Historical adventure fiction

Book SynopsisOver the past two decades Manda Scott has brought iconic historical figures back to life, reimagined and re-booted for the twenty-first century. Her crime novels have been shortlisted for many awards including Hen's Teeth for the Orange Prize and No Good Deed for an Edgar Award. Her work has been translated into over twenty languages.Manda's bestselling Boudica series was recently optioned for television.Trade ReviewThis is a book that honours all those who have fought for a cause. It is a tale that shines like the Eagle at its heart.I suspect that no one else writes like MC Scott. I’m certain plenty wish they could. * Giles Kristian *Brutal, touching, learned and above all captivating. This story of defeat and victory in Rome's war with Parthia had me hooked from the first page. * Tony Riches *Gladiator meets Tinker Tailor in a baroque landscape * Robert Lowe *M.C.Scott stakes a bold claim to a place in the canon of cherished adventures. Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth succeeds thrillingly. It’s gripping, absorbing, and thoroughly entertaining, right to the last moment of desperate action and decision. * Robert Wilton *Stirring stuff written by a lady who has proved her worth over and over again, rivalling any other offerings by popular male writers such as Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow. * Shropshire Star *

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Book SynopsisBorn in Co. Wexford, ANDREW HUGHES was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. A qualified archivist, he worked for RTE before going freelance. It was while researching his acclaimed social history of Fitzwilliam Square Lives Less Ordinary: Dublin's Fitzwilliam Square, 1798-1922 that he first came across the true story of John Delahunt that inspired his debut novel, The Convictions of John Delahunt. Andrew Hughes lives in Dublin.Trade ReviewA quite exceptional novel . . . The world he creates has echoes of Kafka and Orwell . . . totally convincing. It draws you in like a trap. * C. J. SANSOM, author of Dissolution and Winter in Madrid *Unputdownable . . . chillingly portrayed . . . a highly sophisticated first novel. * CHARLES PALLISER, author of The Quincunx *Compelling and eerily authentic . . . Read it and be grateful to be alive in our day and age. * ROBERT GODDARD *A dark, original story wrapped in a wonderful gothic gloom . . . it's a tough act to pull off, but Andrew Hughes manages it with brio. I heard echoes of James Hogg and Robert Louis Stevenson. * ANDREW TAYLOR, author of The American Boy and The Scent of Death *Reminiscent of John Banville's The Book of Evidence . . . a bracing, lurid tale that is as engrossing as it is chilling. -- Declan Burke * IRISH INDEPENDENT *A vivid piece of writing . . . brings to mind Andrew Miller’s Costa-winning novel, Pure. * IRISH TIMES *Extraordinarily detailed world, impeccably researched . . . so superbly written that it soars as a masterly work of fiction . . . utterly compelling. -- Dermot Bolger * IRISH MAIL ON SUNDAY *An intriguing debut (that) sets out Hughes as one to watch. * SUNDAY TIMES IRELAND *A skilfully planned, elegantly written debut . . . a riveting read. * SUNDAY INDEPENDENT *Stupendous: a brilliant achievement for a first novel, completely compelling and with a perfectly damaged central character. * MANDA SCOTT *

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Book SynopsisFrom the Sunday Times bestselling author Allan Mallinson, a riveting read with the perfect combination of hero, history and adventure - perfect for fans of Patrick O''Brian and Bernard Cornwell.Convincingly drawn, perfectly paced and expertly written...A Joy to read - Antony Beevor.I can''t wait to read the next in the series... - ***** Reader review.A captivating read...- ***** Reader review.Allan Mallinson is a truly gifted storyteller...- ***** Reader review.*************************************************************************Waterloo 1815. The war against Napoleon Bonaparte is raging to its bloody end at Waterloo.A young officer - Cornet Matthew Hervey - going about his duty suddenly finds himself at the crux of events. The decisions he has to make - both military and romantic - will change the course of his life, and possible have far reaching political consTrade Review'Now at last a highly literate, deeply read cavalry officer of high rank shows one the nature of horse-borne warfare in those times: and Colonel Mallinson's A Close Run Thing is very much to be welcomed.' * Patrick O'Brian *'As astonishingly impressive debut...Convincingly drawn, perfectly paced and expertly written...A joy to read' -- Antony Beevor'The scope of A Close Run Thing is quite breathtaking...A sustained piece of bravura writing' * Observer *'The account of the Battle of Waterloo is an imaginative feat of high order, owing as much as to thorough scholarship as it does to compassion and sensibility. Brilliantly conveyed.' * Daily Telegraph *'Allan Mallinson's grasp of the technical side of his subject is effortless and impressive...The portrayal of the men of all ranks is excellent. * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisFresh from the field of Waterloo, Matthew Hervey is dispatched on a mission of the secrecy. Leaving behind his fiancee, Lady Henrietta Lindsey, he must journey to India, an exotic land that will test his mettle to the very limit.Trade ReviewA marvellous read, paced like a well-balanced symphony ... This is more than a ripping yarn...I look forward enormously to hearing more of Hervey's exploits; he is as fascinating on horseback as Jack Aubrey is on the quarterdeck. * The Times *'This is an engaging work...The attention to detail is admirable' * Daily Express *Allan Mallinson's grasp of the technical side of his subject is effortless and impressive...The portrayal of the men of all ranks is excellent ...This promises to be an extremely enjoyable series * Spectator *Treads a middle course between the subtleties of O'Brian and the simplicities of Cornwell...An exciting, fast-moving story, full of bloody hacking with sabre and tulwar. * Evening Standard *'O'Brian's equal in accurate knowledge of the equipment, methods, weapons and conditions of serve of the fighting men of whom he writes...An imaginative feat of high order, owning as much to thorough scholarship as it does to compassion and sensibility... Brilliantly conveyed' * Country Life *

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Book SynopsisCaptain Matthew Hervey is suffering the effects of unrest within his beloved regiment, the 6th Light Dragoons. Their new commanding officer - wealthy, arrogant and cruel - has taken an immediate dislike to him. Somehow, Hervey must earn promotion while retaining his integrity and the loyalty of his men.Trade Review'Assured and capable...a fine read - charming, intelligent and occasionally witty' * The Times *'Many fascinating strands woven into this beautifully written saga endorse the author's mastery of narrative. Sympathy, style and control mark the polished horseman; these talents are surely applicable to this talented writer' * Country Life *'A riveting tale...Matthew Hervey has now joined Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe and Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey' * Birmingham Post *'The novel's re-creation of the period ... should keep fans of the regency military-romance genre happy' * The Sunday Times *'Confirms his undoubted talents and marks him out as the heir to Patrick O'Brian and C.S.Forester' * Observer *

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestselling author Allan Mallinson, brings us another enthralling Matthew Hervey adventure. If you like Patrick O''Brian, Bernard Cornwell and CS Forester, you will love this!What a hero! What an author! What a book! A joy for the lover of adventure and military buff alike -- LYN MACDONALD, THE TIMESSplendid...the tale is as historically stimulating as it is stirringly exciting -- ANDREW ROBERTS, SUNDAY TELEGRAPHImpeccably researched and rooted in both time and place -- ***** Reader reviewA thrilling tale -- ***** Reader reviewAllan Malinson tells an absorbing tale and gives a wonderful insight into life at that time. -- ***** Reader review********************************************************************India, 1824: Matthew Hervey and the 6th Light Dragoons are stationed in India, where conflagration looks set to flair.Trade Review'Splendid...the tale is as historically stimulating as it is stirringly exciting' * Sunday Telegraph *'What a hero! What an author! What a book! A joy for the lover of adventure and military buff alike' * The Times *We have joined for action and to see the world and that is what we get...a novel for our time, perhaps? * Spectator *Hervey is the thinking man's Sharpe. Mallinson is the true heir to Patrick O'Brian * Daily Mirror *'Mallinson's descriptions of regimental life and of the campaigns themselves ... crackle with detail and atmosphere ... Makes for an engrossing read, full of blood and valour.' * Observer *

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Book SynopsisPortugal 1826Newly returned from India, Matthew Hervey joins a party of officers sent to lend support to the Portugese regent. But the Peninsula is a place redolent with memories. For it was here as a seventeen-year-old cornet that Hervey had his first taste of military action. The French had forced the British army into ignominious retreat until, under the leadership of Sir John Moore, they made a defiant stand at Corunna.As he prepares for battle once more, Hervey finds himself confronting ghosts from his past ...''Captain Matthew Hervey is as splendid a hero as ever sprang from an author''s pen.'' The TimesTrade ReviewI enjoyed the adventure enormously...Mallinson's descriptions of what it's like to be on campaign are as compelling, vivid and plausible as in any war novel I've ever read * Daily Telegraph *With this intelligent but pacy book, Brigadier Mallinson stays well on course to be regarded as the landlubbers' Patrick O'Brian' * Sunday Telegraph *Mallinson's shrewd handling of the issues of discipline and tactics, the responsibilities of junior and senior command, and the self-esteem of the cavalry, reflect both his own professional experience and excellent historical judgement' * The Times *'As always, the author manages to integrate Hervey's life seamlessly into history...Rumours of War is as well-written, and as wholly engrossing, as any of the previous novels in the series' T. J. Binyon, Evening StandardMallinson writes in beautiful almost Jane Austen-like English and his command of history, military detail, horse-mastership ... polymathic. * Country Life *

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR Allan Mallinson brings us another adrenalin-fuelled, absorbing adventure featuring Matthew Hervey. If you like Patrick O''Brian, Bernard Cornwell and CS Forester, you will love this! Captain Matthew Hervey is as splendid a hero as ever sprang from an author''s pen -- THE TIMESA damn fine, rip-roaring read -- LITERARY REVIEWThe heir to Patrick O''Brian and C. S. Forester -- OBSERVEROutstanding storytelling! -- ***** Reader reviewFab read -- ***** Reader review*********************************************************1827: Matthew Hervey is on the look-out for a new posting.He soon finds one in the Cape Colonies, where there is need of a man to re-organise the local forces, and in particular to form a new company of horse.Accompanied by a captain from the disbanded Royal African Corps, Hervey heads out into the great South African plains and towards the territory of the Zulu and their legendary leader, King Shaka. But it is not till he nears the Umtata River that his fiercest battle really begins. For the Zulus fight like no army he has encountered before. As Hervey and his troops are plunged into battle, death is only a heartbeat away...Company of Spears is the eighth book in Allan Mallinson''s Matthew Hervey series. His adventures continue in Man of War. Have you read his previous adventures A Close Run Thing, The Nizam''s Daughters, A Regimental Affair, A Call to Arms, The Sabre''s Edge, Rumours of War and An Act of Courage?Trade ReviewNow at last a highly literate, deeply read cavalry officer shows one the nature of horse-borne warfare. * Patrick O'Brian *Mallinson's descriptions of what it's like to be on campaign are as compelling, vivid and plausible as in any war novel I've ever read. * Daily Telegraph *[Mallinson is] the heir to Patrick O'Brian and C.S. Forester * Observer *In Hervey, Mallinson has a character worthy of comparison with Forester's young Hornblower ... And as always there is a splendid backdrop of action. * Punch *

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Book SynopsisPerfect for fans of Patrick O''Brian, Bernard Cornwell and CS Forester, another engrossing Matthew Hervey adventure from the pen of THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR Allan Mallinson. Hervey''s thrilling battles against the vivid backdrop of the developing British Empire make for richly engaging storytelling -- DAILY MAILCaptain Matthew Hervey is as splendid a hero as ever sprang from an author''s pen -- THE TIMESThe heir to Patrick O''Brian and C. S. Forester -- OBSERVERAbsolutely brilliant -- ***** Reader reviewAn absolute delight -- ***** Reader review ***********************************************************1827: Britain and the MediterraneanCaptain Sir Laughton Peto, recently engaged to Matthew Hervey''s sister, is sailing his mighty line-of-battle ship towards Navarino Bay, and war with the Turks.Six months on, and Matthew Hervey is in London recovering from another bout of malaria and the wound from his battle with the Zulu. All is set for his marriage to the eminently suitable Lady Lankester, and his return to active duty at the Cape. But trouble lies ahead as familial commitments clash with affairs of the heart and Hervey finds himself embroiled in a military inquiry that could result in public humiliation. As the cataclysmic battle of Navarino Bay looms ever closer for Peto and his crew, Hervey faces a crisis that could change both his life and his military career...Man of War is the ninth book in Allan Mallinson''s Matthew Hervey series. His adventures continue in Warrior. Have you read his previous adventures A Close Run Thing, The Nizam''s Daughters, A Regimental Affair, A Call to Arms, The Sabre''s Edge, Rumours of War, An Act of Courage and A Company of Spears?Trade ReviewRich in illuminating detail ... from the trivial to the arcane. The sea battle of Navarino is as thrilling as any fought on land by Hervey and the manoeuvres into which Hervey is accidentally drawn are as exciting as any battle. * The Times *[A] splendid literary cavalry charge. This book finds Brigadier Mallinson at the top of his game. Pitch-perfect dialogue, deeply researched historical references ... well-drawn and moving. * Evening Standard *The climactic battle is as tense, exciting, vivid and gory as we've come to expect for this master of military fiction * The Spectator *Those who consider that the 20 novels making up Patrick O'Brian's magisterial Aubrey-Maturin series could never be too many will take heart from the fact that Man of War is only the ninth volume in Mallinson's wonderfully realised account of the Napoleonic era and its aftermath, with at least another dozen to follow, it is hoped. Combining an eye for vivid detail with a scholarly accuracy as to military and naval history expected from a former cavalry officer, Mallinson brings his chosen period to life with effortless flair. -- THE TIMESMallinson's crisp, authoritative storytelling is as excellent as ever -- DAILY TELEGRAPH

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Book SynopsisPerfect for fans of Patrick O''Brian, Bernard Cornwell and CS Forester, another breath-taking Matthew Hervey adventure from the pen of THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR Allan Mallinson.Captain Matthew Hervey is as splendid a hero as ever sprang from an author''s pen -- THE TIMESHervey''s thrilling battles against the vivid backdrop of the developing British Empire make for richly engaging storytelling -- DAILY MAILHighly addictive -- ***** Reader reviewThis series just gets better and better -- ***** Reader review********************************************************************************************1828: Matthew Hervey of the 6th Light Dragoons is urgently summoned to the Cape Colony when he learns that the Zulu warrior King Shaka is about to wage war.Soon Hervey, his old friend Eyre Somervile and their escort of dragoons and mounted rifles are riTrade ReviewPuts the reader firmly in the middle of the most blood-boltered of battles...historical fiction readers of robust tastes need look no further. * THE TIMES *Immaculately researched, with every detail of the cavalry spectacularly drawn, this is the work of an intensely accomplished historical novelist. Hervey's thrilling battles make for richly engaging old-fashioned storytelling. * DAILY MAIL *Battle scenes are what he does best. * THE SPECTATOR *

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Book SynopsisPerfect for fans of Patrick O''Brian, Bernard Cornwell and CS Forester, another captivating Matthew Hervey adventure from the pen of THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR Allan Mallinson. Allan Mallinson...has done for the British Army what C. S. Forester and Patrick O''Brian did for the Royal Navy, and his novels are every bit as addictive...Splendid, irresistible stuff -- ALLAN MASSIE, SPECTATORA fascinating, lively romp - THE TIMESWith each successive novel, Mallinson grows in stature as an author; one looks forward eagerly to the next instalment of Hervey''s life. -- LONDON EVENING STANDARDAnother great book from a brilliant author -- ***** Reader reviewMagnificent! -- ***** Reader reviewThis is a must series to follow -- ***** Reader review******************************************************************January 1829: George IV is on the thTrade ReviewWhat is left to be said about Allan Mallinson? Only this perhaps: he has done for the British army what C.S. Forester and Patrick O'Brian did for the royal navy, and his novels are every bit as addictive as theirs... On His Majesty's Service is the tenth of his Matthew Hervey novels... Splendid, irresistible stuff, and not for addicts only -- Allan Massie * SPECTATOR *A fascinating lively romp * THE TIMES *

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Book SynopsisOne of England''s forgotten heroes is brought back to life in this epic and thrilling high-octane adventure, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. The story moves at a wonderful pace...great swathes of bloodletting and a kickass arc...Great stuff. -- FALCATATIMES.COMExciting and enthralling... fast paced action, strong believable characters; this is an excellent exemplar of the historical novel. Recommended. -- HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEWI thoroughly enjoyed this book from the start...- ***** Reader review. I''m off to read the next instalment now... - ***** Reader review.*******************************************************************THE LAST ENGLISHMAN. THE FIRST FREEDOM FIGHTER. THE FORGOTTEN HERO.1062. King Edward has no heirs and, across the sea in Normandy, William the Bastard is preparing to seize the throne.As the King''s cTrade ReviewA novel about brutal and bloody times and not for for the squeamish but Wilde has succeeded in giving new and convincing life to a half-forgotten English hero * BBC HISTORY magazine *Moves at a wonderful pace... great swathes of blood-letting and an overall kickass arc... great stuff * FALCATATIMES.COM *Fantastically realised... strong, believable characters, lashings of fast-paced action * ELOQUENTPAGE.COM *

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Book SynopsisThe story of Hereward continues in this action-packed, brutal and bloody novel - a must read for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden.An author who really does deliver the goods...I''ve relished every page so far and I am left hungry for more. If you''re a fan of historical fiction... you need to be reading James Wilde. -- THE ELOQUENT PAGEUnforgettable...James Wilde has succeeded in turning Hereward into a vital, living, breathing, death-dealing, honest, fallible, believable human being. A worthy adversary for William and the Normans. -- SPEESHI couldn''t put it down! - ***** Reader review. A real page-turner and I read the Devil''s Army in two days... -- ***** Reader review.******************************************************NOW THE REAL BATTLE FOR ENGLAND BEGINS...1067: The Battle of Hastings is lost and England is in the grips of William The

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Book SynopsisKitty Peck is a heroine amongst heroines.' MIRANDA CARTER''Evocative and addictive.'' Stylist''s Best Fiction and Feminist Reads for NovemberEven though Paradise was riddled with rot, I reckoned I could make it a cleaner place for the poor types who came with the dirty trades. I could make them all love me, I thought. I was wrong about that. I've been wrong about so much. When Kitty Peck took over Paradise her grandmother's East End criminal empire she thought she would be able to run it her own way. What Kitty didn't know was that her grandmother had also left her violently entwined with the Barons of London. This coterie of fiends will stop at nothing to gain power, and they've already robbed Kitty of so much that she held dear. Kitty is determined to do away with the dark underbelly of Paradise and to transform her music halls into the jewels of Limehouse. But as she begins her final assault on the Ba

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Book Synopsis1066 - Senlac Ridge, England. William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy, defeats Harold Godwinson, King Harold II of England, in what will become known as the Battle of Hastings.The battle is hard fought and bloody, the lives of thousands have been spent, including that of King Harold. But England will not be conquered easily, the Anglo-Saxons will not submit meekly to Norman rule. Although his heroic deeds will nearly be lost to legend, one man unites the resistance. His name is Hereward of Bourne, the champion of the English. His honour, bravery and skill at arms will change the future of England. His is the legacy of the noble outlaw. This is his story.Trade ReviewStewart Binns has produced a real page-turner, a truly stunning adventure story, set in a fascinating and crucial time in history. Whether in the big, set-piece battles, or telling the story of the romance between the two main characters, he knows how to hold the reader's attention. There are also strong themes underpinning all the activity that unfolds - people in a struggle for freedom and justice, people trying to come to terms with their own demons and people in a search for truth. I can thoroughly recommend this book. * Alastair Campbell: Communicator, Writer, Strategist *Conquest is a wonderful book. A compelling story, it is both a chronicle of a dramatic adventure and a tale of an enduring romance between two remarkable people: the heroic Hereward of Bourne and his beguiling wife, Torfida of the Wildwood.I could not put it down and read it in just three sessions. It is a gripping page-turner, beautifully written, replete with wonderful historical detail. The author paints amazingly vivid pictures and uses the language with great skill and warmth.My grandfather, Winston Churchill, would have loved this book. It enlivens one of the most important periods in our history and is very faithful to real historical events. I suspect that if he had read Conquest before he completed his History of the English Speaking Peoples, he would have included an appropriate acknowledgement of the worthy deeds of Hereward and his loyal band of followers. * Celia Sandys: Author, presenter and granddaughter of Winston Churchill *As a living legend myself, I know a lot about heroes!This guy, Hereward of Bourne, is the real deal and this book brings him to life and the events around him in amazing detail.I couldn't put it down. It's a gripping adventure story but the way the real events and characters are portrayed is a big bonus. History freaks will love it and those who don't know the period will want to know more.Read it! * Daley Thompson: Decathlete and Double Olympic Gold Medallist 1980 & 1984 *

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Book SynopsisEdward I of England and Philip IV of France are at war. Philip, by devious means, has managed to seize control of the English duchy of Aquitaine in France, and is now determined to crush Edward. King Edward suspects that his enemy is being aided by a spy in the English court and commissions his chancery clerk, Hugh Corbett, to trace and, if possible, destroy the traitor. Corbett''s mission brings him into danger on both land and at sea, and takes him to Paris, and its dangerous underworld, and then to hostile Wales. Unwillingly he is drawn into the murky undercurrents of international politics in the last decade of the thirteenth century.

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Book SynopsisIn the summer of 1302 the famous Robin of Locksley, popularly known as Robin Hood, has gone back to his outlaw ways in Sherwood Forest where he battles against royal authority, culminating in the barborous massacre of royal tax collectors and the mysterious murder of Sir Eustace Vechey, one of the sheriffs of Nottingham.Corbett and his two faithful servants Ranulf and Maltote are sent to Nottingham where they find fresh mysteries: why are three arrows shot into the air above Nottingham Castle on the 13th of every month? Who is the traitor in Nottingham Castle? And why have the French despatched an agent to assassinate Corbett?

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Book SynopsisAs the travellers gather in the Tabard Inn at the start of a pilgrimage to pray before the blessed bones of St Thomas à Becket in Canterbury, they agree eagerly to mine host Harry''s suggestion of amusing themselves on each day of their journey with one tale and each evening with another - but the latter to be of mystery, terror and murder.The Knight begins that evening: his tale opens with the destruction of a sinister cult at its stronghold in the wilds of Oxfordshire by Sir Hugo Mortimer during the reign of William the Conqueror, and then moves to Oxford some two hundred years later where strange crimes and terrible murders are being committed. The authorities seem powerless but Lady Constance, Abbess of the Convent of St Anne''s, believes the murders are connected with the legends of the cult and she petitions the King for help.As the murders continue unabated, special commissioner Sir Godfrey Evesden and royal clerk Alexander McBain uncover clues that lead to a Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book SynopsisChaucer''s pilgrims, quarrelling amongst themselves, are now in open countryside enjoying the fresh spring weather as they progress slowly towards Canterbury. A motley collection of travellers, they each have their dark secrets, hidden passions and complex lives. As they shelter in a tavern from a sudden April shower they choose the Man of Law to narrate the next tale of fear and sinister dealings.In August 1358, the Dowager Queen Isabella, mother of King Edward III, the ''She Wolf of France'', who betrayed and destroyed her husband because of her adulterous infatuation for Roger Mortimer, lies dying of the pestilence in the sombre fortress of Castle Rising, where her ''loving'' son has kept her incarcerated. According the Man of Law, Isabella dies and her body is taken along the Mile End Road and laid to rest in Greyfriars next to the mangled remains of her lover, who has paid dearly for his presumption in loving a queen. Nevertheless, as in life so in death Isabella causesTrade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book Synopsis1303 and the Old Man of the Mountain remembers back to when he nearly killed Edward I thirty years before. He now decides to release an imprisoned leper knight to avenge old grievances and take the King''s life. A few months later two nuns are returning to their monastery in York, where they are confronted by the horrific sight of a man being consumed by fire, the sickly smell of burning flesh lingering in the air. News of the grisly death greets Edward as he arrives in York for secret negotiations with the leaders of the military Templar Order. His unease deepens when an attempt is made on his life. When the assassin, wearing Templar livery, is found dead - having been engulfed by a mysterious fire - Edward immediately turns to his Keeper of the Secret Seal, Hugh Corbett, to investigate.

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Book SynopsisIt''s 1859 and throughout Europe tremendous upheavals have taken place. Hester Latterly is nurse to the sick son of a German Baron and his family, who have moved to London from one of the many small principalities between Prussia and Bavaria - and the Baroness tells Hester about her kingdom''s famous royal family...Handsome Prince Friedrich was one of just two heirs to the crown, considered the perfect match by every woman of the land. But during an affair with Countess Zorah Rostova, he meets the alluring and sophisticated Gisela - with whom he falls deeply in love. He can have Gisela or the crown, but not both. He chooses Gisela, marries her in Venice and, after many years, tragically dies in England. Now, Countess Zorah, having accused the widowed Princess of murdering Friedrich, is being sued in the biggest slander trial of the century - and the only way that she can defend herself is to prove that Gisela is indeed guilty. But in doing so she must sully the greatest love

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Book SynopsisHis great battles against the sea raiders in the Nile Delta have left Pharoah Tuthmosis II frail, but he finds solace in victory and in the welcome he is sure to receive on his return to Thebes. Across the river from Thebes, however, there are those who do not relish his homecoming, and a group of assassins has taken a witch to pollute the Pharaoh''s unfinished tomb. Reunited with his wife, Hatusu, and his people, Tuthmosis stands before the statue of Amun-Ra, the roar of the crowd and the fanfare of trumpets ringing in his ears. But within an hour he is dead and the people of Thebes cannot forget the omen of wounded doves flying overhead. Rumours run rife, speculation sweeps the royal city and Hatusu vows to uncover the truth. With the aid of Amerotke, a respected judge of Thebes, she embarks on a path destined to reveal the great secrets of Egypt.Trade Review'Doherty excels at historical detail, bringing ancient Egypt to life in his descriptions of daily life and characters drawn from every caste. This novel launches a series - and that's good news' Publishers Weekly'The historical mystery genre is still thriving and Paul Doherty's THE MASK OF RA is the best of its kind since the death of Ellis Peters. As ever, Doherty dazzles with his knowledge an intimate feel for ancient Egypt' Time Out'Paul Doherty has a lively sense of history' New Statesman

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Book SynopsisAs the sun sets, Chaucer''s pilgrims find themselves lost in a Kent forest rumoured to be haunted. Huddled around the fire, trying to ignore the cries of screech owls and other, more frightening sounds of the night, the Clerk of Oxford agrees to tell a ghostly tale of love and death that will chill the blood.Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book Synopsis313 AD. Under the rule of Emperor Constantine, Rome finally appears to be emerging from its turbulent past. In order to consolidate his control and under the guidance of his mother Helena, Constantine plans to harness the power of the increasingly influential Christian Church. But his loyalties are brought into question when three courtesans from the Guild of Aphrodite - a guild Constantine himself frequents - are found dead. All three bodies have crosses etched on their foreheads and each cheek. Aiming to protect her son''s future, Helena calls upon the service of an ''agente in rebus politicis'' - or spy. Claudia is the niece of a tavern-owner and is placed as a wine-server in Constantine''s household. But Claudia has secret motives of her own...Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book SynopsisWhen a man is found murdered on the doorstep of a respectable house in Bedford Square, Victorian England''s finest and most controversial policeman, Thomas Pitt, is called immediately to the scene. The only clue to the victim''s identity is a silver snuff box found on the body, curiously at odds with the man''s dishevelled appearance. Pitt soon discovers that the box, and the house where the body was found, belong to General Balantyne, a man Pitt knows to be a pillar of the community. He is dismayed to learn that Balantyne can barely recall the evening, let alone account for his movements.Trade Review'A splendidly plotted yarn' Publishers WeeklyGive her a good murder and a shameful social evil, and Anne Perry can write a Victorian mystery that would make Dickens' eyes pop out * New York Times Book Review *Beautifully crafted * Cosmopolitan *'The Troubles perfectly suit Perry's gift for rooting large-scale social conflict in the minutiae of domestic intrigue' Kirkus ReviewsHer Victorian England pulsates with life and is peopled with wonderfully memorable characters * Faye Kellerman *'Perry's narrative is as statley and elegant as a royal barge on the Thames' Washington Post'Master storyteller Anne Perry moves closer to Dickens as she lifts the lace curtain from Victorian society to reveal its shocking secrets' Sharyn McCrumbThe novel has a totally contemporary feel and is admirably well-written * Guardian *A complex plot supported by superb storytelling * Scotland on Sunday *'A complex plot supported by superb storytelling...and William Monk, a contender for the post of Most Original Investigator in recent fiction' Scotland on Sunday'Ms Perry fashions a Victorian story with the sophisticated characterisation and psychological suspense that are everyday tools of the contemporary writer...the result is first rate' New York Times Book Review'Her Victorian England pulsates with life and is peopled with wonderfully memorable characters' Faye Kellerman'[A] surpassingly excellent historical and psychologically intricate mystery' Publishers Weekly'Beautifully crafted' Cosmopolitan'Perry's narrative is as stately and elegant as a royal barge on the Thames...with a final courtroom confrontation that's a humdinger' Washington Post Book World'The novel has a totally contemporary feel and is admirably well-written' Guardian

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Book SynopsisWhen evidence presented in court by Thomas Pitt leads to the execution of a distinguished soldier and archaeologist, the retaliation from the hanged man''s influential friends is swift. The murderer was a member of the Inner Circle, a group of men whose power extends further than Pitt realised was possible, and, within days, he loses command of the Bow Street police station. To protect him from the Inner Circle''s hatred, he is forced to leave his family to work undercover in the dangerously volatile East End.Trade ReviewAnne Perry's novels are New York Times bestsellers and have earned much critical acclaim: 'Give her a good murder and a shameful social evil, and Anne Perry can write a Victorian mystery that would make Dickens' eyes pop out * New York Times Book Review *A totally contemporary feel ... admirably well-written * Guardian *Her Victorian England pulsates with life and is peopled with wonderfully memorable characters * Faye Kellerman *A complex plot supported by superb storytelling ... and William Monk, a contender for the post of Most Original Investigator in recent fiction * Scotland on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisHatusu, the remarkable young widow of Pharaoh Tuthmosis II, has forced Egyptian society to acknowledge her as Pharaoh, and her success in battle is spreading Egypt''s glory well beyond its frontiers. In the Temple of Anubis, Hatusu and the defeated King Tushratta of Mitanni are negotiating a peace treaty that will seal her greatest victory. But then two hideous murders in the temple and the theft of the Glory of Anubis threaten the tentative truce, and the respected judge Amerotke must find the perpetrators.Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty: 'Vitality in the landscape...angst in the mystery, it's Peters minus the herbs but plus a few crates of sack * Oxford Times *Absolutely superb * CADS *The best of its kind since Ellis Peters * Time Out *I really like these medieval whodunnits * Sarah Broadhurst, Bookseller *Wholly excellent, this is one of those books you hate to put down * Prima *If you like the Paul Doherty style you will enjoy this hugely. The pace never flags and despite all this larger-than-life flamboyance Doherty's Egypt has the ring of truth about it. Doherty has done his homework well and it shows * Historical Review *

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Book SynopsisIn the village of Melford, a local lord is executed for a spate of vicious murders. It''s not until the killing begins again, and the dead lord''s son alleges that a miscarriage of justice has taken place, that a serious investigation begins. Hugh Corbett realises that for the last five years a serial killer has terrorised the villagers and that when, not if, the next victim is chosen, he must be ready to act.Trade ReviewPraise for the series: 'Death and mystery pack the pages - but there's humour too * Colchester Evening News *Vitality in the landscape...angst in the mystery, it's Peters minus the herbs but plus a few crates of sack * Oxford Times *Absolutely superb * CADS *

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Book SynopsisIn the American Civil War the opposing armies are desperate for arms. A London trader selling weapons to the South faces a moral dilemma when his daughter, in love with a Confederate, insists he change sides. When he is brutally murdered, her lover is the immediate suspect. William and Hester Monk must bring the pair back from the front line in America to face justice in an English court.Trade ReviewAnne Perry's novels are New York Times bestsellers and have earned much critical acclaim: 'Give her a good murder and a shameful social evil, and Anne Perry can write a Victorian mystery that would make Dickens' eyes pop out * New York Times Book Review *A totally contemporary feel ... admirably well-written * Guardian *Her Victorian England pulsates with life and is peopled with wonderfully memorable characters * Faye Kellerman *A complex plot supported by superb storytelling ... and William Monk, a contender for the post of Most Original Investigator in recent fiction * Scotland on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisPeter Tremayne, highly acclaimed author of HEMLOCK AT VESPERSand ACT OF MERCY, presents OUR LADY OF DARKNESS, the tenth gripping Celtic mystery featuring super-sleuth Sister Fidelma.PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: ''Definitely an Ellis Peters competitor'' Evening Standard, ''This is masterly storytelling from an author who breathes fascinating life into the worth he is writing about'' Belfast Telegraph Arriving home from a pilgrim voyage, Sister Fidelma hears that her faithful Saxon companion, Brother Eadulf, is under sentence of death for murder. She hastens to the capital of Laigin, where he is being held, determined to appeal against the sentence. The crime took place at the abbey of Fearna where Fidelma clashes with the sinister Abbess Fainder. The evidence against Eadulf seems overwhelming - can he actually be guilty? Will Fidelma''s emotional involvement blind her in her desperate search for the truth? Trade ReviewThe latest Sister Fidelma mystery is one of the best... an excellent mystery with rich helpings of evil and tension set within a culture struggling to keep its identity and laws in the face of pressure from the Roman Church. Peter Tremayne paints a believable picture of time and place with a set of lively and varied characters * HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW *'Strong on historical whodunnit, as sharp as a sword and as colourful as any medieval manuscript' Northern Echo'The latest Sister Fidelma mystery is one of the best... an excellent mystery with rich helpings of evil and tension set within a culture struggling to keep its identity and laws in the face of pressure from the Roman Church. Peter Tremayne paints a believable picture of time and place with a set of lively and varied characters' Historical Novels ReviewStrong on historical whodunnit, as sharp as a sword and as colourful as any medieval manuscript * NORTHERN ECHO *HEMLOCK AT VESPERS'Peter Tremayne's collection of Celtic mysteries is an ideal introduction..to Sister Fidelma; a beguiling figure... A girl with definite ideas and distinct authority; a girl for our times as much as for her own' Historical Novels Review'This collection is an essential canonical text for Sister Fidelma acolytes' Publisher's Weekly'Fidelma's fans will welcome this first-ever collection, many stories of which are appearing here for the first time' Kirkus Reviews'A treasure trove of small gems for historical mystery fans' Booklist'A complex mesh of betrayals that also catch up the sleuth, exploiting both Fidelma's strengths and vulnerabilities' Kirkus Reviews'Beguiling' Peterborough Evening TelegraphACT OF MERCY'The background detail is brilliantly defined... Wonderfully evocative' The TimesVALLEY OF THE SHADOW'Tremayne's discriminating sense of history distinguishing ever-finer conflicts...creates an equally complex mystery for history-mad readers with eyes as sharp as Fidelma's' Kikus ReviewsPraise for previous novels:'The Sister Fidelma books give the readers a rattling good yarn. But more than that, they bring vividly and viscerally to life the fascinating lost world of the Celtic Irish. I put down The Spider's Web with a sense of satisfaction at a good story well told, but also speculating on what modern life might have been like had that civilisation survived' Ronan Bennett'A heroine whom many readers will willingly follow' Kirkus Reviews;'A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing, difficult to put down' PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY; 'Definitely an Ellis Peter competitor...the background detail is marvellous' EVENING STANDARD;

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Book SynopsisThomas Pitt is summoned to the offices of Victor Narraway, head of the Imperial Secret Service. An ex-army officer and promising young diplomat has been shot and the prime suspect is the Egyptian mistress of a senior cabinet minister. But some things don''t add up at the scene of the murder. When the Egyptian Ambassador puts in a call to Prime Minister Gladstone, it seems a major diplomatic row is brewing. Thomas is convinced Narraway knows more than he claims, and Pitt''s wife Charlotte fears there could be involvement with the secret organisation that destroyed Pitt''s Metropolitan Police career and nearly cost him his life. Can Pitt tread the tense diplomatic tightrope between protecting justice, the security of his country, and the safety of his family?Trade Review'From the Victorian murder capital of smog-hit London to the exotic land of the Pharaohs, this thrilling whodunnit is a must for all devotees of the classic murder mystery' Western Mail 22/2/03 * Western Mail *'Frequently compared to the great contemporary chronicler, Charles Dickens, Perry has a more simplistic perspective on the era, its social pleasures and their consequences...Offering an interesting slant on the grandeur of Britain's Empire, this novel will please fans of the series, especially those who enjoy the teamwork of Mr and Mrs Pitt' Scottish Sunday Herald 16/2/03 * Scottish Sunday Herald *'Anne Perry's novels of Victorian England are the equivalent of steak-and-kidney pudding or apple tart and custard; comfort food, plain cooking with no fancy ingredients. Frequently compared to the great contemporary chronicler, Charles Dickens, Perry has a more simplistic perspective on the era, its social pleasures and their consequences...Offering an interesting slant on the grandeur of Britain's Empire, this novel will please fans of the series, especially those who enjoy the teamwork of Mr and Mrs Pitt' Scottish Sunday Herald 16/2/03 * Scottish Sunday Herald *'Frequent readers of Perry cherish the magical passport she provides into the age of Victoria at its brilliant zenith' Western Mail 22/2/03 * Western Mail *'Miss Perry's leading protagonists are as finely and deeply drawn as any in her field and her feel for the Victorian era is unrivalled in her generation' Huddersfield Daily Examiner 8/2/03 * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *'Intricately plotted and painstakingly researched...Anne Perry brings alive the sights, sounds and smells of Victorian England in convincing detail' Western Daily Press (Bristol) 15/2/03 * Western Daily Press (Bristol) *

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Book SynopsisWhen the Maude Idris docks at the Pool of London, laden with ebony, spices and first-grade tusks of ivory collected from her voyage to Zanzibar, Clement Louvain leaves four armed seamen on board to guard the precious cargo. But as soon as the relief for the night watch arrives ready for duty in the morning, he finds the ivory gone and one of the seamen dead. Hindered by his ignorance of the river and its customs, and ashamed of the fact that he so badly requires the huge fees that Louvain is prepared to pay, William Monk nevertheless begins his investigation into the theft and murder. Meanwhile Hester''s work at the refuge at Portpool Lane is encountering acute financial difficulties. Sick prostitutes are arriving daily and the medicines needed to help them are running out. When a man arrives promising to pay a huge amount of money for the care of one particular woman, Hester is astonished to meet him. He is none other than Clement Louvain. So who is the woman he is so generously heTrade Review'Anne Perry not only writes a dashed good story but almost outdoes Dickens for atmosphere and portrayal of the sleazy side of life' Northern Echo, 24/2/04 * Northern Echo *'Anne Perry not only writes a dashed good story but almost outdoes Dickens for atmosphere and portrayal of the sleazy side of life' Northern Echo, 24/2/04 * Northern Echo *'Anne Perry's command of story-telling and power of description is terrifyingly real...meaningful and illustrious writing, as if watching live theatre. She has such perception of passion too' Bangor Chronicle, 26/2/04 * Bangor Chronicle *'Perry uses her characters and story to comment on ethical issues that remain as relevant today as they were in Victorian times' Publishers Weekly, 29/3/04 * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisWhen he''s caught stealing, young Alan Dale is forced to leave his family and go to live with a notorious band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest. Their leader is the infamous Robin Hood. A tough, bloodthirsty warrior, Robin is more feared than any man in the county. And he becomes a mentor for Alan; with his fellow outlaws, Robin teaches Alan how to fight - and how to win.But Robin is a ruthless man - and although he is Alan''s protector, if Alan displeases him, he could also just as easily become his murderer....From bloody battles to riotous feast days to marauding packs of wolves, Outlaw is a gripping, action-packed historical thriller that delves deep into the fascinating legend of Robin Hood.Trade ReviewA lively and enjoyable book * Daily Mail *A tale well told via the thoughts of a flawed hero...not a read for the squeamish * Nottinghamshire Today *

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Book Synopsis1072 AD.The Normans have captured England. The Turks have captured a Norman knight.And in order to free him, a Frank warrior named Vallon must capture four rare hawks.In the company of a Sicilian scholar and an English falconer, Vallon sets off a heart-stopping odyssey to the far ends of the earth - from Greenland to Russia to Constantinople, across raging Arctic seas and blood-drenched battlefields. Braving Viking warlords, vengeful Normans, and the unforgiving elements, Vallon and his comrades must track down their quarry one by one in a relentless race against time.Ten years in the making, Hawk Quest is high adventure in the grand tradition of Bernard Cornwell and Robyn Young, an epic story packed with visceral combat, marvellous period detail, and gripping suspense. The scale is huge. The journey is incredible.The history is real. This is - Hawk QuestTrade ReviewAn entertaining debut and one that more than holds its own against Cornwell et al * TLS *Quite simply, Hawk Quest is the best book I've read this year. I loved this book. I wish I'd written it * Ben Kane *Lyndon's story carries readers from one vivid scene to the next with great style * Sunday Times *An 11th-century epic with action to equal the best of Bernard Cornwell. THIS is writing * Anthony Riches *This magnificent novel has all the breathtaking cruelties and valour a lover of historical adventure and romance can wish for * Historical Novels Review *A swooping adventure story of epic proportions * Choice *Only once in a generation does a first novel emerge which has such power and depth and scope. With Hawk Quest, Robert Lyndon has shown himself a master storyteller of the highest quality. An absorbing, viscerally moving epic that takes the standard historical fare of love, treachery, passion, and redemption and lifts them into a new stratosphere. I got lost in this for days on end, and never wanted to emerge. Outstanding! * M.C. Scott *

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Book SynopsisBorn to a divided kingdom. Destined to unite it.AD 1286: The King of Scots is killed, leaving no heir. Twelve-year-old Robert Bruce, heir to the great House of Bruce, comes of age amid the bitter rivalry of Scotland''s most powerful nobles to claim the vacant throne.The boy is schooled in the arts of warfare and the manipulation of ruthless and violent men, but when the Scottish Crown is bestowed upon Bruce''s greatest enemies, Robert travels with his family to England, swearing feudal loyalty to King Edward Plantagenet - known as ''Longshanks''.But Longshanks''s increasing treachery and his brutal attempts to annexe Scotland see Robert turning renegade and returning to his home country. The Battle of Bannockburn lies ahead and a legend is born.This is the story of one man''s resistance, and the bravery of a country that would not yield.

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Book SynopsisA stunning historical novel - the first in an epic trilogy about the rise and fall of one of history''s greatest villains.The dawn of the fifth century AD, and the Roman Empire totters on the edge of the abyss. Already divided into two, the Imperium is looking dangerously vulnerable to her European rivals. The huge barbarian tribes of the Vandals and Visigoths sense that their time is upon them. But, unbeknown to all of these great players, a new power is rising in the East. A strange nation of primitive horse warriors has been striking terror upon border peoples for fifty years. But few realise what is about to happen. For these so called ''Huns'' now have a new leader. His name is Attila - ''the Scourge of God''.Thus begins a saga of warfare, lust and power which brings the whole of the Christian world to its knees - and ends in blood on the fields of France. It is a story of two men: Attila the Hun and Aetius the Roman. One who wanted to destroy th

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Book SynopsisCaptain Alatriste returns in a swashbuckling tale of intrigue, romance and regicide.Trade ReviewA tale of swashbuckling daredevilment, a good read * TELEGRAPH & ARGUS *Perez-Reverte is a master at creating a world from the past. * SUNDAY MERCURY *

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Book SynopsisWHISPERS OF THE DEAD is a sumptuously rich feast of fifteeen short mystery tales, featuring the brilliant and beguiling Sister Fidelma, the seventh-century sleuth of the Celtic Church.PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: ''A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing'' Publishers Weekly, ''Definitely an Ellis Peter competitorSister Fidelma originally made her debut as one of crime fiction''s most interesting sleuths in short story form. The sharp-witted religieuse captured the hearts of many readers as she successfully tackled the most baffling of crimes in her other role as advocate of the law courts of Ireland, using the ancient Brehon Law system. This collection contains an astonishing range of crimes and misdemeanours and seamlessly blends historical detail, character and story into mysteries that will confound and surprise.WHISPERS OF THE DEAD is the second collection of these stories to be published in the UK. WitTrade ReviewPraise for the Sister Fidelma Series: 'Definitely an Ellis Peters competitor * Evening Standard *This is masterly storytelling from an author who breathes fascinating life into the worth he is writing about * Belfast Telegraph *A compulsive readable whodunit fronted by one of the most reliably intriguing characters to grace the pages of the genre * Booklist *Tremayne's super-sleuth is a vibrant creation * Morgan Llywelyn *A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisIn April 1915 Joseph Reavley is serving as chaplain on the Front Line at Ypres. The war that should have been ''over by Christmas'' has already decimated the British Expeditionary Force. To Joseph''s sector comes an ambitious young war correspondent determined to expose the horrors of trench life. But before he can dispatch his piece, he is found dead in no-man''s-land. Still seeking the man behind his parents'' murder, and to protect his sister Judith from the pain of an impossible romance, Joseph must find the truth. His search takes him to London and the beaches of Gallipoli, and at last to face a desperate moral judgement which challenges every belief he holds.Trade Review'An absorbing tale' Kirkus Reviews, 15/7/04 * Kirkus Reviews *'The plot of this book is riveting throughout; the elegance of the prose and depth of characterisation combine to create a powerful and poignant journey into the past that long stays with you after the final page' The Lady, 28/9/04 * The Lady *'The writer weaves her compelling fiction around a graphic account of the horror of First World War trench warfare that has not been bettered since Sebastian Faulks' Birdsong' * Nottingham Evening Post *'Perry cleverly resolves some plot lines while reserving the solution of others for future mysteries...she does a superb job of bringing the grimness and waste to life, in a nice shift of gears from her two 19th-century historical series' Publishers Weekly, 26/7/04 * Publishers Weekly *'The plot of this book is riveting throughout; the elegance of the prose and depth of characterisation combine to create a powerful and poignant journey into the past that long stays with you after the final page' The Lady, 28/9/04 * The Lady *'The writer weaves her compelling fiction around a graphic account of the horror of First World War trench warfare that has not been bettered since Sebastian Faulks' Birdsong' * Nottingham Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisIt’s March 1916, and Joseph Reavley is on sick leave and finding recovery slow and hard. His sister Hannah is caring for him at home, and it’s a delight to them both when Shanley Corcoran, an old friend, comes to visit. Corcoran confides in Joseph that he’s come very close to completing an invention that will paralyse the deadly German U-boats. Soon afterwards, however, the leading scientist on that project is found murdered, and it’s clear that someone has been betraying secrets to the enemy. Joseph’s brother Matthew, of the S.I.S., comes down to investigate, and together the two men embark on a search that will solve the crime and lead them to the spy.Trade ReviewPraise for NO GRAVES AS YET and SHOULDER THE SKY: 'The elegance of the prose and depth of characterisation combine to create a powerful and poignant journey * The Lady *She does a superb job of bringing the grimness and waste to life, in a nice shift of gears from her two 19th-century historical series * Publishers Weekly *With its outstanding cover and bestselling author's writing, this dazzling story is one of sheer brilliance...It's just so, so beautiful * North Wales Chronicle *

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Book SynopsisSomewhere deep in the desert, the location of Rahimere''s tomb has long been kept a closely guarded secret. But now, the Sebaus - a sect taking its name from demons - has plundered and pillaged the sepulchre for its most powerful treasure.The fiery Pharaoh Queen Hatusu must fight to protect the tombs of her kin and tighten her grip on the collar of Egypt. But when Egypt''s great military hero, General Suten, is bitten to death by a swarm of venomous vipers, it appears events have spiralled out of her control.Meanwhile, a dark shadow lies across the peaceful Temple of Isis; four of the temple handmaids have vanished without trace. Will Lord Amerotke, Pharaoh''s Chief Judge, find that the perpetrators are in league with forces beyond his jurisdiction?Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book SynopsisThe two figures had been on the bridge. He had grasped hold of her. To save her, or to push her?Inspector William Monk is still feeling his way in a new post in the Thames River Police and knows he must solve the mystery to gain the respect of his men. Soon both he and Hester find themselves powerfully involved in the story of the dead woman, Mary Havilland, and her quest to vindicate her father, found dead two months previously. An engineer working for the Argyll Construction Company, James Havilland was convinced a major disaster would happen in the tunnels where London''s desperately needed new sewer system was being built. Maddened by his obsession, he''d apparently shot himself. Mary had never accepted that and now she was dead too. Was it chance or something more sinister?Trade Review'Brilliant . . . That rare blend of novel that's a page-turning thriller yet literary... Dark Assassin continues Author Perry's peerless tradition of blending compelling plotting with finely realized human emotion and superb period detail' * Jeffery Deaver *'Brilliant . . . That rare blend of novel that's a page-turning thriller yet literary - and, best of all, one that gives us lucky readers the chance to enjoy another adventure by our favorite Victorian police superintendent William Monk. Dark Assassin continues author Perry's peerless tradition of blending compelling plotting with finely realized human emotion and superb period detail' * Jeffery Deaver *'Anne Perry is a cross between Charles Dickens and Ian Rankin, writing beautifully crafted Victorian crime.' Henry Sutton, The Mirror * The Mirror *

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Book SynopsisOnce again, Inspector William Monk, now of the Thames River Police, must face a dangerous foe. It''s 1864, and after a game of cat and mouse, Monk has captured Jericho Phillips, the man he suspects of brutally killing a young mudlark and running an evil child prostitution ring. In bringing Phillips to justice, Monk hopes to close down the ring and avenge the memory of Durban, his old commander, who was determined to capture Philips. However at trial justice does not prevail. Oliver Rathbone, Monk''s friend, is hired anonymously to represent the accused and when he proves that vital evidence is missing, Phillips is freed. As Monk begins the investigation again, venturing deeper into London''s murky underworld, he realises that Durban may have had his own reasons for pursuing Phillips, and shockingly, that secret support for Phillips may reach further into civilised society than anyone could ever have imagined...Trade ReviewAnne Perry's novels are New York Times bestsellers and have earned much critical acclaim: 'Give her a good murder and a shameful social evil, and Anne Perry can write a Victorian mystery that would make Dickens' eyes pop out * New York Times Book Review *A totally contemporary feel ... admirably well-written * Guardian *Her Victorian England pulsates with life and is peopled with wonderfully memorable characters * Faye Kellerman *A complex plot supported by superb storytelling ... and William Monk, a contender for the post of Most Original Investigator in recent fiction * Scotland on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisAttending the party and taking a leading role in the ensuing investigation is one of the most beloved characters from Anne Perry''s Thomas Pitt series: Lady Vespasia Cumming-Gould. Lady Vespasia''s friend Isobel has made a cruel remark about Gwendolen Kilmuir on the night Gwendolen was meant to have become engaged to the eligible Bertie Rosythe. Gwendolen flees the room, and the next morning her body is found in the lake in the gardens of the estate. It appears she has jumped from the bridge. The host, Omegus Jones and Vespasia decide to find who or what might have led Gwendolen to resort to such an extreme measure. They vow to make the guilty party seek forgiveness and expiation through the task of taking a sealed letter written by Gwendolen before her death to her mother up in the north of Scotland.The journey will be both physically and emotionally arduous but will bring answers to some unexpected and profound questions.Trade Review'This brief work has an almost Jamesian subtlety, and with its powerful message of responsibility and redemption - "We need both to forgive and to be forgiven" - it conveys a moral force in keeping with the season' Wall Street Journal 12/12/03 * Wall Street Journal *'The tale is redolent with Victorian atmosphere, from the hypocritical snobbishness to the rigid social conventions of the time' Tangled Web, 12 February 2004 * Tangled Web *'This brief work has an almost Jamesian subtlety, and with its powerful message of responsibility and redemption - "We need both to forgive and to be forgiven" - it conveys a moral force in keeping with the season' Wall Street Journal 12/12/03 * Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisSuper sleuth Sister Fidelma returns in the seventeenth historical mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of MASTER OF SOULS, WHISPERS OF THE DEAD and many more.PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: ''Rich helpings of evil and tension with lively and varied characters'' Historical Novels Review, ''The most detailed and vivid recreations of ancient Ireland'' Irish Examiner February, AD 668, and Cashel is full of distinguished visitors. Under the old Irish custom, Fidelma of Cashel and Eadulf of Seaxmund''s Ham, having been joined together for a year and a day, are to be married. But on the eve of the ceremony, the pious Abbot Ultán is found murdered in his chamber. Worse still - one of the most distinguished guests, the King of Connacht, is seen fleeing from the scene and charged with the murder. He demands his right to appoint Fidelma in his defence. Fidelma soon discovers that Abbot Ultán is not the pious man he was thought to be - inTrade ReviewPraise for the Sister Fidelma Series: 'Definitely an Ellis Peters competitor * Evening Standard *This is masterly storytelling from an author who breathes fascinating life into the worth he is writing about * Belfast Telegraph *A compulsive readable whodunit fronted by one of the most reliably intriguing characters to grace the pages of the genre * Booklist *Tremayne's super-sleuth is a vibrant creation * Morgan Llywelyn *A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisSister Fidelma must investigate the murder of the High King himself and by doing so risk civil war, in Peter Tremayne''s brilliant eighteenth novel in the ever-popular series.PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: ''Tremayne''s super-sleuth is a vibrant creation'' Morgan Llywelyn, ''A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing'' Publishers Weekly When Sechnussach, High King of Ireland, is found dead in his bedchamber with his throat cut, all clues seem to suggest an all-too-obvious prime suspect. Dubh Duin, the chieftain of the clan Cinél Cairpre, was found with the murder weapon in his hand when the High King''s guards entered the royal chamber, before taking his own life. The Chief Brehon of Ireland asks Sister Fidelma to investigate and find out what possible motives could have driven Dubh Duin to assassinate the High King. Her investigations reveals an intricate web of conspiracy and deception that threatens to unbalance the five kinTrade ReviewPraise for Peter Tremayne's novels: 'Wonderfully evocative * The Times *A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing, difficult to put down * Publishers Weekly *Definitely an Ellis Peter competitor...the background detail is marvellous * Evening Standard *Well-paced and suspenseful, sprinkled with Old Irish terms and fascinating details of early Irish life...Fidelma is a an original and complex character...An Irish heroine for both the seventh and twenty-first centuries * Books Ireland *

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Book SynopsisBy 1322, Mathilde of Westminster was considered the finest physician in London. But in her years as lady-in-waiting to Princess Isabella, she was drawn into the murky politics of the English court, where sudden, mysterious death was part of the tapestry of life. Many years later, Mathilde looks back and chronicles her turbulent life. With her sharp, suspicious intellect ready to distinguish between a fatality and an unnatural death, Mathilde is confronted by a host of chilling murders. The source of these horrors is the fierce political rivalry between Philip of France and Edward of England. This manifests itself in a series of gruesome killings, one of which actually took place during Edward II''s Coronation, when a knight of the Royal Household, Sir John Baquelle was crushed to death.Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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