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The Swift and the Harrier

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About this listen

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.

©2021 Minette Walters (P)2021 W. F. Howes Ltd Historical Fiction Fiction War Civil War

Critic reviews

"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. Both gripping and fascinating. The civil war in Dorset is evoked brilliantly, the characters are real and intriguing and the love story tender." (Elizabeth Buchan)

"I loved every moment of this brilliantly evocative saga of struggle, love and danger set against the horrors of civil war." (S W Perry, best-selling author of the Jackdaw Mysteries)
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This was a really interesting book. It was set in the English Civil War, which is a period of history that I know very little about. The main character, Jane Swift, is a female physician, which was almost unheard of in the 17th century. The story relates to her experience of the war, and the difficulty of staying neutral when almost everyone else is taking sides. The medicine she practices is described in detail, which is fascinating. There is a satisfying love story in the midst of all the medical and social history. The narration is good, but, like other reviewers, I couldn’t really understand why the narrator had to adopt a very decided Dorset accent to tell the story. I got used to it, but initially it was rather irritating!

Great story about a little known period of history.

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Thoroughly enjoyed this book. brilliantly researched and factually correct. Likeable characters. Narration was perfect. One of the most enjoyable audible books I have had.

Really enjoyed it

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I loved it all. Set against a true historical backdrop, gives me an understanding of history that I have sadly been lacking.

The characters and narration

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A very enjoyable read. Likeable characters that I missed when the book ended. Great narration. Well worth a credit.

Excellent

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Minette Walters is an author new to me. Be sure I shall seek and search for more. I really enjoyed the story, but know that the suffering in the English Civil war was terrible A part of our history full of turmoil, bigots and people true to their beliefs. A great book. I would recommend this book again and again.

Excellent book and story

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