Hello friends! I hope you’re all doing great. Today I’m reviewing The Running Wolf by Helen Steadman for you – a drama-filled Historical adventure.
Summary
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Date: December 1st 2020
‘When a Prussian smuggler is imprisoned in Morpeth Gaol in the winter of 1703, why does Queen Anne’s powerful right-hand man, The Earl of Nottingham, take such a keen interest?
At the end of the turbulent 17th century, the ties that bind men are fraying, turning neighbour against neighbour, friend against friend and brother against brother. Beneath a seething layer of religious intolerance, community suspicion and political intrigue, The Running Wolf takes us deep into the heart of rebel country in the run-up to the 1715 Jacobite uprising.
Hermann Mohll is a master sword maker from Solingen in Prussia who risks his life by breaking his guild oaths and settling in England. While trying to save his family and neighbours from poverty, he is caught smuggling swords and finds himself in Morpeth Gaol facing charges of High Treason.
Determined to hold his tongue and his nerve, Mohll finds himself at the mercy of the corrupt keeper, Robert Tipstaff. The keeper fancies he can persuade the truth out of Mohll and make him face the ultimate justice: hanging, drawing and quartering. But in this tangled web of secrets and lies, just who is telling the truth?’
Thanks so much to Helen Steadman and Love Books Tours for a free review copy of this novel!
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Review
Drama and danger are abound in this history mystery. Centered around Hermann Mohll, a master sword maker from Prussia, the plot is filled with mystery and intrigue. After Mohll is forced to move to the North of England due to hardship, he finds himself embroiled in a plot that will change the course of his life.
The main thing that drew me to this novel was the setting – not only the era of the 17th century but also the fact that it’s based near where I grew up! I loved reading about all the mentions of local places I’ve heard of and it really added to the realism of the novel for me. Furthermore, Steadman is great at bringing the era to life. It’s evident that they’ve really researched the period and this really shows in their writing.
But, if you’re not familiar with the north of England, I would still highly recommend reading this book. It is a tale full of twists and turns that will keep you on your toes until the very end.
About the Author
Helen Steadman lives in the foothills of the North Pennines, and she particularly enjoys researching and writing about the history of the north east of England. Following her MA in creative writing at Manchester Met, Helen is now completing a PhD in English at the University of Aberdeen to determine whether a writer can use psycho-physical techniques to create authentic fictional characters.
You can follow Steadman at: helensteadman.com & @hsteadman1650.
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