It takes a great deal of skill to write a page-turning story that leaves the reader satisfied. For historical fiction, we have the added requirement to make sense of history and include just enough historical details to make the reader feel they are there. But to do all of that within a novella, well I tip my proverbial hat at Mark Turnbull for doing all of that.
A story has to be as long as it needs to be. The King's Spy had it all: tense action scenes, rich historical details, and a main character who is honourable, resourceful and driven. There's mystery and memories of poignant moments with his late wife. I never once felt that the author rushed the story or didn't give the characters time to develop or breathe. The ending had an intriguing twist that makes me anxious for the next book in this series. My only regret is the length of time it took me to pluck it from my TBR pile. I won't be making that mistake again!4 s Helen HollickAuthor 56 books520

The King’s Spy is crammed full of action, flesh and blood characters, and a fantastic history. That the author did this all within the form of a novella is nothing short of outstanding. I have a great deal of admiration for how the author did so much within so few pages. This is a testament to Mark Turnbull’s precise use of the language.

Captain Maxwell Walker is a royalist cavalry officer in the heat of fire at the Battle of Naseby. The descriptions of the battle are vivid, but not gratuitous, and Mark Turnbull does an admirable job of bringing the fear, the stench of gunpowder and the unique details of 17th-century warfare to the forefront. During the battle, Maxwell sees an enemy soldier on the field, a man who he recognized as having killed his wife, but he loses him during the rout.

After the battle, Maxwell’s commander picks him for an urgent mission to retrieve the king’s belongings that are being stashed at a nearby royalist home. Unfortunately, by the time he reaches the manor, he discovers that a rival royalist commander has also sent his man on the same mission. That little detail captures so perfectly the cutthroat manoeuvring amongst the king’s commanders in order to gain his favour without having to resort to just telling the reader that things were political. With two royalists vying to be the one who brings back the king’s belongings, matters become further complicated when the Parliamentarians turn up to the manor and overrun the place. Maxwell is forced to take desperate measures to ensure the Parliamentarians don’t find the king’s possessions, even if it makes him look a betrayer and places his life at risk. And then throw in the enemy Parliamentarian upon whom Maxwell has vowed to get his vengeance, and it makes for a page-turning and gripping read.

The writing is excellent. The author weaves details of Maxwell’s past without slowing down the narrative and evokes powerful emotions honestly and without melodrama. Overall, the novel balances action and suspense, without giving up those tender moments that will stay with a reader long after the book is finished. One passage is an excellent example of how the right historical details can evoke a feeling of love and loss.

"But right now, the woodsmoke took him back to that last evening with Catherine, when he had thrown her coif covering to the corner of the bedroom and then playfully tangled his finger around her blond curls. As he had kissed her lips, the entire room—nay the house itself—had fallen away and they had been at one with each other."

There was certainly more than enough meat in this story to warrant expanding into a full-length novel, and yet, I never once felt cheated or left with the impression that the story was rushed or wanting. The ending has a clever little twist, which nicely sets up the series without it being a cliffhanger.

The King’s Spy has something for everyone: well-executed military history, a main character who we can cheer for, and all the detailed nuance one would expect in finely crafted historical fiction. I will be eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series.

Originally Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds 2 s Robert Nichols9

We are pitched straight into the heat, the sweat and blood of battle in this new adventure novelette by English Civil War expert, Mark Turnbull. It is the Battle of Naseby, pivotal engagement between King Charles and his new untested foes, the New Model Army and we are right at the cutting edge with cavalry officer Captain Maxwell Walker wielding his sword and firing his pistols in defence of King and country.
This is a war where officers lead from the front, where ordinary people can become sworn enemies of their neighbours. Where whole communities are rapidly swallowed up inside a greater conflict. As the civil war quickly consumes the whole nation in its war of ideals but also war of lethal arms.
Mark Turnbull uses his expert knowledge to unpick the unravelling of the Royalist cause by expertly weaving fiction with fact. He also paints a scene where we share Captain Maxwell's very real sense of jeopardy.
Through the eyes of his cavalry officer we see how the King is surrounded by conflicting advisers, allowing possible victory to be snatched away by dissenting voices. Every protagonist in the Civil War must have had their own back story. Maxwell has his own ghosts and his personal battles follow him around from the battlefield through the aftermath, when a personal quest of the utmost importance leads him into hiding and then spying behind enemy lines.
This is such a good adventure story and it vividly brings to life a too often overlooked conflict. Turnbull's narrative source is embedded within both sides revealing all the gory detail. It is an uncomfortable ride as we see at close quarter church, state, personal and national politics all pulled apart. But this a book about valour, integrity and moral values. It is a top story and leaves you wanting to know what happens next. I can't wait...1 Michael Bully317 4

A most superb novella indeed. Opens with the battle of Naseby ( 14th June of 1645) , and ends with the first bout of fighting at Rowton Moor near Chester (24th September 1645). And In the aftermath of Naseby , the Royalist cause is starting to wane, setbacks on the battlefield mean that their chances of outright victory reducing. Friction also developing between King Charles and Prince Rupert.

There is spying, treachery, traitors, battle scenes, tragedy and a turncoat or two. The lead character. Royalist soldier spy Maxwell Walker is also staging his own Jacobean type of revenge drama, tracking down the Roundhead who killed his wife. And faces the dilemma of having to encounter said murderer, but needs to find the right moment to get even. The tale moves between said battles to various locations, including Raglan Castle, Worcester, and the siege of Hereford where the Royalist garrison face a Scottish Covenanter army.

The author has this great knack of looking at both the characters' emotions, sensations, but also actions. Showing sword fighting along with the use of muskets and pistols in the Civil War setting. He manages to impart a great deal of historical knowledge without holding up the pace of the main story, and only occasionally does one feel that he is taking on the role of teacher. The fighting scenes are brutal but never laboured for gratuitous effect. An age where even gaining advantage can not replace the desperate sadness that War brings. 1 Amy McElroyAuthor 2 books17

This is a great novella and the first in The Rebellion Series by Turnbull.
The novella is fast paced from the beginning with battles and non stop action.

Although it is a novella I felt it long enough to gain an understanding of the characters and their motives. Maxwell is a great character, he is complex, loyal and determined, exactly what a king needs on his side. Unfortunately, Maxwell faces many problems including imprisonment but that doesn't stop him from trying to serve his king.

We all know the outcome of the story of Charles I but this was an excellent story about the battles involved.

Turnbull creates a great atmosphere and describes the surroundings in detail so you can picture the soldiers and the buildings mentioned.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and am looking forward to the next instalment.

Turnbull is also the author of Allegiance of Blood, a seventeenth century historical fiction based on the English Civil War which after reading The King's Spy I have added to my TBR list.
I hadn't previously read anything by Turnbull so am pleased to have discovered a new author who I will certainly be keeping an eye out for future works.2 s James Matthews19 2

This book was so good, I just couldn't put it down. As I've studied the English Civil war it was a very interesting read. The book just captured my attention. I've contacted the author and told him how much I enjoyed it. The only downsides are inconsistency in Chapter length and I did get confused who was a Royalist and Parliamentarian. Overall, great book and can't wait for the next book in the series. 7/101 Claire8

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