The Swift and The Harrier - Minette Walters

 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 of historical fiction! This latest novel takes a departure from her previous two historical novels and focuses on the Civil War - Cavaliers and the Roundheads as we learnt it at school! But it’s more than “just“ a Civil War novel.

In it Ms Walters looks at the lives of women in the 17th century. Central to the narrative is Jayne Swift, a physician. An extremely unusual position for a woman in those times. In terms of the war Jayne remains neutral and her desire is to treat anyone in need of help which ever side they happen to be on. Whilst Jayne is the cement that glues the narrative together there are other characters who regularly impose themselves on the reader, in most cases quite favourably, but sometimes not! As for the title? Clearly Jane is the Swift but who is the Harrier? I’ll say this of him, he’s a man of many parts. But I’m giving nothing away. Watch out for Lady Alice, too, she is a fascinating and formidable character.

Minette Walters knows how to tell a story. An easy flowing narrative progresses at just the right pace. Scene is set very early on and the passage of war, which is seldom fast, is conveyed through a slower mid book narrative and the end of the book gathers momentum as the ends are all tied up. Characterisations that make us want to get to know these people, their lives, what makes them tick. Jayne is not exactly unpredictable but you can’t always second-guess her. She is courageous, intelligent and certainly flies the flag for women of her age and intellect. You just can’t help warming to her. Plenty of action, social comment, historical comment and maybe a hint of romance? My lips are sealed.

But as well as enjoying an engrossing story I learnt a hell of a lot about a period in history that I barely remember from my scant childhood history lessons. I feel better informed now. And I think the research was detailed and very plausible. So much so that I feel readers who might not instantly cite historical fiction as a favourite genre might well enjoy this book. Geographically too I felt that the author has a great deal of affection for Dorset and its surrounding environs.

My thanks to Readers First for a gifted copy.