The Secrets of Crestwell Hall by Alexandra Walsh
Genres: Historical Fiction
‘A king adorns the throne… He has no subtlety, no grace but he does not deserve to die in the way that has been planned and this is why we shall stop them, our men, our kin and save us all.’
1605
Bess Throckmorton is well used to cunning plots and intrigues. With her husband Sir Walter Raleigh imprisoned in the Tower of London, and she and her family in a constant battle to outwit Robert Cecil, the most powerful man in the country who is determined to ruin her, Bess decides to retreat to her beloved home, Crestwell Hall. But there she is shocked to hear talk of a new plot to murder the king. So, unbeknownst to their menfolk, the wives of the plotters begin to work together to try to stop the impending disaster.Present Day
Isabella Lacey and her daughter, Emily, are excited to be starting a new life at her aunt’s home, Crestwell Hall in Wiltshire. During renovations, Isabella discovers an ancient bible that once belonged to Bess Throckmorton, and to her astonishment finds that it doubled as a diary. As Isabella reads Bess’s story, a new version of the Gunpowder Plot begins to emerge - told by the women.When Emily’s life is suddenly in terrible danger, Isabella understands the relentless fear felt by Bess, hundreds of years ago. And as the fateful date of 5th November draws ever closer, Bess and the plotters’ wives beg their husbands to stop before a chain of events is set into action that can only end one way…
This unforgettable timeslip novel is perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Elena Collins and Diana Gabaldon.
Review
This novel presented a compelling premise by focusing on the wives of the Gunpowder Plotters, inviting readers to empathize and ponder the challenges they faced. The author skillfully wove threads connecting modern-day radicalized extremists with their historic counterparts, adding depth to the narrative. I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of terrorists on a destructive path and their women striving to prevent death, ruin, and disgrace.
The book demonstrated impressive research, and I appreciated the author’s note at the end clarifying the blend of fact and fiction. The vivid descriptions painted a clear picture of the setting, prompting me to even search for Crestwell Hall to determine its existence—an indication of the author’s clever and plausible historical fiction writing.
However, the abundance of featured names, especially from the backstories of minor characters, created unnecessary confusion for me. It slowed down the pace and hindered my enjoyment of the story. While I admired the author’s planning, I believed a more stringent edit could have improved this aspect. The list of characters at the start was challenging to reference on a Kindle, causing a bit of disappointment.
The modern-day treasure hunt in the secret rooms felt less convincing compared to the historical elements of the story. Despite these drawbacks, the book stands as an impressive achievement, recommended for those intrigued by Tudor and Stuart history.
Meet the Author
About Alexandra Walsh
Alexandra Walsh is the bestselling author of dual timeline historical mysteries, previously published by Sapere. Her books range from the fifteenth century to the Victorian era and are inspired by the hidden voices of women that have been lost over the centuries. Formerly a journalist, writing for national newspapers, magazines and TV, her first book for Boldwood will be published in Spring 2023.
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