The Saracen's Mark (Nicholas Shelby, #3) (2024)

The books of S. W. Perry have fast become one of my favourite historical crime mystery series. I loved bothThe Angel’s MarkandThe Serpent’s Markso, as you can probably imagine, I was very much looking forward to readingThe Saracen’s Mark. I’m pleased to report that I wasn’t disappointed. In fact, I think it may be the best book in the series yet. The story gripped me from its enticing opening line – ‘In the moment before they caught him, Adolfo Sykes was dreaming of oranges‘ – to the poignant closing moments, and everything in between.

As before, the backdrop to the story is the turbulent period towards the end of Elizabeth I’s reign. The Spanish Armada may have been defeated but questions still remain about the succession, not everyone can practice their faith openly and the fear of Papist plots persists. No wonder then that the intelligence network of Lord Burghley and his son, Robert Cecil, seemingly has ears and eyes everywhere. And as Bianca observes,“A journey undertaken for Robert Cecil does not always end at the destination you are expecting.”Little does she know how right she will be. Great for us as readers, not so great for those persuaded to undertake such a journey. Add to this the threat of the plague and you have a situation of unexpected contemporary resonance in which the Lord Mayor has ordered the playhouses and the bear-pits closed in the fight against a disease described as ‘an exceptionally malign mystery’ that some see as a sign of God’s displeasure.

It was a delight to catch up with the two main characters: physician, Nicholas Shelby, and apothecary and owner of The Jackdaw tavern in Bankside, Bianca Merton. I love Bianca’s determination, independence and resourcefulness as well as her loyalty towards her employees Rose, Ned, Timothy and Farzad. However, in her eagerness to see the wicked brought to justice, she sometimes places herself in risky situations. Likewise, Nicholas’s sense of justice and unconventional views on medicine (no casting of horoscopes for him when diagnosing disease) have won him few allies. Only Robert Cecil values his ingenuity and plain speaking.

The author continues to tease the reader with the ‘will they/won’t they’ nature of the relationship between Nicholas and Bianca. Will it always be a partnership based merely on mutual respect and friendship or can Nicholas consign to the past his painful memories and feelings of guilt and let it grow into something more intimate? The staff and regulars at The Jackdaw would certainly like that to be the case. (This reader would too.)

One of the things I’ve loved about the previous books is the way the author conjures up the sights, sounds and smells of Elizabethan London. This time, he repeats that feat in transporting the reader to exotic Marrakech, as in this description of a public square thronged with people.

‘The sun beats down on merchants selling oils, honey, parsley and oregano; troupes of wrestlers; jugglers and snake-charmers; young boys with solemn faces and bells on their wrists, performing energetic dances to the applause of the crowd. There are men sitting on stools who turn spindles on foot-lathes, fortune-tellers, acrobats, professional storytellers, even a display of severed heads stinking and plum-dark on their poles, reminding Nicholas of the traitors’ heads that grace the top of the gatehouse on London Bridge. Were it not for the heat, it could be Bankside on any May Day.’

In addition, as part of Nicholas’ ‘cover story’, the reader is privy to some fascinating information about Arabic medical practices of the time which are much more advanced, enlightened and science based than those practised in England.

During the course of his secret mission for Robert Cecil, the true purpose of which he’s not even been able to share with Bianca, Nicholas strays into the path of some decidedly unsavoury characters, a few of whom definitely fall into the “boo hiss” villain category. And as Bianca tries to investigate back in London, she risks finding herself in a similarly perilous situation – as if the plague wasn’t enough of a threat. As she observes to Nicholas, reflecting on their past adventures, “When does it end, this dainty measure we dance with death?”For both of them, danger will bring clarity about what is really important to them.

Clever little touches by the author, such as shorter chapters and switching the action more frequently between Nicholas in Marrakech and Bianca back in London, help to accelerate the pace and build the tension in the final section of the book. And the author certainly knows how to craft a dramatic close to a chapter.

Although it’s the third in the series,The Saracen’s Markcan definitely be read as a standalone as the author includes brief details of events from the previous books for the benefit of new readers. If you’ve got the time or inclination though, I’d recommend reading the series from the beginning.

With its well-crafted plot, lashings of period detail and colourful cast of characters,The Saracen’s Mark– along with its predecessors – will appeal to fans of historical crime mysteries, such as C J Sansom’s Shardlake series or Rory Clements’ John Shakespeare series. And for those who have already discovered The Jackdaw Mysteries series, there’s good news as the author is working on a fourth book.

An excellent series- an excellent installment. Nicholas travels to North Africa and foils a conspiracy. Bianca interferes and gets into trouble. I love these two characters, but also the supporting characters at the Jackdaw.

London 1593. While Bianca manages her pub and apothecary shop in Southwark, her physician partner Nicholas is ordered by Robert Cecil to sail to the Barbary Coast to study Islamic treatment methods.
From here the story alternates between Britain and Morocco, allied government dealings, conspiracies and different cultures. In London the pestilence holds the city hostage, in Morocco the slave trade is in full operation.

The Sarencen's Mark is an action packed historical novel moving at a slow pace, giving the reader a lot of time to contemplate the events and take in all the sights and smells.

Thank you Netgalley and Atlantic Books for the ARC.

It is two years since the events of the previous book and Nicholas Shelby, physician and reluctant part-time spy for Robert Cecil, minister to Queen Elizabeth I, hasn't quite got his act together vis a vis his smouldering relationship with Bianca, tavern keeper and apothecary. Then a rift opens when he accepts a commission to go to Marrakesh and investigate the lack of dispatches from a spy of Cecil's who works there as an official for a merchant company. Cecil threatens to have Bianca's licence to practice revoked and Nicholas doesn't tell her this so his cover story of studying Moorish medical practices doesn't convince.

Meanwhile the two had made a start on investigating a murder close to home of a harmless old man who was tortured before being killed. It transpires that he had connections to Marrakesh and as Bianca continues to investigate on her own, murky links begin to emerge with slavery and a very nasty Captain Connell, plus an official of the college of heralds.

I wasn't totally convinced by the motivation of the man eventually revealed as the chief plotter, and also of the way Bianca puts herself at risk. There were a few typographical errors which were jarring such as transposing letters so that except/expect were substituted. On the whole I liked the story, but enjoyed the previous volume more, so am rating it as a 3 star read.

From a technical perspective, this an absolutely marvellous book. Written with the utmost detail and intelligence, the author displays a vicarious knowledge of the late sixteenth century to paint an extremely vivid picture, creating an intricate and carefully woven story in the process. I only wish then, that I had connected with it more.

This was very much an occasion where I could appreciate the sheer quality and literary merit of the writing, but the story generally failed to grip me. It may have been down in part to the slow paced nature of the storytelling, or a mystery that was full of complexity but short on intrigue. All the same, I feel regret at not being able to look back on this as a new favourite read.

This is the third book in a series, something that I unaware of when I asked to take part in the blog tour. Although it mostly works as a standalone, there are several references to events that happened in the previous instalments. Set in 1593, it follows the work of physician Nicholas Shelby as he uncovers criminal networks in South London alongside Bianca Merton, a local tavern mistress.

At the beginning, Nicholas, now undeniably in love with Bianca and almost willing to move on from the death of his wife and child three years earlier, is asked by Sir Robert Cecil to be a special envoy to Marrakech, where his predecessor Adolfo Sykes has mysteriously vanished. He initially refuses, but a combination of blackmail and the discovery of a brutal murder leads him to change his mind.

On his voyage to Morocco, Nicholas develops misgivings about the sea captain, Cathal Connell, and after arriving there are hints of a wider conspiracy linked to the murder that has taken place in London. Meanwhile, the plague is sweeping across London and Bianca is caught up in a dangerous investigation that threatens her status as a licensed apothecary.

The author has a fantastic grasp of the historical setting and its context. It is impressive how real figures and events are incorporated into the plot, while we see a clear depiction of the social classes that existed within London at the time. This was mirrored by the parts of the story that took place in Marrakech. But the thing that felt slightly lacking was atmosphere, as neither setting truly captivated me.

The same can be said about the mystery. Although it is complex and very well constructed, the slow pace and depth of the story meant it was not the kind of thing that had me furiously turning the pages to find out what was going to happen. There were moments of tension, but most of the plot is conveyed through meaningful and connotational dialogue.

Both of the main protagonists are likeable, and despite being new to this series I could certainly see how their relationship was slowly, deftly developed over time. They sometimes have to go to great lengths to ensure that justice is done, but they stand up for the right things and that makes it easy to root for them.

Nicholas is very principled and much more open-minded than many of his fellows, fighting hard for equality. As for Bianca, I really liked her. She is bold and compassionate, and her dialogue is excellent. Bianca is commonly referred to as ‘the witch who nobody dares hang’, and she uses that reputation shrewdly to get information from those in positions of power. As a woman in 1593, she is terribly underestimated.

The writing is flowery and at times extravagant. I admired the attention to detail and the eloquent composition of each sentence. There are a lot of similes too, most of them animal related. It was just the lack of pace which meant the book did not always hold my attention.

Overall, this is a book with an unerringly high quality of writing and a well conceived plot line that takes place in an immensely detailed historical setting. Yet even with so much to admire, I did not connect with it as much as I had hoped. Many readers will love it, and with good reason. Just not this one.

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I absolutely LOVED this book!

I thought that the story was superb, well planned out and so well developed – the characters were brilliant and very genuine and believable and I loved the writing style – the author brought both the characters and the period to life for me.

I love the Tudor period and over the year I have devoured book after book on the period so as soon as I saw this one I jumped at the chance to read a copy – and it was an absolutely fantastic story, a complete page turned and highly addictive. I loved everything about it!

It is the third book in the series but it does read fine as a stand-alone too – but if you do get an opportunity to read the other books in the series they are just as good!

It is 5 stars from me for this one without hesitation, I thought it was a superb story to read and thoroughly enjoyable – very highly recommended and a brilliant historical fiction story!!

Browsing through the Borrowbox book choices I came across this and it sounded interesting. It is the third in a series of tales of a group of characters in the days of Elizabeth 1st. The previous two weren't available so I decided to read it anyway and it really didn't matter. There were frequent references to happenings in the past of the protagonist which helped rather than hindered the story. It is a rip roaring tale of murky goings on in Tudor England at the time of the Plague with parallels to our current time of Covid lockdown - shops and businesses closed down, activities curtailed. There is adventure, intrigue, romance, danger, heroes, heroines and villains. The description is so vivid that you imagine yourself there. I also learnt much about the trade between Africa and England at that time and the advanced medicinal practices taking place in Africa. The only annoying thing was the use of so many foreign names - I began to lose track of who was who and I didn't know how to pronounce them. I will probably look out for those two earlier books as I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

An Absolutely Cracking Read

From the moment I turned the first page of The Angel's Mark I was hooked on this brilliant series of books by S.W.Perry. The character of Nicholas Shelby quickly established himself on my list of favourite fictional people. The tragic hand he was dealt saw him flounder in despair and I suffered with him so I was greatly relieved when the Mistress Merton came to rescue his sanity and, eventually, his heart - although the latter takes until Book 3 to resolve itself!
In Book 2, The Serpent's Mark, we see Nicholas's recovery satisfyingly progress although his reluctant entanglement with the parliamentary powerful means he is never far enough away from the threat of danger and death...a state of play that is further played out in this, the third book, The Saracens Mark. Far away from home, and from the steadying influence of Bianca, he finds himself in the greatest danger yet which is averted only by the greatest of good luck.
The whole series has kept me on the edge of my seat where one minute I adore him for his willingness to face danger head on in his determination to keep his woman safe and the next minute I'm berating him for his stupidity in putting himself in such a dangerous situation.
I have just purchased the 4th book, and judging by the prologue I am expecting another heart stopping read as Nicolas and Bianca face their greatest danger yet.
Top marks for an absolutely spellbinding read. I honestly cannot get enough of the Jackdaw Stories and hope The Heritics Mark will not be the end of these wonderful characters.

The Jackdaw Mystery series is one of my favourites. Not only because of the characters but also because it takes place in my favourite period in British history. There is something about the power, corruption and fear that enthrals me and all of it comes across in this series.

There are two threads throughout the novel. One concerns Nicholas’s time in Marrakech, the connection between there and the Tudor court was something I wasn’t aware of and the other concerns Bianca and her attempts to stay safe from the plague that is crossing London and her having to come to terms with her feeling of abandonment with Nicholas going to Marrakech. But these two threads are connected and both are in danger.

Whilst I enjoyed reading about Nicholas in Marrakech, learning about the customs and the medical knowledge, and seeing the danger he faced it was Bianca’s story I preferred. The plague that brought fear, empty streets and mounting death but also the threat from power. But the way Bianca dealt with all, knowing that either could end her life had me hooked.

As usual I spent time on google researching the real life characters and events and enjoyed every minute. I hope that this series continues

I can’t believe Bianca and Nicolas actually got their sh*t together.

4.5⭐️

This is the third in Perry’s Jackdaw Mysteries, a series of historical thrillers set in Elizabethan England and whilst it can be read as standalone I recommend reading the previous books .

The year is 1593, Nicholas Shelby is a physician and reluctant spy, is pressured by Robert Cecil into travelling to the Moorish city of Marrakech to investigate the disappearance of one of Cecil’s agents.
Meanwhile back in London Bianca manages her pub and apothecary shop in Southwark - her position is precarious in the unsettled times ...…………… it also looks as they the Black Death has returned .
AS Nicholas's investigations continue - Bianca also finds herself inexplicably investigating the same murderous plot after one of her customers , Solomon Mandel , is found dead . These murders must both be solved to ensure that the Queen and Country survive a catastrophic outcome .
Is an international conspiracy to blame / will England's security be at risk ?
The twists and turns of the plots and the outcomes will keep a reader fully invested in the story .

This Author is one of the best in the genre - able to write about the times , the politics , the important players all the while addressing the ordinary lives affected by the decisions of their 'betters' .

I look forward to reading more in this series from this outstanding Author .

I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Another outing for Nicholas Shelby and the gorgeous Bianca Murton. This time Nicholas is once again caught up in intrigue and double crossing but he ends up in Morocco and miles away from his friends - and as it's often Bianca who comes to his aid - he is in trouble this time. Meanwhile in London the plague strikes and they have their own battles.

So enjoying these fast-paced, historical thrillers - love Bianca, a woman of spirit and plenty of zest!

The Saracen’s Mark, the third book in the Jackdaw Mysteries series after The Angel’s Mark and The Serpent’s Mark, sees the return of maverick physician/reluctant spy Nicholas Shelby and pioneering female apothecary/tavern keeper Bianca Merton, as danger and intrigue once again stalk the streets of Elizabethan London. This time, however, the redoubtable duo are going to find that the truth lies even further afield than ever before and that the danger facing them is more deadly than they could ever have imagined.

With the events of the Spanish Armada now safely in the past, England is taking steps towards cementing its place as a global superpower, although the trouble posed by historic enemies and the fear related to the possible resurgence of the plague are not to be underestimated. In Bankside, London, Nicholas Shelby is dragged from his bed one night to attend a medical emergency at the home of Robert Cecil, Elizabeth I’s spymaster. He is able to perform his duties as a doctor fairly easily, but Cecil has another task in mind for Shelby: a spy has gone missing in Marrakech and Cecil wants Shelby to travel to Morocco in the guise of learning about medical advances by Muslim physicians in order to discover the fate of the spy.

Shelby is reluctant to undertake such a dangerous mission, and he’s even more reluctant to step out on his growing relationship with Bianca Merton for the length of time the journey would take, but Cecil leaves him with little choice in the matter. As for Merton, she has her hands full acting as London’s only female apothecary and also overseeing the running of the Jackdaw tavern, especially when her trusted cook Farzad disappears on the very night a regular customer is murdered. A new group of customers are making Merton suspicious, and she’s definitely not happy that Shelby is going to be working for Robert Cecil again. Plus, there’s the constant worry that the plague might cross the river and reach Bankside…

The Saracen’s Mark represents another thrilling and action-packed adventure for Shelby and Merton – they really do have a knack for finding themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. The relationship between the two has certainly developed, although there is still something holding them back, whether it be suspicion or memories of the past, from fully committing to/trusting each other. The dynamic between the pair is really engaging though, even when they’re fighting, and it’s nice to see them on the cusp of finding happiness together. It’s also nice to revisit the loyal staff of the Jackdaw – things are changing somewhat for Rose, Ned, Farzad, and Tom, but they’re still pulling together as a family around Merton and Shelby.

S.W. Perry does a great job of portraying the sights, sounds and smells of Elizabethan London, which is admittedly a popular setting for historical crime fiction stories. However, The Saracen’s Mark goes beyond most other books of the kind by having much of the action take place in Marrakech, which really is an unusual setting for a book about this period featuring English main characters. Shelby’s investigation allows Perry to portray what a Tudor Londoner makes of Morocco and Moroccans, and it’s really interesting to witness the culture clash and exchanges of ideas that ensue. The story wears Perry’s considerable research lightly, but readers can learn much about the time, the customs and the conflicts.

The mystery at the heart of The Saracen’s Mark is an intriguing one, and it’s great to follow along with Shelby’s and Merton’s investigations before they converge and the truth is finally revealed. There are some very menacing baddies involved, and probably even more morally dubious characters, so there’s a real sense of peril throughout much of the story. There’s plenty for Shelby and Merton to unpick, and it’s a lot of fun to read about their efforts.

This is the third book featuring Nicholas Shelby, Bianca Merton and Elizabethan London, which is basically a third character. Nicholas is an unconventional physician who is frequently regarded as suspect because of his refusal to accept standard medical practices of the time. Bianca is from Padua, and has a lot of experience in herbal and other remedies, as well as a certain ambiguity of her faith. The novel begins with events in Bankside, a notorious part of London, popularly considered to be the home of thieves and other dubious characters. This is a really well set up context, full of details and local colour which reveals a huge amount of research which is beautifully understated. The dialogue is lively and realistic, with small surprises and revelations. There is a little interdependent community in this book, and there are many references to previous events, but this book can definitely be read as a standalone novel. In this book the range of Nicholas’ travels exceed those of the previous two novels in the series, as he feels obliged to travel to Marrakech. Neither Nicholas or Bianca find life easy, as challenges crop up for them in many ways. I found this a really enjoyable read, and I am pleased to be able to review it.

The novel begins with Nicholas being summoned in the middle of the night to attend Sir Robert Cecil, son of Queen Elizabeth’s chief adviser. He has been at Sir Robert’s service for a few years, always on the edge of danger from the machinations of the cunning spymaster. Initially he only wants to consult Nicholas as a physician, but it soon becomes obvious that he is interested in something more complex. When a celebration ends with a young man going missing, both Nicholas and Bianca are deeply worried; there are all sorts of dangers to a man of foreign background. A terrible discovery both frightens and intrigues Nicholas, and soon he finds that he is in contact with the rather demanding Cecil once more. As he feels forced to leave the country on a mission he does not fully understand, both he and Bianca feel that they have left much unsaid. Meanwhile, Bianca has to deal with a terrifying plague that threatens everything she has built up over the past few years. In addition, it seems that a rich and influential man has several designs upon Bianca that go beyond physical attraction.

This is a fascinating book which has its brutal moments, and there are moments of high drama and risk. It has much to say about the religious differences which separated people in London and internationally. The other big issues of the time, such as slavery and medical developments play their part in this novel. The writing is so good that vivid sounds, smells and more are conveyed. The female characters play a strong and independent role in this novel. I found it very exciting and enthralling, a real page turner. I really enjoyed this book, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys lively historical fiction, with more than a hint of suspense.

Doctor Nicholas Shelby and Bianca Merton have no luck. Ever since Blanca fished Nicholas from the Thames after his suicide attempt, we’ve been waiting for him to live and love again. Bianca has opened an apothecary shop that she runs herself and she’s put Rose in charge of the Jackdaw Inn ably assisted by man mountain Ned Monkton, pot boy Timothy and new staff member Farzad. Farzad was taken by a slaver whose ship was wrecked. He was picked up by English sailors and dropped off in London, having been educated to recite a wide variety of insults impugning just about everything about Philip of Spain, the Pope and Catholics in general. He puts his cooking skills to good use at the Jackdaw. At the start of The Saracen’s Mark the author teases us. We think, we hope that Nicholas and Blanca are going to marry but it turns out it’s Rose and Ned. Although they do get a bit closer under the kissing knot hung in the Jackdaw, much to the delight of the usual crowd of Bankside customers.

Actually the number of customers is depleted. Plague is rumoured to be on its way and people are trying not to mix if they can help it. Solomon, a recusant Jew, who makes his living as a merchant suggests that Captain Connell and his men from three ships recently docked could make up the shortfall. Captain Connell is not an attractive man in any sense but his coin is good and his men disciplined so they are made welcome.

Late on the night of the wedding, Nicholas goes out for a walk. He finds an open door that should be shut for the night. Nicholas goes inside where he finds Solomon’s tortured body lying on the blood soaked sheets of his own bed. He has been flayed. The skin has been removed in strips from his chest. Unfortunately this is also the night Farzad disappears. The justice system, such as it is, jumps to the obvious and convenient solution. One foreigner has killed another. Nicholas and Blanche know he has done no such thing but where has he gone and why?

Meanwhile Nicholas is summoned to see Robert Cecil. One of his agents, the factor for the Barbary Trading Company has stopped sending reports. He’d like Nicholas to go to Marrakesh to find out why. The relationship between Queen Elizabeth and the local Sultan is important to British trade. The carrot is Nicholas’s cover will be learning Moorish medical techniques so that he can shake up the stodgy, old British medical establishment and earn himself a lucrative career in the process. When Nicholas refuses, Cecil brings out the big stick. He will have Bianca’s apothecary license withdrawn. Now Nicholas can’t allow that to happen, can he? So we are off to Morocco where nothing is as it first appears and where it looks unlikely that Nicholas will make the homeward bound trip.

There was a lot of historical detail about slavery at the time that I wasn’t aware of. Seeing seventeenth century Marrakesh through Nicholas’s eyes was a fascinating experience too. History is really brought to life in this engaging and fascinating series.

This is the third in the Jackdaw series of mystery novels of S W Perry featuring his two protagonists, Nicholas Shelby, free-thinking physician, and his beautiful Anglo Italian friend and companion, the apothecary and Bankside tavern keeper, Bianca Merton.

The action begins, however, far from the London of 1593, in the streets of Marrakech where Adolfo Sykes, agent of the Barbary Company of London, founded by the Earls of Warwick and Leicester, is ambushed and seized on his way to the city hospital, the Bimaristan al-Mansur.

Back in London, Nicholas Shelby is summoned from his bed by Robert Cecil, privy councillor and son of Lord Burghley, the Lord Treasurer. The reason for the summons initially appears straightforward. Robert Cecil and his wife are worried that their two-year old son, William, has contracted the plague which has returned to London. Nicholas is able to put their minds at rest on that score and it is only then that Cecil’s real purpose in summoning him is revealed.

We learn that Adolfo Sykes is not only the Barbary Company factor in Marrakech but also an agent of Robert Cecil. Cecil is concerned that he has not heard from his spy for several weeks and wants Nicholas to travel to Marrakech to investigate what has happened. This is an important mission because England’s defences are dependent upon the saltpetre that it receives from Morocco in exchange for matchlock muskets. This high-quality saltpetre is used to produce more powerful gunpowder that ensures that the English navy’s ships have maximum firepower.

The murder of Solomon Mandel, a Jewish Bankside resident and customer of the Jackdaw Tavern, draws Nicholas and Bianca into this unfolding mystery. While Bianca remains in London, struggling to defend Bankside from the threat of the plague as it advances relentlessly into Southwark, Nicholas realises that Robert Cecil will use any means possible to ensure Nicholas does his bidding and, in spite of Bianca’s protestations, travels to Marrakech. There he uncovers an international conspiracy that threatens England’s security.

The author has woven together seamlessly his knowledge of England’s developing relationship with the Arab world at the end of the sixteenth century, and the importance of Arab writers to the development of medicine in Europe at that time, with a fast paced, action-packed adventure that covers two continents and has enough twists and turns to satisfy the most demanding reader.

I would like to express my thanks to Net Galley and Atlantic Books/Corvus for making a free download of this book available to me.

After reading this book, I'm left wondering why it took me so long to discover this author!

The two main characters, Nicholas Shelby (physician) and Bianca Merton (apothecary) are very well characterized and it was easy to root for them. Neither Nicholas or Bianca have an easy life, but they choose to do what’s right over what’s easy. I especially like that Nicholas shuns the normal medical practices of the day for more realistic methods - “I swore I would only practise medicine that I could prove works.”

Luckily for Nicholas, Robert Cecil, Elizabeth’s spymaster, also believes in Nicholas’ experience and beliefs and entrusts him with a valuable, but dangerous mission.

Speaking of that dangerous mission - the mystery in this book is intriguing and suspenseful - the tension is kept high and the pace of the book moves along quite well. I found it extremely hard to put the book down and always needed to read “just one more chapter!”

One of the things I wasn’t expecting, but found absolutely fascinating, was the journey into Marrakech, Morocco. While I had expected to spend most of the story in London and England, it was the exotic descriptions of Marrakech that captured my imagination.

The story switches back and forth between the two places (Nicholas in Marrakech and Bianca in London) and the contrast (and clash) between the two cultures is evident as our two protagonists attempt to make their own investigations. The English in that period are notoriously suspicious of foreigners so it was interesting to see how Nicholas would interact with his new surroundings.

I love it when an author makes a location as much of a character as the people in the story, and Perry does a fantastic job of making these cities come alive. The sights, the smells, the heat - it’s all there and the attention to detail added a lot to my enjoyment of this book.

Although this was my introduction to the series, I didn’t find it hard to follow along. The book reads well as a standalone (but I’m definitely going to go back and read the first two).

I found that this book reminded me of other historical fiction series that I love - particularly those of CJ Sansom and Rory Clement. I always eagerly await new books from those authors and I will now be adding SW Perry to that list.

*** Thank you to book tour organiser, Random Things Tours, and the author, SW Perry, for providing me with an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

My thanks to Atlantic Books for an eARC via NetGalley of S.J. Perry’s ‘The Saracen’s Mark’ in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third in Perry’s Jackdaw Mysteries, a series of historical thrillers set in Elizabethan England. While background is provided for new readers, it’s a great series and well worth reading in order, especially to see the development of its characters and enjoy Perry’s vivid descriptions of Elizabethan England.

The series focuses on continuing tensions between the Catholic and Protestant faiths. The year is 1593, Nicholas Shelby is a physician and reluctant spy. Here he is pressured by Robert Cecil into travelling to the Moorish city of Marrakech to investigate the disappearance of one of Cecil’s agents. This journey also provides Shelby with an opportunity to meet with Moorish physicians, as he his well aware of the debt that Western medicine owes to Islamic medicine.

Back in London Bianca Merton, mistress of the Jackdaw tavern, is concerned about the return of the plague to the city. Her position as a single woman, a healer, and a Catholic is precarious given the bias against all three in Elizabethan society.

This proved another excellent foray into the late 16th century with the addition of Nicholas’ dangerous journey to Morocco. Elements of the sea journey were quite harrowing.

In the Historical Note Perry writes: “it seemed the ideal time to write a little about the debt Western medicine and science owe to the world of historical Islam. And then I discovered the extraordinary alliance between England and Morocco that began in the latter part of the sixteenth century.”

I have to admit that I hadn’t heard of this alliance so was quite intrigued to read about it. As with the previous books in the series, the narrative is peppered with historical figures. Perry also details who is who and where he has exercised creative licence in the Historical Note and provides a number of non fiction sources that may be of interest to his readers.

I always appreciate when an author of historical fiction has this level of dedication in terms of researching their period and the skill to weave these details into an immersive tale.

Overall, a highly enjoyable historical thriller that I loved. Certainly hoping that Perry will be writing more books in this excellent series.

This is a really solid historical book. Set during the Elizabeth period this book contains the darkness, intrigue and betrayal you would expect for the period. The male protagonist Nicholas Shelby lives in Bankside, a place full of squalor and poverty, and the descriptions of this area build such a clear picture of this part of London in the 16th Century, contrasted to the house of Robert Cecil, one of Elizabeth’s spy masters, and later through the book the grandeur of the Moroccan palaces.

The other main character is Bianca Merton, landlady of the Jackdaw Tavern in Bankside, who Nicholas is in love with. She is a strong character who is not afraid to argue with Shelby, or to help with his investigations. I really liked her character, as well as the supporting characters who work with/for her.

I enjoyed the mystery as Nicholas travels to Marrakech, on Robert Cecil's orders. The description of the sea voyage and of Marrakech itself are incredibly detailed and easy to visualise. I was kept guessing as to what had happened to Sykes and by who, and there are some good surprises in the story. There is an element of danger to the job he has been given by Robert Cecil which is well written throughout.

Whilst Nicholas is hunting for clues in Morocco, Bianca is hunting for clues in London, all whilst the threat of the plague lingers. As a woman she is limited in what she is able to do and how she is viewed - but she is clever and is able to play the games of intrigue just as well as the men in this story.

This book is the third in the Jackdaw Mysteries, and I would recommend reading the first two novels first. The leading characters often reference things from the other books, and I think it would help to know their relationships better and understand the characters a little better, but it is possible to start this without having read Angels Mark and The Serpents Mark, because that’s exactly what I did. Now I have finished The Saracen’s Mark I may go back to read the others; I liked the characters, the story was interesting and the book well-written.

I received a free copy from Readers First in exchange for my honest review.

Book 3 in the series, although you don't have to have read the previous ones to enjoy this story it would probably help as it frequently mentions things that happened in the first 2 books which could be a bit frustrating.

Being a few books in and having read the first two we are now in comfortable territory, we know the characters and how they act so don't need things explained as much or lengthy back story details which allows us more time just to live with them. We get a wedding celebration with two of the regulars, as well as hints at the burgeoning relationship between our main character and the Italian apothecary/landlady Bianca Merton who saved his life in the first book. Is Nicholas ready to move on from the memory of losing his wife in childbirth?

The devious Robert Cecil plays his part in the story as always, subtly blackmailing Nicholas into going abroad to spy for him. We also have the ship captain Connell who rocks up just before the wedding who seems innocent enough to begin with, but you just know he has some backstory that and more devilish intentions. There's something not right as it causes Farzad to go into hiding after seeing him appear in their taproom, so he know's who Connell really is, and feels safer hiding rather than telling anyone.

We eventually get to Morocco where Nicholas begins his investigations, but they don't last too long before we are on our way back to England.

Oh yeah and the whole time this is going on a plague is descending on London just to add to it all.

As thoroughly entertaining as the previous volumes, i am invested in the lives of Nicholas and his friends, and can't wait to read more about their lives and adventures.

The Saracen’s Mark by S W Perry
This is the third in the Jackdaw series and follows The Angel’s Mark and The Serpent’s Mark. It is set in a Bankside area where the theatres are closed and Queen Elizabeth has retired to Windsor for fear of the pestilence which stalks London and as such was prescient of what is currently occurring worldwide – social distancing for fear of the virus.
Having read the two previous novels I was already familiar with the characters of Nicholas Shelby and Bianca Merton. He is a free thinking doctor who has previously worked for Sir Robert Cecil and has care for his two year old son and she is female apothecary and also runs The Jackdaw tavern. The story however opens in Morocco with the death of an agent of the English crown and so we know this is where Nicholas Shelby will be bound sometime soon. Before he sets off however there is intrigue and mystery on home soil. Farzad the cook in the Jackdaw Tavern disappears and Solomon, a Jackdaw regular, is tortured and killed. In addition we have the happier tale of the marriage of Ned and Rose; characters we met in previous books.
The sights and smells of the period are wonderfully evoked and the story draws you along to its conclusion and it makes a good addition to the vast number of books set in the Tudor period.
I would recommend it to reading groups and thoroughly enjoyed this third adventure with the characters. Many thanks to the publishers and to Net Galley for the opportunity to read the book in return for an honest review.

I found this to be the weakest of the trilogy. The issue I had with the other two (weak main characters) bothered me even more this time as the more time I spent with Nicholas, Bianca and Friends, the more irritating I found them (especially Bianca).
The plot was so so. This time with a rather more exotic location as Nicholas travels to the Barbary Coast on a mission for Cecil. This had moments of interest.
The interminable will they won't they 'romance' between Nicholas and Bianca carried on into this third book, even though it should have been done and dusted by the end of book one. I don't feel any chemistry between them coming off the page so their whole relationship just felt dull and drawn out especially as the reason they can't be together (Nicholas being a widower) seems contrived and no real barrier if they actually had a genuine connection.
Another bugbear for me was how Woke all the main characters were. All the side characters are stereotypes of the period: racist, distrustful of foreigners, hatred of other religions, fixed ideas about the roles of the sexes, looking down on the disabled, etc. The main characters by contrast are entirely right-on with not only a lack of hatred for marginal people but an impressive respect and sensitivity for cultural and religious differences. It was laid on with a trowel. I'm not saying I wanted them to be sexist or racist I just felt it was badly done and wish the author could have glossed over it rather than seeking to emphasis how endlessly enlightened they all were in every area.

A good historical thriller, set in Elizabethan London and Marrakech, in the year 1593. Plague has arrived in London, the queen and her ministers, and anyone else who can afford to, has left the city for anywhere with cleaner air. The poorer people of Bankside just have to do what they can and hope for the best, while calling on the skills of Doctor Nicholas Shelby and his girlfriend Bianca Merton who is an apothecary, herbalist, and some would say witch.
But then they are deprived of Nicholas as he is sent on an errand by privy councillor Robert Cecil. He is to go to Marrakech, ostensibly as an envoy of the queen, but also to find out what has happened to his spy over there. Unknown to Cecil and Nicholas, the man had been killed by a revolutionary faction hoping to overthrow the present leadership and distance themselves from the western world.
There are also many other intrigues going on, far too many to mention in this quick review, but never have the words "trust no-one" been truer.
This is the third book in the series, but the first I have read. Although I will definitely look out for the other two, The Angel's Mark, and The Serpent's Mark.

The book is set in a plague-ridden London and a mysterious and intriguing Marrakech, during the reign of Elizabeth the First.
The author authentically captures the historical mood and idioms of both cities during that period. The main protagonists, Nicholas Shelby and Bianca Merton are well rounded yet complex characters.
The story is absorbing with many unexpected twists to keep the reader fully immersed in the story. I was previously unaware of the important trade between the Arab world and Europe, especially in Saltpetre – a vital component of gunpowder.
SW Perry, the author, gives a thought-provoking description of London in the midst of a plague epidemic. We can perhaps make comparisons to the current period of mankind being devastated by the Covid-19 virus pandemic, with no known cure. Of course, social distancing in Elizabethan England was not possible except for the very wealthy.
I understand that there are two more novels in this series, which I intend to read in the future.
To summarise, the Saracens Mark is a good read for those who enjoy historical novels, well researched, a fascinating plot and totally absorbing.

This is set in the Elizabethan time. It is the third book in a series written by the same author with the original characters.

Just like the other books, this book follows Nicholas Shelby, an unusual English physician who also helps those in power solve conspiracy theories.

In this book, Nicholas must help Robert Cecil find out what had happened to his acquaintance, Adolfo Sykes in Marrakech. Despite refusing to go as he intends to wed Bianca Merton, an apothecary who helps him and others in the poorer area by the Thames also the impending plague. He is coerced in doing Robert's bidding.

The book is well written with vivid descriptions and dialogues. I liked how it made references to areas near the Thames in London and Marrakech in Morocco, places that I know. I don't really read books set in the Elizabethan Era so I didn't like some of the old terms that were used as I didn't quite understand them but it makes the story more realistic and other readers may find it more engaging.

Maverick physician Nicholas Shelby is content working amounts the poor of Bankside, recovering from the loss of his wife and child, falling in love with apothecary and tavern-owner Bianca Merton and avoiding Robert Cecil. However Cecil has other ideas and wants Shelby to travel to Marrakech where one of his informers has gone silent. As plague threatens to engulf London, Shelby finds himself blackmailed by Cecil and travelling to Morocco living his loved ones in danger at home.
I really liked the setting of this story. The trade links that England forged with North Africa during the 16th century are a not particularly well-known part of history but are hugely important. Here the relative sophistication of life in Marrakech is contrasted with the dirty and squalid life in London and the advances in medicine that were known to the Arab world are compared with Western ideas. The plot bounces along at a good pace and satisfies in terms of twists and turns but it is the time and place that really wins out here.

I love the cover - eye-catching and detailed. The Saracen's Mark is the third novel about Nicholas Shelby, a maverick physician who ends up a reluctant spy to Robert Cecil, and his relationship with Bianca Merton, a Catholic from Padua who now runs The Jackdaw Tavern and is also an apothecary. Set against the background of the returning Plague to the streets of London and the back alleys of Marrakesh Nicholas and Bianca must work separately to undercover the mystery of a sad*stic murder of an elderly and harmless Jew.

Perry writes well to evoke the atmosphere of Elizabethan backstreets, the life of an apothecary, the fear of plague, the superstition, etc. The underlying fear of Catholics is reflected well in Bianca's constant worry of discovery.

Of the characters Bianca and Cecil are strongly portrayed, Nicholas a slightly softer being, but they all gel well. I'll certainly read another by S W Perry.

This is the third book of the Jackdaw series but perfectly fine as a stand alone.
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it as not my normal kind of read,
It is set during the Elizabethan time in Long Southwark, London and Marrakech, Morocco in the year 1593.
The two main characters are Dr Nicholas Shelby and Bianca Merton who has an apothecary shop as well as the Jackdaw public house.
Late one evening he is summoned to the home of Sir Robert Cecil.
He tells Nicholas that he is holding a dinner and wants him there though Nicholas cannot think why.
During the dinner medical practice came up, other doctors didn’t always agree with Nicholas’s methods.
After while the others are talking in one room, Sir Cecil and Nicholas were in another room. Sir Cecil wanted to send Nicholas to Marrakech to learn some new medical methods that was being practiced.
Was Nicholas walking into danger and what can Bianca do to help back in London?

Having read the first two books in the series I was looking forward to seeing what Nicholas Shelby and Bianca Merton got up to next.
This was very much in the same vein as it's predecessors - but, whereas the previous books were wholly based in Elizabethan London, this time the action is spread between London and Morocco.
In London there is a murder - and what looks like a very tortured end. Bianca is investigating who may be behind this crime - whilst her services as an apothecary are very much in demand as the plague has crossed over to her side of the Thames.
Meanwhile Nicholas has been "blackmailed" into travelling to Morocco by Robert Cecil. His man in Morocco has gone mysteriously silent and Cecil wants to know why.
It turns out that the two occurrences are linked but can they both, independently, work out the connection?
It's non stop from start to finish and really paints a vivid picture of what life was like back in the 16th century.