Traitors Gate is the 6th instalment in Jeffrey Archer's William Warwick series. While it is book 6, prior knowledge of the characters and previous events are not necessary as one can easily catch up.

This is a fast paced heist novel featuring a plot to steal the Crown Jewels while in transit to Buckingham Palace - and a plot for revenge against Chief Superintendent Warwick himself by criminal kingpin Miles Faulkner, whom Warwick put behind bars.

Full of twists and turns, art thefts, double crossing, drugs, and of course the jewel heist itself, this is a fast paced action novel that will keep you turning the pages.

Readers should note this is set in the 1990s, so the ruling monarch is Queen Elizabeth II. I was expecting a more contemporary novel, so the references to the Queen pulled me out of the tale a little, but Archer is a skilled writer to pull the reader back in again.

~Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As this book is already published, I also listened to an audiobook version of this through my local library~

Traitor's Gate is the sixth book in the William Warwick series by English novelist Jeffrey Archer. Initially this reviewer found it difficult to delve into the story due to a lack of knowledge of the heroes and villains in the previous titles – like sitting down to watch a movie when it is already halfway through. (This is evidenced by the extraordinarily long time it took for this reviewer to finish the book.) Yet, the story quickly proves its worth as a meticulously researched and skilfully executed showpiece.

The complex and formidable procedures in which the Crown Jewels are transferred between the Tower of London and Parliament are well explained, which helps to explain the great lengths that master criminal Miles Faulkner goes to in his determination to revenge against Chief Superintendent Warwick and his team. Faulkner is as intimidating a character as Booth Watson is slithery and slimy, which makes Faulkner's ex-wife Christina a bit stereotypically shallow in comparison.

Indeed, assuming all the relevant characters are already well developed in the previous titles, there is very little illustration of their personalities and characteristics in the book. In contrast, Peter and Artemisia stand out with their little school project, which fits in the grand scheme of things in the story flawlessly. Jojo also serves her purpose in showcasing the personal circumstances of Inspector Ross Hogan.

Particularly outstanding is the depiction of the numerous happenings throughout the Golden Hour, the “immediate period post-offence when arrest and forensic opportunities are at their maximum” according to the We Are London website. The author effortlessly presents everything that happens at once, leaping from one character to the next with just enough amount of probing to reveal their perspectives while maintaining the breathless pacing. Especially near the end of the book, it feels more like watching a thrilling movie than reading a book.

It all makes this reviewer want to read the whole William Warwick series from the start and even explore the author's other books, which is perhaps the best result any story can achieve. With that said, it is interesting that Traitor's Gate, published in September 2023, is set in 1997 when Tony Blair was elected as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Does this mean that there will be many more books forthcoming to chronicle Warwick's brilliant career, even after An Eye for an Eye, the latest in the series? Hope so.

Traitors Gate
Jeffrey Archer

This being #6 in the Detective William Warwick series by Jeffrey Archer.

The Tower of London is one of the most securely protected places in the world. But this year plans are afoot to steal the Crown Jewels during their transportation from the Tower to Parliament. The Elite Protection Squad at Scotland Yard led by Chief Superintendent William Warwick are responsible for escorting the precious jewels, but someone is out to steal them and also get Warwick!

I found this an engaging read and is my first Jeffrey Archer book so I cannot gauge it against his others. I love a good old fashioned heist story though.

Review of "Untitled William Warwick #6" by Jeffrey Archer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Having followed William Warwick through all his adventures, I can confidently say this latest installment is among the best. Warwick, affectionately known as 'choir boy' for his unwavering moral compass and adherence to protocol, faces his most daring challenge yet.

The story revolves around the annual operation to transport the Crown Jewels during the Queen's State Opening of Parliament—a task managed by Scotland Yard with impeccable precision for decades. However, this year, a master criminal plans an audacious heist, leveraging inside knowledge to tip the odds in his favor.

From the gripping outset, the narrative unfolds with relentless pace and suspense. Archer brings back the formidable antagonist, Miles Faulkner, whose vendetta against Warwick fuels the high-stakes plot. Warwick and his team race against time to safeguard the jewels amidst historical intrigue and palpable danger.

I particularly enjoyed the rich historical backdrop of the Tower of London, meticulously researched and brought to life with vivid detail. The novel seamlessly weaves historical figures into its tapestry, enhancing the authenticity and depth of the storyline.

"Untitled William Warwick #6" is a thrilling read with a complex, multi-layered plot that kept me eagerly turning pages. Jeffrey Archer skillfully blends action, historical intrigue, and character dynamics, making this a standout entry in the series.

#BookReview #JeffreyArcher #WilliamWarwick #ChoirBoy #ThrillerNovel #HistoricalFiction #Bookstagram #NetGalley #AdvanceCopy #CrownJewels #TowerOfLondon #ActionPacked #PageTurner #BookRecommendation

Engaging enough story - being a ‘royal’ fan, I found it interesting.

This is my first Jeffery Archer book so I don’t have a gauge of which to expect but I will continue to follow the series.

EXCERPT: Tuesday 22 October 1996
Commander Hawkesby pulled open the bottom drawer of his desk and took out two dice, although he was not a gambling man.
Superintendent William Warrick and Inspector Ross Hogan remained standing as the Hawk, like a Vegas croupier, shook the dice vigorously in his right hand before tossing them onto his desk and waiting for them to settle.
'Five and two,' said William. The Hawk raised an eyebrow as he waited for William and Ross to confirm the relevance of the two numbers. 'Five, sir,' said William, 'means that when we leave the palace, we'll be taking the longer Embankment route.'
'And the two, Inspector?' demanded Commander Hawkesby, switching his attention to Ross.
'The password is "Traitor's Gate".'

ABOUT 'TRAITORS GATE': THE TOWER OF LONDON…
Impenetrable. Well protected. Secure. Home to the most valuable jewels on earth. But once a year, when the Queen attends the State Opening of Parliament, the Metropolitan Police must execute the most secret operation in their armory as they transport the Crown Jewels across London.
SCOTLAND YARD…
For decades, the elite squad at Scotland Yard have been in charge of the operation. And for decades, it’s run like clockwork.
THE HEIST…
But this year, everything is about to change. Because a master criminal has set his sights on pulling off the most outrageous theft in history―and with a man on the inside, the odds are in his favor. Unless the team can stop him before it’s too late…

MY THOUGHTS: I know I can always rely on Jeffrey Archer for a top quality read and he hasn't let me down with Traitors Gate.

As always, Jeffrey Archer grabbed my attention from the start and held me firmly in his grip until I closed the cover after his last word. Immediately I said to my husband, 'You have to read this!'

I love this series. William Warwick aka 'The Choirboy' is a man who is incorruptible. He has a staunch moral code and sticks to it. His arch-nemesis Miles Faulkner is out of jail and looking for revenge. The chance to take it in the most spectacular fashion presents itself from a most unlikely source. But it's not just Warrick he has his sights set on, it is the three: Hawkesby, Warrick and Hogan.

The plotting in Traitors Gate is meticulous. An incredible amount of research has obviously been done and has paid off. The historical aspects interwoven into the plot add interest and authenticity. The pacing is perfect, the crimes complex and needing split-second timing.

Thrilling and audacious.

Archer is a master at his craft. I am glad that there is obviously a #7 planned for this series. I will be one of the first in line for a copy.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#TraitorsGate #JeffreyArcher #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Jeffrey Archer is famous for his discipline as a writer who works on up to fourteen drafts of each novel. He also brings a lot of insider knowledge to his books. Whether it's his own career in politics, his passionate interest in art, or the wealth of fascinating background detail - inspired by the extraordinary network of friends he has built over a lifetime at the heart of Britain's establishment - his novels provide a fascinating glimpse into a range of closed worlds.
A member of the House of Lords, the author is married to Dame Mary Archer. They have two sons, two granddaughters, and three grandsons. He splits his time between London, Grantchester in Cambridge, and Mallorca, where he writes the first draft of each novel.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Australia, Harper Fiction, via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Traitors Gate by Jeffrey Archer for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

I had a hard time getting into the book and found that it was alot of dialogue that was just too longwinded.

Traitors Gate is such an entertaining read. Written in true Jeffrey Archer style with much deviousness and counter ploys. Archer has a strong sense of the English government, the law and history.

I loved his characters, my first time meeting them as I haven't read the previous books, but that didn't matter, it stands alone well. I liked William Warwick's family and his twins story of the Colonel Blood character was very entertaining and relevant to the plot. Ross Hogan, William's partner is a very likeable character - he gets quite caught up in the duplicitous plans of the revenge master.

There is more in the book than the heist, other things take place so that the story is well paced and fun. As a reader you could anticipate who was going to come out on top, but the how made for engaging reading. It's a nicely plotted mystery/ thriller, and I believe I'd call it a comedy mystery thriller. I mustn't leave it so long between Archer books this time. He is such a captivating read.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this.

An interesting read, that took me a while to read through. While not my cup of tea, I still ploughed through as it was interesting enough to keep me reading.

I have to admit to not reading a book by this author previously, also not knowing that this novel is part of a series.
A riveting fast paced storyline with strong characters having great depth and purpose.
Miles Faulkner is a wealthy conman, Scotland Yard are protecting the Crown Jewels, there’s a lot going on with all of the characters to keep the reader entertained!
The suspense of a heist, the storyline keeps you on the edge of your seat, who will be the smartest in this battle of the minds?
A thrilling book to escape into!

Thanks to Harper Collins, NetGalley and Jeffrey Archer for the opportunity to read this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Satisfying to read. Characters that are clearly good or not but nevertheless engaging drawn in the round and people you would be interested to meet. The story is clever and whether the good police are looking for a valuable piece of original art or the Crown Jewels there are more twists and turns than you expect. Exciting, believable and well written. Mr Archer clearly knows his stuff and the historical truth of the Tower of London adds to the enjoyment.

The first William Warwick book I've read. A little slow and confusing at the start trying to figure out everyone's history. I enjoyed Beth and Christina's character's as they were motivated and skilled women. I enjoyed learning about the Tower of London history and how the Colonel Blood children's story played a part. Loved the ending with the suspense and it was hard to put down.

A Jeffrey Archer for more than 25 years I'm always excited to pick up a new book. Traitors gate is an enjoyable read and mixing in historical events and the plot keeping you interested along the way.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and thanks Jeffrey!

A just passable story with little atmospheric, descriptive or literary merit, but enough storyline, as to make me curious enough to finish the book, which I thought I might not do when reading the early chapters.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC and free read, as I had wondered how an eminent Tory fraudster and imprisoned perjurer would apply his criminal qualities in writing. Almost needless to say his criminal mind is well displayed though he's no smooth criminal!

I loved this story of scheming and revenge! Traitors Gate comprised three parts each including various subplots and culminating in the brazen plot to steal the Crown Jewels!

London is one of my favourite cities and I particularly enjoyed being able to picture exactly the various locations. Another favourite part was the story of Colonel Blood that was told throughout.

Each of the characters held their own and I’ll definitely be picking up Next in Line from my languishing TBR pile to dive into more of the William Warwick series. Many thanks to the author, NetGalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to receive the eARC.

The 6th Book in the William Warwick series. Unfortunately, the first of the series and of Jeffery Archer that I have ever read, but I'll sure be seeking out more in the near future.

I love a good HEIST and Jeffery Archer delivered!! The Scotland Yard / London Tower setting was fabulous too, giving off James Bond vibes and adding to the moodiness and atmosphere of the story. Plenty of intriguing characters and twists and turns to keep you guessing right to the very end. What more could you expect in the messy world of politics?

I don't want to say too much else without giving it all away.
But a perfect, palate-cleansing read for any reader who, like myself, enjoys a good and thrilling heist story!

Thank You to the author, Netgalley and Harper & Collins for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for my review.

A rather silly story of an attempt to steal the Crown Jewels, rather heavy handedly set up with a forged painting heist. It's a race against time for Chief Superintendent Warwick to solve the puzzle and save the jewels.

I picked this up to read whilst travelling to London and could appreciate all the landmarks mentioned (as well as visiting the jewels myself) otherwise I would have been lost. My favourite part of the book was the story of Captain Blood, told by a characters children, but honestly I couldn't keep track of the who's who (commissioner, governer, lord Chamberlain, ex copper, current copper?).

My second favourite part was my mother catching a glimpse of me reading this and announcing that the author is an out and out crook, which forced me down a bit of a Wikipedia rabbit hole.

Overall a good value read, but I'm not in a hurry to pick up another

Traitors Gate
By Jeffrey Archer

Description:
Action/Thriller

The 6th book in Warwick series.

My first book by this author.

I enjoyed the fast paced action in this story. Miles is out to get revenge against the main character Warwick by stealing the Crown Jewels.
I enjoyed the history part in the story of Colonel Blood who attempted to steal the Crown Jewels.

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Traitors Gate
Jeffery Archer

5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for my copy of Traitors Gate by Jefferey Archer. I have not received any rewards or compensation for this review and therefore all views and opinions are of my own, the reviewer.

In summary: Book number six in Archer’s William Warwick series taking the reader through the fictional heist of the late Queen Elizabeth’s crown.

This is the first Jeffery Archer book I have read. (I wasn’t aware until further research of the book and author). I can comfortably say this book definitely can be read as a standalone as I have done.

What I liked about this book is how the threads of the characters were woven together with a satisfying ending. I liked the inclusion of children and their role as they added to the bigger picture, enhancing the storyline. I liked how Archer used the real theme of the Queen during Princess Diana’s era and using nostalgia such as the Concorde. I found the characters entertaining and I was cheering the protagonists on til the end. The villains were well rounded and developed. I was left with the feeling I would see the villains again despite their endings.
One thing I did have issue with was I felt that William Warwick did not have a large appearance in the story, despite him being the detective and protagonist. Nevertheless, the characters were actually interesting and I enjoyed the multiple double crosses as the book progressed.

William Warwick returns in this sixth novel in the series from Jeffery Archer. This time the action centres around a plan to steal the Crown Jewels and of course our favourite art thief and gentleman rogue Miles Faulkner has to be involved somehow. Archer is a master storyteller, adapt at intriguing characters and spinning masterful deceptions and double-crosses that keep you hooked. He also provides fascinating insights into the pomp and ceremony of aristocratic and royal life in England. A thoroughly entertaining, high-action, fast-paced read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest unbiased review.