England, 1685.
Decades after the end of the civil war, the country is once again divided when Charles II’s illegitimate son, the Protestant Duke of Monmouth, arrives in Dorset to incite rebellion against his Catholic uncle.
Armed only with pitchforks, Monmouth’s army is quickly defeated by King James II’s superior forces and charged with high treason. Those found guilty will be hanged, drawn and quartered.
As Dorset braces for carnage, the redoubtable Lady Jayne Harrier and her enigmatic son, assisted by the reclusive daughter of a local magistrate, contrive ways to save men from the gallows.
Compelling and powerful, The Players is a story of guile, deceit and compassion during the dark days of The Bloody Assizes. Secrets are kept and surprising friendships formed in a dangerous gamble to thwart a brutal king’s thirst for vengeance…
Available in Hardback and eBook on 2 January 2025.
A bloody history from a queen of crime. Walters gives readers a sweeping narrative and a host of memorable characters in a novel that shows her to be as skilled in historical fiction as she is in the crime genre.
The Sunday Times
Set in the years preceding the Glorious Revolution of 1688, The Players brims with intrigue and drama…. Minette Walters has written an enthralling historical novel that will keep readers glued to the pages until the very end.
Book Reporter (USA)
An intricate plot and multi-faceted characters who delight in sparring conversation and dangerous undertakings make Walters’ dynamic take of the 17th century upheaval and its aftermath both subtle and dramatic.
Daily Mail
In all, a well-crafted and thoroughly engaging read – this is literary historic fiction at its very best.
Historical Novel Society
Wow! Where do I begin? This is without question the most fascinating literary historical fiction novel I have ever read. Dripping with power, intelligence and imagination. A riveting non-stop masterpiece that I struggled to put down and will never forget.
Cindy L Spear (Australia)
With The Players, Minette Walters cements her reputation as a storyteller who combines meticulous research with emotional resonance. This is a novel that will appeal to fans of
historical fiction and those intrigued by the human capacity for resilience and defiance in the face of tyranny.
The Bookish Elf
The devil is in the detail, and Walters uses all her skill as a writer of historical fiction to fill in this world and bring it to life.
Through her descriptive language, flair for supporting, relevant facts, and wonderfully rounded characters, readers will become immersed in this gripping, late 17th century tale.
The Irish Examiner
The Players is a triumph of historical fiction, offering a poignant exploration of humanity during one of England’s most turbulent times. Walters’ richly detailed narrative and unforgettable
characters make it a must-read for fans of the genre
Book Club
Don’t be put off by the fact that this isn’t pure crime fiction. Minette Walters is a Queen to crime readers around this world, and The Players is a cracker of a read.
Ruth Wykes, Sisters In Crime Australia
Minette Walters has again crafted historical fiction which stands as both an accurate representation of a dark time in English history and romance infused with wit and intelligence.
An enjoyable novel on every level, and well recommended to all lovers of literate historical fiction.