A Noble Cunning: The Countess and the Tower

Scotland, 1716

A Noble Cunning: The Countess and the Tower is based on the true story of Winifred Maxwell who relied on wit and courage to rescue her husband from the Tower of London. The author changed the names of Winifred and her husband but keeps to the facts. I found this to be a suspenseful, deeply atmospheric, and gripping book.

Bethan Glentaggart, Countess of Clarencefield, her husband Gavin and their children are Catholics living in Scotland. It is a time of political and religious upheaval. After a shocking beginning in which Bethan home is searched and ransacked by an angry crowd looking for a priest, things are looking bleak and Gavin leaves to join the fight for freedom. He is unfortunately captured and imprisoned in the Tower or London where he is sentenced to death for treason.

After Bethan receives a letter from Gavin informing her of his plight, she sets out for London with the intent of saving him. She is not alone, she has Lucy, her trusted servant to accompany her on her arduous journey to London. Where she pleads for her husband’s life and eventually with help, saves her husband. Bethan was a great and inspiring heroine who tackled her fears to save her husband. She was brave, cunning, and clever.

This was a gripping, well written, and historically accurate novel. I loved the vivid descriptions which had me feeling that I was there along with the characters as Bethan bravely and cleverly saved her husband. The descriptions also created a deeply atmospheric book where I could feel not only the chill in the air, but the cold and darkness of the Tower of London.

From the shocking beginning of the book, there is an underlying sense of danger and tension running throughout the book. People were persecuted for their religious beliefs and depending on what religion you were, you could be in grave danger.

This book was historically accurate, and I appreciated the author’s attention to detail and it was obvious that she did a tremendous amount of research before writing this book.

I enjoy books based on real events and real people. I also love books where I not only learn but I feel for the characters. I learned, I felt, and I enjoyed this book immensely. Fans of history, Historical fiction, inspired by real people/events and books featuring strong women will enjoy this one.

***Based on the true story of Winifred Maxwell,
a Catholic in anti-Catholic England

Thank you to the Author, Stephanie Barko, History Through Fiction, Independent Book Publishers Association, Members’ Titles, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.