Historical Fiction Books

Book SynopsisThe Eldest Girl is a family drama spanning three generations. It moves between the 1960s with Tom, fresh off the boat from England who falls in love with the seemingly unattainable Ngahere, and 2010 where Cassius, their son, is grieving the death of his wife, Mere, and barely able to parent their children.

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Book SynopsisA vengeful, bloody queen imprisons her own half-sister...England 1554, and twenty year old Princess Elizabeth is a captive of Queen Mary. She longs for liberty - and in Honor and Richard Thornleigh and their seafaring son Adam, the young princess has loyal allies. When Mary releases her from the Tower, hoping she will make a false move and condemn herself, the Thornleighs return from exile to help Elizabeth in the fight of her life.But Honor is playing a dangerous game as double agent, aware that a false move of her own could uncover her past as a condemned heretic. To save her family and Elizabeth, Honor must turn a headstrong princess into a queen before Bloody Mary destroys them all...

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Book SynopsisYour son or your queen - what price can Elizabeth demand for loyalty? Young Elizabeth I's path to the throne has been a perilous one, and already she faces a dangerous crisis. French troops have landed in Scotland to quell a rebel Protestant army and Elizabeth fears that once entrenched on the border, they will invade England. Isabel Thornleigh, recently returned from the New World with her Spanish husband, Carlos Valverde, and their young son, is recruited by the queen to smuggle money to the Scottish rebels. Yet Elizabeth's trust only goes so far - Isabel's son will be the queen's pampered hostage until she completes her mission. But matters grow worse when Isabel's husband is engaged as military advisor to the French, putting the couple on opposite sides in a deadly spying war...Praise for Barbara Kyle:'Unfurls a complex and fast paced plot, mixing history with vibrant characters.' Publishers Weekly 'Kyle is adept at layering her tale with colourful descriptions, accurate details and exciting twists with a fast-paced plot designed to keep readers' attention.' Romantic Times

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Book Synopsis*******Light up your life this Christmas with the BRAND NEW NOVEL from SUNDAY TIMES Number One Bestselling author KATIE FLYNN.''One of the country''s most popular storytellers'' Scottish Daily Record********Will she find love in her wartime home?1939. All over Britain children are being evacuated. Eve Armstrong and her little brother are headed for Devon, where the Armstrong parents will do their bit in nearby Plymouth. Pulling out of London Eve takes a last look at the crowded platform, the shabbily dressed evacuees, and a rude little boy sticking his tongue out. She’s looking forward to a change of scene. And at first, surrounded by countryside, animals and new pals, Eve is happier than ever at Drake’s Farm. Not even her daily chores dampen her spirits. It’s a different world that invites fresh starts, and so when Eve runs into the boy from the station, Johnny Durrell, they call a truce and

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Book SynopsisIn 1804, Liverpool was the largest slave trading port in Great Britain, yet her influential traders felt threatened by the success, in Parliament, of the anti-slavery movement. Few, in Liverpool, condemned the 'Trade'. William King, son of a Liverpool slave trader, sickened by what he experienced aboard a Spanish slaver, was one of the few who did speak out. This epic, set during the dying days of this despicable practice, weaves themes of generational change, moral wickedness, greed, romance, and the fortunes of war as they impact upon the lives of a father and son caught up in the turmoil that preceded the implementation of the British Trade Act of 1807, which would end Britain's involvement in the slave trade. The city of Liverpool is one still scarred by its past involvement with the morally contemptible Triangle Trade. Indeed, the cities prosperity was built on the profits of slavery, and the reverberations of this inheritance continue to impact on the city today. This novel roots the reader firmly in a city on the brink of change, evoking a real sense of the struggles at play, and informing our understanding of the realities of slavery, those who fueled its continuation and those who brought about its eventual cessation, as well as the legacy inherited by the City of Liverpool and the wider world.

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Book Synopsis'One hell of a fine book' Conn IgguldenIN AN AGE OF CLASHING EMPIRES, DARK FORCES FROM THE EAST ENDANGER THE FIRST LIGHT OF THE WESTERN RENAISSANCE...It is an age of ruthless rulers, divided churches, fractured dynasties and intrepid traders. It is an age of great cities like Venice and Constantinople; an age of conquerors like Tamerlane who will drown the world in blood; an age when only a hero of exceptional gifts can make a difference. Luke Magoris is that hero. A hero who will find himself committed to a long journey to discover - and try to avoid - his destiny. He will travel from battle to trading fortune, from horse dealing to captivity, and to the love of three very different women and the unrelenting enmity of two remarkable men.Trade Review'A compelling narrative of intrigue, love and war' The Bookseller. * Bookseller *'A stirring tale of the struggle for Byzantium. Heneage brings to life both the tragedy and the heroism' Tom Holland. * Tom Holland *'Fascinating historical mysteries and vivid colourful characters. It's a page-turner fast enough to make its own breeze' Conn Iggulden. * Conn Iggulden *

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Book SynopsisPerfect for fans of POLDARK!A stunning eighteenth-century Cornish romance, following the desperate struggles of heroine Celia Cavendish as she bravely attempts to craft her own future.Cornwall 1793 - As the French Revolution threatens the stability of England, so too is discontent brewing in the heart of Celia Cavendish. Promised to the brutal Viscount Vallenforth, she must find a way to break free from the bounds of a life stifled by convention and cruelty.Inspired by her cousin Arbella, who just a few months earlier followed her heart and eloped with the man she loved, she vows to escape her impending marriage and take her destiny back into her own hands. She enlists her neighbours, Sir James and Lady Polcarrow, who have themselves made a dangerous enemy of Celia's father, in the hope of making a new life for herself. But can the Polcarrows' mysterious friend Arnaud, captain of the cutter L'Aigrette, protect Celia from a man who will let nothing stand in the way of his greed? And will Arnaud himself prove to be friend... or foe?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 SynopsisThis is the second book in the dolphin trilogy The Perfect Pair, the factionalised memoir of Europeâs top 1970s dolphin trainer.

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE RATHBONES FOLIO PRIZE 2019Longlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize 20192019 Walter Scott Prize Academy recommendationIf you tell a story oft enoughSo it become trueAs the nineteenth century draws towards a close, Mary Ann Sate, an elderly maidservant, sets out to write her truth.She writes of the Valleys that she loves, of the poisonous rivalry between her employer's two sons and of a terrible choice which tore her world apart.Her haunting and poignant story brings to life a period of strife and rapid social change, and evokes the struggles of those who lived in poverty and have been forgotten by history.In this fictional found memoir, novelist Alice Jolly uses the astonishing voice of Mary Ann to recreate history as seen from a woman's perspective and to give joyful, poetic voice to the silenced women of the past.Trade Review 'What distinguishes Mary Ann Sate, Imbecile from more conventional historical novels is Jolly’s daring experiment in form, and her extraordinary handling of language . . . A rigorously researched, lyrical tour de force' Guardian 'Mary Ann's voice is a remarkable achievement... (Alice Jolly) gives her individuality and vigour in a work of tremendous humanity.' Times Literary Supplement

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Book Synopsis2019 Walter Scott Prize Academy recommendation'Succeeds brilliantly ... a gripping and disturbing portrait of the young Hitler' Simon Mawer, author of the Man Booker-shortlisted The Glass HouseSalzburg, 1945: Eugen Reczek, a middle-aged Austrian desk clerk, is interned by the American occupiers. The reason: he is Hitlers Jugendfreund – ‘The Friend of the Führer’s Youth’.Linz, 1905: An upholstery apprentice by day and fledgling violist by night, Eugen meets fifteen-year-old Adolf Hitler at the local opera, and for the next four years they see each other almost daily. Eugen is captivated but also troubled by Hitler: his almost complete isolation, his morbid preoccupation with his dead father, and his obsession with a young woman to whom he has never said a word.They move together to Vienna – Adolf to study art; Eugen to study music – but as Adolf’s money runs low, he becomes increasingly drawn to the racist gutter press of Vienna, and so to hatred: of women, of sex, of all things sensual. When Eugen begins a relationship with the Jewish mother of one of his piano students, it is only a matter of time before their suppressed conflict will ignite.Now, with the Third Reich in ashes, Eugen sits in a barren room writing his memoir. In a voice by turns intelligent, sceptical, pained, nostalgic and appalled, he tries to come to terms with the course of his own life and with the unfathomable criminality of his boyhood friend – his Hitler.Trade Review 'Intelligent and engrossing ... a sobering reminder that evil comes in many guises' Observer 'A vivid depiction of incipient madness' John Boyne, Guardian 'This is a remarkable first novel ... an extraordinary assurance and innate grasp of form and character' Herald Scotland 'An engaging and entertaining story ... It overcomes a considerable challenge by giving a convincing portrayal of a historical figure we all feel we know – and almost manages to humanise him' Spectator 'Dazzling . . . A tremendous read' Press and Journal

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE DESMOND ELLIOTT PRIZE 2021 SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA DAGGERS HISTORICAL AWARD 2022 Spring, 1840. In the Dorset market town of Wimborne Minster, a young choirboy drowns himself. Soon after, the choirmaster—a belligerent man with a vicious reputation—is found murdered, in a discovery tainted as much by relief as it is by suspicion. The gaze of the magistrates falls on four local men, whose decisions will reverberate through the community for years to come. So begins the chronicle of Crow Court, unravelling over fourteen delicately interwoven episodes, the town of Wimborne their backdrop: a young gentleman and his groom run off to join the army; a sleepwalking cordwainer wakes on his wife’s grave; desperate farmhands emigrate. We meet the composer with writer’s block; the smuggler; a troupe of actors down from London; and old Art Pugh, whose impoverished life has made him hard to amuse. Meanwhile, justice waits…Trade Review 'Clever, elegantly constructed, utterly convincing' Daily Mail 'Charman is less interested in unravelling a mystery and more concerned with the consequences that ripple out from the original violence . . . Skilful' Sunday Times 'Debut novels shouldn’t be this perfectly formed. Its subject is historic, yet its exploration of morality feels utterly modern. A rarity in historical fiction: it truly places you in the here and now of a world once removed. Crow Court already looks, feels and smells like a classic’ Benjamin Myers, author of The Gallows Pole and The Offing ‘A confident and exciting debut: exactly observed, densely textured and richly flavoured, Crow Court is throbbing with life' Rick Gekoski, author of Darke ‘This clever narrative is both page-turning and original - an innovative and beautifully written historical novel that features an array of diverse characters and voices from its vividly realised Dorset setting' Jane Harris, author of Sugar Money 'Inventive, original and deeply moving. There is a warmth and humanity, an acceptance of the vagaries and challenges of life' Alice Jolly, author of Mary Anne Sate, Imbecile 'A gripping mystery, beautifully teased out over several decades, full of intrigue and ambiguity' Andy Hamilton, author of Longhand 'This is an original and compelling debut' Jane Shilling, Daily Mail 'Clever, elegantly constructed, utterly convincing' Daily Mail 'As gripping as Hilary Mantel and as convincing as Sarah Perry ... debut novels shouldn't be this perfectly formed' Ben Myers 'Clever, page-turning, original ... beautifully written' Jane Harris 'Exactly observed, densely textured and richly flavoured ... Crow Court is throbbing with life' Rick Gekoski

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Book SynopsisThe dazzling new state-of-the-nation novel from one of America's most significant contemporary writers and winner of the Women's Prize for May We Be Forgiven, which explores the makings of our political times. --- 'A terrific black comedy, written almost entirely in pitch-perfect dialogue, that feels terrifyingly close to the unfunny truth' - Salman Rushdie The Big Guy loves his family, money and democracy. Undone by the results of the 2008 Presidential election, he taps a group of like-minded men to reclaim their version of America. As they build a scheme to disturb and disrupt, the Big Guy also faces turbulence within his family and must take responsibility for his past actions. For his wife and daughter are having their own awakenings: self-denying Charlotte enters rehab, and eighteen year old Megan, who has voted for the first time, explores a political future that deviates from her father's ideology, while delving into deeply buried family secrets. Dark, funny and prescient, The Unfolding explores the implosion of the dream and how we arrived in today's divided world. 'From her first book onward, A. M. Holmes has been challenging us to look at fiction, the world, and one another as we haven't done-because we haven't had the nerve, the eyes, the dire and dispassionate imagination. Gripping, sad, funny, by turns aching and antic and, as always, exceedingly well-observed and written, The Unfolding opens up another one of her jagged windows, at times indistinguishable from a crack, in the world that is always unfolding, and always vanishing, around us' - Michael ChabonTrade ReviewFrom her first book onward, A. M. Holmes has been challenging us to look at fiction, the world, and one another as we haven't done-because we haven't had the nerve, the eyes, the dire and dispassionate imagination. Gripping, sad, funny, by turns aching and antic and, as always, exceedingly well-observed and written, The Unfolding opens up another one of her jagged windows, at times indistinguishable from a crack, in the world that is always unfolding, and always vanishing, around us -- Michael ChabonA terrific black comedy, written almost entirely in pitch-perfect dialogue, that feels terrifyingly close to the unfunny truth -- Salman RushdieThe Unfolding is Swiftian in its energy and bite, yet brimful of compassion and emotion. The entwining of the personal and the political feels as if it's born again to a sparkling new life. How does she do it? * Neel Mukherjee *How can a book be hilarious and chilling at the same time? A.M. Homes's The Unfolding is a modern masterpiece, a scary immersion deep into the heart of American power -- Gary Shteyngart, author of Our Country FriendsCompelling, funny, horrifying, and tremendously astute, this novel cuts right to the bone -- Phil Klay, author of MissionariesA.M. Homes has perfectly captured an America as it lurches toward freak-out, and a family as it shreds the lies it's been living by... Hilarious and shocking and heartbreaking and just a little bit deranged -- Nathan Hill, author of The Nix

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Book SynopsisThe war is drawing to a close, but the munitions girls are still hard at work in the factory. Gladys, who's been promoted to overseer, has been feeling lonely lately. Her friend Em, and Em's daughter Lizzie, have moved away, and a lot of others have left Gosport too. Then an act of kindness towards Goldie, a homeless teenager, provides Gladys with a new friend and lodger.But Goldie has run away from her dangerous family - a group of local gangsters and black-market smugglers, including a particular thug, a pimp, who is determined to make the girl his ownCan Gladys keep both of them safe while dealing with her own unexpected pregnancy?Trade ReviewA gripping story packed with darkness and light, love and friendship, greed and betrayal - Lancashire Evening Post on The Canary Girls

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Book SynopsisA Cretan village confronts the Nazi juggernaut sweeping across Europe. A village matriarch tries to hold her family together...Her grieving son finds a new life in the Cretan Resistance…A naive English soldier unwillingly finds the warrior in himself…And a fanatical German paratrooper is forced to question everything he thought he believed in. The lives of four ordinary people are irrevocably entwined and their destinies changed forever as each of them confronts the horrors of war and its echoes down the decades.

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Book Synopsis‘The Forgotten is an utterly absorbing novel... The devastation of Berlin in 1945 is powerfully portrayed through the eyes of the women who are caught between the conquering forces.’ Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne How do you rebuild a life from the ashes of despair? London 1958. Twenty-six-year-old Betty Fisher is one of the first to join the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and attend its inaugural meeting, where she meets John Harris. Posted to Berlin towards the end of the war, John has been left traumatised by his experiences in Germany. And, as his initial admiration for Betty shifts into an overwhelming need to protect her, he is plagued by flashbacks and fantasies. John's increasing fragility brings to the surface Betty's own memories. And soon her past, too, begins to unravel...Trade Review‘The Forgotten is an utterly absorbing novel... The devastation of Berlin in 1945 is powerfully portrayed through the eyes of the women who are caught between the conquering forces, trying desperately to survive and to protect one another... The plot twists kept me riveted.’ -- Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne‘Beautifully crafted, elegantly written, with characters to root for – I loved this heart-stopping tale.’ -- Saskia Sarginson, author of The Bench‘Mary Chamberlain has written another fine novel about lives shaped by the Second World War… a moving story of two people discovering the power of past trauma to intrude on the present.’ -- Sunday Times‘Through a cast of memorable characters, [the novel] reveals the difficult choices faced by ordinary people, and their aftermath. A compelling work of fiction that’s grounded in real events.’ -- Choice Magazine‘Mary Chamberlain’s moving novel is a vivid and immersive exploration of the lasting impacts of war and how love can rise from the ashes.’ -- Woman’s Own‘In The Forgotten Mary Chamberlain offers us a masterclass in immersive wartime fiction. While Chamberlain is characteristically unflinching in her portrayal of the grim realities of war, The Forgotten is so much more than a catalogue of brutality. It is a pacy and compelling story of intrigue and espionage, and of how people can survive and love can endure. I loved it!’ -- Sonia Velton, author of Blackberry and Wild Rose‘I found myself lost in the world that Mary Chamberlain creates. Beautifully written, realistic on the human impact of war, with characters I fell in love with.’ -- Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City‘In Mary Chamberlain’s latest, she proves yet again she is the master of gripping historical fiction. Engrossing, heartbreaking, and eloquently written, The Forgotten left me breathless. Chamberlain offers readers new perspectives on war, women, espionage, and what it takes to survive.’ -- Lara Prescott, author of The Secrets We Kept‘Mary Chamberlain is a born storyteller. Each of her novels takes us immediately into a world we did not know enough about, brought vividly alive through the lives of characters who will stay with you long after the last page, The Forgotten is a triumph, the kind of novel you hate to finish.’ -- Carmen Callil, author of Oh Happy Day‘A fascinating, gripping and often heart breaking account of the aftermath of war and how trauma can echo through generations, The Forgotten sheds light on an often overlooked period of history – the dying embers of the Second World War, and the ordinary people left to pick up the pieces. Mary Chamberlain brilliantly explores the devastating toll of war on every side, the price paid by women for survival and the impossible choices ordinary people were forced to make, reminding us that history is never really in the past.’ -- Sarah Day, author of Mussolini’s Island‘A riveting drama in the lingering shadows of the Second World War: the inherited, the lived, the choices made and the secrets they bring.’ -- Cecilia Ekbäck, author of The Historians‘Espionage, secrets and nuclear warfare. This is a vivid and powerful story about the impact of war and how people lived with the choices they were forced to make. Brilliant.’ -- Anna Mazzola, author of The Unseeing

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Book Synopsis Return to the northern town of Thorp in this moving new addition to Marion Husband's bestselling The Boy I Love series. 'You, me, Eric, Paul Harris - even Margot - even Adele. All of us so messed up by the war we couldn't tell right from wrong.' 1964. The town of Thorp in the North of England has always kept its secrets. With so many husbands returned from the war changed men, there are some truths that can never be spoken.And yet, Bobby Harris is determined to find out the truth about his father, Paul. Horrified by Paul's scandalous posthumous biography, Bobby must discover if he really has been lied to all his life.But in uncovering his father's secrets, he soon learns that it is not only his own family who will be affected by his search for the truth.Praise for Marion Husband: 'As with all the best novelists, Husband's talent seems to draw its energy from the experience of writing from perspectives far removed from her own as she inhabits other genders, other sexualities, other eras' Patrick Gale'Don't miss this series - if you love the power of words, words rich in layer and tone . . . you will love them. Can't recommend them enough.' Goodreads Reviewer

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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 dramatic read from the very outset * Simon Scarrow *A 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 SynopsisGolden Hill and The Alienist meet Gangs of New York in this sweeping historical crime drama set in 18th century New York.New York, 1799: Justy Flanagan, lawyer, soldier, policeman, has returned to his native city, bloodied and battered after fighting in the Irish Rebellion against the English. Determined to hunt down the man who murdered his father, his inquiries lead him to Wall Street and the fledgling stock market there. But as his investigations into the past move ahead, the horrific murders of young slave women in the present start to occupy his time. Convinced that there is a link between his father's murder, the deaths of the young women, and a massive fraud that nearly destroyed New York's economy, Justy can trust no one. As the conspiracy deepens, it becomes clear that those involved will stop at nothing to keep their secrets. Justy is forced to choose: will he betray his father's memory, compromise his integrity, and risk the lives of his closest friends, to get to the bottom of a tale so dangerous, it could change the landscape of America forever?Trade ReviewA meticulously researched historical thriller... with strong, multifaceted [characters] and tight plotting. I will impatiently await the sequel. -- Patrick TaylorThe Devil's Half-Mile terrified me. Paddy Hirsch's vivid story of New York in 1799 shows just how vulnerable our newborn nation was to greedy men with no moral centers. Young Irish-American Justice Flanagan manages to expose the corruption of Wall Street and misdeeds of government officials but it's a close thing. Impossible not to think of parallels to today and hope there are some contemporary Justice Flanagans at work. Powerful. * Mary Pat Kelly, filmmaker and best-selling author of Galway Bay and Of Irish Blood *A tense, violent and atmospheric crime thriller set in 1799 when the white-collar criminals carried switchblades and human lives were traded like sacks of grain. * Michael Robotham, award-winning author of LIFE OR DEATH *Fascinating and well drawn. * The Times *A page-turning historical thriller... A perfect holiday read. * Irish Independent *

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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'Loot held me spellbound from the first page...an expertly-plotted, deeply affecting novel ' Maggie O’FarrellAn epic tale of plundered treasure, savage empire, lasting love and a young man's dream to make his mark on the world.Meet Abbas. Woodcarver, toy maker, dreamer. Abbas is seventeen when he is whisked away to Tipu Sultan's glorious palace in Mysore. Apprenticed to the clockmaker Monsieur Du Leze, he is ordered to create an ingenious musical tiger to delight Tipu's sons.In the eccentric Du Leze, Abbas finds an unexpected friend who encourages his skill and hunger for learning, and through whom he also meets the unforgettable Jehanne, who has questions and ambitions of her own.But when British soldiers attack and loot Mysore, Abbas's world is turned upside down and his prized tiger is shipped off to a country estate in England. In order to carve out his place in the world, he must follow.A hero's quest, a love story, an exuberant heist novel that traces the bloody legacy of colonialism across the world, Loot is a dazzling, wildly inventive and irresistible feat of storytelling from a writer at the height of her powers.'A cinematic novel of empire, colonialism and romance...Through transporting prose, and with wit and charm, Loot asks who gets written out of history and why' Guardian''Immersive and beautifully written...a clever and absorbing novel about empire and belonging’ Sunday Times'A thrilling, absorbing and immersive tale of artistry, adventure and romance' Claire Fuller'A wild, dazzling eighteenth-century romp across continents with profound things to say about invention and self-reinvention, class and fate, and the deeply human hunger to create family.' Lauren Groff'Elegantly crafted and beautifully written... exciting... Highly recommended' Mail on SundayTrade Review[An] epic sweep of a novel, which travels from India to Europe in the company of a fascinating range of characters...Niftily constructed, the novel packs in doomed romance, the horrors of colonialism and palace plots * Daily Mail *Strongly recommending this exquisitely crafted and rich historical story to everyone I know . . . Tania James has created such a visceral, powerful story that it felt like I was in a time travelling machine -- Nikita GillAddictively absorbing * New York Times Book Review *A real-life object of fascination — an 18th-century automaton depicting a tiger biting into an Englishman’s neck — is the basis for this novel...lush with the sights, sounds and smells of India, France and England, and always laced with Dickensian wit * Washington Post, *Ten Best Books of the Year* *Loot held me spellbound from the first page. This is an expertly-plotted, deeply affecting novel about war, displacement, emigration, and an elusive mechanical tiger. -- Maggie O’FarrellA novel of wonder and terror and beauty - I was completely captivated by it. -- Kamila ShamsieElegantly crafted and beautifully written, James’s exciting adventure story considers the legacy of colonial oppression and the ownership of plundering historical artifacts. Highly recommended * Mail on Sunday *Richly researched and full of heart, LOOT is a beautifully crafted novel, artfully realised and deeply compelling. Abbas and Jehanne (and Rum!) are captivating characters who positively leap from the pages, and I felt bereft when their story came to an end. I just loved it. -- Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of PandoraJames's ravishing prose and trademark blend of lyricism and suspense animate this ingenious caper meets politically acute coming-of-age story * Oprah Daily *I read Loot in a single sitting; it is a wild, dazzling eighteenth-century romp across continents with profound things to say about invention and self-reinvention, class and fate, and the deeply human hunger to create family as both bulwark against loneliness and constant source of light and warmth. -- Lauren Groff

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Book SynopsisBefore there was Elizabeth, there was Lilibet...'A hugely entertaining, emotionally satisfying story of love and loyalty' DAILY MAIL'A poignant, fictional reimagining of a woman condemned by history, with plenty of modern-day echoes' MAIL ON SUNDAY___________She Came From Nothing . . . and Raised a QueenThe drama of the Abdication, the glamour of the Coronation, the trauma of World War II – Marion Crawford, affectionately known as Crawfie, stood by the side of the royal family through it all.In 1933, a progressive young teacher became governess to the little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. Determined to give her pupils a fun and normal childhood, she took them on buses, swimming at public baths and Christmas shopping at Woolworths.For seventeen years she served at the heart of the royal family. But her devotion and loyalty counted for nothing when a perceived betrayal brought everything crashing down.This sweeping, sumptuous novel brings her long-buried story to life and shines a completely new and captivating light into the world's most famous family.___________'Brilliantly researched . . . I was completely absorbed and transported' ADELE PARKS, author of Just My Luck'Compelling characters and a wonderful blend of historical accuracy and real narrative drive . . . a heart-breaking study of loyalty and love' SALLY MORRIS, Daily Mail'[A] beautifully researched and captivating novel . . . Wendy Holden's tender and intimate portrait of Lilibet, the future Queen Elizabeth II, is masterly' RACHEL HORE'I adored this wonderful book. What a great story Wendy Holden has told' JILLY COOPER'A great book for escaping into . . . I loved this!' KATIE FFORDE'Sensitive, funny and fascinating – this masterful novel gives the reader fly-on-the-wall privileges into the early life of the Queen' FREYA NORTH'A brilliantly imagined and poignant novel . . . of sacrifice, deep affection, strained loyalties and divided English society in the post-Downton Abbey era' ELIZABETH BUCHAN'An intimate view of the royal family at a time of great uncertainty and change . . . Marion Crawford's dedication to her charges, as well as her passion for education and reform, shines through the pages' CHANEL CLEETON'Wendy Holden absolutely delivers in this perfect blend of story and history . . . Lovers of The Crown series on Netflix will adore this!' SUSAN MEISSNER'I loved, loved, LOVED this book and if it isn't adapted for the screen, I’ll eat my crown!' ERICA JAMES'A beautifully woven and exquisitely detailed story' HEATHER MORRIS, author of The Tattooist of AuschwitzTrade Review'Compelling characters and a wonderful blend of historical accuracy and real narrative drive . . . a heart-breaking study of loyalty and love' SALLY MORRIS, Daily Mail'[A] beautifully researched and captivating novel . . . Wendy Holden's tender and intimate portrait of Lilibet, the future Queen Elizabeth II, is masterly' RACHEL HORE'A great book for escaping into . . . I loved this!' KATIE FFORDE'Sensitive, funny and fascinating - this masterful novel gives the reader fly-on-the-wall privileges into the early life of the Queen' FREYA NORTH'A brilliantly imagined and poignant novel . . . of sacrifice, deep affection, strained loyalties and divided English society in the post-Downton Abbey era' ELIZABETH BUCHAN'An intimate view of the royal family at a time of great uncertainty and change . . . Marion Crawford's dedication to her charges, as well as her passion for education and reform, shines through the pages' CHANEL CLEETON'Wendy Holden absolutely delivers in this perfect blend of story and history . . . Lovers of The Crown series on Netflix will adore this!' SUSAN MEISSNER'I loved, loved, LOVED this book and if it isn't adapted for the screen, I'll eat my crown!' ERICA JAMES

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Book Synopsis'A haunting, gripping, deeply atmospheric novel' - Emma Stonex 'What a storyteller . . . masterful' - Donal Ryan 'Beautiful, compelling and exquisitely told. This story will haunt me' - Ruth Hogan 'To be savoured long after the last page' - Leonora Nattrass 'A master craftswoman. I am in awe at this novel's brilliance' - Louisa Treger 'A stylish, evocative novel from a born storyteller' - Sunday Independent Science and faith collide against tumultuous 20th-century Ireland in this heart-wrenching historical novel, perfect for fans of Stacey Halls and Laura Purcell. ___________Bestowed with the graces. Condemned by a secret. Redeemed by a lie.Dublin, 1918. Rosaleen Moore: The Rose. A seer and a healer.Revered by popular spiritualists and sought after for her gifts of prophecy and healing by fashionable society, the mighty of Dublin Castle and mercurial political agitators alike, her last extraordinary prophecy will only see her legend grow.On the anniversary of her death, pilgrims walk the Way of the Rose: to St. Kilian's Abbey and its bell tower which so lured the Rose in life. Although a shrine, the bell tower has seen tragedy – a heinous crime to which the monastery's once-beloved Abbot, now imprisoned, has confessed.Then emerges a deathbed revelation by Rosaleen Moore which casts doubt on the Abbot's word.The Rose has a different tale to tell . . . ___________PRAISE FOR SIOHAN MACGOWAN:'Keeps the reader hooked to the end' - The Times'Utterly absorbing and vividly realised' - Irish Independent'An enthralling drama' - Best'A sweeping, heart-breaking quest for justice' - Fiona Looney'A tale told with such ominous beauty. Lotta will stay with me forever' - Chas Newkey-Burden'Weaves historical fact with an engaging and page-turning plot' - Sinead Moriarty'This is a sit-down-and-do-not-get-up-until-you've-finished read' - Belfast Telegraph'A brilliant tale' - Sunday Business Post'A gripping story of injustice, intrigue and revenge set at the turn of the 20th century' - Irish TimesTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR SIOBHAN MacGOWAN: 'Keeps the reader hooked to the end' The Times. 'A masterclass in storytelling' Donal Ryan. 'Utterly absorbing and vividly realised' Irish Independent. 'An enthralling drama' Best Magazine. 'A brilliant tale' * Sunday Business Post *

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Book Synopsis'The doctor hits the spot and deserves to be read' - Jeffrey Archer 'A story to get the heart racing' - Daily Express 'An enthralling tale' - Daily Mirror 'Dr Hilary is a master storyteller' - Lorraine Kelly CBE ___________LOVE GAVE THEM STRENGTH. LOVING EACH OTHER GAVE THEM COURAGE. Britain and her allies are engaged in a long war with Germany.Grace is the daughter of landed gentry, volunteering as a nurse on the Western Front.Will is the son of a dockworker, driven to enlist by a sense of patriotism and the thrill of adventure.When their lives collide in a field hospital in France, they form a passionate connection.This is a sweeping and sumptuous WW1 drama and historical epic, perfect for fans of Ken Follett, Kate Mosse and Jeffrey Archer. Trade Review'The doctor hits the spot and deserves to be read' -- Jeffrey Archer'My diagnosis is that Frontline is a story to get the heart racing' * Daily Express *'An enthralling tale and Jones' medical expertise never gets in the way of the action' * Daily Mirror *'Dr Hilary is a master storyteller, and Frontline is an utterly absorbing page-turner' -- Lorraine Kelly, CBE'Frontline succeeded where (Sebastian Faulks') Birdsong failed; in actually making me cry' * National Federation of Pensioners magazine. *'This is an ambitious, sweeping epic of a story, visceral in its descriptions, and written with great insight and empathy' * Historical Novel Society *

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Book Synopsis'Enthralling' – Daily Mail 'Fizzing with gossip, intrigue and wit' – Mail on Sunday If you love The Crown, you will love this fictional look inside the life of Wallis Simpson... ___________Love can change the course of history... Arriving in 1928, Wallis was a divorced, penniless, middle-aged foreigner with average looks and no connections. Yet, just eight years later, a king renounced his throne for her.How did a woman from nowhere capture the heart of the world's most glamorous bachelor? Wendy Holden tells the amazing story... ___________What readers are saying about The Duchess: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A great read, fabulous story line and such a different perspective. Massive fun'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A powerful read. Perhaps we all got Wallis Simpson wrong'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Superb and powerful writing! I loved it'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A great read and I'd highly recommend to anyone who wants a less stilted piece of history'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A fascinating tale, well told'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An amazing, fictionalised retelling of the story of Edward and Mrs Simpson'Trade Review'One of the delights of historical fiction is the what-if factor, and Holden poses a whopper: What if Edward never really wanted to be king and pursued Wallis, whom he knew he couldn't marry as monarch, to avoid the throne We'll never know, but fans of biographical fiction and British royalty will thoroughly enjoy this sparkling tale of love and loss' * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisA Times Best New Historical Fiction pick, perfect for fans of The Familiars and The Binding. 'KEEPS THE READER HOOKED TO THE END' - THE TIMES ___________Halloween night, 1906. Lotta Rae is assaulted by a wealthy gentleman and bravely takes him to trial alongside her barrister, William.But the verdict is devastating, the consequences unimaginable. When Lotta discovers she has been betrayed, she vows to deliver her own justice.Twelve years later, William and Lotta meet again: this night, their final reckoning.The day in court is done. But tonight he will hear her testimony. ___________'A masterclass in storytelling' - Donal Ryan'Utterly absorbing and vividly realised' - Irish Independent'An enthralling drama' - Best'A sweeping, heart-breaking quest for justice' - Fiona Looney'A tale told with such ominous beauty. Lotta will stay with me forever' - Chas Newkey-Burden'Weaves historical fact with an engaging and page-turning plot' - Sinead Moriarty'This is a sit-down-and-do-not-get-up-until-you've-finished read' - Belfast Telegraph'A brilliant tale' - Sunday Business Post'A gripping story of injustice, intrigue and revenge set at the turn of the 20th century' - Irish Times'Beautifully executed and thought provoking' - Ruth HoganTrade Review'Keeps the reader hooked to the end' * The Times *'A masterclass in storytelling' -- Donal Ryan'Utterly absorbing and vividly realised' * Irish Independent *'An enthralling drama' * Best *'A sweeping, heart-breaking quest for justice' -- Fiona Looney'A tale told with such ominous beauty. Lotta will stay with me forever' -- Chas Newkey-Burden'Weaves historical fact with an engaging and page turning plot' -- Sinead Moriarty'This is a sit-down-and-do-not-get-up-until-you've-finished read' * Belfast Telegraph *'A brilliant tale' * Sunday Business Post *'A gripping story of injustice, intrigue and revenge set at the turn of the 20th century' * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZE FOR BEST PUBLISHED NOVEL 2022 A Telegraph Best Book for Summer 2022 'Highly recommended' MICK HERRON 'A great adventure. Dripping with atmosphere and exotic life' WILLIAM BOYD 'A riveting page-turner, rich with fascinating period detail' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH ___________1867. King's Road, Chelsea, is a sea of plant nurseries, catering to the Victorian obsession with rare and exotic flora. But each of the glossy emporiums is fuelled by the dangerous world of the plant hunters – daring adventurers sent into uncharted lands in search of untold wonders to grace England's finest gardens.Harry Compton is as far from a plant hunter as one could imagine – a salesman plucked from the obscurity of the nursery growing fields to become 'the face that sold a thousand plants'.But one small act of kindness sees him inherit a precious gift – a specimen of a fabled tree last heard of in The Travels of Marco Polo, and a map.Seizing his chance for fame and fortune, Harry sets out to make his mark. But where there is wealth there is corruption, and soon Harry is fleeing England, rounding the Cape of Good Hope and sailing up the Yangtze alongside a young widow – both in pursuit of the plant that could transform both their lives forever.Trade Review'It's a great Stevensonian adventure but with a 21st century spin. Harry and Clarissa work really well – wholly believable and sexily engaging. The detail and the textures throughout are exemplary: lightly worn but dripping with atmosphere and exotic life. Really brilliantly achieved' -- William Boyd'The Plant Hunter is a feast for the senses and a must for every reader who enjoys great adventure writing. The exuberant life in these pages and the drama of the story along with Mogford's lively engaging writing make this a life-enhancing pleasure to read. Be swept away' -- Imogen Robertson'An old-fashioned adventure yarn with all the virtues of the genre, The Plant Hunter engages, informs and entertains, while taking the reader to distant, unexpected places. Highly recommended' -- Mick Herron'It's excellent. No other word for it. I found the period and technical detail absolutely fascinating, and the characterisation really convincing. A beautiful, charming book that stays in the mind long after you've closed it and put it away. I was delighted by it' -- John Simpson'Carried along by the drama, the history, the travel, the romance, the love of a dog, let alone the plant-hunting. I couldn't put this down' -- Sarah Raven'It is a belter!' -- Jessie Childs, author of God's Traitors: Terror and Faith in Elizabethan England'A terrific swash-and-buckle adventure. The detail is eye-opening, the story gripping and unusual. Bravo!' -- Elizabeth BuchanCleanly written ... and exquisite' * Times Literary Supplement *'A good adventure story, a ripping yarn of a tale' * Country Life *

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Book SynopsisGripping family drama from household name Prue Leith. Perfect for fans of Penny Vincenzi and Barbara Taylor Bradford.'An unmissable read packed with secrets and revelations' OK!The Angelotti family reels when the lost son, given up for adoption in the war, traces his birth family and returns to the fold, with devastating consequences. As poverty-stricken newlyweds, Laura and Giovanni Angelotti were forced to put their first child - a boy - up for adoption. They have had other children since, and their first little Italian cafe has become a restaurant empire, but Laura is still haunted by thoughts of the baby she lost.Tom is a successful businessman enjoying the fast-paced City lifestyle - until his best friend and business partner is killed in the 9/11 attacks and his world turns upside down. Searching for meaning in his life, he decides to track down his birth family: the Angelottis.But Laura has been keeping an explosive secret about Tom's parentage that means his reappearance in her life is bittersweet. She may have found her son, but will it be at the cost of everything it has taken her fifty years to build?Trade ReviewAmiable, absorbing and satisfying, with some sensitive things to say about adoption and addiction * Daily Mail *Lovers of Bake Off are likely to find this offering more than a little tasty - it's peppered with lots of delicious food preparation detail * Sunday Post *An unmissable read packed with secrets and revelations! * OK Magazine *Ideal for fans of Penny Vincenzi * Candis *A tasty romance * Oxford Times *Fast paced, engaging page-turner * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisWhen Mary's father, the miller, leaves his family and runs away with another woman, Mary and her siblings are left to weather the storm. But when their mother dies soon after, the children, alone and unwanted, are sent to the Foundling School for Girls to start a new life.When the miller learns of his wife's death and what has happened to his children, he tracks them down and brings them to be a part of his new family, safe at last. But the miller is desperate for a son, and when Mary's newest sibling turns out to be a girl, he begins to court a vulnerable and lonely young woman called Isabel.After Isabel gives birth to a boy, the miller believes that the son he has been waiting for is finally here. But when rumours abound that the miller may not be the father of Isabel's child, he begins to lose control. The miller will stop at nothing to keep his son.Will Isabel escape with her child, or will the miller's wrath destroy everyone in his life, including his daughter...?Trade ReviewOriginal and evocative - a born storyteller * Trisha Ashley *A wonderful book, full of passion, pain, sweetness, twists and turns. I couldn't put it down * Sheila Newberry *Elizabeth Gill writes with a masterful grasp of conflicts and passions * Leah Fleming *An enthralling and satisfying novel that will leave you wanting more * Catherine King *

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Book SynopsisThe year is 1976 and Jack Sheffield never wants to leave his job.Jack has been the deputy head teacher at Newbridge Primary School for six years now, and he''s happy exactly where he is - even if it sometimes feels like there are a few things missing from his life. After all, the kids keep him busy and there''s always a game of rugby to play.But it''s a time of change, and Jack''s world is no exception. New and old faces appear in his life and a romance blossoms, bringing with it a buried secret and hidden threat. Soon, Jack must make a decision as to where his future is heading, and prepare to face whatever change is yet to come . . .A classic Jack Sheffield tale, ready to transport you back to a simpler time._____________________Praise for Jack Sheffield:''Wry observation and heartwarming humour in equal measure.'' Alan Titchmarsh''Overflowing with amusing anecdotes.'' Daily Express

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Book SynopsisThe third book in the Air Raid Girls series - a heart-warming new story of friendship, love and duty in wartime, perfect for fans of Nancy Revell and Donna Douglas.Spring, 1942. Lizzie is making plans for her wedding with fiancé Bill. But preparations during wartime aren''t easy, and attacks on the Yorkshire port of Kelthorpe are only getting worse. Connie wants to be there for her sister, but she has troubles of her own - a secret that is driving a wedge between herself and those who love her.Meanwhile, Pamela faces new complications in her romance with Fred, and the arrival of two new RAF servicemen stirs up trouble.As bombs fall and friendships are tested, will the air raid girls keep their fighting spirit and find their happy endings? ---------------------------------------------Readers LOVE the Air Raid Girls series:''There wasn''t anything I did

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Book SynopsisLesley is an author of historical sagas. Having previously written sagas set around the time of the First World War, she ventured into the Second World War period with her fifth book, The Wartime Bookshop. Originally from the north west of England (Manchester), Lesley's home is now Hertfordshire where The Wartime Bookshop's fictional village of Churchwood is set. Lesley is thrilled to have enjoyed success in competitions as varied as crime writing to writing for children. She is particularly honoured to have won the Festival of Romance New Talent Award, the Romantic Novelists' Association's Elizabeth Goudge Cup and to have been twice shortlisted in the UK Romantic Novel Awards (RONAs).

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times fiction book of the year A Times Book of the Year A Daily Mail Historical Book of the Year 'An extraordinary, quite brilliant book' - C. J. Sansom 'Original and gripping' - The Times 'Powerful and unsettling' - Andrew Taylor 'Engrossing ... compelling' - The Sunday Times 'Powerful, imaginative' - Literary Review What kind of person keeps a man underground for seven years? And who would agree to be part of such an experiment? Herbert Powyss lives on a small estate in the Welsh Marches, with enough time and income to pursue a gentleman's fashionable cultivation of exotic plants and trees. But he longs to make his mark in the field of science - something consequential enough to present to the Royal Society in London. He hits on a radical experiment in isolation: for seven years a subject will inhabit three rooms in the cellar of the manor house, fitted out with books, paintings and even a chamber organ. Meals will arrive thrice daily via a dumbwaiter. The solitude will be totally unrelieved by any social contact; the subject will keep a diary of his daily thoughts and actions. The pay? Fifty pounds per annum, for life. Only one man is desperate enough to apply for the job: John Warlow, a semi-literate labourer with a wife and six children to provide for. The experiment, a classic Enlightenment exercise gone more than a little mad, will have unforeseen consequences for all included. In this seductive tale of self-delusion and obsession, Alix Nathan has created an utterly transporting historical novel which is both elegant and unforgettably sinister. BBC History Magazine Best Historical Fiction of 2019Trade ReviewOriginal and gripping ... builds to a satisfying and fittingly macabre climax. -- Antonia Senior * Times *Rich period detail and grippingly peopled subplots about the era's radical insurgency and reactionary repression add engrossing depth to this compelling tale of a ruinously backfiring experiment. -- Peter Kemp * Sunday Times *Original and beautifully written, this is a meaty, gripping novel of obsession gone sour -- Elizabeth Buchan * Daily Mail *Smart and darkly entertaining -- Jeffrey Burke * Mail on Sunday *Powerful, imaginative ... convincingly reflects the vernacular of many of the most important characters ... It is Nathan's scrupulous objectivity that enables the complexity of her characters to emerge ... For all the grim logic of its horrifying finale, what distinguished The Warlow Experiment above all is how Nathan ... treats her subjects with unfailing dignity and compassion. -- Paul Binding * Literary Review *A dark tale of obsession, solitude and the human mind ... brings together vivid characters to explore the vulnerable foundations of sanity, rationality and civilisation. * The Herald *Terrific * Saga *Praise for Alix Nathan: 'She cuts against cliché, against the received version, against cosiness. She leaves her reader restless, curious, wanting more. She is an original, with a virtuoso touch.' -- Hilary MantelA powerful and unsettling novel, both fascinating and infinitely strange -- Andrew TaylorUnusual, gripping and emotionally complex - I loved this book. -- Sally Magnusson, author of The Sealwoman's GiftThis is an extraordinary, quite brilliant book. It captures the language and mental framework of the late eighteenth century perfectly, the characters are beautifully drawn people of real depth, and we are shocked and chastened by how easily the scientific rationalism of the "Age of Reason" could turn into appalling cruelty and oppression. We are in the 1790s, and across the Channel the rule of reason has turned into the crunch of the guillotine; in England the Warlow Experiment shows us a less savagely dramatic, smaller-scale, but scarcely less cruel, example of the worship of Reason gone terribly wrong. -- C. J. SansomA gripping drama, fueled by the attraction of repulsion ... unique and chilling * New York Times *Sardonic comedy takes on deeper resonances in a tale, rich in period detail, of a ruinously backfiring experiment. (Finest Fiction of 2019) -- Peter Kemp * The Sunday Times *Based on a real 18th century experiment, this is a haunting and confining novel ... sumptuous * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisAS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4 'Unsettling and strange, Sea Change cements Nathan's reputation as one of our most interesting historical novelists.' The Times 'A strange, touching tale of hope and redemption' Sunday Times Best Historical Fiction 'That rare kind of historical fiction that both captures the period well and creates an absorbing narrative.' Charles Palliser 'I'll be back soon, my love. Tonight, I hope.' The last Eve saw of her mother was a wave from the basket of a rising balloon. A wilful, lonely orphan in the house of her erratic artist guardian, Eve struggles to retain the image of her missing mother and the father she never knew. In a London beset by pageantry, incipient riot and the fear of Napoleonic invasion, Eve must grow into a young woman with no one to guide her through its perils. Far away, in a Norfolk fishing village, the Rev Snead preaches hellfire and damnation to his impoverished parishioners and oppressed wife. Snead illustrates his sermons with the example of a mute woman pulled from the sea, over whom he keeps a very close watch indeed.Trade ReviewPraise for Alix Nathan: 'She is an original, with a virtuoso touch.' -- Hilary MantelPraise for Sea Change: 'A compelling story about loss of identity, the impact of trauma, and the way back from it ... that rare kind of historical fiction that both captures the period well and creates an absorbing narrative.' -- Charles Palliser, author of RusticationA strange, touching tale of hope and redemption -- Nick Rennison * Sunday Times Best Historical Fiction *A vivid portrait of loss and love, teeming with detail at the same time as it moves the reader profoundly. -- Rachel Halliburton, author of The Optickal IllusionA powerful and unsettling novel -- Andrew TaylorA gripping drama, fueled by the attraction of repulsion ... unique and chilling * The New York Times *Praise for The Warlow Experiment: 'An extraordinary, quite brilliant book' -- C. J. SansomUnusual, gripping and emotionally complex - I loved this book. -- Sally Magnusson, author of The Sealwoman's GiftOriginal and beautifully written, this is a meaty, gripping novel of obsession gone sour. -- Daily MailA darkly compelling read * The Herald *Can't recommend it highly enough. A magnificent read ... the complexity of character and the interweaving of the political upheaval in England at the time worked so well for me. -- Philip ArdaghVivid and original * Daily Mail *Fascinating... What grips you and keeps you turning the pages are the stories of the three women, Sarah, Hester and Eve, at the heart of this fine historical novel. -- Anna Selby * The Arbuturian *Unsettling and strange, Sea Change cements Nathan's reputation as one of our most interesting historical novelists. * The Times *

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Book Synopsis'A riotous delve into the dark medical world of Restoration London' - S.G. MACLEAN 'An infectious read, packed with atmosphere and colourful characters' - OSCAR DE MURIEL 'A gripping whodunnit with a sinister twist' - JENNIFER RYAN ________________________________________ WHO WOULD MURDER THE DYING... London, 1665. Hidden within the growing pile of corpses in his churchyard, Rector Symon Patrick discovers a victim of the pestilence unlike any he has seen before: a young woman with a shorn head, covered in burns, and with pieces of twine delicately tied around each wrist and ankle. Desperate to discover the culprit, Symon joins a society of eccentric medical men who have gathered to find a cure for the plague. Someone is performing terrible experiments upon the dying, hiding their bodies amongst the hundreds that fill the death carts. Only Penelope - a new and mysterious addition to Symon's household - may have the skill to find the killer. Far more than what she appears, she is already on the hunt. But the dark presence that enters the houses of the sick will not stop, and has no mercy... This hugely atmospheric and entertaining historical thriller will transport readers to the palaces and alleyways of seventeenth-century London. Perfect for fans of Laura Shepherd-Robinson, Andrew Taylor and C.J. Sansom. ________________________________________ 'A sickening, desperate London, wonderfully evoked. A terrific read!' - ALIX NATHAN 'A rollicking, roistering tale with humour horror and human decency at its dark heart' - KATE GRIFFIN 'Brilliantly convincing and thrillingly infectious' - S.W. PERRY 'A gorgeous, darkly witty novel that transports readers to the London of Charles II' - MARIAH FREDERICKS 'Dark, haunting and unexpectedly witty' - SUSAN ELIA MACNEALTrade ReviewA funny, fascinating and gripping adventure tale. It's as if V.L. Valentine holds up a magic mirror to reflect a lesson in time for us now -- Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEALA glorious whodunnit. I loved the characters, and fell in love with its world -- Leonora Nattrass, author of BLACK DROPA riotous delve into the dark medical world of Restoration London. In her heroine Penelope and the hapless Symon, V.L.Valentine has given us an appealing and truly unique pairing -- S.G. MacLean, author of THE SEEKERAn infectious read, packed with atmosphere and colourful characters -- Oscar de Muriel, author of THE STRINGS OF MURDEREndearing, comic characters and crisp, spirited prose. The Plague Letters is a gripping whodunnit with a sinister twist, depicting the desperate scramble to find a cure and capture a killer -- Jennifer Ryan, author of THE CHILBURY LADIES' CHOIRV.L. Valentine drops us deep into a single deadly year, 1665, into a sickening, increasingly desperate London wonderfully evoked. A terrific read! -- Alix Nathan, author of THE WARLOW EXPERIMENTV.L. Valentine's visceral debut skilfully immerses the reader in the dread and despair of plague-ridden London during the stinking hot summer of 1665 * Aspects of History *A rollicking, roistering tale with humour, horror and human decency at its dark heart. Such prescience, relevance and wonderful characters! -- Kate Griffin, author of KITTY PECK AND THE MUSIC HALL MURDERSBrilliantly convincing and thrillingly infectious -- S.W. Perry, author of THE ANGEL'S MARKA gorgeous, darkly witty novel that transports the reader to the London of Charles II. Valentine takes the reader to squalid back alleys and serene country estates with equal aplomb. Those looking for a wonderfully entertaining escape from our own dark times need look no further -- Mariah Fredericks, author of A DEATH OF NO IMPORTANCE

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Book SynopsisA 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 Coming of age as a free-born Black girl in Brooklyn after the Civil War, Libertie Sampson was all too aware that her purposeful mother, a practicing physician, had a vision for their future together: Libertie would go to medical school and practice alongside her. But Libertie, drawn more to music than science, feels stifled by her mother's choices and is hungry for something else - is there really only one way to have an autonomous life? And she is constantly reminded that, unlike her mother who can pass, Libertie has skin that is too dark. When a young man from Haiti proposes to Libertie and promises she will be his equal on the island, she accepts, only to discover that she is still subordinate to him and all men. As she tries to parse what freedom actually means for a Black woman, Libertie struggles with where she might find it - for herself and for generations to come. 'A soaring exploration of what "freedom" truly means ... an elegantly layered, beautifully rendered tour de force that is not to be missed' - Roxane GayTrade 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 mean -- 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 SynopsisTwo sisters. Two choices. One crucial moment in history. 1913. Clara and Nancy work with imprisoned suffragettes who are on hunger strike. Seeing the struggles of these women is going to force them to decide whether fighting for what you believe in is worth giving up your freedom. A novel exploring the pain it can take to live your truth, told by a masterful storyteller.Trade ReviewEffortless, unforgettable writing * Lisa Heathfield *Wonderfully written . . . Nancy and Clara are fabulously well-drawn characters * Historical Novel Society *

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Book SynopsisPassion and tragedy rock the Harvey familyIt is 1931 and Emilia and Alec’s marriage is under strain. Prone to melancholy, and injured in a storm, Alec’s misery draws him to seek solace with his brother’s new wife.But when Perry Bosweld, a disabled army surgeon, re-enters Emilia’s life, she finds that she is still attracted to him. Emilia’s first duty is to her husband and to the farm, and she will not allow herself to swerve from this path…The third captivating instalment of the Harvey Family Saga, From a Distance is a perfect read for fans of Anne Baker, Maggie Hope or Daisy Styles.

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Book SynopsisA family's struggle for love and hope in the aftermath of war In the aftermath of the Second World War, Faye Harvey struggles against the stigma of being a single mother. Faye is drawn to former POW Mark Fuller, but then the father of her son, a Scottish laird, offers marriage now he is a widower. Faye is torn. Meanwhile Tristan falls for the new housekeeper Susan Dowling, but their age difference and her distrust seem to make love impossible. And over at Ford Farm, Faye's cousin Lottie Harmon, begins to fear she may not want a new life with her GI husband after all… Fans of Rosie Clarke and Nadine Dorries will love the fifth compelling Harvey Family Saga.

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Book SynopsisThe captivating first instalment of The Liverpool Sagas, perfect for fans of Lyn Andrews and Pam HowesLife changes for the Palin children when Mam dies, and it’s up to twelve-year-old Sally to try and take her place. Sally lavishes all her hopes and dreams on her baby sister Emily, determined that she’ll leave the mean streets of their Liverpool home and enjoy a better life. When Emily is sent to live with rich relatives, it seems like her wish has come true, but the chance is bittersweet.Sally and her family may face poverty and hardship in Liverpool, but the warmth and love shared will help them overcome whatever the world has to throw at them; Emily, however, wanting for nothing, might find out that happiness is harder to find…Full of authentic details of Liverpool life at the turn of the century, The Land is Bright is a totally absorbing saga perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Helen Forrester.‘A family saga you just won’t be able to put down’ Prima‘The whole-heartedness of Liverpool shines through in a refreshing tribute to Merseyside’ Liverpool Daily Post‘Murphy is born and bred, and sets her first novel in her beloved city, giving the book that vital authenticity which makes it so realistic’ Hull Daily Mail‘Rich in authentic period details, The Land is Bright is a time machine back to the past. This is how history should be written!’ Terrace Review‘Evocative writing’ Woman’s World‘Richly nostalgic’ Publishing News‘A thundering great read’ Liverpool EchoThe Liverpool Sagas The Land is Bright To Give and To Take There is a Season

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Book SynopsisCan both sisters find happiness, when one marries for love, and the other for money…Sisters Mary and Cathy Ward couldn’t be more different: Fiercely independent Mary is determined to leave the mean streets of Liverpool, whereas Cathy – quiet and well loved – is happy with the life she has.But when both girls fall for the same man conflict threatens to push them apart, and as they are caught up in their own troubles, Liverpool erupts in the Bloody Sunday riots.To Give and to Take, the second book in the captivating Liverpool Sagas, is perfect for fans of Catherine Cookson and Pam Howes.‘A family saga you won’t be able to put down’ Prima‘The whole-heartedness of Liverpool shines through in a refreshing tribute to Merseyside’ Liverpool Daily Post‘Hard to beat … A gripping family saga’ Manchester Evening News‘Elizabeth Murphy obviously delights in writing about a city she knows and loves, and her enthusiasm must rub off on the reader. She has a talent for characterisation, and by the end of the story, love ’em or hate ’em, you care about every person in the book.’ Hull Daily Mail‘A good long story set in Liverpool … The background has a good authentic feel to it.’ Northern EchoThe Liverpool Sagas The Land is Bright To Give and To Take There is a Season

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Book SynopsisThe final instalment of the breathtaking Liverpool Sagas, perfect for fans of Helen Forrester and Pam Howes Cathy is glad to have her husband back now The Great War is over, but her son John is not so sure. Struggling to keep the peace, Cathy has her work cut out for her, as the pair seem unable to see eye-to-eye.Surviving with four children on Greg’s meagre wages is hard enough without their rows, but with the help of her parents and loyal friends in their close-knit Liverpool community, Cathy can keep a smile on her face.When sister Mary comes back into her life, her heart is filled with hope. And she’ll need it in order to survive the Depression, with the storm clouds of war gathering once more on the horizon… There is a Season is the last book in the enthralling Liverpool Sagas, ideal for fans of Lyn Andrews, Maggie Ford and Katie Flynn.‘A family saga you just won’t be able to put down’ Prima‘The whole-heartedness of Liverpool shines through in a refreshing tribute to Merseyside’ Liverpool Daily PostThe Liverpool Sagas The Land is Bright To Give and To Take There is a Season

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Book SynopsisAmidst the rugged beauty of eighteenth-century Cornwall, a sweeping novel of hope and heartbreak.Kerensa Trelynne is overjoyed to be marrying her childhood sweetheart, Clem Trenchard, even though it will be a wrench to leave the idyllic cove and tumbledown cottage she shares with her grandfather, Old Tom.But when local landowner Sir Oliver Pengarron sets his sights on their home, everything changes. Old Tom dashes all of Kerensa’s hopes when he agrees to sell Trelynne Cove on one fateful condition – Sir Oliver must marry his granddaughter.As her life is turned upside down and her future thrown into turmoil, Kerensa comes to realise that true love is far more complex than childhood romance.The first instalment of the Pengarron Sagas, perfect for fans of Poldark.

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Book SynopsisThe tale of two Liverpool sisters and their search for happiness.When Kate and Rose Drew are orphaned, they are heartbroken to discover they are to be separated.Kate must go to Aunt Mildred, a hard woman who runs a Liverpool boarding house, who puts her to work at once. But Rose gets the wealthy widow Aunt Beattie, who lavishes her with gifts and attention.As one sister experiences hardship alongside friendship, while the other is spoilt and isolated, which will find happiness? For, eventually, it is not what Kate and Rose have in life that counts, but what they choose to make of it…A truly memorable saga that will charm readers of Helen Forrester, Katie Flynn and Pam Howes.

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Book SynopsisA deeply moving saga based in 20th-century Liverpool.From a young age Laura Redmond resents the way her father speaks to her mother. She does not understand that despite his heated outbursts, John Redmond is a loyal and devoted husband.As Laura grows up her protective love for her mother, Anne, leads to a love/hate relationship between father and daughter. Many think this is because they are so alike – both uncompromising and determined. Only Laura’s great-grandmother recognises the truth.It takes many years filled with triumph and tragedy for the family, and the arrival of a special man in Laura’s life, before she can properly grasp the true nature of her father.An absolute triumph, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn, Helen Forrester and Lyn Andrews.

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Book SynopsisShe is determined to live the life she wants…Cassandra Trent does not like being told what to do. So when she is forced to leave behind her beloved Bardsley and join her aunt in London, she is furious. She wants nothing to do with polite society and useless noblemen.But Cassandra finds some comfort in the friendship she forms with her kind and gentle cousin, Susannah Berrinden. Despite being destined to marry Simeon Giffard, a charming and – more importantly – wealthy young man, Susannah has other ideas…And it seems Simeon does too. He has eyes only for Cassandra – but winning her over might prove to be a near impossible task.A heartwarming historical saga perfect for fans of Elisabeth McNeill, Rosie Goodwin and Gloria Cook.

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Book SynopsisShe must find the courage to accept her fate. At the age of eleven young Lizzie Mudie’s life changes forever. With the death of her mother in the most shocking disaster Dundee has ever seen, Lizzie is forced to grow up quickly. She discovers a strength beyond her years and when an unexpected legacy bestows her the dilapidated Green Tree Mill she is determined to turn things around. Lizzie becomes a formidable mistress, but is she prepared for the price she – and those she loves – will have to pay for her success?A page-turning saga of hope in the face of adversity for fans of Dilly Court and Tessa Barclay. Trade ReviewThere are currently no reviews for this title/product

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Book SynopsisA tragic death brings good fortune to an orphaned child – but at what cost?Liverpool, 1928. Fifteen-year-old Annie Anderson was adopted by Sylvia and Hugh after the death of their own daughter. Annie is told that her own mother died in childbirth and her father died before she was born.A chance encounter introduces Annie to local lad Andrew Fraser. Their friendship blossoms, but once Annie’s adoptive parents learn of it they forbid her from seeing him. When Annie asks why, it sets her on a path to discover more about her origins – but will what she learns bring heartache or joy?Don’t miss this rich and vivid saga by one of Liverpool’s best-known novelists, perfect for fans of Kitty Neale and Katie Flynn.

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