I’m so delighted today to be joining the blog tour for the new book from Elena Collins, The Wicked Lady, and sharing my review. Published on 31st July by Boldwood Books, it’s now available for kindle (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. As always, thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
I’ve now reviewed so many of Judy Leigh’s wonderful books – just enter her name in my search bar to find them all – that you’ll know how much I love her writing. But I must confess – and maybe I should whisper – I think I might just be enjoying the books she writes as Elena Collins even more. The first, The Witch’s Tree, was one of my 2022 Books of the Year – fantastic storytelling, Somerset in the seventeenth century, touches of the supernatural in the present day, wonderful emotional content (you can read my review again here). And then came The Lady of the Loch – further back in history this time, the Scottish Highlands during the period leading up to the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, with a strong balancing contemporary story (you’ll find my review here). And then, The Daughter of the Fens, now called Daughter of the Mists – and perhaps my favourite so far (and, of course, one of my 2023 Books of the Year) – that took us back to Roman Britain, with a central romance that touched me so deeply and a story that captivated me throughout (you’ll find my review here). And this time? Romance and highway robbery – and my goodness, it was a book I was SO looking forward to…
1648 – Hertfordshire
Thirteen-year-old Katherine Ferrers is in despair at being betrothed to arch-Royalist Thomas Fanshawe whose family are hellbent on plundering her family’s fortune to champion the exiled Charles. As her unhappy marriage stretches before her, her only comfort is her beloved childhood home The Cell. But as the years pass and Kate grows restless, a new passion, a new love and a dangerous calling threaten to upend everything she’s ever known.
Present Day – Hertfordshire
Charlie Wolfe jumps at the chance to help his uncle renovate a tumbledown cottage overlooking Nomansland Common. Number One Constable’s Cottages was once the home of the man charged with ridding the common of the highwaymen who terrorised travellers. But it’s the story of The Wicked Lady, the notorious female highway robber, that captures Charlie’s imagination, and some long winters’ nights he’s sure he can hear the hoofbeats of her horse echoing across time.
What drove this mystery woman to risk everything for a life of crime, and why is she still restless, wandering the common in grief? It seems only Charlie can finally uncover the secret Katherine Ferrers has kept for hundreds of years; a secret of a terrible betrayal and a tragic love that was never meant to end this way…
USA Today bestselling author Judy Leigh writing as Elena Collins, brings you this spellbinding and heartbreaking timeslip novel, uncovering the intriguing story of another brave woman that history forgot. Perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Nicola Cornick, Diana Gabaldon and Louise Douglas.
Back to the 1640s, and I was immediately caught up in the life of Katherine Ferrers – only thirteen, but promised in marriage to a man she barely knows, and who only wants to get his hands on her properties and fortune to support the Royalist cause. The only blessing is that he’s rarely home – she forms friendships with the staff at her former childhood home, enjoys riding her stallion on Nomansland common, but then becomes very aware that there are many on their estate suffering in poverty as her husband siphons the money away. Always feisty, she comes up with a daring plan to replenish the coffers – while putting herself in considerable danger, as the authorities become increasingly determined to end her nocturnal activities.
In the present day, Charlie – yes, rather unusually, a male lead character, and one I particularly liked – is trying to find his way again after a broken relationship, staying in a dilapidated cottage in Hertfordshire, working with his builder uncle to renovate and put it on the market. It’s one of three, and we follow him as he builds new relationships with his neighbours – but also becomes increasingly aware of a ghostly presence, on horseback, disturbing his nights, setting out to discover more about their story and allow the spirit to find rest.
Katherine’s story is compulsive reading – and, despite the dubious morals of her chosen path, she remains entirely sympathetic throughout with her determination to put right the wrongs of her neglectful husband. It’s also a particularly moving romance – perhaps an impossible one, but one I desperately hoped would bring her happiness. The whole historical setting is wonderfully brought to life – and I really loved that constant edge of danger and mounting tension that the author brought to the story as Katherine’s outings became increasingly fraught with the possibility of discovery.
But it’s a really well balanced dual time story too – none of those uncomfortable wrenches – with some excellent character development, as Charlie encounters some romance of his own, and finds that uncovering Katherine’s story allows him to make some necessary decisions about his own future. The touches of the supernatural that link the stories are quite wonderfully done – there’s not really anything that will give a reader sleepless nights, but they’re certainly particularly atmospheric, very realistic, and distinctly chilling at times.
The twists and turns of the beautifully told story really kept the pages turning, and even faster as the tension steadily increased – and it certainly more than engaged me at an emotional level too. I read it in one thoroughly enjoyable sitting – and would very much recommend it to others.
About the author
Elena Collins is the pseudonym for USA Today bestselling author Judy Leigh writing unforgettable, heart-breaking timeslip novels. She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset.
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Newsletter sign up | Bookbub
