For most,the Black Death is the end. For a brave fewit heralds a new beginning. Widowed by her husbandΓÇÖs death from the pestilenceLady Anne assumes control of his peopleΓÇÖs futureΓÇö200 bonded serfs without rights of ownership to land. Strongcompassionate and resourcefulΓÇöqualities she kept hidden from the husband she loathed and despisedΓÇöLady Anne chooses a bastard slaveThaddeus Thurkellto act as her steward. Togetherthey decide to quarantine Develish by bringing the serfs inside a defendable moat and sharing the available food amongst all. With this sudden overturning of the accepted social orderwhere serfs exist only to serve their lordsconflict arises when theyΓÇÖre given a voice. Ignorant of what is happening in the world outsidethey wrestle with themselveswith God and the terrible uncertainty of their futures. They fear starvation when their food runs out but they fear the pestilence more. Who amongst them has the courage to leave the safety of the demesne in search of supplies and news? And how safe is anyone in Develish when an unexplained murder threatens the uneasy status quo? In The Last Hours Minette Walters brings all her trademark intelligence to a totally new timeframeΓÇöcreating a vivid and powerful drama through compelling characters whose journey readers will be drawn to. The Last Hours is an exciting new direction from an established best-selling author and Minette is currently writing the sequel.