The Traitor's Son - by Wendy Johnson (Paperback)

About the Book

Richard Duke of York has been branded a traitor and slain by his Lancastrian foes. For Richard Plantagenet, England has become a dangerous place. Richard faces an agonizing dilemma in this novel about the future Richard III's early life.

Book Synopsis

Caught between a king and a kingmaker, young Richard Plantagenet knows he'll have to choose...

1461: Richard Duke of York, King by Right, has been branded a traitor and slain by his Lancastrian foes. For his eight-year-old son-Richard Plantagenet-England has become a dangerous place.

As the boy grapples with grief and uncertainty, his elder brother, Edward, defeats the enemy and claims the throne. Dazzled by his glorious sibling, young Richard soon discovers that imperfections lurk beneath his brother's majestic façade. Enter Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick-cousin, tutor, luminary-whose life has given him everything but that which he truly craves: a son. A filial bond forms between man and boy as they fill the void in each other's lives. Yet, when treachery tears their world asunder, Richard faces an agonizing dilemma: pledge allegiance to Edward-his blood brother and king-or to Warwick, the father figure who has shaped his life and affections.

Painfully trapped between duty and devotion, Richard faces a grim reality: whatever he decides will mean a fight to the death.

In "The Traitor's Son", Wendy Johnson masterfully weaves a tapestry of loyalty, love, and sacrifice against the backdrop of England's turbulent history. Through the eyes of a young Richard III, readers are transported into a world where every choice is fraught with peril, and the bonds of kinship are tested to their limits. As Richard Plantagenet navigates the explosive tensions within his own family, readers are swept along on a journey of intrigue and passion that will leave them spellbound until the final page.

FINALIST - BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2025, THE COFFEE POT BOOK CLUB

The book includes thoughtful book club questions to help you discuss this fascinating topic with your club.

Review Quotes

"Exquisitely written. An evocative and thoughtful retelling of the early life of Richard III." Philippa Langley, MBE

FINALIST - BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2025, THE COFFEE POT BOOK CLUB