The Secrets of Morgarten

by L.S.Mangos

A young nation in peril. A web of deceit. A triangle of forbidden love.

The year is 1315. The fledgling nation of Switzerland - the Confederation Helvetica - is under threat from the Habsburgs. In France, the Knights Templar have been disbanded and declared heretics by the king. Magda, a beautiful weaver living near the alpine village of Morgarten, befriends Walter, a messenger and tracker who is the son of the legendary Wilhelm Tell. Walter and Magda's budding romance is threatened by the arrival of Sébastien, a fugitive from France. What secrets is this foreigner hiding? Can Walter solve the mystery of a murder and a stolen religious artefact before a mighty battle with the Habsburgs ensues? And who will be the victors in their turbulent triangle of love?

Finalist in the Page Turner Awards 2023

Genres: Historical Fiction

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 6, 2023

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was provided for review by Random Things Tours . Thank you!

Having to take history in school was honestly never one of my favorite things. As much as my teachers tried to make it interesting, I found it incredibly stuffy and boring. Memorizing dates of battles and other seemingly important facts was, in my young mind, no fun.

As an adult though, I have come to find these kinds of things interesting. Reading about people who lived centuries ago and half a world away is entertaining now. So when a book like The Secrets of Morgarten comes across my radar, I take an interest.

The battle of Morgarten was a real event in November of 1315 when troops from Schwyz ambushed the Austrian army. The Secrets of Morgarten is a “what if…?” recounting of the events leading up to the battle. It postulates how the villagers could have prepared to battle the Austrian army.

The preparation for battle is used as a background for the affairs between the main three characters – Magda, Walter, and Sébastien – to excellent effect. Much like the villagers, Magda too must choose. She must choose between the two men who have claimed her attention and affection. It is a difficult choice as each man offers a different life to the young woman.

In reading The Secrets of Morgarten, it is evident a great deal of research was done. Not just in regards to the characters themselves, but to the surrounding countryside. With each chapter it is easy to picture the soaring mountains and deep valleys. The picturesque vistas come to life before one’s eyes, adding to the action that pervades each page. Learning that the author lives quite close to where the story takes place is no surprise then.

The characters themselves are also well researched. Walter Tell, son of Wilhelm Tell, was a real person though little is known of him. In The Secrets of Morgarten, Ms. Mangos takes this little known individual and turns him into a living, breathing, believable person. The same can easily be said about Magda and Sébastien as well. Though they are fictional, it is easy to relate to them and believe they could have truly existed.

I can truly say I enjoyed reading The Secrets of Morgarten and am grateful I was given the opportunity to do so. I encourage my readers to give this one a try, I do believe they will enjoy it as much as I did.

[amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like all really good historical fiction this book sent me down a rabbit hole looking up the place and the story. I had no idea William Tell was real or that Switzerland used to be called the Helvetic Confederation or that the Battle of Mortgarten 700 years ago was so important.

Set in 1315 the Habsburgs are trying to expand their territory and the alpine village of Mortgarten has tired of their attempts. This coincides with the arrival of three Knights Templar who are escaping those who have branded them heretics. They are on a secret mission but Sebastian has fallen for the beautiful Magda. They stay and train the villagers against the more powerful Duke Leopold’s army. However, Walter Tell who is a messenger and solver of mysteries has also fallen in love with Magda and is suspicious of the three soldiers. Magda has feelings for them both. Who will win the battle of Mortgarten and who will win the hand of Magda?

A really interesting read with lots of history, action and romance. I very much enjoyed it.

Part of a book tour with @randomthingstours and all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

[Lilac Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked where the romance went and the story was fun. sometimes hard to follow but that may be me

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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