I haven't read a Michael Jecks book since The Last Templar and The Templars Acre, and I only belatedly remembered 2 things, when I started reading The Rebellious Message, which were, Firstly, the previous books were meticulously researched and the language of the time, was authentic and employed, and secondly, I spent a lot of time searching my dictionary and Thesaurus to make sense of the words used!!
In that respect, nothing has changed!. Set in Tudor times, Queen Mary is on the throne, but there is an uprising against her, from Wat Tyler and the men of Kent. Not everyone is in favour of the new Catholic religion , and the idea of King Phillip of Spain, ruling this Kingdom is not a welcome idea.
Jack Blackjack, is a pickpocket, who wakes up in a tavern yard, with a thumping headache and a dead man next to him, who is covered in blood, and wearing Jacks knife. Jack knows he didn't kill the man, but before he can investigate further, the hue and cry is raised, and Jack has to run. He soon finds out, that an important coded message, that was concealed in the dead mans purse, has been lost, and this message is crucial to the safety of the Queen and the security of the Realm. Jack is suspected of the murder, and is soon being chased by those who wish to dethrone the Queen and those who are working for the safety of the Queen. The rebellion by the Men of Kent, throws another spanner into the works, as Jack honestly doesn't know who he can trust! There is apparently no honour amongst thieves!!
This is a strong story of violence and cruelty, when life was cheap and loyalty could be dangerous, as the political scene changed so quickly.
Jack Blackjack, and his other aliases, is a competent and at times, confused narrator, like the reader!. He gets assaulted and knocked out on a regular basis, luckily, before the Glasgow Coma Scale came into being!. The dirty and seedy side of London is well portrayed. The battle descriptions are vivid and intense, and the frantic action around the deadly streets of London, like a deadly cat and mouse hunt, is skilfully played out, so it is hard to know ,which side is winning or whom to feel sorry for!.
I never guessed the murderer! I felt the greatest sympathy for young Jack, all through the book, and I wasn't disappointed by the ending!. I found this to be a most enjoyable romp through Tudor London,and highly educational to boot!. I have rated this as a 5 star read, and will endeavour to keep up to date with this fascinating series.

I first reviewed Rebellion's Message in 2016. Before going any further, I must say I do like the cover for this new digital edition. I loved Jack Blackjack when I first met him and have continued to shake my head over his wayward journey. He's somewhat like that annoying younger brother, always walking deeper and deeper into trouble, and then wondering how on earth things had come to pass. Thankfully, like a cat with nine lives, he seems to land on his feet, even if the landing is somewhat shaky.
Jack being Jack, and me being me, I am incorporating parts of my review from two years ago. Rebellion's Message was the first in a Tudor mystery series rife with "intrigue, deadly court politics, a roguish, likeable anti hero, and murder-- all centered on the firm historical detail of the period during the rebellion of 1554 lead by Jane Grey supporters against Queen Mary."
An "engaging mystery tale told by a bumbling young scapegoat, Jack Blackjack who has the perfectly respectable occupation of a cut purse, living off his wits, along with his fellow gang members, all lead by the nasty piece of work, Bill Tanner. Not your band of merry men, rather a group of people living in squalor, thieving and more to make a living. Jack is besotted by the lovely Moll, Bill's girlfriend."
"Jack becomes unknowingly caught up in the rebellion. (He just never looks around the corners!) One minute he's stealing a purse, the next he finds himself coming to consciousness with a dagger in his hand, a dead body beside him and lump on his head. Taking off ahead of the hue and cry, Jack's road to discovering who framed him is littered with dead bodies, traitors, and important personages."
In 2016, I termed Rebellion's Message as masterly and I must say I continue to stand by that opinion. Jack Blackjack will always be one of my fav. Tudor rogues, that's when I'm not holding my head in my hands despairingly, muttering, "Really Jack!"

A BlackThorn ARC via NetGalley

I had not read any of Jecks' Bloody Mary series before and this rerelease intrigued me. It was exactly muy sorg of story - a thoroughly morally grey protagonist with his back against the wall and a band of not so loveabld rogues pitted against dangerous and difficult odds in the filthy streets of tudor London. The history is meticulously researched and Jecks has managed to comfortably walk the line between accuracy and relatability for the modern reader. This was fast paced, cleverly plotted and thoroughly immersive. Highly recommend.

First book I read in this series and won't surely be the last.
I liked the well researched historical background, the well crafted plot that kept me hooked, and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
It was an engrossing and entertaining read, masterly told and extremely engaging.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Rebellion's Message by Michael Jecks is a cautionary tale, which takes place at the time of Mary of England and during Wyatt's Rebellion when the nation was afraid that Mary was going to marry Philip of Spain and essentially turn their country over to him. Jack is a relatively successful cutpurse who spends his days among whores and thieves and night among the same. He is a member of a household run by Bill who takes h is earnings and redistributes them, mostly to himself but in return provides safe shelter and food and ale. One day young Jack is in a tavern when he is passed a purse another has stolen. It is good and heavy and thrilled at his luck, Jack moves to leave the tavern. One in the courtyard, Jack is hit over the head and when he awakens he finds he is lying next to a dead man. Knowing what it will mean if he is found this way, he wisely takes off, going the only place he knows he will be safe, home. He turns the purse over to Bill and tells his story. Bill extricates the coin and tosses the purse back to Jack. Jack discovers a false bottom and within in it a small piece of parchment with something written, but it is in code. Gil, another of his mates takes a liking to the fancy purse, so Jack gives it to him sans message. Thus begins a time where seemingly everyone is London is after Jack and the message and no one seems to be honest about which side of the rebellion they are on and who, if any, can be trusted to not try to kill Jack. With many close calls under his belt, he tries to figure a way to get out of London to safety. People are dying. He doesn't want to be one of them.

I have loved Michael Jecks' writing since reading his Templar series years ago. This is a similar story, yet different.
Jack is a hapless fellow. Obviously his choice of profession comes with certain innate dangers and yet he is a good guy. He is honest, relatively and non-political, although he is pulled into political intrigue. He is unable to hide, which given the size of the city, even then, is amazing. Everyone he meets is out for themselves, which sometimes gets them killed, and always threatens to get him killed. It is a face-paced intrigue, true to the time, which was one of upheaval and uncertainty. It is an interesting read, a "fun" read, if you will and one I enjoyed. I recommend it to anglophiles and history readers. Enjoy!

I received a free ARC of Rebellions's Message from Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #rebellionsmessage