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Released: 28/05/2018

ISBN: 9781788034562
eISBN: 9781788034852

Format: Paperback/eBook

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The Distant Hills

by Judith Thomson

“The difference between us, sweetheart, is that you see only the pretty sunlit plains that stretch before you whilst I see the distant hills beyond!”

It is 1689, and England is about to be plunged into a war with France. This does not suit Philip Devalle, who is half-French. With King William lll now ruling England, Philip, whose efforts during the ‘Glorious Revolution’ have helped to put him there, is secure - for the moment. But his scheming has also made him unpopular with many. William and Mary have no children and with Mary’s sister, Anne, heir to the throne Philip fears his future may yet be uncertain. When he receives an invitation to meet with King Louis, the French king that he has served in the past, Philip is intrigued. Being a gambler, he decides to risk the consequences and travel to Versailles, on the chance that it might be to his advantage. He believes he has no enemies in France. He is wrong.

With his life in peril, he must learn who wants him dead. And seek retribution. What he discovers surprises him but he knows that, if this latest adventure is to end well, he must proceed with caution, for no-one is above suspicion … not even Louis himself. “Whatever could happen to me here? All my enemies are in England!”

Author news

I will be taking part in The Brighton and Hove Book Fayre on Saturday 23rd November, at the Unitarian Church, Brighton 10 - 4 p.m.

I will also be signing copies of my books at Waterstones, Haywards Heath on Saturday 27th July 11.30 - 2pm and The Book Shop, East Grinstead, on Saturday 17th August from 10.a.m. onwards.

Would love to meet you at any of these events!

Judiththomsonsite.wordpress.com

Press Coverage

That's Books

France Magazine

Discovering Diamonds

Female First

Book Reviews

The Distant Hills - Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsA real page turner
ByAmazon Customer Maryon 4 March 2018
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
The story is compelling, and so I read it in one sitting. I love that period, especially in France, and the character of Monsieur was very well drawn,since he really was a good soldier, who had to suppress his masculine side so as to be non threatening to his brother.
The story takes place in England, at the time of William of Orange. Also in France, where the Sun King reigns.
A story that draws the reader in very quickly and keeps them interested.

by Maryon

5.0 out of 5 starsAn excellent read.
ByDavid Lintonbon DOon 20 March 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
An exceptional good read. Judith Thomson's latest novel takes you back to the 17th century in such a way, that you can really believe you are there with Phillip himself.

by David Lintonbon

About the Author

Judith Thomson

Brought up in Lincolnshire, Judith studied Art in Leicester before moving to Sussex, where she still lives.

She is passionate about the seventeenth century and has gained much inspiration from visits to Paris and Versailles. She has written several stories based around actual events of the period, set in both England and France, and following the lives of some of the same characters.

She likes to paint, enjoys boating on the French canals and scuba diving in the Red Sea. She has helped on a local archaeological dig and enjoys exploring the ancient landscape of Britain as well as following Native American trails in the deserts of southwest U.S.A.

Judith has a blogsite, Judiththomsonblog.wordpress.com where she posts, amongst other things, a monthly blog entitled 350 years ago this month, based on the diaries of Samuel Pepys. She also has a website Judiththomsonsite.wordpress.com and is a Goodreads Author.