London is in the grip of a deadly winter but that doesn't stop life going on as normal. Jonas Flynt is asked by his Government master to investigate a potential escape from the Tower of London but he is more concerned when a newly acquaintance tells him that he is in trouble and is then murdered. Asked by his sometime lover, the courtesan Belle, to look into the matter, Jonas is pulled deeper into trouble and where his violent skills are of use.
I loved this book as it is very dark and very visceral. Skelton depicts the dark and dangerous world of early 18th Century London extremely well and the caste of characters are realistically flawed. The dual plots are suitably twisty and there isn't as excessive forcing of relationships as it often the case in similar novels. ( )

Judgement and justice!

Jonas Flynt, ex-soldier, ex-highwayman and part of the British spymaster, Colonel Nathaniel Charters’ elite group, the Company of Rogues, falls into company with an interesting judge. Mainly because a fop Jonas detests, Lord August Fairgreave, who challenges Judge Sir Geoffrey Dumont to show his dice. A deadly accusation by implication, of cheating!
It’s London 1716. When the judge is murdered Jonas is involved through more than one path. Geoffrey himself had asked Jonas not to think ill of him if for any reason he is disgraced. Now the judge is dead, in disgraceful circumstances. Another twist, the individual who’s accused of killing the judge is important to Flynt’s occasional courtesan, Belle.
What begins as something personal has tentacles that weave from the darkest spots in the rookeries, to Newgate, spreads to rival gangs for the role of watchmen and marshals, to Jacobite prisoners in the tower, includes the ever plotting politician Walpole, and from there to the dark powerful forces that run London.
A fascinating Georgian mystery, complicated and intriguing. The research is solid, taking us back to times when politics in Britain were volatile and deadly.

A Canelo ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. ( )

1716 Jonas Flynt, rogue and killer has been order by Colonel Charters of the Company of Rogues to follow Lord Fairgreave and report his activities. Doing so he meets Judge Dumont resulting in a short friendship. Dupont is lured to his death and molly Sam Yates arrested. His friend Belle believes him innocent and persuades Flynt to help her investigate. But there seems to be a Government plot against the Tory party. Is there any connection between these events.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery and thriller with a cast of interesting and varied characters. A good addition to this series ( )