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The Swift and the Harrier

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( 3,019 ratings, 412 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Swift and the Harrier is set during the English Civil War, following Jayne Swift, an unconventional physician devoted to helping others, regardless of their political allegiances. As Jayne navigates the challenges of war-torn England, she encounters William Harrier, a mysterious figure whose loyalties are uncertain. Their intertwined journeys explore themes of love, duty, and the complexities of human nature against a backdrop of historical turmoil.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy immersive historical fiction set in the 17th century, filled with rich historical detail and compelling characters. As tensions rise during a period of conflict, you'll be drawn into a vivid portrayal of courage, love, and survival against the backdrop of the English Civil War.

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'Once again, Minette Walters has given us an historical fiction to rival no other...brimming with historical detail while still maintaining an accessibility that would rival a contemporary novel. The characterisation is superb, the drama intense, and the historical retelling fascinating.' - Theresa Smith Writes

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

'If you enjoy C.J. Sansom or Philippa Gregory, pick up this masterfully woven tale.' Better Reading on The Turn of Midnight

Dorset, 1642.

When bloody civil war breaks out between the King and Parliament, families and communities across England are riven by different allegiances.

A rare few choose neutrality.

One such is Jayne Swift, a Dorset physician from a Royalist family, who offers her services to both sides in the conflict. Through her dedication to treating the sick and wounded, regardless of belief, Jayne becomes a witness to the brutality of war and the devastation it wreaks.

Yet her recurring companion at every event is a man she should despise because he embraces civil war as the means to an end. She knows him as William Harrier, but is ignorant about every other aspect of his life. His past is a mystery and his future uncertain.

The Swift and the Harrier is a sweeping tale of adventure and loss, sacrifice and love, with a unique and unforgettable heroine at its heart.

'Minette Walters has crafted a well-researched, intelligent and entertaining story which can easily sit alongside the best of her psychological novels...well-recommended to all readers who enjoy historical fiction at its best.' - Queensland Reviewers Collective

'Walters has a gift for creating characters that you root for despite their flaws, along with a talent for writing fast-paced, page-turning stories. By focusing on the impact of war on one locality, Walters creates a poignancy and tension in the story that equals her previous books.' - Historical Novel Society

'Through dazzling prose and meticulous research, Walters vividly reimagines this turbulent period in British history when friends turned on friends and brothers fought against brothers. Richly imagined and brilliantly paced, The Swift and the Harrier is yet another incredible work of historical fiction from Walters, securing her a position at the top of this genre.' - Better Reading

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Swift and the Harrier by Minette Walters has been praised for its engaging portrayal of the English Civil War, blending historical detail with strong character development. Readers commend the narrative for its vivid depiction of the era's social and political complexities, while the protagonist's journey is highlighted as compelling and richly woven. Walters' writing style is also noted for its ability to capture the atmosphere and tension of the time, making it a well-received piece of historical fiction.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781761068188

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 November 2022

Country: Australia

Imprint: Allen & Unwin

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 447g

Pages: 512

About the Author

Minette Walters is one of the most successful crime fiction writers in the world. Published to critical acclaim in over 34 countries, each new novel reached the top of the Australian bestseller lists. Her last crime novel was The Chameleon's Shadow in 2007.

The Last Hours (2017) saw Minette moving in an exciting direction with an extraordinary historical novel set in 1348, the year the Black Death came to England. The story is brought to a thrilling and satisfying conclusion in The Turn of Midnight (2018). Set three centuries later, The Swift and the Harrier is Minette's newest historical novel.

Minette lives in Dorset with her husband.

Also by Minette Walters

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  • The Players
    The much-anticipated sequel to The Swift and The Harrier England, 1685. Decades after the end of the civil war, the country is once again divided when Charles II's illegitimate son, the Protestant Duke of Monmouth, arrives in Dorset to incite rebellion against his Catholic uncle. Armed only with pitchforks, Monmouth's army is quickly defeated by King James II's superior forces...
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  • The Turn of Midnight
    As the year 1349 approaches, the Black Death continues its devastating course across England. In Dorseteshire, the quarantined people of Develish question whether they are the only survivors. Guided by their beloved young mistress, Lady Anne, they wait, knowing that when their dwindling stores are finally gone, they will have no choice but to leave. But where will they find...
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  • The Last Hours
    When the Black Death enters England through the port of Melcombe in Dorseteshire in June 1348, no one knows what manner of sickness it is or how it spreads and kills so quickly. The Church proclaims it a punishment from God but Lady Anne of Develish has different ideas. With her brutal husband absent, she decides on more sensible ways...
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