An Elizabethan Day Of The Jackal, written with wit and flair and an engaging cast of characters, Firedrake's Eye is the first in a brilliant trilogy of historical espionage thrillers to feature swordsman David Becket and clerk Simon Ames.

Poor Tom O'Bedlam narrates the tale, once a respected courtier, now madman begging on the streets of London. A Catholic conspiracy to assassinate Queen Elizabeth comes via a circuitous route from Spain, heralded by the ballad written by Tom years before and sent to his brother in the Netherlands. The eyes of the Queen's spymaster are fixed on France, however, and as doors are kicked in and priestholes discovered and conspiracies unmasked, it is Becket and Ames who find themselves on the track of the real danger.

It's a terrific read, strongly reminiscent of the likes of Dorothy Dunnet, Neal Stephenson and Mary Gentle, so fans of any or all of those will find much to enjoy here.