Spectacular sweeping history with deliciously clever leads

Minette Walters does it again, with a historical novel that also stirs in romance, thriller and mystery, and starring two delicious protagonists: the debonair but humble Elias Harrier, also Lord Granville; and the reclusive Aleatha Ettrick, daughter of the local magistrate whose mind is sharp enough to prick Elias's ,mysterious plans. Is Elias on the side of the King or his enemies? And will Aleatha keep her silence on Elias's plans, or lay them bare to the authorities?

Set during the very events of the Bloody Assizes, Walters makes the history fresh while giving her characters—almost all invented apart from Lord Jeffreys, the Hanging Judge—sparky, lively and spike dialogue and actions. Elias is a proto-James Bond, special envoy of kings and queens, and Aleatha a genius at logic and deduction, better than Sherlock Holmes. Pitting these two against each other and against the shifting sands of politics and religion makes the book rattle along, covering geography and history in a pleasingly lengthy but gloriously entertaining tale, full of derring-do, precision heists and cat and mouse chases, both intellectual and physical. literally unputdownable.

The Players is an interesting work of historical fiction. Centred around the era of Charles II and the attempted rebellion incited by the King's illegitimate son. Rather than focussing on the 'battle' The Players focuses primarily on the aftermath of the events and how the locals are affected by their proximity to insurrection. Beautifully weaving the narrative around the 'Bloody Assizes' and the process of law, Walters illuminates a period of deceit and consequences, The presence of two strong female characters is intriguing and captures the imagination offering a new perspective on what is primarily a masculine focus.

Walters combines the bloodthirsty desire for revenge with a touching tale of romance and awakening which blossoms into an ultimately joyful read.

After the accession of James II the country is concerned that he will wish to convert them to Catholicism. The illegitimate son of Charles II, the Duke of Monmouth, tries to invade but his rebel army is swiftly defeated and James wants revenge. To this end he sends a brutal judge, Lord Jeffreys, to the West Country to try the rebels. Spy and envoy, The Duke of Granville, only wants peace in his corner of Dorset so aided by his formidable mother and a new friend he endeavours to find a way through the tangle.
From being an outstanding writer of thrillers, Walters has progressed to being an outstanding writer of historical novels. Skipping forward a few hundred years, but staying in her beloved West Country, this tale looks at the Bloody Assizes and introduces a couple of strong female characters. It seems all swashbuckling on the surface but there are some really big issues considered within it which makes it all the more interesting.

Having been impressed with The Swift and the Harrier when it was published in 2021, I was excited to discover that the much anticipated sequel was to be published in 2025.

As the novel begins in 1685 we have now moved considerably on from the English Civil War and whilst King Charles II's reign brought a period of stability to the country, his brother, and successor, King James II is a very different monarch. When the Duke of Monmouth, the illegitimate eldest son of Charles II incites insurrection examples must be made of those supporters who took part in the ill-fated rebellion and it is there where we meet again with Lady Jayne Harrier who lives in Dorset with her son Elias, Duke of Glanville. We learn something of what has gone on in the previous years with Jane but largely the book focuses on the events following the Monmouth rebellion and the Bloody Assizes which took place in the aftermath when James II was hellbent on revenge.

The story brings a true sense of the injustice which was meted out to Monmouth supporters whether they be guilty, or innocent, and whilst Lady Jayne and her son do what they can to ameliorate the damage, history still carries the scars laid down by Judge Jeffreys and his harsh punishments. The characterisation is, as always, excellent with a whole host of fully rounded fictional figures who sit very comfortably alongside those from history. The timeline is recreated with a fine eye for even the smallest detail and the way in which time comes to life is testament to the author's skill at bringing history alive.

I really enjoyed this, as I enjoy historical fiction based on real life events and people and this was a period of British history I knew nothing about. From the very beginning I was drawn into the story and found the characters very engaging, so much so .. I went off to find out how many of them were real life characters.
It is a romping good read, with an excellent sense of time and place.. and I learnt lots too. What a treat ...

The Players by Minette Walters
This book follows on from The Swift and the Harrier. It can be read as a standalone but I would thoroughly recommend The Swift and the Harrier as it is an excellent book. This book features the son of Lady Jayne Harrier Elias, Lord Granville. It focuses on the reign of James the brother of Charles II and on the role of Judge Jeffreys and the Bloody Assizes. Although I had heard of the judge I knew little of the period and found the historical detail fascinating. The characterisation of Elias and Althea, who suffers from palsy but has a brilliant mind, is excellent and I enjoyed spending time in their company.
I was horrified by the violence of the period and the way in which so many were sacrificed due to the King wanting to send a powerful message to future rebels. The men who supported Monmouth in his bid to wrest the throne from King James were cruelly treated and suffered the most terrible death. This is a well-researched novel with powerful characters and made a period of history, of which I had little prior knowledge, easier to follow.
It was good to see that Jayne Harrier was still the strong minded, independent woman of the previous novel despite her advancing years. An excellent sequel and a book I will be recommending at my various book groups. A must for lovers of historical fiction.
Many thanks to the author, the publishers and to Net Galley for the opportunity to read the book in return for an honest review.

This was my first Minette Walters reading experience. And although this was a sequel, I managed to keep up and felt this worked as a standalone, as the author brought the reader up to speed.

The period Walters has chosen is really fascinating. I’ve recently started enjoying more books set around the English Civil War and the aftermath, and it’s not a period I know much about. Walter’s exploration of the Monmouth Rebellion and some of the figures associated with it make for eye-opening reading.

At the end of the novel, Walters writes, “My special thanks to the ordinary men and women of 17th century England who endured a brutal Civil War, a failed republic, a rebellion and a revolution to make their voices heard. When we take democracy for granted, we forget how many lives were sacrificed to win it for us.” Walters has paid homage to these men and women and to the history of democracy by sharing the events of 1685 through a layered and thoughtful story.

This was a slower read, but this is not a negative. A lot of the plot is driven by politics and subterfuge, and quite a lot of dialogue. But this does work as it spins out against the context and setting, and it feels like Walters have captured a snapshot of English history.

Her cast of characters were varied. Althea is a strong, witty leading female who emphasises attitudes towards women and the less abled in society. Elias is a rich, charming and very likeable character who shows a good side to wealth - reminding me of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Lady Harrier is iconic, and gives me Eleanor of Acquitaine vibes with no sign of slowing down. And lastly, perhaps the most interesting character is Judge Jeffries. Seen as a cruel, ruthless villain, Walters pitches the debate that he’s doing what tools to do by the highest authority, but he is a talented man stricken with illness. His development and relationship with some of the other characters is a complex but fascinating analysis of attitude and morals.

Overall, a complex but thoroughly fascinating and well-written snapshot of a key event of English history.

Minette Walters has a real gift for historical fiction, always making the period feel very alive and the characters believable in their actions. The period around the English Civil war which is covered by this book and its predecessor is not one I'm hugely familiar with but the story sets up the context very well and there was never a problem following the history. Jayne, the main character of the first book, returns in this one with her now grown son and a host of new and interesting faces around her, with the female characters again being particularly strong and interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed this book - it can be read alone but I would definitely encourage anyone interested to read the previous book, the Swift and the Harrier, first to really set the scene.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

I love all these books by Minette Walters, the way you learn history while reading a gripping novel. The details of life in that period have clearly been painstakingly researched; including food, clothes, travel (with all the discomforts), and social etiquette. The book gets off to quite a slow start as the scene is set, but then the pace picks up and is thoroughly fascinating. The terror and fear felt is tangible. I definitely recommend this book..

A gripping, well plotted and well researched historical novel. I learned something new as I never read anything about this specific historical time frame.
Compelling, excellent storytelling, a fascinating and well researched historical background
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I haven't read Minette Walters for ages, and I am so glad I have now rediscovered her. I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging, well researched and well written story and thought it was both deft and intelligent. I will absolutely seek out the earlier books in the series. Many thanks!

Oh dear, what a disappointment this turned out to be. I hadn’t read Minette Walters for years, not since The Scold's Bridle and Fox Evil. They were excellent: taught, tense thrillers/ whodunnits with real pace and verve. After something of a hiatus, Walters, now 75, has turned her hand to historical thrillers. This latest one is set in the 1680s in the dying days of King James II’s reign, taking in the Monmouth rebellion, the Bloody assizes of Judge Jeffreys, and the peaceful transition to William and Mary. A fascinating, dramatic few years of British history that does not often feature in historical fiction. It should be a gift to a skilled and experienced novelist but Walters manages to turn this literary gold into something dull and dreary.
The main characters are excellent, (with some caveats): Lord Granville and his mother are scarcely believable as liberal aristos, whose driving concern is always for the little people, ensuring they get justice, no matter what the risk to them personally. It’s as ludicrous as the portrayal of above stairs folk in Downton Abbey who just love the plebs downstairs. It’s so well done however,and the two are such appealing characters, that disbelief is willingly suspended, and the reader finds themselves willing them on to succeed. The character of Lady Althea is also beautifully drawn as Walters explores 17th century attitudes to disability. The love interest is really well done, with Althea’s shyness and reluctance to believe in Granville gradually overcome. It’s a bit of a cop out however, as Walters shies away from any scenes where love is declared and we are left a little cheated as we are simply presented with the aftermath in the epilogue.
The main problem here is that Walters seems to be obsessed with her research into the period, hence the number of reviews that home in on that. “Immaculately researched” is always a bad sign in my opinion. It shows that research has become an end itself, rather than serving the story. There are interminable scenes where she goes through the mechanics of the legal system, transportation, local and regional, explaining in great detail how those people awaiting trial for sedition could be sprung from captivity. Perhaps Walters is too big a figure to be edited, but this is exhibit A for assertive intervention. Without it, we’re left with a novel that’s at least a hundred pages too long. Shame - the characters, plot and historical scenario promised much but deserved a lot more. Maybe next time.

What a marvellous book "The Players" was, I'm really pleased that the author has continued writing as she is such an experienced writer.

Minette Walters is England's best-selling female crime writer. She has won the CWA John Creasey Award for best first crime novel, the Edgar Allan Poe Award for best crime novel published in America and two CWA Gold Daggers for Fiction. Now she is concentrating on historical crime fiction which shows how adaptable she is.

The detailed research and plotting of this book are fascinating-and give a very vivid picture of life at this time. I was transported every time I picked up this highly imaginative story to the seventeenth century. There were a few loose ends at the conclusion which I believe should be tackled in further books in this series.

Most strongly recommended this was one of the best historical mysteries that I have read this year.
(ARC supplied by the publisher via netgalley.co.uk in exchange for a fair review)

My storygraph review:

This novel is set in 1685 and is set against the backdrop of what is known as the Bloody Assizes. These were a series of trials that started in Winchester and went through the west country and into Devon. More than a thousand people were put on trial for their suspected involvement in a rebellion against James II in the name of the Duke of Monmouth, who was the illegitimate son of Charles II, and thus James II’s nephew. Some of the players in this story include Lady Jayne Harrier, her son, the Duke of Granville, The daughter of a local magistrate Althea, and the judge himself. This novel is set in the backdrop of a rebellion, and all the characters are rebellious in their own way which I loved.

Its everything I love about historical fiction; the characters were dynamic, I felt like i learned a lot about the events depicted, the plot kept me hooked, and Minette Walters set the reader in late 17th century Dorset with skill. I find myself longing to revisit these character's lives.

I did not realise that Lady Jayne Harrier is the star of the book The Swift and the Harrier, which I definitely am going to read now.

Thank you to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the advanced copy!

First up, I have really enjoyed the books I have read by this author so far. The historical content and the amount of research that goes into each book is impressive to say the least.
This book is set around the time in England when King James sat on the throne but wasn't popular because he was a catholic. A rebellion was planned and the intention was for Monmouth to usurp James. He was the illegitimate son of Charles and the only one who could possibly sit on the throne. The rebellion was a disaster. It was poorly planned and carried out. James ordered all the rebels to be rounded up and executed in the most brutal way possible.
The story is about Elias, the Duke of Grenville. Elias is the son of William and Jayne from the last book The Swift and The Harrier. We meet Jayne again, a character I loved in the last book and still felt the same about this time round. William is now dead, so Elias is the head of the family. He has also followed in his father's footsteps and is an adept spy and a master of disguise.
I didn't enjoy this one as much and I can't exactly put my finger on why. There's a huge cast of characters to keep track of from the outset. Most of the story was about Jeffreys, the judge who was in charge of the trials and sentencing of the prisoners. He was a vile creature and I became a little weary of him. Elias was coming and going at all hours and days but never seemed to be in any danger. There's a romantic element but this is a kind of afterthought, although I did like Althea. She was seen as a cripple but was no shrinking violet. She stood up to Elias and didn't stand any nonsense. She was one of the best parts of the story for me.
It was certainly a dangerous time to live in England. Neighbours informed on neighbours and all for the promise of a few pennies. Loyalty was hard won.
As usual the history in the story is phenomenal! I love history and it's why I read these books.

Many thanks to Atlantic Books and NetGalley for an early copy of this novel.

A sequel to The Swift and the Harrier, this is a well researched novel set 40 years after the English Civil War and follows the Duke of Monmouth and his rebellion against the brutal James 11. Interesting characters, well written novel.

This was an excellent read. It’s a well researched novel based on the aftermath of the failed coup attempt by the illegitimate son of Charles II to wrest the throne from James II. It focuses on the round up of thousands of local people from Dorset and Somerset who were accused of (often falsely) taking part in the insurrection. The Lord Chief justice was dispatched to the West Country to administer a swift and gruesome punishment to deter any further unrest. The lead characters are great as they seek to soften or evade the impact of such harsh treatment showing both wisdom and bravery. The book makes several important points, firstly that James II understood he had a divine right to rule, yet people were able to stand up against that sense of totalitarianism. Secondly, one lead character is a female physician who puts to shame some of the quackery in the existing medical profession. A second lead role was a woman with a disability in her legs. She was seen as a simpleton as a result yet her intelligence was immense. These themes make fo4 a highly worthwhile read

The Players is the sequel to The Swift and the Harrier but can be read as a standalone novel. The action is set in 1685 at the time of Monmouth's rebellion and defeat at the Battle of Sedgemoor. The infamous Judge Jeffreys is brought in to punish the rebels. Lady Jayne Harrier and her son Elias strive to save men from hanging.
This meticulously researched book is rich with period detail that brings the past to life. A compelling read that kept me turning the pages. This is historical fiction at its best.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Set in a little remembered period of the failed rebellion of the Protestant Duke of Monmouth against Catholic James II we follow the burgeoning relationship of Elias,Duke of Granville ( and his mother Lady Jane Harrier) and Althea Ettrick, daughter of a local magistrate as they seek to save the captured rebels from the revenge of James who has sent Judge Jeffries to Somerset to carry out brutal justice.
A rollicking adventure shining a light on interesting period of history. Elias is, like Baroness Orczy's Scarlet Pimpernel, a veritable paragon that is good looking, witty, charming as well as a master of ingenuity and disguise. The heroines Lady Jane and Althea overcome their personal disadvantages of the age being female and a widow ( the former) and lame through polio ( the latter) to be a doctor and a lawyer to help Elias. It is a little bit too pat and somewhat ironic that the most nuanced character is on fact Judge Jeffries.
I enjoyed reading this book and can recommend it to fans of historical fiction. I will look out for more books by Minette Walters. This is my first. Thanks to Net gallery for sending an Arc for review.

After the death of King Charles II, his Catholic brother James takes the throne of England. His rule is cruel, his people suffer and discontent is stoked by James Scott, the Duke of Monmouth, the eldest illegitimate son of the late King, who leaves his exile in France and returns home with an army intending to claim the throne for himself.
The rebellion doesn’t go to plan, and the common people are pursued and punished for treasonable behaviour. We meet Jack Ketch, the highly incompetent hangman and the Hanging Judge Jeffries, who believes that all those persons who are captured are guilty, no quarter is to be given. His Bloody Assizes condemn so many people, that the gallows cannot cope with the sheer number of hangings and some people are transported away from England for hard labour.
Elias, the Duke of Granville, and his mother, Lady Jayne are determined to help those in prison by planning escapes in order to smuggle them abroad. Althea Ettrick is a young lady, well educated but disabled by a form of palsy. She and Elias work together in many schemes, this story shows the importance of seeing past the obvious disability and concentrating upon the strong wit and clever brains of this neglected and under appreciated woman.
This is an immensely readable and enjoyable story, full of historical detail, but not dry or dusty, but witty and playful with characters you feel a connection to.
All the central people are likeable, and compassionate, filled with a sense of justice that must be seen to be done and available to all.
Not a period of history taught when I was at school, but my knowledge and curiosity has been increased after reading this novel, and I may have to do some further investigations on this era of conflict.
A five star read.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Atlantic Books for my ARC, freely given in return for an honest review. I will leave reviews to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.