The Twisted Sword, Part 1

by Winston Graham

'Historical romance is nowhere done better.' - THE TIMES. In 1815, the shadow of war reaches out even to the remote corners of Cornwall. For Ross and Demelza Poldark the year starts in Paris, with gaiety and laughter - but sudddenly it turns to fearful separation, distrust and danger. Their elder son, Jeremy, is parted from his beloved wife, Cuby, to become a leader of men on the battlefield of Waterloo. For their daughter Clowance, and Stephen her husband, fate adds a sardonic twist to their hopes and plans. And always for Demelza there is the shadow of the secret she does not even share with Ross - the secret of the loving cup.

496 pages, Hardcover

Published May 1, 1995

About the author

Winston Graham was an English novelist best known for the Poldark series of historical novels set in Cornwall, though he also wrote contemporary thrillers, period novels, short stories, non-fiction, and plays. Born in Victoria Park, Manchester, he moved to Perranporth, Cornwall in 1925 and lived there for 34 years. Graham published his first novel, The House with the Stained Glass Windows, in 1934 and married Jean Williamson in 1939, who inspired the character Demelza in Poldark. During World War II, he joined the Auxiliary Coastguard Service. Graham became a member of the Society of Authors in 1945, serving as chairman from 1967 to 1969, and was a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, receiving an OBE in 1983. His Poldark series began with Ross Poldark in 1945 and concluded with Bella Poldark in 2002. He wrote 30 additional novels, short stories, and non-fiction works, including the acclaimed thriller Marnie, adapted by Alfred Hitchcock in 1964. Several other novels, including The Walking Stick and Fortune Is a Woman, were adapted for film. Graham also wrote plays, some adapted from his novels. His works have been translated into 31 languages, and his autobiography, Memoirs of a Private Man, was published posthumously in 2003.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back on track - book 11 returns to the level of plot and character development found in the first books in the series.

[Amanda Giorgis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best book in the series - gripping stuff and some important events for the main characters.
Sadly I took a star off my rating because the kindle ebook version had been very badly scanned and it became a little irritating to find 'and' had turned into 'arid' on many occasions, for example. There were many other such poor examples of proof reading which distracted the reader from the flow.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing better than a Cornish soap opera.

[Rachael Heuseveldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Favorite one yet.

[Bud · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great series continuing the Poldark family and friends in Cornwall. The characters come alive and I have really enjoyed this series.