The Turn of Midnight - Minette Walters

Hardcover, 464 pages

Published October 4th 2018 by Allen & Unwin

Series: Black Death #2

Historical fiction

for review

My Thoughts:

This is the second book and it felt lighter. The writing itself, but also the story. The first book was filled with fear of this unknown pestilence. Fear for the sake of their souls, questioning if everyone else was dead and well you know going crazy being in a small space with 200 people. But in this one there is a sense of maybe the world will be saved after all.

Characters

Lady Eleonore is one crazy girl. I despised her in book 1, but slowly, and I mean slowly I started to forgive her. She was constantly hating the serfs and spreading poison, but yes that girl has issues and I did feel sorry for her. Poor child. Her dad really was a monster.

Lady Anne is a saint. She saved her people by closing the gates, and letting her stupid oaf of a husband die outside. Way to go Lady Anne! 200 people saved because of her. She also educated her people and understood that happy serfs are better serfs.

Thaddeus was one of those serfs she educated. And he acted as her steward in book 1. Instead of a slimy Norman who was poison. He was a bit too noble in book 1, but here he had grown even more and he is truly a great leader. Especially after what he did in book 1.

Story:

Right, so being stuck in a manor does not make food plentiful. And here they must starve or find food. So some venture outside and find a dead world, and hope. There is also some drama at the end and I was fearing that if the plague hadn't taken them something else would.

It does make you think. What did they think of the world after the plague? It must have been terrifying. 40-60% dying. But I liked that there was hope in this one, hope of a better world.

Final Thoughts:

It was Interesting and a fast read. A woman with crazy heretical ideas in those times makes for a good thrilling book.

Blurb

As the year turns from 1348 to 1349, the Black Death continues its relentless course across England. In Dorseteshire, the first county to be afflicted, the people of Develish begin to question if they are the lone survivors of this terrible pestilence. 

Guided by their heretical mistress, Lady Anne, they wait inside the protection of a moat as their stores dwindle, knowing that when the food is gone they will have no choice but to leave. But where will they find safety in the desolate wasteland their county has become? And how can Lady Anne, a woman without rights herself, grant them the freedom they long for?

One man has the courage to find out. 

Thaddeus Thurkell, a bastard serf, educated in secret by Lady Anne and risen to the post of steward, takes a band of raw, untested youths in search of supplies and news. As free-thinking and heretical as his admired mistress, Thaddeus makes a compelling leader, and his companions quickly learn to throw off the shackles of serfdom and set their minds to ensuring Develish’s future.

But what use is freedom that cannot be won lawfully? Aided and abetted by Lady Anne, Thaddeus conceives an audacious and dangerous plan to secure her people’s right to determine their fates for themselves. Neither foresees the life-threatening struggle over power, money and religion that follows…

…or the trial for heresy that will imperil all in Develish… 

The Last Hours - Minette Walters

Paperback, 547 pages

Published November 2nd 2017 by Allen & Unwin

Series: Black Death #1

Historical fiction

For review

My Thoughts:

1348 is not the time to be around in England, or anywhere in Europe for that matter. The plague is scary. SO very scary. Checking wiki it says that 40-60% died in England. But on to the book then.

Lady Anne of Develish was raised at a convent and she did take some strange ideas with her. Like helping the serfs, because if they are healthy they work better. Go figure! Giving out medicine makes people healthy, yes crazy ideas. But they love her.

Her husband is a big ass who cares nothing for those beneath him. He would crush them with the sole of his foot.

Her daughter, omg, I can not tell you how much I despised this creature. She is all that is wrong with nobility who think they are above others. And then when we learn more, no, I still despise her. It is bred into her.

Then we have 200 serfs and one that stands out, Thaddeus. He is a smart young man who wants more. His family treats him as garbage as he is a bastard. 

There are more prominent players, like Giles, the only servant who rode with Anne's idiot of a husband and higher up servants. Oh and an idiot priest who cowers in the church a lot.

All these people will be crammed together in the holding. Because Anne did learn a few other things at that convent. If you isolate the sick you can save those not sick. But it is something that will grow resentment. Some who think they are better than others *coughs Lady Eleonore* and some who think that this new strange world will help them.

And then there is the plague itself. Villages disappearing. People fleeing. A wasteland of the dead and dying. Wondering why this happened. And realising that they can not stay hidden forever.

But the real drama does take place inside. How it slowly grows and festers.

Conclusion:

It was an interesting book and it gave me this other way to look at the plague. 

Also there is a book 2 so the plague is not done with them.

Blurb

June, 1348: the Black Death enters England through the port of Melcombe in the county of Dorsetshire. Unprepared for the virulence of the disease, and the speed with which it spreads, the people of the county start to die in their thousands. 

In the estate of Develish, Lady Anne takes control of her people's future - including the lives of two hundred bonded serfs. Strong, compassionate and resourceful, Lady Anne chooses a bastard slave, Thaddeus Thurkell, to act as her steward. Together, they decide to quarantine Develish by bringing the serfs inside the walls. With this sudden overturning of the accepted social order, where serfs exist only to serve their lords, conflicts soon arise. Ignorant of what is happening in the world outside, they wrestle with themselves, with God and with the terrible uncertainty of their futures. 

Lady Anne's people fear starvation but they fear the pestilence more. Who amongst them has the courage to leave the security of the walls?

And how safe is anyone in Develish when a dreadful event threatens the uneasy status quo..?