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Book Tour Archer Bows In (Will Archer Mysteries Book 1) Book Tour

Cover Blurb

Book Tour of Archer Bows In: In Goodmans Fields Theatre an actor is discovered hanged - is it accident, suicide or murder? Will Archer, fellow actor and fledgeling detective sets out to investigate. As ice grips London and Europe seethes with rumours of war, Archer finds himself involved in intrigue, both personal and political. In this first outing for Will Archer, 18th Century London, filthy, noisy, lusty and dangerous leaps into utterly believable life. This is the first book in the Will Archer Mysteries Series. There are a total of 10 books in this series, and all titles are available at The Book Dragon.

Other Titles By the Author

Colin Eston

Author Bio

Book Tour About the Author: Born in 1944 in Redcar, I was educated at Sir William Turner's Grammar School and then trained as a teacher at Bede College, Durham. For the next 40 years I taught English and Drama, completed an Open University degree, and was active in several amateur drama groups - not to mention getting married and helping raise three sons! When I retired in 2003 I thought it time to indulge my passion for writing. Having been a lifelong addict of crime and mystery novels, I was confident that I could do as well or better than many I'd read! Twenty years and fourteen novels later, I now consider myself a writer and hope to continue being so for many years yet. My body may be showing signs of age, but my imagination, thirst for discovering new things and attitude to life are still as fresh as ever. You can find direct links to purchase the full series of my books by visiting the Book Dragon Members page at https://www.thebookdragon.co.uk/our-dragon-members-author/

The Book Tour

Day 1 - Favourite Quotes

“Fielding kneels beside a shapeless heap of rags hard by the wall.” (Andrew Bell)

“He’s a deep one, this lad of yours,” snarls Macklin, jabbing a finger in my direction. “I would not call that answer diplomatic. I would call it devious. I’ll warrant he listens and takes all in, for all his protestations. I wouldn’t trust him if I were you, Davey.” A wonderful piece about Archer, building up his character and giving the reader a little snippet of how he will develop through the story. (Andrew Oyston)

Hard by the church of St Mary le Bow in Cheapside, it is but a mile or so distant but, after all the rain, the streets are at their filthiest, mired in a festering mud, the product of household waste and chamber-pots, dung from market bound cattle, the odd dead cat or dog. The stinking mess sucks at your feet and sprays your clothes when thrown from the wheels of passing carts. (Anne Rucroft)

For anyone wishing to rub shoulders with the newest and most exciting writers and artists, the Bedford is the place to be, and to be seen. (Michelle Marshall)

“‘I supposed the gentleman did not approve of his son’s choice of a career upon the stage. I, myself, come from humble stock, where a life in the theatre might be considered an advancement.” (Sophie Jupillat Posey)

For a moment, he assesses me, a half-smile playing about his mouth. My open defiance has caused some subtle shift in his demeanour towards me that I am at a loss to explain. He says softly, ‘You display spirit, Master Archer - you would engage with me?’ His eyes seem to drill into me. What is he at? Is he calling me out - or has he some less honourable purpose? I stand firm under his scrutiny. ‘I would not, sir - not in any way.’ He reddens momentarily, then sniffs and tosses his head. A fine example of how well the main character is portrayed throughout the book. (Yvonne Weston)

‘Right smirking princox he is!’ mutters Charlie at my elbow. ‘Needs taking down a peg or two.’ (Tim Marshall)

Day 2 - Character Summaries

Will Archer: Such a good personality. Young, strong, and still striving to make his dreams come true, despite the difficult living and social conditions of the 1700s. (Andrew Bell)

Sir William Hervey: Sir William Hervey is a chameleon, a man of seemingly genuine warmth and friendliness, able to switch in an instant to the cold, calculating spy master he really is. An experienced player in the spying and political game, once his presence is announced in the story, it sits there, an ever-present threat to Will and his companions. His loyalty is never questioned, even though the focus of that loyalty is never directly revealed - after all, he has reached a position of great hidden power and has been there for some time. His deviousness is aptly demonstrated at the end of the book (also neatly kicking off the following adventures of Will Archer) and, despite his agreement not to force Will to act against Will’s friends, you now Hervey is untrustworthy and that future conflict between the two is a very likely probability. A dangerous friend and a worse enemy, the character of Hervey is a wonderful friend/villain to have in the background to act as a foil against Archer. (Andrew Oyston)

Will Archer: The most memorable character of this book was Will Archer who was of course also the main character. The story did not feature many scenes if any without this character being involved which helped give a real insight into his personality and allowed you to follow their development as the story progressed. Although the story was set in 1741 where times would be very different to the present day, I could still connect with Will as a young individual who still possessed naivety, enthusiasm and energy. He made mistakes and was headstrong in a few matters but always remained a nice character to follow. (Anne Rucroft)

Will Archer: Intelligent, astute and sensitive, Will is a strong lead character for this compelling series. He read to me like a real person with weaknesses and vices, though these didn’t detract from his likeability. (Michelle Marshall)

Will Archer: My favourite character was Archer. There are many reasons to like him. He shows his key traits early on and they stay consistent throughout the novel. He is shrewd and observant, he is also loyal and kind. He is a romantic and a bit of a daredevil when the opportunity requires it. He also knows he is vulnerable, especially with his past threatening to actively follow him during this case. His determination to get to the bottom of Harry’s death despite multiple warnings and dangers for him to stop, was one of the key threads that endeared us to the character and kept the plot moving. His fierce loyalty, like rescuing Charlie after he is kidnapped, and risking his life to save Agnes makes the reader root for him and see why he is getting such attention from people like Hervey for example. Yet, his romantic side really blossoms, he suffers from knight in shining armour syndrome, and he sometimes overlooks important red flags in his pursuit of justice. The whole story with Agnes makes one wince, but we know it is part of his growing up. The last few chapters especially are a hit on Archer, and he realises the world isn’t as black and white as he thinks when it comes to pretty much everything in life. (Sophie Jupillat Posey)

Will Archer: Will Archer is our main character and one that everyone will enjoy, even if you aren't sold at the beginning. At 19 years old, he is more worldly wise than his youthful age - due to his upbringing and the situation that he was found in before he arrived at Mr Garrick's door. Although his master, as Mr Garrick effectively is, is around his own age, the 6 years between them might as well be as wide as a gulf. They are a surprising "good fit". Will's development throughout the book is impressive, and very realistic for a young man in that time. His determination, courage and thinking is admirable. He is sure to be a great hit with the readers to keep them coming back for more! (Yvonne Marrs)

Charlie: I thought that the characters in general were well-written and did a great job of drawing into the setting. In particular, Charlie was a highlight for me, simultaneously adding much light and dark to the story, bringing both comedy and highlighting some of the shocking conditions of the time without ungrounding the setting. (Tim Marshall)

Day 3 - Favourite Excerpts

The coachman takes me none too gently by the arm and points silently towards the street sign on the wall. We are on the Whitechapel High Road at the southern end of Somerset Street. A warren of tortuous lanes and alleys lie between me and Mr Garrick’s lodgings. I know them to be hazardous enough in daylight and can understand Mennick’s reluctance to negotiate them in a carriage on such a night.” (Andrew Bell)

Aikin puts his face against mine "Me? Jealous of you?" He sneers. "You flatter yourself, boy. You’re not an actor - you’re just an upstart that Garrick’s soft on. There’s nothing personal in this. I’m doing this for the honour of the profession." (Andrew Oyston)

A dowdy enough figure I make as I thread my way among peacock dandies. I know some of my humble rank come to admire and wonder at the gaudy cavalcade. But they do not impress me as they totter by on their high heels, flouncing their canes and simpering over each other, for I have seen another side of such shallow painted butterflies during my time at Mother Ransom’s molly house. There, under the paint and patches, the fine clothes and affectation, I have seen both foulness and vulnerability. (Anne Rucroft)

The deserted theatre last night was eerie, today it is merely melancholy. With no audience to give it life, its glamour looks tawdry, the gold-leaf as thin and insubstantial as the dusty stage scenery. Sad ghosts seem to crowd the dark shadows of balcony and boxes, almost more real than the scatter of actors who look uneasy and out of place in the lonely stalls. Pale in the meagre candlelight, they appear somehow exposed, diminished. Gone are the strutting popinjays. In their place, mere mortals, uncharacteristically nervous and vulnerable. (Michelle Marshall)

“My heart plummets. Here it is - I am to be thrown back onto the streets... Where will I go? I have nowhere. Since escaping from Mother Ransom’s, my life with Mr Garrick has been a felicity whose end I have never dared to contemplate.” We really see how he enjoys his new life and how precarious life was during those times. (Sophie Jupillat Posey)

My jauntiness does not seem to cheer him. Indeed, he seems not to remark it, for as we approach the Fleet Bridge, I feel him shiver and catch his fearful glance towards the stark, forbidding walls of the Fleet Prison. ‘God save me!’ He murmurs it so soft that perhaps he does not realise he has said it at all. But I hear it plain enough. And it helps explain his present agitation. The Fleet Prison, where - like the Marshalsea over the river at Southwark - debtors are incarcerated. I recall our earlier conversation, when he confessed his addiction to gambling. As I have been doing similar research for a project in this time period, I have discovered that debtors' prison was a very common punishment amongst London's population. This is just one of the key facts that have been very well researched before being written. (Yvonne Weston)

‘He’ll be sent for when you leave, Master Archer.’ The lackey pauses, to let this further slight sink in - my youth and social standing don’t merit the address of Mister. I let it pass. It’s a petty enough victory. One which, once I concede, he does not hesitate to build on as I follow him up the stairs to the reception rooms on the first floor. ‘My master is a person of considerable standing, Master Archer, both here and in his home country. You must show appropriate respect. You will not speak unless spoken to and you must address him as Mijnheer at all times. It is the Dutch equivalent of Milord. Do you understand?’ ‘I bow to your instruction,’ I say, matching my words with a slight inclination of the head. Unable to tell if I’m mocking him or not, he coughs dryly. ‘This way, Master Archer.’ (Tim Marshall)

Day 4 - Video Interview

Day 5 - Reviews

Overall Rating: 5 stars. A good, interesting story that drew me into the dark and squalid era of the 1700s. Very well written and the characters were engaging. Although I thought the cover did little to justify Colin Eston’s craftsmanship. (Andrew Bell)

Overall rating: 5 stars. A period whodunnit set in the theatre world of 18th Century London, Archer Bows In presents the reader with not only a finely crafted murder mystery, but also takes them on a journey to a time that is both familiar and yet also quite alien. Introducing a cast of well-defined characters (both fictional and historical), and a period setting rich in detail, the author spins a fine web of personal drama and political intrigue. The pace never slackens as our window into the story, Will Archer, confronts not only the day to day struggles of being a small time actor in the vicious world of the stage but also the wider events of national importance of which he has little control over. This is a superbly written tale and one that promises more in future instalments. This is one of the finest character debut novels I have read in a long time and is a great enticement to continue reading of Mr Archer’s adventures. (Andrew Oyston)

Overall Rating: 5 stars. I really enjoyed this book and although it was written in an older tongue, was an incredibly gripping read. The cover is unfortunately not as nice on the eye and does not do the book any justice. The plot is of a dark nature and it would be an advantage to see this reflected instead of historic scenes. (Anne Rucroft)

Overall rating: 5 stars. This historical mystery is violent, vivid and visceral. I could almost smell the squalor of Victorian London that serves as the novel’s backdrop. With a colourful cast of characters, they all shine bright in their own right, but none brighter than the main character of Will Archer. In this book, the basis for a strong series is founded. The world portrayed, whilst not one I’d wish to visit, is certainly one I’d like to venture into reading about again. (Michelle Marshall)

Overall Rating: 5 stars. Archer’s Bow is a unique story blending multiple sub-genres within a historical fiction novel. The reader is introduced to Archer as a benevolent young adult who has seen some dark things in his past. He is kind to everyone he interacts with. He has some rough edges; but he is smart and talented at what he does. He is an actor under Mr. Garrick’s protection and has a whole little “family” he lives with. All that safety is perturbed when a death occurs in the theater. And it doesn’t look like it’s an accident. Mr. Garrick believes it’s suicide, but Archer convinces him that there are too many clues that point to it being murder. Archer was friendly with Harry, the dead man, and is determined to get to the bottom of it. The pacing and scenes in the story are all cohesive and flow well. It’s a thrilling read as events escalate and more and more secrets are uncovered about Harry. The dialogue is seamless and unique enough that one can tell who is speaking at all times. We have an interesting cast of diverse characters from the wise-cracking Charlie, to the kind, steadfast Mr. Garrick, to the odious Aikin, to the mysterious Agnes, to the suspicious Hervey and more. Every character shines and has their own fulfilled arc. The ending was brilliant and unexpected; a perfect combination. I would love to read more! (Sophie Jupillat Posey)

Overall Rating: 5 stars. Colin Eston conducted a lot of research while producing this work, this is obvious. The use of old English terminology has been made to fit with modern English so that we can all understand how the tale progresses. His characters are wonderfully different and very real, helping to weave together a story that is enthralling from start to finish. Each character is unique, and even the bad ones we can feel sympathy with (although fleeting!) I was reminded of The Frost Fair by Edward Marston throughout this book. Highly recommended book, even if the murder mystery genre is not your first or second choice in reading material. (Yvonne Marrs)

Overall rating: 5 stars. With a superb command of descriptive prose and dialogue, Colin Eston does a great job of conjuring an immersive, gritty and vivid 18^th Century London with a believable cast of characters and a compelling protagonist through whom we experience his tale. In many ways it has some of the best elements of a noir detective thriller. The wit and attention to detail of the author as well as a compassion for the characters made this a pleasure to read. There’s a great amount of story for a series debut novel, and it makes a strong case for continuing. (Tim Marshall)