Scarlet Town by Leonora Nattrass is the third instalment in what-is-now-a-series set in the tumultuous final years of the 18th Century. The protagonist and narrator is Laurence Jago, previously clerk to the English Foreign Office, whom we first met in Black Drop. In the previous novel, Blue Water, Jago was on the mailship Tankerville, crossing the Atlantic to America together with his friend and mentor, the journalist and social activist William Philpott, after having ended his fledgling career at His Majesty’s Service in disgrace.

America, however, has not been any kinder to the duo, and Scarlet Town sees Laurence Jago and Philpott return to England, starting with a stay at Laurence’s home town of Helston in Cornwall. Trouble is afoot, however, in the generally sleepy town. An election is looming, and when one of the only two men with the right to vote is found dead in mysterious circumstances, Jago finds himself with an investigation on his hands. The matter is complicated by the fact that one of the suspects is none other than Laurence’s cousin, the bumbling town doctor Pythagoras “Piggy” Jago and – from a sentimental perspective – by an unexpected meeting and reconnection with Anne Bellingham, Laurence’s love-interest from the first instalment in the series.

I am happy to report that whoever loved the first two volumes will rediscover the same elements which made the previous novels so appealing – the captivating storyline, the Gothic overtones (there’s an exhumation and autopsy scene which blends comedy and body horror), and the streak of dark humour which runs through Jago’s narration. A bonus is the fact that, like its predecessors, Scarlet Town is based on actual historical events, and the descriptions and settings are vibrant and authentic.

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An enjoyable book. I have read previous ones in the series but didn't feel that was essential. The system of electing members of parliament at the time was quite interesting. I did, however, find the murders and misdemeanors a little contrived. I'm not sure from the ending whether there will be more in the series. I hope so.

I absolutely LOVED this book!

As a history teacher as soon as the blurb mentioned rotten boroughs and rigged elections I knew this book would be for me!

Historically accurate with humourous characters and a murder mystery. What is not to love!!

Based in 1796 in Helston Cornwall, the new election is coming up. But not everything is what it seems. When a murder occurs it is up to the newly returned Mr Jago to figure out what's going on!

The supporting cast of characters really made this book! Philpot and George and The Duke. I loved them all. The book had a great sense of humour and I enjoyed the mystery aspect.

I never am very good at guessing what the mystery is so it was a surprise for me 😂.

A quick paced, fun, historical read!!

1796. A rigged election. A town at war. A murderer at large...

I haven't read the previous two books in the series but this can be read as a standalone and the first two are both now patiently waiting to be read on my shelves!

This is an original historical murder mystery with a backdrop of shocking political corruption. It is based loosley on the actual election in Helston, Cornwall in 1796.

Laurence Jago is working as an apprentice to journalist William Philpott and they have just returned from America, narrowly escaping a prison sentence!
On their return they are plunged into a chaotic election. Only two men may vote and when one of them dies in suspicious circumstances and the other is poisoned, Laurence is ordered to investigate on behalf of the town's patron, his old master the Duke of Leeds. Who is comitting these crimes and why? Could Jago's own cousin really be involved?
I loved the descriptions of the town and the story contains so much historical detail I felt immersed in the period. The author has clearly done her research. There was such a great host of characters including the famous Sapient pig! I was intrigued to keep reading to find out how the election would unfold and who was behind the sinister occurrences in the small town. An original and intriguing historical mystery.

I thank the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book in return for a fair and unbiased review.
I did not realise until writing this book that this was the third book in the series, although I had read and enjoyed the first one "Black Drop" but given that this one was perhaps even more enjoyable, I will now go back and read book 2 and her earlier book. This is great fun, being set in a single place and spanning a short period of time. There is political comment, comedy and a wonderful set of characters wrapped around a cleverly contrived and written plot, which itself is based loosely on fact. I knew about rotten boroughs but now I understand a lot more. I look forward to more of the same, and will be looking backwards as well

This isn't my favourite historical novel but I am giving it an extra star for the sapient pig. The story flows enough to keep my interest but it isn't a topic that I particularly interested in.

Interesting history that I didn’t know much about and enjoyable but not as good for me as previous ones with Jago.

An interesting read, lots of history I wasn’t aware of, a murder and a bit of romance in a humorous package. What’s not to like? I hadn’t read the previous books in the series and although it didn’t spoil the book I felt I was missing out somewhat.

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

I loved this! Such a gripping, fun, interesting novel from Leonora yet again in this brilliant series. I am a total fan of her writing and the plots and the bits of historical fact I pick up along that. And the great characters complete the perfect read for me ( Philpot, Piggy and Laurence himself of course) along with a pig!

This was a fun romp through electoral corruption and rotten boroughs just a few decades before electoral reforms began. I really enjoyed this context as I learned about it when studying history as a teenager. It was good to flesh Lawrence Jags out a bit more by meeting his family and home town. I did find the plot slacked a bit in the middle but overall a great addition to this series.

Largely skirting over events in Philadelphia, we find ourselves back in England, specifically in Jago’s home town. By happy coincidence, so are other recurring characters, which feels a bit neat but who cares when the story is both fun and intriguing. My knowledge of rotten boroughs is forever informed by blackadder the Third, and I suspect Nattrass’ latest is better informed by historical reality (if less amusing). We have a decent mystery, albeit perhaps lower stakes than the earlier books, and further character development that sets us up nicely for a fourth book. An enjoyable read.

I have read the other books in this series and was glad to be accepted for the next instalment. Really fun reads