The Swift and the Harrier cover art

The Swift and the Harrier

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Swift and the Harrier

By: Minette Walters
Narrated by: Emma Gregory
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $27.99

Buy Now for $27.99

About this listen

Dorset, 1642.

When bloody civil war breaks out between the king and Parliament, families and communities across England are riven by different allegiances.

A rare few choose neutrality.

One such is Jayne Swift, a Dorset physician from a royalist family, who offers her services to both sides in the conflict. Through her dedication to treating the sick and wounded, regardless of belief, Jayne becomes a witness to the brutality of war and the devastation it wreaks.

Yet her recurring companion at every event is a man she should despise because he embraces civil war as the means to an end. She knows him as William Harrier but is ignorant about every other aspect of his life. His past is a mystery and his future uncertain.

©2021 Minette Walters (P)2021 W. F. Howes Ltd Historical Fiction Fiction War Civil War

Critic Reviews

"The Swift and the Harrier is a sweeping tale of adventure and loss, sacrifice and love, with a unique and unforgettable heroine at its heart. Both gripping and fascinating. The civil war in Dorset is evoked brilliantly, the characters are real and intriguing and the love story tender." (Elizabeth Buchan)

"I loved every moment of this brilliantly evocative saga of struggle, love and danger set against the horrors of civil war." (S W Perry, best-selling author of the Jackdaw Mysteries)
All stars
Most relevant  
This author really does seem to have departed from her earlier published successes.

Writing books set in historical context shows how talented she is. This book must have taken a lot of research. After listening to this it helps put into perspective current times. You know, you think you have it bad now ...well....

The storyline is perfectly in balance with the historical context of the times. For me this was history brought to life - not as in a drab story on actions over a timeline, but as in people and behaviours during what would have been tumultuous times - thanks for the education l never had. Thanks for the enjoyment.

History brought to life

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I love Minette Walters’ writing. It’s full of different types of characters with different allegiances, and full of interesting plot twists. The narrator does an excellent job.

Intricate and satisfying

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.