The Quick and the Dead
A queer historical fantasy of thieves, secrets and dangerous alchemy in Elizabethan England
Published on 3. July 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-1-915798-91-6 (ISBN)
Description
'Vividly told, with powerfully drawn characters, this tale of obsession and betrayal set in the dark world of Tudor alchemy will cast its spell over historical fiction fans.' Heat
It is 1597 and Kit Skevy and Mariner Elgin have just robbed the wrong grave.
They are young criminals in the pocket of a gang Lord named Will Twentyman, the Grave Eorl of Southwark. Mariner is the best cutpurse around, a strange Calvinist girl who dresses like a boy and is partner in crime to Kit Skevy, Southwark's best brawler who carries a secret: he cannot feel pain.
When caught out in their unfortunate larceny, Kit is kidnapped by the menacing alchemist Lord Isherwood (a man who will stop at nothing to achieve his hopes for the Red Lion elixir) and his studious son, Lazarus Isherwood, with whom Kit develops a complicated intrigue. When Mariner enlists the help of a competing French alchemist, Lady Elody Blackwater, Mariner and Kit are thrust into the shadowed, political world of Tudor alchemy, testing both their friendship and their lives.
It matters not who you are born to... but where you are made!
It is 1597 and Kit Skevy and Mariner Elgin have just robbed the wrong grave.
They are young criminals in the pocket of a gang Lord named Will Twentyman, the Grave Eorl of Southwark. Mariner is the best cutpurse around, a strange Calvinist girl who dresses like a boy and is partner in crime to Kit Skevy, Southwark's best brawler who carries a secret: he cannot feel pain.
When caught out in their unfortunate larceny, Kit is kidnapped by the menacing alchemist Lord Isherwood (a man who will stop at nothing to achieve his hopes for the Red Lion elixir) and his studious son, Lazarus Isherwood, with whom Kit develops a complicated intrigue. When Mariner enlists the help of a competing French alchemist, Lady Elody Blackwater, Mariner and Kit are thrust into the shadowed, political world of Tudor alchemy, testing both their friendship and their lives.
It matters not who you are born to... but where you are made!
Reviews / Votes
'Rich, atmospheric, original, and intricate as an alchemist's lair. Blazing at its heart: two brilliant, complicated queer characters, discovering both the elation and dangers that lurk within the process of (re)making oneself. One of my favourite historical novels, Tudor and otherwise - dear reader, read on, you are in for such a treat!' Nat Reeve, Nettleblack 'Dark, bewitching and intensely atmospheric, The Quick and the Dead expertly conjures the lively streets, taverns and playhouses of 16th century London, and peers into the rarefied, shadowy world of alchemists and the Elizabethan court. Brilliantly written and utterly vivid in voice, image and historical detail, with characters that will capture and break your heart, this book has an alchemy all its own' Sophie Keetch, author of Morgan Is My Name 'Wonderfully evocative, this book transports the reader to the dark underworld of late Elizabethan London. I was gripped from the first page.' Tracy Borman 'An exuberant novel for fans of the gothic and the unlikely'. The TimesMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
250 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-915798-91-6 (9781915798916)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Emma Hinds
The Quick and the Dead
A queer historical fantasy of thieves, secrets and dangerous alchemy in Elizabethan England
E-Book
01/2025
Bedford Square Publishers
€8.49
Available for download
Person
Emma is a queer playwright living in Manchester with a focus on telling untold feminist narratives. Her latest play, PURE, was featured in Turn On festival at Hope Mill Theatre Manchester and she was the recipient of the Artist Development grant. She has written an essay published in Tarantino and Theology with Gray Matter Books, and her book Ineffable Love: Christian Themes in Good Omens was published by Darton Longman & Todd.