Oliver Cromwell was Lord Protector to the Commonwealth of England, Ireland and Scotland. He was a direct descendent of the infamous Thomas Cromwell, who served at the side of King Henry VIII only to meet with one of the more brutal executions in British history. Alas, Oliver’s end was not much better. After his role in the British Civil War that saw two kings executed, he lived the rest of his life loved by some and hated by others. When he eventually succumbed to malarial fever at the age of 59, his body was exhumed after burial and beheaded --- his head stuck on a stake for all to see, smeared with excrement.

It is important to understand the history of the Cromwells when reading THE LAST PROTECTOR as it plays a big role in the narrative that Andrew Taylor creates to tell this story. Oliver Cromwell’s son, Richard, the Lord Protector of England in his father’s wake, is an unpopular figure. He is trying to keep a low profile as he and his eldest daughter, Elizabeth, are just outside of Whitehall in 1668 visiting with the Hakesby family, among others.

"Andrew Taylor’s historical fiction is fun to read. He breathes life into these (mostly) real flesh-and-blood characters and sets them against the backdrop of a grand story to the point where you may as well be reading a fictional tale of political intrigue and espionage set in old England."

Simon Hakesby, a well-known surveyor and architect, is ailing. Readers of Taylor’s work will be familiar with Simon’s wife, Catherine, who was known as Cat Lovett prior to her marriage. Mistress Elizabeth Cromwell passed away three years ago and at the time of her death was the Lady Protectress of England. It was alleged that some of the last words she uttered before succumbing to her illness was “Ferrus will help him,” a reference made about Richard. We soon learn that Ferrus is a mere mazer-scourer’s laborer whose best friends appear to be animals. Astute readers will recognize that Ferrus will end up playing an important role in the book.

We learn that Cat and Elizabeth were childhood friends, which Cat kept even from her husband. She knows the Cromwell family intimately, including many of their secrets. Now, Elizabeth is reunited with the young girl she knew as Catty, and she and her father will need her assistance and protection during the action that follows. The ruler of England is now King Charles II, and he is no fan of the Cromwells, especially since Oliver had been one of those who signed the order of execution for his father, King Charles I, at the end of the Civil War.

Cat will not be alone in her endeavors and allegiance to the Cromwell family as she is reunited with an “old friend,” who is none other than James Marwood, a traitor’s son turned government agent. Cat and Marwood initially met during the Great Fire 18 months prior and since then have become indebted to each other through successive adventures of peril and intrigue. If you would like to learn more about them, I recommend reading the previous three entries in this stellar series: THE ASHES OF LONDON, THE FIRE COURT and THE KING’S EVIL. You will not be disappointed.

Marwood realizes what Cat is doing, and he honors his obligation to her rather than turning in the Hakesbys and Cromwells to King Charles II to make favor. She tells him that two gentlemen in particular, Roger Durrell and a former clergyman named Veal, may be following them with nefarious intentions. There is also a big secret known to the Cromwells and Cat that lies deep within Whitehall under the nose of Charles II. It will take all the cunning and guile that Cat and Marwood can muster to help uncover it and escape with their own lives. But what is life without adventure?

Andrew Taylor’s historical fiction is fun to read. He breathes life into these (mostly) real flesh-and-blood characters and sets them against the backdrop of a grand story to the point where you may as well be reading a fictional tale of political intrigue and espionage set in old England. British and European history class was never as enjoyable as it is in Taylor’s hands!