I was more than slightly disappointed by how bored I was by the first book in this duology, but having invested so much time in the story, I wanted to see how it concluded. It does have some satisfying resolutions at the end, but I found it a hard slog getting there. I felt the two main characters became a little two-dimensional and predictable. The middle section, as in the first book, got bogged down in tedious, over-described and lacklustre action sequences. I can't say the time I invested in this series was worth it.

A brilliant and fast paced book, set in the old age and told historically.
The plague makes an appearance, as do all the hardships from that era but ultimately with strong characters and a gripping plot line, Minette Walters pulls off a fab novel.

This was a must-read, having finished The Last Hours, I had to know how the story unfolded. And it was just as good as the first story, pulling facts together to make an unputtdownable book. Would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys history but most of all who enjoys a tale well-told.

NetGalley/Publisher review:

I couldn't really get along with this purely because of the language it is written in. I was sad not to get through it however. I loved the blurb on it - the Black Death, survival, religion - all things that make for a really fun and sweeping read but I struggled to get into it and eventually gave up - a great shame.

As a sequel to [book:The Last Hours|35477888] I liked it better than the first book.

The plague is coming to an end and we're faced with the aftermath. Lady Anne and Thaddeus are faced with the dilemma whether to stay save within the mote or go out in search of resources. In the mean time peace within the community is threatened by lade Eleanor's antics and de Courtesmaines scheming.
Again the historical angle and believability are rather weak, but there is more action in the form of a murder, foraging tours outside the desmaine and contact with outsiders. Yet again the psychological challenges and questions were what kept me reading.

I was eager to read this second part to the story, having very much enjoyed the first, and am now saddened that it has ended! Very well researched and atmospheric and I was again drawn into the detail of daily life from those times. I was anxious to discover how things turned out for the various characters. Well worth reading both books in this series if you enjoy historical mystery novels. I hope this very gifted author writes many more!

This is a follow up story to the Last Hours. Set in the 1300’s at the time of the Black Death. Lady Anne and her people have survived by been isolated. This story follows them having to strike out for supplies and use their modern thinking and education to bring communities back together. They will still have a fight on their hands with the Church who believe the plague was sent by god. It will give you a good sense of the many changes the plague brought about.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Turn of Midnight continues the story of Lady Anne and the residents of Develish. The plague now seems to be all but over but the town has no idea who remains on the outside. Thaddeus and his band of companions have struck out into the barren remains of England for supplies and news. Is it possible that from the ashes they could find freedom for the serfs of Develish?

With so many books about apocalypse doing the rounds it was odd to read this and realise that fictional idea of a barren lawless land after a population killing disease isn't really fictional at all. It's already happened. Walter's paints a vivid picture of a ravaged land, a world decimated by disease and loss. But of course they aren't the only ones left, and those left want things as they were. The very idea of educated serfs going free in abhorrent. With tradition and religion in their way they come up with an audacious plan.

I didn't love this as much as The Last Hours but it's still a good read. As before it's a slow but measured plot, with not a word wasted. I was surprised to realise it's nearly 500 pages as when I got to the end it felt so sudden I had to check I somehow hadn't skipped chapters somehow. And the ending is quite abrupt, almost certainly there will be more of this town to read. I'm looking forward to seeing how this story concludes.

Minette Walters has produced a second vibrant novel about Lady Anne and the estate at Develish. What a great novel bringing life under threat of Black Death alive. It is now the beginning of 1349 and the isolated group of serfs and the noble family are running short of rations. They need to know what is happening outside their environment and they are also at the mercy of nobles who seek to exploit their situation. How Thaddeus Thinkell steps out of his serfdom and pretends to be a free man and how he leads a group of ill- matched young men to explore the
Dorsetshire. It is a tale of power mad exploitative nobles and how they have adventures and risk their lives to rescue the folk back at Develish. Anne has to also survive the poisonous acts of her stepdaughter Lady Eleanor who is hiding a dreadful secret. Just enjoy how the tale unfolds to see if they can live another type of life.

After enjoying The Last Hours, Minette Walters' first book set in the time of the Black Death, I was eager to read the sequel.
As we are already acquainted with the world of Lady Anne and the people of Devlish this book dives straight into the story of Thaddeus and his boys-turned-men venture out into the plague devastated countryside in an attempt to procure the food and supplies that will ensure the survival of their community.

As you would expect from a skilled crime writer such a Minette Walters the tension was maintained throughout without developing into the melodrama and all the while we learned more about life and society in mediaeval times.

I must admit that with most of the action taking place outside the demesnes of Devlish I did miss the characters from the household but was also captivated by the unfolding dilemma faced by Thaddeus and Lady Anne, although I am not quite sure how the close interpretation was to reality. I think a truly mediaeval conclusion may have been more brutal and less romantic.

However this was an extremely enjoyable sequel and I do hope Ms Walters will write more books in this setting.

I was initially interested in reading this book, however my tastes have shifted and I do not think I will be able to get to it now. Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a digital copy!

Due to the loss of my kindle I, sadly, was not able to read this book.
I sincerely apologize for this inconvenience.

I remember learning in my early history education about the Black Death and being horrified and fascinated in equal measure, so I was drawn to Minette Walter’s latest historical fiction, The Turn of Midnight, which is the second novel of a two part drama following The Last Hours. Set in her home county of Dorset, the Plague entered England only 9 miles from where she lives and the author’s knowledge that so many of the victims lie in plague pits all around her has long haunted her. Having switched genres from her long and successful career writing psychological thrillers, she has carefully researched the historical detail and impact of the Black Death in her part of the country.
The story picks up in late 1348 as told by our heroine, Lady Anne of Develish. Educated, literate and skilled in medicine, she was married out of a nunnery and follows the teachings of Christ and not the Church. From the time she came to Develish as a young wife, she had worked tirelessly to improve the health, lives and knowledge of her serfs through education and care. When news of the pestilence first reached Develish, she secluded the healthy by withdrawing her people inside her moat and barring entry to all others, in this way successfully keeping the sickness out. This was in direct contradiction of the Church’s teachings at the time, which believed that the pestilence was divine punishment for wickedness.
However, in their isolation they have little idea of how many others in the outside world have survived and as their supplies dwindle, it’s clear that an expedition must venture forth to protect Develish before winter sets in. After the death of her tyrannical husband, Sir Richard, she had appointed Thaddeus Thurkell to be her steward, a dark-skinned, black-haired, bastard born slave; a man as clever, literate and educated as Lady Anne and unwavering in his loyalty to her. Once it is established that other communities exist, albeit heavily diminished, together they devise a progressive plan with the idea of joining forces with them to make up for the depleted workforce to ensure their future. With their enlightened views on healthcare and literacy, they have a dream of enabling serfs to become freemen. But in doing so they are walking a dangerous tightrope by going against the deeply entrenched beliefs of the day, views which the Church held as heresy and treason and therefore punishable by death.
Minette Walters gives us an in depth vision of what life must have been like around the time of the Black Death in all its horrors, but also gives us a great adventure. Some people have questioned whether the protagonists are anachronistic in their progressive views, but in every age I’m sure there have always been freethinkers ahead of their time and the author after all does have artistic license. I particularly admired her adherence to the rich language of the day and eye opening description of the times and feel as if I have been on a journey back in time to this period.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Atlantic Books and Minette Walters for the opportunity to read and review The Turn of Midnight.

I didn't read the previous of this series and found some of the back story a bit confusing but still enjoyed it. An author who's books I continue to enjoy.

A second book of a series called The Last Hours set around an imaginary village overtaken by the Black Death. This however is not just a history lesson but a murder mystery too. Well written but not an easy read with the use of 'old english' speech.

I enjoyed The Last Hours and was almost disappointed when I got to the end but didn't feel the story had concluded. The ending was rather 'open' and I wanted more. When I realised there was to be a sequel I was delighted.

The Turn of Midnight is the sequel. The story continues from where the first part ended so there are familiar characters and again the story is supported by 'extracts' from Lady Anne's journal.

The Black Death is still sweeping the countryside. The quarantined inhabitants of the Develish estate are still safe thanks to Lady Anne's leadership but eventually food stores will have to be replenished and someone will have to venture out to seek out supplies and find out how other villages and estates have fared.

Following the discovery of the body of his half-brother with a stab wound to the chest, Thaddeus Thurkell suspects five youths will be wrongly accused and leaves during the night on a difficult and dangerous journey, taking the boys with him. Their tale is an important part of the book. You really get to know them and by the end of the book they boys have all become men and played their part in securing the future of Lady Anne and Develish.

I like the characters. Lady Anne is very 'modern' in her thinking and actions. Perhaps too modern for some readers; Thaddeus was a bastard born slave who, having been tutored secretly by Lady Anne, becomes her steward after her husband's death. They work together closely to protect the estate. Even the less-likeable characters are interesting. It all makes for good storytelling by Minette Walters.

For me, it's an entertaining story – there's acts of bravery, deception, betrayal, danger. I think the Turn of Midnight could be read as a standalone - there's a very useful section at the beginning listing and describing places, people and events - but it's probably better to read it immediately after The Last Hours.

I really enjoyed The Turn of Midnight.

This is the continuation of the gripping story of Devilish and how the villagers struggle to survive the aftermath of the Plague that has swept the country.
Well-loved characters from the previous book have returned but they mature and grow in their new lives which is lovely to see.
There are a few details in the book in which I felt that suspending belief certainly helped but it did not detract from my enjoyment of the book.

I absolutely loved The Last Hours the first title in this series and was eagerly anticipating The Turn of Midnight. I was not disappointed. This book is a true sleep stealer. The author sweeps you back up into pestilence riddled 14th century England and I defy you not to get wrapped up and invested in the fate and fortunes of the people of Develish. I thoroughly resented it when I was dragged back into the real world and can't wait for a third title.

Another visit into the world of plague filled southern England as a welcome return to well loved characters. Clearly a bridge serving to set up the next installment I found that it dragged a little. Looking forward to reading the next one

The Turn of Midnight is Minette Walters sequel to the Last Hours. This historical drama set during the time of the Black Death, it is a tale of survival, social upheaval and renewal. An intriguing departure for the Queen of pyschological thrillers it is an absorbing and interesting read.