On a storm-tossed British night in 1763, a fine gentleman rides up to an old inn and requests shelter. His name, he tells Bess, the innkeeper's beautiful daughter, is Jason Quick, a man of wealth and honor. But there is blood on his sleeve. And his appearance is followed soon after by the arrival of the king's redcoats on the trail of a notorious bandit known as the Golden Fleecer.There is much about this bold, enigmatic stranger that frightens Bess, but there is something that draws her to him as well. And Quick himself is undone by the exquisite loveliness of this dark-eyed miss whose lustrous black hair cascades well past her waist. Soon there are no secrets between them, as Jason reveals the truth to the lady who has, in an instant, become his eternal love. It is he whom the redcoats seek, the daring highwayman, the most wanted man in Dorset.For Bess -- who long ago resigned herself to a life of toil and drudgery yet has never strayed from respectability -- the shock of Jason's revelations cannot dampen the fire that now burns in her breast. There is a tender heart within him, and a nobility to his criminal purpose. And no love in history has ever been more fated...or more dangerous.One more brazen robbery and Jason Quick can fulfill the sworn duty that has determined the course of his life. Then he and his lady can begin anew together in the far colonies, across a vast ocean. But treachery breeds in unexpected corners and dastardly traps are set in the shadows -- even as the highwayman sits astride his stallion beneath his true love's window and vows, "I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way."Kate Hawks, a stunning new voice in historical fiction, renders a tale rich in atmosphere, passion, adventure, and intense emotion -- a magnificent, heartfelt retelling of one of the most enduring love stories of all time.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
This beautifully rendered romance, an expanded retelling of Alfred Noyes's poem, "The Highwayman," finds Bess Whateley slaving away in her parents' public house, the King's Shilling, in 1763 Dorset, England. Bess is thrifty but poor, and knows "to the man which beer-swilling wags would try to pinch her bottom and which would leave her tuppence." The bored 18-year-old girl dreams of a prince to rescue her from her life of drudgery. As the novel opens, her fantasy is realized when Jason Quick, injured but dashingly handsome, arrives at the tavern. Unbeknownst to an intrigued Bess, Jason is on the lam, pursued by the King's 54th Regiment. She soon learns that Jason is the notorious robber known as the Golden Fleecer, who steals to buy his father out of indentured servitude. She falls in love with him, gladly surrendering to passion and danger. Their romance doesn't go unnoticed: stableman Tim Groot and Rose Allen, who once worked with Bess, have designs on Bess and Jason, respectively, and are none too pleased. Hawks, already a sure hand at romance writing in her second novel (after The Lovers), ably laces the story with details of Jason's past and his checkered character. Gradually, he is fleshed out as a complex young man who acts out of greed as much as necessity. This well-written character study also paints a realistic picture of England in the 18th century, one brimming with intriguing details. Readers unfamiliar with "The Highwayman," which appears in segments throughout the book and in its entirety at the end, will be taken aback by the shocking conclusion; reading the poem first will only spoil the surprise. (July)Forecast: The lush, gorgeous cover will surely grab the attention of browsers, and those with a taste for historical romance minus heaving bosoms and bodice-ripping will be impressed by what's inside.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Adult/High School-Hawks has creatively taken Alfred Noyes's poem "The Highwayman" as a rough plot outline and developed it into a full novel replete with new images. It opens as hardworking Bess, the landlord's daughter, serves the son of a wrongfully imprisoned printer. Through a flashback, readers learn of Jason's background as he falls into a life of crime. The two fall in love despite the young man's thievery and the efforts of jealous associates to keep them apart. Only portions of the verse are presented throughout the story, but the complete poem appears at the end. Many details of life in both upper and lower classes in 1763 England are presented. The writing style is slightly old fashioned and includes many uncommon words, yet the story is a compelling adventure, even with its tragic plot and violent climax.
Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An old poem given new life,
By A Customer
This review is from: Watch by Moonlight: A Novel (Hardcover)
Kate Hawks may be a new name in the genre, but she writes with the sureness of a master. Anyone who has enjoyed the unabashed romanticism of Alfred Noyes's poem "The Highwayman" won't be disapointed in this fleshing out of both story and characters. From the quickly drawn sketches of the innkeeper (whose daughter Bess falls in love with the young highwayman) to the portrait of mercurial Abel Gant (mentor, philosopher and friend of the young bandit, Jason Quick) the cast is believeably human. And the love story between Bess and Jason draws the reader right into their world. A delightful read with some substance as well.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Noyes poem done justice!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Watch by Moonlight: A Novel (Hardcover)
When I found out this book was based on my favorite poem, I just had to read it. I'm glad I did. It's a rich, masterful rendering of "The Highwayman" by Noyes, with complex characters. Hawks brought the poem alive, made me feel for the characters, root them along. Even though I knew the ending from the poem, I cried anyway. Beautiful!This is a must read for any who love "The Highwayman" by Noyes.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Poignant and Tragic,
By
This review is from: Watch by Moonlight: A Novel (Hardcover)
I know the poem, and I knew it before Lorena McKennit's rendering. Even though I used to listen to that CD incessantly, for some reason it didn't click with me, until the very end - I mean the END, when I turned the page and found the poem. But it was too late because I was absolutely depressed by the ending and then I read the poem and then I got this huge lump in my throat and then I wished I hadn't stayed up to finish the book.It was riveting. I don't agree with the two reviews below - the person who apparently doesn't realize Lorena McKennit didn't write the words, just put them to music, or the reader who felt the characters weren't fleshed out. In my opinion, the story was well developed, both the plot and the characters had depth, and the foundation for the finality of the story/the poem was superbly done. It took me a while to get to sleep, and that's unusual for me. I don't know if I'd read it again. I know the ending and it was too sad. I love West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet, but I won't read or watch either one of them again either. And to think I almost didn't check it out of the library. Despite the heartbreaking ending, I'd have missed a real treat.
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