A Review + Giveaway: The Traitor's Wife by Allison Pataki

The Traitor's Wife
by Allison Pataki
Copyright 2014
Howard Books
ISBN: 9781476738604

The Story:
A riveting historical novel about Peggy Shippen Arnold, the cunning wife of Benedict Arnold and mastermind behind America’s most infamous act of treason . . .

Everyone knows Benedict Arnold—the Revolutionary War general who betrayed America and fled to the British—as history’s most notorious turncoat. Many know Arnold’s co-conspirator, Major John André, who was apprehended with Arnold’s documents in his boots and hanged at the orders of General George Washington. But few know of the integral third character in the plot: a charming young woman who not only contributed to the betrayal but orchestrated it.

Socialite Peggy Shippen is half Benedict Arnold’s age when she seduces the war hero during his stint as military commander of Philadelphia. Blinded by his young bride’s beauty and wit, Arnold does not realize that she harbors a secret: loyalty to the British. Nor does he know that she hides a past romance with the handsome British spy John André. Peggy watches as her husband, crippled from battle wounds and in debt from years of service to the colonies, grows ever more disillusioned with his hero, Washington, and the American cause. Together with her former love and her disaffected husband, Peggy hatches the plot to deliver West Point to the British and, in exchange, win fame and fortune for herself and Arnold.

Told from the perspective of Peggy’s maid, whose faith in the new nation inspires her to intervene in her mistress’s affairs even when it could cost her everything, The Traitor’s Wife brings these infamous figures to life, illuminating the sordid details and the love triangle that nearly destroyed the American fight for freedom.

Read an excerpt of The Traitor's Wife and learn more about where to buy the book here:
http://books.simonandschuster.com/Traitors-Wife/Allison-Pataki/9781476738604/excerpt


My Thoughts:
History has always been a passion of mine. The stories I read growing up and historical sites I've visited in my hometown area alone will never let go of me. From tales of the first settlers of the area, visits from George Washington, and even ghostly stories of the local Quaker cemetery, the area in which I live has a rich and rather thrilling past. Fort Necessity, For Pitt, and other major sites that were crucial in the early days of our country are just a short drive away, so it was almost impossible to not grow up with a love of history in my heart.



When I first read about The Traitor's Wife, Allison Pataki's debut novel a few months ago, my interest was piqued to say the least! My favorite stories as a teenager were those featuring real historical figures, like Ann Rinaldi's Finishing Becca which also featured Peggy Shippen, so I thought I'd give this more "grown up" version of the life of Peggy Shippen a try. I was not disappointed at all, in fact I'll go so far as to say it will be one of my favorite books of the year!

The Traitor's Wife, is historical fiction, so while based on true events and characters from history, the author has taken a lot of creative license. Still, Allison Pataki has deftly woven the lives of historical figures with those from her own imagination, including our heroine, Clara Bell in a way that flows together smoothly and is thoroughly entertaining. While Clara Bell is demure and shy her mistress, Miss Shippen is anything but. She's volatile and unlikable around family, while maintaining the completely charming and easy going facade amid society. Apart from being wife to Benedict Arnold, traitor to a nation, she is absolutely fascinating and Pataki has written her to be just that. I found myself more interested in her story than I was of Clara's. Don't get me wrong, Clara is brilliantly written, but she just didn't have the charisma of Peggy.

As for the other secondary characters, both fictional and historical, they added to the complexity and richness of the story. Benedict Arnold as you might suspect was brash and bold and no-nonsense, but when it came to Peggy he definitely had a soft spot. The stable boy Cal, the Quigley's and other servants in the Shippen household and later the Arnold household each added their own dynamic and offered a small peek into "downstairs" life. In the midst of a story that I thought was going to be all about Peggy Shippen and Benedict Arnold, I was pleasantly surprised by the "realness" of the secondary fictional characters.

The Traitor's Wife is a must read for any fan of the Revolution and the life of Peggy Shippen. Although published under Simon and Schuster's Christian imprint, Howard Books it is in no way Christian fiction. Even if you normally shy away from Christian fiction, don't hesitate to pick this one up. You don't want to miss out on this delicious read! For a debut novelist, Allison Pataki is an expert at the craft of story-telling!

~ My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ~ 

To learn more about the author and her books visit her website:
http://allisonpataki.com/

*I receive complimentary books for review from the publisher. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*

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 Happy Reading!