Betrayal: Historical Stories

by Judith Arnopp, Cryssa Bazos, Anna Belfrage

Betrayal, treachery, treason, deceit, perfidy—all names for the calculated violation of trust. And it’s been rife since humans trod the earth.

A promise broken
A mission betrayed
A lover’s desertion
A parent’s deception
An unwitting act of treason
Betrayal by comrades
Betrayal by friends

Could you resist the forces of misplaced loyalty, power hunger, emotional blackmail, or plain greed? Is there ever redemption, or will the destruction visit future generations and even alter history? These questions are still with us today.

Read twelve tales by twelve accomplished writers who explore these historical yet timeless challenges from post Roman Britain to the present day.

AD 455—Roman leader Ambrosius is caught in a whirlpool of shifting allegiances
AD 940—Alyeva and cleric Dunstan navigate the dangers of the Anglo Saxon court
1185—Knight Stephan fights for comradeship, duty, and honour. But what about love?
1330—The powerful Edmund of Kent enters a tangled web of intrigue
1403—Thomas Percy must decide whether to betray his sovereign or his family
1457—Estelle is invited to the King of Cyprus’s court, but deception awaits
1483—Has Elysabeth made the right decision to bring Prince Edward to London?
1484—Margaret Beaufort contemplates the path to treason
1577—Francis Drake contends with disloyalty at sea
1650—Can James Hart, Royalist highwayman, stop a nemesis from destroying his friend?
1718—Pirate Annie Bonny, her lover Calico Jack, and a pirate hunter. Who will win?
1849/present—Carina must discover her ancestor’s betrayer in Italy or face ruin.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Anthologies, Historical, Fiction, Amazon, Short Stories

436 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 13, 2020

About the author

.A lifelong history enthusiast and avid reader, Judith holds a BA in English/Creative writing and an MA in Medieval Studies.
She lives on the coast of West Wales where she writes both fiction and non-fiction based in the Medieval and Tudor period. Her main focus is on the perspective of historical women but she is currently writing a novel from a male perspective, that of Henry VIII himself.
Her novels include:
A Matter of Conscience: Henry VIII, the Aragon Years
A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the Days of the Phoenix
The Heretic Wind: the life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England
Sisters of Arden: on the Pilgrimage of Grace
The Beaufort Bride: Book one of The Beaufort Chronicle
The Beaufort Woman: Book two of The Beaufort Chronicle
The King’s Mother: Book three of The Beaufort Chronicle
The Winchester Goose: at the Court of Henry VIII
A Song of Sixpence: the story of Elizabeth of York
Intractable Heart: the story of Katheryn Parr
The Kiss of the Concubine: a story of Anne Boleyn
The Song of Heledd
The Forest Dwellers
Peaceweaver

Judith is also a founder member of a re-enactment group called The Fyne Companye of Cambria, and makes historical garments both for the group and others. She is not professionally trained but through trial, error and determination has learned how to make authentic looking, if not strictly HA, clothing.

Her non-fiction book, How to Dress Like a Tudor will be published by Pen and Sword in 2023,

You can find her group Tudor Handmaid on Facebook. You can also find her on Twitter and Instagram.
Webpage: www.judithmarnopp.com
Author page: author.to/juditharnoppbooks
Blog: http://juditharnoppnovelist.blogspot....


For more information please visit my website: www.judithmarnopp.com

author.to/juditharnoppbooks

Reviews

[E.M. Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been a fan of short stories as well as historical fiction. This anthology combines the two perfectly. The twelve stories are written by historical fiction authors and span eras from post-Roman Britain to the nineteenth/an alternative historical world.
I headed to the medieval period first as that's my favourite era. I wasn't disappointed. Charlene Newcomb's tale of knights locked in battle and passion was a real gem. Anna Belfrage's story is also a passionate one but- no spoilers- you may need tissues at the end. I'm also partial to a good crime, which Cryssa Bazos delivered with her seventeenth century highwayman. I've read Alison Morton's alternative thrillers before and her entry is as good as her novels.
I hesitate in saying that there's something for everybody in here as that's quite a big ask. But if a delightful collection of well-written historical fiction is your thing, then it's definitely for you.
Note: I received an Advance Review Copy of this book from the Historical Fictioneers group. This is my independent opinion.

[Paul Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betrayal
by Judith Arnopp (Goodreads Author), Cryssa Bazos (Goodreads Author), Anna Belfrage (Goodreads Author), Derek Birks (Goodreads Author), Helen Hollick (Goodreads Author), Amy Maroney (Goodreads Author), Alison Morton (Goodreads Author), Charlene Newcomb (Goodreads Author), Tony Riches (Goodreads Author), Mercedes Rochelle (Goodreads Author), Elizabeth St. John (Goodreads Author), Annie Whitehead

BLURB
Betrayal, treachery, treason, deceit, perfidy—all names for the calculated violation of trust. And it’s been rife since humans trod the earth.
A promise broken
A mission betrayed
A lover’s desertion
A parent’s deception
An unwitting act of treason
Betrayal by comrades
Betrayal by friends
Could you resist the forces of misplaced loyalty, power hunger, emotional blackmail, or plain greed? Is there ever redemption, or will the destruction visit future generations and even alter history? These questions are still with us today.
Read twelve tales by twelve accomplished writers who explore these historical yet timeless challenges from post Roman Britain to the present day.
AD 455—Roman leader Ambrosius is caught in a whirlpool of shifting allegiances
AD 940—Alyeva and cleric Dunstan navigate the dangers of the Anglo Saxon court
1185—Knight Stephan fights for comradeship, duty, and honour. But what about love?
1330—The powerful Edmund of Kent enters a tangled web of intrigue
1403—Thomas Percy must decide whether to betray his sovereign or his family
1457—Estelle is invited to the King of Cyprus’s court, but deception awaits
1483—Has Elysabeth made the right decision to bring Prince Edward to London?
1484—Margaret Beaufort contemplates the path to treason
1577—Francis Drake contends with disloyalty at sea
1650—Can James Hart, Royalist highwayman, stop a nemesis from destroying his friend?
1718—Pirate Annie Bonny, her lover Calico Jack, and a pirate hunter. Who will win?
1849/present—Carina must discover her ancestor’s betrayer in Italy or face ruin.
REVIEW
As the saying goes, I've got good news and bad news. First the good news, of the 12 authors who contributed to this collection of glorious tales, I have had the pleasure of reading the works of 7 of them; so I knew what to expect from their tales. The bad news is that now that I have been exposed to the 5 previously unread authors, I now have 5 more authors who will undoubtedly contribute to the growth of my To Be Read pile. (Editor's note - we realize and understand that that isn't bad news, but the reviewer wanted to keep the 12 authors in suspense for a second or two as to the direction of this review😁) As to the stories themselves, they provide the reader with a plethora of imaginative ways, time periods, and situations where betrayal is the key element in the plot. So many different ways it reminded me of Paul Simon's 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover. Indeed the variety of traitorous behaviors is a highlight of this delightful anthology. With the stories being unrelated to each other, the reader has the option to take a breather between each tale, which given the intensity or disbelief exuding from the just finished chapter, is probably a good idea. Bollocks and damnation there's some mighty fine storytelling ahead my fellow readers. Just be aware that your book buying budget may be the victim of betrayal by heart over mind.📚 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Cryssa]

On behalf of the Historical Fictioneers, we hope you enjoy this exciting collection. Spanning eras from post-Roman Britain to the present day, the stories bring to life both legendary moments of deceit as well as imagined episodes of treachery.
Readers will encounter princes, soldiers, noblewomen, knights, highwaymen, pirates, and ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. All of these characters have something in common: betrayal. Collectively, these stories illustrate the truth that whatever its source—family, foe, lover, comrade—betrayal has devastating consequences.

[Lauren Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of stories is an excellent read. The stories address betrayal from many angles. The contributing authors are talented writers, and their stories take the reader through various eras of history and arouse a range of emotions, from sorrow to anger, disappointment and more. With that said, one also sees hope, faithfulness, and courage. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and recommend it.

[Helen Hollick · Rating 5 out of 5]

INDEPENDANTLY REVIEWED FOR DISCOVERING DIAMONDS

‘Betrayal, treachery, treason, deceit, perfidy’ . . . so begins the introduction to twelve very different short stories on the theme of the ‘calculated violation of trust’. Twelve stories by twelve skilled historical fiction authors, each set in a specific epoch, running chronologically from post-Roman Britain to a 21st century alternative history of a Roman colony.

The stories vary from imaginary accounts of betrayal by lovers, loved ones, friends and parents to retellings of significant acts of treachery and deceit by historical and legendary figures such as Mortimer and Richard III, and pirates Calico Jack and Anne Bonny. Told from a variety of perspectives, domestic and political, each story illustrates the multiple wounding effects of injustice and deceit.

I read this anthology from start to finish in a matter of days. Each story is gripping in its own way; each contains a shocking, saddening or maddening act of treachery, where the reader can empathise with the victim or the unwitting culprit, and feel outraged anger that such behaviour not only occurred but went unpunished.

What these stories also show is that the past is a complicated place. People did things differently there – or so we would like to think. But actually, no, the rotters, the perpetrators, were all subject to complex pressures in their own way, and no amount of toppling statues and monuments is going to rectify that. One needs to stand back and think about why their acts of betrayal occurred and what led up to each situation. Social perspectives, expectations and values differ according to the given period, gender and social class, but the universal truths of self-preservation, love and loss prevail.

One of the very good things about this anthology is how the various authors tell their tales. Some are more entertaining than others in terms of humour and irony, but each provides insight into a tortuous human dilemma or predicament such as why a parent found it necessary to sell a daughter; how, in trying to do the right thing a good person leads a royal child into a deadly trap; or why a noblewoman would risk exile or death to secure her son’s future.

In the introduction, Alison Morton tells us we will be reading about events that shock, cause disbelief, despair and a profound desire for revenge, and she is absolutely right. I would also add that the authors take us right into the past and help us see what it was really like there.

'Betrayal’ is definitely a Discovered Diamond. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds by J.G. Harlond

[Terry Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fine collection—it is rare to find an anthology by many authors without a weak moment here and there, but this is such. The stories follow on through time, chronologically, starting with Death At Feet of Venus, set in Roman times, by Derek Birks, and ending with a modern day story featuring alternative history, The Idealist by Alison Morton.

The stories you like best will depend on your preferences for writing style and the periods that interest you most; my favourites were House Arrest by Judith Arnopp, about Margaret Beaufort, who is one of my historical heroes—I highly recommend Ms Arnopp's series about her, incidentally—and Love to Hatred Turn'd by Annie Whitehead, set in the 10th century; Ms Whitehead has that knack of making you feel as though you are sitting within the king's great hall in the kingdom of Wessex, as you are reading. I also very much liked All Those Tangled Webs by Anna Belfrage, which covers the time in 1330 just after Edward II had died, and Road to The Tower by Elizabeth St. John, about the lead up to the imprisonment of Princes Edward and Richard, who famously disappeared from the Tower of London.

I bow with respect to all involved. Highly recommended.

[Barefoot Gypsy Jimerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give it a read

Some of the stores were really good. An others were just dead pan. They had no ending. Not a bad read.

[Heidi Malagisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In life, one of the hardest decisions that we must decide is who to trust. Who can we truly depend on to be by our side when times get rough or when they are going our way. Most of the time, we can rely on those who we put our trust in, but there are extraordinary times when our trust in someone is utterly shattered. Betrayal of one’s trust is like a knife in the back, it can be devastating no matter who is being betrayed. It is not a new concept in human nature to betray others. Whether for money, for power, or lust, betrayal can destroy the lives of everyone involved. Can there be redemption after betrayal? In this anthology of historical fiction tales, twelve authors explore every aspect of betrayal throughout history. This is “Betrayal” by the Historical Fictioneers.

I would like to thank the Historical Fictioneers for sending me a copy of this anthology to read and review. The Historical Fictioneers is a group of twelve historical fiction authors whose works span from early Roman ruled Brittania to the modern-day. The members of this illustrious group are Judith Arnopp, Cryssa Bazos, Anna Belfrage, Derek Birks, Helen Hollick, Amy Maroney, Alison Morton, Charlene Newcomb, Tony Riches, Mercedes Rochelle, Elizabeth St. John, and Annie Whitehead. When I heard about this project, I knew that I wanted to read this book, since this would be my first historical fiction anthology. I had read some of the authors who have written about the Tudors and the Wars of the Roses, but many of the authors in this group I had not had the pleasure of reading their works yet, so I was very excited to go on brand new historical adventures.

This anthology was a time-traveling delight, exploring numerous centuries from every possible angle. From early British history under Roman rule to 21st-century Italian history and everything in between, these twelve authors bring their respective periods and characters to life. What is particularly lovely is that these tales cover different positions in life. From knights and peasants to kings and noblewomen, and a few pirates for good measure. Each of these entries are a short sample of novels that each author has written. They are right in the middle of intense moments, which are tantalizing to read. For the authors that I have read before, it was like visiting old friends and for the authors that I had never read before, it was discovering new favorite stories that I might want to read soon.

I did not know what to expect with this book, since it was an anthology and a few of the stories were out of my comfort zone when it came to their eras. I found myself falling in love with these new characters and the new perspectives that these authors took. Each author showed betrayal and why someone betrayed someone else in a different light. From lust for power to greed, broken alliances, and romance, to downright treacherous acts.

Every snippet of a story was a smash hit, but collectively as a whole, this anthology was a triumph. To take twelve different tales that don’t have much in common and to join them in a common theme, such as betrayal, is extraordinary. I want more anthologies like this one by the Historical Fictioneers. This was a historical delight that will appeal to all history nerds. If you want a fabulous escape into different eras of the past, I highly recommend you read, “Betrayal” by Judith Arnopp, Cryssa Bazos, Anna Belfrage, Derek Birks, Helen Hollick, Amy Maroney, Alison Morton, Charlene Newcomb, Tony Riches, Mercedes Rochelle, Elizabeth St. John, and Annie Whitehead
.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am quite often guilty when reading anthologies to dive in somewhere in the middle, so I was determined when reading Historical Stories of Betrayal to begin at the very beginning. After all it's the very best place to start in this fascinating anthology which takes us from the Roman occupation of Britannia in 455 AD through to the surviving alternative state of Roma Nova in the 20th and 21st Century.

So often betrayal, retribution and revenge has played a huge part in our collective history when destiny turned on a heart beat and what this anthology does so successfully is give us a collection of stories which feature the act of betrayal so succinctly. Each story comes in at around forty or so pages which I read quite comfortably in an hour, transported back in time, whether it be witnessing inglorious death at the feet of Venus, witnessing skulduggery in the court of the Anglo-Saxon kings or grieving for a young and frightened boy King forcibly removed from those who loved him.

Each one of the twelve authors is at the top of their game in producing high quality historical fiction and the twelve stories definitely offer a tantalising glimpse into what they do so well. Five of these authors are already familiar to me, I have read and enjoyed their work and expected no less than to be beguiled by their stories - I wasn't disappointed. Of the remaining seven authors whose work was a new experience I was just as intrigued by their writing skills and the clever way they brought their interpretation of history alive in the imagination.

There is no doubt that absorbing fiction brings history alive and all that's needed is an intriguing entrée into a long forgotten world and what this anthology does so admirably is give us that starting point, firing the imagination with a longing to discover more not just about the history being described in such fascinating detail, but also in reading more of the work of these twelve talented writers.

[AMHH · Rating 5 out of 5]

The organizing theme of this anthology -- betrayal-- is fertile ground for some great stories, and this book definitely delivers on its potential. There's a great range of styles, scenarios, and characters, and while I liked every one of the stories, I genuinely loved Stephan l'Aigle from Newcomb's "A Knight's Tale" and pretty much everything about "Heart of a Falcon." I'd highly recommend this collection of stories for fans of historical fiction, and, for that matter, to anyone who'd appreciate genuinely great attention to detail and some really good writing.

An ARC was provided to me and I have chosen to publish a fair and honest review

[Kkhmonrai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this anthology of historical short stories focused on betrayal. It provided a delicious amount of suspense knowing there is a betrayal in the works somewhere, and trying to guess who is the betrayer, who the victim, and where, what, and how it will happen. Some of the forwards gave a pretty good hint, but some left you guessing. Needless to say, there is plenty of back-stabbing, twists, turns, and surprises. Sometimes the hero or heroine thinks they are doing the right thing only to find out they have played right into someone else's schemes. Friends betray friends, lovers betray lovers, family members betray parents, children, brothers, nephews, siblings. etc. No one is immune. The historical aspect provided a fantastic backdrop. The political machinations of men (and sometimes women) scrabbling for power, money, influence, or a crown made my head spin. I am so glad not to have lived in that time. I was particularly fascinated by the way loyalties changed, and how losing didn't necessarily mean death, and the way changing power structures could mean allies today were enemies tomorrow, then allies again the next day. The stories themselves were intriguing snapshots, some were poignant, some were sad. Not really any HEAs. The narrator of each story usually ends up getting the short end of things. I loved the characters and how sometimes fate didn't give them much choice in their decisions. Many of the stories made me want to look for the author's related books to learn more.

[A.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Alison Morton's ROMA NOVA novels, so any new story by her is a cause for rejoicing. This new collection of historical fiction stories includes the newest ROMA NOVA tale, and it is well worth the price of the entire collection. I read 11 of the stories in this book and enjoyed every one. They are well written, exciting and kept my interest from first page to last. Since I am an American, and not a history major, I don't recall a lot about the history of England's ruling families over the centuries. So many kings named Edward or Harry or Richard, and women named Margaret or Mary or Elizabeth; who can keep them all straight? But I remember Shakespeare's tales and the Tudors TV series, and have read a few historical novels by Sharon Kay Penman. These stories belong on the same shelf with those. Anyone who has an interest in the history of England, and the political machinations at court, will love this book. Even those who couldn't care less about old English kings should enjoy the danger and intrigue and surprise as these plots twist and turn, coming back to the theme of betrayal. Those who are fans of the fantasy "Game of Thrones," here is a window to the "real thing." Enjoy!

[Michael Bully · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressed by the high standard of the collection and don't feel that there were any 'fillers' amongst them. The theme of betrayal re-occurs many different forms throughout. All the writers are accomplished and already published, and whilst I appreciated some stories more than others, gained a great deal from reading them. Decided to take one story each evening and felt a bit despondent when reached the end.

Starting with 5th century England ,Derek Birks' ' Death at the Feet of Venus', a tale unfolding amongst the ruins left behind by the Romans. And ends with Alison Morton creator of the 'Roma Nova' series with ' The Idealist', set partly in the 19th century and also in the future, concerning a small Roman republic that survives and changes throughout the centuries. The collection also takes in Elizabeth St John's chilling 'Road to the Tower' , the seizure of power by Richard Duke of Gloucester in 1485, from the point of view Edward V's godmother, Lady Elysabeth Scrape, an ancestor of the author. Cryssa Bazos 'Honour of Thieves, a tale of a Royalist during the English Commonwealth is another highlight, and could easily review each of the stories on offer. Will be exploring a lot more of these writers' individual works.

[Amy McElroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of a number of these authors already and couldn't wait to read their short stories.

The book spans several eras but there are alot of characters we all already know including Sir Francis Drake,  Margaret Beaufort and Thomas Percy.

Each story features a betrayal, which you can probably guess from the title but even so,  some were rather unexpected.  I particularly enjoyed Honour of Thieves and having not read anything by this author previously will certainly be doing so now.
The Idealist was also really good, it mixes history with modern day and I am looking forward to reading more from Alison Morton now I've discovered her work.

This short story collection is perfect for those who are already fans of these authors as well as those looking for new authors to read. I will never get enough of the Plantagenet and Tudor era so to be able to read short stories from Judith Arnopp, Tony Riches and Elizabeth St. John was great but I'm also grateful to have found some new authors whose work I previously wasn't aware of in a wider number of eras.

There is something for all historical fiction fans in this collection,  I definitely recommend it and best of all,  it's free!!!!

[Lisa Marie Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of stories from some of the best historical fiction writers around.

I enjoyed this anthology very much. It would serve as an introduction to some of the best contemporary historic authors around and the stories were all entertaining and well written. I especially liked the way they progressed chronologically from Britain in the dark ages, though Anglo Saxons, Plantagenets, Tudors and pirates to an alt history modern Roman State. All the blood thirsty intrigues I vaguely remembered from school were beautifully brought to life with living breathing characters.

[S. Bavey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reviewing this book on behalf of Rosie Amber’s Book Review team #RBRT
5/5 stars

Historical Stories of Betrayal is a collection of twelve short fictional stories set in different periods throughout history, each with the theme of betrayal of one kind or another. The time periods range from post-Roman Britain to a 21st century alternative history and are presented chronologically. Each story has a distinctive flavour, brought to it by each of the author’s distinctive styles. They are each around forty pages long which makes it an easy book to pick up at various points throughout the day.

Learning to trust someone can take a long time and when that trust is betrayed it’s difficult to overcome the associated feelings of anger and disappointment, whatever the type of betrayal. There are many different kinds of betrayal described in this collection - by parents, lovers, friends and historical acts of treachery. There are many familiar historical characters included, such as pirates Ann Bonney and Calico Jack, explorer Francis Drake, Thomas Percy and Margaret Beaufort. My favourite stories were Judith Arnopp’s House Arrest, a tale of Margaret Beaufort and King Richard III, set in the 15th century, and Annie Whitehead’s Love to Hatred Turn’d, a tale of courtly life and murderous plots, set in the 10th century.

There is also a wealth of authentic historical detail in these stories - these authors clearly know their chosen time periods and have done plenty of research.

I would highly recommend this collection to fans of historical fiction, stories filled with emotion and readers wanting to try out something by these particular authors before choosing to buy their full novels.

[ChillwithabookAWARD With · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betrayal, Twelve Beautiful stories by 12 authors, has received a Chill with a Book Reader's Award. www.chillwithabook.com

[Shomeret]

I received a copy of this anthology from Alison Morton, one of the contributors of this anthology. This is an honest review.

The story I liked best was " A Not So Bonny Betrayal" by Helen Hollick which dealt with the real historical pirates Jack Rackham and Anne Bonny who interest me. I've read other fiction which featured them. I also liked "Drake: Tudor Corsair" because I enjoy reading Tudor fiction.

Alison Morton's story is part of her Roma Nova series. It included a 19th century member of the Mitela family that is central to Roma Nova. It annoyed me that the protagonist dismissed that historical Mitela as a fool. I thought she was an idealist, not a fool.

Most of the stories in this anthology either didn't interest me or annoyed me.

[Nicky Moxey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story collection!

What a good read this collection is! I enjoyed each one of them, and appreciated the breadth of history involved.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This didn't meet my expectations. I really liked the story by Elizabeth St.John set in the time of Richard III. The other story in that period (by Judith Arnopp) was also very good, although it didn't grab me the same way. I also enjoyed reading "Heart of a Falcon" by Amy Maroney but was disappointed in the ending. I thought the betrayal would be that Madame Rosso was lying, not that Estelle had been betrayed by her family. It ended without any events that would confirm what had actually happened.. The last story "The Idealist" by Alison Morton was good, but it was set in an alternate history where a country (?) Nova Roma is ruled by women, so it didn't fit with the rest of the book where all the other stories were based on actual history. The other stories were "meh". Nothing was awful but nothing to write home about.

[D.K. Marley · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, I must say I am privileged to know many of these phenomenal historical fiction authors and have shared and re-shared Twitter and FB posts for many years now. But knowing someone through social media and reading their words is quite a different experience.

In reading “Historical Stories of Betrayal” and noting the different aspects in style and voice, I truly hear their passion and soul in the stories.

This is a book not to be missed! Here you are given a sampling of short stories and excerpts spanning the globe from ancient Rome to the Tower of London; and through the eras from the 5th-century to the 19th-century – all with one basic premise known throughout time: BETRAYAL.

I do have my favourites among the twelve stories, all having to do with my own insatiable appetite for particular eras and locales, but for the sake of this review, I must say – each and every story is a pearl in this luscious historical jewelled necklace. You will not be disappointed and I highly recommend not only reading the short stories and excerpts of these authors, but grabbing up their novels, as well.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of short stories by a variety of authors. The price was surely right. it was free!
Judith Arnopp is a favorite author. ( and the others were great too!) Wishing many of them were longer. Maybe six authors next time?

[J.G. Harlond · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Betrayal, treachery, treason, deceit, perfidy’ . . . so begins the introduction to twelve very different short stories on the theme of the ‘calculated violation of trust’. Twelve stories by twelve skilled historical fiction authors, each set in a specific epoch, running chronologically from post-Roman Britain to a 21st century alternative history of a Roman colony.
The stories vary from imaginary accounts of betrayal by lovers, loved ones, friends and parents to retellings of significant acts of treachery and deceit by historical and legendary figures such as Mortimer and Richard III, and pirates Calico Jack and Anne Bonny. Told from a variety of perspectives, domestic and political, each story illustrates the multiple wounding effects of injustice and deceit.
I read this anthology from start to finish in a matter of days. Each story is gripping in its own way; each contains a shocking, saddening or maddening act of treachery, where the reader can empathise with the victim or the unwitting culprit, and feel outraged anger that such behaviour not only occurred but went unpunished.
What these stories also show is that the past is a complicated place. People did things differently there – or so we would like to think. But actually, no, the rotters, the perpetrators, were all subject to complex pressures in their own way, and no amount of toppling statues and monuments is going to rectify that. One needs to stand back and think about why their acts of betrayal occurred and what led up to each situation. Social perspectives, expectations and values differ according to the given period, gender and social class, but the universal truths of self-preservation, love and loss prevail.
One of the very good things about this anthology is how the various authors tell their tales. Some are more entertaining than others in terms of humour and irony, but each provides insight into a tortuous human dilemma or predicament such as why a parent found it necessary to sell a daughter; how, in trying to do the right thing a good person leads a royal child into a deadly trap; or why a noblewoman would risk exile or death to secure her son’s future.
In the introduction, Alison Morton tells us we will be reading about events that shock, cause disbelief, despair and a profound desire for revenge, and she is absolutely right. I would also add that the authors take us right into the past and help us see what it was really like there.
Very highly recommended. (This ARC review was originally written for Discovering Diamonds Book Reviews) © J.G. Harlond

[Finuala · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

The usual mix of the good, the bad and the downright ugly. By good, I mean an acceptable way to pass some time. By bad, I mean I think I'd rather have painted the bathroom because that was dull and rather pointless.

And the ugly? Sometimes I think I should just give up entirely on fiction. I feel certain it wasn't this bad when I was young. I mean, surely even if the story is boring and the characterization poor, the English itself should be solid, no? An example, verbatim:

"One word. Grafton House."

Call me a bluff old traditionalist, but when I was taught English that was very definitely two words. Ugh.

[Dorothy · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF! Short stories.

[Karen Heenan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tasting menu of great writers

If I have one complaint about Betrayal, it would be the brevity of its chapters. I know they are individual short stories - or parts of longer works - but they were intriguing and left me wanting more.

[Patricia Furstenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was enthralled by this extraordinary collection of stories. It delves into the complex theme of betrayal from a variety of perspectives. The contributing authors, a pool of exceptional talent, expertly navigate the corridors of history, guiding readers through a kaleidoscope of emotions ranging from heartbreaking sadness to fiery anger, bittersweet disappointment, and beyond.

In the midst of betrayal's shadows, one can see the flickering flames of hope, the unwavering beacon of faithfulness, and the unwavering fortitude of courage.

This book was a delight to read, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a profound and emotionally charged literary journey.