{CORNISH SAGA &} THE CORNISH REBEL.

 Having read and enjoyed book 6 in her Cornish Saga series, The Cornish Captive, I'm pleased to be sharing my thoughts on book 7 ...

THE CORNISH CAPTIVE by NICOLA PRYCE.

Genre ...  Historical fiction / saga

Publication Date ... 3rd August 2023

Publisher ...  Corvus (an imprint of Atlantic Books)

Estimated Page Count ... 400

Standalone Seventh Novel in the Cornish Saga Series

Order Link ... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cornish-Rebel-Saga/dp/183895919X

Cornwall, 1801.

In the wake of her mother's death, Pandora Woodville is desperate to escape her domineering father and finally return to Cornwall. Posing as a widow, she safely makes it across the Atlantic, bright with the dream of working at her Aunt Harriet's school for young women. But as Pandora is soon to learn, the school is facing imminent closure after a series of sinister events threatened its reputation.

Acclaimed chemist Benedict Aubyn has also recently returned to Cornwall, to take up a new role as Turnpike Trust Surveyor. Pandora's arrival has been a strange one, so she is grateful when he shows her kindness. As news of the school's ruin spreads around town, everyone seems to be after her aunt's estate. Now, Pandora and Aunt Harriet must do everything in their power to save the school, or risk losing everything.

However, Pandora has another problem. She's falling for Benedict. But can she trust him, or is he simply looking after his own interests?

It has to be said that whilst perfectly readable as a standalone novel this is the seventh book in the Cornish Saga series. 

A late comer to the series {I have only previously read book six, The Cornish Captive} I still stand by the fact that for me it is not so much the plot or characters but rather the Cornish setting that is the major draw for me.

Moving into the Regency era, a time of change; of new innovations, our story is largely set in the St Feoca school for Young forward thinking ladies, not necessarily a good thing in a world where women are still considered very much secondary to men ... and that includes our heroine, Pandora Woodville who, posing as a widow, is able to teach at her aunt's school, a school that faces imminent closure amidst some pretty sinister occurrences.

'I like my independence, Miss Mitchell, I like the independence that teaching in a school brings. I enjoy using my brain, I enjoy the concept of learning, and I like to impart knowledge. Husbands consider their wives their property - and call their daughters the flowers of their bosoms. They control where their wives go and consider those who don't adhere to these principles as wayward, forward and inviting trouble. We  must marry and give up our freedom, or we must become governesses under another man's control. Until men grasp the idea that women are capable and highly intelligent, they will not change. Society needs to embrace the idea of a woman having a certain degree of independence. I like teaching and I do it very well. Can you imagine a husband allowing me to apply for this position?'

Aunt Hetty drew a breath. 'You've read the article?'

'Yes. And it was like a red rag to a bull. Girls are not flowers to be watered. They are to be educated.'

- Pg 373

I have a great admiration for any author who can transport their readers to a bygone age and, my goodness, hats off to Nicola Pryce for the way in which they transported me to nineteenth century Cornwall and all of its societal norms. 

Question being, was I as engaged in the plot or the characters?

Hmm!

With enough twists and turns to hold my attention and, whilst not as engaged in the female leads as I'd expected to be, I rather surprisingly found myself captivated by the enigmatic romantic lead, acclaimed chemist Benedict Aubyn so, all in all, an enjoyable enough read.

Nicola Pryce trained as a nurse at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London. She has always loved literature and completed an Open University degree in Humanities. She is a qualified adult literacy support volunteer and lives with her husband in the Blackdown Hills in Somerset. Together they sail the south coast of Cornwall in search of adventure.

Social Media Links ... ~ Website ~ FaceBook ~ X {Formerly Twitter} ~ Instagram ~

With thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for another well organised Blog Tour. 

Agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own. No financial compensation was asked for nor given. Threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.

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PS. If you haven't already done so please check out today's other review, The Women Who Wouldn't Leave by Victoria Scott.