My son and I devoured this as soon as it passed our doorway! It's the much-anticipated sequel to Call of the Wraith. We first discovered Kevin Sands' series last year, also during my holiday Review-a-Day Holiday Picks, and were sucked in from the first book onward.
We were hoping in this, book 5, we'd get a peek and maybe even a showdown between the main character, Christopher Rowe, and the villain, The Raven, but…alas, that is not in this book. It is promised for future books, however, and like fish on the line, we'll take the bait and wait for the next one.
Christopher finds himself, once again, manipulated in a grand plot by The Raven, who has, if you remember, promised to hurt Christopher and all his friends, in the worst possible ways, for thwarting the Raven's plans multiple times now.
Vicomte Simon Chastellain staggers into the apothecary with a blade sticking out of his back. If not for Christopher's quick thinking, he'd be dead, but once he's saved, he brings good news -- the man they think is the Raven is dead.
Of course, it's a little too good to be true. And Christopher never quite buys it. Not that Simon's lying, not at all. Simon truly believes it, but with the Raven, everything is layers of manipulation, and nothing is as it seems.
King Charles II summons the trio of friends to the castle, and in appreciation for all they've done for England, makes Sally his warden, apprentices Christopher as a secret spy for the crown and as an apothecary, and Tom…ah, I won't say what the King offers Tom, as it's not revealed until the very end, and it's heart-breaking.
A scullery maid is discovered killed on the palace grounds, the second death in as many weeks connected to the King's household -- the first victim was found outside the palace, but still. Then notes start arriving for Christopher, written in cryptic fashion -- literally. But Christopher's new spy master helps him decode them and warns him against forcing the evidence to fit patterns that aren't there. Even if they haven't quite figured it out yet, it's clear there's a plot to kill the King.
At several points, Christopher believes he's figured it out. He convinces himself the notes are coming from the Templars' London cadre, and a Scottish faction clearly wants the King dead for reneging on an old oath / promise. He uncovers a mysterious door in the pantry and an attempt to poison the sugar before a large party, but it's all a little too easy.
Of course, there's a plot within a plot within a plot. The Raven is at work, and as usual, there will be multiple diversions, mis-directions and I truly can't say any more, for fear of ruining it!
Enjoy the ride and Christopher's eventual understanding of what's been done, and why, and by whom.
It's a heart-pounding read, and perfect, with the other four books in the series, for a gift under the tree or Menorah this holiday season.
And I'm really hoping for a showdown with the villain in the next book!
