Minette Walters move from crime to historic writing is very welcome. Her attention to detail, as in previous books, compels the reader to keep reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this first book The Last Hours, which gave a good insight to the lives of people in the countryside during the black death. The speed at which it spread and in a world lacking communication how a society protected themselves and sought information as to the state of their environment. Fascinating to realise serfs in a community were unaware of their surrounding geography - I have looked forward to the sequel and have not been disappointed. Another good read written with minette's attention to detail. Highly recommended.