For Nicholas Hawthorne, the Catholic heir to Measham Hall in Derbyshire, subterfuge is part of everyday life. But there are deeper and darker secrets even than his family's outlawed religion: why is his father, Sir William, so reclusive? What became of his mother, and his aunt Alethea? And who fatally betrayed his cousin Matthew?

Nicholas is determined to find out, but as England slides towards invasion by the Protestant forces of Prince William of Orange, he becomes entangled in conspiracies within King James's court - and soon learns that both truth and love come at a high price.

'A gripping mystery with a brilliant twist!' Miranda Malins, author of The Rebel Daughter

About the Author

Anna Abney is among the last descendants of the Abney family, former residents of Measham Hall, a lost house of Derbyshire. The Measham Hall series is inspired by her ancestors' lives. Anna was born and raised in London and lived in Ireland, North and South, for many years before returning to England. She now lives in rural Kent with her husband, a playwright and screenwriter, and their border collie.

Reviews

'A great yarn. Recommended!' Leonora Nattrass, author of Blue Water

'Is there anything better than realising a book you adored has a sequel? Immersive, with a cracking plot, The Messenger of Measham Hall draws you in as hero Nicholas seeks answers to questions too dangerous to ask. Full of intrigue and tension, roll on the next instalment!' Lianne Dillsworth, author of Theatre of Marvels

'A gripping mystery full of intrigue with wonderful well researched historical detail. A real page turner with a brilliant twist!' Clare Marchant, author of The Mapmaker's Daughter

'A thrilling adventure exploring complex themes of loyalty, faith and gender. Both a tender coming-of-age story and a tense spy thriller, nothing and no one is as it seems in the mysterious world of Measham Hall' Miranda Malins, author of The Rebel Daughter

'Beautifully crafted: a portal to the past that feels instantly and entirely real' A. J. West, author of The Spirit Engineer

'Political subterfuge and family secrets entwine in this tale of historical intrigue. Meticulously researched and alive with intricate period details to savour, I raced through it' Lucy Ribchester, author of The Amber Shadows

'The history is absolutely right, and so is the mystery: every reader is pretty well guaranteed at least two jaw-dropping moments' Ronald Hutton, Professor of History at the University of Bristol

Book Information
ISBN 9780715654798
Author Anna Abney
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint Duckworth
Publisher Duckworth Books