A thrilling, "action-packed page-turner" (Wall Street Journal) based on a true story of anarchy and assassination in Edwardian London, centred around one detective’s mission to preserve the life of his king and prevent a bloody war in Europe.
From humble beginnings in Ireland, William Melville has risen through hard work, intelligence, and occasional brute force to become head of Scotland Yard’s Special Branch, personal bodyguard to Queen Victoria and her family, and the scourge of anarchists at home and abroad. But when the aged Queen dies in January 1901 and the crowned heads of Europe converge on London for her funeral, Melville learns of a conspiracy, led by a mysterious nihilist known only as Akushku, to assassinate Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany at the ceremony.
Racing to prevent the atrocity, Melville and his German counterpart Gustav Steinhauer find themselves tangled in a web of adultery, betrayal, and violence. As the funeral looms ever closer, Melville realizes that Akushku is the most resourceful and vicious foe he has yet encountered—but is the greater threat from Melville’s enemies, or his allies?
Genre: Historical Mystery
From humble beginnings in Ireland, William Melville has risen through hard work, intelligence, and occasional brute force to become head of Scotland Yard’s Special Branch, personal bodyguard to Queen Victoria and her family, and the scourge of anarchists at home and abroad. But when the aged Queen dies in January 1901 and the crowned heads of Europe converge on London for her funeral, Melville learns of a conspiracy, led by a mysterious nihilist known only as Akushku, to assassinate Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany at the ceremony.
Racing to prevent the atrocity, Melville and his German counterpart Gustav Steinhauer find themselves tangled in a web of adultery, betrayal, and violence. As the funeral looms ever closer, Melville realizes that Akushku is the most resourceful and vicious foe he has yet encountered—but is the greater threat from Melville’s enemies, or his allies?
Genre: Historical Mystery
Praise for this book
"Authentic, rich, and completely absorbing, Niall Leonard’s new novel is historical but feels like its own magnificently built world, an Edwardian London as morally murky and lovingly detailed as Philip Kerr’s Berlin. We can only hope there are further Melville books to come." - Charles Finch
"Niall Leonard expertly evokes time and place, and makes it all seem so effortless I suspect he has a time machine in his attic. M, King's Bodyguard mixes equal parts intrigue and suspense, and will keep you up all night reading." - Alex Grecian
"Niall Leonard expertly evokes time and place, and makes it all seem so effortless I suspect he has a time machine in his attic. M, King's Bodyguard mixes equal parts intrigue and suspense, and will keep you up all night reading." - Alex Grecian
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