The Tangled Thread (Morland Dynasty) [Paperback]

Cynthia Harrod-Eagles (Author)

Book Description

Series: Morland Dynasty | Publication Date: September 1, 1987

In the Morland Dynasty series, the majestic sweep of English history is richly and movingly portrayed through the fictional lives of the Morland family. It is 1788, and in France, as the revolution begins, Henri, the bastard offshoot of the Morland family, strives to protect his family. He binds his daughter Heloise in loveless marriage to a Revolutionary, and allies himself with the vigorous Danton. But in the bloodbath of the Terror and the fall of Danton, Henri goes to the guillotine and Heloise flees to England where she is welcomed warmly by the Morland family. In Yorkshire Jemima’s troublesome brood cause her anxiety—especially her youngest, Lucy, who disguises herself as a boy and runs away to sea—but at last she sees three of her children marry and the hope of an heir to Morland Place.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

In the Morland Dynasty Series, the majestic sweep of English history is richly and movingly portrayed through the fictional lives of the Morland family. The 22 volumes that comprise this elegantly produced series offer entertainment of the most compelling kind.

About the Author

Cynthia Harrod Eagles won the Young Writers' Award with her first novel, THE WAITING GAME and won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award with EMILY. She has written over 50 books including 29 volumes of the Morland Dynasty, which she will be taking up to present day.

Product Details

• Paperback: 474 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group (September 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0751506478
• ISBN-13: 978-0751506471
• Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 4.2 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #387,621 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, October 17, 2009

By 

K. Huff (Radnor, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Tangled Thread (Morland Dynasty) (Paperback)

#10: Covers 1789 to 1795: the French Revolution; wars with France; beginning of the industrial revolution

When we left the Morland Family in The Flood Tide, the French revolution was just starting. In The Tangled Thread, the Revolution is in full swing, with Henri taking sides with the revolutionaries and his daughter Heloise marrying a well-known revolutionary. In England, at Morland Place, Jemima's children have grown, but none has married. Later, war with the French looms, as Henry looses his head during the bloodbath in Paris, and Heloise comes to England.

There are two distinct story lines going on here, and that which takes place in Paris during the Revolution is infinitely more interesting than the domestic affairs of the Morlands in York. Heloise is a charming young heroine, brave; and despite the adversity she faces, never let anything get her down. Jemima is a less-vibrant then many of the other characters, but maybe because the other characters' stories are in the forefront here.

Cynthia Harrod-Eagles has an annoying habit of having her characters declaim about major events of English history (it usually starts with another character saying, "tell us the news..."), but the story of the Morland family is, as always, entertaining to read. The wars with France are just about to really get going, and I'm looking forward to reading what's next for the Morlands.

5.0 out of 5 stars The French Connection, June 16, 2008

By 

Beverley Strong (Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Tangled Thread (Morland Dynasty) (Paperback)

In Paris in the year 1788, Henri-Marie Fitzjames Stuart, Comte de Strathord, last of the male Stuart line, albeit on the wrong side of the blanket, has allowed his daughter Heloise to leave her convent to live with him in the home of friends, members of the French nobility. Times of great trouble are approaching with the beginning of the French revolution, so the Comte marries Heloise to an up and coming member of the new order, at the tender age of 14, as he fears for their safety and needs to see her cared for by a caring husband, Unfortunately, the husband proves to be a beast so Heloise and her maid flee to England on a ship which is wrecked on the English coast. They are taken to Morland Place where Jemima and her family love their newly found cousin, especially James who falls for her completely. News arrives of the executions of the royal family and the nobility, including Heloise's father and husband. It's a very action packed story which I consider to be the best yet in the Morland family series.