The cross and the flame cover

The cross and the flame

by Roberta Grieve

While the Great Plague rages through London, Hester dreams of her sailor sweetheart Jonathan, despite being promised in marriage to her father's friend -- the odious Thomas Latham. The deaths of her mother and baby brother bring guilty relief when the wedding is postponed. Then Jonathan returns to the news that Hester has died in the plague. Will he discover the deception before she is forced to marry a man who has no place in her heart?

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?