The Prophet by Martine Bailey
This delightful, intriguing historical thriller is a sequel to the wonderful book The Almanack which I also read and loved. Our protagonist Tabitha is now married and her life is considerably better than her previous days, when she struggled to make ends meet and had a rather risque occupation. As the pregnant wife of nobleman, Nat de Vallory, living in his family home, a huge estate in a forest she is attended by maids and her former friend Jennet. But scandal and deceit are about to surround the young couple when a family pet disappears, a woman is found brutally murdered in the forest and a religious cult with an enigmatic preacher at their helm sets up camp nearby.
The atmosphere of the mid 18th century is entrancingly illustrated and steeped in folklore and superstition of the era which helped me take a step back into the past.
Tabitha’s new found peace of mind is soon shattered, as lies, deceit and mystery threaten the newlyweds lives. As midsummer approaches, folklore and myth combine with betrayal and deception. What seems at first to be a bucolic tale begins to tighten as suspicion builds sinuously and I began to mistrust everyone. The author is adept at dropping little red herrings all around the forest where they nestle amidst the leaf litter to emerge mystifyingly when I least expected it.
This ravishing read is atmospheric and exciting, the perfect escape from modern day life.
The Blurb
Destiny, prophecy and murder weave an intricate web in this beguiling historical mystery. Could a dark prophecy spell danger for Tabitha De Vallory and her unborn child?
Cheshire. May Day, 1753. Tabitha De Vallory believes her life is perfect: she has an imposing home with all the comforts she has ever desired, and is expecting her first child with doting husband Nat. But Tabitha’s happiness is shaken when a girl is slaughtered beneath the Mondrem Oak on the family’s forest estate. Recognizing the victim from her former scandalous life, Tabitha vows to find the killer.
Nearby, enigmatic Baptist Gunn and his followers are convinced that a second messiah will be born, amid blood and strife, close to the oak on Midsummer’s Day. Could the girl’s murder be linked to Gunn’s cryptic prophecy? Do his wild claims of a second saviour spell danger for Tabitha and her unborn child?
As Midsummer’s Day draws closer, Tabitha soon learns the destiny that threatens her and those she holds most dear…
Beautifully crafted and alluring, full of dark deception, intrigue and terrifying foreboding, THE PROPHET is perfect for fans of THE MINIATURIST by JESSIE BURTON and SARAH DUNANT
