Chez Maximka: The Second Mrs Thistlewood by Dionne Haynes #BlogTour

Monday, 24 August 2020

The Second Mrs Thistlewood by Dionne Haynes #BlogTour

Chez Maximka, novel set in Regency England, Cato Conspiracy

books set in Regency period, fiction about domestic violence

"From this day forward, I will strive for happiness. It may take a while to find the future I deserve, but while I work towards it, I will be courageous".

The Second Mrs Thistlewood by Dionne Haynes is a historical novel, set in Regency England.
Some of the events in the book are inspired by true events. Arthur Thistlewood was a radical activist and conspirator in the Cato Street Conspiracy, who was executed for treason.

His second wife was Susan Wilkinson, the main protagonist of the novel.

Arthur is well educated and has great aspirations of overthrowing the constitution and "improving the lives of the many who are far less fortunate than ourselves".

Susan says about their union, "I'm smart of mind and share Arthur's political views, and I do my best to encourage him in the fight against tyranny."

Arthur is a violent bully, who beats his wife, but she finds excuses for him, when confiding in to her mother:
"He's a retired soldier. Violence is an inevitable part of his character. The important thing is that he keeps it for the battlefield."

Arthur's son Julian is another victim of domestic violence. "For several years, we have supported each other against Arthur's volatile moods. My heart will fracture when he goes away to school". Susan is very fond of her stepson, but also hopes that it would be easier for her to leave Arthur when Julian is away.

While Arthur is plotting a revolution, Susan is plotting her escape from the abusive relationship.
"I deserve a better life than this. No matter how long it takes, I'll find a way to set myself free".

Susan is befriended by a new neighbour, Beckey, who invites her to attend her musical evenings and encourages her to sing. Their little music group is so good, that they are even invited to sing at Princess Charlotte's wedding. Susan is ecstatic, "I'm a butterfly spreading its wings for the first time, realising its true potential and venturing towards its destiny".

She values her friendship with Beckey and a young French widow Anne.
"How fortunate I am to have Beckey as a neighbour and the greatest of friends. She has offered me kindness, educated me about true suffering, given me the gift of music and song, and now opened a door to an opportunity of a lifetime".

Music, books and food provide the much needed escapism for Susan. While browsing in one of the London book shops, she encounters a charming stranger. He kindly buys a book for her, which she couldn't afford. That accidental meeting gives her a glimpse of hope. William happens to be a Bow Street Runner, and knows about the revolutionary plans of Susan's husband.

"Thoughts tumble and collide, and it's difficult to make sense of them. I am bound to Arthur by law and unable to leave him without his permission - unless he commits adultery."

Susan dreads bedtime and her husband's rough sexual advances. He is a rapist and an adulterer, who also forces himself on the servant. To keep her position, the servant appears to be willing, but she's just another victim of a male-dominant society.

"As Arthur's campaign plans become more violent, so too does his treatment of me. I cannot bear to look at him and shudder at his slightest touch. The marriage vows that were once so dear to me are a gaol sentence now".

As Susan's relationship with William progresses, we watch with a feeling of impending doom, whether she would be swept by the dark powers alongside the person who she wants to betray.

I found myself in two minds about the main protagonist. On one hand, you feel terribly sorry for her lot and root for her escape, but at what cost?

Arthur is a brutal man, who must be stopped, but the traitor's death is the most gruesome way to go, and Susan knows what would await her husband if he is caught:
"If Arthur's found guilty at trial, my actions will have contributed to condemning him to a traitor's death. I too will have blood on my hands. But I recall the dread of sharing his bed, the beatings, the violations of my body, and his fingers pressing against my neck... I did what I had to do. It was his life, or mine"

The theme of food is a constant thread throughout the book. Susan's relationship with food is a substitute of love and affection she's missing in life. It is a comfort food in its true sense of the word.
Food to her is not a mere sustenance, it is a source of solace.

"I tidy away the breakfast dishes and lick marmalade from a spoon. The tandy syrup coats my tongue with delicious sticky residue, and my taste buds tingle beneath the intense flavour of orange"

"Crisp, firm chocolate biscuits fail to lighten my mood. Nevertheless, I help myself to a third, seeking comfort from the rich taste of a quality cocoa".

"Fresh strawberry ice cream calms my fevered mind. As each cold spoonful slithers down my throat, I feel a delightful cooling sensation behind my breastbone".

Susan's story is dark and rather shocking. We see Regency London through her eyes. It's a real page-turner that will keep you guessing until the end.

historical fiction set in Regency London, Chez Maximka

Purchase Links

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Second-Mrs-Thistlewood-Dionne-Haynes-ebook/dp/B08BCSQ7B7

Author Bio:
Dionne is a retired doctor, living in Plymouth with her husband. She has a passion for history, the great outdoors, good food and life in general. With her medical career now well behind her, she is enjoying a second career as an author.
In 2015, Dionne finished writing her first novel The Provenance of Lilly, but after careful reflection and consideration of some harsh criticism, she decided not to put it into print. Instead, she worked hard at honing her writing skills, and published her debut novel, Running With The Wind, in 2019.
She is currently working on a sequel which will form Book One of The Trelawney Wives series.

Dionne graduated from St George's Hospital Medical School in 1992, and started her medical career in the Royal Air Force. In 1998, she left the militart to have her son, and worked in General Practice and Occupational Medicine. The opportunity to retire came in 2014 and Dionne did not hesitate to take it, relishing the opportunity to delve into history books and begin her writing career.

Although no longer practising medicine, her medical background has some influence in the plotting of her stories.
While keen to maintain historical accuracy in her writing, Dionne creates stories from real events with sparse recorded details, allowing her imagination to take over and tell a tale of what may have occurred.