A wonderful historical tale one can be immersed in – through suspense, intrigue and brilliant characterisation.
Feature image credit: Allen & Unwin
I have enjoyed Minette Walters’ crime writing over many years and was delighted by this sequel to The Swift and the Harrier, the fourth of her historical fiction books. Whether modern day crime or historical fiction, Walters is a consummate storyteller.
On the death of Charles II, his Catholic brother James became king as there were no other legitimate heirs, and a Catholic monarchy was seen as purely temporary. However, tolerating James’ personal views did not extend to Catholicism in general, and he found himself in conflict with parliaments in England and Scotland. It seems James had learned nothing from Charles’ execution, as he tried to impose his will by claiming the divine right of kings
This unpopularity emboldened Charles II’s illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, to mount an invasion of England and attempt to seize the crown. In a period of shifting allegiances, secrets and spies, the remarkable Lady Jayne Harrier and her son Elias, Duke of Granville, are at the forefront of trying to save as many rebels as possible from the brutal vengeance of King James, as exercised by the notorious hanging Judge Jeffries. Suspense around the son is brilliantly maintained by Walters as Elias plays a range of dangerous roles, often in disguise. In fact, he’s playing both ends against the middle, helping and hindering both sides at different times, to ensure the best possible outcome.
Lady Harrier is a well-established and respected healer and has developed her unusual societal position of having far more freedom than most of the women of her class at the time, through this knowledge and position. Judge Jeffreys has the typical narrow view of his time about women, not believing that Lady Harrier has the medical expertise she claims or accepting the way she speaks and behaves: “I have never known a woman to behave and speak as you do, Lady Harrier. You don’t watch or listen hard enough.”
Woven into this gripping adventure is the evolving love story of Elias and Althea, who has a palsied leg and is widely considered a simple woman. She is even more unusual in that she has a disability, but her father doesn’t subscribe to the view that her inability to walk also means she is intellectually disabled. As her disability prevents her from having an active life, she is incredibly well-read and educated. Her father does not shut her up (either figuratively or literally) and encourages her to be as active as she can and be involved in the politics of the Restoration.
Walters understands her two female protagonists are unusual women and writes conversations between main characters which inform the story itself, by raising issues such as philosophy and the law, plus society’s rules and expectations of women. The author’s descriptive language, excellent historical research skills, and her ability to make her characters into ‘real’ people make this book a joy to read.
Reviewed by Jan Kershaw
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: Allen & Unwin
Released: October 2024
RRP: $34.99
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