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The King's GeneralDaphne du Maurier

Classic Historical Fiction

The King's General

by Daphne du Maurier

448 pages · First published 2009

In 1628, spirited young Honor Harris falls deeply in love with Richard Grenvile, a charismatic but dangerously proud Cornish gentleman. Days before their wedding, a riding accident leaves Honor permanently paralyzed, prompting her to end their engagement and withdraw from the life she once imagined. Fifteen years later, the English Civil War drives Honor to the Cornish estate of Menabilly, where Richard reappears as a ruthless Royalist commander fighting for King Charles I. Despite his cruelty and the destruction spreading across Cornwall, Honor remains bound to the man she has never stopped loving, while mysterious happenings within Menabilly hint at a darker secret. As betrayal, military defeat, and personal tragedy threaten everyone around her, Honor discovers that loyalty can demand a devastating price. Readers who enjoy atmospheric historical fiction, morally complicated characters, Gothic mysteries, and bittersweet love stories will find a haunting portrait of courage and obsession during the English Civil War.

Paired for this story

Smoked Orange Tea + Dark ’n’ Stormy

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At a glance

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Spice1 of 5
Suspense4 of 5
Creepy3 of 5
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No surprises at chapter twelve

Content notes

English Civil War violence, including battles, shootings, deaths, executions, imprisonment, military brutality, and the deaths of younger characters. A serious riding accident causes permanent paralysis and chronic pain; the protagonist experiences periods of grief, despair, and diminished independence. Domestic violence involving a man's physical mistreatment of his wife, emotional cruelty, intimidation, and harsh treatment of children. A character makes a callous verbal reference to soldiers raping women; an on-page sexual assault was not independently verified. Adultery, extramarital relationships, illegitimate children, romantic obsession, and a prolonged relationship marked by manipulation and unequal power. Family betrayal, bereavement, political persecution, and the consequences of war. Disturbing Gothic imagery involving unexplained noises, secret rooms, a concealed human skeleton, and a tragic death connected to a hidden chamber. Mild to moderate historically styled profanity, including religious exclamations.

Alcohol-Free Pour

Smoked Orange Tea

Fragrant orange and warm cinnamon offer a quiet contrast to the smoke of civil war and the dark secrets hidden within Menabilly's walls.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. Steep the tea and any herbs or whole spices in hot water according to the tea type, then strain. Stir in sweetener and juices. Serve hot.
  2. Garnish: Citrus peel, herb, or fruit from the recipe, if applicable.
  3. Glassware: Mug.
21+

Cocktail Pour · 21+

Dark ’n’ Stormy

For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.

A Dark ’n’ Stormy reflects the turbulent passions, shifting loyalties, and haunting secrets that surround Honor Harris and the ruthless King's General on the Cornish coast.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. Fill a highball glass with ice. Add the ginger beer and lime juice, then slowly pour the dark rum over the top to create the signature storm-cloud effect. Serve without stirring so the drink retains its dark-over-light appearance.

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