The swift and the harrier

Readers who are initially alarmed at the page count of Walters's ("Last Hours" series) latest historical novel will come to the end and wonder why the story couldn't have gone on longer. During the English Civil War in 1642, families and friends are divided between the warring Parliamentarians and Royalists. Jayne, daughter of Royalists, was already a respected physician who treated the wealthy and the poor. She chooses neutrality to continue her work, treating persons from both sides. While on her way to help a sick child, Jayne's chance meeting with Lady Alice Stickland and her mysterious footman, William Harrier, kicks off a series of events that present Jayne with difficult choices she never expected, with joy and sorrow coming in equal measure. Walters's characters are true to their historical period, yet relatable to a modern audience, and notable historical figures and events are described accurately in detail--informative and full of dramatic tension. An author's note provides a brief summation of the book's era, and there are maps for better understanding. VERDICT Endearing characters spark life into centuries-old history in Walters's latest, which will appeal to fans of Philippa Gregory, Margaret George, and Sharon Kay Penman.--Stacey Hayman

Crime writer Walters tells the story of a bloody civil war that turned England into a crime scene. Life was hard for women in 17th-century England, and in Walters' latest novel, Jayne Swift has it even harder because she's a physician, a role reserved for men in that era. Living with her aristocratic family in Dorsetshire on the English Channel, Jayne struggles against the chauvinism and lethal concoctions of the local quacks who kill more patients than they save. And if that weren't enough, her skills are badly needed to handle the brutal injuries as Royalist and Parliamentarian armies clash in a civil war that eventually ends with the execution of Charles I. Walters draws wonderfully on her crime-writing skills to capture the violence and gore of the era. She gives us a likable, resourceful heroine in Jayne, who, with a MacGyver-esque ability to treat any injury with brine, calendula oil, catgut, or a handful of maggots, refuses to take sides. "I still favor neutrality and will continue to do so even after the conflict ends," she insists at one point. "I have no wish to judge anyone for their beliefs, now or in the future." It's definitely an admirable position, but she's out of place in an era demanding absolute loyalty. As a result, Jayne gets into frequent trouble, but thankfully she has William Harrier in her corner. Harrier's a chivalrous footman who helps her out of many tight spots and isn't quite what he seems to be. Questions swirl around him--is he a spy? What side is he on?--as Walters takes us through the years of this devastating war and shows its effects on the towns and villages of Dorsetshire. Her expositions on English history might make some readers impatient for action, but they provide much-needed context for a crisis that divided English society and viciously turned citizens against each other in a way that feels strangely familiar now. This well-researched novel of 17th-century warfare shows the perils and rewards of sticking to one's principles. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.