What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mercenary's Blade
'Brutal, dark, and brilliant; it kept me gripped from the gruesome opening to the thrilling conclusion.' Jemahl Evans, author of The Last Roundhead.
England, September 1642.
The King has raised his standard in Nottingham to summon those loyal to the crown to fight for him against his own Parliament.
Gideon Lennox, an idealistic young lawyer from London, is in County Durham being paid to find a man and deliver a message. Having failed in the task that originally brought him north, Gideon needs to prove himself.
The man he seeks is the traitor Philip Lord, a notorious mercenary commander, with a reputation for brutality gained in the wars raging across Europe. When Gideon encounters Lord, he is abducted and set to investigate strange happenings in a Weardale village.
As he attempts to uncover the truth behind accusations of witchcraft - and the murder of the witchfinder in Pethridge - the lawyer is faced with more questions than answers.
He is convinced that Lord must somehow be involved until a gory discovery proves to him that whoever might be behind the strange events, it is not the accused women - or Lord.
Just as Gideon begins to realise that more than one shadowy hand is moving the pieces in the dangerous game being played out in Pethridge, he is seized and accused of the murder himself.
The lawyer must somehow escape - or become a victim of the conspiracy he needs to bring to light.
Eleanor Swift-Hook lives in County Durham. The Mercenary's Blade is the first book in the Lord's Legacy series, set during the English Civil War.
Praise for Eleanor
‘A superb blend of history and intrigue… A likeable hero and engaging plot.’ Richard Foreman, author of Turpin’s Assassin.
England, September 1642.
The King has raised his standard in Nottingham to summon those loyal to the crown to fight for him against his own Parliament.
Gideon Lennox, an idealistic young lawyer from London, is in County Durham being paid to find a man and deliver a message. Having failed in the task that originally brought him north, Gideon needs to prove himself.
The man he seeks is the traitor Philip Lord, a notorious mercenary commander, with a reputation for brutality gained in the wars raging across Europe. When Gideon encounters Lord, he is abducted and set to investigate strange happenings in a Weardale village.
As he attempts to uncover the truth behind accusations of witchcraft - and the murder of the witchfinder in Pethridge - the lawyer is faced with more questions than answers.
He is convinced that Lord must somehow be involved until a gory discovery proves to him that whoever might be behind the strange events, it is not the accused women - or Lord.
Just as Gideon begins to realise that more than one shadowy hand is moving the pieces in the dangerous game being played out in Pethridge, he is seized and accused of the murder himself.
The lawyer must somehow escape - or become a victim of the conspiracy he needs to bring to light.
Eleanor Swift-Hook lives in County Durham. The Mercenary's Blade is the first book in the Lord's Legacy series, set during the English Civil War.
Praise for Eleanor
‘A superb blend of history and intrigue… A likeable hero and engaging plot.’ Richard Foreman, author of Turpin’s Assassin.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 26, 2022
38 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Eleanor Swift-Hook
17 books17 followersEleanor Swift-Hook enjoys the mysteries of history and fell in love with the early Stuart era at university when she re-enacted battles and living history events with the English Civil War Society. Since then, she has had an ongoing fascination with the social, military and political events that unfolded during the Thirty Years' War and the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. She lives in County Durham and loves writing stories woven into the historical backdrop of those dramatic times.
You can find her on Twitter @emswifthook or learn more about the background of Lord's Legacy on her website www.eleanorswifthook.com.
You can find her on Twitter @emswifthook or learn more about the background of Lord's Legacy on her website www.eleanorswifthook.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 18, 2022
Beautifully crafted Historical Mystery Romance
The writing of the story is flawless. There are shifts in the POV but the majority of the tale is told through the eyes of a young lawyer caught up in intrigue and a mystery of witchcraft. It has dark stinky, muddy and bloody moments but nothing gratuitous. The historical time period was rough as guts. The author’s style is witty with plot advancement through character dialogue and well drawn action.
The writing of the story is flawless. There are shifts in the POV but the majority of the tale is told through the eyes of a young lawyer caught up in intrigue and a mystery of witchcraft. It has dark stinky, muddy and bloody moments but nothing gratuitous. The historical time period was rough as guts. The author’s style is witty with plot advancement through character dialogue and well drawn action.
January 26, 2024
Unusual and gripping
I find the 17th century endlessly fascinating and enjoyed this unusual story set against the last weeks leading up to its commencement. It is neatly plotted and contains some surprising twists. The character of Philip Lord is strong, well drawn and intriguingly enigmatic. Highly recommended.
I find the 17th century endlessly fascinating and enjoyed this unusual story set against the last weeks leading up to its commencement. It is neatly plotted and contains some surprising twists. The character of Philip Lord is strong, well drawn and intriguingly enigmatic. Highly recommended.
January 21, 2023
Welcome to the world of Philip Lord, man of mystery.
We see Lord through the eyes of two young men, neither of whom has any reason to like or trust him.
And yet…
Warning. This book will hook you in, and before you know it, you’ll be buying all six in the series.
We see Lord through the eyes of two young men, neither of whom has any reason to like or trust him.
And yet…
Warning. This book will hook you in, and before you know it, you’ll be buying all six in the series.
September 11, 2024
Entertaining and well written storyline. I look forward to book 2 in the series
The Mercenary’s Blade by Eleanor Swift Hook is an engaging romp back to the lawless times of mid-17th century England before the civil war. This is book one of the historical fiction series, Lord’s Legacy. Naïve, young lawyer, Gideon Lennox finds himself in the uncomfortable situation of finding and bringing back the renowned Mercenary, Philip Lord to face the King and his penalties. Lord is larger than life and Gideon has bitten off more than he can chew when he ends up being captured by Lord and must work with him against his better judgement. I really enjoyed the sardonic banter in “Old English” style, between the two characters. Gideon must question all that he believes to be true as we see the condemned Lord through his eyes and the contradictions that emerge from his actions. His character also has to grapple with his new position as lawyer to a “so-Called” criminal and the benefits of “wild justice” when dealing with townsfolk accused of witchcraft, murder and greedy aristocrats. Very entertaining and well written storyline. I look forward to book two in the series.
The Mercenary’s Blade by Eleanor Swift Hook is an engaging romp back to the lawless times of mid-17th century England before the civil war. This is book one of the historical fiction series, Lord’s Legacy. Naïve, young lawyer, Gideon Lennox finds himself in the uncomfortable situation of finding and bringing back the renowned Mercenary, Philip Lord to face the King and his penalties. Lord is larger than life and Gideon has bitten off more than he can chew when he ends up being captured by Lord and must work with him against his better judgement. I really enjoyed the sardonic banter in “Old English” style, between the two characters. Gideon must question all that he believes to be true as we see the condemned Lord through his eyes and the contradictions that emerge from his actions. His character also has to grapple with his new position as lawyer to a “so-Called” criminal and the benefits of “wild justice” when dealing with townsfolk accused of witchcraft, murder and greedy aristocrats. Very entertaining and well written storyline. I look forward to book two in the series.
December 5, 2023
Eleanor Swift-Hook's 'Lord's Legacy' series is set in the pivotal moment in history when men must decide if they fight for king or parliament. In this first book, we experience this complex time with Gideon Lennox, an likeable but naive young lawyer, who encounters the mysterious Philip Lord, a notorious mercenary leader.
What follows takes us into the murky world of witch trials and corruption, and enough adventure and intrigue to keep the story moving from a slow start into a fast paced page-turner.
Eleanor's style is to make the reader wonder about her character's motivation, and why our narrator never gets around to telling his love interest, the mysterious 'Zaharia' about his feelings for her.
I particularly liked the glimpses of the research into the history behind this series, and the way we gradually learn more about Philip Lord and his band of men, who become compelling characters, always with a hint of something important yet to be revealed.
I recommend reading these books in order. I already have the next one in the series on my Kindle and look forward to finding out what happens next.
Tony Riches
What follows takes us into the murky world of witch trials and corruption, and enough adventure and intrigue to keep the story moving from a slow start into a fast paced page-turner.
Eleanor's style is to make the reader wonder about her character's motivation, and why our narrator never gets around to telling his love interest, the mysterious 'Zaharia' about his feelings for her.
I particularly liked the glimpses of the research into the history behind this series, and the way we gradually learn more about Philip Lord and his band of men, who become compelling characters, always with a hint of something important yet to be revealed.
I recommend reading these books in order. I already have the next one in the series on my Kindle and look forward to finding out what happens next.
Tony Riches
October 19, 2023
Exciting Read
Set in the 1600s, just before the start of the English Civil War, The Mercenary’s Blade is a historical fiction full of action and mystery. The characters are well developed and complex; I particularly liked Lord and Lennox and the tension between them. There is an overarching mystery around Lord’s status as a traitor, but also mysteries throughout the novel, where you never know quite who to trust, even after the conclusion. The pacing is good, I read whole chunks in one go, and the overall thread of the story is concluded, with enough remaining intrigue for the rest of the series.
With accusations of witchcraft, murders and power struggles, it’s an exciting, well-written story, which is well worth the read.
Set in the 1600s, just before the start of the English Civil War, The Mercenary’s Blade is a historical fiction full of action and mystery. The characters are well developed and complex; I particularly liked Lord and Lennox and the tension between them. There is an overarching mystery around Lord’s status as a traitor, but also mysteries throughout the novel, where you never know quite who to trust, even after the conclusion. The pacing is good, I read whole chunks in one go, and the overall thread of the story is concluded, with enough remaining intrigue for the rest of the series.
With accusations of witchcraft, murders and power struggles, it’s an exciting, well-written story, which is well worth the read.
December 30, 2022
Great plot, brilliant language
A highly enjoyable and meticulously researched historical adventure with characters that you’ll learn to love. The brilliant language helps create an authentic atmosphere. A real page turner that, despite the harsh reality of the life of mercenaries and the beginning of the English Civil War, is also able to bring joy via specific humor that shines through its prose.
Looking forward to reading all the sequels.
A highly enjoyable and meticulously researched historical adventure with characters that you’ll learn to love. The brilliant language helps create an authentic atmosphere. A real page turner that, despite the harsh reality of the life of mercenaries and the beginning of the English Civil War, is also able to bring joy via specific humor that shines through its prose.
Looking forward to reading all the sequels.
April 10, 2023
The Mercenary's Blade is an historical romp filled with intrigue, deception and adventure, which sends the reader galloping through the engaging plot as speedily as the band of mercenaries on their steeds, as they make their preparations for the start of the English Civil War.
This is the first book in the ‘Lord’s Legacy’ series and so it’s the mysterious, mercurial, and possibly traitorous figure of Philip Lord who’s very much at the centre of the action, driving the plot and drawing the cast of characters together by virtue of his charisma and apparently ruthless drive to fulfil his own agenda. While Philip Lord is very much the book’s heartbeat it’s the naïve London lawyer, Gideon Lennox, who provides the main POV as he at first finds himself completely out of his depth in the lawless company of Lord and his mercenary band, before slowly coming to appreciate that the band has its own code of ethics and bonds of loyalty. Gradually, Lennox starts to find a reluctant place in this alternative society outside the polite (though hypocritical) society he’s come from – that initial reluctance of his rapidly wavering under the influence of the lovely Zahara…
Throughout, the writing complements the action, setting and characters really well, with some lovely descriptive touches that add a real dash of local colour and perfectly bring to life the autumnal English countryside the mercenaries inhabit. There’s also a sprinkling of metaphorical language that I enjoyed, not only because it was pleasing for its own sake, but also because it fit the characters so well – for instance, when time hangs on one anxiously waiting character like a wet cloak.
Personally, I would have liked the character of Lord to have contained some flaws/weaknesses to throw that charisma of his into relief occasionally, and allow for some doubt or vulnerability. But Book 1 has allowed plenty of scope for all the characters, and their relationships, to develop and deepen, with the finale setting up the plot nicely for the rest of the series, which I’d definitely recommend for fans of historical adventures.
This is the first book in the ‘Lord’s Legacy’ series and so it’s the mysterious, mercurial, and possibly traitorous figure of Philip Lord who’s very much at the centre of the action, driving the plot and drawing the cast of characters together by virtue of his charisma and apparently ruthless drive to fulfil his own agenda. While Philip Lord is very much the book’s heartbeat it’s the naïve London lawyer, Gideon Lennox, who provides the main POV as he at first finds himself completely out of his depth in the lawless company of Lord and his mercenary band, before slowly coming to appreciate that the band has its own code of ethics and bonds of loyalty. Gradually, Lennox starts to find a reluctant place in this alternative society outside the polite (though hypocritical) society he’s come from – that initial reluctance of his rapidly wavering under the influence of the lovely Zahara…
Throughout, the writing complements the action, setting and characters really well, with some lovely descriptive touches that add a real dash of local colour and perfectly bring to life the autumnal English countryside the mercenaries inhabit. There’s also a sprinkling of metaphorical language that I enjoyed, not only because it was pleasing for its own sake, but also because it fit the characters so well – for instance, when time hangs on one anxiously waiting character like a wet cloak.
Personally, I would have liked the character of Lord to have contained some flaws/weaknesses to throw that charisma of his into relief occasionally, and allow for some doubt or vulnerability. But Book 1 has allowed plenty of scope for all the characters, and their relationships, to develop and deepen, with the finale setting up the plot nicely for the rest of the series, which I’d definitely recommend for fans of historical adventures.
April 20, 2023
Wonderfully written: 4.5 stars
I keep saying it, you should be able to award fractions of stars. Or it should be out of ten instead of five.
Though a hair too far outside my preferred genres, The Mercenary's Blade was nonetheless entertaining and beautifully written. Not to mention well researched.
England, mid 17th century. Sheltered young London lawyer Gideon Lennox is hired to find a man. But when he does, he is drawn into mystery, murder, battle, betrayal and a tantalising glimpse of young love. All Gideon thinks he believes is called into question as events unfold.
The writing is all but flawless.
For me, the MC was a touch on the annoying side, occasionally putting a slight strain on his plausibility. But mostly not. The other central character, Lord suffered from the same slight too larger than life-ness. Again, mostly not.
The England of the time is well painted in all aspects of the writing. The relevant pieces of English history are beautifully rendered in the dialogue and descriptive detail. So much so that the author's note on people's beliefs at the time is superfluous because those are shown convincingly enough through the story.
The half star off is ninety percent personal preference (me being a very low brow sort of person really); it's just not my preferred style and genre. You could be forgiven for wondering, well why did he read it then? Fair enough. It was a reading assignment.
That said, I'm an avid and constant reader anyway. Had I been able to sympathise an ounce more with Gideon and Lord, felt more drawn into the mystery and gripped in the suspense, reading assignment, style and genre may all have slipped away; it's been known to happen.
Amazingly researched and written. If English history, goodwives, chivalrous gentlemen, dastardly piggy little law men, fair virtuous ladies, historical adventures / mysteries are your happy place, don't miss this book! Would strongly recommend.
I keep saying it, you should be able to award fractions of stars. Or it should be out of ten instead of five.
Though a hair too far outside my preferred genres, The Mercenary's Blade was nonetheless entertaining and beautifully written. Not to mention well researched.
England, mid 17th century. Sheltered young London lawyer Gideon Lennox is hired to find a man. But when he does, he is drawn into mystery, murder, battle, betrayal and a tantalising glimpse of young love. All Gideon thinks he believes is called into question as events unfold.
The writing is all but flawless.
For me, the MC was a touch on the annoying side, occasionally putting a slight strain on his plausibility. But mostly not. The other central character, Lord suffered from the same slight too larger than life-ness. Again, mostly not.
The England of the time is well painted in all aspects of the writing. The relevant pieces of English history are beautifully rendered in the dialogue and descriptive detail. So much so that the author's note on people's beliefs at the time is superfluous because those are shown convincingly enough through the story.
The half star off is ninety percent personal preference (me being a very low brow sort of person really); it's just not my preferred style and genre. You could be forgiven for wondering, well why did he read it then? Fair enough. It was a reading assignment.
That said, I'm an avid and constant reader anyway. Had I been able to sympathise an ounce more with Gideon and Lord, felt more drawn into the mystery and gripped in the suspense, reading assignment, style and genre may all have slipped away; it's been known to happen.
Amazingly researched and written. If English history, goodwives, chivalrous gentlemen, dastardly piggy little law men, fair virtuous ladies, historical adventures / mysteries are your happy place, don't miss this book! Would strongly recommend.
November 1, 2022
The story starts with a bang and the intensity continues throughout. The author vividly creates each scene with amazing detail giving the reader a front row seat to all the action. Gideon Lennox, a young, naïve London lawyer is sent on a mission to find a notorious outlaw in County Durham and deliver a message. Gideon is waylaid by various local events and discovers an abundance of mystery and betrayal around every corner. His head is spinning trying to sort through his preconceived notions, along with many odd bits of random facts he learns along the way. The twists and turns throughout this fabulous historical fiction kept me at the edge of my seat.
With an outstanding cast of flawed characters (some redeemable and some not) Swift-Hook takes us through a well-paced tale laced with treachery, religious undertones and political upheavals. The historical period is one I wasn’t very familiar, but I found it fascinating enough to learn more about this era of England’s past. I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a great adventure with amazing characters. I can’t wait for the next installment!
With an outstanding cast of flawed characters (some redeemable and some not) Swift-Hook takes us through a well-paced tale laced with treachery, religious undertones and political upheavals. The historical period is one I wasn’t very familiar, but I found it fascinating enough to learn more about this era of England’s past. I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a great adventure with amazing characters. I can’t wait for the next installment!
August 9, 2023
It begins in 1642 with a cat's severed head, a suspicion of witchcraft, and an honest lawyer (rare breed :)) hunting down a formidable killer -- a killer who has much to teach him in the ways of "wild justice".
Brimming with luscious metaphors, visceral details, and a compelling cast of characters, and teeming with action, THE MERCENARY'S BLADE is a satisfying deep-dive into a war-torn land rife with mystery and mahem. Swift-Hook has really hit her stride with this novel, having evolved as a writer since her earlier work; she does a commendable job spinning an elaborate tale with authentic world-building elements that's both plot- and character-driven, supported by well-written dialogue and plausible turns of events, and balanced by a solid character arc that really makes for a well-rounded story.
Brimming with luscious metaphors, visceral details, and a compelling cast of characters, and teeming with action, THE MERCENARY'S BLADE is a satisfying deep-dive into a war-torn land rife with mystery and mahem. Swift-Hook has really hit her stride with this novel, having evolved as a writer since her earlier work; she does a commendable job spinning an elaborate tale with authentic world-building elements that's both plot- and character-driven, supported by well-written dialogue and plausible turns of events, and balanced by a solid character arc that really makes for a well-rounded story.
November 5, 2022
A gripping historical adventure
I was completely hooked right from the very beginning of The Mercenary's Blade. This is an exciting story full of mystery, suspense and danger. I loved the characters, who were complex and lifelike, and the writing really drew me into their world. The narrative has a great sense of atmosphere, painting a vivid picture of a dangerous but fascinating period of history. I didn't want to put this book down, and when I did I couldn't stop thinking about it. I would recommend it for anyone who enjoys historical adventure and mystery.
I was completely hooked right from the very beginning of The Mercenary's Blade. This is an exciting story full of mystery, suspense and danger. I loved the characters, who were complex and lifelike, and the writing really drew me into their world. The narrative has a great sense of atmosphere, painting a vivid picture of a dangerous but fascinating period of history. I didn't want to put this book down, and when I did I couldn't stop thinking about it. I would recommend it for anyone who enjoys historical adventure and mystery.
November 4, 2022
An immensely enjoyable historical fiction. Set during the English Civil War, this period drama involves a mysterious military commander and a socially clueless London lawyer who falls into his orbit. There’s everything to like here: a dashing hero who may/not be a villain, a blundering but clever “Doctor Watson” character, witches, a rich tapestry of social upheaval, mysterious conspiracies, and a love interest. I can’t wait for the rest of the series to come out!
December 7, 2023
Philip Lord is undoubtedly one of the best characters I have come across. He is a character who is an enigma, a puzzle to be solved and Eleanor Swift-Hook does an excellent job in feeding the reader pieces of the character as the story progresses.
The story is mainly told through the POV of Gideon Lennox, a lawyer who is sent to County Durham to find Lord, who has returned to England, even though he had been branded a traitor. Little does Gideon know that he is a pawn, and he soon finds himself thrust into a mystery when four women are accused of witchcraft.
The mystery aspect of the book is extremely well written. You follow Gideon's POV as he unearths the pieces. From the get go, you know who the main antagonist is. However, the why is carefully crafted, as is the how.
Swift-Hook crafts a fantastic historical mystery-thriller set in a relatively obscure period of English History; the English Civil War, where parliament, under Cromwell rose up to depose the king. This was a bloody and horrific time where the country was split into two factions, the Roundheads (Parliament) and the cavaliers (the Crown). This was a time of war, murder of innocents, rape and of course; witchfinders like Matthew Hopkins.
Now, this brings me to the main issue I had with the book. Swift-Hook crafts a narrative around many of these themes, but the book reads like a PG version of history. We are told a lot about the darkness; rape, slavery, witch trials and murder; but the horror of the times doesn't ring true, because it isn't shown, and in my opinion, this lets the book down. It's hard to set stakes, when you don't really understand what is at stake.
An example of this is the women who are accused of witchcraft. You don't really spend any time with them and other than some throw away lines, you don't get any sense of what they went through. The MC, being a lawyer, commits an act which I won't spoil here, and other than a couple of lines after, you don't get a sense of how it affected him. Being someone who is not of that life, this act would have haunted him. We spend most of the novel in his head, with his thoughts and this could have been so easily rectified. With the four women, a change of POV to one of them, while they are held, would have also solved this issue. I'm not saying that the author needed to describe the acts in detail, but with a change of POV, she could have got into their heads, and we could have understood their fears and thoughts.
Overall, this is a fantastic novel. I highly recommend this book and I certainly look forward to reading the remaining five novels in this series.
The story is mainly told through the POV of Gideon Lennox, a lawyer who is sent to County Durham to find Lord, who has returned to England, even though he had been branded a traitor. Little does Gideon know that he is a pawn, and he soon finds himself thrust into a mystery when four women are accused of witchcraft.
The mystery aspect of the book is extremely well written. You follow Gideon's POV as he unearths the pieces. From the get go, you know who the main antagonist is. However, the why is carefully crafted, as is the how.
Swift-Hook crafts a fantastic historical mystery-thriller set in a relatively obscure period of English History; the English Civil War, where parliament, under Cromwell rose up to depose the king. This was a bloody and horrific time where the country was split into two factions, the Roundheads (Parliament) and the cavaliers (the Crown). This was a time of war, murder of innocents, rape and of course; witchfinders like Matthew Hopkins.
Now, this brings me to the main issue I had with the book. Swift-Hook crafts a narrative around many of these themes, but the book reads like a PG version of history. We are told a lot about the darkness; rape, slavery, witch trials and murder; but the horror of the times doesn't ring true, because it isn't shown, and in my opinion, this lets the book down. It's hard to set stakes, when you don't really understand what is at stake.
An example of this is the women who are accused of witchcraft. You don't really spend any time with them and other than some throw away lines, you don't get any sense of what they went through. The MC, being a lawyer, commits an act which I won't spoil here, and other than a couple of lines after, you don't get a sense of how it affected him. Being someone who is not of that life, this act would have haunted him. We spend most of the novel in his head, with his thoughts and this could have been so easily rectified. With the four women, a change of POV to one of them, while they are held, would have also solved this issue. I'm not saying that the author needed to describe the acts in detail, but with a change of POV, she could have got into their heads, and we could have understood their fears and thoughts.
Overall, this is a fantastic novel. I highly recommend this book and I certainly look forward to reading the remaining five novels in this series.
January 16, 2023
The English Civil War was so chaotic it must have been extremely difficult to sort out friends from enemies—especially when dealing with professional soldiers. The disruption also encouraged stretching the definition of law and order, aptly called wild justice in this book. Our protagonist, Gideon, a knowledgeable but unsophisticated lawyer from London, was sent on an essentially suicide mission (though he didn’t know it) in search of the elusive and dangerous Philip Lord. He found him, all right, and his mission would have been a short one except that Lord rescued him from an ambush and brought him to the outlaw’s secret hideout. No explanation was given for this mysterious rescue, and Lord even offered to let Gideon go, but for some reason the lawyer decided to stay. (Maybe it had something to do with the lovely and exotic Zahara, who had a puzzling relationship with Lord.) Thus began a like/hate relationship between Gideon and Lord, where our hero discovers the degrading side of warfare, where women are accused of witchcraft and the poor are taken advantage of. What is Lord’s role in all this? Gideon is completely baffled:
Gideon looked the other man full in the face.
“Fanthorpe was killed last night. Murdered.”
Whatever reaction he might have expected it wasn't the one he got.
“Murdered?” Lord echoed the word, at the same time filling it with delight. Then he laughed as if Gideon had made the best joke. “Someone murdered the murderers’ crow? Now that is a sweet irony. But who? Who might it be? Oh. You think it was me.” That made him laugh even harder and Gideon felt his anger slip its leash.
And that, in a nutshell, is Gideon throughout the book. His bad temper is always barely under control, and he constantly misinterprets clues. Because he wants to think the worst of Lord, he ignores the fact that all the others in Lord’s band of mercenaries seem to worship him, though it’s all obvious to the reader. Gideon’s obtuseness becomes tiresome, but the intriguing story kept me reading and I’m glad I did. This is the first in a series, and it looks like moving forward, our protagonist will come to terms with his relationships and relieve us of his irritability.
Gideon looked the other man full in the face.
“Fanthorpe was killed last night. Murdered.”
Whatever reaction he might have expected it wasn't the one he got.
“Murdered?” Lord echoed the word, at the same time filling it with delight. Then he laughed as if Gideon had made the best joke. “Someone murdered the murderers’ crow? Now that is a sweet irony. But who? Who might it be? Oh. You think it was me.” That made him laugh even harder and Gideon felt his anger slip its leash.
And that, in a nutshell, is Gideon throughout the book. His bad temper is always barely under control, and he constantly misinterprets clues. Because he wants to think the worst of Lord, he ignores the fact that all the others in Lord’s band of mercenaries seem to worship him, though it’s all obvious to the reader. Gideon’s obtuseness becomes tiresome, but the intriguing story kept me reading and I’m glad I did. This is the first in a series, and it looks like moving forward, our protagonist will come to terms with his relationships and relieve us of his irritability.
May 7, 2024
Intrigue in the 17th Century
I'm a lover of historical fiction but the 17th century is not one that I am completely familiar with, though the last few books I have read in this period have been extraordinarily brilliant including this one. The author's style reminds me of Dunnett, which is definitely no bad thing at all, because most excellent writers read well and of other great writers so its definitely a compliment.
The plot centres around 2 men, one called Gideon Lennox and the other is Philip Lord. Poor Gideon, a young virtuous, or so he believes himself to be, lawyer, falls unexpectedly in with Lord and his gang of misfits, and finds himself questioning not only his morals but those of others as he stumbles along, trying to extricate himself from Lord's service but also being drawn to him in a way that he cannot understand. Somewhat naive, he misreads practically everything Lord says or does until towards the conclusion when things begin to become clearer.
Both men are stubborn, and that’s what makes the storyline so interesting, as they run one another up the wrong way. Gideon begins to wonder what he is doing there, and what secrets Lord holds and who the young enigmatic Zaharah is to him.
Swifthook has drawn Lord's character as mysterious and inscrutable, and we see him through Gideon's eyes as he formulates in his mind, a lawless and unscrupulous gang leader, who also shows him his softer side, which confuses Gideon even more. Gideon is also drawn to the beautiful Zaharah and is convinced that she is being abused by Lord. But is all as it seems?
There are many plot twists and surprises in this story as it unfolds. I really enjoyed getting to know Gideon and felt myself in his shoes, wondering what the heck was going on. Swifthook handles a big cast of characters really well and each one of them, well fleshed out, and has their part to play.
This is the first in a 6 series, I can't wait to read more of them.
I'm a lover of historical fiction but the 17th century is not one that I am completely familiar with, though the last few books I have read in this period have been extraordinarily brilliant including this one. The author's style reminds me of Dunnett, which is definitely no bad thing at all, because most excellent writers read well and of other great writers so its definitely a compliment.
The plot centres around 2 men, one called Gideon Lennox and the other is Philip Lord. Poor Gideon, a young virtuous, or so he believes himself to be, lawyer, falls unexpectedly in with Lord and his gang of misfits, and finds himself questioning not only his morals but those of others as he stumbles along, trying to extricate himself from Lord's service but also being drawn to him in a way that he cannot understand. Somewhat naive, he misreads practically everything Lord says or does until towards the conclusion when things begin to become clearer.
Both men are stubborn, and that’s what makes the storyline so interesting, as they run one another up the wrong way. Gideon begins to wonder what he is doing there, and what secrets Lord holds and who the young enigmatic Zaharah is to him.
Swifthook has drawn Lord's character as mysterious and inscrutable, and we see him through Gideon's eyes as he formulates in his mind, a lawless and unscrupulous gang leader, who also shows him his softer side, which confuses Gideon even more. Gideon is also drawn to the beautiful Zaharah and is convinced that she is being abused by Lord. But is all as it seems?
There are many plot twists and surprises in this story as it unfolds. I really enjoyed getting to know Gideon and felt myself in his shoes, wondering what the heck was going on. Swifthook handles a big cast of characters really well and each one of them, well fleshed out, and has their part to play.
This is the first in a 6 series, I can't wait to read more of them.
September 18, 2023
When I first began reading this novel, I was a little worried about the prose. It seemed overly ponderous and slowed down the reading. But as I got into it, the story and characters took over.
The masterful portrayal of both Gideon Lennox and Philip Lord made it hard to put the book down. Gideon, young, ignorant, and idiotically righteous in his ignorance, is sent to deliver a message to Philip Lord, supposedly a murderer and traitor. He ends up being captured by him instead, and by a strange twist of fate, reluctantly working for him. I liked Lord immediately. Cheeky, swashbuckling, dauntless, as well as charming and debonair, kind and compassionate, he is the complete opposite of Gideon with his experience and insight into the world. Gideon’s character arc sees him learn some hard truths about life and humanity, finally recognizing the duplicity of the rich and powerful and sympathizing with the plight of the downtrodden.
Their dynamic is what drove the story for me. It reminded me of that between a time-weary parent who tolerates and even has compassion for a kid who definitely needs a hard smack up the backside. :D Lord understands that what spews from Gideon’s mouth is the ignorance and lack of experience of youth and sees his potential for growth. All the while we are surrounded by skillful descriptions of 17th-century England before the Civil War, a fascinating period steeped in the Gothic atmosphere of superstition and witch hunts.
I thought the ending was a little abrupt. While I understand it’s a series and will continue, I felt it could have ended this particular story better. Other than that, great read.
The masterful portrayal of both Gideon Lennox and Philip Lord made it hard to put the book down. Gideon, young, ignorant, and idiotically righteous in his ignorance, is sent to deliver a message to Philip Lord, supposedly a murderer and traitor. He ends up being captured by him instead, and by a strange twist of fate, reluctantly working for him. I liked Lord immediately. Cheeky, swashbuckling, dauntless, as well as charming and debonair, kind and compassionate, he is the complete opposite of Gideon with his experience and insight into the world. Gideon’s character arc sees him learn some hard truths about life and humanity, finally recognizing the duplicity of the rich and powerful and sympathizing with the plight of the downtrodden.
Their dynamic is what drove the story for me. It reminded me of that between a time-weary parent who tolerates and even has compassion for a kid who definitely needs a hard smack up the backside. :D Lord understands that what spews from Gideon’s mouth is the ignorance and lack of experience of youth and sees his potential for growth. All the while we are surrounded by skillful descriptions of 17th-century England before the Civil War, a fascinating period steeped in the Gothic atmosphere of superstition and witch hunts.
I thought the ending was a little abrupt. While I understand it’s a series and will continue, I felt it could have ended this particular story better. Other than that, great read.
April 16, 2023
I had two early reactions when I started this book. The first was that I would not like the book because of its initial slow-moving literary style. The second, much more powerful reaction was the recognition of its beautiful prose that so vividly described the characters and scenes that I couldn’t put it down. The story starts with a naïve London lawyer, Gideon Lennox, charged with determining the whereabouts of the mysterious Philip Lord during a period immediately preceding the English Civil War. Lennox believes that Lord is a heartless, cold-blooded killer and traitor. Unusual circumstances result in the twisting of Lennox’s capture by Lord, which Gideon assumes will lead to his demise, such that he ends up in Lord’s employ. The arcs of these two main characters are beautifully crafted, with Lennox forced to become more worldly and accepting of ‘wild justice’. He also learns slowly that Lord’s rogue personality is counter-balanced with charisma, courage, compassion, and humanity that his more respectable adversaries appear to lack. Swift-Hook does a fantastic job bringing period-appropriate vocabulary and phrasing into her prose that superbly grounds the story in place and time. It is difficult to identify any flaws in this outstanding piece of literature. My only criticism was that the ending was a little abrupt and unsatisfying, but then again, the novel brilliantly sets the stage for further books in the series. Lovers of historical fiction and fine literature will not be disappointed.
April 30, 2023
The Mercenary’s Blade (Lord’s Legacy Book 1) is a mid-17th century adventure set during the English Civil War. In it, a socially clueless London lawyer, Gideon Lennox, is charged with locating and delivering a message to the mysterious outlaw, Philip Lord, who has a reputation as a heartless, cold-blooded murderer and traitor. In a series of mishaps, Lennox finds himself in Lord’s employ and discovers an entirely new world beyond the two-faced civility of his high-brow society back home.
The mid-17th century English Civil War is an era I’m not very familiar with, yet I found this book quite compelling. It’s extremely well written with prose and dialog that fully drew me into the story. The character arcs for both Lennox and Lord were ingeniously constructed, with Lennox pushed to open his eyes to a larger world and develop an empathy for other classes of people. Lord ultimately learns to balance his ruthless drive to attain his goals with compassion. However, both characters appear to be just taking the first steps in their personal character growth journeys, as this is the first book in a six-book series.
This series set-up is really the book’s main deficiency, in my opinion. The ending felt lacking in a satisfying wrap-up of this story, and much more concerned with leading the reader into book 2. Though that’s a minor quibble as the rest of the series is available and waiting.
I thoroughly enjoyed Gideon Lennox, Phillip Lord, his band of mercenaries, and the Old English countryside backdrop for their roller-coaster adventure.
The mid-17th century English Civil War is an era I’m not very familiar with, yet I found this book quite compelling. It’s extremely well written with prose and dialog that fully drew me into the story. The character arcs for both Lennox and Lord were ingeniously constructed, with Lennox pushed to open his eyes to a larger world and develop an empathy for other classes of people. Lord ultimately learns to balance his ruthless drive to attain his goals with compassion. However, both characters appear to be just taking the first steps in their personal character growth journeys, as this is the first book in a six-book series.
This series set-up is really the book’s main deficiency, in my opinion. The ending felt lacking in a satisfying wrap-up of this story, and much more concerned with leading the reader into book 2. Though that’s a minor quibble as the rest of the series is available and waiting.
I thoroughly enjoyed Gideon Lennox, Phillip Lord, his band of mercenaries, and the Old English countryside backdrop for their roller-coaster adventure.
August 9, 2023
On one hand, this story has so many things I love. It's very obvious that the author is a fan of The Lymond Chronicles. We have a traitor nobleman with striking appearance who has been a mercenary all over Europe coming home to acquire some piece of documents. Philip is a great leader. He's calm and clever, always quoting one book or another instead of talking in prose like normal people do. I do feel that there's a little incongruence between how competent he's "said" to be versus how competent he's "shown" to be. But I'm willing to give the benefit of doubt because we have a very biased and unreliable narrator, and Philip's character will definitely be explored more in the sequels.
On the other hand, though, this book has a few things I personally dislike. For one, love at first sight. I can never root for a romance that happens on first meeting, and I feel very frustrated if that romance supposedly drive all the other major decisions made by the main character. For another, there are a few separate things happening in the book and the pace in which it goes through each subplot doesn't make sense to me. The mystery that seems to be the main mystery isn't the main mystery and some new quest that we have no idea about in the beginning becomes the climax, or something like that.
Even though I complain quite a bit, overall I enjoy the book a lot, and I like where things are left at the end. I will likely read the next book in the series very soon.
On the other hand, though, this book has a few things I personally dislike. For one, love at first sight. I can never root for a romance that happens on first meeting, and I feel very frustrated if that romance supposedly drive all the other major decisions made by the main character. For another, there are a few separate things happening in the book and the pace in which it goes through each subplot doesn't make sense to me. The mystery that seems to be the main mystery isn't the main mystery and some new quest that we have no idea about in the beginning becomes the climax, or something like that.
Even though I complain quite a bit, overall I enjoy the book a lot, and I like where things are left at the end. I will likely read the next book in the series very soon.
December 4, 2023
This was a cool book, and it obviously involves a lot of research and local expertise from the author, who specializes in the history of England and the English Civil War, etc. It is very reminiscent of popular 1960s and 70s films for me, like the Conqueror Worm, starring Vincent Price, or another that starred Oliver Reed(I forget the name). It has a great way of drawing you in to that witch-hunting, Cromwell or Pilgrim-type era. Some bonuses that I liked were things like the explanations of history at the end of this book, where I learned some real facts that I had never studied about the period, like how valuable certain soldiers and trainers were to high-ranking lords, and how the mercenary term used here is different from our modern view of mercenaries. They were really just professional, paid soldiers who had deeply-held convictions and beliefs, joining up quite often with the Parliamentary or Royalist side based on those beliefs/choices. Some reviewers mentioned other books that are similar, and I definitely was reminded of some books and movies in this vein that I have seen before, but we all draw from previous ideas and themes. I don't think it affects the quality of writing or adventure that Swift-Hook brings to the table, and most people wouldn't even notice, if they are unfamiliar with this often-overlooked English Civil War period. Overall, I recommend for anyone who likes history, mysteries, and adventures.
February 15, 2024
This is the first book in a series set around the time of the English Civil War (Early to mid 1600’s).
The main character is a young lawyer sent to an unfamiliar town on a small mission. While he is there, he is uncomfortable, wary, and unsure—which was fine with me because I was too (I didn't know anything about the English Civil War). Swift-Hook makes every stop on the lawyer’s journey feel real, with just enough well-chosen details to make us feel how the character is feeling (I particularly liked when he had to escape from the top floor of a house). The character is no swashbuckler, but he’s called to perform more physical action than he’s probably comfortable with, and he makes for a very believable hero. Throughout the story, he is in the orbit of a character who may be a more typical “hero”, but who also may be a villain. The young lawyer seeks to make up his own mind about this issue as the story progresses.
One of the things that impressed me (strongly!) in this novel was the author’s full and invisible command of dialogue. When the mysterious character speaks, it’s riveting. When we have the internal and external dialogue of the main character, he’s very likable, and time and time again, I noticed that the side characters would be given a line, and not only would a story point be delivered, but it would seem like a full character had stepped onto the stage to deliver it. Every tiny bit of business in this novel seems to involve real, full people—with little more exposure than a single line of dialogue. I don’t know how the author continually pulled it off, but BRAVO! (BRAVA!)
I enjoyed the adventure offered in the book—steadily present and believable with nothing outrageous (no dragons, no spells). I also enjoyed the main characters, and I loved every line Lord spoke.
I highly recommend this book. It’s a quick, smart read.
The main character is a young lawyer sent to an unfamiliar town on a small mission. While he is there, he is uncomfortable, wary, and unsure—which was fine with me because I was too (I didn't know anything about the English Civil War). Swift-Hook makes every stop on the lawyer’s journey feel real, with just enough well-chosen details to make us feel how the character is feeling (I particularly liked when he had to escape from the top floor of a house). The character is no swashbuckler, but he’s called to perform more physical action than he’s probably comfortable with, and he makes for a very believable hero. Throughout the story, he is in the orbit of a character who may be a more typical “hero”, but who also may be a villain. The young lawyer seeks to make up his own mind about this issue as the story progresses.
One of the things that impressed me (strongly!) in this novel was the author’s full and invisible command of dialogue. When the mysterious character speaks, it’s riveting. When we have the internal and external dialogue of the main character, he’s very likable, and time and time again, I noticed that the side characters would be given a line, and not only would a story point be delivered, but it would seem like a full character had stepped onto the stage to deliver it. Every tiny bit of business in this novel seems to involve real, full people—with little more exposure than a single line of dialogue. I don’t know how the author continually pulled it off, but BRAVO! (BRAVA!)
I enjoyed the adventure offered in the book—steadily present and believable with nothing outrageous (no dragons, no spells). I also enjoyed the main characters, and I loved every line Lord spoke.
I highly recommend this book. It’s a quick, smart read.
February 6, 2024
A complex but generally gripping tale setting us up for a series. Lawyer Gideon Lennox is sent from London to Weardale, Durham on a mission he hopes will make his career, but he has been set up to fail. The enigmatic Philip Lord, a captain of a mercenary company who has returned from the European wars to fight for King Charles, saves Gideon but involves him in a farrago of events involving a bogus witchhunter, a corrupt constable in the pocket of a powerful local family, and a gang of 'merry men' in a hideout. Ultimately we are shown a dark secret which explains why Lord is at risk of capture or death - even from those on his own side in the coming war. The author perceptively shows how Gideon's initial disbelief in Lord - vain, flashily dressed (when not adopting protean disguises), and quoting Shakespeare or the Bible at odd moments, is gradually replaced by a wary trust. By showing us several scenes from the point of view of Lord's enemies she ratchets up the suspense. At times I felt we were a little overloaded with characters and their backstories, but still I found this an immensely enjoyable story, written with the deep familiarity with clothes, weapons and drill that comes from living the history as a re-enactor. Warmly recommended.
September 8, 2023
This is the first instalment in a six-book series that charts the intertwined adventures of Philip Lord, the mercenary of the title, and a young lawyer called Gideon Lennox. It is set against a backdrop of the so-called religious wars in Europe and the early days of the English Civil War. There is plenty of action and intrigue, and there is a nice contrast between the two main characters, although the minor characters are also given the chance to establish themselves and grow.
To my shame it is not a period in history with which I am over-familiar, but that was not a hinderance and just enough historical context is drip fed into the story without it cluttering the narrative.
Fans of historical adventure epics such as this have certain expectations about what to expect and this will certainly not disappoint them. I really enjoyed it and have added the rest of the series to my reading list.
To my shame it is not a period in history with which I am over-familiar, but that was not a hinderance and just enough historical context is drip fed into the story without it cluttering the narrative.
Fans of historical adventure epics such as this have certain expectations about what to expect and this will certainly not disappoint them. I really enjoyed it and have added the rest of the series to my reading list.
June 14, 2024
I don’t read historical novels often, but the blurb for this one promised an exciting adventure, and that’s exactly what I got.
The main character, Gideon Lennox, is a young lawyer who’s swept up in a conspiracy full of murder, witchcraft, and betrayal. He (and the reader) don’t really know who to trust, but the characters are so compelling you can’t help but stayed involved in their lives. The other main character, a mysterious mercenary leader named Philip Lord, is equally fascinating and makes you wonder about his true motives.
Ms. Swift-Hook certainly did her homework. The setting, the language, the politics, the roughness of the 1600s—all that came into vivid detail with her words.
Lennox, Lord, and their compatriots continue the fight in the English Civil War in additional books, but this one if wrapped up nicely with the sequel set up. Readers of historical adventures should enjoy it.
5 Stars
The main character, Gideon Lennox, is a young lawyer who’s swept up in a conspiracy full of murder, witchcraft, and betrayal. He (and the reader) don’t really know who to trust, but the characters are so compelling you can’t help but stayed involved in their lives. The other main character, a mysterious mercenary leader named Philip Lord, is equally fascinating and makes you wonder about his true motives.
Ms. Swift-Hook certainly did her homework. The setting, the language, the politics, the roughness of the 1600s—all that came into vivid detail with her words.
Lennox, Lord, and their compatriots continue the fight in the English Civil War in additional books, but this one if wrapped up nicely with the sequel set up. Readers of historical adventures should enjoy it.
5 Stars
June 18, 2024
A Tale of Troubled Times…
…and the people living in them. Phillip Lord is a famed mercenary captain who returned to England in a time of potential strife between the Crown and Parliament. Lennox is a lawyer thrust unwillingly into his service. Together, they investigate accusations of witchcraft while dodging the attention of the local aristocracy. Lord, though, is a man with secrets and plans of his own…
The characters are well-crafted – I enjoyed Lord’s literary allusions and Lennox’s actions were entirely credible. Even secondary characters like the cleric and the physician came across as fleshed out.
Overall, the plot was good, though it did drag a bit in places and there were a couple of sections that strained credibility.
This is a good read for those interested in historical thrillers.
…and the people living in them. Phillip Lord is a famed mercenary captain who returned to England in a time of potential strife between the Crown and Parliament. Lennox is a lawyer thrust unwillingly into his service. Together, they investigate accusations of witchcraft while dodging the attention of the local aristocracy. Lord, though, is a man with secrets and plans of his own…
The characters are well-crafted – I enjoyed Lord’s literary allusions and Lennox’s actions were entirely credible. Even secondary characters like the cleric and the physician came across as fleshed out.
Overall, the plot was good, though it did drag a bit in places and there were a couple of sections that strained credibility.
This is a good read for those interested in historical thrillers.
January 31, 2024
I enjoyed this story that focused on a young lawyer named Gideon who was sent to find someone that his employer sent him to find and to pass along a message to for them. He passes the message along, but nearly loses his life doing so. The person he was sent to find rescues him, and he ends up on an adventure full of surprises, most of which was being asked to represent some women that were accused of being witches. The person he was sent to inform eventually becomes his employer, and Gideon finds himself falling for a woman on the new employer, Lord's estate. There are a lot of twists in the plot which keeps the reader interested in what will happen. I did find myself struggling to read through a few slow areas, but overall, I really liked this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2024
The Mercenary’s Blade is the first book in the Lord’s Legacy Series. Set in seventeenth-century England, a naïve young lawyer, Gideon Lennox, has been commissioned to find Phillip Lord, a mercenary commander, and deliver him a message, unwittingly finding himself caught up in his service. The story takes on twists and turns involving power struggles, witchcraft accusations, violence, and murder, all characteristic of those troublesome times. A compelling dynamic exists between the two protagonists, whose characters are well-developed. While, at times, the story feels quite lumbering, the research and prose of the times are faultless and exceptional. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys British historical fiction.
December 1, 2024
Eleanor Swift-Hook has created a marvellous beginning to a series which promises to be an interesting and entertaining set of books.
From the outset, the story draws one in with a ‘mistake’ which turns out to be rather different to what the character at first envisages.
With twists and turns on almost every page, there are many intrigues, plots and counterplots. The story is seen mostly through the eyes of a young lawyer, Gideon, whose prejudices about Philip Lord, the central character, are thoroughly tested along the way. The author clearly knows her era and has recreated an England in the midst of witchcraft and divided loyalties, during the time of the civil war.
An engaging read and highly recommended.
From the outset, the story draws one in with a ‘mistake’ which turns out to be rather different to what the character at first envisages.
With twists and turns on almost every page, there are many intrigues, plots and counterplots. The story is seen mostly through the eyes of a young lawyer, Gideon, whose prejudices about Philip Lord, the central character, are thoroughly tested along the way. The author clearly knows her era and has recreated an England in the midst of witchcraft and divided loyalties, during the time of the civil war.
An engaging read and highly recommended.
July 31, 2023
The Mercenary's Blade is an exciting story with massive historical implications if only it were true and written so well, you have to remember that it is fiction.
Gideon, a naive lawyer is tasked with giving a message to Philip Lord, a man charged with treason. If he turns himself in, he will not face charges. Lord knows better than to trust Sir Bartholomew, and Gideon is thrust into a fight for his life. He finds himself with Lord, but who should be trusted? The man charged with treason, or the man who hired him?
The motives of the characters are cryptic and I never knew what was going to happen or who to trust. The story is believable and well-written. Highly recommended.
Gideon, a naive lawyer is tasked with giving a message to Philip Lord, a man charged with treason. If he turns himself in, he will not face charges. Lord knows better than to trust Sir Bartholomew, and Gideon is thrust into a fight for his life. He finds himself with Lord, but who should be trusted? The man charged with treason, or the man who hired him?
The motives of the characters are cryptic and I never knew what was going to happen or who to trust. The story is believable and well-written. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews