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THE QUEEN'S INTELLIGENCER

queens_intelligencer_bk_shadowoftheaxe queens_intelligencer_bk_shadowofthetower queens_intelligencer_bk_shadowoftreason
 
Full Name: Robert Poley
Nationality: British
Organization: British Intelligence
Occupation Spymaster

Creator: Peter Tonkin
Time Span: 2021 - 2023

ABOUT THE SERIES

Robert Poley is an agent for the British Crown.

The year for the start of these adventures is 1599. The wearer of the heavy ornament is Queen Elizabeth the First. This aging monarch is frail and nearing her life's end. Working diligently to protect her and her interests is Robert Cecil, sitting Secretary of State and Lord High Treasurer, a man who assumed his high position by way of his father many said but in truth it was his own cunning and genius. Considering that Cecil suffered from scoliosis and had a hunchback, making him the subject of ridicule (far behind his back, of course), his accomplishments were impressive.

One of the reasons for his successes were his band of dedicated operatives, known then as 'intelligencers'. The best of that impressive group is Poley. A good deal about Poley is told to us early on:

"Poley was 44 years old. He had been working in the English intelligence service since his days as a lowly sizar at Clare College, Cambridge, the better part of thirty years ago. He was that strange but priceless chameleon, a Catholic and a patriot willing to put his sovereign above his soul. An unrivalled asset to the first Lord Burghley and to Sir Francis Walsingham; and, one generation later, to the men who replaced them: Cecil and Sir Thomas Walsingham. He was of middle height, though also of erect carriage. His build was slight but looked strong enough, perhaps athletic. His eyes and his hands were large. His hair and beard were russet. He might have been accounted handsome. Other than that there was little striking or memorable about him. Which qualities seemed to Grey to be perfect in an intelligencer."

The fact that Poley works for the titular head of Anglican church who was often quite severe in the treatment of Catholics is something that will weigh heavily on him as time goes on. But something that does not change is how very good Poley is at his job, even when he might not want to be.

BOOKS

Number of Books:3
First Appearance:2021
Last Appearance:2023

1 Shadow of the Axe Shadow of the Axe
Written by Peter Tonkin
Copyright: 2021

"1599. After years of arrogance, disobedience and failure, the Earl of Essex bursts into Queen Elizabeth’s private chambers at Nonsuch Palace, confronting her before she has even had time to dress. This is something the Queen can never forgive. Essex’s enemies, led by Secretary of State Robert Cecil, begin to plan his final downfall. Cecil turns to his Chief Intelligencer Robert Poley, the man whose undercover work exposed the Babbington plot and led to the beheading of Mary Queen of Scots. Poley is a man used to working in the shadows and his stock in trade is betrayal – something that is beginning to trouble his Catholic conscience. Even so, the spy must go under cover once more - into the powder keg that is Essex House. Poley's mission is to provide the spark which will destroy the Earl and all his followers in one great treasonous explosion."
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2 Shadow of the Tower Shadow of the Tower
Written by Peter Tonkin
Copyright: 2022

"1603. Queen Elizabeth lies dying, surrounded by her Privy Council led by Robert Cecil. Even on her death-bed, she refuses to name a successor. But Cecil has already commissioned Queen’s Intelligencer Robert Poley and his spies to ensure a smooth succession for James VI of Scotland and the removal of anyone who might stand between Cecil and the new king. Soon a ring is being carried north to King James. The ring is a message in itself: the queen is dead. James places his trust in Cecil and begins to progress southward towards London surrounded by allies and possible enemies. As Poley unmasks one traitor after another and sends them to the Tower of London for interrogation, the intelligencer realises that the fate of James - and the kingdom - rests in his hands."
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3 Shadow of Treason Shadow of Treason
Written by Peter Tonkin
Copyright: 2023

"1603. A gunpowder mill explodes, causing death and destruction. A passer-by becomes involved in helping victims but is recognised and arrested – for he is a wanted man. The arresting officer is Spymaster Robert Poley, Queen Elizabeth’s Chief Intelligencer under Francis Walsingham and now King James’s under Robert Cecil. The fugitive is the Catholic Robert Catesby. Catesby is imprisoned. On his release, he secretly begins to recruit a group of desperate associates. Some form of a plot - and an act of violence - is afoot. Poley turns his attention towards the conspirators. His intelligencers target an expert in gunpowder and explosives. His name? Guy Fawkes."
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MY COMMENTS

I became a huge fan of author Peter Tonkin, the creator of the four adventures (so far) of the Queen's Intelligencer, several decades ago with what I believe is his debut novel, The Coffin Ship. I know me and it was obviously the unusual name of the book that attracted my attention but it was the terrific writing that kept it through several more adventures of the main character, Richard Mariner [he may some day have a position in this compendium himself].

A decade ago, he let Mariner have a well deserved rest and started concentrating on other projects happening in other time periods and to my uneducated eye his research is astounding. He makes me feel I am next to his characters no matter if they are way, way in the past like his tales of the time of the first Caesar, even further back during the era of Troy, or not so far back as with this entry for the Queen's Intelligencer.

Mr. Tonkin is an excellent storyteller and Robert Poley is an excellent example of that.

GRADE

My Grade: A-

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