Worthy history but too romatic for my taste

 

 ⭑⭑⭑⭑  The Swift and the Harrier is a novel I was keen to read because I love Minette Walters's writing style, it's a book set in Dorset and covers a period in English history I know little of. Glad to say, it didn't disappoint.

We follow the strong and capable aristocrat physician Jayne Swift during these tumultuous times as she navigates neutrality being willing to care for Royalist or Parliamentarian alike. She crossed paths often with the mysterious William who, clearly, is much more than he seems. You can guess where their story line leads. I am not a romance reader but this leaned heavily on the budding relationship between them and where it, inevitably, would lead. Aside from the too tidy and perfect ending for these two perfect and stellar people, I focus more on the historical aspects and the great divide  between families and friends as they took up arms to fight each other. Not a glorious period of English history but a fascinating one.

This novel was well researched and gave the gritty, ugly aspects of fighting and siege warfare as everyone fought tooth and nail to support either the monarchy or Parliament. Ms. Walters certainly gave pros and cons of both sides and made the ten year war feel authentic and painful for the nation. If you like romance novels, I expect you would enjoy this. If you are looking for more of the historical aspect, that's well covered, too. Win, win.