Customer Reviews

The Firemaster's Mistress: A Novel

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The Firemaster's Mistress is set against the rich backdrop of 1605 England. In the spring of that year, an explosion took place in London that was a harbinger of a far larger plot: the Gunpowder Plot, in which a number of Catholics planned to blow up Parliament and King James I, and put a Catholic on the throne of England.

Francis Quoynt is a firemaster (someone who creates explosions), who is enlisted by William Cecil, Secretary of State, to spy for him. Quickly, Quoynt ingratiates himself among a number of men (including one who calls himself "Guido") who are deeply involved in the plan to kill the king. Francis's father, Boomer Quoynt, is a former firemaster who lives in what is now Brighton, at the family home, Powder Mote.

Kate Peach is a glovemaker and secret Catholic, whose family perished during an outbreak of the plague in the summer of 1604. Her lover, Hugh Traylor, uses her for his own nefarious deeds, including hiding Catholic priests in Kate's home at a time when to do so is synonymous with treason. One of her other tasks is to find Francis Quoynt, who used to be her lover before her left her. Very soon, the pair finds themselves on opposite sides of the law: one to assist in the Gunpower Plot, the other to stop it from going forward. Despite their past, however, Kate and Francis find themselves being drawn inexorably towards one another once again.

Historical fact and fiction are seamlessly integrated in this lively, fast-paced novel (I finished this 500-plus page book in three days). The first twenty or so pages are a little bit difficult to get through, but very soon, the reader finds themselves immersed in a world where treason and treachery are commonplace, and where each of the characters would do well to worry about who to trust. Even the reader has a hard time figuring out where to place their loyalty. As a result, I got emotionally involved with Kate and Francis's story, such as it exists in the first half of this novel.

The story abruptly (maybe too abruptly?) turns from romance to thriller a third of the way through; and the ending of Kate's story came from left field and felt a little bit tacked-on to me. However, this is a well-researched, well-thought-out novel, reminiscent of Philippa Gregory's novels, especially Earthly Joys: A Novel (Earthly Joys). Also, I thought that the author's interpretation (and in some cases, fictionalization) of events was highly believable. Christie Dickason relied heavily on Antonia Fraser's Faith and Treason: The Story of the Gunpowder Plot to write The Firemaster's Mistress, reminding me that I should probably take my copy of that book down from my bookshelves and actually read it sometime.

This book was very disappointing. I enjoy historical fiction novels, but I had such a hard time keeping up with the plots and characters in this book. I was so detached from the main character, Kate, that I had to constantly reread sections in order to understand what had just happened and her thought process behind it... Without giving away details, the ending was extremely disappointing!! I read the last 15 pages in disbelief, waiting for the ending that the entire book lead up to, only to be disappointed (and disgusted) at how it ended. If you are still interested in reading this book, however, I would recommend getting it from the library and not buying because you will come to realize it isnt worth your money. I do wish to give the author credit for writing a novel that was obviously well researched, but I personally did not like the story.

In 1605 in London with plenty of circumstantial evidence abounding, the Earl of Salisbury worries about an insidious plot against King James I. He needs someone to get inside the traitors' inner circle to learn what they are plotting so they can be stopped; that volunteer must have a special skill the conspirators would need to succeed in their plot or he would never be accepted.

Explosives expert Francis Quoynt accepts the dangerous undercover mission in which he will act as if he is against the King. Francis understands the risk. If he caught by the Royalists too soon he will hang as the counter attempt must be kept secret; if the plotters uncover his loyalties they will torture and kill him.

Francis's former lover Kate Peach happens to be in the capital; she is a Catholic at a time when the religion is not visibly practiced in London and she is alone having lost her family to the plague. Her current lover merchant Hugh Taylor is abusive so she earns money by pretending her dad still lives so she can make gloves to illegally sell to his customers; money she saves to leave London soonest while she remains alive and not incarcerated. When she and Francis meet, their desire for one another is as strong as ever; but their trust is as weak as ever.

This is an exciting historical intrigue that retells the events of the Gunpowder Treason plot. The lead couple is a terrific pairing as their emotions seem real while the support cast is strong whether they were real like Guy Fawkes or fiction. Although at times it seems half of early seventeenth century London appears (the scorer's sheet of characters helps) they add depth to a complex thriller that will leave grateful fans demanding more historicals from Christie Dickason.

Harriet Klausner

Christie Dickason was born in the American Midwest, but as a child lived in Mexico, Thailand and Switzerland. She was educated at Harvard university and has been a theatre director and choreographer with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She now lives in London with her family

This work of fiction is based around the true story of the infamous Catholic plot to blow up King James and his parliament. Seen through the eyes of a courtesan and the Firemaster of the title. The narrative follows a intricate plot that will keep the reader fascinated throughout the book.

The year is 1605 and papist plots abound in the narrow streets of London. Every inn and every alleyway is a potential meeting place for the catholic plotters. Francis Quoynt, Firemaster recently returned from the wars in the low countries is dreaming of leaving the fighting behind and concentrating on making fireworks.

But his dream is short lived when he is recruited by the First Minister Sir Robert Cecil to spy on Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators. What Quoynt does not realise is that he himself is also being spied upon by Sir Francis Bacon . . . Also November 5th is approaching, but no one is aware of the significance of that date.

The twists and turns of a fictional love story intertwine with true historical events and bring one of England's most notorious political dramas to life. This is a well-researched and written novel. I look forward to reading more from this author.

The title and cover art made me pick it up, but 21 pages in I had to just give up. The plot is jumpy and the writing is so awkward that it is hard to follow events. The standby writing hint "show the reader- don't tell them" has been completely ignored. I will share the passage from page 21 that reminded me very strongly of children's essays I had to peer review in middle school. (When I found myself groping for some constructive criticism I realized the book was not worth the time.)
"Now, Cecil's quick intelligence had already assessed the first vague reports of the morning's explosion. The details lacked substance. The rigour of his mind demanded proof. It takes at least three points to define the direction of a line, and he wanted that third point."
Apparently 17th century geometry was different.