Review 425: The Locksmith's Daughter

The Locksmith's Daughter by Karen Brooks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Takes place in London in the 16th century, with a young woman as the main character, Mallory Bright. We quickly learn she has returned to her family, shamed, and posing as a widow. Mallory has strong ties with her Papa, the locksmith who taught her things that ordinarily only men would know. Her mother has always shunned her and even more so now she has returned, and so Papa finds a job for her. Soon Mallory is a spymaster.

The books mystery is one of Mallory’s life, but also what is also going on in England with the Queen Elizabeth declaring the Catholic religion outlawed. Mallory’s mother is one of the recusants, bringing more danger. Yet the Queens’ enforcer and right-hand man is Papa’s friend, Sir Francis Walsingham, would he bring the law upon them?

Meanwhile they have a long-term border, Caleb who is a playwright and homosexual. His plays have become popular although they may tend to comment on the current political situation that could be dangerous. He has a new benefactor, Lord Nathaniel, appearing at first as a bit of a rogue. Yet soon Mallory starts to see another side to the man.

With Mallory’s past of love and hate, she attempts to control her emotions and called this mediocrita, a balance of opposites. This attempt to find that calm is carried throughout the story in many different situations.

Mallory is a strong character, intelligent and doing work that in those days only men would do. She is unique in that world, although has some clouded judgment at times as well as succumbing to some womanly pining that embrace, the kiss…

Yes, there is a bit of romance in this historical book, but the plot leaves that mostly to the background.

There are a few gruesome scenes that I could have done without reading, but it adds to the layers and depth of this book.

It is not perfect by any means. There are awkward backstory moments when someone comes up in the story and we get a tangent, apparently Mallory remembering that occasion. Yet this minor flaw can be forgiven for a riveting tale and story. I particularly appreciated the long author’s note at the end which detailed many of the historical facts, and where the fiction began.

The intricacies of the story made this an interesting read. I held back reading this book thinking the romance part of the story would be the main focus, but happily it wasn’t. I enjoyed this book enough that I have several others of her now on my ever-growing to-read list.