High Heatherton

Written by Judith Thomson
Review by Lesley Hockin

Set in 17^th-century France and England, this novel features the daring, brave, and dashingly handsome noble Philip Devalle.  Living in the time of the Restoration of the monarchy, Devalle has a close connection to the royal family.  Top of his priority list, however, is regaining ownership of his ancestral home, High Heatherton, and rescuing it from his deranged older brother, now committed to Bedlam.

In order to achieve his goal, Devalle will need to forge an alliance with the influential Lord Shaftesbury, a scheme which ultimately puts him and those around him in grave danger.  There are those in England who would be pleased to orchestrate the fall of Philip Devalle.  How much can he trust in his relationship with the King to save his life if it all goes wrong?  Perhaps he will learn the dangerous lesson that plotting and scheming has a price.

Edge-of-seat drama keeps this book on a pace that is engaging and thrilling.  Judith Thomson clearly has a substantial knowledge of the period and weaves the factual intrigues of 17^th-century England and the Monmouth rebellion into this story.  All the characters are well formed, and the lead, in the form of Philip Devalle, is everything you would want in a hero, from daredevil swordfights to knee-trembling romance.  There is something very real and believable about the content of this story that gives the book a life of its own. It is fair to say that I liked it a lot and would have no hesitation in recommending it.