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The Players

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The Players

By: Minette Walters
Narrated by: Emma Gregory
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About this listen

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 a small group of trusted allies - including her courageous son and the independent-minded daughter of a local lawyer - 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...

©2025 Minette Walters (P)2025 W. F. Howes Ltd. Historical Historical Fiction Renaissance Thriller & Suspense Royalty

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Another excellent history lesson; Judge Jeffrey's and the Bloody Assizes, based on fact and woven into fiction. Loved it!

Evocative historical novel

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Another fabulous story based on historical events but nevertheless totally fictitious. Wonderful narration. I loved this book.

This deserves 6 stars

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I love the historical research that has gone into the unpicking of such a complex period of history, which is then wrapped into a compelling tale peopled with brilliantly drawn characters

Outstanding as ever

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Justifying Jeffrey’s was a tall order and doubt if many readers will. But she’s such a good writer, always worth a listen/tead

Not her best but worth a listen

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Well read and characterised version of an interesting era of history, featuring some intriguing protagonists,A great follow in from the Swift and the Harrier by the same author.

Superb story brilliantly read

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This sequel to Walter's previous story about a woman doctor during the Civil War is read in the same Dorsetshire accent. I was not sure if I would like the accents, but actually they became part of the story. Please make it a trilogy!

Fascinating story of the aftermath to the Monmouth Rebellion

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I'm afraid the opening chapters of this novel are, for me, beyond boring. Every time I listen, my mind wanders and I cannot focus on the narrative. This is due, in the main, to the quite awful narration. I listen to a lot of audio books and it is rare for me to struggle like this. This narration is dreadfully poor. A shame ss I had looked forward to this!

Good for insomnia

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