The Pickpocket

A struggle for the right to hold title and lands takes place all the way from the backstreets and canals of Venice in 1531, to the corrupt court of King Henry VIII of England. At times Rebecca Vinyard’s historical epic made this reader feel more like I was viewing a fast action movie than reading a book.

Peyton Sewell is aware that he has been set up. He lets the young pickpocket steal his purse with the intent of trailing the thief back to his master. When the thief stops to do penance at a small church, it is all too easy. But Peyton and his men have no idea of the merry chase and journey this thief will lead… The boy falls into a Venetian canal and is pulled out, then escorted by Peyton’s men back to their ship. The boy ruefully drinks a sleeping potion meant for Peyton and slips into a deep slumber. Peyton removes the boy’s wet, vile smelling clothing to prepare for the night ahead. The beautiful young woman he discovers as he removes the disguise is beyond his wildest imagination. She is divine, with long red hair that falls to her slim hips.

Caroline is the only survivor of a shipwreck in which her parents died. Marta who is a Romany gypsy found her washed ashore, as a child. When Marta is sold by the gypsies to a guild of thieves, Caroline stays loyally by her friend’s side. They keep Caroline disguised as boy so she is spared the life of a whore. The thieves’ guild uses young children and the unfortunate to control the back streets of Venice. They are expected to steal, sell themselves and murder on occasion for their cruel master, Sergio. Although Caroline disguised as Carlo, is an excellent thief, she knows that Sergio will give her a severe beating for being captured by the English sailors. She is resigned to this fate. When Caroline wakes up to find herself nude and sharing a bunk with a man who is also naked, her shock and outrage are tangible. He has taken her only treasures – some rosary beads and a Cameo necklace that was her mother’s. She is forced to bargain for the return of these for 20 kisses with the English man, Peyton.

The 20 kisses are used by the author as a countdown to the blissful introduction to intimacy between Caroline and Peyton. Ms Vinyard cleverly intersperses a kiss at a time into the fast moving action that takes place between Peyton and his enemy, chased by Sergio and his den of thieves. The kisses kept this reader focused on the growing romance throughout the dramas, and eager for the two to finally find each other. The internal dramas of the court of Henry VIII and the plot involving Peyton’s family are slowly revealed and the reader learns more as Peyton’s understanding of the whole picture increases. Although the scope of the journey of these characters is immense, Ms Vinyard’s explanations of the political situation are made clear and enjoyable to keep the reader involved in this story. Peyton’s crew and companions also provide a lot of humour and tragedy. An ongoing attraction between the surly Marta and the Scottish laird Roland add to the sexual tension of this tale. The Pickpocket is an excellent historical insight combined with an unexpected adventure and steamy romance. Highly Recommended Reading!

Reviewed by: Naomi