Historical Fiction Books

Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2022 A SUNDAY TIMES HISTORICAL NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2022 AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4 OPEN BOOK 'Brilliantly recounts the story of the American theatrical dynasty that produced Lincoln's assassin' Sunday Times Book of the Month In 1822, a stage is set: Englishman Junius Booth - celebrated Shakespearean actor and man of mesmerising charm and instability - moves to a remote cabin outside Baltimore with his wife, who bears him ten children. Of the six who survive infancy, one is John Wilkes - the hot-tempered but much-loved middle son who, in 1865, fatally shoots Abraham Lincoln in a Washington theatre, changing the course of history. What makes a murderer? His family or the world? And how can those who love him ever come to terms with his actions? Strikingly relevant to the world today, Booth is the story of one extraordinary family and the terrible act that shattered their bonds forever.Trade ReviewBooth is a triumph! No one writes like Karen Joy Fowler. With wit, heart, and revelatory insight, she teases ghosts from their shadows, transforming the way we see the past, shedding new light on our troubled present. -- Ruth OzekiAccomplished, immersive, and profoundly satisfying. Booth is both highly relevant to modern life and a fully realised piece of fiction ... I can't praise it highly enough, what a range Karen Joy Fowler has. -- Cathy RentzenbrinkBooth is a subtly devastating meditation on how the USA arrived at this troubled point in its present history by looking at a mid-nineteenth-century family. Its world - dense, granular, intricate - is created with immense care and precision ... This is her finest, most beautiful novel to date. -- Neel MukherjeeWith each book, Karen Joy Fowler masterfully fuses style with subject, prose with plot, and explores the terrifying power that parents wield. Booth brilliantly cracks open the history of a country and a family and shows us the private secrets and suspicions that run underneath. -- Jonathan Lee, author of The Great MistakeThe historical context [Fowler] offers is of a pre-Civil War America of deep moral divides, political differences tearing close families apart, populism and fanaticism run amok. The similarities to today are riveting and chilling. * Kirkus starred review *Fowler sets the stage in remarkable prose ... the nuanced plot is both historically rigorous and richly imagined. This is a winner. * Publishers Weekly starred review *Booth is an epic tale of a divided country seen through the prism of an extraordinary family and with uncanny parallels to the present moment. Stunning. -- Simon Humphreys * Mail on Sunday *A historical epic that's like Succession set against the backdrop of the looming Civil War in 1830s America. Explaining so much of the country's history while telling a deeply immersive story, it's an unforgettable read. * Stylist Best New Books March 2022 *An impressive epic * Independent, Books of the Month *An imaginative new novel offers glimpses of John Wilkes Booth, Abraham Lincoln's killer, and his family, told chiefly through the perspectives of some of his nine siblings * The New York Times, books to read in March 2022 *An intimate, engaging portrait of a tribe whose aims and alliances were always shifting, buffeted by tragedy (several beloved siblings died young) and fickle fortunes * Entertainment Weekly *Effortlessly resonant... breathes rich imaginative colour in her characters -- Claire Allfree * Daily Telegraph *Karen Joy Fowler's novels are wildly inventive and deservedly popular * Daily Mail *Captures with enthralling vividness a country caught in the grip of fanatical populism, ripped apart by irreconcilable political differences and boiling with fury and rage .... An unalloyed triumph. Like Hilary Mantel in her Wolf Hall trilogy, Fowler skilfully exploits the present tense to remake the past as something surprising and new. -- Clare Clark * Literary Review *The Booths have receded into history, but in Fowler's telling their stories - personal and political - remain painfully relevant ... Booth is yet another urgent reminder that the US has been down the road to disunion before, with horrific consequences. * Financial Times *Fowler's riveting saga explores these strains of familial devotion and sorrow connecting the colorful Booth brothers and sisters * Washington Post *Booth doesn't hold anyone in judgment; like all the best literature, it seeks to better understand the human heart in all its flawed complexity. It's a haunting book, not just for all its literal ghosts, but for its suggestion that those ghosts still have not been exorcised from this country. * USA Today *She weaves an intimate, engaging portrait of a tribe whose aims and alliances were always shifting, buffeted by tragedy (several beloved siblings died young) and fickle fortunes. * Entertainment Weekly *Masterful...Fowler's excavation of this material is astonishing in its breadth and specificity, treating events of historical record with the same detail and care as secret bedtime talks and plays staged in treetops. * San Francisco Chronicle *Fowler returns here with an ambitious and consequential saga about a family with a monster in their midst. * Philadelphia Inquirer *Solid research mixed with empathetic imagination enriches Booth. * Christian Science Monitor *Fowler unfurls the Booths' tumultuous, theatrical lives against the backdrop of an unruly America, mired in the brutal violence of the Civil War, in this troubling, nuanced, engrossing novel -- Eithne Farry * Daily Mail *A labyrinthine and detailed exploration of the family... Fowler has form in family dynamics: her joyous, heart-breaking novel We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves anatomised the complexities of parental and sibling bonds under extraordinary stress. She does something similar in Booth, charting the personal stories that culminated on that fateful day in Washington. * Spectator *Drives home with rich theatrical flair the extent to which contemporary America remains locked inside the ugly ideological battles of the Civil War -- Claire Allfree * Telegraph *Booth manages to combine its interests with great skill, depicting slavery and all of its horrors accurately, while also showing the political consequences as those in the Union tentatively seeking abolition... Anyone with an interest in American history, family life 150 or so years ago or the stage should relish a book that brings all three together in a dramatic story that is both informative and enjoyable throughout * British Theatre Guide *History may claim to be about facts, but stories, like families, are largely about feeling, and the novel gives us feeling on a grand scale, even as it asks pertinent and topical questions about who owns those facts ... In its stretch and imaginative depth, Booth has an utterly seductive authority * Guardian *Brilliantly recounts the story of the American theatrical dynasty that produced Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth ... The story moves inevitably towards the fatal encounter in Ford's Theatre, but its strengths lie in its depiction of the decades-long interactions and rivalries between the various members of an extraordinary family. * Sunday Times Book of the Month *Captivating ... looks beyond the criminal * Press Association *Enjoyable and exceptionally poignant -- Alex Clark * Irish Times *A slice of social history, subtly evoking the horrors of slavery and touching on the fanatical populism that kept such a system in place. You don't have to look too hard to find such echoes today. * The Crack *A wonderful evocation of the colourful family life of John Wilkes Booth ... Deftly conjuring a 19th-century America riven by Civil War, it is a cautionary tale of divisive politics and rash impulses present-day world leaders should pay heed to. * Traveller *Fascinating * Metro *Absorbing and expansive * Irish Times *Absorbing and expansive new novel ... an insightful look at both a unique family and the dark roots of modern America. -- Anna Carey * the Irish Times *Utterly brilliant * Irish Catholic *The epic-sized tale of an ill-fated theatrical family living in 183Os Baltimore as civil war draws ever closer, this is a whip- smart, funny, inventive and blazing triumph of a book -- Rachel JoyceMoving and colourful and tragic * Evening Standard *Accomplished, immersive, and profoundly satisfying. Booth is both highly relevant to modern life and a fully realised piece of fiction. I loved learning about the Booth family and all their eccentricities, set against the backdrop of American history. I can't praise it highly enough, what a range Karen Joy Fowler has. -- Cathy Rentzenbrink

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the James Tait Black Prize for Fiction 2022 A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF 2021 LONGLISTED FOR THE 2022 PEN AMERICA OPEN BOOK AWARD A Times Book of the Month One of Roxane Gay's Audacious Book Club Picks 'A feat of monumental thematic imagination' - The New York Times Book Review 'An elegantly layered, beautifully rendered tour de force that is not to be missed' - Roxane Gay Libertie Sampson was named by her father as he lay dying, in honour of the bright, shining future he was sure was coming. The only daughter of a prosperous Black woman physician, she was born free in a country still blighted by slavery. But she has never felt free. Shrinking from her mother's ambitions for her future, Libertie ventures beyond her insulated community, hoping that somehow, somewhere, she will create a life that feels like her own. Immersive, lyrical and deeply moving, Libertie is a novel about legacy and longing, the story of a young woman struggling to discover what freedom truly means - for herself, and for generations to come.Trade ReviewGreenidge mixes elements of both conventional historical fiction and magical realism into a satisfying and emotionally powerful brew * Sunday Times *Kaitlyn Greenidge is good on the contradictions of freedom, and the persistent, sour legacy of slavery, but it is the mother-daughter relationship that makes this novel dazzle * The Times *A soaring exploration of what 'freedom' truly means. Libertie is an elegantly layered, beautifully rendered tour de force that is not to be missed -- Roxane GayA feat of monumental thematic imagination ... Greenidge both mines history and transcends time -- Margaret Wilkerson Sexton * New York Times Book Review *Greenidge (We Love You, Charlie Freeman) delivers another genius work of radical historical fiction ... This pièce de résistance is so immaculately orchestrated that each character, each setting, and each sentence sings. * Publishers Weekly, starred and boxed review *With Libertie ... Greenidge is making a stylistic leap with an intricately researched and lushly imagined coming-of-age story set in 19th-century Brooklyn and Jacmel, Haiti ... Both epic and intimate -- Alexandra Alter * The New York Times *Sweeping, engrossing -- Oprahmag.comIn this singular novel, Kaitlyn Greenidge confronts the anonymizing forces of history with her formidable gifts. Libertie is a glorious, piercing song for the ages- fierce, brilliant, and utterly free. -- Brandon Taylor, author of Real LifeGreenidge follows up her highly successful debut novel, We Love You, Charlie Freeman, with the heart-wrenching fictional story of the young daughter of one of the first female physicians in Reconstruction-era Brooklyn, a stunning look at what freedom really means -- Adrienne Gaffney * The New York Times *Pure brilliance. So much will be written about Kaitlyn Greenidge's Libertie--how it blends history and magic into a new kind of telling, how it spins the past to draw deft circles around our present--but none of it will measure up to the singular joy of reading this book. -- Mira Jacob, author of Good TalkThis is one of the most thoughtful and amazingly beautiful books I've read all year. Kaitlyn Greenidge is a master storyteller. -- Jacqueline Woodson, author of Red at the BoneI want to say that Kaitlyn Greenidge's Libertie is a glorious diasporic literary song, but the novel is so much more than that. A book so deeply invested in the politics and place of silence is one of the most melodious books I've read in decades. The ambition in Libertie is only exceeded by Greenidge's skill. This is it. -- Kiese Laymon, author of HeavyFiercely compelling, and told in a singular, lyrical voice, Libertie is a novel that lives in a specific historical time-the Reconstruction Era-but offers insight into the very modern struggles that still exist surrounding identity, family, love, and freedom ... This is a novel of struggle and triumph, exhaustion and perseverance, rooted in history, but transcendent of it; another masterwork by Kaitlyn Greenidge. * Refinery29 *Kaitlyn Greenidge has built a lush, imaginative novel, as dark and beautiful as its namesake yet as relevant today as during its 19th-century setting. I didn't want it to end, and I fear that any attempt to render its complexity with brevity equals a failure to capture the book's vast depth and its conversation with so many other important historical and literary works. A page turner and a gorgeous winner. -- Nafissa Thompson-Spires, author of Heads of the Colored PeopleThe voice that fuels this novel is rooted in the body and rises toward myth, forged of history, ocean salt, iron, and hope. With Libertie, Kaitlyn Greenidge adds an indelible new sound to American literature, and confirms her status as one of our most gifted young writers. -- Garth Greenwell, author of What Belongs to You and CleannessThis is a historical novel, a magical novel, a familial novel, a Bildungsroman--a work that defies simple categorization. The complexities herein signify an important writer throwing all her talents and brilliance on the page, offering us more than we deserve. Reading Libertie can feel like reading Toni Morrison. Such a comparison, however, is a disservice to Kaitlyn Greenidge, who is an original light, a writer to emulate, a master of the craft, and a mind we're fortunate to have living among us. -- Gabriel Bump, author of Everywhere You Don't BelongLibertie is a bildungsroman for America in the 21st century, providing us with a spiritual education we sorely need. What is care and what is poison? Where does life end? Where does liberty begin? By creating Libertie--a 19th century "black gal," a modern existential heroine--Greenidge has resurrected more than an ancestor--she has revived the anger and the love, the grief and the pride, and, above all, the fierce need for freedom that still drive our nation today. -- C. Morgan Babst, author of The Floating WorldWielding both her knowledge of our history and her incredible sense of story, Kaitlyn Greenidge further establishes herself as one of the sharpest minds working today. Libertie is a novel of epic power and endless grace. -- Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, author of Friday BlackKaitlyn Greenidge is one of my favorite contemporary minds, and I love her essays and newsletter, but WOW, it is such a pleasure to read this historical novel, which starts in Reconstruction-era Brooklyn, and which reminded me that Greenidge's immense talent as a writer shines most brightly through her fiction. -- Emma Straub, author of All Adults HereGreenidge is a master of character building ... Libertie is an easy page turner-its simple prose makes the plot digestible and the lyrical sentences sing louder. Libertie combines race, colorism, history, and sexism with the utter human pain of lostness. It's a beautiful telling of gorgeously tragic characters who keep you rooting for them, even as they continue to stray and stray and stray -- Natachi Onwuamaegbu * Boston Globe *Greenidge explores issues that are still real today while also inviting readers into historical moments that will be new to many. Just as colorism shapes Libertie's relationships with Black people, classism does, too. There are fine distinctions between those who stole themselves away to freedom and those who were born to it, those who work for themselves and those who work for others ... [She] shows us aspects of history we seldom see in contemporary fiction. * Kirkus Reviews *Libertie is epic yet engaging, and gorgeously written. * The Rumpus *From icy Brooklyn brownstones to tropical Haiti, the book ties together histories in a way that renders them - especially in today's world - both timeless and timely. * New York Journal of Books *Spectacular ... A revelatory and enchanting piece of historical fiction * BuzzFeed *Few novels have as strong a sense of place as this fascinating blend of magical realism and African American historical fiction ... Greenidge succeeds beautifully at presenting the complexities of an intense mother-daughter bond ... Greenidge creates a richly layered tapestry of Black communal life, notably Black female life, and the inevitable contradictions and compromises of "freedom." * Booklist, starred review *Exquisite historical fiction that lovingly reminds us to reassess our own present-day commitments to fighting for, and practicing, freedom. * Ms. Magazine *Engrossing ... With its connections to a history that's illuminated more and more each passing day, Libertie is a superb novel that informs the present and perhaps even the future. * BookPage *Through the trials and tribulations of its young Black woman protagonist, [Libertie] reveals a commitment to Libertie's coming-of-age journey that mirrors that of Zora Neale Hurston's treatment of Janie Crawford in Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937). By bearing witness to Libertie's efforts to make a world for herself and for future generations, readers are left to consider the nature of freedom itself and the cost of making space for yourself in a world intent on restricting you. * Bitch Media *Every bit of Libertie is rich and vibrant, offering the best of what historical fiction can do -- Best Books of the Year (So Far) * Vulture *Powerful and memorable ... [Greenidge is] a wonderful writer and hypnotic storyteller with a lightness of touch -- The best books from independent publishers * The Big Issue *

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Book Synopsis'A shimmering, sexy, thrilling tale of intrigue and desire, and the dark paths we walk to keep our secrets safe. Bell has written a shining debut' Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Dance Tree A Best Historical Fiction of 2023 selection in The Times An Evening Standard Ones to Watch for 2023 pick Everyone connected to the court of Louis XIV has something to hide. For the Baroness Marie Catherine, it is the pleasures she seeks outside of her unhappy marriage, indulging in a more liberated existence of decadent salons and discussions with writers and scholars. At the centre of her illicit freedom is her lover Victoire Rose de Bourbon, Mademoiselle de Conti, the androgynous, self-assured countess. When Victoire's devotion results in an act of murder to save Marie Catherine, the pair must escape from the clutches of Paris' overzealous chief of police. As they attempt to outwit him, they are led to the darkest corners of Paris and Versailles, discovering lies, mysticism, and people with secrets they too would kill to keep. Fast-paced, opulent and hypnotically absorbing, Celia Bell's debut is a love story to die for.Trade ReviewThis is historical storytelling at its most captivating. Celia Bell puts the body itself back in time: smells, sights, fears, sensation propel us into the epicentre of a 17th century Paris where breaking out of the prison of arranged marriage is only one of the many challenges confronting women. I couldn't put it down. -- Lisa Appignanesi, author of Everyday MadnessThe writing has the quality of velvet about it, so lusciously rich that it folds you into a thrilling love story ... Beautifully researched. -- Sally GardnerA hothouse atmosphere in which depravity, sensuality, and duplicity reside side by side, and Marie Catherine's plight builds in suspense as the noose tightens around her ... a bold and inspired mix of Les Liaisons Dangereuses and The Crucible. * Publishers Weekly starred review *The Disenchantment is filled with rich and beautiful detail that brings 17th Century Paris to life. Marie Catherine's struggle to remain true to herself despite the restrictions she faces is depicted with understated power, and hers is a story that will stay with me for a long time. -- Elizabeth Lee, author of Cunning WomenGripping, filled with a quietly persuasive tension that kept me turning the page and beautiful, moody description, both evocative and authentic -- Crystal Jeans, author of the InvertsAn authentic, stylish and absorbing portrait of 17th century Parisian courtly life, and a compelling meditation on the ingenuity and resilience of women... A masterly rendition of all that's right with historical fiction. -- Laura Carlin, author of Requiem for a KnaveSkulduggery, sorcery, and a sapphic storyteller under suspicion... an opulent, unsettling journey through a world as beautifully brutal as Marie Catherine's fairy tales. Scheme with the servants and you shan't regret it! -- Nat Reeve, author of NettleblackWhile this compelling portrayal of aristocratic life in 17th century France is rich with detail, it is the timeless female struggle to find and sustain a self able to withstand the metamorphoses and disguises required for survival which captivates the reader. A combination of history and fairy tale, The Disenchantment exposes unsuspected relationships and ambiguous boundaries as it follows its characters through a dream world of sorcerers and blue-stockings, servants and savants. -- Susanna Moore, author of In the Cut and Miss Aluminium: A MemoirAs rankly sensuous as a twilit Parisian street in winter, Celia Bell's The Disenchantment is a rare historical novel that gets under your skin not only for its period details but for its swooning falls, without narrative safety nets, into the eternal now of deceit, desire, and the violent weather of love... Celia Bell practices both black and white magic in this remarkable first novel. -- Brad Gooch, author of Rumi's SecretThere's a deliciously hothouse feel to Celia Bell's slow-burn, smouldering debut. Intrigue a-plenty .... beautifully detailed ... [a] beguilingly dark fairytale * Daily Mail *A powerful, atmospheric debut * Sunday Times *In this bewitching work of historical fiction. . . . Bell elegantly balances the passion of a romance with the tension of crime fiction, all while conjuring a Paris rich in sensuous detail. . . . An astonishingly accomplished debut that brings a past full of intrigue and ardor to life on the page. * Kirkus Reviews, starred review *There are so many things to love about Celia Bell's debut novel, The Disenchantment-drama in the royal court! murder! intrigue! historic gays! I could keep shouting, that's how much I adored this enthralling story of love and scandal in seventeenth century Paris. I can't wait to see what Celia does next! -- Lindsay Lynch * Parnassus Musings *We love historical lesbian romances, and The Disenchantment by Celia Bell satiates our hunger for more. . . . The novel explores witchcraft, female scholars, and characters who defy traditional gender norms, giving us everything to appease our desire for historical feminist stories. * Women.com *The Disenchantment is a rare find in queer historical fiction. . . . a very good suspenseful story. [Bell] has a fine eye for detail, capturing Paris and its intrigues. * The Montecito Journal *Ghosts and shadows infuse Bell's enigmatic tale with elements of the supernatural, while Marie Catherine's allegorical fairy tales tell of feminist self-determination. . . . This is a tightly plotted, atmospheric and moody read, full of dark malevolence and a tangled web of complex relationships. . . . A riveting debut. * Historical Novel Society *[The Disenchantment] explores the court of Louis XIV in 17th century France, where two noblewomen fall in love amongst dark magic and intrigue. From the most elite salons to the grittiest quartiers, Bell weaves a tale that is complex and compelling. -- Tom Hall * WYPR *This debut novel stuns with both romance and thriller elements. . . . Crime, passion, deception, and black magic all intertwine in this captivating, atmospheric story of two noblewomen, sure to leave you breathless. * Bookstr *From its very first pages, the novel is rich with the darkness that made the original fairy tales so compelling, and Ms. Bell's lush, gorgeous writing is a stirring tribute to those early and bleak cautionary tales ... a thrilling cat and mouse game * Pittsburgh Post Gazette *

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Book SynopsisTitus Llewellyn-Gwlynne, actor/manager of the Red Lion Theatre, has lost a backer who was going to fund a theatrical tour – when unexpected salvation appears. Their home theatre in the East End of London having been bombed during the war, The Red Lion Touring Company embarks on a tour of Britain to take a play written by their new benefactress into the provinces. As they make their vagabond, singing way, they remain unaware that they leave behind in London a man consumed with thoughts of revenge. Revenge which follows them obsessively from town to town, ending in its final act before the last curtain. This charming series transports the reader to a lost post-war world of touring rep theatre and once-grand people who have fallen on harder times, smoggy streets, and shared bonhomie over a steaming kettle.

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Book SynopsisA heartbroken young widow joins the police force during World War Two in Manchester. Perfect for fans of Diney Costeloe and Dilly Court. WW2 Manchester. Newlyweds Helen and Jim Harrison have big plans – to leave the family shop where Helen works and set up home together. But when Jim is tragically killed in an air raid, Helen is heartbroken, her life in ruins. Battling grief and despair, Helen resolves to escape her domineering mother and rebuild her shattered world. Wartime Manchester is a dangerous place, beseiged by crime and poverty. So when Helen joins the Women's Auxiliary Police Corps, working with evacuees, the destitute and the vulnerable, she finds a renewed sense of purpose. She's come a long way from her place behind the counter in the corner shop. But there's still something missing in her heart. Is Helen able to accept love and happiness and find the courage to change her life? Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE GIRL IN THE PINK RAINCOAT: 'Difficult to put down... A strong and riveting story' Historical Novel Society. 'I LOVE The Girl in the Pink Raincoat. It's engaging and entertaining' Bits About Books. 'Absolutely a full five stars!' Grace J Reviewer Lady. 'I love a romance set in war time and this was amazing. I cannot recommend it highly enough' Chells and Books. 'A beautiful and powerful novel not only about a young woman and a first love... An outstanding novel that I highly recommend!' * Dandelions Inspired *

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Book Synopsis'Sumptuous, sexy and haunting. I adored this novel' SANTA MONTEFIORE. Starving men and women stalk the streets of St. Petersburg. Revolution is brewing. Yet in the Imperial court of Nicholas II and the lavish palaces of the aristocracy, there is unimaginable luxury and extravagance. Into this world of stifling splendour come two sisters. Princesses Anastasia and Militza from Montenegro are famed for their wild beauty and mystical powers. They befriend the isolated Tsarina Alexandra and use their psychic gifts to help in her increasingly desperate quest to produce a male heir. In one doomed last throw of the dice, the princesses introduce Rasputin to the Russian court. Forgotten by history, these extraordinary sisters played a frustrating role in the fate of the Romanov family – a true story of love, lust, power and betrayal. 'I couldn't put it down' CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN. 'Brilliant' CANDACE BUSHNELL. 'A rip-roaring read' DAISY GOODWIN. 'Sumptuous... Intrigue and black magic in the time of Rasputin' iNewspaper. 'Glamour, scandal and Russian princesses... A rollicking read' Good Housekeeping.Trade ReviewSumptuous, sexy and haunting. I adored this novel -- Santa MontefioreWith precision and razor-sharp accuracy... A brilliant take on the historical novel' -- Candace BushellRichly imagined... A rip-roaring read -- Daisy GoodwinSumptuous historical saga of intrigue and black magic in the time of Rasputin * i Newspaper *I couldn't put it down. If you're buying a book this winter, make sure it's this one -- Claudia WinklemanHistorical fiction always works best when it’s based on truth, and the big beating heart of this epic is the Russian Empire * Heat *The Russian Empire in its twilight days is the richly evoked setting for this intriguing tale of love and betrayal... [Edwards-Jones] brings her shrewd eye for the less savoury aspects of elite circles to this tense and gripping novel' * The Lady *This breathtaking historical tale vividly brings to life the collapse of the Russian Empire... Bewitchingly written, with dramatic pace and scene-setting descriptions' * Woman's Own *A rollicking read * Good Housekeeping. *This heady historical tale whisks readers straight to the heart of the Romanov court * Irish Mail on Sunday, Books of the Year. *This breathtaking historical tale brings to life the collapse of the Russian Empire, taking true events and casting them in a mystical light... The intrigue of the Russian court really springs from the page in this bewitchingly written novel, with well-established characters and setting descriptions' * Woman *

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Book SynopsisLove, marriage, birth, death and betrayal in the East-End of London make up life in Mulberry Lane, perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Cathy Sharp and Donna Douglas. Maureen Jackson knew life as a trainee nurse wouldn't be easy, but she didn't expect her hospital to be badly bombed on her first shift. Plus Maureen still has her family and friends in Mulberry Lane to keep her busy – she's needed as much there as she is by her patients. Running the pub on the corner of Mulberry Lane, Peggy Ashley is used to taking in all sorts of waifs and strays. But the arrival of a dashing American Captain has got tongues wagging about Mulberry Lane's favourite landlady... Janet Ashley husband is back from the frontline. Which is more than so many of the wives of Mulberry Lane. But her beloved Mike is a completely different man to the one she fell in love with – and what's more he doesn't remember her, or their young daughter. How do you cope when your darling husband is a virtual stranger? As WW2 continues around them, the women of Mulberry Lane know that community spirit and friendship is the key to surviving the Blitz. A WEDDING AT MULBERRY LANE is the second book in the riveting and heart-breaking Mulberry Lane series from Rosie Clarke. Order the next book, MOTHERS OF MULBERRY LANE, out July 2018.

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Book SynopsisThe final gripping instalment of the bestselling Four Streets trilogy which began with The Four Streets and continued in Hide Her Name. Christmas morning, 1963. Fifteen-year-old Kitty Doherty gives birth in a cold, unfriendly Irish convent. She knows her beautiful baby boy presents a huge danger to her family's Catholic community back in Liverpool's Four Streets. When her baby is adopted by a wealthy family in Chicago, Kitty considers the problem solved. But soon it's obvious the baby is very sick and only his birth mother can save him. In Liverpool, a charismatic new priest has arrived. As the Dohertys cope with the tragic consequences of Kitty's pregnancy, the police seem close to solving the double murder which rocked the Four Streets to the core. But now all that is about to be put at risk once again.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR NADINE DORRIES: 'The characters are engaging, the streets scenes cinematic and the theme of the novel powerful' The Times. 'A vigorous and vibrant story... to be devoured in one sitting' Sunday Express. 'Fabulous characters... gorgeous sentences and sensational plotlines' With Love For Books. 'Catholic Liverpool, Irish immigrants and dark secrets... I couldn't put it down' Cristina Odone. 'Captivating, phenomenal and touching' * 23 Review Street *

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Book SynopsisAn evocative novel of secrets, love and redemption under the Greek sun. Perfect for fans of Kate Furnivall and Julia Gregson. They have come to Santaniki for different reasons. Some with a dream of happiness. Some running from sadness and failure. But all of them have fallen in love with this most beautiful of Greek islands. When bossy retired bookseller, Ariadne Blunt, suggests that the English residents form a choir, she did not expect it would unleash quite so much drama. Secrets surface, old rivalries spring up, new friendships are formed and passions are rekindled. In this bittersweet tale of love and loss, people quite literally find their voices – showing that life can begin again when you let go of the past.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR LEAH FLEMING: 'A born storyteller' Kate Atkinson. 'It's a moving and compelling story about a lifetime's journey in search of the truth' Rachel Hore. 'A fabulous story of people, places and pearls from a master storyteller' Lancashire Post. 'Fascinating and unputdownable' -- Trisha Ashley

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Book SynopsisA family shattered by war and secrets... But hope is on the horizon1917. The First World War casts its shadow over the Harvey family of Ford Farm. One brother has already been killed, and Tristan now serves at the Front.Though newly engaged to pretty Emilia Rowse – a friend since childhood – younger brother Ben is desperate to serve his country. But a horrific injury causes him to be declared unfit, and Emilia's life becomes ever more difficult. Tensions mount on the family farm. Everyone, it seems, has closely guarded secrets… Can Emilia find happiness?Filled with a rich cast of unforgettable characters and packed with period detail, Touch the Silence is the brilliant opening to the Harvey Family sagas. For readers of Anne Baker, Maggie Hope and Daisy Styles.

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Book SynopsisLowri Vaughan is in need of refuge – where better to find it than Badgers Brook?Rumours abound that her father is a fraudster, maybe even a murderer, but while he is indeed locked up, Lowri and her mother know he’s an innocent man. Some gossip-seeking townsfolk work on currying Lowri’s favour, hoping she will drop her guard. Sorting those who can’t be trusted from those that can is tough work for Lowri, but that’s perhaps the least of her worries – she must secure her father’s release, and fast…The moving, final book in Grace Thompson's much-loved Badgers Brook saga series, perfect for fans of Anna Jacobs and Ellie Dean.

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Book SynopsisA story of family, secrets and love set in the beautiful Devonshire countryside at Woodicombe House.Kate Bratton dreams of more. It’s 1914, and her life is mapped out ahead of her: continue working as a maid in the beautiful Woodicombe House, settle down with Luke the gardener and, of course, start a family.Desperate to run away in search of adventure, Kate’s plans are curtailed by the arrival of the Russell family at Woodicombe House. Tasked with becoming a ladies-maid for their daughter, Naomi, Kate gets a glimpse of the other side of life. Little does she know that all families have secrets, no matter their standing.Will Kate return to the safety of her life before the Russell’s departure? Or will the handsome Ned Russell turn her head?The Woodicombe House Sagas The Housekeer’s Daughter A Wife’s War The Soldier's Return Praise for The Housekeeper's Daughter:‘I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and found the story to flow well. There were many twists and turns that built up to the final conclusion. Very enjoyable and definitely recommended’ 5* Reader review

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Book SynopsisAs the Great War looms, will the women of Kendal rise to meet the challenge?After giving birth to her daughter, Kate O’Connor finds herself back in Poor House Lane with some momentous decisions to make.Faced with the opportunity to move out of the slums, she invests her unexpected fortune in a new shoe factory to challenge Eliot Tyson’s monopoly over the workforce, regardless of whether or not he is the father of her children.But nothing is ever that simple, especially when old enemies and estranged relatives return to thwart her every scheme…The second, moving instalment in The Poor House Lane Sagas, The Child From Nowhere is a wartime saga perfect for fans of Val Wood and Katie Flynn

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Book SynopsisWhat will life bring now The Great War is over? The Great War is over and Kate is ready to welcome back Eliot with open arms. But her husband is a changed man. Kate has become used to her independence, and Eliot's return creates tensions both at work and at home, particularly with Kate's son, Callum.It tears Kate apart to see such strife between the two men she loves most. And her sister-in-law seems determined to stir up the animosity in order to benefit her own son. But when tragedy strikes, Kate cannot imagine just how much trouble Lucy's ambition can cause…A gripping saga, the third moving instalment of The Poor House Lane sagas is perfect for fans of Val Wood and Katie Flynn

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Book SynopsisA poignant story of courage and compassion in eighteenth-century Penzance.Jessica Trenchard is a spirited and wayward daughter – to the point that her father Clem is considering remarrying, to provide her with a suitable role model. Until, that is, her tender care of a speechless girl found abandoned in a field touches the heart of Kane Pengarron, the landlord’s eldest son.But when Jessica’s attempts to unearth her new friend’s true identity threaten her safety, she realises that nothing is quite as it seems.For a murderous rogue who has been terrorising Mount’s Bay for years has every reason to hate the Pengarrons…This thrilling saga is perfect for fans of Nicola Pryce and Poldark.

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A spellbinding saga of London’s East End.Ettie Wilkins has to get out of Whitechapel. As her mother sinks deeper into alcoholism, the volatile lodger sharing their slum turns his attentions to Ettie.So when debonair Professor Jacob Protsky picks Ettie out of the crowd, she is determined to seize her chance. Despite a chorus of warnings, Ettie goes to live with Protsky in Bow to assist him with his magic tricks.But when Ettie befriends the mysterious Celia Tressing, she soon finds herself increasingly worried by events in Whitechapel. A series of gruesome murders and whispers of Jack the Ripper have shaken even that resilient community… This is an enthralling Victorian drama of sin and redemption, perfect for fans of Rosie Goodwin and Kitty Neale.

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Book SynopsisA touching story of Welsh village life.Cockney born Nelly Luke is an essential part of the community. Yet not even Nelly, with her shrewd eye, can predict the surprises in store for her family and friends.A new year brings new faces: Maurice Davies is back from the army, and Sheila Powell, a shop-girl, is eager to help him make up for lost time. But for some there’s no escaping the past, and widow Prue Beynon finds herself confronted by a legacy she’d rather forget…Through the seasons, Nelly watches over the valley with a wry chuckle and an ever-helping hand.Valley Affairs is a warm-hearted novel packed with nostalgia and glorious period detail.

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Where there’s daring, there’s danger…Isabella Ashton has always been her father’s favourite, but when she gets involved with the new Birth Control Movement, he is scandalised. A decade has elapsed since the end of the Great War and running a family planning clinic in Salford is challenging but rewarding work.Bella is grateful for the help of Violet Howarth, a generous-hearted woman who takes her in off the street. Before long, a friendship with Violet’s son, Dan, blossoms into the beginnings of love.But Bella also crosses paths with handsome ne’er-do-well Billy Quinn, leader of an illegal betting ring, and everything she has worked for is suddenly put at risk.This is a bewitching tale of drama, jealousy and the fight for women's rights, perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Nadine Dorries.Praise for The Favourite Child ‘Compelling and fascinating’ Middlesborough Evening Gazette‘A revelation in telling us what it was like before women had rights’ 5* Reader review‘One of those books that you can’t put down, loved it’ 5* Reader review

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Where there’s community, there’s courage…Jess Delaney has always longed for independence. But when the Blitz reaches Manchester, she is locked in the cellar by her feckless mother, Lizzie. As bombs rain down from a sky turned blood red with flame, Jess waits for Lizzie to return.But fortunes are fickle, and soon Jess finds herself packed off to live with her tyrant Uncle Bernie, a bullying black marketeer. Though he treats her like a servant, she seeks refuge in the Sally Army and her natural musical talent offers both an escape route and the chance for love.But Uncle Bernie never forgives his niece for refusing to join his illegal schemes and threatens to deprive Jess of her hard-won freedom once and for all.This is a sweeping saga of hope and resilience perfect for fans of Kitty Neale and Rosie Goodwin.Praise for Dancing on Deansgate ‘A heart-wrenching story’ 5* Reader review‘It drew me in straight away’ 5* Reader review‘Another gem from a great writer’ 5* Reader review‘A compelling story of separation and hardship, and heartache overcome at last’ 5* Reader review

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Book SynopsisWhere there’s muck, there’s mettle…Dolly Tomkins has always known what it is to live hand to mouth. In the mean streets of a Salford struggling under the mantle of the Great Depression, the only one making a decent living is the talleyman.Though Nifty Jack has a money bag where his heart should be, Dolly’s mam is in hock up to her ears and in dire need of assistance. But when Jack offers to wipe the slate clean, Dolly just can’t bring herself to trust him.Instead, she takes him on at his own game and in the process endangers everything she holds most dear as a revelation about the past rocks the very foundations of her world.This is an enchanting story of love and endurance perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries and Kitty Neale.Previously published as Watch for the Talleyman.Praise for The Castlefield Collector 'A story which in some ways could be written about today as easily as the 1920s' 5* Reader review'This is my first novel by Freda and it will definitely not be the last' 5* Reader review'I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from start to finish' 5* Reader review

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Book SynopsisThe fate of Rome, and thousands of lives, rests on the shoulders of one man.After murdering his brother, and taking the position of Emperor for himself, Caracalla orders a brutal purge of the supporters of Geta.Meanwhile, Caracalla's ally Marcellus has his son suddenly kidnapped. But why? Silus is ordered to track down and rescue the boy, rumoured to be Caracalla's child. As Rome buckles beneath the weight of slaughter, Silus will travel to the city of Alexandria. There he will need to risk everything to save the boy, the Empire and his own life...An intense and blood-soaked thriller of Ancient Rome, perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow, Conn Iggulden and Ben Kane.

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Book SynopsisCan she keep the promise she made?When Morwen Tremayne read her vows to Ben Killigrew, she swore to stay by his side until death parted them.But when crushing disaster strikes, the foundation of Ben and Morwen’s life together is shaken to its very core. Pushed to breaking point, they are forced to question whether the love which bloomed in the sun can flower once more in darker days…An emotional saga of love, pain and family, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn, Rosie Goodwin and Maureen Lee

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Book SynopsisFight for your country. Fight for your king. Fight for your life... Gripping adventure in the Tudor Navy. Jack Stannard has spent his whole life at sea, enduring savage beatings from his father and the furious aggression of whip-cracking storms. But a more cruel and dangerous foe is on the horizon. When Henry VIII dissolves the monasteries and wages war against France and Scotland simultaneously, Jack must take up his family destiny at the head of the Dunwich fleet.But enemy blades may be the least of his problems. Aging ships, treacherous rivals and ghosts from the past all threaten to interfere with the war effort. The only man he can trust is Thomas Ryman, a former warrior turned monk. As the English fleet descends on Edinburgh, the dangerous game of politics and war reaches a shattering climax aboard the pride of Henry’s navy – the Mary Rose. Stannard and Ryman know that it is not just their lives that are at stake, but the future of England herself...Stuffed to the gunwales with gripping naval combat and adventure, Destiny’s Tide is the first in a thrilling new series set amidst the rise of the Tudor Navy, perfect for fans of Julian Stockwin, C. S. Forester’s Hornblower, and Patrick O’Brian

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Book SynopsisBased in part on the author’s mother’s handwritten memoirs, this novel is an act of bricolage in which the narrator keeps finding gaps in the materials. We desire to regain the past, but every time we attempt it we fabricate it anew. Through various narrative voices, the author discovers a different sense of her mother than she held during her lifetime. This is a type of biographical revisionism. We cannot know the past, especially that of our mothers, but we can re-member them. Meticulously researched, this book constitutes an extended meditation on memory, the strength of memory and its fallibility.

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Book SynopsisInspired by real bloodstains and from detailed research comes a refreshingly different historical romance between a god-fearing woman and a known murderer My Husband: The Extraordinary History of Nicholas Brome combines fifteenth century imagery with themes of morality and forgiveness in a historical novel that takes inspiration from a true story of love and murder. It explores the life of Nicholas Brome, a Warwickshire lord with a violent, blood-soaked past, through the soul-searching of his third wife and widow, Lettice Catesby. Their residence, Baddesley Clinton, features prominently in the novel, and still stands as a historical property people can tour today - including Nicholas’ grave where he demands to be buried standing up. An enduring punishment - but is it a just one? When Lettice married Nicholas, 25 years her senior, she believed she knew all there was about his violent past and the murders he committed. He had pleaded to the King and the Pope for pardon and both Lettice and God had long ago forgiven him. But on his deathbed, Nicholas confesses once more and this time there can be no forgiveness. Shocked, desperate, Lettice examines all she knows of his life for an explanation: his childhood torn apart by the power struggles between Yorkists and Lancastrians, the promise and pain of his marriages, his love of family and his amends for his violent behaviour. An inspiring story of love and loyalty in the face of a very real fear of Hell.

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Book SynopsisLate 6th century Britain. Regional kingdoms are engaged in a ruthless struggle for supremacy. To the south, Saxon kings predominate but, in the north, British leaders are combining in a final effort to overthrow their two Angle rivals in Deira and Bernicia. To survive, the Angle warlords must put aside their ancient rivalry. Acha, daughter of one king is chosen to act as ‘peace-weaver’ by marrying the rival leader. But when her intended husband kills her father and disinherits her young brother, she has to choose between her lover, her family and her duty to the wider kin. Against a backdrop of military campaigns that decide the shape of northern Britain, this story follows the personal tragedies that force siblings into rival camps. The outcome may be a united kingdom but families will be divided forever.

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Book SynopsisIn 1937, fisherman's son, John Norman's first encounter of Felicity MacDougall, the daughter of a retired tea planter, is prickly at best. But, a chance meeting during a London air raid leads to a tentative romance, which becomes long distance when John joins the Navy and Felicity takes a job at the infamous, secretive Bletchley Park. Their relationship falls prey to the timeless obstacles of insecurities, doubts and misunderstandings. Can they overcome the distance between them, and also the war? This love story, forged amid the emotional intensity of WW2, is the beating heart of Liz MacRae Shaw's new novel. John and Felicity's relationship has fateful consequences, not only for them, but beyond, into the next generation...

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Book SynopsisA sweeping historical novel about the struggle of one woman and one village against war, racism and ecological devastation. Curòn, 1920 In a small village in South Tyrol, Trina longs for a different life. She dedicates herself to becoming a teacher, but the year that she qualifies Mussolini's regime abolishes the use of German as a teaching language. In this new climate of fear and uncertainty Trina works for a clandestine network of schools in the valley, always with the risk of capture. Curòn, 1939 Now married and a mother Trina's life is again thrown into uncertainty when Germany anounces the 'Great choice' and communities in South Tyrol are given the opportunity to move to Germany. The town splits and ever-increasing rifts form among its people. Those, like Trina and her family, who choose not to leave are seen as traitors and spies; they can no longer leave the house without suffering abuse. Then one day Trina comes home and finds that her daughter is missing...Trade Review[An] intimate historical novel... Trina's inner life and the inexorable rising waters bridge the temporal divide of years and generations, offering the reader a painfully relevant metaphor for the ways in which we must live our lives in a world that grows increasingly unstable' * Irish Times *Balzano employs an unpretentious style to explore Trina's life and wider questions about an individual's relationship to a particular place * Sunday Times *Focusing on a town that disappeared under water, Balzano wrote a story of not-belonging and temporariness deeply rooted in today's reality * La Lettura *A novel that gets even better with every chapter, as it happens with talented storytellers' * L'espresso *An epic tale of love, family relationships, war and belonging, this is a beautifully written and atmospheric tale... Balzano's prose is evocative and intense, deftly painting a picture. The story itself is gripping, accompanied by equally compelling snippets of European history' * The Lady *Balzano illuminates a war waged upon the South Tyrol even after 'the war' was over. Balzano recites horrors in a cool, unvarnished tone, cataloging a life upended by war and, worse, by its remembrance * Kirkus Reviews *Through its short chapters and understated prose, I'm Staying Here is an arresting novel about a small but beautiful place in constant turmoil and conflict with itself – turmoil that we discover will continue even past the war years when the town of Curon ended up facing its biggest threat of all * Bath Life *

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Book Synopsis'The most immersive book I've ever read... Truly brings Tudor England to life' Frank Cottrell Boyce, The Times 'One of the finest historical novels ever written' TLS A forgotten literary masterpiece, The Man on a Donkey is less about the great figures who shape historical change and more about what it's like to live through it. This is a sweeping, immersive historical novel that invites the reader to inhabit Tudor history as it unfolds: Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon; Robert Aske's rebels fighting the Dissolution of the Monasteries; the machinations of Cardinal Wolsey and Anne Boleyn. It is, quite simply, one of the finest historical novels ever written. 'A masterpiece' Eamon Duffy 'A classic of historical fiction... Captures all the poignant strangeness of the era' Hilary MantelTrade ReviewA novel that truly brings Tudor England to life... Reading her prose is less like looking at words on a page and more like looking through a window... [Unlike] any other historical novel I've read -- Frank Cottrell Boyce, The TimesBy widespread assent, one of the finest historical novels ever written * TLS *The great beauty of the writing... The words caress the imagination -- Peter Hitchens, Daily MailA classic of historical fiction... Blends real and invented characters and captures all the poignant strangeness of the era -- Hilary MantelA masterpiece -- Eamon Duffy

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Book SynopsisIn a Cornish valley steeped in legend lies an abandoned house where Edens may be lost, found and remade... The house at White Cove comes with a reputation. Once the venue for glittering parties, it has lain neglected since the war, which is why Mila and her mother Magda acquire it so cheaply in the summer of 1954. While Magda plans to restore the house to its former glory, Mila just wants a happy home for her little girl, Janey. Locals say this valley is home to a white hare; to some it’s an ill omen, to others a blessing. Feeling fragile and broken-hearted, Mila is in need of as many blessings as she can get. But will this place provide the fresh start she so desperately needs? ‘This book does not hesitate to evoke a sense of wonder’ Robin Hobb ‘Mythic, witchy... sings of an earth alive with power’ Jackie Morris ‘A brilliant novel of love, loss, forgiveness, and healing’ Liz FenwickTrade ReviewSings of an earth alive with power -- Jackie MorrisDoes not hesitate to evoke a sense of wonder -- Robin HobbA brilliant novel of love, loss, forgiveness, and healing wrapped in Cornwall start to finish. I loved every page, every small detail and am at a loss now that I’ve finished it -- Liz FenwickAn engrossing gothic tale of family secrets, scandals, and ancient mysteries * Publishers Weekly *I was intrigued from the beginning * Historical Novel Society *

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Book SynopsisA sweeping historical adventure, set in 17th-century Morocco, from the bestselling author of Court of Lions. Morocco, 1677 The tyrannical King Ismail resides over the palace of Meknes. Through the sweltering heat of the palace streets, Nus Nus, slave to the king, is sent to the apothecary. There he discovers the bloody corpse of the herb man, and becomes entangled in a plot to frame him for the murder. Meanwhile, young, fair Alys Swann is captured during her crossing to England, where she is due to be wed. Sold into Ismail's harem, she is forced to choose: renounce her faith or die. An unlikely alliance develops between Alys and Nus Nus, one that will help them to survive the horrifying ordeals of King Ismail's court. Brimming with rich historical detail and peppered with real characters, from Charles I to Samuel Pepys, The Sultan's Wife is a story of enduring love and adventure. 'Jane Johnson writes the sort of books you want to tell everyone about... I'm addicted' Katie Fforde 'An utterly compelling story' Stuart MacBride 'An irresistible page turner – I loved it' Barbara Erskine 'Full of intrigue, deceit, skulduggery and murder' Ben KaneTrade ReviewJane Johnson writes the sort of books you want to tell everyone about – they hook you from the first page and sweep you along with passion, history and romance. I'm addicted -- Katie FfordeFull of intrigue, deceit, skulduggery and murder. It has romance in it, but also heartbreak and personal tragedy. It's deeply evocative of North Africa – the sights, the smells, the culture, but there are also great depictions of London at the time, and the court of Charles II. I really enjoyed it -- Ben KaneDeftly recreating the court intrigue of the tyrannical Moroccan Sultan Moulay Ismail – with all its trappings of superstition, black magic and torture – it sucks you down through interleaving layers steeped in blood, sweat and raw adrenalin, to a mesmerising bedrock of real history... The Sultan's Wife gets inside you, conjuring its magic long after you read the last line' -- Tahir ShahGripping and evocative. An utterly compelling story -- Stuart MacBrideAn irresistible page turner – I loved it -- Barbara Erskine

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Book Synopsis*An International Bestseller from the author of People Like Us, shortlisted for the RSL Christopher Bland Prize and the RNA Historical Romantic Novel Award 2021* From the outside, Eleanor and Edward Hamilton have the perfect life, but they're harbouring a secret that threatens to fracture their entire world. London, 1929. Eleanor Hamilton is a dutiful mother, a caring sister and an adoring wife to a celebrated war hero. Her husband, Edward, is a pioneer in the eugenics movement. The Hamiltons are on the social rise, and it looks as though their future is bright. When Mabel, their young daughter, begins to develop debilitating seizures, they have to face an uncomfortable truth: Mabel has epilepsy – one of the 'undesirable' conditions that Edward campaigns against. Forced to hide their daughter away so as to not jeopardise Edward's life's work, the couple must confront the truth of their past – and the secrets that have been buried. Will Eleanor and Edward be able to fight for their family? Or will the truth destroy them? 'Shocking, emotive, and compelling, but ultimately a story of hope. I loved it' – Deborah Carr, bestselling author of The Poppy Field 'A poignant rendering of love and motherhood, human frailty and redemption, exquisitely told against the backdrop of the unthinkable... Fein deftly takes the reader back to a terrifying turning point in history and, with grace and compassion, reminds us of the importance of standing up for what we believe in our souls to be true' – Judithe Little, bestselling author of The Chanel Sisters 'The Hidden Child is the thought-provoking and compelling tale of one family and the battle to survive their daughter's illness. A reminder that ordinary people can so often be responsible for some of the most shocking episodes in history' – Louise Hare, bestselling author of This Lovely City 'An astonishing story about an aspect of British history that's long been swept under the carpet – surprising, moving and poignant' – Frances Quinn, bestselling author of The Smallest Man 'I was completely under its spell in this powerful, engaging, and ultimately heart-warming story. Bravo, Louise you've done it again!' – Gill Thompson, author of The Oceans Between Us 'The Hidden Child is a fascinating and thought-provoking story which is hard to put down' – Caroline Bishop, author of The Other Daughter 'The Hidden Child is a story of hope and redemption, of humanity and growth... both intimate and universal in scope. I loved this compelling read and its complex, flawed, but deeply human characters' – Addison Armstrong, author of The Light of Luna ParkTrade ReviewI am a huge fan of Louise Fein's writing. In The Hidden Child, just as in her wonderful debut, People Like Us, Louise skilfully reels us into the world of the novel, with meticulously researched period detail, and flawed but highly sympathetic characters. Intertwining with this central theme are fascinating threads about female liberation and the growing fear of financial ruin. Louise's story is wonderfully spun through prose that is at times lyrical and poetic but always clear and forward moving. I was completely under its spell in this powerful, engaging, and ultimately heart-warming story. Bravo, Louise you've done it again! -- Gill ThompsonA heart-wrenching depiction of a golden couple in the 1920s when their perfect life is turned on its axis and shows the lengths a mother will go to when forced to protect her daughter from her ambitious husband and his twisted beliefs at a time when women's voices were not heard. Shocking, emotive, and compelling, but ultimately a story of hope. I loved it -- Deborah CarrA poignant rendering of love and motherhood, human frailty and redemption, exquisitely told against the backdrop of the unthinkable. A heroine for the ages, Eleanor Hamilton's predicament will tear your heart apart while her resolve is a testament to the power of intuition. Fein deftly takes the reader back to a terrifying turning point in history and, with grace and compassion, reminds us of the importance of standing up for what we believe in our souls to be true -- Judithe LittleA story of hope and redemption, of humanity and growth... both intimate and universal in scope. I loved this compelling read and its complex, flawed, but deeply human characters' -- Addison ArmstrongThe thought-provoking and compelling tale of one family and the battle to survive their daughter's illness. A reminder that ordinary people can so often be responsible for some of the most shocking episodes in history -- Louise HareA powerful, thought-provoking, and often heart-wrenching read * Beauty and Lace *Fein's story wakes us up to the challenge of watching what narratives we can come to accept and normalise * Mayo News *

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Book SynopsisInspired by the true story of the Peterloo Massacre.Manchester 1819. Prices are high and wages are low, but as the poor become poorer, the rich are alarmed by their calls for reform.Mill-worker Nancy Kay struggles to support her ailing mother and sensitive son. Desperate to provide for them, she is inspired to join the growing agitation. But, as she risks everything to attend a great assembly on St Peter's Field, Nancy is unaware the day will go down in history, not as a triumph but as tragedy; the Peterloo massacre.This is one woman's story of belief in change, pieced together by her family and friends and the two men who share her momentous summer. A story of hope, and sacrifice, and above all, courage.''Vivid, gripping and so evocative'' Dr Janette Martin''A compelling account of this fateful day in British political history'' The Historical Novel Society''Moving and beautifully written'' Emma Darwin''Lyrical, earthy and compelling'' Brian Keaney''A powerful, heartfelt story'' James Wilson''A heroine not just for 1819 but 2019 too'' Dr Jacqueline Riding,Historian, Curator and Author''This moving tale will bring history alive''Julie Barham, Northernreader

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the HWA Debut Crown AwardOrphaned young, H is sent to live with her doting aunt in London. H's life is a happy one until her lecherous cousin robs her of her innocence, and the plague takes away the city and the people she loves. H is cast out friendless, pregnant and destitute into the rapidly emptying streets of London under quarantine.Forced to fend for herself, she is determined to gain back the life she lost. H will face a villain out for revenge, find love in the most unexpected places, and overcome a betrayal that she never could have foreseen. Weathering it all, can H charm, or scheme, her way to the life of freedom and independence that she longs for?''Full of terrific historical detail... has that sparky confidence and unputdownable quality.'' Alison Pearson, judge for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize''This book is well written and the narrator, in whichever guise, is engaging'' Historical Novel Society

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Book SynopsisTHREE BROTHERSFergus, Loarn and Angus, Princes of the Dalriada, are forced into exile by their scheming half-brother and the druidess Birga One-tooth.THREE FATESFergus conceals himself as a stable lad on Aran and falls helplessly in love with a Scottish princess, already promised to someone else. Loarn crosses swords against the Picts. Angus designs longboats.TOGETHER A MIGHTY POWERAlways on the run the brothers must attempt to outride their adversaries by gaining power themselves. Together they achieve more than they could possibly dream of.Fergus Mór (The Great) is widely recognised as the first King of Scotland, giving Scotland its name and its language. Rulers of Scotland and England from Kenneth mac Alpín until the present time claim descent from Fergus Mór.Full of unexpected twists and turns, this is a tale of heart-breaking love amidst treachery, deceit and murder.

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