Believe or Die

Michael is travelling, in search of a particular physician.  One evening he happens to be invited to be the guest of Richard Mead.  That evening over a drink, Richard tells his story.

In 1642, King Charles is trying to force England towards papism, but parliament has refused his demands.  Throughout the country there are those who support him, and those who oppose him.

Two friends are to find themselves on opposite sides of the forthcoming war, and how this occurred is simply by accident.  Will Pitkin, Richard's friend, is involved in a riot and accidentally kills Richard's girlfriend.  A short time later, bent on vengeance, and intending to kill Will, Richard accidentally kills Will's girlfriend.  Both end up on the side that they had really opposed; Will in support of the king, and Richard supporting parliament.

Battles ensued between the Roundheads and the Caveliers.  Oliver Cromwell vowed to make the Roundhead army into the best in the land, while Prince Rupert led the king's forces.   Meantime, Will and Richard are lucky to survive the first season of fighting.  There would be more battles to come, angering these two men more and more at each other.  Unfortunately for King Charles, his treachery would lead to his execution in 1649.

Cromwell is now in charge of England, and he imposes his Puritan views on the nation. Royalist supporters are hunted down, and if they don't recant, the are killed.  Is this what England fought the civil wars for, Richard wonders.  Yet, he has his own vengeance in mind.  Will Pitkin must be found and killed.

Richard's hope of killing Will are thwarted when Will is captured by seafaring pirates and sold as a slave to the Moors.  With the war done, Richard goes in search of a  man who is killing witches.  Meantime, Will is struggling with his life as a slave.  In his despair he converts to Islam.

Luck is on Will's side.  An escape comes his way, plus a business venture.  However, before he can complete his part in the business venture he must complete his vow of killing his former friend, Richard.

Author M. J. Harris is very descriptive in his writing of the English Civil Wars that for a period of time it seems that Richard and Will become superfluous to the story.  However, when he gets back on track a good story ensues, however the reader is left hanging at the end.  Otherwise a good read.