The Running Wolf
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The Running Wolf
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Narrated by:
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Richard Turner
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By:
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Helen Steadman
About this listen
The running wolf inscription told the world that a Solingen blade was at its throat. When a German smuggler is imprisoned in Morpeth Gaol in the winter of 1703, why does Queen Anne's powerful right-hand man, the Earl of Nottingham, take such a keen interest? At the end of the turbulent 17th century, the ties that bind men are fraying, turning neighbour against neighbour, friend against friend and brother against brother.
Beneath a seething layer of religious intolerance, community suspicion and political intrigue, The Running Wolf takes us deep into the heart of rebel country in the run-up to the 1715 Jacobite uprising. Hermann Mohll is a master sword maker from Solingen in Germany who risks his life by breaking his guild oaths and settling in England. While trying to save his family and neighbours from poverty, he is caught smuggling swords and finds himself in Morpeth Gaol facing charges of High Treason.
Determined to hold his tongue and his nerve, Mohll finds himself at the mercy of the corrupt keeper, Robert Tipstaff. The keeper fancies he can persuade the truth out of Mohll and make him face the ultimate justice: hanging, drawing and quartering. But in this tangled web of secrets and lies, just who is telling the truth?
©2020 Helen Steadman (P)2023 Bell Jar BooksListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
“The meticulous research that has gone into writing this book about the Solingen swordmakers of Germany set at the turn of the 18th century just shines through. We see their lives unfold in northeast England with their struggles resonant of the experiences of so many immigrants today. I learned so much in a totally immersive and captivating read with characters that are brought to life through Helen Steadman's powerful writing. Highly recommended to all lovers of historical fiction!” Rosalind Russell, The End of Where We Begin: A Refugee Story
“The author gives a fascinating insight into the difficult decisions that people must make during times of community suspicion and political intrigue.” Mark Whitley, Countryman Magazine
“Ms Steadman has an easy approachable writing style that leads you into a historical past and immerses you in the time so that you feel you are there with these almost tangible characters.” Fin Gray, Duplicity
What listeners say about The Running Wolf
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 20-01-22
Wonderful
AD-gifted
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My review: What excellent historical fiction from Steadman, once again! I had really enjoyed Widdershins and Sunwise, so jumped at the chance to review another of her books and wasn't at all disappointed. Told through a dual timeline, I was initially more engaged by the earlier story but the later one, based in a jail, certainly helped to build intrigue and made me desperate to find out how things had ended the way they did. In the audio, I felt totally immersed in the time period (that I knew little about), through Helen Steadman's vivid description and the strong and engaging narration by Richard Turner. I absolutely loved listening and getting lost in a time that appears so different to our own on the surface, yet somehow still seemed to resonate. There were interesting themes explored through a story of immigration and assimilation, that I think are still poignant today: those of love, family, identity and belonging. It was interesting to listen to how Hermann's family, and other members of their community, settled and adapted into their new life in a foreign land. What made this story really come alive, though, was the wonderful characters! The interactions between Hermann's wife, Catrin, and mother, Anna, were a particular highlight for me, as were scenes with the 'English boy', Joseph.
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⚠️CW: brutal scenes of violence towards children and animals
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Overall, this was an engaging and interesting piece that I'd definitely recommend to historical fiction fans!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Celticmouse
- 19-01-22
Well researched, beautifully read
I am thrilled to be part of the tour for The Running Wolf by Helen Steadman.
#AD #Gifted
My thanks to the author @helensteadman1650 and @lovebookstours for the opportunity to listen to and offer an honest, unbiased review.
Set in a dual timeline. Starting with the arrival of the Mohll family in Shotley Bridge in 1687 and alternating with the voice of the Morpeth Gaol keeper in 1703-04, the two strands eventually come together.
I love Helen Steadman's writing. She conjures up such a sense of place and time that you almost feel you are there with her characters. Speaking of which, I liked all the members of the Mohll family, from the crotchety sharp tongued grandmother to Herman Mohll himself. Delicately drawn with a sure hand, even the family hound comes to life off the page.
The book centres around the arrival in England of several German families of sword makers and their travails. Caught in the midst of a political storm, their new lives do not go as they had hoped they would. Herr Mohll eventually takes a huge risk for the good of his community. An honest, family man, can be survive his time in Morpeth Gaol?
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- NicolaHancock
- 12-01-22
Historical Fiction
The dream thieves were horrid and it was quite gory on some parts and very detailed. The hangover made me cringe as I especially suffer badly with hangovers.
As an introduction to the book, you instantly learn that the book is about Sword Makers and 20 families are travelling to England. Leaving the poverty and their families behind. I loved the description of The running wolf blade mark. I loved learning more and more about the characters. I must admit this book took a couple of hours to really grasp my attention.
I think one of my favourite parts was teaching Joseph how to sculpture the nails. I’m not sure why but the friendly ways the patience really stood out for me. I can’t imagine being a girl in those times not being able to read when you want to and being told no your husband can teach you when you’re married. Frustrating but that’s just how those times were.
I was gripped to my steering wheel with the scene of the ice skating. Who would I choose between Joseph and Peter? English or German. Joseph seems like the best bet to me and his sweet ways. I’m so glad they got the opportunity to go back to Germany. There was a lot of scenes I found really gruesome and cringed. It took a long time for me to get into this but it was worth it in the end.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- cmb
- 17-01-22
A good read
Having listened to another two books on audiobook from Helen Steadman I was delighted to be part of this tour! I really loved the others and this one was no different. It was lovely to listen to the familiar writing style. The narrator of the book was good and adapted his voice well for different characters. The plot of the book has some brilliant ups and downs and I found myself surprised by what came next. I did get a bit confused at the start as the 2 settings were different points in time but once this became clear it made the story more interesting. I liked the characters and really enjoyed following Herman’s interesting life! There was a lot of detail about sword making which I found fascinating as I’ve never really thought about it before! If you like a character based historical novel then this one is for you!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- CP
- 17-01-22
Absorbing and fascinating
Having thoroughly enjoyed Widdershins and Sunwise last year, I jumped at the chance to be part of this audiobook tour with @lovebookstours
Helen Steadman has certainly done it again. The meticulous research that has gone into this piece of historical fiction is evident with every sentence spoken by narrator, Richard Turner. It was easy to become completely absorbed in the story.
Set in a period I knew absolutely nothing about. The Master Sword Makers from Germany, who uprooted their families to travel to England to work as sword makers. The descriptions of their lives were vivid and interesting and it was easy to visualise how life might have been in this period for those not being of English descent, trying to 'forge' ahead with a new life, in a different country with ways.
The timeline moves backwards and forwards, unfolding the story bit by bit.
Highly absorbing and fascinating to the very end.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Georgina C.
- 12-01-22
Great Historical Fiction - again!
Thank you to @lovebookstours for my copy of this audiobook.
I was a big fan of Helen’s previous books, and jumped at the chance to be on the tour for this one. She did warn me it was very different, and it definitely was.
I listened to this in a day, and loved it. I especially liked Mother and her brilliant sarcasm, her one liners made her my favourite character. The story was set in the North again, and had such a good narrator, he really made it with his excellent accents and clear voice.
I love historical fiction and Helen is a master at it, I would wholeheartedly recommend this one to fans of this genre.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Serenity You
- 22-01-22
An ok read.
After loving Helen Steadmans other two books - Whiddershins and Sunwise, I couldn't wait to read this one too.
I listen to this one on audio. I love the title and the cover of this one and couldn't wait to get started.
We follow Hermann, who moves his family from Germany to England. His wife is not happy about the move and wants to go back home. They have a little daughter Liesel who I really adored.
I loved the first few chapters but then my mind started to wander off. I'm not sure if it was the audiobook, the story or just me. I really can't remember most of the middle part of the story. But as it got towards the end it started to pick up again for me. This was really surprising as I love the other two books by this author.
At the moment I am giving this 3/5 stars. But I think I will listen to this one again and give it my full attention.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Julia G.
- 28-10-24
Not the follow on book I’d hoped for!
I bought this as I had read the widdershins three books that I loved. This was introduced as the ‘next’ book to find out what happened to the child. It was historic about German migrants and I was glad when it was finished. Sorry, NOT a follow on from Solstice.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- LozzyJ
- 10-01-22
Interesting story and characters
I enjoyed this book, especially as the narrator was really good; very easy to listen to.
I was interested in the story and the characters.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Faye Wilkinson
- 25-07-23
Wonderful
As a descendant of Hermann Mohl, it was exciting to hear Helen's portrayal of him, his family, home and surroundings. Helen has a talent for bringing this time period to life and I'll be recommending it to the rest of the family.
Narration was also great, Geordie accents weren't too bad and German accents were slight and not distracting.
Fantastic to hear north east stories, especially ones I have connections to. Thank you Helen.
I'm now listening to Widdershins which is just as good and recommend to anyone interested in this time period.
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