The Running Wolf

By: Helen Steadman

Narrated by: Richard Turner

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 Books

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

very good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!!

Recommend

This was an interesting book. The title and design is great but has you wondering what it is about, which I loved. The book is a page turner from the beginning to the end. The characters and atmosphere was very detailed and realistic.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Loved It

Great book, kept my attention all the way to the end, amazing audio delivery, loved it. Will be reading again. Every chapter was received amazingly. I do recommend you give it a read.

Captivating Historical Fiction

⭐4.5 Stars On My Instagram Post⭐

"You have steel running through you, but you must bend to survive."

A master sword maker makes a decision that changes the course of his life forever in The Running Wolf by meticulous research author Helen Steadman.

Told in two timelines from 1687 to 1704 we are immersed in the life of German (Prussia) premier sword creator Hermann Mohll, his family and neighbors, as they make the ultimate decision to leave their homeland for England where thay are promised wealth to manufacturer their top tier swords.

Instead of steady work they encounter prejudice as foreigners and religious Lutherans. One of the most poignant moments is Hermann stating, "If only men the world over could accept there was a single Creator but many ways of praising Him, the world might be a happier place and mankind might stop tearing itself apart."

This story is a captivating tale that switches from Hermann trying to financially help everyone in his community, training an apprentice, protecting his inquisitive daughter Liesl, and praising the unconditional love of the family's one eared dog Griselda to mounting a smuggling plan that lands him in prison for high treason.

Listening to the soothing tones of narrator Richard Turner this story is pure joy for English and Jacobite historical fiction fans. Even the instructional passages of forging swords is fascinating to hear. In fact, the author forged her own sword during her research.

Does Hermann hang for his crimes? How cruel is the prison keeper? Will Liesl be safe? How loyal is Griselda? Okay she is the loyalest dog! Told as a PBS Masterpiece Theater mystery, detailed as a documentary and as much fun as any swashbuckling adventure The Running Wolf is perfect entertainment on these wintry nights.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publishers for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Running Wolf

Overall rating: 4 stars
Narrator rating: 4 stars

"Even the best bread can turn moldy."
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In The Running Wolf, we are immersed in the life of a German smithy who has relocated with his family to England in the late 1600s. While the story follows the ins and outs of their lives it illuminates the truth of life as an immigrant, as a skilled worker operating outside of a guild, the politics of England, religious intolerance and the general harshness of life in that era. The story flips back and forth between an imprisoned smuggler in the run up to the Jacobite uprising and the life of the smithy, Hermann (love that character's name obviously).

I really loved the intricate detail of Hermann's life. We see the importance of their nationality in their lives, the respect and care for elders, the importance of gender roles and the job of a smithy in general. I liked that there were scenes in both England and Germany so we saw life in both places. There were quite a few scenes of action that I felt were heart pounding but you should expect for the most part, a slower paced story with small snippets of life changing action.

This is really fabulous historical fiction with a slice of life that I haven't read in other novels of this type. We really see how the rigors of life challenges even the best people and the choices they are forced to make under duress.

Thanks to  Love Book Tours and Helen Steadman for a gifted copy of this audiobook. All opinions above are my own.

Baskerville Book Reviews

The Running Wolf feels like being a fly on the wall in a 16 – 1700s family’s home. You hear what they hear, you see what they see and it takes you along on their journey. The characters are all well done, they feel human. They have their charms and quirks, they have their issues and desires. Each character’s dialogue, thoughts, actions, emotions, etc. all feel distinct and realistic.

Beyond that, I have little to nothing to say about it. It really didn’t evoke any thoughts, feelings, or emotions in me. I just found it to be a pleasant and interesting ride to join these characters on.

Overall, the narration was pretty good. I occasionally had trouble telling who was who at times. The lines are spoken loud and clear, and dialogue is well done, but character voices are seriously lacking in some instances. I also got sick of the narrator repeatedly saying “17o3”. O isn’t a number, it’s a letter. It’s 1703 and that will never stop annoying the hell out of me.

NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.

Great piece of early-18th century historical fiction!

This was a great historical fiction piece! I enjoy novels surrounding Tudor England, but otherwise haven’t dabbled much in pre-19th century eras so this was refreshing.

I enjoyed much about this novel, from the beautiful cover to the well-researched historical points. While I was rooting for Hermann and even his daughter’s happiness, there were a few characters I despised. Hermann’s wife frustrated me, as did many other terrible people that surrounded Hermann in this journey.

While I did enjoy the narrator, I do believe I personally need to read books from this time in print. It’s a bit hard to follow the names/places and some of the language gets lost within the audio. Again, just my personal preference.

Thank you to the author for the gifted audiobook!