The Players
Published on 4. September 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
496 pages
978-1-80546-318-4 (ISBN)
Description
Readers love THE PLAYERS
'Totally riveting... Perfect.
'I was transported every time I picked up this highly imaginative story'
'Everything I love about historical fiction'
'This is historical fiction at its best'
'Good to see female characters having strong roles'
'I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys history, literature and a "jolly good read"'
Who will save them from the gallows?
England, 1685. Decades after the end of the civil war, the country is once again divided when a pretender to the throne incites rebellion against King James II. Angered, the king orders every captured rebel to be hanged, drawn and quartered.
As the country braces for carnage, the formidable Lady Jayne Harrier and her enigmatic son, assisted by the reclusive daughter of a local magistrate, contrive ways to save men from the gallows.
Secrets are kept and surprising friendships formed during the dark days of the Bloody Assizes, in a dangerous gamble to thwart a brutal king's thirst for vengeance...
'Fascinating ... told with the masterful skill of a true storyteller' Anne O'Brien
'An immersive joy that will stand the test of time' Elizabeth Chadwick
'Totally riveting... Perfect.
'I was transported every time I picked up this highly imaginative story'
'Everything I love about historical fiction'
'This is historical fiction at its best'
'Good to see female characters having strong roles'
'I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys history, literature and a "jolly good read"'
Who will save them from the gallows?
England, 1685. Decades after the end of the civil war, the country is once again divided when a pretender to the throne incites rebellion against King James II. Angered, the king orders every captured rebel to be hanged, drawn and quartered.
As the country braces for carnage, the formidable Lady Jayne Harrier and her enigmatic son, assisted by the reclusive daughter of a local magistrate, contrive ways to save men from the gallows.
Secrets are kept and surprising friendships formed during the dark days of the Bloody Assizes, in a dangerous gamble to thwart a brutal king's thirst for vengeance...
'Fascinating ... told with the masterful skill of a true storyteller' Anne O'Brien
'An immersive joy that will stand the test of time' Elizabeth Chadwick
Reviews / Votes
A sweeping narrative and a host of memorable characters ... shows Walters to be as skilled in historical fiction as she is in the crime genre * Sunday Times * A fascinating book, drawing the reader into the world of vicious politics in the reign of King James II. Told with the masterful skill of a true storyteller, full of action, with characters that light up the historical stage, The Players is a novel that abounds with danger and foreboding. A real page turner that kept me riveted from start to finish. -- Anne O'Brien, Sunday Times bestselling author of A MARRIAGE OF FORTUNE Historical fiction as it should be and at its best. An immersive joy to read that leads me to want more. A work that has been crafted with passion and care and symmetry, and will stand the test of time -- Elizabeth Chadwick, bestselling author of THE SUMMER QUEEN An intricate plot and multi-faceted characters who delight in sparring conversation and dangerous undertakings make Walters' dynamic take on the 17th-century upheaval and its aftermath both subtle and dramatic. * Daily Mail * Sweeping, pacy ... compelling and powerful, this is a carefully crafted and engaging story * Platinum * Walters uses all her skill as a writer of historical fiction to fill in this world and bring it to life. Through her descriptive language, flair for supporting, relevant facts, and wonderfully rounded characters, readers will become immersed in this gripping, late 17th century tale. * Irish Examiner * Walters is a master craftswoman and a tireless historical researcher [The Players] is an absolute feast of historical fiction * Westmeath Independent * Original and utterly engrossing ... a well-crafted, intelligent and thoroughly engaging read - this is literary historical fiction at its very best * HIstorical Novel Society * Wonderful and sweeping, with a fabulous sense of place and history -- Kate Mosse on THE LAST HOURS Wonderfully engaging ... propulsive * Daily Mail on THE SWIFT AND THE HARRIER * Atmospheric ... gripping * Good Housekeeping on THE SWIFT AND THE HARRIER *More details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 33 mm
Weight
336 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80546-318-4 (9781805463184)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Minette Walters
The Players
Must-read sweeping historical fiction from 25-million copy bestselling author
E-Book
01/2025
Atlantic Books
€8.49
Available for download
Person
Minette Walters is one of the world's bestselling crime writers and has sold over 25 million copies of her books worldwide. She has won the CWA John Creasey Award, the Edgar Allan Poe Award in America and two CWA Gold Daggers. The Players is her fourth historical novel. She lives in Dorset with her husband.