Historical Fiction Books

Book SynopsisAD265 - In the shadow of Mount Etna, slaves are rising up. As the rebel leader declares Sicily the new land of the free, men and women are slaughtered, and cities across the island are sacked and burned.When a ship is wrecked off the island's west coast, all but two survivors are cut down in the surf by the rebel slaves. Ballista, an experienced Roman soldier, has always found a way to survive against the odds - but his son Marcus is still just a boy.With the burning road stretching out ahead of them, father and son must cross the war-ravaged island in a race against time to save the rest of his family, and somehow find a way to extinguish the brutal rebellion, before it all goes up in flames.

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Book SynopsisThe Winding Stair tells the gripping story of these two founders of our modern world and their bitter struggle for influence and power.

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Book Synopsis________________________'Utterly compelling... I absolutely loved it' Sarah Winman'Tantalising' Sunday Times'Thoroughly enjoyable' Guardian________________________No one looks twice at the women in the typing pool.No one knows that two of them are trading secrets. The secret is a book, the size of the one in your hands, and within its pages, a love story that could change the world. But where there is love there is pain. And where there is deception, formidable danger...________________________'Mixing Mad Men and John le Carré ... addictive' i paper'Irresistibly charged' Mail on SundayTrade ReviewWhat a fantastic novel The Secrets We Kept is. Thrilling, seductive and thoroughly compelling - Lara has created something really special. And it’s made me want to re-read Doctor Zhivago! I absolutely loved it! -- SARAH WINMANAn unusual, stimulating variant on the standard spy thriller. * THE TIMES *A publishing phenomenon; but more importantly, it is a thoroughly enjoyable read. * GUARDIAN *Enthralling... This is a rare page-turner with prose that's as wily as its plot. * VOGUE *A riveting story of secrets, forbidden passions and the dark arts of espionage. I couldn’t put it down. -- LISA JEWELLA fascinating true-life tale has been embroidered into a thrilling story that has it all - turbulent historical events, romantic love (some thwarted, some forbidden) and very cool spycraft. This captivating novel is so assured that it's hard to believe it's a debut - and very easy to see why there's huge buzz around it. * SUNDAY MIRROR *This addictive debut uses the true story behind the publication of Dr Zhivago to spin a tale of spies, love and betrayal. * THE TIMES *A page-turner combining elements of spy, literary, thriller, historic, romantic and gay fiction ... This is escapist fiction rooted in an at times harrowing historical reality... An unusual and stimulating Cold War spy thriller. * SUNDAY TIMES *There’s something of Mad Men about this book and you can’t get higher praise than that… Proving that fact can be stranger than fiction, this is the perfect book for some much-needed escapism. Cut yourself off and drink it all in. * STYLIST *Irresistibly charged and vividly imagined, it's told with a breezy confidence that sets the pages flying. * MAIL ON SUNDAY *

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Book Synopsis__________________________'Seductive, decadent, cruel and utterly thrilling - just like Horace Lavelle himself. This is The Talented Mr Ripley for the twenty-first century.' Emma Flint, author of Little Deaths'An enjoyable dip into decadence.' Observer__________________________Brothers Benjamin and Edgar have so far led a quiet life, but change is afoot as they enter a world of glorious sights and People of Quality on their Grand Tour of Europe. But a trunk full of powdered silver wigs and matching suits isn't enough to embed them into high society.As Edgar clings on to conventions, Benjamin pushes against them. And when the charming, seductive Horace Lavelle promises Benjamin a real adventure, it's only a matter of time before chaos and love ensue.__________________________'A fizzing, seductive queer romance.' i Paper'Wildly entertaining and painfully heartbreaking ... Neil Blackmore writes with a fizzy wit that bounds his characters off the page.' Ben AldridgeTrade ReviewMost so-called comic novels these days barely raise a smirk. Enter Neil Blackmore to show us all how it's done with his hugely entertaining romp through 18th-century Europe. The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle is a novel for which the word "rollicking" might have been invented ... From the start, Benjamin's voice is a delight ... Blackmore draws clear parallels between the social and financial disparities of the 18th century and today ... The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle is the kind of novel that a reader can sink into, delighting in the merriment of the prose and the eccentricity of the protagonists. But it's not just played for laughs: it's also an insightful study into a period of history often overlooked in fiction. -- John Boyne * Irish Times *Seductive, decadent, cruel and utterly thrilling - just like Horace Lavelle himself. This is The Talented Mr Ripley for the twenty-first century. * Emma Flint, author of 'Little Deaths' *An original and spirited novel. * The Times *I gorged myself with wicked glee on Horace Lavelle, and his scandalous joyride through society. Thrillingly cruel, heartbreakingly tender and altogether exhilarating; don't believe a word Lavelle says but relish every one of them. * Zoe Gilbert, author of 'Folk' *Wildly entertaining and painfully heartbreaking ... a surprisingly timeless journey of self-discovery and the queer experience. Neil Blackmore writes with a fizzy wit that bounds his characters off the page and yet a gentle tenderness that may break your heart. * Ben Aldridge *

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Book SynopsisWhen hard-up aristocrat Lord `Ratty’ Ballashiels finds an old film reel in his attic he discovers that it’s a home movie of Charlie Chaplin’s visit to Rennes-le-Chateau in the south of France. But Ratty spots a strange anomaly: clearly visible behind Chaplin is the famous millionaire priest of that village, Bérenger Saunière. The film tin is labelled `Chaplin 1932’. Saunière died in 1917. Before Ratty can process the implication of what he has witnessed, the heat of the projector lamp ignites the film and starts a fire which rips through a wing of his manor house. Investigators subsequently discover a body amid the charred ruins and issue a warrant for Ratty’s arrest. The aristocrat has no intention of handing himself in. Knowing that Saunière reputedly buried a fabulous hoard of treasure, and convinced that the Chaplin film is a vital clue to its location, he stows away on a boat to France and becomes embroiled in a frightening and dangerous race to uncover the astonishing truth about Saunière’s legacy.

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Book SynopsisIn the final book in the Time for Alexander series, Ashley and Alexander journey to Carthage, seal the fate of Rome, take part in the game of Phersu, meet a demon, and wrap up the series in a fine style indeed! On their way back to Egypt, Alexander and Ashley stop in Carthage where they save a boy intended for a bloody sacrifice. Fleeing Carthage's warships, they take refuge in Rome where Alexander is recognised, captured, and forced to take part in the terrifying 'Game of Phersu' in the arena. No doubt having Alexander the Great as a gladiator will draw the crowds...but can it mean the end of his adventures? It's too late for regrets. Time, as Alexander and Ashley discover, marches on – whether or not you cheat the fates.

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Book SynopsisFrom the scorching plains of Persia to the opulent city of Babylon, Ashley and Alexander continue their sensuous and passionate journey through history. Alexander the Great is now king of Persia and Greece – but his reign will be short. Time-travelling Ashley knows when her husband will die. She’s determined to cheat Fate and save Alexander and her children, even if it brings the gates of time crashing down. Following Alexander on a tour of his new kingdom, she plans her moves and bides her time. She must, however, convince Alexander to abandon his crown and his kingdom.Trade ReviewA fascinating glimpse into the Ancient World jam-packed with adventure and colour. Well researched, entertaining and intriguing. -- Jodi Taylor

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Book SynopsisAshley and Alexander come face to face with Volterix, the terrifying Thief of Souls – a druid with powers to stop time and change the future of the world. His army is a group of fanatics called the Eaters of the Dead. Ashley and Alexander must travel to the far north in order to stop the Volterix from irrevocably changing time. With Alexander's soul, and Paul as his puppet, the druid hopes he can stop the Roman legions from conquering Europe and thus save the druids from extinction. But Ashley knows that will not happen without the mysterious Time-Senders erasing all their lives. In order to save herself, her children, and the men she loves, she has to somehow get Alexander's soul back and find the druid's lair.

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

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Book SynopsisRICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB 2017. SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2017 COSTA NOVEL AWARD.'A dazzling tale of romance and survival' (Guardian)Follow the path to the freezing north. Follow your ambition. Follow your heartFlora Mackie first crossed the Arctic Circle at the age of twelve. Years later, in 1892, determination and chance lead her back to northern Greenland as a scientist at the head of a British expedition, defying the expectations of those who believe a woman has no place in that harsh world.Geologist Jakob de Beyn was raised in Manhattan. Yearning for wider horizons, he joins a rival expedition. Jakob and Flora's paths cross. It is a fateful meeting, where passion and ambition collide and an irresistible attraction is born.The violent extremes of the north obsess them both: perpetual night and endless day; frozen seas and coastal meadows, and the strange, maddening pull it exerts on the people trying to make their mark on its vast expanses - a pursuit of glory whose outcome will reverberate for years to come.Trade ReviewPenney works hard to fill her canvas with colour and conviction * Sunday Times *A terrific and beautifully written yarn that will make readers yearn to travel and fall in love in a cold climate * The Times *It is a tribute to Penney's superlative descriptive skills that the book's erotic charge is so startlingly effective, and that her icy landscapes cast such a lasting, almost hallucinatory spell. This combination is the true rocket fuel of Under a Pole Star, and what makes it resonate long after the Snow Queen has divulged her long-held secret * Guardian *Curl up with this stunningly evocative tale about an intrepid young female explorer. As immersive as it is mesmerising, this is a novel that you won't ever forget * Heat *This . . . powerful drama is played out against a landscape that dominates [Penney's] imagination * Daily Mail *A beautifully written tale, elegant and well-observed, full of powerful descriptions of a dazzling landscape * Sunday Express *This is an epic love story set against the forbidding beauty of snow meadows. A perfect winter read * Red Magazine *What has marked Penney out from the start is her ability to make her extensive historical research come alive * Sunday Herald *

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Book Synopsis***SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA NOVEL AWARD***'Wickedly funny, deeply touching . . . I confess this was the first of Rachman's novels I'd read but I was so swept away by it that I raced out to buy the other three' PATRICK GALE'Relentlessly entertaining' Daily MailRome, 1955The artists are gathering together for a photograph. In one of Rome's historic villas, a party glitters with socialites and patrons. Bear Bavinsky, creator of vast, masculine, meaty canvases, is their god. He is at the centre of the picture. His wife, Natalie, edges out of the shot.From the side of the room watches little Pinch - their son. At five years old he loves Bear almost as much as he fears him. After Bear abandons their family, Pinch will still worship him, while Natalie faces her own wars with the art world. Trying to live up to his father's name - one of the twentieth century's fiercest and most controversial painters - Pinch never quite succeeds. Yet by the end of a career of twists and compromises, he enacts an unexpected rebellion that will leave forever his mark upon the Bear Bavinsky legacy.What makes an artist? In The Italian Teacher, Tom Rachman displays a nuanced understanding of art and its demons. Moreover, in Pinch he achieves a portrait of vulnerability and frustrated talent that - with his signature humour and humanity ­- challenges the very idea of greatness.Trade ReviewOften wickedly funny - Rachman has an eye for life's cruelty worth of Waugh - but it is also deeply touching in its tender portrayals of life's victims . . . I confess this was the first of Rachman's novels I'd read but I was so swept away by it that I raced out to buy the other three -- Patrick Gale * Daily Telegraph *The Italian Teacher is a marvel - an entertaining, heartbreaking novel about art, family, loyalty, and authenticity. Tom Rachman is an enormously talented writer - this book is alive, from the first page to the last. * Tom Perotta *I loved it. A story of a globally famous overbearing father and how that affects the life of his son set against the backdrop of mid-20th century modern art. A beautiful little gem. * Rick O'Shea, RTE Radio *This rich novel is both an intriguing examination of the nature of authenticity in art and the moving story of misplaced filial love, with an immensely satisfying denouement -- Simon Humphreys * Mail on Sunday *Tom Rachman is a relentlessly entertaining writer, mixing high-wire ideas with effervescent prose . . . Rachman asks interesting questions about the tension between legacy and self-determination. -- Claire Allfree * Daily Mail *Tom Rachman's novel charts the wreckage left in the wake of greatness . . . Despite its breadth, though, the book is intimate, subtly exploring its characters' inner lives . . . [Pinch's] struggle to find meaning amid the rubble becomes a surprisingly suspenseful quest. For all his faults, Pinch is gifted with wisdom, as is the author of this sad, funny and moving novel * Economist *A poignant, touching tale about living in the shadow of brazen artistic genius. Otherwise, reading Rachman is simply de rigueur if you appreciate literary fiction's brightest, newest voices . . . Rachman writes compelling stories of the entangled lives of damaged, endearing characters and their struggles to discover who they are . . . Rachman's narrative is rich with wordplay, clever dialogue and subtle insights. His plot twists blindside you . . . The brilliant finale will leave you surprised, sad and uplifted. -- Don Oldenburg * USA Today *The Italian Teacher confirms Rachman's reputation as a shepherd of lost souls . . . In the trompe l'oeil of Rachman's satire, the pretensions of the art world seem to reach off the page . . . deliciously ironic and deeply affectionate -- Ron Charles * Wall Street Journal *Rachman's new novel may well be his most impressive yet . . . spirited writing . . . In the end, this deceptively subtle novel offers a surprisingly upbeat message: that even a life marked by outward failure can contain many hidden kinds of success * Financial Times *Subtle, tender, profound, beautiful, funny, perfection of a book . . . Rachman, like Saul Bellow, has a gift of instant emotional connectivity, one related to but greater than empathy. We want to know every detail about the people in his novels. And we want to know them, take them into our lives, because they are people, not characters . . . Stay in bed for a day and read Tom Rachman. -- Helen Elliot * Australian *Compelling . . . His eye for the absurdities of the art world is cutting and funny -- Mika Ross-Southall * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisA heartwarming saga of secrets, friendships and wartime spirit at the height of World War 2. For fans of Daisy Styles, Sheila Newberry and Lyn AndrewsA young German girl finds friendship, camaraderie and even love while working on Hampshire's south coast ferries - but will her new friends desert her if her nationality comes to light?'A gripping story packed with darkness and light, love and friendship, greed and betrayal' Lancashire Evening Post on The Factory GirlsVee Smith is 22 when she starts work on Gosport's ferries, taking a job left vacant by the men gone off to war. She soon makes friends with the other women workers, and together they enjoy nights out dancing in Gosport - keeping their spirits up despite the hard work, rationing and heavy bombing. Vee even feels herself falling for Sam, the skipper of the ferry and her unhappily married boss. But Vee has a secret: her real name is Violetta Schmidt, and she is half-German. If her true nationality is discovered, she and her mother could find themselves interned as enemy aliens - if their German-hating neighbours, or worse, Eddie, the man Vee ran away from after he got her false papers, don't hurt them first.Will Vee be able to keep her secret safe, and find some peace with Sam and her friends even in the midst of war?Trade ReviewA gripping story packed with darkness and light, love and friendship, greed and betrayal * Lancashire Evening Post on The Factory Girls *

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Book Synopsis'One of the nation's favourite wartime saga writers ... warm and engrossing' Lancashire Evening PostSpring 1944, and the war shows no sign of stopping. In Hampshire, Elsie is desperate for a new start after her husband leaves her. When her friend Izzy, herself planning an escape from her abusive boyfriend, tells her about the wartime jobs going for women on the canal boats, she jumps at the chance.Their new boss, Dorothy, is kind and fair, but it's clear she has a secret of her own. Their crew is completed by Tolly, searching for a new vocation now that her dream job has been snatched away. The work is hard, but together they pitch in, and through shared ups and downs they forge close friendships that will see them through the darkest times.What none of them could have predicted is just how much working on the canals will change their lives. Could it really be that what started as a means of escape will end up giving each of them everything they ever wanted?Trade ReviewArcher brings to vivid life the tough war years ... expect plenty of passion, drama, tears and laughter * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE 2019 CWA HISTORICAL DAGGER'A gripping tale of crime and sedition' Sunday Times on The Black Friar'The best historical crime novel of the year' Sunday Express on The SeekerCaptain Damian Seeker has gone north. Charged with preparing the way for the rule of the major-generals, he is now under the command of Colonel Robert Lilburne at York. But when Lilburne orders him to a small village on the North York moors with details of the stringent new anti-Royalist laws, Seeker finds that what should be a routine visit will reveal a plot to rival anything in scheming LondonAn invitation to dinner at the house of local businessman Matthew Pullan lifts the lid on the bubbling cauldron of grudges and resentment that is Faithly village. The local constable, drunk on the tiny bit of power he holds, using it to avenge old resentments. The hated lord of the manor, the last of a staunchly Royalist family who has managed to avoid suspicion of treachery - for now. The vicar on trial for his job and his home, accused of ungodly acts. And the Pullans themselves, proudly Puritan but disillusioned with Cromwell's government, respected and despised in Faithly in equal measure. The man for whom this unlikely gathering was organised - The Trier, the enforcer of Puritan morality for the local villages - hasn't shown up. And by the end of the night, on of those gathered around Matthew Pullan's table will be fatally poisoned.Seeker must find out the motive behind the death - mushroom misidentification, petty revenge, or part of a larger plot against Cromwell's government in the north? But who in Faithly, if anyone, can he trust? And when the most painful part of his past reappears after eleven years, will the Seeker meet his match?Trade ReviewA suspenseful, atmospheric addition to one of the best historical crime series around * The Times *Different elements are cleverly melded, with MacLean's depiction of the paranoia and fear caused by the Trier and his court particularly chilling and believable, as well as her talent for character development that makes the enigmatic Seeker such a compelling protagonist * Crime Review *

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Book SynopsisOne journey will change their lives forever__________________________________To follow her dreams, she must sacrifice everything...Sisters Nora and Delia have been given the chance of a lifetime - to escape their poor Irish farm and travel on the Titanic to a new life in America. Nora is to become a treasured governess for a rich family, while Delia has only a lowly maid's position. But when disaster strikes, and Nora dies, a small misunderstanding leads to Delia taking Nora's place as governess. As Delia grows closer to her charge, and the girl's father, will she be able to reveal the truth to find a chance at happiness? And what will happen when she finds out that Nora is actually alive, and coming to take what is rightfully hers...?Trade Review[An] enchanting saga of two Irish sisters who board the Titanic with dreams of new lives in New York. This new chapter of Titanic lore is worth plunging into. * Publishers Weekly *An evocative, heartfelt story of how the bond of female friendship can survive and thrive through adversity. * Kate Kerrigan, author of Recipes for a Perfect Marriage, on The Girls of Ennismore *A definite 'must read' for all of us who love sagas. * BookBag on The Girls of Ennismore *Rich in authentic historical and Irish detail, The Girls of Ennismore is a compelling story of love, duty, and reinvention, highlighting the vast rewards - or grave consequences - of following one's heart. Fans of Downton Abbey will devour this sweeping tale. * Kristina McMorris, author of The Edge of Lost, on The Girls of Ennismore *Family secrets and revenge make this inspired historical fiction a voyage you will never forget. * Keys Weekly *Falvey's engrossing historical novel charts the paths of two sisters as they journey from Ireland to early 1900's America, on the Titanic's ill-fated maiden voyage. * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisA dark and thrilling tale of Victorian addiction, vengeance and self-discovery, perfect for fans of Sarah Waters, Jessie Burton's The Miniaturist and Sarah Perry's The Essex Serpent.______________________Love. Desire. Vengeance. A deadly alchemy.Edinburgh, 1869: Newly married, Rebecca longs for the life of a well-heeled gentlewoman. Her husband Alexander, a respected pharmacist, is eager to join pioneering fellow inventors in the history books. But beneath his ordered exterior, Rebecca is horrified to find a world of dark secrets. As she struggles with his infidelity and strange sexual desires, Alexander tries to pacify her so-called hysteria with his magical new wonder-drug, heroin...As Rebecca's forced dependence takes her further from herself, Alexander's desire to profit from his creation leads him along a path that blurs science, passion and death. Soon, they both learn that addiction, obsession and vengeance make for a deadly alchemy...'With shades of Sarah Waters, independence and vengeance make for a winning tale.' StylistTrade ReviewWith shades of Sarah Waters, independence and vengeance make for a winning tale. * Stylist *This chilling atmospheric novel will appeal to fans of The Miniaturist and The Essex Serpent. * RED Online *A fascinating, darkly powerful novel with biting attitude... Raw, elemental and disturbing, The Pharmacist's Wife is an entirely captivating, enthralling read - highly recommended. * LoveReading *A truly addictive, deeply atmospheric, sensual yarn... similar to the works of Sarah Waters and Michel Faber, it makes for a compelling, irresistible, utterly delicious read. * Goodreads *A captivating book.... It is a story that is both whimsical and disturbing. * Lady on The Looking Glass House *Tait's engaging novel... is sensuous and lyrical * Sunday Telegraph on The Looking Glass House *Moving and original. * Kate Saunders, The Times, on The Looking Glass House *

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Book SynopsisPerfect for fans of POLDARK!The third sweeping novel in a stunning series of eighteenth-century Cornish romances, following the trials of seamstress Elowyn Liddicot as she attempts to forge her own destiny.Cornwall, 1796.Seamstress Elowyn Liddicot's family believe they've secured the perfect future for her, in the arms of Nathan Cardew. But then one evening, Elowyn helps to rescue a dying man from the sea, and everything changes. William Cotterell, wild and self-assured, refuses to leave her thoughts or her side - but surely she can't love someone so unlike herself?With Elowyn's dressmaking business suddenly under threat, her family's pressure to marry Nathan increasing, and her heart decidedly at odds with her head, Elowyn doesn't know who to trust any more. And when William uncovers a sinister conspiracy that affects her whole world, can Elowyn find the courage to support the people she loves in the face of all opposition?Trade ReviewA most enjoyable read set in the wild and majestic landscape of Cornwall. It will delight Poldark fans. -- Ellie Dean * Bestselling Author of 'Keep Smiling Through' and 'Where the Heart Lies' on Pengelly's Daughter' *

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Book SynopsisThe fourth novel in a stunning romance series set in eighteenth-century Cornwall, perfect for fans of POLDARK.Educated, beautiful and the daughter of a prosperous merchant, Angelica Lilly has been invited to spend the summer in high society. Her father's wealth is opening doors, and attracting marriage proposals, but Angelica still feels like an imposter among the aristocrats of Cornwall. When her brother returns home, ill and under the influence of a dangerous man, Angelica's loyalties are tested to the limit. Her one hope lies with coachman Henry Trevelyan, a softly spoken, educated man with kind eyes. But when Henry seemingly betrays Angelica, she has no one to turn to. Who is Henry, and what does he want? And can Angelica save her brother from a terrible plot that threatens to ruin her entire family?Trade ReviewA most enjoyable read set in the wild and majestic landscape of Cornwall. It will delight Poldark fans. * Ellie Dean, Bestselling Author of 'Keep Smiling Through' and 'Where the Heart Lies' on Pengelly's Daughter' *

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Book SynopsisFinalist for the Lambda Literary Award, 2019Finalist for the Publishing Triangle Award, 2019 A New Yorker Book of the Year, 2018 A Huffington Post Book of the Year, 2018 A Buzzfeed Book of the Year, 2018 'Quite simply extraordinary... Imagine if Maggie Nelson, Daphne du Maurier and Daniel Defoe collaborated.' Sarah Perry, author of The Essex SerpentJack Sheppard - a transgender carpenter's apprentice - has fled his master's house to become a notorious prison break artist, and Bess Khan has escaped the draining of the fenlands to become a revolutionary mastermind. Together, they find themselves at the center of a web of corruption leading back to the dreaded Thief-Catcher General ... ...Or so we are told in a mysterious manuscript unearthed by one Professor R. Voth. Voth traces the origins and authenticity of the manuscript as Jack and Bess trace the connections between the bowels of Newgate Prison and the dissection chambers of the Royal College, in a bawdy collision of a novel about gender, love, and liberation.SHORTLISTED FOR THE CENTER FOR FICTION FIRST NOVEL PRIZETrade ReviewQuite simply extraordinary... Imagine if Maggie Nelson, Daphne du Maurier and Daniel Defoe collaborated. * Sarah Perry, author of 'The Essex Serpent' *Jordy Rosenberg is a total original - part scamp, part genius - who has written a rollicking page-turner of a first novel. Hang on for the ride. * Maggie Nelson, author of 'The Argonauts' *An extraordinary and brilliant work... At once a queer love story, a history of horrors, and a thrilling page-turner. * China Miéville, author of 'The City and the City' *Confessions of the Fox is so goddamned good. Reading it was like an out-of-body experience. I want to run through the streets screaming about it. It should be in the personal canon of every queer and non-cis person. Read it. * Carmen Maria Machado, author of 'Her Body and Other Parties' *A cunning metafiction... An action-adventure tale with postmodern flourishes; an academic comedy spliced with period erotica; an intimate meditation on belonging that doubles as a political proof. * New Yorker *Hot damn! Jordy Rosenberg is one of the finest new talents I've seen in many years, and Confessions of the Fox is a startlingly good debut novel. * Victor LaValle, author of 'The Changeling' *An astonishing, bawdy, dazzling triumph of a book. * Kelly Link, author of 'Get in Trouble' *A bawdy, ticklish, witty book * Guardian *A genre-bending, high-octane thrill from beginning to end... I couldn't put it down. * Lidia Yuknavitch, author of 'Book of Joan' *This novel is fantastically engaged with the dark, the smelly, the wild and the cool. * Eileen Myles, author of 'Chelsea Girls' *An intellectual thrill-ride, a queer historical romance, and the sexiest book I've read in a long, long time. It is everything I want in a novel and maybe out of life itself. * Melissa Febos, author of 'Whip Smart' *Beauty and violence go together; and what it is to live and practice that entanglement, under the duress of the cops in our streets and in our heads, is what Confessions of the Fox shows with lively, sexy brilliance. * Fred Moten, author of 'Black and Blur' *This story is charming and the characters endearing from start to finish. Fascinating and above all magical. * Yas Necati, Independent *A revelation: a book that allows queer and trans characters - and readers - to experience something new. * Time *Debut novelist Jordy Rosenberg hits the ground with confidence and verve... Rosenberg has established himself here as an important new voice. * The Observer *Brilliant... Rosenberg's novel wants us to think about the possibilities of coalition, the possibilities of a collective becoming. * Paris Review *Looking to get lost in a big, juicy historical novel? Look no further. Jordy Rosenberg's debut tracks the Bonnie and Clyde of 18th-century London and the academic who's obsessed with reading and heavily annotating an account of their lives... A delight. * Vulture *A mind-bending romp through a gender-fluid, 18th-century London, Rosenberg's debut novel is a joyous mash-up of literary genres shot through with queer theory and awash in sex, crime and revolution. * New York Times Book Review, Editor's Choice * An epic queer love story... A singular, daring, and thrilling novel: political, sexy, and cunning as a fox. * Kirkus (starred review) *Resonant of George Saunders, of Nikolai Gogol, and of nothing that's ever been written before, professor of literature and queer/trans theory Rosenberg's debut is a triumph. * Booklist Online *Astonishing and mesmerizing * Publishers Weekly *At once a glee-inducing caper, a touching love story and a deadly serious critique of colonialism and the prison-industrial complex. The result is a richly allusive and emotionally profound. * Brixton Review *It's hot as fuck, said the friend who handed me Confessions of the Fox, a faux-memoir set in eighteenth-century London. I was a little sceptical. After all, this was Jordy Rosenberg's first novel. A queer theorist and historian of this period, he has re-written an eighteenth-century life from a trans perspective - a fool's errand, murmured the cynic in me, to claim a world dominated by heteropatriarchy. Yet I found that as well as being hot as fuck, it was also something of a masterpiece. * White Review *

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Book SynopsisIn the summer of 1849, cholera threatens the city and the people of London. The authorities send millions of gallons of sewage cascading into the Thames - for many Londoners the only source of drinking water. Joshua Jeavons, a young and idealistic engineer, embarks on an obsessive quest to find the cause of the epidemic. As he labours in a fog of incomprehension, his domestic life is troubled by the baffling coldness of his beautiful bride, Isobella. But when she suddenly disappears, his desperate search for her takes him to a netherworld of slum-dwellers, pickpockets and scavengers of subterranean London.Trade ReviewKneale certainly puts the gross into engrossing with his Gothic tale of murky intrigue, suspense and incest in Victorian London * Daily Mail *Absolutely riveting * Daily Mail *Engrossing * Sunday Telegraph, PRAISE FOR MATTHEW KNEALE *Every page fizzes with linguistic invention * Guardian PRAISE FOR MATTHEW KNEALE *Big, brave and brilliant * Economist, PRAISE FOR MATTHEW KNEALE *

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Book Synopsis'Gorgeously written and devastating' Kate Riordan 'One of the best novels I've read' Gill Paul'Desperately romantic' Katie Fforde*A family secret.A lost love.A life-changing journey to the Arctic . . .*Caroline Gillan and her new husband Alasdair have moved back to Kelly Castle, his family estate in the wilds of Scotland. Stuck caring for their baby and trying to avoid her inscrutable mother-in-law, Caroline feels adrift and alone.But while sorting through old papers, Caroline stumbles across a family secret which changes everything. There is one Gillan bride who has disappeared from history. No photos or records of her exist. The only certainty is that she had a legitimate child: Alasdair's grandmother.As Caroline unearths a story of love and adventure that stretches as far as the Arctic circle, her curiosity about the missing bride turns into an obsession. And when a body is found in the grounds of the castle, Caroline begins an investigation which could alter the course of her life forever . . .From the wilds of Scotland to the glaciers of the Arctic, A Woman Made of Snow is a mesmerising tale of how one woman's past might hold the key to another's future.*Praise for Elisabeth Gifford's gorgeously atmospheric, uplifting novels: 'Compelling' Sarah Maine 'Gorgeous, melancholy' The Times'A glorious novel. You won't be able to put it down for a minute' Suellen Dainty'An undeniably haunting love story' Sunday Times'A moving story, beautifully told' Tim PearTrade ReviewThe perfect mix of gripping plot and lyrical writing * Good Housekeeping *Absorbing * Prima *Secrets come creeping back to the surface in this chilling tale * Woman’s Own *A thought-provoking, satisfying and enjoyable story to read ... [a] captivating, frequently moving story * New Books Magazine *A gorgeous, melancholy love story * The Times, praise for The Lost Lights of St Kilda *Desperately romantic, lyrically written and with a fascinating plot. * Katie Fforde, praise for The Lost Lights of St Kilda *I loved this book. Beautifully written and descriptive... The twisted threads weave an engaging plot which takes us on a trail of human courage and measures the cost of betrayal. Set in the last poignant years of life on remote St Kilda and in war-torn Europe, it paints both worlds with a vividness that is wholly convincing. * Sarah Maine, praise for The Lost Lights of St Kilda *The characters are exquisitely drawn, and the slowly emerging love story rings entirely true. This is one of the best novels I've read in a long while, a real jewel. * Gill Paul, praise for The Lost Lights of St Kilda *

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Book SynopsisAfter the loss of war, can there be hope for the future?Manchester, 1922.Belinda Layton is a surplus girl. One of the many women whose dreams of marriage perished in the Great War, with the death of her beloved fiancé, Ben. After four years of mourning, she's ready to face the future, even though Ben's family is not happy to see her move on, and her own only cares about getting hold of her meagre factory wages. Then, Belinda joins a secretarial class and a whole new world opens up to her as she quickly finds herself drawn to beguiling bookshop owner Richard Carson. But after all the loss and devastation she has experienced, can she really trust him with her heart?The first in a quartet of sagas set during the early 1920s, following three Surplus Girls - those women whose dreams of marriage perished in the Great War, after the deaths of millions of young men, and the new lives they forged for themselves.Trade ReviewA promising start to a new saga set in the years between the wars... An enjoyable read full of good friends and bad characters. * People's Friend *A real page-turner that will tug on your heart strings * Anna Jacobs *Pleasant and engaging * NB Magazine *

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Book Synopsis 'Fierce and touching' Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of Ariadne'Haunting, thrilling, wonderful. I loved it' Stacey Halls'Your next obsession. . . Unique and captivating' Cosmopolitan Discover the extraordinary, luminous novel that everyone is talking about, perfect for fans of The Binding, The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock and The Doll FactoryIn an age defined by men, it will take something extraordinary to show four women who they truly are . . .October 1840. A young woman staggers alone through a forest in Shropshire as a huge pair of impossible wings rip themselves from her shoulders.Meanwhile, when rumours of a 'fallen angel' cause a frenzy across London, a surgeon desperate for fame and fortune finds himself in the grips of a dangerous obsession, one that will place the women he seeks in the most terrible danger . . .THE GIFTS is the astonishing debut adult novel from the lauded author of BEARMOUTH. A gripping and ambitious book told through five different perspectives and set against the luminous backdrop of nineteenth century London, it explores science, nature and religion, enlightenment, the role of women in society and the dark danger of ambition.'A boldly feminist novel that lingers long after the last page' Susan Stokes Chapman, Sunday Times bestselling author of Pandora'Remarkable . . . for fans of fantasy-inflected historicals such as The Essex Serpent' Publishers Weekly STARRED review'Imaginative, extraordinary . . . Brimming with historical detail and beautifully written, the soulful prose soars. It's an insightful, mysterious read celebrating female friendship and solidarity' Daily Express'A stirring tale of female empowerment, full of vivid imagery and evocative settings' ObserverA glorious, evocative read, ripe for a movie adaptation. Victorian girl power? You bet' Apple Books'In this glorious novel both women and words take flight. Don't miss it' Annie Garthwaite, author of Cecily'I devoured The Gifts. A real gem' Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City'A beautiful, riveting novel suffused with luminous magic' Jenny Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne'I absolutely loved The Gifts. A fiercely feminist tale . . . Punchy, bold and glittering with brilliance' Lizzie Pook, author of Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter'Extraordinary. For any who loved The Essex Serpent, this is one that will sing to your soul' Jackie Morris, The Lost WordsDON'T MISS LIZ HYDER'S EXTRAORDINARY NEW NOVEL THE ILLUSIONS OUT NOW!Trade ReviewLiz Hyder won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for the brilliantly original Bearmouth, and The Gifts is just as impressive - an imaginative, extraordinary flight of fancy firmly grounded in the grim realities of Victorian England. Brimming with historical detail and beautifully written, the soulful prose soars. It's an insightful, mysterious read celebrating female friendship and solidarity. * Daily Express *Your next obsession. . . A unique and captivating read that we truly adored. * Cosmopolitan *Haunting, thrilling, wonderful. I loved it. * Stacey Halls *Fierce and touching... a beautiful, riveting novel suffused with luminous magic against the grimy backdrop of 19th century London. Wild female power clashes with dark scientific ambition in this compelling story. * Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne *A strong and powerful novel of identity and ambition, it's a boldly feminist novel that lingers long after the last page. * Susan Stokes Chapman, Sunday Times bestselling author of Pandora *In this glorious novel both women and words take flight. Don't miss it. * Annie Garthwaite, author of Cecily *An extraordinary weaving together of the lives of four women. One is an artist who loves the names of colours, another a botanist who loves the shapes of plants. One of its fascinations is the blend of myth and magic, city and country, urban and wild. There are threads that spin a yarn and make this book a page turning success. For any who loved The Essex Serpent, this is one that will sing to your soul. For myself, I found it to be a dream of a book, one that I could lose myself in and escape from these curious times we live in. There's a darkness to it also, but also a fierce light, passion. It is utterly absorbing. * Jackie Morris, The Lost Words *I devoured The Gifts, eager to find out the fate of its wonderfully drawn characters. A wonderful, atmospheric book that immersed me in the dirty streets of nineteenth century London and swept me away to the hills of Shropshire. A real gem. * Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City *I loved The Gifts. Brilliant storytelling, magical realism, historical fiction that discusses feminism, religion, art and motherhood. Shades of Angela Carter and fans of Elizabeth MacNeal will enjoy it too. * Kate Sawyer, author of The Stranding *A stirring tale of female empowerment, full of vivid imagery and evocative settings. The Gifts' scope is impressive and it's sure to win Hyder new fans and, quite possibly, another film deal. * Observer *From the moment the Thames gave up its astonishing secret, I was transfixed by this fantastical tale of winged women and their quest for liberation in the face of science turned into dark obsession. A deliciously intriguing mix of moral bankruptcy and resilience, with a captivating female friendship at its heart. * Sonia Velton, author of Blackberry and Wild Rose *An extraordinary novel-resonant, propulsive, and utterly absorbing. Once I'd picked it up, I truly couldn't put it down-I didn't want to leave Liz Hyder's vividly realised world, and I cannot wait to follow wherever she takes us next. * Katie Lowe, author of The Furies *Bewitching. Lovers of Neo-Victorian fiction will be spellbound by this tale, taking flight on the wings of Hyder's addictive words. * Essie Fox *An ensemble cast of vividly drawn characters against a backdrop of grimy, gory, 19th century London.... Liz Hyder's debut adult novel is Dickensian in both feel and scope, with additional dollops of magic realism and feminism for good measure. Her ambition pays off - it's a glorious, evocative read, ripe for a movie adaptation. Victorian girl power? You bet. * Apple, Best Books for February *Haunting, magical, wonderful. At once a dark cautionary tale of unchecked ambition, and a sparkling story of love, loyalty and friendship. * Joanne Burn, The Hemlock Cure *A stunning book. It's both beautifully written and illustrated, but with a stark, uncompromising uncovering of inhumanity, zealous greed and ambition, so that it lingers in the reader's mind long after it's finished. Liz Hyder's prose is richly textured with an intensity and a feminism that is both captivating and thrilling to read. I found myself holding my breath at times as the threads of the story drew together so superbly. Liz Hyder's writing really is magnificent. There may be aspects of The Gifts that are almost surreal, but they are presented with such convincing storytelling that I believed every word. I was drawn inexorably into the narrative and completely bewitched by it. I didn't so much read this book as live it with the characters. * My Weekly *Full of rich historical detail, magic and romance, The Gifts is simply delightful. Engrossing and fresh and unusual in the best possible way, I really, truly adored it. * Kirsty Capes, author of CARELESS *Stunning. A compulsive page turning adventure packed with everything I love in a book. Intrigue, adventure, rich descriptions, and difficult women. * Ericka Waller *The Gifts instantly became one of my all time favourite books. It was everything I want in a novel: full, flawed characters, a hint of something magical, angst, the filth and strangeness of Victorian Britain, that ruthless consideration of the female body and who has agency over it. I just loved it. * Rebecca F. John *A beautiful and powerful feminist parable. * Mimi Thebo *A hugely satisfying read. Wonderfully imagined. Deep reading pleasure. So many people will love this book * Nicola Davies *A heartbreaking yet hugely hopeful story of the power of wings, both real and metaphorical. * Polly Crosby, author of The Illustrated Child *I absolutely LOVED The Gifts. A fiercely feminist tale of science, obsession, hubris and what happens when 'wild' women start sprouting wings. Punchy, bold and glittering with brilliance, it's Frankenstein meets Nights at the Circus. * Lizzie Pook, author of Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter *An enjoyable, thought-provoking and entertaining novel which explores a number of important themes while remaining a lively and fast-paced story. * Historical Novel Society *

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Book Synopsis 'Haunting, thrilling, wonderful. I loved it' Stacey Halls, bestselling author of The Familiars'Fierce and touching' Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of Ariadne'Your next obsession. . . Unique and captivating' Cosmopolitan Discover the extraordinary, luminous novel that everyone is talking about, perfect for fans of The Binding, The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock and The Doll FactoryIt will take something extraordinary to show four women who they truly are . . .October 1840. A young woman staggers alone through a forest in Shropshire as a huge pair of impossible wings rip themselves from her shoulders.Meanwhile, when rumours of a 'fallen angel' cause a frenzy across London, a surgeon desperate for fame and fortune finds himself in the grips of a dangerous obsession, one that will place the women he seeks in the most terrible danger . . .THE GIFTS is the astonishing debut adult novel from the lauded author of BEARMOUTH. A gripping and ambitious book told through five different perspectives and set against the luminous backdrop of nineteenth century London, it explores science, nature and religion, enlightenment, the role of women in society and the dark danger of ambition.'A boldly feminist novel that lingers long after the last page' Susan Stokes Chapman, Sunday Times bestselling author of Pandora'Remarkable . . . for fans of fantasy-inflected historicals such as The Essex Serpent' Publishers Weekly STARRED review'Imaginative, extraordinary . . . Brimming with historical detail and beautifully written, the soulful prose soars' Daily Express'A stirring tale of female empowerment, full of vivid imagery and evocative settings' Observer'Extraordinary . . . For any who loved The Essex Serpent, this is one that will sing to your soul' Jackie Morris, The Lost Words'Bewitching . . . addictive' Essie Fox'I loved The Gifts. Brilliant storytelling, magical realism, historical fiction that discusses feminism, religion, art and motherhood' Kate Sawyer, Costa shortlisted author of The Stranding'I devoured The Gifts, eager to find out the fate of its wonderfully drawn characters . . A real gem' Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City'A stunning book . . . Captivating and thrilling. Hyder's writing really is magnificent. I was drawn inexorably into the narrative and completely bewitched by it. I didn't so much read this book as live it with the characters' My Weekly'A glorious, evocative read, ripe for a movie adaptation. Victorian girl power? You bet' Apple Books'In this glorious novel both women and words take flight. Don't miss it' Annie Garthwaite, author of CecilyDON'T MISS LIZ HYDER'S EXTRAORDINARY NEW NOVEL THE ILLUSIONS OUT NOW!Trade ReviewHaunting, thrilling, wonderful. I loved it. * Stacey Halls *Liz Hyder won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for the brilliantly original Bearmouth, and The Gifts is just as impressive - an imaginative, extraordinary flight of fancy firmly grounded in the grim realities of Victorian England. Brimming with historical detail and beautifully written, the soulful prose soars. It's an insightful, mysterious read celebrating female friendship and solidarity. * Daily Express *Fierce and touching... a beautiful, riveting novel suffused with luminous magic against the grimy backdrop of 19th century London. Wild female power clashes with dark scientific ambition in this compelling story. * Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne *An extraordinary weaving together of the lives of four women. One is an artist who loves the names of colours, another a botanist who loves the shapes of plants. One of its fascinations is the blend of myth and magic, city and country, urban and wild. There are threads that spin a yarn and make this book a page turning success. For any who loved The Essex Serpent, this is one that will sing to your soul. For myself, I found it to be a dream of a book, one that I could lose myself in and escape from these curious times we live in. There's a darkness to it also, but also a fierce light, passion. It is utterly absorbing. * Jackie Morris, The Lost Words *A stirring tale of female empowerment, full of vivid imagery and evocative settings. The Gifts' scope is impressive and it's sure to win Hyder new fans and, quite possibly, another film deal. * Observer *I devoured The Gifts, eager to find out the fate of its wonderfully drawn characters. A wonderful, atmospheric book that immersed me in the dirty streets of nineteenth century London and swept me away to the hills of Shropshire. A real gem. * Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City *From the moment the Thames gave up its astonishing secret, I was transfixed by this fantastical tale of winged women and their quest for liberation in the face of science turned into dark obsession. A deliciously intriguing mix of moral bankruptcy and resilience, with a captivating female friendship at its heart. * Sonia Velton *An extraordinary novel-resonant, propulsive, and utterly absorbing. Once I'd picked it up, I truly couldn't put it down-I didn't want to leave Liz Hyder's vividly realised world, and I cannot wait to follow wherever she takes us next. * Katie Lowe, author of The Furies *Bewitching. Lovers of Neo-Victorian fiction will be spellbound by this tale, taking flight on the wings of Hyder's addictive words. * Essie Fox *I loved The Gifts. Brilliant storytelling, magical realism, historical fiction that discusses feminism, religion, art and motherhood. Shades of Angela Carter and fans of Elizabeth MacNeal will enjoy it too. * Kate Sawyer, author of The Stranding *Full of rich historical detail, magic and romance, The Gifts is simply delightful. Engrossing and fresh and unusual in the best possible way, I really, truly adored it. * Kirsty Capes, author of CARELESS *A heartbreaking yet hugely hopeful story of the power of wings, both real and metaphorical. * Polly Crosby, author of The Illustrated Child *A stunning book. It's both beautifully written and illustrated, but with a stark, uncompromising uncovering of inhumanity, zealous greed and ambition, so that it lingers in the reader's mind long after it's finished. Liz Hyder's prose is richly textured with an intensity and a feminism that is both captivating and thrilling to read. I found myself holding my breath at times as the threads of the story drew together so superbly. Liz Hyder's writing really is magnificent. There may be aspects of The Gifts that are almost surreal, but they are presented with such convincing storytelling that I believed every word. I was drawn inexorably into the narrative and completely bewitched by it. I didn't so much read this book as live it with the characters. * My Weekly *

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Book Synopsis Inspired by real-life illusionists and early film pioneers, this astonishing, captivating story of women and talent, magic and power, sweeps you into a world where anything is possible and nothing is quite as it seems . . .'Sparkling with magic' JENNIFER SAINT'A book to disappear into' JOANNE BURN'Filled with wonders' ESSIE FOX'Spellbinding' LOUISE HAREBristol, 1896. Used to scraping a living as the young assistant to an ageing con artist, Cecily Marsden's life is turned upside down when her master suddenly dies. Believing herself to blame, could young Cec somehow have powers she little understands?Meanwhile Eadie Carleton, a pioneering early film-maker, struggles for her talent to be taken seriously in a male-dominated world, and a brilliant young magician, George Perris, begins to see the potential in moving pictures. George believes that if he can harness this new technology, it will revolutionise the world of magic forever - but in order to achieve his dreams, he must first win over Miss Carleton . . .As a group of illusionists prepare for a grand spectacle, Cec, Eadie and George's worlds collide. But Cec soon finds herself facing the fight of her life to save the performance from sabotage - and harness the element of real magic held deep within her . . .Praise for THE ILLUSIONS and Liz Hyder'After her glorious first novel, The Gifts, Hyder has returned with another beautiful slice of historical fiction. The Illusions is charming and intriguing, sparkling with magic and romance' Jennifer Saint'Hyder is a wonderfully accomplished storyteller. The Illusions is a magical tale of innovation, darkness and delight. A book to disappear into - I devoured it greedily' Joanne Burn, author of The Hemlock Cure'Filled with wonders in all forms, in real life and in the theatre, this is a story that will mesmerise and cast its spell. I loved it' Essie Fox'With clever storytelling and a magpie's eye for shine and enchantment, Hyder takes us to a world where magic, moving pictures and illusion mix - and where all are made better by human kindness' Annie Garthwaite, author of Cecily'Spellbinding storytelling, wonderfully drawn characters and the thrill of the theatre make this book unputdownable' Louise Hare'What a joy . . . It's rich, magical, pacy, immense fun, and just entirely a glorious Victorian delight. I adored it' Katie Lumsden, author of The Secrets of Hartwood Hall'Every bit as magical as the magic it describes' Sonia Velton'Utterly beguiling - brimful of wicked, wonderful, glorious characters and sprinkled with actual magic' Amanda Mason'Enchanting in every sense. A seductive, glimmering tale of magic and movies' Freya Berry, The Dictator's WifeTrade ReviewAfter her glorious first novel, The Gifts, Hyder has returned with another beautiful slice of historical fiction. The Illusions is charming and intriguing, sparkling with magic and romance. * Jennifer Saint *Spellbinding storytelling, wonderfully drawn characters and the thrill of the theatre make this book unputdownable. * Louise Hare *For a truly immersive, can't-put-it-down read, The Illusions will whisk you to the late Victorian age with this story of two young women, Cecily, a con artist's assistant and Eadie, a photographer and early film maker trying to make it in a man's world. Cecily and Eadie's paths will soon collide in a kaleidoscope of magic, theatrics, illusion and love. * Red magazine *Filled with wonders in all forms, in real life and in the theatre, this is a story that will mesmerise and cast its spell. I loved it. * Essie Fox *Hyder is a wonderfully accomplished storyteller. The Illusions is a magical tale of innovation, darkness and delight. A book to disappear into - I devoured it greedily. * Joanne Burn, author of The Hemlock Cure *With clever storytelling and a magpie's eye for shine and enchantment, Hyder takes us to a world where magic, moving pictures and illusion mix - and where all are made better by human kindness. * Annie Garthwaite, author of Cecily *Enchanting in every sense. A seductive, glimmering tale of magic and movies. * Freya Berry, The Dictator's Wife *Set in Victorian Bristol with a cast of characters that are a feast for the senses. It is in every way quite magical. * Julie Owen Moylan, author of That Green Eyed Girl *Captivating and fascinating . . . A fabulous second novel (for adults), firmly cementing Liz Hyder as an author to watch. Beautifully crafted, The Illusions steps into a world of trickery and deception, while shining a light on the importance of friendship and love. * Lovereading Star Book *An utter delight! The novel is an illusion in itself . . . it's such a page-turner and the building of the plot and the denouement is glorious. It is filled with light and optimism and joy and feels like a book we need right now. * Caryl Lewis *

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Book Synopsis What if you had real magic within you . . . ? The utterly spellbinding new novel from the celebrated author of THE GIFTS1896. As a group of illusionists prepare for a grand spectacle, one young woman, Cecily Marsden, harbours a secret. For she possesses impossible powers - powers she little understands. Meanwhile Eadie Carleton, a pioneering early film-maker, struggles for her talent to be taken seriously, and a talented magician, George Perris, begins to see the potential in moving pictures. But in order to achieve his dreams, George must first win over Miss Carleton . . . As Cecily, George and Eadie's worlds collide, Cec finds herself facing the fight of her life to save the grand performance from sabotage - and harness the real magic held deep within her . . . 'Charming and intriguing, sparkling with magic' Jennifer Saint'A book to disappear into' Joanne Burn 'Spellbinding. Unputdownable' Louise Hare 'Simply not to be missed' My Weekly 'Captivating and fascinating' LoveReading'Filled with wonders' Essie Fox 'Enchanting' Freya Berry 'A glorious Victorian delight. I adored it' Katie Lumsden'Every bit as magical as the magic it describes' Sonia Velton'Utterly beguiling' Amanda MasonTrade ReviewAfter her glorious first novel, The Gifts, Hyder has returned with another beautiful slice of historical fiction. The Illusions is charming and intriguing, sparkling with magic and romance. * Jennifer Saint *For a truly immersive, can't-put-it-down read, The Illusions will whisk you to the late Victorian age with this story of two young women, Cecily, a con artist's assistant and Eadie, a photographer and early film maker trying to make it in a man's world. Cecily and Eadie's paths will soon collide in a kaleidoscope of magic, theatrics, illusion and love. * Red magazine *Hyder is a wonderfully accomplished storyteller. The Illusions is a magical tale of innovation, darkness and delight. A book to disappear into - I devoured it greedily. * Joanne Burn, author of The Hemlock Cure *With clever storytelling and a magpie's eye for shine and enchantment, Hyder takes us to a world where magic, moving pictures and illusion mix - and where all are made better by human kindness. * Annie Garthwaite, author of Cecily *Captivating and fascinating... A fabulous second novel (for adults), firmly cementing Liz Hyder as an author to watch. Beautifully crafted, The Illusions steps into a world of trickery and deception, while shining a light on the importance of friendship and love. * Lovereading Star Book *Filled with wonders in all forms, in real life and in the theatre, this is a story that will mesmerise and cast its spell. I loved it. * Essie Fox *Spellbinding storytelling, wonderfully drawn characters and the thrill of the theatre make this book unputdownable. * Louise Hare *Enchanting in every sense. A seductive, glimmering tale of magic and movies. * Freya Berry, The Dictator's Wife *Set in Victorian Bristol with a cast of characters that are a feast for the senses. It is in every way quite magical. * Julie Owen Moylan, author of That Green Eyed Girl *An enchanting tale of rivalry among magicians and film pioneers in a world on the cusp of change. Here, trickery, envy and deceit are no match for raw talent, love - and most of all, kindness. Hyder's talent for crafting compelling page-turners inhabited by charming, vibrant characters is a skill worthy of one of her illusionists; her passion for the magic of theatre leaps from every page. A total joy. * Nikki Marmery, author of LILITH *

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Book SynopsisOne of the most anticipated novels of the year - the captivating and powerful untelling of Romeo & Juliet . . .The first time Romeo Montague sees young Rosaline Capulet he falls instantly in love. Rosaline, headstrong and independent, is unsure of Romeo's attentions but with her father determined that she join a convent, this handsome and charming stranger offers her the chance of a different life.Soon though, Rosaline begins to doubt all that Romeo has told her. She breaks off the match, only for Romeo's gaze to turn towards her cousin, thirteen-year-old Juliet. Gradually Rosaline realises that it is not only Juliet's reputation at stake, but her life.With only hours remaining before she will be banished behind the nunnery walls, will Rosaline save Juliet from her Romeo? Or can this story only ever end one way?A subversive, powerful untelling of Shakespeare's best-known tale, narrated by a fierce, forgotten voice: this is Rosaline's story. Hamnet meets My Dark Vanessa in this fierce, feminist, intensely gripping novel; captivating and chillingly relevant, FAIR ROSALINE takes everything you thought you knew about Romeo and Juliet and turns it on its head . . . 'Irresistible. An excellent spin on a timeless classic'Jennifer Saint'I have not been able to stop thinking about this book . . . Fair Rosaline is a gripping, spellbinding and wonderfully immersive'Elodie Harper'Brilliant and beguiling . . . A terrific novel - very clever and alluring'William Boyd'Thought-provoking . . . a rich and atmospheric'Katherine J. Chen, author of Joan'A gripping story of female agency and strength. Rosaline is a compelling heroine and I was rooting for her from the first page'Isabelle Schuler, author of Lady Macbethad'Intelligent, imaginative, irreverent. A gripping Romeo and Juliet for the 21st century'Annabel Abbs'A brilliant, feminist re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet. I absolutely devoured this'Jillian Cantor, USA Today bestselling author of Beautiful Little Fools'Exquisitely written, wonderfully lyrical and richly immersive - this a story we all know made fresh and chillingly relevant'Ellery Lloyd'A deliciously dark take on the iconic love story'Woman & Home'A dark, powerful and thought-provoking novel'Culture FlySELECTED AS ONE TO WATCH IN 2023 IN THE EVENING STANDARDEDITOR'S CHOICE IN THE BOOKSELLERONE OF THE BEST BOOKS FOR AUGUST IN THE I NEWSPAPERTrade ReviewLovers of Shakespeare's most adapted tragedy will not be disappointed by Solomons' subversive counter-narrative. Vivid, turbulent and compelling. * The Independent *This sweeping untelling of Shakespeare's most famous love story is subversive and a lot of fun * The I newspaper *A deliciously dark take on the iconic love story. * Woman & Home *Immersive, original and thought-provoking, this is brilliantly done * Best Magazine *A deliciously dark take on the iconic love story. * My Weekly *Irresistible. An excellent spin on a timeless classic. * Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne *I have not been able to stop thinking about this book . . . Fair Rosaline is a gripping, spellbinding and wonderfully immersive book - and one that truly makes you think. I would be very surprised if everyone is not talking about it this summer. * Elodie Harper, bestselling author of The Wolf Den *A brilliant and beguiling re-imagining of the Romeo and Juliet story. A terrific novel - very clever and alluring. * William Boyd *A thought-provoking reimagining of the classic tragedy, Fair Rosaline is, at its heart, a love story that champions the most elusive and rare of all loves: self-acceptance and self-love. This is a rich and atmospheric work that, despite its historical setting, feels intensely relatable thanks to Solomons' resilient heroine. * Katherine J. Chen, author of Joan *Dismantling the myths around Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Fair Rosaline is a revelatory feminist retelling. I got lost within its pages submerged within a Shakespearean sensory drama where the voices of young girls & their predicaments mirror real history with powerful resonance for our present. * Anya Bergman, international bestselling author of The Witches of Vardo *

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Book SynopsisDiscover this heartbreaking novel based on the powerful true story of the children of Lingfield House. An astonishing account of healing in the face of unimaginable horror.In 1945, twenty-five child survivors of the Holocaust, between the ages of four and fifteen, were welcomed to Sir Benjamin Drage's large country villa, Lingfield House. There they would receive the care of psychoanalyst, Anna Freud, daughter of the great Sigmund, and Alice Goldberger, her trusted colleague. Having endured childhood in the confines of the concentration camps, orphanages and hideouts where their parents left them during the war, each of the children has a unique and terrible story.Alice and her team fight to give them back a childhood, teaching them how to trust again and even find happiness after unfathomable horror. Under their care, Lingfield House becomes a refuge and haven for the traumatised.

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Book SynopsisTHE WORST OF ENEMIES. THE BEST OF FRIENDS. A powerful, emotional novel of peace and friendship against the greatest of odds . . .1914. A boy enrols in the army, hoping to find peace in the great adventure of war. Handed a rifle, he discovers the grim reality: grey days distinguished only by the ever-present spectre of death. In the midst of horror, he finds close friendships, love and companionship. In an unexpected act of courage, he changes the course of history, bringing German and Brits to put down their weapons for a celebration of peace. In 1933, a father and son set out for Flanders. The former soldier carries more of the war with him than his maimed left hand. The British man he met in the forest of Ypres is a memory passed down from father to son, a story of friendship across enemy lines, forged by one uniting belief: the need for peace . . .'A small gem of a novel about the folly and wickedness of war' A.N. Wilson

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Book SynopsisCaptures with grace and profundity the experience of immigrants and health workers - TASH AWA beautifully immersive coming-of-age tale set amongst the brilliance and bleakness of 1970s London - LOUISE HAREPenang, 1971. When Suyin Lim is offered the opportunity of a lifetime - a place as a trainee nurse in London's Bethnal Green Hospital - she jumps at the chance to leave her job as a seamstress and unite with her sister, who left for the same path a year before. However, without warning her sister returns to Penang, a shadow of her former self and Suyin is forced to leave without any answers. Suyin soon finds herself starting a new life in London, falling in love with the vibrant city and its people and as she immerses herself in the gruelling but rewarding work of caring for her patients, she begins to understand what she really wants out of life . . . BETHNAL GREEN explores the themes of sacrifice and heartbreak, the power of using your voice and the will to build a life of one's own against the odds. It is also a powerful love letter to dedicated NHS workers from around the world, whose work touches countless lives every day. Heartstring-pulling and hopeful - SARAH TURNERA captivating immigrant story about a young nurse... I was hooked from the first page - LAUREN HO

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Book SynopsisIn places of darkness, women will rise . . . Iceland, 1910. In the middle of a severe storm two sisters - Freyja and Gudrun - rescue a mysterious, charismatic man from a shipwreck near their remote farm. Sixty-five years later, a young woman - Sigga - is spending time with her grandmother when they learn a body has been discovered on a mountainside near Reykjavik, perfectly preserved in ice. Moving between the turn of the 20th century and the 1970s as a dark mystery is unravelled, The Swell is a spellbinding, beautifully atmospheric read, rich in Icelandic myth. Praise for THE SWELL'Thoroughly bewitching. Kat Gordon's spare prose is as beautiful as it is haunting' Freya Berry, author of The Birdcage Library 'Gripping, bewitching, and laced with atmosphere, reading The Swell was a wonderfully sensory experience' Harriet Constable, author of The Instrumentalist 'A skilful, measured atmospheric mystery set in Iceland. . . Kat Gordon is a master storyteller' Cathryn Kemp, author of A Poisoner's Tale

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Book Synopsis'LOVED it. Tightly-plotted elegance, 50s glamour and suspense. Put it on your lists' Jessie Burton'Excellent . . . riveting to the last page' The Times'Filled with evocative period detail and populated with an intriguing tapestry of beautifully drawn characters' Observer'As stylish as it's cover, with razor sharp prose and an atmosphere simmering with tension, I have savoured every word' Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things'Refreshing . . . Heartbreaking' New York Times'A stunning debut. Tense, dark, and richly layered' Katy Hays'Dark and compelling. Fans of Lessons In Chemistry will adore it' RedLois Saunders thought that marrying the right man would finally cure her loneliness. But as picture-perfect as her husband is, she is suffocating in their loveless marriage. In 1951, though, unhappiness is hardly grounds for divorce - except in Reno, Nevada.At the Golden Yarrow, the most respectable of Reno's 'divorce ranches' Lois finds herself living with half a dozen other would-be divorcees, all in Reno for the six weeks' residency that is the state's only divorce requirement. They spend their days riding horses and their nights flirting with cowboys, and it's as wild and fun as Lake Forest, Illinois, was prim and stifling. But it isn't until Greer Lange arrives that Lois's world truly cracks open . . . Gorgeous, beguiling, and completely indifferent to societal convention, Greer is unlike anyone Lois has ever met - and she sees something in Lois that no one else ever has. Under her influence, Lois begins to push against the limits that have always restrained her. But how much can she really trust her mysterious new friend? And how far will she go to forge her independence, on her own terms?Set in the glamorous, dizzying world of 1950s Reno, THE DIVORCÉES is a deliciously slow-burn, atmospheric page-turner and a dazzling exploration of female friendship, desire and freedom.'I straight up loved it. It's so stylish, so elegant, each sentence a delectable little treat . . . and the nods towards darkness and things unravelling are so thrilling and chicly done'Elizabeth Macneal, bestselling author of The Doll Factory'Excellent, deeply compelling'Lauren Groff, bestselling author of Matrix and Fates and Furies'A delicious literary page-turner from a fierce new voice'Rebecca Makkai, bestselling author of The Great Believers'I adored The Divorcées - such an atmospheric and layered story of female independence, solidarity and deception'Julie Mae Cohen'A sultry fever dream of a novel . . . This book shimmers and startles on every page'Whitney Scharer, author of The Age of Light'The women of The Divorcées captivated me . . . an unforgettable, lushly assured novel'Clare Beams, author of The Illness Lesson'Stunning. Compelling, rich and with a dark undercurrent, I couldn't put it down. An outstanding debut'Marianne Cronin'Exquisite . . . Threaded with a tension that grips you. A sultry page turner. I highly recommend'Julie Owen Moylan

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Book SynopsisA gorgeous brand new cover edition of the Sunday Times Bestseller, Richard & Judy Book Club Pick and original break-out witchlit novel. Features an exclusive extract from Stacey Halls' unmissable new novel THE HOUSEHOLD - available to pre-order now!To save her child, she will trust a stranger. To protect a secret, she must risk her life . . .Fleetwood Shuttleworth is 17 years old, married, and pregnant for the fourth time. But as the mistress at Gawthorpe Hall, she still has no living child, and her husband Richard is anxious for an heir. When Fleetwood finds a letter she isn't supposed to read from the doctor who delivered her third stillbirth, she is dealt the crushing blow that she will not survive another pregnancy.Then she crosses paths by chance with Alice Gray, a young midwife. Alice promises to help her give birth to a healthy baby, and to prove the physician wrong.As Alice is drawn into the witchcraft accusations that are sweeping the North-West, Fleetwood risks everything by trying to help her. But is there more to Alice than meets the eye?Soon the two women's lives will become inextricably bound together as the legendary trial at Lancaster approaches, and Fleetwood's stomach continues to grow. Time is running out, and both their lives are at stake.Only they know the truth. Only they can save each other...'Assured and alluring, this beautiful tale of women and witchcraft and the fight against power was a delight from start to finish' JESSIE BURTON'Stacey Halls is a writer of great originality, great imagination and great sense of place. Atmospheric, intelligent, accessible, every novel is worth reading, then reading again and again' KATE MOSSE'The new Hilary Mantel' COSMOPOLITAN'Captivating' SUNDAY EXPRESS'Arresting' THE TIMES'A brilliant debut, pacy and inventive, from a terrifically talented new voice' DAILY TELEGRAPH'Truly spellbinding' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING'A must-read novel' HEATHER MORRIS bestselling author of THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ'Enthralling, spellbinding, full of twists and turns, written with heart and style - and the final chapters will have you racing to the end' KATE WILLIAMS'Phenomenal. Beautiful, haunting, strange and evocative' LIZ HYDER'Historical fiction at its feminist best' RED Magazine**THE HOUSEHOLD, the brand new novel from Stacey Halls, is available to pre-order now***Sunday Times bestseller February and September 2018*

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Book SynopsisIn the gloriously hot summer of 1936, a group of people meet at a country house party. Within three years, the country will be engulfed in war, but for now time stands still as they sip champagne on the lawn, engaging in casual flirtations and carefree conversation. Then a shocking death puts an end to their revelry, changing everything in an instant. For all of them, that summer house party will be a turning point. The mistakes made during that fateful weekend will change their lives for ever.Trade ReviewFraser keeps the reader hooked with the twists of her protagonists' love affairs, but the real star of this book is her portrait of a disappearing life, as Sonia Haddon and ilk face war with varying degrees of courage * The Sunday Times *This rich and engrossing novel follows them through the testing years of the coming war, including a movingly drawn forbidden love affair, all delivered with perfect period details * Sunday Mirror *A fabulously written book... a "must" read' * Read Along With Sue *Fraser skilfully combines many narrative threads to build a great big satisfying saga full of passionate love, ghastly betrayal and, as Britain tips inexorably into conflict, thrilling drama * Daily Mail *A wonderfully involving read * Sunday Express *Intriguing and multifaceted with its lifelike mixture of romance, heartache, tragedy, heroism, accomplishment and growth. The recounting is rich in atmosphere and detail, making for an absorbing reading experience * My Merri Way *It's one of those books where you just want to keep reading and it to never end * That Thing She Reads *A solid summer read, ideal to take on holiday * On: Yorkshire Magazine *

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Book SynopsisThe third instalment in a prize-winning series charting the rise of the House of Medici as they become Masters of Florence and progenitors of the Renaissance. Fontainebleau, 1536. Francis II, Dauphin and heir to the French throne, is dead. Poisoned. And the royal court believe Catherine de' Medici to be the murderer. Catherine's husband Henry will now be the next King of France – and the Medici are known to stop at nothing in the pursuit of power. But not yet queen and without an heir of her own, seventeen-year-old Catherine cannot be sure of securing her family's legacy. To ensure the conception of an heir, she will need to seek help from an unexpected ally: Nostradamus, the reclusive astronomer and purported seer. Dismissed by most as a charlatan and a heretic, Catherine knows he will be her only hope in becoming a mother to the future king. Amid court intrigues, betrayals, and humiliations, Catherine waits. She awaits the death of her father-in-law, King Francis, and the birth of a son to carry her name. For once she is queen, Catherine de' Medici's power will only grow. But that power comes at a heavy cost, one she might ever regret. 'Strukul has a brilliant style and a rare imagination' Tim Willocks 'Matteo Strukul has arrived with a bang. His historical saga, Medici, is a worldwide success' Il VenerdìTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR MATTEO STRUKUL: 'Strukul has a brilliant style and a rare imagination' Tim Willocks, bestselling author of Green River Rising. 'Matteo Strukul is one of the most important new voices in Italian crime fiction' Joe R. Lansdale, Edgar Winner for The Bottoms. 'Matteo Strukul has arrived with a bang. His historical saga, Medici, is a worldwide success' Il Venerdì. 'The story of a important dynasty, one made of conspiracy and betrayal. But also the story of the great cultural revolution of the Renaissance' La Repubblica. 'Writing that lives, pulsates and excites. This is a novel full of thrills and realistic dialogue, as well as a solid historical narrative' * La Stampa *

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE HWA GOLD CROWN 2023 Neva is born into a world of trickery and illusion, where fortunes are won and lost on the turn of a card. But she is also born with an extraordinary gift: she can predict the weather. In Regency England, where the proper goal for a gentlewoman is marriage and only God can foretell the future, this is a dangerous power to possess. In order to stand up to the men of science, Neva adopts a sophisticated male disguise, created by her brilliant clockmaker father. But what will happen when she falls in love with a charismatic young man? 'Seductive' Observer 'Wildly inventive' The Times 'Superb... joyful' New Statesman 'A delight' The Sunday Times 'Beguiling' Mail on Sunday 'Magical storytelling' Heat 'A triumph!' Caroline Lea 'Bold and original' Financial Times 'I was completely captivated' Amanda CraigTrade ReviewThis is a fresh take on the Regency novel * Good Housekeeping *A historical story with a refreshingly modern twist, The Weather Woman paints an intriguing portrait of life in the early 1800s * Heat *Rich, bold and original * The Financial Times *[A] beguiling tale of science and the supernatural * Mail on Sunday *Full of life and colour... a delight * The Sunday Times *This wonderful novel, set in 18th-century London, between the two great Frost Fairs on the frozen Thames, interweaves magic and science with the dreams of a young woman ahead of her time and in danger because of it -- Rosie de Courcy, publisherPRAISE FOR SALLY GARDNER: 'Sally Gardner has a rare ability to build worlds that are rich, strange and totally unique to her... A story that will enthral you from beginning to end' Absolutely South East (and West). 'Readers who enjoy puzzles and problem-solving will love this absorbing, mysterious thriller... This riveting and original fantasy will compel you to keep turning just one more page until you find you haven't eaten, slept or moved from your seat for hours. Spectacular' BookTrust, on Invisible in a Bright Light. 'Rich and haunting historical fiction with a charismatic female lead' The Bookseller, on Invisible in a Bright Light. 'The prize-winning Gardner is [a] dab hand at literary world-creation' * Observer *

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Book Synopsis'Georgette Heyer meets William Boyd... Intrigue, murder, love and betrayal – I couldn't put it down' Diney Costeloe. Napoleon has won the Battle of Waterloo and England is under French occupation... A half-drowned girl washes up on a Cornish beach, escaping French soldiers after the murder of her black sea captain father. An aristocratic soldier-spy, haunted by his part in the defeat at Waterloo, plans to spring the Duke of Wellington from captivity. Together, they become enmeshed in a web of treachery and espionage stretching from London to the Scilly Isles. 'A marvellously dark and compelling anti-hero and a truly gutsy (and sexy) heroine... A terrific read' Caro Fraser. K.J. Whittaker's second novel with Head of Zeus, Wicked by Design, is publishing under the name of Katy Moran in September 2019.Trade ReviewThe quality of the story in itself is sufficient to carry this novel, but excellent writing and characterization pushes it up several notches – with special mention for Hester: a fizzing-with-life, believable and resourceful heroine if ever there was one * Daily Mail *Thrilling... Rugged scenery combined with even more rugged leading men and feisty leading ladies makes this a book that one can easily compare to Poldark... The intensity of the plot is only amplified by quite how much she makes you care about the characters it revolves around' * The Bookbag *Witty, exciting and heartfelt, the book had me hooked * Roaring Bookworm *An historical novel at its best... With fantastic characters like the strong heroine Hester and the charismatic Crow the author doesn't disappoint... You cannot ask for more in a novel of this genre. 5*' -- Rachel BustinReaders will follow the story with bated breath to see what will happen next, as we cross over to various characters and their stories * Our First Year Here *A fascinating story with plenty of unexpected events, gripping scenes, treachery, bloody battles and political intrigues... A fantastic compelling story' * With Love for Books *With a complex plot, high stakes and rip rolling adventure - as well as Hester, a fantastic main character - I actually couldn't put this down * Roaring Bookworm *Those who like their action on the swashbuckling side will enjoy this fabulous debut set in a world in which Napoleon won the Battle of Waterloo. A cross between Georgette Heyer, Dorothy Dunnett and Poldark * i newspaper *A swashbuckling, sparkling world of a novel, breathtakingly tender, with a mad, bad and dangerous-to-know hero -- Suzannah Dunn.The main characters, especially Crow and Hester, are well-drawn * Historical Novel Society *

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Book SynopsisThe heart-breaking final novel in the Tarabeg trilogy, from million-copy bestseller Nadine Dorries. A forbidden love... A vengeful wife... Mary Kate Malone has come to Liverpool from Ireland to seek her fortune, but from the very beginning, things have gone horribly wrong. Now she longs to flee back to her family in Ireland. But Tarabeg isn't the place Mary Kate remembers anymore. A charismatic American has arrived with plans to change everything and Mary Kate hates him on sight. Worse still, the lies she has told about her Liverpool life are about to come back to haunt her. Don't miss the final book in the Tarabeg trilogy, concluding the story of extraordinary heroine Mary Kate. What readers are saying about the Tarabeg Series: 'A brilliant read, a wonderful story and I have already pre-orderd the next book' 'Great read! Nadine Dorries is a top author, love her books!' 'Did not want it to end!! Gripping, detailed... Really draws you in to the story'Trade ReviewAn entralling story of love and loss * Candis *A tale of family ties with secrets abounding... A standalone riveting read' * People's Friend *

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Book SynopsisWhen a stranger comes to the Cornish village of Tremarnock to discover more about her Cornish ancestors, rumours start to fly. Is there more to her than meets the eye?

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Book SynopsisOn the goldfields of 19th-century Australia, two very different girls are trying to escape their past. 1856, China. In the mulberry groves of the Pearl River Delta, eighteen-year-old Little Cat carries a terrible secret. And so, in disguise as a boy in blue trousers, she makes the long and difficult passage to Australia, a faraway land of untold riches where it is said the rivers run with gold. 1857, Australia. Violet Hartley has arrived off the boat from England, fleeing scandal back home. Like the Chinese immigrants seeking their fortunes on the goldfields, Violet is seduced by the promise of a new frontier. Then she meets Little Cat, a woman who, like her, is trying to escape her past. As their fates inextricably, devastatingly entwine, their story becomes one of freedom, violence, love and vengeance, echoing across the landscapes of two great continents.Trade ReviewWell-crafted, emotionally rich and eminently readable * South China Morning Post *Nicely plotted... The reader is left guessing right until the end. Worth the risk of a sleepless night' * Malay Mail *A deeply immersive novel' * Australian Women's Writers *A tale of family secrets and twisted revenge, featuring brave female characters who struggle against the roles and limitations that society imposes on them * The Star *

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Book SynopsisA man loses five years of his life. Two women are desperate for him to remember. Perfect for fans of Kate Kerrigan and Colleen McCullough. Running away for the second time in her life, twenty-seven-year old Ava believes the cook's job at a country B&B is perfect, until she meets the owner's son, John Tate. The young fifth-generation grazier is a beguiling blend of both man, boy and a terrible flirt. With their connection immediate and intense, they begin a clandestine affair right under the noses of John's formidable parents. Thirty years later, Ava returns to Candlebark Creek with her daughter, Nina, who is determined to meet her mother's lost love for herself. While struggling to find her own place in the world, Nina discovers an urban myth about a love-struck man, a forgotten engagement ring, and a dinner reservation back in the eighties. Now she must decide if revealing the truth will hurt more than it heals...What readers are saying about A Place to Remember: 'A memorable, emotional family saga in an unforgiving setting. The emotion and poignancy of this story will stay with me' 'Definitely a five star read for me and highly recommended!' 'This is a story that readers won't forget in a hurry. I'd recommend it to everyone'. Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR JENN J. McLEOD: 'A captivating story ... I cannot wait for McLeod's next novel' Australian Women's Weekly. 'McLeod cleverly keeps readers turning the pages ... and rewards them with a shock twist in the tale' Weekly Times. 'Compelling reading ... You will fall for this book' Australian Romance Readers Association.

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Book SynopsisNadolny's masterpiece, The Discovery of Slowness tells the incredible story of Sir John Franklin, a sailor and explorer who battled the frozen Arctic wastes and paved the way for the discovery of the Northwest Passage. Ridiculed for his slowness in his youth, Franklin's quiet calm later helps him to become an icon of adventure.A classic of contemporary German literature, The Discovery of Slowness is not only a riveting account of a remarkable life but also a profound and thought-provoking meditation on time.Trade ReviewThis is both a wonderful historical novel and a spell-binding individual portrait . . . This is a marvellous translation of a masterly work * * Observer * *Nadolny brilliantly sets the narrative pace to the rhythms of the frozen landscape, and to the slowness which is bred by hunger -- ROBERT MACFARLANETime, action and vision - a magical hat-trick and one that this translation pays faithful tribute to, capturing grand adventures like a detailed painting * * Scotsman * *Sten Nadolny shipped us into beautiful, fatal Arctic wastes with his spellbinding novels -- BOYD TONKINSlow movements of emotion and plot pull the reader expertly in, and the book with its self-consciously ponderous charm, offers all the pleasures of the best historical fiction * * Daily Telegraph * *

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Book SynopsisThere is no such thing as history, you see. It's a dream, perhaps even a dream of a dream . . .Walter Benjamin is dead. One of the most radiant minds of the twentieth century has been snatched away by death in a small town on the border between Spain and France. His thousand-page manuscript, carried the length of France during his flight from the Nazis, has vanished with him, never to be recovered. Jay Parini's extraordinary novel traces Benjamin's steps back through time, from the salons of Berlin to the winding roads of Catalonia. A tale of escape and pursuit, Benjamin's Crossing dramatises one of the most moving peripheral episodes of the Holocaust; and above all, it is a love story.Trade ReviewInspired . . . a piercing, magnificent novel -- AMOS OZA poignant and eloquent vision of the great critic's personality and fate -- HAROLD BLOOMAn exciting adventure story . . . wholly emblematic of our dark age -- GORE VIDALThe friends who recall Benjamin come across as vivid individuals, but it is Benjamin himself who dominates the book, and he is wonderfully, infuriatingly alive, an intellectual hopelessly out of touch with his ailing body, curiously and tragically blind to the Europe disintegrating around him * * The Sunday Times * *Painstakingly researched and dramatically recounted . . . has something important to say about the role of the intellectual in modern Western Society * * New York Times Book Review * *Not only carefully researched but also, more importantly, thoroughly imagined * * Times Literary Supplement * *The distinguished poet, novelist and biographer rescues Benjamin from obscurity, celebrates his intellectual achievements, ponders his passions and eccentricities, and mourns his passing. As re-imagined by Parini, Benjamin's life story becomes a vivid metaphor for the apocalypse that ravaged the civilized world in the mid-20th century and cost the lives of countless millions of men, women and children, Benjamin among them * * LA Times * *A brisk, moving novel containing a parable without confined itself to a parable's two-dimensionality * * New Yorker * *In a formidable display of intellectual and imaginative sympathy, Parini novelizes the life and death of Walter Benjamin, one of the major literary and cultural critics of the twentieth century * * Publisher's Weekly * *Parini's exquisite achievement, and exquisite is exactly the word for his poet's fluid prose, is that the social criticism he channels through Walter Benjamin in this novel is as troubling today as then * * The Philadelphia Inquirer * *

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Book SynopsisIt is the fifteenth century and war looms. The people of Albania have refused to negotiate with the Ottoman Empire and they know their fate is sealed. As they take refuge in a fortress in the mountains, the army arrives and prepares to lay siege to the Christian citadel.Trade ReviewThe Siege is a compelling tale of the savagery and uncertainty of war, and a brilliant historical novel by one of the world's greatest living writers -- Simon Sebag MontefioreGreat books, books that last, are shape-shifting books. The Siege is about what it is about - a siege in the fifteenth century. It is also a universal evocation of human violence * * Sunday Times * *A rallying cry to people besieged by the forces of tyranny -- Alice Fordham * * The Times * *The Siege is more relevant and powerful than ever . . . Kadare's early novel is stunning. The full panoply of the Ottoman's multi-ethnic empire is vividly rendered -- Heather McRobie * * Daily Telgraph * *His fiction offers invaluable insights into life under tyranny - his historical allegories point both to the grand themes and small details that make up life in a restrictive environment. He is a great writer, by any nation's standards -- Ben Naparstek * * Financial Times * *A tale steeped in blood, a snapshot of a centuries-long conflict, but at the same time Kadare's realism and lively sense of irony give it a modern twist -- Adam Lively * * Sunday Times * *The urgent gestures towards something that's not quite said somehow make the story linger in the mind long after the regime in which The Siege was written went the way of the empire it dreams back to life -- Christopher Taylor * * Guardian * *It is Kadare's great achievement to create individuals who are at the same time archetypes . . . Powerfully atmospheric . . . Fascinating -- Jane Jakeman * * Times Literary Supplement * *A story that is both stirring at a human level and steeped in historical symbolism . . . A vast and varied cast is expertly marshalled by a writer who is increasingly enjoying a worldwide reputation -- Sally Cousins * * Sunday Telegraph * *Ismail Kadare is one of Europe's most consistently interesting and powerful contemporary novelists, a writer whose stark, memorable prose imprints itself on the reader's consciousness * * Los Angeles Times * *

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