The Traitor's Wife

A Novel

By: Allison Pataki

Narrated by: Madeleine Maby

A riveting work of historical fiction, The Traitor’s Wife tells the little known but explosive story of Peggy Shippen Arnold, the cunning young wife of Benedict Arnold and mastermind behind one of the most shocking acts of treason in American history.

Everyone knows Benedict Arnold—the Revolutionary War general who betrayed America and fled to the British—as history’s most notorious turncoat. Many know Arnold’s coconspirator, Major John André, who was apprehended with Arnold’s documents in his boots and hanged at the orders of General George Washington. But few know of the integral third character in the plot: a charming young woman who not only contributed to the betrayal but orchestrated it.

Socialite Peggy Shippen is half Benedict Arnold’s age when she seduces the war hero during his stint as military commander of Philadelphia. Blinded by his young bride’s beauty and wit, Arnold does not realize that she harbors a secret: loyalty to the British. Nor does he know that she hides a past romance with the handsome British spy John André. Peggy watches as her husband, crippled from battle wounds and in debt from years of service to the colonies, grows ever more disillusioned with his hero, Washington, and the American cause. Together with her former love and her disaffected husband, Peggy hatches the plot to deliver West Point to the British and, in exchange, win fame and fortune for herself and Arnold.

Told from the perspective of Peggy’s maid, whose faith in the new nation inspires her to intervene in her mistress’s affairs even when it could cost her everything, The Traitor’s Wife brings these infamous figures to life, illuminating the sordid details and the love triangle that nearly destroyed the American fight for freedom.

Engaging story with excellent narration

Peggy Shippen is the character you love to hate. Rich dialogue and description draw the reader into the story.

Strong protagonist

Little slow in beginning. Did not enjoy this narrator- clipped enunciation and voices of characters weren’t as realistic as narration in Sisi.

Peggy made my blood boil!

What a fantastic book. I enjoyed every bit of it and loved learning some of our American history

Narrator’s Performance

The story was great! The narrator’s performance left much to be desired. Every time she was reading the quotation of a particular character, she clipped every.single.word! Wow! Loved the story though.

narration detracted

At times the narrator read very fluidly but so often her narration was stilted, pausing. after. each. word. in. the. sentence . I found this very distracting. She also mispronounced several words , including Lancaster.