Historical Fiction Books

Book SynopsisTwo sisters. Only one can follow their heart.Swansea, 1941. When her home is bombed, Meryl Jones is evacuated to Carmarthen. Hating it there, she runs away.She is found by Michael, a half German farmer, and falls deeply in love with him – but he is already smitten with Meryl's beautiful older sister Hari.When the military police come for Michael, Meryl helps him escape, their relationship blossoming in the process. But with the end of the war in sight, Meryl knows that the man she loves must make a choice: between her and her sister…A heart-breaking saga of the Second World War, perfect for fans of Pam Howes, Katie Flynn and Lyn Andrews.

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Book SynopsisIt all seemed too good to be true… The moment artist Riana Evans sees the dilapidated mansion in Wales, she determines to buy it, despite its unhappy past – twenty years ago, five maids died there in mysterious circumstances.The house’s 'ghosts' prove good for business – inspiring her paintings and providing atmosphere at a series of ghost-spotting weekends. Her romantic life begins to look up too in the form of handsome airman Tom Maybury.But the mystery of the girls’ deaths hangs over everything. Riana soon discovers that the house holds a secret, and there’s someone – or something – who’ll do anything to make sure she never discovers it.A heart-wrenching Welsh drama, perfect for fans of Pam Howes, Dilly Court and Linda Finlay.

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Book Synopsis‘A strange, original and unusual novel, which takes two unlikely worlds and yokes them together. Remarkable … I’ve never read anything quite like it’ Carlo GeblerDolly Considine runs a late-night drinking establishment catering to the needs of thirsty politicians and theatricals in Dublin's legendary drinking area, the Catacombs.Julian Ryder (aka Paddy Butler) is an eighteen-year-old aspiring writer in need of shelter from his bullying older brother.As the new live-in lounge assistant at Dolly Considine’s Hotel, Julian soon embroils himself in the shebeen’s gossip – and the guests’ bedsheets – and turns Dolly’s entourage into fodder for his literary ambitions. Reality quickly becomes difficult to separate from fantasy…Set against the run-up to the Pro-life Constitutional Amendment of September 1983 and moving fluidly between the 1950s of Dolly’s youth and Julian’s Summer of Unrequited Love, the hotel becomes a stage for farce and tragedy. Between Julian’s fictions, Dolly’s Secrets, and narrow party politics – and featuring a papier-mâché figure of Mother Ireland giving birth and clashing sword-wielding dancers – this rich cocktail threatens to blow them, and even Ireland itself, wide apart.Trade Review‘A strange, original and unusual novel, which takes two unlikely worlds and yokes them together. Remarkable … I’ve never read anything quite like it’ Carlo Gebler

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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 Synopsis‘If you’re looking for this century’s Ulysses, look no further … a stunningly lyrical novel’ Alex Preston, Observer‘Pitched – deliriously – between high modernism and folk magic, between gorgeous free-verse and hilarious Irish vernacular, Poguemahone is a stunning achievement … profoundly affecting’ David Keenan‘A blistering, brilliant ballad of mad tales from rural Ireland to London Town. The characters are electric, the narrative fuelled with a brilliant frenetic energy. McCabe is truly original’ Elaine FeeneyDan Fogarty, an Irishman living in England, is looking after his sister Una, now seventy and suffering from dementia in a care home in Margate. From Dan’s anarchic account, we gradually piece together the story of the Fogarty family. How the parents are exiled from a small Irish village and end up living the hard immigrant life in England. How Dots, the mother, becomes a call girl in 1950s Soho. How a young and overweight Una finds herself living in a hippie squat in Kilburn in the early 1970s. How the squat appears to be haunted by vindictive ghosts who eat away at the sanity of all who live there. And, finally, how all that survives now of those sex-and-drug-soaked times are Una’s unspooling memories as she sits outside in the Margate sunshine, and Dan himself, whose role in the story becomes stranger and more sinister. Poguemahone is a huge, shape-shifting epic from one of modern Ireland's greatest writers. It is a wild, free-verse monologue, steeped in music and folklore, crammed with characters, both real and imagined, on a scale Patrick McCabe has never attempted before. Trade Review ‘If you’re looking for this century’s Ulysses, look no further … a stunningly lyrical novel’ Alex Preston, Observer ‘Pitched – deliriously – between high modernism and folk magic, between gorgeous free-verse and hilarious Irish vernacular, Poguemahone is a stunning achievement … profoundly affecting’ David Keenan ‘A blistering, brilliant ballad of mad tales from rural Ireland to London Town. The characters are electric, the narrative fuelled with a brilliant frenetic energy. McCabe is truly original’ Elaine Feeney ‘A tremendous pitch-black multi-layered epic. This exhilarating ride of madness, hauntings, lost weekends and fractured memory is a lyrical poem, novel, ballad and drama all in one … one of the most original literary works in recent times. I bloody loved it’ Adelle Stripe 'A difficult reading experience, to be sure, but a rich one, too, with a skin-pricking ambience that’s both gritty and ethereal' Daily Mail 'McCabe draws the reader into a rambling web replete with Gaelic folklore, IRA agitation, and a soundtrack of glam and progressive rock. Lively and ambitious in form, this admirably extends the range of McCabe’s career-long examination of familial and childhood trauma’ Publishers Weekly, US 'Patrick McCabe's hippie satire is like Flann O'Brien on drugs' Sean O'Brien, The Telegraph 'Modernist and eager to push the boundaries of his own art and the art form of the novel, here is a novelist and novel to celebrate in all their ribald, audacious, outrageous, and compelling brilliance' Paul Perry, Irish Sunday Independent 'The vernacular, drunken verse format may be daunting at first, but after a few pages the narrative develops a hypnotic rhythm, as if one is sitting on a barstool listening to the narrator unspool his story over a pint (or three). At this point, the reader has merely to hang on and enjoy the ride. A moving saga of youth, age, and memory—by turns achingly poetic, knowingly philosophical, and bitterly funny' Kirkus Reviews 'McCabe may be right when he claims that Poguemahone is his best book: it is startlingly original, moving, funny, frightening and beautiful’ The Guardian '“Poguemahone,” living up to its author’s reputation, is daring, studded with brilliance, raucous and exhausting. It might overstay its welcome, but you’ll remember its visit’ The New York Times ‘Like listening to a friend confess their life story after one too many pints, Poguemahone is a rustic and irreverent atragedy of tormented souls and macabre humour’ Noah Katz, Hot Press ‘I warn you, like all good books, Poguemahone is a mind-altering drug’ BBC 4 Front Row 'There are plenty of outrageous stories, all delivered with unflagging flair, but prospective readers are advised to equip themselves like that cornered pub-goer: with a tall glass of whiskey at hand' Wall Street Journal 'Poguemahone is a stunning novel, one of those exceedingly rare books that deserve to be described as a masterpiece' Locus Magazine 'With few exceptions, the novel in verse doesn’t much appeal to today’s mainstream publishers, and this is not only because verse novels are often awful, but also because even the good ones rarely find a large audience. One can only hope Poguemahone attracts a readership beyond its crowdfunding backers on Unbound because, in its haunting strangeness and blazing originality, it deserves far more than a cult following' Times Literary Supplement

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Book SynopsisTwo young women. One passionate love. Will their paths ever cross again?Norfolk, 1813. In the quiet Waveney Valley, the body of a woman – Mary Tyrell – is staked through the heart after her death by suicide. She had been under arrest for the suspected murder of her newborn child. Mary leaves behind a young daughter, Hannah, who is later sent away to the Refuge for the Destitute in London, where she will be trained for a life of domestic service.It is at the Refuge that Hannah meets Annie Simpkins, a fellow resident, and together they forge a friendship that deepens into passionate love. But the strength of this bond is put to the test when the girls are caught stealing from the Refuge's laundry, and they are sentenced to transportation to Botany Bay, setting them on separate paths that may never cross again.Drawing on real events, The Low Road is a gripping, atmospheric tale that brings to life the forgotten voices of the past – convicts, servants, the rural poor – as well as a moving evocation of love that blossomed in the face of prejudice and ill fortune.Trade ReviewWinner of the silver medal for Historical Women’s Fiction 2023, and an honourable mention for Historical Romance 2023, from the Coffee Pot Book Club 'The Low Road is a tough read, paradoxically, because of the empathy with which Quarmby tells her story; tougher, too, because it is based on true events' Katherine Mezzacapa, Historical Novel Society 'The descriptiveness of Hannah’s thoughts, her environments, the conditions, the women she meets, and the controlling men that impact her life, all make this story so credible and riveting. You feel as if you are there with her ... It is important that stories like Hannah’s are preserved. It is a very thought-provoking read' Beauty and Lace Book Club ‘A darkly gripping picaresque tale of cruelty, courage and kindness as an orphaned girl survives poverty and injustice to seek love on the other side of the world’ Maggie Gee, author of The White Family 'Vibrant... Quarmby immerses the reader into the early nineteenth century with this page-turning tale of forbidden passion and a woman’s ultimate triumph over adversity. A traditional saga, harking back to the glory days of Catherine Cookson, but with a very modern twist which is sure to appeal to today’s reader. I look forward to reading more of her work' Michelle Styles, author of The Gladiator's Honour 'A convincing and fully immersive everyday world ... The story goes at a rollocking pace, you are introduced and reintroduced to fully formed characters at every twist, and yet the focus is tight on Hannah and the world the reader experiences through her eyes. She grows up and matures as an increasingly less unreliable narrator completely believably' Adam Macqueen, author of the Tommy Wildeblood series 'Quarmby spins an absorbing, tender and brutal tale that encompasses a London refuge for the destitute, rural Norfolk, and Van Diemen’s Land in Australia. This is a novel about love, betrayal, destitution and redemption. A heart-rending story, impeccably researched, packed with rich and realistic detail, and reminiscent of the work of Charlotte Brontë and Sarah Waters' Jane Harris, author of The Observations 'Quarmby unites sympathetic examination of a fragmentary historical record with imaginative reconstruction to give a voice to a girl who endured the gravest injustice and misfortune over two centuries ago. Ever evocative of time and place. The Low Road reads compellingly as an act of love and restitution' Lydia Syson, author of A World Between Us ‘The Low Road is a beautifully written novel. Katharine Quarmby masterfully captures the essence of Hannah and Annie’s relationship, portraying their emotions with sensitivity and authenticity. Her skilful storytelling also keeps readers engaged in their journey ... The characters’ voices are authentic: and the dialogue perfectly captures the nuances of speech from the 1820s. This attention to detail adds a layer of realism that enhances the overall reading experience ... From the streets of London to the distant shores of Australia, readers are immersed in a world that is rich in detail and atmosphere’ Tasmanian Times 'The haunting, beautifully told tale of a young woman’s struggle against the unforgiving institutions of her day; a struggle not just for survival, but for the right to live with dignity and the right to love and be loved. Young Hannah Tyrell’s story is as gripping as it’s moving and The Low Road is a book that will stay with me for a long time' Marika Cobbold, author of Guppies for Tea 'Engrossing and beautifully written novel . . . All sorts of horrors to be found here, but also love and bravery and hope. A must for lovers of historical fiction' Adele Geras, author of Dangerous Women 'An epic tale of life of early nineteenth-century life set in set in Norfolk, London, and New South Wales' TripFiction 'An excellent evocation of the lives of working class people, women especially, as endured in the early nineteenth century. Hannah’s progress from innocent child to motherhood contains enough twists, turns and setbacks to keep you reading long into the night or, as I did, so late on Saturday afternoon that I missed the start of Strictly! I give it five well-earned stars' Rosie Amber book blog 'A vibrant queering of convict history . . . The voices of these working-class queer women – categories nearly as invisible to history as they were to the period – come to life in Katharine Quarmby’s hands' Brisbane Times 'A well-crafted and intensely dramatic novel, with characters you care about facing circumstances so dire a contemporary audience might strain to fully imagine them' Sydney Morning Herald

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Book SynopsisA gripping historical adventure set in the second century AD and based on legends of King Arthur, The Iron Way is the second in Tim Leach's breathtaking Sarmatian Trilogy. AD 175, Vindolanda, Britannia. After their cavalry was broken by the legions on the frozen waters of the Danube, Sarmatian warrior Kai bought his peoples' lives with a pledge to serve Rome. Bound to the will of the Emperor, the Sarmatians are ready to fight and eager to die – death in battle is the only escape from the dishonour of their defeat. Exiled from their home lands, they are ordered to take the Iron Way to the far north and the very edge of the Empire. Here, a great wall of stone cuts across the land as straight as the stroke of a sword. On one side, Rome's dominion; on the other, mist and rumours – stories of men closer to giants, of warriors who fight without fear or restraint. For a people who knew no borders, who were promised war, garrison duty is cruel punishment. But as insurrection stirs on both sides of the wall, Kai will discover that every barrier has its weaknesses – and he will have his chance to fight, perhaps to die. Reviewers on the Sarmatian Trilogy and Tim Leach: 'Roman military adventure at its best. Ranks with the best historical fiction available today.' Simon Turney 'A great story from a fascinating period... masterfully written with beautiful language.' Historical Novel Society 'The characters feel rounded and real, and the Sarmatians' attempts to keep their world alive and evade the tyrannous reach of Rome are heartbreaking.' The Times 'Tim Leach writes beautifully.' For Winter Nights 'Recommended.' Historical Novel Society 'Magnificent' Historia 'A poetic, absorbing narrative.' Sunday TimesTrade ReviewRoman military adventure at its best. Leach's resurrection of a lost and misunderstood people serving Rome at the edge of the world ranks with the best historical fiction available today -- Simon TurneyThis masterpiece is a tale of a conquered people and their tentative truce with invading imperialists, affording each other a portion of mutual respect, yet tinged with distrust. A great story from a fascinating period, superbly written... It is masterfully written with beautiful language, and yet it still has a Roman province sense of place and an antique feel. It must have been quite a feat digging out such historical verisimilitude * Historical Novel Society *Excellent trilogy... This is stirring and vivid writing from Leach * The Times *PRAISE FOR TIM LEACH: 'Brilliantly atmospheric, utterly compelling and beautifully written' Caroline Lea, on A Winter War. 'Tim Leach writes beautifully. This is gorgeous prose, immersing the reader in the trials of this cold, cold place at such a time of brutal crisis. It's lyrical and thoughtful' * For Winter Nights *PRAISE FOR SMILE OF THE WOLF: 'Superb... This is a thoughtful, literary take on a world that is more often depicted in a boy's adventure way. The focus in Leach's book is not on the fighting, but on the strange, inescapable logic that makes the fighting inevitable' The Times, Book of the Year. 'A poetic, absorbing narrative with many of the same qualities as the medieval Icelandic sagas that it echoes and reimagines' Sunday Times, Book of the Year. 'Smile of the Wolf bares its fangs from the first page. Like a medieval tapestry, the storytelling is rich with imagery. Readers will be lured spellbound into this lyrical and evocative Icelandic saga. It deserves huge success' -- David Gilman

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Book SynopsisThe unmissable conclusion to Tim Leach's critically acclaimed historical adventure series set in the Roman Empire. 180 AD. North of the Wall, Sarmatian warrior Kai and his adopted tribe, the Votadini, struggle for survival, cast into unfamiliar lands by Roman reprisals. When news arrives that an old enemy is in charge of the Votadini's hated foes, a confederation of tribes known as the Painted People, and has roused them to action, Kai heads south towards the Wall, hoping to ally with the Romans against this resurgent threat. Meanwhile, the Romans have heard tales of butchery and mayhem beyond the Wall. Lucius, Legate of the North, believes is is Kai and his allies who are responsible, and sends forth an expedition to capture his old comrade. Can Kai and his loved ones survive the onslaught – or will the combined might of Rome and the hatred of their enemies spell the end for the warrior and his tribe? The Hollow Throne is perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Adrian Goldsworthy. Reviews for Tim Leach: 'Roman military adventure at its best.' Simon Turney 'The characters feel rounded and real, and the Sarmatians' attempts to keep their world alive and evade the tyrannous reach of Rome are heartbreaking.' The Times 'Tim Leach writes beautifully.' For Winter Nights 'Recommended.' Historical Novel Society 'Magnificent.' Historia 'A poetic, absorbing narrative.' Sunday TimesTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR TIM LEACH: 'Roman military adventure at its best. Leach's resurrection of a lost and misunderstood people serving Rome at the edge of the world ranks with the best historical fiction available today' Simon Turney, on The Iron Way. 'Brilliantly atmospheric, utterly compelling and beautifully written' Caroline Lea, on A Winter War. 'Tim Leach writes beautifully. This is gorgeous prose, immersing the reader in the trials of this cold, cold place at such a time of brutal crisis. It's lyrical and thoughtful' For Winter Nights. 'Superb... This is a thoughtful, literary take on a world that is more often depicted in a boy's adventure way. The focus in Leach's book is not on the fighting, but on the strange, inescapable logic that makes the fighting inevitable' The Times, Book of the Year, on Smile of the Wolf. 'A poetic, absorbing narrative with many of the same qualities as the medieval Icelandic sagas that it echoes and reimagines' Sunday Times, Book of the Year, on Smile of the Wolf. 'Smile of the Wolf bares its fangs from the first page. Like a medieval tapestry, the storytelling is rich with imagery. Readers will be lured spellbound into this lyrical and evocative Icelandic saga. It deserves huge success' -- David Gilman

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Book SynopsisTold from four different perspectives, At the Breakfast Table is a story of hidden histories and family secrets, from the author of The Silence of Scheherazade. Buyukada, Turkey, 2017. In the glow of a late summer morning, family gather for the 100th birthday of the famous artist Shirin Saka. It ought to be a time of fond reminiscence, looking back on a long and fruitful artistic career, on memories spanning almost a century. But the deep past is something Shirin has spent a lifetime trying to conceal. Her grandchildren, Nur and Fikret, and great-grandchild, Celine, do not know what she's hiding, though they are intimately aware of the secret's psychological consequences. The siblings invite family friend and investigative journalist Burak along to interview Shirin – in celebration of her centenary, and also in the hope of persuading her to open up. Eventually Shirin begins to express her pain the only way she knows how. She paints a story onto her dining room wall, revealing a history wiped from public consciousness and generations of her family's history. 'Fiercely intelligent, finely textured and achingly beautiful.' Elif ShafakTrade ReviewIn At the Breakfast Table, Defne Suman, one of Turkey's most popular writers, writes about family secrets, people's inner problems, love and the losses through life. Suman builds on Eastern philosophy and yoga, among other things, when she is to shed light on the book's great secret -- Anne Buset Vassbotn (Norway)It is very easy for Greek readers to love Suman, to identify with her heroes, to look for their own ancestral memories among the memories of her heroes. But the most important thing about a novel is that it hides a beautiful story, and the author knows how to tell it -- Erika Athanasiou (Greece)The image of the Prinkipo island with its carriages, bicycles, the blue sea that surrounds it, its blooming flowers and purple bougainvillea, give a brilliant tone to the novel. The historical touch offers realism and mystery * Lefki Sarantinou (Greece) *At the Breakfast Table is an excellent novel in the footsteps of modern Turkish literature as defined by Livaneli and Pamuk. It is a well-written book which reminds us that history is not necessarily what we learn in school -- Angelos Koutsoukis (Greece)Suman listens and understands a wounded geography with an open heart – a trait that is rarely found among Turkish intellectuals. She challenges the common belief and narrates beautifully -- Derya Beyatli, Yeni Düzen Newspaper (Turkey)In At the Breakfast Table Suman continues to explore the themes and tropes that prevail in her previous novels, presenting them to the reader in new dimensions... Altogether, these premises establish a narrative network of signification, through which the philosophical core of Suman's work can be discerned' -- Ülker Gökberk, Reed CollegeDefne Suman brings lightness to the hearts of her readers as the characters of At the Breakfast Table reclaim their identity and freedom from the burden of family secrets and the false pretense of living as if no sin has been committed in this land -- Yaprak Çetinkaya, Pozitif Magazine (Turkey)Captivates readers with its plot but engages them on a deeper level with its historic and psychological detail * Asymtote Journal *A nuanced, beautifully paced novel, featuring an attentively drawn cast of characters and an immersive sense of place * The Age *Cleverly done... The story is set on a beautiful holiday island whose ambience is expertly conveyed * Historical Novel Society *

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Book SynopsisHome is where you hang your hat…When Patsy talks her way into a job on the Champion Street Market millinery stall, the Higginson sisters get more than they bargained for.Riddled with insecurities, Patsy’s impudence wins her new enemies as well as friends and her determination to solve the riddle of her own past starts to unravel secrets Annie and Clara would much rather keep hidden.Meanwhile, Molly Poulson hasn’t a care in the world until her two daughters both fall in love with the wrong man. But the more Molly interferes, the more danger looms.An enthralling saga of secrecy and sisterhood set around an elegant hat stall in 1950s Manchester, perfect for fans of Ellie Dean and Pam Howes.Praise for Fools Fall in Love 'You can’t put a price on Freda Lightfoot’s stories from Manchester’s 1950s Champion Street Market. They bubble with enough life and colour to brighten up the dreariest day and they have characters you can easily take to your heart’ Northern Echo‘As expected, another excellent book from Freda Lightfoot’ 5* Reader review‘Devoured every word of it’ 5* Reader review‘Did not want to put this book down’ 5* Reader review

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Book SynopsisThe Great War is over, but for a small Cornish community the troubles are only just beginning…When the master of the Trevallion estate, Captain Miles Trevallion, dies the desperate search for an heir begins. Rebecca Allen, daughter of the caretaker to Trevallion, is determined to protect her beloved home from ruin.After much searching, an heir to the estate is finally located – Major Alexander Fiennes. But Alex is suffering from shell shock after his horrific experiences during the war. Rebecca is forced to take charge in order to save Trevallion, and must contend with not only Alex’s broken spirit, but a ghost from the past who is determined to win Trevallion back once and for all… A gripping story of love and loyalty from the masterful Gloria Cook, perfect for fans of Magaret Dickinson.

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Book SynopsisTwo brothers founded Rome. Will two brothers tear it apart?AD 193. After a year of brutal civil war, Rome is settled under Septimius Severus and his aspirations for a new dynasty of emperors.Severus’s sons, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus – better known as Caracalla – and the younger brother, Geta, promise a stable future; a clear line of succession to steer Rome into the future.A promise that might be hard to deliver upon.With two brothers, there are two possible heirs, and Severus’s close friend Plautianus has his own ideas about the succession, favouring Geta over Caracalla. Though the pair are still children, the Praetorian Prefect sows in young Geta’s mind seeds of superiority, resentment and bitterness against his older brother.As these seeds take root, the relationship between the pair grows strained, and their parents desperately attempt to reconcile the feuding siblings before it is too late.Are the brothers able to set their differences aside, or will Rome see the blood of a fratricide?The masterful final novel in the Damned Emperors series by S.J.A. Turney, perfect for fans of Harry Sidebottom and Conn Iggulden.

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Book SynopsisShe isn’t looking for trouble – but trouble is coming to find her.Still grieving the death of her watchman husband in a terrorist attack during the Outrages, factory worker Rose is struggling to make ends meet when she encounters middle-class Annie, a newspaperman’s wife who devotes her time to lobbying for better working conditions.Rose is desperate to avoid making waves with three mouths to feed. But she can’t sit back and watch women and young girls continue to work in dangerous conditions, including her desperately sick lodger.Fearing for her daughter’s future and with her husband’s killer still on the loose, all Rose wants is justice.. Just how far is she prepared to go?An enthralling and emotional Victorian saga for fans of Kitty Neale, Libby Ashworth and Emma Hornby.Praise for The Watchman's Widow ‘Joanne Clague writes with such energy, wisdom, compassion and gentle humour, taking me right to the heart of her characters’ lives.’ Suzannah Dunn, author of The Testimony of Alys Twist‘A great read and an enthralling story.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘I loved the fact that there is a mixture of serious and more light-hearted moments. I look forward to the author’s next book.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

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Book SynopsisFinalist for the Romantic Novelist Association's 'The Romantic Saga Award 2023' for A Mother's WarNorth Yorkshire, 1941.It's been two years since war broke out and the dangers of war are becoming ever more real for the Calvert-Lazenby family. With Raven Hall requisitioned as a maternity hospital, Rosina is rushed off her feet helping to care for the new young mothers and barely has the time to worry about young sergeant Harry who has been posted abroad. Until foreboding news arrives . . .Meanwhile, against Rosina's wishes, eighteen-year-old Connie decides to leave school and move to Scarborough to train as a carpenter's apprentice, sharing a flat with her friend Stella and the mysterious Valentine. Valentine is enigmatic and Connie would love to get to know her better, but little does she know how things will get much worse for them both . . .Nowhere is safe in wartime.Praise for Mollie Walton:'Mollie Walton captures your attention from the very first page and doesn't let go!' Diney Costeloe'A Journey. Compelling. Addictive' Val Wood'Feisty female characters, an atmospheric setting ... A phenomenal read' Cathy Bramley'Evocative, dramatic and hugely compelling. I loved it' Miranda Dickinson

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Book Synopsis'A magical take on Africa before the arrival of the Atlantic slave ships – a world of art and artists, lovers, storytellers and philosophers... The beauty of Okri's prose is [...] the overwhelming star of the show' Independent 'This is a story of a people on the eve of catastrophe. Others can tell of the catastrophe itself. I want to see the people in the last days of their innocence.' Ben Okri By a riverbank in Africa, two lovers meet for the first time. They make a promise to meet again the next day, same time, same place, but only one of them shows up. This sounds like the beginning of a love story, but it's more than that, for this breath-taking tale takes the reader into the heart of a vibrant world, a complex and intriguing civilisation of warriors and kings, philosophers and artists, parents and lovers. A world and culture which is about to end, for glimpsed on the horizon, seen but unsuspected, beautiful ships with white sails are waiting... First published as Starbook in 2007, Ben Okri has spent many years rewriting this epic novel, set just before the arrival of the Atlantic slave trade. He has sought to bring to it a greater simplicity, to make the political and historical implications of the story clearer. Now titled The Last Gift of the Master Artists, this is a work still more dazzling and unforgettable, and more relevant to our world than ever before. Praise for Ben Okri: 'Ben Okri is that rare thing, a literary and social visionary, a writer for whom all three – literature, culture and vision – are profoundly interwoven' Ali SmithTrade ReviewA magical take on Africa before the arrival of the Atlantic slave ships – a world of art and artists, lovers, storytellers and philosophers... The beauty of Okri's prose is [...] the overwhelming star of the show * Independent *Told with a bracing sincerity... and gnomic wisdom expressed in supple but sturdy prose * Daily Telegraph *PRAISE FOR BEN OKRI: 'Where fiction's master of enchantments stares down a real horror, and without blinking or flinching, produces a work of beauty, grace and uncommon power' Marlon James, on The Freedom Artist. 'Ben Okri is that rare thing, a literary and social visionary, a writer for whom all three – literature, culture and vision – are profoundly interwoven' -- Ali Smith

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Book Synopsis'I knew one day I would find you. The hare is yours, my dear...' When Serin discovers a hidden family manuscript, she has no idea what she has set in motion. The old pages reveal the bewildering tale of an ordinary Victorian girl, Wren, who is given an enchanting pendant that changes her life. Serin reads all night, compelled to discover the fate of her ancestor. Will Wren fulfil her destiny to protect the cursed London Stone, like the witches before her? Or will the relentless raven man be her downfall? Will she lose everyone she ever loved? Will she lose herself? As Serin reads Wren's tale, strange things start to happen, and she begins to believe she may have unleashed dormant dark magic upon herself. This is a gothic tale of magic and myth, family secrets, love and revenge. It is a tale of the extraordinary, hidden beneath ordinary Victorian lives.

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Book SynopsisA spellbinding literary journey of murder, mayhem, blackmail and infamy. A Hungarian Countess allegedly bathes in the blood of her victims; a pair of female pirates outfight the rest of the crew; a Roman Empress has several senators and members of her family killed so that she can fulfil her sexual desires. These are just four of the thirty-six Wicked Women of Yore who ‘star’ in these pages. This book explores how women such as Ilsa Koch, the bestial Nazi concentration camp commander, Bonnie (of Bonnie and Clyde), ‘Princess Caraboo’ and Queen Isabella, the ‘She-Wolf of France,’ murdered, conned and blackmailed their way into history and infamy. The author also imagines the conversations they might have had, as he describes the scenes of their crimes. D. Lawrence-Young has written over twenty historical novels. In this companion volume to his Villains of Yore, this book will open your eyes to the fact that the fairer sex was not always so fair in the past. From now on you will look at women, young and old, beautiful and ugly, in a completely new and different light.

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Book SynopsisA SCOTSMAN BOOK OF THE YEAREDINBURGH, 1853.In a city of science, discovery can be deadly . . .In a time of unprecedented scientific discovery, the public's appetite for wonder has seen a resurgence of interest in mesmerism, spiritualism and other unexplained phenomena. Dr Will Raven is wary of the shadowlands that lie between progress and quackery, but Sarah Fisher can't afford to be so picky. Frustrated in her medical ambitions, she sees opportunity in a new therapeutic field not already closed off to women.Raven has enough on his hands as it is. Body parts have been found at Surgeons' Hall, and they're not anatomy specimens. In a city still haunted by the crimes of Burke and Hare, he is tasked with heading off a scandal.When further human remains are found, Raven is able to identify a prime suspect, and the hunt is on before he kills again. Unfortunately, the individual he seeks happens to be an accomplished actor, a man of a thousand faces and a renowned master of disguise.With the lines between science and spectacle dangerously blurred, the stage is set for a grand and deadly illusion . . .Trade ReviewI loved Raven and Sarah's latest fabulous adventure concerning the infancy of hypnotherapy whilst exploring the darker elements of the human heart -- ALEX GRAYPraise for the series: Parry's Victorian Edinburgh comes vividly alive - and it's a world of pain -- VAL McDERMIDBrilliantly conceived, fiendishly plotted and immaculately realised, these thrillers pull off the most difficult double-whammy of all: beneath blood and butchery so real they almost stain the pages lie both heart and soul . . . Wherever Parry takes them, I'll follow -- MICK HERRONA rip-roaring tale of murder amid the medical experiments of 19th-century Edinburgh. The book brings both city and period to colourful life and is a joy to read -- IAN RANKINMenacing, witty and ingeniously plotted, Ambrose Parry's debut draws you into the dark heart of nineteenth-century Edinburgh and won't let you go until the final page -- S. J. PARRISThe dark and dangerous past is brought thrillingly to life. I can't wait to read more of Raven and Sarah -- MARK BILLINGHAMUtterly compelling, this tale of Old Edinburgh is so full of characters and startling incident that I never wanted it to end -- DENISE MINAA thoroughly entertaining tale of murder and misadventure in 1840s Edinburgh * * Sunday Times * *A dynamic new arrival . . . Ambrose Parry's The Way of All Flesh is set in an 1840s Edinburgh where new science and old beliefs rub shoulders. Its twisty gothic plot is based on grisly real events -- NICCI FRENCHThe city of Burke and Hare has found a new classic murder. The Way of All Flesh is a darkly stylish mystery underpinned by hard facts and expert research. A hugely enjoyable debut -- LOUISE WELSH

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Book Synopsis‘A spellbinding tale of love, lust, magic and betrayal in Imperial Russia…..I couldn't put it down' Santa Montefiore A city in flames. A revolution raging. A woman on the run. Nadezhda has never wanted to be a witch. But the occult is in her blood. Her mother, Militza, conjured Rasputin and introduced him into the Romanov court, releasing the devil himself. Now he is dead but Militza still dreams of him – he stalks her sleep and haunts her waking hours. As Petrograd burns and the Russian Empire crumbles, Nadezhda escapes through the corpse-laden streets of the capital, concealing on her person a book of generational magic. Magic she once described as foolishness. But as danger grows ever closer, she may be forced to embrace her heritage to save what she loves most… Based on a true story, The Witch’s Daughter is an epic tale of women rising from the ashes of an empire, perfect for fans of Elodie Harper's The Wolf Den and Madeline Miller’s Circe. In The Witches of St Petersburg, we met Grand Duchesses Militza and her sister Anastasia, queens of the Dark Arts. This is Nadezhda’s story. Praise for Imogen Edwards-Jones: 'Richly imagined.' Daisy Goodwin 'Razor-sharp... brilliant.' Candace Bushnell 'I couldn't put it down.' Claudia WinklemanTrade ReviewAn intimate, enthralling and oh-so readable slice of historical fiction set within one of the key moments of the 20th century. -- LoveReadinga tale of strong female characters and the resilience they can muster when faced with danger and terror. Beautifully written with compelling descriptions of Russian history -- My WeeklyBest Books For Christmas -- Best'A spellbinding tale of love, lust, magic and betrayal in Imperial Russia... I couldn't put it down.' -- Santa Montefiore‘Like Elodie Harper’s The Wolf Den, The Witch’s Daughter is a story of strength and survival, centering around the resilience of women in grueling, violent times.’ -- CultureflyEdwards-Jones’ enthusiasm is hard to resist. -- Mail on SundayA glorious Cossack charge of a novel - I was swept away by Nadezdha's fight for survival in the midst of the Russian Revolution. It's a terrific read. * Daisy Goodwin *A hugely evocative historical novel, weaving strands of magic and mysticism into the perilous days of the Russian Revolution. Gripping! -- Kate Griffin, author of FYNESHADE'A brilliant, brutal story that had me holding my breath. It's been a very long time since I've come across a heroine as unforgettable as Nadezhda.' -- Celia WaldenPRAISE FOR THE WITCHES OF ST PETERSBURG: 'Sumptuous, sexy and haunting. I adored this novel' Santa Montefiore 'With precision and razor-sharp accuracy... A brilliant take on the historical novel' Candace Bushnell 'Richly imagined... A rip-roaring read' Daisy Goodwin 'I couldn't put it down' Claudia WinklemanA spellbinding tale * Woman's Own *The Witch's Daughter sheds light on a dark and turbulent period from a new and unusual perspective * The Scotsman *

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Book Synopsis'A vivid, gripping story, beautifully handled, with a gem on every page' - Tracy Chevalier'Once again J.C. Harvey has cleared the high bar in historical fiction by a mile.' - S. W. Perry'Vibrant, twisting and compelling' - Minette WaltersSummer 1630. The Swedish army is fighting its way down through Germany, with Jack Fiskardo and his company of scouts, or 'discoverers', fighting the guerrilla war ahead of the main advance. There are new allies to be made, new perils to overcome, new enemies to outwit and new adventures to pursue; but there is also a fortune for the taking, a mystery to be solved, and a destiny to fulfil - one that will see Jack brought face-to-face at last with his sworn enemy, Carlo Fantom. And in the wintry forests of Bohemia, that destiny will present Jack with an almost impossible choice - does he pursue his final vengeance, or does he turn aside, to help a child as helpless as he once was himself?Trade ReviewA vivid, gripping story, beautifully handled, with a gem on every page. I'm full of admiration, if not a little envy at Harvey's confidence; she knows exactly what she's doing. -- Tracy Chevalier * Tracy Chevalier *Vibrant, twisting and compelling. The Dead Men will appeal to old and new fans of Jack Fiskardo as he fights for Protestantism in a 17th Century Europe, ravaged by war. This is a series worth following! -- Minette WaltersOnce again J.C. Harvey has cleared the high bar in historical fiction by a mile. -- S. W. Perry * S. W. Perry *[A] marvellous [...] intelligently written romp through history -- NB Magazine * NB Magazine (THE SILVER WOLF) *Multi-layered, compelling and intriguing, The Silver Wolf draws us into the murky underbelly of Europe's Thirty Years' War. -- Minette Walters * Minette Walters (on THE SILVER WOLF) *

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Book Synopsis'Oh, you're not crazy, Denise. I think this is probably the sanest you've ever been...'Two women. An open road. The trip of a lifetime.Thea is confident, sorted, determined to have fun, but there are sorrows beneath the surface of her life.Denise is struggling under the weight of her many commitments and in desperate need of some excitement.When these polar opposites meet, and unexpectedly become friends, they realise they're both looking to escape.So begins a road trip that leads them far from home and yet closer to their true selves.But they can't outrun their pasts forever and when things start to become complicated, both women have an important decision to make. Do they give up or keep going? Turn around or drive on?Trade ReviewSharply observed and empathetic, many women will see themselves in this excellent novel * Elizabeth Buchan *There is a raw realism to all of Caroline Bond's novels ... Redemptive and satisfying -- Carol Mason on 'The Legacy'Absolutely captures the challenges of being a certain age - the characters jump off the page! * Sam Blake *A beautifully crafted exploration of family resentments and vulnerability. Caroline Bond writes with a keen eye for human frailty, bringing her characters vividly to life, flaws and all. -- Charity Norman on 'The Legacy'Caroline Bond has a gift for weaving heart-rending tales of impossible decisions and The Forgotten Sister is no exception. A beautifully written story that will stay with me for quite some time. -- Amanda Brooke on 'The Forgotten Sister'A deftly written novel [and] a moving exploration of love between sisters and the tangled, often complex emotions that exist in families. -- Madeleine Reiss on 'The Forgotten Sister'Compassionate, wry and packed with acute observations on human behaviour. Like wrapping yourself in a warm shawl. -- Charity Norman

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Book SynopsisFormer cinema camera director Julius Sewell journeys across Europe with his family to his sister's wedding in Rome. But this will be an unusual road trip. For one thing, Julius has been in an institution and has only just been released to travel. And then there is his family. This is Easter 1934 and Julius' stepfather and mother are keen members of Oswald Mosley's new party, the British Union of Fascists. One of Julius' half-sisters is in studying in Munich, where she dreams of meeting meet her idol, Adolf Hitler. Another half-sister is a member of the British Communist Party, and is determined to wreck the approaching wedding, because the groom is a rising figure in Italy's Fascist regime. As the family motors south, to Paris, across Nazi Germany - taking in a bus tour to Dachau concentration camp - and through Mussolini's Italy to Rome, gathering relatives and a stray dog along the way, Julius' mental stability will be put sorely to the test, as will be the sanity of his relatives.Trade ReviewKneale is a master of complex narratives and this elegant, fast moving novel is one of his best. * Daily Mail *A madcap journey... flickers with cinematic energy * Sunday Times *Panoramic... written with cinematic precision * Observer *[A] tongue-in-cheek evocation of pernicious dogmas... a reminder that murderous ideologies often first appear in forms that feel like parodies of societal norms * TLS *An enthralling and wonderfully vivid novel from a master storyteller. * Joseph O'Connor on PILGRIMS *Matthew Kneale's new novel could hardly be a more welcome getaway... Humane outrage pulses through this novel along with comic ebullience. * Sunday Times on PILGRIMS *Humane, generous, enjoyable. * TLS on PILGRIMS *Comedy and tragedy lie uncomfortably but brilliantly close in this confident, cinematic novel. * Sunday Times, 100 Best Books for Summer 2023 *

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Book SynopsisPassion, Treachery, Betrayal. The virgin queen has arrived… Uncovering the love triangle between Queen Elizabeth I, Robert Dudley, and his wife Amy, and her mysterious death,A Court Affair is an unforgettable story of ambition, lust and jealousy. The future of the realm is in her hands… Accused of conspiring with rebels to steal the throne, Princess Elizabeth is confined to the Tower of London by her half-sister, Queen Mary. There she finds solace in the arms of fellow prisoner – her childhood friend, Robert Dudley. But with Elizabeth’s ascension to the crown, Robert returns to his wife and the unhappy union he believes cheated him of his destiny to be king. As Anne Boleyn’s daughter, Elizabeth knows the cruelty of marriage and roundly rejects her many suitors – with the exception of the power-hungry Robert. But their relationship carries a risk that could shake the very foundations of the House of Tudor. . . A Court Affair is a fascinating portrait of both the rise of Elizabeth I and one of the most compelling periods in history.Trade Review‘ a classic story of a woman scorned, who is after revenge of the most bloody kind.’ Closer Magazine

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Book SynopsisA hanging always draws a crowd. But not everyone there has come to jeer at the condemned man. George Kevill's young son Barney is in the front row, and he knows his father is innocent. There are others there who know George is innocent, too - and the men who set him up have every reason to want to silence his boy . . .Narrowly escaping the clutches of the sinister Nasty Man, young Barney finds sanctuary at the London Aquarium amongst his father's bohemian friends: Bob Chapman, whose performing dogs Brutus and Nero astonish audiences every night, the exquisite doll-lady, Princess Tiny, and her admirer, the giant Herr Swann. Together with Fortinbras Horatio Trimmer, aspiring novelist and meantime author of penny dreadfuls and popular plays, they will protect Barney and seek to uncover the conspiracy behind a dark secret that lies at the heart of the Victorian establishment.Trade Review'Drama both on and off stage that is blood red in tooth and claw.... a first rate crime novel that rises high above the normal standards of the genre' * British Theatre Guide *'Measured, wonderfully memorable, bona fide without ever feeling painstakingly so, and a rollicking good time from end to end, The Newgate Jig is a delight' * Speculative Scotsman *'Excellent . . . Ann Featherstone's skilful hand dances a jig of its own in this fine novel, set in the darker side of Victorial London' * Shots Magazine *'Fans of Sarah Waters will immediately be attracted to this latest offering from Ann Featherstone . . . beautifully written, highly literate but terribly sad' * Historical Novels Review *'Reminiscent of Sarah Waters in style and feel, and full of vibrant characters . . . Very much recommended' * Historical Novels Review *

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Book SynopsisSet in Vancouver in 1907, Better the Devil You Know is the outrageous tale of three unique and curious characters: the small-time con man who passes himself off as an evangelical preacher, the scrawny street-worker whom he reluctantly befriends, and the five-year-old hellion left in his care by a former lady friend. In the course of their adventures, these three misfits become involved with a larcenous lingerie salesman, a Klondike miner bent on recovering his stolen poke, a madam intent on revenge for past wrongs, a pugilistic lady barkeep, two doctors determined to acquire a cadaver of their own, a handful of incompetent and corrupt cops, and a piano teacher with reforming zeal. The pace is riotous, the action continuous, and nobody -- good or bad -- ever gets a break.

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Book SynopsisBill Gallaher''s bestselling novel The Journey follows a group of three adventurous Overlanders--two young men and one remarkable woman--as they travel west in 1862, from the Manitoba prairies to the goldfields of the Cariboo. With his gift for storytelling, Gallaher brings this intriguing era to the page as he vividly recounts the overland trek of the spirited Catherine Schubert, who made the trip in an undetected state of pregnancy; James Sellar, a combative young man of rigid determination; and Thomas McMicking, the visionary captain of the often unruly company. Reprinted with an appealing new look, this popular novel is an engaging and moving tribute to a band of heroic pioneers.

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Book SynopsisIn this rollicking tale, Mohawk hero Tehawennihárhos, aka Squire Davis, aka Sky Walker, rides through the turbulent and lawless days of 1845 Upper Canada. As he longs for the love of the Scotchwoman Jennet Ferguson, he finds himself at the heart of the divide between Mohawk tradition and the new Presbyterian society putting down roots in communities across Ontario. As Tehawennihárhos contemplates marrying the white woman he adores, he faces prejudice on both sides of the racial divide and realizes that neither the Six Nations tribes nor the Presbyterian elite of Uxbridge and Brantford will accept him and Jennet. Meanwhile, Tehawennihárhos becomes involved in a manhunt for a Mohawk cousin and his violent English accomplice, who are wanted for the assault on a woman who runs a tavern on Vinegar Hill. The chase takes him and his compatriots along the byways of Upper Canada as he clashes with land jobbers, robber barons and disgruntled British regulars. En route, we discover the wildness of the Canadian frontier through social customs, politics, scandals, criminal activities and economic tensions. Plots and subplots make for a riveting adventure through the early days of our nation, bringing our history alive as never before.

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Book SynopsisIn this sweeping saga, Yvonne Harris tells the poignant stories of Robert and Alice, two young people who join the 1846 wagon train to cross North America on their way to the West Coast. Seeking a better life, thirteen-year-old Robert leaves his impoverished family in Iowa and accompanies the main group as it follows the well-established Oregon Trail to the Pacific Northwest. Alice, a lovely young widow, is forced to follow a husband she despises on the difficult trek even when he insists on taking the Hastings Cutoff with a small party from the wagon train who forego the longer route for a virtually unknown trail touted as a short cut to the West Coast. Alice''s husband''s hasty decisions dramatically alter the course of their lives; instead of reaching the green fields of California, the party finds themselves trapped on the wrong side of the snow and ice-capped Sierra Nevada with almost nothing left in the way of supplies. Both eventually make their way to Victoria and the BC Interior in search of gold. They encounter the American militia, intent on taking over the Fraser River from the tribes, and Chief Spintlum, who chooses peace over war and saves his people from a massacre. The story is based on the historical accounts of settlers traveling west on the Oregon Trail, the tragic account of the Donner Party and the search for gold on the Fraser River. In preparing to write this narrative, the author climbed the Donner Pass and traveled the Oregon Trail and the Fraser River attempting to recreate the passage across a virtually unknown land.

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Book SynopsisWith The Age of Water Lilies, Theresa Kishkan has written a beautiful novel that travels from the time of colonial wars to the pacifist movement to 1960s Victoria, and shares a unique and delightful relationship between 70-year-old Flora and 7-year-old Tessa. When Flora Oakden leaves her English home in 1912 for the fledgling community of Walhachin in British Columbia''s interior, she doesn''t expect to fall in love with the dry sage-scented benchlands above the Thompson River-and with the charismatic labourer who is working in the orchard. When he and all the men of Walhachin return to Europe and the battlefields of France, Flora remains behind, pregnant and unmarried. Shunned by those remaining in the settlement, she travels west to Victoria and meets freethinker Ann Ogilvie, who provides shelter for her in a house overlooking the Ross Bay Cemetery. Fifty years later, among the headstones of Ross Bay, curious young Tessa is mapping her own personal domain when her life becomes interwoven with that of her neighbour, the now-elderly Flora. Out of their friendship, a larger world opens up for these unlikely companions. Theresa has written a sweeping story that transcends time and springs from a passionate exploration of the natural world, its weather, seasons and plants.

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Book Synopsis"Gripping, hugely involving, and very satisfying" KATE MOSSE"A dramatic story of family intrigue, religious passions and riproaring romance" MICHELE ROBERTSTyphoon is set in Chiragpur, a Pakistani village warped in time, space and guilt, whose inhabitants are still traumatised by what happened some twenty years earlier in a courtroom (kacheri). With the arrival of a beautiful stranger from the city, the villagers are helplessly swept along by a typhoon-like series of events and become buried under the burden of their guilt.Closely guarding their small silk parcels containing a lock of a woman's hair, they all hope to return it to its rightful owner and beg her forgiveness. Typhoon is a tragic tale of three young women, each one demonised by their past: Naghmana - the glamorous stranger from the city; Chaudharani Kaniz - the village land baron, and Gulshan - the innocent wife. One is caught in the arms of another woman's husband in the middle of the night; another was raped in her youth; and the third woman's world fell apart as she lost her husband, before her eyes, to a total stranger and her mother vowed revenge. For all three there is no escape from what fate has in store.Trade Review'Gripping, hugely involving and very satisfying to read' - Kate Mosse'Gripping, involving and satisfying read' - Indie Magazine'You enter room after inner room in this book so full of vivid detail about the lives and loves, the duties and desires in Muslim family life living in Chiragpur, a village on the subcontinent. These are rooms and stories few people in the west know, care to enter or understand. They could begin that adventure with this novel' - Yasmin Alibhai-Brown'Qaisra Shahraz received wide critical praise for her first novel , The Holy Woman which became a best seller. Her second novel Typhoon... set in Chiragpur, a Pakistan village. With the arrival of a beautiful stranger from the city, the villagers are helplessly swept along by typhoon like series of events and become buried under the burden of their guilt' - Area News Today'Qaisra Shahraz made a mark with her first novel Holy Woman about a privileged young woman in Pakistan who following a family tragedy is bound to the Qu'ran and a life of celibacy to keep her family's fortune secure. Its follow up Typhoon goes to rural Pakistan to pick up the stories of the first book's minor characters' - Metro'Author of best selling novel The Holy Woman Qaisra Shahraz is back with her long awaited second work about love, jealousy, adultery and rape' - Asian News'A tale of love and deceit set in Pakistan' - The Kahleej Times Online'A stormy new second novel' - Chorlton, Whalley Range and Fallowfield'Typhoon is a tragic tale of three young women each one demonised by their past' - Desi'The book is a riveting family saga' - Bradford Telegraph & Argus

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Book SynopsisWhen Tito is a child, his grandmother teaches him how to weave magic around the ones you love in order to keep them close. She is the master and he is the pupil, exasperating Tito's put-upon mother who, although exhausted from working long hours, is usually the focus of their mischief. As Tito grows older and his grandmother's mind becomes less sound, their games take a dangerous turn. They both struggle with a particular spell, one that creates an illusion of illness to draw in love. But as the lines between magic and childish tales blur, so too do those between fantasy and reality. In this beautifully told drama of the bond between grandson and grandmother, JT Torres delicately explores the complexities of family bonds - in which love is need, and need becomes manipulation, along with the pain and difficulties of dementia and mental ill health.Trade Review'Torres's masterful prose, and his inspired confrontation with grief and alienation, will linger in my mind for a long time' —Amy Kurzweil, author of 'Flying Couch: a graphic memoir'; 'The exquisite writing of JT Torres is on full display in this deftly told and spellbinding tale... [He] has crafted a masterpiece amidst the sweat drenching heat of Florida to the chilling darkness found in the shadows of rugged Alaskan mountains' —Don Rearden author of 'The Raven's Gift'; 'JT Torres' story is a masterful work written in the style of magic realism that slowly peels apart the passing down of the "immigrant experience" from one generation to the next, even when younger generations do not directly experience immigration itself' —Jill Flanders Crosby, Professor of Theatre and Dance, University of Alaska Anchorage; 'Taking Flight is a not-to-be missed coming of age story that ranges from Miami to Orlando to Alaska as its hero learns to create his own galaxy, his own known world' —Karen Salyer McElmurray, author of 'Wanting Radiance'

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Book SynopsisTWO YOUNG MEN WITH EXPECTATIONS. ONE PREDICTED TO SUCCEED, THE OTHER TO FAIL... Prince Albert Victor is heir presumptive to the British throne at its late Victorian zenith. Handsome and good-hearted, he is regarded as disastrously inadequate to be the king. By contrast, Jem Stephen is a golden boy worshipped by all - a renowned intellectual and the Keeper and outstanding player of the famous Eton Wall Game. He is appointed as Prince Albert's tutor at Cambridge - the relationship that will change both of their lives. 'A gilded cast of characters parades through this sumptuous tale. A clever mixture of history, psychology and sex.' - Alastair Stewart OBE, ITN anchorTrade Review'Compelling and convincing, elegant and assured, The Prince Of Mirrors is that rarest and most elusive of things: a joy to read' -Neil Mckenna, author of 'Fanny & Stella'; 'Clark writes with intelligence, warmth, bravery and wit about big subjects to do with how we choose to live our lives' -Sue Townsend, author of 'Adrian Mole' series; 'In sculpted, luscious prose Clark tenderly imagines the secret longing of a fated prince and the man who ruled his heart' -Uli Lenart, Attitude magazine; 'Touching and compelling' - Gyles Brandreth, author and TV personality

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Book SynopsisTWO YOUNG MEN WITH EXPECTATIONS. ONE PREDICTED TO SUCCEED, THE OTHER TO FAIL. Prince Albert Victor, heir presumptive to the British throne, is seen as disastrously inadequate to be king. The grandson of Queen Victoria, he is good-hearted but intensely shy and, some whisper, even slow-witted. By contrast, Jem Stephen is a renowned intellectual, a poet and a golden boy worshipped by all. But a looming curse of mental instability is threatening to take it all away. Appointed as the prince's personal tutor, Jem works to prepare him for the duty to come. A friendship grows between them - one that will allow them to understand and finally accept who they really are, and change both of their lives forever. `A gilded cast of characters parades through this sumptuous tale. A clever mixture of history, psychology and sex.' - Alastair Stewart OBE, ITN anchor; `In sculpted, luscious prose Clark tenderly imagines the secret longing of a fated prince and the man who ruled his heart' - Uli Lenart, Attitude magazine; `This novel blends historical facts with a splash of imagination to create a magical portrait of the Queen's great-uncle.' - Hello magazineTrade Review'Compelling and convincing, elegant and assured, The Prince Of Mirrors is that rarest and most elusive of things: a joy to read' —Neil Mckenna, author of 'Fanny & Stella'; 'Clark writes with intelligence, warmth, bravery and wit about big subjects to do with how we choose to live our lives' —Sue Townsend, author of 'Adrian Mole' series; 'In sculpted, luscious prose Clark tenderly imagines the secret longing of a fated prince and the man who ruled his heart' —Uli Lenart, Attitude magazine; 'Touching and compelling.' - Gyles Brandreth, author and TV personality; 'In sculpted, luscious prose Clark tenderly imagines the secret longing of a fated prince and the man who ruled his heart’ —Uli Lenart, Attitude magazine

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Book SynopsisMary has a secret that she mustn't tell. But in a care home, with her mind wandering, she's starting to slip up. Clearing out her grandmother's old room, Lucy finds something hidden that wasn't supposed to be found - a locket sheltering a shameful family secret. She can't tell her mother. Not with their father gone, one brother absent and another acting up. Her mother was struggling with her mental health just a few years ago. Lucy will have to make sense of it all herself. In a beautifully told drama of family secrets, Helen Stancey once again picks through the everyday of life to uncover poetry, pain and ultimately love.Trade Review'In the poised assurance of its writing...one has a sense of a writer gifted with an instinctive sense of how to tell a story' —The Spectator; 'Writing so accomplished...' The Tablet; 'Palpable excellence' —The Literary Review; 'A beautifully observed exploration of the power and pain of family secrets' —Emma Timpany, author of 'Travelling in the Dark'; 'Helen Stancey's style is beautifully immediate and natural, as if you were looking over the author's shoulder, watching and listening, rather than reading. In this gripping saga of family secrets, Helen displays the storyteller's gift of creating lively, sympathetic characters, and a plot that flows with a well-crafted rightness and inevitability. A highly relatable book' —Fiona Vigo Marshall, author of 'The House of Marvellous Books'; 'A tender, and uplifting exploration of the mysteries and meaning of family, for three generations of women striving to fulfil their destinies' —Rebecca Fraser, author of 'The Mayflower Generation' and journalist

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Book SynopsisIt's 1920s England, and the coastal town of Gravely is finally enjoying a fragile peace after the Great War. John Lowell, a naturalist who writes articles on the flora and fauna of the shoreline, and his wife Harriet lead a simple life, basking in their love for each other and enjoying the company of John's visiting old school friend, David. But when an American whaler arrives in town with his beautiful red-haired daughters, boasting of his plans to build a pier and pleasure-grounds a mile out to sea, unexpected tensions and temptations arise. As secrets multiply, Harriet, John and David must each ask themselves, what price is to be paid for pleasure?Trade Review'A novel of shifting, silted landscapes and relationships laid bare, with quiet urgency The Woodcock reveals the complexities of desire, instinct and faith' —Eley Williams, author of 'The Liar's Dictionary'; 'Beautifully written - I could almost taste the salt' —Carys Bray, author of 'A Song for Issy Bradley'; 'An astonishing piece of literary ventriloquism - Smyth revisits the period novel with a contemporary sensibility and an incredible sense of place' —Owen Booth, author of 'The All True Adventures (And Rare Education) of The Daredevil Daniel Bones'; 'This is a funny and thoughtful novel. Sardonic sometimes, mordant at others, it is always witty, fast, and smart' —Tim Dee, author of 'Greenery'; 'Observing the consequences of the arrival of strangers through the salty prism of a small, northern English coastal town, Smyth has a naturalist's eye for detail, and turns it here upon human nature. 'The Woodcock' is beautiful and unsettling in equal measure' —Jon Dunn, author of 'Orchid Summer'; 'The world Smyth evokes with his vibrant prose leaps off the page - every character lives and breathes, and beneath its ordinary surface, 1920s Gravely teems with beauty, complexity and mystery' —Jenn Ashworth, author of 'Fell'; 'Compelling' —Eithne Farry, Daily Mail; 'Accomplished' —iPaper; 'Smyth's evocation of place and nature [...] is imbued with a compelling sense of closely observed realism' —Alexander Larman, Literary Review; 'The bleakness of the coast, the mist, the shifting nature of the sands all speak of contingency, brutality, deception. [...] The period detail and the sensibilities and prejudices of the time are portrayed with great deftness' —Alice Jolly, TLS

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Book SynopsisPerestroika is a historical fiction novel that provides thrilling insights into the late Communist era. The book opens in 1978 and introduces citizens of Slavia like artist Ludwig Kirchner, struggling to survive in concentration camps, whilst the terrifying elites of the regime live in luxury and moral depravity. It all changes in 1989, with Perestroika. In the revolutionary turmoil, former crime boss Ivan Fiorov leads the newly formed ‘Freedom Party’, heralding a wave of insecurity that resembles the previous dictatorship. Revenge, redemption and catharsis collide head on with recent European history. With Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, alongside a resurgence of populist leaders and neo-Nazi movements across the world, Perestroika is as much a lens into the present as an exciting epitome for the past.Trade Review"The author brilliantly balances the formal tone and themes of capitalism, socialism and religion with an appropriate dose of the ridiculous." – ‘Rabid Readers’ Review

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Book SynopsisMaud has been at Angelton Lunatic Asylum for 5 years.She has no memory of her past or how she came to be here.They say she is violent and unstable, hysterical and untrustworthy.But when she's hypnotised, the memories come flooding back. And now it's time for revenge.

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Book SynopsisA Times Book of the Month for readers of Golden Hill and Cloud Atlas. It is 1800, and the future of Chicago hangs in the balance, to be decided on the outcome of a game of chess. Win or lose, the result will reverberate through the next 100 years of history, and the players’ lives, the lives of their descendants, and the city itself will never be the same again … Trade Review‘A sprawling epic … An absorbing fictional chronicle of a city and its place in American history.’ -- Antonia Senior * The Times ‘Book of the Month’ *‘There is much of the panache of David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas here: it is an epic story that sweeps the reader from a single log-house to a mass of steel-frame skyscrapers. It moves from bloody tragedy to financial skulduggery and farce, all through a subtle variety of narrative voices and perspectives. A notably rich, rewarding read.’ -- Fanny Blake * Daily Mail *‘Daring and unruly … Jonathan Carr ambitiously attempts a reconstruction of the development of Chicago … Often entertaining and very readable.’ -- Sean Hewitt * The Irish Times *‘A wondrous, bold and playful first novel. Seductively fascinating characters, real and imagined, populate this fiction with their interweaving and intergenerational stories. But the hero’s journey belongs to the city itself … An exhilarating ride.’ -- Linda Jaivin * The Saturday Paper *‘Carr's debut novel is an impressive literary experiment blending epistolary narratives, fragmented journal entries, and historical book chapters into a sprawling chronicle about the founding and development of Chicago in the 19th century … An ambitious literary debut that occupies a liminal space between alternative history and experimental literature.’ -- Joshua Finnell * Library Journal *‘Carr's kaleidoscope debut embroiders fact with fiction to tell an alternative history of Chicago's 19th Century in a symphony of voices. Using real-life historical figures, colorful stories and fictional journal entries, Carr traces Chicago's rise to an industrial titan and all-time great American city.’ -- Barbara VanDenburgh * USA TODAY *‘Make Me A City is a thrillingly ambitious and ingeniously accomplished first novel. This is a stunning debut by a new and instantly important literary voice.’ -- Robert Olen Butler, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction‘Jonathan Carr’s brilliant novel could not be more relevant to today’s world. Make Me A City explores the nature of history itself — both the official record and the suppressed stories that lie beneath. Covering a century, from mid-western wilderness to the bustling modern city of Chicago, it has a correspondingly large cast, but incidents and characters are interwoven to create not just a satisfying narrative but a working model of how civilisation comes into being, for better or worse. This novel itself is a city, one that contains the myriad hopes, ambitions, disappointments and loves of its citizens, as they work like coral insects to build the structure in which they live and die.’ -- Richard Francis, author of The Old Spring and Crane Pond‘These mini biographical sketches impart serious commentary on aspects of history such as racism, greed, and love.’ * Press Association *‘Carr’s prose is often amusing and heartfelt and pulls readers through the joys and pains of the people who made Chicago a city … if you are looking for a gritty, unapologetically unique “alternative” history of the Windy City, this is the place to start.’ -- Bryan Dumas * Historical Novel Society *‘Make Me A City is a multitude of novels all rolled into one — a wonderfully sprawling epic about Chicago’s founding fathers (and mothers), a searching exploration of colonialism in action, and a compelling collection of stories about people and places. But it is something else too, the one thing that is known to all of us, namely a single, tender map of the human heart. In Make Me A City Jonathan Carr draws on his considerable talent to tell the story of Chicago through the eyes of its many inhabitants, exploring life, death and what is left behind with admirable deftness and style. This is a bold, thrilling debut from a seriously good writer.' -- Francesca Rhydderch, author of The Rice Paper Diaries‘Absolutely magnificent. Carr grasps the complexity of a city’s history, the individuals who shape it, those who gain and those who suffer. The prose is graceful and vibrant, the gradual unfolding of the interrelated lives of these people is superbly done. This is an elegant, richly enjoyable book.’ -- Tricia Wastvedt, author of The River‘Make Me A City’s scope and scale is quite breathtaking. It digs deep into the history of Chicago to uncover hidden stories about the people who built it. Its clever way of dealing with competing historical narratives is very exciting. A real pleasure to read!’ -- Gerard Woodward, author of I’ll Go To Bed at Noon‘The rise of Chicago in the 19th century provides the frame for a trove of colorful stories and characters in this entertaining debut novel … Carr has a sure touch, and in many extended anecdotes, his narrative skills show exceptional detail, pacing, and tension. A solid storyteller enlivens a rich patch of American history.’ * Kirkus *‘An enticing debut ... a gritty and entertaining fictional history of a great American city.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘I've had the pleasure of reading this novel through its draft stages. An epic tale of the foundation of Chicago. A must-read for historical fiction fans!’ -- James Aitcheson, author of the Conquest series‘Carr’s intricately woven debut evokes the history of nineteenth-century Chicago while showcasing important but little-known historical figures and fictional people from different walks of life who contribute to its development. The chronologically arranged chapters vary in style, from straightforward narrative to spot-on pastiches of news articles and diaries to excerpts from a compiled ‘alternative history’ text whose contents are cleverly self-referential … Ambition, injustice, and opportunity all play roles as Chicago expands outward and upward. Over time, the disparate stories, which span the entire century, intersect in delightfully unexpected ways.’ -- Sarah Johnson * Booklist *

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