It is the summer of 1669 and England is in dire straits. The treasury's coffers are bare and tensions with the powerful Dutch Republic are boiling over. And now, an investigator sent by the King to look into corruption at the Royal Navy has been brutally murdered. Loathe to leave the pleasures of London, Samuel Pepys is sent dragging his feet to Portsmouth to find the truth about what happened. Aided by his faithful assistant, Will Hewer, he soon exposes the killer. But has he got the right man? The truth may be much more sinister. And if the real plot isn't uncovered in time, England could be thrown into a war that would have devastating consequences ...

A SUNDAY TIMES HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022. It is the summer of 1669 and England is in dire straits. The treasury's coffers are bare and tensions with the powerful Dutch Republic are boiling over. And now, an investigator sent by the King to look into corruption at the Royal Navy has been brutally murdered. Loathe to leave the pleasures of London, Samuel Pepys is sent dragging his feet to Portsmouth to find the truth about what happened. Aided by his faithful assistant, Will Hewer, he soon exposes the killer. But has he got the right man? The truth may be much more sinister. And if the real plot isn't uncovered in time, England could be thrown into a war that would have devastating consequences ...

The city that was home to James Joyce, Maeve Binchy, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats and scores of other brilliant men and women, is as rich, intellectually heady and welcoming a place to visit today as it ever was. The trick is how to make the most of your precious vacation time while in Dublin -- not an easy task. This book will help. It was created for independent travelers and boasts a practical, colourful format with useful, clear maps and expertly designed tours. The guide highlights the must-see places and offers knowledgeable opinion on where to stay, eat and shop. - Includes special interest tours: Dublin's Heroes; Dublin with Kids; Georgian Dublin; Vikings & Medieval Dublin, Trinity College and the Book of Kells - Details great neighbourhood walking tours - Opinionated reviews of the best nightlife, shopping and dining the city has to offer. - Helpful tips and all you need to know to make the most of your trip in the Savvy Traveler chapter. - Exact pricing so there's never any guessing - Maps to accompany every tour as well as a fold-out regional map in plastic case.