Annie M. P. Smithson
The Walk of a Queen
€14.99
In 1900s Dublin, as Ireland fights for independence, Geraldine Moore and friend Jill join the revolution. When a mysterious Frenchwoman infiltrates their circle and Geraldine falls for Dr O’Connor, they must navigate love, loyalty, and betrayal while British forces close in. A story of friendship and sacrifice in Ireland’s fight for freedom.
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Description
Intrigue, espionage, and romance collide in this gripping historical mystery set during the Irish struggle for independence at the turn of the 20th century. As underground revolutionaries in Dublin fight against British rule, Geraldine Moore and her spirited friend Jill find themselves caught in a dangerous game of love and loyalty. When a mysterious French woman arrives in their circle, her presence threatens their revolutionary cell and their closest relationships. As British forces tighten their grip on Dublin, Geraldine finds herself torn between her dedication to the cause and her growing feelings for the enigmatic Dr O'Connor. Meanwhile, her comrades Anthony and Desmond face a test of their brotherhood that could lead to the ultimate sacrifice. Through shocking twists and heartbreaking turns, Geraldine and Jill must fight to expose a traitor and secure freedom for both their cause and their loved ones. A penetrating look at a pivotal time in Irish history, The Walk of a Queen seamlessly weaves friendship, faith and romance with a propulsive espionage plot. Meticulously researched and breathlessly paced, this classic novel is perfect for fans of historical thrillers and anyone fascinated by the untold stories of Ireland's battle for freedom. Annie M. P. Smithson (1873-1948) was one of Ireland's most beloved novelists, weaving tales of romance and nationalism during the nation's revolutionary period. A Dublin native who converted to Catholicism in her thirties, Smithson lived an extraordinary double life as both a dedicated nurse and acclaimed novelist. Her debut novel Her Irish Heritage (1917) became an instant bestseller, launching a literary career that would produce twenty novels and numerous short stories. Smithson wrote with raw authenticity about Ireland's struggle for independence while serving as a member of Cumann na mBan and nursing wounded revolutionaries. Her work among Dublin's poorest communities as a Queen's Nurse informed her intimate portrayals of Irish life, while her own dramatic escape from prison during the Civil War rivals the plots of her romantic novels. Smithson's books, which include classics like The Weldons of Tibradden and The Walk of a Queen, continue to captivate readers with their unique blend of passion, faith, and revolutionary spirit, cementing her place in Ireland's literary heritage.
Author
ANNIE M. P. SMITHSON (1873-1948) was the most successful of all Irish romantic novelists. Her nineteen books, including The Walk of a Queen, Her Irish Heritage, The Marriage of Nurse Harding and The Weldons of Tibradden were all bestsellers, with their wholesome mix of old-fashioned romance, spirited characters and commonsense philosophy.
She was born in Sandymount, Co Dublin, and reared in the strict Unionist tradition. On completion of her training as a nurse in London and Edinburgh, she returned to Dublin and was posted north as a Queen`s Nurse in 1901. Here, for the first time, she experienced the divide between Irish Nationalists and Unionists, and it appalled her. She converted to Catholicism at the age of 34 and was subsequently disowned by most of her family. She immersed herself in the Republican movement – actively canvassing for Sinn Fein in the 1918 General Election, nursing Dubliners during the influenza epidemic of that year, instructing Cumann na mBan on nursing care and tending the wounded of the Civil War in 1922. She was arrested and imprisoned, and threatened to go on hunger-strike unless released.
Forced to resign her commission in the strongly Loyalist Queen`s Nurses Committee, she took up private work and tended the poor of Dublin city until she retired in 1942. During her long career, she did much to improve the lot of the nursing profession and championed its cause as Secretary of the Irish Nurses Union.
In later years, she devoted herself to her writing and was an active member of WAAMA, PEN and the Old Dublin Society. Her autobiography, Myself-and Others, was completed in 1944, four years before her death at the age of 75.