Red sky at night (by Jane Aiken Hodge)

(Amazon UK link)

'Red sky at night' is an exciting historical novel by Jane Aiken Hodge. It's set in the time of Napoleon, and involves smugglers, Luddite rebellions, and - of course - low-key romance.

Kate and her mother are homeless after the death of Kate's father and brother, since their house is entailed to an unknown American cousin. So they go to work for someone else. But Kate has a secret life, and people aren't always who they seem...

Clever fast-paced plotting, and a very good ending, albeit somewhat predictable. Perhaps a little forced in places, and there are one or two sections which seemed slightly out of character. But overall I thought this a very enjoyable book.

Recommended.