Historical adventure fiction

Book SynopsisTheir revolution would ignite a continent...An epic novel set during one of the most savage and dramatic moments in European history.Greece, 1824In the wild south, the people of the Mani have risen up against four hundred years of Ottoman rule. But initial triumph leads to bitter feuding among the Greek victors and the Sultan sends his vassal, Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt, to invade. Burning everything in his path, he is on the point of victory. Only the intervention of the Great Powers of France, Russia and Britain can save Greece.Hara, young daughter of a Maniot chief, is the fearless symbol of her people's spirit. When she rescues Greek Prince Tzanis from a shipwreck, on his way to deliver secret gold for the revolution, they fall in love but are forced apart by events.Yet a shared resolve to wreak vengeance on Turkish rule unites them again, and their heroism and sacrifice will ultimately inspire an unlikely band of men and women to join them in rescuing Greece. Will their plan to involve the Great Powers succeed before Greece is destroyed by fire?'Wonderful history, adventure and a heart-breaking love story are brought thrillingly to life' - Kate MosseTrade ReviewA gripping, epic tale set against a broad and breath-taking canvas. Do not miss this compelling page-turner * Alison Weir *Wonderful history, adventure and a heart-breaking love story are brought thrillingly to life * Kate Mosse *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 *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 * The Bookseller *An electrifying historical novel * Good Book Guide *Fascinating * The Times *

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Book Synopsis''Haunting'' NEW YORK TIMES''A shimmering spell of a novel'' EMMA TÖRZS''Partly a young girl''s coming of age, partly a treatise of the wildness of women'' STEPHANIE DANLER_______________________________________________________It''s 1825, generations since the women of Berggrund Island stood accused of witchcraft, many of them put to death. But the shadow of this violent past looms large over the isolated community.Now, the island is overseen by Pastor Silas, a widower with two wild daughters, Beata and Ulrika. The sisters are outcasts: imaginative, rebellious, and consumed by a curiosity about their home''s dark history and the mother they lost. When an enigmatic outsider arrives at their door, his presence threatens their family bond and unearths a buried history to shocking ends...___________________Readers are loving The Blue Maiden''A beautifully told story''''One of the most immersive novels I''ve read in ages''''I loved loved this''''A perfect read for the fall season''''A fantastic Nordic Folk Horror''

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Book SynopsisRobert Fabbri read Drama and Theatre at London University and worked in film and TV for twenty-five years. He has a life-long passion for ancient history, which inspired him to write the bestselling Vespasian series and the Alexander's Legacy series. He lives in London and Berlin.

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Book Synopsis'Historical fiction at its very best' ELLY GRIFFITHS. A Times Historical Fiction Book of the Month. They will see me hang for this. London, 1855. In the grey mist of the early morning a body is dumped on the shore of the Thames by a boatman in a metal canoe. Talk soon spreads of the killer and his striking accomplice: a young widow in mourning dress. Birdie Quinn's sleeplessness led her to the river that morning. She has always been wilful, haughty, different... but is she a murderess? To clear her name, she must retrace the dead man's footsteps to Orkney and the far north. A dangerous journey for a woman alone, but one she must make to save her life. This gripping, richly layered historical thriller is perfect for fans of The Familiars, The House Between Tides and The Confessions of Franny Langton. 'Historical fiction at its very best. Mesmerising setting, fantastic characters and a fascinating insight into a ruthless trade' ELLY GRIFFITHS. 'What a joy! Reads like a classic nineteenth-century mystery with a twist, richly dark and full of gaslit menace' LESLEY THOMSON. 'Unearths startling truths about death and corruption in the transatlantic fur trade' THE TIMES. 'A top quality piece of historical fiction' iSCOT MAGAZINE.Trade ReviewHistorical fiction at its very best. Mesmerising setting, fantastic characters and a fascinating insight into a ruthless trade -- Elly GriffithsCarson's story comes into its own as the action moves to Scotland where Birdie begins to unearth startling truths about death and corruption in the transatlantic fur trade * Sunday Times *Gripping... A top quality piece of historical fiction' * iScotland *What a joy. The Canary Keeper reads like a classic nineteenth-century mystery with a twist, richly dark and full of gaslit menace -- Lesley ThomsonA gothic tale at its best * Historical Novel Society *Carson once again demonstrates her intuitive and precise approach to scene setting, and as we journey with Birdie to the remote reaches of Scotland, as she flees a trumped up murder charge... Highly recommended' * Raven Crime Reads *An almost classic 19th-century mystery with a twist, meaty, dark, full of gaslit menace and beautifully written... An exhilarating story and marks Carson as an author to keep an eye on for the future' * Crime Review Blog *

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Book SynopsisThrilling Regency romance, set against an Outlander-like background of passion and war, this will delight lovers of Poldark and Bridgerton. 1825 Cornwall and France Clemency Arwenack never dreamed she would be appointed lady-in-waiting to the notorious, headstrong Princess Royal, heir apparent to the English throne. In fact it's the last thing she wants. But Clemency dares not refuse, while her scheming godmother is threatening to expose her deepest secret. Worse still, Clemency's childhood friend, the Hon Lieutenant Colonel Kit Helford is now captain of the royal guard, charged with escorting the Princess Royal to France. If anyone can see through Clemency's web of deceit, it's Kit – just as wild and handsome as he's always been. And just as much trouble. The third novel in the Bridgerton-style Regency world of Katy Moran's wild and dissolute Lamorna family. Welcome to Kit and Clemency's story... 'Passionate, smart and action-packed' Sarah Hughes, Guardian 'Lush, dark, utterly real and achingly romantic' Ruth Ware 'An absolute joy of a book. From the wild beauty of Cornwall to the breathless danger of a teetering peace treaty at Fontainebleau, Katy Moran whisks us on a desperately exhilarating dance through scandal, intrigue and treachery. Like all the best balls, I didn't want it to end' Holly HepburnTrade ReviewFull of glamour, gossip and gripping intrigue * Yours *There’s drama and daring-do aplenty in this proper page-turner of a novel, a breathless romp with a gripping plot and well-realised characters (Katy Moran has a particular knack for creating memorable heroines), which would appeal to those who appreciate a contemporary homage to the regency romances of Georgette Heyer, fans of the TV series Bridgerton, anyone pining for Poldark, or simply in need of a good read * Countryman Magazine *PRAISE FOR WICKED BY DESIGN AND FALSE LIGHTS: 'A thrilling, sexy romp through brilliantly reimagined history. Hester is one of my very favourite heroines and it's probably best not to ask what I'd like to do with Crow... Totally absorbing' Holly Hepburn. 'Sweeping and romantic, with a hero to rival Ross Poldark, Wicked by Design is a fantastic and compelling novel that draws you in and paints a glorious alternative St Petersburg, keeping you hooked until the end' Imogen Edwards-Jones. 'A swashbuckling, sparkling world of a novel [...] with a mad, bad and dangerous to know hero' Suzannah Dunn. 'Excellent writing and characterization... with special mention for Hester: a fizzing-with-life, believable and resourceful heroine if ever there was one' Daily Mail. 'A cross between Georgette Heyer, Dorothy Dunnett and Poldark' * iNews *

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Book SynopsisAD 643. Anglo-Saxon Britain. A gripping, action-packed historical thriller and the sixth instalment in the Bernicia Chronicles. Heading south to lands he once considered his home, Beobrand is plunged into a dark world of piracy and slavery when an old friend enlists his help to recover a kidnapped girl. Embarking onto the wind-tossed seas, Beobrand pursues his quarry with single-minded tenacity. But the Whale Road is never calm and his journey is beset with storms, betrayal and violence. As the winds of his wyrd blow him ever further from what he knows, will Beobrand find victory on his quest or has his luck finally abandoned him? Praise for Matthew Harffy: 'Nothing less than superb... The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page' Historical Novel Society 'Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman 'A tale that rings like sword song in the reader's mind' Giles Kristian 'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald 'A brilliant characterization of a difficult hero in a dangerous time. Excellent!' Christian Cameron 'A terrific novel. It illuminates the Dark Ages like a bolt of lightning' Toby Clements 'Battles, treachery, revenge and a healthy dose of Dark Age adventure' Simon Turney 'Matthew Harffy tells a great story' Joanna Hickson 'Harffy's writing just gets better and better... He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown' Jemahl Evans 'Harffy has a real winner on his hands... A genuinely superb novel' Steven McKay 'A breathtaking novel that sweeps the reader into a dark and dangerous world' Paul Fraser CollardTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE BERNICIA CHRONICLES: 'Matthew Harffy's tale of England in the Dark Ages is nothing less than superb... The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page' Historical Novel Society. 'A tale that rings like sword song in the reader's mind. Harffy knows his genre inside out and The Cross and the Curse proves it' Giles Kristian. 'Murder, betrayal and vengeance fuel tribal warfare and personal combat. Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman. 'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald, author of The Outlaw Chronicles. 'Battles, treachery, revenge and a healthy dose of Dark Age adventure' -- Simon Turney

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Book SynopsisThere's a fine line between kill and cure.Edinburgh, 1849. Despite Edinburgh being at the forefront of modern medicine, hordes of patients are dying all across the city, with doctors finding their remedies powerless. But it is not just the deaths that dismay the esteemed Dr James Simpson. A whispering campaign seeks to blame him for the death of a patient in suspicious circumstances.Simpson's protégé Will Raven and former housemaid Sarah Fisher are determined to clear their patron's name. But with Raven battling against the dark side of his own nature, and Sarah endeavouring to expand her own medical knowledge beyond what society deems acceptable for a woman, the pair struggle to understand the cause of the deaths.Will and Sarah must unite and plunge into Edinburgh's deadliest streets to clear Simpson's name. But soon they discover that the true cause of these deaths has evaded suspicion purely because it is so unthinkable.Trade ReviewGleeful, romping . . . The fog and stench of Edinburgh's Old Town definitely jump off the page . . . The central relationship between loveable rogue Raven and proto-feminist Fisher is the beating heart of The Art of Dying. Both characters are drawn with real empathy and nuance, and their complicated feelings for each other drive the book as much as the smart storylines. A great piece of storytelling * * Big Issue * *Full of twists and turns - a great read * * Evening Times * *A gripping Victorian thriller * * Sunday Express * *Dark and visceral, gritty and charming, with a twisting plot and compelling characters - not least, Victorian Edinburgh at her deadliest. The immersive world of Ambrose Parry just gets better and better -- JESS KIDDThe central characters and their relationship are the book's strengths . . . worth a read - the characters and setting are wonderful * * The Times * *A menacing tale of murder amid the medical experiments of mid-19th century Edinburgh * * iNews * *Offers more of the alluring combination of crime fiction and historical fact seen in last year's The Way of All Flesh . . . The reader may need a tiny dose of chloroform to relax after all of these thrills. . . For any reader in need of a swift-acting tonic, I prescribe picking up this thriller as soon as possible * * Scotland on Sunday * *Intriguing * * i * *Some gore (historical gore doesn't count) but mostly nice historical detail (reminding you that doctors never do know everything) with a little overlay of romantic tension and a side of old-fashioned feminism. Compelling * * Financial Times * *PRAISE FOR THE WAY OF ALL FLESH: Parry's Victorian Edinburgh comes vividly alive - and it's a world of pain -- VAL McDERMID

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Book SynopsisAll modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn. It''s the best book we''ve had. - Ernest HemingwayA nineteenth-century boy from a Mississippi River town recounts his adventures as he travels down the river with a runaway slave, encountering a family involved in a feud, two scoundrels pretending to be royalty, and Tom Sawyer''s aunt who mistakes him for Tom.In this unforgettable adventure for all ages, Twaindelves into issues such as racism, friendship, war, religion, and freedom with an uncanny combination of lightheartedness and gravitas.This was the first major American novel to be written in the vernacular, a dark and funny satire that exposes the bigotry and hypocrisy of provincial America during Mark Twain''s lifetime. A rite of passage for ever young reader, this book continues to delight readers around the world and remainsas fresh and as funny as ever.The Legend Classics series:Around the World in Eighty DaysThe Adventures of Huckleberry FinnThe Importance of Being EarnestAlice''s Adventures in WonderlandThe MetamorphosisThe Railway ChildrenThe Hound of the BaskervillesFrankensteinWuthering HeightsThree Men in a BoatThe Time MachineLittle WomenAnne of Green GablesThe Jungle BookThe Yellow Wallpaper and Other StoriesDraculaA Study in ScarletLeaves of GrassThe Secret GardenThe War of the WorldsA Christmas CarolStrange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeHeart of DarknessThe Scarlet LetterThis Side of ParadiseOliver TwistThe Picture of Dorian GrayTreasure IslandThe Turn of the ScrewThe Adventures of Tom SawyerEmmaThe TrialA Selection of Short Stories by Edgar Allan PoeGrimm Fairy TalesThe AwakeningMrs DallowayGulliver's TravelsThe Castle of OtrantoSilas MarnerHard Times

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Book SynopsisTo go around the world...in such a short time and with the means of transport currently available, was not only impossible, it was madness.The latest edition of the classic novel from Jules Verne, featuring Phileas Fogg and his quest to circumnavigate the world in 80 days to win a bet. Following an argument at the Reform Club over the opening of a new railway section in India, Fogg agrees to the outlandish bet. Setting off at 8:45pm on Wednesday, 2nd October, Fogg must return no later than Saturday, 21 December. What follows is one of the most famous journeys in fictional history. Around the World in Eighty Daysgripped audiences on its publication and remains hugely popular, combining exploration, adventure and a thrilling race against time.The Legend Classics series:Around the World in Eighty DaysThe Adventures of Huckleberry FinnThe Importance of Being EarnestAlice''s Adventures in WonderlandThe MetamorphosisThe Railway ChildrenThe Hound of the BaskervillesFrankensteinWuthering HeightsThree Men in a BoatThe Time MachineLittle WomenAnne of Green GablesThe Jungle BookThe Yellow Wallpaper and Other StoriesDraculaA Study in ScarletLeaves of GrassThe Secret GardenThe War of the WorldsA Christmas CarolStrange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeHeart of DarknessThe Scarlet LetterThis Side of ParadiseOliver TwistThe Picture of Dorian GrayTreasure IslandThe Turn of the ScrewThe Adventures of Tom SawyerEmmaThe TrialA Selection of Short Stories by Edgar Allan PoeGrimm Fairy TalesThe AwakeningMrs DallowayGulliver's TravelsThe Castle of OtrantoSilas MarnerHard Times

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Book SynopsisDive into this gloriously sordid story of love and murder on the high seas. Somewhere in the Indian Ocean, 1851: McGlue is down in the hold, still too drunk to be sure of his name, situation or orientation but he has blood on his hands. He may have killed a man. That man may have been his best friend. As the ship makes its voyage home to Salem, Massachusetts, intolerable memory accompanies reluctant sobriety. A-sail on the high seas of literary tradition, Ottessa Moshfegh gives us a nasty heartless blackguard on a knife-sharp voyage through the fogs of recollection. 'One of America's most exciting - and most provocative - young novelists' Financial Times'You're in safe, if sticky, hands... A wild ride' The Times

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZE FOR BEST PUBLISHED NOVEL 2022 A Telegraph Best Book for Summer 2022 'Highly recommended' MICK HERRON 'A great adventure. Dripping with atmosphere and exotic life' WILLIAM BOYD 'A riveting page-turner, rich with fascinating period detail' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH ___________1867. King's Road, Chelsea, is a sea of plant nurseries, catering to the Victorian obsession with rare and exotic flora. But each of the glossy emporiums is fuelled by the dangerous world of the plant hunters – daring adventurers sent into uncharted lands in search of untold wonders to grace England's finest gardens.Harry Compton is as far from a plant hunter as one could imagine – a salesman plucked from the obscurity of the nursery growing fields to become 'the face that sold a thousand plants'.But one small act of kindness sees him inherit a precious gift – a specimen of a fabled tree last heard of in The Travels of Marco Polo, and a map.Seizing his chance for fame and fortune, Harry sets out to make his mark. But where there is wealth there is corruption, and soon Harry is fleeing England, rounding the Cape of Good Hope and sailing up the Yangtze alongside a young widow – both in pursuit of the plant that could transform both their lives forever.Trade Review'It's a great Stevensonian adventure but with a 21st century spin. Harry and Clarissa work really well – wholly believable and sexily engaging. The detail and the textures throughout are exemplary: lightly worn but dripping with atmosphere and exotic life. Really brilliantly achieved' -- William Boyd'The Plant Hunter is a feast for the senses and a must for every reader who enjoys great adventure writing. The exuberant life in these pages and the drama of the story along with Mogford's lively engaging writing make this a life-enhancing pleasure to read. Be swept away' -- Imogen Robertson'An old-fashioned adventure yarn with all the virtues of the genre, The Plant Hunter engages, informs and entertains, while taking the reader to distant, unexpected places. Highly recommended' -- Mick Herron'It's excellent. No other word for it. I found the period and technical detail absolutely fascinating, and the characterisation really convincing. A beautiful, charming book that stays in the mind long after you've closed it and put it away. I was delighted by it' -- John Simpson'Carried along by the drama, the history, the travel, the romance, the love of a dog, let alone the plant-hunting. I couldn't put this down' -- Sarah Raven'It is a belter!' -- Jessie Childs, author of God's Traitors: Terror and Faith in Elizabethan England'A terrific swash-and-buckle adventure. The detail is eye-opening, the story gripping and unusual. Bravo!' -- Elizabeth BuchanCleanly written ... and exquisite' * Times Literary Supplement *'A good adventure story, a ripping yarn of a tale' * Country Life *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZE FOR BEST PUBLISHED NOVEL 2022 A Telegraph Best Book for Summer 2022 'Highly recommended' MICK HERRON 'A great adventure. Dripping with atmosphere and exotic life' WILLIAM BOYD 'A riveting page-turner, rich with fascinating period detail' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH ___________1867. King's Road, Chelsea, is a sea of plant nurseries, catering to the Victorian obsession with rare and exotic flora. But each of the glossy emporiums is fuelled by the dangerous world of the plant hunters – daring adventurers sent into uncharted lands in search of untold wonders to grace England's finest gardens.Harry Compton is as far from a plant hunter as one could imagine – a salesman plucked from the obscurity of the nursery growing fields to become 'the face that sold a thousand plants'.But one small act of kindness sees him inherit a precious gift – a specimen of a fabled tree last heard of in The Travels of Marco Polo, and a map.Seizing his chance for fame and fortune, Harry sets out to make his mark. But where there is wealth there is corruption, and soon Harry is fleeing England, rounding the Cape of Good Hope and sailing up the Yangtze alongside a young widow – both in pursuit of the plant that could transform both their lives forever.Trade Review'It's a great Stevensonian adventure but with a 21st century spin. Harry and Clarissa work really well – wholly believable and sexily engaging. The detail and the textures throughout are exemplary: lightly worn but dripping with atmosphere and exotic life. Really brilliantly achieved' -- William Boyd'The Plant Hunter is a feast for the senses and a must for every reader who enjoys great adventure writing. The exuberant life in these pages and the drama of the story along with Mogford's lively engaging writing make this a life-enhancing pleasure to read. Be swept away' -- Imogen Robertson'An old-fashioned adventure yarn with all the virtues of the genre, The Plant Hunter engages, informs and entertains, while taking the reader to distant, unexpected places. Highly recommended' -- Mick Herron'It's excellent. No other word for it. I found the period and technical detail absolutely fascinating, and the characterisation really convincing. A beautiful, charming book that stays in the mind long after you've closed it and put it away. I was delighted by it' -- John Simpson'Carried along by the drama, the history, the travel, the romance, the love of a dog, let alone the plant-hunting. I couldn't put this down' -- Sarah Raven'It is a belter!' -- Jessie Childs, author of God's Traitors: Terror and Faith in Elizabethan England'A terrific swash-and-buckle adventure. The detail is eye-opening, the story gripping and unusual. Bravo!' -- Elizabeth BuchanCleanly written ... and exquisite' * Times Literary Supplement *'A good adventure story, a ripping yarn of a tale' * Country Life *

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Book SynopsisSwordplay, magic, intrigue and friendships stronger than iron: the first volume in the new swashbuckling fantasy series set in the universe of THE GREATCOATS.Damelas Chademantaigne picked a poor night to flee a judicial duel. He has precious little hope of escaping the wrath of the Vixen, the most feared duellist in the entire city, until he stumbles through the stage doors of the magnificent Operato Belleza and tricks his way into the company of actors. An archaic law provides a temporary respite from his troubles - until one night a ghostly voice in his head causes Damelas to fumble his lines, inadvertently blurting out a dreadful truth: the city''s most legendary hero may actually be a traitor and a brutal murderer. With only the help of his boisterous and lusty friend Bereto, a beautiful assassin whose target may well be Damelas himself, and a company of misfit actors who''d just as soon see him dead, this failed grandson of two Greatcoats must som

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Book SynopsisThe new novel from a master of the Cold War thriller . . .'This is Robert Harris storytelling territory' Daily Mail'Outstanding' Sunday Times'Tense, exciting and authentic' Charles Cumming, author of Judas 62'Stunning' The Times'Brilliantly plotted' John Sweeney, author of Killer in the Kremlin'A standout thriller' Financial Times1963. In a desolate Russian penal colony, the radio broadcasts news of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy...Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vasin's new posting as director of a gulag camp in the middle of the frozen tundra is far from a promotion. This is where disgraced agents, like Vasin, disappear - sent to die forgotten. And quietly. But tensions in the camp are running high and when a violent revolt breaks out, Vasin finds himself on the run. With him is a mysterious prisoner - who holds the key to the most dangerous secret in the world: who ordered Kennedy's murder.In a breathless race that takes them through the Soviet Union - from the barren Siberian wastelands to the stunning halls of the Katerina Palace and the grey streets of Leningrad and Moscow - Vasin must stay one step ahead of the most ruthless spy and police organizations in the world . . . and keep the most wanted man in Russia alive. It's a journey that will push Vasin's loyalty, morality and his patriotism to the limit. And he must confront the ultimate choice: fall in line, or die fighting the system.With masterful storytelling that weaves together an explosive moment in history with the cutthroat machinations of Soviet politics, Owen Matthews' White Fox captures the paradigm-shifting assassination from a unique Soviet point of view. This is a page-turning thriller - a race against time across Soviet Russia, where the participants face impossible odds and must decide between truth, justice and all-out war.Trade ReviewMatthews skilfully balances the exhilarating thrill of the chase with the conflict between duty, self-interest and justice in his hero's heart. A fine send off for a well-accomplished series. * THE TIMES 'Best Thrillers of the Month' *Matthews' excellent Black Sun spy trilogy comes to an impressively tense conclusion in White Fox . . . First rate. * MAIL ON SUNDAY *A white-knuckle ride through the grey paranoia of Cold War Soviet Russia, which Owen Matthews conjures up quite brilliantly. * SHOTS magazine *Superlative . . . balances thrills with historical fact (and speculation) in equal measure and it races you along to its breath-taking conclusion. -- Maxim Jakubowski * CRIME TIME *Impressive . . . Matthews' knowledge of the USSR and the Cold War gives the novel the feeling of authenticity . . . a personal note at the end shows why Vasin's struggles are both so convincing and so affecting. * LITERARY REVIEW *

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Book SynopsisChristopher Fowler was the multiple award-winning author of almost fifty novels and short story collections, including the celebrated Bryant & May mysteries. His other novels include Roofworld, Spanky, The Sand Men and Hot Water. He has also written two acclaimed memoirs, Paperboy (winner of the Green Carnation Prize) and Film Freak, plus The Book of Forgotten Authors and Peculiar London, Bryant and May's singular and eccentric guide to the city. In 2015 Chris was awarded the Crime Writers Association's coveted 'Dagger in the Library' for his body of work. He lived in London and Barcelona. Diagnosed with cancer just as the UK went into lockdown in 2020, Chris died on 2nd March 2023.

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Book SynopsisWINTER, 1362 After decades of successful campaigning in France, Thomas Blackstone, once a common archer, has risen to become Edward III's Master of War. But the title is as much a curse as a blessing. Success has brought few rewards: his family – bar his son Henry – is dead, slaughtered; his enemies only multiply. Death, in so many guises, beckons. As he battles to enforce his King's claim to French territory, Blackstone will assault an impregnable fortress, he'll become embroiled in a feud between French aristocrats, he'll be forced into pitched battle in the dead of winter... and he'll be asked to pay an impossible price to protect something much more precious to the King than mere land. All the while, out of the east, a group of trained killers, burning with vengeance, draw ever closer. Praise for David Gilman: 'The level of suspense is ratcheted up to a truly brutal level' SHARON PENMAN 'A gripping ride' WILBUR SMITH 'Gilman does heart pounding action superlatively' THE TIMES 'Like a punch from a mailed fist, Master of War is a gripping chronicle of pitched battle, treachery and cruelty' ROBERT FABBRITrade ReviewIf you're a fan of historical fiction you'll be a fan of David Gilman's series... A bloody good war gripper' * Weekend Sport *

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Book SynopsisWinter, 1364. The King is dead. Defeated on the field of Poitiers, Jean Le Bon, King of France, honoured his treaty with England until his death. His son and heir, Charles V, has no intention of doing the same. War is coming and the predators are circling. Sir Thomas Blackstone, Edward III's Master of War, has been tasked with securing Brittany for England. In the throes of battle, he rescues a young boy, sole witness to the final living breaths of the Queen of Castile. The secret the boy carries is a spark deadly enough to ignite conflict on a new front – a front the English cannot afford to fight on. So Blackstone is ordered south to Castile, across the mountains to shepherd Don Pedro, King of Castile, to safety. Accompanied only by a small detachment of his men and a band of Moorish cavalrymen loyal to the king, every step takes Blackstone further into uncertain territory, deeper into an unyielding snare. For the Master of War, the shadow of death is always present. Praise for David Gilman: 'The level of suspense is ratcheted up to a truly brutal level' SHARON PENMAN 'A gripping ride' WILBUR SMITH 'Gilman does heart pounding action superlatively' THE TIMES 'Like a punch from a mailed fist, Master of War is a gripping chronicle of pitched battle, treachery and cruelty' ROBERT FABBRITrade Review'A deftly crafted, inherently absorbing, compulsive page turner, and simply riveting read from cover to cover' MidWest Book Review. * MidWest Book Review *A novel that's gripping from page one... with meticulous research' * Devon Life *PRAISE FOR DAVID GILMAN: 'I'd never thought that another writer could rival Bernard Cornwell... The level of suspense is ratcheted up to a truly brutal level' Sharon Penman. 'A gripping ride' Wilbur Smith. 'Gilman does heart pounding action superlatively' The Times. 'Page-turning and gritty' Daily Mail. 'Like 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' -- Robert Fabbri

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Book SynopsisEmbroiled in war, Alan Lewrie is in for the fight of his life After being shipped off to the navy, Alan Lewrie has found his sea legs. Although a stark contrast to the social whirl of London, his rise in status to naval officer rather suits him.When, alongside the crew of the Desperate, he finds himself entangled in the siege of Yorktown, he is forced to fight for his life. But rescuing a loyalist family, along with their attractive daughter Caroline, gets Lewrie in even hotter water…The second action-packed instalment of The Alan Lewrie Naval Adventures is perfect for fans of Philip McCutchan, Julian Stockwin and Patrick O’Brian.‘You could get addicted to this series. Easily.’ New York Times Book Review‘The best naval series since C. S. Forester . . . Recommended.’ Library Journal‘Fast-moving. . . A hugely likeable hero, a huge cast of sharply drawn supporting characters: there's nothing missing. Wonderful stuff.’ Kirkus ReviewsThe Alan Lewrie Naval Adventures The King's Coat The French Admiral The King's Commission The King's Privateer The Gun Ketch H.M.S. Cockerel The King’s Commander Jester’s Fortune The King’s Captain Sea of Grey

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Book SynopsisThe unputdownable and action-packed story of Ancient Rome.Correus and Flavius are half-brothers, sons of a brilliant general. One, son of a slave, is a born warrior destined to excel. The other, a nobleman by birth, must struggle relentlessly to succeed.When they both join the Centuriate, a position Flavius has always known he will inherit, and one that Correus has long coveted, together they face the brutal reality of war.Fighting German barbarians will prove dangerous, not only to their bodies, but to their souls as well…The Centurions is an epic Roman adventure, perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane.

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Book SynopsisIn the dog days of Rome, a mission to the edge of the world...Drust and Kag, two ex-gladiators, are met with an unusual request. Powerful Servilius Structus sends them deep into Scotland, land of the Caledonii, to find and secure a woman and her young son. Accompanied by a crew of fellow rogues, they will risk everything on an insane quest and a daring escape.With decadence and corruption in the air, the consequences of their failure are immeasurable, for the Empire itself is at stake.A searing, blood-soaked historical adventure, perfect for fans of Giles Kristian, David Gilman and Conn Iggulden.Praise for Rob Low'An epic tale of hardship, triumph, betrayal and brotherhood' S. J. A. Turney

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Book SynopsisA young recruit. A legendary battle. A cataclysmic war. A baptism by fire...Kelly Maguire knew from a young age that he could accomplish great things. As World War I begins, Kelly enlists in the Royal Navy, hoping to win both the war and glory.But from the barbarous battles of Gallipoli to the nightmarish action of Antwerp, Kelly learns the trials a soldier must face: trials that will forge him into a man. As the epic battle of Jutland approaches, everything is at stake.From acclaimed novelist Max Hennessy comes a gritty naval adventure, full of blood, guts and heroism in the face of danger.

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Book SynopsisA desolate wasteland. A mission gone wrong. An impossible goal. A gripping new series of Ancient RomeRoman scout Silus is deep behind enemy lines in Caledonia. As he spies on a raiding party, he is abruptly discovered by an enemy chief and his son.Mounting a one man ambush, everything quickly goes wrong. Silus must run for his life, the head of the enemy leader in his hands. Little does he know the price he will pay... As Silus is inducted into the Arcani, an elite faction of assassins and spies, he must return to Caledonia, back into the wilderness, and risk everything in the service of his Caesar. The odds don’t look good.Failure is not an option.A blood-soaked and unputdownable Roman thriller, anchored in detailed historical research, perfect for fans of Ben Kane, Conn Iggulden and Robert FabbriPraise for Alex Gough'Gritty and real, exciting and pacy, this is first rate historical fiction, and Gough is clearly ready to take his place among the leading writers of the genre' SJA Turney, author of the Praetorian series

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Book SynopsisOur favourite rakish sailor, Alan Lewrie, returns in this thrilling historical naval adventure.It is 1793, and Alan Lewrie, swashbuckling naval warrior turned family man, longs for battle. Oppressed by life as a gentleman farmer, when revolutionary France draws Britain into war, Lewrie is only too pleased to answer the navy’s call.But life aboard the H.M.S Cockerel is marred by a malaria-stricken tyrant of a captain and a restless crew. When the war escalates Lewrie finds himself at the Battle of Toulon where he meets a dashing young Napoleon Bonaparte. Outnumbered three to one, Lewrie takes on the French in a desperate bid to help the Royalists escape…H.M.S Cockerel, book six in The Alan Lewrie Naval Adventures is perfect for fans of Patrick O’Brian, Iain Gale and George MacDonald Fraser.Praise for Dewey Lambdin‘You could get addicted to this series. Easily.’ New York Times Book Review‘The best naval series since C. S. Forester… Recommended.’ Library Journal‘Fast-moving… A hugely likeable hero, a huge cast of sharply drawn supporting characters: there’s nothing missing. Wonderful stuff.’ Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisThe fate of Rome, and thousands of lives, rests on the shoulders of one man.After murdering his brother, and taking the position of Emperor for himself, Caracalla orders a brutal purge of the supporters of Geta.Meanwhile, Caracalla's ally Marcellus has his son suddenly kidnapped. But why? Silus is ordered to track down and rescue the boy, rumoured to be Caracalla's child. As Rome buckles beneath the weight of slaughter, Silus will travel to the city of Alexandria. There he will need to risk everything to save the boy, the Empire and his own life...An intense and blood-soaked thriller of Ancient Rome, perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow, Conn Iggulden and Ben Kane.

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Book Synopsis40AD and despite the threat of bloodshed, Senator Vivius Marcianus travels to Jerusalem to investigate the delay in erecting the Emperor's statue in the temple. Failure is not an option. When Vivius is wounded and imprisoned, it is left to Dorio to rescue his heavily pregnant sister and her children and set about proving Vivius's innocence. The thrilling sequel to The Senator's Assignment

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Book SynopsisAfter a fateful confrontation with the brother he once betrayed, Eric van Kroot finds himself roaming Amsterdam's seediest streets in a desperate search for the child he never knew he had. His quest uncovers far more than he'd bargained for, however, as he stumbles across the biggest cover up in history. But there are those who will do anything to stop him, for, while many have much to gain, others have everything to lose...

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Book SynopsisAll his adult life Adrian Kramer had carried around with him a secret. But was it as big a secret, or one as explosive or life-threatening as the secret he stumbled into? Based on a true story and series of historical events, One Day In June is one man’s journey of self discovery into the dark and bleeding heart of Europe.

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Book SynopsisA sweeping historical adventure, set in 17th-century Morocco, from the bestselling author of Court of Lions. Morocco, 1677 The tyrannical King Ismail resides over the palace of Meknes. Through the sweltering heat of the palace streets, Nus Nus, slave to the king, is sent to the apothecary. There he discovers the bloody corpse of the herb man, and becomes entangled in a plot to frame him for the murder. Meanwhile, young, fair Alys Swann is captured during her crossing to England, where she is due to be wed. Sold into Ismail's harem, she is forced to choose: renounce her faith or die. An unlikely alliance develops between Alys and Nus Nus, one that will help them to survive the horrifying ordeals of King Ismail's court. Brimming with rich historical detail and peppered with real characters, from Charles I to Samuel Pepys, The Sultan's Wife is a story of enduring love and adventure. 'Jane Johnson writes the sort of books you want to tell everyone about... I'm addicted' Katie Fforde 'An utterly compelling story' Stuart MacBride 'An irresistible page turner – I loved it' Barbara Erskine 'Full of intrigue, deceit, skulduggery and murder' Ben KaneTrade ReviewJane Johnson writes the sort of books you want to tell everyone about – they hook you from the first page and sweep you along with passion, history and romance. I'm addicted -- Katie FfordeFull of intrigue, deceit, skulduggery and murder. It has romance in it, but also heartbreak and personal tragedy. It's deeply evocative of North Africa – the sights, the smells, the culture, but there are also great depictions of London at the time, and the court of Charles II. I really enjoyed it -- Ben KaneDeftly recreating the court intrigue of the tyrannical Moroccan Sultan Moulay Ismail – with all its trappings of superstition, black magic and torture – it sucks you down through interleaving layers steeped in blood, sweat and raw adrenalin, to a mesmerising bedrock of real history... The Sultan's Wife gets inside you, conjuring its magic long after you read the last line' -- Tahir ShahGripping and evocative. An utterly compelling story -- Stuart MacBrideAn irresistible page turner – I loved it -- Barbara Erskine

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Book SynopsisThe time of peace is over. The time of war has begun.Bera is struggling to reconcile her desire to be an ordinary woman with the weight of her Valla duty to shape the future. Love and friendship vie with her longing for freedom at sea on her beloved longboat. Warned that Chaos is coming and that Vikings have taken her kin as slaves, Bera realises her destiny is to follow them to Wolf Island, a land that has abandoned the old gods. In a quest to save her loved ones, Bera must use her smith’s iron lore and the knowledge of her Valla ancestors to follow an ancient path into a dark labyrinth, where human time is meaningless. There, she confronts her worst foe to finally bring peace – at the cost of a life.The voyage that began with Sea Paths and continued with Obsidian ends with Landfall, Bera’s most dangerous and important journey of all.

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Book SynopsisThe year is 1748. Elewa, known as ‘the Daughter of Peace’, bears a heavy responsibility on her young shoulders: to maintain the fragile truce between the warring peoples of her West African kingdom.But as she begins to understand her role in the peace negotiations, even greater pressures emerge. Elewa discovers that she has Yeseni, a powerful gift that allows her to see events from any point in time, and to travel into the past and future.When she experiences horrific visions of life aboard a slave ship, she realises she has to face the ultimate crossroads. She could use her gift to intervene in the past and try to prevent the transatlantic slave trade ever taking place. But that means she, as the Daughter of Peace, would be leaving her village behind at a precarious moment in the reconciliation process.Whichever path she chooses to take, the future of her people lies on her shoulders.Trade Review 'Elewa is a character that I loved from the beginning . . . I loved to see her grow through this story, challenging the imposed rules . . . I thoroughly enjoyed the book and it's a story I'd read again. I can't wait what will Solange delight us with next' @journalabook 'So powerful and inspiring and really delved into the history of the slave trade . . . Elewa is such a queen of a character . . . I would definitely read this again’ @mehrinreads 'I loved hearing about the tribe’s history and traditions and that belief in the supernatural leads on to the storyline focussing on the yeseni, power to see and travel to events past and future. I loved Elewa right from the start. A great character full of wonder and so inquisitive and I think this is what endears us to her quest too. A really thought-provoking read' @book_a_holic_17 'A book of beauty and strength. This is such a touching and powerful read . . . It was such a strong read, with a lot of detail and very emotional, strong feelings throughout, that all gave you a real thinking point and something to come back to and anchor on, as you got to know her and her tribe. I really enjoyed this read and found it very engaging' @naturalbri_books 'I feel like words can’t justify how much I loved this book. The writing felt so authentic and every sentence felt like it came from the heart. This was a story of liberation and empowerment that was truly meaningful and didn’t just feel like a ‘story’. Although it is fiction, I feel like I learnt so much - particularly about the slave trade and colonialism' @tinkerbellslibrary

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Book Synopsis'A page turner from beginning to end... A damn fine read' Ben Kane. Four Emperors. Two Friends. One Destiny. As twilight descends on the 3rd century AD, the Roman Empire is but a shadow of its former self. Decades of usurping emperors, splinter kingdoms and savage wars have left the people beleaguered, the armies weary and the future uncertain. And into this chaos Emperor Diocletian steps, reforming the succession to allow for not one emperor to rule the world, but four. Meanwhile, two boys share a chance meeting in the great city of Treverorum as Diocletian's dream is announced to the imperial court. Throughout the years that follow, they share heartbreak and glory as that dream sours and the empire endures an era of tyranny and dread. Their lives are inextricably linked, their destinies ever-converging as they rise through Rome's savage stations, to the zenith of empire. For Constantine and Maxentius, the purple robes beckon... Praise for Gordon Doherty and Simon Turney: 'A page turner from beginning to end... A damn fine read' Ben Kane, author of Lionheart 'The Rise of Emperors series is first-rate Roman fiction. Doherty and Turney each breathe life into their respective characters with insight and humanity' Matthew Harffy, author of Wolf of Wessex 'A nuanced portrait of an intriguing emperor' The Times (on Turney's Commodus) 'A meticulously researched and vivid reimagining of an almost forgotten civilisation' Douglas Jackson, author of Hero of Rome (on Doherty's Empires of Bronze) 'Sons of Rome is an intriguing and highly polished piece of historical fiction' James Tivendale from Grimdark MagazineTrade ReviewA page turner from beginning to end... A damn fine read' -- Ben KaneAn intriguing and highly polished piece of Historical Fiction that is well worth the asking price -- James Tivendale from Grimdark MagazineThe Rise of Emperors series is first-rate Roman fiction -- Matthew HarffyRiveting... A superbly crafted and fully engaging story that showcases the cooperative literary talents of its two co-authors, Gordon Doherty and Simon Turney... Original, entertaining, and leaving the reader looking eagerly toward any further novels set in the antiquity of that ancient empire' * MidWest Book Review *

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Book SynopsisTheir rivalry will change the world forever. As competition for the imperial throne intensifies, Constantine and Maxentius realise their childhood friendship cannot last. Each man struggles to control their respective quadrant of empire, battered by currents of politics, religion and personal tragedy, threatened by barbarian forces and enemies within. With their positions becoming at once stronger and more troubled, the strained threads of their friendship begin to unravel. Unfortunate words and misunderstandings finally sever their ties, leaving them as bitter opponents in the greatest game of all, with the throne of Rome the prize. It is a matter that can only be settled by outright war... 'A page turner from beginning to end... A damn fine read' Ben Kane, author of Lionheart (on Sons of Rome) 'The Rise of Emperors series is first-rate Roman fiction. Doherty and Turney each breathe life into their respective characters with insight and humanity' Matthew Harffy, author of Wolf of Wessex 'A nuanced portrait of an intriguing emperor' The Times (on Turney's Commodus) 'A meticulously researched and vivid reimagining of an almost forgotten civilisation' Douglas Jackson, author of Hero of Rome (on Doherty's Empires of Bronze) 'An intriguing and highly polished piece of historical fiction' James Tivendale from Grimdark (on Sons of Rome)Trade ReviewA page turner from beginning to end... A damn fine read' -- Ben KaneThe Rise of Emperors series is first-rate Roman fiction -- Matthew HarffyI am in awe of the skill of both authors to bring something as complex as this period to life with such apparent ease... Each chapter flows into the next, the desire to give both characters an equal voice never falters, and quite frankly, I have no idea how the trilogy is ultimately going to end, but I am desperate to know. I highly recommend Masters of Rome, especially for those who have no knowledge of the period's history (like me) because it is fascinating and told with panache and skill, with an eye to detail. And those who do know the period, you're still in for a treat' * Aspects of History *PRAISE FOR SIMON TURNEY & GORDON DOHERTY: 'A nuanced portrait of an intriguing emperor' The Times (on Turney's Commodus). 'A meticulously researched and vivid reimagining of an almost forgotten civilisation' -- Douglas Jackson (on Doherty's Empires of Bronze)

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Book SynopsisFor one to rule, the other must die. AD 312: A year of horrific and brutal warfare. Although outnumbered, Constantine's legions seem unstoppable as they surge through Maxentius' Italian heartlands. Constantine is determined to reach and seize the ancient capital of Rome from his rival, yet his army is exhausted, plagued by religious rivalries and on the verge of revolt. Maxentius meanwhile contends with a restive and dissenting Roman populace. Neither general can risk a prolonged war. When the two forces clash amidst portents and omens in a battle that will shape history, there are factors at work beyond their control. Only one thing is certain: Constantine and Maxentius' rivalry must end. With one on a bloodied sword and the other the sole ruler of an Empire... Praise for Gordon Doherty and Simon Turney: 'A page turner from beginning to end... A damn fine read' Ben Kane, author of Lionheart 'The Rise of Emperors series is first-rate Roman fiction. Doherty and Turney each breathe life into their respective characters with insight and humanity' Matthew Harffy, author of Wolf of Wessex 'A nuanced portrait of an intriguing emperor' The Times (on Turney's Commodus) 'A meticulously researched and vivid reimagining of an almost forgotten civilisation' Douglas Jackson, author of Hero of Rome (on Doherty's Empires of Bronze) 'An intriguing and highly polished piece of historical fiction' James Tivendale from Grimdark (on Sons of Rome)Trade ReviewA page turner from beginning to end... A damn fine read' -- Ben KaneThe Rise of Emperors series is first-rate Roman fiction -- Matthew HarffyPRAISE FOR SIMON TURNEY & GORDON DOHERTY: 'A nuanced portrait of an intriguing emperor' The Times (on Turney's Commodus). 'Astonishing... A fascinating, detailed and dramatic story of one of Rome's most notorious emperors' Sunday Express (on Turney's Commodus). 'A meticulously researched and vivid reimagining of an almost forgotten civilisation' -- Douglas Jackson (on Doherty's Empires of Bronze)

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