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Gallows Wake
Where the past haunts the future...
Damage to her mast means Sea Witch has to be repaired, but the nearest shipyard is at Gibraltar. Unfortunately for Captain Jesamiah Acorne, several men he does not want to meet are also there, among them, Captain Edward Vernon of the Royal Navy, who would rather see Jesamiah hang.
Then there is the spy, Richie Tearle, and manipulative Ascham Doone who has dubious plans of his own. Plans that involve Jesamiah, who, beyond unravelling the puzzle of a dead person who may not be dead, has a priority concern regarding the wellbeing of his pregnant wife, the white witch, Tiola.
Forced to sail to England without Jesamiah, Tiola must keep herself and others close to her safe, but memories of the past, and the shadow of the gallows haunt her. Dreams disturb her, like a discordant lament at a wake.
But is this the past calling, or the future?
Damage to her mast means Sea Witch has to be repaired, but the nearest shipyard is at Gibraltar. Unfortunately for Captain Jesamiah Acorne, several men he does not want to meet are also there, among them, Captain Edward Vernon of the Royal Navy, who would rather see Jesamiah hang.
Then there is the spy, Richie Tearle, and manipulative Ascham Doone who has dubious plans of his own. Plans that involve Jesamiah, who, beyond unravelling the puzzle of a dead person who may not be dead, has a priority concern regarding the wellbeing of his pregnant wife, the white witch, Tiola.
Forced to sail to England without Jesamiah, Tiola must keep herself and others close to her safe, but memories of the past, and the shadow of the gallows haunt her. Dreams disturb her, like a discordant lament at a wake.
But is this the past calling, or the future?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2022
6 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Helen Hollick
59 books526 followersI escaped London in January 2013 to live in North Devon - but was born in Walthamstow, North East London in 1953 I began writing at the age of 13. Desperately wanting a pony of my own, but not being able to afford one, I invented an imaginary pony instead, writing stories about our adventures together at every spare opportunity. In the seventies I turned to science fiction - this was the age of Dr. Who, Star Trek and Star Wars. I still have an unfinished adventure about a bit of a rogue who travelled space with his family, making an honest(ish) living and getting into all sorts of scrapes. Perhaps one day I might finish it.
I had wanted to become a journalist when leaving secondary school, but my careers advice was not helpful. "Don't be silly," I was told, "you can't type." (I still can't, I use four fingers.) Instead, I worked in a Chingford library where I stayed for 13 years although I was not very happy there - I did not realise it, but I wanted to write. The one advantage of the library, however, was the access to books, and it was there that I came across the Roman historical novels of Rosemary Sutcliff, the Arthurian trilogy by Mary Stewart, and the historian Geoffrey Ashe. I was hooked on Roman Britain - and King Arthur!
Reading everything I could, I eventually became frustrated that novels were not how I personally felt about the matter of Arthur and Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere).
By this time, I was married with a young daughter. I had time on my hands and so I started writing my idea of Arthurian Britain . I deliberately decided not to include Merlin and Lancelot, there was to be no magic or Medieval myth. My book was to be a "what might have really happened" historical novel, not a fantasy, and most certainly not a romance! What I didn't know, when I started, was that my one book was to grow into enough words to make a complete trilogy.
I found an agent who placed me with William Heinemann - I was accepted for publication just after my 40th birthday. The best birthday present I have ever had.
I had previously had a smaller success with a children's personal safety book (stranger danger) called "Come and Tell Me," a little story that I had written for my daughter when she was 3. I wanted to tell her how to keep safe in a clear and simple manner - with a message that could be easily remembered. "Always come and tell me before you go anywhere with anyone" fitted nicely. I was immensely proud when my little story was taken up as an official safety book by the British Home Office to be used nationally by the police and schools. An updated and revised version of "Come and Tell Me" was re-published by Happy Cat Books but is now out of print.
I followed on with two Saxon period novels A Hollow Crown and Harold the King - both are about the people and events that led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 - from the English point of view.
(these titles are published as The Forever Queen and I Am The Chosen King in the US)
When Heinemann did not re-print my backlist I took my books to a small UK independent publisher with their even smaller mainstream imprint, adding my historical adventure series the Sea Witch Voyages to my list.
Unfortunately Discovered Authors / Callio Press, were not as organised as they should have been and the company closed in the spring of 2011. Not wanting my books to fall out of print in the UK I took them to an indie company - SilverWood Books of Bristol UK - and with their technical assistance "self published"
I am also with Sourcebooks Inc in the US, with Artemis Yayinlari in Turkey, Sadwolf in Germany at Catnip Edizioni in Italy.
I was delighted to make the USA Today bestseller list in 2011 with The Forever Queen (US title of A Hollow Crown)
I have published two non-fiction books: Pirates Truth and Tales with Amberley Press and Smugglers : Fact and Fiction with Pen & Sword.
I also run an historical fiction review blog, Discovering Diamonds, with a dedicated and enthusia
I had wanted to become a journalist when leaving secondary school, but my careers advice was not helpful. "Don't be silly," I was told, "you can't type." (I still can't, I use four fingers.) Instead, I worked in a Chingford library where I stayed for 13 years although I was not very happy there - I did not realise it, but I wanted to write. The one advantage of the library, however, was the access to books, and it was there that I came across the Roman historical novels of Rosemary Sutcliff, the Arthurian trilogy by Mary Stewart, and the historian Geoffrey Ashe. I was hooked on Roman Britain - and King Arthur!
Reading everything I could, I eventually became frustrated that novels were not how I personally felt about the matter of Arthur and Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere).
By this time, I was married with a young daughter. I had time on my hands and so I started writing my idea of Arthurian Britain . I deliberately decided not to include Merlin and Lancelot, there was to be no magic or Medieval myth. My book was to be a "what might have really happened" historical novel, not a fantasy, and most certainly not a romance! What I didn't know, when I started, was that my one book was to grow into enough words to make a complete trilogy.
I found an agent who placed me with William Heinemann - I was accepted for publication just after my 40th birthday. The best birthday present I have ever had.
I had previously had a smaller success with a children's personal safety book (stranger danger) called "Come and Tell Me," a little story that I had written for my daughter when she was 3. I wanted to tell her how to keep safe in a clear and simple manner - with a message that could be easily remembered. "Always come and tell me before you go anywhere with anyone" fitted nicely. I was immensely proud when my little story was taken up as an official safety book by the British Home Office to be used nationally by the police and schools. An updated and revised version of "Come and Tell Me" was re-published by Happy Cat Books but is now out of print.
I followed on with two Saxon period novels A Hollow Crown and Harold the King - both are about the people and events that led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 - from the English point of view.
(these titles are published as The Forever Queen and I Am The Chosen King in the US)
When Heinemann did not re-print my backlist I took my books to a small UK independent publisher with their even smaller mainstream imprint, adding my historical adventure series the Sea Witch Voyages to my list.
Unfortunately Discovered Authors / Callio Press, were not as organised as they should have been and the company closed in the spring of 2011. Not wanting my books to fall out of print in the UK I took them to an indie company - SilverWood Books of Bristol UK - and with their technical assistance "self published"
I am also with Sourcebooks Inc in the US, with Artemis Yayinlari in Turkey, Sadwolf in Germany at Catnip Edizioni in Italy.
I was delighted to make the USA Today bestseller list in 2011 with The Forever Queen (US title of A Hollow Crown)
I have published two non-fiction books: Pirates Truth and Tales with Amberley Press and Smugglers : Fact and Fiction with Pen & Sword.
I also run an historical fiction review blog, Discovering Diamonds, with a dedicated and enthusia
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 27, 2022
Excuse me while I find my land legs, for I have just disembarked from The Sea Witch and an enthralling adventure with the swashbuckler Jesamiah Acorne and his beautiful and mystical wife, Tiola. I literally plunged through Gallows Wake in a couple of excursions because the book is so immersive, I couldn’t bear to leave. Fix dinner? Not now. Walk the dog? Ok, but make it quick.
I’ve read several of Ms Hollick’s Jesamiah Acorne books and enjoyed them tremendously. This one, however, took me by the neck and dunked me under. The creaking of the ship sailing under a starlit sky. The tang of brine and tar. Pirates, sword fights, haunting memories. And the intense relationship between Jesamiah and Tiola that bound a rope around my heart and wouldn’t let go.
Ms Hollick’s fluid dialogue and historical detail crackles with tension and authenticity. And if that isn’t enough, she disarmingly entwines an element of the paranormal into her story, creating moments of sheer magic which are as believable to us as they are to her characters. After all, we are in the 18th century, and who’s to tell what’s enchantment and what’s reality.
There is no need to have read other tales in this collection to enjoy Gallows Wake, for such is the expert writing of Ms Hollick that the characters introduce themselves within the fast-paced plot, and those who are repeat performers are welcome story navigators. I thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic yarn, as thrilling and charming as Jesamiah himself. Highly recommend for seafarers and landlubbers alike.
I’ve read several of Ms Hollick’s Jesamiah Acorne books and enjoyed them tremendously. This one, however, took me by the neck and dunked me under. The creaking of the ship sailing under a starlit sky. The tang of brine and tar. Pirates, sword fights, haunting memories. And the intense relationship between Jesamiah and Tiola that bound a rope around my heart and wouldn’t let go.
Ms Hollick’s fluid dialogue and historical detail crackles with tension and authenticity. And if that isn’t enough, she disarmingly entwines an element of the paranormal into her story, creating moments of sheer magic which are as believable to us as they are to her characters. After all, we are in the 18th century, and who’s to tell what’s enchantment and what’s reality.
There is no need to have read other tales in this collection to enjoy Gallows Wake, for such is the expert writing of Ms Hollick that the characters introduce themselves within the fast-paced plot, and those who are repeat performers are welcome story navigators. I thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic yarn, as thrilling and charming as Jesamiah himself. Highly recommend for seafarers and landlubbers alike.
October 12, 2022
A Novel by a Master Storyteller.
The right settings, the correct regional dialect with a few lusty seaman’s curses thrown in; all sparsely interlaced so as not to become annoying. Transporting readers seamlessly back in history is tough to achieve. Hollick excels in it. As a former sailing enthusiast, I was amazed about her knowledge of old sailing ships, the often deplorable conditions the crew labored under (tedious research and more research).
And then, there was all that breath-sucking adventure. After about 80%, I slowed down –didn’t want the book to end–especially with Jesamiah and Tiola in mortal danger. Will they survive?
I did finish it – but my lips are sealed. You’ll just have to find out for yourself; you’ll be glad you did.
The right settings, the correct regional dialect with a few lusty seaman’s curses thrown in; all sparsely interlaced so as not to become annoying. Transporting readers seamlessly back in history is tough to achieve. Hollick excels in it. As a former sailing enthusiast, I was amazed about her knowledge of old sailing ships, the often deplorable conditions the crew labored under (tedious research and more research).
And then, there was all that breath-sucking adventure. After about 80%, I slowed down –didn’t want the book to end–especially with Jesamiah and Tiola in mortal danger. Will they survive?
I did finish it – but my lips are sealed. You’ll just have to find out for yourself; you’ll be glad you did.
October 3, 2022
Give up sleep now!
A Sea Witch voyage is always a pleasure to look forward to, but this one is a real cracker. And like the waves on the sea, just as you are getting over the roll of last high and low incident, another crashes into you.
Hollick’s ingenuity and ability to pile on the pressure may bring about not mere gasps, but actual stopping of breath.
Apart from the pace, the sheer level of atmosphere and period detail shines through. And she writes a good fight, too! Betrayal vies with noble intent, love struggles with doing the right thing, while courage never fails. But the author writes the time as it was with fear of witchcraft, mob movements, casual brutality and constant danger at sea. Exhilarating as adventures are, death is all too present and injury often means a descent into poverty, starvation and a miserable end. This is not the 21st century.
But of course, it’s the people who count. Jesamiah is his usual direct self - very much a man of his century - and one who does not know the word ‘shirk’. He’s not always polite ;-) but goodness, you would want him on your side! Tiola, haunted by the past is nevertheless practical, loving and courageous. She needs to be. And I was delighted to meet an intriguing character from the past again…
Even if you haven’t read any other books in the series (why not?) go and get this one. Highly recommended. Now, when’s the next one out?
A Sea Witch voyage is always a pleasure to look forward to, but this one is a real cracker. And like the waves on the sea, just as you are getting over the roll of last high and low incident, another crashes into you.
Hollick’s ingenuity and ability to pile on the pressure may bring about not mere gasps, but actual stopping of breath.
Apart from the pace, the sheer level of atmosphere and period detail shines through. And she writes a good fight, too! Betrayal vies with noble intent, love struggles with doing the right thing, while courage never fails. But the author writes the time as it was with fear of witchcraft, mob movements, casual brutality and constant danger at sea. Exhilarating as adventures are, death is all too present and injury often means a descent into poverty, starvation and a miserable end. This is not the 21st century.
But of course, it’s the people who count. Jesamiah is his usual direct self - very much a man of his century - and one who does not know the word ‘shirk’. He’s not always polite ;-) but goodness, you would want him on your side! Tiola, haunted by the past is nevertheless practical, loving and courageous. She needs to be. And I was delighted to meet an intriguing character from the past again…
Even if you haven’t read any other books in the series (why not?) go and get this one. Highly recommended. Now, when’s the next one out?
October 11, 2022
Helen Hollick has the gift of taking her readers back in time. This story in the thoroughly enjoyable Seawitch series is a classic example. From the very first page I was right there in the 17th century, surrounded by the sounds and smells of the epoch, watching how Jesamiah and Tiola confront another life threatening challenge first in Gibralter, then in the south west of England. This is the stuff of good historical fiction - maybe not as exciting for me as a couple of previous stories, but convincing story-telling all the way.
September 27, 2022
Gallows Wake is the first of Helen Hollick’s Captain Jesamiah Acorne books I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. Nor was it necessary to have read the previous books to thoroughly enjoy this one; Hollick expertly weaves enough backstory into the narrative to explain what’s happening without taking away from the focus and momentum of the story.
Forced to put into a shipyard in Gibraltar for necessary repairs to his ship, Acorne finds himself in danger from several sides. Both his distant and immediate past are catching up to him—and his wife Tiola, pregnant with their first child. With a brood of children saved from capture to take care of, both Jesamiah and Tiola have their hands full. But Tiola has her own past to reckon with, and she too is in danger, especially after her return to England without Jesamiah.
Hollick’s writing is crisp and clear, and her ear for dialogue and ability to reveal character in a few brief sentences is enviable. While several of the characters in Gallows Wake have returned from previous books, again, I felt no need to have read those books to understand them. The paranormal side of the story—Tiola is a white witch, with powers of precognition and more, and one of the characters is not quite human—blends with the story beautifully, handled so matter-of-factly. This is simply Jesamiah’s reality, and he accepts it, as does the reader.
I’m not a student of sailing ships, but the scenes on board ship felt authentic. The author’s nod to a classic story of the West Country amused me, but also helped set the mood and landscape. I look forward to reading the rest of the series, and I hope there are more to come!
Forced to put into a shipyard in Gibraltar for necessary repairs to his ship, Acorne finds himself in danger from several sides. Both his distant and immediate past are catching up to him—and his wife Tiola, pregnant with their first child. With a brood of children saved from capture to take care of, both Jesamiah and Tiola have their hands full. But Tiola has her own past to reckon with, and she too is in danger, especially after her return to England without Jesamiah.
Hollick’s writing is crisp and clear, and her ear for dialogue and ability to reveal character in a few brief sentences is enviable. While several of the characters in Gallows Wake have returned from previous books, again, I felt no need to have read those books to understand them. The paranormal side of the story—Tiola is a white witch, with powers of precognition and more, and one of the characters is not quite human—blends with the story beautifully, handled so matter-of-factly. This is simply Jesamiah’s reality, and he accepts it, as does the reader.
I’m not a student of sailing ships, but the scenes on board ship felt authentic. The author’s nod to a classic story of the West Country amused me, but also helped set the mood and landscape. I look forward to reading the rest of the series, and I hope there are more to come!
November 22, 2022
It's been a while since I shared a sailing vessel with Captain Jesamiah Acorne but absence, they say, makes the heart grow fonder and I am certainly just as enamoured with this swashbuckling captain as I was right at the beginning of this series of historical adventures.
Gallows Wake sees Jesamiah in something of a difficult situation and even as he sends his wife Tiola away for safety you know that there is trouble brewing especially when Jesamiah finds himself aboard a ship, which is not his own, and bound for a destination not of his choosing. As Jesamiah gets drawn deeper and deeper into a melting pot of intrigue and danger, so his wife, the mystical Tiola, must also find her own way of coping when deadly danger beckons.
Beautifully written with such a wonderful historical authenticity, the atmosphere crackles and jumps with excitement. Everything just feels spot on, whether it be the mysticism, and magic, of white witch Tiola, or maybe drinking strong coffee in a Gibraltan tavern with Jesamiah and the slimy Ascham Doone, or even better, sniffing the salty tang of the sea as the waves roll on by on board the Bonne Chance with Captain Vernon's crew. One thing is definitely guaranteed, there is never a dull moment for this intrepid couple.
I won't do the author a disservice by giving away any details of the plot but it's safe to say that Gallows Wake was every bit as daring and exciting as I hoped it would be and certainly being back in the company of Jesamiah Acorne and his lovely wife, Tiola has been an absolute joy. Gallows Wake is easy to read as a standalone story as the author gives details of some of the back story, however, as with any long running series, it is best to start at the beginning to watch the progression of the characters as they continue to go from strength to strength
Gallows Wake sees Jesamiah in something of a difficult situation and even as he sends his wife Tiola away for safety you know that there is trouble brewing especially when Jesamiah finds himself aboard a ship, which is not his own, and bound for a destination not of his choosing. As Jesamiah gets drawn deeper and deeper into a melting pot of intrigue and danger, so his wife, the mystical Tiola, must also find her own way of coping when deadly danger beckons.
Beautifully written with such a wonderful historical authenticity, the atmosphere crackles and jumps with excitement. Everything just feels spot on, whether it be the mysticism, and magic, of white witch Tiola, or maybe drinking strong coffee in a Gibraltan tavern with Jesamiah and the slimy Ascham Doone, or even better, sniffing the salty tang of the sea as the waves roll on by on board the Bonne Chance with Captain Vernon's crew. One thing is definitely guaranteed, there is never a dull moment for this intrepid couple.
I won't do the author a disservice by giving away any details of the plot but it's safe to say that Gallows Wake was every bit as daring and exciting as I hoped it would be and certainly being back in the company of Jesamiah Acorne and his lovely wife, Tiola has been an absolute joy. Gallows Wake is easy to read as a standalone story as the author gives details of some of the back story, however, as with any long running series, it is best to start at the beginning to watch the progression of the characters as they continue to go from strength to strength
October 7, 2025
Helen Hollick's "Gallows Wake" is a superb journey into the stormy, deadly world of early 18th-century sailing, where men and women's destinies are as unpredictable as the oceans they cross.
At its center is Captain Jesamiah Acorne, a man devoted to the helm of his ship Sea Witch and to his wife, Tiola, a white witch whose abilities are both a blessing and a source of unspoken stress. Hollick creates a tapestry of peril, intrigue and moral complexity as Jesamiah navigates not only storms at sea but also opponents both visible and hidden, each threatening to throw his world into turmoil.
"Gallows Wake" is a tale that strikes a delicate balance between unrelenting tension and profound empathy. Hollick conveys the severity of the time, the violence of the law, and the transformative force of love and commitment. The plot is intricate yet captivating, with moral complexity, historical accuracy, and a hint of the magical.
For fans of deep historical adventure, where storm-tossed seas mirror human emotion and shadows of the past menace every step, this is a voyage worth doing.
At its center is Captain Jesamiah Acorne, a man devoted to the helm of his ship Sea Witch and to his wife, Tiola, a white witch whose abilities are both a blessing and a source of unspoken stress. Hollick creates a tapestry of peril, intrigue and moral complexity as Jesamiah navigates not only storms at sea but also opponents both visible and hidden, each threatening to throw his world into turmoil.
"Gallows Wake" is a tale that strikes a delicate balance between unrelenting tension and profound empathy. Hollick conveys the severity of the time, the violence of the law, and the transformative force of love and commitment. The plot is intricate yet captivating, with moral complexity, historical accuracy, and a hint of the magical.
For fans of deep historical adventure, where storm-tossed seas mirror human emotion and shadows of the past menace every step, this is a voyage worth doing.
November 21, 2022
Huzzah!
I'm a huge fan of the Sea Witch series, have read every adventure of Captain Jes and Tiola, and I've been waiting impatiently for the latest instalment--it was worth the wait!
Once more Captain Jesamiah and his wife, White Witch Tiola, have to battle the forces of evil that are determined to tear them down, but this time, Tiola can't use her power. She is as vulnerable as any human woman and her enemies have chosen their moment for revenge. Meanwhile, Jes is fighting for his own survival in what should have been a quick mission to Spain. Will he return in time to save Tiola? No spoilers.
Gallows Wake offers heartbreaking moments and surprising twists that left me gasping. I loved how it all came together into a satisfying ending. Can't wait until the next Sea Witch story!
Warmly recommended with a resounding 5 stars!
I'm a huge fan of the Sea Witch series, have read every adventure of Captain Jes and Tiola, and I've been waiting impatiently for the latest instalment--it was worth the wait!
Once more Captain Jesamiah and his wife, White Witch Tiola, have to battle the forces of evil that are determined to tear them down, but this time, Tiola can't use her power. She is as vulnerable as any human woman and her enemies have chosen their moment for revenge. Meanwhile, Jes is fighting for his own survival in what should have been a quick mission to Spain. Will he return in time to save Tiola? No spoilers.
Gallows Wake offers heartbreaking moments and surprising twists that left me gasping. I loved how it all came together into a satisfying ending. Can't wait until the next Sea Witch story!
Warmly recommended with a resounding 5 stars!
November 12, 2022
In the latest of Helen Hollick’s Sea Witch series, Gallows Wake, Captain Jesamiah Acorne and his wife, white witch Tiola, face multiple dangers as old enemies close in. An exciting blend of historical fact, fantasy, and swash buckling, with a strong dash of romance thrown in.
January 15, 2023
We are proud to announce that GALLOWS WAKE by Helen Hollick has been honored with the B.R.A.G.Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group). It now joins the very select award-winning, reader-recommended books at indieBRAG.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews