The Swift and the Harrier
Paperback Published on: 01/09/2022
Price: £10.99
Synopsis
'Historical fiction at its finest' - Belfast Telegraph
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.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Atlantic Books
- ISBN: 9781838954550
- Number of pages: 512
- Dimensions: 198 x 130 x 33 mm
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
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Epic historical tale
It is 1642 and the midst of poilitical turmoil and civil war.
The king and Parliament are in a life and death struggle for supremacy while families and fri... READ MORE
Great!
This is such a great read I was really impressed with it. Set in Dorset in 1642 and around the time of the Civil War in England, I was really interested to... READ MORE
Intriguing historical adventure
Set in Dorset during the English civil war, The Swift and the Harrier follows Jayne Swift, a trained physician, who is determined to remain neutral and hel... READ MORE
Truly loved it
I actually loved this book, much more than I expected to. It was brilliantly written with a unique viewpoint on the era it was set it, which I shamefully k... READ MORE
Beautiful and poignant
This novel is an interesting look at a period of history and a type of story which is often glossed over. The characters are very well formed and kept me e... READ MORE
Past Dorset
Yet another excellent book written by Minette Walters
.
Having read "The Last hours" (2017) and "The turn of Midnight" (2018 I was delighted to find anothe... READ MORE
Excellent work of historical fiction set during the English civil war
My thanks to Atlantic Books Allen & Unwin for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Swift and the Harrier’ by Minette Walters in exchange for an honest review.
16... READ MORE
Immensely readable and superbly characterised
As a long time fan of Minette Walters I have been looking forward to this book and was not disappointed - it’s quite simply wonderful! Immensely readable, ... READ MORE
A tremendous historical novel of a remarkable woman during a civil war
This is an historical novel with much to recommend it, and as it is created by a world famous crime writer there is also the probability that it will be we... READ MORE
Rousing historical fiction and a real page-turner with an inspirational woman at its heart.
Following her two epic novels on the Black Death, Minette Walters returns with a rousing historical fiction novel and love story set against the backdrop o... READ MORE
An amazing historical story
This is the kind of book I was wanting to read. I personally haven't read a lot of books set during the English civil war era and as a fan of historical fi... READ MORE
A titch too romantic for me but great historical research
The Swift and the Harrier is a novel I was keen to read because I love Minette Walters's writing style, it's a book set in Dorset and covers a period in En... READ MORE
A historical tale
This is another great historical tale from Minette Walters.
A rich story that keeps you turning the pages.
Set in Dorset in 1642 on the brink of a civil ... READ MORE
Enjoyable
'The Swift and the Harrier' by Minette Walters is the first historical novel by Walters that I have read. I was aware of her other genre novels, so looked ... READ MORE
Great Read
Minette Walters writes with an ease of style that is a pleasure to read. Within moments of turning the first page, a world is constructed which portrays l... READ MORE
Enjoyable
I loved the cover of this book although I was slightly put off by the size of the book. I am not usually a fan of historical novels but this one is very re... READ MORE
Intelligent, brave and humane heroine
There is a brutal beginning to this book as we are party to the graphic detailing of the hanging, quartering and beheading of a priest. Set in the 1600’s d... READ MORE
An excellent book
This book is set around the time of the English Civil war with the King fighting Parliament. A time I knew very little about, this book paints a good pictu... READ MORE
Fab feminist historical romance
I wasn't sure i was going to like this one, I loved the cover and the blurb but was worried it was going to be a bit too romance driven.
There was a love s... READ MORE
The Storm of the English Civil War
I've read many historical novels and quite a few set in the English Civil War, and this one, The Swift and the Harrier by Minette Walters is up there with ... READ MORE
Epic historical adventure and romance
The Swift and The Harrier is an epic historical adventure and romance, set around Dorset and covering events before during and after the English Civil War.... READ MORE
War in the West Country
I wanted to read this because I so admired the author’s two Black Death novels, but this novel is very different. Where the plague novels were super exampl... READ MORE
Entertaining
The Swift and the Harrier is an entertaining, feminist take on the English Civil War. Jayne Swift, as a heroine, is likeable and enigmatic - it's incredibl... READ MORE
Historical fiction at its best
Minette Walters' novels always make you feel you're walking alongside the protagonists, in this case Jayne Swift and William Harrier. Jayne remains neutral... READ MORE
Brilliant
Firstly I have read several of Minette Walters books including my favourite The Last Hours, well that was until now with The Swift and The Harrier. Quite s... READ MORE
Gripping historical drama
Civil war in England and the country is in chaos. Full of drama and historical detail it is a gripping story from the start. With it’s fast paced narrative... READ MORE
Full of drama
Civil War in England and the country is in chaos. Full of drama and historical detail it is a gripping story from the start and will satisfy readers of all... READ MORE
Great read
A really good book. The story tells of Jayne Swift, a squire's daughter who is also a physician and William Harrier, a soldier in the Civil War. The plo... READ MORE
amazing
This story is about two complex characters which are Jayne and William Harrier two very different people who find one another by chance, forming a tasteful... READ MORE
Girl Power 17th Century Style
This is a gripping and absorbing historical fiction novel from the erstwhile Queen of crime, Minette Walters. But I think she could now be called the Queen... READ MORE
Great historical read
I’ve been an avid reader for a long time and a fan of historical and crime fiction for just as long so I’m not sure how I’ve never read any books before by... READ MORE
Flows along but oddly lacking in tension
This novel is set during the English Civil War and its heroine is Jayne Swift, a Dorset physician Well, she is unofficially one, as women were not then all... READ MORE
ssoooo good
I love Minette Walter's writing and characterisation whatever the genre and I love that she has turned her attention to the English Civil War, not usually ... READ MORE
really enjoyable read
Minnette Walters has a great skill to transport you back in time. Her descriptions of the civil between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians in1642-1646 ... READ MORE
A fantastic novel that brilliantly combines fact with fiction
'The Swift and the Harrier' by Minette Walters follows Mistress Swift, a female physician, who provides medical care in the civil war to Royalists and Parl... READ MORE
Well paced and engaging
I really enjoyed this book. The English Civil War isn't a period in history I'm familiar with in any detail, and I haven't read about it since my school da... READ MORE
Great read
I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine
I've seen TV adaptions from this author but not actually read any of her books
A b... READ MORE
Enjoyable Historical Read
The Swift and The Harrier follows the life of Jayne Swift during the English Civil War. Jayne is a physician based in Dorset, who treats anyone in need of ... READ MORE
An interesting look at history
Having read the blurb for this book, I wasn't particularly gripped. I am not somebody that would normally find a book about the civil war particularly inte... READ MORE
A fascinating and beautiful historical fiction novel!
Rounded up from around 4.5 stars ⭐️
The Swift and the Harrier follows the lives of Jayne Swift, a female doctor defying societal expectations, and William... READ MORE
Good historical fiction
I have loved a lot of Minette Walters book and this is no exception. This is a historical fiction set in a civil war. I love the fact our main character is... READ MORE
Historical fiction at its best
Minette Walters' novels always make you feel you're walking alongside the protagonists, in this case Jayne Swift and William Harrier. Jayne remains neutral... READ MORE
Thoroughly enjoyable.
This book is set in Dorset, starting from 1642. A bloody civil war has broken out between King Charles 1st and Parliament.
The main character, Jayne Swift ... READ MORE
Highly recommended
An excellent, compelling and fascinating historical fiction novel, it kept me reading and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Great characters, vivid and well researc... READ MORE
Brilliant
The swift and the harrier is both a wonderful historical novel and a live story rolled into one.
The novel is set during the civil war in 1642-1649 and f... READ MORE
Great historical novel
A really good book. The story tells of Jayne Swift, a squire's daughter who is also a physician and William Harrier, a soldier in the Civil War. The plo... READ MORE
Well written historical fiction
I have read many books by Minette Walters but this is my first of her historical novels. Set in the period of the English Civil War it covers many angles -... READ MORE
I didn't want to put it down!
If I didn't have a full-time job, I would have read this book in one sitting. The story was compelling and historically interesting, with well-developed ch... READ MORE
Wonderful historical story
I have read some of Minette Walters' crime books before but I didn't know she also wrote historical novels so I was excited to read this. Although it's one... READ MORE
Sweeping historical epic
The year is 1642 and civil war has broken out between the king and parliament.
Factions are tearing families and friends apart.
But one lady in Dorset, a p... READ MORE
A superb read!
Set in 1642 during the English civil war this book blends fact with fiction effortlessly and gives the reader a gripping tale that kept me hooked throughou... READ MORE
A standout woman physician
This book really hits you from page one with the reality of war and how it changes people when their inner daemons comes out. We follow the characters of J... READ MORE
Adventure and Romance
This is a story set mainly during the Civil War years of 1642 to 1646 . Rather than one continuous narrative the progress of the plot is carried out by tak... READ MORE
Great historical novel
I really enjoyed reading The Swift and the Harrier and I would certainly recommend it to readers who love historical fiction.
The core plot is a love stor... READ MORE
Superb historical fiction
It’s 19th August 1642 and physician Jayne Swift tries to negotiate a path through the crowds gathered in Dorchester to watch the execution of Catholic pri... READ MORE
Fascinating people set with a background of the Civil War
There was a point at the beginning of "The Swift and the Harrier" by Minette Walters where I thought I would have to give up and not carry on reading this ... READ MORE
Clever plot and great research
Jayne Swift is an unusual woman, born into local nobility she is unmarried and allowed to ply a trade as a physician. As Civil war starts Jayne finds hers... READ MORE
Enthralling historical fiction.
4.5★s
The Swift and The Harrier is a stand-alone novel by best-selling award-winning British author, Minette Walters. It’s 1642 and Britain is divided: the... READ MORE
Grand historical tale
Civil war has broken out in the Britain, it is 1642 and the country is being torn apart by politics and families are sundered due to political affiliations... READ MORE
Interesting history but the plot failed to grab me
Female physician Jayne Swift defies convention to tend to the sick throughout the English Civil War, and in so doing finds herself repeatedly coming into c... READ MORE
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