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A Crowning Mercy cover art

A Crowning Mercy

By: Bernard Cornwell, Susannah Kells
Narrated by: Julia Franklin
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Summary

A highly entertaining, wonderfully colourful story, now revealed to be written by one of our favourite historical novelists.

In mid 17th-century England, the nation was in upheaval. In the Dorset countryside, one sunlit afternoon, a young girl, illicitly bathing in a stream, first fell in love with a passing stranger. Her parents called her Dorcas, but he called her Campion and that's what she longed to be, then and forever.

She had one gift left for her by her unknown father - a pendant made of gold, banded by tiny glowing stones and at its base was a seal engraved with an axe and the words: St Matthew. So when she flees before the unbearable, worthy suitor who is forced upon her after her forbidden meeting, she takes this and the delicate lace gloves with her, and hopes to find her father, and her lover.

There are four of these intricately wrought seals - each owned by a stranger, each holding a secret within. And when all four seals are united, then the holder will have access to great wealth and power. That is Campion's inheritance.

But to claim this and find again her summer love, she must follow the course her father's legacy charts for her. It is a road full of both peril and enchantment.

A Crowning Mercy was first published in 1983 under the name Susannah Kells. It has been out of print for 10 years. HarperCollins are delighted to be able to re-publish it.

©1983 Bernard Cornwell and Susannah Kells (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

"The best battle scenes of any writer I've ever read, past or present. Cornwell really makes history come alive" (George R.R. Martin)
"Cornwell draws a fascinating picture of England as it might have been before anything like England existed" ( The Times)
"He's called a master storyteller. Really he's cleverer than that" ( Telegraph)

What listeners say about A Crowning Mercy

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not Cornwell

Do not expect Cornwell in this book, no epic battles, no excitement, just a rather dreary romance. I had thought there would be some civil war descriptions but a lascivious witch finder was included rather than Cornwell usual gripping narrative. If you like a romance you will enjoy this but I cannot recommend it as vintage Cornwell.

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absolutely excellent

I enjoyed this very much. great story telling and plenty of twists along the way

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    5 out of 5 stars
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excellent intimate story

I have now listened to this twice. I am pleased to have done so as I obviously missed bits the first time some years ago. Good story encompassing the violence and greed of the time. I recommend it to you.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not his best

Bernard Cornwell is one of my favorite writers. All his other books are amazing. This one bored me. The plot was too predictable and it had little of the usual epic battle descriptions to make up for it.

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not my usual kind of story

not the usual story l go for but all the same very happy I tried it and glad I brought both books 1 & 2 very well read and the voice's made the character's come to life well must go now I have the 2nd book to start enjoy

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Simply brilliant!

Superb book. Highly recommended. If you love Cornwell then read this, gripping right to the end

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A most enjoyable read

i enjoyed all of it beautifullly read .full of atmosphere and excitement with true feeling

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Mills & Boon

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

Teenage girls

What could Bernard Cornwell and Susannah Kells have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

None

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

None

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

Any additional comments?

I bought this book because it was written by Bernard Cornwell and after listening to The Last Kingdom series. What a disappointment. This novel belongs in the Mills & Boon section.
I cannot believe it is by this fantastic author. I have also bought the sequel. Hope there is some improvement.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of one of my favourite books

Loved reading this as a book and have really enjoyed listening to it as it brings a different feel to the story - it is different to cornwell's other books (I love the sharpe series) but I enjoyed the plot and the characters in the story

The narrators voice is clear and good to listen to / well paced

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