The Running Wolf
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Get 3 months for £0.99/mo
The Running Wolf
Buy Now for £14.99
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Narrated by:
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Richard Turner
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By:
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Helen Steadman
About this listen
The running wolf inscription told the world that a Solingen blade was at its throat. When a German smuggler is imprisoned in Morpeth Gaol in the winter of 1703, why does Queen Anne's powerful right-hand man, the Earl of Nottingham, take such a keen interest? At the end of the turbulent 17th century, the ties that bind men are fraying, turning neighbour against neighbour, friend against friend and brother against brother.
Beneath a seething layer of religious intolerance, community suspicion and political intrigue, The Running Wolf takes us deep into the heart of rebel country in the run-up to the 1715 Jacobite uprising. Hermann Mohll is a master sword maker from Solingen in Germany who risks his life by breaking his guild oaths and settling in England. While trying to save his family and neighbours from poverty, he is caught smuggling swords and finds himself in Morpeth Gaol facing charges of High Treason.
Determined to hold his tongue and his nerve, Mohll finds himself at the mercy of the corrupt keeper, Robert Tipstaff. The keeper fancies he can persuade the truth out of Mohll and make him face the ultimate justice: hanging, drawing and quartering. But in this tangled web of secrets and lies, just who is telling the truth?
©2020 Helen Steadman (P)2023 Bell Jar BooksListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
“The meticulous research that has gone into writing this book about the Solingen swordmakers of Germany set at the turn of the 18th century just shines through. We see their lives unfold in northeast England with their struggles resonant of the experiences of so many immigrants today. I learned so much in a totally immersive and captivating read with characters that are brought to life through Helen Steadman's powerful writing. Highly recommended to all lovers of historical fiction!” Rosalind Russell, The End of Where We Begin: A Refugee Story
“The author gives a fascinating insight into the difficult decisions that people must make during times of community suspicion and political intrigue.” Mark Whitley, Countryman Magazine
“Ms Steadman has an easy approachable writing style that leads you into a historical past and immerses you in the time so that you feel you are there with these almost tangible characters.” Fin Gray, Duplicity
Helen Steadman has certainly done it again. The meticulous research that has gone into this piece of historical fiction is evident with every sentence spoken by narrator, Richard Turner. It was easy to become completely absorbed in the story.
Set in a period I knew absolutely nothing about. The Master Sword Makers from Germany, who uprooted their families to travel to England to work as sword makers. The descriptions of their lives were vivid and interesting and it was easy to visualise how life might have been in this period for those not being of English descent, trying to 'forge' ahead with a new life, in a different country with ways.
The timeline moves backwards and forwards, unfolding the story bit by bit.
Highly absorbing and fascinating to the very end.
Absorbing and fascinating
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In the late 17th century, Hermann Mohll leaves his home in Solingen, Germany, with his family and other members of his sword maker community. They break ties with their Guild and travel the long journey to England. After being wooed by promises of prosperity by emissaries of Queen Anne, they are greeted by less than hospitable locals and severely overrated opportunities.
In 1703 a German smuggler is imprisoned in Morpeth Gaol. This lowly criminal draws the interest of The Earl of Nottingham, Queen Anne's close advisor. This seems odd in the extreme and as events unfold we find out why this man brings such attention to himself.
These troubled times were hardest for common folk as they dealt with poverty, rising prices and dwindling good relations between natives and foreigners which led once friendly neighbours to turn on each other. We see this play out through Hermann's eyes as he grapples to keep his business afloat and family from starving and ultimately takes a risky decision to help his whole community. This is set to the backdrop of infighting amongst religious faiths, nationalities and evolving political allegiances.
As the beginnings of the Jacobite Uprising surround Hermann and a crooked jailor holds the life of the German smuggler in his hands, the constant flow of lies, deceit and hidden motivations shape the lives of everyone they touch. The question is whether anyone can be trusted if everyone is keeping secrets.
🌟🌟🌟🌟. An intriguing, historically thrilling and emotional book. Listening to the audiobook transported me back in time to this German settlement as they strived to create a new life for themselves, demonstrate their incredible sword smith skills but experienced the hardships of this hostile land. I also felt I was trapped in that cell in Morpeth Gaol as the descriptions were wonderfully vivid and tangible. Overall it had interesting and complex characters, a fascinating historical plot and a suspenseful narrative told from both ends of the intense story.
An interesting and complex characters, a fascinating historical plot and a suspenseful narrative
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My review: What excellent historical fiction from Steadman, once again! I had really enjoyed Widdershins and Sunwise, so jumped at the chance to review another of her books and wasn't at all disappointed. Told through a dual timeline, I was initially more engaged by the earlier story but the later one, based in a jail, certainly helped to build intrigue and made me desperate to find out how things had ended the way they did. In the audio, I felt totally immersed in the time period (that I knew little about), through Helen Steadman's vivid description and the strong and engaging narration by Richard Turner. I absolutely loved listening and getting lost in a time that appears so different to our own on the surface, yet somehow still seemed to resonate. There were interesting themes explored through a story of immigration and assimilation, that I think are still poignant today: those of love, family, identity and belonging. It was interesting to listen to how Hermann's family, and other members of their community, settled and adapted into their new life in a foreign land. What made this story really come alive, though, was the wonderful characters! The interactions between Hermann's wife, Catrin, and mother, Anna, were a particular highlight for me, as were scenes with the 'English boy', Joseph.
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⚠️CW: brutal scenes of violence towards children and animals
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Overall, this was an engaging and interesting piece that I'd definitely recommend to historical fiction fans!
Wonderful
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Narration was also great, Geordie accents weren't too bad and German accents were slight and not distracting.
Fantastic to hear north east stories, especially ones I have connections to. Thank you Helen.
I'm now listening to Widdershins which is just as good and recommend to anyone interested in this time period.
Wonderful
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As an introduction to the book, you instantly learn that the book is about Sword Makers and 20 families are travelling to England. Leaving the poverty and their families behind. I loved the description of The running wolf blade mark. I loved learning more and more about the characters. I must admit this book took a couple of hours to really grasp my attention.
I think one of my favourite parts was teaching Joseph how to sculpture the nails. I’m not sure why but the friendly ways the patience really stood out for me. I can’t imagine being a girl in those times not being able to read when you want to and being told no your husband can teach you when you’re married. Frustrating but that’s just how those times were.
I was gripped to my steering wheel with the scene of the ice skating. Who would I choose between Joseph and Peter? English or German. Joseph seems like the best bet to me and his sweet ways. I’m so glad they got the opportunity to go back to Germany. There was a lot of scenes I found really gruesome and cringed. It took a long time for me to get into this but it was worth it in the end.
Historical Fiction
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