This was a long book - almost 600 paperback pages - of historical fiction from a prize-winning author.  Whilst most said they enjoyed it (but not sufficiently to pursue the next two books in the trilogy), one strongly disliked the often 'over the top' stereotypical characterisation and found some elements hard to believe, in the light of knowledge of recovery from physical or emotional abuse.  Overall our group considered it lengthy, somewhat predictable and unrealistic and it only earned a 3/5 rating.  Sorry, Kate Mosse - not one of our favourites!