The Swift and the Harrier Trade Paperback

Minette Walters has always been known for her writing in the crime fiction genre but several years ago she released the first of a new historical fiction series, starting with The Last Hours then The Turn Of Midnight both covering the dark time of the plague in early English history. The Swift and Harrier continues on with her historical theme and is a stand alone tale – no need to have read her previous two. Set in Dorset, 1642, during the bloody civil war between the warring factions of Parliament and The Royals under King Charles I. A battle of theology and governance, sides were taken and bitter feuds divided families, towns and professions. “Physician Jayne Swift is from a Royalist family but attends to patients in need on either side of the divide. Jayne bears witness to the brutality that both sides deliver. William Harrier seems to shadow her life and Jayne encounters his presence across her travels. He embraces the civil war and she should despise him…yet he is mysterious and Jayne remains ignorant about many aspects of his life.” I was instantly enthralled with this tale and marvelled at the precision of historical detail yet brought alive by believable, endearing lead characters. It will make the perfect holiday read if you’re a fan of Philippa Gregory. Minette Walters has entrenched herself as a credible, solid historical fiction author and I have enjoyed her new direction in writing. Highly Recommended.