Review + Giveaway - The Traitor's Wife by Kathleen Kent

TITLE:    The Traitor's Wife: A Novel

AUTHOR:    Kathleen Kent
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 296 pages
PUBLISHED:   Little, Brown and Company, 2010
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  In the harsh wilderness of colonial Massachusetts, Martha Allen works as a servant in her cousin's household, taking charge and locking wills with everyone. Thomas Carrier labors for the family and is known both for his immense strength and size and mysterious past. The two begin a courtship that suits their independent natures, with Thomas slowly revealing the story of his part in the English Civil War. But in the rugged new world they inhabit, danger is ever present, whether it be from the assassins sent from London to kill the executioner of Charles I or the wolves-in many forms-who hunt for blood. A love story and a tale of courage, The Wolves of Andover The Traitor's Wife confirms Kathleen Kent's ability to craft powerful stories of family from colonial history. 

MY TAKE:  One of the things other than the subject matter that drew me to this book is the fact that the author is actually a descendant of Martha Carrier.  It always fascinates me when a family member is able to write a story about someone in their lineage ~ especially when that ancestor's tale is as volatile as this one.


This book started out with the title of "The Wolves of Andover" and has been changed to it's current "The Traitor's Wife".  I think this was a smart move as the first title was a bit misleading since the wolves have just a bit part in the tale.  Of course the new title pretty much gives a bit of the story away, but history buffs will know how the story goes anyway. 


The Traitor's Wife is actually a prequel to Ms. Kent's blockbuster The Heretic's Daughter.  Both are quite enjoyable as stand alone reads so there is really no need to have read the first book before this one.  I think I'd actually prefer starting with The Traitor's Wife as it tells us how Martha and Thomas came to be.  Since Heretic is told from their daughter Sarah's point of view, it works well in either order.


Kathleen Kent has a lovely way with words.  She makes the reader feel right at home in 17th century England as well as Salem, Massachusetts.  Her characters and dialogue reflect the time period and various locations well.  Her writing shows the extensive research that she undertook.  I would imagine the fact that this is a fictional account of her real-life ancestors makes this attention to detail even more crucial.


Fans of historical fiction as well as those who enjoy learning about the Salem witch trials should read this story.  The familial tie of the author just adds to the interest of the book.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Available TODAY at: 

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The publisher has generously offered up to three readers of One Book Shy their very own copy of The Traitor's Wife.  As usual, it's easy to enter:

• Must be US or Canadian resident 13 years of age or older
• NO PO Boxes
• Fill out the FORM below
• Drawing will end at midnight PST October 3, 2011
• Winners are chosen using Random.org
• Winners will have 72 hours to respond to win notification
• Prize will be shipped directly from the publisher.

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.