When past and present meet in a place…

Synopsis

‘Incredibly atmospheric, haunting and poignant.’ Nicola Cornick

1648 – Hertfordshire

Thirteen-year-old Katherine Ferrers is in despair at being betrothed to arch-Royalist Thomas Fanshawe whose family are hellbent on plundering her family’s fortune to champion the exiled Charles. As her unhappy marriage stretches before her, her only comfort is her beloved childhood home The Cell. But as the years pass and Kate grows restless, a new passion, a new love and a dangerous calling threaten to upend everything she’s ever known.

Present Day – Hertfordshire

Charlie Wolfe jumps at the chance to help his uncle renovate a tumbledown cottage overlooking Nomansland Common. Number One Constable’s Cottages was once the home of the man charged with ridding the common of the highwaymen who terrorised travellers. But it’s the story of The Wicked Lady, the notorious female highway robber, that captures Charlie’s imagination, and some long winters’ nights he’s sure he can the hoofbeats of her horse echoing across time.

What drove this mystery woman to risk everything for a life of crime, and why is she still restless, wandering the common in grief? It seems only Charlie can finally uncover the secret Katherine Ferrers has kept for hundreds of years; a secret of a terrible betrayal and a tragic love that was never meant to end this way…

USA Today bestselling author Judy Leigh writing as Elena Collins, brings you this spellbinding and heartbreaking timeslip novel, uncovering the intriguing story of another brave woman that history forgot. Perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Nicola Cornick, Diana Gabaldon and Louise Douglas.

My review

When Charlie Wolfe decides to help out his uncle to renovate a cottage after a break – up, he didn’t expect that Constable’s Cottage Number One would come with a mystery. Because at night, he is sure that he can hear hoofbeats in the woods of Nomansland Common.
But Charlie is quickly intrigued by the story of The Wicked Lady, or rather Katherine Ferrers. In the 17th century she was married off as a thirteen – years – old girl to arch – royalist Thomas Fanshawe, but there is absolutely no love between them. And when the years pass by, her only comfort is loving in her childhood home The Cell.
But what made this young woman turn from a notable lady to a criminal woman?
The more Charlie learns about Katherine, the more he wants to figure out what happened to the woman and what drove her into criminality. And while he unravel a story of betrayal and impossible love, he himself figures out what direction he wants his life to go.

With a story with dual timeline, and ghosts, you know that the past – story will not end well… Yet somehow, the optimist in me kept hoping that somehow, somewhere Katherine would get her happy end, especially as she for sure deserves it.

Her story already doesn’t start that well, as her stepfather marries her off, at the extreme age of thirteen…
And it would be some kind of comfort reading if there would be at least some kind of affection. I am not even talking about love, but just an inch of care. But even that is not the case, because all that matters to her ‘loving’ husband, is her dowry…
It truly saddened me to see how Thomas just threw away all her money, selling off her possessions like it was nothing.
So perhaps is was fortunate to see that Thomas is in fact more fighting for his own cause, leaving Katherine alone at home.Her

But despite her circumstances, I found her a real great character. Because we see that she understands what matters, she is a compassionate person, and cares about people, even people who have it more difficult than herself.
And such a person deserves to find love, the right kind of love. So while even if I don’t agree on a moral ground what she does later on in the book, I cannot condemn her. Now that I think about it, she even does several things I don’t really agree with 😊.

I could also completely understand why Charlie in the present is so intrigued by this mysterious character that Katherine is.
Charlie was perhaps a little more difficult to completely like. His story starts with the end of his relationship. And while I comprehended his heartbreak, I perhaps would have liked him not seeing begging for another chance.
But on the other hand, it was nice to see a man that isn’t afraid to show his emotions…

Seeing Charlie a bit at loss was something relatable for me in a way. Not only the end of his relationship threw him, but he is also doesn’t know what he really wants in his life. He loves music and his passion is playing the saxophone, but his latest music teaching job wasn’t as fulfilling as expected.

Now, I know he doesn’t have much choice, but I would never stay in the house I am renovating. Not just because I would be working 24/7, but having a bit of a mysophobia, I would be truly disgusted especially as there is no option to have a good shower! 😊

But on the other hand, it was also sweet to see how Charlie bonds with his uncle and aunt, and also with his new neighbours, especially Edie.
Working on the house, and bonding with people, is the perfect way for Charlie to think about his life and where he wants to go.
And I liked to see how he connects with the house and just the place in general.

But let me tell you, I don’t know if I would stay in the Constable’s Cottages with the ghost of Katherine wandering around! I would be running away, screaming as loud as I could! 😊
On the other hand, if I would have someone by my side, and I am not only talking about lovely dog Alan, but a close neighbour, like Edie, perhaps I wouldn’t be that afraid to do some investigation.

I was swept away by both stories, seeing how tragic love stories can be. But no matter the tragedy of it, we also see how strong and passionate it can be, fighting against all odds.
And it can also be inspiring, as it can bring other people, even in the future, closer together.
Love can be all-consuming but once found, understood and once found the courage to go for it, it will be all worth it, no matter what.