Historical adventure fiction

Book SynopsisPassion, politics, love and death combine in a novel of the legendary love triangle between the three leaders of the Roman era: Cleopatra, Mark Antony and Octavian, from the bestselling author of The Thorn BirdsMark Antony, famous warrior and legendary lover, expected that he would be Julius Caesar''s successor. But after Caesar''s murder it was his 18-year old nephew, Octavian, who was named in the will. No-one, least of all Antony, expected him to last but his youth and slight frame concealed a remarkable determination and a clear strategic sense.Antony was the leader of the fabulously rich East. Barely into his campaigning, he met Cleopatra, Pharaoh of Egypt. Bereft by the loss of Julius Caesar, her lover, father of her only son, she saw Antony as another Roman who could support her and provide more heirs. His fascination for her, his sense that she knew the way forward where he had lost his, led to the beginning of their passionate, and very public affair. The two men, twin rulers Trade ReviewPraise for ‘Antony and Cleopatra’: ‘An irresistible read’Daily Mail ‘Full of passion, greed, intrigue and betrayal…a thoroughly entertaining read’Glasgow Herald Praise for Colleen McCullough: ‘Fast-moving and immensely readable…this book is a page turner from start to finish’ Maeve Binchy 'McCullough piles on the drama' Daily Mail 'Sizzling family drama stuffed with passion, tragedy, love and sex' More 'Absorbing’ Sunday Telegraph 'Compelling, passionate and gritty' She 'Probes the depths of the human heart in a haunting, multi-layered novel' Good Book Guide 'Deliciously addictive…a classic tale of wealth and power–an engrossing read' Sainsbury's magazine

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Book SynopsisIF YOU DON''T KNOW SIMON SCARROW, YOU DON''T KNOW ROME!WHEN THE EAGLE HUNTS is the compelling third novel in Simon Scarrow''s bestselling Eagles of the Empire series. For fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. ''Scarrow''s [novels] rank with the best'' IndependentBritannia, AD 44. Cato, a thoughtful junior officer in the Roman army, and his commanding centurion, Macro, are simply pawns in Rome''s lust to conquer Britain. During the freezing winter, the two men and their legion fight the native savages in hand-to-hand battles that haunt Cato for days after.But in a place full of enemies, the most vicious are the Druids of the Dark Moon; brutal, merciless men who have captured the wife and children of General Plautius himself.So Macro and Cato are given a mission: to travel deep into enemy territory and recover the hostages. If they fail, the fate of the Roman army may just hang in the balance...Trade ReviewPraise for Simon Scarrow's novels: 'I really don't need this kind of competition... It's a great read' -- Bernard CornwellScarrow's [novels] rank with the best * Independent *Gripping and moving * The Times *A satisfyingly bloodthirsty, bawdy romp...perfect for Bernard Cornwell addicts who will relish its historical detail and fast-paced action. Storming stuff * Good Book Guide *Ferocious and compelling * Daily Express *A Rome full of HOUSE OF CARDS treachery... Roman soldiering at its very best - even by Scarrow's high standards - in this winning chunk of historical fiction * Sunday Sport *Rollicking good fun * Mail on Sunday *A fast-moving and exceptionally well-paced historical thriller * BBC History Magazine *

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Book SynopsisIF YOU DON''T KNOW SIMON SCARROW, YOU DON''T KNOW ROME!THE LEGION is the action-packed tenth novel in Simon Scarrow''s bestselling Eagles of the Empire series. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden.''Scarrow''s [novels] rank with the best'' IndependentEgypt, AD 49. Cato, one of the youngest Prefects of the Roman army, and Centurion Macro have a tough posting: to track down and destroy a gang of former gladiators who have turned to piracy. Driven by vengeance, these hardened brutes have been defiling temples, sinking Roman ships, and slaughtering men, women and children.What''s worse is that they are doing it all under the name of Macro and Cato, in an attempt to stir up a rebellion against the occupying forces. And it''s working. If Macro and Cato don''t stop the pirates in time, it could be the beginning of the end for the Roman Empire...Trade ReviewPraise for Simon Scarrow: 'I really don't need this kind of competition... It's a great read' -- Bernard CornwellGripping... ferocious and compelling, it is a story of blood, romance and sacrifice * Daily Express *A new book in Simon Scarrow's series about the Roman army is always a joy * The Times *Rollicking good fun * Mail on Sunday *A satisfyingly bloodthirsty, bawdy romp...perfect for Bernard Cornwell addicts who will relish its historical detail and fast-paced action. Storming stuff * Good Book Guide *Scarrow's [novels] rank with the best * Independent *[Simon Scarrow] blends together historical facts and characters to create a book that simply cannot be put down... Highly recommended * Historical Novels Review *

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Book SynopsisCoward, scoundrel, lover and cheat, but there is no better man to go into the jungle with. Join Flashman in his adventures as he survives fearful ordeals and outlandish perils across the four corners of the world.Who better to undertake a perilous mission into deepest Abyssinia, to rescue Britons held hostage by a mad emperor? When it comes to skulking in Ali Baba disguise or seducing barbarian monarchs, nobody does it better than Harry Flashman.Trade Review'Flashman is a wonderful creation, by a master storyteller. We'll forever delight in his evil antics' JEFFREY ARCHER ‘Politically incorrect, lascivious and fiendishly handsome, Flashman is the greatest ’ BORIS JOHNSON ‘Flashman is one of the great characters of modern fiction; a rogue, a lover, and always an irresistible read’ BERNARD CORNWELL ‘Flashman, Sherlock Holmes, Toad of Toad Hall, Bertie Wooster. Any writer would give his eye-teeth to have created a character as good as those. GMF was one of the greats’ CONN IGGULDEN ‘The perfect fictional creation’ TONY PARSONS ‘A first-rate historical novelist’ KINGSLEY AMIS

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Book SynopsisWarrior of Rome: The Wolves of the North by Harry Sidebottom marks the start of a new trilogy within the Warrior of Rome series.AD263 - barbarian invasions and violent uprisings threaten to tear apart the Imperium of Rome.In the north, the tribes are increasingly bold in their raids on the Imperium - their savagery unlike anything Rome has known before. Ballista must undertake his most treacherous journey yet - a covert attempt to turn the barbarians of the steppe against each other. He must face the Heruli - the most bizarre and brutal of all the nomad tribes - the Eaters of Flesh, the Wolves of the North. As Ballista and his retinue make their journey, someone - or something - is hunting them, picking them off one by one, and leaving a trail of terror and mutilated corpses. Ballista is in a strange land, among strange people, but is it possible that the greatest threat may come from within his own familia?Dr Harry Sidebottom is a leadiTrade ReviewWonderful fight scenes, deft literary touches . . . This is a storming triumph * Evening Standard *Blazes with searing scholarship * The Times *

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Book SynopsisBeijing, 1322. Wu Johanna is the granddaughter of the legendary trader Marco Polo. In the wake of her father's death, Johanna finds that lineage counts for little amid the den of intrigue that is the Great Khan's court. Johanna's future – if she has one – lies with her grandfather, in Venice, more than a continent away at the very edge of the known world. So, with a small band of companions, she takes to the Silk Road – that storied collection of routes that link the silks of Cathay, the spices of the Indies and the jewels of the Indus to the markets of the West. But the journey will be long and arduous, for the road ahead is beset by burning sands and ice-fanged mountains, thieves and fanatics, treachery and betrayal.Trade ReviewFor those who like books with rich, idiosyncratic settings, engaging characters, strong women and reasonably hot sex on occasion... let me recommend Dana Stabenow -- Diana Gabaldon

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Book SynopsisMahu, former Chief of Police and Keeper of the Secrets of the Heart is sitting down to record his memories. He sees uneasy quiet reigning in the Royal Circle at Thebes, after the disappearance of the Pharaoh Akenhaten and the abandonment of his new, sun-worshipping religion. Members of different factions are barely held together by loyalty to the six-year-old Emperor, Tutankhamun. Then extraordinary news reaches the Council: Akenhaten has returned to Egypt.The words are greeted with dismay by all who hear them, for surely Akenhaten is dead? Mahu can certainly vouch that the woman claiming to be the Emperor''s wife, Nefertiti, is a fraud. Whoever the man is who has appeared in the Delta, he must be investigated.Trade ReviewPraise for AN EVIL SPIRIT OUT OF THE WEST, the first title in Paul Doherty's Egyptian Pharaoh trilogy: 'Doherty has typically woven a delightfully dark tale around what must have been the most remarkable period of Egyptian history...So stoke up the fire, draw the curtains and put your feet up in order to enjoy this delightfully spooky and robust tale of demons, death and disease in old Egypt. Great stuff! * Historical Novels Review *

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Book SynopsisABSOLUTION BY MURDER is the brilliant and evocative first novel in Peter Tremayne''s Sister Fidelma series, bringing 7th-century Ireland vividly to life.PRAISE FOR ABSOLUTION BY MURDER: ''In the simultaneously sharp-tongued and full womanly figure of Sister Fidelma, Tremayne has created a heroine whom many readers will willingly follow. Even Brother Cadfael might have tolerated her'' Kirkus Reviews As the leading churchmen and women gather at the Synod of Whitby in 664AD to debate the rival merits of the Celtic and Roman Churches, tempers begin to fray. Conspirators plot an assassination, while mysterious, violent death stalks the shadowy cloisters of the Abbey of St Hilda. When the Abbess Etain, a leading speaker for the Celtic Church, is found murdered suspicion inevitably rests on the Roman faction.Attending the Synod is Fidelma, of the community of St Brigid of Kildare. As an advocate of the Brehon Court, she is called on to investiga

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Book SynopsisFrom bestselling historian Adrian Goldsworthy, a profoundly authentic, action-packed adventure set on the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. AD 100: VINDOLANDA. A FORT ON THE EDGE OF THE ROMAN WORLD. Flavius Ferox, Briton turned Roman centurion, is charged with keeping Rome's empire safe. But from his base at the northern frontier of Britannia, he feels enemies closing in from all sides. Ambitious leaders await the chance to carve out empires of their own. While men nearer at hand speak in whispers of war and the destruction of Rome. And now more sinister threats are reaching Ferox's ears. Stories about the sea-dwelling men of the night, who have cursed the land and only come ashore to feast on men's flesh. These are just rumours for now. But Ferox knows that rumours stem from truth. And that no one on this isle is safe from the great, encircling sea... 'An instant classic of the genre' HARRY SIDEBOTTOM. 'An authentic, enjoyable read' THE TIMES.Trade ReviewPraise the gods, Ferox returns in a novel of explosive action and profound authenticity. No one knows the Roman army better than Adrian Goldsworthy, and no one writes more convincing Roman fiction -- Harry SidebottomAdrian Goldsworthy undoubtedly knows his stuff * For Winter Nights *Goldsworthy really knows the past and makes it feel like you're living it * Weekend Sport *With Goldsworthy's academic background, the historical accuracy of the novel is unquestioned. More impressive are the quality of the narrative and the complexity of the characters. More of an adventure novel than the usual sword-and-sandals epic... A hugely enjoyable read by a master of non-fiction turned deft hand at Roman historical fiction' * Historical Novel Society *

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Book SynopsisAn intense novel of war at the Roman frontier.On the Empire's Northern border trouble is stirring. For decades the barbarians have been at the gates. Now, facing threats from within as well as outside, the Emperor is provoking war.When his friend Atius goes missing in Germania, Imperial Assassin Silus is sent into the heart of the battle-torn region.Plunged into a deadly intrigue and a brutal conflict, can Silus find out who is betraying Rome? Or will the legions start falling, one by bloody one?One of the standout new voices in historical fiction, bestseller Alex Gough is on riveting form in this brilliant novel, perfect for readers of Ben Kane and Conn Iggulden.

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Book Synopsis'Beautiful and engaging and clever' Manda Scott, bestselling author of A Treachery of Spies 'A young witch to rival Tiffany Aching. Magic!' FMA Dixon August 1940. In a quiet village in rural Kent, the enemy is at the gates . . . The Battle of Britain rages and Faye Bright encounters the ghost of a pilot who won't give up the fight. Before she can help him, Faye is whisked away to join a motley crew of witches to perform a top secret ritual on the White Cliffs of Dover that could repel the invaders. But there's a catch. The ritual must be executed in the nuddy. Mrs Teach threatens mutiny. Miss Charlotte is intrigued. And Faye wants to call the whole thing off when she suspects there's a spy in their midst. It's up to Faye Bright to uncover the traitor, all while dealing with the ghost haunting Ivy Barn who may hold the key to the

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Book Synopsis''Lindsey Davis has seen off all her competitors to become the unassailable market leader in the ''crime in Ancient Rome'' genre . . . Davis''s squalid, vibrant Rome is as pleasurable as ever'' - Guardian''For fans of crime fiction set in the ancient world, this one is not to be missed'' - BooklistPrivate investigator Flavia Albia is always drawn to an intriguing puzzle - even if it is put to her by her new husband''s hostile ex-wife.On the Quirinal Hill, a young girl named Clodia has died, apparently poisoned with a love potion. Only one person could have supplied such a thing: a local witch who goes by the name of Pandora, whose trade in herbal beauty products is hiding something far more sinister.The supposedly sweet air of the Quirinal is masking the stench of loose morality, casual betrayal and even gangland conflict and, when a friend of her own is murdered, Albia deterTrade ReviewLindsey Davis has seen off all her competitors, notably US author Steven Saylor, to become the unassailable market leader in the 'crime in Ancient Rome' genre. Her books featuring the Roman sleuth Falco marry persuasive historical elements and compelling storytelling. In PANDORA'S BOY, the spotlight falls on Falco's strong-minded daughter Flavia. Davis's squalid, vibrant Rome is as pleasurable as ever. * Guardian *For fans of crime fiction set in the ancient world, this one is not to be missed * Booklist *The quite brilliant Lindsey Davis never fails with her witty mysteries set in first century Rome. From the dreadful 'Chelsea set' of rich young things, busy drinking their parents' money, to rip-off restaurants offering the gullible 'fresh oysters' from Britain; the artful street vendor selling lettuce as an aphrodisiac backed by the legend of a phallic Egyptian god; to pompous lawyers, backstreet bars and posh villas, first century Rome is there in its glorious and sinister reality. I guarantee if you are new to her work, by the time you've reached the final surprising denouement, you'll want to read more of it. * Crime Review *Praise for Lindsey Davis and the Flavia Albia series * - *Davis's prose is a lively joy, and Flavia's Rome is sinister and gloriously real. * The Times on Saturday *Davis's books crackle with wit and knowledge. She has the happy knack of making the reader feel entirely immersed in Rome. * The Times *This excellent Roman mystery, enriched by Davis's characteristic wit and thorough understanding of the period, takes a darker turn as Flavia delves into Rome's poorest streets, rife with prostitution, exploitation, thuggery and murder. * Sunday Express, S Magazine *

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Book SynopsisFrom Michael Crichton, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Jurassic Park, comes a thrilling adventure set in the Wild West that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last!If you thought Jurassic Park was an adventure, you should try the Wild West!1876. In the lawless territories of the Wild West, two teams of explorers are pitted against one another. Their quarry? Dinosaur bones. But in a land filled with hostile Indian tribes and towns where pistol fights are a daily occurrence, every exploit puts their lives in dangerWilliam Johnson, a student with more privilege than sense, finds himself plunged into this deadly environment after making a brash wager. Alongside Edwin Drinker Cope, the famed adventurer, he stumbles upon a momentous discovery dragon teeth of a fantastic size!But to keep this extraordinary treasure safe, William must first confront some of the West's most dangerous and notorious charactersTrade Review‘A gripping and entertaining read’ Sunday Times ‘Filled with colorful Wild West characters’ Washington Post ‘A fun, suspenseful, entertaining, well-told tale’ USA Today Praise for Michael Crichton: ‘One of the most ingenious, inventive thriller writers around… Another high-concept treat… written in consummate page-turning style’ Observer ‘This is Crichton on top form, preying on our fears about new technology and convincing us that we aren’t half as afraid as we should be’ The Times ‘Mixing cutting-edge science with thrills and spills, this is classic Crichton’ Daily Mirror ‘Crichton masterfully maintains the suspense throughout the fast-paced story … Prey will invade your nightmares for a long time to come’ Time Out ‘A satirical black-comedy thriller… Crichton writes likes Tom Wolfe on speed… completely brilliant…’ Daily Mail ‘Crichton pulls off a slick thriller at a cracking pace’ Daily Telegraph ‘Exciting … a master storyteller’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Terrific fun. The pages whip by’ Independent ‘A gripping, impeccably researched thriller’ Evening Standard

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Book SynopsisWar is declared, and Biggles is ready for action!September 1939. Britain has declared war on Germany. Major James Bigglesworth, known to his friends as ‘Biggles’, is eager to get straight into the action alongside old friends Algernon ‘Algy’ Lacey and ‘Ginger’ Hebblethwaite. They don’t have to wait long.The British government has covertly acquired a small island in the Baltic, off the north coast of Germany. The island is unremarkable save for one feature: a natural sea cave, unknown to the Germans, large enough to house several aircraft.Biggles’ orders: wreak havoc on German forces for as long as possible without compromising the location of the secret base. It’s a dangerous mission, for the might of the enemy military machine will be bent on finding them, led by Biggles’ old nemesis, Erich von Stalhein.Take to the skies in a classic Biggles adventure packed with heroism and feats of derring-do. Perfect for fans of Derek Robinson and Max Hennessy.

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Book SynopsisJOIN PERICLES, THE LION OF ATHENS, AS HE TRIES TO SAVE ATHENS FROM THE PERSIAN EMPIRETHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER''The master historical storyteller'' DAILY EXPRESS''Iggulden draws the Greek world convincingly and he is strongest writing battle scenes'' THE TIMES on the Golden Age series''The sights, sounds and smells of Athens bring history to life with gripping brilliance'' DAILY MIRROR___________Pericles is more than a hero. He''s the leader of Athens. The empire''s beacon of light.But even during times of peace, the threat of Sparta - Athens''s legendary rival - looms large on the horizon. When a sudden catastrophe brings Sparta to its knees, Pericles sees a golden opportunity to forever shift the balance of power in his city''s favour.For sometimes, the only way to win lasting peace is to wage war.Sparta may be weak, but their power is far from extinguished.Trade ReviewThe sights, sounds and smells of Athens bring history to life with gripping brilliance * Daily Mirror *Praise for Conn Iggulden * - *Iggulden tells an absolutely cracking story...the pace is nail-biting and the set dressing magnificent * The Times *One of our finest historical novelists * Daily Express *Iggulden is in a class of his own when it comes to epic, historical fiction * Daily Mirror *Pacy...and packed with action * Sunday Times *Breathes new life into the darkest and most dramatic of times * Star *Compelling reading * Woman and Home *

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Book SynopsisBrimming with romance, adventure and vivid historical detail, Christina Courtenay does for the Vikings what Diana Gabaldon''s Outlander and Clanlands does for Scottish history. Pre-order the epic conclusion to The Runes series now!Inscribed Viking axe head. Good condition. Probably late 9th century. This was it, his passport to the past. Storm Berger has never forgiven himself for his younger sister Madison''s disappearance. Suspecting she''s travelled back to the ninth century in the footsteps of other family members, Storm can only make sure she''s safe by going after her.Raised unconventionally as her father''s only child, Freydis has never been content to simply accept her fate. So, when she''s promised in marriage to a tyrant, she''s determined to find a way out of the arrangement. Help comes in the form of a mysterious and attractive stranger stranded on her island''s shores: Storm.The only way Freydis

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Book SynopsisHeavy is the head that wears the crown.'Immersive and visceral, I loved every word' Christian Cameron'Another excellent historical adventure from Steven McKay. A captivating thrill ride' Tim HodkinsonNorthumbria, AD 864. Viking warlord Ragnar Lothbrok is captured and killed in brutal fashion, an event that will shape the future of the nation for decades to come.Mercia, AD 868. Alfred, son of Wessex and heir to the throne, draws his first blood on the battlefield. It will not be his last.A devastating scourge from the north is coming to Britain, one that will bring armies and entire kingdoms to their knees. Travelling along the whale road in their feared longships, the Great Heathen Army move fast, striking with a savagery unmatched, in a seemingly unstoppable tide of blood and iron.One inexperienced warrior will prove the difference, a young man who will lead from the front and, in time, aspire to become the saviour of the Saxons… Alfred the Great.A totally enrapturing historical adventure following the life of one of Britain’s most important ever kings, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow.Praise for The Heathen Horde 'Dark Age fiction has a new master' Gordon Doherty'Packed with high drama and pulse-quickening battle scenes, The Heathen Horde is a superbly researched tale of a kingdom at bay and a young man thrust unexpectedly to the epicentre of power. A brilliant start to the series' Douglas Jackson'Highly recommended for anyone who is a fan of Viking fiction, historical fiction, or just loves a rip-roaring read' Peter Gibbons'The Heathen Horde brings Alfred vividly to life and left me anxiously anticipating its sequel' Damion Hunter'An enthralling tale of one of England's greatest kings!' Donovan Cook

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Book SynopsisFamily history (he is half Norwegian) and a passion for the fiction of Bernard Cornwell inspired GILES KRISTIAN to write. Set in the Viking world, his bestselling 'Raven' and 'The Rise of Sigurd' trilogies have been acclaimed by his peers, reviewers and readers alike. In The Bleeding Land and Brothers' Fury, he tells the story of a family torn apart by the English Civil War. He also co-wrote Wilbur Smith's No.1 bestseller, Golden Lion. His contemporary survival thriller, Where Blood Runs Cold, won the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. With his Sunday Times bestseller Lancelot, Giles plunged into the rich waters of the Arthurian legend. His epic reimagining of our greatest island 'history' continued in Camelot and draws to a breath-taking close with Arthur. Giles Kristian lives in Leicestershire.To find out more, visit www.glieskristian.com. You can follow him on X @GilesKristian and Facebook/Giles KriTrade ReviewThis the second volume in Giles Kristian's retelling of the Arthurian legend which started with the superb Lancelot. Kristian has created a powerful, dark vision of Arthur's Britain, where magic has its limits and the worst monsters are human. -- Antonia Senior * THE TIMES *This is SUCH a good book. I loved it - the sense of time and place is so beautiful, so haunting. And the people, as ever, are bitingly real. Wrapped in the rich lore of the Arthurian saga, Giles has given us a vital, glorious story: rich, rewarding, and utterly revealing of our times - Camelot is a novel you'll savour long after the last page has been turned. -- MANDA SCOTT, author of A Treachery of SpiesWhat a wonderful book. Beautifully evocative and bone-crunchingly bloody, filled with characters I loved and hated, all conveyed in beautifully lyrical prose and edged with the sense of hope and tragedy that is essential for any retelling of the Arthurian tale. It was fabulous to go back to 5th-century Britain and dive into the fray again. -- JOHN GWYNNE, author of the Of Blood and Bone TrilogyKristian’s sequel to his acclaimed Arthurian novel Lancelot is, in some ways, even better than the first book . . . evokes post-Roman Britain in a masterly fashion, totally immersing the reader into the dank, misty, marshlands of hounded Britons and brutal Saxon invaders; of Merlin’s twisty, amoral magic and the raw, skinned-knuckle courage of the warrior trapped in the bloody crush of the shield wall. It is, in short, a triumph. Highly recommended, especially to fans of Bernard Cornwell’s seminal Warlord Chronicles. -- ANGUS DONALD, author of OutlawAdventure, intrigue and love abound in this retelling of a tale that is veiled in myth and legend . . . Kristian's writing weaves a spell on the reader as surely as Merlin at the height of his powers. Kristian has done it again. Camelot is a wonderful book. -- MATTHEW HARFFY, author of The Serpent SwordCamelot gave me one-hell of a punch. It contained some of the best writing in historical-fiction today and completely knocked me off my feet. It had the emotion and intimacy of Lancelot, just with something more. A phenomenal read. * GRIMDARK Magazine *Giles Kristian has set himself a rather monumental task. Namely, how do you follow a novel like LANCELOT - surely already a classic in the Arthurian canon and one of those books that leaves you with your head swimming and your heart thumping long after you’ve read the last word? His monumental answer is: CAMELOT . . . an immense achievement . . . together, these two novels represent something altogether more monumental. Nothing short of a new milestone in British myth-making. It deserves to be an instant classic and I’d bet my last arm-ring that it will be. -- THEODORE BRUNAfter finishing Lancelot, I had my doubts whether Camelot could have the same impact on me, whether it could captivate and enchant me in the same way. I needn’t have feared. Kristian once again works his sorcery, and weaves a superb blend of high fantasy and historical fiction, enriched by luscious prose . . . herein lies the beauty of Camelot, it is a book where the past hauntingly mirrors the present. * FANTASY HIVE *Camelot sees the storytelling brilliance of Giles Kristian reach for and attain new heights . . . this duology for me is now the go-to Arthurian tale, surpassing Bernard Cornwell’s . . . it truly is a classic. * PARMENION BOOKS *A wonderfully crafted novel . . . a good book is one that will take you through a range of emotions, from laughter to tears, and that will – when you get to the final page – leave you bereft that there is no more to read, and disappointed that you know you will not read anything so good any time soon. Camelot fills all these criteria. It surprises you at every turn. It is probably the best book I will read this year – and it’s only April! * HISTORY...THE INTERESTING BITS! *Just brilliant . . . I loved this book. From the prose, to characters, to action sequences. Everything in this book is brilliant. That is partly due to my love for anything Arthurian, but it is also due to the intricate and powerful story Giles Kristian has magically created. * BOOKNEST *

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Book Synopsis*The new novel in the bestselling Sharpe series SHARPE'S COMMAND is available now*SHARPE IS BACK.The global bestseller Bernard Cornwell returns with his iconic hero, Richard Sharpe.If any man can do the impossible it''s Richard Sharpe . . .Paris, 1815Richard Sharpe is a man with a reputation. Born in the gutter, raised a foundling, he's the army's loose cannon but also its most formidable weapon.With violence brewing in the aftermath of Waterloo, and a secretive group of revolutionaries hell-bent on avenging Napoleon's defeat, Sharpe is called to the front line: the maze of Paris streets where lines blur between friend and foe.And in search of a spy, he must defeat a lethal assassin determined to destroy his target, or die trying . . .Sharpe's Assassin was a Sunday Times bestseller in hardback the w/c 4th October 2021.Trade ReviewPraise for Bernard Cornwell: ‘Sharpe and his creator are national treasures' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'Strong narrative, vigourous action and striking characterisation, Cornwell remains king of the territory he has staked out as his own' SUNDAY TIMES ‘Like Game of Thrones, but real’ OBSERVER 'Blood, divided loyalties and thundering battles' THE TIMES ‘The best battle scenes of any writer I’ve ever read, past or present. Cornwell really makes history come alive’ George R.R. Martin ‘He’s called a master storyteller. Really he’s cleverer than that’ TELEGRAPH ‘A reminder of just how good a writer he is’ SUNDAY TIMES ‘Nobody in the world does this better than Cornwell’ Lee Child ‘Cornwell’s skill [is] in ageing his warrior-hero, who now creaks as he fights and is haunted by those he has loved and lost’ THE TIMES ‘The master still adding to his wonderful Saxon Chronicles’ SUNDAY TIMES MAGAZINE ‘Legendary … excellent storytelling, as ever’ SUNDAY SPORT 'A violent, absorbing historical saga, deeply researched and thoroughly imagined' WASHINGTON POST

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Book SynopsisSHARPE IS BACK.The global bestseller Bernard Cornwell returns with his iconic hero, Richard Sharpe.If any man can do the impossible it''s Richard Sharpe . . .Lieutenant-Colonel Sharpe is a man with a reputation. Born in the gutter, raised a foundling, he joined the army twenty-one years ago, and it's been his home ever since. He's a loose cannon, but his unconventional methods make him a valuable weapon.So when, the dust still settling after the Battle of Waterloo, the Duke of Wellington needs a favour, he turns to Sharpe. For Wellington knows that the end of one war is only the beginning of another. Napoleon''s army may be defeated, but another enemy lies waiting in the shadows a secretive group of fanatical revolutionaries hell-bent on revenge.Sharpe is dispatched to a new battleground: the maze of Paris streets where lines blur between friend and foe. And in search of a spy, he will have to defeat a lethal assassin determined to kill his target or die trying . . .Sharpe's Assassin Trade ReviewPraise for Bernard Cornwell: ‘Sharpe and his creator are national treasures' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'Strong narrative, vigourous action and striking characterisation, Cornwell remains king of the territory he has staked out as his own' SUNDAY TIMES ‘Like Game of Thrones, but real’ OBSERVER 'Blood, divided loyalties and thundering battles' THE TIMES ‘The best battle scenes of any writer I’ve ever read, past or present. Cornwell really makes history come alive’ George R.R. Martin ‘He’s called a master storyteller. Really he’s cleverer than that’ TELEGRAPH ‘A reminder of just how good a writer he is’ SUNDAY TIMES ‘Nobody in the world does this better than Cornwell’ Lee Child ‘Cornwell’s skill [is] in ageing his warrior-hero, who now creaks as he fights and is haunted by those he has loved and lost’ THE TIMES ‘The master still adding to his wonderful Saxon Chronicles’ SUNDAY TIMES MAGAZINE ‘Legendary … excellent storytelling, as ever’ SUNDAY SPORT 'A violent, absorbing historical saga, deeply researched and thoroughly imagined' WASHINGTON POST

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Book SynopsisFIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE JAMIE MET CLAIRE IN THIS BRILLIANT NEW OUTLANDER SHORT STORY.1740: Young Jamie Fraser has left Scotland and, with his best friend Ian Murray, is running with a band of mercenaries in France.Both men have good reason not to go back to their homeland: both are nursing wounds, and despite their best efforts to remedy the situation, both are still virgins.So when a Jewish doctor hires them to escort his granddaughter to Paris, they readily agree. Both men are instantly drawn to the beautiful young lady. What neither know is that their lives and their friendships are about to become infinitely more complicated - and a lot more dangerous ...

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Book SynopsisBOOK 18 IN THE EPIC HISTORICAL SAGA OF THE COURTNEY FAMILY, FROM INTERNATIONAL SENSATION WILBUR SMITH'Best historical novelist' - Stephen King'A master storyteller' - Sunday Times'Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared' -The Times'No one does adventure quite like Smith' - Daily MirrorA FAMILY IN TURMOIL. A COUNTRY IN RUINS.The war is over, Hitler is dead - and yet his evil legacy lives on. Former Special Operations Executive, Saffron Courtney, and her beloved husband, Gerhard, only just survived the brutal conflict, but Gerhard's Nazi brother, Konrad, is still free and determined to regain power. As a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse develops, a plot against the couple begins to stir. One that will have ramifications throughout Europe. . .Further afield in Kenya, the last outcrop of the colonial empire is feeling the stirrings of rebellion. As the situation becomes violent, and the Courtney family home is under threat, Saffron's father, Leon Courtney, finds himself caught between two powerful sides - and a battle for the freedom of a country.A Courtney Series adventure - Book 4 in Assegai sequence.Legacy of War is a nail-biting story of courage, bravery, rebellion and war from Wilbur Smith, one of the best and most beloved authors of the century. The thrilling conclusion to the Assegai sequence.Book 19 in the Courtney family series, Storm Tide, is available now.'Legacy of War' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/e 18-04-2021.

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Book Synopsis'Parry's Victorian Edinburgh comes vividly alive - and it's a world of pain' Val McDermid'Brilliantly conceived, fiendishly plotted' Mick HerronSHORTLISTED FOR THE McILVANNEY PRIZE 2020A Raven and Fisher Mystery: Book 2Edinburgh, 1849. Hordes of patients are dying all across the city, with doctors finding their remedies powerless. And a whispering campaign seeks to paint Dr James Simpson, pioneer of medical chloroform, as a murderer.Determined to clear Simpson's name, his protégé Will Raven and former housemaid Sarah Fisher must plunge into Edinburgh's deadliest streets and find out who or what is behind the deaths. Soon they discover that the cause of the deaths has evaded detection purely because it is so unthinkable.Trade ReviewThe Ambrose Parry novels are as much about medical discovery as the pursuit of wrongdoers, and are a triumph on both counts. Brilliantly conceived, fiendishly plotted and immaculately realised, these thrillers pull off the most difficult double-whammy of all: beneath blood and butchery so real they almost stain the pages lie both heart and soul. Two books in, Sarah and Will's story feels like it's just beginning. Wherever Parry takes them, I'll follow -- MICK HERRONGleeful, 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 * *

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Book SynopsisIt’s usual, they say, for a young person coming to London for the first time to arrive with a head full of dreams. Well, Endurance Proudfoot did not. When she stepped off the coach from Sussex, on a warm and sticky afternoon in the summer of 1757, it never occurred to her that the city would be the place where she’d make her fortune; she was just very annoyed to be arriving there at all.   Meet Endurance Proudfoot, the bonesetter’s daughter: clumsy as a carthorse, with a tactless tongue and a face she’s sure only a mother could love. Durie only wants one thing in life – to follow her father and grandfather into the family business of bonesetting. It’s a physically demanding job, requiring strength, nerves of steel and discretion – and not the job for a woman.   But Durie isn’t like other women. She’s strong and stubborn and determined to get her own way. And she finds that she has a talent atTrade Review'Among the most impressive historical fiction out this July is Frances Quinn's That Bonesetter Woman (Simon & Schuster), based on a real story about two sisters in Georgian London, one who is desperate to be a female bonesetter and the other who is a determined social climber' * Independent *‘Quinn’s second book is a true celebration of courage, resilience and embracing being different’ * CultureFly *‘Endurance Proudfoot is an enduring heroine and her story is told with wit and warmth’ * Yours, Book of the Month *‘[An] intriguing tale, told with wit and compassion’ * Choice, Book of the Month *'This rambunctious ride of a book mixes historical fact with a really memorable lead character (I completely fell in love with her!). Endurance Proudfoot wants to be a bonesetter like her father and won’t let the fact that she’s a woman get in her way. Entertaining historical fiction' * Good Housekeeping *'The narrative is fast-moving and lively… this is an enjoyable read, feminist history which does not neglect sources of humour or romance. It deserves to be reach a wide audience' * Historical Novel Society *'Frances Quinn’s debut novel, The Smallest Man, was about a dwarf in the employ of Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I. That Bonesetter Woman shares similar themes about being an outsider trying to succeed in a hostile society. Like The Smallest Man it is written with a warmth and tenderness for the characters that makes it irresistible' * The Times *'This second novel by the author of historical hit The Smallest Man takes its inspiration from two of Georgian England’s most famous celebrities. Endurance Proudfoot is determined to go into the family trade and become a bonesetter, despite being a woman. But when she finds herself packed off to London with her sister, disgraced beauty Lucinda, the pair embark on a rollercoaster adventure' * BBC History *‘Durie Proudfoot is a brilliant heroine: stubborn, flawed and so entertaining to spend time with. I loved every step of her journey, and Frances Quinn is fast becoming one of my favourite historical novelists’ Louise Hare ‘I adored every second of this book - historical fiction at its finest, and Quinn is a natural storyteller. Quirky, funny and original. Durie and her lions will stay with me’ Ericka Waller ‘I feel as if I left a little bit of my heart between the pages of this extraordinary book’ Nicola Gill ‘Filled with hope and humour, That Bonesetter Woman is a novel that truly champions the underdog. I devoured it with as much gusto as the inimitable heroine sets people’s bones’ Polly Crosby ‘That Bonesetter Woman is a wonderfully uplifting, charming, addictive and unusual story. Quinn delivers astute and acutely observed aspects of human behaviour delivered with great humour and compassion. Replace the coffee houses and newspaper scribblers with Twitter and YouTube and I’d say, not so much has changed!’ Louise Fein ‘Frances Quinn has done it again! Georgian London is vividly brought to life in a fast-paced story full of quirky characters, wry wit, warmth and wisdom. I was completely charmed!’ Anita Frank

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Book SynopsisThis was the original game of thrones' George R.R. MartinTrade Review‘Iron kings and strangled queens, battles and betrayals, lies and lust, the curse of the Templars, the doom of a great dynasty – and all of it (well, most of it) straight from the pages of history, and believe me, the Starks and the Lannisters have nothing on the Capets and Plantagenets. Whether you are a history buff or a fantasy fan, Druon's epic will keep you turning pages. This was the original game of thrones’GEORGE R.R. MARTIN ‘Blood-curdling tale of intrigue, murder, corruption and sexual passion’SUNDAY TIMES ‘Barbaric, sensual, teeming with life, based in wide reading and sound scholarship…among the best historical novels’ TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT

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Book SynopsisFrom THE SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author Manda Scott, this is the final, heart-rending instalment of the magnificent retelling of the life of Britain''s great warrior queen.Fast-moving action, spine-tingling battles. Wonderful -- KATE MOSSEThe tragic warrior queen, Boudica, is brilliantly realised. Her battles against Rome - the superpower of its day - are both heart-rending and magnificent -- DAVID GEMMELI can''t find a word to describe these books they are just completely.....amazing -- ***** Reader reviewAmazing writing, spell-binding, transporting... -- ***** Reader reviewA world I didn''t want to part with -- ***** Reader reviewThe whole series is absolutely brilliant - could not put them down -- ***** Reader review*************************************************************************************BRITIAN HAS PRODUCED MANY FIERCE, NTrade ReviewThe conclusion of an extraordinary achievement ... a story of defeat made glorious by courage and legend, a quartet that gives us back our own history. They will be read and re-read many times * The Independent *Great imagination ... fast moving action and spine-tingling battles. Wonderful -- Kate Mosse, author of LABYRINTHA powerful novel, alive with the love, deceit, wisdom and the heroics of humanity -- Jean AuelA stunning feat of the imagination and an absolute must-read for lovers of historical fiction -- Steven PressfieldManda Scott's Boudica novels are breathtakingly good.The tragic warrior queen, Boudica, is brilliantly realised. Her battles against Rome are both heart rending and magnificent -- David Gemmell

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Book SynopsisLondon,1837. Jack Maggs, raised and deported as a criminal, has returned from Australia, in secret and at great risk. What does he want after all these years, and why is he so interested in the comings and goings at a plush townhouse in Great Queen Street? And why is Jack himself an object of such interest to Tobias Oates, celebrated author, amateur hypnotist and fellow burglar - in this case of people''s minds, of their histories and inner phantoms? A thrilling story of mesmerism and possession, of dangerous bargains and illicit love against the backdrop of Victorian London.

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Book Synopsis''A master of the genre'' The TimesMarcus Valerius Aquila has scarcely landed in Britannia when he has to run for his life - condemned to dishonorable death by power-crazed emperor Commodus. The plan is to take a new name, serve in an obscure regiment on Hadrian''s Wall and lie low until he can hope for justice. Then a rebel army sweeps down from the wastes north of the Wall, and Marcus has to prove he''s hard enough to lead a century in the front line of a brutal, violent war.Trade ReviewThis is fast-paced and gripping "read-through-the-night" fiction, with marvellous characters and occasional moments of dark humour. Some authors are better historians than they are storytellers. Anthony Riches is brilliant at both. * Conn Iggulden *A damn fine read . . . fast-paced, action-packed. * Ben Kane *Stands head and shoulders above a crowded field . . . . real, live characters act out their battles on the northern borders with an accuracy of detail and depth of raw emotion that is a rare combination. * Manda Scott *His plots bristle with emotion, realism and electrifying tensions, his multi-layered characters open doors onto the fascinating everyday life of the Roman army and the sense of adventure that underpins the whole series makes each book a fresh source of excitement and enjoyment. Riches knows his stuff and boy does it show . . . While Marcus, his cohorts and the Empire series grow in stature, readers await the next instalment of this challenging and entertaining tour-de-force with a sense of heightened anticipation . . . and armed, of course, with the confidence that once again the 'master of Rome' will not disappoint. * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisThe crescendo of war, a crushing blow, a path to redemption...Peacetime political machinations threaten Kelly Maguire's ambitions to be a Captain. But then war breaks out, and the world needs men who are willing to risk everything.As World War II explodes, and after a devastating loss in the Battle of Narvik, Maguire finds himself washed up at Dunkirk during the evacuation of 1940. Once more he must prove his worth.On the ocean, and the beaches, Kelly will fight for his country, and for the ones he loves. But, on the verge of true greatness after the Normandy landings, he is tasked with one final mission, one that could end his career...Back to Battle is an earth-shattering novel set at the heart of the bloodiest war ever fought.

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Book SynopsisThe first book in the dramatic new saga from the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling authorHolding the letter in trembling hands, Daisy's future crumbled before her the words engraved on her heart forever.The village of Little Creek, the long winter of 1867The first flakes of snow are falling when Daisy Marshall, secretly engaged to her master''s son, finds herself jilted at the altar.Heartbroken, Daisy flees to the small village of Little Creek, nestled on the coast of Essex. There she is warmly welcomed but the village is poverty-stricken, suffering under a cruel Lord of the manor. And when cholera hits, the villagers are truly in dire straits.Determined to help, Daisy makes new friends in earnest doctor Nicholas and dashing smuggler Jay but also dangerous new enemies, who threaten to destroy everything she's built. Can Daisy save the village and find happiness in time for Christmas?Trade Review Praise for Dilly Court: ‘Feisty female characters to fall in love with in a spirited, adventurous novel’ Sunday Express ‘Dilly Court’s latest novel is another page-turner that will keep you gripped to the end – 5 stars’ The People’s Friend ‘As always Dilly keeps you absorbed right to the end’ Choice ‘A rollicking, fast-paced adventure with a hint of romance!’ My Weekly ‘Spellbinding . . . you just keep turning the pages’ Daily Mail ‘A fast-paced, riveting read’ Sunday Express ‘A heart-warming, fast-paced story that will keep you gripped till the end’ The People’s Friend ‘Feisty female characters to fall in love with in a spirited, adventurous novel’ Sunday Express ‘Atmospheric, vivid and compelling’ My Weekly ‘An excellent, well-researched read’ People’s Friend ‘Perfect for Downton Abbey fans … heart-tugging’ Peterborough Telegraph

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Book SynopsisSome things are earned. Some things are worth fighting for…  It’s 1782, Daniel and his sister Pearl arrive in London with the world at their feet and their future assured. Having escaped a Jamaican sugar plantation, Daniel fought for the British in the American War of Independence and was rewarded with freedom and an inheritance.   But the city is not a place for men like Daniel and he is callously tricked and finds himself, along with his sister Pearl, in the rookeries of St Giles – a warren of dark and menacing alleyways, filled with violence and poverty.   The underworld labyrinth is run by Elias, a man whose cruelty knows no bounds. But under his dangerous rule is a brotherhood of Black men, the Blackbirds of St Giles, whose intention is to set their people free.   Can Daniel use his strength, wit and the fellowship of the other Blackbirds to overthrow Elias and truly find the freedom he fought for&hell

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

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Book SynopsisFrom master storyteller Ken Follett, The Evening and the Morning is a historical epic that ends where The Pillars of the Earth begins.A Time of ConflictIt is 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. The king’s grip on the country is fragile and chaos reigns. A young boat builder dreams of a better future after a devastating Viking raid shatters the life he hoped for.Lives IntertwinedA Norman noblewoman follows her husband to a new land only to find her life there shockingly different; and a capable monk at Shiring Abbey has a vision of transforming his humble home into a centre of learning admired throughout Europe.The Dawn of a New AgeNow, with England at the dawn of the Middle Ages, these three people will each come into dangerous conflict with a ruthless bishop, who will do anything to increase his wealth and power, in an epic tale of ambition, rivalry, love and hate.Thirty years ago we were introduced to Kingsbridge in The Pillars of the Earth, and now in this prequel international bestseller Ken Follett will take us on a journey into a rich past, which will end where his masterpiece begins. Trade ReviewAnother historical thriller of mighty proportions. A prequel, set in Dark Ages Britain, to his bestselling The Pillars of the Earth * The Times *An earthy barrage of page-turning incident * Mail on Sunday *Follett is a master storyteller * The Times *One of the great bestselling novelists * Daily Telegraph *Just as transporting as [The Pillars of the Earth] . . . A most welcome addition to the Kingsbridge series * Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisThe fight for vengeance has no victors... AD 936 The great warrior, Einar Unnsson, wants revenge. His mother's assassin has stolen her severed head and Einar is hungry for his blood. Only one thing holds him back. He is a newly sworn in Wolf Coat, and must accompany them on their latest quest. The Wolf Coats are a band of fearsome bloodthirsty warriors, who roam the seas, killing any enemies who get in their way. Now they're determined to destroy their mortal enemy, King Eirik, who has captured the throne of Norway. Yet, for Einar, the urge to return to Iceland is growing every day. Only there, in his homeland, can he avenge his mother and salve his grief. But what Einar doesn't know is that this is where an old enemy lurks, and his thirst for vengeance equals Einar's... Read Tim Hodkinson's newest epic Viking adventure. REVIEWERS ON TIM HODKINSON: 'A brilliantly written historical adventure which will appeal to fans of Bernard Cornwell, George R.R. Martin, and especially Theodore Brun' Historical Novel Society 'A gripping action adventure like the sagas of old; and once finished, you just want to go back and read it all over again' Melisende's Library 'An excellently written page-turner, with a feel for the period which invites you into the era and keeps you there' Historical Writers AssociationTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR TIM HODKINSON: 'A brilliantly written historical adventure which will appeal to fans of Bernard Cornwell, George R.R. Martin, and especially Theodore Brun' Historical Novel Society. 'An excellently written page-turner, with a feel for the period which invites you into the era and keeps you there' Historical Writers Association. 'A gripping action adventure like the sagas of old; and once finished, you just want to go back and read it all over again' * Melisende's Library *

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Book SynopsisPRE-ORDER THE KING'S MESSENGER, A STORY OF TREACHERY, BETRAYAL AND LOVE, COMING AUGUST 2024. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Winter Sea and The Vanished Days When a woman brings a small wooden carving into the art dealership, claiming it once belonged to a Russian Empress, Nicola Marter’s boss believes it is worthless. But Nicola has an unwanted, if rare, psychic gift. Holding 'The Firebird' in her hands, she knows this woman is telling the truth. Compelled to uncover its true history, Nicola must put her own past behind her. She contacts an old flame who can access the past in a way no one else can. Together they can find the real story of 'The Firebird'… Following history from Scotland, to Belgium and to St Petersburg, The Firebird is a sweeping story of love, sacrifice, courage and redemption. A journey that spans centuries and lifetimes t

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Book SynopsisH. G. Wells skilfully combines tension, wit and terror in The Invisible Man, a masterpiece of science fiction. Complete & Unabridged. Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.A mysterious stranger arrives at a rural Sussex inn on a cold winter’s night with his face obscured by bandages and his body cloaked in a long, heavy coat. He locks himself in his room and spends his stay labouring over chemicals in intricate glass bottles. The villagers, bewildered by what lurks under the bandages, could never be prepared for the terrible truth: that the man is a scientist who has rendered himself invisible and is desperately struggling to find an antidote. He flees to the rugged, cliff-lined coast where, pursued by police and an angry mob, he is intent on murderous revenge.

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Book SynopsisFrom bestselling historian Adrian Goldsworthy, a profoundly authentic, action-packed adventure set on Rome's Danubian frontier. AD 105: DACIA The Dacian kingdom and Rome are at peace, but no one thinks that it will last. Sent to command an isolated fort beyond the Danube, centurion Flavius Ferox can sense that war is coming, but also knows that enemies may be closer to home. Many of the Brigantes under his command are former rebels and convicts, as likely to kill him as obey an order. And then there is Hadrian, the emperor's cousin, and a man with plans of his own... Gritty, gripping and profoundly authentic, The Fort is the first book in a brand new trilogy set in the Roman empire from bestselling historian Adrian Goldsworthy. Reviews for the Vindolanda Trilogy: 'No one knows the Roman army better than Adrian Goldsworthy, and no one writes more convincing Roman fiction' Harry Sidebottom 'An authentic, enjoyable read' The Times 'Gritty and realistic... Goldsworthy’s characters are authentically ancient and his descriptions of Roman Briton ring true' Daily Telegraph (Sydney)Trade ReviewGoldsworthy's meticulous historical knowledge is very much in evidence in The Fort. There are multiple perspectives, ranging from Hadrian's to a Dacian mystic's. This makes for an extraordinarily rich picture of a battle on the empire's borders * The Times *Part adventure, part thriller but it's also a dramatic and credible recreation of Roman and barbarian life and an exploration of the ancient political world... An historian can bring a lot to a fictional tale but only if they have the novelist's gene and understand imaginative storytelling too, Goldsworthy does. He writes fiction with the accuracy of an academic and the flair of a creative writer... The author understands the Roman mentality, the historical events that underpin the fiction and the physical and cultural landscape of the empire' * NB Magazine *PRAISE FOR THE VINDOLANDA TRILOGY: 'Praise the gods, Ferox returns in a novel of explosive action and profound authenticity. No one knows the Roman army better than Adrian Goldsworthy, and no one writes more convincing Roman fiction' Harry Sidebottom, on Brigantia. 'Gritty and realistic... Goldsworthy's characters are authentically ancient and his descriptions of Roman Briton ring true' Daily Telegraph (Sydney). 'Incredibly authentic... Plenty of action and a cracking read for lovers of historical fiction or fans of Roman history' What Cathy Read Next. 'An authentic, enjoyable read' The Times. 'Much more accurate than the usual action fiction about legionaries and Rome... Brings the reader closer to the true nature of Roman Britain' * New Books Magazine *

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Book SynopsisCARBIDE explores the underbelly of the Ukrainian smuggling industry.

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Book SynopsisA ghost ship full of long-lost gold beckons, and Biggles gets an icy reception...Biggles, Algie, Bertie and Ginger are visited by Grimes, an old pal from the war, whose father, a Merchant Navy captain known as Jumbo, is in a spot of bother. He was recently tricked into skippering a crew of seal poachers to an islet off Antarctica. While there, they spotted an old ship – still rigged for sail – trapped in the pack ice. After an investigation of the ship, Jumbo overheard the words ‘starry’ and ‘crown’ from the jubilant crew.An avid fan of an unsolved mysteries, Biggles immediately recognises the importance of these words. Jumbo and his crew had stumbled upon the long-lost schooner Starry Crown, which went missing seventy years prior with a ton of Australian gold ingots aboard. There have been several sightings and ill-fated recovery expeditions since, but no one has ever retrieved the gold.Grimes reckons that they might be able to beat the poachers to the treasure if they were to go by air, and wonders if Biggles is interested in an adventure. After making a few enquiries, Biggles agrees to the expedition, but there is more than gold in the Starry Crown, and no help for miles across Antarctica’s vast silence…Wrap up warm for a classic Biggles adventure to the frozen continent of Antarctica.

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Book SynopsisThe case of the pirate U-boat!Air Commodore Raymond has a thrilling new case for Biggles, Ginger, Algy and Bertie, now the Scotland Yard Air Squad.Instead of surrendering at the end of the war, commander Von Schonbeck of submarine U-517 escaped to the south Indian ocean. From his base on an uncharted island, he has been waging his own personal war, very profitably. Among other booty, he is known to have acquired a sizeable quantity of gold.But there's very little to go on: the submarine sinks all the ships it preys upon, leaving no survivors. And Biggles & Co. have a hunting ground of a million square miles of air and ocean…Will they find the renegade submarine, or will it continue to prowl the depths?Has Biggles met his match in the hunt for the dastardly von Schonbeck?

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Book SynopsisPREORDER THE BRILLIANT NEW GAEL SONG NOVEL FROM SHAUNA LAWLESS, THE LAND OF THE LIVING AND THE DEAD, AVAILABLE NOW!Power fades but fire endures...Clouds of war gather for mortals and immortals alike as the Irish kingdoms strive for supremacy.Gormflaith, a Fomorian and unhappy queen of mortal king Brian Boru, schemes to destroy her sworn enemies, the Descendants. As her plans take an unexpected turn, Gormflaith discovers her magic is more powerful than she ever realised but at what cost?Descendant healer Fódla dwells disguised in the mortal world, seeking to protect her young nephew but the boy has secrets of his own. Fódla must do all in her power to keep him hidden from those who would use him for evil.When a mysterious man comes to King Brian''s court, his presence could spell disaster for both Gormflaith and Fódla and for Ireland herself. For he is Tomas, an ambitious immortal and he will do anything to see h

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Book SynopsisA thrilling, heart-stealing historic romp and achingly romantic.' M.A. Kuzniar, bestselling author of Midnight in EverwoodA heartwarming tale of forbidden love that captured my heart from its opening page Unputdownable.' Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of YorkOxford 1360When his sister's betrothed vanishes the night before her politically arranged marriage, Raff Barden must track and return the elusive groom to restore his family's honour.William de Foucart known to his friends as Penn had no choice but to abandon his intended, and with it his own earldom, when he fled the night before his enforced marriage. But ill-equipped to survive on the run he must trust the kindness of a stranger, Raff, to help him escape.Unaware their fates are already entwined, the men journey north. But amidst the snow-capped forests an unexpected bond deepens into a far more precious relationship, one that will test all that they hold dear. And when secrets are finally revealed, botTrade Review‘Road trips and secret identities…a beautifully thoughtful and deliciously sweet romance about getting lost in order to find oneself. I loved every moment spent with Penn and Raff.’Freya Marske, International bestselling author of A Marvellous Light ‘A heartwarming tale of forbidden love that captured my heart from its opening page… Unputdownable’Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York ‘A thrilling, heart-stealing historic romp and achingly romantic.’M.A. Kuzniar, bestselling author of Midnight in Everwood ‘A beautiful love story and journey of longing until your heart is torn apart and rebuilt.’Liz Fenwick, bestselling author of The River Between Us ‘A heart-wrenching, spellbinding love story, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out if Raff and Penn would get their happy ever after.’Bestselling author Cressida McLaughlin ‘One Night in Hartswood is an utterly bedazzling novel, a compulsive page-turner rich in historical detail, and a heart-stopping debut romance.’Kirsty Capes, Women’s Prize for Fiction longlisted author of Careless

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Book SynopsisWelcome to Florence, 1517, a world of intrigue, opulence, secrets, and murder. The Medici family rules the city from their seat of wealth, but the people of Florence remember the few decades they spent as a Republic, free from the Medicis and their puppet Pope, Leo X.Sharp-witted seventeen-year-old con-woman Rosa Cellini has plans for the Pope and the Medicis - and, more specifically, the mountain of indulgence money they''ve been extorting from the people of Tuscany. To pull off the Renaissance''s greatest robbery, she''ll recruit a team of capable misfits: Sarra the tinkerer, Khalid the fighter, and Giacomo, the irrepressible master of disguise. To top it all off, and to smooth their entrance into the fortress-like Palazzo Medici, Rosa even enlists the reluctant help of famed artist and local misanthrope, Michelangelo.Old secrets resurface and tensions in the gang flare as the authorities draw closer and the Medicis'' noose pulls tighter around Tuscany itself. What began as a robbery becomes a bid to save Florence from certain destruction - if Rosa and company don''t destroy each other first.Get ready for an absolute swashbuckling riot, beginning with a ''mud'' pie to the Pope''s face, and ending with a climatic heist that would give Danny Ocean a run for his money. Bursting with snark, innuendo and action, Medici Heist is your next un-put-downable obsession.

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Book SynopsisThe exciting new historical novel in Mark Knowles' Blades of Bronze series. You've read the myths of Ancient Greece... now see how life really was in the Age of Heroes. Decades after the fabled voyage of Argo, the last remaining Argonauts are scattered to the corners of the Greek world, old men living on past glories. The great victory at Troy is naught but a memory. The Age of Heroes is dead. The Sea People are coming. With the enemy inearly at the gates. Only one young man can rise up, channel the spirit of the Argonauts, and inspire and renew the heroism of old: Xandros, callow grandson of the great Jason. His mission is a desperate one, and it may yet be too late. Will the old world crumble and burn, or will a new hero rise to victory? Reviews for the Blades of Bronze series: 'A bold and thrilling voyage that plunges you deep into the world of ancient myth. Knowles’s storytelling captured my imagination from the very first page. Wonderfully atmospheric.’ Daisy Dunn 'What a spectacular triumph! Knowles has taken a reassuringly familiar legend and elevated it into a new, realistic and engrossing story.' Sam Taw 'A deeply researched historical epic, so brilliantly brought to life I could taste the salt air on my tongue.' Adam LofthouseTrade ReviewA richly drawn and detailed historical adventure set in ancient Greece, decades after the triumphs of Jason and the Argonauts. * LoveReading *

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Book SynopsisAD 265, Gaul - The Roman Empire is on the brink.Emperor Gallienus has amassed a huge army across the Alps to seize back the mountains from the usurper Postumus.War has come.Ballista and his cavalry are on the frontline, battling in the most brutal of conditions. But if he is to survive the campaign and finally retire to his beloved Sicily, it's not just the battlefield he needs to navigate.As he and Praetorian Prefect Volusianus lay siege to Postumus' armies, it becomes clear the greatest threat to Ballista's life might just come from within his ranks. After all, Volusianus has shown he will go to any distance for his own ends. Is Ballista just another pawn in his game?

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