Lady of the Highway (The Highway Trilogy) - Softcover

Swift, Deborah

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1533248958 ISBN 13: 9781533248954

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016

Synopsis

'anyone regardless of age would love this story...Great story and great storytelling.' Book Nerd Blog

England 1651 The English Civil War is over, but the wounds of the conflict are still raw. Young Lady Katherine Fanshawe is determined to save her inheritance from the grasping hands of the authorities, and build a brighter future for herself. 
 
Although Kate knows it is dangerous, she invites her rebel friends to live and work at Markyate Manor. But her plans are blown apart when, after months of hard work, her stepfather returns unexpectedly, and evicts them all without pay.Kate's friends are bitter and turn against her, accusing her of being cursed, a bringer of misfortune. Desperate to regain their sympathy and trust, she turns to highway robbery to pay them back. 
 
But Kate is not the only highway thief on the road, and her rival is intent on bloodshed and murder. Soon the local constable is hot on her trail for crimes she did not commit.
Just when Kate thinks things can't get worse, another secret from within begins to reveal itself - a secret that threatens her very life. 
 
In this struggle against her loveless family, militant authorities and an unforgiving winter, will Lady Katherine's birthright turn out to be a blessing... or a curse? 

Lady of the Highway is the final book of Deborah Swift's Highway Trilogy for teens (and adults!). Shadow on the Highway and Spirit of the Highway are out now.

PRAISE FOR DEBORAH SWIFT 
'There is no greater compliment than, give me more'Susanna Gregory 

'characters so real they linger in the mind long after the book is back on the shelf'The Historical Novels Review 

'the past comes alive through impeccable research, layers of intriguing plotline, an understanding of the complexities of seventeenth century politics and the sheer power of descriptive prose'Lancashire Evening Post

About this title

From the Author

I have enjoyed constructing this trilogy of adventures for young adults based around the real-life story of Lady Katherine Fanshawe (Ferrers) who is famed in legend as 'The Wicked Lady'. Two Hollywood films were made about her, because of her supposed exploits as a highwayman.

The truth is of course more complex than that, and the factual evidence to support the idea that the real Katherine was a highwayman is scanty. However, as a story, I found it irresistible.The background of the English Civil War means that were many dispossessed aristocrats, soldiers, and routed Royalists on the road trying to eke out a living, and its possible Katherine's story might have become embroidered by the exploits of others. Also likely, is that her story might have become associated with a popular ballad of the time, about Maude of Allinghame. 

I have based Katherine's story on the real historical background, with its factions of rebels looking to build a new world in an unstable England. The story is also about her deaf maidservant, Abigail, and also about the Diggers - a radical sect who believed in communal living and were way ahead of their time. Full historical notes are in the backs of the books.

About the Author

DEBORAH SWIFT, a former set and costume designer for the BBC, lives in Windermere, England. Her debut novel, "The Lady s Slipper", was shortlisted for the Impress Prize for New Novelists in 2007.

About this edition

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1533248958
• ISBN 13: 9781533248954
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208