Historical Fiction Books

Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics.Ah, but let her cover the mark as she will, the pang of it will be always in her heart.'A tale of sin, punishment and atonement, The Scarlet Letter exposes the moral rigidity of a 17th-Century Puritan New England community when faced with the illegitimate child of a young mother. Regarded as the first real heroine of American fiction, it is Hester Prynne''s strength of character that resonates with the reader when her harsh sentence is cast. It is in her refusal to reveal the identity of the father in the face of her accusers that Hawthorne champions his heroine and berates the weakness of Society for attacking the innocent.

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow can you live in the present when you're trying to bury the past?A sweeping tale of resilience' i News''An ineffably touching novel by a talented young author'' Saga Magazine''A tale of how we can live together yet be so far apart, and of how bridges can be built'' Women''s Weekly''Harrowing upliftingA visceral exploration of family, identity and loss'' Sunday PostRamadan, 2017. Yusuf wakes in the middle of the night to pray. His routine is always the same, but something tells him that tonight is different. Yellow flames blur Yusuf's vision, and the laughter of a small child echoes in his ears. But this time, the red, smoke-filled skies aren't just in his memory.Miles away, Rubi is also awake. On the television, she watches reports of a devastating fire in London. She is already anxious when her parents send her to stay with her Grandpa Yusuf, whose conservative house rules are almost as unbearable as the loneliness she feels at home. Yusuf's lifestyle does not gel with Rubi's. But Trade Review Praise for Sairish Hussain: ‘I sped through The Family Tree, because I was so invested in the characters and eager to know their fate. The book was much darker and more tragic than I had been expecting – and all the better for it. An engrossing and moving story.' Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures ‘A brilliant read. This book is everything it promises to be and more. I was totally engrossed and invested in Amjad, Saahil and Zahra’s lives. A masterclass in representation and brilliant writing.’ Zeba Talkhani, author of My Past is a Foreign Country ‘Hussain weaves a tale of fragility and resilience, of the extraordinary in ordinary lives and of love and complexity in family. A wonderful debut.’ Catherine Mayer ‘A multi-generational story crafted with warmth and an insider’s understanding of its environment. Hussain evokes the trials and tribulations of life in an Asian family growing up in a changing and sometimes hostile Britain with a surefooted ease and a keen sense of dramatic tension. An engaging debut.’ Vaseem Khan ‘Provides a much needed voice for characters who have been drastically affected by the headlines throughout an emotionally wrought narrative.’ Magic Radio ‘Such an emotional, heart-warming and unforgettable experience… I cared desperately about the characters and was often in tears as I read – the story is so moving and Sairish Hussain is a VERY talented writer’ Aliya Ali-Afzal, author of Would I Lie to You? ‘Pulsating with dramatic tension, Hussain poignantly paints the extraordinary in ordinary lives. A moving story of love, laughs and loyalty makes for a brilliant first book from Hussain.’ Sunday Post

Read more less

Book SynopsisWar brings changes three friends could never foreseeHighly recommended' Anna JacobsA warm domestic drama' People's FriendIt's 1942 and as shortages of staff and goods begin to bite, young Lily Collins is nervously stepping up to sales junior at Marlow's department store.Bombs are still falling and Lily and fellow shop girls Gladys and Beryl need a stiff upper lip to wave boyfriends, husbands and brothers goodbye, especially with a baby on the way and grim news on the wireless. Jim, who works with Lily at the store, seems restless, and nothing can prepare Lily for the secrets that come tumbling out when her favourite brother comes home on leaveSomehow, she must keep smiling through. Community, family and friends rally round as her home town and the whole country is tested once again.Trade ReviewAcclaim for Joanna Toye: ‘Captivating…a triumphant debut novel’ Women’s Weekly ‘A warm domestic drama’ People’s Friend ‘Highly recommended – an engrossing story with a charmingly forthright heroine’ Anna Jacobs 'Jo writes with a sure hand and a light touch…a real page-turner with a spirited heroine.' Veronica Henry ‘Cheerful and uplifting…I thoroughly enjoyed it’ Katie Fforde

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe new book in the heart-warming WW2 family saga series! Just the balm our souls need right now' Women's WeeklySummer 1942. Despite grim reports on the wireless and rationing hitting hard, Lily Collins and her fellow shop girls from Marlow's department store are determined to put out the bunting for a family party.But Beryl's husband Les returns from North Africa a changed man, and Gladys worries for her own fiancé's safety. The store is losing staff to the war effort and Lily's young man, Jim, is torn over where his duty lies.Then comes the knock on the door that everyone dreads. Lily's family, always the heart of her world, is rocked to the core. The small Midlands town and Lily's beloved Marlow's must face their greatest challenge yet.Trade ReviewAcclaim for Joanna Toye:‘The sense of wartime community is strong…this evocative novel may be just the balm our souls need’ Women’s Weekly 'Jo writes with a sure hand and a light touch…a real page-turner with a spirited heroine who will worm her way into readers' hearts. A sparkling new voice in fiction.' Veronica Henry ‘Cheerful and uplifting…I thoroughly enjoyed it’ Katie Fforde ‘Highly recommended – an engrossing story with a charmingly forthright heroine’ Anna Jacobs ‘Captivating…a triumphant debut novel’ Women’s Weekly

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER AND AWARD-WINNING RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICKMurder, lies and betrayal in Regency EnglandEngland 1819. Thomas Shield, a master at a school just outside London, is tutor to a young American boy and the child's sensitive best friend, Charles Frant. Helplessly drawn to Frant's beautiful, unhappy mother, Shield becomes entwined in their family's affairs.When a brutal murder takes place in London's seedy backstreets, all clues lead to the Frant family, and Shield is tangled in a web of lies, money, sex and death that threatens to tear his new life apart.Soon, it emerges that at the heart of these macabre events lies the strange American boy. What secrets is the young Edgar Allan Poe hiding?Trade Review‘One of the Top Ten Crime Novels of the Decade’ Sunday Times ‘An enthralling read from start to finish’ The Times ‘Deeply absorbing and beautifully written’ Independent ‘Hugely entertaining, beguiling and atmospheric’ Observer ‘Delightful…it will have you desperate to search out a quiet corner to continue your acquaintance with it’ Daily Telegraph

Read more less

Book SynopsisExquisite' Veronica HenryBefore A Christmas Carol there was Miss MarleyA seasonal tale of kindness and goodwillOrphans Clara and Jacob Marley live by their wits, scavenging for scraps in the poorest alleyways of London, in the shadow of the workhouse. Every night, Jake promises his little sister tomorrow will be better' and when the chance to escape poverty comes their way, he seizes it despite the terrible price.And so Jacob Marley is set on a path that leads to his infamous partnership with Ebenezer Scrooge. As Jacob builds a fortress of wealth to keep the world out, only Clara can warn him of the hideous fate that awaits him if he refuses to let love and kindness into his heartIn Miss Marley, Vanessa Lafaye weaves a spellbinding Dickensian tale of ghosts, goodwill and hope a perfect prequel to A Christmas Carol.Praise for Miss Marley:A spellbinding Dickensian tale of ghosts, goodwill and hope' Mail on SundayRedemptive a fitting legacy for a writer who is so sadly missed' RedEvocatiTrade ReviewPraise for Miss Marley: ‘A spellbinding Dickensian tale of ghosts, goodwill and hope’ Mail on Sunday ‘Redemptive… a fitting legacy for a writer who is so sadly missed’ Red ‘Evocative’ Heat ‘Delightful’ Sunday Mirror ‘A reminder of the power of kindness and love’ Stylist A ‘gem of a tale’ Sunday Express ‘A beautifully written Dickensian tale’ Candis ‘Captivating … A beautiful and tender fable’ Daily Express ‘Fantastic’ Good Housekeeping ‘Ghosts, goodwill and hope on every page’ My Weekly ‘Lafaye masterfully brings the setting of 19th-Century London to life’ Woman ‘Love, disappointment, kindness and greed all play their parts in this delightful companion piece to Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol’ Woman & Home ‘A seasonal tale of kindness and goodwill that captures the atmosphere of Dickens’ Yours ‘Exquisite’ Veronica Henry ‘A beautiful, warm, rich hug of a story and bittersweet reminder to embrace life and enrich others as you go’ Liz Fenwick ‘A charming, finely detailed and beautifully written jaunt through Dickens’ London – a tale of heartbreak, love, kindness, and avarice. With Lafaye at her finest it’s seamlessly finished by Mascull; this book is a total, total joy’ Fionnuala Kearney ‘A moving companion piece to the classic A Christmas Carol, with all the traditional echoes of the Dickensian festive season woven through, and with tragedy and joy in equal measure. A delight’ Essie Fox ‘Miss Marley has a fable-like quality that beautifully echoes the original with a directness that is both poignant and powerful’ Rachel Malik ‘An absolute gem of a story… vivid and emotional on so many levels. It deserves to be in everyone’s Christmas stocking’ Juliet West

Read more less

Book SynopsisBeautiful and brutal a breathtaking debut' JOANNA CANNONDark, lyrical impressive' DAILY MAILAn atmospheric slow burn with a sense of forboding that grows with each page' GOOD HOUSEKEEPINGAtmospheric and compelling' KATE SAWYERA beautifully written atmospheric story of trauma, grief and redemption, Still Water is a debut from a bright new voice in literary fiction.When Jane Douglas returns to the Shetland Islands, she thinks she has escaped the dark shadows of her childhood. She carves out a simple life on the bleak, windswept island, working at the salmon fishery and spending quiet evenings at home. And for the first time in her life, she's happy.Then the body of Jane's long-missing mother is found in a flooded quarry. Her mother disappeared when Jane was a teenager, following the death of Jane's baby brother. Jane has spent her life running from her past, living in fear that she has inherited her mother's demons. Now, Jane must face what actually happened on that fateful, tragic day twenty years agoA haunting story told with compassion and even tenderness' KATIE MUNNIKIntense, unflinching, honest beautifully told' LUCIE MCKNIGHT HARDYTrade Review‘Beautiful and brutal… a breathtaking debut’ JOANNA CANNON ‘Dark, lyrical… impressive’ DAILY MAIL ‘An atmospheric slow burn… with a sense of forboding that grows with each page’ GOOD HOUSEKEEPING ‘Atmospheric and compelling’ KATE SAWYER ‘A haunting story… told with compassion and even tenderness’ KATIE MUNNIK ‘Intense, unflinching, honest… beautifully told’ LUCIE MCKNIGHT HARDY

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe USA TODAY bestseller!Inspired by the brave women of WWII, this is a moving and powerful novel of friendship, love and resilience for fans of My Name is Eva, The Alice Network and The Tattooist of Auschwitz.A story of love not a story of a warA daring WWII pilot who grew up among the clouds, Juliet Caron's life was one of courage, adventure and a love torn apart by war. Every nook of her Cornish cottage is alive with memories just waiting to be discovered.Katherine Henderson has escaped to Cornwall for Christmas, but she soon finds there is more to her holiday cottage than meets the eye. And on the eve of Juliet's 100th birthday, Katherine is enlisted to make an old lady's final Christmas wish come trueMe Before You meets The English Patient in this stunning romantic historical novelI loved it' Jill MansellReaders love The Last Letter from JulietOK. I've finished the book. Holy ******I had to keep taking breaks in the last 15% just so I didn't break down in a flood of tears' Zoe HaTrade Review Readers ADORE Dear Rosie Hughes… ‘This book is going to be spoken about everywhere…I really really loved it’ Karen Whittard, Reviewer ‘I loved this story of friendship…emotional and memorable’ Jessica Bryson, Reviewer ‘Definitely a book I would read over and over again…Highly recommend’ 5 stars, Ginger Book Geek Blog

Read more less

Book Synopsis*A stunning new unabridged recording*From the bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa Gregory, comes a wonderfully atmospheric evocation of the court of Henry VIII and his final queens.1539. Anne of Cleves wins the dangerous prize of becoming Henry VIII's fourth wife. From the start, Anne's royal blood, education and fierce intelligence count for nothing as the king pursues young Katherine Howard.Katherine is a pawn in the political manoeuvres of her ambitious family; unprepared for the dangers that await, she steps into their trap. At her side is kinswoman Jane Boleyn, who has served and betrayed one queen already: her sister-in-law Anne, who died on Henry's scaffold. Will Jane betray a second queen to the headsman?As the three women's fates entwine in the most volatile court in Europe, each must survive an increasingly tyrannical, murderous king.With an exclusive afterword written and read by Philippa Gregory, exploring the inspiration behind The Boleyn Inheritance.Trade ReviewPraise for ‘The Constant Princess’: 'One of Gregory's great strengths as a novelist is her ability to take familiar historical figures and flesh them into living breathing human beings. “The Constant Princess” is a worthy successor to her previous novels about the Tudors and deserves to be a bestseller.' Daily Express 'Gregory's research is impeccable which makes her imaginative fiction all the more convincing.' Daily Mail 'Gregory is great at conjuring a Tudor film-set of gorgeous gowns and golden-plattered dining.' Telegraph

Read more less

Book SynopsisFunny inspiring I loved it' Milly JohnsonI love the fabulous friendships' Jo Thomas'Wonderfully uplifting' Alex BrownGetting on her bike will change everythingSue Young has never asked for much apart from a quiet life. She's always been happy with her call centre job and dinner on the table at six o clock; that was until a tragedy tore her tranquility into little shreds.With her life in tatters, Sue is persuaded to join a charity cycle ride led by Morning TV's Kath Fuller, who is having a crisis of her own, and Sue's self-appointed support crew are struggling with their own issues. Pensioner Flo Wilson is refusing to grow old, gracefully or otherwise, and a teen goth Raven Chakrabarti, is determined to dodge the path her family have mapped out for her.Can the foursome cycle through saddle sores and chaffed thighs to a brighter future, or will pushing themselves to the limit prove harder than they thought?Trade Review‘I was really rooting for those women’ Jane Wenham-Jones ‘Warm and uplifting’ Holly Martin Praise for Daisy Tate: ‘A warm, witty and endlessly wise story’ Cressida McLaughlin ‘Full of heart … I love the fabulous friendships’ Jo Thomas ‘What a great book. I loved it.’ Debbie Macomber

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Small Revolution in Germany is about growing up, or refusing to accept what growing up means; it's about the small dishonest pacts that people make with their own futures; and it's about the rare and joyous refusal to be disillusioned.Everyone remembers what it's like to be seventeen. The conversations you have; the ideas that burst on you; the kiss that transforms you. And then you grow up, and make a deal with adulthood. A Small Revolution in Germany is about that rapturous moment when ideas, and ideals, and passion crash over one boy's head. And what happens in the decades afterwards? When you see the overwhelming truth when you are seventeen, why should you ever abandon that truth?Spike is brought into a small, clever group of friends, bursting with a passion for ideas, and the wish to change the world. They smash up political meetings; they paint slogans on walls; they long for armed revolution; they argue, exuberantly, until dawn. In the years to follow, they all change their mTrade ReviewPraise for A Small Revolution in Germany: ‘In A Small Revolution in Germany – a meditation on youth and constancy and reinvention – Philip Hensher has coalesced all the craft, skill, wit and intelligence of his previous work into something which is dazzling but also deeply thought and deeply felt. I just loved it’ Linda Grant ‘He brilliantly animates the lives of neglected people during big historical events.’ The Times, Thomas Adès ‘Hensher’s quietly brilliant novel opens in the Eighties and spans some 30 years, illuminating an entire social world with skill, humour and tenderness.’ Daily Mail, Max Davidson ‘Moments of sharp observation’ The Times, Alexander Nurnberg ‘On the one hand, he is writing the type of novel whose atmosphere relies for its attack on a certain amount of self-conscious cultural signalling. On the other, he is embarked on the kind of fictional high-wire act that both emphasizes and undermines the seriousness with which the people he writes about need to be taken…Rather like Mary Gaitskill, he specializes in extending sympathy to his creations and then suddenly withdrawing it, giving them enough rope to hang themselves with … some wonderful moments of off-kilter comedy’ TLS, D.J. Taylor ‘A beautiful, regret-soaked story about the marks left on our adult lives by the idealism of our youth’ Alex Preston, Observer ‘The novel moves easily between Thatcherite Britain and the present…. This book is bound to be seen as a satire on the left. But in fact its keynote is a deep anger and disillusionment with politics, a lack of faith in all systems…Positioning his story within the frame of current events is a clever move on Hensher’s part’ Elizabeth Lowry, Guardian ‘Hensher’s novel reads easily and has a controlled, rueful atmosphere - a cautionary tale’ John Maier, The Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisLondon Society takes their problems to Sherlock Holmes. Everyone else goes to Arrowood.Finlay depicts a seedy, desperate London and vivid characters with considerable skill' The TimesNowhere to hide.London, 1896. As winter grips the city, a group of African travellers seek sanctuary inside the walls of the Quaker Meeting House. They are being hunted by a ruthless showman, who is forcing them to perform in his ethnic exhibition in the London Aquarium.Nowhere to turn.Private investigator William Arrowood and his assistant Barnett agree to help the travellers avoid capture. But when they arrive at the Meeting House, they find a scene of devastation. Two people have been murdered and the others have fled into the night.Nowhere to run.The hunt for the real killer leads Arrowood into the dark heart of Victorian London. A shadowy world of freak shows, violence and betrayal, where there are no good choices and only the slimmest chance of survivalTrade Review‘This is Victorian London in all its grit and grime and Finlay clearly knows his history but applies it with a light touch. He revels in the muck and mayhem of the city … the story is full of life and flashes of black humour’ Evening Standard ‘There are many insights on the iniquities of empire, and Arrowood’s wife’s struggle to become a doctor is an illuminating subplot. The narrator Malk Williams bullishly renders the frank and foul-mouthed Barnett, from whose point of view the story unfolds … enjoy an excellent final gallop to giving everyone their just deserts’ The Times, Audiobook of the Week ‘Gripping … the series has gone from strength to strength’ Sunday Post ‘A rollicking case … I love the sardonic wit and the down-at-the-heel sleuth … oozes with grim colour’ Peterborough Telegraph ‘A riveting tale of intrigue, exploitation and danger. I felt as though I was right there in the foggy, soot-stained alleyways of Victorian London, looking anxiously over my shoulder’ S. W. Perry ‘A bracing joy, plunging us into a Victorian London which is vibrant and alive. I loved being with his extraordinary characters once again’ Alex Reeve ‘It really evokes the era, and Arrowood is a very interesting, flawed, sleuth’ Faith Martin ‘A compelling mystery which brilliantly evokes the grime and gaudiness of late Victorian London. The crimes of a far-flung Empire come home to roost in this story of exploitation, loyalty, hidden identities and revenge. A fantastic addition to the series’ Katherine Stansfield Praise for Mick Finlay: ‘A crime novel of thrilling intricacy … Arrowood is a terrific creation, and this book wins five rosettes’ The Tablet ‘Think Sherlock Holmes is the only detective working in Victorian London? Meet William Arrowood, the hero of Mick Finlay’s series of absorbing novels … Finlay depicts a seedy, desperate London and vivid characters with considerable skill’ The Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the No.1 bestselling author ofThe Last ProtectorandThe Ashes of Londoncomes the next book in the phenomenally successful series following James Marwood and Cat Lovett during the time of King Charles II.Over 1 Million Andrew Taylor Novels Sold!A Times Best Paperback of 2022Two young girls plot a murder by witchcraft. Soon afterwards a government clerk dies painfully in mysterious circumstances. His colleague James Marwood is asked to investigate but the task brings unexpected dangers.Meanwhile, architect Cat Hakesby is working for a merchant who lives on Slaughter Street, where the air smells of blood and a captive Barbary lion prowls the stables. Then a prestigious new commission arrives. Cat must design a Poultry House for the woman that the King loves most in all the world.Unbeknownst to all, at the heart of this lies a royal secret so explosive that it could not only rip apart England but change the entire face of EuropeTrade Review‘With all his customary deftness and skill, Taylor weaves a colourful, complicated plot involving royal secrets, foreign spies in London and a mangy lion, caged in a merchant’s stables, that is used to frighten a man to death’ The Times Best Paperbacks of 2022 ‘A pleasure from start to finish’ The Spectator ‘Beautifully crafted story’ Mystery and Suspense Praise for The Last Protector: ‘Confirms his status as one of our finest writers of historical thrillers’ The Sunday Times ‘There is colour, violence, devotion, courage and fun here. What more could anyone ask of a crime novel?’ Literary Review ‘Taylor is on reliably good form in this fourth instalment of a series that effortlessly blends history and mystery.’ The Times ‘A teeming London (in the process of reconstruction after the Great Fire), political chicanery, duels, brothels, court manoeuvrings — all are grist to Taylor’s imaginative mill’ The Financial Times ‘A brilliant historical novel about Cromwell… Riveting’ Evening Standard ‘Superb… Cat, especially, remains one of the most compelling, multifaceted characters in contemporary historical fiction’. Observer ‘Taylor’s fourth Marwood tale is gripping and rich in detail – 4.5 stars’ The Sun ‘Boasting political intrigue and evocative period atmosphere, The Last Protector is crime writing at its most elegant and assured’ Waterstones blog “[G]reat fun and perfect summer getaway reading”! Globe and Mail

Read more less

Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics.For a time I believed that mankind had been swept out of existence, and that I stood there alone, the last man left alive.When a strange, meteor-like object lands in the heart of England, the inhabitants of Earth find themselves victims of a terrible attack. A ruthless race of Martians, armed with heat rays and poisonous smoke, is intent on destroying everything that stands in its way. As the unnamed hero struggles to find his way across decimated wastelands, the fate of the planet hangs in the balance . . .H. G. Wells was a pioneer of modern science fiction. First serialised in the UK in 1897, The War of the Worlds is one of the earliest stories to depict conflict with an extraterrestrial race, and has influenced countless adaptations and sequels.Trade Review‘groundbreaking … a true classic that has pointed the way not just for science-fiction writers, but for how we as a civilisation might think of ourselves’ Guardian ‘[Wells’ work is] astonishingly rich in human and historical interest … he foresaw the invention of, among other things, television, tanks, aerial warfare and the atom bomb’ David Lodge ‘I personally consider the greatest of English living writers [to be] H. G. Wells’ Upton Sinclair

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn extraordinary story against all the oddsHe vowed in his letter to one day meet her again, once the war was over. But it was a letter Maria couldn't bring herself to readGrowing up in the humble Spanish town of Fuentes, Maria dreamed of seeing the world and marrying one day. But before her life can truly start, civil war breaks out and Fuentes is torn apart by violence, secrecy and corruption.Maria vows to take a stand, yet as an unspeakable tragedy rocks her trust in human decency, her heart hardens and the love she once believed in seems far out of reach. But when she falls for an occupying soldier, she questions whether she can truly love someone who is her enemy?

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn engaging story of opportunities lost and refound' ExpressCan love help her through the most difficult decisions?Prepare to be spirited away to rural Ireland in this stunning new saga from Anne Doughty.When Jenny McKinstry is offered a new post as the Head of English at her Belfast school she's elated! Yet she can't help but feel conflicted about the position.With all those around her mounting the pressure to start a family and her husband's career about to take off, Jenny feels bound by an overwhelming sense of duty.Will she be able to support her husband's ambitions and land her dream jobPreviously published as A Few Late Roses.Readers LOVE Anne Doughty:I love all the books from this author'beautifully written'would recommend to everyone'Fabulous story, couldn''t put it down!'Looking forward to the next one.'

Read more less

Book Synopsis*As seen on the new BBC TWO TV book club, Between the Covers*Longlisted for the HWA Debut Crown AwardIndie Book of the Month for March, selected by the Booksellers AssociationOne of OBSERVER'S 10 best debut novelists of 2020 / WOMAN & HOME Best of 2020 / EVENING STANDARD Best books of 2020 / MAIL ON SUNDAY 2020 Highlights / I Best of 2020* * * *Full of life and love . . . it made my heart soar, and should be on every Londoner's shelf' Stacey Halls, Sunday Times bestselling author of The FamiliarsThe writing is wonderful; London's energy runs right through it; the characters leap off the page. I was truly sad to leave them behind' Adam Kay, ObserverConvincing and involving' Sunday TimesFans of Zadie Smith and Andrea Levy won't want to miss Louise Hare's enthralling debut novel' Elle* * *The drinks are flowing.The music is playing.But the party can't last.With the Blitz over and London reeling from war, jazz musician Lawrie Matthews has answered England's call for help. Fresh off the EmpTrade Review‘Superb . . . compelling storytelling, beautifully drawn characters and atmosphere that’s deeply immersive’ Harriet Tyce, bestselling author of Blood Orange ‘This Lovely City is a beguiling, atmospheric and important novel, with wonderful, memorable characters and a vital message about love, loyalty and hope’ Caroline Lea, author of The Glass Woman ‘This debut is a joy to devour. The characters are beautifully drawn. The tender, compelling storytelling is immersive and atmospheric. I believe Hare is a major new talent who delivers a vital message about love, loyalty and hope’ Adele Parks, Platinum ‘A story about solidarity and love but above all hope’ Zoella ‘A thought-provoking and imaginative debut that conjures up the experiences of the Windrush generation in post-war London. Heartbreaking but full of hope’ Woman & Home ‘Tense . . . this thoughtful novel captures what life was like for the Windrush generation’ Good Housekeeping ‘Poignant and authentic . . . it’s [Hare’s] steady, calm prose and the animating authenticity of her material that make it so hard to resist . . . there’s] music, solidarity and courage to be found in pages laced with rum punch’ Observer ‘Hopeful and inspiring; the story of a man, his community and the country they strive to make home’ Abi Dare, Observer ‘Hare’s enthralling novel pulls off the rare trick of being a clever murder mystery, an evocative portrayal of Windrush London and a genuinely touching love story’i ‘Paints a vivid picture of what life was really like for the Windrush generation. Fans of Andrea Levy’s Small Island will love it’ Red ‘Mistress of suspense, Hare keeps us guessing to the last page. I loved the post-war atmosphere: bombed, broken London as a visual metaphor for the story’s violence and racism’ Daily Mail ‘A poignant story of love, isolation and prejudice in a post-Second World War London’ Radio Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisA brilliant murder mystery with shades of Agatha Christie and The Great Gatsby . . . a glamorous and fun read' Reader review ?????Louise Hare does it again fabulous! Absolutely loved it and it kept me guessing until the very end! Very highly recommended' Reader review?????* * *London, 1936Lena Aldridge is wondering if life has passed her by. The dazzling theatre career she hoped for hasn't worked out. Instead, she's stuck singing in a sticky-floored basement club in Soho and her married lover has just left her. She has nothing to look forward to until a stranger offers her the chance of a lifetime: a starring role on Broadway and a first-class ticket on the Queen Mary bound for New York.After a murder at the club, the timing couldn't be better and Lena jumps at the chance to escape England. Until death follows her onto the ship and she realises that her greatest performance has already begun.Because someone is making manoeuvres behind the scenes, and there's only one thing on their miTrade Review Praise for Miss Aldridge Regrets ‘Charming characters, a cross-Atlantic setting, jazz, cocktails, sex and a brilliant murder mystery. You couldn’t ask for more! I loved it’ Harriet Tyce ‘This is a cracker. A thoroughly absorbing and thought-provoking historical crime novel that oozes glamour’ Cathy Rentzenbrink, The Last Act of Love ‘A sublimely told murder mystery which oozes class in every sense. Fully deserves the Christie comparisons’ Trevor Wood, The Man on the Street ‘A fabulous Christie-esque mystery. Brilliantly written, so evocative, and keeps you guessing all the way through’ Charlotte Levin, If I Can’t Have You 'Glamour and grit combine in this smartly plotted, wonderfully atmospheric historical murder mystery, with a heroine I won't forget. I loved it' Frances Quinn, The Smallest Man ‘Giving off the best Agatha Christie vibes but also compelling issues of race and identity . . . Keeps you guessing until the end’ Julie Owen Moylan, The Green Eyed Girl ‘Perfectly evokes the glamour of the Queen Mary as well as the gritty underbelly of 1930s Soho. Beautiful writing, striking characters and a twisting plot make this a compelling read’ Anita Frank, The Return ‘All the intrigue of a juicy Agatha Christie with a shot of something extra strong and dry. It’s a sumptuous voyage with the most unexpected conclusion’ Beth Morrey, Saving Missy ‘An engrossing read’ Guardian ‘Hare’s well-crafted second novel oozes glamour . . . Did someone mention Agatha Christie? Yes, but with the bonus of subtle reflections on race and class’ Observer ‘Completely thrilling . . . enormously entertaining . . . Miss Aldridge Regrets deserves recognition every bit as much as the books from Golden Age crime writers like Agatha Christie because it’s so well written’ My Weekly Online

Read more less

Book SynopsisA gripping and stunning historical romance set in the British Raj for fans of Janet MacLeod Trotter, Dinah Jefferies and global bestseller Lucinda RileyAt midnight where the jasmine blooms, a woman waits for her loverSara Archer's future as the dutiful wife of a British official in India seems assured, until a chance meeting with the gorgeous and powerful Ravi Sabran changes everything.Under the heat of the Indian sun, the veneer of polite society wears off quickly and soon Sara realises that nothing is as it appears to be, especially her husband CharlesBut in the beautiful jasmine gardens of the Maharajah's palace, Sara follows a forbidden path away from her bullying husband, towards Ravi and the long-buried secrets of her own birth.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSome houses are NEVER at peaceSHORTLISTED FOR THE GOLDSBORO BOOKS GLASS BELL AWARDSHORTLISTED FOR THE HISTORICAL WRITERS' ASSOCIATION DEBUT CROWNA gothic gem of intrigue and atmosphere' HWA Debut Crown JudgesEngland, 1917Reeling from the death of her fiancé, Stella Marcham welcomes the opportunity to stay with her pregnant sister, Madeleine, at her imposing country mansion, Greyswick but she arrives to discover a house of unease and her sister gripped by fear and suspicion.Before long, strange incidents begin to trouble Stella sobbing in the night, little footsteps on the stairs and as events escalate, she finds herself drawn to the tragic history of the house.Aided by a wounded war veteran, Stella sets about uncovering Greyswick's dark and terrible secrets secrets the dead whisper from the other sideIn the classic tradition of The Woman in Black, Anita Frank weaves a spellbinding debut of family tragedy, loss and redemption.Praise for The Lost Ones:Supernatural and historical inteTrade Review Praise for The Lost Ones: ‘A gothic gem of intrigue and atmosphere’ Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown Judges ‘Supernatural and historical intertwine in Anita Frank’s unsettling first novel … reminiscent of other tales of the supernatural, but conveys its own frissons and shocks’Sunday Times ‘With wonderful character … This is a brilliantly gothic adventure – and the perfect winter page-turner’ Sunday Mirror ‘A spine-tingling debut from Anita Frank is part ghost story, part murder mystery, and the perfect chilling read as the nights turn colder and longer’ OK! ‘I loved it SO MUCH – so creepy and compelling, full of atmosphere and gave me goosebumps…’ Lisa Hall ‘If you liked A Woman in Black, you’ll love this utterly gripping and atmospheric book’ Woman & Home ‘Haunting, emotional and exquisitely written’ Amanda Jennings ‘For fans of Henry James and Susan Hill, this chilling supernatural mystery is written in the classic mould. Intriguing, moving and assured’ Essie Fox ‘My coffee is stone cold. My palms are sweaty. I’ve raced to the shocking final twist of this lush, beautifully written historical novel. A gripping ghost story with an achingly poignant family mystery at its heart’ Samantha King ‘The perfect read for dark, chilly winter evenings … This beautifully written gothic tale interlaces history, intrigue and atmosphere, and offers a fresh take on the classic ghost story tradition’ Jane Bettany, Big Issue North ‘Will send shivers down your spine … An eerie, emotionally supernatural tale’ Sunday Express ‘Dark and devilish’ Sunday Post ‘A spine-tingling gothic tale of family tragedy, loss and redemption’ My Weekly ‘Anita Frank’s fiendishly devised plot springs a succession of shocks and revelations that keep you gripped until the final page’ Noel O’Reilly

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn intimate portrait of Patrick O'Brian, written by his stepson Nikolai Tolstoy.Patrick O'Brian was one of the greatest British novelists of the twentieth century, securing his place in literary history with the bestselling AubreyMaturin series, books that have sold millions of copies worldwide and been hailed as the best historical fiction of all time.An exquisite novelist, translator and biographer, O'Brian moved in 1949 to Collioure in the south of France, where he led a secluded life with his wife Mary and wrote all his major works. The twenty books that make up the beloved AubreyMaturin series earned O'Brian the epithet Jane Austen at sea' for their authentic depiction of Nelson's navy, and the relationship between Captain Jack Aubrey and his friend and ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin. Outside his triumphant popularity in fiction, O'Brian also wrote erudite biographies of both Pablo Picasso and Joseph Banks, as well as publishing translations of Simone de Beauvoir and Henri CharrièTrade Review Praise for Nikolai Tolstoy: 'One of the most gripping literary biographies of recent years' Sunday Times Culture 'Admirers of O'Brian's work will regard it as required reading' Guardian ‘Tolstoy writes with that passion to understand that characterises the best biographies’ Spectator ‘Reading Tolstoy is like reading a fine, detailed detective story … To be treasured because it exposes and rebuts much falseness that has been written about O'Brian.’ The Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisTwo women.A wild Island.A truth buried deep in the past. ‘Like a surreal cabinet of curiosities – haunting, eerie, evocative’ Bridget Collins, Sunday Times bestselling author of The BindingTrade Review‘Like a surreal cabinet of curiosities – haunting, eerie, evocative.’ Bridget Collins, author of The Binding ‘Polly Crosby whips up a lush, mythical world . . . realised beautifully in vivid writing. A book worm’s treat!’ Eve Chase, author of The Glass House ‘This moving tale is set in a mesmerising world. Like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, the story emerges slowly, allowing you to immerse yourself in its wonders.’ Heat ‘A luminous and beautiful novel that gently lures the reader into a captivating story with a mystery at its heart.’ Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne ‘Rich and evocative storytelling is at the heart of this beautifully atmospheric book.’ My Weekly ‘A beautifully written tale of butterflies, secrets and silk’ Sonia Velton, author of Blackberry and Wild Rose ‘Immersive, atmospheric and so very imaginative.’ Kate Sawyer, author of The Stranding ‘Polly Crosby is a skilled storyteller, drawing the reader in . . . Will keep you enthralled’ Elizabeth Lee, author of Cunning Women ‘Dreamy image after image, The Unravelling is like a series of beautiful paintings’ Sara Sheridan, author of The Fair Botanists ‘Fluid and poetic … the story is of butterflies and silkworms, of flying free and being pinned, of characters and landscapes concealing layer upon layer of tightly wound secrets which eventually unspool in a series of dramatic metamorphosis.’Norfolk Magazine ‘Utterly transporting. Polly Crosby plunges us into a hauntingly beautiful landscape with complex and compelling characters.’ Annabel Abbs, author of The Language of Food ‘Imaginative and intriguing, this is packed with tender moments.’ Woman’s Weekly ‘Mysterious and suspenseful, The Unravelling is a story of visceral beauty and the transformations life undergoes to survive.’ A. J. Gnuse, author of The Girl in the Walls

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat if everything your family ever told you was a lie?Frankfurt, 1963At the war's end, Frankfurt was a smoldering ruin, severely damaged by the Allied bombings. But that was two decades ago. Now it is 1963, and the city's streets, once cratered are smooth and paved. Shiny new stores replace scorched rubble. For twenty-four-year-old Eva Bruhn, World War II is a foggy childhood memory. Eager for her wealthy suitor, Jürgen Schoorman, to propose, Eva dreams of starting a new life away from her parents and sister. But Eva's plans are turned upside down when an American investigator, David Miller, hires her as a translator for a war crimes trial.As she becomes more and more involved in the Frankfurt Trials, Eva begins to question her family's silence on the war and her future. Why do her parents refuse to talk about what happened? What are they hiding? Does she really love Jürgen and will she be happy as a housewife? Though it means going against the wishes of her family and her lover, Eva,Trade Review‘From the first pages The German House creates a movie in the reader’s mind and it doesn’t tear off until the last chapter’ Der Spiegel

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the internationally bestselling author of The Secret OrphanA world at warA secret from her pastA chance to be togetherA book full of emotion, secrets, hope and loveExcellent writing and I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction' LisaA moving and compelling historical novel about love, second chances and resilience in the darkest of times.Southampton 1940Abandoned when she was tiny, Maisie Reynolds was separated from her twin brother and forced to grow up in Holly Bush orphanage a place where she has never known love or kindness.But with the world at war and Hitler's devastating bombs coming ever closer, fate has other plans for Maisie and a secret from her past changes everything.When she meets handsome Canadian paratrooper, Cam, Maisie learns that love might not be lost to her after all but not before her past life and D Day bring a tragic twist to her happiness.Readers are loving The Forgotten Orphan:Absolutely fantasticBoy I wasn''t disappointed' BriTrade ReviewReaders LOVE The Secret Orphan: ‘Keeps you wanting to read into the small hours’ Lisa, Goodreads ‘The best and most beautiful book I've read in a long time’ Brid, Netgalley ‘Simply amazing’ Rikki-Doodlebug's Book Reviews ‘Captivated from beginning to end’ Jessyca, Goodreads ‘A gripping, page turner set in WWI … Loved it’ Amanda, Netgalley ‘A real page turner … You will find yourself in England during the war with a story that will stay with you’ Lou, Goodreads ‘A stunning novel and one that should be recommended’ Postcard Reviews ‘A must read for WWII historical fiction fans’ Lizbeth, Goodreads ‘One of my new favourite novels … I love everything about this story’ Ashley Murphy Reads ‘The depiction of wartime life in the Coventry bombings and on a Cornish farm were realistic and compelling’ Vivien Brown ‘A story that I will remember for a long time to come’ Shirley, Goodreads Reviewer ‘Loved every minute of this hard to put down book … highly recommend putting this on your reading list – especially if you love historical fiction and WWII’ Roxane, Goodreads ‘A must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction (especially World War II fiction) or romance’ Kindred Connection Reviews

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn incredible historical novel inspired by the true story behind the Boots empire.Jersey 1885On the beautiful island of Jersey, Florence Rowe lives a quiet life working in her father's bookshop. Life for the Rowe family is good, but Florence can't help yearning for moreWhen Jesse Boot, the successful owner of Boots the chemist, arrives on the island, Florence is immediately captivated by his tales of life in a busy, bustling city on the mainland. For the first time ever, Florence imagines a life away from the constraints of Jersey society, of being someone more than just a shopgirl.Until her parents reveal the shocking news they will refuse any marriage proposal from Mr Boot. Can Florence find a way to be with the man she loves and make a new life for herself?Readers are loving Mrs Boots:A book that drew me inI cuddle up on my reading chair and entered the world of Boots' AbbyVibrant, believable, characters and an absorbing plot' TabbyThis will definitely pull at your heartstringsLoved it' BeverleyI'm so glad this is the beginning of a series and I can''t wait to read the rest! Wonderfully written' GraceIf you like historical novels this is a book for you' Bookoholic CafeA gorgeous start to a new historical series that captivated, charmed and inspired me' AdeleA great and powerful read about love, relationships, and the trials and tribulations in betweena true thrill' DonnaWatch this authorthis is a series you''ll want to stick with' Micah

Read more less

Book Synopsis Winner of The HWA Gold Crown 2020 From the No.1 bestselling author of The Ashes of London and The Fire Court comes the next book in the phenomenally successful series following James Marwood at the time of King Charles II.Trade Review‘I loved this! It's a treat to read a book that is so immersive, that pulls the reader into an entirely different world…This is a complex story told with clarity – a masterclass in writing for the genre’ Ann Cleeves, bestselling author of the Shetland and Vera Stanhope series 'The King’s Evil is an absolute treat from start to finish – a hugely engaging, atmospheric historical thriller with not one but two smart and lovable protagonists. Andrew Taylor is one of our finest storytellers' Antonia Hodgson ‘Taylor, one of the best historical crime writers today, is on great form with this novel. The plot weaves in and out of Restoration politics with seamless grace’ The Times ‘Few historical novelists write with more authority and a greater sense of authenticity than Andrew Taylor’ Sunday Times ‘This is historical crime fiction at its dazzling best’ Guardian ‘Another fine outing from one of the best historical novelists around’ Sunday Times ‘Taylor has a rare knack for conjuring up an authentic historical atmosphere, and his description of a teeming, uncertain London in a state of flux is vivid and compelling’ Observer ‘A novel filled with intrigue, duplicity, scandal and betrayal, whose author now vies with another master of the genre, C. J. Sansom’ Spectator ‘Another rich, sumptuous glory of a novel: perfectly plotted, perfectly peopled, perfectly thrilling and with enough twists to keep a maze-maker happy…I love all of Andrew Taylor’s writing and this is a novelist of consummate skill at the absolute peak of his power’ Manda Scott ‘Glorious’ Sunday Express ‘Taylor’s mantelpiece already groans under awards for his nonpareil historical crime novels, and this latest is as striking as anything he has written’ Financial Times ‘An involving detective tale’ The Sunday Times Praise for Andrew Taylor: ‘If you like C. J. Sansom, or Hilary Mantel, you’ll love Andrew Taylor’ Peter James

Read more less

Book SynopsisA heart-wrenching novel of love, resilience and courage in World War II, from the author of Sisters of War perfect for readers who loved The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The German Midwife.Ukraine, 1943On a train from Ukraine to Germany, Lisa Smirnova is terrified for her life. The train is under Nazi command, heading for one of Hitler's rumoured labour camps. As she is taken away from everything she holds dear, Lisa wonders if she will ever see her family again.In Nazi-occupied Kiev, Irina Antonova knows she could be arrested at any moment. Trapped in a job registering the endless deaths of the people of Kiev, she risks her life every day by secretly helping her neighbours, while her husband has joined the Soviet partisans, who are carrying out life-threatening work to frustrate the German efforts.When Lisa's train is intercepted by the partisans, Irina's husband among them, these women's lives will take an unimaginable turn. As Irina fights to protect her family and Lisa is forced to Trade Review‘A powerful and hard-hitting novel, it tackles the themes of loyalty and compassion, and emphasizes the hard choices that need to be made in wartime’ Deborah Swift, author of The Lady's Slipper 'The author, Lana Kortchik, has done her homework, and it shows. Her writing style is crisp and vivid, and she gives us dialogue that jumps off the page’Harry Fox, author of The Stonegate Sword ‘Pulls you in to the bleakness of war, the longing for peace, and the exhilaration of profound, unconditional love’ Marie Silk, author of Davenport House 'Miss Kortchik takes the reader on a whirlwind journey, full of emotions, loss, love, and faith in this well-researched novel’ Heather Osborne, author of Bitter Bonds ‘I didn't want this story to end. It's one of those books you hold close to your heart and don't want to let go. By the time I got to the last page I felt I knew these wonderful characters well. Lana talks of such tragedy, hard times, loss, betrayal, sorrow, love and happiness with such class and sophistication for one so young, she left me speechless and wanting more. Such woe was there in this story, but such love, it will melt you’ Sharon Laker, author of The Railway Mice of Countesthorpe 'I cried, smiled, gasped, and laughed while reading this book. It will stay with me long after I've finished it' J.L. Leslie, author of Tame Me

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn absolute *blinder* so so funny and sexy. So excited now to read everything by Crystal Jeans' Caroline O'Donoghue, author of Scenes of a Graphic NatureA glorious celebration of queer friendship and all kinds of love. Funny, outrageous, heartbreaking and so much fun' Kate Davies, winner of the Polari PrizeHilarious, fresh and sexy, with a tale that takes the reader from Egypt to Hollywood' Irish IndependentFunny, filthy and phenomenally good' Matt CainFilthy and hilarious, this is a gloriously naughty romp of a read that also has something serious to say about queer love. I didn't want it to end' S.J. WatsonPerfect for fans of Tipping the Velvet and Gentleman Jack a delicious and diligent piece of fiction that will provide you with enough great comebacks to last a lifetime This is a delightful book I wish to fling at my friends with affectionate abandon'' DIVABy turns raucous and poignant, hilarious and shattering this is a wonder of a story' Jess KiddThis delicious romp is the sort Trade Review‘A glorious celebration of queer friendship and all kinds of love. Funny, outrageous, heartbreaking and so much fun’ Kate Davies, winner of the Polari Prize 2020 ‘Hilarious, fresh and sexy, with a tale that takes the reader from Egypt to Hollywood’ Irish Independent ‘Very funny and touching and quite filthy’ Louisa Young, author of My Dear I Wanted To Tell You ‘I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a book so much. The Inverts is funny, filthy and phenomenally good – an exhilarating, extraordinary book, packed with dazzling dialogue, stiletto-sharp wit and a glorious serving of filth. It's like Sarah Waters and Alan Hollinghurst go to a party in Downton Abbey – and things get gloriously, hilariously, out of hand’ Matt Cain ‘Filthy and hilarious, this is a gloriously naughty romp of a read that also has something serious to say about queer love. I didn’t want it to end’ S.J. Watson ‘Perfect for fans of Tipping the Velvet and Gentleman Jack… a delicious and diligent piece of fiction that will provide you with enough great comebacks to last a lifetime… This is a delightful book I wish to fling at my friends with affectionate abandon' DIVA ‘Bettina and Bart are not just larger-than-life – they are alive. By turns raucous and poignant, hilarious and shattering this is a wonder of a story. A lifelong friendship, warts-and-all, where the sparkling moments and the sad are told in a voice as irresistible as the pair themselves. I LOVED it’ Jess Kidd ‘This delicious romp is the sort of thing Nancy Mitford might have written if she’d been gay… wonderfully blithe, witty and moving’ Rowan Pelling, DAILY MAIL ‘An absolute *blinder* … so so funny and sexy. So excited now to read everything by Crystal Jeans’ Caroline O’Donoghue, author of Scenes of a Graphic Nature

Read more less

Book SynopsisA beautiful, heart-warming yet sometimes heart-wrenching book Beautiful I was left with a smile on my face' Goodreads reviewer, ?????Can a second chance heal their broken family?Since their mother walked out on them as children, Izzie's taken responsibility for her younger sister, Linda. And when their father's temper flares up, Izzie knows the girls are better off on their own.But when a handsome Italian chef moves to Worthing and offers Izzie a job in his cafe, she is forced to choose between her responsibilities and her desires. Then her mother resurfaces, and Izzie discovers there's more to her abandonment than meets the eye.Will Izzie be able to come to terms with the past in order to pursue the future she deserves?A gripping and emotional family drama from the Sunday Times bestselling author, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Rosie Clarke.Readers love At Home by the Sea:Such a remarkable book from start to finish It will touch your heart Loved it' Goodreads reviewer,?????I coulTrade Review PRAISE FOR PAM WEAVER: ‘A heartrending story about mothers and daughters’ Kitty Neale ‘What a terrific read – saga fans everywhere will love it and be asking for more from this talented author.’ Annie Groves ‘The characters are so richly drawn and authentic that they pull the reader along through the story effortlessly. This book is a real page turner, which I enjoyed very much.’ Anne Bennett

Read more less

Book Synopsis?Spellbinding. Once you start reading you don?t want to put it down. It is emotional and your heart will go out to these children? I loved it. I couldn?t put it down?USA TodayTwo sisters. One secret. A daring wartime journey?Trade Review PRAISE FOR PAM WEAVER: ‘A heartrending story about mothers and daughters’ Kitty Neale ‘What a terrific read – saga fans everywhere will love it and be asking for more from this talented author.’ Annie Groves ‘The characters are so richly drawn and authentic that they pull the reader along through the story effortlessly. This book is a real page turner, which I enjoyed very much.’ Anne Bennett

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestsellerShortlisted for the Women's Prize for FictionLonglisted for the Booker PrizeIt is a book not read, but lived' TelegraphMantel has taken us to the dark heart of history and what a show' The TimesThe Sunday Times bestselling sequel to Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, the stunning conclusion to Hilary Mantel's Man Booker Prize-winning Wolf Hall trilogy.If you cannot speak truth at a beheading, when can you speak it?'England, May 1536. Anne Boleyn is dead, decapitated in the space of a heartbeat by a hired French executioner. As her remains are bundled into oblivion, Thomas Cromwell breakfasts with the victors. The blacksmith's son from Putney emerges from the spring's bloodbath to continue his climb to power and wealth, while his formidable master, Henry VIII, settles to short-lived happiness with his third queen, Jane Seymour.Cromwell is a man with only his wits to rely on; he has no great family to back him, no private army. Despite rebellion at home, traitTrade Review‘Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall novels make 99 per cent of contemporary literary fiction feel utterly pale and bloodless by comparison’ The Times ‘Hilary Mantel has written an epic of English history that does what the Aeneid did for the Romans and War and Peace for the Russians. We are lucky to have it.’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Very few writers manage not just to excavate the sedimented remains of the past, but bring them up again into the light and air so that they shine brightly once more before us. Hilary Mantel has done just that.’ Simon Schama, Financial Times ‘A masterpiece that will keep yielding its riches, changing as its readers change, going forward with us into the future’ Guardian ‘The most masterful story telling imaginable’ Graham Norton ‘The final book in the trilogy charts [Cromwell’s] inexorable downfall with the dark brilliance and profound humanity that makes it, like its forerunners, a masterpiece’ Daily Mail ‘Ambitious, compassionate, clear-eyed yet emotional, passionate and pragmatic, The Mirror & the Light lays down a marker for historical fiction that will set the standard for generations to come’ Independent ‘It’s the crowning glory of a towering achievement’ Mail on Sunday ‘This is a must-read’ Good Housekeeping ‘On closing the book I wept as I’ve not wept over a novel since I was a child . . . Mantel struck her spear against the flint of Thomas Cromwell, and lit such a candle in England as will never go out’Telegraph, Sarah Perry, ‘A masterpiece . . . Mantel has redefined what the historical novel is capable of . . . Taken together, her Cromwell novels are, for my money, the greatest English novels of this century’ Observer, Stephanie Merritt

Read more less

Book SynopsisPART TWO OF THE TROY QUARTETBringing ancient myth to life with passion, humour, and humanity, Lindsay Clarke vividly retells the story of Troy and of the heroes who fought there.Enraged by the betrayal of Helen and Paris, Menelaus and his brother, the High King Agamemnon, gather their allies and set out to conquer the city of Troy.Aboard their ships and behind the city's walls are figures whose names and deeds echo through history the wily strategist Odysseus, the Trojan champion Hector, and the fiercely proud, impetuous warrior Achilles.An engaging retelling of the whole story, neatly blending mythic archaism with modern psychodrama and satire'Mary Beard1 A PRINCE OF TROY2 THE WAR AT TROY3 THE SPOILS OF TROY4 THE RETURN FROM TROYTrade Review‘An engaging retelling of the whole story, neatly blending mythic archaism with modern psychodrama and satire’Mary Beard, GUARDIAN ‘I’m awed by the web you’ve spun. Not only the beautiful complexities of it but the fine texture of the threads’Ted Hughes ‘A triumph of retelling the ancient story…a readable and freshened version that keeps one turning the pages’Alan Sillitoe ‘Wonderfully clear and dramatic’OBSERVER ‘Expertly handled, drawing on the best of this classic tale and shaping it into a riveting page-turner well-suited to our times’DAILY MAIL

Read more less

Book SynopsisPART THREE OF THE TROY QUARTETBringing ancient myth to life with passion, humour, and humanity, Lindsay Clarke vividly retells the story of Troy and of the heroes who fought there.Troy has fallen. After ten years of fighting and a savage final massacre, the victors quarrel over what remains and turn their minds to home.Menelaus must decide the fate of Helen, whose incomparable beauty ignited the war. And Agamemnon must return to the fury of Clytaemnestra, who has neither forgotten nor forgiven his choice to sacrifice their daughter.An engaging retelling of the whole story, neatly blending mythic archaism with modern psychodrama and satire'Mary Beard1 A PRINCE OF TROY2 THE WAR AT TROY3 THE SPOILS OF TROY4 THE RETURN FROM TROYTrade Review‘An engaging retelling of the whole story, neatly blending mythic archaism with modern psychodrama and satire’Mary Beard, GUARDIAN ‘I’m awed by the web you’ve spun. Not only the beautiful complexities of it but the fine texture of the threads’Ted Hughes ‘A triumph of retelling the ancient story…a readable and freshened version that keeps one turning the pages’Alan Sillitoe ‘Wonderfully clear and dramatic’OBSERVER ‘Expertly handled, drawing on the best of this classic tale and shaping it into a riveting page-turner well-suited to our times’DAILY MAIL

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe former director of the Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm makes his literary debut with this dramatic and riveting novel of book publishing, émigrés, spies, and diplomats in World War II Sweden, based on his grandfather's lifeIn 1933, after Hitler and the Nazi Party consolidated power in Germany, Immanuel Birnbaum, a German-Jewish journalist based in Warsaw, is forbidden from writing for newspapers in his homeland. Six years later, just months before the German invasion of Poland that ignites World War II, Immanuel escapes to Sweden with his wife and two young sons.Living as a refugee in Stockholm, Immanuel continues to write, contributing articles to a liberal Swiss newspaper under the name Dr. B. He becomes increasingly entangled with British intelligence agents who plan several acts of sabotage on the orders of Winston Churchill. But when the Swedish postal service picks up a letter written in invisible ink, clearly by Dr. B. himself, the Allied plotters are exposed. But could a Trade Review ‘A superb thriller, a cross between Tom Stoppard’s Travesties and The Thirty-Nine Steps, full of mysteries, twists and turns … You can’t put it down. This is an astonishing debut and Daniel Birnbaum is clearly a talent to look out for’ The Jewish Chronicle ‘If you’re looking for a ridiculously brilliant story, you can stop looking … He’s got the world’s best story – he’s got Dr B’ Svenska Dagbladet ‘Dr B is an astonishing thriller-novel … reminiscent of both Hjalmar Söderberg’s Doctor Glass as well as the dreamy melancholy in The Rings of Saturn by W.G Sebald … This moral ambiguity makes Dr. B. no less fascinating a character than Stefan Zweig’s version of the same’ Aftonbladet ‘A moving evocation of a life beset by conflicts in a troubled time’ Kirkus Reviews ‘Illuminating … Birnbaum skillfully delineates the social and political tensions shaping a culture caught between the national interests of Germany and Russia, and he poignantly conveys the plight of individuals for whom each day is a potential tragedy waiting to happen’ Publishers Weekly ‘Who was Dr. B.? A spy? A member of the resistance? A journalist manipulated by competing political forces in the Casablanca of the North that was Stockholm during World War II? Dr. B brings to life the feverish atmosphere of the capital … where Immanuel Birnbaum becomes entangled in a whirlwind of confusing intrigue’ Le Monde ‘A spy novel as complex as it is captivating … Dr. B. evokes so vividly the apocalyptic chaos of 1939-40 Stockholm, where different political forces jockey for power … and Immanuel Birnbaum, Dr. B, finds himself caught in the confusion’ Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe former director of the Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm makes his literary debut with this dramatic and riveting novel of book publishing, émigrés, spies, and diplomats in World War II Sweden based on his grandfather's lifeIn 1933, after Hitler and the Nazi Party consolidated power in Germany, Immanuel Birnbaum, a German-Jewish journalist based in Warsaw, is forbidden from writing for newspapers in his homeland. Six years later, just months before the German invasion of Poland that ignites World War II, Immanuel escapes to Sweden with his wife and two young sons.Living as a refugee in Stockholm, Immanuel continues to write, contributing articles to a liberal Swiss newspaper under the name Dr. B. He becomes increasingly entangled with British intelligence agents who plan several acts of sabotage on the orders of Winston Churchill. But when the Swedish postal service picks up a letter written in invisible ink, clearly by Dr. B. himself, the Allied plotters are exposed. But could a JTrade Review ‘A superb thriller, a cross between Tom Stoppard’s Travesties and The Thirty-Nine Steps, full of mysteries, twists and turns … You can’t put it down. This is an astonishing debut and Daniel Birnbaum is clearly a talent to look out for’ The Jewish Chronicle ‘If you’re looking for a ridiculously brilliant story, you can stop looking … He’s got the world’s best story – he’s got Dr B’ Svenska Dagbladet ‘Dr B is an astonishing thriller-novel … reminiscent of both Hjalmar Söderberg’s Doctor Glass as well as the dreamy melancholy in The Rings of Saturn by W.G Sebald … This moral ambiguity makes Dr. B. no less fascinating a character than Stefan Zweig’s version of the same’ Aftonbladet ‘A moving evocation of a life beset by conflicts in a troubled time’ Kirkus Reviews ‘Illuminating … Birnbaum skillfully delineates the social and political tensions shaping a culture caught between the national interests of Germany and Russia, and he poignantly conveys the plight of individuals for whom each day is a potential tragedy waiting to happen’ Publishers Weekly ‘Who was Dr. B.? A spy? A member of the resistance? A journalist manipulated by competing political forces in the Casablanca of the North that was Stockholm during World War II? Dr. B brings to life the feverish atmosphere of the capital … where Immanuel Birnbaum becomes entangled in a whirlwind of confusing intrigue’ Le Monde ‘A spy novel as complex as it is captivating … Dr. B. evokes so vividly the apocalyptic chaos of 1939-40 Stockholm, where different political forces jockey for power … and Immanuel Birnbaum, Dr. B, finds himself caught in the confusion’ Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the New York Times bestselling author: a dazzling WWII epic spanning London, New York and the Bahamas and the most infamous couple of the age, the Duke and Duchess of WindsorThe Bahamas, 1941. Newly-widowed Lulu Randolph arrives in Nassau to investigate the Governor and his wife for a New York society magazine whose readers have an insatiable appetite for news of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, that glamorous couple whose love affair nearly brought the British monarchy to its knees five years earlier.But beneath the glitter of Wallis and Edward's marriage lies an ugly and even treasonous reality. In the middle of it all stands Benedict Thorpe: a handsome scientist of tremendous charm and murky national loyalties. When Nassau's wealthiest man is murdered in one of the most notorious cases of the century, Lulu embarks on a journey to discover the truth behind the crime.The stories of two unforgettable women thread together in this extraordinary epic of sacrifice, human love and hTrade ReviewPraise for Beatriz Williams: ‘A world filled with elegance, charm, and bygone manners … No-one does it better than Beatriz' Jane Green ‘Full of wit, romance, and surprising twists’ Popsugar ‘Definitely worth squeezing into your hand luggage’ RED ‘Summer of 1938: A scandalous love triangle and a famous hurricane converge… a perfect storm.’ GOOD HOUSEKEEPING ‘A fantastic summer read’ HELLO ‘Delightful and rewarding from an author to watch’ WE LOVE THIS BOOK ‘Williams' historical masterpiece is an all-encompassing, period-perfect read.’ RT Book Reviews (Top Pick!) ‘[A] fast-paced love story…the scorching sun illuminates a friend’s betrayal and reignites a romance’ O, The Oprah Magazine ‘A candidate for this year's best beach read – the period story of a derailed love affair seen through a sequence of summers’ Kirkus Book Reviews

Read more less

Book SynopsisPresented for the first time as a standalone work, the epic tale of The Fall of Gondolin reunites fans of The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings with Elves, Balrogs, Dragons & Orcs and the rich landscape unique to Tolkien's Middle-earth. This brand new unabridged audio book is read by Timothy West & Samuel West.Gondolin, beautiful but undiscoverable, is central to the enmity of two of the greatest powers in the world.Morgoth of the uttermost evil seeks in vain to discover the marvellously hidden city of his Elven enemies, while the gods in Valinor refuse to support Ulmo Lord of Waters'' designs to protect it.Into this world comes Tuor, cousin of Túrin, and guided unseen by Ulmo he sets out on the fearful journey to Gondolin to warn them of their coming doom. Then Morgoth learns through an act of supreme treachery all that he needs to mount a devastating attack on the city, with Balrogs and dragons and numberless Orcs.Trade Review‘Never did [Tolkien] write a more sustained account of battle. With dragons and fiery balrogs galore, the attack on Gondolin makes Peter Jackson’s souped-up cinema battles look like tabletop games.’The Times ‘The text is rife with references to characters and creatures that come to play a role in The Lord of the Rings… one passage in particular seems to set up one of the most famous scenes from the LOTR trilogy.’Time ‘It’s a load-bearing pillar in the grander narrative that eventually came to encompass better-known works. Tolkien explicitly expressed his wish later in life that the three Great Tales of Middle-earth’s early days — The Children of Húrin, Beren and Lúthien, and The Fall of Gondolin — along with The Lord of the Rings and other writings, should be considered as “one long Saga of the Jewels and the Rings”.’Entertainment Weekly

Read more less

Book SynopsisEverything is about to change1789. Pierre and Catherine Aubert, the Comte and Comtesse de Verais, have fled the palace of Versailles for their château, deep in the French Alps. But as revolution spreads through the country, even hidden away the Auberts will not be safe forever. Soon they must make a terrible decision in order to protect themselves, and their children, from harm.Present day. When Lu's mother dies leaving her heartbroken, the chance to move to a château in the south of France with her husband and best friends seems an opportunity for a new beginning. But Lu can't resist digging into their new home's history, and when she stumbles across the unexplained disappearance of Catherine Aubert, the château begins to reveal its secrets and a mystery unsolved for centuries is uncoveredUnlock the secret of the château today. Perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Fiona Valpy and The Forgotten Village!Readers love The Secret of the Château!I absolutely loved this book Enthralling I reallTrade Review‘Brilliant! Kath writes the most wonderful time-slip and I urge you to snap this up.’ Nicola Cornick, author of The Forgotten Sister ‘Enthralling… A beautiful and heartbreaking time-slip story… A gripping story of love and redemption across two centuries… The perfect escape.’ The Lancashire Post

Read more less

Book SynopsisBe ready to be wowed and amazed and lose sleep as you stay up to reach the last pages! You absolutely must read it!' NetGalley reviewer, 5 starsWhat would you do to protect the ones you love?1861. George's life changes forever the day he meets Lucy. She's beautiful and charming, and he sees a future with her that his position as the second son in a wealthy family has never offered him. But when Lucy dies in a suspected poisoning days after rejecting George, he finds himself swept up into a murder investigation. George loved Lucy; he would never have harmed her. So who did?Now. On the surface Cassie is happy with her life: a secure job, good friends, and a loving family. When a mysterious gift in a long-forgotten will leads her to a dark secret in her family's history she's desperate to learn more. But the secrets in Cassie's family aren't all hidden in the past, and her research will soon lead her to a revelation much closer to home and which will turn everything she knows on its head

Read more less

Book SynopsisBefore the crown there was a love storyIf you're a fan of The Crown, you'll love this' Woman's WeeklyFascinatinga beautiful love story' WomanWindsor Castle, 1943As war rages across the world, Princess Elizabeth comes face to face with the dashing naval officer she first met in London nine years before.One of the youngest first lieutenants in the Royal Navy, Philip represents everything she has always been taught to avoid. Instability. Audacity. Adventure.But when the king learns of their relationship, the suitability of the foreign prince is questioned by all at court.He is the risk she has never been allowed to take. The risk not even the shadow of the crown will stop her from takingStep through the palace gates and discover a captivating historical novel of royal secrets and forbidden love exploring the tempestuous courtship between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in the wake of WWII.Readers are LOVING Before the Crown:Magnificent. It carries so much depth and warmness, and closTrade Review ‘A wonderfully poignant love story involving characters whose lives we all think we know about’ Celia Anderson, bestselling author of 59 Memory Lane ‘I loved this story… it felt like a sneak peek into the Queen’s life’ Glynis Peters, USA Today-bestselling author of The Secret Orphan

Read more less

Book SynopsisAll the Button Street children deserve a good homeAlone and on the streets after their mother ends up in hospital, Charlie has promised his little sister Maisie he'll never let her feel frightened again. That promise is hard to keep when Maisie falls ill.Hope comes in the shape of Susan and the other nurses at the local hospital. Times are tough and lately they've seen even more children come through their doors who need kindness and a loving home.The only way to keep Charlie and Maisie out of the orphanage is to find them a good foster home, but there are far too many people who'd take them in for their own ruthless ends. With decent folk in short supply, can Susan help Charlie to keep his promise?Perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Rosie Goodwin and Glenda Young!Trade ReviewReader’s love Cathy Sharp ‘A brilliant book!’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘Enjoyed every page’ 5*Goodreads reviewer ‘Another brilliant book’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘Loved this book … had me gripped waiting for next page’ 5* Amazon reviewer

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe compelling new book from the author of The Girl in the Ragged Shawl and The Orphans of Halfpenny StreetDanny gets a terrible start in life and runs away from his drunken father when he thrashes him to within an inch of his life. But life on the streets is no better and he falls into the clutches of evil men, finding that being big and strong for his age is no protection from the people who want to do him harm.Help comes in the form of Constable Jones, who is determined to help out the children who need it, and new friends Ron and Cassie, who are also runaways. Can Danny's dream of a loving home ever be a reality?Trade ReviewReader’s love Cathy Sharp ‘A brilliant book!’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘Enjoyed every page’ 5*Goodreads reviewer ‘Another brilliant book’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘Loved this book … had me gripped waiting for next page’ 5* Amazon reviewer

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe emotional, heartrending story from the bestselling author of The Orphans of Halfpenny Street and An Orphan's DreamCan he find a new family?Schoolboy Luke runs away to London, far from the abusive orphanage where he grew up. Desperate not to end up as a petty criminal, forced to beg for scraps on the street. Luke wanders the East End docks searching for honest employment and a morsel of food.Longing to be a part of the close-knit community, Luke volunteers to work with the local doctor and his wife. Their welcoming home is all he's ever wished for. But not everyone wants the best for Luke and his new friends.A dangerous man is looking for revenge, and Luke risks being pulled into the dark criminal underworld of the docks. Will he be forced to sacrifice the life he's built for himself in order to protect those he's grown to love?Reader's love Cathy SharpA brilliant book!' 5* Amazon reviewerEnjoyed every page' 5* Goodreads reviewerTrade Review Reader’s love Cathy Sharp ‘Loved this book … had me gripped waiting for the next page’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘Another brilliant book’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘A must read’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘I could not put it down’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘Keeps you captivated start to finish.’ 5* Goodreads reviewer ‘Absolutely brilliant’ 5* Goodreads reviewer

Read more less

Book SynopsisA fantastic and engaging read. Kerry Barrett truly is a very talented author.' Babs (Goodreads)Two women. Two decades. One story.Fearne has landed her dream job to run Mode. Except the dream isn't quite so rosy in reality, the print magazine is struggling and Fearne is determined to save it!In 1966, desperate to escape her life, Nancy moves to London with her brilliantly unpredictable friend Suze to achieve their dream of writing for Mode magazine together.For Mode to survive Fearne needs to recreate the magic of the early issues and she is on track to find Suze Mode's longest-serving editor. Unbeknownst to Fearne, what she uncovers might be the biggest story of her careerIf you loved The Forgotten Girl then don't miss out on A Step in Time, another emotional novel from Kerry Barrett out now!What reviewers are saying about A Step in TimeIt's all set against the backdrop of Strictly Stars Dancing, adding an extra element of glitz and glamour to the proceedings. This is a great book t

Read more less

Book SynopsisFar from home, she never gave up hopeA heart-warming tale from the Queen of West Country Saga, Linda Finlay.The Sunday Times No.1 bestselling author Dilly Court says Linda Finlay is SURE TO DELIGHT'!AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW.London, 1910.A cruel twist of fate means Daisy must give up the job she loves painting for a theatre company and move to Devon.Only the silver bangle she wears on her wrist brings comfort, reminding her of a young man who once promised her his heart.In Devon, life is very different. Lodging with her uncle at his busy tavern, Daisy must scrub and serve for her keep.And when her uncle catches her sketching, he is furious and forbids her to draw.But a chance meeting with two travelling artists offers Daisy a different path, and steeling her courage, Daisy runs away with them to Lamorna, Cornwall, home to a famous group of bohemian artistsThis heart-warming tale of love and triumph from Linda Finlay, the Queen of West Country saga, will enchant readers.Praise for LindTrade ReviewPraise for Linda Finlay‘Sure to delight her ever-growing legion of fans’ Dilly Court 'Warm and atmospheric, you can practically taste the sea breeze' The Express ‘Rich with carefully drawn characters who really come to life in the hands of this skilled writer’ NorthernReader ‘Evocative’ Frost Magazine ‘A treasure of a read with romance, rural history and a happy ending’ Devon Life

Read more less

Book SynopsisA house.A dynasty.A gypsy's curse.Another gorgeous escapist read from the Queen of West Country Saga, Linda Finlay.One noble family. Five eligible daughters. A sealed fate.Nettlecombe Manor, nestled in the rolling hills of Devon, is home to the Lord Farringdon and his second wife, Lady Charlotte.As if running the vast estate wasn't enough, Lord Farringdon has five daughters to keep him busy.Lady Charlotte is determined that the betrothal of the eldest, Louisa, should be celebrated with a ball which is the envy of Devon society and summons a corsetière from Exeter to measure them up for new corsets. Apprentice Jane Haydon arrives at Nettlecombe to do the fittings.Having never set foot in such a grand home, Jane is disturbed to hear tell of a gypsy's curse which has haunted the family for generations, and a local wise woman's vision that there will never be a wedding at NettlecombeLinda Finlay returns with this glorious tale set in the West Country.Praise for Linda Finlay:Sure to delightTrade Review Praise for Linda Finlay: ‘Sure to delight her ever-growing legion of fans’ Dilly Court 'Warm and atmospheric, you can practically taste the sea breeze' The Express ‘Rich with carefully drawn characters who really come to life in the hands of this skilled writer’ NorthernReader ‘Evocative’ Frost Magazine ‘A treasure of a read with romance, rural history and a happy ending’ Devon Life

Read more less

Book SynopsisAnother gorgeous escapist read from the Queen of West Country Saga, Linda Finlay, author of Farringdon's Fate.One noble family. Five eager daughters. An upcoming ball.Having five daughters, Lord Farringdon has more than enough to keep him busy at Nettlecombe Manor. With his wife Lady Charlotte already in London, Edwin must help his daughter Victoria prepare for the Season as she gets ready to follow her stepmother to the city to make her Society debut.But with little time to prepare a wardrobe for the balls and parties that lie ahead, Victoria must turn to trusted seamstress Jane Haydon for help and in doing so unearths a fascinating secret hidden for decades in a beautiful piece of white silk . . .Meanwhile, Edwin's exuberant younger daughter Beatrice embarks on a very unexpected path becoming a nurse to wounded soldiers in London under the keen eye of Florence Nightingale.And with the girls' stepmother Lady Charlotte spending Edwin's money while keeping a secret of her own, it's goTrade Review Praise for Linda Finlay: ‘Sure to delight her ever-growing legion of fans’ Dilly Court 'Warm and atmospheric, you can practically taste the sea breeze' The Express ‘Rich with carefully drawn characters who really come to life in the hands of this skilled writer’ NorthernReader ‘Evocative’ Frost Magazine ‘A treasure of a read with romance, rural history and a happy ending’ Devon Life

Read more less