While the subject was interesting, I found the writing dense and the characters difficult to keep track of. I found several to be inconsequential to the story, and perhaps that contributed to my confusion.

It's strange that I didn't have the patience for Neal Stephenson books on the same topic (or close to it) but I'm too tired at the moment to even consider it. This was fun and thought provoking and well under 1000 pages.

The 17th Century is my favourite period of history and one I enjoyed studying as part of my history degree so I was keen to read this new literary thriller set in Restoration London.

The story begins in 1678, eighteen years after Charles 2nd has been restored as King (following Cromwell's Protectorate.) A body of a young boy drained of blood has been discovered and Robert Hooke (Curator of Experiments at the Royal Society) with his assistant Harry Hunt have been asked to investigate. They need to find out who and why he was murdered and whether it is linked to a Catholic plot, a foreign assassin or even part of a plot against the King.

This is such an atmospheric book. I could picture both the dark underworld of London and the rich affluent court of the King. The descriptions were fascinating and I enjoyed reading about all the new experimental science also taking place at the time.
The fact that a lot of the characters are based on actual historical figures and linked closely to historical events made it even more exciting. There is so much attention to detail. The author is clearly an expert on the history of the period and this comes out in abundance through the novel. The mix of fact and fiction was great!
I loved the character and determination of Harry to discover the truth at any cost. I felt very invested in his character and was willing him to uncover the truth before getting embroiled in any more dangerous situations. The increasingly complicated conspiracy and sinister activities by some of the villains in the story kept me turning the pages. As well as great characters the plot is exciting with an ending that I found hard to predict.
This is not the easiest read (and I did have to concentrate at times!) but I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend to fans of historical fiction. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

It's New Year's Day 1678 and the City of London is in the midst of reinventing itself in the wake of the Great Fire twelve years ago, with an ambitious rebuilding project at the hands of eminent guiding lights like Sir Christopher Wren. But this is not just a time of change in the fabric of London, for this is also a new era for science and learning, fostered by the great minds at the Royal Society, which received its royal charter from the newly restored King Charles II.

Many minds however, are still focussed on the past, and the political and religious conflict that led to civil war is still very much in evidence, despite the fall of Oliver Cromwell eighteen years ago. Feelings run deep in the land and rumours abound of Catholic plots and foreign interference, fuelled by old divisions.

When the body of a young boy, drained of his blood, is discovered on the banks of the River Fleet it stokes the fires of talk of dark deeds, fears of religious dissent, and plots to assassinate the king. It falls to Robert Hooke, the Curator of Experiments at the just-formed Royal Society for Improving Natural Knowledge, and his assistant Harry Hunt to try to get to the bottom of the meaning of this gruesome discovery, and what they uncover has them mortally afraid.

Welcome to Restoration London and an intricate literary thriller that draws nicely on a setting filled with intrigue and distrust, as the battle lines based on religious and political ideology cast a long shadow in the wake of civil war. At its heart, this is a mystery about the unusual murder of a small boy, but it is like no other I have read in the way Robert J. Lloyd uses an unsolved historical crime, and some real life famous figures of the time, to inspire a tale that has two of the most unconventional detectives - Royal Society members Robert Hooke and his assistant Harry Hunt. We often read about troubled episodes in history, but by using Hooke and Hunt to drive this investigation Lloyd delves deep into a world where the uneasy bedfellows of science and religion vie, to create a novel full of anachronistic elements of empirical advancement vs deep-rooted superstition that characterise this period of history beautifully - underpinning a cracking whodunnit at the same time.

Lloyd takes you from the lofty echelons of the court of Charles II all the way down the social scale to the poorest neighbourhoods of London, incorporating characters from every social class, and spreading tendrils of twisty and menacing storylines that keep you guessing throughout. There are so many delicious plot devices that keep the murder mystery interesting - secret ciphers, old alliances, simmering resentments, and schemes for revenge. Allegiances are murky, and no one escapes suspicion here, which makes it so entertaining.

My absolute favourite thing abut this book is how Lloyd infuses the story with so much about the burgeoning world of science through the work of the Royal Society, showing how the experiments, achievements and new thinking of its members have significance for what we know today - and he doesn't shy away from confronting the hard truth that much of the knowledge gained was done through suspect means, sometimes crossing the lines of civil and religious law into the realms of the taboo.

There is so much to admire about this book, from the rich literary text full of evocative vocabulary, to the kind of mystery that holds you spellbound, with authentic locations and characters that come alive and thrum with emotion. This is one of my favourite historical reads of the year, and I am delighted to find that this is the first part in a trilogy following the adventures of Harry Hunt, because I really need to know what happens next!

Murder mystery featuring mostly real historical figures set in late 17th century London; it was generally well-researched and well-written, but I really didn't feel like the story went anywhere, in the end - I found it a bit unsatisfying. Mostly a matter of personal taste, I guess, but I'm only giving it 4/5. I got this from the public library in Glendale, AZ.

I received a copy of The Bloodless Boy in Goodreads Giveaway. It's very well written with interesting characters and a complex mystery thread. I think most readers will develop an affinity for Harry Hunt and see the London of this time period through his eyes. Lots of detail relating to the great London fire and the particular investigation that Hunt and Hooke are involved in. A worthwhile read!

Historical novels where distinguished men of science solve hideous murders are pretty much my specific catnip. But this one just dragged a bit, especially early on which made it tough to get through.