by Philippa Gregory

‘[Rowan] nodded and disappeared before his eyes. It was as if she had melted into air. One moment he held her warm hand and saw her confident smile under the shadow of her hat, and the next there were just shadows, not even the outline of her shadow, not even the whisper of her cape.’

Dawnlands is the third in a series of novels set in England and America in the 17th century. Preceded by Tidelands and Dark Tides, it introduces us again to Alinor and Ned Ferryman, and to Alinor’s former lover Sir James Avery, as well as several other characters who featured in the earlier books. It is 1685 and Alinor and Ned are now in late middle age. Alinor, with her daughter Alys, has built a successful trading business on the Thames, aided by Alys’s husband, sea-captain Abel Shore. Ned, who emigrated to the Americas, still harbours his revolutionary, republican symathies.

James, having been seduced by the unscrupulous Livia da Ricci, has been forced to marry her though he despises her and refuses to adopt her son Matthew into his family.

However, life for all is about to change, and not necessarily for the better. King Charles II is dead, his Catholic brother James has come to the throne of Great Britain, and there are rumblings of yet another rebellion. Ned decides to return to England and throw his lot in with the Duke of Monmouth. He has rescued a native American girl, Rowan, from slavery and takes her with him, disguised as a boy.

‘Livia walked in as if she owned the place, ushering the queen into the front parlour and seating her in the best chair. “Tell Alys we are here,” she ordered her son. “And find Captain Shore and tell him we wish to sail on the next tide.” ‘

Livia has wormed her way into the Queen’s affections and promises to get her out of the country using Alinor and her son-in-law, whom she bullies into assisting. Determined to raise her son in the world with or without James Avery, she schemes. lies and blackmails to get her way. However, as history tells, Monmouth’s rebellion fails, he is executed and his followers rounded up to face the ruthless Judge Jeffries and be tortured, killed or sent to the Colonies as slaves. Rowan, still disguised as a boy, is among the latter.

The Queen is saved and Matthew is rewarded with the manor of Foulmire, where Alinor spent her youth. Ned, who has survived the rebellion determines to rescue Rowan and turns to Johnnie, Alys’ son, who has business interests in the West Indies.

‘The judge turned to the prosecutor. “Isn’t that evidence of guilt?” he demanded. “Crying out? Contempt of court?” Hastily, he pulled on his black cap. “Sentenced to be hanged and then drawn and quartered…. All of ’em. Now bring up those who plead guilty.” ‘

Dawnlands is a novel with many turns and twists, and with subplots which can sometimes be confusing. Like its predecessors, it does not resolve into a ‘happy-ever-after’ ending. However, Gregory is great with this sort of story, just as she is with her most famous historical fiction. Perhaps we can forgive her for leaving us on something of a cliff edge with this one (in my opinion anyway!) A trilogy is not enough for me.

***