Paradise Burning
Publications
Paradise Burning
was published on 1st November 2024.
It is available in paperback and on Kindle.
Paradise Burning
is a sequel to
Matthew Egworth is again the central character,
and it follows on chronologically from the earlier novel,
but they can be read in any order.
Brian is working on the final novel in the trilogy,
and is hoping to complete it for publication
in 2027.
A selection of Amazon reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars HISTORICAL FICTION AT ITS FINEST
Paradise Burning is the sequel to Brian Woolland's historical fiction novel, The Invisible Exchange. It follows the story of Matthew Edgworth after he fakes his own death, sustains an injury, and attempts to flee London to find his lover. We are presented with a far more sympathetic Matthew as he begins to make poor judgements and is unable to con or talk his way out of trouble. His mis-steps ultimately lead to his rescue and reliance on a sect of people who follow a charismatic but radical leader. The Otherworldly scenes with Agnes (a healer) are packed with atmosphere, and among my favourite so far. Matthew is forced to re-evaluate his journey to find Kate, and indeed, to adjust his entire way of life. The ending is unexpected, and I can't wait to read the next book in this series. These are fully rounded characters, expertly woven into the historical events of 17th century England, and beautifully written too. Highly recommended!
Mr Manny Weinstein
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent sequel
This is an excellent sequel, made even better by not following directly on from the first book in this trilogy. It still follows Matthew, but no longer in London, and all the better for exploring more of the world so wonderfully depicted in the first book.
Still excellent story-telling and wonderful descriptions of the underbelly of life in 17th century England.
Excellent read and highly recommended.
Michael Walling
5.0 out of 5 stars Not so much a sequel as a reinvention
I'd read, and much enjoyed, the first of Brian Woolland's novels about Matthew Edgworth, The Invisible Exchange, so I thought I knew what I'd be in for with Paradise Burning. I was wrong. This novel avoids all the pitfalls of the sequel: it doesn't try to do the same thing as its precursor, but follows a totally different trajectory. Prevented from continuing his career in the picaresque, Matthew encounters an apparently Utopian community of political radicals, of the kind that would become prominent during the Civil War. The portrayal of this group, and Matthew's wary dance around them, is both truthful and disturbing. Strongly recommended.
Tim Grana
5.0 out of 5 stars A Jacobean Odyssey
This is the brilliant sequel to Woolland’s Invisible Exchange and continues the engaging (mis)adventures of Matthew Edgworth—the crafty and quick-witted hustler and sometime con-man whose entanglement in the schemes of his aristocratic patron takes him on a Homeric journey through Jacobean London, from the ostentatious splendour of the royal household to the horrific debasements of Bedlam and the Bridewell. In this second volume, the machinations of our Jacobean Odysseus take him into the English countryside—at which he initially sneers as ‘Rusticshire’ but where he finds his street-wise London wiles little avail him, and the dangers he encounters even greater than before.
Of his own quest, Edgworth is the narrator, but not always a reliable one. Like Odysseus, Edgworth is ever resourceful in the face of setbacks and obstacles, however damaging or perilous, and never abandons his drive even as his goals shift. And it is that evolving change in his goals which sharpens the reader’s delight of this splendid tale.
For the reader who has not yet read the previous volume, The Invisible Exchange, do so at once, and then treat yourself to Paradise Burning. And for the producers of television period dramas, what are you waiting for? Woolland’s outstanding novels are crying out to be made into a fantastic series!