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The King's Witch

The gripping historical novel from the author of Sunday Times bestseller The House of Boleyn

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The King's Witch

By: Tracy Borman
Narrated by: Esther Wane
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Already a great historian, Tracey Borman proves with this thrilling debut novel that she is also a born storyteller.

As she helps to nurse the dying Queen Elizabeth, Frances Gorges longs for the fields and ancient woods of her parents' Hampshire estate, where she has learned to use the flowers and herbs to become a much-loved healer.

Frances is happy to stay in her beloved countryside when the new King arrives from Scotland, bringing change, fear and suspicion. His court may be shockingly decadent, but James's religion is Puritan, intolerant of all the old ways; he has already put to death many men for treason and women for witchcraft.

So when her ambitious uncle forcibly brings Frances to court, she is trapped in a claustrophobic world of intrigue and betrayal - and a ready target for the twisted scheming of Lord Cecil, the King's first minister.
Surrounded by mortal dangers, Frances finds happiness only with the precocious young Princess Elizabeth, and Tom Wintour, the one courtier she can trust.

Or can she?

(P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2018 Tracy Borman Fiction Historical Fiction Medieval Royalty Happiness Thought-Provoking England
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Critic reviews

The adventures of her courageous heroine put flesh on the bones of a fascinating historical framework.
Tracy Borman's debut historical novel has it all: conspiracy, betrayal, dark intrigues, bloody deeds, a poignant love story - and the most famous plot in English history. (Alison Weir, author of the Six Tudor Queens series)
An accomplished novel with a vivid historical setting . . . the scenes in which Frances defends herself accusations of witchcraft are particularly strong
Exquisitely written, sumptuous in detail and thrillingly plotted . . . The first of what promises to be a magnificent trilogy. (Kate Williams, broadcaster and author of Becoming Queen)
The King's Witch is a superbly crafted story, and so great is Tracy Borman's skill that she really transported me back to the tumultuous days of the Jacobean court . . . I was both totally submerged and desperate for it not to end!' (Nicola Tallis, author of Elizabeth's Rival: The Tumultuous Tale of Lettice Knollys, Countess of Leicester)
A compelling tale of corruption, danger and coruscating suspicion, The King's Witch carries the reader right to the heart of James I's court - and casts a dazzling new light onto one of the most dramatic moments in British history.' (Sarah Gristwood)
Plunging the reader into the claustrophobic and corrupt world of the court, the sometimes grisly period detail is brilliant . . . First rate fiction - and best of all, the first in a trilogy!
A bewitching tale
An accomplished novel with a vivid historical setting
All stars
Most relevant
This is a good storry, but the narration is lacking , I've never heard such a dreadful Scots accent, and the "male voices " are poor which detracts from the tale

Awful Scottish accent

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A really good book, how evil the king and followers were, ,can't wait to read the next book and find out what becomes of Francis

The kings witch

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brilliant and fascinating listen from start to finish, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. The narrator was very good.

An absolutely....

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The narrator should have studied both accents and place names before being allowed to spoil this title.

This angle on the gun powder plot was well written engaging and very enjoyable, a really good listen but just as you get involved a terrible supposedly Scottish accent ruins it. Especially the King’s accent at one point I found myself wanting to google the Scottish king to see if he was of some scandinavian Irish descent and I was be ignorant as to my historical knowledge!!!

I would recommend the story so if you can block out the odd place name faux pas and awful accents go for it!!

Bad accent and pronunciation ruined a great story!

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There is so much historical fiction surrounding 17th century England and I was doubtful of how interesting it would have but I was pleasantly surprised and the book was throughly enjoyable. Knowing that Borman is an incredible historian of this period I loved the snippets of historical knowledge weaved throughout. Onto the second book!

Loved it!

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