Historical adventure fiction
HarperCollins Publishers The King’s Mistress
Book Synopsis[Published as The September Queen in the US] Set against the volatile backdrop of the English Civil War, dive into this enthralling tale of danger, bravery, and a woman who would do anything for the man she loved. It’s 1651 and Jane Lane leads a privileged life inside the walls of her family’s home. At 25 years old, her parents are keen to see her settled, but Jane dreams of a union that goes beyond the advantageous match her father desires. Her quiet world is shattered when Royalists, fighting to restore the crown to King Charles II, arrive at their door, imploring Jane and her family for help. They have been hiding the king, but Cromwell’s forces are close behind them, baying for Charles’ blood – and the blood of anyone who seeks to help him. Putting herself in mortal danger, Jane must help the king escape to safety by disguising him as her manservant. With the shadow of the gallows dogging their every step, Jane finds herself falling in love with the gallant young Charles. But will Jane surrender to a passion that could change her life – and the course of history – forever? The unforgettable true story of Charles II’s escape, and the love and bravery of the woman who made it possible. Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory and Elizabeth Chadwick.Trade Review“The King’s Mistress is that spellbinding combination of history, adventure, suspense and a fast-beating pulse of pure eroticism…a real romantic treat.” Lancashire Evening Post
£11.39
John Murray Press The Beast in the Jungle
Book SynopsisApril 1914. Former US President Theodore Roosevelt and his son Kermit have embarked on a dangerous expedition down an uncharted river in the Brazilian Amazon. Threatened as they are by disease, drowning and starvation, an even greater peril awaits them when they are captured by a local Indian tribe, the mysterious Cinta Larga, and forced to hunt for a savage creature laying waste to the jungle's inhabitants. In their search for the elusive beast, they find unexpected allies in a young mother and her half-caste child. But with hopes, dreams and lives at stake, father and son must confront the fissures in their own relationship and the dark secrets from their shared past. This exciting psychological thriller, inspired by actual historical events and figures, charts an audacious journey through the Amazonian heart of darkness and explores the demons that live within and without.Trade ReviewPart mystery, part warts-and-all exploration diary, part mediation on the debilitating effects of depression, it's beautifully written and, despite its heart of darkness, great fun * Irish Times *A mystery in the Arthur Conan Doyle tradition, had Sherlock and Watson been masochistic enough to volunteer for this dreadful trek . . . Bayard gives us a compassionate, unsentimental portrait of a son who would forever live in the shadow of a colossal father * Washington Post *Bayard's heart-of-darkness saga is impressive-blood and sacrifice, primitive peoples and Roosevelt courage . . . [He] exactingly chronicles the hardships of charting the river, right down to the damp, dangers and drudgery of the Amazonian jungle . . . A suspense-filled reimagining of history deepened by a confrontation with evil's supernatural presence * Kirkus Reviews *Bayard has written a riveting thriller and psychological study wrapped around historical events and people and gives the reader a real existential puzzle to put together * Booklist *An edge-of-your-seat thriller with all the twists and turns of an unexplored river * Kermit Roosevelt III, great-great grandson of Theodore Roosevelt, and author of In the Shadow of the Law *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Traitor's Blood: Book 1 of The Civil War
Book SynopsisTraitor's Blood, the first in The Civil War Chronicles, Michael Arnold's acclaimed series of historical thrillers, sees battle-scarred hero Captain Stryker, 'the Sharpe of the Civil War', confront his nemesis. 'Stands in comparison with the best of Cornwell' Yorkshire PostOnce seen in the heat of battle, Captain Stryker is never forgotten. A hardened veteran of the wars in the Low Countries, he has come home to England to seek revenge on the man who left him for dead and scarred him for life.Stryker is driven by loyalty rather than conviction to serve King Charles's cause. He has no truck with aristocracy, preferring the company of a handful of trusted men, including sometime actor Lancelot Forreseter and his foul-mouthed sergeant, Skellen. But when the existence of a dangerous spy at the heart of the Royalist establishment is discovered, it is Stryker whom Prince Rupert chooses to capture the man before he realises the game is up.Lightly armed and with only a handful of men, Stryker must journey across a country riven by bitterness and beset by marauding bands of soldiers in a race against time. But unbeknown to Stryker, someone else is also closing in on his quarry, someone whom Stryker has sworn to kill: Captain Eli Makepeace, his nemesis, the man who nearly destroyed him . . .Trade ReviewCaptures the grittiness, as well as the doomed glamour, of the Royalist cause. -- Charles SpencerI loved Sharpe. I am going to be equally at home with Captain Stryker. * Historical Novels Review *Powerfully visualised battle scenes which can certainly stand in comparison with the best of Cornwell. * Yorkshire Post *Rollicking action and proper history combine in this cracking series. -- Anthony Riches
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Devil's Charge: Book 2 of The Civil War
Book SynopsisDevil's Charge, the second in The Civil War Chronicles, Michael Arnold's acclaimed series of historical thrillers, sees battle-scarred hero Captain Stryker, 'the Sharpe of the Civil War', fight for his honour. 'Stands in comparison with the best of Cornwell' Yorkshire PostEngland stands divided: king against Parliament, town against country, brother against brother. For Captain Stryker, scarred hero of a dozen wars, the rights and wrongs of the cause mean little. His loyalties are to his own small band of comrades - and to Queen Henrietta Maria's beautiful and most deadly agent, Lisette Gaillard. So when Prince Rupert entrusts him with a secret mission to discover what has happened to Lisette and the man she was protecting - a man who could hold the key to Royalist victory - nothing, not false imprisonment for murder, ambush, a doomed siege or a lethal religious fanatic will stand in his way.A Sunday Times Historical Fiction Book of the YearTrade ReviewFans of Cornwell's Sharpe novels will love Captain Innocent Stryker - he's uglier, meaner and cleverer than Sharpe. Tremendous! -- Ben KaneA dark-hued romp, livid with the scents, sounds and colours of a country on the brink of implosion ... impressive. * Daily Express *Michael Arnold's Devil's Charge featuring the battle-hardened English civil war veteran Captain Stryker, skilfully blends the author's own inventions with the real events of 1643. * Sunday Times, Historical Fiction Books of the Year *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Hunter's Rage: Book 3 of The Civil War Chronicles
Book SynopsisHunter's Rage, the third in The Civil War Chronicles, Michael Arnold's acclaimed series of historical thrillers, sees battle-scarred hero Captain Stryker, 'the Sharpe of the Civil War', take on his oldest foe. 'Stands in comparison with the best of Cornwell' Yorkshire PostPosted to the hostile territory of Dartmoor, Captain Innocent Stryker and his men are attacked by an elite cavalry unit commanded by the formidable Colonel Gabriel Wild and suffer heavy losses. Stryker has already clashed once with Wild, and the Roundhead has sworn to seek his revenge. After the attack, Stryker is faced with the annihilation of his company as he is hounded across the moor, eventually seeking shelter on an isolated tor populared by an enigmatic former priest who harbours no love for the King's cause. Colonel Wild is assisted in his revenge by Osmyn Hogg, Parliamentarian Witchfinder, who shares his own deadly history with Stryker. To save his honour and his life, Stryker must lead his men to glory from the protection of the lonely granite-topped hill. Into this atmosphere of intrigue and danger comes the beautiful but mysterious Cecily Cade. Stryker comes to her aid, unaware that she carries with her special knowledge that may prove the key to Royalist victory.The battle between Stryker and his old foes takes him from the bleak isolation of Dartmoor, through the war-ravaged lands of southern England and finally to Stratton, where the bloody battle between Cornwall and Devon will decide the fate of the south-west.Trade ReviewMichael Arnold's Civil War Chronicles have the makings of a fun, Sharpe-like series. * History Today *A dark-hued romp, livid with the scents, sounds and colours of a country on the brink of implosion ... impressive. * Daily Express *Fans of Cornwell's Sharpe novels will love Captain Innocent Stryker - he's uglier, meaner and cleverer than Sharpe. Tremendous! -- Ben Kane
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Assassin's Reign: Book 4 of The Civil War
Book SynopsisAssassin's Reign, the fourth in The Civil War Chronicles, Michael Arnold's acclaimed series of historical thrillers, sees battle-scarred hero Captain Stryker, 'the Sharpe of the Civil War', in the fight of his life.'Stands in comparison with the best of Cornwell' Yorkshire PostThe forces of King Charles are victorious; their Parliamentarian enemies in deep crisis. In the west, the crucial port city of Bristol has fallen, and Royalist eyes fall quickly upon neighbouring Gloucester. Its walls are weak, its garrison under strength, and its governor - Sir Edward Massie - suspected of harbouring sympathy for the King.Stryker and his men are with the army as it converges on Gloucester, still reeling from the loss of a close friend at the bloody Battle of Stratton. Ordered to infiltrate the rebel city on a mission to discover whether Massie will indeed surrender, Stryker reluctantly embarks upon his most desperate mission yet. But Gloucester's defenders are more resolute than any had imagined, and catastrophe soon befalls him. With his life seemingly forfeit, Stryker is spared by an unlikely saviour; Vincent Skaithlocke, his former commander. The mercenary has returned to England to fight for Parliament, and offers Stryker his protection. As old friends adjust to life fighting for opposing sides, Stryker begins to question his own loyalties . . . but a chance discovery makes him realise that all in Gloucester is not what it seems, for a hidden menace threatens his own life, and that of King Charles himself.Trade ReviewIf you like Cornwell you will like Arnold. * Historical Novels Review *A thumping good read. -- Ben KaneA dark-hued romp, livid with the scents, sounds and colours of a country on the brink of implosion ... impressive. * Daily Express *
£11.63
Hodder & Stoughton Warlord's Gold: Book 5 of The Civil War
Book SynopsisWarlord's Gold, the fifth novel in The Civil War Chronicles, Michael Arnold's acclaimed series of historical thrillers, sees battle-scarred hero, Captain Stryker, 'the Sharpe of the Civil War' on a quest to recover lost treasure.Autumn,1643. As an increasingly bitter war rages across England, Captain Innocent Stryker leaves Oxford with orders to recover a lost treasure, vital to the success of the Royalist cause. But a seemingly simple mission to the remote Scilly Isles is soon jeopardised, for enemies lie in wait. A formidable Parliamentarian agent has been sent ahead of Stryker's force, intent on defeating Royalist plans. Feared by ally and enemy alike, he is a man whose determination is only matched by his hatred for Stryker.The quest for the gold takes Stryker across storm-ravaged seas, through enemy territory and finally to the Royalist stronghold of Basing House. And it is there that Stryker will face his most dangerous challenge yet.Trade ReviewThe enigmatic Stryker promises much entertainment. * Sunday Times *A dark-hued romp, livid with the scents, sound and colours of a country on the brink of implosion ... impressive. * Daily Express *If you like Cornwell you will like Arnold. * Historical Novels Review *
£8.99
Ashgrove Publishing Ltd The Lion of Canterbury: The Last Armed Uprising
Book SynopsisIn 1832 a stranger arrived in Canterbury dressed like a Turkish sultan and with seemingly limitless wealth. He claimed to be Sir William Percy Honeywood Courtenay and said that he was the King of Jerusalem, a Prince of Arabia, the Prince of Abyssinia, and King of the Gypsies. He entranced many in the city and soon had a sizeable following among the agricultural labourers who saw in his radical politics an answer to their poverty. Some five years later after unsuccessfully standing for parliament and being incarcerated in a mental asylum `Sir William’ led the last armed uprising in England that left twenty dead and many seriously wounded at what became known as the Battle of Bossenden. Who was `Sir William’ if he was not who he claimed to be? Who indeed? And why? The Lion of Canterbury is a haunting narrative written with particular sensitivity to the language of the period that brings readers into the heart of the strange story of Sir William Courtenay.
£12.34
Ashgrove Publishing Ltd Mauresque
Book SynopsisRecently graduated from Oxford University, idealistic and headstrong Jeremy Ashland obtains a job teaching English at a language school in the Casablanca of the 1960s. Determined to be accepted as an enlightened foreigner at a time when Moroccan society is emerging from the trauma of colonialism, he plunges dangerously into local and expatriate circles. 'Mauresque' is also the story of Jeremy’s forbidden love for an upper-class Moroccan girl with revolutionary aspirations – a relationship that mirrors the tensions between Moroccans themselves in their search for a new nationhood. Evocative, stylistic and wide-ranging, Mauresque immerses the reader in a world of clandestine relationships, political intrigue, drug smuggling, murder and sorcery.
£15.29
Everyman Typhoon And Other Stories
Book SynopsisIn these three sea stories, based on his own experience, Conrad invests his portraits of mundane steamers and their crews with epic qualities of fortitude and courage in the face of overwhelming natural odds. At the same time, he probes the psychological condition of men together and under pressure with the greatest delicacy, raising the adventure story to the level of high art. The supreme poet of the sailor's life, Conrad here establishes his reputation as a master storyteller.
£11.99
Ringwood Publishing Raise Dragon
Book SynopsisIn the year of 1306, Scotland is in turmoil. Robert the Bruce and the fighting Bishop Wishart's plans for rebellion put the Scottish kingdom at risk, whilst the hostile kingdom of England seems more invincible than ever. But Bishop Wishart has got a final card left to play: four brave Scottish knights set off in search of a mysterious ancient treasure that will bring Scotland to the centre of an international plot, changing both the kingdoms of Europe and the course of history once and for all. In the first of eight novels, L.A. Kristiansen skillfully narrates an epic past filled with historical figures as you've never seen them before. Only History can reveal the fate of those whom the Dragon banner was Raised against.
£11.92
Good Read Publishing The Tears of War and Peace
Book Synopsis
£7.99
Good Read Publishing Silent Tears
Book Synopsis
£7.99
Peter Halban Publishers Ltd The Overseer
Book SynopsisIt has long been rumoured that a sixteenth-century monk called Eisenreich out-Machiavellied Machiavelli, writing a masterplan for the Church to achieve world domination. So dangerous was the text that the Pope had to kill Eisenreich to suppress it. But when the bullet-riddled body of a young girl is found in the mid-West and "Eisenreich" is her dying word, it becomes terrifyingly clear that not only is the document real, but someone is planning to use it.Sarah Trent, a US agent, and Xander Jaspers, a Columbia University professor, race to find this manuscript, but neither fully understand the danger they're confronting as it has fallen into the hands of a cabal who intend to use it to rip society apart, and create a new world order.Trent and Jaspers make a quirky, entertaining team and the brilliant story line turns The Overseer into one of the best political thrillers of the decade.'Dazzling plot twists, highly sophisticated and diverting thriller, superior entertainment.' Washington Post Book WorldTrade Review'The Book of Q and The Overseer by New York novelist Jonathan Rabb easily out-manoeuvre Brown in grand and dark ecclesiastical designs.' Boyd Tonkin -- The Independent
£10.44
Fingerpress Francesca Pascal: a World War II Drama
£11.87
Jacaranda Books Art Music Ltd Butterfly Fish
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 *
£11.69
Jacaranda Books Art Music Ltd The Book of Harlan
Book Synopsis"Simply miraculous... As her saga becomes ever more spellbinding, so does the reader's astonishment at the magic she creates. This is a story about the triumph of the human spirit over bigotry, intolerance and cruelty, and at the center of The Book of Harlan is the restorative force that is music." - Washington PostHarlan and his best friend are invited to perform at a popular cabaret in the Parisian enclave of Montmartre, but after the City of Light falls under Nazi occupation, they are thrown into Buchenwald-the notorious concentration camp in Weimar, Germany-irreparably changing the course of Harlan's life.Trade Review"Simply miraculous . . . This is a story about the triumph of the human spirit over bigotry, intolerance and cruelty, and at the center of The Book of Harlan is the restorative force that is music."“McFadden packs a powerful punch with tight prose and short chapters that bear witness to key events in early twentieth-century history . . . McFadden presents a remarkably crisp portrait of one average man’s extraordinary bravery in the face of pure evil."
£9.49
Nine Elms Books INTO THE FIRE: One Photograph Can Change A Nation
Book SynopsisPhilip Trotter's debut novel is an exhilarating and original take on the Vietnam theme, exploring less familiar aspects of the country's painful history through the generation-defining image of the Burning Monk. Saigon, 1963. With the tensions of war starting to swirl, rookie photographer Ned Rivers lands in South Vietnam, hungry for the iconic shot that will make his name. But a shocking and violent act of protest by a local Buddhist monk quickly draws Ned's focus from the battlefields and the Viet Cong. Behind the front pages, a different conflict is churning - political, religious, and cultural - which threatens to tear this fragile nation even further apart. As Ned learns more about the Buddhist community's suffering at the hands of the state, his journalistic detachment becomes harder to justify. New friendships turn to solidarity and action, leaving him open to the government's wrath. President Diem sends out his ruthless attack dog Colonel Tung to manage the interfering journalist. Meanwhile, Diem faces mounting criticism from his American allies as their stake in Vietnam deepens. With political pressures at home driving US policy, the regime seems increasingly like a liability. For Ned, caught at the centre of this international chessboard, the adventure becomes too real. With friendships, love and a career in balance, can he hope to protect it all from the conspiracy of violence, arrest and war that surrounds him?
£7.59
Nine Elms Books The Devil's Magistrate: His past is always
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
£8.54
ACA Publishing Limited Between Four Rivers
Book Synopsis1694: Sichuan is empty, depopulated by war, famine and plague. When the emperor issues a decree asking citizens to re-settle this former land of abundance, Ning Xi takes up the call, vowing to find her father, Ning Degong, who vanished in Sichuan years ago. Beset by tigers, bandits, and a powerful old enemy, this courageous woman and her family must face countless dangers - including a new set of rivals, the influential Zhao clan - to build a new life in this wild land. Between Four Rivers is the stunning multi-generational tale of two families linked by shocking twists of fate that leave their lives and the destiny of Sichuan changed forever.
£13.49
Derek Birks The Last Shroud
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£15.68
Derek Birks The Blood of Princes
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£11.99
Derek Birks Britannia: World's End
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£12.14
ThunderPoint Publishing Limited Uncertain Times
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£10.44
Unicorn Publishing Group The Scapegoat: Ovid’s Journey Out of Exile
Book SynopsisPublius Ovidius Naso (43BC – 17/18AD), known as Ovid, was known as much for his disgrace as for his poetry. By pleasing his contemporaries, befriending patricians and subtly mocking the emperor Augustus, he was transformed from a provincial outsider to Rome’s darling – and, for some, its corrupter. Banished without trial to a remote port on the Black Sea, he continued to write. It is fortunate that most of his work has not been lost. The transformation stories of his masterpiece – The Metamorphoses – inspired not just Shakespeare, Chaucer and Milton, but have been a major influence on European culture. His handbooks of erotic love taught men and women the art of dealing with the opposite sex. They brought him instant literary glory and notable adversaries. His works were banned by the emperor Augustus, by Savonarola, by the Bishop’s Ban, by the Vatican and eventually by the US Custom Office; this latter only lifted in 1930. To discover who was Ovid the man, Michael Solomon travelled in his footsteps, seeking the same landscapes today that Ovid found two thousand years ago.Trade Review"For any Classics lovers this is the perfect exploration into the life of such an influential poet. ...It is profound and well-written, and fully captivates you, bringing you into Ovid’s journey out of exile. If you love Ancient Greece/Ancient Rome or just love the symbolism in Ovid’s poetry then this will bring you into a new dimension of understanding." Inside Out Reviews "The Scapegoat is a thrilling novel with an intriguing character study that is sure to please those interested in the Roman Empire." Historic Chronicles "The Scapegoat is a thoughtful and interesting novel, with a good historical background research and unique take on historical facts. A long yet heartly recommended weekend read." Wild Writing Life "Sardonic, clever, and descriptive, this novel takes the reader not only into the life of the infamous Ovid but also into the heart of 1st century Rome with all of its political intrigue and artifice." Ellen Z Reads "The ending has a twist to it that leaves you with a smile on your face" From the Book Elf "An interesting and unusual read" The Library Door
£9.50
Monsoon Books Chasing the Dragon
Book SynopsisTracing the development of Singapore in the years 1836-1854, against the background of the First Opium War and the Taiping Rebellion, Chasing the Dragon (Singapore Saga, Vol. 2) continues to vividly portray the lives of the early pioneers of the expanding port city.
£8.54
Saraband The Unreliable Death of Lady Grange
Book SynopsisEdinburgh, January 1732. It’s the funeral of Rachel, wife of Lord Grange. Her death is a shock. Still young, she’d shown no signs of ill health. Rachel is, however, still alive. She has been brutally kidnapped by the man who has falsified her death: her husband. Her punishment, perhaps, for railing against his infidelity – or simply for being too feisty for a lady and never submissive enough as a wife. Whether to conceal his Jacobite leanings or to replace his wife with a long-time mistress, Lord Grange banishes Rachel to a remote island exile, to an isolated life of hardship on St Kilda, where she can never be found. This is the gripping story of a woman who has until now been remembered mostly by her husband’s unflattering account. It’s a remarkable tale of how the real Lady Grange may have coped with such a dramatic fate, with courage and graceTrade Review“The wronged lady finally has her say … One of the strangest and most disturbing stories to have emerged from Scotland’s Jacobite past.” * The Times *From the Jacobite intrigues of eighteenth-century Edinburgh to Scotland's dark and sea-battered islands, Lady Grange's life is one of eye-popping incident. An amazing story. * Sally Magnusson *"Swept me along breathlessly ... The cruelty and complexity of eighteenth-century Scottish society is richly represented." * Dr Annie Gray *"A fascinating historical novel ... utterly compelling ... a book we'd highly recommend." * Undiscovered Scotland *“A superlative page-turner” * Scones and Chaise Longues blog *“A compelling narrative … fitting current trends in historical fiction, where women’s history is centralised and new light shed on their position in the past … An enjoyable read.” * Historical Novels Review *"There's kidnapping, mystery, intrigue, romance and even murder ... a very enjoyable romp through an interesting period of Jacobean history ... gave a voice to someone who has, like many women, largely been forgotten or misrepresented in history." * Portobello Book Blog *"Fleshing out the limited details available about Lady Grange's life, Sue Lawrence has created a fascinating, enjoyable and eminently readable piece of historical fiction." * Ramblingmads *"Fascinating, entertaining ... an addictive read." * Jera's Jamboree *This is a fantastic and gripping story and I highly recommend. * Geraldine Gatsby *"I absolutely loved this richly drawn novel." * Beauty Balm *"Rachel is the very embodiment of female power in a period of time when women had very little ... This is a powerful book, of a dark but in some ways uplifting story that might just take you away from our current craziness." * Bookbound *
£8.54
Sandstone Press Ltd The Crown Agent
Book SynopsisA ship adrift, all hands dead. A lighthouse keeper murdered in the night. The Crown needs man to find the truth. Doctor Mungo Lyon, his reputation tarnished by the Burke & Hare scandal, and forbidden to practise as a surgeon, is the wrong man. That’s exactly why the Crown chose him.Trade ReviewAn assured debut that unashamedly harks back to classic thrillers... reads like a knowing blend of James Buchan’s The 39 Steps and Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. * The Irish Times *The story is fast paced and gripping... An adrenaline-filled adventure. * Scottish Field *A classic, colourful and fascinating adventure story... brilliantly told with plenty of derring-do. * Crime Review *This highly entertaining debut sits well in a long tradition of Scottish adventure novels and is a perfect winter evening read for fans of intrigue, daring do and jeopardy. * NB Magazine *The perfect dark and moody tale to keep you going this autumn... Immensely entertaining and as gripping as you’d hope from a crime novel, I look forward to more Mungo Lyon adventures. * CommonSpace *A beautifully crafted novel... written with a great eye to detail and its pace, storyline and ending all reward the reader. There is definite mileage in Mungo Lyon returning for future missions, though The Crown Agent stands as an excellent novel in its own right. * Undiscovered Scotland *A rollicking tale that grips the reader from beginning to end and is one I’d heartily recommend. * Scottish Legal News *It's got murder, smuggling, lighthouses and half of Burke & Hare. I bloody loved it!!!A story filled with murders, cryptic messages, a history lesson, slavery, a thrilling chase... A compelling read and an author to watch out for. * Lost in the Land of Books blog *An energetic historical spy adventure that’s quite a ride, full of peril, menace and pursuit! Recommended. * Books.Tea.and.Me blog *This is a colourful and fascinating story - the first of what I hope will be many adventures penned by the talented Mr O’Rourke. * Alexander McCall Smith *Fast-paced and not a word wasted, this is a classic adventure that calls to mind Stevenson and Buchan. * S.G. MacLean *
£13.49
Jacaranda Books Art Music Ltd The Book of Harlan
Book Synopsis"Simply miraculous... As her saga becomes ever more spellbinding, so does the reader's astonishment at the magic she creates. This is a story about the triumph of the human spirit over bigotry, intolerance and cruelty, and at the center of The Book of Harlan is the restorative force that is music." - Washington PostHarlan and his best friend are invited to perform at a popular cabaret in the Parisian enclave of Montmartre, but after the City of Light falls under Nazi occupation, they are thrown into Buchenwald-the notorious concentration camp in Weimar, Germany-irreparably changing the course of Harlan's life.Trade Review"Simply miraculous . . . This is a story about the triumph of the human spirit over bigotry, intolerance and cruelty, and at the center of The Book of Harlan is the restorative force that is music."“McFadden packs a powerful punch with tight prose and short chapters that bear witness to key events in early twentieth-century history . . . McFadden presents a remarkably crisp portrait of one average man’s extraordinary bravery in the face of pure evil."
£8.99
Sandstone Press Ltd The Crown Agent
Book SynopsisA ship adrift, all hands dead. A lighthouse keeper murdered in the night. The Crown needs man to find the truth. Doctor Mungo Lyon, his reputation tarnished by the Burke & Hare scandal, and forbidden to practise as a surgeon, is the wrong man. That's exactly why the Crown chose him.Trade ReviewFast-paced and not a word wasted, this is a classic adventure that calls to mind Stevenson and Buchan. * S.G. MacLean * This is a colourful and fascinating story - the first of what I hope will be many adventures penned by the talented Mr O'Rourke. * Alexander McCall Smith * An energetic historical spy adventure that's quite a ride, full of peril, menace and pursuit! Recommended. * Books.Tea.and.Me blog * A story filled with murders, cryptic messages, a history lesson, slavery, a thrilling chase... A compelling read and an author to watch out for. * Lost in the Land of Books blog * It's got murder, smuggling, lighthouses and half of Burke & Hare. I bloody loved it!!! -- Lesley Kelly A rollicking tale that grips the reader from beginning to end and is one I'd heartily recommend. -- Willie McIntyre * Scottish Legal News * A beautifully crafted novel... written with a great eye to detail and its pace, storyline and ending all reward the reader. There is definite mileage in Mungo Lyon returning for future missions, though The Crown Agent stands as an excellent novel in its own right. * Undiscovered Scotland * The perfect dark and moody tale to keep you going this autumn... Immensely entertaining and as gripping as you'd hope from a crime novel, I look forward to more Mungo Lyon adventures. * CommonSpace * This highly entertaining debut sits well in a long tradition of Scottish adventure novels and is a perfect winter evening read for fans of intrigue, daring do and jeopardy. * NB Magazine * A classic, colourful and fascinating adventure story... brilliantly told with plenty of derring-do. * Crime Review * The story is fast paced and gripping... An adrenaline-filled adventure. * Scottish Field * An assured debut that unashamedly harks back to classic thrillers... reads like a knowing blend of James Buchan's The 39 Steps and Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. -- Declan Burke * The Irish Times *
£10.78
Saraband The Call of the Cormorant
Book SynopsisFrom the author of the prize-winning As the Women Lay Dreaming comes a remarkable ‘unreliable biography’ of Karl Kjerúlf Einarsson: an artist and an adventurer, a charlatan and a swindler, forever in search of Atlantis. As a child in the windswept, fog-bound Faroe Islands in the late nineteenth century, Karl Einarsson believes he is special, destined for a life of art and adventure. As soon as he can, he sets out for Copenhagen and beyond, styling himself as the Count of St. Kilda. He’s an observer and citizen of nowhere, a serial swindler of aristocrats and Nazis, fishermen and fops. But when his adventures find him in 1930s Berlin, he is forced for the first time to reckon with something much bigger than himself. As the Nazis rise to power around him, his wilful ignorance becomes unwitting complicity, even betrayal. Based on a true story, this is a fantastical tale of island life, of those who leave and those who stay behind, and the many dangers of delusions and false identities.Trade Review'From the first line I know I’m in the hands of a bard and consummate storyteller. The writing is lyrical and hugely descriptive … The history is rich and fascinating.' * Historical Novels Review *
£8.99
Stairwell Books Eboracvm Carved in Stone
Book Synopsis
£17.25
Stairwell Books Blackbird's Song
Book Synopsis
£14.25
Stairwell Books The Pirate Queen
Book SynopsisSet in Ireland in 1650, The Story of the Pirate Queen takes as its subject the life of the Irish clan chief and pirate Grace O''Malley - or Grainne ni Mhaille - who spent her life fighting the forces of Elizabeth 1 before sailing up the Thames for a summit meeting with the English queen. In the book, Grace''s ten-year-old great great granddaughter Maude is being told the story of her ancestor by her tutor, Catherine, on the eve of her betrothal to a much older man in an arranged marriage. As Catherine gradually learns why Maude has been summoned to a castle at the edge of the Atlantic, her tales of Grace''s rebellion and bravery take on more urgency. But can Maude resist her father''s will? What will she make of Grace''s meeting with Queen Elizabeth? And is Catherine endangering them both?Interwoven into these narratives is an extract from a play Catherine has written about the meeting of Grace and Elizabeth. This turns a straightforward pirate story into an exploration of the function of fiction itself: what are stories for? Can - and do - they belong to anyone? ''Lively, lyrical and engrossing, The Pirate Queen brings to life the tale of the Irish Boudicca, a fearless leader whose story is used by a rebellious governess to inspire her pupil to resist a forced marriage. I found it irresistible.'' - Miranda Seymour, Biographer''...A cracking story which seamlessly spans the decades.'' - Dr Gillian Kenny, Historian, Trinity College Dublin ''A compelling and vividly realised story of solidarity, courage and resistance... a story about the power of stories'' - Fran Lock, Poet
£9.00
Stairwell Books A Fistful of Ashes
Book Synopsis
£16.20
Unicorn Publishing Group A Case of Royal Blackmail
Book SynopsisIn Oscar Wilde's Amethyst Tie-Pin, the 24-year-old Sherlock Holmes recounts how he untangled the web of blackmail and deceit surrounding the 'complex romantic endeavours' of the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, those of Lillie Langtry and her various suitors and the morass of 'scandal sheets' and libel cases surrounding the Prince's court of the time, while at the same time solving the mystery of Oscar Wilde's missing amethyst tie-pin.
£10.66
The Book Guild Ltd Wayward Voyage
Book SynopsisAnne is a headstrong young girl growing up in the frontier colony of Carolina in the early eighteenth century. With the death of her mother, and others she holds dear, Anne discovers that life is uncertain, so best live it to the full. She rejects the confines of conventional society and runs away to sea, finding herself in The Bahamas, which has become a nest for pirates plaguing the West Indies. Increasingly dissatisfied with her life, Anne meets a charismatic former pirate, John 'Calico Jack' Rackham, and persuades him to take up pirating again, and she won't be left onshore. The Golden Age of Piracy is a period when frontiers were being explored and boundaries pushed. Wayward Voyage creates a vivid and gritty picture of colonial life in the Americas and at sea. "Anna is a natural storyteller and a gifted writer with colourful language that makes the reader so absorbed that they feel they are part of the adventure." The Bahamas Historical Society "Holmes’s depiction of the rough lingo and harsh conditions on tall ships at sea and dimly lit establishments ashore demonstrates both historical fidelity and rich imagination." A Woman’s Write
£9.49
The Book Guild Ltd No Man Is An Island
Book SynopsisThe gripping historical sequel to The Boy in a Turban. London, 1751. James Cudlip, born in Jamaica of a plantation owner and a slave woman, is adopted and brought to England by an English sea captain. Infused with a talent for music, he is now a music teacher and friend to the heir to the English throne, the future George 3rd. He is confronted by the animosity of the established Court circles and suffers personal tragedy in his search for love and fulfilment. Royal approval and reward gives James something to live for. But will it be everything he dreamed of?
£7.59
Headline Publishing Group A Street Shaken by Light: The Story of William Neilson, Volume I
'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.
£13.59
Headline Publishing Group A Street Shaken by Light: The Story of William
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 *
£10.44
Headline Publishing Group A Chalice Argent: The Story of William Neilson, Volume 2
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.
£17.09
Crumps Barn Studio Kirin of the Dobunni
Book SynopsisThe year AD 8. Kirin is too young to join his father on trading trips beyond the great river Savren. But danger also lies closer to home in the face of an expanding Roman Empire. The gripping historical novel full of gods and secrets in the last days of Iron Age Britain - with an exclusive author's guide to the archaeological sites
£9.49
Crumps Barn Studio Linenfold
Book SynopsisGuildford, 1626.From the sanctuary of Alice Jerrard's crumbling home, the deadly schemes at the heart of the court of King Charles I seem very far away. ButAlice must be on her guard for the battlelines are being drawn, and someone in her household is dreaming of betrayal ... The fourth page-turning mystery, filled with royal intrigue
£11.69
Watkins Media Limited The Cleaving
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
£9.49
Icon Books Finding Endurance: Shackleton, My Father and a
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-examining the story and its players, he presents new details and a new understanding of the courage and hardship of the Endurance voyage, and reminds us of how extraordinary humans can be. Not all is lost, and what has been lost can be regained: the ocean has given us something back.What's more, we are reminded that miracles still happen: human miracles, performed by flawed people in helpless situations.Trade ReviewFinding Endurance is beautiful, thrilling, heroic and kind, a ripping yarn and a generous and humane reflection on this business of being human. -- Claire Robertson, author of The Spiral House, winner of the 2014 Sunday Times Fiction PrizeTender, heartfelt and lyrical. -- Petina Gappah, author of Out of Darkness, Shining LightEngaging, absorbing and crammed with marvellous stories, Finding Endurance is a tale about exploring the cold, told with much warmth * Mick Herron *I was held spellbound by this recounting of one of the world's great adventure stories. But beyond the gripping polar ordeal, I was moved to the core by tender insights - into love, home, fathers and sons, and the long game of life - that emerge like veins of bright and dark water through the ice. Bristow-Bovey shares a deep knowledge of his subject with great style - and more than a touch of Shackleton's own verve and heart. An exhilarating read. * Henrietta Rose-Innes, author of Green Lion *A wonderful, thoughtful account of the Endurance expedition and its fabled boss: as Darrel Bristow-Bovey points out in these pages, "We should indeed all be such failures as Shackleton." In weaving in a personal story - his father claimed to have sailed south on Endurance - Bristow-Bovey reveals ways in which "the human heart has space for opposite things". I thoroughly enjoyed this book. -- Sara Wheeler, travel writer and biographerWith elegiac considerations of subjects including time, hope, and ice, Finding Endurance is a grace-filled memoir about a father and a resilient Antarctic legend ... complemented by beautiful elements of nature writing, biography, and the heroics of polar exploration ... a tender tribute to family. -- Karen Rigby * Foreword *
£17.09
EVA BOOKS Death By Dandruff
Book SynopsisWatson’s house in South Kensington is up for sale. Miss Clytenmestra Fanning has made an appointment to view the property without realising she would be in competition with Professor Moriarty, which is also a surprise for Watson. She has travelled all the way from Philadelphia and is no mood for barter. She makes a shut-out bid and writes a cheque. But what was Moriarty doing there in the first place? A puzzled Watson walks to Baker Street where Holmes has been engaged by Mr. Gemini Winters to investigate his mysterious job offer. They embark upon a train journey to Birmingham where they meet a man with the most dreadful dandruff. The man acts suspiciously and it isn’t long before Holmes establishes his devious motivations. After a nasty medical cock-up they return to London and are forced to intervene upon a murderous hostage situation in London’s grandest hotel, the architect being none other than James Moriarty.
£9.49
The Book Guild Ltd The Mark of the Salamander
Book Synopsis1575: Nelan Michaels is a young Flemish man fleeing religious persecution in the Spanish Netherlands. Settling in Mortlake outside London, he studies under Queen Elizabeth’s court astrologer, conjuring a bright future – until he’s wrongly accused of murder. Forced into the life of a fugitive, Nelan is dramatically pressed into the crew of the Golden Hind. Thrust into a strange new world on board Francis Drake’s vessel, Nelan sails the seas on a voyage to discover discovery itself. Encountering mutiny, ancient tribes and hoards of treasure, Nelan must explore and master his own mystical powers – including the Mark of the Salamander, the mysterious spirit of fire. The Mark of the Salamander is the first in The Island of Angels series: a two-book saga that tells the epic story and secret history of England’s coming of age during the Elizabethan era.
£9.49
Lonely Furrow Publishing Staining the Soul
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?
£5.32
