Cruel Courtship [Hardcover]

Candace Robb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 27, 2005

It is Scotland, 1297. In the weeks leading up to the Battle of Stirling Bridge, Margaret Kerr takes up residence in Stirling town. She has come to discover why the informer who has been providing Wallace and Murray with details of the English plans has become unreliable. Although fearful that she may have inherited her mother's visionary gift and curse, and estranged from her husband, Roger, she is as determined as ever to play her part in saving Scotland from the hammer of Edward Longshanks - King of England and would-be King of the Scots. She has accepted the undertaking at the request of James Comyn, kinsman of the deposed Scottish king, John Balliol. It is an important and difficult mission, for who holds Stirling Castle holds Scotland, and with fresh English recruits marching forth, a battle for the castle is imminent. But Margaret's loyalty to the cause is severely tested when Roger is killed. Now her spying role is doubly dangerous...

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'Thirteenth-century Edinburgh comes off the page cold and convincing - most enjoyable' The List * 'Brilliant - Robb presents a felsty new heroine who proves to be no fool' - Woman & Home * 'This is history as it should be told!' - Good Book Guide * 'Candace Robb Brings history to life and this is a satisfying read, full of interesting detail about the life and times in Scotland in the 13th Century' - Aberdeen Press & Journal * 'Intrigue abounds... Robb's captivating blend of history and mystery vividly evokes medieval Scotland' - Booklist * 'With meticulous attention to historical details... the author lovingly recreates medieval Edinburgh' - Publisher's Weekly" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Candace Robb has read and researched medieval history for many years, having studied for a Ph.D. in Medieval and Anglo-Saxon Literature. She is also the author of eight Owen Archer novels.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann (January 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0434009121
• ISBN-13: 978-0434009121
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,342,144 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it, March 8, 2007

By 

W. Miller "reads too much, yet not enough" (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cruel Courtship (Hardcover)

I love Candace Robb's books, although I think I prefer the Owen Archer series slightly over the Margaret Kerr series. I wish her books were easier to find on the US - I usually have to order them from Amazon UK.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Third book in the Margaret Kerr Series, November 11, 2007

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cruel Courtship (Hardcover)

A cruel Courtship is as usual with Candace Robb a meticulously researched novel about the plotting and counter plotting that surrounds the claims for the throne of Scotland. Edward Longshanks has returned to England and left Scotland in turmoil.

These are the times of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. The book picks up the story in the year 1297. It is the time leading up to the battle of Stirling bridge. Margaret Kerr has moved to Stirling, primarily to discover why the person who has been providing details of the English plans has suddenly become unreliable.

Margaret's own loyalty is tested to the limit when her one time husband Roger is killed. She suspects James Comyn of the murder, a kinsman of the deposed King and the man who asked her to set up residence in Stirling. Her own position is becoming ever more precarious and a battle is imminent, as whoever holds Stirling Castle, holds the key to Scotland.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Candace Robb historicals, September 5, 2008

By 

Dee Dee (Seattle, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Cruel Courtship (Margaret Kerr Mysteries 3) (Paperback)

If you like historicals, you'll love these by Candace Robb. They combine great storytelling with meticulous research. If this is your first time reading them, you're in for a real treat.