Historical adventure fiction

Book SynopsisThe Jacobite army marches into England and Alistair Maclean, close confident of Charles Edward Stewart embarks on a secret mission to raise support for the cause in the west. He soon begins to suspect someone close to the Prince is passing information to the Government, but just as he closes in on the traitor his own life is put in danger. Who is the turncoat and can Maclean save his own life and his Prince? Regarded by many critics as one of the finest historical novels ever written, Midwinter is a classic tale of intrigue, treachery and suspense. With an introduction by Stuart Kelly. This edition is authorised by the John Buchan Society.Trade Review'Buchan knew that you can't buck the consequences of your actions, and that your life is what you make of it. Perhaps his peculiarly Scottish combination of Romanticism and Calvinism - daring living and high thinking - is due to return to fashion' * The Independent Magazine *

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Book SynopsisSpring, 1523. Henry VIII readies England for war with France. The King’s chief minister, Cardinal Wolsey, prepares to open Parliament at Blackfriars. The eyes of the country turn towards London. But all is not well in Wolsey’s household. A visiting critic of the Cardinal is found brutally slain whilst awaiting an audience at Richmond Palace. He will not be the last to die. Anthony Blanke, trumpeter and groom, is once again called upon to unmask a murderer. Joining forces with Sir Thomas More, he is forced to confront the unpopularity of his master’s rule. As the bodies of the Cardinal’s enemies mount up around him, Anthony finds himself under suspicion. Journeying through the opulence of More’s home, the magnificence of Wolsey’s York Place, and the dank dungeons of London’s gaols, he must discover whether the murderer of the Cardinal’s critics is friend or foe. With time running out before Parliament sits, Anthony must clear his name and catch the killer before the King’s justice falls blindly upon him.Trade Review'A convincing portrait of the deadly realities of life in Henry VIII's court' -- David Robinson * The Scotsman *'Skilfully drawn and powerfully evocative, the second novel in the Anthony Blanke series leaves little to the imagination... Steven Veerapen draws upon his extensive knowledge of the period to create a narrative that always rings true' * LoveReading *'A cracking good read because it gives you an insight into life in those times' -- Breege Smyth * Oban Times *'Steven Veerapen does an excellent job of bringing the Tudor era to life... Highly recommended' -- Tony Riches'If you enjoy an historical mystery that demonstrates a deep understanding of its period, then this is for you.' -- Michael Lynes * Historical Novel Society *'[Veerapen's] depiction of the world of the English court in the 1520s is rich, detailed and satisfying and everything feels just right...an engaging and enthralling story that keep you guessing right to the end' -- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland *

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Book SynopsisBetty Trask Award winner 2016. A stunning debut from the author of Speak Gigantular.A fragile outsider living in London, Joy struggles to pull the threads of her life back together after her mother's sudden death. Emptiness consumes her and, needing to fill the gaps of her loss, she finds she is drawn to a unique artefact inherited from her mother - a warrior's head cast in brass that belonged to a king in eighteenth century Benin, Nigeria.Joy is haunted by a beautiful young woman who appears in her photographs, familiar yet beguilingly distinct, the woman trails her wherever she goes. Joy begins to dream of a different time, a different place. She feels an inexplicable pull towards this mysterious female, and a past revealing itself through clues is scattered in her path. As family secrets come to light, she unearths the ties between her mother, grandfather, the wife of the king, a fearsome warrior, and the brass head's pivotal connection to them all.Haunting and compelling, Butterfly Fish is a richly told story of love and hope; of family secrets, power, political upheaval, loss and coming undone.'a novel of epic proportions... I fully expect to see Butterfly Fish on many an award nomination list.' Yvvette Edwards'A stunningly well-written book, juggling different timescales with great skill. Benin itself is vividly imagined in a historical narrative that runs in parallel with the contemporary London one. It is a wonderful novel." Simon Brett OBE'A wonderful, richly drawn novel, cleverly juxtaposing scenes from everyday London with African folklore and mysticism.' Joanne HarrisTrade ReviewButterfly Fish is a novel of epic proportions... From sentence to sentence, Okojie conjures up acutely observed, beautifully-worded metaphors that resonate and delight... I fully expect to see Butterfly Fish on many an award nomination list. It is a fascinating read, and one I highly recommend. * Yvette Edwards (author of A Cupboard Full of Coats, longlisted for the Man Booker Prize, and The Mother), Words of Colour *Her West African heritage is richly spun into her novel Butterfly Fish... The tale is peppered with moments of magical surrealism: a glass bottle shattering on a South London street to release two tiny scurrying figures into the night; a butterfly fish bursts into a local pool and belches a portentous brass key... The lyrical prose brings poignancy to the familiar London landscape. * Samuel Fishwick, Evening Standard *Vital, vivid, witty, truthful... * Maggie Gee, The Observer *

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Book SynopsisIf you hide your past, it will surely come back to haunt you. Living a respectable life in Cheltenham as a magistrate and property landlord, former agent and terrorist Tariq Al Hashmi falls into such a trap. With Libya's Colonel Gadaffi no longer a moving part of the Axis of Evil and the Irish Troubles on the back boiler, what could go wrong? His days as an embedded sleeper agent with a hidden fuse ready to be lit are surely over. But complacency proves an unreliable companion. Those in the secret world that he once occupied have long memories and other ideas. Unexpectedly his world starts to fall apart and Al Hashmi's former spymasters try to manipulate him in ways he could not have imagined and for purposes he can only guess at. Author Alex Gardiner's remarkable debut thriller is written with inside knowledge. The plot's twists and turns are spiced with intrigue and complexity that will keep the reader guessing until the very end.Trade Review"Alex knows what he is writing about. He's been there and done it. I'm proud to have soldiered with him." Andy McNab CBE DCM MM DArts

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Book Synopsis'An epic voyage well worth taking ... Exhilarating' Marianka Swain, TelegraphOne of Britain's outstanding historical writers delivers a romantic and picaresque masterpiece that tells the fascinating story of William Neilson. In 1720, the young William Neilson leaves Edinburgh to make his fortune in Europe, first sailing to Rotterdam and then on foot to Paris, where he meets and is immediately employed by the banker John Law. A day later he is in the Bastille, but not before he has encountered a young woman of surpassing beauty to whom Neilson will be devoted for the rest of his life.Imprisoned in the Bastille, he has no possibility of seeing or communicating with his beloved. When at last he recovers his freedom, he is despatched at once to sea, bound for the Indies. He will be shipwrecked, become an equerry on the Île-de-France, anon command a disorderly legion in Persia, become a linguist able to hold his own in diplomatic and mercantile circles, all the while anticipating a summons from the Stuart king in exile in Rome, until he is sent back to France, and thence to Scotland in the service of the Young Pretender.This is brilliant, irresistibly entertaining fiction. A whole world of adventure and romance comes alive in the hands of one of our most ingenious storytellers, one of our finest writers.Trade ReviewAn epic voyage well worth taking . . . exhilarating * Telegraph *There is nothing quite like a James Buchan novel: even another James Buchan novel . . . by throwing everything he has into this transporting romp, Buchan does what a good fiction writer should: he makes us believe * Financial Times *

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New Year's Eve, 1746. A castle in the depths of France. A thunderstorm. A pair of lovers in a hay-loft. A wounded soldier toppling from his horse.So begins the second instalment of the life of William Neilson, Scottish soldier in French service and Jacobite agent against his will. Around his neck, William carries the most precious jewel on the surface of the earth, but it is not his, and he must carry it to the exiled King of England, Scotland and Ireland in Italy. Before that, he wishes to see for a last time the woman he has loved for more than half his life.The scene shifts from the wastes and marshes of the Sologne, to the disorderly houses and prisons of the Most Serene Republic of Venice and the desolate court-in-exile of James Stuart in Rome. Along the way are sword-fights, love stories, intrigues, assassinations, blasphemies, kidnappings, musical performances, and treacheries.

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Book SynopsisThe Cleaving is an Arthurian retelling that follows the tangled stories of four women: Nimue, Ygraine, Morgana, and Guinevere, as they fight to control their own destinies amid the wars and rivalries that will determine the destiny of Britain. The legendary epics of King Arthur and Camelot don't tell the whole story. Chroniclers say Arthur's mother Ygraine married the man that killed her husband. They say that Arthur's half-sister Morgana turned to dark magic to defy him and Merlin. They say that the enchantress Nimue challenged Merlin and used her magic to outwit him. And that Arthur's marriage to Guinevere ended in adultery, rebellion and bloodshed. So why did these women chose such dangerous paths? As warfare and rivalries constantly challenge the king, Arthur and Merlin believe these women are destined to serve Camelot by doing as they are told. But men forget that women talk. Ygraine, Nimue, Morgana and Guinevere become friends and allies while the decisions that shape their lives are taken out of their hands. This is their untold story. Now these women have a voice. Juliet McKenna is an expert on medieval history and warfare and brings this expertise as well as her skills as a fantasy writer to this epic standalone novel.Trade ReviewPRASIE FOR JULIET E MCKENNA "If you're not reading Juliet McKenna you should be" - Kate Elliott "The thinking fantasy reader's writer" - Charles Stross "Her many characters are thoroughly engaging and her plots tight" - Joanne Harris "McKenna creates real tension" - Time Out "Written with verve and style" - SFX Magazine "Magically convincing and convincingly magical" - Dan Abnett "If your appetite is for fantasy in the epic tradition, with compelling narratives, authentic combat and characters you care about, Juliet E McKenna is definitely the author for you" Stan Nicholls "Everything just sings in these books." - Charles de Lint in F&SF

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Book SynopsisIt is 1794. In remote Argyll, the laird Malcolm Craig Lowrie has sworn on all that he holds dear to protect his clan even though the price will be his own heart-breaking exile. He has also promised to help Adelaïde de Fontenoy a young Frenchwoman trying to escape the debauched clutches of elderly lawyer, Sir William Robinson, and flee to France.But now, as the bloody events of the Reign of Terror unfold in France and all Europe is menaced by Revolution, obsessed by the beautiful Adelaïde, Sir William Robinson arrives in Robespierre''s Paris. Craig Lowrie and Adelaïde are almost ripped apart by the conflicting claims of love and duty and ruthless evil threatens to overwhelm all that is good and true. But is Staining the Soul' really a story of how love survives?

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Book SynopsisOne jump to save all time Life is progressing normally for sixteen-year-old Dan Renfrew when he accidentally transports himself to England in the year 1066. He soon realizes that he’s trapped there, and that’s not his only astonishing discovery. Dan learns that he’s descended from a long line of time jumpers—secret heroes who travel to the past and resolve glitches in the time stream that threaten to alter subsequent history. The only way Dan can return home is to set history back on its proper course in the Anglo-Saxon age. This is no easy task. A Viking horde is ravaging England in the north while a Norman army threatens to invade from the south. In between and desperately struggling to hold on to his throne is Harold Godwinson, the newly-crowned English king. Dan is fighting to ensure that events play out correctly when he finds himself plunged into an even more lethal conflict. To save history, Dan must battle a band of malevolent time jumpers whose lust for wealth and power threatens the entire future of the world.Trade Review“Andrew Varga has successfully blended a compelling historical fiction story with a sci-fi/ fantasy tale to create a novel that includes the best of both genres."—Jeffrey Westbrook, editor of the Altavista Journal and the Union Star “The Last Saxon King is a riveting story. Well researched and beautifully written, you can practically sense the sights, sounds and smells of 11th century England. A unique take on the momentous events of 1066, the reader finds themselves egging the characters on. This is edge-of-the-seat time traveling historical fiction.”—Historian Sharon Bennett Connolly is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and the author of Heroines of the Medieval World, Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest, Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England and Defenders of the Norman Crown: Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey"The interplay of modern and early Medieval culture is fun, and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense and time travel.”—Simon Spalding, historian and author of Food at Sea: Shipboard Cuisine from Ancient to Modern TimesA thrilling adventure and a wonderful introduction to the history of pre-Conquest England.”—Annie Whitehead, is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and author of Women of Power in Anglo-Saxon England, Mercia: The Rise and Fall of a Kingdom, To Be A Queen, Tales of the Iclingas Series, and Alvar the Kingmaker“As a historical fiction writer and as a homeschool parent, I loved every page of The Last Saxon King.”—Lynn Dean, Hands-On Homeschool ResourcesThe Last Saxon King is a gripping, faced paced read, perfect for readers who love a clever blending of history and fantasy.”—Cryssa Bazos, author of Honor of Thieves, Severed Knot and Betrayal: Historical Stories“A rollicking action/adventure of time travel with both male and female heroes! A modern day tale of love and sacrifice to save the world. I couldn’t put it down.” —Tom Taylor, author of Brock’s Assassin, Brock’s Traitor, Brock’s Railroad and Brock’s Agent

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Book Synopsis''Luminous'' SEBASTIAN BARRY''Incandescent characters and mellifluous prose'' LISA CAREY''Reminiscent of Edith Wharton at her very best'' LIZ NUGENT_________The true story of a woman ahead of her time . . . In 1887, Isabel Bilton is the eldest of three daughters of a middle-class military family, growing up in a small garrison town. By 1891 she is the Countess of Clancarty, dubbed the peasant countess by the press, and a member of the Irish aristocracy. Becoming Belle is the story of the four years in between, of Belle''s rapid ascent and the people that tried to tear her down. Reimagined by a novelist at the height of her powers, Belle is an unforgettable woman. Set against an absorbing portrait of Victorian London, hers is a timeless rags-to-riches story a la Becky Sharpe._________Praise for BECOMING BELLE''Nuala O''Co

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Book SynopsisSet in New Mexico, St Agnes' Stand is a classic story of the American West.Nat Swanson is on the run from a mob of Texas cowboys. He has killed a man in a fair fight, but the man's friends believe he was shot in the back and set out to string Swanson up for murder. A bullet in his leg slows him down and with the posse closing in, his chances of survival look dim. Trying desperately to get to sanctuary in California, he comes upon two freight wagons besieged by Apaches, and, against his better judgment, stops to help. He kills one of the Indians with his grandfather''s antique crossbow, buying time for whoever survives behind the wagons. Thinking he''s done his good deed, he continues his flight. One of those trapped, however, is 76-year-old Sister Agnes, who prays to God for a man to deliver her, her fellow nuns and the seven orphans they are transporting.Sister Agnes is convinced that Nat Swanson has been sent by God to rescue them. Swanson is equally convinced that the best they can Trade Review‘Spare, violent and exciting…recreates an unforgiving world in which a moment’s distraction could prove fatal.’ Times Literary Supplement ‘Compelling…a powerful feat of storytelling.’ Irish Times ‘The pace and tension are unremitting, but there’s also time for some heart-wrenching emotion.’ Daily Express ‘The writing is excellent and the atmosphere of place is first rate.’ Dee Brown ‘Eidson writes clean and lean, with a hint of sage incense, and can strike a lingering chord. Should make mellow celluloid entertainment.’ Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisThe second 'Captain Alatriste' novel, from a series which has sold 4 million copies worldwideTrade ReviewThis tale of swaggering swordplay and derring-do...works both as a vivid, page-turning historical adventure and as a knowing pastiche of a genre that Perez-Reverte clearly loves. * SUNDAY TIMES (8.10.06) *

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Book Synopsis''Hidden in the Mists is her best book yet. Her meticulous research created such authenticity that I felt as if I were living the entwined past and present stories with the beautifully realised characters'' SUE MOORCROFT''I was spellbound . . . I think it is the author''s best book yet, and I do not say that lightly, because all of her books are good'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''A brilliant timeslip from the timeslip queen herself . . . I devoured it in one sitting''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''If you love timeslip stories, then this is a must read. A beautiful story''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''They are great timeslip books . . . and this book was no exception. A fantastic story. Thank you, Christina Courtenay, for always writing such incredible books''⭐ ⭐ n

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Book SynopsisOld friends will clash, armies will collide… let there be blood.50 AD. The Invasion is over and Roman legions spread throughout the land, a blood red stain on Britannia. Caratacus has fled south to rebuild his army and warriors flock to his banner.In the north, a disgraced legionary grasps the chance to regain his honour and joins the Exploratores, the elite Roman unit operating behind enemy lines. He nurtures a deeper desire, however: the chance to fulfill an oath made six years previous.As the armies of Caratacus and Scapula prepare for their final clash, a devastating, blood-soaked battle, the soldier draws closer to his ultimate prize, the chance to murder the man he once called brother.With incredible scope and depth, this is a masterful Roman historical tale, ideal for fans of Ben Kane, Conn Iggulden and Robert Fabbri.

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Book SynopsisOne warrior will bring an army to its knees...Britannia, 60 AD. When her husband dies, Boudicca, Queen of the Iceni, expects Rome to enter into a new agreement with her people. However, when Rome betrays them and her daughters are raped by Roman soldiers, Boudicca swears revenge.The Britannic tribes rise up and join her in a campaign against their oppressors and soon her enormous army sweeps across the country in an unstoppable campaign of brutality.A young boy races to join her cause, but when it is discovered that he is the last true blood of the Deceangli, Prydain, the ex-legionary, embarks on a mission to save him. For the final time, his path is destined to cross with Cassus, the boyhood friend who has sworn to kill him, whatever the cost.The incredible, thrilling final instalment in the Romans series, perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow, Conn Igggulden and Harry Sidebottom.

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Book Synopsis*SHARPE'S COMMAND, the brand new novel in the global bestselling series, is available to pre-order now*Sergeant Richard Sharpe witnesses a murderous act of treachery and, with Sir Arthur Wellesley, faces the Mahratta Horde.The paths of treachery all lead to the small village of Assaye. Outnumbered and outgunned, Wellesley, with a diminished British army, plunges his men into the white heat of battle. A battle that will make his reputation, and perhaps Sharpe's too.Soldier, hero, rogue Sharpe is the man you always want on your side. Born in poverty, he joined the army to escape jail and climbed the ranks by sheer brutal courage. He knows no other family than the regiment of the 95th Rifles whose green jacket he proudly wears.Trade Review‘Sharpe and his creator are national treasures.' Sunday Telegraph 'Bernard Cornwell is a literary miracle. Year after year, hail, rain, snow, war and political upheavals fail to prevent him from producing the most entertaining and readable historical novels of his generation.' Daily Mail 'Cornwell's narration is quite masterly and supremely well-researched.' Observer ‘The best battle scenes of any writer I’ve ever read, past or present. Cornwell really makes history come alive.’ George R.R. Martin

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Book SynopsisHAS ROME FINALLY MET ITS MATCH?''A triumph!'' Harry Sidebottom ''Exceptional'' Anthony Riches''Fans of battle-heavy historical fiction will, justly, adore Clash of Empires'' The Times****************THE MIGHT OF ROMEThe great general Hannibal Barca is on the verge of defeat. Victory will crown Rome the most powerful empire in the world. While the ambitious senator Flamininus plots his path to power...THE GLORY OF GREECEOnly unconquered Greece stands in the way of glory. King Philip V of Macedon''s mighty phalanx is an enemy Rome has long feared, and one that has never known defeat.THE HEROES OF HISTORYDemetrios has dreamed of fighting with the phalanx his whole life, but the young villager will soon learn that, in a clash of empires, you''re only ever one swing of the sword away from death - or entering legend.CLASH OF EMPIRES is the Trade ReviewIt's a broad canvas Kane is painting on, but he does it with vivid colours and, like the Romans themselves, he can show great admiration for a Greek enemy and still kick them in the balls -- Robert Low, author of the Oathsworn seriesExceptional. Kane's excelled once again in capturing the terror and the glory . . . of the ancient battlefield, and this story is one that's been begging for an expert hand for a long time -- Anthony Riches, author of the Empire seriesCarried off with panache and Kane's expansive, engaging, action-packed style. A complex, fraught, moving and passionate slice of history from one of our generation's most ambitious and engaging writers. -- Manda Scott, author of the Boudica seriesGrabs you from the start and never lets go. Thrilling action combines with historical authenticity to summon up a whole world in a sweeping tale of politics and war. A triumph! -- Harry Sidebottom, author of the THE LAST HOURThe word epic is overused to describe books, but with Clash of Empires it fits like a gladius in its scabbard. What Kane does, with such mastery, is place the big story - Rome vs Greece - in the background, while making this a story about ordinary men caught up in world-defining events. Men bonded by friendship and blood. Some seeking acceptance or honour or revenge. A few grasping for power and glory, but most ultimately just trying to stay alive. I for one was fascinated by the differing tactics, fighting styles and weapons, as represented by the Roman cohort and the Greek phalanx. Or, as exhibited close up and personal in the flashing melee of the gladius and pike. These contrasts seemed to speak, with horrific eloquence, of the slaughter of the classical world of Homer and Alexander. In short, I haven't enjoyed a book this much for ages.There aren't many writers today who could take on this story and do it well. There might be none who could do it better than Ben Kane. -- Giles Kristian, author of LANCELOTBen Kane manages to marry broad narrative invention with detailed historical research . . . in taut, authoritative prose . . . his passion for the past, and for the craft of story-telling, shines from every page of Clash of Empires -- Toby Clements, author of the Kingmaker seriesFans of battle-heavy historical fiction will, justly, adore Clash of Empires. With its rounded historical characters and fascinating historical setting, it deserves a wider audience -- Antonia Senior * The Times *This thrilling series opener delivers every cough, spit, curse and gush of blood to set up the mighty clash of the title. Can't really fault this one - pure man joy. -- Jon Wise * WEEKEND SPORT *A powerful and vivid historical novel that moves along at chariot-race speed. -- Helena Gumley-Mason * THE LADY *Ben Kane's new series explores the bloody final clash between ancient Greece and upstart Rome, focusing on soldiers and leaders from both worlds and telling the story of a bloody war with style -- Kate Atherton * Sunday Express S Magazine *A thumping good read. You can feel the earth tremble from the great battle scenes and feel the desperation of those caught up in the conflict. Kane's brilliant research weaves its way lightly throughout -- David Gilman, author of the Master of War series

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Book SynopsisHEMLOCK AT VESPERS is Peter Tremayne''s anthology of Celtic mysteries featuring the ever-popular 7th-century super-sleuth Sister Fidelma. PRAISE FOR HEMLOCK AT VESPERS: ''This collection is an essential canonical text for Sister Fidelma Acolytes'' Publisher''s Weekly ''A treasure trove of small gems for historical mystery fans'' Booklist''A complex mesh of betrayals that also catch up the sleuth, exploting both Fidelma''s strengths and vulnerabilities'' Kirkus Reviews Sister Fidelma originally made her debut as one of the decade''s most interesting sleuths in short story form. The sharp-witted and astonishingly wise 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. The overwhelming response to these stories launched Fidelma as the heroine of a bTrade ReviewFidelma's fans will welcome this first-ever collection, many stories of which are appearing here for the first time... A complex mesh of betrayals that also catch up the sleuth, exploiting both Fidelma's strengths and vulnerabilities * KIRKUS REVIEWS *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 TelegraphPeter 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 *ACT OF MERCY'The background detail is brilliantly defined... Wonderfully evocative' The TimesThis collection is an essential canonical text for Sister Fidelma acolytes * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY *VALLEY 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 ReviewsA treasure trove of small gems for historical mystery fans * BOOKLIST *Praise 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'sister Fidelma is fast becoming a world ambassador for ancient Irish culture' Irish Post'A heroine whom many readers will willingly follow' Kirkus Reviews;'A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing, difficult to put down' PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY; 'Definately an Ellis Peter competitor...the background detail is marvellous' EVENING STANDARD;

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Book SynopsisThe globally bestselling thriller that paved the way for THE DA VINCI CODE and countless copycat conspiracy novels.In the 8th century AD Ibn al''Arabi, the Moorish governor of Barcelona, bestowed a magnificent gift upon Charlemagne, Holy Emperor of half of the known world: a chess set with the power to transform the course of history.New York City, 1970. Catherine ''Cat'' Velis, a computer expert working for one of the world''s largest accountancy firms, is sent on a dangerous assignment to retrieve an object of immeasurable value from somewhere in the remote reaches of Algeria.Montglane Abbey, France 1790, Mireille de Remy and her cousin Valentine are young novices at the fortress-like Montglane Abbey. With France aflame in revolution, the two girls burn to rebel against constricted convent life and their means of escape is at hand. Buried deep within the abbey are pieces of the Montglane Chess Service, once owned by Charlemagne. Whoever reassembles the pieces can play a game of unliTrade Review‘Katherine Neville has a remarkable ability to weave strands of history into one vivid tale. Readers who love culture, travel, and, of course, the detective work of research, will delight in this work.’ Elizabeth Kostova, author of ‘The Historian’ ‘Stellar… The story’s relentless pace is matched by characters both sympathetic and real.’ Publishers Weekly ‘Readers thrilled by The Da Vinci Code will relish the multi-layered secrets of The Eight.’Matthew Pearl, author of ‘The Dante Club’

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Book SynopsisSuper sleuth Sister Fidelma returns in the eighth historical mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of THE MONK WHO VANISHED, VALLEY OF THE SHADOW and many more.PRAISE FOR ACT OF MERCY: ''Wonderfully evocative'' The Times When Sister Fidelma sets out on a pilgrimage in the autumn of AD 666, her main preoccupation is to reflect on her commitment to the religious life and her relationship with the Saxon monk, Eadulf, whom she has left behind. Complications arise during the first night on the ship when one of the pilgrims is apparently washed overboard. The discovery of a blood-stained robe raises the question of murder and Fidelma finds herself having to focus all her abilities on solving the mystery. Death dogs the tiny band of pilgrims in the close confines of the ship, but is not until the Holy Shrine is almost reached that the amazing truth is uncovered... What readers are saying about ACT OF MERCY:''I never tire Trade ReviewThe background detail is brilliantly defined... Wonderfully evocative * THE TIMES *'The background detail is brilliantly defined... Wonderfully evocative' The Times'Crammed with interesting snippets of information that give the characters a credence. His style is racy, his dialogue sharp' Historical Novel Review'Sister Fidelma is fast becoming a world ambassador of ancient Irish culture' Irish Post'Definitely an Ellis Peters competitor...the background detail is marvellous' Evening Standard'A triumph! Plenty of red herrings, plots and sub-plots...He succeeds in bringing the ancient world to life...The novels are admirable' Mike Ashley, Mystery Scene'A heroine whom many readers will willingly follow' Kirkus Reviews'One of the most interesting sleuths to come on the scene in recent years' Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine'I believe I have a tendresse for Sister Fidelma. Ingeniously plotted...subtly paced...written with conviction, a feel for the time, and a chilly air of period authenticity. A series to cultivate' Jack AdrianCrammed with interesting snippets of information that give the characters a credence. His style is racy, his dialogue sharp * HISTORICAL NOVEL REVIEW *

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Book SynopsisA gripping and heartwarming novel from the No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller, Dilly Court.Lottie Lane is all alone in the world. As a chambermaid at one of London's busiest inns, condemned to a life of drudgery and at the mercy of a vicious landlady, Lottie is too worn out to even dream of a better life.Until one night an injured soldier is brought to The Swan. Lottie nurses him back from the dead and suddenly everything changes. She finds herself following the drum of the soldiers, all the way from the docks of Chatham to the darkness and despair of a far flung battlefield.When tragedy strikes, Lottie is alone once more and thrown back into the jaws of London's streets. With the threat of destitution nipping at her heels, Lottie is in dire need of a miracle . . .Trade Review‘Feisty female characters to fall in love with in a spirited, adventurous novel’ Sunday Express ‘Dilly Court’s latest novel is another page-turner that will keep you gripped to the end – 5 stars’ The People’s Friend More praise for Dilly Court: ‘A fast-paced, riveting read’ Sunday Express ‘A heart-warming, fast-paced story that will keep you gripped till the end’ The People’s Friend ‘As always Dilly keeps you absorbed right to the end’ Choice ‘A rollicking, fast-paced adventure with a hint of romance!’ My Weekly ‘Spellbinding . . . you just keep turning the pages’ Daily Mail ‘Atmospheric, vivid and compelling’ My Weekly ‘An excellent, well-researched read’ People’s Friend ‘Perfect for Downton Abbey fans … heart-tugging’ Peterborough Telegraph

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Book SynopsisLysandra is back and she's going to war! In the dirt of the Flavian Amphitheatre, known to history as the Coliseum, lies the bloodied body of Spartan priestess, Lysandra, cut down by Rome's adored Gladiatrix Prima, the beautiful and deadly Illeana, the Midnight Falcon. At the edge of the underworld, the goddess Athene offers Lysandra's spirit a stark choice: reside eternally amid the fields of Elysium or return to a life full of pain and sorrow but that will secure Lysandra a glorious place in legend for generations to come. And now it seems that Lysandra's destiny also lies to the east, and the prospect of a final and bloody reckoning with an old and hated adversary. Lysandra is back and she's going to war! The third adventure in this visceral series inspired by the famous Gladiatrix stele found near Halicarnassus in the 19th century. Sequel to Gladiatrix and Roma Victrix.

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Book SynopsisThe death of Lord Henry Fitzalan on the feast of St Matthew, 1303, is a matter widely reported but little mourned. Infamous for his lecherous tendencies, his midnight trysts with a coven of witches and his boundless self-interest, he was a man of few friends. So when Hugh Corbett is asked to bring his murderer to justice it is not a matter of finding a suspect but of choosing between them. Immediate suspicion falls on Lord Henry''s chief verderer, Robert Verlian. His daughter had been the focus of the Lord''s roving eye in the weeks before his death and Fitzalan was not a man to take no for an answer. But the culprit could just as easily be Sir William, the dead man''s younger brother. It is no secret that Sir William covets the Fitzalan estate, but would he kill to inherit it? For Sir Hugh Corbett the possibilities are endless, but even he could never have imagined the real truth behind the murder...Trade Review'The maestro of medieval mystery... As with all Doherty's historical whodunnits, it is packed with salty dialogue, the smells and superstitions of the 14th century, not to mention the political intrigues' Books magazine'The best of its kind since the death of Ellis Peters' Time Out'Medieval London comes vividly to life' Publishers Weekly 'Wholly excellent' Prima'Paul Doherty has a lively sense of history ...evocative and lyrical descriptions' New Statesman'Vitality in the cityscape ...angst in the mystery; it's Peters minus the herbs but plus a few crates of sack' Oxford Times'As always the author invokes the medieval period in all its muck as well as glory, filling the pages with pungent smells and description. The author brings years of research to his writing; his mastery of the period as well as a disciplined writing schedule have led to a rapidly increasing body of work and a growing reputation' Mystery News'this book is written well with a great deal of self-assurance. I liked the period detail and the characterisation of the large cast of suspects' Deryn Lake, SHOTSDemon Archer: 'For those who are keen enthusiasts of medieval murder stories the name Paul Doherty will need no introduction...He writes with enthusiasm about an era he knows well' SHOTS

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Book SynopsisSuper sleuth Sister Fidelma returns in THE HAUNTED ABBOT, the twelfth historical mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of SMOKE IN THE WIND, OUR LADY OF DARKNESS and many more.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 As they are preparing to return to Ireland, Fidelma and Brother Eadulf receive a mysterious summons. Eadulf''s childhood friend, Brother Botulf, has requested their presence at Aldred''s Abbey at midnight on the old pagan feast of Yule. Fidelma and Eadulf battle against the harsh winter storms to arrive in time, only to find they are too late. Botulf is dead - killed by an unknown hand. As they struggle to comprehend this staggering news, it soon becomes clear that the murder of this young monk is not the only trouble facing the abbey.Trade ReviewHEMLOCK AT VESPERS'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'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 SynopsisConstance Kopp, America’s first female deputy sheriff, is back in another unforgettable romp by HWA-longlisted international bestseller Amy Stewart. While transporting a woman to an insane asylum, Deputy Kopp discovers something deeply troubling about her story. Before she can investigate, another inmate breaks free and tries to escape. In both cases, Constance runs instinctively toward justice. But 1916 is a high-stakes US election year, and any move she makes could jeopardise Sheriff Heath’s future — and her own. Constance’s controversial career makes her the target of political attacks. With wit and verve, Amy Stewart brilliantly conjures the life and times of the real Constance Kopp and her feisty sisters.Trade Review‘Suspenseful … boasts a deeper emphasis on character, politics, and social issues. A must for Constance’s growing fan base.’ STARRED REVIEW * Booklist *‘Stewart's intrepid deputy sheriff is back, this time enmeshed in a 1916 local election with uncomfortable contemporary resonance … Constance may just have turned 40, but this tough-minded, generous-hearted believer in second chances and equal rights for women looks set for many more adventures. A welcome addition to this sui generis series, always fresh thanks to its vividly imagined characters firmly grounded in historical fact.’ STARRED REVIEW * Kirkus *‘This is becoming a terrific historical mystery series.’ -- Jon Wise * Weekend Sport *‘Highly engaging without sanitising the attitudes of the times.’ * The Herald *‘Historically fascinating and with truculent characters and intrigues, these books are a guilty pleasure for fans of Janet Plum or Maisie Dobbs and deserve a larger audience.’ -- Maxim Jakbowski * Crime Time *‘Stewart skillfully builds nail-biting suspense … The blend of practicality, forthrightness, and compassion in her first-person narration is sure to satisfy series fans and win new admirers.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Miss Kopp Just Won’t Quit is everything I look for in solid historical fiction … Constance Kopp makes a fierce and lively heroine who stands out as a “strong female character” in all the best ways.’ -- Dee Carey * Half-deserted Streets *‘The talented author has made a well-researched, rollicking story out of the three of them and Sheriff Heath, so that the reader can experience a flavour of life for women in the early 1900s in New Jersey just before the war.’ -- Caitlln Hicks * New York Journal of Books *‘The books are based on actual events with characters and deeds embellished to create marvellous historical novels. The present book finds Constance as both deputy and matron of the female prisoners at the Hackensack county jail in the autumn of 1916. Though she often sleeps at the jail, she still lives on the farm with her sisters ... the novel excels in revisiting a vanished time, place and sensibility.’ -- Katherine A. Powers * The Washington Post *‘The fourth, funniest and best of the Miss Kopp books finds Constance Kopp at a crossroads … Kopp's first-person account is wry and un-self-pitying, despite the long odds she faces both at the job and at home, where her quirky sisters are after her to bring home more money and less notoriety. The novel is more interested in characters than plot but it's great fun — fans of the Maisie Dobbs series will love it — and a timely reminder that women have been fighting the equity battle for generations.’ -- Chris Hewitt * Minneapolis Star Tribune *

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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 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 SynopsisSome truths are dangerous, certain secrets best concealed, and one story never should have been written at all.Being an unwanted twin in the imperial line of succession, Farilane becomes a scholar, an adventurer, and—in a time when reading is forbidden—a hunter of books. Her singular obsession is finding the mythical Book of Brin, a tome not just lost but intentionally buried. Although she is respected and beloved by the Teshlor Knights, not even their legendary skills can protect her, for what she finds is more dangerous than what she sought.From the three-time New York Times best-selling author Michael J. Sullivan, Farilane is the second novel in The Rise and Fall trilogy. This latest set of stories sits snugly between the Legends of the First Empire series and the Riyria books (Revelations and Chronicles). With this tale, Michael continues his tradition of unlikely heroes who must rise to the call when history knocks, demanding to be let in. This series will conclude in the summer of 2023 with the release of Esrahaddon, the final piece in a narrative that began in 2008 and contains nineteen full-length novels spread across four series.

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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 SynopsisShortlisted for the Bram Stoker Award for the Best Novel of 2020.''Beautifully written, thoroughly absorbing and totally terrifying.'' said C.J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk ManA spine-tingling novel that ''blends psychological thriller and eerie gothic ghost story to create something truly haunting'' wrote the Daily MirrorSomeone - or something - is haunting the Titanic. Deaths and disappearances have plagued the vast liner from the moment she began her maiden voyage on 10 April 1912. Four days later, caught in what feels like an eerie, unsettling twilight zone, some passengers - including millionaire Madeleine Astor and maid Annie Hebbley - are convinced that something sinister is afoot. And then disaster strikes. Four years later and the world is at war. Having survived that fateful night, Annie is now a nurse on board the Titanic''s sister ship, the BritannicTrade ReviewThe way Alma Katsu weaves the true story of the Titanic and her sister ship, Britannic, with this dark, terrifying tale of possession and haunting is phenomenal. Part history, part drama, part love story, part creepy-as-heck ghost tale, with chills icier than the watery depths, The Deep is beautifully written, thoroughly absorbing and totally terrifying.' -- C.J. TUDOR, author of The Chalk ManAt once both tragic and chilling, The Deep perfectly blends psychological thriller and eerie gothic ghost story to create something truly haunting, drawing you down into its dark depths before finally letting you up for air. -- SARAH PINBOROUGH, author of Behind Her EyesAnother masterly supernatural reimagining of a historical tragedy: the sinking of the Titanic and her sister ship, the Britannic. Eerie, haunting, and filled with suspense, The Deep is a whirlpool of a novel that pulls you in and doesn't let go. -- DANIELLE TRUSSONI, author of the Angelology series and The AncestorAn incredibly ambitious setting, prose as ornate as the boat, mood as ghostly as Gothic, and what must have been enough research to build a ship of her own . . . The Deep is thrilling, rich, frightening, unsettling, and, best of all, told from the heart . . . The Hunger was fantastic, but The Deep is divine . . . a brilliant author. -- JOSH MALERMAN, author of Bird BoxElegant and eerie. Alma Katsu really is something rather special. -- JOHN CONNOLLY

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Book SynopsisRome will never be the same againThe empire is at a crisis point. Caesar, Rome's greatest general and conqueror of Gaul, now faces being stripped of his command and dragged back to Italy for prosecution by his enemies.His former ally, Pompey, has sided with his opponents in the Senate and frustrates all efforts to find peace.Caesar does the unthinkable. He crosses the Rubicon and marches his army into Italy to invade Rome, with Mark Antony at his side. The empire is thrown into civil war. Antony will either rise to the heights of power, or be executed as a traitor. The die has been cast.This is the greatest story of Roman history retold from Mark Antony's perspective by a rising star of the genre. Perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden and Ben Kane.

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Book SynopsisIn his first new paperback for HarperCollins, master storyteller Jack Higgins displays all his customary skills in a heart-pounding adventure with a less familiar setting 19th-century rural Ireland and featuring a swashbuckling new hero.At the end of the American Civil War, Confederate Colonel Clay Fitzgerald escapes to Ireland, where his uncle has left him an estate, only to find that Ireland is caught up in a civil war of its own. The struggle between the wealthy landlords and the impoverished tenant farmers is growing in intensity, and having just fought and lost a terrible war, Clay wants to avoid the coming conflict. But after witnessing the atrocities that the landowners visit upon the people, Clay is unable to stand by. Taking the guise of a legendary night-riding outlaw, he joins the fight against the landlords and wages a rebellion of his ownTrade Review‘Higgins is the master.’TOM CLANCY ‘A compulsively readable storyteller.’Sunday Express ‘Higgins makes the pages fly.’New York Daily News ‘Higgins is a master of his craft.’Daily Telegraph

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Book SynopsisJean Plaidy, one of the preeminent authors of historical fiction for most of the twentieth century, is the pen name of the prolific English author Eleanor Hibbert, also know as Victoria Holt. Jean Plaidy's novels had sold more than 14 million copies worldwide by the time of her death in 1993.Trade ReviewPlaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisBefore George R. R. Martin there was Dorothy Dunnett . . . PERFECT for fans of A Game of Thrones. ''She is a brilliant story teller, The Lymond Chronicles will keep you reading late into the night, desperate to know the fate of the characters you have come to care deeply about.'' The Times Literary SupplementPawn in Frankincense is the fourth book in the series -----------------------------''It seems to me that on the whole we run more risks with Mr Crawford''s protection than without it . . .''It is 1552 and the royal galley Dauphine, under the command of Francis Crawford of Lymond, sails the glittering but dangerous Mediterranean looking for a lost son. Yet as the search grows more urgent, Lymond knows he is being drawn deeper into the intricate web of his enemy Gabriel, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St John, who is already weaving a subTrade ReviewPraise for Dorothy Dunnett * - *A storyteller who could teach Scheherazade a thing or two about pace, suspense and imaginative invention * New York Times *Marvellous, breathtaking * The Times *A masterpiece of historical fiction * Washington Post *One of the greatest tale-spinners since Dumas * Cleveland Plain Dealer *Lashings of excitement, colour and subtlety * The Times *Vivid, engaging, densely plotted - are almost certainly destined to be counted among the classics of popular fiction * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisBernard Cornwell, bestselling author of the Warlord Chronicles and the Sharpe series, is married and lives in Cape Cod, USA.

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Book SynopsisAll the Tea in China - a Mortdecai novel by Kyril Bonfiglioli, soon to be a major film starring Johnny Depp''One of the funniest writers ever'' UncutAfter committing a crime anyone but a close relative might forgive, Karli Mortdecai Van Cleef leaves Holland double-quick with his uncle''s buckshot lodged firmly in the seat of his breeches. Discretion being the least-idiotic part of valour he decides to hide far away in London, among the tea shops and opium dens. On savouring these Eastern delicacies and knowing an opportunity when he sups upon one, young Karli throws in his lot with an opium clipper bound for China''s high seas.Life on the ocean waves, however, is full of perils for an officer and his sensitive digestive tract: mountainous waves, an encounter with a malodorous slave ship, the captain''s wife''s pulse-racingly brief wardrobe, several hordes of pirates, mutiny, the ship''s cook''s fondness for curry - to name but a few.

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Book SynopsisBased on a true story, London Lies Beneath is a compelling historical novel from the award-winning writer Stella Duffy.''As gloriously alive as the turn of the century south London streets it portrays'' REDIn August 1912, three friends set out on an adventure. Two of them come home. Tom, Jimmy and Itzhak have grown up together in the crowded slums of Walworth. All three boys are expected to follow their father''s trades and stay close to home. But Tom has wider dreams. So when he hears of a scouting trip, sailing from Waterloo to Sheppey and the mouth of the Thames - he is determined to go. And Itzhak and Jimmy go with him.Inspired by real events, this is the story of three friends, and a tragedy that will change them for ever. It is also a song of south London, of working class families with hidden histories, of a bright and complex world long neglected. London Lies Beneath is a powerful and compelling novel, rich with life and full of wisdom.''Vivid and full of heart, Duffy''s new novel is a fitting hymn to the city that inspired it'' FINANCIAL TIMES''A paean not just to South London, but to a vanished way of working-class life . . . Duffy''s narrative is as fluid as a costermonger''s patter, carrying the reader along'' DAILY MAIL

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Book SynopsisIt is 1301 and a fragile peace exists between Edward of England and Philip IV of France. In the fetid alleys and slums of London and Paris it is a different matter. Here the secret agents of both countries still fight their own, silent, deadly battles. The Prince of Wales wallows in luxury under the sinister influence of his favourite, Gaveston, who has secret political ambitions to dominate the young prince and the English crown. These scandals are threatened with exposure when Lady Belmont, the prince''s former mistress, is found dead, her neck broken, at the foot of a nunnery''s steps. Was it suicide? An accident? Or malicious murder? Edward turns to his master spy, Hugh Corbett, to solve the mystery. In doing so, Corbett must face the deadly rivalry of his French counterpart, the murderous rage of Gaveston and the silent threats of assassins. He must also contend with the lies and silken deceits of his own master.

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Book SynopsisGenvieve Stonefield''s husband Angus is missing when she seeks William Monk''s help to find him. She is convinced that he has been murdered by his twin brother Caleb, a shadowy figure who lives in the slums bordering the Thames and has always hated his respectable businessman brother. Although worried about Hester Latterly''s health as she nurses victims of a typhoid outbreak in Limehouse, and threatened by a personal scandal, Monk is determined to bring one of the most bizarre cases he has ever encountered to its conclusion.

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Book SynopsisSuper sleuth Sister Fidelma returns in SMOKE IN THE WIND, the eleventh perplexing historical mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of SMOKE IN THE WIND, OUR LADY OF DARKNESS and many more.PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: ''The background detail is brilliantly defined... Wonderfully evocative'' The Times, ''Sister Fidelma is fast becoming a world ambassador for ancient Irish culture'' Irish Post Sister Fidelma and her companion Brother Eadulf are on their way to visit the new Archbishop of Canterbury, when their ship is blown off course and they land on the coast of the Welsh kingdom of Dyfed. They are given hospitality by King Gwlyddien and Abbot Tryffin of the Abbey of Dewi Sant, and are asked if they would help to solve the mystery of how the entire monastic community of the Abbey, including the King''s eldest son, could vanish into thin air. It''s not long before the trail leads to deaths and treachery in high places and FideTrade Review'This is masterly storytelling from an author who breathes fascinating life into the world he is writing about' Belfast Telegraph'The detail of the books is fascinating, giving us a vivid picture of everyday life at this time...the most detailed and vivid recreations of ancient Ireland' Irish ExaminerOUR LADY OF DARKNESS:'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 ReviewHEMLOCK AT VESPERS'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'Wonderfully evocative' The TimesPraise 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 SynopsisAgrippina, wife of Claudius, mother of Nero, was a beautiful and talented woman who saw her father murdered, was banished by her brother, and was killed on the orders of her son. Her freed man, a one-eyed former gladiator named Parmenon, tells of Agrippina''s battle to survive in and control the depraved and violent Imperial Roman court, and the crumbling relationship between mother and son.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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