The Last Hours by Minette Walters (Black Death, Book 1)

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 travelled 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