Rating: 4.5 Stars

Master storyteller Nicola Pryce blends intrigue, danger, passion and emotion in her sweeping new saga, The Cornish Captive.

The last fourteen years have been an absolute hell for Madeleine Pelligrew. Madeleine had once been the mistress of Pendenning Hall, but having been imprisoned on false pretenses, she had spent almost a decade and a half being shuttled from one dilapidated mad house to another. Madeleine feared that she would never taste freedom ever again and just when she had been about to give up all hope, a strange man appears out of the blue to grant her her longed for wish. Finally free, Madeleine hides her identity and vows to discover the truth about what happened all those years ago…

All alone in the world and with nobody she can trust, Madeleine needs to tread carefully in her quest for justice because one wrong move and one false step and she could end up facing the long arm of the law yet again. Striking a tentative friendship with Captain Pierre de la Croix, a French prisoner on parole, Madeleine begins piecing together the evidence and edges ever closer to finding out what had really cost her her freedom fourteen years ago. But the more she uncovers, the more she wonders whether Pierre is all that he seems. Can she trust him? Is he who he says he is? Or is he hiding a dangerous secret that could end up costing her everything all over again?

As Madeleine’s past and present collide in the most startling and unexpected of ways, will she find the strength to follow her heart? Or will she be condemned to a lonely future full of heartbreak and regret?

Nicola Pryce’s The Cornish Captive is a mesmerizing tale of dangerous lies, devastating secrets and impossible choices that will hold readers in thrall from start to finish. Nicola Pryce’s writing is so rich and evocative that readers are immediately transported to 19th Century Cornwall and will feel as if they are part of the story. Meticulously researched and wonderfully vivid, The Cornish Captive beautifully recreates the past and takes readers onto an exhilarating journey with a strong, courageous and resilient heroine it is impossible not to care about.

A spellbinding historical saga that is simply superb, Nicola Pryce’s The Cornish Captive is another triumph for this very gifted writer.

Historical drama set in Cornwall. Good characters and story though it did drag a bit. Our heroine struggles to decide whom to trust after escaping the asylum.

I would recommend reading the Cornish Saga in order starting with the first installment, Pengelly's Daughter to gain some undertanding of the characters and setting use, eventhough it can be read as a stand-alone...

The Cornish Captive is a detailed and well thought out story that engages the reader from the first page.

I like how Pryce has interesting plot with the use of vivid imagery and plenty of research into the abborant living conditions of madhouses, the aftermath of french revolution and the lifestyles and culture of the 18th century. I did noted some typos but they didn't take anything away from the drama and intesity of the story. The writing style has a good mixture of dialogue and description and was very informative and authentic.

The character development of The Cornish Captive is good. The characters are likeable and realistic. I was able to sympathise quite a lot with the main character, Madeleine who has had to living in continually poor conditions as she is frequently moved between madhouses for the past 14 years... Madeleine has been marking the days of her stay at Pendrissick as 1 year and 40 weeks, she still had 12 week left before she is moved again. Yet she is sadly mistaken when a unknown man claims to know her comes to release her from her prison....Madeleine has feelings of unease, confusion and disoritation with all the new things she see around her, after the years in madhouses it isn't suprising that she has developed some questionable traits. Madeleine has a deep distrust and fear of men. The one constant is the kind and loving relationship Madeleine has developed with fellow captive, 12 year old orphan Rowan, a sweet child who is unschooled. Madeleine has taught her basic skills such as writing and reading, and the reader sees a strong connection between them both.

Madeleine and the Republican French captain, Pierre de la Croix are drawn to each other Pierre is the prisoner of the British and is under parole. Madeleine slowly lets her guard down and a fondness and deep affection blooms between herself and Pierre. The overwhelming kindness of other people in the community is touching and is seen on more than one occasion...

I would strongly recommend The Cornish Captive to lovers of as it is a emotive character driven tale of secrets, spies, a reunion of friends and a great sense of community as the reader follow the dangerous adventure of love...

I can't wait to read future installments in the Cornish Saga and more books by Pryce!

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
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