"He was kept awake, subject to constant questioning and experiencing hallucinations, which made it difficult to distinguish fantasy from reality."
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The Frown of Fortune by Goeff Quaife Trafford Publishing
book review by Maria A. Hughes
It is the year 1653 and Luke Tremayne, the trusted agent of Oliver Cromwell, is sent on another top secret mission sure to reek of adventure and mayhem. This time he goes to France to infiltrate the exiled English Court along with deputy Harry Lloyd. Their mission is to begin clandestine negotiations with Charles II on behalf of the English Republic. The agents don't even reach French soil before things go awry. Both are thrown off-board ship when being chased by French officials. Luke and Harry are separated. Luke loses his memory, while Harry successfully reaches the court of Charles II and the Queen Mother.
Soon, however, both Harry and Luke are drawn into a nest of deceit, conspiracy, intrigue, and perils of the French aristocracy, involved in solving the murders of two young ladies-in-waiting and a threat to one aristocrat's family. This adventure includes both men running into feisty nuns, secret Catholic treasure, hidden lineages, torture, and murder... nothing short of what is to be expected from the Luke Tremayne series.
Quaife's expertise lies in seventeenth century European history with a special interest in the politically-charged world of Oliver Cromwell's reign of England, and it shows in this next tale of Luke Tremayne's adventures. The author adeptly pulls off writing intricate historical details of the French aristocracy naturally into the story without bogging it down or coming off as overused. The story's characters have complex backgrounds and lively personalities which makes for an engrossing mystery with several eye-opening twists that will appeal to those who love historical fiction, adventure, and suspense.