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The Desperate Remedy: Henry Gresham and the Gunpowder Plot
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Plot Summary of The Desperate Remedy: Henry Gresham and the Gunpowder Plot
"

Dunne, Mar 2003, 24.95, 336 pp.
ISBN: 0312307195

Robert Cecil, Chief Secretary to King James I feels the opportunity is perfect to consolidate support for His Highness against the growing espionage presence of his enemies, Spain and France.

While foreign spies agitate the oppressed English Catholics, Robert seeks proof of sexual depravity against his most dangerous foe, Sir Francis Bacon. He assigns Henry Gresham to obtain the evidence that will fry Bacon. He quickly learns how the agitators inadvertently strengthen the position of their greatest oppressor Robert with their anti-James plots, notably a scheme to blow up Parliament and replace the Scot with a Catholic on the throne. Keeping his own confidence, Henry soon realizes that Cecil hired the leaders, Guy Fawkes and Thomas Percy, with an apparent double cross in mind to “earn” the favor of the King. Already in danger due to his secret Catholic beliefs, Henry wonders what to do with what he learned because Cecil will gladly string him up along with the other “traitors”.

THE DESPERATE REMEDY: HENRY GRESHAM AND THE GUNPOWDER PLOT is a fascinating novelization of a critical moment in English history that vividly provides the audience with a deep look at surviving the civil religious squabbles that engulfed the English throne in 1605. The story line is cleverly devised so that the history with real people is interwoven into a superbly written espionage plot. Fans of historical tales including romance readers though there is no love story will immensely appreciate Martin Stephen's delightful retelling of the Gunpowder Plot.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of The Desperate Remedy: Henry Gresham and the Gunpowder Plot
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
descript. of violence and chases - 10%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 60%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10%




Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Time/era of story: - 17th century
Spying/Terrorism Thriller Yes
Cloak & Dagger Plotlets: - power struggle within govt between two factions - preventing/finding assassin
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Who's the terrorist enemy here? - spy ring

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status: - spy
Age: - 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use? - just the right amount
Ethnicity/Race - British
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - politician/elected ruler
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an average amount
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - average physique

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK

Style
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths? - 0 (not a murder mystery)
Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
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