Historical adventure fiction

Book SynopsisA beautiful and sweeping historical novel that takes the reader from the west coast of New Zealand, to Scotland and Melbourne in the 1870s'Its portrayal of life in a gold-rush town is vivid, and Rose's story is absorbing' The Times'Worth reading for its occasional streaks of brilliance and insight' Telegraph India'A epic read . . . a beautifully written, evocative novel that I anticipate you reading and re-reading for years to come' Woman's Way'A gripping page-turner' Woman 1866. Will Stewart is one of many who have left their old lives behind to seek their fortunes in New Zealand's last great gold rush. The conditions are hostile and the outlook bleak, but he must push on in his uncertain search for the elusive buried treasure.Rose is about to arrive on the shores of South Island when a storm hits and her ship is wrecked. Just when all seems lost she is snatched from the jaws of death by Will, who risks his life to save her. Drawn together by circumstance, they stay together by choice and for a while it seems that their stars have finally aligned.But after a terrible misunderstanding they are cruelly separated, and their new-found happiness is shattered. As Will chases Rose across oceans and continents, he must come to terms with the possibility that he might never see her again. And if he does, he will have to face the man who took her . . .Readers love Alchemy and Rose:'A real rollercoaster of emotions' 5* reader review'One of her best yet' 5* reader review'Both gripping and romantic (quite a combination!) and keeps you hooked right up to the end' 5* reader review'One of those books that you need to find out what happened, but at the same time you don't want it to finish' 5* reader review'Couldn't put it down, a real page turner' 5* reader reviewTrade ReviewIts portrayal of life in a gold-rush town is vivid, and Rose's story is absorbing * The Times *Maine reworks the conventions of historical romance in a narrative that regularly undercuts expectations of what is to come * The Sunday Times (Culture) *A gripping page-turner * Woman Magazine *Worth reading for its occasional streaks of brilliance and insight * Telegraph India *This feels like an epic read, and it is a beautifully written, evocative novel that I anticipate you reading and re-reading for years to come * Woman's Way *

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Book Synopsis________________Set in a 5th century Britain besieged by invading bands of Saxons and Franks, Irish and Picts, Giles Kristian's epic novel tells - in Lancelot's own words - the story of the most revered yet reviled of all Arthur's knights, the warrior who fought at his lord's side - yet stole his wife.Trade ReviewIt is a masterpiece in the true sense of the word. -- CONN IGGULDEN, author of The Falcon of SpartaSome of us grew up with T H White’s Once and Future King as our touchstone for authenticity in the Arthurian myths; others found that Rosemary Sutcliff, Bernard Cornwell or Mary Stewart filled that role. Giles Kristian pulls together the best of the best and infuses it with his own utterly transformative understanding of myth, magic – and the many faces of love . . . There are so many modern retellings of the Arthurian myth, but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest, in the company of true greatness. -- MANDA SCOTT, author of BoudicaWithout doubt this is Giles Kristian’s finest novel to date. Glorious. Tragic. Lyrical. Totally gripping. I loved it. -- BEN KANE, author of Clash of EmpiresThis most fascinating character from Arthurian legend has been plucked from the 14th-century romances and positioned firmly back in the early medieval environment he belongs in. Giles is an extraordinary writer, able to capture sounds, smells, sensations in a sentence. No other writer thinks and feels his way back to the medieval past the way he does . . . Lancelot is an exceptional book and does what only great historical fiction can do: transport you back through time to feast, fight and feel alongside fascinating characters from the past. No one does this better than Giles Kristian. -- DR JANINA RAMIREZA gorgeous, rich retelling of the Arthurian tale. -- Antonia Senior * THE TIMES *I loved the post Roman chaos of Giles’ vision, just as I imagine it would have been but with the life of that vision breathed into it to render it in stark and bloody tones. But what I enjoyed most was the sheer glorious brutality of the age, delivered by a writer with the heart of a warrior and the soul of a poet. It’s really, really good. -- ANTHONY RICHES, author of The Centurions seriesHis Lancelot is no airy tale of magic and romance, but a muscular telling of warriors and survival, beautifully rendered in a prose that is both visceral and lyrical. This is historical fiction at its very best. -- ELIZABETH FREMANTLE, author of The Girl in the Glass TowerIntense and powerful . . . written with deep expression and enormous feeling. It is a marvellous historical adventure. * Sunday Express *Kristian is a writer with rare power to grab you at the opening of the story and to keep the pace going. Lancelot is a powerful reworking of the King Arthur myths. The pages turn by themselves. -- JUSTIN HILL, author of Viking FireMy impression as I was reading Lancelot was of a flare being held up in the gloom of this peculiarly dark passage of history. Every detail illuminated, every motive believable, every heart laid bare. A bright intensity but passing away, guttering, about to go out. And, by the time his tale comes to its conclusion, that seems to be his point. A gentle lament at the onrushing of a dark and inexorable tide which comes to extinguish a bright and golden age of Britain forever. Lancelot is a gem of a book. If there were six stars, it could have them all. Or, to use the words of Spinal Tap, “This one goes to eleven.” Loved it. -- THEODORE BRUN, author of The Wanderer ChroniclesTruly magical . . . reads with the authority and gravitas of Manda Scott's Boudica books, such that I found it utterly believable throughout . . . it was a stroke of genius to retell this legend through Lancelot's POV, the betrayer rather than the betrayed. -- ANNA STEPHENS, author of GodblindGiles Kristian’s brilliant take on the Arthurian love-triangle is impressively fresh and original . . . the language is arrestingly beautiful, poetic and poignant; the fights are satisfyingly bloody; the background is a believably muddy, pagan and benighted post-Roman Britain, against which Giles unfolds a tender and tragic love story. We know it will end badly, but reading this enchanting and elegiac novel, you can’t help rooting for Lancelot and his love and hoping it will all work out somehow by the final page. -- ANGUS DONALD, author of OutlawAuthentic, epic, and wonderfully Arthurian. -- CHRISTIAN CAMERON, author of The Ill-Made KnightKristian is one of the finest storytellers in the genre . . . this is a novel that you feel as much as you read. What we end up with is utterly staggering . . . Giles has surpassed the Cornwell trilogy in a single title. -- ROBIN CARTER * Parmenion Books *Fiercely beautiful and gripping. -- ANNA SMITH-SPARK, author of The Court of Broken KnivesIt’s difficult to think of any author more gifted to retell Lancelot’s story than Giles Kristian . . . [he] writes so beautifully. He brings these post-Roman years so vividly to life. I love the way in which the recent Roman past haunts this landscape. There is myth here, there is the Druid Merlin, and we’re reminded of many of the famous Arthurian legends, such as Excalibur, but Giles Kristian evokes a time rooted in history and in the land around us even now . . . his writing comes closest to the feeling, mood and beauty of the Old and Middle English verse that I love so much . . . there is power here, deep expression and enormous feeling. I cried and cried as the story ended in the only way it could. -- KATE ATHERTON * For Winter Nights *

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES AND TIMES BESTSELLER_______________________'A gripping historical adventure that feels sharp, fresh and modern' STYLIST'So beautiful, so daring, so complete' TAYLOR JENKINS REID'A masterpiece' NIGELLA LAWSON'Extraordinary' NEW YORK TIMES'Wonderful' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING MAGAZINE_______________________A soaring, breathtakingly ambitious novel that weaves together the astonishing lives of a 1950s vanished female aviator and the modern-day Hollywood actress who plays her on screen.Marian Graves is driven by a need for freedom and danger. From her days as a wild child in prohibition America to the blitz and glitz of wartime London, she is determined to live an independent life.But it is an obsession with flight that consumes her most.Having become one of the most fearless pilots in her time, she sets out to do what no one has done before: to circumnavigate the globe from pole to pole.But shortly before completing the journey, her plane disappears, lost to history.Over half a century later, troubled film star Hadley Baxter is offered to play Marian in the comeback role of a lifetime. From the first pages of the script, Hadley is drawn inexorably to the female pilot.It is a role that will lead her to an unexpected discovery, throwing fresh and spellbinding light on the story of the unknowable Marian Graves._______________________WATERSTONES FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH JUNE 2022SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2022SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2021A ROYAL READING ROOM PICK 2023SHORTLISTED FOR THE HWA GOLD CROWN 2022TIME MAGAZINE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER MAY 2021TIMES BESTSELLER JUNE 2022_______________________'Full of adventure, passion and tragedy' THE TIMES'Soars from the very first page' SUNDAY EXPRESS'Luminous, masterful. Glides seamlessly through the 20th century' TELEGRAPH, Best Fiction of 2021'Breathtaking' OBSERVER'Truly exceptional storytelling, combining a sweeping arc of history with writing that, at sentence level, is near-flawless.' THE BOOKSELLER'A tour-de-force' DAILY EXPRESS'Impressive and gripping' SUNDAY TIMES'Surprising and moving at every turn' GUARDIAN'Audacious and Immersive' DAILY MAIL'Accomplished and ambitious' FINANCIAL TIMESReaders love GREAT CIRCLE:***** What a read! Immense story with beautifully created characters***** The story is so well researched and planned; historical fiction standing side by side with history itself***** This is a stunning achievement, my perspective feels fundamentally transformed through reading it***** A wonderful saga, covering a large chunk of the twentieth centuryTrade ReviewLuminous, masterful ... glides seamlessly through the 20th century immersing the reader. Tremendously well-written * TELEGRAPH, 'Best Fiction of 2021' *A gripping historical adventure that feels sharp, fresh and modern * STYLIST MAGAZINE *Shipstead turns phrases and observes people beautifully. Full of adventure, passion and tragedy... a glorious tribute to women who push the boundaries of their one, brief life, breaking the bonds of their place in history and their female bodies, to soar higher and faster than others; and the price they pay to live so fast * THE TIMES, 'Best Fiction of 2021' *Impressive and gripping * SUNDAY TIMES *What's so impressive is how deeply we care about each of these people, and how the shape and texture of each of their stories collide to build a story all its own. GREAT CIRCLE grasps for and ultimately reaches something extraordinary * NEW YORK TIMES *The Marian portions rove from Montana to Manhattan to Scotland and Antarctica, and read like a carnival of early-20th-century American history, packed with bootleggers, treacherous boxcar rides, and tragic shipwrecks. The Hadley chapters offer a delectable dissection of life as a celebrity, serving up an intelligent skewering of the Hollywood machine and allowing the book to take flight * VOGUE *GREAT CIRCLE is a novel of our insatiable need to stare down the terrible, magnificent vastness of it all: love, war, desire, fear ... A sweeping, swashbuckling book, full of oversaturated colour and grand destiny. The joy of this dynamic, soaring novel is not a welcome extra but its very engine * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *Encompasses flight, travel adventure, identity, sexuality, family, the celebrity age - and in such beautiful writing. A masterpiece. * NIGELLA LAWSON *Rocked by the cool cadences of Shipstead's prose, readers will embark on a journey through time and space. Across 600 pages, they'll link arms with its characters as they stroll along the decks of early-1900s ocean liners, then board private jets to eavesdrop on the poolside parties of 21st-century Hollywood. They'll spot eagles arcing over the wild frontiers of Prohibition-era America then feel the lonely, existential chill of the white expanses of Antarctica - in between city breaks in Europe and Australia * INDEPENDENT *This wonderful novel weaves together the story of two women: a female aviator who goes missing in the1950s and the Hollywood star playing her in a film in the present day. A commitment that rewards with memorable characters and vivid storytelling * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, 'Best Fiction of 2021' *From near-death experience in childhood, to marriage to a bootlegger, Marian rockets off the page in this gripping novel. A staggering story * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MAGAZINE *Accomplished and ambitious... Most novelists have their limits and cut their cloth accordingly. Shipstead is a writer who can vividly summon whatever she chooses, taking the reader deep inside the world she creates. * FINANCIAL TIMES *A clever, poignant story about ambition, love and sacrifice that'll completely draw you in * COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE *This ambitious, wide-ranging and psychologically insightful novel is a tour-de-force * DAILY EXPRESS *It is rare to read a novel that is as beautifully built as it is elegantly written. Moving and surprising at every turn * GUARDIAN *A gorgeous soaring story that takes flight from the very first page * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Vast and entrancing * BA HIGH LIFE *A riveting novel with powerful characters that will excite, shock and enthral * PSYCHOLOGIES MAGAZINE *Nothing short of brilliant * OPRAH DAILY *A work of epic proportions and rich, cinematic detail * FINANCIAL TIMES, BEST OF SUMMER BOOKS *Grand, audacious and completely engrossing * DAILY MIRROR *This epic novel tops 600 pages but you'll still want more. Ambitious, cannily constructed and entertaining * MAIL ON SUNDAY *Beautifully written and endlessly readable, this rapturous novel soars * GUARDIAN *Ambitious, intricately detailed, rich and considered * INDEPENDENT *A WOMAN'S WEEKLY BOOK CLUB READ * MY WEEKLY *Daringly ambitious... a novel that invites the reader to immerse themselves in the sweep of history, the rich and detailed research... breathtaking * OBSERVER *Great Circle is an epic trip-through Prohibition and World War II, from Montana to London to present-day Hollywood-and you'll relish every minute * PEOPLE MAGAZINE *Glitz and guts square off in Great Circle: a tale of two women set apart by a century, fighting to retain control of their own lives in a society that demands subservience. Shipstead is adept at writing so vividly, the reader can feel the thrill and pain of her characters. Cunningly crafted. . . richly layered, a joy to read . . . riveting * THE SPOKESMAN REVIEW *Mesmerizing * TATLER *An enthralling epic about aviation and adventure. A big, baggy blast of a book bulging with sex and drugs, taking in Prohibition-era Montana, wartime London, present-day Hollywood, painting and physics. I loved it * REBECCA JONES, BBC ARTS CORRESPONDENT *A generous, escapist treat * i-PAPER, 30 BEST BOOKS FOR SUMMER *A soaring epic of female adventure and wanderlust * GUARDIAN *Bestselling novelist Maggie Shipstead was struggling to depict a female adventurer. So she became one. The stakes of GREAT CIRCLE are high-for its heroine, literally life or death. Though Shipstead never learned to fly herself, she aligned with her main character Marian Graves in more important ways . . . She is interested in testing her limits * L A TIMES *Relentlessly exciting . . . My top recommendation for this summer. Shipstead's sweeping new female-centered epic intertwines the story of Marian, an aviator who wants to circumnavigate the globe with that of actor Hadley Baxter, cast a century later to play Marian in a film. What can Marian's life tell Hadley about her own? * WASHINGTON POST *Dazzling prose in the service of an expansive story that covers more than a century and seems to encapsulate the whole wide world. With detailed brilliance, she lavishes heart and empathy on every character. She never wavers, pulls out a twist or two that feel fully earned, and then sticks the landing * BOSTON GLOBE *Swinging from one century to the next, from the moneyed splendor of cities to the shifting Antarctic ice, Shipstead's prose overflows with meticulous detail * MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE *Enthralling. Moving and surprising at every turn * GUARDIAN *Sweepingly panoramic and immersive. An audacious epic * DAILY MAIL, 'Best Fiction of 2021' *In a moment when our quarantined worlds have become so small, GREAT CIRCLE offers more than just wanderlust; it feels like a liberation. * ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY *Maggie Shipstead combines cinematic scope with a poet's eye for detail * THE TIMES *The beginning of Maggie Shipstead's astounding novel, a Booker finalist, includes a series of endings: two plane crashes, a sunken ship and several people dead. The bad luck continues when one of the ship's young survivors, Marian, grows up to become a pilot-only to disappear on the job. Shipstead unravels parallel narratives, Marian's and that of another woman whose life is changed by Marian's story, in glorious detail. Every character, whether mentioned once or 50 times, has a specific, necessary presence. It's a narrative made to be devoured, one that is both timeless and satisfying. * TIME, BOOK OF THE YEAR *Absolutely dazzling * NEWSWEEK *Thrilling * DAILY MAIL *GREAT CIRCLE flew us to a different world. A book to devour * TELEGRAPH, BOOK OF THE YEAR *A sweeping saga that alternates between the life of a tenacious female aviator in the 1930s and that of a millennial film star cast to play her in a biopic. In death, 'each of us destroys the world,' the author observes - but her engrossing novel is a moving reflection on the will to survive * THE ECONOMIST *Artfully constructed and exhuberantly entertaining * THE MAIL, BOOK OF THE YEAR *Shipstead soars in this expansive, beautiful novel about women and flight * THE STRAITS TIMES *Engrossing, ambitious, beautifully written * DAILY EXPESS, Summer Reading *Completely engrossing from the very first page. You won't be able to put this down * HELLO MAGAZINE *A brilliant saga of a book. It will absolutely captivate you * JANE GARVEY, Fortunately Podcast *

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Book SynopsisDesigned to appeal to the book lover, the Macmillan Collector’s Library is a series of beautiful gift editions of much loved classic titles. Macmillan Collector’s Library are books to love and treasure.The French Revolution is in full swing and the aristocracy are being sent to the guillotine in their hundreds. In the shadows, English dandy Sir Peter Blakeney - working under his alter ego, the Scarlet Pimpernel - is breaking the condemned out of prison and leaving his distinctive calling card, a picture of a red flower, to torment the French authorities. A master of disguise, infamous escape artist and flamboyant swordsman, his identity is such a closely guarded secret that even his wife is in the dark. But, with enemy agents on close his tail, his failure to trust her might be his undoing.The very first hero with a secret identity, the Scarlet Pimpernel is a worthy precursor to Zorro and Batman. His daring antics (and undeniable flair) are just as deligh

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Book SynopsisThe action-filled climax ofthe epic story of the Batavi uprising in AD 69, from the author of the bestselling Empire series. **NOW FEATURING AN ADDITIONAL SHORT STORY**''A masterclass in military historical fiction'' - Sunday ExpressVictory is in sight for Kivilaz and his Batavi army. The Roman army clings desperately to its remaining fortresses along the Rhine, its legions riven by dissent and mutiny, and once-loyal allies of Rome are beginning to imagine the unimaginable: freedom from the rulers who have dominated them since the time of Caesar. The four centurions - two Batavi and two Roman, men who were once comrades in arms - must find their destiny in a maze of loyalties and threats, as the blood tide of war ebbs and flows across Germania and Gaul. For Rome does not give up its territory lightly. And a new emperor knows that he cannot tolerate any threat to his undisputed power. It can only be a Trade ReviewPraise for Anthony Riches * : *This thrilling, insightful and compelling trilogy [...] is a masterclass in military historical fiction anddemonstrates how the trauma of war affected the ordinary Roman soldier. * Sunday Express *This is fast-paced and gripping "read-through-the-night" fiction, with marvellous characters and occasional moments of dark humour. Some authors are better historians than they are storytellers. Anthony Riches is brilliant at both. -- Conn IgguldenA master of the genre * The Times *A damn fine read . . . fast-paced, action-packed. -- Ben KaneStands head and shoulders above a crowded field . . . . real, live characters act out their battles on the northern borders with an accuracy of detail and depth of raw emotion that is a rare combination. -- Manda ScottRiches highlights the chaos and fragility of an empire without an emperor . . . dense, complicated and rewarding. * The Times *

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Book Synopsis‘Donald is a writer not only at the top of his game, but of the game’ Giles Kristian, author of the Raven series‘Donald delivers a masterclass’ Theodore Brun, author of A Burning Sea'A gory, gleeful treat' The TimesThe greatest warriors are forged in the flamesTwo pagan fighters771AD, Northern Europe. Bjarki Bloodhand and Tor Hildarsdottir are journeying south into Saxony. Their destination is the Irminsul, the One Tree that links the Nine Worlds of the Middle-Realm. In this most holy place, they hope to learn how to summon their animal spirits so they can enter the ranks of the legendary berserkir: the elite frenzied fighters of the North.One Christian kingKarolus, newly crowned King of the Franks, has a thorn in his side: the warlike Saxon tribes on his northern borders who shun the teachings of the Church, blasphemously continuing to worship their pagan gods.An epic battle for the soul of the NorthThe West’s greatest warlord vows to stamp out his neighbours’ superstitions and bring the light of the True Faith to the Northmen – at the point of a sword. It will fall to Bjarki, Tor and the men and women of Saxony to resist him in a struggle for the fate of all Europe.Praise for The Last Berserker ‘Donald has taken the legendary berserkers, those frothing-at-the-mouth shield-biters, and made them human, which once again proves that Donald is a writer not only at the top of his game, but of the game ... It is a wonderful, rich and violent brew. I welcome Angus Donald to the shield wall of Viking fiction like a thirsty man welcomes a mead-brother to the feast ... A tale worthy of the skalds’ Giles Kristian, author of the Raven series‘With The Last Berserker, Donald has given us the first cut of some serious Dark Age beef. By turns heart-racing, intriguing, and touching, this is not a book for the faint-hearted – I can’t wait for more’ Theodore Brun, author of A Burning Sea‘The Last Berserker strikes with the thundering power of Thor's hammer... rich with the earthy depth, historical detail, intrigue, violence and adventure that we expect from Donald. But it is Bjarki and Tor that make The Last Berserker stand out... Donald's masterful creations will live on in the imagination long after the final page’ Matthew Harffy, author of the Bernicia Chronicles'A wonderful, blood-soaked tale of redemption and revenge, set amidst the eighth century clash of civilisations between Pagan Vikings and Christian Franks, by a master of the genre’ Saul David, author of Zulu Hart'Loved this tale of a berserker facing up against the tidal wave of Charlemagne’s expansion. Great characters, brilliantly paced and explosive, gritty battle-scenes. Highly recommended' John Gwynne, author of Malice‘Well researched detail and stunning battle scenes make The Last Berserker a white knuckle ride. A thrilling, up-all-night read’ C. R. May, author of The Day of the Wolf'I loved it. Bjarki and Tor are great characters, instantly relatable. The depth of the immersion in their world and their values gives the book authenticity and weight' Cecelia Holland, author of The Soul Thief

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Book SynopsisSteven Pressfield is a bestselling historical novelist whose books include the classic Gates of Fire, Tides of War, Alexander: Virtues of War, The Afghan Campaign and Killing Rommell. He lives in California.His website is www.stevenpressfield.comTrade ReviewBreathtakingly brilliant . . . there have been many books about Sparta and its warrior code, but none have captured so magnificently the hearts, minds and spirits of the warriors who fought at Thermopylae. This is a work of rare genius. Savour it! -- DAVID GEMMELLIncredibly gripping, moving and literate . . . rarely does an author manage to recreate a moment in history with such mastery, authority and psychological insight -- NELSON DeMILLEBrings the battle of Thermopylae to brilliant life . . . when you finish Pressfield's work, you will feel you have fought side by side with the Spartans. This novel is Homeric -- PAT CONROYA tale worthy of Homer, a timeless epic of man and war, exquisitely researched and boldly written. Pressfield has created a new classic -- STEPHEN COONTS

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Book SynopsisThe Malabar coast is full of dangers: greedy tradesmen, fearless pirates, and men full of vengeance. But for a Courtney, the greatest danger might just be his own familyAfter his father's gambling debts leave him penniless and in danger, Francis Courtney seeks revenge and fortune in South Africa. But on arrival, he uncovers a truth that leaves him overwhelmed and disoriented. Meanwhile, his cousin Christopher Courtney begins to make his own way in the world, foregoing the righteous path and falling prey to betrayal, violence and treachery.In this epic journey from the southernmost point of Africa to the lush Indian coastline, the lives of these two Courtney men will intertwine, and forever alter the course of their famous family.From the world's greatest storyteller comes a compelling and breathless tale of intrigue and betrayal that draws the Courtney's together, and just as easily tears them apart.Trade ReviewPraise for Wilbur Smith: ‘Best historical novelist – I say Wilbur Smith’ Stephen King ‘No one does adventure quite like Smith’ Daily Mirror

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Book Synopsis'A young witch to rival Tiffany Aching. Magic!' FMA Dixon 'ACE. Smart and funny and written so warmly. It's an absolutely smashing read' Pernille Hughes, author of Probably the Best Kiss in the World  ​ July, 1940. In a quiet village in rural Kent, a magical mystery leads to murder . . . Woodville has returned to 'normal' after the departure of the Crow Folk. The villagers put out fires from aircraft shot down in the Battle of Britain, and Faye Bright discovers that magic can be just as dangerous as any weapon. The arrival of a trio of Jewish children fleeing the Nazis brings the fight for Europe to the village. When their guardian is found dead, Faye must play nanny to the terrified children while gathering clues to uncover a dark magic that threatens to change the course of the war. And she must do it quickly &ndas

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Book SynopsisINQUISITION is the latest thrilling novel from Sunday Times bestselling author David Gibbins. Jack Howard will be tested to his limits on the trail of the fabled Holy Grail. ''[The] Da Vinci Code of the deep sea'' Daily Express258As the blood of martyred Christians runs through Rome''s catacombs, Pope Sixtus entrusts their most sacred object to a devoted follower. Soon after, the Holy Grail disappears into the darkness of time. 1684 While overseeing the evacuation of the English colony of Tangier, Samuel Pepys attempts to retrieve a treasure which has resurfaced after more than a thousand years. Meanwhile, a Jewish merchant is tortured by the Altamanus, a secret group determined to locate the Grail. PRESENT DAYA wreck off the Cornish coast reveals clues to a mystery that marine archaeologist Jack Howard had thought beyond solving. He embarks on an epic quest that takes him to the sunken ruins of the pirate citTrade ReviewPraise for David Gibbins - -What do you get if you cross Indiana Jones with Dan Brown? Answer: David Gibbins - MirrorFascinating... [The] Da Vinci Code of the deep sea - Daily ExpressThe diving sequences are marvellous... there isn't another thriller hero like Jack Howard and I treasure him - For Winter NightsA brilliantly written thriller that remains in the believable and yet rides the edge of the fantastical, the boundaries of exploration... and expectation - Parmenion Books

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Book SynopsisHigh adventure and dark mystery combine in this sparkling historical romance from the internationally bestselling author of the Chronicles of St Mary''s series. Elinor Bascombe, widowed and tied to an impoverished estate, has learned to ask little of life. With no hope of leaving, the years have passed her by.Lord Ryde, exiled abroad after a scandal, has returned to strip his estate and make a new start in America.A chance encounter changes their plans, plunging Elinor and Lord Ryde into adventure and not a little peril until, finally, they are forced to confront the mystery of what happened on That Night, all those years ago.Are they both so entangled in the riddles of the past that they are about to miss this one last opportunity for future happiness? Readers love Jodi Taylor: ''Quirky, historical fiction, well seasoned with humour''''Witty, fast-paced, fun and fantastic'''' ITrade ReviewTakes readers on a carnival ride through laughter and tears with a bit of time travel thrown in for spice * Publishers Weekly Starred Review *A true page-turner * SF Revu *I've never seen time travel handled this way. I like it * Wethenerdy.com *[An] appealing cast of characters... [with] with plenty of humour, lots of action, and even a touch of romance * Library Journal *

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Book Synopsis'Wonderful history, adventure and a heart-breaking love story are brought thrillingly to life' - Kate Mosse 'A dramatic read from the very outset' - Simon Scarrow DESTINY, INHERITANCE, THE WORLD SHIFTING FROM EAST TO WEST. THIS IS AN EPIC NOVEL SET IN AN AGE OF DRAMATIC CHANGE. Siward, scion of a great dynasty, commands the Varangian Guard and has vowed to defend the Roman Empire to the last. Makkim, renowned general to Ottoman rule, has vowed to destroy it.They are enemies in war, but unknown to them, they are also rivals to inherit one of Europe's greatest fortunes. Even worse, they are competing for the love of the same woman.Their vast inheritance lies in Venice, as does the famous courtesan they both love. She is the reason they will find themselves fighting on the walls of Constantinople, in one of the most dramatic sieges in history.Trade ReviewWonderful history, adventure and a heart-breaking love story are brought thrillingly to life * Kate Mosse *A gripping, epic tale set against a broad and breath-taking European canvas. Do not miss this compelling page-turner * Alison Weir *A grand, sweeping drama of the finest kind, miss this excellent book at your peril * Ben Kane *Fascinating historical mysteries and vivid colourful characters. One hell of a fine book * Conn Iggulden on The Lion of Mistra *A stirring tale of the struggle for Byzantium, Heneage brings to life both the tragedy and the heroism * Tom Holland *A fast-moving and superbly intelligent adventure * Jason Goodwin *A compelling narrative of intrigue, love and war * Bookseller *An electrifying historical novel * Good Book Guide *a dramatic read from the very outset * Simon Scarrow *

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Book SynopsisHer father''s only daughter. Her country''s only hope. ________________________________Ireland, 1152The King of Leinster, awaiting news of his newborn child, is disappointed to hear he has a daughter. Diarmait MacMurchada wanted another strapping son to shoulder a spear, wield a sword, and protect his kingdom. But from the moment Diarmait held the newborn Aoife knew she would be his most precious treasure. 1166Forced into exile Aoife and her family find themselves at the mercy of Henry II. Aoife - aware of her beauty but not its power - intrigues and beguiles Henry in equal measure. For Aoife he agrees to help her father, an alliance that leads the MacMurchadas to the charismatic Richard de Clare, a man dissatisfied with his lot and open to new horizons. Diarmit promises Richard Aoife''s hand in marriage in return for his aid in Ireland, but Aoife has her own thoughts on the matter. She may be a prize, but she is not Trade ReviewChadwick has excelled herself. This terrific novel is packed with action, emotion, politics and passion -- Kate Atherton * Sunday Express *Elizabeth Chadwick is an excellent chronicler of royal intrigue... [The Irish Princess] is a fascinating account of Aoife's life * The Times *Sink into this verdant and vibrant countryside spectacular, as the moving historical drama is brought to life through its raw characters and other-worldly landscapes. All sides of power, ambition and loyalty will show their face in this large scale tale for survival. * Magic Radio *With a powerful heroine and a vivid portrayal of a little-known period, this is one not to miss * Woman's Own *With intricate scheming, a powerful heroine and a vibrant portrayal of a little-known time period, this is one not to miss. * Woman's Weekly *Gaelic drama... A vivid picture of medieval politics * BBC History Magazine *Elizabeth Chadwick at her finest - a strong, fascinating heroine in a vividly created world. It had me gripped from start to end. Strongly recommended for people who like their historical fiction to leap off the pagePraise for Elizabeth Chadwick * - *An author who makes history come gloriously alive * The Times *One of Elizabeth Chadwick's strengths is her stunning grasp of historical details... Her characters are beguiling and the story is intriguing and very enjoyable -- Barbara ErskineEnjoyable and sensuous * Daily Mail *Picking up an Elizabeth Chadwick novel, you know you are in for a sumptuous ride * Daily Telegraph *Chadwick's research is impeccable, her characters fully formed and her storytelling enthralling * Historical Novel Review *Meticulous research and strong storytelling * Woman & Home *A riveting read. Meticulously researched with a powerful storyline, this is a glorious adventure not to be missed! * Candis *Engrossingly written and well-researched * Choice *I rank Elizabeth Chadwick with such historical stars as Dorothy Dunnett and Anya Seton -- Sharon Kay Penman

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Book Synopsis'A gripping chronicle of pitched battle, treachery and cruelty' ROBERT FABBRI. Provoked by the Dauphin's refusal to honour the terms of his father's surrender, Edward III has invaded France with the greatest army England has ever assembled. But the English lion's attempts to claw the French crown from its master are futile. After defeats at Crècy and Poitiers, the Dauphin will no longer meet the English in the field. Mired down in costly sieges and facing a stalemate, Edward's great army is forced to argee a treaty. But peace comes at a price. The French request that Blackstone escort their King's daughter to Italy to see her married to one of the two brothers who rule Milan – the same brothers who killed Blackstone's family to revenge the defeats they suffered at his hand. Blackstone, the French are certain, will never leave Milan alive...Trade ReviewLike a punch from a mailed fist, Master of War gives a true taste of the Hundred Years War. It is a gripping chronicle of pitched battle, treachery and cruelty. The stench and harshness of medieval life is ever present -- Robert Fabbri, bestselling author of the Vespasian seriesThe fourth novel in David Gilman's powerful and uncompromising chronicle of the Hundred Years War... Viper's Blood an exciting, bloody and well-written tale of Europe at a time of terrible crisis... A fine addition to a series that continues to bring these cruel years to life in such rich and meticulous detail' * For Winter Nights *Book Four in the Master of War series and the bone-crunching intensity of this series shows no signs of abating... As ever David Gilman provides us with a well-researched book set right in the heart of the action of 1300's war-torn Europe... With Gilman's writing, you can feel the ooze of the mud, the bite of the cold, most of all you can feel the weight of the sword and armour, the draw and weight of the bow and the rushing death of the arrow storm and the disregard of mortality. But if you mistake this book and series for just the hack of the sword you would be missing out on so much more depth... A truly excellent book and part of an excellent series' * Parmenion Books *Action-packed, exciting and wonderfully researched... the story is as fresh and shock-filled as each of its predecessors' * The Bookbag *A brilliant story, full of facts and brimming with action. Superb reading * Army Rumour Service *Absolutely gripping... A superb read' * Nudge Book *

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Book SynopsisBOOK 6 IN THE BALLANTYNE SERIES, BY INTERNATIONAL SENSATION WILBUR SMITH'Best historical novelist' - Stephen King 'A master storyteller' - Sunday Times 'Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared' - The Times 'No one does adventure quite like Smith' - Daily MirrorDIVIDED BY WAR. UNITED BY LOVE.On a beautiful September day, General Penrod Ballantyne and his fiancée, the successful travel writer, Amber Benbrook, stroll hand in hand through the busy streets of Cairo. The future is theirs for the taking. But when Penrod's jealous former lover, Lady Agatha, plants doubt about his character, Amber leaves him and travels to the wilds of Abyssinia with her twin sister, Saffron, and her adventurer husband, Ryder Courtney. On a mission to establish a silver mine, they make the dangerous journey to the new capital of Addis Ababa, where they are welcomed by King Menelik II, the King of Kings. He knows of a plot to invade his beloved Abyssinia, and he needs the Courtneys to help him win. Back in Cairo, a heartbroken Penrod seeks oblivion in Lady Agatha and the city's opium dens, descending into ruin. He is rescued from himself by an old friend, who is now in the Italian army, and offered the chance restore his honour and to join the military efforts. Italy has designs on Abyssinia, and there are rumours of a plan to invade . . . With storm clouds gathering, and on opposing sides of the conflict, can Penrod and Amber find their way back to one another - against all the odds?An epic historical adventure of love, betrayal, courage and war. King of Kings brings together two of Wilbur Smith's greatest families, the Courtneys and the Ballantynes in this sequel to his worldwide bestseller, The Triumph of the Sun (Sunday Times, Jul 2018).The sixth book in the epic Ballantyne Series and the second title in an exciting crossover sequence between Wilbur Smith's two iconic family sagas, the Ballantynes and the Courtneys.The adventures of the Ballantynes and Courtney's continue in Book 7 of the Ballantyne series, Mafeking, coming soon

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Book SynopsisA ragtag group of elite Roman soldiers are sent on a suicide mission in this epic historical thriller from Sunday Times bestseller and leading Ancient Rome expert, Harry Sidebottom.____________________No man who enters the Castle of Silence ever walks out alive. A remote fortress prison set high in the mountains, escape is impossible - and to break someone out, unthinkable. But this is exactly what Roman officer Marcus Aelius Valens must do.Tasked with rescuing the young Prince Sasan, Valens leads a small, elite squad of soldiers across Mesopotamia and into the mountains south of the Caspian Sea.As they journey deeper into enemy territory, the ten begin to die or disappear, one by one. And with the rescue fast becoming a suicide mission, Valens must marshal this disparate group of men - or suffer the same fate as all those who have made the journey before him...From the bestselling author of The Last Hour, The Lost Ten is a breathless historical thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat - for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Ben Kane, Simon Scarrow and Conn Iggulden.____________________Praise for Harry Sidebottom'Relentless, brutal, brilliant, this is Jack Reacher in ancient Rome' - Ben Kane'A cracking tale. More twists and turns than the Tiber itself' - Rory Clements'Absorbing, rich in detail and brilliant' - THE TIMES'Grabbed me from the start. I loved it' - Donna Leon

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Book SynopsisBridging the gap between ''Game of Thrones'' and Bernard Cornwell comes the second chapter in James Wilde''s epic adventure of betrayal, battle and bloodshed . . .It is AD 367, and Roman Britain has fallen to the vast barbarian horde which has invaded from the north. Towns burn, the land is ravaged and the few survivors flee. The army of Rome - once the most effective fighting force in the world - has been broken, its spirit lost and its remaining troops shattered.Yet for all the darkness, there is hope. And it rests with one man. His name is Lucanus who they call the Wolf. He is a warrior, and he wears the ancient crown of the great war leader, Pendragon, and he wields a sword bestowed upon him by the druids. With a small band of trusted followers, Lucanus ventures south to Londinium where he hopes to bring together an army and make a defiant stand against the invader.But within the walls of that great city there are others waiting on his arrival - h

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Book SynopsisFROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHORIf you like your conspiracies twisty, your action bone-jarring, and your heroes impossibly dashing, then look no farther' MARK DAWSONThis time it's personalPeople going missing in the remote wilds of India is not unusual. But when the son of a wealthy Delhi businessman is kidnapped just weeks after his brother fell victim to an alleged bandit attack in the mountains of Haryana, it raises eyebrows.With the local police doing close to nothing, there's only one man for the job: ex-SAS major Ben Hope. But for Ben, this is no ordinary rescue case. Because this plea for help is coming from a special person from his past, who now has nobody else to turn to.Ben's mission will take him into the heart of the arid Indian wilderness, pitting him against ruthless gangs and desperate men. But Ben is determined to save the day. Whatever it takes.The Ben Hope series is a must-read for fans of Dan Brown, Lee Child and Mark Dawson. Join the millions of readers who get breatTrade Review Praise for Scott Mariani: ‘Deadly conspiracies, bone-crunching action and a tormented hero with a heart . . . Scott Mariani packs a real punch’ Andy McDermott ‘James Bond meets Jason Bourne meets The Da Vinci Code’ J. L. Carrell ‘If you like your conspiracies twisty, your action bone-jarring, and your heroes impossibly dashing, then look no farther – the Ben Hope series is exactly what you need’ Mark Dawson ‘Fans of Dan Brown will love this thrilling adventure’ Closer 'Non-stop action – this book delivers’ Steve Berry ‘If you’ve got a pulse, you’ll love Scott Mariani; if you haven’t, then maybe you crossed Ben Hope’ Simon Toyne ‘Full of authentic detail and heart-stopping action – a real thrill ride’ Ed Macy ‘Establishes Scott Mariani as an author to watch’ M. J. Rose ‘Packed with dark intrigue, danger around every corner, bullets flying, sexual tension, and an endless assault of nasty villains . . . everything a thriller should be and more’ Joe Moore ‘Scott Mariani is an awesome writer’ Chris Kuzneski

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Book Synopsis''Complex, intelligent, hugely intriguing - Alan Furst is in a class of his own'' William Boyd ''Furst''s ability to recreate the terrors of espionage is matchless'' Robert Harris''Furst never stops astounding me'' Tom HanksChosen as one of the 50 Best Modern Crime Novels by Marcel Berlins, crime reviewer, The TimesBulgaria, 1934. Khristo Stoianev sees his brother kicked to death by a gang of fascist thugs. Taking a risk on the promise of Communism, he flees to Moscow and is trained as an agent of the NKVD, the Soviet secret intelligence service. His first mission is to go to Catalonia, where he is soon caught up in the bloody horrors of the Spanish Civil War. Warned that he is about to become a victim of Stalin''s purges, Khristo must again take flight, this time to Paris, where he is a small player on the wrong end of a social scene that is simultaneously decadent and doomed. One of the twentieth centuryTrade Review'Alan Furst's spy fiction is serious, even solemn: a good but never light read' - LITERARY REVIEW'[Furst's] stories combine keen deductive precision with much deeper, more turbulent and impassioned aspects of character... Mr. Furst... is an incomparable expert at this game' - NEW YORK TIMES'Furst's tales... are infused with the melancholy romanticism of CASABLANCA, and also a touch of Arthur Koestler's DARKNESS AT NOON' - SCOTSMAN'Throughout, the author's delight in the process of espionage shines through' - TLS

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Book SynopsisAfter saving the Empire''s richest province from a foreign army, Marcus and the men who protect him have been in hiding. Their lives will be forfeit if they are seen in Rome. But times have changed. Marcus''s protector, the patrician legion commander Scaurus, has been summoned home by his mentor, a powerful senator who has decided he must act to save the empire from its debauched ruler''s reign of terror. Rome is a hotbed of conspiracy and treachery: and the senator is not the only contender for power. The emperor himself plans to destroy those he mistrusts and no-one is safe.Marcus is assigned his own, unique role in the conspiracy. He will become a gladiator once more. But this time, his only opponent will be Commodus himself . . .Trade ReviewPraise for Anthony RichesRiver of Gold is the eleventh novel in Anthony Riches' best-selling Empire series and its considerable strengths are all the more impressive because of it. . . . a gripping narrative full of breath-taking action, unforgettable characters, and dazzling twists and turns -- Peter Tonkin * Aspects of History *A masterclass in military historical fiction * Sunday Express *A master of the genre * The Times *Fast-paced and gripping "read-through-the-night' fiction with marvellous characters and occasional moments of dark humour. Some authors are better historians than they are storytellers. Anthony Riches is brilliant at both * Conn Iggulden *A damn fine read . . . fast-paced, action-packed * Ben Kane *Stands head and shoulders above a crowded field . . . real, live characters act out their battles on the northern borders with an accuracy of detail and depth of raw emotion that is a rare combination * Manda Scot *

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Book SynopsisA pulse-pounding historical adventure from master of the genre Robert Low, perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden and Simon Scarrow.Drust, Kag and co are in the Alps, battered, bruised and fighting for their lives. Some things never change.On the hunt for a rogue Roman officer, something goes terribly wrong and they are left stranded in the mountains, their escape route cut off. Only then does the true danger of their mission reveal itself.Caught in the crossfire not just of the mountain tribes, but of the vicious power politics of Rome, they must use all their cunning and guile to save themselves from death’s icy clutches...The gripping final instalment of the extraordinary, brutal, visceral historical epic series.

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Book SynopsisThe explosive and highly controversial new film of The Crime of Father Amaro is set in Mexico, in a material and religious culture of this century not unlike the provincial Portugal where, as a young man, de Queiros was despatched to train for the consular service. The Crime of Father Amaro is set in Leiria, a provincial cathedral city, in which the hypocrisies of churchmen were not far to seek. Father Amaro, a young man like himself, with a priestly rather than a diplomatic vocation, falls into a relationship with a woman, and their tragic story unfolds with a harsh relentlessness. The situation of women, tightly swaddled in conformities yet fevered in their illusions of romance, much troubled the young author in this and later books

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Book Synopsis________________________The dramatic climax to Ben Kane's Forgotten Legion TrilogyHaving survived the perils of a journey across half the world, Romulus and Tarquinius are press-ganged into the legions, which are under imminent threat of annihilation by the Egyptians.Meanwhile in Rome, Romulus's twin sister Fabiola lives in fear for her life, loved by Brutus, but wooed by Marcus Antonius, his deadly enemy.Soon after, Romulus fights at Zela, the vicious battle where Caesar famously said, 'Veni, vidi, vici'. Tarquinius, separated from Romulus in the chaos of war, hides in Alexandria, searching for guidance. But mortal danger awaits them both.From the battlefields of Asia Minor and North Africa, to the lawless streets of Rome and the gladiator arena, they face death daily, until on the Ides of March, the twins are reunited and must decide either to back or to betray Caesar on his day of destiny.Trade ReviewA gripping, manly adventure * Catholic Herald *

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Book SynopsisJersey fishing captain, Jean Cotterell is rescued by a French frigate - The Hortense - off the Grand Banks of Nova Scotia in May 1794. His fishing vessel has foundered and he is the sole survivor. The Hortense is part of Republican Admiral Jan Van Stabel's great fleet of over 100 ships bringing corn to France. Lord Howe's Channel Fleet is off Brest, hoping to intercept them. Life on The Hortense is like France under the Terror; chaotic, ungovernable, obsessed with savage, radical political theories. Separated from the French fleet in the Western Approaches she is intercepted by two British frigates and battle is joined... The Antigallican is the first in a series of novels set at the end of the 18th century at sea, in Britain, in the Channel Islands and in Revolutionary France. In Jean Cotterell we find a character that bears comparison with Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe, in a narrative that will delight fans of Patrick O'Brian.Trade ReviewWith its captivating, pungent, and sharply drawn characters, this first instalment in a series of sea stories is a welcome addition to the Napoleonic sea story genre -- Margaret Barr * Historical Novels Review *I believe [Tom Bowling] has a great future, and will become one of the leading authors in the historical naval fiction genre -- Robert Squarebriggs

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Book SynopsisBOOK 1 IN A THRILLING NEW ANCIENT EGYPTIAN SERIES, FROM INTERNATIONAL SENSATION WILBUR SMITH'Best historical novelist' - Stephen King'A master storyteller' - Sunday Times'Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared' - The Times'No one does adventure quite like Smith' - Daily MirrorIN THE HEART OF EGYPTUNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF THE GODSA NEW POWER IS RISINGIn the city of Lahun, Hui lives an enchanted life. The favoured son of a doting father, and ruler-in-waiting of the great city, his fate is set. But behind the beautiful façades a sinister evil is plotting. Craving power and embittered by jealousy, Hui's stepmother, the great sorceress Isetnofret, and Hui's own brother Qen, orchestrate the downfall of Hui's father, condemning Hui and seizing power in the city.Cast out and alone, Hui finds himself a captive of a skilled and powerful army of outlaws, the Hyksos. Determined to seek vengeance for the death of his father and rescue his sister, Ipwet, Hui swears his allegiance to these enemies of Egypt. Through them he learns the art of war, learning how to fight and becoming an envied charioteer.But soon Hui finds himself in an even greater battle - one for the very heart of Egypt itself. As the pieces fall into place and the Gods themselves join the fray, Hui finds himself fighting alongside the Egyptian General Tanus and renowned mage, Taita. Now Hui must choose his path - will he be a hero in the old world, or a master in a new kingdom?Book 1 in The New Kingdom Sequence and book 7 in the Ancient Egyptian series from the master historical adventure writer, Wilbur Smith. Don't miss the rest of the epic Ancient Egyptian Series, available now.'The New Kingdom' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/e 05-09-2021.

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Book SynopsisNAPOLEON: EMPEROR OF FRANCE, MASTER OF EUROPE.1812. On the eve of the invasion of Russia, half-French, half-English Matthieu Carrey finds himself in the ranks of Napoleon''s five hundred thousand strong army. With Tsar Alexander seemingly ill-prepared, a French victory seems certain. The Grande Armée will obliterate everything in its path.Carrey''s purpose is less clear. Blackmailed into becoming a spy in the emperor''s army, he hopes to follow his lover, a French actress who has gone to work in the Moscow theatre.As supplies grow scarce and temperatures plummet, the Grande Armée begins to crumble. Caught up in the maelstrom of war, Carrey embarks on an epic journey, while the Russians circle him like hungry wolves.Hundreds of miles lie between Carrey and safety.To reach it seems utterly impossible.Trade ReviewBrilliantly entertaining. In Matthew Carrey, Ben Kane has created a wonderfully flawed but human hero, a man who, often unwittingly and many times entirely through his own errors of judgement, finds himself caught up in one desperate escapade after another, and which, like the very best historical adventures, see him cross seas and travel continents and, along the way, meet an array of acutely observed characters from villains to femme fatales and to Napoleon himself. Ben Kane's attention to historical detail is also second-to-none - in 1812 he had brought Napoleon's calamitous Russian campaign vividly and compelling to life in one of the most enjoyable and compelling historical romps I've read in a very long time * James Holland, historian, writer, and broadcaster *Napoleon's Spy is a tour de force on an epic scale that immerses the reader in the scent of cannon smoke and the whistle of grape shot. You can almost taste the fear. The 1812 campaign is a story of immense sacrifice, enormous courage and a man who never knew when to take a step back until it was too late for those who revered him. Ben Kane is one of our finest historical novelists and his passion for his subject shines through on every page * Douglas Jackson *As soon as I read the first few pages of a Ben Kane novel, I'm all in. It was no different with Napoleon's Spy. Kane's historical detail is as intriguing and fascinating as his characters are compelling. His prose is lively, economical and intimate, so that this story reads like a first hand account, but with the Kane master storyteller treatment. In fact, Napoleon's Spy is an exemplar of a Ben Kane novel; exciting, immersive, well researched and great fun. The author's very name has long been a seal of quality, and here he is at the top of his (or anybody's) game. What I love about this book, and his others too, is that it feels nostalgic. It reminds me of those classic, epic Hollywood movies of the 1950s and 1960s, which fired my imagination as a child and, in many ways, shaped me. We have a flawed hero on a mission, thwarted by colourful villains and beset by every danger, all set against an epic backdrop of nation-defining war. What's not to love? Bravo, Ben Kane, you've done it again * Giles Kristian *With intrigue, espionage and duels, this is a great adventure story set against the epic background of Napoleon's doomed invasion of Russia * Adrian Goldsworthy, bestselling historian *Ben Kane pivots from ancient Rome and medieval England to the Napoleonic Wars, and delivers up a rip-roaring tale full of both swashbuckling and pathos. Half-English, half-French Matthieu Carrey battles a weakness for cards and wine which frequently lands him in hot water, finding himself strong-armed into the reluctant position of Imperial messenger for Napoleon and clandestine spy for the English. Matthieu makes an appealingly flawed hero, fighting not only illicit duels and Cossack lances on the Grand Armee's campaign through Russia, but his own worst impulses. It looks like the adventures of NAPOLEON'S SPY may continue for future books--I for one will be first in line! * Kate Quinn *An epic tale that never loses sight of the raw experience of the hero. I loved Napoleon's Spy * Simon Scarrow *'The historians' author', no less! * Dr Zack White *The first half of Napoleon's Spy is fun - a picturesque tale of duels, love affairs and gambling dens. The second is a searing, vivid account of Napoleon's terrible retreat from Moscow * Antonia Senior, The Times *Harrowing and totally gripping. A masterclass in writing fiction about real historical events * Leonora Nattrass, author of Black Drop *

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Book SynopsisBOOK 19 IN THE EPIC HISTORICAL SAGA OF THE COURTNEY FAMILY, FROM GLOBAL SENSATION WILBUR SMITH. BOOK 3 IN THE TIGER'S PREY SEQUENCE.The Courtney family is torn apart as three generations fight on opposing sides of a terrible war that will change the face of the world forever, set against the backdrop of the American revolution.'Best historical novelist' Stephen King'Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared' The TimesTHREE GENERATIONS. A DEVASTATING WAR.1774. Rob Courtney has spent his whole life in a quiet trading outpost on the east coast of Africa, dreaming of a life of adventure at sea. When his grandfather Jim Courtney dies, and the mysterious Captain Cornish calls into the fort, Rob takes his chance and stows away on Marston's ship as it sails to England.Arriving in London, Rob is seduced by the charms of the big city and soon finds himself desperate and penniless. That is until the navy comes calling. Rob enlists and is sent across the Atlantic on a ship to join the war against the rebellious American colonists.But on the other side of the Atlantic, unbeknownst to Rob, his distant cousins Cal and Aidan Courtney are leading a campaign against the British in a quest for American Independence. When Aidan is killed in a fierce battle with British troops, Cal vows he will not rest until he has avenged his brother's death, by driving the British out of America - by whatever means necessary . . .A powerful new historical thriller by the master of adventure fiction, Wilbur Smith, of families divided and a country on the brink of revolution.Book 20 in the Courtney family series, Nemesis, is available April 2023. Pre-order now.'Storm Tide' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/e 17-04-2022.

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Book SynopsisInspired by the true story of mountaineer George Mallory, Paths of Glory bring to life one of history's enduringly enigmatic figures in a stunning novel from bestselling author Jeffrey Archer.Some people have dreams that are so outrageous that if they were to achieve them, their place in history would be guaranteed. Francis Drake, Robert Scott, Amy Johnson, and Neil Armstrong are among such individuals. But what if one man had such a dream, and when he'd fulfilled it, there was no proof that he had achieved his ambition?Paths of Glory is the story of such a man. But not until you've turned the last page of Jeffrey Archer's extraordinary novel, will you be able to decide if mountaineer George Mallory should be added to this list of legends, because if he were, another name would have to be removed.

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Book Synopsis''Engaging, absorbing and crammed with marvellous stories, Finding Endurance is a tale about exploring the cold, told with much warmth.'' MICK HERRON''Beautiful, thrilling, heroic and kind, a ripping yarn'' CLAIRE ROBERTSON, AUTHOR OF THE SPIRAL HOUSE''Tender, heartfelt and lyrical'' PETINA GAPPAH, AUTHOR OF OUT OF DARKNESS, SHINING LIGHT''An exhilarating read'' HENRIETTA ROSE-INNES, AUTHOR OF GREEN LIONSince the discovery of the wreck of Ernest Shackleton''s ship Endurance on the bed of the Antarctic ocean, the world has been enthralled anew by one of the greatest stories of all time.Acclaimed South African writer Darrel Bristow-Bovey, himself a Shackleton aficionado, revisits this dramatic event, which managed to sweep the tide of anger and rancour off the timelines and front pages of the world. He asks how so many ordinary people, who don''t know a nunatak from a barquentine, were so moved at the finding of a small wooden ship once sailed by a half-forgotten Irishman? In re-examinin

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Book SynopsisTHE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER''Exhilarating'' GUARDIAN''Her writing has a timeless quality'' THE TIMES''[Has] a visionary quality'' OBSERVERA profound and explosive novel about a spirited girl alone in the wilderness, trying to surviveA servant girl escapes from a settlement. She carries nothing with her but her wits, a few possessions, and the spark of god that burns hot within her. What she finds is beyond the limits of her imagination and will bend her belief of everything that her own civilization has taught her.The Vaster Wilds is a work of raw and prophetic power that tells the story of America in miniature, through one girl at a hinge point in history, to ask how -and if - we can adapt quickly enough to save ourselves.

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Book SynopsisNuneaton, 1850Growing up on a canal boat has meant life for young Saffie Doyle has been hard. Her mother, Olivia, was cast out by her well-to-do family when she fell in love with Saffie's father, a lowly boatman named Reuben. But as the years have passed, Reuben has become a bitter and cruel drunk, forced to work for the local crook, Seth Black, to keep their family afloat. Saffie always dreamed of becoming a teacher, despite her father's insistence that she had no need to read and write. Keen to nurture her ambitions, Olivia hoped to introduce Saffie to a childhood friend - the kindly and wealthy Marcus - who runs a free school for the local children, but when Olivia falls ill, she's unable to.One night, Saffie's 17-year-old brother and her father go out on a job with Seth Black and never return home. Saffie is forced to place her dreams on hold as she steps up to look after her family.With her younger siblings relying on her, will Saffie ever be able to live the life she hopes for?

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Book Synopsis''A stunning debut. Weaving together a cast of loveable rogues, a richly detailed historical setting, and a cinematic thrill ride of a story, Medici Heist knocked us flat!''The Duffer Brothers, creators of Netflix''s STRANGER THINGS''Riotously readable''the GuardianWelcome to Florence, 1517, a world of intrigue and opulence, murder and betrayal. Sharp-witted conwoman Rosa Cellini arrives in the city the same day that the Medici Pope, Leo X, returns to take up the reins of power. This is not a coincidence. The new Pope is extorting a mountain of indulgence money from the people of Florence to bolster his power and standing, and Rosa has a plan to take it back. To pull off the Renaissance''s greatest robbery, she''ll recruit a team of highly skilled misfits: Sarra the tinkerer, Khalid the fighter, and Giacomo, the irrepressible master of disguise. But as the authorities draw closer and the Medici''s n

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Book SynopsisTrade Review‘Fun, adventure and mysteries to solve. A heartfelt hug of a book – I loved it’ Hannah Gold, award-winning author of The Last Bear ‘I adored this book – an utterly brilliant, page-turning read. Gorgeous and powerfully inclusive, with a supremely loveable cast of characters, you’ll be rooting for Cosima from her very first heist. Expect to have your heart stolen!’ Aisling Fowler, author of Fireborn ‘Cosima Unfortunate is an utterly sparkling adventure, featuring a brilliantly clever group of friends helmed by a courageous, determined heroine – a must read!’ Ravena Guron, author of The Thief of Farrowfell and This Book Kills ‘A cracking heist adventure full of supportive friendships and unlimited hope. I already can’t wait to be reunited with Cos & Co.’ Clare Povey, author of The Bastien Bonlivre Adventures 'Full of adventure, warmth, and rich historical detail' Natasha Hastings, author of The Miraculous Sweetmakers ‘By stars, I loved this book. Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star is a rompy historical heist with a cast of furiously brilliant and disabled kids, alongside solving the mystery of who Cosima’s family are. Full of fun and memorable characters but also shines light on the way history has treated disabled children’ Lizzie Huxley-Jones, author of Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend ‘A real treat’ The Bookseller ‘A diamond heist, a quest and a touching tale of friendship all in one captivating, inclusive story’ The i

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Book SynopsisAN IMPOSSIBLE LOVE. AN ENCHANGED LEGACY. A DANGEROUS DISCOVERY.The stunning conclusion to Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling What the River Knows. A lush immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt filled with adventure, and a rivals-to-lovers romance like no other!1885, Egypt: Inez Olivera is left reeling from her cousin Elvira''s murder, and her mother''s betrayal, and when Tío Ricardo issues an ultimatum about her inheritance, she''s left with only one option to consider.Marriage to Whitford Hayes.Former British soldier, her uncle''s aide de camp, and one time nemesis, Whit has his own mysterious reasons for staying in Egypt. With her heart on the line, Inez might have to bind her fate to the one person whose secret plans could ruin her.PRAISE FOR ISABEL IBAÑEZ''A DELIGHTFUL READ'' JODI PICOULT''TRULY ENCHANTING'' HEATHER FAWCETT''

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Book SynopsisBOOK 2 IN A THRILLING NEW ANCIENT EGYPTIAN SERIES, FROM INTERNATIONAL SENSATION WILBUR SMITH'Best historical novelist' - Stephen King'A master storyteller' - Sunday Times'Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared' - The Times'No one does adventure quite like Smith' - Daily MirrorA RUTHLESS ENEMY. A CIVILIZATION IN RUINS. A QUEST FOR SALVATION. For over fifty years Egypt has known nothing but war and devastation at the hands of the Hyksos, a bloodthirsty barbarian people from the distant east who continue to advance, crushing armies in their wake. Times are desperate, but throughout the conflict, a brave resistance fights on under the great Taita, a slave who has risen far beyond his ranks.Piay, entrusted into Taita's care by his parents at the age of just five, has been trained to become a great spy, unmatched by any other. Determined to prove his worth, he embarks on a dangerous mission to the north - to Mycenae and through the heart of Hyksos land and across the great sea - to find allies to help defend Egypt. As the situation becomes increasingly precarious, and the fate of the kingdom is hanging in the balance, can Piay succeed in his quest or will this mean the end of the glory that is Egypt once and for all?Book 2 in the New Kingdom sequence and Book 8 in the Ancient Egyptian series from international sensation Wilbur Smith. Don't miss the next in the series, Testament, coming soon.'Titans of War' was a Sunday Times bestseller for w/e 04/09/2022.Trade ReviewBest historical novelist - I say Wilbur Smith * Stephen King *A master storyteller * Sunday Times *Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared * The Times *No one does adventure quite like Smith * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisIn this action-packed new Bernicia Chronicles adventure from Matthew Harffy, Beobrand finds himself in a dangerous foreign land, caught between warring factions of royalty and the Church. AD 652. Beobrand has been ordered to lead a group of pilgrims to the holy city of Rome. Chief among them is Wilfrid, a novice of the church with some surprisingly important connections. Taking only Cynan and some of his best men, Beobrand hopes to make the journey through Frankia quickly and return to Northumbria without delay, though the road is long and perilous. But where Beobrand treads, menace is never far behind. The lands of the Merovingian kings are rife with intrigue. The queen of Frankia is unpopular and her ambitious schemes, though benevolent, have made her powerful enemies. Soon Wilfrid, and Beobrand, are caught up in sinister plots against the royal house. After interrupting a brutal ambush in a forest, Beobrand and his trusted gesithas find their lives on the line. Dark forces will stop at nothing to seize control of the Frankish throne, and Beobrand is thrown into a deadly race for survival through foreign lands where he cannot be sure who is friend and who is foe. The only certainty is that if he is to save his men, thwart the plots, and unmask his enemies, blood will flow. Reviews for Matthew Harffy 'A brilliant characterization of a difficult hero in a dangerous time. Excellent!' Christian Cameron 'He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown.' Jemahl Evans 'A genuinely superb novel.' Steven McKay 'Beobrand is the warrior to follow.' David GilmanTrade ReviewREVIEWS FOR MATTHEW HARFFY 'Harffy's writing just gets better and better... He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown' Jemahl Evans. 'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald. 'Matthew Harffy tells a great story' Joanna Hickson. 'Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman

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Book SynopsisKate Mosse CBE FRSL is an award-winning novelist, playwright, essayist and non-fiction writer. The author of eleven novels and short-story collections, her books have been translated into thirty-eight languages and published in more than forty countries. Fiction includes the multimillion-selling Languedoc Trilogy, The Joubert Family Chronicles (the number one bestselling The Burning Chambers, The City of Tears, The Ghost Ship and The Map of Bones), and number one bestselling Gothic fiction. Her highly acclaimed non-fiction includes An Extra Pair of Hands and Warrior Queens & Quiet Revolutionaries: How Women (Also) Built the World. The Founder Director of the Women's Prize for Fiction and the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction, she is the founder of the global #WomanInHistory campaign. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Kate is a Visiting Professor of Contemporary Fiction and Creative Writing at the University of Chichester, President of the Festi

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Book SynopsisJeremiah Bourne is in greater danger than he realises.As Jeremiah is swept from his crumbling home in Blackfriars in 2019, to the same house but in 1910, he suddenly faces two questions: how did he get here, and how can he get back to his own time?On his quest for answers, he encounters a cast of comic characters and situations: a coven of free-thinking spiritualists, a futuristic residents’ association, warring street gangs, eugenic scientists, aggressive domestic servants and a nudist magistrate.But his activities have alerted a community of time travellers from the future, who set out to capture and investigate him. Who can Jeremiah trust to help him? And could there be a link between his time-travelling gift and his mother’s sudden disappearance when he was only nine? Will he inadvertently lead the wrong people to her?This electrifying first instalment of Nigel Planer’s Time Shard Chronicles trilogy takes a new and original look at the possibility of time travel as it catapults you into a thrilling journey across London and through time.Trade Review 'Witty and smart ... He's managed to invent characters who invade your heart. Dazzling and very funny. I loved it' Miriam Margolyes 'Witty, charming and extremely clever. It makes you laugh, it makes you think and, of course, you can't put it down. Already looking forward to the next one' Tim McInnerny 'Nigel is a brilliant writer, he is ingenious – and very funny. Jeremiah Bourne in Time is such a great concept, from the get-go, it is mind-opening and leads us down a really fascinating path . . . through time. Very cool' Anthony Head 'Imaginative romp through time and memories via a biscuit tin, a nudist and a chatty parrot! Delightful time-travel shenanigans! Get lost in time and find your new favourite temporal traveller' Rhianna Pratchett 'Not just freewheeling, Pratchett-esque, time-travelling fun, but also a fascinating ramble through the psychogeography of Edwardian London' Bob Fischer, Fortean Times 'Funny, perceptive and hugely readable. Nigel’s new novel is as good and as original as I expected it to be, which is very' Ben Elton 'Nigel's delightful style, wit and often profound observations carry this fascinating story along at a pace. An actual page turner, even if the pages are virtual' Robert Llewellyn

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Book SynopsisInspired by the true events of the most notorious evictions in Irish history1861, Donegal, IrelandTen years ago Declan Conaghan's father died in the Great Famine, and since then, Declan has kept his promise to keep his family out of the workhouse. But all that is threatened with the arrival of new landlord, John Adair. Adair is quick to cause trouble and fear among his tenants. When he turns them off his land, Declan has no option but to break his promiseDeclan is in despair until he receives a letter from America offering him the chance of a new life and salvation for his family. But it would mean signing up to the US Army and fighting for Lincoln. Despite knowing nothing of war, or US politics, Declan leaves behind all he knows.Set against the wild landscapes of Ireland and the turbulent times of the American Civil War, this sweeping narrative takes us on an epic journey to understand the strength and endurance of the human spirit.Praise for Anne Madden:''The author seems to have put

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Book SynopsisJudah the Foundling chose freedom over betrayal when she leaped from the top of the castle tower. But Judah isn't free. Fiercely sought by those who believe she holds the key to unlocking the power trapped in the world, she must learn to navigate the dangers of an unfamiliar place in order to survive.

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Book SynopsisA festive house party takes a sinister turn...Victor Narraway and his wife, Lady Vespasia, are invited to spend Christmas at Cavendish Hall with a gathering of old acquaintances, but it is not the quiet, rather stiff house party they had expected. While there, Victor must undertake his final mission for Special Branch, reminiscent of another one in the past, at which he had tragically failed.When disaster strikes and one of the guests is left for dead, Victor fears that history is repeating itself. But which of them is intent on murder? And can Victor accept that he is not to blame...?A Christmas Gathering is the gripping new festive mystery from the pen of Anne Perry, the master of Victorian crime.Trade ReviewPraise for Anne Perry's Christmas novellas: 'A bite-sized mystery that could be fitted in after your Christmas lunch - Daily TelegraphIf Christmas puts you in the mood for a good Agatha Christie, try Perry - Glasgow Evening TimesDelightful...The perfect gift for a whodunit addict - Oxford TimesWith 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

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Book SynopsisLover or leader? Weakling or warrior? Madwoman or misfit?Escape into the untold story of Shakespeare''s Ophelia . . . As a young girl, Ofelia stood frozen as her mother threw herself on her father''s funeral pyre. Such is the fate, she learned, of the devoted wife and in that moment, she swore never to belong to any man. Years later, she is a force to be reckoned with: right hand woman to the newly crowned Prince Hamlet, to whom she has sworn her sword and her undying loyalty, but refuses his true desire . . . her hand in marriage.When Hamlet''s jealous uncle plots against him, Ofelia will have to use every wile at her disposal to keep her prince safe from those who wish him harm. Yet in the end, it could be her unruly heart that is the greatest betrayer of all.A brand new Historical fiction series by the bestselling author of the Queens of Conquest series, her new tr

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Book SynopsisIt's a mad and violent world. They must be equal to it.Ex-gladiators Drust, Kag, and their brutal band are as dirt-ridden and downbeat as ever.Drawn to the Syrian frontier at the edge of the Roman world, they are presented with a mysterious riddle from old companions. In the scorching heat, schemes and rumours breed like flies on a corpse.To survive a deadly plot, Drust and his men must face all challengers along with Mother Nature's rage.Sometimes they'll run as fast as they can pray to the Gods. But sometimes they'll have to stand, and fight...Filled with gristle, gore and jaw-dropping action, perfect for fans of Giles Kristian, David Gilman and Conn Iggulden.Praise for Robert Low'A master of the storyteller's art' S. J. A. Turney, author of the Knights Templar series

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Book SynopsisSave lives… Or take them? A gripping novel of the Roman frontier.Ebook includes a new short story, entitled The West PastureArmy Medic Postumus Justinius Corvus is a long way from his native Britannia, in the Syrian provinces at the far corner of Empire. But now he is going home, unexpectedly promoted to Senior Surgeon in the Sixth.The new Emperor faces problems in the far flung island at the edge of Empire. Trouble is brewing north of the Wall. The tribes are stirring, a new conflict is brewing, old and new loyalties will be tested.Postumus will find himself at the heart of the maelstrom – and with his hands soaked in blood...Deeply researched and utterly enthralling, this is a searing historical epic perfect for fans of Ben Kane, Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell.Praise for The Wall at the Edge of the World ‘A fine mix of story and history, and the author manages to shed light on a period when the Roman Empire flexed its muscles at the edge of the world’ Historical Novel Society‘The finest sense of history, character and narrative I’ve seen since Rosemary Sutcliffe’ Delia Sherman, author of Changeling

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Book SynopsisYou've read the myth of the Golden Fleece. Now find out how it really was for Jason and the Argonauts in this gripping reimagining of the famous Ancient Greek tale, and first book in the breathtaking Blades of Bronze series. Perfect for fans of Madeline Miller, Neil Gaiman and Natalie Haynes. He has come to take what is yours... Iolkos, Greece, 1230 BC. King Pelias has grown paranoid, tormented by his murderous past and a prophecy of the man who will one day destroy him. When a stranger arrives to compete in the Games of Poseidon, Pelias is horrified, for this young man should never have grown to manhood. He is Jason, Pelias' nephew, who survived his uncle's assassins as a child. Now Jason wants his revenge – and the kingdom. But Pelias is cunning as well as powerful. He gives Jason an impossible challenge: to claim the throne, he must first steal the fabled Golden Fleece of Colchis. Jason assembles a band of Greece's finest warriors. They are the Argonauts, named for their trusty ship. But even with these mighty allies, Jason will have to overcome the brutal challenges hurled his way. His mission and many lives depend on his wits – and his sword. PRAISE FOR THE BLADES OF BRONZE SERIES AND MARK KNOWLES 'A bold and thrilling voyage that plunges you deep into the world of ancient myth' Daisy Dunn 'Mark Knowles has taken the legend of Jason and the Golden Fleece, and stripped it down to its bare bones... A deeply researched historical epic, so brilliantly brought to life I could taste the salt air on my tongue... Epic battles, well-rounded characters sailing through a brilliantly described world' Adam Lofthouse 'What a spectacular triumph! Knowles has taken a reassuringly familiar legend and elevated it into a new, realistic and engrossing story' Sam Taw 'Knowles has combined historical realities with sure-footed imagination... brilliant' Dr Paul Millett '[Knowles] has teamed his love of learning classics and childhood love of sword-and-sandals epics to accomplish something remarkable' Boarding Schools' AssociationTrade ReviewA deeply researched historical epic, so brilliantly brought to life I could taste the salt air on my tongue... Epic battles, well rounded characters sailing through a brilliantly described world -- Adam Lofthouse, author of The Centurion's Son[Knowles] has teamed his love of learning classics and childhood love of sword-and-sandals epics to accomplish something remarkable * Boarding Schools' Association *What a spectacular triumph! Knowles has taken a reassuringly familiar legend and elevated it into a new, realistic and engrossing story. This glorious hero quest is packed with intrigue, adventure, mystery, and beautifully written skirmishes, raising the stakes higher and higher as the crew venture into darker and more treacherous lands. The characters are well drawn and compelling, each with their own flaws and motives woven into the plot. The tribal politics, subversion and battle scenes leave you hungry for more of this dazzling epic, so I hope it won't be too long until a sequel is released! -- Sam TawKnowles has combined historical realities with sure-footed imagination... Brilliant -- Dr Paul Millett, Cambridge University, on The Consul's Daughter

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Book SynopsisBOOK 8 IN THE EPIC HISTORICAL SAGA OF THE COURTNEY FAMILY, FROM INTERNATIONAL SENSATION WILBUR SMITH'Smith will take you on an exciting, taut and thrilling journey you will never forget' - Sun'With Wilbur Smith the action is never further than the turn of a page' - Independent'No one does adventure quite like Smith' - Daily MirrorTHE ULTIMATE BETRAYAL. THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.Beautiful and headstrong Isabella Courtney enjoys all the freedoms London in the sixties can offer. So when a beautiful, charming man appears and sweeps her off her feet, why would she resist?But her lover is no simple admirer - he is Ramon de Santiago y Machado, a KGB operative known as Golden Fox, and his mission is to recruit her as an agent and uncover her father's secret business dealings. Isabella, already pregnant with Ramon's child and deeply in love, is caught in his trap.With an impossible choice to make, Isabella must decide who she will betray - her father and her country, or the man she loves and their unborn son . . .A Courtney Series adventure. Book 5 in The Burning Shore sequence.Golden Fox is the thrilling final novel in the second sequence in the Courtney family saga from Wilbur Smith, one of the best and most beloved authors of the century. The Courtney series continues with the Birds of Prey sequence.Book 9 in the Courtney family series, Birds of Prey, is available now.

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Book SynopsisGreed and ambition threaten to tear the north apart in this exciting Bernicia Chronicles novel. AD 651. War rages between the two kingdoms of Northumbria. Kin is pitted against kin and friend becomes foe as ambitious rulers vie for supremacy. When Beobrand of Ubbanford travels south into East Angeln to rescue a friend, he unwittingly tilts the balance of power in the north, setting in motion events that will lead to a climactic confrontation between Oswiu of Bernicia and Oswine of Deira. While Beobrand is entangled in this clash of kings, his most trusted warrior, Cynan, finds himself on his own quest, called to the aid of someone he thought never to see again. Riding into the mountainous region of Rheged, Cynan faces implacable enemies. Forced to confront their pasts, and with death and betrayal at every turn, both Beobrand and Cynan have their loyalties tested to breaking point. Who will survive the battle for a united Northumbria, and who will pay the ultimate price for lord and land? Reviews for Matthew Harffy: 'Nothing less than superb' Historical Novel Society 'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald 'Matthew Harffy tells a great story' Joanna Hickson 'Harffy is proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown' Jemahl EvansTrade ReviewHarffy's storytelling is superb, his characters are believable and brough vividly to life in this tale of war, greed, and pride; I cannot wait to read the next instalment in the series. * Yorkshire Life *I was gripped from the very first sentence…I thoroughly recommend it for all historical fiction readers -- Martin Lake on Matthew HarffyHarffy has a real winner on his hands... A genuinely superb novel -- Steven A. McKay on Matthew HarffyHarffy has created a gritty, authentic world, home to a hero who shows us the complexity of what it means to be human – the darkness and the delight Stephanie Churchill -- Stephanie Churchill on Matthew HarffyA tale that rings like sword song in the reader's mind. Harffy knows his genre inside out. -- Giles Kristian on Matthew Harffy

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