The Sinner's Mark: The latest rich, evocative Elizabethan crime novel from the CWA-nominated series (The Jackdaw Mysteries Book 6)

Have read all of this series, and they get better and better. Great characters, excellent historical research, and I loved the unexpected theatre connection. These novels are brilliant for fans of CJ Sansom and the Rory Clements Tudor series. Try them, you’ll love them.

Good reading in this genre, a little slow and long winded in parts.

‘When treason wears a smile, a kingdom falls …’ - cover tag line, ‘The Sinner’s Mark’ by S.J. Perry.This is Book 6 in Perry’s Jackdaw Mysteries, a series of historical thrillers set in Elizabethan England featuring physician and reluctant spy, Nicholas Shelby, and his wife, Bianca Merton, apothecarist and owner of the Jackdaw Tavern.While the author provides some background, it is a series that I would recommend to lovers of historical mysteries. Reading in order allows for an appreciation of the changes in the characters’ lives over time and to savour Perry’s vivid descriptions of the Elizabethan world.The year is 1600 and it is clear to all that the queen has not long to live. Added to this, war is raging on the high seas and the country is gripped by famine.Nicholas is shocked to learn that his father, Thomas, has been arrested for possession of seditious religious material. As Nicholas races against time to save his father, he and Bianca find themselves drawn into a sinister conspiracy against the queen and state.Added to this one of Shakespeare's boy actors has gone missing and Bianca has her suspicions about what has happened and embarks on her own investigation. No further details to avoid spoilers.I enjoyed this very much. It was quite fun to have Will Shakespeare and the Lord Chamberlain’s Men as part of the plot. He always addresses Bianca as ‘Kate’ and when someone asks the reason she says: “Because he wrote a very poor play about the taming of a shrewish woman. The shrew was supposed to be me. But he hadn’t the courage to give her my name, so he called her Kate instead. He named the sister Bianca – lest I should fail to spot the amusement.”Perry ends with a Historical Note that provides details of the events in England that had informed his storyline. I always appreciate when authors of historical fiction provide context for their plot.Overall, I enjoyed ‘The Sinner’s Mark’ very much and feel that it and the Jackdaw Mysteries as a whole are exceptional historical thrillers.Highly recommended.

I have read and enjoyed all of these novels; they are well written, sympathetically characterised and authentic to the times. Am hoping this wasn’t the final one, though the ending seemed to suggest that.

It was great didn't want it to finish cant believe there will be no more from my beloved characters well done on creating a world we can all believe in and love.

I've read all in this series and still enjoy. I look forward with anticipation to more absorbing tales of the Shelbys and friends.

This is a super series. It races along along at a cracking pace with so many twists and turns; it's one of those books you can't wait to find out what happens, while at the same time not wanting it to end. The characters at this point in the series are like old friends and the Tudor setting very believable. I have read all the books in the series and this is the best yet. Can't wait for the next one.

A really good series of books. I love the picture of this time in history they create in my imagination. The characters and the humour. This author is responsible for the dark circles around my eyes from reading far too late into the night.😀