‘A House Divided’ is nicely paced and picks up the tale from the perspective of a variety of characters as the story progresses. This often puts the reader in the enviable position of knowing more about what is going on than the characters themselves and helps drive the narrative. Characters are split less by blood or family allegiance and more by their decency and moral code. I am trying, somewhat ineloquently to tell you there are baddies and goodies for whom the reader can boo or cheer! There is a real simplicity in the style of storytelling that belies the complexity of politics and plot in which it is set. In terms of context, pestilence, plague, spies, intrigue, witch trials, allegiances, succession and revenge make up only as a small proportion of the giddying mix. Each turn of the page brings a new calamity and once could, at times, be forgiven for thinking that, were it not for bad luck, the Munros would have no luck at all.

By making this essentially a story of a family that happens to be set within a historical context, Skea makes her novel all the more accessible. I would thoroughly recommend this novel so much I am off to find her first. Perhaps if I stand on my head after reading, the pieces will all fall into the right places. Four out of five stars from me.