seething lane
SUNDAY TIMES PICK OF THE MONTH
January 1670. London is enduring its worst winter in decades. But for Samuel Pepys, the darkest days are yet to come.
When a strange young man turns up at his office on Seething Lane asking for help, Pepys is too distracted to take him seriously. Promising to see him the next day, he hurries off for an evening at his favourite place, the theatre. But it isn’t the last time he will see the boy that night.
Called upon to investigate the brutal murder of a libertine aristocrat, Pepys soon discovers that the dead man is connected to his mysterious visitor – in the most shocking way possible.
The investigation leads Pepys from the dangerous back streets of London to the glamorous world of royal mistresses. But at every turn, the trail leads back to the same place: the theatre on Drury Lane...
Reimagining one of Britain’s greatest historical figures through a 21st century lens, Seething Lane is a thrilling new mystery from the author of Sunday Times historical fiction of the year pick The Lost Diary Of Samuel Pepys.
PRESS REVIEWS
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“Excellent… A lively tale of adventure and intrigue, rich in period detail.”
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“Book of the month… A zestful imagining of the lost late memoirs of one of Britain's great historical chronicles.”
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“Pick of the month… One of the very best novels which brings the past to life.”
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“A thoroughly enjoyable historical thriller… great fun.”
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“Jewers excels in both his assiduous research and the characterisation of his hero... this is a splendid adventure with the promise of more to come.”
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“This is all-thriller... The memory of experiencing this work will sit jaggedly in the reader’s mind for a long, long time. I’d be surprised if Seething Lane is not featured in the key literary awards for 2026.”
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“Brutal, addictive and rich, [Seething Lane] feels alive and vivid... truly thrilling, an utter page turner throughout.”
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“Swashbuckling action-packed drama.”
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“One of the best novels that I have read in the last decade… In the absence of a time machine currently existing, worry not, Jewers’ literary talents are the next best thing. Absolutely outstanding.”
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“Impressive.”
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“A page-turning crime thriller. Jewers, like the best historical novelists, has done his research. He recreates the world of 1669 in a vivid, realistic and natural way.”
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“Evocative.”
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“A cleverly constructed, superbly written murder mystery that will appeal to both theatre lovers and those fascinated by history.”
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“A gripping new mystery.”
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“One of the best historical fiction novels of the year.”
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“Jack Jewers has no scruples. He revels in such phrases as 'bull's pizzle' and delves into as many décolletés as are to hand... His rip-roaring yarn is also a bodice-ripper… Something for everyone.”
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“Rarely has historical fiction become as thrilling as this... judiciously researched period detail striated into a truly ‘edge-of-the-seat’ narrative. Essential.”
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“An immersive, enjoyably witty novel that draws readers into life in Restoration-era England… Jewers does a terrific job of making the history accessible.”
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“An action-packed, thoroughly entertaining read, full of adventure and amazing historical detail.”
AUTHORS ON JACK JEWERS
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“Hard to imagine Samuel Pepys being any more interesting than he already was, but Jack Jewers has done it for him, imaginatively, brilliantly, convincingly, in the now plural (praise be!) Samuel Pepys Mysteries.”
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“Jewers' reimagining of Pepys as sleuth in the heady days of the Restoration is a blinder - what's not to like? Palace intrigue, the roar of the greasepaint and our Samuel's eye for detail. A wonderful combo artfully reimagined.”
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“Outstanding. Wonderfully researched and rich in period detail, Seething Lane is absorbing and moving, as both a crime novel and as a portrait of the times.”
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“A thrilling and atmospheric historical adventure which brilliantly reimagines infamous diarist Samuel Pepys and conjures up the world of London theatre in 1670. Hugely entertaining.”
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“There is a palpable sense of dynamism to the rapidly changing city of 1670, yet the danger and deceit remains lurking menacingly in the shadows. A joy - compelling, exciting, moving and like all the best murder-mysteries, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing to the very end.”
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“Combines historical depth with dazzling story-telling and introduces the reader to a rich tapestry of actors, beggars, nobility - and Mr Samuel Pepys. All-absorbing.”
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“A gorgeously-written, intriguing mystery, packed with meticulous period detail and many wonderful turns of phrase - a brilliant jewel of a book.”
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“The sheer pleasure of sinking back into Pepys's world so long after his last diary was an unexpected treat. Even readers who wouldn't consider themselves historical fiction fans will find something to love in this book."
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“Every bit as lively, witty and entertaining as the inspiration but with added intrigue and swashbuckling. A proper treat that would no doubt delight Mr Pepys himself.”
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“The genius of Samuel Pepys brilliantly channeled by the genius of Jack Jewers in an exciting, heartfelt 17th century adventure.”
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“A page-turning adventure with historical detail that will make you feel as though you are really there.”