Court Of Betrayal by Anne O’Brien. There is a part of me that thinks I have a love hate relationship with Anne. Joan de Geneville gets married to a man called Richard and the poor woman just wants to stay at home with her kids. But she can’t because her husband gets accused of treason and she has to be a bad bitch and sort it out. It’s a tiny bit early in the historical fiction I like to read but I did really enjoy it. She’s a bit of a cow to her sisters but it does make it very real because lots of sisters are mean to each other. I think it was a bit quick to jump over periods of time but I enjoyed it. My take away from this is don’t get married.

I enjoyed Anne O’Brien’s last two novels, about the Pastons – one of England’s most influential families in the 15th century, who left behind a collection of correspondence known as the Paston Letters – and I wondered if she would continue to write about them in a third novel. However, with A Court of Betrayal she has chosen to tell a very different story: the story of Johane de Geneville.

Johane (or Joan) de Geneville is not a well known historical figure and most people have probably never heard of her, but as the wife of Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March, she played a part in an important and eventful period of English history. Having been imprisoned for leading a revolt against King Edward II, Mortimer escaped to France where he joined forces with Edward’s estranged queen, Isabella, and together they led a successful invasion of England in 1326. With Edward forced to abdicate and his young son crowned in his place, Mortimer and Isabella effectively ruled the country for several years. What was Johane doing while all of this was happening and how did she feel about it? These are the questions Anne O’Brien sets out to explore in A Court of Betrayal.

The novel is written in the first person from Johane’s perspective and I found her much more likeable and sympathetic than some of O’Brien’s other heroines. Throughout the course of the novel, as the title would suggest, she experiences and witnesses betrayal of many kinds, but the most significant for Johane personally is the betrayal she faces at the hands of her own husband. The marriage between Johane and Roger Mortimer is portrayed as a happy one at first. Although it was an arranged marriage, which was normal amongst the medieval nobility, there seems to be genuine love and affection between them and they go on to have twelve children together. This all changes when Mortimer begins an affair with Isabella and makes no real attempt to hide it, either from Johane or from the public – and even insists on Isabella being accepted as a guest in Johane’s home. I feel bad that, despite having read about the Mortimer/Isabella relationship before, I’ve never really given any thought to the fact that Roger had a wife!

With the story being told from Johane’s point of view, there’s a limit to the things she sees and experiences for herself (particularly as she spends large chunks of the novel imprisoned or under house arrest) and information often comes to her via other people. This doesn’t make the novel boring, however; there’s always something happening in Johane’s personal life and it’s still interesting to read about the political developments happening elsewhere even if we’re not seeing them at first-hand. Like most periods of history, this one has its fair share of controversies, mysteries and other matters on which historians have never been able to agree – how and when did Edward II die, for example, and what was the nature of his relationships with his favourites, Piers Gaveston and Hugh Despenser? O’Brien has her opinions on these things and incorporates them into the plot. It’s all very fascinating, whether you’ve read about this period before or not.

Although I haven’t read all of Anne O’Brien’s books yet, I have read most of them and I think this is one of her best. I’ve discovered that her next novel, due in 2025, is going to be set during the Wars of the Roses and will tell the stories of Margaret of Anjou and Anne, Countess of Warwick. Something to look forward to!

I absolutely loved this historical fiction read. O'Brien has really brought the Mortimers to life and I felt like I was experiencing events with them. A lot of history is covered in this book and again O'Brien has done a great job at reimagining the past and allowing the reader to understand events that happened. This whole book was a pure joy to read and I thought the people and events were brought to life vividly.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion for an advance copy.

As is the case with all of the authors books this was fun, Ian’s very engaging. Historical fiction at its best. .

A COURT OF BETRAYAL is an engaging novel about the oft-forgotten wife of a powerful man who left her behind for power.

The story of Queen Isabella ("She-Wolf of France") and Roger Mortimer is one of sweeping change and rebellion and treason (and one I know well). I enjoyed seeing it from the perspective of a woman usually ignored in the accounts or there as a minor footnote as the mother of children strategically married off. But Johane is a person in her own right and also someone who suffered a lot for her husband's actions, punished unfairly for simply being married to him.

However, because she was not a man and not a scandalous woman at its heart, the focus is never on her. This book changes that, putting her at the heart of the tale and making Isabella and Mortiment important but often absent figures.

The big battles and turning points are not shown on page (or passed over in a line or two), but instead Johane has to learn about them from others and try to find a way to protect herself and her children from the consequences. This helps create the sense of a woman ignored but still having to survive the troubled waters.

The book covers well more than 40 years of history, beginning with their early marriage, happy years that sets up the betrayal well so that it lands harder. It also establishes the groundworks for the honesty between the pair. They are so blunt and forthright with each other, which I enjoyed. It allows them to have these emotionally charged discussions where they do not hold back their feelings.

"A Court of Betrayal" by Anne O'Brien completely entranced me from start to finish. The story is set in the Welsh Marches in 1301 and follows the strong-willed heiress Johane de Geneville, who is married off to Roger Mortimer, Earl of March, at the tender age of fifteen.
As the tale unfolds, Johane finds herself embroiled in a treacherous web of court politics and dangerous secrets as her husband rises to power and eventually faces accusations of treason. O'Brien masterfully weaves a compelling narrative, drawing the reader into Johane's world of intrigue, betrayal, and survival.
What struck me most about this novel was the incredible depth and humanity of the protagonist, Johane Mortimer. O'Brien has crafted a complex and relatable character in Johane, allowing the reader to experience her joys, sorrows, triumphs, and struggles intimately. Through Johane's eyes, we witness the tumultuous events of the time, including her imprisonment, her husband's rebellion against the king, and her fight for justice and freedom.
The historical research that underpins the novel is impeccable, adding a rich layer of authenticity to the story. O'Brien's seamless integration of political intrigue and personal drama keeps the reader engaged and invested in Johane's journey. Johane's resilience, love, and unwavering strength in the face of betrayal make her a truly unforgettable heroine.
I was completely engrossed in "A Court of Betrayal," unable to put it down until I had reached the final page. O'Brien's skilful storytelling and nuanced character development make this a must-read for fans of historical fiction. This book a is gripping and emotionally resonant tale of love, betrayal, and survival.

In A Court of Betrayal we follow the story of Johane de Geneville. As the eldest daughter of the De Geneville family and with no male heir, she is betrothed to Roger Mortimer while her younger sisters are sent to a convert. Johane and Roger have a happy marriage for a time and have 12 children together. However, Roger is an ambitious man and that has consequences for both himself and Johane.

I really enjoyed learning about this time period and the life and trials of the strong willed Johane and her family. Her journey is both exciting and heartbreaking.

Anne O'Brien is my one of my favourite Historical Fiction writers and I have been reading her novels for some years now. I love how she takes a minor/lesser known female figure, gives them a voice, while weaving a story around significant historical events told from their POV. It's a skilled author who can give a reader such a strong connection to a character from the past and also shows impeccable research to craft a captivating story.

Thank you to Orion publishing for providing me with an ARC to review

As the eldest daughter, Johane de Greneville takes her father's full inheritance into her marriage where as her sisters are sent to a convent. Fortunately Johane grows to care deeply for her husband, Roger Mortimer, and they have many happy years growing their family and lands. However, when Roger falls foul of the King's new favourite, Hugh de Despenser, their life falls apart. Roger is improsoned in the Tower of London and Johane is kept in close confinement in the north. Roger escapes but five years later when they meet again, Roger is rising in power due to his new and adulterous relationship with Queen Isabella.
O'Brien's novels are incredibly consistent. She builds a romance around a minor female character but one which encompasses an important period of medieval history. Set against the life and death of Edward II, Johane is the forgotten wife of Roger Mortimer. By telling the story from her perspective, O'Brien looks are the emotions but what should not be forgotten is the excellent of the research and historical accuracy.

A Court of Betrayal sees Anne O'Brien returning to the early 14th century, finding for her readers a wonderful character, Johane de Geneville. We all know the story of Queen Isabella and her lover, Roger Mortimer, but what about the wife left behind in the Welsh Marches?

There is much of Johane and Roger's life to cover before the tumultuous events that see Roger fleeing England for his life - 12 children for a start - and this period of Johane's life is given full coverage by our fabulous author. Johane is fully formed. What I've always appreciated about Anne's characters is that they are women of the time, with all the restrictions that bring with it. Yet, her female characters remain strong-willed and independent, doing what they can within societal norms. Sometimes we might not like Johane (the treatment of her sisters for one), but we are still very much invested in her, and her story. And this is her story. The children are, of course, mentioned, but we hear Johane's thoughts and fears. Johane drives the narrative, even when she is held in captivity with little outside knowledge of events at the king's court..

Through Johane's eyes, we see her husband cast low at the pretensions of the Despenser's, only to rise too high, too quickly, and we also hear of the many conspiracy theories surrounding his actions - particularly concerning what happened to Edward II. The symmetry between Roger's actions and those of Edward II's favourites is beautifully evoked, and the reader is left feeling that if a woman had been instrumental in all this chaos, she would have had much more sense than to upset everyone in the same way that Roger was previously disgruntled—a lovely touch.

I flew through this book in 2 days. Reading a new Anne O'Brien novel is an absolute treat. Just like Constance of York in a Tapestry of Treason, Johane will long live with the reader.

A Court of Betrayal is a wonderful, evocative novel that will delight readers.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.

Anne O’Brien has created a magnificent and very human character in Joanna Mortimer. Joanna , a wealthy heiress was married to Roger Mortimer , Lord of Wigmore, at a very young age. They were of similar age and in love. Thus they had a happy marriage and many children until politics got in the way. Roger was ambitious and sadly his ambition to preserve and extend Mortimer lands contributed to his undoing and ultimately that of their marriage. The fickle King Edward II became influenced and dependent on his lover Hugh Despenser, a greedy ruthless man who was a danger to anyone standing in his path, and especially to Queen Isabella and to Roger Mortimer.

This story is told from Joanna’s point of view in first person thus bringing a reader very close to her as a protagonist. You will stand in her shoes, feel her emotions, and realise , too, that the historical research underpinning the novel is superb. There are many revelations marking Joanna’s journey. The events that play out through this totally engaging novel include her imprisonment following Mortimer ‘s rebellion against Edward II, Mortimer’s dramatic escape from the Tower of London and Joanna’s even more cruel and impoverished imprisonment in the north (with the younger of her many children) for a period of five years. Joanna faces an ultimate betrayal but her story is one of resilience, love and survival. Joanna Mortimer is one of Anne O’Brien’s most likeable and strong heroines to date and they are all fascinating.

I could not put Court of Betrayal down and indeed I read it over one weekend. I know the territory well having written Isabella’s story so to see Anne O’Brien’s masterful treatment of the third point in this complex love triangle and her integration of the politics into the novel more than does this story justice. She seamlessly covers decades keeping a reader intrigued and as the book progresses Joanna, herself, grows in stature and wisdom from a young girl to an aging woman. And this, I believe, is the novel’s great strength. What an astounding accomplishment. Highly recommended.

Based on the Mortimer family during the time of Edward II & III & their ambitions.
Told from the perspective of Johane, Lady Mortimer.
This is a period of history I knew nothing about but the author's descriptive writing totally absorbed me into the story.

Anne O'Brien is one of my favourite historical fiction writers, she's up there with the likes of Jean Plaidy and Phillipa Gregory. He novels never fail to draw me in, and this is no exception. She writes so well you really feel as though you're in the era she is writing about.

This book is about Johane, the wife of Roger Mortimer. I have not read anything about this era of history so the tale was all new to me and I devoured it in just 2 days. I love that she writes her stories from the viewpoint of often overlooked women. It's a great book, I highly recommend it.

1299 and the young girls of the revered de Geneville family are gathered to hear what their formidable grandfather, Geoffrey, has to say. Disappointed and furious of the lack of a male heir, and the fact that his only son has died and left all these women behind, Geoffrey is determined that the de Geneville fortune will not be split up. With that aim, it is decided that the oldest girl, Johane, will be betrothed to Roger Mortimer, eldest son of a Marcher lord. The fates of Johane’s sisters is not so pleasant. They will take the veil.

1302 and it’s the wedding day of Roger and Johane. The story that follows gives the historical events of their rises and falls in wealth and status, both in the Marches and throughout the country. With loyalty, betrayal, love and death, it really is a rollercoaster of a read, and is definitely a ‘just one more chapter’ book.

I always look forward to an O’Brien book as I know I will be enthralled. This one is no exception, and I really feel is her best book so far.

Told from the POV of Johane, Lady Mortimer, it is both exciting and heartbreaking. She is a woman with her own mind in a world full of domineering men. Wily and guileful, Johane shows she is not to be taken for granted even in the most dire of circumstances.

The writing is, as always, superb, and the storytelling is first class. I really can’t rate this book highly enough, and thoroughly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Orion Publishing.

When I was in my teens and twenties, I devoured the novels of Sharon Penman, fascinated by the power play and remarkable characters she brought to life from the medieval world. A Court of Betrayal was the first Anne O’Brien book I’ve read, and I can give it no higher compliment than to say it’s very much in the same tradition as Penman’s superb historical fiction. The quality of writing is excellent, the dialogue sparkles, and I was quickly swept up into the story. It’s a tale of hubris and loyalty, of bitterness and love. The characters were brought to life in all the power of their very human emotions, strengths and weaknesses. I particularly enjoyed the scenes between Johane and Mortimer, which portrayed their complex relationship brilliantly.
For me, the only thing that might perhaps have made this even better would have been for us to view events from more than one perspective: I would have loved to have had the chance to be in Mortimer’s head, or Isabella’s. Yet the author’s decision to focus on the ostensibly powerless wife, stuck at home, forced to use what influence she has to preserve her family and good name in the face of her husband’s actions, has a resonance which brings Lady Mortimer’s humanity, resilience and resolve to life.
This book is an example of terrific storytelling - I’ll definitely be seeking out more of this author’s work, and recommending A Court of Betrayal to other fans of top quality historical fiction.

I must confess that, although I had heard of the infamous Roger Mortimer, I knew absolutely nothing about his wife. I’m so glad I do now! What a woman. I loved this book, devouring it in just a few sittings. Anne O’Brien reminds me of Jean Plaidy. She has a way of writing that is so easy to read, detailed but not dry. With massive thanks to NetGalley for an early copy,.

I loved this story, Anne O’Brien is a master of historical fiction and comes at stories from unusual angles bringing the focus on to sometimes forgotten people.

If you like historical fiction then this is a must read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read A Court of Betrayal.

I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

Love this author
The cover is also stunning

Loved this
Historical fiction is my thing and if its yours this is a wonderful read
So engrossing

Highly recommend

A Court of Betrayal by Anne O'Brien


The Welsh Marches, 1301

Strong-willed heiress Johane de Geneville is married to Roger Mortimer, Earl of March, at just fifteen years old.
Soon Johane finds herself swept up in a world of treacherous court politics and dangerous secrets as her husband deposes Edward II and rules England alongside Queen Isabella.
I really enjoyed reading this and have to admit that I'd never heard of them before inspite of my addiction of history in both fiction and non fiction.
The author wrote the book in such a way that it brought the historical facts to life so she must have researched the subject very thoroughly .
I loved finding out about Joane de Geneville who came across as an important woman ( and role model ) of her time.

Another superb book from Anne O’Brien.

I’m a big fan of historical fiction & have read several of her books now. This one didn’t disappoint.

The beauty of O’Brien’s style is that you have a human connection throughout the ages. Yes these people lived almost 800 years ago but we still experience the same emotions of love, loss, betrayal, anger and so much more. This human connection is what makes her characters so relatable and so well rounded. The fact that this is written in the first person means you really can put yourself in Johane de Geneville’s shoes.

As always, the plot is spot on and always comes back to that human connection. You learn not just the facts around the Mortimers but potentially how they felt too. It’s the perfect mix between fact and fiction. The dialogue and prose is also great as usual. I found it really hard to put down. If you like historical fiction, read this book.

Thanks to the author, publishers & NetGalley for access to this arc in return for an honest review.

I really enjoy Anne O'Brien' historical fiction books and this one was no exception. She manages to transport you to the royal court describing beautifully the subterfuge and political manoeuvring which holds the attention throughout.