The Traitor's Wife: A Novel by Allison Pataki (English) Paperback Book

Description: The Traitor's Wife by Allison Pataki Synopsis coming soon....... FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description A riveting historical novel about Peggy Shippen Arnold, the cunning wife of Benedict Arnold and mastermind behind Americas most infamous act of treason...Everyone knows Benedict Arnold—the Revolutionary War general who betrayed America and fled to the British—as historys most notorious turncoat. Many know Arnolds co-conspirator, Major John André, who was apprehended with Arnolds 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 Arnolds age when she seduces the war hero during his stint as military commander of Philadelphia. Blinded by his young brides 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 Peggys maid, whose faith in the new nation inspires her to intervene in her mistresss affairs even when it could cost her everything, The Traitors Wife brings these infamous figures to life, illuminating the sordid details and the love triangle that nearly destroyed the American fight for freedom. Author Biography Allison Pataki is the New York Times bestselling author of five adult fiction novels, one nonfiction memoir, and two childrens books, Nelly Takes New York and Poppy Takes Paris. Allisons books have been translated into more than twenty languages. A former news writer and producer, Allison graduated cum laude from Yale University with a major in English. An avid traveler and reader, Allison lives in New York with her husband, children, and rescue pup. To learn more and connect with Allison, please visit AllisonPataki.com. Review "A most impressive debut." -- Philippa Gregory"One of the best, best, best historical novels, I was riveted…I couldnt put it down." -- Kathie Lee Gifford, The TODAY Show"Pataki smoothly weaves intrigue and personality with critical historical facts...Historical fiction lovers will look forward to more from this promising new novelist." * Publishers Weekly *"A well-balanced narrative… events offers fresh perspective, plenty of intrigue and a host of interesting, multidimensional characters." * Kirkus (starred review) *"If you read one book this year, make it Allison Patakis THE TRAITORS WIFE. Few authors have taken on Americas Revolutionary War so convincingly, and this story of Benedict Arnolds wife will appeal to lovers of historical fiction everywhere. Highly, highly recommended!" -- Michelle Moran, international bestselling author of Madame Tussaud"Allison Patakis captivating debut novel examines historys most famous tale of treachery through a womans eyes. Meticulously written and well-researched, this story will transport you back to the American Revolution and keep you turning pages with both its intrigue and love story. The Traitors Wife is a well-told tale." -- Lee Woodruff, author, blogger and television personality"I consider this to be the debut of a major writer of historical fiction." -- Mary Higgins Clark"The Traitors Wife is a gripping novel steeped in compelling historical detail. Pataki writes lyrically and succeeds in bringing to life, and humanizing, notorious characters from our nations past. Ultimately a story about honor and heart, readers will have a hard time putting this book down." -- Aidan Donnelley Rowley, author of Life After YesAllison Pataki has given us a great gift: a powerful story of love and betrayal, drawn straight from the swiftly beating heart of the American Revolution. Replete with compelling characters, richly realized settings, a sweeping plot, and a heroine who comes to feel like a dear, familiar friend, The Traitors Wife is sure to delight readers of romance and lovers of history alike. -- Karen Halvorsen Schreck, author of Sing For Me"Everything the casual reader of American history thinks they know about Benedict Arnold will be handily upset by the skillful and mesmerizing storytelling of fiction newcomer Allison Pataki. This text is a treasure and a treat." * CBA Retailers and Resources * Review Quote "The Traitors Wife is a gripping novel steeped in compelling historical detail. Pataki writes lyrically and succeeds in bringing to life, and humanizing, notorious characters from our nations past. Ultimately a story about honor and heart, readers will have a hard time putting this book down." Excerpt from Book The Traitors Wife CHAPTER ONE "Never Anger Miss Peggy" May, 1778 Philadelphia, PA CLARA KNOCKED on the front door once, twice. She checked the address scrolled on the worn piece of parchment again. Her grandmothers familiar handwriting directed Clara to arrive at the Shippen mansion on the corner of Fourth and Walnut Streets, deep in the district that housed the citys wealthiest residents. A crack of a coachmans whip drew Claras attention away from the Shippens door, and she gazed over her shoulder toward the street--a noisy thoroughfare of horse hooves, carriage wheels, and the deafening drum of marching British soldiers. A servant leaned out of a window several houses down and emptied a series of chamber pots onto the cobblestone street before disappearing once more into the home. The closeness of the noise and stink was unlike anything Clara had ever experienced on the farm. The Shippen mansion, like its adjacent structures, was composed of red brick and built with an orderly symmetry: the sort of architectural purposefulness shed heard about since George Washington and Thomas Jefferson had built their homes in this style. The tight row of brick society homes lining Fourth Street resembled one another but for the shutter shades; some houses had green shutters, some light blue, some dark blue, some white. The Shippens had elected to paint their shutters black. The Shippen mansion sat back from the street, flanked in front by a small patch of grass and two cherry trees in the full bloom of late spring. The entryway, a wide wooden door, stood above three short steps and below a triangular pediment. A top row of arched dormer windows poked out from the sloping roof, with two rows of shuttered panes below. The windows--built not only for allowing in light, but also for their decorative appeal--testified to their owners wealth; a passerby on the street might be so lucky as to catch a glimpse of the famous Judge Edward Shippen studying his books, or spy one of his beautiful daughters as she flitted through the vast parlor on her way to receive a gentleman caller. This must be the right home. Clara knocked at the imposing front entrance again. The door opened, and Clara was greeted by the lined face of a woman past her youth. "Good afternoon." The woman had soft features framed by a graying bun, which peeked out around the edges of a clean, white-linen mobcap. She greeted Clara with an appraising smile. "Is it Clara Bell, come at last?" The aged woman opened the door wider to reveal a fine appearance--an indigo petticoat made of linen to accommodate the warmer weather, draped by a clean linen apron. On top she wore faded gray stays over a crisply pressed white blouse. A fichu was tied around her neck to ensure the modesty required for service in such a fine home. She rolled back her cuffed sleeves and waved Clara inside. "Thank you, maam." Clara entered through the open door, clutching her tarpaulin sack as she stepped over the threshold. The woman closed the front door behind her, shutting out the noise and stink of the street and allowing Clara to ease into the airy interior of the home. Its soundless tranquility was a welcome relief after the hustle of Fourth Street. "Well, Clara Bell, weve been awaiting your arrival all day." The older woman smiled, taking Claras sack from her arms. "Was it a tiring journey from the country?" "It was fine, maam," Clara answered, even as she was certain her haggard features betrayed her fatigue. "You took a post carriage?" "Aye, maam." "That must have cost you a small fortune." "Im grateful to have the employment, maam." Clara managed a timid smile, finding words evasive in the grand hallway in which shed suddenly found herself. She felt as though shed awoken into this buffed and varnished grandeur without a clear recollection of the circumstances that had brought her to Philadelphia. Clara blinked, remembering. The abandoned farmhouse. Oma dying. In her last moments, her old grandmother penning a letter to a friend from years ago. Oma urging Clara to leave the Hartley farm, as the Hartleys themselves had done, fleeing the approach of the British and the Iroquois. "I am Mrs. Quigley, housekeeper for the Shippens." "Very nice to meet you, Mrs. Quigley." "Yes, well . . ." The housekeepers reply faded to a sigh as she surveyed Claras appearance. Clara stood still, feeling her cheeks grow warm; her warm-weather petticoat of linen was creased and dusty from the trip, but it was the only one she possessed of its kind. Shed only rotate it out of her wardrobe when the weather changed and the crisp autumn air required her wool petticoat. Unlike this housekeeper, Claras clothes were not bought in a store, but were homespun, sewed by Oma. Clara wore her petticoat and stays in the cotton ticking pattern, off-white fabric with blue stripes. Her apron, once white, had been laundered so many times that it now bore a yellowish tint. "Follow me, Clara." Mrs. Quigley turned and crossed the room in several brisk strides. Clara followed, hurrying to take in the surroundings as she kept apace. The Shippens front hall was well lit by a wall of broad, clean windows. The focal point at the center of the hall was the expansive staircase, which drew the eyes up in a languid arc until it reached the second floor. Removed from the entrance was a maple fireplace. A fire crackled even on this warm spring afternoon, filling the front hall with its welcoming aroma, which mingled with the distinct scents of furniture polish and ladies perfume. "Quite a bit grander here than it was at the farmhouse, I imagine." Mrs. Quigley turned just in time to catch Clara, eyes rapt, examining a feather-light shawl of creamy robins egg blue. It was store-bought and fine, its border embroidered with yellow silken flowers, its colors as bright as a springtime morning. It had been left, haphazardly discarded over the back of an upholstered armchair, as if its owner could be reckless with an item so fine. "Miss Peggys shawl. We better put it back in her closet where it belongs or well never hear the end of it." Mrs. Quigley scooped up the expensive item. "All right, then, follow me, child." Clara trailed the housekeeper through an open doorway into an ample drawing room. The Shippens furniture seemed designed to impress the eyes with ornate decoration as much as to entice the body into its plush comfort. The chairs of the drawing room were carved out of smooth mahogany, their slender curves varnished to a glossy sheen. Claras legs suddenly felt leaden with fatigue; how she longed to sink for just one moment into one of these chairs. "You look like youve never been inside a drawing room before, girl," Mrs. Quigley remarked, fluffing a silk pillow on a nearby settee. "Not one like this, maam, I havent." Claras eyes roved hungrily over every detail of the quiet room, the only sound issuing from an encased clock, taller than Clara herself, that occupied a far corner. Oil paintings in bronze frames adorned the walls. A soft splash of May sunlight streamed in through the windows, mingling with the dancing shadows cast by the fresh white candles in their sconces. How fine they must be, the people who frequent these spaces, Clara thought. At night, when the sunlight vanished and only candlelight remained, how easy it must be for them to slip into a corner and whisper a piece of gossip or listen to a verse of an admirers poetry. "Enough of your daydreaming. What do you think, girl?" "Its . . . its lovely here," Clara stammered, looking around with ill-disguised awe. "Its nice, isnt it? Course, youll hear every day how the moneys gone and the furniture is growing outdated, but I think its just fine." Mrs. Quigley smiled, the skin around her serious eyes creasing into a soft, worn pattern. "Well, Clara, youve had a long trip from the countryside; lets have you come in and catch your breath." Mrs. Quigley led Clara through the drawing room past a smaller, smartly decorated parlor with salmon-colored walls, shelves of books, and a silk sofa across from a card table. "Books for the judge, cards for the ladies. Thats how theyll spend their evenings. Course, Miss Peggy wont be contented with either activity--she wants to be out dancing every night." Mrs. Quigley kept a brisk pace as she crossed the room. Once through the parlor, a doorway allowed entry into a separate wing, which could be closed off from the front of the house. The two women proceeded now down this long, narrow passageway. No light shone here except for that which pierced the small windows of the rooms on either side of the corridor, and there was no ornamentation on the clean white walls. Clara stole quick glances into the rooms as she followed the housekeeper. Some rooms appeared occupied, others abandoned. This wing, she realized, housed the Shippen familys servants. Clara peeked into the empty rooms she passed--most held just bedframes and unused chamber pots, but they looked comfortable and of a good size. "Mrs. Quigley, if you please, why are all of these rooms empty?" Mrs. Quigley sighed, jingling a set of brass keys as she led Clara farther down the hall. The old woman appeared unsure how to answer the question. "Just a few years back we were Details ISBN1476738602 Author Allison Pataki Short Title TRAITORS WIFE Language English ISBN-10 1476738602 ISBN-13 9781476738604 Media Book Format Paperback Year 2014 Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States DEWEY FIC Imprint Simon & Schuster Childrens Publishing Subtitle A Novel Publication Date 2014-02-11 NZ Release Date 2014-02-11 US Release Date 2014-02-11 AU Release Date 2014-03-31 UK Release Date 2014-02-11 Pages 496 Publisher Simon & Schuster Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:137587817;

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