Description

‘A marvellous romp’ The Times
‘The clash of blades, the whizzing bullets and galloping hooves guarantee nonstop adventure’ Literary Review

In May 1671, Colonel Blood became the only person ever to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. How did he succeed? Why did King Charles II decide to pardon him, and hire him as his personal spy?

In a page-turning narrative that reads like a thriller, Robert Hutchinson tells the compelling story of Colonel Blood: turncoat, fugitive, double agent – and the most wanted man in Restoration England.

Publisher Review

Robert Hutchinson's latest book is proof that truth really is stranger than fiction. The story of Colonel Blood not only introduces us to one of the most audacious men in history, but uncovers a much darker tale of spies, conspiracy and murder. A must-read for lovers of history, biography or simply a good yarn -- Tracy Borman [A] rattling but carefully researched piece of popular history ... Hutchinson sifts the various theories with characteristic thoroughness and lightness of touch -- James Walton * DAILY MAIL * A marvellous romp * THE TIMES * A rigorously researched account ... Hutchinson's biography draws extensively on surviving primary sources, including eye-witness accounts of Blood's many scrapes and court cases ... a colourful tale of life in the shadow of the gallows -- Matthew Dennison * SPECTATOR * [A] nailbiting chronicle of a thoroughly unrespectable life ... Robert Hutchinson, thoroughly at home in the smoke-and-mirrors world of Tudor and Stuart espionage, commends this doughty old desperado to us for his panache, effrontery and audacity. The Audacious Crimes of Colonel Blood is television mini-series material ... the clash of blades, the whizzing bullets and galloping hooves guarantee nonstop adventure -- Jonathan Keates * LITERARY REVIEW * Hutchinson paints a compelling portrait of a country hectic with sedition ... Rambunctious ... richly researched * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH * [Hutchinson] writes with great gusto ... These were violent times as this riveting book reveals * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT * An extraordinary, stranger than fiction story * CHOICE *