The Running Wolf by Helen Steadman

 The Running Wolf

 by Helen Steadman

The Running Wolf by Helen Steadman

 was published in March 2022 by Bell Jar Books.

My thanks to the author for sending me a copy to review and to 

Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part on the tour.

Synopsis

When a German 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 Germany 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?

My Review

Yet another superb book from the pen of  this acclaimed author who specialises in historical fiction , which she brings to life through her extensive research and writing skill within her books.

However, before I even start on what lies within the pages I must point out what an exceptionally beautiful cover it is, inlaid with gold leaf with the emblems of the wold and the sword on the front.

The Running Wold is set in England, just before the Jacobean uprising which affected England and Europe, with devastating consequences. The book concentrates on two main characters, Hermann Mohll and Robert Tipstaff and Helen alternates the chapters to allow us to develop our knowledge about them consecutively, along with the use of the dual timelines . The story alternates between Morpeth Gaol , starting in 1703, where we build up a picture of the obnoxious Robert Tipstaff and his dishonest nature in regards to the various prisoners who are unfortunate to cross his path, and Hermann Mohll, one of the exemplary German Sword Makers from Solingen, who arrives in Shotley Bridge in 1687 along with his family and fellow swordsmen to start a new life.

As the story progresses the two storylines  start to merge due to Hermann finding himself charged with treason after not being able to understand and explain what has happened and finding himself in Morpeth Gaol. This leads to nail biting tension in the final chapters that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat as you turn page after spell binding page until it reaches its conclusion.

As is typical of all Helen's books the accuracy to detail through her extensive research, and more knowledge of this can be found on her website ( see the link below), you end up finishing the book with so much more knowledge than you previously had of the historical detail of the times. I also learnt so much about the art of swords making through Hermann's instruction of his apprentice along with the dangers to health that occurred as a result of the sulphur in the furnaces.

There is an incredible amount going on in this book with all its different layers that you will need to take your time over it and unpick it slowly to ensure that you do not miss any of the intricacies  and understand fully what is going on  throughout.

On another level so many aspects of this book relate to the times we currently live in with immigration and the need of immigrants to leave their own countries in order to find a better life and jobs elsewhere, with the hope that someday they may be able to return to the country of their birth. However, then as now , there is also the importance that they fit in and get along with their neighbours, even if it means drinking ale that is far less superior to their own !!!!!!!

Another stunning 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 read from Helen .

About the Author

Helen Steadman's first novel, Widdershins and its sequel, Sunwise were inspired by the 1650 Newcastle witch trials. Her third novel, The Running Wolf is about a group of master sword makers who defected from Germany to England in 1687. Helen's fourth novel, God of Fire, is a Greek myth retelling as seen through the eyes of Hephaestus, perhaps the least well known of all the Olympians. Helen is particularly interested in revealing hidden histories and she is a thorough researcher who goes to great lengths in pursuit of historical accuracy. To get under the skin of the cunning women in Widdershins and Sunwise, Helen trained in herbalism and learned how to identify, grow and harvest plants and then made herbal medicines from bark, seeds, flowers and berries.The Running Wolf is the story of a group of master sword makers who left Solingen, Germany and moved to Shotley Bridge, England in 1687. As well as carrying out in-depth archive research and visiting forges in Solingen to bring her story to life, Helen also undertook blacksmith training, which culminated in making her own sword.

You will be able to find out more about Helen and her books at 

https://helensteadman.com/