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Graham Brack
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The Vanishing Children (Master Mercurius Mysteries Book 5) Kindle Edition

by Graham Brack (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 1,497 ratings
Master Mercurius is sent on another complicated mission! Perfect for fans of Andrew Taylor, C J Sansom, S J Parris and Ken Follett.

Three Jewish boys are missing … but why is nobody investigating?

1680, Leiden, The Netherlands

The Dutch Stadhouder, William of Orange, has summoned Master Mercurius — and that is never good news.

Mercurius has gained a reputation for himself with William for successfully undertaking diplomatic missions. And William is now paranoid that his own subjects — and the English exiles living in the Netherlands — are plotting against him.

Mercurius is sent to gather information, but he soon finds himself caught up in another mystery.

Three Jewish boys have vanished, and the local magistrates are doing nothing to investigate their disappearances.

Mercurius quickly realises something sinister is going on and promises to unravel the mystery before he has to return to Leiden.

Who is abducting the young children? Are more at risk?

And is the Stadhouder right to fear a plot against him…?

The Vanishing Children is the fifth historical murder investigation in the Master Mercurius Mystery series: atmospheric crime thrillers set in seventeenth-century Europe.

THE MASTER MERCURIUS MYSTERY SERIES:
BOOK ONE: Death in Delft
BOOK TWO: Untrue Till Death
BOOK THREE: Dishonour and Obey
BOOK FOUR: The Noose’s Shadow
BOOK FIVE: The Vanishing Children
BOOK SIX: The Lying Dutchman
BOOK SEVEN: Murder In Maastricht
BOOK EIGHT: The Moers Murders
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  1. Book 5 of 8
    Master Mercurius Mysteries
  2. Print length
    224 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    April 20, 2021
  6. File size
    2.6 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 8 books in this series.

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08Y92HH18
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 20, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.6 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1800552449
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 5 of 8 ‏ : ‎ Master Mercurius Mysteries
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 1,497 ratings

About the author

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Graham Brack

Graham Brack

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Graham Brack has been writing for as long as he can remember, but now concentrates on crime fiction. Three times shortlisted for the Crime Writers' Association's Debut Dagger prize (in 2011, 2014 and 2016) he never quite managed to win it.

Graham lives with his wife Gillian in Northamptonshire and has two children and three granddaughters, who are too young to be allowed to read Grandad's books, so he provides other stories for them.

He trained and practised as a pharmacist and has also written about football, rugby, cricket and medical law. He is an ordained priest in the Church of England.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,497 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers thoroughly enjoy this historical mystery series, with one noting how the author brings the 17th century to life. The book features well-developed characters, and customers appreciate its classy writing style. They find it informative about life at the time, with one review highlighting its well-researched content.

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Historical accuracyEnjoymentHumorSeries qualityCharacter developmentKnowledge
15 customers mention "Historical accuracy"15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the historical accuracy of the book, particularly its portrayal of the 17th century, with one customer noting how well the author brings this period to life.

"...This book has it all - an interesting mystery, plenty of historical fact and good characters all written with Brack's delightfully dry sense of..." Read more

"...He identifies the culprit, then finds the children and succeeds in his mission." Read more

"...He has an excellent command of the history and atmosphere of 17th century Holland, and I look forward to the next entry in the series!" Read more

"...is appealing, and his innocence is charming - all in a meaningful period of Dutch history that is new to me. Very readable!..." Read more

14 customers mention "Enjoyment"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and thoroughly enjoy the series, with one customer noting that the storyline is thoroughly engaging.

"...Memoirs of an old man who lived a bewildering but wonderful life...." Read more

"...Master Me curry d's adventures are well worth reading and fun not the bargain. Have fun, read these books, enjoy them as I have!" Read more

"...There are frequent, funny asides when he feels his secretary does not appreciate the words he is dictating in the right way...." Read more

"...Mr. Brack writes engaging stories, weaving real and fictional characters together in believable plots with interesting twists...." Read more

14 customers mention "Humor"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, describing it as astonishingly funny and pleasant to read, with one customer noting the laugh-out-loud banter between characters.

"...especially Master Mercurius and William of Orange, are well fleshed out one feels like they know them intimately...." Read more

"...fact and good characters all written with Brack's delightfully dry sense of humour. I hope there will be many more." Read more

"...The adventures of Master Mercury is are captivating, his dry humor is appealing, and his innocence is charming - all in a meaningful period of..." Read more

"I have thoroughly enjoyed all 5 of these books, they are very well written and the characters are wonderful!..." Read more

11 customers mention "Series quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the series quality, with one customer noting that it just gets better with each book.

"“The Vanishing Children” is an excellent addition to an excellent series...." Read more

"...Very readable! Thanks for bringing us this excellent series!" Read more

"Love historical mysteries. These were awesome. Put on your reading list and you will not put them down until the end...." Read more

"The series just gets better and better. The characters and story line are thoroughly engaging. I can't wait until the next in the series." Read more

9 customers mention "Character development"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book, with one noting how the author weaves real and fictional characters together in believable plots, while another appreciates the historical details and situations.

"...it all - an interesting mystery, plenty of historical fact and good characters all written with Brack's delightfully dry sense of humour...." Read more

"...Mr. Brack writes engaging stories, weaving real and fictional characters together in believable plots with interesting twists...." Read more

"...all 5 of these books, they are very well written and the characters are wonderful!..." Read more

"...Master Mercurious is an unusual and most interesting man...." Read more

6 customers mention "Knowledge"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's informative content, with one customer noting its detailed portrayal of life at the time, while another highlights its well-researched nature.

"Mr. Barack is so well informed about th politics and modes of this period n Dutch history that one land so much about it just by reading them...." Read more

"...It is all very informative about life at the time, and I learn a bit of history with each book...." Read more

"...Once again, the historical aspect is interesting and well-researched, but, for me, the most outstanding feature of these books is still Mercurius's..." Read more

"...to Amsterdam, Mercurius must use all his skills, diplomatic and philosophical, to sniff out any plots, make the mayors pay their taxes and find..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Just for Fun
    5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkable
    Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The series is a bit unusual, casual in the extreme. Memoirs of an old man who lived a bewildering but wonderful life. I will be truly sorry when I reach the end of this series as I have come to like these books in a way I have never felt about books before I found them. Really a fine series of stories.
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  • pollymom
    4.0 out of 5 stars My favorite so far.. I do love these books.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Mr. Barack is so well informed about th politics and modes of this period n Dutch history that one land so much about it just by reading them. I recommend this series for its my humor and well written narrative. The characters, especially Master Mercurius and William of Orange, are well fleshed out one feels like they know them intimately. I am so glad the issue with the disappearance of the children is satisfactorily resolved. Master Me curry d's adventures are well worth reading and fun not the bargain. Have fun, read these books, enjoy them as I have!
    One person found this helpful
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  • phrynne
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book has it all- mystery, history and fun
    Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Master Mercurius is back, this time testing his powers of diplomacy on behalf of William of Orange and also getting himself involved in more detective work, investigating the disappearance of three small boys. As usual his mixture of intelligence and naivety allow him to float over many dangerous waters and at the same time succeed in his allocated tasks.

    I enjoy the way this series is told as episodes from Mercurius's own journal. There are frequent, funny asides when he feels his secretary does not appreciate the words he is dictating in the right way. He is also very free with his own views on the people he meets and the ways of the world. It is all very informative about life at the time, and I learn a bit of history with each book.

    This book has it all - an interesting mystery, plenty of historical fact and good characters all written with Brack's delightfully dry sense of humour. I hope there will be many more.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • John R. Balzer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Master Mercurius Politically Aids the Stadhouder
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Master Mercurius is sent to to Amsterdam to convince the four mayors to pay their takes to support the Stadhouder and lands in a tangled political situation. He also discovers that three young boys have vanished from a Jewish community. Making little progress with the stubborn majors, who use their positions for their own financial gain, he focuses on the vanishings, which the local authorities have ignored. He identifies the culprit, then finds the children and succeeds in his mission.
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  • Elisabeth
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good series
    Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Master Mercurious has another unwanted investigation for William. This time is to be a non-diplomatic non-diplomat the mayors of Amsterdam in order to get their unpaid taxes. He approached by a Jewish man; three infants/toddlers have disappeared and the authorities are making no effort to find out what happened.

    Mercurious is open, in these writings about his misgivings of both the reformed and the Catholic churches' activities. He said it doesn't affect his faith, but it does make him question his allegiance.

    It's good to hear how others live with doubts.
    One person found this helpful
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  • D. Smith
    4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent continuation of a series
    Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    “The Vanishing Children” is an excellent addition to an excellent series. Mr. Brack writes engaging stories, weaving real and fictional characters together in believable plots with interesting twists. He interjects interesting and sly comments that keep the readers’ interests and make the stories that much more enjoyable. He has an excellent command of the history and atmosphere of 17th century Holland, and I look forward to the next entry in the series!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jerry J.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good Reading, Cover to Cover
    Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I have gone from the first book in the series to the next, repeating as the next book appears. The adventures of Master Mercury is are captivating, his dry humor is appealing, and his innocence is charming - all in a meaningful period of Dutch history that is new to me. Very readable! Thanks for bringing us this excellent series!
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  • Di
    5.0 out of 5 stars Simply brilliant
    Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    It's becoming difficult to say something new in my praise of Graham Brack's Master Mercurius series. This is the fifth in the series and I'm nowhere near tired of his exploits. Once again, the historical aspect is interesting and well-researched, but, for me, the most outstanding feature of these books is still Mercurius's sense of humour. I simply love them, and eagerly await another in the series.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Gazza W
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mixing fiction with historical fact.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 14, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A fun mystery series set in 17th Century Holland . As a lover of Dutch History, the story is set around factual historical events including the church in the attic, there is enough to keep me hooked. 1684, just after the Rye House Plot, Charles II in the last year of his life and James II heir to the throne of England. For Mercurius , a personal "friend" of William is given a task to get the Amsterdam Burghers to pay their taxes. Whilst there he is dragged into an investigation into the disappearance of 3 Jewish boys in mysterious circumstances. Told in 1st person narrative we follow any he various strands to their conclusion. There is a humour to Brack's writing, and the relationship between Mercurius and William is delicious. If you m me historical novels and crime mystery, these are good books to read. The fact they are set in the Netherlands, for me is the final fresh, not glazed, cherry on the cake. I am left wondering If the next story will be before, during or after November 1688.
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  • MLC
    5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read
    Reviewed in Canada on July 17, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I like the lead character in this series of books. Brother Mercurious has a wonderful sense of humour. He's a reluctant detective thrust into solving mysteries he would rather not be bothered with. But he also has a keen sense of justice and can't stand to see criminals go unpunished. I also enjoy reading about the Netherlands in that time period. It's like having a bit of a history lesson thrown in for good measure.
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  • Mandrek Larl
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another fun read from the annals of Mater Mercurius ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    These Master Mercurius historical whodunnits by Graham Brack are a joy to read and while this time perhaps the plot is thinner than in the previous four books Graham Brack continues to hit the sweet spot between fact and fiction, and comedy and drama as Master Mercurius recounts the tale of his mission to Amsterdam along with his witty observations of the lives and mores of the Amsterdammers [somethings seem not to have changed in four hundred years!].

    With no negotiating skills and even less diplomatic experience Mercurius is out of his depth when the Stadhouder, William of Orange (of William and Mary fame) despatches him to Amsterdam as his special envoy to negotiate with the four mayors of Amsterdam who are withholding taxes and to investigate British plots against him. But when he is alerted to the case of three missing toddlers, the titular "Vanishing Children", Mercurius is once again in his element as an amateur sleuth as he sets out to find the children and bring the kidnapper to justice [enough said, there are no spoilers here].

    Although often, and wrongly in my opinion, compared with C J Sansom, S J Parris and Ken Follett all of whom have written excellent historical thrillers, the pace of these books and Brack's dry humour sets them apart for anyone looking to be entertained as well as informed by lightweight historical pulp fiction. Whilst "The Vanishing Children" can be read as a standalone book, if you're new to Master Mercurius you would do better by starting with the first book in the series "Death in Delft", that way you'll enjoy this book even more when you get to it.

    PS If you've enjoyed these books you may want to give Graham Brack's other terrific creation, Josef Slonsky, contemporary Prague's sardonic police detective a go. While the Slonsky books may not be historical they are equally, if not more witty, and at times challenge the reader's views on the difference between justice and its administration.
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  • Alistair Hargreaves
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wearing humanity lightly
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Another brilliant book. I love the wry humour and decentness of Mercurius. He's very fallable and believable. But the best character is William of Orange...there's something of the Patrician from the Diskworld about him.
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  • Bretton Girl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfying mystery
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 25, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A well constructed mystery and pleasant protagonist.
    Nice insights into mainland European history naturally appear in the narrative.
    Some so called mysteries frustrate me because it is only the obstacles and tedious delays put in the way of the investigator that prevent a swift conclusion and the apprehension of an obvious suspect.
    In this case there are of course lies, coverups and misdirections which get in the way but nothing that challenges the patience of the reader by being ridiculously simple to overcome and yet taking the protagonist weeks to do so.
    Yes, I figured out what was happening well before the end but not all the details and it kept me entertained throughout.
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