Loved delving deeper into the Hawthorne family in 17th century England.
It’s 1678 and King Charles is on the throne and Catholic plots to seize the throne are plaguing his reign.
The author successfully manages to bring to life the tense atmosphere of these times.
A great cast of characters, cleverly drawn and the balance between history and fiction is perfect.
It’s full of adventure and intrigue and a huge twist that I didn’t see coming, that certainly made the book for me.
Thanks @madelinedewhurst @duckbooks & @netgalley for the eARC

Really enjoyable historical fiction. I really enjoyed the period of history this story is set in, the history of the time is important to the telling of the story alongside the story of the main characters. All the characters feel very believable and compelling.

A very enjoyable story and really well written. The story is in a number of separate sections and each builds nicely upon the previous so by the time I got to the end of the story I really just wanted to read what happened to Nicholas next. Nice writing and a well put together story & plot made this a pleasure to read. Hoping there will be more in the series, as this is book 2.

After absolutely loving the first book in this series ‘The Master of Measham Hall’ I felt very lucky to be on the blog tour for book 2!

Anna Abney writes with such richness about the seventeenth century, a time of real turmoil in terms of the monarchy, religion, and plague.

I loved delving deeper into the Hawthorne family; a family full of secrets, but one that always tries to do the right thing.

There is one huge twist which I did not see coming at all. It was a real turning point in the story and actually made the whole book for me! If you loved book 1, you will love this twist!

Definitely one for the historical fiction fans, you feel fully immersed in the time period and as always, Abney writes wonderfully.

Thank you @instabooktours for having me on the tour & for providing the book @duck_books ❤️ [gifted]

I really enjoyed this even through I had not read the previous novel. I don't think you necessarily need to read the previous novel but I will definitely be reading it now and cannot wait for book three!

An intriguing and well researched historical fiction set in an age when religion and politics mixes and can be deadly.
I loved the storytelling and the characters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This novel is set in the Restoration period, immediately following the English Civil Wars which saw the overthrowing of Charles 1 by Oliver Cromwell and his Roundhead Army. This period still experienced a high level of religious unrest and it against this backdrop that the action takes place.
I must say now that the novel is very well-researched and conjures the time period magnificently. The writing is vivid, lively and considered.
Having said all this, I just felt this book wasn’t for me. I didn’t engage with these characters and couldn’t make myself care about what happened to them. Even though this is a period of history that is dear to my heart, having studied it for dissertation, there was just something missing for me.
When I first requested this, I hadn’t realised it was the second book in a series. Maybe reading the first book would have helped me engage more with the characters and plot in this one.
It’s very rare for me to say anything negative about a book, and I certainly don’t want to put people off reading this. For this one person who couldn’t quite get on with it, there will be many more who love it.

This is the first book I have read by Anna Ashby, it will not be the last. I wanted to find out where the story was going at times this was very a very hard book to put down

Set in the 17th century it is a take filled with religious intolerance, persecution, death and secrets long since buried coming to the surface.

This is one of a growing number of excellent recent novels set in the 17th century, long may this trend continue.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I’ve read both the current titles in this series. I felt the ending of the first one The Master of Mearsham Hall was disappointing and this one’s is similar. Very well researched and written.

Not really my thing

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Duckworth Books, I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest any my own opinion.

Nicholas, a young, naive and sometimes irritating narrator tries to navigate the confusing world growing up as a Catholic in the years of James IV before the glorious revolution of William and Mary. Buffeted between a boyish wish to see the world, to live up to his uncle Matthew's desire for him to have a continental Catholic education and his father’s hope to keep him safe in the country estate Nicholas instead becomes a pawn blackmailed into spying at court. His entree is a beguiling, protestant family whose spoilt elder children show him the excesses of Society whilst the younger children are the siblings he never had. Susceptible to the females he meets looking for mother, lover and sister figures in his life, Nicholas tries not always successfully to do the right thing. Towards the end of the novel Nicholas stumbles into the truth about his own family and realises that his own life and future is shaped by choices already made by his parents.
I had not read the earlier volume of this series and so the secret on which this book turns may have been already known to most readers. I think it was actually an advantage but I will certainly be looking out for that volume to understand better the characters backstory.
An enjoyable and intriguing story. Thanks for the publisher in providing an advance copy.

The accomplished sequel to the brillant "The Master of Measham Hall" originally published in 2021.

This second installment is a truly captivating and riveting piece of historical fiction set during the tumultuous reign of the Catholic James II and it ends at the beginning of the Glorious Revolution of 1688 that brought the king's son in law on the English throne.

A great fictional tapestry of a country plagued with lots of political woes, plenty of religious dissenters and their violent intolerance and last but not least enough conspiratorial shenanigans to keep the reader on the edge of his/her seat from start to finish. Cunningly plotted and choreographed, this very entertaining drama is also blessed with a terrific cast of exquisitely drawn characters that sparkles all over the pages!

Finally I would encourage readers to start with the previous title because I have the feeling that we are witnessing the beginning of a very promising series...

Highly recommended and to be discovered and enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever!

Many thanks to Duckworth and Netgalley for this fabulous ARC!

A great story that follows the aftermath of Oliver Cromwell up to the arrival of Prince William of Orange. It follows the development of a young boy into manhood with no mother and only a father, bring him up as a Catholic surrounded by protestants hostile to Catholics during the reign of king James who was beset by the contending factions., How he survives with his life and how he finally discovers his mother is a fascinating tale with the prospect in view of going to holland to spy on the exiled King, can’t wait for the next instalment.

I haven't read the first book and read this via Netgalley, I raced through this and couldn't put it down. The reason, for once a good historical novel set in a time which isn't Tudor, regency or Victorian. Against a backdrop which feels quite timely, civil unrest and distrust against your fellow neighbour. The characters are well drawn out and developed leading the reader to question who they should even trust, as the novel develops. Intricately researched and written this is one for those who are looking for a different type of historical fiction, that has depth and gravity. Once I'd finished this I went and bought the first book, although this second novel can stand alone, I'm quite pleased I read this one first as the mystery of who was friend or foe ran quite deeply..I am now looking forward to seeing where the third book goes and to reading more novels by Anna Abney.