The Roundheads

Book review by Paul Scoones

Not being a great fan of historical stories - there's a Virgin Missing Adventure that I still haven't tackled for this very reason - I wasn't overly keen to read this novel, but it would have seemed out of place if there were just one book that I hadn't reviewed.

Mark Gatiss, author of the brilliant Nightshade, seemingly effortlessly brings his characters to life on the written page and presents an image of life in England in the time of Cromwell so convincing that you'll be certain that but for the presence of the second Doctor, Ben, Polly and Jamie, that this is exactly how events unfolded in 1648.

Gatiss is not out to ram history lessons down his readers' throats and instead concentrates on telling a thoroughly enjoyable adventure yarn, strongly reminiscent of The Highlanders. Most memorable of all is the grim battle between the rival pirate captains towards the novel's conclusion.

Maybe it's time I dusted off The Plotters... [4/5]