This picks up from Walters’ previous book ‘The Swift & The Harrier.’ It is about twenty years later, and King Charles II has died, leaving King James as the monarch. The Duke of Monmouth, however, believes the crown is rightfully his. The half brother of James, he is Charles’ older son through a different woman. While living in the Netherlands, Monmouth plans his attack in England, in an attempt to win the throne. He is, after all, a Protestant, and he believes that has far more right to the English Crown than the Catholic King James. However, Monmouth’s attack fails badly and quickly. James orders all supporters of Monmouth, anyone who fought with his army or voiced their support, be imprisoned and tried for High Treason. The penalty if found guilty was to be hung, drawn and quartered. These arrests become known as the Bloody Assizes because of the gruesome, numerous sentences.

Elias, Duke of Granville, is the key player in this book. He is more like the puppet master of the story. He is very subtle in his attempts to orchestrate events to happen as he wishes. That said, he is a hugely charismatic and likeable character. You can kind of overlook the selfishness on his part because he’s so lovely. He meets a woman who, instantly, he loves. She is hugely intelligent, but she hasn’t left the house lately because she is too embarrassed by her palsied left leg. But meeting Elias and his mother, Jayne, slowly changes that. Elias and Althea are electric together. Brilliant writing! A wonderful match.

Lord Jeffrey’s is also central to the story. He is the Lord Chief Justice appointed by King James to try all of the people charged with treason. The way his character changes through the book is shocking. I felt quite emotional at the end, when he was in The Tower, dying of kidney disease, and looking back over the choices he made that led him to where he was. Elias and Althea acted kindly towards him and, whatever the reason, I was glad of that.

I loved this book. Minette Walters has delivered another fantastic work of historical fiction!

People who love to read historical fiction or books about royalty.

Minette Walters, who I've loved since I first read her thriller, 'The Ice House,' is such a talent. Her writing draws you in. She has got me interested in historical fiction.

Read the next book in this series. (Although, I'm not sure it's written yet, or even that there will be one.)

Excited. Moved and emotional. amused. There is a lot of humour in this book.

Minette Walters. I love this writer. This is from Amazon: "Minette Walters is a British mystery writer. After studying at Trevelyan College, University of Durham, she began writing in 1987 with The Ice House, and followed this with The Sculptress, which received the 1994 Edgar Award for Best Novel. She has been published in thirty-five countries and won many awards. The Sculptress has been adapted for television in a BBC series starring Pauline Quirke. Her novels The Ice House, The Echo, The Dark Room, and The Scold's Bridle have also been adapted by the BBC."

It's fab. Very funny, though in a subtle way. The characters are so well written. Amazing.

Interested in buying this? Support Writing.Com by making your purchase of The Players   from Amazon.Com!

Created Feb 28, 2025 at 5:12am • Submit your own review...