Wayland’s Revenge

by Lesley Lodge

It’s 1647: a time of bitter civil wars in England. Wayland, the village blacksmith, returns from army service to find his wife, Rebecca, murdered and his son traumatised and struck dumb. Wayland’s overpowering desire for revenge is thwarted by the collapse of laws and a dearth of clues to her sadistic killer. Thwarted, that is, until the villagers ask him to investigate a runaway horse. Whilst searching for its rider, he discovers instead the body of a young boy, cut with symbols in the same way as Rebecca’s body had been. The clues abound and confuse with elements of witchcraft, religious hatred and the enmities of civil war.

Wayland sets out on a perilous journey to find the killer, taking with him his son Jonathan and Alun, a canny Welsh baker. But just as they find their first suspect, they are trapped in the brutal Siege of Colchester, facing ever more dangerous challenges. Wayland, Alun and Jonathan must draw on all their strengths, devise new strategies and make agonising decisions, if they are to stay alive and find the real killer before he strikes again.

Genres: Realistic Fiction

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2018

About the author

Lesley Lodge now lives on a smallholding bafflingly close to Luton after many years working on regeneration projects in south London.

Lesley's historical crime thriller novel, published 2018, is set in 17th century England and features ex-soldier and blacksmith Wayland seeking revenger for the brutal murder of his wife.

Lesley has previously had several short stories published. Blues to Orange, about a farmer ruined by the foot and mouth outbreak, was a Luton Literary Prize Winner. She is a past Time Out and Jim Beam Whiskey Cult Film Buff of the Year.

You can contact her through her website: www.lesleylodge.co.uk

Reviews

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical fiction and 'Wayland's Revenge' is one of the best that i have read for a while. It's a very well written book that has a touch of mystery, romance, witch hunters and more. It is the first time that i have read a book by this author and hope to read more. Highly recommended.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review.

[Shey Saints · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary

Wayland’s Revenge is a historical crime fiction by Lesley Lodge. Set in 1647 during the English Civil War, the story begins with Wayland who just had a brawl with another soldier for saving a woman from being sexually assaulted. When he goes home to his family from his service in the army, he finds that his son has been traumatized, and his wife has been killed. The woman from the church says that his wife has been mistaken as a witch, but Wayland wants to find out the real truth behind his wife’s murder.

Meanwhile, the villagers ask him to investigate a runaway horse and in the course of his investigation, he discovers the body of a young boy who has been mercilessly killed and cut with symbols just like his wife. To get to the bottom of these murders, he goes on a perilous journey with his son and Alun, his baker friend. Together, they must stay alive and find the killer before it strikes again.

Review

This book had a very strong opening that kept me hooked from beginning to end! I like that it’s gory, but not too much. And the intimate part was just enough to make my heart flutter. Everything about this book is entertaining; the characters are fascinating, the storyline and dialogues are intriguing, the flow of writing is so smooth that I can perfectly imagine the story and setting so vividly as if watching a movie.

On top of all that, the story has a well-balanced fusion of genres. It’s a historical fiction that's based on true events and characters, with a bit of romance, and enough mystery and suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. If I were to pick a favorite part, it would be the conversation about Jonathan’s inability to speak. That made Wayland realize that he’s lacking as a father and he’s not trying his best to help Jonathan overcome his trauma because he is too focused on taking revenge for Rebecca. My other favorite part is Jonathan’s character development.

Overall, I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. This was a perfectly written work of historical fiction that evokes strong emotions like grief, anger, fear, relief, and triumph. I highly recommend this book to readers who love historical fiction.

[Mary Yarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Justice is not for the likes of you to give.”

But it wasn’t justice that Wayland sought. It was revenge. If the war had not kept him away, then this would never have happened. Nevertheless, when he found out who was responsible for his wife’s death, then he would let the anger consume him, and he would be avenged. But first, there was something else he had to do.

While searching for the rider of a runaway horse, Wayland stumbles upon a gruesome discovery. A young boy has been brutally murdered, his body defiled by strange yet oddly familiar symbols. Wayland is charged by the Coroner to find out the identity of the boy. But with a brutal Civil War still ravaging the country, Wayland must be careful. With the Royalists so close, if it were to be found out that he once fought on the side of Parliament, the consequences could be dire.

However, time is running out, for the murderer will strike again, it is just a question of when.

With a compelling narrative, crisp prose and captivating characters, all set within the backdrop of the English Civil War, Wayland’s Revenge by Lesley Lodge is the kind of book that lovers of quality historical fiction can get very excited about. Not only is it a fabulous murder mystery, but it is also a poignant story of one man whose life has been torn asunder by the terrible realisation that the one person he had sworn to protect had died while he was away fighting a war that seemingly had no end.

At times Wayland’s Revenge is a heart-wrenching read, and it left me in tears on more than one occasion. Wayland’s reaction to the news that his wife had at first been accused of witchcraft while he was at war was one of utter disbelief, as is the fact that no one dared take a stand against such an injustice. The harrowing account of Rebecca’s trial by water is devastating as it is told from the perspective of her young son. Jonathan is a character who witnesses not only his mother’s trial but her subsequent murder, and because of this he is mute for the majority of this book, but his despair needed no words for Lodge demonstrated his torment and his agony through his actions. I thought Jonathan’s depiction was absolutely brilliant. Kudos, Ms Lodge.

I adored the characterisation of Wayland. Wayland is a man who takes responsibility very seriously. He cannot stand by and see a woman abused, and he will, regardless of who the abuser is, step in and stop it. So to discover that his wife had not only been accused of witchcraft, had faced the trial by water, only to survive it, but was then murdered, almost breaks him. Wayland is torn apart by guilt and his need not only for vengeance but to understand why his wife was taken from him so brutally. He is a man seeking answers, and he will not be content until he has them. However, the war between the King and Parliament sets the pace of his investigation, which at times Wayland finds incredibly frustrating. Wayland isn’t always the hero in this story, and there are times when his anger, his hate, makes him lose all notion of reason, but Lodge always pulls him back when he is tottering on the edge.

Wayland’s reaction to Jonathan was sublime. Wayland does not know how to get through to his son. In a time where there wasn’t therapists or counsellors, I thought the way Wayland handled it was as historically accurate as Lodge could get. Wayland really struggles, he doesn’t know what to say to his son or how to say it, which I thought was incredibly heartbreaking and had me reaching for the Kleenex. There is no doubt in my mind that Lodge certainly has a novelist eye for the human condition, for she has captured every conceivable emotion.

Wayland isn’t on this journey alone, however, Alun is on it with him. Alun is a very grounded individual who can step out of the situation and see things sometimes a little more rationally than Wayland can. Together, they make quite the formidable pair, and if anyone is going to get any answers, it will be these two.

I am not going to talk about the antagonist as I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I would like to mention the depiction of some of the historical characters in this book. I thought Lodge’s portrayal of Sir Charles Lucas was sublime as was the portrayal of Thomas Fairfax. Lodge brought both of these characters gloriously back to life.

The historical detailing of this book has to be commended. It is painstakingly obvious that Lodge has spent many hours researching this era, for she has brought it back to life in all its magnificent detail. Lodge’s understanding of the events that led up to the massacre of unarmed women after the Battle of Naseby and the harrowing account of life at Colchester during the long eleven-week siege is diligently represented in this remarkable story of war, love, revenge, and finally, closure.

I was excited to read a book where the author had a clear understanding of everything equestrian. This may seem like a small thing to notice, but Lodge’s depiction of the horses was truly wonderful. Coming from an equestrian background, I often lament the way horses are represented in historical fiction. Lodge understands what these majestic animals can and cannot do, and her depiction of the starving animals, and there somewhat bullying behaviour towards each other, while the Royalist were under siege in Colchester was particularly well-drawn.

I thoroughly enjoyed every word, every syllable, every sentence of Wayland’s Revenge by Lesley Lodge. This is the kind of book that I could happily read over and over again.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.

[Geoff Boxell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this on the "To Read" list of contact Melisende d'Outremer. Prior to my current fascination with the pre-Conquest period of English history and the English bowmen of Edward III & Richard II, my main area of interest was The English Civil War - or The War of the Three Kingdoms. Needless to say I own a good collection of text books on the subject. There are few novels about this period and those that there are tend to have a brother on one side and another on the other, or father against son - all very predictable and mostly pro-Royalist.
Well, I like a good murder book and so I thought I would give this book a go. Funnily enough I pulled it out from my pile of "To Read" books on more than one occasion, only to put it back - I think I was afraid that it would disappoint. Well, the fact that I read it in a day and a half (it would have been a day except my eldest grandson, aged 9, turned up and wanted to spend an afternoon on my archery butts) says it all.
Others have given the outline, so I won't regurgitate it. The story is not a standard "who done it" murder tale, in many ways it is a combination of the study of the human state and a telling of the dreadful siege of Colchester when, under the instigation of King Charles I, the English Civil War flared up again. The author has caught the period well, my only wonder is her occasional reference to "the old religion" which, given Protestantism had been the order from Elizabeth I's reign, had to be Anglicanism rather than Catholicism, especially as we are talking about Essex, which had been largely proto-Protestant since the time of the Lollards.
It is a well written book that moves well and had many twists and turns without becoming too "clever" or complex.
A Good Read.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical mystery thriller is set in England in 1647 during the English Civil Wars; a catastrophic series of conflicts. Fought between the Royalists loyal to King Charles I, and the Parliamentarians loyal to Parliament, the wars divided the country at all levels. The book has clearly been well researched and is well written and easy to read. Although this isn’t a period in history I have any particular interest in the book kept my attention throughout.

Briefly, on his return from the army Wayland, the village blacksmith, finds his wife has been tried as a witch, but although she survived she was then brutally murdered and his son Jonathan, who witnessed the event, is now mute due to the trauma. After finding a dead boy with injuries similar to those his wife sustained he is determined to find the cold blooded murderer. So begins his search, alongside his son and baker Alun. When they become trapped during the Siege of Colchester they wonder if they will be successful in their search.

Some of the historical events in this novel, such as the massacre of the women at Naseby, I wasn’t aware of. The depictions of some of the historical characters such as Fairfax and Lucas is excellent and the portrayal of the desperation of the ordinary soldier is well written. An enjoyable read and I would certainly read this author again ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Bernie Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because it is set at a time in history about which I know very little. It was a great, moody, read. It re-created the atmosphere of the times very well as it dealt with the multi-layered complexities of peoples' beliefs and prejudices of the time. Most shockingly for me, as someone who highlights untold stories of women, it covered the Roundhead massacre of women after the battle of Naseby, something I knew nothing about. The book covers the impact of this dreadful event with sensitivity and deftness. I was pleased the author brought this story to light and wonder if there is another book that she could write about this incident?

[Bulletproof Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a lot to admire in Wayland’s Revenge. The writing is strong, the historical context is vivid, and Wayland is a great lead. I loved the emotional layers and how the mystery unfolded. That said, the middle section dragged a bit for me. Some scenes felt longer than necessary, and the momentum slowed. I still think it’s a fantastic read, but pacing was an issue in parts. Four stars, but a solid four. It’s definitely worth picking up.

[Jiminie Mochi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this story. The setting felt so real, like I could see the villages, the fields, the forge. It was like walking through history, but not in a boring way. Wayland is the kind of character I love reading about. Quiet, strong, and dealing with a lot of hurt. The mystery pulled me in right away, and I really cared about what would happen. Super atmospheric and totally worth reading.

[JP Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could NOT put this book down. The story opens with a mystery and keeps unraveling in ways I didn't expect. Wayland is such a strong but broken man, and I was rooting for him the whole time. The setting feels raw and real. You can practically smell the forge and feel the dirt under your boots. The scenes with his son really got to me. And that twist involving the murdered boy? Chilling. Highly recommended.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more than just a well-written historical novel. Wayland’s Revenge is smart, tense, and incredibly thoughtful. The murder mystery at its core is engaging, but what really stands out is how it unpacks the trauma left by war and injustice. The plot is clever, but the emotional undercurrent is what gives it weight. Lodge never lets the tension slip, and the resolution feels earned. Highly recommended for fans of thoughtful historical fiction.

[Ruth Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really took me by surprise. I expected a straight-up mystery, but I got something deeper and more emotional. The backdrop of the civil war, the trauma of a lost wife, a mute son, and a community frozen in guilt…it all just hit hard. The horse subplot and Wayland’s blacksmithing gave it such a grounded, lived-in feel. It kind of reads like a Western, but set in 17th-century England. Unusual, gripping, and surprisingly moving.

[Lala Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some stories shout. This one speaks in a quiet, slow-burning voice, but it cuts deep. Wayland isn’t out to be a hero. He’s just a grieving man who won’t let his wife’s memory fade into silence. Watching him piece together truth in a world built on lies and fear is both heartbreaking and uplifting. His relationship with his son is one of the most tender I’ve read in historical fiction. This book is subtle, but it packs a punch.

[Harmonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one really stayed with me. I picked it up thinking it was a historical mystery, but it hit way harder than I expected. The main character, Wayland, has so much going on beneath the surface. You feel the weight he’s carrying. The writing is simple but powerful, and the way the story builds up got me completely hooked. It’s dark, a little sad, but also kind of beautiful in its own way.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually read books set this far back in time, but I’m so glad I gave this one a shot. The writing just flows, and the world felt so alive and messy and real. It’s not just about the mystery, it’s about the people and how they survive after everything’s gone wrong. Honestly, I forgot I was even reading at times. It felt like I was just there with them.

[Chris Anders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I was getting a murder mystery, and while that’s definitely in there, this book had way more depth than I expected. It’s about loss and justice and trying to move forward when nothing feels right anymore. Wayland’s story really got to me. I felt for him the whole time. It’s sad, yeah, but also strong. One of those stories that hits different depending on where you are in life.

[Sue Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wasn’t a flashy book, but it was one of the most moving reads I’ve had in a while. The characters felt so real, especially Wayland. There’s something really quiet and raw about the way the story unfolds. It’s sad in parts and heavy in others, but it’s also full of heart. If you like books that take their time and actually say something, this one’s for you.

[Felicia Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good mystery set in the 1600's. I loved the historical accuracy and the characters.

[Melisende · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the time of the English Civil War, a man, a soldier in the Parliamentary forces, returns home to find his son a mute and his wife, killed as a witch. As he attempts to put his life back together and find out what lead to such tragic events, an old comrade arrives in search of a missing lad.

As the two men (and the mute son) set out, they get caught up with the imprisoned King's army at Bantry (1648) and the siege of Colchester. Amid the besieging army lurks pure evil in human form.

The novel, whilst not overly long, manages to depict the savagery of civil war and the consequences for non-combatants. The events did actually take place, the massacre of women after the battle did occur though the reasons still remain a mystery, Fairfax was in charge of the Parliamentarians, and only after defeat at Preston did the Royalists surrender - the terms were real. The Sealed Knot was a secret society dedicated to the restoration of the Monarchy (active after the death of Charles I in 1649) and they made eight attempts to bring about the restoration of Charles II (1652 - 1659), though the group was ultimately betrayed by Sir Rich Willis to John Thurloe.

This is definitely well researched - the violence of the times depicted within these pages will not be to everyone's liking - but this is based on true events - so take it, warts and all. I have been reading a bit more from this period in history, and have added a few tomes to my library - this will be another one.