The Changeling Murders

Historical mystery fiction with many unusual twists and turns. The Changeling Murders is C.S. Quinns fourth book in the series ˋThe Thief Taker’ each title may be read as a stand alone. I thought at first it was difficult to keep up with the fast pace of the story but it was all so exciting I was hooked. I especially liked the strong characters of Charlie and Lily they are great team. I have already purchased the other three books in this series and look forward to reading them. Thanks to the author, the publisher and netgalley for making this title available to read and review.

Well this was fascinating! Have a wet wipe to hand when you read this book as you'll need to wipe yourself clean from all the stench and soot of London to come from its pages. I haven't felt so immersed and in need of a wash after reading a novel in a long time and I mean that as a lovely complement! London is the den of debauchery and even those not in the opium dens or the whorehouses have to trudge the gritty, dirty streets to try and make a living, if not even just to survive.

Now that's not all. This novel is the fourth in a series but I haven't read the others and I didn't feel I was missing out until the end of the book when I wondered why I hadn't read the rest of this heart-pumping series. The theatre world was just fascinating and jaw-dropping both in detail and fantasy. There were threads of a magical and supernatural presence, which, for me, took the novel to an even better place. These illegal theatres just gave me a thrill reading about them and stepping inside, experiencing a world that the author has crafted with care and a mean glint in her eye.

If you love historical fiction, you'll get goosebumps. If you don't, you'll get goosebumps and a new genre to get stuck into. The changeling murders is fascinating, wonderfully evoked and I haven't even touched upon the changelings themselves...the fairy folk....now that really is something you have to discover for yourself, or is it that they will discover you?

I have not read the first three books in this series and I think this fact may have coloured my view of the hero - I don't have his back story. The book is easy to read and full of plot and action but I didn't get a feel for London in the 1660s which I would have liked. For those who like adventure stories - yes a good read, not really for me. Sorry!
Nevertheless, thank you to Netgalley/the author/Amazon Publishing UK for a digital copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

„The Changeling Murders“ is the fourth volume in the series about thief-taker Charlie Tuesday, for me it was the first book and I felt sometimes that I had missed out on certain information from the previous three volumes. I would have appreciated a glossary of the most important figures (Maria, Lily, Dawson) and some more hints concerning their relationship to the protagonist.
The plot is well-researched and fast-paced, there are a lot of twists and turns and cliffhangers at the end of the numerous short chapters. The reader is kept guessing about the nature oft he „lord and lady“ nearly until the end which keeps his/ her interest alive.
The description of 17th century London is vivid and provides a detailed impression of the sights and smells in London´s streets, it is also very interesting to read about the role of theatres as a means of public entertainment after the sober years of Cromwell´s rule.
The supernatural elements concerning changelings and fairies weren´t so much to my taste. My personal preferences go in the direction of „realistic“ novels and in my opinion the interesting topic of crime and conspiracy during the reign of King Charles II wouldn´t have needed the supernatural.

Another solid entry in the Thief Taker series of historical crime fiction, The Changeling Murders takes us back to London in 1667, and our by now familiar protagonist Charlie Tuesday is drawn into the hunt for the mysterious Lord and Lady when his old flame Maria is abducted on the way to her wedding. Without knowing who or what the Lord and Lady are, he faces an uphill battle ,even with the help of his sidekick Lily, recently returned from a life on the high seas. The clock is ticking , and Lent draws to a close and riots rock the city , time is running out. Little does Tuesday realise that more than just the fate of Maria is at stake, the City and even the King lie in the balance.
As with my previous foray into this series, I raced through this book, every revelation making me want to know more. While the fast pace rarely lets up, the author never sacrifices character or historical detail, and I found myself completely immersed in the world she had recreated. Once again she cleverly weaves background from the previous books into the narrative, so that a reader picking up this book without having read the rest of the series would not have any difficulty keeping up, in fact their only difficulty, like mine, might be putting the book down.

Having read the previous book featuring Thief Taker Charlie Tuesday, "Dark Stars", I was thrilled to have an opportunity to return to 17th century London for another adventure with him. Charlie is a freelance investigator, and the best in the city. He knows old London better than anyone, from the palace and the nobility, the merchants, to the hidden catacombs and graveyards, and the seedy brothels and theatre houses. Charlie finds things and people, for a price, although his kind streak sees him frequently accepting tasks from those who cannot afford to pay.

This time we find Charlie in a London with an unstable throne. Charlie's former love Marie has been kidnapped right before her wedding day, and Charlie must find her- she has been stolen by a "changeling" a magical being who has threatened Marie's life unless Charlie can find something for him in the next few days. But Charlie isn't the only one playing the game- the King and members of his court have a vested interest in the Changeling as well, and Charlie and his friend Lily must maneuver through the seedy underbelly of London in all its unpredictable and unsavory ways, seeking clues from old artifacts and lore of the city, and dodging plots on his life as he seeks to free Maria from the Changeling. Somehow these pieces are interrelated, and finding out how is a worthwhile journey with much to relish.

Author Quinn keeps the pace lively, and her personal knowledge of old London brings the city to life in marvelous ways. The characters are memorable, from the madams and prostitutes of the brothels and the theater to the debauched royalty and street urchins , the novel feels like a genuine glimpse into 17th century London. This book can be read apart from the previous ones, although I feel it would be more enjoyable having read at least one of the others, to provide familiarity. It is once again a pleasure to inhabit Charlie Tuesday's world, and each case he takes as the Thief Taker is a delight and an adventure.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC

I always enjoy historical fiction set in Londen and I was really looking forward to this book. And I tried, I really did. The writing is beautiful and fast paced. I loved the soot, the dirt, the theaters, the crowds and the alleyways. But about 30% in and I still couldn't keep up with the many characters. So I've put it aside for now. Maybe someday I'll give it another go.

This is the 4th in this historical series featuring London Thieftaker Charlie Tuesday set during the 17th century restoration period of 1667. It is the first book I have read and it worked just fine as a standalone. Quinn's richly detailed descriptions conjures an atmospheric picture of a anarchic London where the simmering seeds of unrest have broken out into pockets of outright rebellion against the king. The Great Fire has laid waste to much of the city and Charles II has no money to rebuild, poverty and squalor is rampant, and paranoia reigns with spies everywhere. People are disgusted and disenchanted at what they see as money spent on his mistress, Lady Castlemaine, formerly a prostitute, manipulating to secure her precarious position, ruthless in her determination to eliminate all threats. Charles is indeed The Merry Monarch with his debauchery laid bare, his support of the theatres which are a hotbed of prostitution, alienating the Puritans and those who supported Cromwell. Quinn writes a tale of the supernatural, malevolent fairies, changelings, abduction and murder that threatens the King.

Maria is on her way to her to her wedding ceremony when she is abducted and imprisoned. She is a former lover of Charlie Tuesday, famed thieftaker and a dead body dressed in Maria's clothes is discovered in a theatre. If Maria is to be saved, Charlie must find the Lord and Lady who escaped burning and Cromwell, before Lent. A desperate Charlie tries to work out who the Lord and Lady are, where they are now, before others who want to get to them before him. Charlie finds himself in a world of soothsayers, fairies and changelings, a mysterious dress that is linked to a whorehouse, and a clue to the location of the Lord and Lady. London has been divided between 3 bawdy houses, Mrs Jenks who serves the well off, Mother Mitchell whom Charlie grew up with and the black ex-slave Damaris Paige, serving sailors and the poor. Praise-God Barebones is leading a growing army of apprentices intent on bringing down the whorehouses and theatres but he has a secret agenda behind the attacks he is leading but will he dare to challenge the king by encroaching on people and institutions that have the King's support? Charlie is joined by Lily Boswell, who fights beside him as he tries to locate the Lord and Lady before Maria is killed.

Quinn writes compelling and gripping historical fiction of a London in a turbulent time, subject to elements of superstition and a monarchy that is hellbent on overturning the austere Puritanism that had held sway in the country in the recent past. Charles is failing his subjects, flaunting his liaisons with prostitutes, supporting theatres and lacking the funds to defend himself or rebuild London. It is little wonder that his reign faces threats from numerous directions. Charlie has an understanding of London streets and those who live there that holds him in good stead as he battles to find Maria. His adventures make for a rip roaring yarn of myths and legends, a king living in fear, spies and murder. This is an entertaining novel that holds a reader's interest with ease. Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK for an ARC.

I was a bit unsure of this book when I was reading the description but for once I'm glad to say that I was wrong. I couldn't put it down and highly recommend reading it.

This is a curious and interesting series which I was coincidentally already reading when I was offered an ARC of The Changeling Murders. I have enjoyed the whole series which is full of small details and, sometimes, unlikely scenarios. These oddities do not distract too much, they just caused my eyebrow to quirk from time to time. Overall, a nice, light and enjoyable Summer read - this is not meant to damn this series with faint praise as it is really worth reading.

A woman is on her way to be married when a man comes and picks her up when he tells her her ex wants to see her before she gets married. She never gets there. Now the hunt is on for her and the Lord and Lady of the faeries. This book is extremely slow. It’s a great premise but I had a lot of issues staying focused and I love fantasy novels. I just don’t think this one is for me.

An easy flowing read. I really enjoyed this book and I loved all the mystery behind it. Would definitely recommend

London 1667, and Charlie Tuesday, (thief taker) is right on the case when former lover Maria is abducted on the way to her wedding. However, to secure her release he will have to discover the whereabouts of the 'Lord and Lady'. This will be no easy task, as no word of them has been heard since their disappearance during the reign of Cromwell. Some believe they were burned along with Royalist supporters, but others say that their special magical powers enabled them to escape.

London lies in ruins after the great fire of 1666, a fire that swept through the central part of this medieval city, leaving businesses and homes completely destroyed and the air filled with death and destruction. Charles II doesn’t have the funds to rebuild, and the social and economic problems that his people suffer go unnoticed by him. However, he appears to throw money readily at the theatres which are a hotbed of debauchery. His long time lover and former prostitute Lady Castlemaine, is determined to have her share of the King’s money too.

Amidst all this comes the apprentice riots where whorehouses are attacked along with the prostitutes who ply their trade there. This is a dangerous time for the King, where an accumulation of events could lead to his downfall.

Charlie’s partner Lily joins him in his search for Maria and the Lord and Lady - a search that will immerse them in the world of changelings and fairy folk, together with some truly nasty individuals with murder in mind.

It’s clear that C. S. Quinn has carried out extensive research into this turbulent period in history, and she has written a tale full of atmosphere, that ensures the reader is fully entertained throughout.

*Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my ARC, I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange*

Excellent story line which was gripping from start to finish. Great characters. I would highly recommend this book.

I love a good historical murder mystery/crime novel and this was definitely a good historical murder mystery novel. I hadn't read any of the previous books, but it really didn't matter. This worked fine as a stand-alone novel. Although, having enjoyed it so much, I'd be really keen to go back and read the earlier books.

The sense of time and place was very well written. This book touches on ideas of witchcraft, fairies and superstition. Unlike lots of books, there wasn't a clumsy attempt by the characters to whisper off camera that of course, they don't believe in it. What people believed or not was left shadowed, but their attitudes seemed to fit their time.

I enjoyed the mystery, the characters were well developed and interesting to read and the whole book was a great read. This was a great book to get lost in and visit another time. I couldn't put it down once I'd started and really enjoyed it. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Changeling Murders is the fourth volume in the Thief Taker series set in London following the restoration and the crowning of Charles II. Because this is one title in a series, new readers will need to catch onto existing plot lines and relationships among characters, but Quinn makes this easy without resorting to heavy-handed backstory. This title opens in the year following the great fire of London. Charlie Tuesday, the central character of the series, investigates the disappearance of an old flame on her wedding day—a disappearance which seems connected to the murder of an actress whose body was found clothed in the garments of a missing woman. The book also follows two story lines that have been developing over the series: Tuesday’s relationship with Lily, his headstrong partner in investigations and Tuesday’s search for his own origins.

The fourth book from The Thief Taker series, The Changeling Murders was a pretty good read. I want to read the others in the series. 3 1/2 stars.

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is the fourth book in The Thief Taker series by C.S. Quinn. Charlie Tuesday, the main character, continues in his adventures with his complex life. Set in Renaissance England, The author detail and description provides an atmosphere of what England was really like during the 17th century.
Rebellion has broken out against the king. When the great fire broke out and wasted most of the city, King Charles II has no money to rebuild, poverty is plentiful in the city, and paranoia is among everyone. The people are noticing how Charles II is spending money on his mistress, Lady Castlemain, this ensures the people Charles not only supports the theater, but also prostitution, after all, Lady Castlemain was a prostitute before becoming a Lady.

Maria, Tuesday’s former love is kidnapped on her way to a wedding. When a dead body is found it is dressed in Maria’s clothes. Lily, Charlie’s partner teams up with him to help find Maria. A note also states that if Charlie doesn’t find The Lord and Lady before the end of Lent, Maria will die. Now Charlie must against the clock to find the mysterious Lord and Lady whom he doesn’t know who or where they are. For all he knows they could be standing right in front of him.

I loved this book, and found that it could be a standalone if you didn’t want to start from book one, but why wouldn’t you? The author has really done a remarkable research on this time period. Fast paced, intriguing, adventurous, twist and turns, the chapters are short but leave you wanting to continue on reading. The characters are wonderful, enjoyable, some are more tolerable then others, but you need those also in a book to make the story plausible, and engaging.

I wasn't crazy about this book. I didn't read the first book in the series, that might have helped.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.
All opinions are my own.

As always, the action / drama is non-stop; intrigue and guile rule; revenge and long dead secrets rear their heads when they should have been lying low. Another well-crafted tale in the series.

My review is delayed as I decided to read the previous 3 books in the series they were all excellent

This book I feel wasn’t as good I think the story is done and the author needs to put the series to bed

However even though I didn’t love this book it’s still an ok read and a follow on from the previous 3 so is worth a read if you have read the other 3