The Last Hours: The Complete Omnibus Edition

by Minette Walters

The definitive edition of Minette Walters' thrilling tale of courage and defiance during the time of the Black Death, featuring The Last Hours and The Turn of Midnight .

England, 1348: A deadly plague is spreading across the land, and people are dying by the thousands. In Dorset, young Lady Anne takes control of her lands with her trusted steward, Thaddeus Thurkell, at her side. Compassionate and resourceful, she decides to quarantine the estate, bringing some two hundred serfs inside the moated walls. But in such a confined space, conflicts soon arise...

As time passes, the people of Develish have no way of knowing who, if anyone, has survived. And with dwindling stores, they soon have no choice but to leave their relative safety. But what awaits Lady Anne and her people in the desolate wasteland beyond the walls?

'Wonderful and sweeping' Kate Mosse

'Enthralling' Julian Fellowes

'Vividly wrought and powerful' Elizabeth Fremantle

996 pages, Paperback

Published June 3, 2021

About the author

Minette Walters (born 26 September 1949) is a British mystery writer. After studying at Trevelyan College, University of Durham, she began writing in 1987 with The Ice House, which was published in 1992. She followed this with The Sculptress (1993), which received the 1994 Edgar Award for Best Novel. She has been published in 35 countries and won many awards.

The Sculptress has been adapted for television in a BBC series starring Pauline Quirke. Her novels The Ice House, The Echo, The Dark Room, and The Scold's Bridle have also been adapted by the BBC.

Reviews

[Sandra Frazer]

Took a bit to get interested in this book but a few chapters in and I was hooked. Some Interesting comparisons to covid lockdowns.

[Rebekah Townsend]

I found this one a slow start, so after reading the first chapter or two I had put it on the shelf to return to the library - instead I took it on holiday to give it a second chance and discovered it was excellent! Really gripping after that first couple of chapters and I really enjoyed learning about a period in history which I’m not familiar with. 4 stars due to the slow start, but I ended up loving it - highly recommended!

[Linda Sones]

Enthralling read

This book kept me captive in it’s entirety. What horrible times to have lived through . I do like a book with a beginning a middle and a satisfactory ending.

[Claire Mauchline]

Absolutely riveting…a real page-turner.
Excellent story, thoroughly recommend..now what’s next!?

[Dippy Longstocking]

Superb