Historical Fiction Books

Book SynopsisGripping' The TimesFans of Philippa Gregory and other historical fiction writers will love Anne O'Brien's A Tapestry of Treason' YoursHer actions could make history but at what price?1399: Constance of York, Lady Despenser, proves herself more than a mere observer in the devious intrigues of her magnificently dysfunctional family, The House of York.Surrounded by power-hungry men, including her aggressively self-centred husband Thomas and ruthless siblings Edward and Richard, Constance places herself at the heart of two treasonous plots against King Henry IV. Will it be possible for this Plantagenet family to safeguard its own political power by restoring either King Richard II to the throne, or the precarious Mortimer claimant?Although the execution of these conspiracies will place them all in jeopardy, Constance is not deterred, even when the cost of her ambition threatens to overwhelm her. Even when it endangers her new-found happiness.With treason, tragedy, heartbreak and betrayal,Trade Review Praise for A Tapestry of Treason ‘A wonderful novel . . . a rich, gripping, enchanting read. Anne’s vivid writing took me straight to the year 1400 and kept me wonderfully lost there throughout’ Joanna Courtney Praise for Anne O’Brien ‘O’Brien cleverly intertwines the personal and political in this enjoyable, gripping tale’ The Times ‘O’Brien is a terrific storyteller’ Daily Telegraph ‘A gripping story of love, heartache and political intrigue’ Woman & Home ‘Packed with drama, danger, romance and history … the perfect reading choice for the long winter nights’ The Press Association ‘A gripping historical drama’ Bella

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Book SynopsisIt's the early part of the nineteenth century and the Arabian Peninsula and the waters surrounding it are ablaze. Piracy in the Gulf threatens global maritime trade routes while the Wahabbi strain of Islam is conquering followers town by town across the region. Britain, eager to reinforce its presence in the Middle East and protect the East India Company's ships, has a plan: send a man-of-war from England to quash the pirates while persuading Egypt to join an international alliance with Oman and Persia to fight the Wahabbis. At the center of it all lies a priceless Indian sword, a gift from the British monarch to the Egyptian Pasha. But Erhama bin Jaber, a historical figure and one of the most notorious pirates in the Gulf, has his own agenda and his own vendettas. When the Arabian corsair and his gang attack a ship carrying the sword, Britain's complex strategy goes terribly awry. As the pirates and British officials shuttle between ports throughout the region, plans and alliances are made and unmade as quickly as a rainstorm in the desert. In a grueling trudge across Arabia, an unlikely friendship is forged between Erhama's rebellious son and a British army major. This story of high-seas piracy and political intrigue, of unexpected kinship and personal betrayal, portrays the conflicting interests and human drama of these historic events in the Arabian Peninsula.Trade ReviewA fine talent in the world of novel writing... Al Qursan succeeds in taking us back to the past... and herein lies the value and importance of the novel. -- Ibrahim Darwish Al Qods Al Arabi Engaging and entertaining Al Dostoor This is a remarkable debut novel and one that captures the spirit of an age with delicate mastery and great skills QF Telegraph Abdul Aziz Al Mahmoud's Al Qursan reminded me of Yousef Zedan's Azazeel, which won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction in 2009... I believe that Al Qursan should be awarded the same prize Al Arab Qatari writer Abdul Aziz Al Mahmoud exquisitely relates an era of Gulf history in an outstanding and creative historical novel -- Yasser Al Zaater Al Arab (Al Qursan is a) formal and systematic analysis of the past by means of a narrative arc that is rich in characters and events as well as documents... all composed in a dramatic formula with rich vocabulary, an abundance of images and a wealth of meaning Al Nahaar What is remarkable about Al Qursan is that the author has brilliantly established a dramatic structure with great political awareness and an excellent historical mind without being spoiled by the intrusion of the narrator Aljazeera .net Abdul Aziz Al Mahmoud's Al Qursan takes us to worlds bustling with action and excitement; amongst peninsulas, deserts and harbours where you can inhale the scents of people, spices from the eastern India company and the wine of the officers of the British navy. Al Arab '...the author has brilliantly established a dramatic structure with great political awareness and an excellent historical mind without being spoiled by the intrusion of the narrator' Aljazeera.net Aljazeera.net '...the author has brilliantly established a dramatic structure with great political awareness and an excellent historical mind without being spoiled by the intrusion of the narrator' Aljazeera.net Aljazeera.net the author has brilliantly established a dramatic structure with great political awareness and an excellent historical mind without being spoiled by the intrusion of the narrator Aljazeera.net

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Book Synopsis''A deeply touching, delicious, slow burn of a love affair. A really excellent book and Jenny Ashcroft''s best yet.'' Dinah Jeffries''The perfect way to lose myself, escaping from the every day to travel around the world.'' Louise DouglasWhat if all you needed to do to find home, was leave?Wanted: companion to escort a young, orphaned child home to Australia.All expenses as well as passage covered.Interested parties to apply without delay to 32 Williams Street, Belgravia.Rose Hamilton is in desperate need of a fresh start. There are so many reasons she should ignore the advertisement: the war, those treacherous seas, her family, her fiancé... but she cannot help herself. Within weeks, she is boarding an enormous convoy, already too attached to five-year-old Walter Lucknow.But rural Queensland, and the cattle station home of Walter''s parents, is not as either of them were tTrade ReviewMoving and beautifully written, this enchanting story of love and loss touched my heart. -- Dinah Jefferies * on Meet Me in Bombay *Beautifully written and impressively researched, Island in the East is a stunner. Emotional, evocative and enthralling. -- Kate Furnivall * on Island in the East *A moving, stirring love story, and so richly atmospheric. I could practically feel the sweat prickling on my skin -- Rachel Rhys * on Island in the East *An evocative, absorbing story... A rich and satisfying read. -- Gill Paul * on Island in the East *My heart! This book was sumptuous and hooked me from the first page... The location was beautifully exotic and the storyline just compelling. I loved it. -- Lorna Cook * on Meet Me in Bombay *One of those rare and wonderful books that truly draws you into another place and time, word perfect, pitch perfect, detail perfect... Anyone who truly loves historical fiction should run to buy a copy of Meet Me in Bombay today. -- Lauren Willig * on Meet Me in Bombay *Historical fiction at its atmospheric best -- Sarra Manning * Red Magazine on Island in the East *Impossible to put down. -- Kate Riordan * on Island in the East *I loved Island in the East. A fabulous book. -- Tracy Rees * on Island in the East *With vivid descriptions of this vast country, and lovingly drawn characters, this book is a holiday must * Woman's Own *An emotional, romantic read * My Weekly *

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Book Synopsis''Perfect for anyone who loves fast-paced action with strong, memorable characters who drive the story forward with a combination of ingenuity and incompetence. Highly recommended'' BRITISH FANTASY SOCIETY''Immersive, heart-warming, entertaining'' THE SCIENCE FACT AND FICTION CONCATENATION BOOK 2 IN THE INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING TIME POLICE SERIES, FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE CHRONICLES OF ST MARY''SA very British novel, for fans of Richard Osman''s Thursday Murder Club, Jasper Fforde and Doctor Who. ---There have always been idiots who want to change history. But now temporal tourism is on the rise. Highly illegal, highly risky - and highly lucrative. The Time Police despatch their toughest undercover agents to take out the perpetrators. Then the unthinkable happens. Replacements are needed fast and who better than three young officers who barely look the part? Step forward Team Weird - Luke, Jane and

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Book SynopsisChristmas with the Teashop Girls is a heartwarming and moving story of wartime love, bravery and hope, by the bestselling author of the Woolworths series, Elaine Everest.It is late 1940 and the war feels closer to home than ever for Rose Neville and her staff at the Lyon’s Teashop in Margate. The worry of rationing hangs overhead as the Nippies do their best to provide a happy smile and a hot cup of tea for their customers. When a heavy bombing raid targets the Kent coastline, Lyon’s is badly hit, throwing the future of the cafe into jeopardy.The light in Rose’s life is her dashing fiancé Capt. Ben Hargreaves and planning their Christmas Eve wedding. But she must also plan to take two new step-daughters into her life and get on the right side of her wealthy mother-in-law, Lady Diana. Is Rose ready to become a mother so soon? When Rose’s half-sister Eileen makes contact, it seems that Rose’s dreams of having a sibling are coming true at long last. But her friends begin to suspect that something is not right between Eileen and her husband: just what are they hiding?As the Christmas Eve wedding draws near, the bombings intensify in Kent and London, putting everything and everyone Rose loves in danger. Only one thing is for sure: it will be a Christmas she never forgets . . .Trade ReviewHeartwarming . . . a must-read -- Woman's Own on The Teashop GirlsA warm, tender tale of friendship and love . . . sweet as a Woolies pick’n’mix -- Milly Johnson on The Woolworths GirlsA lovely read -- Bella on The Woolworths GirlsElaine brings the heyday of the iconic high-street giant to life in her charming novel -- S Magazine on The Woolworths Girls

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Book Synopsis''This brilliant book is a bombshell! Jane Seymour the shy mouse type? Think again!'' Kate WilliamsAlison Weir, historian and author of the Sunday Times bestsellers Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen and Anne Boleyn: A King''s Obsession, draws an enthralling portrait of Jane Seymour, Henry VIII''s third queen, as you''ve never seen her before. Essential reading for fans of Philippa Gregory and Elizabeth Chadwick.''This six-book series looks likely to become a landmark in historical fiction'' The TimesTHE WOMAN HAUNTED BY THE FATE OF HER PREDECESSOR. Eleven days after the death of Anne Boleyn, Jane is dressing for her wedding to the King.She has witnessed at first hand how courtly play can quickly turn to danger and knows she must bear a son . . . or face ruin.This new Queen must therefore step out from the shadows cast by Katherine and AnTrade ReviewThis six-book series looks likely to become a landmark in historical fiction * The Times *Alison Weir gives a fresh take on Jane Seymour's life . . . A brilliant and engaging read * Good Housekeeping *Gripping and utterly compelling . . . Henry VIII's third and - allegedly - best-loved wife is brought vividly to life . . . Not to be missed -- Tracy BormanWritten with the verve of fiction and the authority of history, this is a Jane who is neither a puppet, a pious victim nor a po-faced schemer, but a living, breathing woman, launched on her own emotional journey. Meticulous research is magically transformed into a riveting narrative which takes us into the places non-fiction history cannot reach. It's what Alison Weir does better than anybody - and what historical fiction was created to do -- Sarah GristwoodDeft, authoritative biographical fiction * Kirkus Reviews *This brilliant book is a bombshell! Jane Seymour the shy mouse type? Think again! . . . She is vibrant, determined and she sets the King's court on fire . . . A magnificent novel - you'll never forget her! -- Kate WilliamsHugely enjoyable . . . Alison Weir knows her subject and has a knack for the telling and textural detail * Daily Mail *Combining her authority as a historian with her skill as a novelist, in telling Jane Seymour's story Alison has once again brought the past enthrallingly to life, as only she can. The Haunted Queen is another classic - in the great tradition of historical fiction -- Josephine RossVivid characters and a wonderful sense of time and place combine with the story of a gentle, kind heroine who I really cared about, the more so because she was so cruelly robbed of her life at the moment of her greatest happiness -- Barbara ErskineWeir does an excellent job of bringing the pages of history to life; creating living, breathing characters with flaws and weaknesses like our own * Bookbag *Weir's impressive novel shows why Jane deserves renewed attention . . . This third volume in Weir's exceptional Six Tudor Queens series offers new angles on its earlier subjects [Katherine and Anne] . . . Weir keeps the tension high, breathing new life into a familiar tale and making us wish for a different ending * Booklist *This retelling portrays Jane as a lady of principle. Meticulously researched and richly rewarding * Candis Magazine *A triumph of fine detail and research and offers a complex depiction of an endlessly fascinating woman -- Elizabeth FremantleAlison Weir's wonderfully detailed novel offers a spellbinding solution to the mystery of Anne [Boleyn's] true nature . . . Enthralling -- Sarah GristwoodWell researched and engrossing * Good Housekeeping *Alison Weir makes history come alive as no one else -- Barbara Erskine

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Book SynopsisAusterlitz is W. G. Sebald''s haunting novel of post-war Europe.In 1939, five-year-old Jacques Austerlitz is sent to England on a Kindertransport and placed with foster parents. This childless couple promptly erase from the boy all knowledge of his identity and he grows up ignorant of his past. Later in life, after a career as an architectural historian, Austerlitz - having avoided all clues that might point to his origin - finds the past returning to haunt him and he is forced to explore what happened fifty years before. Austerlitz is W.G. Sebald''s melancholic masterpiece.''Mesmeric, haunting and heartbreakingly tragic. Simply no other writer is writing or thinking on the same level as Sebald'' Eileen Battersby, Irish Times''Greatness in literature is still possible'' John Banville, Irish Times, Books of the Year''A work of obvious genius'' Literary Review''A fusion of the mystical and the solid ... His art is a form of justice - there can be, I think, no higher aim'' Evening Standard''Spellbindingly accomplished; a work of art'' The Times Literary Supplement ''I have never read a book that provides such a powerful account of the devastation wrought by the dispersal of the Jews from Prague and their treatment by the Nazis'' Observer''A great book by a great writer'' Boyd Tonkin, IndependentW . G. Sebald was born in Wertach im Allgäu, Germany, in 1944 and died in December 2001. He studied German language and literature in Freiburg, Switzerland and Manchester. In 1996 he took up a position as an assistant lecturer at the University of Manchester and settled permanently in England in 1970. He was Professor of European Literature at the University of East Anglia and is the author of The Emigrants, The Rings of Saturn, Vertigo, Austerlitz, After Nature, On the Natural History of Destruction, Campo Santo, Unrecounted, A Place in the Country. His selected poetry is published in a volume called Across the Land and the Water.Trade ReviewA work of obvious genius and an extraordinary writer way above most of his contemporaries * Literary Review *Anyone with a serious interest in fiction should read Sebald -- John Lanchester * Daily Telegraph *His tale of one man's odyssey through the dark ages of European history is one of the most moving and true fictions on the postwar world. Sebald is the Joyce of the 21st century * The Times *W.G. Sebald, the greatest writer of our time -- Peter Carey

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Book SynopsisA warm and heartfelt WW2 saga of hope, love, and female friendship and how women pull together through good times and bad. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Nadine Dorries.In 1940s Hampshire the war is settling into its stride bringing dark days for many. Connie Baxter has just moved in with her Aunt Gertie after the death of her mother. Gertie works as a cleaner at the Criterion Picture House in Gosport and she helps Connie to get a job there as an usherette. For Connie, it's the perfect place to work because she adores the movies with their glamorous, romantic stars. The only fly in the ointment is the Criterion's creepy manager with his wandering hands. But soon Connie is firm friends with Queenie, who sells ice creams and soon tells her how to warn him off. Charming Tommo Smith is a 'taxi-dancer'. For a fee he steers ladies of a certain age around the dance floor - and sometimes more besides which pays for his smart clothes. Connie's friend Queenie says he's a chancer, but his gorgeous blue eyes tell Connie something different. When suddenly he disappears, Connie accepts that Queenie may be right - he was too good to be true. As the war rages on and Connie struggles with the harsh realities of life and the turbulence of romance, she comes to realize that life isn't always like it is in the pictures.

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Book Synopsis'Prepare to have your heart broken' – Good HousekeepingWoman & Home Book Club PickPoland, 1941. A mother. A child. An impossible choice.After the Jews in their town are rounded up, Róza and her five-year-old daughter, Shira, seek shelter in a local farmer’s barn. They spend their days and nights in silence to avoid being caught.When their safe haven is shattered, Róza faces an impossible choice: whether to keep her daughter close by her side, or give her the chance to survive by letting her go.A deeply moving novel about the unbreakable bond between parent and child, The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner powerfully portrays the triumph of humanity and hope in even the darkest circumstances.'If you only read one book this year, make it The Yellow Bird Sings' – AJ Pearce, author of Dear Mrs Bird'Room meets Schindler’s List . . . a beautifully written tale of mothers and daughters' – Kate Quinn, author of The Huntress Trade ReviewPrepare to have your heart broken * Good Housekeeping *If you only read one book this year, make it The Yellow Bird Sings . . . Jennifer Rosner’s novel stands alongside The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas as one of those profoundly special World War Two novels you know you will never forget -- AJ Pearce, author of Dear Mrs BirdThe Yellow Bird Sings is at the top of my reading list * Elle *A captivating, quietly powerful telling of music, loss, longing and hope * Living Magazines *Room meets Schindler’s List . . . a beautifully written tale of mothers and daughters -- Kate Quinn, author of The Huntress and The Alice NetworkTold beneath an overarching sky of the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter, this is a story readers will continue to ponder long afterward -- Lisa Wingate, author of Before We Were Yours and Before and AfterThis is an absolutely beautiful and necessary novel, full of heartbreak but also hope, about the bond between mother and daughter, and the sacrifices made for love -- Mary Beth Keane * New York Times *A captivating and emotional tale about the love between a mother and daughter * ReadPlus *A deeply moving novel in which even the weakest and most vulnerable are sustained by the power of music, stories and love in a music, stories and love in a time of terror and tyranny * Herald *A captivating read * Good Reading *Outstanding . . . it will appeal particularly to fans Marcus Zusak's The Book Thief * Glam Adelaide *Rosner’s debut novel is a World War II story with a Room-like twist, one that also deftly examines the ways in which art and imagination can sustain us . . . an effective work of suspense, and Rosner’s understanding of how art plays a role in our lives, even at the worst of times, is impressive * Kirkus *

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Longbourn and The Other Bennet Sister, this beautifully told story of marriage, duty and friendship follows Charlotte's story from where Pride and Prejudice ends.Everybody believes that Charlotte Lucas has no prospects. She is unmarried, plain, poor and reaching a dangerous age.But when she stuns the neighbourhood by accepting the proposal of buffoonish clergyman Mr Collins, her fortunes change. Her best friend Lizzy Bennet is appalled by her decision, yet Charlotte knows this is the only way to provide for her future.What she doesn't know is that her married life will propel her into a new world: not only of duty and longed-for children, but secrets, grief, unexpected love and friendship, and a kind of freedom.------Praise for Charlotte'Sparkling . . . Will delight Jane Austen fans' Louisa Treger'Beautifully written . . . paint[s] a vivid picture of female life in the 19th Century' Rebecca Mascull'An utterly compelling read' Laura Carlin'Astonishing' StylistTrade ReviewAstonishing * Stylist *I loved this book. Fans of Pride and Prejudice will find this a worthy and engrossing companion, beautifully written. Feminist in nature, without ever lecturing the reader, it is an intimate and honest account of a woman's struggles and strengths, painting a vivid picture of female life in the nineteenth century. I always felt Charlotte Lucas and Miss de Bourgh had hidden depths that Austen's story did not have time to explore, so this is a satisfying and compelling addition to the Austen world * Rebecca Mascull *A sparkling read, full of passion and flair. Will delight Jane Austen fans and lovers of good fiction * Louisa Treger *An utterly compelling read and an exquisite rendering of human values. Written with a sensitive and perceptive hand, and with an affectionate homage to Austen's own unique style; spangles of wry humour and wit adorn the narrative throughout. Charlotte's distinctive voice chimes as brightly as a just-struck bell. Regarding Mr Collins; no doubt to the outside world he remains as Austen intended: part fool, part prig - these traits are neither denied nor negated - but with the deft skill of the author, we clearly begin to see Mr Collins not only through Charlotte's eyes, but also through her heart; and at once his prolixity is understood, his tenderness revealed. Charlotte is a book which complements, rather than copies. There is certainly a link with Pride and Prejudice, but not a chain; and the story moves confidently and freely in its own direction. I believe fans of Jane Austen will adore it! * Laura Carlin, author of The Wicked Cometh *An enjoyable and entertaining read which explores women's constrained choices in early 19th-century England. * Historical Novels Review *Charlotte is a lyrical meditation on grief, and has the added pleasure of being set in the Pride and Prejudice universe * Petina Gappah, Guardian *

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Book Synopsis** THE PERFECT NOVEL TO CURL UP WITH THIS WINTER, FROM THE BELOVED SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR KATIE FLYNN **December, 1938Rozalin Sachs has grown up in the vibrant city of Frankfurt. But with the Nazi Revolution gaining power, her family is forced to flee Germany. When a tragic accident separates Roz from her parents, she finds herself aboard the Kindertransport bound for Holland.Here Roz meets a young lad called Felix and they vow to stick together as their journey takes them to England. Eventually they find themselves in Liverpool with the promise of a new life, until a devastating incident takes Felix away. And, in a desperate attempt to escape the terrible situation she has found herself in, Roz decides to join the Women's Land Army.On the sprawling farm at Hollybank, Roz meets Bernie, a dashing farmer's son, who has more than just friendship on his mind. Roz is flattered by his affections, but will he win her heart, or will her love for Felix remain as strong as ever?Rose and Promise, Sunday Times bestseller, February 2023

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Book SynopsisPRE-ORDER PRECIPICE, THE THRILLING NEW NOVEL FROM ROBERT HARRIS, NOW - PUBLISHING AUGUST 2024Now a major Netflix film starring Jeremy Irons_________________________MUNICH, SEPTEMBER 1938Hitler is determined to start a war. Chamberlain is desperate to preserve the peace.They will meet in a city which forever afterwards will be notorious for what is about to take place.As Chamberlain's plane judders over the channel and the Fuhrer's train steams south, two young men travel with their leaders. Former friends from a more peaceful time, they are now on opposing sides.As Britain's darkest hour approaches, the fate of millions could depend on them - and the secrets they're hiding.Spying. Betrayal. Murder. Is any price too high for peace?_________________________'A brilliantly constructed spy novel' Observer'Grips from start to finish ... Superb' Mail on Sunday_________________________Now available: V2, Robert Harris's latest historical thrillerAct of Oblivion, Sunday Times bestseller, June 2023Trade ReviewGrips from start to finish . . . Munich captures the mood of the times: the suspicion and the fear, the political intrigue, the swagger of the Nazi machine and the widespread elation at the mistaken belief that war has been averted. Superb. * Mail on Sunday *Harris’s cleverness, judgment and eye for detail are second to none . . . his research is so impeccable that he could have cut all the spy stuff and published Munich as a history book. Harris’s treatment of Britain’s most maligned prime minister is so powerful, so persuasive, that it ranks among the most moving fictional portraits of a politician that I have ever read * Sunday Times *An intelligent thriller . . . with exacting attention to historical detail * The Times, BOOKS OF THE YEAR *A gripping account of the negotiations between Britain and Germany in 1938 before the outbreak of war * Guardian *Atmospheric and fast-paced literary thriller . . . [it] grips from start to finish . . . Superb * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisDaphne Beekman is a mystery writer by day, inquiry agent by night. She happily works behind the scenes, staying away from danger. But when Herman Henderson arrives on the doorstep, desperate for someone to investigate numerous attempts on his life, Daphne finds herself in the thick of a case she's determined to solve--and finds her heart in jeopardy as well.

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Book Synopsis______________THE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER BY AWARD WINNER KATE ATKINSON''An unapologetic novel of ideas which is also wise, funny and paced like a thriller'' ObserverIn 1940, eighteen-year old Juliet Armstrong is reluctantly recruited into the world of espionage. Sent to an obscure department of MI5 tasked with monitoring the comings and goings of British Fascist sympathizers, she discovers the work to be by turns both tedious and terrifying. But after the war has ended, she presumes the events of those years have been relegated to the past for ever. Ten years later, now a producer at the BBC, Juliet is unexpectedly confronted by figures from her past. A different war is being fought now, on a different battleground, but Juliet finds herself once more under threat. A bill of reckoning is due, and she finally begins to realize that there is no action without consequence.Transcription is a work of rare depTrade ReviewNo other contemporary novelist has such supreme mastery of that sweet spot between high and low, literary and compulsively readable as Kate Atkinson. I look forward to a new Atkinson book like I look forward to Christmas…what lends the novel enchantment is that patented Atkinson double whammy: gravity and levity. Tragedy and comedy as so skilfully entwined that you find yourself snorting with mirth…brimming with dark wit that reminds you how deeply satisfying good fiction can be. -- Allison Pearson * Sunday Telegraph *Transcription stands alongside its immediate predecessors as a fine example of Kate Atkinson's mature work, an unapologetic novel of ideas which is also wise, funny and paced like a thriller. -- Stephanie Merritt * Observer *Kate Atkinson is a wonderful writer. I want to write like her when I grow up. Transcription shows she's at the peak of her powers. Full of beautiful, delicate, sharp sentences and characterisations. A spy novel that dismantles the whole genre. A class act, as ever. -- Matt HaigSuperb...Transcription is the sort of book that reminds you how profound and satisfying and moving and exhilarating good fiction can be. It’s the best novel I’ve read all year. I can’t praise it enough. * Irish Times *Never loses its sense of absurdity of human beings even in their most tragic or noble moments...How vehemently most novelists will wish to produce a masterpiece as good. -- Jake Kerridge * Daily Telegraph *On a graph plotting the literary qualities versus saleability of contemporary British novelists, Kate Atkinson would surely occupy the highest point where the two meet...There are plenty of twists and turns in this terrific page-turner, some shocking moments, and a narrator whom the author encourages us to love. -- Claire Harman * Evening Standard *Atkinson handles her mazy, Le Carre-style plot with complete authority. But there’s a lot more to the novel than its page-turning thrills. The increasingly sceptical Juliet makes for a very appealing heroine and the darker material is interspersed with some neat comedy. Above all, Atkinson recreates the atmosphere of both wartime and post-war London with utter conviction. -- James Walton * Reader's Digest *[A] superb story of wartime espionage...Hilary Mantel once said of Atkinson's ground-breaking first novel that she had a "game-plan more sophisticated than Dickens", and that skill is more than evident in this latest offering...remarkable...Transcription is a fine course in the art of deception. The sheer bravura of Atkinson's storytelling is such that you will find it impossible not to want to revisit those clues so cleverly placed, as you shake your head in disbelief at how effortlessly you have been taken in. -- Gerri Kimber * Times Literary Supplement *A new Kate Atkinson novel is always a reason to rejoice and Transcription was everything I was hoping for and more…The truly surprising denouement makes for one of the best conclusions of a novel I’ve ever read.I immediately wanted to read it all over again. * Red *Kate Atkinson’s fluid identity as a novelist has long marked her out as one of Britain’s most interesting – and often underrated – writers…the playful always stands shoulder to shoulder with the painful, the grandiose with the grubby…Atkinson’s depiction of espionage and counter-espionage on the Home Front is nimble and convincing…But there is an immensely serious book here too, waiting in the wings to reveal itself on the very last pages; a book that asks us to question the entertainment we’ve just gobbled up, and to reckon with what lies beneath it. -- Alex Clark * New Statesman *A treat - cerebral and suspenseful, playful and empathetic. * Mail on Sunday *This is a novel about identity in which no one and nothing is exactly as they seem - a spy novel, in short... Terms such as "postmodern" and "metafiction" seem far too heavy for novels as enjoyable as Atkinson's, but from Behind the Scenes onwards she has been chipping away at the fourth wall, and mischievously drawing attention to her craft. What elevates her fiction above mere playfulness is the emotional integrity of her characters... Atkinson always puts on a damn good show. -- Lisa Allardice * Guardian *A triumph...inventive, atmospheric and witty. * Good Housekeeping *Full of intrigue...sublimely suspenseful - droll,devious and deadly, beautifully serious. * Sunday Express *In Transcription, Kate Atkinson recasts the bildungsroman within the fertile genre of the spy thriller… …As the plot of this accomplished novel hurtles towards its astonishing denouement, even the canniest reader may feel wrong-footed. -- Pamela Norris * Literary Review *I loved Kate Atkinson's Transcription - you don't know if it's farce about spies, or a spy story about farce. -- Hanya YanagiharaThis intricate and captivating novel is a treat. Our advice? Cancel your plans and get lost in its pages. * Heat *Intricate, compelling, unpredictable…a gripping spy story …filled with the mystery, humour, and Britishness we have come to expect. * Stylist *Murky, mysterious and with double bluffs,divided loyalties and untrustworthy narratives aplenty, Atkinson explores the nature of truth in this vibrant piece of historical fiction. * Psychologies *Atkinson’s poker-faced narration perfectly serves a twisty tale of innocence lost amid a fog of geopolitical double-dealing, framed with a deadly tragedy. * Metro *Glorious... beautiful and smart and everything you have ever loved about Kate Atkinson. -- Joanna CannonTotally gripping and extremely funny, with an excellent joke on practically every page...There won't be a better or more enjoyable book published this year. -- Cressida Connolly * The Oldie *

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics.We walk about under a load of memories which we long to share and somehow never can.John Flory, a white timber merchant in 1920s Burma, has unorthodox views. To him, the Burmese culture and people should be appreciated as things of beauty and worth. To the other white members of the European club of which he is member, these views are dangerous, undermining the foundation of British colonial rule.Flory is drawn into a deadly rivalry when he befriends Veraswami, an Indian doctor, who is under the scrutiny of a corrupt magistrate. Flory defies the convention of imperial bigotry in Burma by offering to help his new friend, but the consequences to him, and Elizabeth Lackersteen, the woman he loves, will be explosive.Based on his experiences as a policeman in Burma, Burmese Days was Orwell's first novel, and sparked controversy for its scathing portrayal of colonial society.

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Book SynopsisThomas Hodges of the East India Company seizes a chance at glory by being the first to venture ashore at the pepper port of Banten in Java, Indonesia, in 1608. Would he unlock the mysterious riches of Java for the English, or die forgotten with a Javanese kris or Portuguese poignard between his ribs?

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Book SynopsisWhen her elderly father dies, Miranda Fox is free at last. He's promised an inheritance that will give her independence. But her domineering half-brother controls the money and has very different ideas as to how she should live her life.

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Book Synopsis'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' ANGUS DONALD. 'Matthew Harffy's tale of England in the Dark Ages is nothing less than superb' HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY. 'Murder, betrayal and vengeance fuel tribal warfare and personal combat. Beobrand is the warrior to follow' DAVID GILMAN. AD 635. Anglo-Saxon Britain. A gripping, action-packed historical thriller and third instalment in The Bernicia Chronicles. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell. Oswald is now King of Northumbria. However, his plans for further alliances and conquests are quickly thrown into disarray when his wedding to a princess of Wessex is interrupted by news of a Pictish uprising. Rushing north, Oswald leaves Beobrand to escort the young queen to her new home. Their path is fraught with danger and uncertainty, Beobrand must try to unravel secrets and lies if they are to survive. Meanwhile, old enemies are closing in, seeking brutal revenge. Beobrand will give his blood and blade in service to his king, but will that be enough to avert disaster and save his kith and kin from the evil forces that surround them?Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE BERNICIA CHRONICLES SERIES: 'Matthew Harffy's tale of England in the Dark Ages is nothing less than superb' Historical Novel Society. 'A tale that rings like sword song in the reader's mind. Harffy knows his genre inside out and The Cross and the Curse proves it' Giles Kristian. 'Murder, betrayal and vengeance fuel tribal warfare and personal combat. Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman. 'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald, author of The Outlaw Chronicles. 'I was gripped from the very first sentence... I thoroughly recommend it for all historical fiction readers' -- Martin Lake

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Book SynopsisA battle-hardened soldier has just 24 hours to expose a deadly conspiracy at the heart of the Roman Empire in this brilliantly gripping historical thriller from Sunday Times bestseller and Ancient Rome expert, Harry Sidebottom.________________________ A lone figure stands silhouetted atop the Mausoleum of Hadrian. Behind him, the sun is setting over the centre of the known world. Far below, the river is in full flood. The City of Rome lies spread out before him on the far bank. Footsteps pound up the stairs. He's been set up. An enemy is closing in; he is cornered. He jumps.Bruised and battered, he crawls out of the raging river. He is alone and unarmed, without money or friends, trapped in a deadly conspiracy at the heart of the Empire. The City Watch has orders to take him alive; other, more sinister, forces want him dead. As the day dies, he realises he has only 24 hours to expose the conspirators, and save the leader of the world. If the Emperor dies, chaos and violence will ensue. If the Emperor dies, every single person he loves will die.He must run, bluff, hide and fight his way across the Seven Hills. He must reach the Colosseum, and the Emperor. He must make it to The Last Hour.Kiefer Sutherland's 24 meets Gladiator in this breathless historical thriller - for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Ben Kane, Simon Scarrow and Conn Iggulden.________________________Praise for The Last Hour and Harry Sidebottom:'An amazing story of bloodlust, ruthless ambition and revenge' - The Times 'Relentless, brutal, brilliant, this is Jack Reacher in ancient Rome' - Ben Kane'Epic' - Mary Beard'A ripping story...this transplanting of 24 to Ancient Rome is a great success' - Daily Telegraph 'A cracking tale. More twists and turns than the Tiber itself' - Rory Clements'An extraordinarily vivid take on the ancient world' - Evening Standard 'Grabbed me from the start. I loved it' - Donna Leon'The best sort of red-blooded historical fiction' - Andrew TaylorTrade ReviewThe best sort of red-blooded historical fiction - solidly based on a profound understanding of what it meant to be alive in a particular time and place. -- Andrew TaylorAn exceptionally gifted story-teller drawing on prodigious learning. -- Tim SeverinAbsorbing, rich in detail and brilliant. * The Times *Swashbuckling as well as bloody, yet curiously plausible ... a real gift for summoning up a sense of place. * Times Literary Supplement *Ancient Rome has long been a favourite ­destination for writers of historical military -fiction. Much the best of them is Harry ­Sidebottom. * Sunday Times *An extraordinarily vivid take on the ancient world. Think of The Killing crossed with Andy McNab crossed with Mary Beard, and you're there. -- David Sexton * Evening Standard *An amazing story of bloodlust, ruthless ambition and revenge. -- Kate Saunders * The Times *A gripping, edge-of-the-seat historical action thriller which melds Jack Reacher with Jack Bauer...if you want to be entertained as well as reliably informed, enjoy all-action thrillers, fancy a fascinating whistle-stop tour of the ancient City of Rome, and revel in witnessing a bygone world brought to vivid, visceral life, then The Last Hour should tick every box * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisThe epic new novel from the internationally acclaimed and best-selling author of 1Q84 In Killing Commendatore, a thirty-something portrait painter in Tokyo is abandoned by his wife and finds himself holed up in the mountain home of a famous artist, Tomohiko Amada. When he discovers a previously unseen painting in the attic, he unintentionally opens a circle of mysterious circumstances. To close it, he must complete a journey that involves a mysterious ringing bell, a two-foot-high physical manifestation of an Idea, a dapper businessman who lives across the valley, a precocious thirteen-year-old girl, a Nazi assassination attempt during World War II in Vienna, a pit in the woods behind the artist’s home, and an underworld haunted by Double Metaphors. A tour de force of love and loneliness, war and art—as well as a loving homage to The Great Gatsby—Killing Commendatore is a stunning work of imagination from one of our greatest writers

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Book SynopsisRobert Fabbri read Drama and Theatre at London University and worked in film and TV for twenty-five years. He has a life-long passion for ancient history, which inspired him to write the bestselling Vespasian series and the Alexander's Legacy series. He lives in London and Berlin.Trade ReviewRobert Fabbri has a winner on his hands. * The BookPlank *A stonking read. * Classic FM *Fabbri's Vespasian novels have been creating quite a stir. * The History Girls *

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Book Synopsis''A wise and lyrical evocation of the lives of women in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest... A captivating read'' SARAH BOWERThe second instalment in Carol McGrath''s captivating The Daughters of Hastingstrilogy!''Although this is the second in a trilogy it stands well in its own right... you''ll want to read the others in the series, they are so well-written and researched'' 5* Reader review''Once again brilliant exciting riveting colourful history in an informative way mixed with factual areas'' 5* Reader review ''It is a very well-spun story, written in a style which made the book hard to put down''5* Reader review ''What a great read!'' 5* Reader review ''Thoroughly enjoyable and keeps you interested'' 5* Reader review_____________________________A marriage made in Heaven, Trade ReviewA wise and lyrical evocation of the lives of women in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest, and high romance in the true sense of the word. A captivating read -- Sarah Bower, author of The Needle in the BloodMcGrath brings the 11th century alive * Historical Novel Society *'A wise and lyrical evocation of the lives of women in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest, and high romance in the true sense of the word. A captivating read. -- Sarah Bower, author of The Needle in the Blood and The Book of Love

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Book SynopsisSet in an alternative Edwardian England, this is a comedy of manners, manor houses, and hedge mazes: including a magic-infused murder mystery and a delightful queer romance.'Lush historical fantasy . . . A delightful book, with richly developed characters' – New York Times‘Mystery! Magic! Murder! . . . This book is a confection, both marvellous and light’ – Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of JanuaryFor fans of Georgette Heyer or Julia Quinn's Bridgerton, who'd like to welcome magic into their lives . . .Young baronet Robin Blyth thought he was taking up a minor governmental post. However, he's actually been appointed parliamentary liaison to a secret magical society. If it weren’t for this administrative error, he’d never have discovered the incredible magic underlying his world.Cursed by mysterious attackers and plagued by visions, Robin becomes determined to drag answers from his missing predecessor – but he’ll need the help of Edwin Courcey, his hostile magical-society counterpart. Unwillingly thrown together, Robin and Edwin will discover a plot that threatens every magician in the British Isles.The Binding meets Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in debut author Freya Marske’s A Marvellous Light. Continue the thrilling series with A Restless Truth.‘A dazzling debut’ – Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun‘Prepare to fall in love with the gorgeous Edwardian setting, the sizzling character dynamics, and the murderous enchanted hedge maze’ – Emily Tesh, author of Silver in the Wood‘An absolute delight . . . If you ever wished Downton Abbey was sharper-edged and full of magic, this is the book for you’ – Kat Howard, author of An Unkindness of MagiciansTrade ReviewMystery! Magic! Murder! Long looks full of yearning! This book is a confection, both marvellous and light -- Alix E. HarrowThat sublime prose! Her astonishing gift for imagery! And, of course, her bountiful and endless talent for writing some extremely sexy scenes. A Marvellous Light is all that and more. Perfect -- Jenn LyonsA magical world of exquisite refinement, where peril skims beneath manners, interiors bespeak both faultless taste and deadly secrets, and the sexual tension crescendos until it literally makes sparks fly. A dazzling debut -- Shelley Parker-ChanRomantic in the best way, funny, sharp, sexy, fantastical. Prepare to fall in love with the gorgeous Edwardian setting, the sizzling character dynamics, and the murderous enchanted hedge maze -- Emily TeshFreya Marske's A Marvellous Light is an absolute delight. I was caught from the very beginning by the compellingly realized characters, the gorgeous and deadly magical world, and the fascinating mystery. If you ever wished Downton Abbey was sharper-edged and full of magic, this is the book for you -- Kat HowardFreya's prose is so splendid that merely reading it makes me feel like I've been filled to the brim with champagne bubbles. A Marvellous Light has everything you could ever want from a book – beautiful descriptions, expertly woven world-building, queer kissing, sexual tension in a library, quite a lot of William Morris wallpaper . . . This book is brilliant on every level. It is wondrous. It is, if you will excuse a small joke, marvellous -- Alexandra RowlandA charming, lovingly crafted adventure full of peril, romance and wit, illuminated by sparkling turns of phrase and a pervasive sense of humour -- A. K. LarkwoodEqual parts fantasy, mystery and romance – with bonus murderous garden features – A Marvellous Light heralds a strong new voice in science fiction and fantasy -- Sam HawkeThis romantic fantasy is full of fascinating world-building, layers upon layers of delicious magic, and characters I adored. I want to spend so much more time in this alternate England's enchanted libraries and sinister hedge mazes! The whole experience was a delight -- Stephanie BurgisA gripping story, told in precise and sensual language, with the kind of characters that make you want a spin-off book for even the ones you've barely met. Magic, romance and mayhem in a beautifully decorated – and occasionally actively dangerous – Edwardian setting -- Malka OlderA completely enchanting story that sweeps you into a world of art and romance. Marske is an extraordinary talent who writes compelling characters, entertainingly awful families, and love stories like nobody else -- Everina MaxwellA breathtaking queer romantic fantasy . . . Sensual erotic scenes, an intriguing magic system, and a puzzling mystery combine to make this novel a wonder -- Publishers Weekly, starred reviewAn enchanting, gripping and dazzling debut -- Daily MailCompelling, sumptuously written, clever and brimming with intrigue and sexual tension (and its release) . . . The definition of reading for pure pleasure; we are ready for the next instalment, immediately -- Attitude MagazineLush historical fantasy . . . a delightful book, with richly developed characters -- New York Times

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Book SynopsisThe heartwrenching new novel from bestselling author Kitty NealeCan she put right the secrets of the past?London, 1939. Winnie Berry has been the landlady of the Battersea Tavern for nearly twenty-five years, and the pub is like home to her - a place of tears and laughter, full of customers that feel like family. A place where she''s learned to avoid the quick fists of her husband, and where she''s raised her beloved son, David. He''s inherited his father''s lazy streak and can''t seem to hold down a job, but when war is declared Winnie is determined to keep her son safe. She''s still haunted by the choice she made years ago as a desperate young woman, and she won''t make the same mistake of letting her family be taken from her...But when a young woman crosses her path, the secrets of Winnie''s past threaten to turn her world upside down. There''s nothing stronger than a mother''s love - but can it ever have a second chan

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Book SynopsisDiane Chamberlain is the bestselling author of numerous novels including Secret Lives and The Silent Sister. Her storylines are often a combination of romance, family drama, intrigue and suspense. She lives in Northern Carolina with her partner, photographer John Pagliuca, and her shelties, Keeper and Cole.Trade Review'We're big fans of Diane Chamberlain here at Bella and her latest novel doesn't disappoint ... This well-researched story is based on real events, which makes the sense of mounting unease all the more disturbing.' Bella 'It's an incredibly moving story very sensitively told, rich in character and atmosphere. I truly couldn't put it down.' Susan Lewis

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Book SynopsisBOOK 16 IN THE EPIC HISTORICAL SAGA OF THE COURTNEY FAMILY, FROM INTERNATIONAL SENSATION WILBUR SMITH 'Best historical novelist' - Stephen King 'A master storyteller' - Sunday Times 'Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared' ­-The Times 'No one does adventure quite like Smith' - Daily MirrorTWO HEROES. ONE UNBREAKABLE BOND. Torn apart by war, Saffron Courtney and Gerhard von Meerbach are thousands of miles apart, both struggling for their lives. Gerhard - despite his objections to the Nazi regime - is fighting for the Fatherland, hoping one day to rid Germany of Hitler and his cronies. But as his unit is thrown into the hellish attrition of the Battle of Stalingrad, he knows his chances of survival are dwindling by the day.Meanwhile Saffron - recruited by the Special Operations Executive and sent to occupied Belgium to discover how the Nazis have infiltrated SOE's network - soon finds herself hunted by Germany's most ruthless spymaster. Confronted by evil beyond their worst imaginings, the lovers must each make the hardest choice of all: sacrifice themselves, or do whatever they can to survive, hoping that one day they will be reunited.A Courtney Series adventure - Book 3 in the Assegai sequence.Courtney's War is an epic historical adventure of courage, betrayal and undying love that takes the reader to the very heart of a world at war, from Wilbur Smith, one of the best and most beloved authors of the century. Don't miss the thrilling conclusion of the Assegai sequence, Legacy of War, available now.Book 17 in the Courtney family series, Ghost Fire, is available now. 'Courtney's War' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/e 09-09-2018.Trade ReviewThe author ramps up the tension as Saffron races to the rescue and Gerhard fights to stay alive. Readers will eagerly await the next installment in the saga. * Publisher's Weekly *Polished and entertaining... This kind of sweeping historical drama is where Smith is in his element * Nudge Book *Setting the latest Courtney saga amidst of one of the most brutal wars in history was always going to be an electrifying chapter... and this white-knuckle ride certainly delivers! * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book Synopsis''The best book I have read in a long long time'' - Amazon reviewThe twisty, gripping novel about a shocking secret at the heart of a family, and a mother desperate to keep it hidden - perfect for fans of Kathryn Hughes'' The Letter, Amanda Prowse''s My Husband''s Wife, and Liarby K L SlaterAfter decades in a deeply unhappy marriage, Annie Doyle can barely bring herself to care that her husband Vince is finally about to die.But as the family gathers to see out his final days, Vince utters a single word that will change everyone''s lives completely: ''Martha.''Who is Martha? And why is Annie so quick to dismiss the mention of her name?As Annie''s long-held secrets start to emerge, the lives of everyone she holds dear will be changed forever...If you like Kathryn Hughes, Jodi Picoult, Amanda Prowse, Katie Marsh, Kerry Fisher, Jenny Blackhurst, Rachel Abbott or Camilla WayTrade ReviewPraise for THIS MUCH IS TRUE by Jane Sanderson, the twisty, gripping novel about the shocking secret at the centre of a family, and a mother desperate to keep it hidden - for fans of Kathryn Hughes and Jodi Picoult:This Much is True is hugely enjoyable, with a wonderful twist at the end, that I never saw coming. If you love family dramas and books that explore why people act the way they do, then this is the book for you * Brew and Books Review *What I loved most about this book was the characters, particularly Annie herself and the wonderful, terrible Michael who looms over the story like a big black hawk * EMMA CURTIS, author of One Little Mistake *This is a very special book and I greatly recommend it! * JC, Amazon reviewer *Shades of Joanna Trollope... But it turns into something much more mysterious as we ask: why doesn't the dutiful Annie love her dying husband? * DAILY MAIL *

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Book Synopsis Explore the past 150 years through the eyes of Indigenous creators in this groundbreaking graphic novel anthology. Beautifully illustrated, these stories are an emotional and enlightening journey through Indigenous wonderworks, psychic battles, and time travel. See how Indigenous peoples have survived a post-apocalyptic world since Contact. Each story includes a timeline of related historical events and a personal note from the author. Find cited sources and a select bibliography for further reading in the back of the book. The accompanying teacher guide includes curriculum charts and 12 lesson plans to help educators use the book with their students. This is one of the 200 exceptional projects funded through the Canada Council for the Arts’ New Chapter initiative. With this $35M initiative, the Council supports the creation and sharing of the arts in communities across Canada.Trade ReviewThis Place is the graphic novel I’ve waited for my whole life, and the graphic novel Canada has needed for 150 years.The stories contained within its pages are both beautifully rendered and vitally necessary. They represent a history not only largely untold and unknown, but one obscured, hidden from sight, so that other stories may occupy a privileged place in defining a national story. Their importance is exquisitely captured on these pages, told by some of the leading artists working today. This is an essential book, for comic fans, teachers, and anyone who wants to learn the stories of this place we now share. -- Jesse Wente, broadcaster and film criticAmbitious in scope and strong in execution, this collection succeeds in prompting readers to remember (or learn) Indigenous history -- Elisa Gall * The Horn Book Magazine *An illuminating, self-assured graphic novel anthology in which every panel reads like a radical act. * Kirkus Reviews *[A] breathtaking comics anthology...this mix of powerful storytelling and memorable illustrations is a place to begin a dialogue with Indigenous peoples in Canada. -- Jeffrey Canton * The Globe and Mail *this collection provides invaluable opportunity to hear voices that are featured all too rarely in literature and is a worthwhile addition to collections. -- Summer Hayes * Booklist *Selected for AICL's Best Books of 2019 -- Debbie Reese * American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) *a solid addition to....curriculum...as it specifically addresses social, political, economic and cultural challenges in Indigenous communities. Most importantly, the collection points Indigenous students toward seeing themselves, hearing their own voices and stories, and reading about the perspectives of their ancestors and their communities. -- Jennifer Wyatt * Professionally Speaking Magazine, Ontario College of Teachers *This is the power of storytelling. It's going deeper and truer than the history books and the newspaper accounts. It's bringing the stories to the people for the people and doing it for the right reasons: to teach and to illuminate. This Place: 150 Years Retold is the dawn to a new storytelling tradition that doesn't need to be held back. It should be shouted forward from now on. -- Helen Kubiw * CanLit for LittleCanadians *Selected for School Library Journal's Best Books 2019, Best Graphic Novels * School Library Journal *Table of Contentsv Foreword Alicia Elliott2 Annie of Red River Katherena Vermette Illustration: Scott B. Henderson Colours: Donovan Yaciuk28 Tilted Ground Sonny Assu Illustration: Kyle Charles Colours: Scott A. Ford54 Red Clouds Jen Storm Illustration & Colours: Natasha Donovan82 Peggy David A. Robertson Illustration & Colours: Natasha Donovan110 Rosie Rachel & Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley Illustration & Colours: GMB Chomichuk138 Nimkii Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm Illustration: Ryan Howe & Jen Storm Colours: Donovan Yaciuk166 Like a Razor Slash Richard Van Camp Illustration: Scott B. Henderson Colours: Scott A. Ford192 Migwite’tmeg: We Remember It Brandon Mitchell Illustration: Tara Audibert Colours: Donovan Yaciuk220 Warrior Nation Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair Illustration & Colours: Andrew Lodwick246 kitaskînaw 2350 Chelsea Vowel Illustration: Tara Audibert Colours: Donovan Yaciuk278 Notes 281 Select Bibliography 284 About the Contributors

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Book SynopsisWitness the rise of the Tudors in the stunning conclusion to Conn Iggulden''s powerful retelling of the Wars of the Roses. ''An utterly compelling page-turner full of historical facts. A fascinating read'' SunEngland, 1470. A divided kingdom cannot stand. King Edward of York has been driven out of England. Queen Elizabeth and her children tremble in sanctuary at Westminster Abbey. The House of Lancaster has won the crown, but York will not go quietly.Desperate to reclaim his throne, Edward lands at Ravenspur with a half-drowned army and his brother Richard at his side. Every hand is against them, every city gate is shut, yet the brothers York go on the attack. But neither sees that their true enemy is Henry Tudor, now grown into a man. As the Red Dragon - ''the man of destiny'' - his claim to the throne leads to Bosworth Field and a battle that will call an end to the Wars of the Roses . . .''A tough, paTrade ReviewWitness the rise of the Tudors in the stunning conclusion to Conn Iggulden's powerful retelling of the Wars of the Roses, Ravenspur. from the publisher's description Absorbing and bloody. Iggulden handles the origins of the Tudor dynasty with great panache -- Antonia Senior The Times A tough, pacy chronicle of bloody encounters, betrayals and cruelties. Superb Daily Mail Breathes new life into the darkest and most dramatic of times Star One of our finest historical novelists has produced another impressively researched, cleverly plotted and gripping take on the Wars of the Roses Daily Express Iggulden is in a class of his own Daily Mirror Superbly plotted and paced The Times Exceptionally well-written and gripping Stylist Compelling Woman and Home A page-turning thriller Mail on Sunday Pacey and juicy, and packed with action Sunday Times Superb. This fantastic novel reveals with extraordinary insight the ambitions and fears of the leading figures of the day, most memorably Richard III Express

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Book SynopsisThis revised and updated edition of the classic Cold War novel Team Yankee reminds us once again might have occurred had the United States and its Allies taken on the Russians in Europe, had cooler geopolitical heads not prevailed.For 45 years after World War II, East and West stood on the brink of war. When Nazi Germany was destroyed, it was evident that Russian tank armies had become supreme in Europe, but only in counterpart to US air power. In 1945 US and UK bombers sent a signal to the advancing Russians at Dresden to beware of what the Allies could do. Likewise when the Russians overran Berlin they sent a signal to the Allies what their land armies could accomplish. Thankfully the tense standoff continued on either side of the Iron Curtain for nearly half a century.During those years, however, the Allies beefed up their ground capability, while the Soviets increased their air capability, even as the new jet and missile age began (thanks much to captured German scientists on both sides). The focal point of conflict remained in central Germany—specifically the flat plains of the Fulda Gap—through which the Russians could pour all the way to the Channel if the Allies proved unprepared (or unable) to stop them.Team Yankee posits a conflict that never happened, but which very well might have, and for which both sides prepared for decades. This former New York Times bestseller by Harold Coyle, now revised and expanded, presents a glimpse of what it would have been like for the Allied soldiers who would have had to meet a relentless onslaught of Soviet and Warsaw Pact divisions.It takes the view of a US tank commander, who is vastly outnumbered during the initial onslaught, as the Russians pull out all the cards learned in their successful war against Germany. Meantime Western Europe has to speculate behind its thin screen of armor whether the New World can once again assemble its main forces—or willpower—to rescue the bastions of democracy in time.Trade ReviewIf you enjoy realistic Cold War thrillers then this book is simply a must read and anyone who’s interested in armoured vehicles will find this book an entertaining title. * Aviation Enthusiast Book Club - Simon Jakubowski 01/02/2019 *

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Book SynopsisExquisite a clear head and shoulders above the rest' Sunday IndependentCompelling I can't recommend this one highly enough.' Gill PaulThis exquisite, thoroughly researched book places (Gaynor) a clear head and shoulders above the rest. Sunday IndependentA splendid read Not to be missed.' Kate Quinn ( New York Times Bestselling Author of The Alice Network)1838: when a terrible storm blows up off the Northumberland coast, Grace Darling, the lighthouse-keeper's daughter, knows there is little chance of survival for the passengers on the small ship battling the waves. But her actions set in motion an incredible feat of bravery that echoes down the century.1938: when nineteen-year-old Matilda Emmerson sails across the Atlantic to New England, she faces an uncertain future. Staying with her reclusive relative, Harriet Flaherty, a lighthouse keeper on Rhode Island, Matilda discovers a discarded portrait that opens a window on to a secret that will change her life forever.Trade Review‘Atmospheric’ My Weekly ‘Shines a brilliant light on female courage and endurance…A splendid read’ Kate Quinn, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Alice Network ‘This exquisite, thoroughly researched book places her a clear head and shoulders above the rest.’ Sunday Independent ‘Beautiful, heart-wrenching yet life affirming – I loved it.’ Fionnuala Kearney author of You, Me and Other People ‘A compelling read, the best kind of historical fiction.’ Portobello Book Blog ‘So absorbing, I couldn’t put it down.’ Book Chat ‘Hazel delivers a cast of strong, courageous women for readers to fall in love with.’ writing.ie Praise for Hazel Gaynor: ‘This is a gorgeous, uplifting, magical book that will have you hooked from the start.’ Gill Paul author of The Secret Wife ‘Peopled with unforgettable characters…Once begun, I dare you to put it down.’ Kathleen Tessaro, author of The Perfume Collector ‘Beautiful, heart-wrenching yet life affirming – I loved it.’ Fionnuala Kearney, author of You, Me and Other People ‘Hazel delivers a cast of strong, courageous women for readers to fall in love with.’ writing.ie ‘Her pages pulse with luxurious language and fine detail… an emotive and accessible read' Gloss Magazine ‘Gorgeously written’ Irish Independent

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Book SynopsisApril 1933. To the costermongers of Covent Garden Eddie Pettit was a gentle soul with a near-magical gift for working with horses. When Eddie is killed in a violent accident, the grieving costers are deeply skeptical about the cause of his death. Who would want to kill Eddie, and why?Trade Review'I'm a huge Maisie Dobbs fan' Lee Child

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Book SynopsisThe second shocking William Monk mystery from Anne Perry

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Book SynopsisHEMLOCK AT VESPERS is Peter Tremayne''s anthology of Celtic mysteries featuring the ever-popular 7th-century super-sleuth Sister Fidelma. PRAISE FOR HEMLOCK AT VESPERS: ''This collection is an essential canonical text for Sister Fidelma Acolytes'' Publisher''s Weekly ''A treasure trove of small gems for historical mystery fans'' Booklist''A complex mesh of betrayals that also catch up the sleuth, exploting both Fidelma''s strengths and vulnerabilities'' Kirkus Reviews Sister Fidelma originally made her debut as one of the decade''s most interesting sleuths in short story form. The sharp-witted and astonishingly wise religieuse captured the hearts of many readers as she successfully tackled the most baffling of crimes in her other role as advocate of the law courts of Ireland, using the ancient Brehon Law system. The overwhelming response to these stories launched Fidelma as the heroine of a bTrade ReviewFidelma's fans will welcome this first-ever collection, many stories of which are appearing here for the first time... A complex mesh of betrayals that also catch up the sleuth, exploiting both Fidelma's strengths and vulnerabilities * KIRKUS REVIEWS *HEMLOCK AT VESPERS'Peter Tremayne's collection of Celtic mysteries is an ideal introduction..to Sister Fidelma; a beguiling figure... A girl with definite ideas and distinct authority; a girl for our times as much as for her own' Historical Novels Review'This collection is an essential canonical text for Sister Fidelma acolytes' Publisher's Weekly'Fidelma's fans will welcome this first-ever collection, many stories of which are appearing here for the first time' Kirkus Reviews'A treasure trove of small gems for historical mystery fans' Booklist'A complex mesh of betrayals that also catch up the sleuth, exploiting both Fidelma's strengths and vulnerabilities' Kirkus Reviews'Beguiling' Peterborough Evening TelegraphPeter Tremayne's collection of Celtic mysteries is an ideal introduction to Sister Fidelma; a beguiling figure... A girl with definite ideas and distinct authority; a girl for our times as much as for her own * HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW *ACT OF MERCY'The background detail is brilliantly defined... Wonderfully evocative' The TimesThis collection is an essential canonical text for Sister Fidelma acolytes * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY *VALLEY OF THE SHADOW'Tremayne's discriminating sense of history distinguishing ever-finer conflicts...creates an equally complex mystery for history-mad readers with eyes as sharp as Fidelma's' Kikus ReviewsA treasure trove of small gems for historical mystery fans * BOOKLIST *Praise for previous novels:'The Sister Fidelma books give the readers a rattling good yarn. But more than that, they bring vividly and viscerally to life the fascinating lost world of the Celtic Irish. I put down The Spider's Web with a sense of satisfaction at a good story well told, but also speculating on what modern life might have been like had that civilisation survived' Ronan Bennett'sister Fidelma is fast becoming a world ambassador for ancient Irish culture' Irish Post'A heroine whom many readers will willingly follow' Kirkus Reviews;'A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing, difficult to put down' PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY; 'Definately an Ellis Peter competitor...the background detail is marvellous' EVENING STANDARD;

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Book SynopsisSet in a Rome riven by religious and political conflicts, SHROUD FOR THE ARCHBISHOP is the second compelling novel in Peter Tremayne''s gripping Celtic mystery series.PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: ''A compulsive readable whodunit fronted by one of the most reliably intriguing characters to grace the pages of the genre'' BooklistWighard, archbishop designate of Canterbury, has been discovered garrotted in his chambers in the Lateran Palace in Rome in the autumn of AD 664. The solution to this terrible crime appears simple as the palace guards have arrested Brother Ronan Ragallach, as he fled from Wighard''s chamber.Although the Irish monk denies responsibility, Bishop Gelasius is convinced the crime is political and that Wighard was slain in pique at the triumph of the pro-Roman Anglo-Saxon clergy in their debate with the pro-Columba Irish clergy at Whitby. There is also a matter of missing treasure: the goodwill gifts Wighad had b

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Book SynopsisNovember 1302, and Sir Hugh Corbett, Edward I''s Keeper of the Secret Seal, together with his manservant, Ranulf, and messenger, Maltote, are sent to Mortlake Manor on the Norfolk coast to confront an evil rarely seen before. A man''s headless corpse, its head impaled on a pole, has been found on a beach and the pretty young wife of a local baker is discovered hanging from a gallows. The scene is set for more gruesome deaths and Corbett soon realises that the icy wastes of Norfolk, where the eerie song of the Dark Angel wind chills those that live in the small villages along the coast, are just as treacherous as the silken intrigue at the royal court or the violence of London''s fetid alleyways...

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Book SynopsisCold. Ruthless. Deadly. The myth of Lady Macbeth looms large. But behind the villainous portrait stands a real woman. This is her story . . . Scotland, 1020 AD. King Malcolm II lies on his deathbed, and the most powerful families make a violent claim for the Scottish throne . . .On the eve of her sixteenth birthday, a flushed and nervous Cora MacDuff waits to marry her sweetheart, Macbeth. But her dreams are stolen from her, and the night she was hoping for turns into a brutal slaughter. In order to reclaim the life she was promised, Cora must learn to use every weapon at her disposal - even those she loves . . . The beginning of a brand new Historical fiction series by the bestselling author of the Queens of Conquest series, her new trilogy unearths the real women behind Shakespeare''s most infamous queens . . . If you love Elizabeth Chadwick and Anne O''Brien you will adore Joanna

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Book SynopsisThe early twelfth century is a time for ambitious men to prosper - and royal servant John FitzGilbert is one of them. But when the old king dies and his successor is appointed, John''s position at court is weakened and his wife, the pious, pliant Aline, is hopelessly unequipped to deal with a life lived on the edge.John knows the only way to protect his lands and his children is to divorce Aline. He meets his match in new wife Sybilla, daughter of his enemy Patrick of Salisbury, as she possesses a strength and courage that equals his own. But when Sybilla''s son, William, is seized by the king, John is forced to make a terrible sacrifice. Sometimes keeping your honour means breaking your word . . .Trade ReviewChadwick's historical grasp is secure and vivid in this punchy prequel to her last two FitzGilbert epics...an absorbing narrative that canters along * FINANCIAL TIMES *Another wonderfully written, immensely moving and immaculately researched novel from an author who grows in stature with every book she writes * LANCASHIRE EVENING Post *Spellbinding . . . Based on real characters and extensive research, Chadwick's imaginative tale will keep readers captive till the final page * Publishers Weekly *Picking up an Elizabeth Chadwick novel you know you are in for a sumptuous ride. Beautifully strong characters and real feel for time and place * Daily Telegraph *An extraordinary, wonderful, true story . . . I really felt that I had walked with William Marshal, and that my own life was enriched * Richard Lee, Founder and Publisher of The Historical Novel Society *

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Book SynopsisSuper sleuth Sister Fidelma returns in the twentieth historical mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of THE COUNCIL OF THE CURSED, DANCING WITH DEMONS and many more.PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: ''Tremayne''s super-sleuth is a vibrant creation'' Morgan Llywelyn, ''A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing'' Publishers Weekly AD 670. An Irish merchant ship is attacked by a pirate vessel off the coast of the Breton peninsular. Murchad, the captain, and a prince from the kingdom of Muman, are killed in cold blood after they have surrendered. Among the other passengers who manage to escape the slaughter are Sister Fidelma of Cashel and her faithful companion, Brother Eadulf. The prince was Fidelma''s cousin and she is determined to bring the killers to justice...What readers are saying about THE DOVE OF DEATH:''Sister Fidelma makes ancient Ireland come alive''''Yet another sure-fireTrade ReviewPraise for Peter Tremayne's novels: 'Wonderfully evocative * The Times *A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing, difficult to put down * Publishers Weekly *Definitely an Ellis Peter competitor...the background detail is marvellous * Evening Standard *Well-paced and suspenseful, sprinkled with Old Irish terms and fascinating details of early Irish life...Fidelma is a an original and complex character...An Irish heroine for both the seventh and twenty-first centuries * Books Ireland *

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Book SynopsisThe second dramatic episode in the heroic life of MerlinTrade ReviewPraise for M. K. Hume's Arthurian trilogy: 'Historical fiction of the most bloodthirsty and roistering kind * Australian Bookseller & Publishers Magazine *Exciting, violent and bloody... Up there with Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell * www.lovereading.co.uk *Hume deftly navigates the Arthurian legends, populating them with likable and despicable characters, and casting them in a fully realized historical setting * Publishers Weekly *

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