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The Running Wolf: A Tale about the Shotley Bridge Swordmakers
When a German smuggler is imprisoned in Morpeth Gaol in the winter of 1703, why does Queen Anne's powerful right-hand man, the Earl of Nottingham, take such a keen interest? At the end of the turbulent 17th century, the ties that bind men are fraying, turning neighbour against neighbour, friend against friend and brother against brother. Beneath a seething layer of religious intolerance, community suspicion and political intrigue, The Running Wolf takes us deep into the heart of rebel country in the run-up to the 1715 Jacobite uprising.
Hermann Mohll is a master sword maker from Solingen in Germany who risks his life by breaking his guild oaths and settling in England. While trying to save his family and neighbours from poverty, he is caught smuggling swords and finds himself in Morpeth Gaol facing charges of High Treason.
Determined to hold his tongue and his nerve, Mohll finds himself at the mercy of the corrupt keeper, Robert Tipstaff. The keeper fancies he can persuade the truth out of Mohll and make him face the ultimate hanging, drawing and quartering. But in this tangled web of secrets and lies, just who is telling the truth?
Hermann Mohll is a master sword maker from Solingen in Germany who risks his life by breaking his guild oaths and settling in England. While trying to save his family and neighbours from poverty, he is caught smuggling swords and finds himself in Morpeth Gaol facing charges of High Treason.
Determined to hold his tongue and his nerve, Mohll finds himself at the mercy of the corrupt keeper, Robert Tipstaff. The keeper fancies he can persuade the truth out of Mohll and make him face the ultimate hanging, drawing and quartering. But in this tangled web of secrets and lies, just who is telling the truth?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
306 pages, Hardcover
First published November 24, 2020
11 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Helen Steadman
6 books59 followersHelen Steadman mostly writes biographical historical fiction (think herbs, healing, witch trials, swords, shipwrecks and lighthouses) set in the north east of England.
So far, she’s written the Newcastle Witch Trials trilogy (Widdershins, Sunwise and Solstice), The Running Wolf (about the Shotley Bridge swordmakers) and Grace (about Grace Darling, the Northumbrian lighthouse keeper’s daughter).
And then — because why not — there’s God of Fire set on Mount Olympus, which is absolutely nowhere near the north east of England. (A sequel featuring Aphrodite is in hand.)
So far, she’s written the Newcastle Witch Trials trilogy (Widdershins, Sunwise and Solstice), The Running Wolf (about the Shotley Bridge swordmakers) and Grace (about Grace Darling, the Northumbrian lighthouse keeper’s daughter).
And then — because why not — there’s God of Fire set on Mount Olympus, which is absolutely nowhere near the north east of England. (A sequel featuring Aphrodite is in hand.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 8, 2020
3.5/5★
Aside from The Running Wolf having a really beautiful cover, the story itself was also a fascinating one to read. It was near impossible to put down the book for the last 150 or so pages and those I read in only a few sittings. I just had to know how it was going to end.
The only reason why I didn't give it a half star more and round it up to four was that the start was a bit rough for me. It took me some time to really get into the story and actually connect with the characters. It all had to grow on me for a bit. Once I did get into the story and connected with it, though, I was thoroughly hooked and excited as well as scared to see where the story would lead and what would happen with the characters, especially the main character, Hermann.
I thought it was really interesting to read about a master sword maker because I don't think I ever read a book featuring someone with that skill and knowledge. I also enjoyed reading about Hermann's family and how close they were. They warmed my heart, they really did. Even Griselda the dog stole my heart.
Set near the end of the 17th century and the start of the 18th century with dual timelines, The Running Wolf by Helen Steadman is a well-researched and intricate historical fiction like no other.
Aside from The Running Wolf having a really beautiful cover, the story itself was also a fascinating one to read. It was near impossible to put down the book for the last 150 or so pages and those I read in only a few sittings. I just had to know how it was going to end.
The only reason why I didn't give it a half star more and round it up to four was that the start was a bit rough for me. It took me some time to really get into the story and actually connect with the characters. It all had to grow on me for a bit. Once I did get into the story and connected with it, though, I was thoroughly hooked and excited as well as scared to see where the story would lead and what would happen with the characters, especially the main character, Hermann.
I thought it was really interesting to read about a master sword maker because I don't think I ever read a book featuring someone with that skill and knowledge. I also enjoyed reading about Hermann's family and how close they were. They warmed my heart, they really did. Even Griselda the dog stole my heart.
Set near the end of the 17th century and the start of the 18th century with dual timelines, The Running Wolf by Helen Steadman is a well-researched and intricate historical fiction like no other.
December 16, 2020
The book’s clever structure alternates between Morpeth Gaol in 1703-4, with events narrated by its wily and dishonest keeper Robert Tipstaff, and the story of the Solingen swordmakers, focused on Herman Mohll and his family. Starting with their arrival in Shotley Bridge in 1687, gradually the two storylines come together as the reader learns chapter by chapter how Mohll comes to find himself a prisoner and facing a charge of high treason. Along the way, the reader discovers much about the art of swordmaking, as Mohll instructs his apprentice in the various stages, and also about the risk of injury presented by the work and its dangerous long-term effects on health.
I particularly enjoyed the way the author introduced into the story themes which have contemporary resonance. For example, the Solingen swordmakers are essentially economic migrants, driven to move to England because that is where the best market for their products exists and the most favourable economic future for their families. The mention of duties and tariffs on the high quality steel imported from Germany had me thinking (unfortunately) of Brexit. Other issues touched on are the power of the Guilds in the swordmakers’ native Germany and the value from an intellectual property point of view of the Solingen swordmakers’ knowledge of the secret of making their famous blades.
Perhaps one of the most interesting themes is that of identity. Some of the Solingen swordmakers are anxious to hold on to their sense of being German – to create “a little Solingen” in Shotley Bridge – whilst others, including Hermann, see the necessity, indeed the inevitability, of integration with their English neighbours. As he observes, “Air must take on the scent and taste of whatever it touched, moving around the earth, the wind whipping along from country to country. It would be better to be like the air, carrying a little of whatever he’d touched but constantly moving and blending in”. In particular, when it comes to his young daughter Liesl, Hermann recognizes he can’t ‘insulate’ her from England and pretend she still lives in Germany. Readers will be pleased to know, however, the Mohlls don’t ditch all of their German customs, as the splendid description of their Christmas celebrations demonstrates.
The Mohlls are Lutheran but, ironically, Hermann is suspected of smuggling arms to aid the Jacobite cause. At one point he muses, “If only men the world over could accept there was a single Creator but many ways of praising Him, the world might be a happier place and mankind might stop tearing itself apart“. This from a man who makes swords for a living and regrets the commercial impact on their replacement by guns in modern warfare.
As with Helen Steadman’s previous books, Widdershins and Sunwise (both of which I can recommend), her research is clearly extensive. For example, she reveals in her afterword that, in the course of her research into the Shotley Bridge swordmakers, she discovered archive documents that shed new light on a three hundred year-old mystery. I was also interested to learn that one of the characters in the book – the ‘madman’ Ralph Maddison – whom I initially regarded as a bit farfetched, did exist in real life and was very likely a near neighbour of the Shotley Bridge swordmakers. Well, they do say truth is stranger than fiction! You can find out more about Helen’s research for the book, which included learning the art of swordmaking, on her website.
The Running Wolf is an example of the kind of historical fiction I love. It’s a finely honed blend of historical fact and the author’s imagination; a work of creativity to match one of Herman Mohll’s swords you could say.
I particularly enjoyed the way the author introduced into the story themes which have contemporary resonance. For example, the Solingen swordmakers are essentially economic migrants, driven to move to England because that is where the best market for their products exists and the most favourable economic future for their families. The mention of duties and tariffs on the high quality steel imported from Germany had me thinking (unfortunately) of Brexit. Other issues touched on are the power of the Guilds in the swordmakers’ native Germany and the value from an intellectual property point of view of the Solingen swordmakers’ knowledge of the secret of making their famous blades.
Perhaps one of the most interesting themes is that of identity. Some of the Solingen swordmakers are anxious to hold on to their sense of being German – to create “a little Solingen” in Shotley Bridge – whilst others, including Hermann, see the necessity, indeed the inevitability, of integration with their English neighbours. As he observes, “Air must take on the scent and taste of whatever it touched, moving around the earth, the wind whipping along from country to country. It would be better to be like the air, carrying a little of whatever he’d touched but constantly moving and blending in”. In particular, when it comes to his young daughter Liesl, Hermann recognizes he can’t ‘insulate’ her from England and pretend she still lives in Germany. Readers will be pleased to know, however, the Mohlls don’t ditch all of their German customs, as the splendid description of their Christmas celebrations demonstrates.
The Mohlls are Lutheran but, ironically, Hermann is suspected of smuggling arms to aid the Jacobite cause. At one point he muses, “If only men the world over could accept there was a single Creator but many ways of praising Him, the world might be a happier place and mankind might stop tearing itself apart“. This from a man who makes swords for a living and regrets the commercial impact on their replacement by guns in modern warfare.
As with Helen Steadman’s previous books, Widdershins and Sunwise (both of which I can recommend), her research is clearly extensive. For example, she reveals in her afterword that, in the course of her research into the Shotley Bridge swordmakers, she discovered archive documents that shed new light on a three hundred year-old mystery. I was also interested to learn that one of the characters in the book – the ‘madman’ Ralph Maddison – whom I initially regarded as a bit farfetched, did exist in real life and was very likely a near neighbour of the Shotley Bridge swordmakers. Well, they do say truth is stranger than fiction! You can find out more about Helen’s research for the book, which included learning the art of swordmaking, on her website.
The Running Wolf is an example of the kind of historical fiction I love. It’s a finely honed blend of historical fact and the author’s imagination; a work of creativity to match one of Herman Mohll’s swords you could say.
November 11, 2020
The Running Wolf is a complex, exciting, drama-filled historical full of intrigue and danger. I was gripped from the start. I loved the eeriness of the story, from page one there is something lurking in the background, in the story, it’s described as the ‘Wolf’, there is danger threading within the story and hovers over the characters like a heavy mist waiting to settle.
The opening has you hooked, we first meet Hermann Mohll, a master sword maker in Germany (Prussia) who is having to relocate his family due to the work drying up, his village is on its knees he has no choice but to make a new life for himself and his little family in England. As well as his skills with the blade and his knowledge in how to create the perfect sword, he also has secrets buried deep, secrets that he has to protect for dear life. Once on English soil Hermann soon realises that there are dangers that even he may not be able to save his family from, there are snakes in the grass that are ready to strike at any moment, and soon he finds himself facing that very serpent.
I really like Hermann, he is just an ordinary man who is trying to do his best for his family and unfortunately for him he finds himself stuck bang in the middle of the political storm, a country that has been torn apart and he has to answer a question he doesn’t know the answers to.
There is a lot going on, and to quote the back blurb; ‘Tangled web of secrets and lies’ and that is this book, in a nutshell, you don’t know who to believe, the plot twists and turns until the very end which keeps you utterly gripped. I was completely enthralled with this intricately woven, remarkable and compelling tale which had me perched at the edge of my chair far too often.
The writing is excellent, Helen Steadman masterfully transports the reader from their comfy armchair to the brutal and intricate 17th century where secrets and lies are powerful enemies and allies. I cannot recommend this enough, definitely a must-read for anyone who loves a darker, grittier historical the keeps the little grey cells turning.
The opening has you hooked, we first meet Hermann Mohll, a master sword maker in Germany (Prussia) who is having to relocate his family due to the work drying up, his village is on its knees he has no choice but to make a new life for himself and his little family in England. As well as his skills with the blade and his knowledge in how to create the perfect sword, he also has secrets buried deep, secrets that he has to protect for dear life. Once on English soil Hermann soon realises that there are dangers that even he may not be able to save his family from, there are snakes in the grass that are ready to strike at any moment, and soon he finds himself facing that very serpent.
I really like Hermann, he is just an ordinary man who is trying to do his best for his family and unfortunately for him he finds himself stuck bang in the middle of the political storm, a country that has been torn apart and he has to answer a question he doesn’t know the answers to.
There is a lot going on, and to quote the back blurb; ‘Tangled web of secrets and lies’ and that is this book, in a nutshell, you don’t know who to believe, the plot twists and turns until the very end which keeps you utterly gripped. I was completely enthralled with this intricately woven, remarkable and compelling tale which had me perched at the edge of my chair far too often.
The writing is excellent, Helen Steadman masterfully transports the reader from their comfy armchair to the brutal and intricate 17th century where secrets and lies are powerful enemies and allies. I cannot recommend this enough, definitely a must-read for anyone who loves a darker, grittier historical the keeps the little grey cells turning.
October 8, 2021
I was lucky and privileged enough to have had a chance to read excerpts of The Running Wolf during its early formation. Having read Helen’s two previous novels, I was hopeful that her third would live up to the expectation created by the first two. I certainly wasn’t disappointed, and the characters she gives us in this beautiful piece of Historical Fiction are as rich and satisfying as all the previous ones who still live in my mind.
Ms Steadman has an easy approachable writing style that leads you into a historical past and immerses you in the time so that you feel you are there with these almost tangible characters. The occupants of Shotley Bridge and Solingen are held as firmly in my psyche as they are within the pages of the book. Like the other two novels, I wanted more.
The research notes at the end of the book made me appreciate how much work and effort the author put into making this story real, giving us solid historical facts without ever bogging the narrative down with technical detail or strict timelines. And to discover that some of the major characters are based on actual people from the time took me by surprise—all credit to the author for bringing them so vibrantly to life.
I liked that each major chapter was interspersed with short foreshadowing insights, via Morpeth Gaol, into an uncertain future for the main protagonist while still storing up surprises for the reader right to the end. Tipstaff was a thrillingly unreliable narrator in these short chapters.
Three novels into Ms Steadman’s work, I now consider myself a fan, even though I never saw myself as a historical fiction enthusiast. Given the deft hand of this talented author, historical fiction is accessible, approachable, and engaging on every level.
Thank you for giving us Hermann, Liesl, Katrin, Oligh and even the despicable Maddison. And for making me want to stroke and pet the magnificent Griselda
Ms Steadman has an easy approachable writing style that leads you into a historical past and immerses you in the time so that you feel you are there with these almost tangible characters. The occupants of Shotley Bridge and Solingen are held as firmly in my psyche as they are within the pages of the book. Like the other two novels, I wanted more.
The research notes at the end of the book made me appreciate how much work and effort the author put into making this story real, giving us solid historical facts without ever bogging the narrative down with technical detail or strict timelines. And to discover that some of the major characters are based on actual people from the time took me by surprise—all credit to the author for bringing them so vibrantly to life.
I liked that each major chapter was interspersed with short foreshadowing insights, via Morpeth Gaol, into an uncertain future for the main protagonist while still storing up surprises for the reader right to the end. Tipstaff was a thrillingly unreliable narrator in these short chapters.
Three novels into Ms Steadman’s work, I now consider myself a fan, even though I never saw myself as a historical fiction enthusiast. Given the deft hand of this talented author, historical fiction is accessible, approachable, and engaging on every level.
Thank you for giving us Hermann, Liesl, Katrin, Oligh and even the despicable Maddison. And for making me want to stroke and pet the magnificent Griselda
November 18, 2020
I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, with thanks to Love Books Tours, the publisher and the author. This fact has not changed my opinion on this book.
For those who follow my reviews, you know. I don't tend to like historical fiction. It's actually one of my least read genres but something about the description of this book drew me to it and boy, am I glad. This book is set just before the Jacobean resistance in the 1700's and follows the life of a german family who migrate to England for the chances of a better life. The head of the family, Herr Mohl, is a swordsmaker, and it follows his journey, life and raising his daughter in England as things not only change politically and socially in England, but elsewhere in Europe. The events unfold in a switching narrative between the past and present tense and follows the lead up to Herr Mohl's imprisonment.
I really enjoyed this story as I've mentioned about, which shocked me. I thought at first it was maybe because I loved the cover I was drawn to this book, however, it was an incredibly interesting and well paced story. The setting was one I hadn't experienced before and the characters were more real than many I've come across in other historical fiction books. I would recommend this one to fans of the genre.
For those who follow my reviews, you know. I don't tend to like historical fiction. It's actually one of my least read genres but something about the description of this book drew me to it and boy, am I glad. This book is set just before the Jacobean resistance in the 1700's and follows the life of a german family who migrate to England for the chances of a better life. The head of the family, Herr Mohl, is a swordsmaker, and it follows his journey, life and raising his daughter in England as things not only change politically and socially in England, but elsewhere in Europe. The events unfold in a switching narrative between the past and present tense and follows the lead up to Herr Mohl's imprisonment.
I really enjoyed this story as I've mentioned about, which shocked me. I thought at first it was maybe because I loved the cover I was drawn to this book, however, it was an incredibly interesting and well paced story. The setting was one I hadn't experienced before and the characters were more real than many I've come across in other historical fiction books. I would recommend this one to fans of the genre.
November 16, 2020
After her amazing novels inspired by the Newcastle witch trials, Helen Steadman looks at the 17th century through a new pair of eyes in her latest novel, The Running Wolf. Helen is not only an outstanding author, she is a meticulous researcher and she even forged her own sword as part of her research for The Running Wolf. I mean, how awesome is that?!
I have to say, I was slightly nervous that a novel about a master sword maker wouldn't spark my imagination (sorry, I couldn't resist) and hold my attention, but I needn't have worried as Helen Steadman has proven yet again that she is a master wordsmith. The very first sentence gave me goosebumps; it is just so perfect and, coupled with the sentences that followed, I felt like I should have stood up to give Helen Steadman a round of applause. So cover me in Velcro and call me gripped.
The story spans 19 years as we follow Hermann Mohll's journey from his home in Solingen, Prussia to Shotley Bridge, North East England via a brief stay in Morpeth Gaol. Hermann uproots his whole family as he and a team of sword makers set sail for England to make swords for the English, who do indeed like fighting each other. I absolutely adored Hermann's family; his wife Katrin who misses her old life terribly, his spirited daughter Liesl, his mother whose tongue is as sharp as Hermann's swords and Griselda their one-eared dog. It must have been so hard for these families to build a new life in England, only to be treated with suspicion and contempt. The family unit is so strong and Helen Steadman's writing is so warm and descriptive that the characters are very three dimensional, virtually leaping from the page.
The story itself is compelling and intriguing as time flicks back and forth from Hermann in Gaol to his new home in Shotley Bridge. You can't help but wonder why he has been imprisoned and the more I got to know him the more furious I felt that he was suffering such indignity. I find it remarkable that Helen Steadman can write so much history into her novels so that you learn something new whilst reading a fictional story. Aside from the real sword makers of Shotley Bridge being the inspiration for the story, I was delighted to see the salt pans of South Shields getting a mention as I actually only found out about them recently when reading an information board in the town. Helen Steadman really does bring history to life through her wonderful fact-based storytelling.
The Running Wolf is simply stunning; it's so beautifully written, with a riveting plot and enthralling characters that could have leapt out from the page along with the sparks from the forge. This is one not to be missed and I can't recommend it highly enough.
I have to say, I was slightly nervous that a novel about a master sword maker wouldn't spark my imagination (sorry, I couldn't resist) and hold my attention, but I needn't have worried as Helen Steadman has proven yet again that she is a master wordsmith. The very first sentence gave me goosebumps; it is just so perfect and, coupled with the sentences that followed, I felt like I should have stood up to give Helen Steadman a round of applause. So cover me in Velcro and call me gripped.
The story spans 19 years as we follow Hermann Mohll's journey from his home in Solingen, Prussia to Shotley Bridge, North East England via a brief stay in Morpeth Gaol. Hermann uproots his whole family as he and a team of sword makers set sail for England to make swords for the English, who do indeed like fighting each other. I absolutely adored Hermann's family; his wife Katrin who misses her old life terribly, his spirited daughter Liesl, his mother whose tongue is as sharp as Hermann's swords and Griselda their one-eared dog. It must have been so hard for these families to build a new life in England, only to be treated with suspicion and contempt. The family unit is so strong and Helen Steadman's writing is so warm and descriptive that the characters are very three dimensional, virtually leaping from the page.
The story itself is compelling and intriguing as time flicks back and forth from Hermann in Gaol to his new home in Shotley Bridge. You can't help but wonder why he has been imprisoned and the more I got to know him the more furious I felt that he was suffering such indignity. I find it remarkable that Helen Steadman can write so much history into her novels so that you learn something new whilst reading a fictional story. Aside from the real sword makers of Shotley Bridge being the inspiration for the story, I was delighted to see the salt pans of South Shields getting a mention as I actually only found out about them recently when reading an information board in the town. Helen Steadman really does bring history to life through her wonderful fact-based storytelling.
The Running Wolf is simply stunning; it's so beautifully written, with a riveting plot and enthralling characters that could have leapt out from the page along with the sparks from the forge. This is one not to be missed and I can't recommend it highly enough.
May 22, 2024
Following her acclaimed novels inspired by the Newcastle witch trials, Helen Steadman delves into the 17th century with a fresh perspective in her latest work, *The Running Wolf*. Helen's reputation as an exceptional author is matched by her dedication to meticulous research—she even forged her sword for this novel. How incredible is that?
I admit, I was a bit apprehensive about a story centered on a master swordmaker sparking my imagination and holding my interest. However, my concerns were unfounded. Helen Steadman once again proves herself a master wordsmith. The opening sentence gave me goosebumps; it was so perfectly crafted that I felt compelled to applaud. I was completely hooked from the start.
The narrative spans 19 years, tracing Hermann Mohll's journey from Solingen, Prussia, to Shotley Bridge in North East England, with a brief stay in Morpeth Gaol. Hermann uproots his family to join a team of sword makers traveling to England to forge swords for the ever-warring English. I adored Hermann's family: his wife Katrin, who longs for their old life; his spirited daughter Liesl; his sharp-tongued mother; and their one-eared dog, Griselda. The challenges these families faced in building a new life in a foreign land, only to be met with suspicion and contempt, are vividly portrayed. The strength of their family bond and Helen Steadman’s warm, descriptive writing make the characters leap off the page.
The plot is interesting and intriguing, shifting between Hermann’s time in Gaol and his life in Shotley Bridge. I was continually curious about why he was imprisoned, and as I learned more about him, I grew increasingly outraged at his suffering. Helen Steadman’s ability to weave substantial historical detail into her fiction is remarkable; you end up learning while being engrossed in the story. Beyond the true story of the Shotley Bridge sword makers, I was delighted by the mention of the South Shields salt pans, a piece of history I recently discovered on a local information board. Helen Steadman truly brings history to life with her rich, fact-based storytelling.
*The Running Wolf* is simply stunning—beautifully written, with a gripping plot and captivating characters that practically jump off the page alongside the sparks from the forge. This is a novel not to be missed, and I can't recommend it highly enough.
I admit, I was a bit apprehensive about a story centered on a master swordmaker sparking my imagination and holding my interest. However, my concerns were unfounded. Helen Steadman once again proves herself a master wordsmith. The opening sentence gave me goosebumps; it was so perfectly crafted that I felt compelled to applaud. I was completely hooked from the start.
The narrative spans 19 years, tracing Hermann Mohll's journey from Solingen, Prussia, to Shotley Bridge in North East England, with a brief stay in Morpeth Gaol. Hermann uproots his family to join a team of sword makers traveling to England to forge swords for the ever-warring English. I adored Hermann's family: his wife Katrin, who longs for their old life; his spirited daughter Liesl; his sharp-tongued mother; and their one-eared dog, Griselda. The challenges these families faced in building a new life in a foreign land, only to be met with suspicion and contempt, are vividly portrayed. The strength of their family bond and Helen Steadman’s warm, descriptive writing make the characters leap off the page.
The plot is interesting and intriguing, shifting between Hermann’s time in Gaol and his life in Shotley Bridge. I was continually curious about why he was imprisoned, and as I learned more about him, I grew increasingly outraged at his suffering. Helen Steadman’s ability to weave substantial historical detail into her fiction is remarkable; you end up learning while being engrossed in the story. Beyond the true story of the Shotley Bridge sword makers, I was delighted by the mention of the South Shields salt pans, a piece of history I recently discovered on a local information board. Helen Steadman truly brings history to life with her rich, fact-based storytelling.
*The Running Wolf* is simply stunning—beautifully written, with a gripping plot and captivating characters that practically jump off the page alongside the sparks from the forge. This is a novel not to be missed, and I can't recommend it highly enough.
November 14, 2020
https://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/revie...
I do enjoy stories that are based on fact with fiction woven through. It is obvious that Helen Steadman has immersed herself in the sword maker’s world – and in her afterword we find out just how dedicated she was. This shines through in her writing.
Everything feels authentic at Shotley Bridge – the community, the way of life, the rituals, the expectations, the politics and even the language used. I have acquired a couple of additions to my vocabulary – my two favourite words /gnashgob/ and /devil-cleper/ ! I’d never heard of candle auctions before so did a bit of digging and love that some are still held traditionally today. The difference between cultures is depicted in a graphic scene – not for the squeamish. This did make me think about rituals, beliefs, how we defend and keep identities and how even today these differences impact on lives.
The sword making process is fascinating and I have to be honest, the Mohll family fascinated me just as much. Even though we see life through Hermann’s perspective, being wrenched from your family as Katrin is and having to make a new life alongside a mother-in-law who always criticises you is a tough one. Hermann’s not the best at realising some actions aren’t the right ones either. He’s a very practical man with his family but his intuition and inner knowing for working the metal feels spiritual – it’s almost a religion in itself. I did like his character. It is what it is with him and he has no filter. I’ve found myself wondering what life will be like for them after the story ended.
Politics are touched on by Robert Tipstaff, gaoler of Morpeth Gaol. The hunt for the foreigner and the new prisoners arriving from the ship give the opportunity of anchoring the time the story is set in history. There are some great scenes set here too.
The Running Wolf is a captivating read and if you enjoy historical fiction, should be on your shelf. Recommended.
(ps I love that the descendants of some of the characters were involved with helping the author with her story).
I do enjoy stories that are based on fact with fiction woven through. It is obvious that Helen Steadman has immersed herself in the sword maker’s world – and in her afterword we find out just how dedicated she was. This shines through in her writing.
Everything feels authentic at Shotley Bridge – the community, the way of life, the rituals, the expectations, the politics and even the language used. I have acquired a couple of additions to my vocabulary – my two favourite words /gnashgob/ and /devil-cleper/ ! I’d never heard of candle auctions before so did a bit of digging and love that some are still held traditionally today. The difference between cultures is depicted in a graphic scene – not for the squeamish. This did make me think about rituals, beliefs, how we defend and keep identities and how even today these differences impact on lives.
The sword making process is fascinating and I have to be honest, the Mohll family fascinated me just as much. Even though we see life through Hermann’s perspective, being wrenched from your family as Katrin is and having to make a new life alongside a mother-in-law who always criticises you is a tough one. Hermann’s not the best at realising some actions aren’t the right ones either. He’s a very practical man with his family but his intuition and inner knowing for working the metal feels spiritual – it’s almost a religion in itself. I did like his character. It is what it is with him and he has no filter. I’ve found myself wondering what life will be like for them after the story ended.
Politics are touched on by Robert Tipstaff, gaoler of Morpeth Gaol. The hunt for the foreigner and the new prisoners arriving from the ship give the opportunity of anchoring the time the story is set in history. There are some great scenes set here too.
The Running Wolf is a captivating read and if you enjoy historical fiction, should be on your shelf. Recommended.
(ps I love that the descendants of some of the characters were involved with helping the author with her story).
November 14, 2020
Hermann Mohll is a master sword maker from Solingen in Prussia, who discovers momentous cracks in the foundation of everything he once held true and with a heavy heart he moves to the north east of England with his family. The transition between countries isn’t easy, especially when Mohll gets drawn into dangerous events which are beyond his control and as we move effortlessly in time so we have a tantalising glimpse into a country which is steeped in deadly turmoil. The latter years of the seventeenth century are fraught with danger and religious adversity, and the dark shadow of history is very much apparent as this complex story progresses.
The Running Wolf is wonderfully atmospheric. The opening chapter creates such an immediate sense of time and place that I was catapulted back through time and became part of the Solingen community, conjuring the dreams thieves as they tipped their beady eye over the sleeping villagers. And for a master craftsman like Hermann Mohll, who is struggling with the indecision of leaving his homeland and breaking with the guild, his life will never be the same again.
There is no doubt as to this author’s ability to tell a good story. The Running Wolf as all the trademarks of her undeniable skill in discovering a hidden truth and writing an authentic and historically accurate story which is just waiting to be told. She did this with the Newcastle witch trials in Widdershins and Sunwise and has done it again in The Running Wolf, combining little known factual history with an engrossing fictional tale of intrigue, danger and skulduggery.
Exciting, atmospheric and filled with a deadly sense of danger, The Running Wolf is expertly researched and beautifully written historical fiction.
The Running Wolf is wonderfully atmospheric. The opening chapter creates such an immediate sense of time and place that I was catapulted back through time and became part of the Solingen community, conjuring the dreams thieves as they tipped their beady eye over the sleeping villagers. And for a master craftsman like Hermann Mohll, who is struggling with the indecision of leaving his homeland and breaking with the guild, his life will never be the same again.
There is no doubt as to this author’s ability to tell a good story. The Running Wolf as all the trademarks of her undeniable skill in discovering a hidden truth and writing an authentic and historically accurate story which is just waiting to be told. She did this with the Newcastle witch trials in Widdershins and Sunwise and has done it again in The Running Wolf, combining little known factual history with an engrossing fictional tale of intrigue, danger and skulduggery.
Exciting, atmospheric and filled with a deadly sense of danger, The Running Wolf is expertly researched and beautifully written historical fiction.
January 15, 2024
In this remarkable story Helen Steadman delivers historical facts and a glimpse into the lives of German swordmakers run to England in search of a better life, with the shadowy background of the impeding Jacobite rising of 1715.
Having read another book by this author I came to expect such authenticity in the historical narrative and prose, and The Running Wolf did not disappoint in that regard. We follow a German family and some of their friends fleeing their home for England trying to avoid the "shadow of the wolf" as they call poverty and hunger. These families are all skilled swordmakers, and we get to learn some of their craft through the pages, which for me was so informative and entertaining. In addition, through their everyday lives and struggles we get a peek into late 17th and early 18th century England, with its turmoil and conspiracies, plus a glance into German traditions.
I got attached to the Mohll family and was rooting for Hermann all along trying to share his burdens and struggles whilst surviving in a different country and navigating the cruelty of those above you.
As I mentioned previously, this is an excellent historical fiction based on true facts, thoroughly researched and therefore veritable. But it's not just informative, is also entertaining and suspenseful, with its dual timeline, leaving the reader wondering at every chapter how the past and the future are going to converge and what's going to happen to Hermann and his family.
Highly recommend this read for historical fiction fans or for those that want to be entertained whilst learning something.
Thanks to the author and Random Things Tour for the opportunity to read it and this is my honest opinion.
Having read another book by this author I came to expect such authenticity in the historical narrative and prose, and The Running Wolf did not disappoint in that regard. We follow a German family and some of their friends fleeing their home for England trying to avoid the "shadow of the wolf" as they call poverty and hunger. These families are all skilled swordmakers, and we get to learn some of their craft through the pages, which for me was so informative and entertaining. In addition, through their everyday lives and struggles we get a peek into late 17th and early 18th century England, with its turmoil and conspiracies, plus a glance into German traditions.
I got attached to the Mohll family and was rooting for Hermann all along trying to share his burdens and struggles whilst surviving in a different country and navigating the cruelty of those above you.
As I mentioned previously, this is an excellent historical fiction based on true facts, thoroughly researched and therefore veritable. But it's not just informative, is also entertaining and suspenseful, with its dual timeline, leaving the reader wondering at every chapter how the past and the future are going to converge and what's going to happen to Hermann and his family.
Highly recommend this read for historical fiction fans or for those that want to be entertained whilst learning something.
Thanks to the author and Random Things Tour for the opportunity to read it and this is my honest opinion.
January 29, 2024
Solingen, Germany, 1687.
Hermann Mohll is a swordmaker living in Solingen with his wife, Katrin and daughter, Liesl. There are too many swordmakers in the local area, so they need to leave for England.
Shotley Bridge, England, 1687.
When Mohll and his family, including his elderly mother, Anna, arrive in Shotley Bridge in Yorkshire, Katrin immediately hates it as it’s nothing like their beloved Solingen and Germany.
However, the family eventually settle down in England, and we see their lives unfold, including an outbreak of measles and encounters with the local ‘madman’, Maddison. We also see Mohll struggling to pay for steel because of steep pricing.
Fast forward few years and Hermann is accused of treason and thrown into Morpeth Gaol, where he meets its gout-suffering keeper, Robert Tipstaff.
Tipstaff is adamant he will see Hermann swing for his crimes.
Will he?
I love Helen Steadman’s books and I was excited to join this blog tour. I wasn’t disappointed!
I was impressed with the fact that Helen’s learned how to make swords, so she would understand the process. Her knowledge and research seeps through each page, making the book even more authentic.
I loved Mohll as a character, he was a man who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. At the same time, he was just and very aware of what was fair, and what wasn’t. I also really liked Anna, his mother, and her squabbles with her daughter-in-law, Katrin. Their interactions made me chuckle on more than one ocassion.
Overall, it’s a brilliant historical tale. I definitely recommend it.
Hermann Mohll is a swordmaker living in Solingen with his wife, Katrin and daughter, Liesl. There are too many swordmakers in the local area, so they need to leave for England.
Shotley Bridge, England, 1687.
When Mohll and his family, including his elderly mother, Anna, arrive in Shotley Bridge in Yorkshire, Katrin immediately hates it as it’s nothing like their beloved Solingen and Germany.
However, the family eventually settle down in England, and we see their lives unfold, including an outbreak of measles and encounters with the local ‘madman’, Maddison. We also see Mohll struggling to pay for steel because of steep pricing.
Fast forward few years and Hermann is accused of treason and thrown into Morpeth Gaol, where he meets its gout-suffering keeper, Robert Tipstaff.
Tipstaff is adamant he will see Hermann swing for his crimes.
Will he?
I love Helen Steadman’s books and I was excited to join this blog tour. I wasn’t disappointed!
I was impressed with the fact that Helen’s learned how to make swords, so she would understand the process. Her knowledge and research seeps through each page, making the book even more authentic.
I loved Mohll as a character, he was a man who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. At the same time, he was just and very aware of what was fair, and what wasn’t. I also really liked Anna, his mother, and her squabbles with her daughter-in-law, Katrin. Their interactions made me chuckle on more than one ocassion.
Overall, it’s a brilliant historical tale. I definitely recommend it.
December 29, 2020
Drama and danger are abound in this history mystery. Centered around Hermann Mohll, a master sword maker from Prussia, the plot is filled with mystery and intrigue. After Mohll is forced to move to the North of England due to hardship, he finds himself embroiled in a plot that will change the course of his life.
The main thing that drew me to this novel was the setting – not only the era of the 17th century but also the fact that it’s based near where I grew up! I loved reading about all the mentions of local places I’ve heard of and it really added to the realism of the novel for me. Furthermore, Steadman is great at bringing the era to life. It’s evident that they’ve really researched the period and this really shows in their writing.
But, if you’re not familiar with the north of England, I would still highly recommend reading this book. It is a tale full of twists and turns that will keep you on your toes until the very end.
The main thing that drew me to this novel was the setting – not only the era of the 17th century but also the fact that it’s based near where I grew up! I loved reading about all the mentions of local places I’ve heard of and it really added to the realism of the novel for me. Furthermore, Steadman is great at bringing the era to life. It’s evident that they’ve really researched the period and this really shows in their writing.
But, if you’re not familiar with the north of England, I would still highly recommend reading this book. It is a tale full of twists and turns that will keep you on your toes until the very end.
November 24, 2020
I found the book enjoyable. Interested in how it is set in a different time period and the development of the story. It shows how much effort and research the author did for this story. Also, it’s interesting that the author learn so much in her researched and was able to create this well written story base on that. It is a historical piece in which I’m not familiar with the timeline but nonetheless it was very entertaining and different.
December 2, 2020
I enjoyed this book, not least because I used to live in Morpeth where the protagonist, Hermann Mohll, is held in the town gaol by corrupt keeper, Robert Tipstaff. I used to walk or drive past it every day, often looking up at the imposing building and wondering what it must have been like centuries ago. Helen Steadman showed me, and her research definitely shone through.
It was fascinating reading about the daily life of immigrant Prussian swordsmiths, their troubles settling amongst the locals, and the difficulties they faced at the mercy of greedy steel suppliers. I enjoyed reading Robert Tipstaff’s musings and observations, and found them especially immersive as those chapters are written in Northumbrian dialect.
There were some rather graphic scenes of slaughtering animals but this was part and parcel of survival then, which is lost on the majority of modern readers like me who purchase meat in sterile, plastic packages.
I’d recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys historical fiction based around real events.
It was fascinating reading about the daily life of immigrant Prussian swordsmiths, their troubles settling amongst the locals, and the difficulties they faced at the mercy of greedy steel suppliers. I enjoyed reading Robert Tipstaff’s musings and observations, and found them especially immersive as those chapters are written in Northumbrian dialect.
There were some rather graphic scenes of slaughtering animals but this was part and parcel of survival then, which is lost on the majority of modern readers like me who purchase meat in sterile, plastic packages.
I’d recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys historical fiction based around real events.
January 21, 2022
I really enjoyed Helens widdershins series unfortunately I just didn't gel with this one as much, it may have just been that I wasn't in the right frame of mind when listening to it? That being said it can't be denied that Helen is a talented author who creates interesting characters and you can tell lots of research has been but into her books. If your a fan of historical fiction I would definitely recommend giving Helens books a read/listen!
October 24, 2020
Review:
Running Wolf by Helen Steadman is an intriguing novel. I loved the setting. I felt transported back in time. It is clear this author did her research to make this feel authentic.
This is quite a tangled web, as the blurb says. I love how I was left guessing who was telling the truth. I had a very difficult time piecing it all together until the very end.
Overall, Running Wolf, is a thoroughly enjoyable novel. The writing is wonderful. I wouldn’t miss this one.
Rating:
4/5☆
*I received a free copy of this book from Love Books Group in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
Running Wolf by Helen Steadman is an intriguing novel. I loved the setting. I felt transported back in time. It is clear this author did her research to make this feel authentic.
This is quite a tangled web, as the blurb says. I love how I was left guessing who was telling the truth. I had a very difficult time piecing it all together until the very end.
Overall, Running Wolf, is a thoroughly enjoyable novel. The writing is wonderful. I wouldn’t miss this one.
Rating:
4/5☆
*I received a free copy of this book from Love Books Group in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
February 3, 2024
In Helen Steadman's Solstice she showed us the astonishing capacity for malice that lurked in the hearts of some Puritan Christians. In The Running Wolf, set slightly later in time, sectarian divisions are more in the background as she draws us into a Britain in the late years of the 17th century and the first decades of the 18th century. In 1688, when the Catholic King James II was replaced by the hastily imported Protestant William of Orange, the sectarian divide was not healed, but merely temporarily bridged.
Central to the story is an unusual migration - that of sword makers, based in the German town of Solingen who, in 1688, moved, lock stock and barrel, to the tiny settlement of Shotley Bridge in County Durham. The reason for their move was basically economic. Solingen was almost literally bursting at the seams with sword makers, and work was becoming increasingly hard to come by. The departing craftsmen and their families, however, faced the wrath of the exclusive town guilds - to whom they had sworn an oath never to reveal the crucial secret techniques which made a Solingen sword one of the best in the world.
Hermann Molle (who actually existed) makes the journey, with his family, to Shotley Bridge, and slowly builds his business again. As Lutherans they are, to an extent, on the right side of the 'Protestant Angels', but the supporters - the Jacobites - of the exiled King James are growing in strength and, particularly across the English Channel, their numbers begin to pose a significant threat.
We watch as Hermann, his family - and the other German exiles - gradually rebuild their lives in Shotley Bridge, integrating as necessary, but preserving their own culture and customs. Their swords are, initially much sought after, but as the century draws to a close the craftsmen begin to feel the winds of change. While some men of wealth are still prepared to pay for a well made sword, the blades are beginning to be valued more for ornamental use than as lethal weapons, and the smiths of the future will have to turn their hands to fashioning gun barrels rather than cutting edges.
The men of Shotley Bridge have another problem - what we would nowadays call cash flow. Customers are not paying their bills, but the dealers who provide the raw material insist on being paid in full and on time. Hermann takes a risk, returns to Solingen and attempts to smuggle a consignment of German blades back into England. He is caught, and thrown into Morpeth gaol, with every expectation that he will be hanged for his pains.
Helen Steadman tells a gripping story, using the twin timelines of the Germans establishing their craft alongside the River Derwent and, using a corrupt gaoler as narrator, Hermann's time of misery as he languishes in the squalor of his prison cell. There is fascinating detail about the craft of sword making, set against the rumbling of military and political events far away, but equally mesmerising is the way Helen Steadman captures the minutiae of the daily lives of Hermann and his family. This is historical fiction of the first order. The Running Wolf is published by Impress Books and is available now.
Central to the story is an unusual migration - that of sword makers, based in the German town of Solingen who, in 1688, moved, lock stock and barrel, to the tiny settlement of Shotley Bridge in County Durham. The reason for their move was basically economic. Solingen was almost literally bursting at the seams with sword makers, and work was becoming increasingly hard to come by. The departing craftsmen and their families, however, faced the wrath of the exclusive town guilds - to whom they had sworn an oath never to reveal the crucial secret techniques which made a Solingen sword one of the best in the world.
Hermann Molle (who actually existed) makes the journey, with his family, to Shotley Bridge, and slowly builds his business again. As Lutherans they are, to an extent, on the right side of the 'Protestant Angels', but the supporters - the Jacobites - of the exiled King James are growing in strength and, particularly across the English Channel, their numbers begin to pose a significant threat.
We watch as Hermann, his family - and the other German exiles - gradually rebuild their lives in Shotley Bridge, integrating as necessary, but preserving their own culture and customs. Their swords are, initially much sought after, but as the century draws to a close the craftsmen begin to feel the winds of change. While some men of wealth are still prepared to pay for a well made sword, the blades are beginning to be valued more for ornamental use than as lethal weapons, and the smiths of the future will have to turn their hands to fashioning gun barrels rather than cutting edges.
The men of Shotley Bridge have another problem - what we would nowadays call cash flow. Customers are not paying their bills, but the dealers who provide the raw material insist on being paid in full and on time. Hermann takes a risk, returns to Solingen and attempts to smuggle a consignment of German blades back into England. He is caught, and thrown into Morpeth gaol, with every expectation that he will be hanged for his pains.
Helen Steadman tells a gripping story, using the twin timelines of the Germans establishing their craft alongside the River Derwent and, using a corrupt gaoler as narrator, Hermann's time of misery as he languishes in the squalor of his prison cell. There is fascinating detail about the craft of sword making, set against the rumbling of military and political events far away, but equally mesmerising is the way Helen Steadman captures the minutiae of the daily lives of Hermann and his family. This is historical fiction of the first order. The Running Wolf is published by Impress Books and is available now.
January 29, 2024
Yet another superb book from the pen of this acclaimed author who specialises in historical fiction , which she brings to life through her extensive research and writing skill within her books.
However, before I even start on what lies within the pages I must point out what an exceptionally beautiful cover it is, inlaid with gold leaf with the emblems of the wold and the sword on the front.
The Running Wold is set in England, just before the Jacobean uprising which affected England and Europe, with devastating consequences. The book concentrates on two main characters, Hermann Mohll and Robert Tipstaff and Helen alternates the chapters to allow us to develop our knowledge about them consecutively, along with the use of the dual timelines . The story alternates between Morpeth Gaol , starting in 1703, where we build up a picture of the obnoxious Robert Tipstaff and his dishonest nature in regards to the various prisoners who are unfortunate to cross his path, and Hermann Mohll, one of the exemplary German Sword Makers from Solingen, who arrives in Shotley Bridge in 1687 along with his family and fellow swordsmen to start a new life.
As the story progresses the two storylines start to merge due to Hermann finding himself charged with treason after not being able to understand and explain what has happened and finding himself in Morpeth Gaol. This leads to nail biting tension in the final chapters that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat as you turn page after spell binding page until it reaches its conclusion.
As is typical of all Helen's books the accuracy to detail through her extensive research, and more knowledge of this can be found on her website ( see the link below), you end up finishing the book with so much more knowledge than you previously had of the historical detail of the times. I also learnt so much about the art of swords making through Hermann's instruction of his apprentice along with the dangers to health that occurred as a result of the sulphur in the furnaces.
There is an incredible amount going on in this book with all its different layers that you will need to take your time over it and unpick it slowly to ensure that you do not miss any of the intricacies and understand fully what is going on throughout.
On another level so many aspects of this book relate to the times we currently live in with immigration and the need of immigrants to leave their own countries in order to find a better life and jobs elsewhere, with the hope that someday they may be able to return to the country of their birth. However, then as now , there is also the importance that they fit in and get along with their neighbours, even if it means drinking ale that is far less superior to their own !!!!!!!
Another stunning 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 read from Helen .
However, before I even start on what lies within the pages I must point out what an exceptionally beautiful cover it is, inlaid with gold leaf with the emblems of the wold and the sword on the front.
The Running Wold is set in England, just before the Jacobean uprising which affected England and Europe, with devastating consequences. The book concentrates on two main characters, Hermann Mohll and Robert Tipstaff and Helen alternates the chapters to allow us to develop our knowledge about them consecutively, along with the use of the dual timelines . The story alternates between Morpeth Gaol , starting in 1703, where we build up a picture of the obnoxious Robert Tipstaff and his dishonest nature in regards to the various prisoners who are unfortunate to cross his path, and Hermann Mohll, one of the exemplary German Sword Makers from Solingen, who arrives in Shotley Bridge in 1687 along with his family and fellow swordsmen to start a new life.
As the story progresses the two storylines start to merge due to Hermann finding himself charged with treason after not being able to understand and explain what has happened and finding himself in Morpeth Gaol. This leads to nail biting tension in the final chapters that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat as you turn page after spell binding page until it reaches its conclusion.
As is typical of all Helen's books the accuracy to detail through her extensive research, and more knowledge of this can be found on her website ( see the link below), you end up finishing the book with so much more knowledge than you previously had of the historical detail of the times. I also learnt so much about the art of swords making through Hermann's instruction of his apprentice along with the dangers to health that occurred as a result of the sulphur in the furnaces.
There is an incredible amount going on in this book with all its different layers that you will need to take your time over it and unpick it slowly to ensure that you do not miss any of the intricacies and understand fully what is going on throughout.
On another level so many aspects of this book relate to the times we currently live in with immigration and the need of immigrants to leave their own countries in order to find a better life and jobs elsewhere, with the hope that someday they may be able to return to the country of their birth. However, then as now , there is also the importance that they fit in and get along with their neighbours, even if it means drinking ale that is far less superior to their own !!!!!!!
Another stunning 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 read from Helen .
May 6, 2023
I review a lot of books, so I need to read a lot of books. It isn't as often as I'd prefer that I'm able to slip into the story as easily I was through this one. From the family dynamic of the story and the characters I fell in love with to the wonderful narration by Richard Turner, this book was absolutely a winner for me. It was one of those books I could turn on and instantly feel relaxed, but like any story you get invested in, it eventually had an ending, and I can honestly say it was very difficult to say goodbye to this world.
I wasn't familiar with Helen Steadman before beginning this book, but at this point I have read a few of her offerings already. I can honestly say she excels at writing historical fiction, and while this story is definitely not without its trials and dangers, it's well written and intimate. You follow a German family learning to live in England in the late 1600s and prosper as swordmakers, a dying trade. The familial aspect raises the stakes so much higher. From my memory, nothing in this book felt entirely inconsequential, but some of my favourite chapters are where very little happened. To simply be a part of this family and to live with them over so many years made any problems surrounding them feel more personal.
Some other reviewers have made reference to the time jump to the end of the story every other chapter or so, building an ending early that doesn't feel relevant until the main story is able to catch up, but I actually enjoyed it. At the end of many chapters you're fed another breadcrumb that something will eventually end up happening, and it felt disconnected for so long because you're spending so much time with this family in their earlier years. I thought it was an interesting way to remind you that this whole book is building up to something, and it kept me interested to find out what. As I mentioned, it was relaxing to follow the characters going about their day-to-day lives, but after a while, perhaps it could become redundant. Putting those brief teaser chapters in there was a good balance. They keep the pace moving, but they could probably also be skipped and gone back to read in order at the end of the book, if you would prefer.
I really enjoyed this book, and I would recommend picking up a copy of the audiobook for Richard Turner's wonderful narration. I regret that there isn't more of it, but I'm finding the familiarity I miss from this story in some of Helen Steadman's other novels. I'm a big fan of these historical fiction novels and I'm excited to hear more from her.
Thanks to Helen Steadman and Impress Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review, it was very much appreciated.
I wasn't familiar with Helen Steadman before beginning this book, but at this point I have read a few of her offerings already. I can honestly say she excels at writing historical fiction, and while this story is definitely not without its trials and dangers, it's well written and intimate. You follow a German family learning to live in England in the late 1600s and prosper as swordmakers, a dying trade. The familial aspect raises the stakes so much higher. From my memory, nothing in this book felt entirely inconsequential, but some of my favourite chapters are where very little happened. To simply be a part of this family and to live with them over so many years made any problems surrounding them feel more personal.
Some other reviewers have made reference to the time jump to the end of the story every other chapter or so, building an ending early that doesn't feel relevant until the main story is able to catch up, but I actually enjoyed it. At the end of many chapters you're fed another breadcrumb that something will eventually end up happening, and it felt disconnected for so long because you're spending so much time with this family in their earlier years. I thought it was an interesting way to remind you that this whole book is building up to something, and it kept me interested to find out what. As I mentioned, it was relaxing to follow the characters going about their day-to-day lives, but after a while, perhaps it could become redundant. Putting those brief teaser chapters in there was a good balance. They keep the pace moving, but they could probably also be skipped and gone back to read in order at the end of the book, if you would prefer.
I really enjoyed this book, and I would recommend picking up a copy of the audiobook for Richard Turner's wonderful narration. I regret that there isn't more of it, but I'm finding the familiarity I miss from this story in some of Helen Steadman's other novels. I'm a big fan of these historical fiction novels and I'm excited to hear more from her.
Thanks to Helen Steadman and Impress Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review, it was very much appreciated.
January 10, 2022
Once again, Helen Steadman has created a piece of historical fiction that is ripened with meticulous research and a flair of imagination that when combined gives the reader a unique journey through the past. I knew nothing about this period in history and that is what I love about reading historical fiction as it allows you to learn about a group of individuals and their stories. I love it when you have to , in this case, pause the audiobook to travel down a Google and wiki rabbit hole as you have become so interested in finding out all you can. I'm sure it mirrors the research Helen must do in a way, although maybe not Wikipedia! Helen has compiled a blog post on her website which details some of the secondary source research she undertook before moving on to primary sources.
https://helensteadman.com/2020/12/31/...
As a historian, it makes fascinating reading. Not just her blog posts but her books in general.
Numerous themes are running through ‘The Running Wolf’ that are still relevant today and that is what makes Helen’s books so engaging and enjoyable. In this one, we have the exploration of the diaspora community deciding whether to assimilate into their area or keep hold of their old culture and ways. I loved how it was Liesl who helped to bridge the gap between the communities by wanting to learn English and become friends with the local children. Also, we see how economic migration sees the Germans come to England as they should be able to earn higher amounts for their goods there. These are issues that still force people to make these decisions every day.
As an audiobook, this novel works extremely well as it swaps from Herr Mohl’s backstory to his time in Morpeth jail. At first, I was disappointed that we didn't have the same narrator as in ‘Sunwise’ and ‘Widdershins’ but I soon came to enjoy the narrator and their calming voice. I would have enjoyed diving into the story with a female perspective as well as it would have allowed the author to examine some of the above themes from a different angle. However, that is just my opinion and only because the author has made me want to know more about the story which is only a good response to their work!
This was a way to pass some time over the festive period and from on now any book Helen writes is going to be an automatic read for me!
https://helensteadman.com/2020/12/31/...
As a historian, it makes fascinating reading. Not just her blog posts but her books in general.
Numerous themes are running through ‘The Running Wolf’ that are still relevant today and that is what makes Helen’s books so engaging and enjoyable. In this one, we have the exploration of the diaspora community deciding whether to assimilate into their area or keep hold of their old culture and ways. I loved how it was Liesl who helped to bridge the gap between the communities by wanting to learn English and become friends with the local children. Also, we see how economic migration sees the Germans come to England as they should be able to earn higher amounts for their goods there. These are issues that still force people to make these decisions every day.
As an audiobook, this novel works extremely well as it swaps from Herr Mohl’s backstory to his time in Morpeth jail. At first, I was disappointed that we didn't have the same narrator as in ‘Sunwise’ and ‘Widdershins’ but I soon came to enjoy the narrator and their calming voice. I would have enjoyed diving into the story with a female perspective as well as it would have allowed the author to examine some of the above themes from a different angle. However, that is just my opinion and only because the author has made me want to know more about the story which is only a good response to their work!
This was a way to pass some time over the festive period and from on now any book Helen writes is going to be an automatic read for me!
January 17, 2022
I’m not well-read in historical fiction but this audiobook was utterly captivating. Set in the late 1600s we are introduced to Hermann Mohll and his family as they land in Shotley Bridge, in the north of England to start their new lives after fleeing war in their home of Germany. The story then continues alternating between a future date in the early 1700s where Hermann is imprisoned for a reason we don’t know. As the story unfolds, jumping back and forth, we discover the circumstances that led to his imprisonment.
This story is based on the real flight of Germans to the UK in the 1600-1700’s and is very well researched. Everything from the sailing route, the attitudes of people, to the intricate details of sword making, are expertly researched and described. It is as much an enjoyable story as it is a history lesson. As someone who considered themselves a bit of a History nerd (after my first love of Music) at school this really hit the spot.
Listening to an audiobook of anything can be a bit daunting as the narrator can really make or break your enjoyment of it. Richard Turner is a fantastic narrator, with a warmth to his voice that makes you think of being next to a cost fire. He also has a brilliant knack for accents and gives depth and personality to each individual character. I particular liked Hermann’s mother and their relationship, clearly echoing the same relationship dynamics you see in families today. Older generations who think the younger generations have things easy and are set in their ways, and younger generations tiptoeing around them not wanting to set them off despite strongly disagreeing with their world view. This is obviously a generalisation (not everyone is like this) but it is a stereotype that persists today.
The relationship between the German settlers and the English natives was also interesting and again echoes issues of the day. Moments of distrust from the English and the assertion that you must speak the language of the country, and themes around the difficulties created for migrants by those who just wish to profit off vulnerable individuals. The difference in governance between England and Germany was also an interesting fact, and those differences again are echoed in modern times. Despite the story being set almost 400 years ago, very little seems to have changed.
The story progressed steadily with little things being revealed bit by bit as we jumped back and forth, but it was done at a good pace. At no point did I feel bored, I felt almost as if I were there with them day to day.
Verdict: Steadman has created a beautiful, well-researched world, with characters who could be your next-door neighbours and Turner brings them to life with warmth and familiarity in his oration. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in historical fiction and even those who are not but would like to give it a try. I know I’ll be reading more from Steadman in the future.
This story is based on the real flight of Germans to the UK in the 1600-1700’s and is very well researched. Everything from the sailing route, the attitudes of people, to the intricate details of sword making, are expertly researched and described. It is as much an enjoyable story as it is a history lesson. As someone who considered themselves a bit of a History nerd (after my first love of Music) at school this really hit the spot.
Listening to an audiobook of anything can be a bit daunting as the narrator can really make or break your enjoyment of it. Richard Turner is a fantastic narrator, with a warmth to his voice that makes you think of being next to a cost fire. He also has a brilliant knack for accents and gives depth and personality to each individual character. I particular liked Hermann’s mother and their relationship, clearly echoing the same relationship dynamics you see in families today. Older generations who think the younger generations have things easy and are set in their ways, and younger generations tiptoeing around them not wanting to set them off despite strongly disagreeing with their world view. This is obviously a generalisation (not everyone is like this) but it is a stereotype that persists today.
The relationship between the German settlers and the English natives was also interesting and again echoes issues of the day. Moments of distrust from the English and the assertion that you must speak the language of the country, and themes around the difficulties created for migrants by those who just wish to profit off vulnerable individuals. The difference in governance between England and Germany was also an interesting fact, and those differences again are echoed in modern times. Despite the story being set almost 400 years ago, very little seems to have changed.
The story progressed steadily with little things being revealed bit by bit as we jumped back and forth, but it was done at a good pace. At no point did I feel bored, I felt almost as if I were there with them day to day.
Verdict: Steadman has created a beautiful, well-researched world, with characters who could be your next-door neighbours and Turner brings them to life with warmth and familiarity in his oration. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in historical fiction and even those who are not but would like to give it a try. I know I’ll be reading more from Steadman in the future.
May 28, 2021
The Running Wolf is set right at the end of the 17th century and the very beginning of the 18th century. It centres around a group of master sword makers from Solingen in Germany who, having found that work has dried up and there are too many of them in one small area, break away from their community and move to the very north of England to form a new community.
It's not hard to imagine, with Helen Steadman's expert guidance, how it must have felt for them to arrive in a new place, feeling like they don't belong. The main characters are Hermann Mohll and his wife, daughter and mother, along with their pup, Griselda. I found reading about their home life, roles and customs really interesting and the author brought it all to life for me.
Alongside the family's arrival in Shotley Bridge and the ensuing years as Hermann tries to build up his sword making and the family settle in fairly uneasily, there is a slightly later thread set in Morpeth Gaol where Hermann is being held after smuggling swords from Solingen to try to improve matters for his family and those in his community. I thought it was clever how the author weaved the two timelines together.
Helen Steadman always writes with such authenticity and attention to detail. Her research is thorough and setting is always strong. I must admit I didn't gel with this book quite as much as I did with her first two, Widdershins and Sunwise. Maybe it's because sword making seems a very specific subject matter and wouldn't necessarily be something I would be drawn to if it hadn't been an author whose work I had enjoyed previously. However, it is a really intriguing basis for a novel and quite unique I would imagine. This is an author who I feel writes books that are completely faithful to the time in which they are set.
I'm glad I read The Running Wolf. I learned a lot about the art of sword making, about how it must have felt to uproot a family in the late 1600s and then to try to maintain traditions from home whilst settling into a new community. This is one for historical fiction fans who are looking for a storyline that is a bit different from the norm.
It's not hard to imagine, with Helen Steadman's expert guidance, how it must have felt for them to arrive in a new place, feeling like they don't belong. The main characters are Hermann Mohll and his wife, daughter and mother, along with their pup, Griselda. I found reading about their home life, roles and customs really interesting and the author brought it all to life for me.
Alongside the family's arrival in Shotley Bridge and the ensuing years as Hermann tries to build up his sword making and the family settle in fairly uneasily, there is a slightly later thread set in Morpeth Gaol where Hermann is being held after smuggling swords from Solingen to try to improve matters for his family and those in his community. I thought it was clever how the author weaved the two timelines together.
Helen Steadman always writes with such authenticity and attention to detail. Her research is thorough and setting is always strong. I must admit I didn't gel with this book quite as much as I did with her first two, Widdershins and Sunwise. Maybe it's because sword making seems a very specific subject matter and wouldn't necessarily be something I would be drawn to if it hadn't been an author whose work I had enjoyed previously. However, it is a really intriguing basis for a novel and quite unique I would imagine. This is an author who I feel writes books that are completely faithful to the time in which they are set.
I'm glad I read The Running Wolf. I learned a lot about the art of sword making, about how it must have felt to uproot a family in the late 1600s and then to try to maintain traditions from home whilst settling into a new community. This is one for historical fiction fans who are looking for a storyline that is a bit different from the norm.
January 10, 2022
I was sent a copy of this book for review.
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In the late 17th century, Hermann Mohll leaves his home in Solingen, Germany, with his family and other members of his sword maker community. They break ties with their Guild and travel the long journey to England. After being wooed by promises of prosperity by emissaries of Queen Anne, they are greeted by less than hospitable locals and severely overrated opportunities.
In 1703 a German smuggler is imprisoned in Morpeth Gaol. This lowly criminal draws the interest of The Earl of Nottingham, Queen Anne's close advisor. This seems odd in the extreme and as events unfold we find out why this man brings such attention to himself.
These troubled times were hardest for common folk as they dealt with poverty, rising prices and dwindling good relations between natives and foreigners which led once friendly neighbours to turn on each other. We see this play out through Hermann's eyes as he grapples to keep his business afloat and family from starving and ultimately takes a risky decision to help his whole community. This is set to the backdrop of infighting amongst religious faiths, nationalities and evolving political allegiances.
As the beginnings of the Jacobite Uprising surround Hermann and a crooked jailor holds the life of the German smuggler in his hands, the constant flow of lies, deceit and hidden motivations shape the lives of everyone they touch. The question is whether anyone can be trusted if everyone is keeping secrets.
🌟🌟🌟🌟. An intriguing, historically thrilling and emotional book. Listening to the audiobook transported me back in time to this German settlement as they strived to create a new life for themselves, demonstrate their incredible sword smith skills but experienced the hardships of this hostile land. I also felt I was trapped in that cell in Morpeth Gaol as the descriptions were wonderfully vivid and tangible. Overall it had interesting and complex characters, a fascinating historical plot and a suspenseful narrative told from both ends of the intense story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
In the late 17th century, Hermann Mohll leaves his home in Solingen, Germany, with his family and other members of his sword maker community. They break ties with their Guild and travel the long journey to England. After being wooed by promises of prosperity by emissaries of Queen Anne, they are greeted by less than hospitable locals and severely overrated opportunities.
In 1703 a German smuggler is imprisoned in Morpeth Gaol. This lowly criminal draws the interest of The Earl of Nottingham, Queen Anne's close advisor. This seems odd in the extreme and as events unfold we find out why this man brings such attention to himself.
These troubled times were hardest for common folk as they dealt with poverty, rising prices and dwindling good relations between natives and foreigners which led once friendly neighbours to turn on each other. We see this play out through Hermann's eyes as he grapples to keep his business afloat and family from starving and ultimately takes a risky decision to help his whole community. This is set to the backdrop of infighting amongst religious faiths, nationalities and evolving political allegiances.
As the beginnings of the Jacobite Uprising surround Hermann and a crooked jailor holds the life of the German smuggler in his hands, the constant flow of lies, deceit and hidden motivations shape the lives of everyone they touch. The question is whether anyone can be trusted if everyone is keeping secrets.
🌟🌟🌟🌟. An intriguing, historically thrilling and emotional book. Listening to the audiobook transported me back in time to this German settlement as they strived to create a new life for themselves, demonstrate their incredible sword smith skills but experienced the hardships of this hostile land. I also felt I was trapped in that cell in Morpeth Gaol as the descriptions were wonderfully vivid and tangible. Overall it had interesting and complex characters, a fascinating historical plot and a suspenseful narrative told from both ends of the intense story.
January 17, 2022
⭐4.5 Stars On My Instagram Post⭐
"You have steel running through you, but you must bend to survive."
A master sword maker makes a decision that changes the course of his life forever in The Running Wolf by meticulous research author Helen Steadman.
Told in two timelines from 1687 to 1704 we are immersed in the life of German (Prussia) premier sword creator Hermann Mohll, his family and neighbors, as they make the ultimate decision to leave their homeland for England where thay are promised wealth to manufacturer their top tier swords.
Instead of steady work they encounter prejudice as foreigners and religious Lutherans. One of the most poignant moments is Hermann stating, "If only men the world over could accept there was a single Creator but many ways of praising Him, the world might be a happier place and mankind might stop tearing itself apart."
This story is a captivating tale that switches from Hermann trying to financially help everyone in his community, training an apprentice, protecting his inquisitive daughter Liesl, and praising the unconditional love of the family's one eared dog Griselda to mounting a smuggling plan that lands him in prison for high treason.
Listening to the soothing tones of narrator Richard Turner this story is pure joy for English and Jacobite historical fiction fans. Even the instructional passages of forging swords is fascinating to hear. In fact, the author forged her own sword during her research.
Does Hermann hang for his crimes? How cruel is the prison keeper? Will Liesl be safe? How loyal is Griselda? Okay she is the loyalest dog! Told as a PBS Masterpiece Theater mystery, detailed as a documentary and as much fun as any swashbuckling adventure The Running Wolf is perfect entertainment on these wintry nights.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publishers for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
"You have steel running through you, but you must bend to survive."
A master sword maker makes a decision that changes the course of his life forever in The Running Wolf by meticulous research author Helen Steadman.
Told in two timelines from 1687 to 1704 we are immersed in the life of German (Prussia) premier sword creator Hermann Mohll, his family and neighbors, as they make the ultimate decision to leave their homeland for England where thay are promised wealth to manufacturer their top tier swords.
Instead of steady work they encounter prejudice as foreigners and religious Lutherans. One of the most poignant moments is Hermann stating, "If only men the world over could accept there was a single Creator but many ways of praising Him, the world might be a happier place and mankind might stop tearing itself apart."
This story is a captivating tale that switches from Hermann trying to financially help everyone in his community, training an apprentice, protecting his inquisitive daughter Liesl, and praising the unconditional love of the family's one eared dog Griselda to mounting a smuggling plan that lands him in prison for high treason.
Listening to the soothing tones of narrator Richard Turner this story is pure joy for English and Jacobite historical fiction fans. Even the instructional passages of forging swords is fascinating to hear. In fact, the author forged her own sword during her research.
Does Hermann hang for his crimes? How cruel is the prison keeper? Will Liesl be safe? How loyal is Griselda? Okay she is the loyalest dog! Told as a PBS Masterpiece Theater mystery, detailed as a documentary and as much fun as any swashbuckling adventure The Running Wolf is perfect entertainment on these wintry nights.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publishers for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 4, 2022
Overall rating: 4 stars
Narrator rating: 4 stars
"Even the best bread can turn moldy."
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In The Running Wolf, we are immersed in the life of a German smithy who has relocated with his family to England in the late 1600s. While the story follows the ins and outs of their lives it illuminates the truth of life as an immigrant, as a skilled worker operating outside of a guild, the politics of England, religious intolerance and the general harshness of life in that era. The story flips back and forth between an imprisoned smuggler in the run up to the Jacobite uprising and the life of the smithy, Hermann (love that character's name obviously).
I really loved the intricate detail of Hermann's life. We see the importance of their nationality in their lives, the respect and care for elders, the importance of gender roles and the job of a smithy in general. I liked that there were scenes in both England and Germany so we saw life in both places. There were quite a few scenes of action that I felt were heart pounding but you should expect for the most part, a slower paced story with small snippets of life changing action.
This is really fabulous historical fiction with a slice of life that I haven't read in other novels of this type. We really see how the rigors of life challenges even the best people and the choices they are forced to make under duress.
Thanks to Love Book Tours and Helen Steadman for a gifted copy of this audiobook. All opinions above are my own.
Narrator rating: 4 stars
"Even the best bread can turn moldy."
----------------------------------
In The Running Wolf, we are immersed in the life of a German smithy who has relocated with his family to England in the late 1600s. While the story follows the ins and outs of their lives it illuminates the truth of life as an immigrant, as a skilled worker operating outside of a guild, the politics of England, religious intolerance and the general harshness of life in that era. The story flips back and forth between an imprisoned smuggler in the run up to the Jacobite uprising and the life of the smithy, Hermann (love that character's name obviously).
I really loved the intricate detail of Hermann's life. We see the importance of their nationality in their lives, the respect and care for elders, the importance of gender roles and the job of a smithy in general. I liked that there were scenes in both England and Germany so we saw life in both places. There were quite a few scenes of action that I felt were heart pounding but you should expect for the most part, a slower paced story with small snippets of life changing action.
This is really fabulous historical fiction with a slice of life that I haven't read in other novels of this type. We really see how the rigors of life challenges even the best people and the choices they are forced to make under duress.
Thanks to Love Book Tours and Helen Steadman for a gifted copy of this audiobook. All opinions above are my own.
January 12, 2022
Listened to this one.
The dream thieves were horrid and it was quite gory on some parts and very detailed. The hangover made me cringe as I especially suffer badly with hangovers.
As an introduction to the book, you instantly learn that the book is about Sword Makers and 20 families are travelling to England. Leaving the poverty and their families behind. I loved the description of The running wolf blade mark. I loved learning more and more about the characters. I must admit this book took a couple of hours to really grasp my attention.
I think one of my favourite parts was teaching Joseph how to sculpture the nails. I’m not sure why but the friendly ways the patience really stood out for me. I can’t imagine being a girl in those times not being able to read when you want to and being told no your husband can teach you when you’re married. Frustrating but that’s just how those times were.
I was gripped to my steering wheel with the scene of the ice skating. Who would I choose between Joseph and Peter? English or German. Joseph seems like the best bet to me and his sweet ways. I’m so glad they got the opportunity to go back to Germany. There was a lot of scenes I found really gruesome and cringed. It took a long time for me to get into this but it was worth it in the end.
The dream thieves were horrid and it was quite gory on some parts and very detailed. The hangover made me cringe as I especially suffer badly with hangovers.
As an introduction to the book, you instantly learn that the book is about Sword Makers and 20 families are travelling to England. Leaving the poverty and their families behind. I loved the description of The running wolf blade mark. I loved learning more and more about the characters. I must admit this book took a couple of hours to really grasp my attention.
I think one of my favourite parts was teaching Joseph how to sculpture the nails. I’m not sure why but the friendly ways the patience really stood out for me. I can’t imagine being a girl in those times not being able to read when you want to and being told no your husband can teach you when you’re married. Frustrating but that’s just how those times were.
I was gripped to my steering wheel with the scene of the ice skating. Who would I choose between Joseph and Peter? English or German. Joseph seems like the best bet to me and his sweet ways. I’m so glad they got the opportunity to go back to Germany. There was a lot of scenes I found really gruesome and cringed. It took a long time for me to get into this but it was worth it in the end.
January 31, 2024
I was really looking forward to diving into this book i loved the last book I read by Helen Steadman (solstice) and so I had very high expectations for this one! You can tell that the author has done some brilliant research before starting
this book because she's written such vivid characters and once again brought the period to life for me. I loved that we had little mentions of Rose and Joseph, whom we met in Solstice, it was nice to see a little more of their story even if just in passing mention with other characters' conversations.
I love reading books by Helen Steadman, she makes me want to go away and do more reading on the period she's drawn me into with her writing, it's just so beautifully done. I get caught up reading her books that time just passes me by as I just don't want to leave where she's taken me.I enjoyed the alternating chapters, I liked that we went between two time periods in Hermann's life but it took me a few chapters to make the connection i think I was having a slow night lol
I still can't believe that the author learnt swordmaking! I absolutely love that she did that, it's brilliant the level of dedication to her research that she has and it makes the books amazing for it. She's quickly becoming one of my auto-buy authors and I have all her other books on my want-to-read list.
this book because she's written such vivid characters and once again brought the period to life for me. I loved that we had little mentions of Rose and Joseph, whom we met in Solstice, it was nice to see a little more of their story even if just in passing mention with other characters' conversations.
I love reading books by Helen Steadman, she makes me want to go away and do more reading on the period she's drawn me into with her writing, it's just so beautifully done. I get caught up reading her books that time just passes me by as I just don't want to leave where she's taken me.I enjoyed the alternating chapters, I liked that we went between two time periods in Hermann's life but it took me a few chapters to make the connection i think I was having a slow night lol
I still can't believe that the author learnt swordmaking! I absolutely love that she did that, it's brilliant the level of dedication to her research that she has and it makes the books amazing for it. She's quickly becoming one of my auto-buy authors and I have all her other books on my want-to-read list.
January 19, 2022
I am thrilled to be part of the tour for The Running Wolf by Helen Steadman.
#AD #Gifted
My thanks to the author @helensteadman1650 and @lovebookstours for the opportunity to listen to and offer an honest, unbiased review.
Set in a dual timeline. Starting with the arrival of the Mohll family in Shotley Bridge in 1687 and alternating with the voice of the Morpeth Gaol keeper in 1703-04, the two strands eventually come together.
I love Helen Steadman's writing. She conjures up such a sense of place and time that you almost feel you are there with her characters. Speaking of which, I liked all the members of the Mohll family, from the crotchety sharp tongued grandmother to Herman Mohll himself. Delicately drawn with a sure hand, even the family hound comes to life off the page.
The book centres around the arrival in England of several German families of sword makers and their travails. Caught in the midst of a political storm, their new lives do not go as they had hoped they would. Herr Mohll eventually takes a huge risk for the good of his community. An honest, family man, can be survive his time in Morpeth Gaol?
#AD #Gifted
My thanks to the author @helensteadman1650 and @lovebookstours for the opportunity to listen to and offer an honest, unbiased review.
Set in a dual timeline. Starting with the arrival of the Mohll family in Shotley Bridge in 1687 and alternating with the voice of the Morpeth Gaol keeper in 1703-04, the two strands eventually come together.
I love Helen Steadman's writing. She conjures up such a sense of place and time that you almost feel you are there with her characters. Speaking of which, I liked all the members of the Mohll family, from the crotchety sharp tongued grandmother to Herman Mohll himself. Delicately drawn with a sure hand, even the family hound comes to life off the page.
The book centres around the arrival in England of several German families of sword makers and their travails. Caught in the midst of a political storm, their new lives do not go as they had hoped they would. Herr Mohll eventually takes a huge risk for the good of his community. An honest, family man, can be survive his time in Morpeth Gaol?
January 19, 2024
It's no secret that historical fiction is not my favourite genre - and although I like to push the boundaries every so often, I decided that this year, I'd stick with what I know.
However, I just could not turn down the opportunity of reading one of Helen's books!
Having read (almost) all of her previous books (Solstice is currently ongoing) and absolutely loving them, I just knew that even though the genre was going to push me, I would still sink right into the storyline and become immersed in the amazing writing style.
I am so glad that I took that risk - as once again, I was not disappointed!
Set in the late 17th and early 18th century, this story focusses on a group of master sword makers from Germany, who uproot and move to the North of England and set up a new community.
I really loved the Mohll family and soon became immersed in their daily family life, routines and struggles whilst trying to fit in to their new surroundings.
Helen has a way of writing that totally encompasses the setting and era so wonderfully.
The descriptions and attention to detail throughout really make everything stand out and made me feel as though I was there living this life with them all.
Although this is not a topic I ever thought I'd read about, I still found this a fascinating and enjoyable read.
However, I just could not turn down the opportunity of reading one of Helen's books!
Having read (almost) all of her previous books (Solstice is currently ongoing) and absolutely loving them, I just knew that even though the genre was going to push me, I would still sink right into the storyline and become immersed in the amazing writing style.
I am so glad that I took that risk - as once again, I was not disappointed!
Set in the late 17th and early 18th century, this story focusses on a group of master sword makers from Germany, who uproot and move to the North of England and set up a new community.
I really loved the Mohll family and soon became immersed in their daily family life, routines and struggles whilst trying to fit in to their new surroundings.
Helen has a way of writing that totally encompasses the setting and era so wonderfully.
The descriptions and attention to detail throughout really make everything stand out and made me feel as though I was there living this life with them all.
Although this is not a topic I ever thought I'd read about, I still found this a fascinating and enjoyable read.
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