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    The Traitor's Wife: A Novel
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    The Traitor's Wife: A Novel
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    The Traitor's Wife: A Novel
    Audiobook8 hours

    The Traitor's Wife: A Novel

    Written by Kathleen Kent

    Narrated by Ellen Archer

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    This novel was originally published under the title The Wolves of Andover.
    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 his mysterious past. The two begin a courtship that suits their independent natures, with Thomas slowly revealing the story of the role he played 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. At once a love story and a tale of courage, The Traitor's Wife confirms Kathleen Kent's ability to craft powerful stories from the dramatic background of America's earliest days.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHachette Audio
    Release dateNov 8, 2010
    ISBN9781607886686
    Unavailable
    The Traitor's Wife: A Novel
    Author

    Kathleen Kent

    Kathleen Kent's first novel, THE HERETIC'S DAUGHTER, was based on true family history. Kathleen has worked in commodity trading and for the US Department of Defence in Russia. She now lives in Dallas with her husband and son. THE TRAITOR'S WIFE is her second novel.

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    Reviews for The Traitor's Wife

    3.5/5

    112 ratings17 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      I found myself intrigued and mesmerized with this author's narration (and of course I have to say historical fiction is my favorite book genre). The story is gripping and relatable. The only thing that I would say was a little faulty to me was the transition of certain parts of the book and some misspelling errors. However, the story was nicely executed. The romance (an element that I enjoy to see in a book but not swallowing the whole plot) was almost minimal but still tangible enough to appreciate it. The greatest part of the story for me was the ending. I was thinking it was going to be a terrible and negative ending but its final development surprised me and left me with a pleasant feeling. There were some unexpected twists that gave the story more vitality and kept me on the edge of my seat!Now, I want to read "The heretic's daughter," by the same author, to read more about Martha, Thomas, and their children. :)
    • 2/5
      I didn't love this book. I read The Heretics Daughter and really liked it but this one didn't grab me. I got bored quickly.
    • 4/5
      It is 1673 in the town of Billerica, Massachusetts and an unmarried young woman is sent to her cousins home to help her with her lying in. Her status is clearly that of servant and she is angry and irascible but she does whip the household into shape. She also meets a tall man working on the farm with a mysterious past that relates to the English Civil War. The isolated settlements already have to contend with wolves which ravage their stockyards, bands of Indians intent on harm, and smallpox but now the spy network of the newly restored King Charles II reaches into the woods of Massachusetts. Part romance, part spy tale, there is fascinating history here as Kent spins a tale that is a prequel to her first novel, The Heretics Daughter.
    • 3/5
      The Wolves of Andover serves as a prequel to Kent's The Heretic's Daughter, but it falls a bit short. The story of Charles II's relentless pursuit of the men directly responsible for his father's beheading, even to the extent of sending assassins to find them in the American colonies, is certainly an intriguing one, and Kent does a fine job of describing the hardscrabble life of the New England settlers. What put me off was, I think, the rather stereotypical characters. Martha, the protagonist, is what one would call a "spirited" girl--in other words, the stereotypical ancestral feminist. Her cousin Patience, on the other hand, is a the stereotypical jealous harpy intent on keeping Martha--her cousin--in her inferior place. The lead baddie, Bloodlow, is crueller than cruel and meaner than mean. The Welshman, Thomas, is the strong, silent type, taller than tall, stronger than strong, silenter than silent (at least until he falls in love--then it seems he can't stop blabbing his secrets). Well, you get the picture. These are all folks I've seen before in numerous historical novels, and that familiarity makes the plot, overall, too predictable. Who wants to read a novel with so few surprises? Near the end, Kent sticks in the gratuitous but expected scene of first lovemaking (ho hum!). I could have done without the graphic description of a ruptured hymen, about which which she attempted to wax poetically. Maybe it's just me . . . maybe I needed an even longer break from historical fiction. The Wolves of Andover is certainly not a bad book, but what disappointed me most was that it had the potential to be so much better.
    • 5/5
      "The Wolves of Andover," by Kathleen Kent is a book that is a literary triumph. It's not for lazy readers or those who expect pablum. That being said, intelligent readers will be absorbed by many points of history, symbolism, love and betrayal, and ancestrial links of this fine book. You may remember Ms Kent as the author of "Heretic's Daughter."Kathleen Kent is an academic and accomplished woman. She shares her knowledge not just of her link to one of the witches tried in the historical Salem Witch Trials, but of the mind-set and the spiritual terrors of the early colonial days in Massachusetts. 'midst this unsettling atmosphere (which Ms Kent creates so brilliantly that it makes one's heart beat faster), lurk "wolves." Wolves both real and in sheep's clothing, in human form, and in the imagination. This menacing presence tends to over-shadow the novel. I loved it and thought it was genius.While this is an historical romance novel of sorts, to call it that is to short-change it. It is rather a love story that takes place within the confines of the wilderness of the new settlements of colonial New England, within the dangerous mission of killing a wayward, annointed King of England, and within the hardships of family connections and spiritual uncertainty.As many of you know, I'm not one to spoil a book by telling you the story, which you can easily find from the book cover. I will say that this is a book that rides the ship of reality. It's a novel holding the truth of the life of Martha Allen Carrier...mother of an accused witch.Take time to read this brilliant novel.Deb/TheBookishDame
    • 3/5
      At nineteen, “old maid” Martha is becoming a bit of a burden on her family. Her looks aren’t lacking but neither are her quick wit or her ability to question every and all authority figures. It is with this sentiment that she is shipped from Andover to Billerica in order, in guise, to aid her cousin with the birth of her third child and, in reality, to get her out of her parents’ house, already. Talented as she is with housework and midwifery, Martha is not at all pleased to be at her cousin’s every beck and call. The dull New England wilderness and her cousin’s sharp tongue aren’t exactly the things dreams are made of.Ah, but of course, this is the New World, we’re in and there has to be some adventure to be found. How about that handsome Welsh servant with the rather clouded military background? What about the men who keep showing up at the doorstep asking for said hired help?Well, Martha, my dear, just stay tuned and you might find that Billerica isn’t all that dull, after all.I was so excited to win this from Wonders and Marvels and wasn’t totally disappointed. The writing is great, if gory at times, and Martha is just fabulous.I loved the depiction of the pre-revolutionary New England, especially because the region is so near and dear to my heart. It was fun to live through the towns of my childhood about three hundred years before I was there. I grew up in the town next to Billerica and spent my weeekends in Andover, making this story neat in a more personal way.My biggest and perhaps only, criticism was that it seemed a little bit disjointed in many places. I often had to flip back through after reading a chapter and make sure that I was literally on the right page with the rest of the story. I think, rather than bad storytelling or bad writing, it came from interweaving too many different threads together. Not an unworthy attempt but it needed to be a little bit firmed up or fleshed out or, maybe both.That should have deterred me from closing this with a positive finish but it had enough positives, and no, no0t just the location, to keep it afloat. It also became more cohesive and suddenly stronger about halfway through. I didn’t realize that this was a companion or prequel to The Heretic’s Daughter (now, I get that it’s pretty hard not to, well, get it). Despite the arguments I had with the rambling, holy plot line, I would try Kent’s first book, if only for the word weaving.
    • 3/5
      I loved The Heretic's Daughter, but The Wolves of Andover not so much. I think it was the combination of flip-flopping between narratives and how "mysterious" the characters seemed; if a character is so mysterious I never really get to know him (or her), then I will not become invested in the novel. I actually gave up about three-fourths of the way in, which is unlike me, especially if I paid for a book (and I did this one).
    • 4/5
      Kent's prequel to The Heretic's Daughter takes the reader back to 23-year old Martha Carrier's life as an outspoken spinster in 17th century Massachusetts. A novel of love, survival, and revenge, Kent seamlessly weaves the love story of Martha and Thomas, the political intrigue following the beheading of King Charles I, and the struggle against the untamed wilderness and disease in colonial America.
    • 3/5
      1673, colonial Massachusetts. 19-year-old Martha Allen is unwed, considered a spinster, and forced to take work with her cousin who is soon to give birth to her third child. Outspoken and stubborn, Martha finds the same qualities in Thomas Carrier, a tall Welshman working on her cousin's farm in exchange for a plot of land. As their relationship develops, five assassins depart from London, sent by King Charles II to hunt down the executioner of his father, King Charles I. The man they hunt, Thomas Morgan, was a member of the Royal Guard of the King of England when he was younger before joining Cromwell's New Model Army. He was also very tall and strong and changed his last name when he left England for the harsh wilderness of colonial Massachusetts. The research is good, but the book somehow doesn't quite come together - not a compelling read and had to persist to actually finish it.
    • 3/5
      Interesting setting, colonial America, and some history I didn't know (hanging head in shame) about Cromwell and England's grudges transported to America. I liked the descriptions of everyday life in rural America at the time, and knowing this character would go on to be featured in Kent's first book (The Heretic's Daughter) made it all the more poignant.
    • 3/5
      At nineteen, “old maid” Martha is becoming a bit of a burden on her family. Her looks aren’t lacking but neither are her quick wit or her ability to question every and all authority figures. It is with this sentiment that she is shipped from Andover to Billerica in order, in guise, to aid her cousin with the birth of her third child and, in reality, to get her out of her parents’ house, already. Talented as she is with housework and midwifery, Martha is not at all pleased to be at her cousin’s every beck and call. The dull New England wilderness and her cousin’s sharp tongue aren’t exactly the things dreams are made of.Ah, but of course, this is the New World, we’re in and there has to be some adventure to be found. How about that handsome Welsh servant with the rather clouded military background? What about the men who keep showing up at the doorstep asking for said hired help?Well, Martha, my dear, just stay tuned and you might find that Billerica isn’t all that dull, after all.I was so excited to win this from Wonders and Marvels and wasn’t totally disappointed. The writing is great, if gory at times, and Martha is just fabulous.I loved the depiction of the pre-revolutionary New England, especially because the region is so near and dear to my heart. It was fun to live through the towns of my childhood about three hundred years before I was there. I grew up in the town next to Billerica and spent my weeekends in Andover, making this story neat in a more personal way.My biggest and perhaps only, criticism was that it seemed a little bit disjointed in many places. I often had to flip back through after reading a chapter and make sure that I was literally on the right page with the rest of the story. I think, rather than bad storytelling or bad writing, it came from interweaving too many different threads together. Not an unworthy attempt but it needed to be a little bit firmed up or fleshed out or, maybe both.That should have deterred me from closing this with a positive finish but it had enough positives, and no, no0t just the location, to keep it afloat. It also became more cohesive and suddenly stronger about halfway through. I didn’t realize that this was a companion or prequel to The Heretic’s Daughter (now, I get that it’s pretty hard not to, well, get it). Despite the arguments I had with the rambling, holy plot line, I would try Kent’s first book, if only for the word weaving.
    • 4/5
      The prequel to The Heretic's Daughter. Takes place between England and the colonies in Billerica and Andover MA before the Salem Witch Trials.
    • 3/5
      The prequel to The Heretic's Daughter, this novel is well done but I found the plot to be not nearly as exciting as her first novel. Still, all-in-all it was an enjoyable read.
    • 3/5
      Realistic depiction of harsh life in Colonial America. Good historical account of 18th century British politics. Too much detail in parts and disjointed timeline makes it less compelling as prequel to "The Heretics Daughter."
    • 4/5
      'The Wolves of Andover" by Kathleen Kent is a prequel to 'The Heretics Daughter'. The setting is 1673 in colonial Massachusetts and also in London during the time of King Charles II’s reign. Martha has been pushed by her father into being a servant to her cousin, Patience’s family. She was getting past the marriageable age of the time, she was already nineteen. Her father no longer wanted to support her. Also, her father could collect all of her wages as the custom. She approached life with bluntness, had a sharp tongue and was prone to getting into arguments. She was a good worker and very independent. She would be handy when it was her cousin’s time to deliver as she had midwifed many babies. She lost some mothers but never a baby. She was very kind and protective to children and young William felt very comfortable around her. She had the look of a survivor. A stranger named Thomas; very big in size, with a scar dividing his forehead in two, came to work for the family as laborer. He was a quiet person hiding a mysterious past and is also very independent. A secret and quiet romance starts between Thomas and Martha. The story alternates between Martha and Thomas in Massachusetts and London where Charles II is planning revenge on the person who killed his father. Since I am not familiar with this part of history, it was all new to me. Kathleen Kent used family stories and research to write about her ancestor, Martha Carrier. There is mystery, love and danger in her story. Her portrayal of Massachusetts in the 1600’s is an additional character. You can feel the cold winter winds pierce your bones, smell the fragrant flowers of spring and glide your hands over an old leather bound book. This is historical fiction at its best and you had better bundle up before starting to read it. Now that I know who Martha and Thomas are, I am very excited to begin reading, ‘The Heretic’s Daughter next. I recommend this book to all who are interested in historical fiction of early America.
    • 4/5
      It’s 1692 and the United States as we know it does not exist. We were still a group of colonies and young Martha Allen had just arrived at her cousin’s home in Billerica, Massachusetts. Martha is not a guest. She’s expected to help her cousin Patience through her pregnancy and also do the work of a servant around the house and the farm. Nineteen-year-old Martha is strong willed and has a sharp tongue, and will soon be an “old maid.” She knows only too well the fate awaits a single woman with no place to call her own. Also working on the property is Thomas Carrier, a man rumored to be a regicide hiding in plain site in Billerica. Thomas fits the physical description of supposed executioner of Charles I.In Kathleen Kent’s second book, The Wolves of Andover, we meet the young Martha whose later life story was told to us in Kent’s first book, The Heretic’s Daughter, which follows Martha as she stood trial at the Salem witch hunts. Author Kathleen Kent is a direct descendant of the real life Martha Allen Carrier and I believe she does her family well. These books are technically described as historical fiction, however I think that is a disservice to Kent’s work. She tells a story that pays homage not only to Kent’s nine times great grand-mother, Martha, but also to all of our ancestors who lived in those dangerous times and places. They knew no modern conveniences and considered surviving a tough winter or childbirth to be good fortune.The book’s title, The Wolves of Andover, not only refers to the wild wolves that circle the settlements to stalk and prey on whatever they can kill, but to the wolves who walk on two feet who also stalk their unfortunate prey.Told against the background of the wilderness of “new” England, Kent spins a very readable tale of survival of the fittest, survival of the smartest, and survival of those who will not be beaten. I highly recommend The Wolves of Andover! I encourage you to get past the idea that you don’t like historical fiction. This book won’t disappoint. The story of Martha Allen and Thomas Carrier is in many ways the same struggle men and women face with today: how to find a place in the world in which to be happy and safe. I loved this book and these people.If I gave a star rating, I’d give this book a very strong 4 ½ stars.Source: This book was provided to me by the publisher at my request and in no way affected by review.
    • 3/5
      Contentious Martha is sharp-tongued spinster who falls in love with mysterious hired-hand Thomas Carrier after he saves her from a wolf attack. Safety is not, however, prevalent in the 17th century rugged wilderness of colonial Massachusetts. Human wolves cloaked as people living in plain sight in the surrounding area arrive in the New World to hunt the assassins of King Charles I during the Cromwell years in England. The author deftly crafted this intrigue into this historical fiction novel while Martha navigates the difficulty of being a servant her cousin’s home.The author’s intention to show the brutality and volatile nature of the early colonies is admirable, but the novel is dark. Depictions of everyday life such as using an injured lamb for bait and detailed descriptions of dog fighting are chilling. I respect the integration of the political ramifications brought on by the assassination of King Charles I, however felt tossed to and fro from scenes which did not exactly hang together set in England and on shipboard to colonial America. A firmer hand in editing would have benefitted the writing. Secondary characters called by various names such as “Duchess,” Keeper of the Privy Council” forced me to turn back to previous mentions to determine to whom the author referred. Editing the many sentences beginning with “it” would have been helpful. Most enjoyable and clearly set forth are the scenes at the Massachusetts farm with Martha and Thomas. Author Kent is a tenth generation descendent of the Carrier family. She grew up listening to stories of the Salem witch trials and reading Poe, which may explain the darkness of her writing. She calls her book a love story to her family and a tribute to those accused as being witches. Ms. Kent plays well with literary genre by mixing and morphing romance, political intrigue and historical fiction. The Wolves of Andover aroused my interest to read Ms. Kent’s first novel, the Heretic’s Daughter, told from the perspective of a ten-year-old daughter witnessing the witch trial of her mother.