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Munro #3
By Sword and Storm
The eagerly awaited conclusion to the acclaimed Munro Scottish Saga trilogy
‘…fast-paced … a hugely satisfying read.’ Undiscovered Scotland.
1598. The French Wars of Religion are drawing to an end, the Edict of Nantes establishing religious freedom in all but Paris.
For the exiled Adam and Kate Munro, the child Kate carries symbolizes a new life free from past troubles, despite their lingering nostalgia for Scotland and the friendship of the Montgomeries.
When Adam foils an attempt on the French king’s life the whole family are called to court. But religious tensions remain high, and Paris holds dangers as well as delights.
For the Munros and Montgomeries alike, these are troubled times…
Praise for Margaret Skea – Beryl Bainbridge Best First Time Novelist
‘More down-in-the-dirt than Diana Gabaldon and just as meticulously researched as Philippa Gregory. It's touching, fierce and surprising, with a sprinkling of humour.’ The Bookbag
‘A rollicking good read … Skea is definitely a name to watch out for.’ Scottish Field Magazine
‘The quality of the writing and the research is outstanding.’ Jeffrey Archer
‘The sheer villainy of some characters will take your breath away.’ Historical Novels Review
‘…fast-paced … a hugely satisfying read.’ Undiscovered Scotland.
1598. The French Wars of Religion are drawing to an end, the Edict of Nantes establishing religious freedom in all but Paris.
For the exiled Adam and Kate Munro, the child Kate carries symbolizes a new life free from past troubles, despite their lingering nostalgia for Scotland and the friendship of the Montgomeries.
When Adam foils an attempt on the French king’s life the whole family are called to court. But religious tensions remain high, and Paris holds dangers as well as delights.
For the Munros and Montgomeries alike, these are troubled times…
Praise for Margaret Skea – Beryl Bainbridge Best First Time Novelist
‘More down-in-the-dirt than Diana Gabaldon and just as meticulously researched as Philippa Gregory. It's touching, fierce and surprising, with a sprinkling of humour.’ The Bookbag
‘A rollicking good read … Skea is definitely a name to watch out for.’ Scottish Field Magazine
‘The quality of the writing and the research is outstanding.’ Jeffrey Archer
‘The sheer villainy of some characters will take your breath away.’ Historical Novels Review
- GenresHistorical Fiction
Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 1, 2018
After the Turn of the Tide and A House Divided comes By Sword and Storm, the third and final book in the Munro saga. It’s a wonderful historical trilogy based on true events, which include the political and religious climate in France in the aftermath of the French religious wars and the feud between the Montgomerie and Cunninghame clans. After the events in the previous book, the Munro family are living in France. Kate, Maggie and Ellie reside at the family’s farm near Cayeux, while Adam and Robbie are serving in the Scots Gardes, Adam heading a company of personal bodyguards to Henri IV.
As Henri delivers the Edict of Nantes an attempt is made on his life, thwarted by Adam who is wounded, taking the bullet meant for the King. Henri allows Adam to return to the farm to recuperate and be with Kate for the birth of their child, but would like the whole family to return and live at court. Kate’s knowledge of healing and midwifery would be useful as Henri’s mistress, the Duchesse de Beaufort, is also with child.
'Munro was cursing his inattention and searching the conversation for a clue as to what Henri’s request had been, when the King, again misinterpreting, said, ‘You are a knight and your wife a lady. Why should she not be at court? If it is her status that concerns you, then there are other honours that could be conferred. I want people about me I can trust. And you have shown I can trust you. If your wife has a gift as a healer, that is a bonus, for I would place no bar to the practice of her skill at court. What say you?’’
Adam isn’t sure how Kate will take the news, and there is also the matter of religious freedom being banned at court and throughout Paris. He knows, however, that although it was formed as an invitation, he will not be able to refuse the King’s request. So, once again, the Munro family fortunes are altered – sometimes for the better, sometimes not. Tension, danger and uncertainty are constants as Robbie finds out to his, and others’ costs.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, the feud between William Cunninghame and Hugh Montgomerie continues unabated, despite the ruling by James VI banning duelling. Close family members on each side try to defuse the situation to no avail. William and Hugh have several confrontations, the final one culminating in trouble for them both. William is his usual extremely unpleasant self. Hugh, hotheaded and honourable, acting without thought for the consequences.
The research is meticulous and fact and fiction are woven together smoothly creating a fascinating tale. Real historical figures blend very well with the very engaging, fictional Munro’s. The narrative is quite intricate and alternates between several storylines set in different locations, following individual groups. Characters have developed throughout the trilogy and are all finely drawn and very convincing. A very entertaining and vividly described story brought to life incredibly well.
I chose to read and review By Sword and Storm based on a copy of the book supplied by the author/publisher.
As Henri delivers the Edict of Nantes an attempt is made on his life, thwarted by Adam who is wounded, taking the bullet meant for the King. Henri allows Adam to return to the farm to recuperate and be with Kate for the birth of their child, but would like the whole family to return and live at court. Kate’s knowledge of healing and midwifery would be useful as Henri’s mistress, the Duchesse de Beaufort, is also with child.
'Munro was cursing his inattention and searching the conversation for a clue as to what Henri’s request had been, when the King, again misinterpreting, said, ‘You are a knight and your wife a lady. Why should she not be at court? If it is her status that concerns you, then there are other honours that could be conferred. I want people about me I can trust. And you have shown I can trust you. If your wife has a gift as a healer, that is a bonus, for I would place no bar to the practice of her skill at court. What say you?’’
Adam isn’t sure how Kate will take the news, and there is also the matter of religious freedom being banned at court and throughout Paris. He knows, however, that although it was formed as an invitation, he will not be able to refuse the King’s request. So, once again, the Munro family fortunes are altered – sometimes for the better, sometimes not. Tension, danger and uncertainty are constants as Robbie finds out to his, and others’ costs.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, the feud between William Cunninghame and Hugh Montgomerie continues unabated, despite the ruling by James VI banning duelling. Close family members on each side try to defuse the situation to no avail. William and Hugh have several confrontations, the final one culminating in trouble for them both. William is his usual extremely unpleasant self. Hugh, hotheaded and honourable, acting without thought for the consequences.
The research is meticulous and fact and fiction are woven together smoothly creating a fascinating tale. Real historical figures blend very well with the very engaging, fictional Munro’s. The narrative is quite intricate and alternates between several storylines set in different locations, following individual groups. Characters have developed throughout the trilogy and are all finely drawn and very convincing. A very entertaining and vividly described story brought to life incredibly well.
I chose to read and review By Sword and Storm based on a copy of the book supplied by the author/publisher.
September 9, 2018
This is the third novel in Margaret Skea’s Munro Scottish Saga set in 16th century Scotland and France and based on the history of a clan feud known as the Ayrshire Vendetta. I haven’t read the first two, Turn of the Tide and A House Divided, but that didn’t affect my enjoyment of this third book.
The novel opens in 1598 with Adam Munro, a colonel in the Scots Gardes, living in France with his wife Kate, who has skills as a healer, and their three children, Robbie, Maggie and Ellie. One of the functions of Adam’s regiment is to provide protection to Henri IV of France and when Adam saves the king’s life while risking his own in the process, the Munro family are rewarded with an invitation to come and live at the French court.
In Scotland, meanwhile, the feud between the Cunninghames and Montgomeries is supposedly at an end and the Scottish king, James VI, has banned unauthorised duelling. Most of the family members are trying to keep the peace, but two of them – Hugh Montgomerie and William Cunninghame – are still not prepared to let things rest. The Scottish storyline and the French one alternate throughout the book, eventually coming together as the novel heads towards its conclusion.
By Sword and Storm is a mixture of fact and fiction; many of the characters are real historical figures while others come from the author’s imagination – if you want to know who really existed and who didn’t, there’s a character list at the beginning of the book. Apart from the storylines involving the fictional characters, the novel is grounded in historical fact and has obviously been well researched. I loved the portrayal of life at the court of France, where Kate gets to know the king’s mistress, Gabrielle d’Estrées, and I sympathised with Maggie, who longs to study medicine and despite being given opportunities in France that would not have been open to her in Scotland, still faces obstacles because of her sex.
The political and religious situation in France at that time also plays a part in the story. At the beginning of the novel we see Henri IV issuing the Edict of Nantes, bringing the French Wars of Religion to an end and giving the Huguenots more freedom. However, it is still not safe for people in Paris to worship as they wish, as Kate and Adam’s son, Robbie, discovers when he becomes romantically involved with a Huguenot girl. I think Margaret Skea does a good job of showing the many dangers of 16th century life, not only where religion was concerned, but also for pregnant women before and during childbirth, patients with the sort of illness or injury that could be easily treated today, and anyone who had to travel by ship. It’s a period I love to read about but would not have liked to have lived through!
I really enjoyed By Sword and Storm. I liked the characters and even though I hadn’t been with them from the beginning, I found it easy enough to jump into their story and follow what was happening. Although this was meant to be the third in a trilogy, at the end of the novel I felt that there was still scope for more, so I was pleased to find that Margaret Skea has said she may return to this story again in the future.
The novel opens in 1598 with Adam Munro, a colonel in the Scots Gardes, living in France with his wife Kate, who has skills as a healer, and their three children, Robbie, Maggie and Ellie. One of the functions of Adam’s regiment is to provide protection to Henri IV of France and when Adam saves the king’s life while risking his own in the process, the Munro family are rewarded with an invitation to come and live at the French court.
In Scotland, meanwhile, the feud between the Cunninghames and Montgomeries is supposedly at an end and the Scottish king, James VI, has banned unauthorised duelling. Most of the family members are trying to keep the peace, but two of them – Hugh Montgomerie and William Cunninghame – are still not prepared to let things rest. The Scottish storyline and the French one alternate throughout the book, eventually coming together as the novel heads towards its conclusion.
By Sword and Storm is a mixture of fact and fiction; many of the characters are real historical figures while others come from the author’s imagination – if you want to know who really existed and who didn’t, there’s a character list at the beginning of the book. Apart from the storylines involving the fictional characters, the novel is grounded in historical fact and has obviously been well researched. I loved the portrayal of life at the court of France, where Kate gets to know the king’s mistress, Gabrielle d’Estrées, and I sympathised with Maggie, who longs to study medicine and despite being given opportunities in France that would not have been open to her in Scotland, still faces obstacles because of her sex.
The political and religious situation in France at that time also plays a part in the story. At the beginning of the novel we see Henri IV issuing the Edict of Nantes, bringing the French Wars of Religion to an end and giving the Huguenots more freedom. However, it is still not safe for people in Paris to worship as they wish, as Kate and Adam’s son, Robbie, discovers when he becomes romantically involved with a Huguenot girl. I think Margaret Skea does a good job of showing the many dangers of 16th century life, not only where religion was concerned, but also for pregnant women before and during childbirth, patients with the sort of illness or injury that could be easily treated today, and anyone who had to travel by ship. It’s a period I love to read about but would not have liked to have lived through!
I really enjoyed By Sword and Storm. I liked the characters and even though I hadn’t been with them from the beginning, I found it easy enough to jump into their story and follow what was happening. Although this was meant to be the third in a trilogy, at the end of the novel I felt that there was still scope for more, so I was pleased to find that Margaret Skea has said she may return to this story again in the future.
July 21, 2018
I really enjoy this third in the Munro Saga. Margaret Skea paints 16th century Scotland and France so vividly. Her characters live and breathe. An excellent end to the series.
August 25, 2018
This third book of the saga, By Sword and Storm, is aptly titled as not only are there disagreements aplenty, but there is also action across the sea as the Munro family are living in Paris where, in the aftermath of French religious wars, Adam Munro is now a colonel in the Scots Gardes serving King Henri IV. When Adam saves the life of the King, the Munros find that, once again, their fortunes are set to change when they become involved in the intricacy of life at the French court. The description of the splendour of the royal court is wonderfully described, and I enjoyed seeing just how the Munro family would adjust to this very different way of life. As you would expect in this Scottish saga, Scotland is not forgotten, and the Cunninghames and the Montgomeries, so vital to the story, continue to feud and fight. As always, this is so accurately researched that it adds such a distinct sense of history bringing sixteenth century Scottish politics and plotting alive in a very readable way.
Whilst By Sword and Storm comes to a natural conclusion, there is always a possibility that the story could be revisited at a later time and it would be no less fascinating for taking a break. It’s worth mentioning that even though each story can be read as a standalone, the saga is best read from the beginning to appreciate just how the story and the characters progress through time.
There is no doubt that the author has brought this period to life in her own distinct style, ensuring that the world of sixteenth century politics with all its passionate complexities once again takes flight in the imagination.
Whilst By Sword and Storm comes to a natural conclusion, there is always a possibility that the story could be revisited at a later time and it would be no less fascinating for taking a break. It’s worth mentioning that even though each story can be read as a standalone, the saga is best read from the beginning to appreciate just how the story and the characters progress through time.
There is no doubt that the author has brought this period to life in her own distinct style, ensuring that the world of sixteenth century politics with all its passionate complexities once again takes flight in the imagination.
October 19, 2018
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"By Sword And Storm is fine as a stand-alone, but all good things are best started at the beginning right? I have heard of the Edict of Nantes and the Huguenots but knew very little of the details behind both. Reading a well-written novel about the subject is a very good way of discovering more about history."
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"By Sword And Storm is fine as a stand-alone, but all good things are best started at the beginning right? I have heard of the Edict of Nantes and the Huguenots but knew very little of the details behind both. Reading a well-written novel about the subject is a very good way of discovering more about history."
August 20, 2018
Two of the best historical fiction books I’ve read in recent years are Margaret Skea’s Munro Scottish Sagas, Turn of the Tide, and A House Divided, both of which transported me back in time to 16th century Scotland and France, specifically to the world of the feuding clans of Cunninghame and Montgomerie.
By Sword and Storm is the third book in the Munro Saga. It stands well on its own but I recommend reading the earlier books to get the whole picture of what happened in the years before. It is now 1598 and the Munro family, Adam, his wife, Kate, and children, Robbie, Maggie and Ellie are living in France. Adam and Robbie are in the Scots Gardes, serving Henri IV of France: Adam is a colonel and Robbie is a sergeant. The Scots Gardes were an elite Scottish regiment whose duties included the provision of a personal bodyguard to the French King.
The story is well grounded in research and based on historical facts, seamlessly interweaving fact and fiction. It is complex novel with several plot lines, locations and characters, some based on real historical figures and others fictitious, such as the Munro family. There’s a useful list of the main characters and a map at the start of the book and a glossary and historical note at the end.
As the story begins the French Wars of Religion are drawing to an end and the Edict of Nantes has established religious freedom, placating the Catholics whilst making concessions to the Huguenots – but not in Paris or at the French court, where Protestants are still banned from openly practising their religion. When Adam saves Henri’s life as a shot is fired from the crowd, he and his family are summoned to live at the French court, despite their religious beliefs. Life in Paris holds many dangers for the Munros, especially for Robbie when he falls in love with a girl from a Huguenot family.
Back in Scotland some members of the Cunninghame and Montgomerie factions are still feuding, notably Hugh Montgomerie, the Laird of Braidstane and William, the son of the head of the Cunninghame clan, whilst other clan members try to maintain the peace. James VI has banned duelling but that doesn’t deter Hugh and William. Meanwhile, Hugh’s wife, Elizabeth, pregnant and left on her own in the depths of winter with only her children and a servant for company, faces her own dangers.
There is so much to enjoy in this book – first of all the story itself, expertly narrated, full of tension and surprise, and also the characters. But I also loved the personal touches, revealing what life was like in the 16th century, how both ordinary people and royalty lived, and the dangers that faced them in their daily lives, particularly for women in childbirth and sickness and for those who dissented from the established religion.
I loved all the details about the French court, in particular about Henri’s mistress and the relationship between her and Kate. As in the earlier books Margaret Skea writes such beautifully descriptive passages, bringing to life the details of the French court and of the landscape in both Scotland and France as well as the dangers of travelling by sea.
This is ostensibly the end of the Munro saga – but Margaret Skea has revealed on her blog that she is hoping to revisit the Munro story at a later date. I hope she does, but if not this is an excellent end to the series.
Thanks to the publisher for an advance copy.
By Sword and Storm is the third book in the Munro Saga. It stands well on its own but I recommend reading the earlier books to get the whole picture of what happened in the years before. It is now 1598 and the Munro family, Adam, his wife, Kate, and children, Robbie, Maggie and Ellie are living in France. Adam and Robbie are in the Scots Gardes, serving Henri IV of France: Adam is a colonel and Robbie is a sergeant. The Scots Gardes were an elite Scottish regiment whose duties included the provision of a personal bodyguard to the French King.
The story is well grounded in research and based on historical facts, seamlessly interweaving fact and fiction. It is complex novel with several plot lines, locations and characters, some based on real historical figures and others fictitious, such as the Munro family. There’s a useful list of the main characters and a map at the start of the book and a glossary and historical note at the end.
As the story begins the French Wars of Religion are drawing to an end and the Edict of Nantes has established religious freedom, placating the Catholics whilst making concessions to the Huguenots – but not in Paris or at the French court, where Protestants are still banned from openly practising their religion. When Adam saves Henri’s life as a shot is fired from the crowd, he and his family are summoned to live at the French court, despite their religious beliefs. Life in Paris holds many dangers for the Munros, especially for Robbie when he falls in love with a girl from a Huguenot family.
Back in Scotland some members of the Cunninghame and Montgomerie factions are still feuding, notably Hugh Montgomerie, the Laird of Braidstane and William, the son of the head of the Cunninghame clan, whilst other clan members try to maintain the peace. James VI has banned duelling but that doesn’t deter Hugh and William. Meanwhile, Hugh’s wife, Elizabeth, pregnant and left on her own in the depths of winter with only her children and a servant for company, faces her own dangers.
There is so much to enjoy in this book – first of all the story itself, expertly narrated, full of tension and surprise, and also the characters. But I also loved the personal touches, revealing what life was like in the 16th century, how both ordinary people and royalty lived, and the dangers that faced them in their daily lives, particularly for women in childbirth and sickness and for those who dissented from the established religion.
I loved all the details about the French court, in particular about Henri’s mistress and the relationship between her and Kate. As in the earlier books Margaret Skea writes such beautifully descriptive passages, bringing to life the details of the French court and of the landscape in both Scotland and France as well as the dangers of travelling by sea.
This is ostensibly the end of the Munro saga – but Margaret Skea has revealed on her blog that she is hoping to revisit the Munro story at a later date. I hope she does, but if not this is an excellent end to the series.
Thanks to the publisher for an advance copy.
August 6, 2018
In this highly readable finale to her Munro trilogy, Margaret Skea is as sure-footed in the French Court as she is amongst the Scottish nobility. The plot has many strands and, intriguingly, many locations, reminding us that while Europe has never been politically unified, its countries have always had close relations and even given the risks of sea-crossings, Belgium, Ireland or France were always possible havens when things at home were not working out. The trilogy as a whole is highly reminiscent of the Poldark series in introducing new personalities as time goes on, in this case young Robbie Munro,gets into serious trouble in Paris while falling in love with a girl from a Huguenot family. Meanwhile in Scotland the travails of childbirth vie for our attention with the Montgomeries’ old feuds.
This is an author whose grasp of the period is absolute and if you think the storm of the title is metaphorical it is not, since Skea has added late 16th century sea-faring to her remarkable knowledge of history. From first to last page this is indeed a ‘you are there’ experience.
This is an author whose grasp of the period is absolute and if you think the storm of the title is metaphorical it is not, since Skea has added late 16th century sea-faring to her remarkable knowledge of history. From first to last page this is indeed a ‘you are there’ experience.
August 30, 2018
Margaret Skea’s Scottish Saga books, Turn of the Tide, A House Divided, and now By Sword and Storm, are gripping portrayals of life in 16thC Scotland, and the consequences of the feud between the Cunninghame and Montgomerie clans. This book extends the canvas to the French court, where Kate and Adam Munro must be discreet about their religious practices, and where the King's mistress' lifestyle is anathema to Kate...
I finished this book in the Border country, where the defensive Pele towers are still a very visible reminder of the centuries of dispute between rival clans. Margaret Skea captures this atmosphere brilliantly, and the Munro family are highly engaging protagonists. (I'd like to see a Maggie spinoff, please...)
My only minor quibble I have is the amount of explaining necessary to describe the very complex politics of the times. However, I'm sure that's necessary if you come to this book as a standalone, instead of inhaling the others as I have done!
I finished this book in the Border country, where the defensive Pele towers are still a very visible reminder of the centuries of dispute between rival clans. Margaret Skea captures this atmosphere brilliantly, and the Munro family are highly engaging protagonists. (I'd like to see a Maggie spinoff, please...)
My only minor quibble I have is the amount of explaining necessary to describe the very complex politics of the times. However, I'm sure that's necessary if you come to this book as a standalone, instead of inhaling the others as I have done!
February 18, 2023
Clans clash and the Scott Guard protects the French king
This book reveals how land was granted by an English king to Scotts in Ireland. It shows the great divide between Catholics and protestants in Europe. It focuses on one family, the Munros, who try to survive life in the French Court.
This book reveals how land was granted by an English king to Scotts in Ireland. It shows the great divide between Catholics and protestants in Europe. It focuses on one family, the Munros, who try to survive life in the French Court.
October 16, 2018
Wow, we continue the story of the Munro family in France but we still follow the Montgomery and Cunningham's and King James,we still have moments of anxiety as well as happy moments, a fantastic book.
January 10, 2019
Another installment in this historical series – not crime, this time, and though it’s set more in France than in Scotland I preferred it to the previous episode. She’s an excellent writer with fine attention to detail but the action still sweeps the plot along.
January 28, 2023
I wish there was a 4th book. I love this series! There has to be more! I would hope because the end was ok but I don’t want it to be.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews