This author is not for those seeking fluff. Her work is known to be dark, complex, gritty and compelling. This work, set at the beginning of the bubonic plague, is no exception. Historical fiction, character development, plot twists and drama at its finest. Love this author!

This year is 1348, in Dorseteshire, England, where the Black Plague is quickly spreading and claiming the lives of many. Sir Richard of Develish was away trying to make a marriage match for his daughter, Eleanor when the plague begins and spreads. Sir Richard and his men make haste for their home, but many fall ill along the way. Lady Anne of Develish is an intelligent and compassionate woman and when news of the sickness arrives at Develish she orders all serfs to move into manor and the lifting of the moat bridge to prevent the spread of the plague into Develish. She isolates the manor house and even Sir Richard is not allowed to enter. Then its a matter of survival, working together, and coping with the isolation of not knowing how the outside world is faring.

I enjoyed this book and it was easy to imagine the panic and concern that the people experienced, especially with what is going on in our world. Lady Anne was such a strong, intelligent woman who was ahead of her time with teaching the serfs to read and treating them as equals. I look forward to reading the next book in this saga. Thank you NetGalley for my copy of the book.

This was an interesting take on the Black Death in England and how an educated historical woman deals with it. Overall, a well-written read.

Lady Anne of the demesne of Develish leads her people through the devastating Black Plague in this wonderful historical novel. The story begins with the onset of the plague in Dorseteshire and is packed with historical details on how it spread and what people believed caused it, The characters are well-developed and the reader really feels that they can understand their motivations. There’s never a dull moment as the story is packed with reluctant heroes, vile villains, a murder mystery and complicated relationships to keep you reading. I can’t wait to read the next instalment, Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an Advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was a little apprehensive going in, as this is so far out of Minette Walter’s usual wheelhouse. But whilst the different tone and style took a little getting used to at first, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were engaging, even when not always likeable, and in an era in which most books portray the male as the hero or the female as a heroine who still needs saving, it was nice to see a female character able to step up and take charge, not only of herself but of and for her people too. Looking forward to reading book two.

I was interested in this book as it was set in a time where the Black Death consumed so many people throughout the time period and people lived in fear of the unknown due to lack of medical care to stave it of. Minette Walters did a wonderful job with describing this world and encapsulating the dire needs of each person and the uncertainty that came with the atmosphere and not knowing how to stop the plague from continuing. Her writing style really put you in the story and provided a dark reality of what everyone was experiencing through this pandemic. I also really enjoyed the work she put into the historical side of it, including pieces of history that seemed to be pretty historically accurate, but putting her own spin on the story. Such an interesting novel since Minette typically writes crime novels and I think her dark writing style in them helped her tell this story as well.

It’s 1348 and the Black Death is moving across England. The people of Develish in Dorsetshire must band together to avoid the disease as well as to protect each other and the demesne from marauders.

Lady Anne’s husband, Sir Richard, has traveled to Bradmayne to broker a betrothal between its Lord and their daughter, Eleanor. While at Bradmayne, the residents and many of Sir Richard’s guard begin to fall ill. Fearing the worst, Sir Richard leaves for Develish. Upon his return, he finds that his wife has moved all of the serfs into the manor and has barred the door to any and all currently outside the walls. This turns out to be a wise choice on Lady Anne’s part as Sir Richard and his guards are soon taken by the plague.

Lady Anne, her daughter and their 200 serfs are safe behind the walls of the manor and surrounded by a moat. But are they really? Tensions rise as Lady Anne alienates her daughter and her steward with her decision to protect the serfs; the serfs become ill-tempered due to the enforced inactivity; and soon it is determined that the food supplies will be depleted within the month. However, the worse is yet to come when the body of a young serf is discovered.

The Last Hours is the first book in the Black Death series and while it could be read as a standalone, it definitely leaves the reader waiting for the next installment. That’s okay with me as I enjoyed the book and definitely plan to read the next when it is available.

I would like to thank Net Galley, Minette Walters and Allen & Unwin for the opportunity to read this story in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4 Stars

I REALLY enjoyed this book! While some others have made mention of the fact that the characters weren't "duplicitous enough", I found that there wasn't a reason for them to be. The story does introduce modern thoughts into a very strict society. It works though. Ann of Develish guides her people through both the evolution of society and through the plague. The multiple intertwining plot lines added a touch of suspense to an overall compelling story. I was only slightly disappointed in the ending but am comforted in knowing that there is more to enjoy in another book.

Princess Fuzzypants here: I love movies as much as I love books. One of the highest praises I can give a book is that the characters are so fully fleshed and well written that I can “cast” the roles. From the outset, there were some characters in this book of whom I had such a strong visual image that is was almost uncanny. For me that also heightens my enjoyment immeasurably.
I have come to expect fine writing from Minette Walters. Some of her earlier works are so good yet disturbing in the psychological depths into they plunge. I was half expecting this one too would go in that direction but it surprised me.. There certainly were some deranged characters whose cruelty and wickedness only made the situation for the other characters harder. Perhaps because the story is set in the time of The Black Plague, human evil paled beside the horror of the pestilence.
Survival is anything but assured but thanks to the wisdom and intelligence and compassion of the Lady of the Estate and her trust in the serfs who toiled in her service, they have remained healthy and untouched by the Plague. But they know they cannot remain isolated forever and must venture forth into the greater world. The madness and jealousy of the daughter of the house tries to thwart them at every turn. They must battle internal and external forces by adapting and reinventing their world. In the rigid world in which they live, it is heresy but it is also the only way forward.
It is an excellent story woven in a gritty and realistic way. Clearly it is intended to be a continuing story. I will be fascinated to see how it transpires. No doubt there will be many challenges as they make their way in a world that has changed forever. How they are forced to deal with those who cannot or will not change will be grist for future adventures.
I give five purrs and two paws up.

3.5 stars

I really liked the premise of "The Last Hours" but none of the characters were really developed enough to make me care about their fates.

Thaddaeus, one of the protagonists, is rather unlikable and his refusal to communicate with his companions is rather frustrating. Lady Anne is more likable but the storyline dealing with her and her daughter's relationship feels rather exaggerated. None of the other characters are really fleshed out and every member of the ruling class, except for Lady Anne, is portrayed as almost cartoonishly evil.

The plot is interesting enough but none of the conflicts are really explored. The ending was rather frustrating as well because it's just there. There is no real climax, the cliffhanger that is set up in the last five pages is resolved on the last half-page and then it just ends with "to be continued". As a result, the ending falls rather flat.

Overall, this novel deals with an interesting point in history but doesn't really do it justice.

I have been following Minette Walters since her first thriller came out, and I think she is a superb plotter and suspense writer. So, I was intrigued when I learned she had written a historical novel, and I requested it from Netgalley.

The Last Hours follows two main characters in the year 1348. Lady Anne is the wife of Sir Richard of Develish, a stupid and cruel lord and husband who has turned their daughter, Eleanor, against her mother. With difficulty, Lady Anne has done her best to improve the life of the serfs, while Sir Richard and Eleanor treat them with disdain and cruelty. The other character is a young serf, Thaddeus, a bastard who has been mistreated by his family. Lady Anne has educated him, and he is resourceful and intelligent.

Sir Richard has arranged a marriage for Eleanor and seems to want to put it forward, so he goes to the home of the bridegroom to seal the deal. Eleanor does not want to marry the young man he selected and does not seem to realize that although she is beautiful, she comes with a small dowry so is not desirable as a wife. Nor does her personality make her so. Sir Richard has blamed the acceleration of the marriage on Lady Anne, who actually thinks they should wait.

On the visit to the bridegroom’s family, Gyles Startout, a serf who has been made a member of Sir Richard’s soldiery, notices that a lot of peasants in the nearby village are being buried at night. He tries to tell his commander about it, but the Norman commander is disdainful of a serf. Soon, though, they realize that a terrible disease has struck, and they flee.

Back at Develish, Lady Anne hears about the disease. Years ago, she instituted more sanitary measures within the demesne, and now she barricades her people within its walls, deserting the village. She has made Thaddeus her new steward, and the two do their best to protect the people. Unfortunately, Eleanor is doing her best to cause trouble.

The time period and story idea for this novel are interesting, and the characters are well drawn. However, the novel has a big flaw, the plotting. It is all too obviously the first book of at least a trilogy. Whereas most first books have their own arc, even though they may end in suspense, this one is very unsatisfying, standing alone in no respect (something that is more common with a second book in a trilogy). It goes along very well until Thaddeus takes some boys out of the demesne to look for provisions. At that point, too much attention goes to the details of how they collect food and other needed goods, and the plot bogs down. The book also ends on a very flat note. Although the entire trilogy may provide exciting, this book is not a very satisfying read.

Having read some of Minette Walters' crime novels, I was fascinated to see what she would do with historical fiction. Walters' trademark beauty of language and expression is present here in abundance, as is her subtle drawing of character. What I found most intriguing was the way in which she dealt with the historical setting. The novel tells the story of the demense of Develish, who quarantine themselves from their surrounding neighbours when the Black Death strikes the county of Dorset. I loved all of the detail present in the narrative, such as the enmity between the serfs and their lords and the friction between the Norman barons and the Anglo Saxon nobles. What really impressed me, however, was the plot itself. Yes, this a tale of the plague, but it is so much more. There is intrigue aplenty in the narrative and there is definitely a mystery to be solved. The characters are multi-layered and some of the events described are truly horrific, but never gratuitous. All in all, this was a very satisfying novel and I look forward to reading the sequel and conclusion.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Last Hours was my first Minette Walters novel but having just finished I can confidently say it will not be my last. I was captivated from beginning to end and was thoroughly immersed in the story. This was one of those books I just didn't want to end because I was not finished with these characters which as it turns out was quite fortunate as the story ended on something of a cliffhanger. In some ways I'd have preferred a different ending to the one that was delivered. After all, I'm quite partial to an ending where all the loose ends are tied off neatly. As I read the last three words in the book "To Be Continued" I had a split second of disappointment followed immediately by excitement at the thought I would definitely be reacquainted with these characters. I only hope the sequel is well under way and we won't need to wait too long.

It was 1348, the black plague had Medieval England in it's grips and people were succumbing in huge numbers. Within days of the first symptoms sufferers died a horribly painful death; feverish, covered in pustules with their blood turning black. Whilst it was clear the plague was driving the thoughts and actions of most people, it was more the backdrop rather than the sole focus of this story. Primarily it was about the people, their motivations and the relationships they formed. In a time when hierarchy was everything Walters provided us with characters to love and to loathe from across the societal structure. On the lovable side of the ledger we had Lady Anne a wonderfully strong female character - smart, caring and seemingly way ahead of her times. She was the chattel wife of Sir Richard and mother of Lady Eleanor. Unlike others of the time she showed everyone respect and helped the underclasses to think for themselves, taught them to read and write and single handedly guided them to safety during the plague. Also lovable was the male serf Thaddeus. A young man who had been treated poorly by almost everyone his entire life due to the circumstances of his birth. A man who is physically strong, yet smarter than would normally be expected of a serf. On the other side of the ledger we had Sir Richard - Liege Lord and seemingly narcissistic tyrant - and Lady Eleanor his daughter - a 14 year old girl who believes herself superior to all others and can see no wrong in her father having modelled herself on him. Also, landing ion this side of the ledger we had a couple of sycophants, in the shape of the Steward and the Priest, both quite willing to modify their morals in order to favour themselves with the upper class and to better their own personal circumstances.

The story was filled with intrigue and I often didn't know where it was headed but I didn't care as I was perfectly happy to go wherever I was taken. Along the way I had cause to question the opinions I'd formed as nothing was quite as clear cut as it first seemed. Perhaps there were valid reasons for the villains to justify the things they said and did. I loved thinking about how it might have been to live in this period of time when fear of the plague was rampant. The lack of scientific proof about the cause of the plague helped me to understand why many people believed so strongly that this was God's way of punishing them.

Whether or not historical fiction typically appeals to you, I think there's a lot to recommend in this book. I sincerely thank Harlequin- MIRA publishers and NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my unbiased review which it was my pleasure to provide.

This was a wonderful read. This was my first Walters and it certainly won't be my last. I read a lot of historical fiction but there is certainly an emphasis on later periods; specifically tudor onwards. This was gripping, detailed and completely absorbing. Can't wait to read more about this dark and bleak town.

Middle of the road for this tale of the Black Death, perhaps the best known pandemic to strike humanity. Frankly, there just wasn't much happening beyond the day-to-day woes of an unlikely demesne trying to survive the pestilence in anachronistic ways.

From the historical aspect of historical fiction, this was well-researched and fairly well-executed. Walters managed the not-so-easy feat of painting a believable canvas of the Middle Ages. In that way, this reminded me of the segments also from 1348 in Doomsday Book. It just wasn't done nearly as well. The story itself wasn't without merit, but the way in which it was written seriously lacked in style. It reminded me of the flat and choppy way many fantasy books from previous eras tend to have been written, almost devoid of style at all and just written as relayed information.

The characters themselves were presented on the surface, for the most part, and despite clearly creating rather interesting people, Walters has left them as little more than shells. I really would've liked to have gotten to know several of the characters better—Lady Anne and Thaddeus for certain. It's mostly tell and little show.

However interesting that time period can be, the lack of style sported in The Last Hours as well as the lack of depth in both an active plot and fully-fleshed out characters kept this book on the fence of being rather boring and skimmable.

The whole of the book was saved by the most interesting parts—the beginning, which catalogues on a personal level to these people of the demesne, how the plague spread and the havoc it wreaked—and the ending, which, in rapid succession covering the last 7% of the story, supplied enough plot to regain my focus and interest levels to at least finish the book while engaged.

Story starts a bit confusing because of the numerous characters . But I was enjoying myself from the 20th page.. Authentic, powerful and horrifying tale. A promising start to a series.

"All has been looted, betrayed, sold; Black Death's wing flashed ahead." (Anna Akhmatova)

A plague, beyond all human proportions of the imagination, seeped into the lives of all in 1348. Death knows no social standings, no rankings. It snuffs out the life of one who wears the weight of the crown as well as those who palm the rake of the fields. A devilish betrayer of the pure or the wicked of heart.

Lady Anne of Develish in Dorsetshire has bid farewell to her husband Sir Richard. Sir Richard and his band of men carry a well-guarded trunk filled with the dowry of his daughter, Lady Eleanor. They are heading to broker the final elements of the pending marriage between Eleanor and Peter Bradmayne. News has reached them that Peter may be ill. After several nights of serious drinking and feasting, Peter no longer joins the group. It is then that Richard is informed by his captain of arms that illness has befallen the town and it has become a place of death. The troup of men and their horses make haste to return to the castle. The death toll includes Richard and his band of men. Only one survives.

Meanwhile, back at the castle.........

Lady Anne refuses to admit the returning men inside the castle. Lady Eleanor screeches like a barn owl at the injustice to her dying father. But Lady Anne realizes that they will all die if she opens the gates. Gyles Startout, the sole survivor, is banished to the shore along the moat for two weeks to prove that he will not infect them. It's now a waiting game.

Minette Walters introduces us to a myriad of characters that form the solid bulk of this storyline. We meet Thaddeus Thurkell, a twenty year old bondsman, who assists Lady Anne in her efforts to bring cleanliness into the lives of the serfs who have taken refuge inside the castle. The tension builds by leaps and bounds as their minds work in unison to form a barrier between themselves and the impending plague. We also see the true colors of Lady Eleanor who, indeed, is her father's daughter. Evil begets evil.

Meanwhile, outside of the castle........

Thaddeus Thurkell and a small group of young male serfs take to the road to secure more food and supplies in the outer areas. This is high adventure and provides an open door to the next book in the series. (The Turn of Midnight) Lady Eleanor must easily fit a length of veil to cover her horns and hooves. That girl alone is worth the price of admission, folks.

The Last Hours is a glimpse into the horrors of the Black Death through the eyes of all levels of society. It is a known fact that between 30% and 50% of the country's population died because of the plague. Minette Walters gives us a bird's eye view from all ranks of social order and her character choices are an excellent vehicle in which to deliver this sharp-ended storyline. Can't wait for the next edition to get here.

I received a copy of The Last Hours through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Allen & Unwin Publishers and to Minette Walters for the opportunity.

The Last Hours by Minette Walters takes near the port in Dorsetshire in June 1348 where it is believed the Black Death (plague) entered England. With her husband away, Lady Anne of Develish along with her serfs take drastic measures to ensure their safety. Isolation, discord and danger made for a clever tale.

Imagine if you would a dark mysterious plague coming to your door. It doesn’t discriminate and none survive. Throughout Dorsetshire whole communities are fall to the disease. Thanks to her husband’s need for grandeur a moat surrounds the Manor of Develish. While it’s true, Lady Anne thought the moat foolish, she uses it to keep out the infected and moves all of her servants, serfs, animals and food storage into the Manor. Quarters are cramped, but the practices Lasy Anne has instilled in Develish help her and her people.

Maybe I am twisted or perhaps nutters, but books surrounding the Black Death (bubonic plague) or any plague fascinate me. Since this story derives from a historical plague, I knew I had to read it. It pleased me that Walters did her research offering the reader a sense of realism.

The Last Hours was a fascinating, rich, character driven tale that held me captive from page one. The plague was terrifying. The local priests preached repentance and claimed it was a cleansing.

Walters presented an interesting tale that not only highlighted the bleak, often dark aspects of this plague that ravished over twenty million people. We as the reader bear witness to the things that happen under this isolated roof. Twists and developments kept me engaged.

Walters sheds light on the inequality of the period, not just for women, but for serfs, the ruling class and everyone in-between. Lady Anne was an extraordinarily strong woman was ahead of her time and well learned. How she came to be married to such a heinous creature is an atrocity but if you ask the serfs of Develish, they would say it was a blessing.

I loved all the tidbits from hierarchy to how the plague spread. It was fascinating to witness the changes within the manor as food shortages began and key characters worked to undermine Lady Anne.

The characters were unique, developed and truly propelled this story. Gyles, Thaddeus and Isabelle were among my favorite characters. Walters did an excellent job of endearing key characters and allowing me to despise others. A few turns of events surprised me and look forward to returning to the manor.

One cannot deny the research that must have gone into the creating of this tale I believe it is the first in a three book trilogy. While some, may find these tidbits of information boring, I devour them and appreciated the attention to detail. The setting relied heavily on the characters to move the plot forward but it was executed brilliantly and without informational dumps.

This ends on a cliffhanger, it isn’t bad but enough I am eager to see what happens. The second book, The Turn of Midnight, is due out in March 2019. Fans of rich historical fiction and character driven novels will find The Last Hours an engaging, brilliantly written tale.

Summer 1348 heralds the arrival of the Black Death to Dorseteshire and seriously impacts the relatively small demesne of Develish. Shortly before the apocalypse of disease appears, Sir Richard leaves his land to journey to Bradmayne in an effort to marry off his 14-year-old daughter, Lady Eleanor. Instead of returning with news of a betrothal, Sir Richard brings the plague. When he's denied access across the moat to the manor and dies, his widow, Lady Anne takes over and creates an entirely new society inside the walls. Trained in a nunnery before she was wed, Lady Anne knows how to use practical hygiene and isolation methods to keep her serfs free from disease. She and two of her trusted serfs -- the bastard Thaddeus Thurkell and an older man named Gyles Startout -- encourage the people of the demesne to bond together to save themselves. Be forewarned, this ends on a cliffhanger as there is meant to be a book #2!

If you're in the mood for compelling and fascinating historical fiction focusing on how the Black Death affected a relatively small community and its impact on their way of life then this is the book for you. I found myself absorbed completely in the details and descriptions of the life and times of the characters in this extremely well-written novel. Because of the strength and leadership of Lady Anne, the loyalty of the people of the demesne, and the resilience of the human spirit, this incredible saga of the event that decimated much of the population of Europe is hard to put down. I have long been fascinated by stories surrounding how the plague destroyed centuries of social order, how it affected the religious beliefs held by the majority of the populace, and how it increased the awareness of how disease was spread including the emphasis on learning about sanitation and the importance of extermination. So few had any degree of understanding of epidemiology or even cleanliness and little was known of science as most people thought that it was sin that brought death and disease. It's hard for us now to imagine such degree of ignorance living as we do, but the author describes the setting and living conditions so well in this novel that you can see, hear, smell, feel and taste what it must have been like. I love books that send me into research mode, and I definitely made use of the Internet while reading.

I encourage you to read this if you like historical fiction and a great story with well-drawn characters that you learn to love and/or hate! I cannot wait for the sequel to this and am so grateful to NetGalley and MIRA/Harper Collins for this e-book ARC to read and review. Hurry up, Ms Walters, and finish this masterpiece!

Thankyou to NetGalley, Harlequin-Mira (US and Canada), Mira and Minette Walters for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of The Last Hours.
I have always enjoyed reading books by this author. I am also a huge fan of historical fiction. So to have Ms Walters pen a novel set during the Black Plague in medieval England, I was beyond excited.
And, I was NOT disappointed. The Last Hours is a beautifully written and engrossing story. It was atmospheric in detail with some central central characters that you will love, and others that will infuriate you.
I would highly recommend The Last Hours. It is truly an exceptional read.