but seems to understand the political game so much better than the men around her -- certainly than Laurence himself.

Nattrass also perfectly brings 18th-century London to life, vividly describing episodes at attractions like the menagerie, the pleasure gardens, and the wax works. All the locations we might associate with a certain season of Blackadder, but made so much more real by the characters who inhabit them.

I highly recommend Black Drop to historical readers who are looking for something a bit more nuanced than Philippa Gregory, a bit more accessible than Hilary Mantel, and a bit more exciting than Alison Weir.

If, like me, you regularly find space for the likes of CJ Sansom, Andrew Tayloror SJ Parris in your reading pile then this new release from Leonora Nattrass will undoubtedly have caught your eye.
Nattress' tale is set around the murky politics of Georgian London. The possibility of war with France looms and newly independent USA are beginning to open conversations with their old overlords.
Laurence Jago is a clerk and occasionally something of a spy and, when not dulling his senses with laudanum drags us through the corridors and alleys of the capital to unravel a plot.
The characters here are well formed and, importantly, likeable despite an often dark tone and Nattress, like the other authors mentioned above, has created a take on history that I hope to spend more time in as I certainly wasnt ready to let go of Laurence when the book was over.

It is 1794 and Laurence Jago, although a fairly lowly clerk, works in Downing Street in the heart of government. The war with Revolutionary France is only a year old and Jago has unknown French connections which, were they known, would result in his being tried for treason. When talks with America begin, papers are leaked which could only have emanated from Downing Street and Jago discovers a fellow clerk, Will Bates, hanging in this room. The leak is blamed on Bates, but Jago and journalist William Philpott, doubt that Bates committed suicide and Jago finds himself on a dangerous mission to discover the truth.

This historical novel has an interesting setting and the author does a great job of recreating the sights of smells of London at that time. There are menageries, duels at Moorfields (I find it hard to imagine that cows once roamed yards from my office, in one of the most built up parts of London), dubious meetings in bars, dissent and fear of revolution in the government.

From the ending of this novel, I imagine that there will be a sequel, at the very least, and possibly a proposed series. Overall, I found this enjoyable and Jago an interesting, if – at times – rather lovelorn, character. Should the books continue, I am sure that I would continue reading and look forward to seeing where Jago’s adventures take him next. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

Set in 1794 London against the backdrop of the wars of the French revolution. The story is written as a witness statement by Laurence Jago as he finds himself embroiled in political intrigues. This story has it all, spies, conspiracies, cover ups and murder. There is lots of historical detail which creates a very atmospheric story. There are plenty of interesting and unexpected twists in the narrative.
Unfortunately, I found the writing style problematic. For me it just didn't flow. The author has tried to capture the tone of the historical period but it wasn't easy to read. In addition, the pace of the narrative dragged in places and I became quite frustrated with the story at times.
Overall this was a well researched, interesting and entertaining story set in a time period that is rarely covered in novels.

Black Drop by Leonora Nattrass is an historical political thriller set in London in 1794. The book centres around Laurence Jago, a lowly clerk in the Foreign Office addicted to the Black Drop (a sort of a super strength laudanum concoction).
Great Britain is at war with France and revolutionary spies and plots are suspected everywhere. Jago has to hide his own identity as his mother is French and he has become caught up in a plot which could see him lose not only his job, but his life.
The book does a great job of recreating the turmoil of the time. There is a lot of back room politics taking place and Jago struggles to connect the dots. Is he creating false information or is he being fed false information? There is an arrogance about Jago, a belief in himself that makes him somewhat of an unlikeable protagonist, but very few of the characters have many redeeming qualities as they all attempt to climb the greasy pole.
I enjoyed the book and by telling the story solely from Jago's viewpoint the author created a deeper air of mystery. We only know what Jago knows, but can sense there is something he isn't quite seeing. It's like assembling a jigsaw in the dark, not knowing if you have all the pieces.

Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me, but I think that those who enjoy historical fiction – particularly with a dash of espionage thrown in – will enjoy this. Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity.

This is a delicious book, full of political intrigue, spies, dubious characters and numerous twists and turns. I was utterly transported back to 1790’s London, the language, descriptions, characters all felt spot on for the time period, whilst also being accessible to the modern reader. This in itself is a triumph. The author has clearly researched the period in great detail and I love books where I learn something - this book being as educative as it is entertaining and page turning. It is not a period I have read much about since doing A’level history, and I enjoyed it immensely. Very much looking forward to the author’s next book! A wonderful debut indeed.