Whether your passion is The Ancient Greeks, The Wars of The Roses or The Russian Revolution, you'll find stories of life during these eras and every other, often using factual accounts to build a fictional narrative.
Historical Fiction Books
Hodder & Stoughton Conquest
Book SynopsisKydd's first mission after the triumph of Trafalgar is to capture and protect a fragile new British colony: 19th century Cape TownTrade Review'Stockwin assembles an exciting and suspenseful historical loaded with action, intrigue, treachery, and the bloody gore of 1805 warfare' * Publishers Weekly on CONQUEST *More historically accurate than the Patrick O'Brian series * Royal Navy Sailing Association journal on the KYDD series *Another thundering good read for those who love seagoing stories in the Hornblower mould * Peterborough Evening Telegraph on TREACHERY *This heady adventure blends fact and fiction in rich, authoritative detail. * Nautical Magazine on VICTORY *Paints a vivid picture * Daily Express on KYDD *Stockwin's descriptions of the bloody reality of naval combat 200 years ago are memorably vivid * Yorkshire Evening Post on VICTORY *I was turning the pages almost indecently fast * Independent on KYDD *A born storyteller and a man with a vivid imagination . . . his research is accurate and first class. * Flagship on TREACHERY *'This well-crafted naval adventure by a seasoned lieutenant commander of the British navy balances historical perspective with the excitement of a full broadside assault. Comparable to C.C. Humphreys's Jack Absolute series and the naval tales of the great Patrick O'Brian, Stockwin's engaging novel reveals the author's acumen for the history and spirit of the time' * Library Journal (US) *'In CONQUEST, Julian Stockwin unravels a tale that captures the approaching zenith of Napoleon's power, the origins of British South Africa, and the decline of the once-mighty Dutch empire, all seen through the eyes of the heroes of the age of fighting sail. It has just the right mix of action, suspense, and exoticism. Stockwin's exhaustive research ensures that historians will forget they're reading fiction while story-lovers won't mind that they're learning history.' * Jason R. Musteen, Ph.D., Lieutenant Colonel, US Army *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Mister Memory
Book SynopsisIn Paris, at the end of the nineteenth century, a man with a perfect memory murders his wife. But that is only the start of the story... A dazzling literary mystery from prizewinning author Marcus Sedgwick.Trade ReviewBrilliantly maintains tension and mystery on every page of this highly original story * Daily Mail *A cut above the usual crime novel...a beautifully written tale of the limitlessness of memory and the boundaries placed on love -- Sarah Ward, author of In Bitter ChillThis is a clever, fascinating and quite riveting story which poses as many questions as it answers. * Crime Review *Brilliantly maintains tension and mystery on every page of this highly original story * Daily Mail *A cut above the usual crime novel...a beautifully written tale of the limitless of memory and the boundaries placed on love -- Sarah Ward, author of In Bitter ChillThis macabre fantasy follows a trail of blood across Europe over 50 years...Stylish, thrilling and fast, you needn't be a horror fan to enjoy this. * Sunday Mirror on A LOVE LIKE BLOOD *Classy, elegant and gripping... A novel for a chilly night with a cup of tea and a warm blanket where you start reading and then go on and on, unable to stop. -- John Ajvide Lindqvist, author of Let the Right One In on A LOVE LIKE BLOOD
£16.19
Simon & Schuster Midnight Whispers
Book SynopsisSoon to be a Lifetime limited series! Christie, Dawn?s daughter, searches for her own happiness and break the cycle of darkness that has plagued her family for generations in this book in the Cutler series from #1 New York Times bestselling author V.C. Andrews.Having grown up surrounded by love and safety, there?s no real reason for Christie Longchamp to feel that a cloud hovers over Cutler?s Cove?a cloud with origins in her family?s troubled history. But when Christie discovers the truth about her uncle?s unbrotherly love for her mother Dawn, she?s desperate to get away. Fleeing to New York City, she finds her real father...a pathetic, helpless has-been. Desperate and heartbroken, she turns to Gavin, her Daddy Jimmy?s young and handsome stepbrother. In his arms, Christie finds a refuge from her painful memories. But all too soon, she is torn from Gavin?s embrace and as black storms of evil gather around her, Christie must do what it takes to defy the curse that has haunted Cutler?s Cove for generations.
£15.29
Headline Publishing Group The Stolen Crown
Book Synopsis''A superb book, illuminating a fascinating and turbulent era. It is the figure of Matilda who rightly commanded the stage in all her power and complexity'' Nicola Cornick''Packed with romance, real history, a cast of superbly imagined characters . . . The Stolen Crown is an entertaining tour-de-force'' Lancashire Post''A well-researched adventure about a strong medieval woman fighting the odds against her'' Historical Novels ReviewWhen Empress Matilda is eighteen years old, tragedy strikes the royal family, and she becomes the only child of the king of England - the de facto heir to the throne. As her dying father persuades the barons to pledge allegiance to her, Matilda returns to England - but the lords and clergy do not like an independent woman. And Matilda is nothing if not headstrong . . .When the old king dies, the country is plunged into instant chaos. So begins a fierce battle beTrade ReviewAs two women's lives entwine, the daughter of the King and the illegitimate daughter of a baron, they both battle for their place in the world, one as queen and one as mistress of her own fate. Carol McGrath weaves a tale of two unlikely friends, taking you deep into their worlds as they strive to protect each other and those they love * Alexandra Walsh, author of The House in Crete *A triumph. A superb use of authentic historical detail lifts the life of Matilda off the page and involves the reader in a struggle for power that is both engrossing and exciting * Liz Harris *The Stolen Crown features Carol McGrath's best heroine yet. Anyone who loves accurate portrayals of medieval life will delight in this skilful re-telling of history * Deborah Swift *A superb book, illuminating a fascinating and turbulent era. It is the figure of Matilda who rightly commanded the stage in all her power and complexity * Nicola Cornick *McGrath has given this remarkable star of the Anarchy period the perfect stage on which to prove her impressive credentials. Packed with romance, real history, a cast of superbly imagined characters . . . The Stolen Crown is an entertaining tour-de-force -- Pam Norfolk * Lancashire Post *A well-researched adventure about a strong medieval woman fighting the odds against her -- Kate Pettigrew * Historical Novels Review *
£10.44
Simon & Schuster Ltd The English Agent
Book SynopsisSmuggled into France to spy on the enemy, Evie's life is in terrible danger ... A brilliant WWII drama from the author of The Gunner GirlTrade Review'An irresistible tale of friendship, love and heartache during WW2 that had me enthralled' -- Kate Furnivall
£6.39
Myrmidon Books Ltd God's Vindictive Wrath: 2022
Book SynopsisThe Vale of the Red Horse, Edgehill, Warwickshire, October, 1642. Bitter divisions that have grown unchecked in the kingdoms of the Stuart dynasty are about to engulf England in a bloody civil war. 30,000 men have gathered to determine the fate of nations and to pursue their own ideals and enmities through brutal and bloody combat. Many have never handled a weapon or strayed far from their native shire. Among them are Anthony Sedley the Birmingham iron worker and Leveller, Robbie Needham, an embittered lead miner from Derbyshire who picks up a pike for his king, George Merrick, the young Oxford graduate whose prospects have been blighted by court corruption, Hywel Lloyd, a proud Welsh hill farmer, and William Bennet the struggling merchant who has staked everything to raise a company for the parliamentary cause. Then there are the half-brothers, Ralph and Francis Reeve, sons of a Suffolk farmer. Pious Francis has abandoned his studies at Cambridge to make England a New Jerusalem, cleansed of sin and filth. He despises his carefree brother and the father who seems to favour him. Caught cuckolding a London merchant, Ralph has forfeited his apprenticeship and indenture money. He dreams of restoring his honour and his fortune when he returns to London with the king's victorious army. But first the brothers must face each other in the Vale of the Red Horse, the horse whose rider is War... God's vindictive wrath!Trade Review"As only a soldier could, Charles Cordell does not flinch from drawing attention to the sheer terror of battle ... a gripping first book. I am certain there will be many more." Jeremy Ravenshaw Fowler, Adjutant General of the Sealed Knot Society; "A fast-paced read that brilliantly captures the fear, confusion and luck of battle." Lt Gen Richard Nugee CB, CVO, CBE; "Fast-paced and authentic ... with characters that are colourful and believable. There are not enough tales like this." Michael Arnold, author of The Civil War Chronicles and the Highwayman series.
£8.54
Headline Publishing Group Liverpool Angels A completely gripping saga of
Book SynopsisLyn Andrews'' tale of nursing in the field during World War I is haunting and unforgettable. If you enjoy the novels of Kate Thompson and Donna Douglas, you''ll love LIVERPOOL ANGELS. Born at the turn of the twentieth century, Mae Strickland is only a few days old when her mother suddenly dies. Her aunt Maggie brings Mae up together with her own children, Eddie and Alice, and the girls become like sisters. In spite of Mae''s unhappy start, life feels full of promise.Then, as the First World War looms, everything changes. While the local men - including young Eddie - leave to fight, Mae and Alice train as field nurses. As they travel to the front line in the wake of family tragedy, nothing can prepare them for the hardship that lies ahead.Yet there is solace to be found amid the wreckage of the war, and for both, romance is on the horizon. But it will take great courage for Mae and Alice to follow their hearts. Can love win out in the end?Trade ReviewHer mix of Irish and Liverpool backdrops have won this strong saga writer an assured place in theSunday Times top 10... she's great! - Sarah Broadhurst, Bookseller
£8.99
Random House USA Inc All That Is
Book Synopsis
£13.18
Little, Brown Book Group One Fine Day
Book SynopsisON THE GUARDIAN''S 2001 READING LIST FOR WAR FICTION It is a summer''s day in 1946. The English village of Wealding is no longer troubled by distant sirens, yet the rustling coils of barbed wire are a reminder that something, some quality of life, has evaporated. Together again after years of separation, Laura and Stephen Marshall and their daughter Victoria are forced to manage without ''those anonymous caps and aprons who lived out of sight and pulled the strings''. Their rambling garden refuses to be tamed, the house seems perceptibly to crumble. But alone on a hillside, as evening falls, Laura comes to see what it would have meant if the war had been lost, and looks to the future with a new hope and optimism. First published in 1947, this subtle, finely wrought novel presents a memorable portrait of the aftermath of war, its effect upon a marriage, charting, too, a gradual but significant change in the nature of English middle-class life.Trade ReviewMollie Panter-Downes, a wartime voice to treasure . . . virtually forgotten these days, her work provides an unforgettably vivid impression of life in the second world war * Guardian *Mollie Panter-Downes is as profound as Katherine Mansfield, restrained as Jane Austen, sharp as Dorothy Parker * Independent *Mollie Panter-Downes is as profound as Katherine Mansfield, restrained as Jane Austen, sharp as Dorothy Parker * INDEPENDENT *
£9.49
Canelo Morwennan House: A page turning Cornish saga
Book SynopsisWhen a new governess learns that all is not what it seems she must uncover secrets hiding beneath the surface…Charity Palfrey is an orphan – with no family of her own, no heritage and no past. Accepting a job as governess at Morwennan House is a fresh start for her, but from the moment Charity arrives she knows there is something sinister about her appointment. Charity finds romance with the handsome and charming Tom Stanton, but she soon starts to question his motivations. Does Tom return her love or is he simply using her for his own ends? And are there darker secrets lurking beneath the surface at Morwennan House?A page-turning Cornish saga, perfect for fans of Linda Finlay and Gloria Cook.
£8.99
Amazon Publishing Palm Trees in the Snow
Book SynopsisAt once an epic family drama and a sweeping love story that spans both an ocean and a generation, Palm Trees in the Snow is an emotionally gripping and historically vivid tale of the secrets that can destroy a family—and the bonds that endure. When Clarence of Rabaltué discovers a series of old letters from her father’s past, she begins to doubt everything she thought she knew about her once-noble family. Her father and his brother worked in the colony of Fernando Po, but these letters tell a different story than the tales of life in Africa that made it to the dinner table. Clarence has no idea what really went on during their time at the cocoa plantations—or why no one in her family has ever returned to the island in all the years since. But the letters suggest that a great love story is buried beneath the years of silence. Setting out from her home in Spain’s snowy mountains, Clarence makes the same journey across the sea that her uncle and father traveled before her. There, she unlocks the painful secrets her family has hidden in the rich African soil. But what she discovers may also be the key to awakening her own listless heart.
£8.99
Simon & Schuster The Midwife of Venice
Book Synopsis
£16.19
Hodder & Stoughton The Playmaker
Book SynopsisIn 1789 in Sydney Cove, the remotest penal colony of the British Empire, a group of convicts and one of their captors unite to stage a play.Trade ReviewFormidably good . . . strong, subtle, echoing and profound * The Sunday Times *A magnificent and moving documentary, a tribute to his roots * Mail on Sunday *He seizes with stunning effect on an event far more bizarre than any fiction * New Statesman *An excellent novel * Independent *The literary joy here has more to do with how individual each characterisation is, each one tuned to another note of Keneally's rich, strong prose * Kirkus Reviews *This is Mr Keneally at his best * Daily Telegraph *Punchy, highly intelligent * Financial Times *Mingles meticulous research with lucid characterisation * Daily Mail *The best Australian writer alive * Auberon Waugh *
£9.49
Pan Macmillan The Loving Cup
Book SynopsisWinston Graham is the author of more than forty novels, which include Cordelia, Marnie, The Walking Stick and Stephanie as well as the highly successful Poldark series. His novels have been translated into seventeen languages. Many of Winston Graham's books have been filmed for the big screen, the most notable being Marnie directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Two television series were made of the Poldark novels which were broadcast in twenty-two countries. Winston Graham was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and in 1983 was awarded the OBE. He died in July 2003.
£8.99
Hodder & Stoughton Altar of Blood Empire IX
Book Synopsis''A master of the genre'' The TimesThe Tungrians have no sooner returned to Rome than they find themselves tasked with a very different mission to their desperate exploits in Parthia. Ordered to cross the river Rhenus into barbarian Germany and capture a tribal priestess who may be the most dangerous person on the empire''s northern border, they are soon subject to the machinations of an old enemy who will stop at nothing to sabotage their plans before they have even set foot on the river''s eastern bank. But after their Roman enemy is neutralised they face a challenge greater still. With two of the Bructeri tribe''s greatest treasures in their hands they must regain Roman territory by crossing the unforgiving wilderness that was the graveyard of Roman imperial strategy two hundred years before. And capture by the Bructeri''s vengeful chieftain and his warband can only end in one way - a horrific sacrificial death on the tribe''s altarTrade ReviewA master of the genre - The TimesThis is fast-paced and gripping "read-through-the-night" fiction, with marvellous characters and occasional moments of dark humour. Some authors are better historians than they are storytellers. Anthony Riches is brilliant at both. - Conn IgguldenA damn fine read . . . fast-paced, action-packed. - Ben KaneStands head and shoulders above a crowded field . . . . real, live characters act out their battles on the northern borders with an accuracy of detail and depth of raw emotion that is a rare combination. - Manda Scott
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Nunslinger The Complete Series
Book SynopsisThe Western as you've never seen it before!Trade ReviewNunslinger is more serious than its name would imply. It is an exceedingly fun read with good people, bad people, blazing guns, chases, jailbreaks, derring-do and all sorts of wildness. But it is also the sort of complex morality tale that harkens back to the best of the Western genre - when writers used the chaos of the uncivilised society and the bleakness of the landscape as a setting for discussions of what makes us human. Sister Josephine is part of that great tradition, and, indeed, Nunslinger already ranks amongst the best that the Western genre has to offer. -- PornokitschI have no idea who is behind the pseudonym of Stark Holborn but whoever it is has written a gripping tale filled with well fleshed-out characters. The story is told in the first person through Sister Josephine. The superb series title, Nunslinger, and the cartoonish cover illustration hints at this perhaps being a comedy western but this isn't the fact. The story is an action-packed traditional western with some hard-hitting scenes. Sister Josephine's struggles to see more than goodness in people adding intrigue to the tale. -- Western Fiction ReviewMore fun than a rattlesnake in a barn dance brantub. -- Reading AddictsI love a good western, and NUNSLINGER is a great one. Sharp writing, moral ambiguity, and a story-line that will rope you in and won't let you go. Addictive and original. * Sarah Lotz *Witty and atmospheric, with a cliffhanger every few chapters, NUNSLINGER is thrilling stuff, even if - as I used to think - westerns aren't really your thing. I galloped through the omnibus edition in one bumpy sitting. * The Observer *
£10.44
Hodder & Stoughton The Earthly Gods
Book SynopsisUnable to make any progress in locating the missing Indavara, a desperate Cassius has been given an unrewarding assignment in Antioch. But when an old ally''s daughter is kidnapped, he feels duty-bound to repay a long standing debt. Disillusioned with the tawdry demands of the Imperial Security Service, he disobeys his superiors and leaves Syria, determined to do some good.Accompanied by nomadic chieftain Kabir and a trio of warriors, Cassius soon finds himself in Greece hunting a vicious band of slave-traders trafficking women across the Empire. But these are no common criminals, and as Cassius sets out to bring them down, he finds himself up against ruthless, cunning men with powerful friends and a lot to lose.For the Agent of Rome, desperate times call for desperate measures.Trade ReviewA gripping addition to the [Agent of Rome] series. * The Times *This entertaining adventure thrills from the outset but it also has much to say on that living, breathing monster of the Roman Empire - slavery. * Sunday Express *It's hard to avoid a comparison with the Empress of Roman crime, Lindsey Davis, but for me, Nick Brown holds his own in such exalted company. * crimereview.co.uk *Praise for AGENT OF ROME: THE IMPERIAL BANNER:'THE IMPERIAL BANNER is Roman adventure at its best . . . brutal action leavened by a cynical brand of military humour, history, mystery, romance and an almost tangible sense of cohesion and camaraderie amongst Cassius and his cohorts. It's a formula that works well in so Brown's capable hands . . . Cassius's next assignment can't come too soon!' * Lancashire Evening Post *If you love Scarrow, adore Iggulden and of course admire Scott, then make sure you add Brown to your list. Great stuff. * Falcata Times *Praise for AGENT OF ROME: THE SIEGE:'A masterful debut from a new author completely at home in this era' * Manda Scott *Once the action kicks off you won't be able to put it down. * Anthony Riches, author of the Empire series *Perfect pace, vivid combat sequences and superb characterisation * Lancashire Evening Post *Brown promises to be one of the most exciting sword-wielding writers in an ever-popular arena. * Oxford Times *A thrilling and fascinating coming-of-age adventure * Book Gazette *Nick Brown has the craft of storytelling at his fingertips ... The Siege is a fast-paced and satisfying read * Russell Whitfield, author of Gladiatrix *Brown has given this Roman military/adventure story a great twist in having Cassius hail from the secret service ranks . . . THE SIEGE is also a character study and offers a rare glimpse into 3rd century Rome and her occupation of Syria. * Historical Novels Review *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Brethren
Book SynopsisThe epic first novel in the million-selling Brethren trilogy.Trade ReviewBRETHREN is one of the best historical debuts in recent memory. Exciting and enthralling, it gripped me from the first page and left me waiting anxiously for the next instalment -- John ConnollyPacy and well-written, with vivid, convincing characters, BRETHREN captures your interest until the last page. I eagerly anticipate the sequel, knowing I will not be disappointed -- Alison WeirEngaging and enjoyable - Robyn Young brings the tumultuous medieval world to life with pace and flair -- Tom Harper, author, Knights Of The CrossEl Cid meets The Da Vinci Code! Exciting, page-turning fiction * Simon Mayo's Book Panel, BBC Radio Five Live *Rich historical detail, clever plotting and engaging characters . . . a historical thriller that will have readers turning pages and envisioning the sequel * Publishers Weekly *BRETHREN is one of the best historical debuts in recent memory. Exciting and enthralling, it gripped me from the first page and left me waiting anxiously for the next instalment * John Connolly, author of THE BLACK ANGEL and THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS *Pacy and well-written, with vivid, convincing characters, BRETHREN captures your interest until the last page. I eagerly anticipate the sequel, knowing I will not be disappointed * Alison Weir *'Engaging and enjoyable - Robyn Young brings the tumultuous medieval world to life with pace and flair' * Tom Harper, author, Knights Of The Cross *If you love the Templars, the Crusades, and the Middle Ages, this is the book for you. Robyn Young is an exciting new voice that speaks loudly * Sharon Penman, author *A sweeping historical adventure with strong characters and serious verve...hits all the big emotional points...Can't wait for the next two volumes! * Sarah Weinman (Baltimore Sun, Shots Magazine, Galleycat blog) *Wonderful... loaded with atmosphere, action, and intrigue. The Crusades come alive * Steve Berry, author of THE TEMPLAR LEGACY *Rich historical detail, clever plotting and engaging characters . . . a historical thriller that will have readers turning pages and envisioning the sequel * Publishers Weekly *Intricate, compelling, captivating and, above all, believable ... a brilliant piece of sustained imagination * David Boyle, author of BLONDEL'S SONG *Robyn Young's BRETHREN is a truly excellent novel. The thirteenth century is vividly and excitingly evoked ... I can't wait for the sequel! * Mark Philpott, Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Studies, Oxford *'Stirring...carefully researched' * Publishing News *Richly worked and captivating...an epic story of war, intrigue and heroism * Good Book Guide *Tipped to be the next Da Vinci Code * Elle *El Cid meets The Da Vinci Code! Exciting, page-turning fiction * Simon Mayo's Book Panel, BBC Radio Five Live *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Requiem
Book SynopsisThe epic conclusion to the million-selling Brethren trilogy.Trade ReviewYoung writes with remarkable accuracy, action-packed efficiency and gut-wrenching violence * The Times *Satisfyingly complex * Sunday Telegraph *Compared to Bernard Cornwell's Azincourt, REQUIEM is 'More rollicking, even more fast moving and breathless...so pacy' * Heat's Boyd Hilton, speaking on Radio 5 Live Books Panel *Fantastic baddies! * Independent on Sunday's Suzi Feay, speaking on Radio 5 Live Books Panel *Praise for the Brethren trilogy * . . . *BRETHREN is one of the best historical debuts in recent memory. Exciting and enthralling, it gripped me from the first page and left me waiting anxiously for the next instalment * John Connolly *Pacy and well-written, with vivid, convincing characters, Brethren captures your interest until the last page. I eagerly anticipate the sequel, knowing I will not be disappointed * Alison Weir *'Engaging and enjoyable - Robyn Young brings the tumultuous medieval world to life with pace and flair' * Tom Harper, author, Knights Of The Cross *If you love the Templars, the Crusades, and the Middle Ages, this is the book for you. Robyn Young is an exciting new voice that speaks loudly * Sharon Penman on BRETHREN *A sweeping historical adventure with strong characters and serious verve...hits all the big emotional points...Can't wait for the next two volumes! * Sarah Weinman on BRETHREN *
£9.49
Cornerstone Innocent Traitor
Book Synopsis_____________________________________A wrenching novel about the life and death of Lady Jane Grey, one of the most complex and sympathetic figures in Tudor England, by popular historian Alison Weir: ideal for fans of Wolf HallLady Jane Grey was born into times of extreme danger. Child of a scheming father and a ruthless mother, for whom she was merely a pawn in a dynastic power game with the highest stakes, she lived a life in thrall to political machinations and lethal religious fervour. Jane''s astonishing and essentially tragic story was played out during one of the most momentous periods of English history. As a great-niece of Henry VIII, and the cousin of Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, she grew up to realize that she could never throw off the chains of her destiny. Her honesty, intelligence and strength of character carry the reader through all the vicious twists of Tudor power politics, to her nine-day reign and its unbearably poignTrade ReviewAlison Weir's hugely popular history books are as gripping as novels, and now she has stepped effortlessly over the boundary... Weir's knowledge of the background is immaculate, and she revels in the freedom of fiction without sacrificing historical fact. Lady Jane is brave and intelligent, and if you don't cry at the end you have a heart of stone. -- Kate Saunders * The Times *Alison Weir is one of our greatest popular historians. In her first work of fiction, she sets out to trace the brief life of one of history's most tragic heroines... Weir manages her heroine's voice brilliantly, respecting the past's distance while conjuring a dignified and fiercely modern spirit. * Daily Mail *This is an impressive debut. Weir shows skill at plotting and maintaining tension, and she is clearly going to be a player in the overcrowded historical fiction game. We can look forward to seeing what subject she'll tackle next. -- Lesley McDowell * Independent on Sunday *The story is so compelling and horrible that even a reader well acquainted with it will be gripped...This is a novel that will grip readers and give great pleasure. -- Allan Massie * Scotsman *
£10.44
Pan Macmillan The Personal History of Rachel DuPree
Book SynopsisA stunning novel about love, loyalty and homeland
£8.54
Pan Macmillan Lionheart
Book SynopsisRichard I was crowned King in 1189 and set off almost immediately for the Third Crusade. This was a bloody campaign to regain the Holy Land, marked by warfare among the Christians and extraordinary campaigns against the Saracens. Men and women found themselves facing new sorts of challenges and facing an uncertain future. John, the youngest son, was left behind - and with Richard gone, he was free to conspire with the French king to steal his brother's throne. Overshadowing the battlefields that stretched to Jerusalem and beyond were the personalities of two great adversaries: Richard and Saladin. They quickly took the measure of each other in both war and diplomacy. The result was mutual admiration: a profound acknowledgement of a worthy opponent. In Lionheart, a gripping narrative of passion, intrigue, battle and deceit, Sharon Penman reveals a true and complex Richard - a man remarkable for his power and intelligence, his keen grasp of warfare and his cTrade ReviewThe great Crusader king Richard the Lionheart comes alive in all his complex splendor in this masterpiece of a medieval tapestry -- Margaret George, best selling author of Elizabeth I
£9.89
Pan Macmillan A Kings Ransom
Book SynopsisFrom the New York Times bestselling author Sharon Penman comes A King's Ransom, the stunning sequel to Lionheart Travelling home from the bloody battlefields of the Holy Land, the Crusader King Richard the Lionheart is shipwrecked in the Mediterranean after an encounter with pirates. He should be protected by a papal decree, but he is betrayed and captured by the Duke of Austria - a man who has good reason to loathe him - and is immediately claimed by the Holy Roman Emperor, who also bears him a bitter grudge. Richard is to spend fifteen months imprisoned, much of it in the notorious fortress at Trefils, which few men ever left. Meanwhile, his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, is moving heaven and earth to raise a staggering ransom, travelling across Europe herself to buy the release of her favourite son. But her determination may not be enough. At the eleventh hour, the Duke announces that he has had a better offer from the French king, Trade ReviewMasterful . . . [Sharon Kay] Penman has absorbed herself so fully into the heart and mind of her protagonist that an undeniably flawed but refreshingly human Richard [the Lionheart] virtually walks off the pages * Booklist *A well-researched and impressively detailed narrative displaying a strong commitment to historical accuracy and richly drawn, sympathetic characters * Library Journal *Massively entertaining * Kirkus Reviews *Once you start reading you won’t want to stop * British Weekly *
£11.69
Pan Macmillan The Snow Angel
Book SynopsisDelve into the deliciously dark family saga, The Snow Angel, a tale spun between two eras by Lulu Taylor, the bestselling author of The Winter Folly.Meet London debutante Cressida 'Cressie' Felbridge in the glamorous 1960s whose life takes a dramatic turn as she is caught in a passionate but illicit affair with a married painter, Ralph. In their bid to escape a tempestuous relationship with Ralph's wife, they find themselves in the idyllic Cumbria countryside, unprepared for the consequences that wait.In the present-day, Emily Conway finds her life shattered and the future uncertain in West London. An unexpected inheritance, a house in Cumbria, may be just the fresh start she needs – or is it an invitation to unearth secrets that link her to Cressie's turbulent past?A riveting exploration of passion, mystery, and redemption, The Snow Angel is a mesmerising reel through time, an unforgettable winter saga thaTrade ReviewAn absorbing read that switches intriguingly between the Sixties and the present day. * PAMELA HARTSHORNE *An absorbing read that switches intriguingly between the Sixties and the present day. * Pamela Hartshorne *
£8.54
Pan Macmillan After Julius
Book SynopsisFrom the lauded, bestselling author of The Cazalet Chronicles, After Julius is Elizabeth Jane Howard's funny yet touching story of a family brought together yet falling apart.'A novel that commands both respect and applause' – Sunday TimesIt is twenty years since Julius died, but his last heroic action still affects the lives of the people he left behind.Emma, his youngest daughter, twenty-seven years old and afraid of men. Cressida, her sister, a war widow, blindly searching for love in her affairs with married men. Esme, Julius's widow, still attractive at fifty-eight, but aimlessly lost in the routine of her perfect home. Felix, Esme's old lover, who left her when Julius died and who is still plagued by guilt for his action. And then there is Dan – an outsider.Throughout a disastrous – and revelatory – weekend in Sussex, the influence of the dead Julius slowly emerges . . .Trade ReviewA novel that commands both respect and applause * Sunday Times *Her talent seemed so effervescent, so unstoppable, that there was no predicting where it might take her -- Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf Hall
£11.63
Pan Macmillan Coronation Summer
Book SynopsisIt is early summer in 1953, and the friends and neighbours of Magnolia Square are looking forward to celebrating the Coronation. The war has become a memory; the future seems rosy. Kate Emmerson looks on with pride at her growing family, including Matthew, whose father was killed during the war. But Matthew's wealthy relations have never really forgiven Kate for marrying Leon, a West Indian who works as a Thames lighterman, and when Matthew runs away from his smart boarding school in Somerset the tensions which exist between the two families come to a head. Meanwhile Zac, the wonderfully talented and handsome new signing at the local boxing club, is being eyed hopefully by all the young women of Magnolia Square. But he has eyes for only one woman - Carrie Collins, who has teenage children of her own and whose husband, Danny, seems more interested in the boxing club and his market stall than in her.In the weeks leading up to the Coronation festivities, drama and t
£8.54
Pan Macmillan Odd Girl Out
Book SynopsisFrom the lauded, bestselling author of the Cazalet Chronicles, in Odd Girl Out, Elizabeth Jane Howard reveals with devastating accuracy a marriage put in a most destructive situation.Anna and Edmund Cornhill have a happy marriage and a lovely home. They are content, complete, absorbed in their private idyll.Arabella, who comes to stay one lazy summer, is rich, rootless and amoral – and, as they find out, beautiful and loving.In her elegant prose, Howard traces the web of love and desire that entangles these three and will, ultimately, leave one of them behind.'Her talent seemed so effervescent, so unstoppable, that there was no predicting where it might take her' – Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf HallTrade ReviewHer talent seemed so effervescent, so unstoppable, that there was no predicting where it might take her -- Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf Hall
£9.49
Cornerstone The Marriage Game
Book SynopsisBestselling historian Alison Weir brings Elizabeth I to vivid life in a novel of intrigue, sex, plots, mysteries and tragedies, amid all the colour and pageantry of the Tudor court.''[Weir] gets right inside the head of the Virgin Queen. The reader has a blissful sense of seeing history as it happens.'' - Kate Saunders, The TimesIt was an affair that shocked the world.Elizabeth I is the most sought-after bride in Europe. But though she is formidably intelligent, brave and tempestuous, she is desperately insecure. The tragic events in her past mean she cannot give herself to any man, and yet she relishes the thrill of the chase, the lure of forbidden fruit. And so, using sex and high-powered diplomacy, she plays what becomes known as the ''Marriage Game'', dangling suitors to keep them friendly to her kingdom, while holding them off indefinitely. But playing this tantalising game with the married Robert Dudley, the son and grandson ofTrade Review[Weir] gets right inside the head of the Virgin Queen. The reader has a blissful sense of seeing history as it happens. -- Kate Saunders * The Times *Politics, historical detail and unfulfilled love in Alison Weir's endlessly fascinating account of Elizabeth I's attempt reconcile her personal passions with public life . . . The sheer weight of Weir’s scholarship underpins the narrative, making it endlessly fascinating. * Sunday Express *The captivating, tempestuous, often hilarious and ultimately poignant story of the extraordinary love affair between Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley * Historical Novel Review *With the vogue for Tudor history at its height, this is a brilliant novel that focuses on the volatile relationship with Elizabeth I and the charismatic Lord Dudley. * Woman and Home *Based on in-depth knowledge of Elizabeth’s court, and the intrigues that swirled around it, the novel has the benefit of both verisimilitude and captivating story-telling. * Choice Magazine *
£9.49
Pan Macmillan The Butlins Girls
Book SynopsisA comforting story set against the nation's favourite holiday camp, from bestselling author of The Woolworths Girls'Molly Missons gazed around in awe. So this was Butlin's. Whitewashed buildings, bordered by rhododendrons, gave a cheerful feeling to a world still recovering from six years of war. The Skegness holiday camp covered a vast area, much larger than Molly expected to see.'Molly Missons hasn't had the best of times recently. Having lost her parents, now some dubious long-lost family have darkened her door - attempting to steal her home and livelihood... After a horrendous ordeal, Molly applies for a job as a Butlin's Aunty. When she receives news that she has got the job, she immediately leaves her small home town - in search of a new life in Skegness.Molly finds true friendship in Freda, Bunty and Plum. But the biggest shock is discovering that star of the silver screen, Johnny JohnsTrade ReviewHeartwarming . . . a must-read -- Woman's Own on The Woolworths 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 Girls *Elaine brings the heyday of the iconic high-street giant to life in her charming novel * S Magazine on The Woolworths Girls *
£8.54
Simon & Schuster Ltd The Last Pearl
Book SynopsisSet in York in 1870, The Last Pearl is the wonderful new novel from the author of The Postcard and The Captain's Daughter.Trade Review‘A fabulous story of people, places and pearls from a master storyteller’ -- Lancashire Evening Post on The Last Pearl
£7.59
Simon & Schuster Ltd Lizzie of Langley Street
Book SynopsisAn absorbing 1920s saga set in London's East End.
£7.59
Headline Publishing Group Wildfire In His Arms
Book SynopsisA passionate new tale from No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsey, featuring one of her most intriguing heroes: the dangerous and mysterious Degan Grant from One Heart to Win. Perfect for fans of Julia Quinn''s Bridgerton.A dangerous gunfighter. A beautiful outlaw. A thrilling pursuit.Degan Grant is heading to California, far away from the home he wants to forget, when a US Marshal calls in a favour. Degan has to apprehend three outlaws and turn them over to the law - easy enough for a man no one wants to tangle with. But one of the outlaws defies Degan''s every expectation. Maxine is sassy, spirited - and insists she is innocent. And, knowing that her capture will lead to her hanging, she''s determined to escape the handsome, enigmatic gunfighter. Forced into intimate proximity with his beguiling prisoner, Degan finds his desire for Maxine sparking into a wildfire of passion between tTrade ReviewIf readers need to remember why they are Lindsey fans, she delivers every reason in this spinoff of One Heart to Win. She incorporates her signature captive/captor plotline with sassy dialogue, plenty of verbal sparring, lots of heat and a bit of humor, all in perfect proportions * Romantic Times *Many wonderful heroes have been created by Johanna Lindsey, and those who live in the Old West are always a favorite. Wildfire In His Arms has one surprise after another, and the twists are inventively riveting * Single Titles *You could feel the sexual attraction between these two . . . Lindsey allowed their relationship to develop slowly increasing the tension and making unexpected kisses sizzle . . . If you are looking for strong characters and a slow burning romance wrapped in suspense and surrounded by tumbleweeds look no further than Wildfire In His Arms * Caffeinated Book Reviewer *There is action, romance and suspense which make for a perfect escape from reality . . . I enjoyed this book so much * My Nook, Books And More *This is a wonderful historical western romance with some twists that make this story totally unique. Ms Lindsey is known for her awesome historical novels . . . I was immediately hooked and stayed that way until the end of this story. I absolutely loved the characters, the settings and the interactions . . . Fantastic story from beginning to end that has Ms Lindsey's storytelling talent shining * Night Owl Romance *Saddle up for an opposites-attract meets knight-in-tarnished-armor romance * XOXO After Dark *Johanna Lindsey still has a knack of creating fun and unforgettable characters who remain in a reader's thoughts and heart years after finishing a book . . . Wildfire In His Arms is a walk in time, reminding me of the many reasons I adore Johanna Lindsey's brand of storytelling and her masterful ability to create memorable characters * Romance Junkies *One thing is for sure: Johanna Lindsey has a remarkable ability to pen characters who are at once dashing, dangerous, protective, intriguing, loving, admirable, eccentric, unusual, strong, determined and so much more, all at the same time! * Fallen Angel Reviews *
£9.49
Headline Publishing Group Dark Serpent Hugh Corbett Mysteries Book 18
Book SynopsisPaul Doherty''s most popular series character returns. It is the Summer of 1311 and Hugh Corbett is about to take up a life of danger again in the eighteenth novel in his series, DARK SERPENT, the follow up to THE MYSTERIUM. If you love historical mysteries from Robin Hobb, Susanna Gregory, Michael Jecks, Peter Tremayne and Bernard Knight you will love this.After his recent unveiling of a devious assassin, Sir Hugh Corbett has returned to service as the Keeper of the Secret Seal, begrudgingly admitting that his appetite for adventure has once again been whetted. Summoned to meet the King to be congratulated on their work together, Corbett and Ranulf learn of the death of Corbett''s close friend, Ralph Grandison. Ralph, a leper, has been found dead in a rowing boat, a dagger thrust through his chest. But this murder is not the first of its kind. Other patients of the hospital in which Ralph was staying have similarly slaughtered and it seems as though the leper
£10.44
Headline Publishing Group Caught By The Scot Made To Marry 1
Book SynopsisCAUGHT BY THE SCOT is a fabulously witty and irresistibly sexy Scottish historical romance from New York Times bestseller Karen Hawkins. Fans of Julia Quinn, Monica McCarty and Julie Garwood will be won over by the spellbinding Made to Marry series.When the dark Duke of Hamilton loses his beloved wife, he heeds her dying wish that he make certain her three brothers marry well for she fears they are all headed to ruin. Heartsick, the Duke approaches the task with a heavy hand, ordering the three brothers to marry within three months or forego their inheritance.The middle brother, the dashing Conner Douglas, is not about to give up his independence, but he knows marriage doesn''t always mean one much change, does it? If anything, being married to a pliable sort of female would give him even more opportunity to seduce the married women of the ton. So he heads straight for the most pliable female he knows - a childhood acquaintance and now mousy spinster, Trade ReviewKaren Hawkins will capture your heart -- Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling authorKaren Hawkins writes fast, fun, and sexy stories that are the perfect read for a rainy day, a sunny day, or any day at all! -- Christina DoddKnown for her quick-moving, humorous and poignant stories... Readers will be delighted by the perfect pacing, the humorous dialogue and the sizzling sensual romance * Romantic Times, Top Pick *Always fun and sexy, a Karen Hawkins book is a sure delight -- Victoria Alexander, New York Times bestselling authorHawkins delivers a fast paced, robust historical novel filled with wit and romance! * Night Owl Reviews *
£9.49
Headline Publishing Group Jane Steele
Book Synopsis''Reader, I murdered him.'' JANE STEELE is a brilliant Gothic retelling of JANE EYRE from Edgar-nominated Lyndsay Faye, for fans of LONGBOURN and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES.''I loved it'' - Elly Griffiths ** JANE STEELE HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR AN EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL 2017 **Like the heroine of the novel she adores, Jane Steele suffers cruelly at the hands of her aunt and schoolmaster. And like Jane Eyre, they call her wicked - but in her case, she fears the accusation is true. When she flees, she leaves behind the corpses of her tormentors. A fugitive navigating London''s underbelly, Jane rights wrongs on behalf of the have-nots whilst avoiding the noose. Until an advertisement catches her eye. Her aunt has died and the new master at Highgate House, Mr Thornfield, seeks a governess. Anxious to know if she is Highgate''s true heir, Jane takes the position and is soon caught up in the household''s strange spell. WhenTrade ReviewI loved it. What a clever, funny, gruesome, absorbing story! -- Elly GriffithsThis is a wonderfully wicked book. The deadly first chapter actually made me gasp. Jane Steele is a character you will not soon forget. Great evil fun! -- R.L. Stine, New York Times bestselling author of Goosebumps and Fear StreetLyndsay Faye pulls off the most elusive feat of historical fiction: to give us a book that reads as though it was unearthed from a perfectly preserved antique chest. Sneakily charming and wildly well written, like Faye's other novels Jane Steele demands attention -- Matthew Pearl, New York Times bestselling author of The Dante Club and The Last BookaneerA heady mix of pastiche and thriller . . . a delight from first to last * The Sunday Times *Jane Steele is lethal good fun! In Jane, Lyndsay Faye has created a heroine unwilling to suffer tyrants or fools. The result is a darkly-humorous, elegantly-crafted story of an "accidental" vigilante. A delicious read -- Suzanne Rindell, author of The Other TypistLet's be honest here. When I was sent an advanced readers' copy of Jane Steele, which was billed as an historical crime novel with a Jane-Eyre-style heroine who becomes a serial killer, I thought someone was pulling my leg. I decided to read ten pages, just to annoy myself as I'm often inclined to do. Also, to show what a good sport I am. I was hooked by page five and read my way through at a merry clip. I loved this book! The language rings true, the period details are correct. Jane Steele is a joy, both plucky and rueful in her assessment of her dark deeds. The plotting is solid and the pacing sublime. If this were a series, this would be the perfect introduction. As a stand-alone, I give it an A+ -- Sue Grafton, #1 New York Times bestselling authorEnchanting. Jane Steele is beautifully rendered and utterly captivating, from the first cry of "reader, I murdered him" to its final pages. Lyndsay Faye is a masterful storyteller, and this is her finest tale yet -- Maria Konnikova, New York Times bestselling author of Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock HolmesA witty, macabre reimagining of Jane Eyre * Stylist Magazine *From the gasp-inducing moment Jane Steele utters the words "reader, I murdered him", you know you are in for a rollicking romp of an adventure that recasts the Jane Eyre story in an entirely new light. But mixed in with the verve and vivacity is a story of real heart, exemplary, near-forgotten history, and an utterly unforgettable heroine. Brava to Lyndsay Faye for what's already one of my favorite thrillers of the year -- Sarah Weinman, editor of Women Crime Writers: Eight Suspense Novels of the 1940s & 50sYoung Jane Steele's favorite book, Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, mirrors her life both too little and too much . . . In an arresting tale of dark humor and sometimes gory imagination, Faye has produced a heroine worthy of the gothic literature canon but reminiscent of detective fiction * Library Journal, Starred Review *Add Jane Steele to that club of unforgettable antiheroes - Tom Ripley, Hannibal Lecter, and Dexter Morgan - who do dreadful things to bad people. Bold, inventive, and charmingly wicked, this instantly addictive novel pays homage to Jane Eyre while being wholly original. Lyndsay Faye has created a masterpiece -- Hilary DavidsonFaye's skill at historical mystery was evident in her nineteenth-century New York trilogy, but this slyly satiric stand-alone takes her prowess to new levels. A must for Brontë devotees; wickedly entertaining for all -- Michele LeberI love Lyndsay Faye's audaciousness in recasting Jane as a murder, and the Victorian Gothic atmosphere is superbly done -- Stephanie LamJane Eyre gets a dose of Dexter * Cosmopolitan *Jane Steele is a marvellous book and I loved every elegantly wrought sentence of it. No reader could wish for a more entertaining narrator than big-hearted, knife-wielding Jane, nor a more vivid and convincing portrait of nineteenth century England. A very worthy companion to its inspiration and template, Jane Eyre, but with a great deal more blood, swearing and general uproariousness. Wonderful -- Kate RiordanIt's amazing. Best book of 2016 so far -- Kirsty Logan"Reader, I murdered him." That's how Lyndsay Faye sets up her take on Jane Eyre. Like the classic heroine, Jane is a Victorian orphan, mistreated and sent off to school. Only she's a killer seeking vengeance in this clever thriller * US Weekly *Must Read * Marie Claire *Witty, exquisitely plotted, this is such a delectable treat 'tis a pity it has to end * People magazine *Reader, she murdered him. In Lyndsay Faye's darkly comic retelling of Jane Eyre, the heroine is a serial killer with justification for every bloody act * Wall Street Journal *The narrative is infused with humour and wit, is entertaining and engaging. This is exactly what good storytelling should be * Never Imitate Blog *A perfect read. A great plot with unexpected twists and turns, highly original * Biblio Maniac UK Blog *One for everyone. Possibly the best fun you'll have with a story this year . . . Highly recommended * Liz Loves Books Blog *Faye hasn't embarked on a retelling of Brontë's masterwork, or anyone else's, for that matter. Her novel pays homage to the greats, yet offers a heroine whose murky past and murderous present remind us that some female behavior in other eras never made it into print * National Public Radio *
£9.49
Headline Export Editions Empire of the Moghul Traitors in the Shadows
Book SynopsisA dynasty at war - the sixth in the bloody and gripping Empire of the Moghul series
£10.49
Little, Brown Book Group Quicksilver
Book SynopsisFrom HRH Princess Michael of Kent, bestselling author of The Queen of Four Kingdoms, comes the eagerly-anticipated third volume in the Anjou trilogy.The final volume of the Anjou trilogy focuses on merchant Jacques Coeur, a man of humble beginnings but fiercely ambitious, who became one of the richest and most powerful men in fifteenth century France. HRH Princess Michael of Kent vividly re-enacts the life of Jacques Coeur as he becomes trusted confidante and champion of the Anjou royal family, particularly of his beloved patroness Yolande, Queen of the Four Kingdoms, and, of course, the beautiful and captivating Agnes Sorel who Jacques comes to know and understand as a friend.As Jacques''s star shines brighter and brighter, his story runs parallel to that of Yolande and Agnes Sorel until the three interlink in devastating fashion and Jacques''s ambition and generosity become his downfall. Meticulously researched and powerfully evoked, HTrade ReviewA great story, about a rough, colourful, semi-lawless time in France, told in the present tense, which gives the writing certain immediacy . . . It is very rewarding to find [this period] brought so vividly to life in these pages. - Julian Fellowes, MajestyPrincess Michael of Kent's enthusiasm and her dedication to historical research are evident - Philippa Scott, The Lady
£6.74
Headline Publishing Group The Art of Sinning Sinful Suitors 1
Book SynopsisIf you love Julia Quinn''s Bridgerton, you''ll be enchanted by Sabrina Jeffries'' Sinful Suitors!''Anyone who loves romance must read Sabrina Jeffries!'' Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling authorThe Art of Sinning is the first novel in the Sinful Suitors series by New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries. Sabrina''s witty, sexy historicals will be loved by fans of Sarah MacLean, Eloisa James and Julia Quinn.At St. George''s Club, guardians conspire to keep their unattached sisters and wards out of the clutches of sinful suitors. Which works fine...except when the sinful suitors are members...American artist Jeremy Keane refuses to return home and take over his father''s business. He''d much rather sample bevvies of beauties abroad, in search of a model for the provocative masterpiece he''s driven to paint
£9.49
Headline Publishing Group Cradle of Thorns
Book SynopsisCradle of Thorns by Josephine Cox, the Sunday Times bestselling author of Lonely Girl and Whistledown Woman, is a classic spell-binding tale of escape, love and family, that will appeal to fans of Catherine Cookson and Rosie Goodwin. ''One of the country''s best-loved storytellers'' PrimaNell Reece has never known her mother, and her father''s burden of guilt about his wife has kept him cowed for years, working as a common labourer on his sister''s farm. But for all her aunt''s spiteful attempts to break Nell''s independent spirit, she has never succeeded. But now Nell, pregnant and alone, is forced to leave behind the men in her life, believing she might never be able to return. With little but the clothes she wears, she travels across the Bedfordshire countryside of 1890. When she encounters a scruffy urchin called Kit, a ten-year-old orphan who''s lived his whole life on the streets, she takes him und
£11.81
Headline Publishing Group A Time for Us
Book SynopsisA classic novel, heartbreaking and emotional, from Sunday Times bestselling writer Josephine Cox, ''hailed quite rightly as a gifted writer in the tradition of Catherine Cookson'' Manchester Evening News. A Time For Us is perfect for fans of Lesley Pearse and Rosie Goodwin. Lucy Nolan is the golden girl. The only daughter of local grocers, Sally and Mike Nolan, she''s grown up in a home of total love and security. The one thing her heart desires is that Jack Hanson might ask her to marry him, and when he does eventually propose, Lucy is prepared to give up everything to be with him - even though it means leaving her beloved parents to live abroad where Jack has been offered an exciting business opportunity.But then, almost on the eve of the marriage itself, tragedy strikes. And for the first time in her life, Lucy is forced to realise that Fate, which has been so kind to her, can also be just as cruel.
£9.49
Orion Publishing Co Julian Fellowess Belgravia
Book SynopsisFROM THE CREATOR OF DOWNTON ABBEY and THE GILDED AGE''A modern classic that will fill any Downton-shaped hole'' Daily Express It is the evening of 15 June 1815, and the Duchess of Richmond has thrown a magnificent ball in Brussels for the Duke of Wellington. The guests include James and Anne Trenchard - who have made their money in trade - along with their beautiful daughter Sophia.When the Trenchards move into the fashionable new area of Belgravia some twenty-five years later, they are surrounded by some of London society''s most influential families. But something happened that night of the ball, so long ago, that threatens their new status. Because behind Belgravia''s magnificent doors is a world of secrets, gossip and intrigue. ''Stunning'' Mail on Sunday''Written with brio, the novel races along with all the page-turning suspense of a thriller'' WomanTrade ReviewWritten with brio, the novel races along with all the page-turning suspense of a thriller . . . a clever, involving read that brilliantly summons up a bygone world -- Fanny Blake * WOMAN & HOME *GH LOVES . . . DOWNTON ABBEY creator Julian Fellowes is bringing back the serialised novel . . . Set in the grand houses of 1840s London, this historical novel is full of secrets * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING *It gets off to a cracking start, with a cross-class love affair . . . a 21st-century immersive experience, with its roots in the great literary tradition of serial publication . . . [a] stunning new story * MAIL ON SUNDAY *A story that is making publication history by appearing first, week by week, on a downloadable app . . . ground-breaking * TELEGRAPH *simply a wonderful read. Fellowes is as witty as ever, yet again capturing those discerning older, upper-class women perfectly... a modern classic that will fill any Downton-shaped hole. * DAILY EXPRESS *Belgravia is a jolly romp about Fellowes's favourite subject, class... it will probably cheer up quite a lot of people. * SUNDAY TIMES *
£8.99
Hodder & Stoughton The Hamilton Affair
Book SynopsisLove Hamilton: An American Musical? You''ll adore The Hamilton Affair.THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERWar will bring them together. Peace will tear them apart. History will make them immortal . . .Born a bastard and raised an orphan in the stifling heat of the Caribbean, Alexander Hamilton must prove his worth on the bloody battlefields of the American Revolution. A wealthy child of privilege, Elizabeth Schuyler has never wanted for anything, yet she longs for a life of so much more. When fate brings them together, a passionate, life-long love affair begins. But to Alexander, burdened by his tragic origins, matters of honour can never be forgotten. As he risks everything for the future of his bold new country, this extraordinary marriage will be tested like no other - and become forever immortalised in hearts and minds.Praise for THE HAMILTON AFFAIR:''Trade ReviewIf you want the authoritative biography of Alexander Hamilton, Ron Chernow is the place to go. If historical fiction is your preference, Elizabeth Cobbs has now written the Hamilton novel that immediately leaps to the top of the list. -- Joseph J. Ellis, author of Founding BrothersWith the expertise of an historian and the intimacy and immediacy of a gifted novelist, Elizabeth Cobbs plunges us into the cauldron of love, war, betrayal, slavery, blackmail, revolution, dueling, and banking in which our nation was brewedand delivers us into the conflicted heart of one of its most passionate and misunderstood heroes. -- Stephen Harrigan, author of the bestselling The Gates of the Alamo and A Friend of Mr. LincolnA juicy answer to Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton * Cosmopolitan *Can't get tickets to Hamilton, the megahit Broadway musical? Don't despair, check out Elizabeth Cobbs finely tuned fictional biography of one of America's most intriguing yet vastly underrated Founding Fathers . . . Cobbs paints a portrait of a love so deep it was able to survive betrayal and a devastatingly public scandal. The focus alternates between Alexander and Elizabeth as their tempestuous tale unfolds in all its triumph and tragedy. * Booklist (starred review) *Cobbs' depiction of Hamilton will endear him in the hearts of readers * Publishers Weekly *Historic scholarship and creative music have suddenly turned Alexander Hamilton into one of the hottest of the nation's Founding Fathers. THE HAMILTON AFFAIR promises to turn up the heat even further. Elizabeth Cobbs superb novel about the many lives and perils of Hamilton and his wife Eliza adds delights and insights that are as fascinating as they are fun. Think of it as a terrific and must-companion to all things Hamilton. -- Kurt Anderson, author of True Believers
£9.49
Vintage Espanol El amante japonés The Japanese Lover
Book Synopsis
£15.30
St Martin's Press Falls the Shadow
Book SynopsisSimon de Montfort was a man ahead of his time in the thirteenth century, a disinherited Frenchman who talked his way into an English earldom and marriage with a sister of the English king, Henry III. A charismatic, obstinate leader, Simon soon lost patience with the king''s incompetence and inability to keep his word, and found himself the champion of the common people.This is his story, and the story of Henry III, as weak and changeable as Simon was brash and unbending. It is a tale of opposing wills that would eventually clash in a storm of violence and betrayalan irresistible saga that brings the pages of history completely, provocatively, and magnificently alive.
£21.24
Inner Traditions Bear and Company Templar Heresy: A Story of Gnostic Illumination
Book SynopsisSet within the dramatic tableau of the medieval Crusades, this story of initiation, adventure, and romance follows members of the Knights Templar and Assassins as they discover a mystical tradition with the potential to unify, protect, and liberate humankind--the very heresy for which the Knights Templar were later condemned. The tale begins with a young Persian student, Sinan, as he witnesses his teacher deliver the heretical Qiyama proclamation, seeking to abolish Islamic religious law in favor of a more mystical approach to spirituality. After completing his initiation into the revolutionary doctrines and practices of the Assassins - also known as the Nizari Ismailis or Hashishim - Sinan is appointed head of the Nizaris in Syria. Years later, after Sinan has become a wise and respected leader, he encounters Roland de Provence, a young member of the Knights Templar. Impressed by his courage and intelligence, Sinan selects him for initiation into the Nizari tradition. As readers follow Sinan and Roland through the process, they experience firsthand the transmission of these secret teachings and the paranormal, even magical powers of the Assassin adepts. Bringing to life the historical truths of his expertly researched bestseller The Templars and the Assassins, James Wasserman artfully traces the evolution of the Western Esoteric Tradition during the fertile cultural interactions of the Crusades. Trade Review“An erudite, gripping novel of one man’s journey, set during the tumultuous Crusades, where a series of totally unexpected twists and turns leads to a subsequent initiation process, creating extraordinary transformative changes, forever altering his perception of himself, the world, and those around him. This fascinating account parallels a far greater universal theme--that of a profound spiritual quest of heart and soul, of timeless wisdom and raw courage, where definitions and boundaries change, new doorways open as others close, where peace is valued and challenges are met, and longstanding cultural ‘mythconceptions’ on both sides undergo a dramatic metamorphosis--never to be the same again! A riveting read, the kind you can’t put down . . . a panacea for a battle weary world.” * Karen Ralls, Ph.D., The Templars and the Grail *“James Wasserman has risen to the challenge of the daunting task of making medieval history, and especially esoteric history, entertaining and compelling. Things were so very different then, but some things never change. Wasserman has located the spiritual Gnosis in relations between a few remarkable Templars and the survivals of the antique Gnosis in Syria and Languedoc. Templar Heresy is a story of personal illumination the reader can easily share because it is clearly, sincerely, and excitingly expressed.” * Tobias Churton, author of The Invisible History of the Rosicrucians *“Templar Heresy is a unique tale of spiritual growth and initiation-- words that have been so abused of late they seemingly have little meaning. In his rescuing of these sacred terms, Wasserman creates a teaching tool of vital importance. Unlike similar books, loosely wrapped in a historical veneer or vague spiritual teachings (often channeled from a past life), Templar Heresy is rigorous in its spiritual content and historical context. Readers cannot come away unchanged--as Templar Heresy will teach you about the past, the present (and possibly give a glimpse of the future), as well as authentic spiritual initiation. It will also teach you something about yourself. Readers be warned!” * Mark Stavish, director of studies for the Institute for Hermetic Studies *“Historians struggle to strip away the dark veils of the ancient days and reveal just a glimpse of the panorama of life in the distant past. The attempts are frequently pallid portraits of times that cry out for a rich palette of many tones with the deft hand of an artist. In Templar Heresy, James Wasserman gives us just such a vivid portrait of the burgeoning disparate movements of the medieval Crusades--from the infamous cult of Assassins to the Order of the Knights Templar. The evolution of the Western esoteric tradition is revealed as we follow the lives of Sinan the Assassin and the Templar Roland de Provence through these journeys of Spiritual Aspiration and Realization, Betrayal and Persecution, Love and Reconciliation. This is history imbued with the colors of life that only life can reveal. Templar Heresy is a dramatic tour de force not to be missed.” * J. Daniel Gunther, author of Initiation in the Aeon of the Child *“Wasserman’s style is delightful. He reminds me of classical French authors like Alexandre Dumas the younger. Moving straight ahead with his story, he wastes no time with excessive explanation while providing a real study of the political circumstances of the period. This book brings together accurate and insightful historical investigation with well-written and intuitive storytelling.” * Georg Dehn, editor of The Book of Abramelin: A New Translation *“Wasserman’s Templar Heresy reads like a colorful and addicting novel while deconstructing everything you thought you knew about the Templars and the history of Western civilization. To say that it offers new and disturbing insights on today’s geopolitical realities would be a gross understatement. Highly recommended.” * Lon Milo DuQuette, author of The Key to Solomon’s Key *“Templar Heresy invites us to consider that a mystical or esoteric explanation of our own times is the only one that makes any sense. Wasserman tells the story of the Templars in a fictional way but also with a sense of the context of the times--there are both real and invented characters, both real and invented events. There is magic and mystery and esoteric philosophy; in these pages we see that Muslims and Christians may have more in common with each other than we ever realized. Templar Heresy is a treatise on that struggle between ignorance and knowledge--not just from an intellectual perspective but from a spiritual one. It forces us to confront the whole concept of ‘heresy’ and to find that inner heretic in our own souls.” * Peter Levenda, author of The Lovecraft Code *“With the tumult between the West and the Middle East as part of our daily news cycle, James Wasserman has conjured up a riveting narrative that is as pertinent to today’s world struggles as it is a romantic and evocative adventure of a bygone era. Wasserman casts the adept’s spell, sweeping up the reader onto a magic carpet ride of Assassins and Templars, heresy and intrigue, rituals, hashish, initiation, and sexual exploration. The tale explains much about the cultural cataclysm that marks every aspect of our contemporary world.” * Peter Seals (Frater Puck), host of Thelema Now! *Table of ContentsMap of the Region A Note to the Reader on the Historical Context Marco Polo’s Tale of the Assassins The Papal Charges against the Templars part one The Qiyama and the Assassins part two The Mission of the Templars part three The Teachings of Sinan part four The Gnosis Spreads West part five Return to Al-Kaph and Death part six Suspicion and Surveillance part seven The Teachings of the Cathars part eight Initiation and Arrest part nine The Albigensian Crusades Afterword Acknowledgments Other Books by James Wasserman
£11.04
Griffin Publishing The Star Garden
Book Synopsis
£15.29
Picador USA Mason Dixon
Book SynopsisCharles Mason (1728-1786) and Jeremiah Dixon (1733-1779) were the British surveyors best remembered for running the boundary between Pennsylvania and Maryland that we know today as the Mason-Dixon Line. Here is their story as re-imagined by Thomas Pynchon, featuring Native Americans and frontier folk, ripped bodices, naval warfare, conspiracies erotic and political, and major caffeine abuse. We follow the mismatched pair--one rollicking, the other depressive; one Gothic, the other pre-Romantic--from their first journey together to the Cape of Good Hope, to pre-Revolutionary America and back, through the strange yet redemptive turns of fortune in their later lives, on a grand tour of the Enlightenment''s dark hemisphere, as they observe and participate in the many opportunities for insanity presented them by the Age of Reason.
£21.60
Vintage Publishing Eco U Prague Cemetery
Book SynopsisNineteenth-century Europe abounds with conspiracy both ghastly and mysterious. Jesuits plot against Freemasons. Italian priests are strangled with their own intestines. French criminals plan bombings by day and celebrate black masses by night. Every nation has its own secret service, perpetrating forgeries, plots, and massacres. But what if, behind all of these conspiracies, lies just one man?Trade Review[This] magnificent new novel... marks a return to the heady mixture of absorbing ideas and down-and-dirty historical detail that made The Name of the Rose such an international bestseller in the 1980's -- Adam Lively * Sunday Times *This is a great mystery novel about paranoia, prejudice and forgery... We gain access to a world of city streets, strange anecdotes, gourmet menus, and conspiratorial minds... Eco’s best novel since The Name of the Rose * Independent *A smartly entertaining fin-de-siècle romp * Independent *An extremely readable narrative of betrayal, terrorism, murder and gourmadising... The great trick Eco pulls off here is to combine the most chilling of ideas - the origin of a hoax that led to genocide - with, elsewhere in the novel, an often funny lightness of touch... In other hands, this novel could have been grim. But you end up feeling, despite all the darkness, that Eco is one of literature's great optimists -- Sinclair Mckay * Daily Telegraph *Imagine Dan Brown adorned with a PhD: that's Umberto Eco * Observer *
£10.44
