Historical Fiction Books

Book SynopsisA Mother Forever is the moving story of one woman's journey through the hardest trials of her life and how the love of friends and family pulls her through. From the bestselling author of The Woolworths Girls Elaine Everest, this book tells the tale of Ruby and how it all began . . .1905: Ruby Caselton may only be twenty-five years old but she already has the weight of the world on her shoulders. Heavily pregnant with her second child, penniless and exhausted, she is moving her family into a new home. The Caseltons left their last place when they couldn’t pay the rent, but Ruby’s husband Eddie has promised this will be a fresh start for them all. And Ruby desperately hopes that this time he will keep his word.With five-year-old George at her feet and her mother having a cross word for everyone and everything, life is never dull at number thirteen Alexandra Road. It doesn’t take long before Eddie loses another job and once again hits the bottle. It’s up to Ruby to hold them all together, through thick and thin. She remembers the kind, caring man Eddie once was and just can’t give up on him entirely. What she doesn’t know is that Eddie has a secret, one so dark that he can’t bear to tell even Ruby . . .Through Ruby’s grit and determination, she keeps food on the table and finds herself a community of neighbours on Alexandra Road. Stella, the matriarch from across the way, soon becomes a friend and confidante. She even dreams that Ruby will ditch the useless Eddie and take up with her eldest son, Frank. But when war breaks out in 1914, the heartbreaks and losses that follow will fracture their community, driving both Stella and Ruby to breaking point. Will their men ever return to them?A Mother Forever is a moving but heartwarming story about the family we’re connected to through blood, but also the family we make for ourselves with neighbours and friends. A prequel to The Woolworths Girls, it can also be read as a compelling novel in its own right. A warm, tender tale of friendship and love . . . sweet as a Woolies pick’n’mix - Milly Johnson on The Woolworths GirlsTrade ReviewHeartwarming . . . a must-read -- Woman's Own on The Teashop GirlsA warm, tender tale of friendship and love . . . sweet as a Woolies pick’n’mix -- Milly Johnson on The Woolworths GirlsA lovely read -- Bella on The Woolworths GirlsElaine brings the heyday of the iconic high-street giant to life in her charming novel -- S Magazine on The Woolworths Girls

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Fiction   Winner of the Gotham Book PrizeOne of Barack Obama's Favorite Books of the YearOprah's Book Club PickNamed one of the Top Ten Books of the Year by the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly and TIME Magazine A Washington Post Notable Novel From the author of The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, the National Book Award–winning The Good Lord Bird, and the bestselling modern classic The Color of Water, comes one of the most celebrated novels of the year. In September 1969, a fumbling, cranky old church deacon known as Sportcoat shuffles into the courtyard of the Cause Houses housing project in south Brooklyn, pulls a .38 from his pocket, and, in front of everybody, shoots the project’s drug dealer at point-blank range. The reasons for this desperate burst of violence and the consequen

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestseller and Richard & Judy Book Club Pick, from the acclaimed author of Room. The Pull of the Stars is set during three days in a maternity ward at the height of the Great Flu. 'Moving, gripping and dazzlingly written' – StylistDublin, 1918. In a country doubly ravaged by war and disease, Nurse Julia Power works at an understaffed hospital in the city centre, where expectant mothers who have come down with an unfamiliar flu are quarantined together. Into Julia’s regimented world step two outsiders: Doctor Kathleen Lynn, on the run from the police, and a young volunteer helper, Bridie Sweeney.In the darkness and intensity of this tiny ward, over the course of three days, these women change each other’s lives in unexpected ways. They lose patients to this baffling pandemic, but they also shepherd new life into a fearful world. With tireless tenderness and humanity, carers and mothers alike somehow do their impossible work.In The Pull of the Stars, Emma Donoghue tells an unforgettable and deeply moving story of love and loss.'A visceral, harrowing, and revelatory vision of life, death, and love in a time of pandemic. This novel is stunning' – Emily St. John Mandel, author of Station Eleven'Reads like an episode of Call The Midwife set during a pandemic' – Mail on SundayGuardian, Cosmopolitan and Telegraph's 'Books of the Year'Trade ReviewA visceral, harrowing, and revelatory vision of life, death, and love in a time of pandemic. This novel is stunning -- Emily St. John Mandel, author of Station ElevenExtraordinarily prescient * Daily Telegraph *The Pull of the Stars has a fever dream-like quality . . . about as moving and absorbing as it gets * Evening Standard *An immersive, unforgettable fever-dream of a novel * Times *A timely, exquisite and unputdownable reminder of love and compassion -- Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold FryA story that is as timeless as it is urgent * New York Times *Fascinating and resonant * Sunday Times *Emma Donoghue is one of our greatest living prose stylists . . . a must-read novel * The Australian *Emma Donoghue’s best novel since Room * Metro *Eerily topical, Donoghue’s new novel reads like an episode of Call The Midwife set during a pandemic * Mail on Sunday *Moving, gripping and dazzlingly written * Stylist *It is rare for such a fast-paced story to be told so beautifully, and the writing is comical & exquisite * Irish Independent *Moving and memorable * Daily Mail *As strong and compelling as Jack in Room and Lib in The Wonder . . . a haunting and finely balanced literary novel -- Sarah Moss * Guardian *One of the Emerald Isle’s most glittering literary lights, Donoghue here delivers a historical fiction turned timely reminder of human resilience * Oprah Magazine, 'Best Books of Summer 2020' *Enticingly written . . . a felicitous comment on our new times * The Irish Times *Remarkably prescient * Irish Independent *Rarely can a novel have been as prescient or as timely as The Pull of the Stars . . . the book flies by like a hospital shift, as drama follows crisis and victory chases tragedy in a never-ending cycle of suffering, joy and bodily fluids * Business Post *Certainly, the currency of The Pull of the Stars gives it a gripping edge, but at its heart this is a story about friendship, love and compassion in extraordinary times . . . It's an engrossing read. Donoghue's writing is visceral and her female characters strike a powerful chord of humanity that stays with you * Australian Women's Weekly *Donoghue offers vivid characters and a gripping portrait of a world beset by a pandemic and political uncertainty. A fascinating read in these difficult times. * Booklist *Donoghue’s searing tale . . . Her blunt prose and detailed, painstakingly researched medical descriptions do full justice to the reality of the pandemic and the poverty that helps fuel it. Donoghue’s evocation of the 1918 flu, and the valor it demands of health-care workers, will stay with readers * Publishers Weekly *[Julia and Bridie’s] relationship forms the emotional core of a story rich in swift, assured sketches of achingly human characters coping as best they can in extreme circumstances . . . Darkly compelling, illuminated by the light of compassion and tenderness: Donoghue’s best novel since Room * Kirkus (starred review) *Eerily reminiscent of our current global health crisis, The Pull of the Stars brings readers intimately close to a world where health care workers risk it all to keep their patients alive * Time *Emma Donoghue's latest is getting an early release, and it's clear to understand why: In 1918 at the height of the Great Flu in Ireland, sick, pregnant women are quarantined together in a hospital while a group of overworked nurses tries to navigate their patients through the darkness * Marie Claire *Timely, punchy and gripping * Evening Standard *A powerful, persistent, highly detailed and incredibly moving book that speaks through time. Donoghue is a marvel of a writer * Press Association *Emma Donoghue has a gift for taking details from the past and creating believable and absorbing worlds around them * The Tablet *Gripping . . . fans of Call The Midwife will relish the true-to-life accounts of labour * S Magazine *Although compassion, female solidarity and dedicated service are at the novel’s core, suffering and terrible conditions are front and centre . . . Donoghue [excels] in strong characterisation and a vivid sense of time and place * The Herald *

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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 Synopsis'At least that post-Reformation sovereignty of the word still yields novels as richly imagined and skilfully crafted as this' The SpectatorThings change; we have to recognise that; the world will not stay still. What we must hope is that the new is better and stronger than the old. Anno Domini 1546. In a manor house in England a young woman feels the walls are closing round her, while her dying husband is obsessed by his vision of a chapel where prayers will be said for his immortal soul. As the days go by and the chapel takes shape, the outside world starts to intrude. And as the old ways are replaced by the new, the people of the village sense a dangerous freedom. The Book of Days is a beautifully written novel of lives lived in troubled times and the solace to be found in nature and the turning seasons. Reader ReviewsA must read Characters that one cares about, beautifully structured, a real page turner'A jewel of a book'Beautifully written'Atmospheric and compelling'

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Book SynopsisDon't miss the brand-new Christmas read from the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author Dilly Court!As the first Christmas snowflakes fall, Rosalind finds herself pregnant and aloneChristmas is coming to the village of Rockwood. But the happiest time of the year is marred by the news that Rosalind Blanchard's husband, Piers, is close to death after a shipwreck at sea. The fate of her beloved family home, the crumbling Rockwood Castle, is once more in her hands. She must find the strength to keep her family together.Pregnant, Rosalind comes face to face with the only man who ever made her heart truly sing: her husband's brother, Alex. As the Christmas bells ring, news of Piers arrives that changes everything. And another chance of happiness might be the gift Rosalind has been waiting forTrade 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 ‘Perfect for Downton Abbey fans … heart-tugging’ Peterborough Telegraph

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Book SynopsisA compelling family drama from the nation's favourite storyteller.Florence Stanville is a woman with a past. When she moves to Guisethorpe on the east coast of England, the townsfolk are intrigued by the glamorous and mysterious stranger.Florence doesn't care about the gossips she's drawn to the peaceful seaside town by the pull of her childhood, when she lived for a brief but happy time with her beloved late mother. The riddle of those days remains and now Florence can only snatch at half-remembered memories and shadowy figures in her dreams.As Florence is drawn into the lives of her new neighbours, the layers of her own life are revealed, but far from finding peace, Florence has found instead turmoil and secrets. Can she put the pieces of her past together, or will it remain a closed book forever?Trade ReviewPraise for Blood Brothers: 'Thanks to her near faultless writing, sympathies will lurch from one character to another, and as events reach their dramatic conclusion readers will find it impossible to tear themselves away.' News of the World 'Another hit for Josephine Cox' Sunday Express Praise for Josephine Cox’s previous novels: ‘Cox's talent as storyteller never lets you escape the spell' Daily Mail 'Another masterpiece' Best ‘Another beautifully spun family epic' Scottish Daily Echo 'A born storyteller' Bedfordshire Times ‘A surefire winner' Woman's Weekly

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Book SynopsisThe people and businesses of London are quickly recovering from the ravages of the plague, none faster than the Court of Charles II where excess, corruption and debauchery has rebounded at a frenetic pace. In Westminster, in the haphazard corridors of White Hall Palace, plans are afoot for a grandiose ball in honour of a long-dead but English-born Pope. Meanwhile, the markets and coffee houses in the city are awash with rumours of war and portents of a coming disaster, inflamed by uncensored newssheets and the wagging tongues of dissatisfied citizens.Mysterious killings at both ends of the capital have been caused by the use of an unusually long, slender blade, and Thomas Chaloner is ordered to investigate. The only common thread is the victims'' connection to the Worshipful Company of Poulters, whose members are struggling to keep ahead of London''s enormous demand for eggs. But this leads him into a tapestry of conspiracy, outlandish claims of the Second Coming, the reappe

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Book Synopsis The entrancing historical read perfect for readers of Hamnet and The Manningtree Witches ***Don''t miss the exquisite new novel of obsession, betrayal and ambition from Joanne Burn - THE BONE HUNTERS is available now***''Vivid and poetic'' JENNIFER SAINT ''Mesmerizing'' ROSIE ANDREWS ''Page-turning'' SUSAN STOKES-CHAPMAN ''Beautiful'' ANNIE GARTHWAITE ''Exquisitely written'' SONIA VELTON ''Fascinating'' LIZ HYDER ''Heart-wrenching'' REBECCA F. JOHN ''Wholly original'' SARAH BURTON ''Exquisite'' EMMA CARROLL ''Bewitching'' ROZ WATKINS ''Spellbinding'' NIKKI MARMERY It is 1665 and thTrade ReviewAn exquisitely written tale of resilience and reckoning, with female protagonists that are just the right blend of compassion and simmering rebellion -- SONIA VELTON, author of 'Blackberry and Wild Rose'An intricate, detailed and beautifully written story of the women of Eyam. It's vivid and poetic, powerfully building tension as their secrets unravel. -- JENNIFER SAINT, Sunday times bestselling author of 'Ariadne'Artfully written and nuanced, The Hemlock Cure is a carefully researched take on Eyam's sad history, with a rich cast of characters that keep you turning the page. -- SUSAN STOKES-CHAPMAN, author of 'Pandora'In a wholly original take on the Eyam story, Joanne Burn's elegant prose, rich in authentic detail, results in a rewarding and timely read -- SARAH BURTON, author of 'The Strange Adventures of H'Lyrically written, The Hemlock Cure propels the reader into the seventeenth-century world of potions and mystery. These are not powerless women but women with their own sense of ambition and destiny. -- RHIANNON WARD, author of 'The Quickening'Spellbinding and profound, The Hemlock Cure is a dazzling act of reclamation of the truth of women's lives. Burn writes beautifully about female courage and retribution, of the ties that make and bind a family, and different ways of belonging. This is a compassionate and intensely moving novel that is rich in meaning and hugely resonant for our own plague-struck era. -- NIKKI MARMERY, author of 'On Wilder Seas'Set against the backdrop of Eyam's famous plague, this page-turning novel delves deep into danger. The darkest threats, we learn, come not from illness or contagion, but from cruelties encompassed by those closest to us. The juxtaposition of external and internal threats - the disease that prowls, the people who share your home - creates a growing tension that had me turning pages late into the night. And the writing is beautiful - its delicacy and precision creating a strong sense of place - full of scents, sounds and texture. -- ANNIE GARTHWAITE, author of 'Cecily'A beautiful, bewitching and powerful tale of brave women's lives. I absolutely loved it. -- ROZ WATKINS, author of 'The Devil's Dice'The writing is exquisite, the period detail sensuous and immersive. I can't stop thinking about this beautiful story. -- EMMA CARROLL, author of 'Frost Hollow Hall'Deeply unsettling, tense, yet ultimately hopeful, The Hemlock Cure sweeps the reader up into its potions, scents, colours and secrets. It is affecting and beautifully observed - a mesmerising novel -- ROSIE ANDREWS, author of 'The Leviathan'A beautifully written page-turner. An interesting period of history portrayed in a unique way -- CAROLE MATTHEWSBeautifully written, dark, hopeful, and utterly fascinating. Jam-packed with historical detail and a whole host of intriguing characters with secrets to hide. Made me want to retrain as a herbalist. -- LIZ HYDER, author of 'The Gifts'

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Book Synopsis NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING TITLE THE ORPHAN'S TALE OUT NOW! Forbidden love in the time of war, this is essential reading for fans of emotional historical romance, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Maureen Lee. August 1940 and 16-year-old refugee Addie escapes Fascist Italy to live with her aunt and uncle in Atlantic City. As WW2 breaks, she finds acceptance and love with Charlie Connally and his family. But war changes everything: secrets and passions abound, and when one brother’s destructive choices lead to the tragic death of another, the Connally family is decimated, and Addie along with them. Now 18, she flees, first to Washington and then to war-torn London where she is swept up with life as a correspondent. But when Charlie, now a paratrooper, re-appears, Addie discovers that the past is impossible to outrun. Now she must make one last desperate attempt to find within herself the answers that will lead the way home. Praise for Pam Jenoff: ‘[A] heartbreakingly romantic story of forbidden love during WW2’ – Heat ‘Must read’ – Daily ExpressTrade ReviewWonderfully compelling… The story grips from the very first page, and the atmosphere of the circus is entrancing – you feel all the terror and thrill of the flying trapeze.’ – Margaret Leroy, author of The Soldier’s Wife ‘Secrets, lies, treachery, and passion…I read this novel in a headlong rush.’ – Christina Barker Kline, #1 bestselling author of Orphan Train ‘A thrilling, yet heart-breaking story of life and love, heroism and sacrifice in wartime Europe’ – My Weekly ‘This is a book not to be missed’ – Melanie Benjamin, bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue and The Aviator’s Wife ‘Jenoff has written a tribute to the human spirit that soars in the midst of epic despair…’–NPR ‘Jenoff’s prose is evocative and compelling’–The Globe and Mail “An emotional tale of survival and courage during a difficult time in Europe.” – Suzy Approved Book Reviews “Jenoff keeps readers on their toes with the numerous twists and turns… as well as the emotional peaks and valleys that had me reaching for tissues more than once.” – Romance Dish “THE ORPHAN’S TALE takes us on a heartbreaking, hopeful, touching and emotional journey; one that is not to be missed.” – Jennifer Blankfein

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Book SynopsisTHE #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER''Bernhard Schlink speaks straight to the heart'' New York TimesOlga is an orphan raised by her grandmother in a Prussian village around the turn of the 20th century. Smart and precocious, she fights against the prejudices of the time to find her place in a world that sees her as second-best.When she falls in love with Herbert, a local aristocrat obsessed with the era''s dreams of power, glory and greatness, her life is irremediably changed.Theirs is a love against all odds, entwined with the twisting paths of German history, leading us from the late 19th to the early 21st century, from Germany to Africa and the Arctic, from the Baltic Sea to the German south-west.This is the story of that love, of Olga''s devotion to a restless man - told in thought, letters and in a fateful moment of great rebellion.Translated from the German by Charlotte CollinsTrade ReviewFrom the author of The Reader comes a brilliant new novel about history and the nature of memory... The story of Olga, translated here from German by Charlotte Collins, is the story of Germany's modern history. It is also a study of memory... You should read this novel if you appreciate the power of history. How do we remember each other? As individuals, or as parts of a larger whole? As they were, or as we wish they had been? The narration can be breakneck: decades pass in single sentences, while other paragraphs describe mere moments. This is the effect of memory; lives are condensed into a series of experiences and relationships. One line still sticks in my head, in a letter from a Norwegian bookseller. "History is not the past as it really was. It's the shape we give it". * Evening Standard *A cleverly-constructed tale of cross-class romance... Olga's story draws us into a present-day reckoning with Germany's past. * Mail on Sunday *A poignant portrait of a woman out of step with her time. * Observer *Bernhard Schlink, one of Germany's best-loved authors, is famous beyond its borders for the international bestseller The Reader. Like that excellent novel, his latest, Olga, is a searching examination of modern Germany and its scarred soul... there's a sophisticated precision to his writing, which is superbly translated by Charlotte Collins. And in Schlink's macro look at Germany's past, it's the small acts - of kindness and humility - that linger. * Sunday Telegraph, Novel of the Week *This is not a straightforward elegy - and throughout the book, death is not an absolute end. Instead, Schlink frames the novel as a search for meaning, which dances in Olga between a multitude of timeframes and territories. Throughout, Charlotte Collins's translation is careful and beautifully paced * Financial Times *A compelling tale of love and thwarted dreams... Schlink's lucid, no-frills prose lends his novel immediacy, and at times potency, and gives us a character to root for. * The Herald *One of Bernhard Schlink's secrets stems from his art of telling stories by interweaving the standpoints of different generations in the very same life story. Olga is another very well-done example of that. * Le Monde *In this moving book Bernhard Schlink resurrects the last traces of an unfulfilled love, with his trademark, sophisticated nostalgia. * Le Nouvel Observateur *Bernhard Schlink, whose The Reader we haven't forgotten, impresses again with Olga. * Lire *Everything points towards Olga being a new bestseller which can pick up where the international success of The Reader left off. In other words: not to be missed! * SWR1 *Schlink is a brilliant stylist; this bittersweet love affair is deeply moving. * Hamburger Abendblatt *The third part of the novel - letters Olga writes to Herbert after he's set out for the Arctic - is the most beautiful. Here, the camera finally zooms in and we learn of Olga's feelings, how she's torn between hope and fear, love and anger at her lover, who has left her for a madcap expedition. * Spiegel *[Schlink] takes up motifs from his most famous work The Reader. Olga, who fights to be allowed to continue her education, seems like an alternative draft of the illiterate Hannah, whose lacking abilities led to her becoming a concentration camp guard during the Nazi era. * Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung *Olga is captivating. Bernhard Schlink tells the story in lucid, serene language. He is a master of this warm, pleasant tone, which has a hint of the old-fashioned to it. * Stern *Schlink tells a gripping, true-to-life story which startles you with its unforeseen twists, and not only makes you think, but feel too. * NDR Kultur *Schlink was and is an author for readers who love intelligently told stories. And they won't be disappointed by Olga. * Tages-Anzeiger, Zurich *

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER'A tale of enduring power' Paula McLainFrom the author of the No.1, two million-copy bestseller Before We Were Yours comes a dramatic story of a family separated, their search for answers, and an epic journey to reunite the missing . . .Louisiana, 1875: In the tumultuous aftermath of Reconstruction, three young women set off as unwilling companions on a perilous quest. For heiresses Lavinia and Juneau Jane, the journey is one of inheritance and financial desperation, but for Hannie, torn from her mother and siblings before slavery's end, the pilgrimage westward reignites an agonizing question. Could her long-lost family still be out there?Louisiana, 1987: Arriving in Augustine, Louisiana, first-year teacher Benedetta Silva finds herself teaching students whose poverty-stricken lives she can scarcely comprehend. The town is impossibly set in its ways, suspicious of new ideas and new people. But amid the gnarled live oaks and ancient plantation homes lies the century-old history of three young women, a long-ago journey, and a hidden book that could change everything.A heart-wrenching novel inspired by little-known historical events, based on actual "Lost Friends" advertisements that appeared in Southern newspapers after the Civil War, as freed slaves desperately searched for loved ones, lost to them when their families were sold off.'Tragic, thought-provoking but ultimately uplifting . . . an enthralling adventure' Lancashire Evening PostTrade ReviewAn epic story that will stir your emotions * Woman's Weekly *It is impossible not to get swept up in this near-perfect novel * Huffington Post *A tale of enduring power * Paula McLain *An uplifting exploration of what family truly means * Booklist *Tragic, thought-provoking but ultimately uplifting, this is a sobering history lesson wrapped up in an enthralling adventure * Lancashire Evening Post *Moving * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis'De Bernieres is a singular, cherishable voice' Mail on SundayFrom the master of historical fiction, this book follows war hero Daniel Pitt and his unforgettable family after the Second World War.Some bonds are hard to break...Daniel Pitt was an RAF fighter in the First World War and an espionage agent for the SOE in the Second. Now the conflicts he faces are closer to home.Daniel's marriage has fractured beyond repair and Daniel's relationship with his son, Bertie, has been a failure since Bertie was a small boy.But after his brother Archie's death, Daniel is keen for new perspectives. He first travels to Peshawar to bury Archie in the place he loved best, and then finds himself in Canada, avoiding his family and friends back in England. Daniel and Bertie's different experiences of war, although devastating, also bring with them the opportunity for the two to reconnect.If only they can find a way to move on from the past...For more adventures with flying ace Daniel Pitt, see The Dust That Falls From Dreams and So Much Life Left Over.Trade ReviewDe Bernieres is a singular, cherishable voice. * Mail on Sunday *Louis de Bernieres is in the direct line that runs through Dickens and Evelyn Waugh... he has only to look into his world, one senses, for it to rush into reality, colours and touch and taste * Evening Standard *[The Autumn of the Ace is] penned with de Bernières's quiet, deprecating humour and sharp observation -- Vanessa Berridge * Sunday Express *Both heart-warming and heart-wrenching, this novel will captivate the senses and make you laugh as well as cry. Brimming with incredible, quirky characters and beautiful, lyrical writing, The Autumn of the Ace is the ideal book for lovers of historical fiction -- Carmen Coetsee * South African *

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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 SynopsisNothing is as it seems . . .France, 1928. It is ten years since the Great War ended, but Freddie Watson is still haunted by the loss of his beloved brother. Driving through the foothills of the Pyrenees, his car spins off the road in a snowstorm. He takes refuge in an isolated village and there meets the captivating Fabrissa. They spend the night talking of love and loss and war.By daybreak, Fabrissa has vanished and Freddie has discovered that he alone holds the key to an ancient mystery, one which leads him deep into the mountains and to a cave that conceals a shocking secret . . .''A wonderfully haunting winter''s tale. Stop the clock and read it in one sitting'' She''A great read . . . Mosse writes movingly about loss and atmospherically about France'' Daily Mail''Beautiful and haunting, this is a great story of love, loss and courage'' WomanWITH READING GROUP NOTES AND AN EXCLUSIVE SHORT STORYTrade ReviewMosse's story-telling packs a punch * THE INDEPENDENT *Beautiful and haunting, this is a great story of love, loss and courage. * WOMAN *An absorbing tale of loss and remembrance in the aftermath of the First World War ... Mosse excels at transporting her readers into another time and another world ... Mosse's depiction of life in Southern France between the wars is utterly convincing * EXPRESS *A poignant, spooky study of mourning and redemption * MARIE CLAIRE *The themes of love, loss and remembrance are explored to create a wonderfully haunting winter's tale. Stop the clock and read it in one sitting * SHE *An enchanting novella ... Mosse proves that she can weave a web of poignant and thrilling strands that will ensnare any reader * THE LADY *This is a great read ... Mosse writes movingly about loss and atmospherically about France * DAILY MAIL *It takes much of what appeals about her bestselling novels - and adds a heartbreaking story - what is really haunting about Mosse's tale is the rawness of Freddie's grief * THE TIMES *

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Book SynopsisThe Patchwork Girls by Elaine Everest is a moving story about the ties of friends and family, set during the turbulence of the Second World War.1939. After the sudden and tragic loss of her husband, Helen is returning home to her mother’s house in Biggin Hill, Kent – the one place she vowed she’d never go back to again.Alone and not knowing where to turn, Helen finds herself joining the local women’s sewing circle despite being hopeless with a needle and thread. These resourceful women can not only make do and mend clothes, quilts and woolly hats, but their friendship mends something deeper in Helen too. Lizzie is a natural leader, always ready to lend a helping hand or a listening ear. Effie has uprooted her life from London to keep her two little girls away from the bombing raids, and the sewing circle is a welcome distraction from worries about how to keep a roof over their heads and about her husband too, now serving in active duty overseas.When the reason for Helen's husband's death comes to light, her world is turned upside down yet again. The investigating officer on the case, Richard, will leave no stone unturned, but it’s not long before his interest in Helen goes beyond the professional. As she pieces together old fabrics into a beautiful quilt, will Helen patch up the rifts in her own life?Trade ReviewHeartwarming . . . a must-read -- Woman's Own on The Teashop GirlsA warm, tender tale of friendship and love . . . sweet as a Woolies pick ’n’ mix -- Milly Johnson on The Woolworths GirlsA lovely read -- Bella on The Woolworths GirlsElaine brings the heyday of the iconic high-street giant to life in her charming novel -- S Magazine on The Woolworths Girls

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Book SynopsisExtraordinary Brought history alive on the page Tense and emotional Sensitive yet brutalWith the most unexpected end that left me breathless. Wow, just wow Incredible' NetGalley Review, ?????1941, Nazi-occupied Paris: In the glamorous Ritz hotel there is a woman with a dangerous secretAs Coco Chanel's assistant, Adèle lives side by side with German officers in the splendour of The Ritz hotel. But Adèle has a secret. She is working for the resistance, right under the Germans' noses.As occupied Paris becomes more and more dangerous, Adèle will have to decide if she can risk everything to save innocent lives and protect the man she lovesPresent day: Chloé's grandmother has never spoken about the war and avoids questions about the legendary designer she once worked for.Now Chloé has come to Paris, to uncover the truth about Adèle's life. But is she prepared for what she will find? And for the power of her grandmother's secrets to change her family foreverAn absolutely gripping and heartbreTrade Review Praise for The Dressmaker’s Secret: ‘A tale of deception, love and endurance… It kept me reading into the small hours’ Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan ‘A thrilling story of intrigue, love, and the secrets shadowing two disparate women… I couldn't put it down’ Adrienne Chinn, author of The English Wife ‘Stunning… I was completely hooked… and the twist ending was totally satisfying’ Kathleen McGurl, author of The Girl from Bletchley Park ‘Had me turning the pages late into the night… The historical detail is astounding… It’s the warmth and strength of the grandmother and granddaughter at the heart of this brilliant book that made me fall in love with it’ Louise Douglas, author of The House by the Sea ‘A page-turning story of choices made in Occupied Paris’ Gill Paul, author of The Secret Wife ‘I was gripped from start to finish… Wonderful, unputdownable, historical fiction’ Jenny Ashcroft, author of Under the Golden Sun ‘Utterly gripping, this is an emotional rollercoaster that had me living and breathing WW2 Paris. I was absolutely hooked’ Laura Jane Williams, author of Our Stop ‘I loved it. It’s an intricately, beautifully threaded story that pulls at the heartstrings’ Liz Fenwick, author of The River Between Us ‘Vivid and beautiful…Kept me hooked right from the beginning through to the cleverly twisty ending. Make sure you have tissues handy!’ Nikola Scott, author of The Orchard Girls ‘Evocative, gripping and emotional. I absolutely loved it’ Eleanor Ray, author of Everything is Beautiful ‘An insightful, gripping and poignant depiction of the perils and heartbreak of war. A deftly-told story of love, legacy and loss, this is one novel you won't want to miss’ Holly Miller, author of The Sight of You

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestseller!It is AD 25. Pirate ships strike terror in the hearts of those who brave the seas of the Roman Empire. When young Telemachus joins the crew of the merchant ship Selene, he''s delighted to escape the rough streets of Piraeus. He knows little of the dangers of life at sea. And even past hardship has not prepared him for the terror on board when a pirate ship appears . . . The fight is bloody, but the result is never in doubt. Then the victorious pirate chief, Bulla, offers the beaten men a cruel choice: join us, or die. After surviving a brutal initiation rite, Telemachus impresses his new captain with his resourcefulness and strength, and swiftly rises through the pirate ranks. But dangerous rivals talk of mutiny and murder. While Prefect Canis, notorious commander of the imperial fleet, is relentless in his pursuit of the pirate brotherhood.Could Telemachus be the man to lead the Trade ReviewPraise for Simon Scarrow's novels of the Roman Empire: 'I really don't need this kind of competition... It's a great read[Simon Scarrow] blends together historical facts and characters to create a book that simply cannot be put down... Highly recommended - Historical Novels ReviewA satisfyingly bloodthirsty, bawdy romp...perfect for Bernard Cornwell addicts who will relish its historical detail and fast-paced action. Storming stuff - Good Book Guide

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Book Synopsis'With more than 50 mostly romance books under her belt, the author is more than adept at spinning a yarn and her characters, surprisingly enough, are a particularly engaging lot... As romantic fiction goes, this one's a winner' Daily Telegraph Singapore in the 1860s is exotic and yet terrifying for a penniless Englishwoman, alone and vulnerable after her mother's death. Too pretty to obtain a governess's job, Isabella Saunders accepts an offer from Singapore merchant Mr Lee to teach him English and live with his family.Two years later Bram Deagan arrives in Singapore, determined to make his fortune as a trader. Mr Lee sees a way to expand his business connections and persuades Isabella to marry Bram.Bravely, she sets sail for a new land and life. But the past casts a long shadow and together she and Bram face unexpected dangers. Will they find a way to achieve their dreams of a successful trading business?And will their marriage turn out to be more of a love match than they ever could have dreamed?THE TRADER'S WIFE is the first novel in much-loved author Anna Jacobs' wonderful Traders Series, set between the Orient and Australia's Swan River Colony. Perfect for fans of Catherine Cookson.Trade ReviewWith more than 50 mostly romance books under her (garter) belt, the author is more than adept at spinning a yarn and her characters, surprisingly enough, are a particularly engaging lot... whose back stories, which run to petty jealousies, domestic violence and even murder, are carried along nicely by Jacobs' pacy writing and eye for historical detail. As romantic fiction goes, this one's a winner. * Daily Telegraph *[Anna Jacobs has an] impressive grasp of human emotions * The Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisSpanning twentieth-century Egyptian history and opening with the true story of a prominent Cairo businessman’s murder, this rags-to-riches story wondrously combines real-life events with fiction, told by a “magical storyteller”It was in the spring of 1927 that Cairo's attention was captured by the shocking murder of prominent businessman Solomon Cicurel in his Nile-side villa in the upscale Zamalek district. It was a burglary that went wrong, and four culprits were soon arrested. Their trial was concluded swiftly, their punishments were decisive, and society breathed a sigh of relief.In Ashraf El-Ashmawi's telling, there was a fifth accomplice, Abbas, who fled to his home in the countryside to lay low until the murder trial blew over. However, he did not escape empty-handed and kept stolen documents from Cicurel's villa, ones that he imagined would lead him to a hidden safe. Abbas hatched a plan to return to the capital, find the safe, and make his fortune. The first step was to place his sister Zeinab with Cicurel's widow, Paula.Abbas’s rags-to-riches story unfolds as a tale of modern Egypt, taking in the Second World War, the 1952 revolution and rise of Nasser, the 1967 war, and the Sadat and Mubarak eras. Spanning the 1920s to the 1990s, El-Ashmawi deftly weaves together history with fiction in this intriguing English-language debut.Trade ReviewOne of 51 Favorite Books of 2021 by The Washington Independent Review of Books"A grand family drama set in a society at once strange and familiar, rife with surprise revelations that keep the reader fully engaged. . . .It deserves to be a bestseller."—Alice Stephens, Washington Independent Review of Books"There's something very compelling about opening a book to read about a place you've never visited before, from the eyes of an author who knows it well." —Leah Dearborn, LitReactor"Set in the confines of one toxic family as its members, over decades, perpetually attempt to outmaneuver one another, the narrative creates a sense of vicious hopelessness. In the family, as, it’s implied, the country around them, this cycle swallows all; even acts of extreme insurrection feed back into a negative cycle."—Talya Zax, LitHub"The sweep of Egyptian history and the portrait of class, social norms, and values are fascinating"—Historical Novels Review"A brilliantly spun tale. . . playing with politics and powerful people. El-Ashmawi paints a story where money comes and goes, power changes hands, and where both can disappear in an instant."—Arab News"A bold attempt to reimagine not only the transformations of the Zamalek district of Cairo, but also those of the Egyptian nation itself."—Dr. Mohamed Afifi, al-Dostoor"Ashraf El-Ashmawy holds a scalpel to dissect the classes of Egyptian society over more than half a century.” —Bilal Ramadan, al-Youm al-Sabe'

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Book SynopsisKING. POLITICIAN. WARRIOR. CONQUEROR.1189. Richard the Lionheart''s long-awaited goal comes true as he is crowned King of England. Setting his own kingdom in order, he prepares to embark on a gruelling crusade to reclaim Jerusalem.With him on every step of the journey is Ferdia, his loyal Irish follower. Together they travel from southern France to Italy, to the kingdom of Sicily and beyond.Finally poised to sail to the Holy Land, Richard finds a bitter two-year-long siege awaiting him. And with it, the iconic Saracen leader responsible for the loss of Jerusalem, Saladin.No one can agree who should fill the empty throne of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and Saladin''s huge army shadows Richard''s every move. Conditions are brutal, the temperatures boiling, and on the dusty field of Arsuf, the Lionheart and his soldiers face their ultimate test...Trade ReviewYet another of history's most brutal and dramatic chapters given the five-star Ben Kane treatment. * Paul Finch *FIVE STARS: Will have you wishing you were back there in the thick of battle. -- Jon Wise * WEEKEND SPORT *

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Book SynopsisFrom bestselling author and master storyteller David Baldacci, Wish You Well is a dramatic and enthralling tale of family unity in the face of adversity.Tragedy strikes the New York-based Cardinal family when their car is involved in a terrible accident. Twelve-year-old Lou and seven-year-old Oz survive, but the crash leaves their father dead and their mother in a coma. It would seem their world has been shattered forever until their great-grandmother, Louisa Mae, agrees to raise the children on her Virginia mountain farm.But before long their rural idyll is threatened by the discovery of natural gas on the mountain. Determined to protect her home from the ravages of big business, Louisa Mae refuses to sell, but when the neighbours hear of the potential wealth the company could bring, they begin to turn against her. And now the Cardinal family find themselves ensnared in another battle, to be played out in a crowded Virginia courtroom: a battle for justice, for survival, and for the right to stay together in the only place they know as home.Filled with both rich humour and desperate poignancy, Wish You Well is a tale of family, faith, humanity and prejudice, set in the 1940s against the magical backdrop of the Virginia high rock.Trade ReviewBaldacci triumphs with his best novel yet, an utterly captivating drama. This novel has a huge heart * Publishers Weekly *

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Book Synopsis‘Tomorrow, I’ll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day.’ Set against the dramatic backdrop of the American Civil War, Margaret Mitchell’s magnificent historical epic is an unforgettable tale of love and loss, of a nation mortally divided and a people forever changed. Above all, it is the story of beautiful, ruthless Scarlett O’Hara and the dashing soldier of fortune Rhett Butler. Widely considered the Great American Novel, and often remembered for its epic film version starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, Gone with the Wind is a superb piece of storytelling. It vividly depicts the drama of the Civil War and Reconstruction and is a sweeping story of tangled passion and courage.Since its first publication in 1936, Gone with the Wind has endured as one of the bestselling novels of all time, in spite of its problematic subject matter. This edition of the classic love story features an introductory essay offering a context to the novel, by critically acclaimed, Sunday Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory. Trade ReviewBeyond a doubt one of the most remarkable first novels produced by an American writer. It is also one of the best * New York Times *Not just a great love story, Gone with the Wind is one of the most powerful anti-war novels ever written. Told from the standpoint of the women left behind, author Margaret Mitchell brilliantly illustrates the heartbreaking and devastating effects of war on the land and its people -- Fannie FlaggThe best novel to have ever come out of the South . . . it is unsurpassed in the whole of American writing * Washington Post *Gone with the Wind is one of those rare books that we never forget. Gone with the Wind is an epic story. Anyone who has not read it has missed one of the greatest literary experiences a reader can have -- James Lee BurkeFascinating and unforgettable! A remarkable book, a spectacular book, a book that will not be forgotten! * Chicago Tribune *

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Book SynopsisOgadinma Or, Everything Will be All Right is a tale of departure, loss and adaptation; of mothers who experience trauma at the hands of controlling men, leaving them with burdens they find too much to bear. After an episode of abuse results in exile from her family in Kano, thwarting her plans to go to university, seventeen-year-old Ogadinma is sent to her aunt’s house in Lagos. When a whirlwind romance with an older man descends into indignity, she is forced to channel her strength and resourcefulness to escape a fate that appears all but inevitable. A feminist classic in the making, Ukamaka Olisakwe’s second novel introduces a heroine for whom it is impossible not to root and announces the author as a gifted chronicler of the patriarchal experience.Trade Review‘Ogadinma contributes to the Nigerian feminist literary canon whilst being a classic in its own right … Ogadinma proves that a character can be subdued AND heroic, well-defined AND a vessel.’ -- Jordaine Reads * Instagram Book Tour *‘This character development is so profound that readers can easily lose themselves in their anguish (or judgement) for Ogadinma to stand up for herself that they will forget that she’s a child.’ -- That Other Nigerian Girl * Instagram Book Tour *‘A harrowing tale that begins with an atrocity and ends with a stark realisation about womanhood, agency and what it means to be independent.’ -- What Grace Reads * Instagram Book Tour *‘A harrowing, unflinching, and vivid novel. There is beauty in Olisakwe’s writing but there is also considerable brutality. All of which had me wondering: will everything be alright?’ -- Brady on Books * Instagram Book Tour *‘A beautifully written coming-of-age story following the title character’s journey against gendered oppression and class adversity in 80’s Nigeria.’ -- Ripley from Bookland * Instagram Book Tour *‘This fast-paced novel comes across effortlessly and engaging. The difficult content rarely weighs it down, although there are moments that take your breath away.’ -- Aisha the Bibliophile * Instagram Book Tour *‘Ogadinma Or, Everything Will be All Right, digs out a range of emotions—rage, expectation, admiration, admonition—which keep the reader turning page after page’ http://columbiajournal.org/review-ogadinma-or-everything-will-be-alright-ukamaka-olisakwe/ -- Harriet Anena * Columbia Journal *‘The reader is only privy to a mere few years of Ogadinma’s young life, but her character ark is far-reaching.’ -- Issue 2: Bildungsroman * The Indie Insider Newsletter *‘An invaluable life lesson that one can learn from Ogadinma is that unless women learn to stand up for themselves, patriarchy will continue thrive at our expense.’ -- She Reads and Writes * Instagram *Top Reads 2020 | Fiction Extract from Ogadinma in Granta’s most popular fiction from 2020. https://granta.com/top-reads-2020-fiction/ * Granta *#YNaija2020Review: Ogadinma, Black Sunday, new Wole Soyinka…The Notable books of the year ‘Olisakwe’s debut is a tale of loss and resilience and finding the beauty among thorns.’ https://ynaija.com/ynaija2020review-ogadinma-black-sunday-new-wole-soyinkathe-notable-books-of-the-year/ -- Wilfred Okiche * YNaija *‘I found beauty in the strength and confidence that blossomed in Ogadinma but this was by no means an easy journey. A powerful and evocative novel that has been branded a new feminist classic, and I would not disagree at all.’ -- @thefeministnook * Instagram *‘The twists and turns are fast-paced, creating a sequence of events that allows the reader to continue rooting for Ogadinma as she approaches insurmountable barriers.’ ‘This smart, unforgettable novel sings out with an earnest hope for an end to intergenerational abuse.’ https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-911648-16-1 * Publisher's Weekly *

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2022 A SUNDAY TIMES HISTORICAL NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2022 A TELEGRAPH BEST FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022 A WATERSTONES BEST HISTORICAL NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2022 AN EVENING STADARD MUST-READ NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2022 ONE OF NICOLA STURGEON'S BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2022 'Accomplished, immersive and profoundly satisfying' Cathy Rentzenbrink 'Effortlessly resonant ... breathes rich imaginative colour in her characters' Daily Telegraph From the million-copy bestselling author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves comes an epic novel about the infamous, ill-fated Booth family. SIX BROTHERS AND SISTERS. ONE INJUSTICE THAT WILL SHATTER THEIR BOND FOREVER. Junius is the patriarch, a celebrated Shakespearean actor who fled bigamy charges in England, both a mesmerising talent and a man of terrifying instability. As his children grow up in a remote farmstead in 1830s rural Baltimore, the country draws ever closer to the boiling point of secession and civil war. Of the six Booth siblings who survive to adulthood, each has their own dreams they must fight to realise - but it is Johnny who makes the terrible decision that will change the course of history - the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Booth is a riveting novel focused on the very things that bind, and break, a family. 'In its stretch and imaginative depth, Booth has an utterly seductive authority' Guardian 'Karen Joy Fowler's novels are wildly inventive and deservedly popular' Daily Mail 'Booth is a triumph!' Ruth Ozeki 'Captures with enthralling vividness a country caught in the grip of fanatical populism, ripped apart by irreconcilable political differences and boiling with fury and rage ... An unalloyed triumph' Literary Review 'Brilliantly recounts the story of the American theatrical dynasty that produced Lincoln's assassin' Sunday Times Book of the Month 'Her finest, most beautiful novel to date' Neel MukherjeeTrade ReviewBooth is a triumph! No one writes like Karen Joy Fowler. With wit, heart, and revelatory insight, she teases ghosts from their shadows, transforming the way we see the past, shedding new light on our troubled present. -- Ruth OzekiAccomplished, immersive, and profoundly satisfying. Booth is both highly relevant to modern life and a fully realised piece of fiction. I loved learning about the Booth family and all their eccentricities, set against the backdrop of American history. I can't praise it highly enough, what a range Karen Joy Fowler has. -- Cathy RentzenbrinkBooth is a subtly devastating meditation on how the USA arrived at this troubled point in its present history by looking at a mid-nineteenth-century family. Its world - dense, granular, intricate - is created with immense care and precision ... This is her finest, most beautiful novel to date. -- Neel MukherjeeWith each book, Karen Joy Fowler masterfully fuses style with subject, prose with plot, and explores the terrifying power that parents wield. Booth brilliantly cracks open the history of a country and a family and shows us the private secrets and suspicions that run underneath. -- Jonathan Lee, author of The Great MistakeThe historical context [Fowler] offers is of a pre-Civil War America of deep moral divides, political differences tearing close families apart, populism and fanaticism run amok. The similarities to today are riveting and chilling. * Kirkus starred review *Fowler sets the stage in remarkable prose ... the nuanced plot is both historically rigorous and richly imagined. This is a winner * Publishers Weekly starred review *Booth is an epic tale of a divided country seen through the prism of an extraordinary family and with uncanny parallels to the present moment. Stunning. -- Simon Humphreys * Mail on Sunday *A historical epic that's like Succession set against the backdrop of the looming Civil War in 1830s America. Explaining so much of the country's history while telling a deeply immersive story, it's an unforgettable read * Stylist Best New Books March 2022 *An impressive epic * Independent, Books of the Month *An imaginative new novel offers glimpses of John Wilkes Booth, Abraham Lincoln's killer, and his family, told chiefly through the perspectives of some of his nine siblings * The New York Times, books to read in March 2022 *An intimate, engaging portrait of a tribe whose aims and alliances were always shifting, buffeted by tragedy (several beloved siblings died young) and fickle fortunes * Entertainment Weekly *Effortlessly resonant... breathes rich imaginative colour in her characters -- Claire Allfree * Daily Telegraph *Karen Joy Fowler's novels are wildly inventive and deservedly popular * Daily Mail *Captures with enthralling vividness a country caught in the grip of fanatical populism, ripped apart by irreconcilable political differences and boiling with fury and rage .... An unalloyed triumph. Like Hilary Mantel in her Wolf Hall trilogy, Fowler skilfully exploits the present tense to remake the past as something surprising and new -- Clare Clark * Literary Review *The Booths have receded into history, but in Fowler's telling their stories - personal and political - remain painfully relevant ... Booth is yet another urgent reminder that the US has been down the road to disunion before, with horrific consequences. * Financial Times *Fowler's riveting saga explores these strains of familial devotion and sorrow connecting the colorful Booth brothers and sisters * Washington Post *Booth doesn't hold anyone in judgment; like all the best literature, it seeks to better understand the human heart in all its flawed complexity. It's a haunting book, not just for all its literal ghosts, but for its suggestion that those ghosts still have not been exorcised from this country. * USA Today *She weaves an intimate, engaging portrait of a tribe whose aims and alliances were always shifting, buffeted by tragedy (several beloved siblings died young) and fickle fortunes. * Entertainment Weekly *Masterful...Fowler's excavation of this material is astonishing in its breadth and specificity, treating events of historical record with the same detail and care as secret bedtime talks and plays staged in treetops. * San Francisco Chronicle *Fowler returns here with an ambitious and consequential saga about a family with a monster in their midst. * Philadelphia Inquirer *Solid research mixed with empathetic imagination enriches Booth. * Christian Science Monitor *Fowler unfurls the Booths' tumultuous, theatrical lives against the backdrop of an unruly America, mired in the brutal violence of the Civil War, in this troubling, nuanced, engrossing novel -- Eithne Farry * Daily Mail *A labyrinthine and detailed exploration of the family... Fowler has form in family dynamics: her joyous, heart-breaking novel We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves anatomised the complexities of parental and sibling bonds under extraordinary stress. She does something similar in Booth, charting the personal stories that culminated on that fateful day in Washington. * Spectator *Drives home with rich theatrical flair the extent to which contemporary America remains locked inside the ugly ideological battles of the Civil War -- Claire Allfree * Telegraph *Booth manages to combine its interests with great skill, depicting slavery and all of its horrors accurately, while also showing the political consequences as those in the Union tentatively seeking abolition... Anyone with an interest in American history, family life 150 or so years ago or the stage should relish a book that brings all three together in a dramatic story that is both informative and enjoyable throughout * British Theatre Guide *History may claim to be about facts, but stories, like families, are largely about feeling, and the novel gives us feeling on a grand scale, even as it asks pertinent and topical questions about who owns those facts ... In its stretch and imaginative depth, Booth has an utterly seductive authority * Guardian *Brilliantly recounts the story of the American theatrical dynasty that produced Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth ... The story moves inevitably towards the fatal encounter in Ford's Theatre, but its strengths lie in its depiction of the decades-long interactions and rivalries between the various members of an extraordinary family. * Sunday Times Book of the Month *Captivating ... looks beyond the criminal * Press Association *Enjoyable and exceptionally poignant -- Alex Clark * Irish Times *A slice of social history, subtly evoking the horrors of slavery and touching on the fanatical populism that kept such a system in place. You don't have to look too hard to find such echoes today. * The Crack *A wonderful evocation of the colourful family life of John Wilkes Booth ... Deftly conjuring a 19th-century America riven by Civil War, it is a cautionary tale of divisive politics and rash impulses present-day world leaders should pay heed to. * Traveller *Fascinating * Metro *Absorbing and expansive * Irish Times *Absorbing and expansive new novel ... an insightful look at both a unique family and the dark roots of modern America. -- Anna Carey * the Irish Times *Utterly brilliant * Irish Catholic *The epic-sized tale of an ill-fated theatrical family living in 183Os Baltimore as civil war draws ever closer, this is a whip- smart, funny, inventive and blazing triumph of a book -- Rachel JoyceMoving and colourful and tragic * Evening Standard *

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Book SynopsisFrom nineteenth-century cigar factories to present-day detention centres, from Cuba to the United States to Mexico, Gabriela Garcia’s Of Women and Salt follows Latina women of fierce pride, bound by the stories passed between them.‘Vivid details, visceral prose and strong willful women’ – Angie Cruz, author of DominicanaFive generations of women are linked by blood and circumstance, by the secrets they share, and by a single book passed down through a family, with an affirmation scrawled in its margins: 'We are force. We are more than we think we are.'1866, Cuba: María Isabel is the only woman employed at a cigar factory. These are dangerous political times, and as María begins to see marriage and motherhood as her only options, the sounds of war are approaching.1959, Cuba: Dolores watches her husband make for the mountains in answer to Fidel Castro’s call to arms. What Dolores knows, though, is that to survive, she must win her own war, and commit an act of violence that threatens to destroy her daughter Carmen’s world.2016, Miami: Carmen, still wrestling with the trauma of displacement, is shocked when her daughter Jeanette announces her plans to travel to Cuba to see her grandmother Dolores. In the walls of her crumbling home lies a secret, one that will link Jeanette to her past, and to this fearless line of women.Of Women and Salt is a haunting story about the choices of mothers and the tenacity of women who choose to tell their truth despite those who wish to silence them.'A multi-generational story that, at its heart, is a tribute to imperfect mother-daughter relationships and the enduring strength of women' – Stylist‘Extraordinary . . . stunning’ – Elizabeth Macneal, author of The Doll FactoryTrade ReviewGabriela Garcia captures the lives of Cuban women in a world to which they refuse to surrender and she does so with precision and generosity and beauty -- Roxane Gay, author of Bad FeministI am a sucker for intergenerational family dramas and fraught mother and daughter relationships. Garcia's vivid details, visceral prose and strong willful women negotiating how to survive in this world are easy to fall for -- Angie Cruz, author of DominicanaExtraordinary . . . A book that made me fall in love with reading again . . . A stunning hymn to the strength of mothers . . . I cannot stop thinking about it -- Elizabeth Macneal, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Doll FactoryI devoured it, and in return it swallowed me whole into the lives of women whose decisions mould and make each other. It’s about mothers & daughters - fierce love and the terror that comes with it. How we save each other. How we save ourselves. -- Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The MerciesThis stunningly accomplished first novel is both epic and intimate. * O, The Oprah Magazine *A mesmerizing patchwork of determination, courage and survival. * Washington Post *The women in Garcia's striking debut novel are connected not just by blood but by the need to endure or escape abusive relationships and countries. She captures the hope and pain of immigration and the terror of deportation with an unsentimental yet empathetic eye * New York Times *A stunning achievement. I loved its intensity, its scope, its vivid prose. An essential, profound story about mothers and daughters, the Latina Experience, and the indomitable beating heart of womankind. -- Emma Stonex, author of The LamplightersA moving intergenerational epic * Refinery29 *A multi-generational story that, at its heart, is a tribute to imperfect mother-daughter relationships and the enduring strength of women * Stylist *A vivid, engrossing novel . . . it utterly absorbed me with its luminous, exacting prose and depictions of redemption and violence -- Sharlene Teo, author of PontiExpansive yet intimate . . . this gorgeous debut heralds the arrival of a literary star * Elle *A sweeping tour de force about addiction, displacement, and the legacy of trauma * Harper's Bazaar *Gripping, accomplished . . . an interlocking portrait of women striving, loving, losing, getting lost and getting found * Lit Hub *The debut that's had publishing buzzing all winter long meditates on the way immigration shapes the lives of Latinx women * Entertainment Weekly *A fierce and powerful debut. Garcia wields narrative power, cultivating true and profound work on migration, legacy, and survival -- Terese Marie Mailhot, bestselling author of Heart Berries An outstanding debut from a supremely talented writer, this story stayed with me for a long while. Spanning different time frames, and locations across the US to Mexico, the engrossing tale interlinks the lives of five Latina women living in challenging circumstances. A book about resilience, strength and empowerment * Prima Magazine *[A] deeply American story about the pieces of self people leave behind on their journeys to become "Americans" * San Francisco Chronicle *Of Women and Salt defies convention and sentimentality and chips away at all manner of myths . . . [it] reads like poetry * Vogue *An impressive debut about heritage, baggage, and needing the kind of 'love that erases everything that came before it' . . . [Garcia is] an outstanding novelist and an exciting new voice with a talent for bringing humanity to the page * Boston Globe *Wonderful . . . a captivating and harrowing debut that will undoubtedly put Garcia on the literary map for years to come * Seattle Times *Garcia’s debut is slim yet lush, imbued with a harsh beauty * Oprah Daily *A tale weaved with pain, loss and strength, Of Women and Salt is a story of America’s most tangled, honest, human roots * SUCCESS *An enthralling and important story . . . Garcia shines in her ability to ultimately emphasize the strength, the perseverance, of these Latinx women * The Nerd Daily *Highly anticipated . . . The intergenerational narrative tackles immigration, addiction, and sexual trauma with ambition and a poetic voice * Elle.com *Garcia makes a powerful statement about how we draw on our roots to understand our place in the world, showing that no matter how much we may try to escape the past, it always influences the present * Real Simple *A powerful novel from an eye-catching new voice * Bustle *An impressive, tightly braided whole. This riveting account will please readers of sweeping multigenerational stories * Publisher's Weekly *In her beautifully written debut, Gabriela Garcia presents a new classic of mother-daughter literature . . . quietly heartbreaking * BookPage *Phenomenal . . . readers won’t want to put [it] down * BUST *This remarkable debut shines a brilliant light on the broken immigration system and legacy of trauma for the people who endure it * Ms. *Speaks to immigrant experiences in so many different ways. . . . Garcia demonstrates how migration can bring us closer together and tear us apart, how we reinforce borders all the time, how we fail each other * BITCH *

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Book SynopsisIn March 1940 Laura boards a ship and travels through the torpedoed waters of the Mediterranean to chase after Harry whom she has fallen in love with. He was out in Uganda, but has joined up to fight with the King’s African Rifles. Will she succeed in her quest? Strong-willed and proudly independent, she has many dramatic life-changing upheavals to face on the way to Uganda and beyond. Love at War is based on a true story, the loves, dramas and losses of a resourceful, exceptional girl.

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Book Synopsis?A gripping and thrilling tale. The writing was INCREDIBLE!? Reader review, ?????Her letters can save the country. But can she be trusted?A double agent.As World War Two rages, MI5 agent Sarah Gillespie is faced with her toughest challenge yet: handling Adeline Vernier, a mysterious double agent from Paris.A dangerous mission.Adeline?s coded letters could help the Allies defeat the Germans ? but, in return, she demands that her boyfriend is rescued from Nazi-occupied France. Adeline is not above threatening to double-cross MI5 to get what she wants, leaving Sarah fearful for the millions of lives at stake.Letters that could change their lives forever.As they embark on a secret operation through Lisbon, they must tread carefully to avoid the clutches of the Nazis. But will they make it out alive, together? Or is the enemy closer than they realise?A gripping and completely addictive page-turner of extraordinary courage and bravery. Perfect for fans of Kate Quinn''s The Rose Code, and Pam Jenoff?s Code Name Sapphire.Readers are obsessed with Pam Lecky:?A great book for spy lovers. Full of suspense, betrayal, and suspicion!? Reader review, ??????A historical fiction winner! Sandwiched between slices of good plot and likable characters. I definitely recommend this book!? Reader review, ??????A nail biting, gripping book that had me absolutely hooked from the first page.? Reader review, ??????A gripping WW2 story of bravery, love and treachery.? Reader review, ??????I think this is the quickest I have ever read a book ? I just couldn?t put it down!? Reader review, ??????Action packed! I can''t wait for the next book in this absorbing series!? Reader review, ?????Trade Review“Gorgeous… [it] swept me away… I completely got lost in the writing and story… More, please!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Absolutely amazing, I loved every minute of it.… had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning… I was so engrossed I very nearly missed my stop.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I couldn’t put it down… I can't praise this book enough.” NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Wow… The excitement!… What a rollercoaster. Loved it.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Absolutely mesmerising from beginning to end.” NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Excellent… please let there be a sequel.” NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Had me hooked from the very start.” NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A gripping and absorbing read… so many twists and turns, I found myself turning the pages to see what would happen next.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Everything in this book, from the epic start to the gripping ending was hugely absorbing and enjoyable… brilliant.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisA lively competition draws her into her rival''s blueprints--and maybe even his heart.Olive Kentworth has spent her life hiding her interest in architecture, even though she pores over architectural books and sketches buildings. When she accepts a job on a home expansion, it''s only because her cousin Amos agrees to pose as the builder. To further hide her involvement, Olive takes a position as a nanny--not knowing that she''ll be working for her idol, Joplin''s leading architect, widower Maxfield Scott.Maxfield is intrigued by his new nanny--she makes his home and his life bearable again. His work, on the other hand, is a disaster. An untrained builder is remodeling a completed project of his. What''s worse, Maxfield''s current client wants changes to his plans because of that builder''s work.As the architectural one-upmanship heats up, Olive''s involvement becomes harder to hide. Will the relationship between her and Maxfield survive, or will they

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Book SynopsisThe Top 10 Sunday Times bestsellerAn immersive, romantic historical saga' Hello MagazineCongratulations, you are now officially out in society.'The words made her spirits plummet. Out in society. On the market. And firmly set on a well-worn path that had only one destination. Marriage.London 1865When one act of rebellion costs Lady Margaret Montagu Douglas Scott her place in society, her life is swept onto a new course. One that will test her courage and resilience.From the drawing rooms of Victoria's court to the grand country houses of Ireland, and the bustling streets of New York City; Margaret embarks on a journey of self-discovery where she will meet like-minded, and equally spirited, companions who shape her world.But as she navigates the challenges of forging her own path in life, will she find the greatest courage of all, to follow her heart against all odds?Praise for Her Heart for a Compass:A tale of daring and determination.'Sir Julian Fellowes creator of Downton AbbeySarah Trade Review‘A tale of daring and determination, set against the glamorous heights, and the harsh restrictions of aristocratic society in the middle years of the British nineteenth century.’Sir Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton AbbeyPraise for Her Heart for a Compass: ‘Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York has looked deep into her own generous impulsive heart to write a compelling story of a young woman who rebels against the restrictive Victorian conventions of her time to find self-fulfilment and love’Internationally bestselling author Jeffrey Archer ‘A story of courage, adventure and heartbreak leading to a satisfying ending.’Linda Finlay Author of The Girl With The Silver Bangle ‘A brilliant and glittering jewel of a novel, replete with fascinating historical detail, lush lyrical language, and compelling, complex characters who leap from the page.’Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Queen’s Fortune

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Book SynopsisFrom Annie Murray, the bestselling author of Chocolate Girls, The Bells of Bournville Green and Secrets of the Chocolate Girls, Wartime for the Chocolate Girls is a gritty family saga about love, war and chocolate . . .April 1941.Almost losing her life in a bomb blast while serving in the Women's Volunteer Service has made Ann Gilby take stock of what's really important - her family.With daughter Sheila back home, and Joy still working munitions at the Cadbury factory and engaged to her soldier sweetheart, home life feels more settled too. Ann has even come to an uneasy truce with her husband, Len, despite her recent discovery of his infidelity and the fact that he has fathered a child with another woman.But what Ann has not reckoned with is Marianne, Len’s other woman, turning up on her doorstep - a woman with a mysterious past.Only Ann has secrets of her own and one day soon she knows she will have to tell her youngest child, Martin, who his father really is . . .Trade ReviewA heart-warming tale of friendship and family. * My Weekly *A heartwarming tale of secrets and lies, mystery and drama . . . the fourth book in her tasty Chocolate Girls series . . . Murray, whose home was in Birmingham when she began her writing career, invests hours of local research and her own powerful gift of imagination into her action-packed, family-based stories, and her genuine affection for the city and its people always shines through. And this warmhearted and gritty chapter for the Chocolate Girls packs in all those ingredients – relationships, romance, the uncertainties of wartime and human compassion – which have made this series such a delicious treat for all saga fans. * Lancashire Post *

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Book SynopsisThe lives of three very different women in sixteenth-century Scotland become intertwined as the first rumours of witchcraft grip the country. From Kate Foster, the prize-winning author of The Maiden.

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Book SynopsisThe Orphanage Girls come back together in The Orphanage Girls Reunited, the second installment of a moving wartime saga set in London’s East End, from the bestselling author of The Jam Factory Girls, Mary Wood.EllenAbandoned by her father for the second time, left scarred from the orphanage, Ellen finally finds happiness and hope – reunited with her long-lost gran. But it cannot compensate for being torn apart from her beloved friends Ruth and Amy. When a devastating encounter leaves Ellen broken and desperate, she is forced to fight her past demons.Ruth Ruth has found peace, building a new life as an actress and surrounded by new friends. But still she longs to be with Ellen and Amy, after everything they endured together in the orphanage. Amy was shipped to Canada with hundreds of other orphans – what hope have they of finding her?One wish comes true when Ruth’s acting career leads her to Ellen. No sooner than has the dust settled, war is on the horizon. Friendship locked them into each other’s her hearts forever.Will they find Amy? Can the Orphanage Girls ever unite?Trade ReviewWood is a born storyteller * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisTHE LAST BOOK FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE SHADOW OF THE WIND'Zafón is a master of the atmospheric' Financial TimesTrade ReviewAs well as allusions to the Forgotten Books novels themselves, there's everywhere evidence of the storytelling skill and intoxicating tropes - Faustian pacts, fateful meetings, labyrinthine architecture and nested stories - that made Zafon such a phenomenon. -- Stephanie Cross * DAILY MAIL *The Dickens of Barcelona... A flamboyant farewell from a grand contemporary writer. * Sydney Morning Herald *Ruiz Zafón's many fans are sure to find his collection of short stories both familiarly satisfying and poignant . . . Readers will once again luxuriate in his florid descriptions of his hometown of Barcelona that bring to life that magical and mysterious city . . . [they] will encounter new characters but also find familiar names, offering fresh perspectives on fictional lives we already know so well * Washington Post *A posthumous parting gift from Ruiz Zafón to his millions of fans . . . with much-loved places and characters making fleeting reappearances, it's a fitting coda to his life and world * Observer *Mysterious, imbued with a sense of menace, and told with the warmth, wit, and humor of Zafón's inimitable voice . . . the stories contained within this posthumous collection summon up the mesmerizing magic of their brilliant creator and invite us to come dream along with him * Book Riot *PRAISE FOR CARLOS RUIZ ZAFON AND THE CEMETERY OF FORGOTTEN BOOKS'The real deal: one gorgeous read' Stephen King'Will change your life. An instant classic' Daily Telegraph'A book lover's dream' The Times'Marvellous' Sunday Times'A hymn of praise to all the joys of reading' Independent'Gripping and instantly atmospheric' Mail on Sunday'Irresistibly readable' Guardian'Diabolically good' Elle

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Book SynopsisRobert Fabbri read Drama and Theatre at London University and has worked in film and TV for twenty-five years. As an assistant director he has worked on productions such as Hornblower, Hellraiser, Patriot Games and Billy Elliot. His life-long passion for ancient history - especially the Roman Empire - inspired the birth of the Vespasian series. He lives in London and Berlin.

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestselling novelist Rosie Goodwin writes a spell-binding saga of bitter loss, lost love and long buried secrets. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Kitty Neale.With the promise of a new start, will she find the happiness she longs for?Kate Cleary feels no sorrow when her brutal father dies. At last she will be free from him, even though she and Nuala, the sister who depends on her for everything, must now leave his miners cottage. Then Kate discovers they have an aunt in the Midlands whom their father had kept secret, and who now offers them a home. Despite leaving her heart in Durham with Matthew, a young artist, Kate feels loved and safe with Aunt Beth. But her peace is shattered by an astonishing revelation from Nuala, and a series of brutal attacks on the women of Nuneaton. Kate turns to a handsome widower, Martin Denby, but is his kindness too good to be true?Trade ReviewAn absorbing story in the grand tradition of the best saga authors -- Margaret DickinsonA wonderful heroine, plucky, determined and warm-hearted. A believable and compelling read -- Jennie FeltonRosie writes such heart-warming sagas -- Lyn AndrewsA heart-throbber of a story that puts so many other so-called emotional blockbusters in the shade * Northern Echo *Not only is Goodwin's characterisation and dialogue compelling, her descriptive writing is a joy * Nottingham Evening Post *The new Catherine Cookson * Coventry Evening Telegraph *A touching and powerful new novel from a wonderful writer * Bookseller *Goodwin has the enviable knack of putting the past into focus with wonderfully warm and credible characters, lively dialogue and fascinating period detail of everyday life. A Rose Among Thorns is another moving and inspirational story from a writer who knows how to tug at the heart strings * Lancashire Evening Post *

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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 SynopsisHesse Phillips' debut novel Lightborne was a finalist in the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2022. Their poetry and prose have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net. They have a PhD in Drama from Tufts University and are a graduate of Grub Street Boston's intensive Novel Incubator program. Hesse was born and raised in rural Pennsylvania but now lives in Spain with their wife and two rescue dogs.

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Book Synopsis1880s Sudan. When Akuany and her brother are orphaned in a village raid, they are taken in by Yaseen, a young merchant whose vow to care for them will tether him to Akuany throughout their lives. As revolution brews, Sudan begins to prise itself from its Ottoman rulers, and everyone must choose sides.Yaseen feels beholden to stand against the self-proclaimed Mahdi, a decision that threatens to splinter his family. Meanwhile, Akuany grows into womanhood and travels alone across the fractured country, sold and traded from house to house, with only Yaseen as her intermittent lifeline. Their struggle will mirror the increasingly bloody struggle for Sudan itself: for freedom, safety and the possibility of love.River Spirit is a powerful tale of corruption and unshakeable devotion to a cause, to one's faith and to the people who become family.Trade Review‘A novel of extraordinary sympathy and insight … a wonderful achievement.’ Abdulrazak Gurnah, Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature 'River Spirit had me gripped from the first page. This is real history, imagined in splendid detail – a story of ordinary people caught in extraordinary times. River Spirit is a triumph of storytelling.’ Aminatta Forna ‘Aboulela’s writing soars. She joins writers like Maaza Mengiste, Namwali Serpell and Ayesha Haruna Atta in excavating history, breathing life into it and presenting it in a new light. It is so far my best read this year.’ Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi ‘In rich, evocative detail, Aboulela captures one of the most important moments in Sudanese history. You must read this.’ Dolen Perkins-Valdez ‘Leila Aboulela weaves together strands of Sudan’s history in this fascinating and unforgettable tale. Aboulela uses elegant and poetic prose to create a masterpiece. This is a story that demands to be read.’ Goretti Kyomuhendo ‘Painted with the words of an artist, this novel is a historical portrait of freedom. Aboulela skilfully draws the uncertain colours of what freedom means to different individuals in a Mahdist Sudan to the last full stop.' Zukiswa WannerCaptivating … Through a compelling chorus of voices … Aboulela unspools the fraught story of Sudan, as freedom and faith do battle.' * Daily Mail *‘Dazzling … A love story that endures’ * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisA sweeping dual-timeline novel from the bestselling author of The Girl from Bletchley Park.All she wanted was a child of her own1912. As the steamship Carpathia takes the survivors of the Titanic to New York, Lucy desperately searches the decks for her baby, thrust into the arms of another woman as a lifeboat left, and now nowhere to be found. Madeleine is helping her journalist husband to interview the survivors, and when she meets Lucy, she promises she will do anything she can to help her find her lost child.2022. When archivist Jackie finds a notebook containing the stories of women saved by the Carpathia amongst an auction lot, she learns the story of the missing baby. Desperate to start a family of her own, she feels compelled to dig further. And her search will lead her to a century-old mysteryInspired by true events, bestselling author Kathleen McGurl weaves history and fiction together in this captivating, deeply moving story.Readers LOVE The Lost Child!''Such a great story it blends the two eras so well'' Netgalley reviewer ?????''A story that will haunt you, in a good way!, long after you have finished the last page'' Netgalley reviewer ?????''A fantastic, heart wrenching novel'' Netgalley reviewer ?????''A must read'' Netgalley reviewer ?????''This compelling read was hard to put down'' Netgalley reviewer ?????''Made my heart smile'' Netgalley reviewer ?????''Well-researched and fast-paced I thoroughly enjoyed it'' Netgalley reviewer ?????Trade ReviewReaders LOVE Kathleen McGurl! ‘I LOVED this book!… I was totally engrossed… I'd highly recommend it!’ NetGalley reviewer ‘An absolute page turner, it had me gripped and in its spell… From the first page I was absolutely hooked on this book.’ NetGalley reviewer ‘A brilliant book.’ NetGalley reviewer ‘An inspiring coming-of-age story, combined with a fascinating history lesson… Five stars from me.’ NetGalley reviewer ‘Outstanding… I loved this from start to finish.’ NetGalley reviewer ‘Riveting… I loved it.’ NetGalley reviewer ‘Beautifully written… A fabulous read with a teary ending.’ NetGalley reviewer ‘What a great novel!’ NetGalley reviewer

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Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the beloved Pulitzer Prize–winning author of A Spool of Blue Thread—a funny, joyful, brilliantly perceptive journey deep into one Baltimore family’s foibles, from a boyfriend with a red Chevy in the 1950s up to a longed-for reunion with a grandchild.“A quietly subversive novel, tackling fundamental assumptions about womanhood, motherhood and female aging.” —The New York Times Book ReviewThe Garretts take their first and last family vacation in the summer of 1959. They hardly ever leave home, but in some ways they have never been farther apart. Mercy has trouble resisting the siren call of her aspirations to be a painter, which means less time keeping house for her husband, Robin. Their teenage daughters, steady Alice and boy-crazy Lily, could not have less in common. Their youngest, David, is already intent on escaping his family''s orbit, for reasons none of them understand. Yet, as these lives advance across decades, the Garretts'' influences on one another ripple ineffably but unmistakably through each generation.Full of heartbreak and hilarity, French Braid is classic Anne Tyler: a stirring, uncannily insightful novel of tremendous warmth and humor that illuminates the kindnesses and cruelties of our daily lives, the impossibility of breaking free from those who love us, and how close—yet how unknowable—every family is to itself.

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Book SynopsisElizabeth Jane Howard was the author of fifteen highly acclaimed novels, including the five volumes of The Cazalet Chronicles, as well as After Julius, Falling, Getting It Right, Love All, and Odd Girl Out. The Cazalet Chronicles The Light Years, Marking Time, Confusion, Casting Off and All Change have become established as modern classics and have been adapted for a major BBC television series and for BBC Radio 4. She had one child, Nicola, and married three times lastly to fellow author Sir Kingsley Amis. In 2000 she was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, and in 2002 Macmillan published her autobiography, Slipstream. She died, aged ninety, at home in Suffolk on 2 January 2014.

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