Red sky at night (by Jane Aiken Hodge)

(Amazon UK link)

I don’t know why I left it so long before rereading my novels by Jane Aiken Hodge. I last read ‘Red sky at night’ in November 2006 - nearly two decades ago. Still, an advantage of the long gap is that I had totally forgotten the storyline, and the people. The plot kept me guessing almost until the end. I had no memory at all of any of the twists and turns in this historical novel.

It’s set in the early part of the 19th century, in a fictional county on the south coast of England, approximating, I believe, to Sussex or Rye. Smugglers are rife; in the first chapter a lone horseman is accosted, apparently by smugglers. They recognise the rider, who is allowed to proceed, but then the rider comes across some children - two teenagers and a child - who seem to be lost. 

The children, it turns out, have discovered a secret passageway from their house, but they can’t manage to get back in. And when they do, they find that their father, the rather temperamental Lord Hawth, has returned from a journey and is very angry with them.

It’s a well-written opening to an excellent book, with plenty of human interest as well as historical uprisings, rioting and politics. The UK is at war with France, and it’s expected that the United States will also attack. I’m a bit hazy on history, and have to admit to skimming here and there, as I was more interested in the main characters - but much of their story takes place alongside violence and political wrangling. 

The people I sympathised with the most were Mrs Warrender, who has been widowed for a year, and her daughter Kate. They have been living in the family home, but Kate’s brother Chris was lost at sea a couple of years earlier, so - because of the laws of inheritance at the time - the new owner is a cousin, George Warren, who has been living in the United States and working for a living. Kate and her mother see him as an interloper, although they realise he’s not to blame for their situation.

Lord Hawth is persuaded that the two women could live in his Dower House, with Mrs Warrender becoming his housekeeper, and Kate the children’s governess. Kate is a feisty young woman but deliberately dresses down, and she does become fond of the children, while her mother proves to be an excellent housekeeper.

There are romances, one of them rather sordid, one of them somewhat unexpected. They’re quite low-key and not really resolved until the final pages. There’s an irritating older single relative who twitters and moralises, as in many of Georgette Heyer’s books, providing a little light relief amid the rioting and danger. 

There’s a kidnapping, several attempted murders, and quite a few misunderstandings as well as cleverly written surprises throughout the book. I was a bit confused at one point, but all eventually becomes clear. 

Jane Aiken Hodge introduces a character called Ned Ludd whom I looked up online, as he appears to be a genuine historical character. Interestingly, he was apparently a possibly mythical person, although the followers of his principles - mainly trying to destroy modern labour-saving gadgets - became known as Luddites. 

The pace is excellent, and the story so engaging that I could barely put it down, and finished the book in just a couple of days. Definitely recommended if you like exciting historical fiction of this era. 

Review copyright 2026 Sue's Book Reviews