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The Swift and the Harrier

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The Swift and the Harrier

By: Minette Walters
Narrated by: Emma Gregory
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About this listen

Dorset, 1642.

When bloody civil war breaks out between the king and Parliament, families and communities across England are riven by different allegiances.

A rare few choose neutrality.

One such is Jayne Swift, a Dorset physician from a royalist family, who offers her services to both sides in the conflict. Through her dedication to treating the sick and wounded, regardless of belief, Jayne becomes a witness to the brutality of war and the devastation it wreaks.

Yet her recurring companion at every event is a man she should despise because he embraces civil war as the means to an end. She knows him as William Harrier but is ignorant about every other aspect of his life. His past is a mystery and his future uncertain.

©2021 Minette Walters (P)2021 W. F. Howes Ltd Historical Fiction Fiction War Civil War

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Critic reviews

"The Swift and the Harrier is a sweeping tale of adventure and loss, sacrifice and love, with a unique and unforgettable heroine at its heart. Both gripping and fascinating. The civil war in Dorset is evoked brilliantly, the characters are real and intriguing and the love story tender." (Elizabeth Buchan)

"I loved every moment of this brilliantly evocative saga of struggle, love and danger set against the horrors of civil war." (S W Perry, best-selling author of the Jackdaw Mysteries)
All stars
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Great story well written and read. Loved it and will probably listen again and again

Exceptional story

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Full compliments to the author and narrative, will certainly listen to more of this author. Many thanks.

Excellent

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The one thing I’d say is at the beginning there is a grisly description of people being hung drawn and quartered - which I’m not sure was entirely necessary. Realising , I skipped it and don’t feel this harmed what was then a very good story…. Didn’t want it to end.

Loved this book!

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Excellently read, well written drama. Loved learning more about the civil war and the conflicts around that time…

Most enjoyable historical drama

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Great characters and such an amazing performance... this wasn’t just narration ! So fascinating to step into history, well written as expected by Minette

Really enjoyed

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Haven't read anything by this author that I haven't liked & this is no exception.
Storyline is engaging all the way through and the narration is excellent. One of those books you want to keep listening and at the same time don't want ti to end.
Highly recommended

Loved this book

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I haven't enjoyed an audiobook so much for a long time. Very well read and kept you listening. I enjoyed the history and the fact it was told from the point of view of a female physician

The rich flavour of the story

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A very enjoyable read. Likeable characters that I missed when the book ended. Great narration. Well worth a credit.

Excellent

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I have read many Minette Walter books in her crime thriller genre and greatly enjoyed them. So, I was looking forward to a trying this.

Personally I think it’s me not connecting that well to the book, not wild on the civil war although I do like a historical fiction.

The plot was good, the characters interesting and the narration was exemplary., but something’s was missing for me,

A different Walters

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A wonderful story set in the English Civil War about a wonderful and spirited woman. Very well read by Emma Gregory. It even made me aware of a part of the Civil War that I wasn't aware of and I have enjoyed researching the times and places that the book is set in.

Fabulous story we'll read

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