The Bloodless Boy

By Robert J. Lloyd,

Book cover of The Bloodless Boy

Book description


A New York Times Best New Historical Novel of 2021

"Potent... fast-paced..." - The New York Times Book Review

"Wonderfully imagined and wonderfully written . . . Superb!" -- Lee Child

Part Wolf Hall, part The Name of the Rose, a riveting new literary thriller set in Restoration London, with…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Bloodless Boy as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Rich in historical detail – The Bloodless Boy is simply one of the best novels I have ever read. The growing interest in science as well religion and its internal conflicts during Charles II's reign are the backdrop to a series of murders involving young boys.

The clash of reason, faith, power, and enlightenment drive the investigation and London is realised perfectly by Lloyd's prose.

It's the written version of Joseph Wright of Derby, "A Philosopher giving that Lecture on the Orrery" (from 1766).

Pretty close to perfect.

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