Millie's Escape - (Hartford Manor) by Marcia Clayton (Paperback)

About the Book

The heartwarming tale of how a young girl, wrongly accused of theft, is relentlessly pursued across the desolate wintry countryside.

Book Synopsis

1885 North Devon, England

It is winter in the small Devon village of Brampford Speke, and a typhoid epidemic has claimed many victims. Millie, aged fifteen, is doing her best to nurse her mother and grandmother as well as look after Jonathan, her five-year-old brother. One morning, Millie is horrified to find that her mother, Rosemary, has passed away during the night and is terrified the same fate may befall her granny, Emily.

When Emily's neighbours inform her that Sir Edgar Grantley has also perished from the deadly disease, the old woman is distraught, for the kindly gentleman has been their benefactor for many years, much to the disgust of his wife, Lilliana. Emily is well aware that Sir Edgar's generosity has long been a bone of contention between him and his spouse, and she is certain Lady Grantley will evict them from their cottage at the first opportunity.

As she racks her brain for a solution, Emily remembers her father came from Hartford, a seaside village in North Devon and had relatives there. Desperate and too weak to travel, she insists Millie and Jonathan leave home and make their way to Hartford before the embittered woman can cause trouble for them. There, she tells them, they must throw themselves on the mercy of their family and hope they will offer them a home.

With Emily promising to follow them as soon as possible, the two youngsters reluctantly set off on their fifty-mile journey on foot and in the harshest of weather conditions. Emily warns them to be cautious, for she suspects Lady Grantley may well pursue them to seek revenge for a situation that has existed between the two families for many years.

Review Quotes

A wonderful addition to the series!

I'm a huge fan of the Hartford Manor Series and Millie's Escape is a wonderful addition to the Victorian Saga. This story surrounds Millie and her young brother Johnathan as they embark on a fifty-mile journey to Devon to seek out family after losing their mother to Typhoid, leaving them with their elderly grandma, Emily. Emily is aware of what will become of her grandchildren when she hears that Sir Edgar has also perished from the disease, and because of this, she has no alternative but to tell them the truth about who their father really was and what will happen now he is dead. As Millie and Johnathan meet some genuinely good people on their travels, they also come across some unsavoury ones, but this doesn't stop Millie from making sure she and her brother are kept safe. Again, Marcia has done an amazing job creating a story you can immerse yourself in. It's very well written and descriptive, which allows the reader to visualize that period. The new characters fit in great with the old and well-established characters and the story flows seamlessly. Just like the rest of the series, I thoroughly enjoyed Millie's Escape and I'm looking forward to what comes next.

Another great book!

This is the fifth book of Maria Claytons that I've read and it didn't disappoint! I love the author's style of writing. Every book compels you to keep turning the page. As always, there are so many lovable characters and a heartbreaking tale to tell. Millie's story is one that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat just willing her to succeed in finding a place of safety for her and her little brother, Jonnie, after the untimely death of their beloved mother. Well done Marcia, another highly recommended read!

An enthralling story

It was a treat to read this latest book in the Hartford Manor series. I loved catching up with the older characters and discovering the new ones. Marcia is a true storyteller with a gift of creating a world with characters that are true to life and believable.

The Family Story Develops

In the fourth part of the Hartford Manor story, we once again meet Robert and Annie with their extended family. Sam gets to know his long-lost family. Betsey and Ned make plans for the next part of their lives. There's a lot going on in Devon. Meanwhile, young Millie and Jonathan lose their mother and gain a deadly enemy on the same day. Fleeing for their lives, they begin a perilous journey northwards. Another enjoyable read from Marcia Clayton, combining engaging story-telling with excellent research to bring us another slice of life in rural Victorian Devon.

A must-read for fans of historical fiction! "Millie's Escape" by Marcia Clayton is a stunning addition to the Hartford Manor series, continuing the rich tradition of well-crafted, emotionally resonant storytelling that fans of Clayton have come to expect. The characters, particularly Millie and her brother Jonathan, are beautifully developed, each with distinct personalities that make their struggles and triumphs all the more compelling. Clayton expertly weaves themes of love, courage, and resilience throughout the narrative, balanced by darker elements of hatred and revenge that add depth and excitement to the story. The vivid descriptions of Victorian-era life immerse the reader in a world where survival is a constant battle. Clayton's masterful storytelling and attention to detail make "Millie's Escape" a must-read for fans of historical fiction.