‘Compelling and intriguing, this is a well-told story full of wonderful prose and surprising events. It’s a vivid addition to the genre’. –RT BookReviewsShortlisted for the Impress Prize England 1660When artist Alice Ibbetson discovers a rare orchid, the lady’s-slipper, growing in a nearby wood, she is captivated by its beauty. It is the last surviving specimen and she wants to preserve it for … specimen and she wants to preserve it for future generations.
There is only one problem – it is growing on the land of Richard Wheeler, a newly-converted Quaker, who will not allow her to touch it.
Fearing for the flower’s fragility, she steals the orchid, little dreaming that this seemingly simple act will set off an unstoppable chain of events – a web of intrigue that will lead to murder and exile, and change her comfortable life forever.
Set in an England riven by civil war and divided loyalties the novel explores the nature of faith, and who should control the land we all inhabit.
“It is a genuinely engrossing story, with characters you can get interested in.” –The Mum website
more
Interesting view of the past, prejudices, and way of life.
I did not like the sexual references.
Haven’t quite finished this book, but can hardly wait to see how it ends. Interesting characters and things that interest them. Author did a good job drawing us to them.
Good story line, believable characters were interesting and unpredictable.
i
Found this hard to get into in the beginning but enjoyed it the farther I went. Some sad parts of real history but people need to know this could happen again if we take our country for granted.
Excellent!
Very interesting in all aspects! A good historical read.
Thought this would be good. I could not finish it due to the sexual content that I considered unnessary.
Would totally recommend this book to anyone
I found it difficult to identify with the characters and have decided not to finish it.
The characters drew me into this story and I kept hoping events would turn out the way I envisioned. There were unexpected turns that were believable. I enjoyed the journey.
Fun historical novel! Definitely kept me captivated…
I liked the real life characters. Great book to read!
I love historical novels but I tried three times to read this book but it did not flow well or hold my interest.
I dropped this one a third of the way through. Good, just moves too slowly for my taste.
I could not stop reading. Enjoyed the ending.
I liked this book. It was really interesting, a little slow for me in the beginning, but it got better.
I could not get past the first chapter because it was so immature, as though written by a 13-year-old. Sorry.
Did not appreciate the sexual content — unnecessary. Did not fine the characters engaging.
Plot moved very slowly. If characters had not been so well developed, would have lost interest.