High Heatherton

by Judith Thomson

Philip Devalle, the younger son of an earl, is left penniless when his family estate, High Heatherton, is inherited by his older brother who is declared insane and locked away in Bedlam. When Philip leaves the French army and returns to England he has only one aim – to acquire High Heatherton for himself.

Lord Shaftesbury, an old associate of Devalle’s and a prolific schemer, promises to use his influence with the courts to help him get High Heatherton back. But Shaftesbury’s help comes at a hefty price. He wants Philip to lead a daring plot – a plot to place King Charles’ illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, who Shaftesbury can easily manipulate, on the throne.

Philip has enemies in England, enemies who would be only too pleased to see him fail, but he knows to tread carefully if he is to avoid being tried for treason. All too soon Philip fears that he has got himself in too deep and has set in motion a plan that he is unable to stop. It’s a dangerous game that Philip is forced to play, one which could cost him everything, including his life...

Full of intrigue and inspired by authors such as Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow, High Heatherton will appeal to those who enjoy historical fiction, as well as fans of Judith’s previous novels Designs of a Gentleman: The Early Years and Designs of a Gentleman: The Darker Years.

320 pages, Paperback

Published April 28, 2016

About the author

''I try to take my readers on a journey to this exciting era, travelling back to the 17th century!''

Having written stories since she was a little girl, Judith never liked history at school but she always enjoyed historical novels.
Judith became inspired to write her books when visiting Versailles, the palace of the magnificent Sun King, Louis X1V. As she wandered around the sumptuous rooms in his chateau and walked in the very gardens he created there, King Louis came to life for her.

''Louis was real, he was there – I could almost see him admiring the fountains, surrounded by his finely-dressed courtiers. I felt I had been transported back in time!''

Judith has written several stories based around the actual events of the period such as the Popish Plot, the Fire of London, the Plague, the Rye House Plot and the Glorious Revolution, set in both England and France, and following the lives of some of the same characters.

Judith has 6 novels in the Philip Devalle set:

- Designs of a Gentleman - The Early Years
- Designs of a Gentleman - The Darker Years
- High Heatherton
- The Orange Autumn
- The Distant Hills
- Flowers Of Languedoc

You can buy signed copies direct from the author at https://juditthomson.com as well as from good book shops, plus www.troubador.co.uk or amazon.co.uk or amazon.com

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Philip Devalle, who is the hero of Judith Thomson's earlier books. Because it concerns further adventures in his life, I could have read it as a standalone book, although I did read the previous book.
The book is engaging from the start, and I was immediately drawn into the story. Without wishing to give any clues as to the content, to avoid spoiling the read, I will say that the book contained a number of situations that kept me reading on, just to see what would happen next. I got engaged with the characters, and hooked by the suspense. So much so that I was reluctant to put the book down, and wanted to finish it all in one go. Life intervened, and I had to get back to it the next day.
I enjoyed the book, and found it a compulsive page turner. The book is set partly in seventeenth century France, and partly in England in the same period. It was very well researched, and I enjoyed the details of everyday life and dress in particular, and the portrayal of Louis, the Sun King and Charles II. The characters are very real and the book is a good read for fans of historical fiction.

[Jane Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

High Heatherton, by Judith Thomson.
If you like historical novels you will love High Heatherton. The descriptive prose takes the reader back to 1681 England.
I was completely engrossed in the story and followed the charismatic Lord Philip Devalle on his quest to acquire his family estate High Heatherton, which is inherited by his deranged older brother, who he has committed to Bedlam. And Philip Devalle will do anything to get High Heatherton back.
This well-researched novel has everything going for it, well-developed characters, tender thoughtful moments and riveting action packed excitement. I especially enjoyed the elegant dialogue spoken throughout the book. A suspenseful intelligent read.
I look forward to reading more adventures with Lord Philip Devalle.
Highly recommended.

[Debbie Sessum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Net Galley in return for an unbiased review.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable book of a fictionalized account of the Rye House plot to kill King Charles II. Phillip DeValle is the central character will do anything to gain ownership of his family home, High Heatherton. Sent home from France after the war, Phillip sells his soul to the devil, agreeing to put together a plot to kill the king, and regain title to his home. Well developed supporting characters keep the story interesting. Phillip, who has no intention of killing the king, foils the plot, but ultimately is arrested for treason.
Though I enjoyed the story, I found the ending a little too predictable, and wrapped up too neatly. Everyone essentially ended up where you expected them to from the beginning of the book, and that is just a little implausible. This book is a well paced story, with written book with a fast moving story line and is an enjoyable read.

[E Vikander · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is 1681 in post-restoration England, religious turmoil still roils the people. Lord Philip Devalle, an Englishman serving in the French army under King Louis XIV, is abruptly retired by the King due to envy of his popularity and is told to serve the King at Versailles. Poor reward for a man of action. Philip is persuaded by Lord Shaftesbury to come to England into his service. In turn, Shaftesbury will ensure that Philip inherits High Heatherton—his family home that is held by his insane brother who is committed to Bedlam—if he disposes the King of England (Charles II) and puts the King's son Monmouth on the throne. What follows is a series of treasonous schemes and fluctuating loyalties in this thoroughly enjoyable tale of a fictionalized version of the Rye House Plot. Devalle is a hero that everyone would admire. Thomson sweetens the story with endearing supporting characters. This is a fast read with lovely, flowing writing style, and a quick moving plot.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1681, the time of Charles II, and this is the story of Philip Devalle, a second son fighting for the Sun King in France. But on being released from service he returns to England hoping to claim his family home of High Heatherton as his own. This is the story of how far he will go and the unfortunate consequences of his actions.
An enjoyable and interesting story, and the writing made it easy to read.
A NetGalley book