Publication Date: November 1, 2014CreateSpace
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 470
Series: Daniel Cheswis Mystery
Genre: Historical Mystery
1644. The smoke of parliamentary musket, cannon, and mortar fire is in the air around the royalist stronghold of Lathom House. Though guards still stand atop its walls, it is besieged on all sides, and it is only a matter of time until the house, along with its embittered and unwavering countess, Lady Charlotte de Tremouille, falls to Parliament’s might. Yet somehow, a royalist spy still creeps, unseen, through its gates, and brings the countess Parliament’s secrets.
Barely recovered from the trials of the last few months, Daniel Cheswis is torn from his family and sent north, to uncover the identity of the traitor; though before he can even begin, Cheswis finds himself embroiled in a murder. A woman has been garrotted with cheese wire in her Chester home, suggesting there is more than just the usual hatreds of war at play.
As lives are lost and coats are turned on both sides, Cheswis is tasked with finding the murderer, uncovering the traitor, and surviving his soldierly duty long enough to see Lathom House fall.
My Review:
Four Stars
Copy recieved from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for an honest review
I really enjoyed "The Winter Siege" by D.W. Bradbridg, the first book in the "Daniel Cheswis" series so when the chance to review "A Soldier of Substance" came up I was really looking forward to it. Daniel continues to be a fantastic main character. He is relateable, fallible, and all too human. Bradbridge gives many details about the English Civil War. Since this a topic I know very little about I really enjoyed reading Bradbridge's perspective on it. Even though this is a very long book I think that Bradbridge is able to keep the reader interested and connected to the story because of the mysteries he introduces.
As I continue to read more historical fiction I have had my eyes opened to the cruel realities of English court (why anyone would want to be king or queen is lost on me) and two the threat of spies, the different methods used during the 1600 and beyond. I heard about spies and people who were spies but Bradbridge opened my eyes to all the intricacies that it entails. I was fascinated to learn all the different methods and what a very delicate skill it is. I also understood why spying is so detrimental to any battle or war. I thought this was a very eye-opening journey. Daniel continues to be a great hero and the secondary characters were fun and interesting to read about.
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About the Author
D.W. Bradbridge was born in 1960 and grew up in Bolton. He has lived in Crewe, Cheshire since 2000, where he and his wife run a small magazine publishing business for the automotive industry.“The inspiration for The Winter Siege came from a long-standing interest in genealogy and local history. My research led me to the realisation that the experience endured by the people of Nantwich during December and January 1643-44 was a story worth telling. I also realised that the closed, tension-filled environment of the month-long siege provided the ideal setting for a crime novel.
“History is a fascinating tool for the novelist. It consists only of what is remembered and written down, and contemporary accounts are often written by those who have their own stories to tell. But what about those stories which were forgotten and became lost in the mists of time?
“In writing The Winter Siege, my aim was to take the framework of real history and fill in the gaps with a story of what could, or might have happened. Is it history or fiction? It’s for the reader to decide.”
For more information please visit D.W. Bradbridge’s website. You can also find him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.
A Soldier of Substance Blog Tour Schedule
Thursday, March 19Guest Post at What Is That Book About
Saturday, March 21
Review at Book Nerd
Monday, March 23
Spotlight at I'd So Rather Be Reading
Tuesday, March 24
Guest Post at Just One More Chapter
Monday, March 30
Guest Post at Mythical Books
Thursday, April 3
Spotlight at Unshelfish
Spotlight at Layered Pages
Friday, April 3
Review at Genre Queen
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