The Fragrant Aether — Patrick Gooch

What is he doing in Bath? A question Dr Marius Hope frequently asks himself. From The Wells he had set out for Guilford: his aim, to ask Elizabeth Conyers` father for her hand in marriage.  But swept along by  everyone`s wish to visit to the celebrated spa, Hope now finds himself called upon to extricate Richard `Beau` Nash, the renowned Master of Ceremonies, from an  unwelcome dilemma. His insatiable gambling habits have led him to resort to a little sleight-of-hand â€" and it`s about to rebound upon him.

Coming to Nash`s rescue, leaves Hope confronting other issues. Speaking out against the barbaric trafficking of slaves in nearby Bristol, he antagonises the Society of  Merchant Venturers, the trade`s biggest investors. Moreover, the consequences mount for the doctor when he foils a scheme by members of the Society  to take control  Bath`s affairs. Their wrath  leads to reprisals when their true motives are revealed.

As with `The Wells`,  the first book in the Hope trilogy,  many of the characters, and the incidents depicted in  `The Fragrant Æther` are taken from recorded history.  This novel offers a more colourful interpretation of eighteenth century happenings in this celebrated corner of Somerset.