{"title":"Books by Andrew Swanston","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9780552166126","title":"The King's Return","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe king’s coronation brings hope. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eUntil a murderer strikes.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpring 1661: \u003c\/b\u003eAfter years of civil war followed by Oliver Cromwell's joyless rule as Lord Protector, England awaits the coronation of King Charles II. The mood in London is one of relief and hope for a better future.\u003cbr\u003e  But when two respectable gentlemen are found in a foul lane with their throats cut, it becomes apparent that England’s enemies are using the newly re-established post office for their own ends. There are traitors at work and plans to overthrow the king. Another war is possible. \u003cbr\u003e  Thomas Hill, in London visiting friends, is approached by the king’s security advisor and asked to take charge of deciphering coded letters intercepted by the post office. As the body count rises and the killer starts preying on women, the action draws closer to Thomas – and his loved ones. He finds himself dragged into the hunt for the traitors and the murderer, but will he find them before it’s too late?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56291145187701,"sku":"9780552166126","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780552166126_61cb03a2-ca87-4970-85b9-48072f8c7d22.jpg?v=1786014001"},{"product_id":"9780552166102","title":"The King's Spy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSummer, 1643\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEngland is at war with itself. \u003cb\u003eKing Charles I \u003c\/b\u003ehas fled London, his negotiations with Parliament in tatters. The country is consumed by bloodshed. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor \u003cb\u003eThomas Hill\u003c\/b\u003e, a man of letters quietly running a bookshop in the rural town of Romsey, knowledge of the \u003cb\u003ewar\u003c\/b\u003e is limited to the rumours that reach the local inn.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen a stranger knocks on his door one night and informs him that the king's cryptographer has \u003cb\u003edied\u003c\/b\u003e, everything changes. Aware of Thomas's background as a mathematician and his expertise in \u003cb\u003ecodes\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eciphers\u003c\/b\u003e, the king has summoned him to his court in \u003cb\u003eOxford\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn arrival, Thomas soon discovers that nothing at court is straightforward. There is evidence of a \u003cb\u003etraitor\u003c\/b\u003e in their midst. Brutal \u003cb\u003emurder\u003c\/b\u003e follows brutal murder. And when a vital message encrypted with a notoriously unbreakable code is intercepted, he must decipher it to reveal the king's \u003cb\u003ebetrayer\u003c\/b\u003e and prevent the violent death that failure will surely bring.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56291251454325,"sku":"9780552166102","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780552166102_aa533365-a7e9-44ce-8ebe-aee9de191a92.jpg?v=1786013999"},{"product_id":"9780552166119","title":"The King's Exile","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpring, 1648.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen Thomas Hill, a bookseller living in rural Hampshire, publishes a political pamphlet he has little idea of the trouble that will follow. He is quickly arrested, forced on a boat to Barbados and condemned to life as a slave to two of the island’s most notoriously violent brothers.\u003cbr\u003eIn England war has erupted again, with London under threat of attack. When news of the king’s execution reaches the island, political stability is threatened and a fleet commanded by Sir George Ayscue arrives to take control of the island for Cromwell. The threat of violence increases. Thomas finds himself witness to abuse, poison, rape and savage brutality. \u003cbr\u003eWhen a coded message from Ayscue to a sympathiser on the island is intercepted, Thomas is asked to decipher it. A disastrous battle seems inevitable.\u003cbr\u003eBut nothing turns out as planned. And as the death toll mounts, the escape Thomas has been relying on seems ever more unlikely…\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56291571892597,"sku":"9780552166119","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780552166119_60170b95-2d8d-4780-a7ea-10743969ceb4.jpg?v=1786014000"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-andrew-swanston.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}