The 2nd to the 5th of September is the 345th anniversary of the Great Fire of London of 1666. A midland GP and author, interested by the subject, has written a novel set during it. A paperback edition of the historical fantasy novel, The Last Seal has just been published this summer along with a Kindle version. Aimed at fantasy fans and those who enjoy historical novels, The Last Seal recreates this great event but adds a fantasy twist. When researching the subject, the author found that this was a period of widespread paranoia about foreign plots and conspiracies, and a time when people believed in witchcraft, omens, magic and superstition. All of that suggested a story where the fire was not just an accident. Denning's novel involves secret societies and a supernatural explanation behind the fire.
Richard Denning (44) was born in Ilkeston in Derbyshire and lives in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands where he works as a General Practitioner with a North Birmingham practice. He is also a Young adult sci-fi, historical fiction and historical fantasy writer. The Great Fire of London has fascinated Richard for many years. In the last year he has published a board game based around the Great Fire as well as a historical fantasy set during it.
SYNOPSIS
September 1666: a struggle between two secret societies threatens to destroy London. Three hundred years previously the Praesidum defeated and incarcerated a demon beneath the city. Now the Liberati aim to release it and gain its power for themselves. Meanwhile agents of the King are seeking four suspected foreign spies who are, in reality, disparate and unlikely heroes: GABRIEL, the sole remaining member of the Praesidum, crippled by his fear of failure; FREYA, a young thief orphaned by the Great Plague, driven by poverty and self-interest; TOBIAS, a cynical physician, obsessed by his desire for vengeance against the Liberati cavalier who killed his father, and finally and most vitally, BEN, a Westminster schoolboy, whose guilt over his parents’ death threatens to destroy him. Thrown together by chance when Ben finds an ancient scroll revealing the location of arcane seals that bind the demon beneath London, the story launches into a battle between the Liberati and Praesidium, a battle which takes place within the Great Fire of London. These four must overcome their personal problems and work together if they are to foil the plans of the Liberati, protect the city and gain the means to defeat the demon.
Reviews
“A diamond of a compulsive read”
Helen Hollick, Author of Sea Witch
“At times, I literally couldn’t put the book down and was hooked to finding out what happened next. I was extremely impressed by your ability to keep the reader engaged with the action throughout.”
Stephanie Williams, editor, Rebel Books.
“The historical elements really shine and kept me interested, as did the atmosphere of a burning London and all the darkness and bleakness surrounding the terrifying Dantalion… The tension and suspense in the latter part of the book were terrific… at several points I had butterflies in my stomach.”
Leigh Ferrani, author, Oxford Literary Consultancy
