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In the late 1580s, England is holding its breath: word has it that Philip of Spain is assembling a huge fleet, aiming to attack the English. Along the coasts, beacons are set up, and people fret and pray as they await the papist attack. In Dartington, uncomfortably close to the Devon coast, it is Mistress Champernowne who is doing her best to keep her people calm while overseeing the preparations to withstand—or flee—an attack. Roberda Champernowne not only has to deal with potential Spanish invasions: her life is further complicated by the very strained relationship with her husband, Gawen. Why strained? Because Gawen—rat’s arse that he is—attempted to divorce her some years ago by falsely accusing her of adultery. Didn’t work—the queen herself interceded—and since then, Gawen has found it wise to stay well away from home. But now, Gawen is back, and while everything logical in Roberda is cautioning her not to take his contrition at face value, it doesn’t take long before Gawen has wiggled himself back into her affections—and bed. Ms Griggs familiarity with the Devon countryside, with Dartington Hall, with her cast of IRL characters (yes, Roberda and Gawen are real people) shines through on every page. The setting springs to rich and vibrant life, as does Tudor England, be it the political complexities of the time, the customs or the everyday details around food and dress. Most of all, though, Ms Griggs gives us Roberda, this engaging, strong woman whose voice resonates down the centuries. Roberda breathes and lives again in Ms Grigg’s novel—but she does so within the constraints imposed by her time, a time where a wife was subservient to her husband in everything. Roberda will come to realise that trusting Gawen again was not a good idea. But Roberda is resilient and brave—she grew up surrounded by war, raised by a mother who in everything was Roberda’s father’s equal partner. Along the way, Roberda will reclaim her own, French Huguenot identity, presenting herself as Gabrielle Roberda de Montgomery. This reader silently cheers her on and thanks Ms Griggs for a wonderful reading experience!

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