‘The Bloodless Boy’ is the debut novel of British-based author, Robert J Lloyd, who transports us back to a dark and dismal post-Restoration England in January 1678. The story has a large cast so it is helpful to have them listed at the start of the book. The chapters are of even length with a good balance between dialogue and description. Whilst easy to understand, the choice of language definitely gives a feeling of the era in which the book has been set; for example, the Great Fire is referred to as the ‘conflagration’. The scene is set for the mystery of the boys’ bodies found drained of blood and left by Barking Creek, the Fleet River and Westbourne, to unfold.

Pre-industrial England in the 17th Century was a time of discovery, technology and invention. Knowledge of the human body was rudimentary and the thirst for understanding led to macabre experimentation. Against this backdrop, we meet Robert Hook, Curator of Experiments at the Royal Society and his assistant, Harry Hunt, who are called upon by Sir Edmund Bury Godfrey, Justice of the Peace in Westminster, to help discover what motive lies behind the bizarre deaths.

As the plot unfolds we are presented with various possibilities; were the boys’ deaths related to a Catholic plot to eliminate the king? Was the suicide of the Secretary of the Royal Society connected in some way? What did the well-bound package found in Secretary Oldenburg’s study contain? What is the meaning of the Red Cipher found on the bodies and can it be deciphered without a keyword? Can an elderly survivor of the Civil War help unravel the mystery? Who can Harry trust in his determination to find out the truth?

Greed seems to be a common denominator among many of the characters with the exception of Harry, who is keen to pursue several avenues of enquiry. His investigations lead him into dangerous territory and even the king himself shows an interest in discovering the truth.

By clever use of many literary devices, the author paints a vivid picture of life in that bleak and cold winter during the reign of Charles II, as we follow several threads until eventually we find out the awful truth.

I found the book challenging in places and needed to concentrate fully for fear of missing a vital clue in the early stages; however, the second half flowed extremely well.

This is a fascinating tale which will appeal to those who enjoy a historical social commentary as much as a good thriller. I complement the author on his research into the period in question and admire his ability to capture the volatile mood of the country. He has blended fact and fiction very well. The lighter moments were few and far between but I did appreciate the tender connection between Harry and Robert’s niece, Grace.